Pretending To Have A Certain Persona Can Be Tiring - Chapter 4

Seeing the tension rising, Yin Wei quickly tried to smooth things over: “The goal of this task was for everyone to experience activity planning. Those who were not selected should not be discouraged; learning something is a success in itself, and there will be many more opportunities in the future.”

As she finished speaking, Ji Ting asked, “Who came up with the idea for the voice exhibition?”

Sang Ling felt her heart drop: “Senior, it was me…”

Ji Ting did not rebuke her but instead looked at Song Yang: “Song Yang, looking at your current attitude, one might think you were the one who came up with the idea. The student council needs people who work diligently, not those who love to show off and be in the spotlight.”

“Huh?” Song Yang bristled, his fists suddenly clenching. “I am showing off? This proposal is the collective result of our group. Why can I not ask a question? And why do you say I am not doing any real work? Which eye of yours saw that?”

Seeing him speak disrespectfully, Tao Ziyi pulled his sleeve in panic, telling him to calm down. He Jiamiao also quickly walked over to hold him back: “That is enough, kid. We are not here to fight today.”

“I did indeed see it.” Ji Ting’s voice was void of emotion. He tilted his head slightly, his thin lips pressed downward, looking cold and arrogant. “I ran into you all at the café last Sunday. Those two were discussing things heatedly, while you were sleeping soundly on the side. What I despise most is someone who slacks off during group work. You may lack ability, but you cannot lack attitude.”

Song Yang was stunned, his eyes suddenly widening: Oh, great! This ice-faced jerk was spying on me!

He had indeed been asleep, but only that one time. He had worked diligently in private without being seen, yet he was caught the one time he slacked off. Talk about bad luck!

The surrounding noise surged like a tide. Song Yang felt the stares around him like needles, his face turning red with embarrassment. It was incredibly humiliating; this jerk really did not give him any face at all.

“I—I really could not help falling asleep that day, but I have put in plenty of effort behind the scenes. You just did not see it. Do you really believe that just because you did not see it, it does not exist?”

Seemingly displeased by his retort, Ji Ting’s eyes grew colder: “If your private effort is significant, yet the final result is unsatisfactory, then what is the value of your effort? If you truly want to prove yourself, you should humbly ask for advice, discover problems, and solve them, rather than relying on your mouth to argue unreasonably.”

His words were like strong liquor; they seemed flat on the surface, but they were stimulating and burning once swallowed, searing the throat. Song Yang fancied himself a top-tier debater, yet this was the first time he felt defeated by Ji Ting.

Furious, he raised his voice again: “I was only asking for the reason for our elimination; why do you call that arguing unreasonably? It was clearly you who were being aggressive first!”

“Alright, alright!” He Jiamiao pulled him away. “Say less. I will explain it to Senior Ji Ting in private.”

Ji Ting said nothing more, his expression clearly conveying his disdain.

Both sides were being held back, eventually preventing a major battle from breaking out. The members of the presidium left, and the other members dispersed after witnessing the drama. Only Song Yang, his two groupmates, and He Jiamiao remained in the classroom.

“You should learn to endure such things in the future,” He Jiamiao said, leaning against the edge of the table and patiently counseling him. “Senior Ji Ting has always been like this—straightforward and merciless. I was scolded miserably by him back then. The student council is just like a future workplace; it is all about social conventions. If a leader says you are wrong, you are wrong. Being too pedantic will do you no good.”

Song Yang obediently lowered his eyes, though he remained stubborn: “You really cannot say that. That guy Ji Ting is like those annoying bosses in the office—the kind that no employee under them likes.”

Tao Ziyi said: “I told you the presidium was not to be messed with, but you did not believe me. Even though they are only two years ahead of us, they are the leaders. What leader does not have a bit of an ego?”

He Jiamiao: “Song Yang, regardless, you should apologize to the president in private.”

Song Yang pouted: “I do not think I was wrong, so I will not apologize.”

He Jiamiao said: “Did I not tell you? Whether you were wrong or not, if you want to make it in the student council, you have to swallow this pride.”

“But I just cannot swallow it.” Song Yang scratched his hair. “Also, I do not understand. Senior, did you not say before that our group would definitely be selected?”

“These things vary from person to person. I think your voice exhibition is good, but others might not think so. Do not be discouraged.”

Sang Ling said: “If it varies from person to person, then maybe the school leaders would favor this proposal.”

He Jiamiao: “Last year’s competition proposal was given directly to the school leaders. This time, it was stipulated that the presidium must screen it first, probably to reduce the workload for the leaders.”

“I am also puzzled.” Song Yang raised his volume. “It is clearly an event organized by the Literary Department; why does it need to be reviewed by the presidium? I also heard that the Literary Department used to be directly under the Art Troupe before it was divided into the student council.”

Tao Ziyi became interested: “The Art Troupe sounds nice. Do they sing and dance all day? That sounds much more refreshing than us miserable wage workers.”

Sang Ling added: “To tell you the truth, when I signed up, I thought the Literary Department was about singing and dancing. Who knew it was about playing with Office software on a computer?”

Song Yang slapped the table indignantly: “Enough, brothers. Sooner or later, we will start a Literary Department independence movement to help the department escape Ji Ting’s rule. I will be the first to rise up and oppose Ji Ting’s hegemonism. Senior Jiamiao, I support you in usurping the throne.”

“You…” He Jiamiao poked his forehead helplessly. “I really want to sew your mouth shut! I just spent so much effort trying to enlighten you, and it went in one ear and out the other. Also, stop calling him Ji Ting directly. Even I have to call him Senior.”

Song Yang did not care: “Why fear? Your reverence for them is just an innate fear of superiors. If Ji Ting did not have the identity of president, what would he be capable of? He acts so arrogant, as if he is the king of the world. I despise people who act like they are all that.”

No sooner had he finished speaking than Sang Ling, standing opposite him, suddenly revealed a look of terror. Tao Ziyi trembled all over, fiercely yanking Song Yang’s arm: “Cough, cough!”

“What, did you swallow your tongue?”

Tao Ziyi quickly signaled to him with his eyes. Song Yang turned his head back following his gaze, only to see a familiar figure standing at the doorway of the lecture hall. His long black trench coat made his stature appear even more slender.

There was no emotion on Ji Ting’s face, but Song Yang could vaguely feel the lethal power in his gaze. It felt as if a sharp arrow was hidden inside, aimed straight at Song Yang to kill him in one hit.

“Ji… phooey, Senior!” Song Yang ejected himself from his seat, his entire body stiffening so hard he nearly lost his balance. He looked at Ji Ting, his eyes flickering with guilt, and stammered, “I—I was just joking with them. I did not mean…”

Before he could finish, Ji Ting crossed the classroom with his long legs and strode to the first row. He picked up the fountain pen left on the table, then slowly lifted his eyelids to look down at Song Yang. His slender eye tails were slightly raised, seemingly hiding sharpness; his gaze was like a provocation, or perhaps more like a warning.

Song Yang felt as if he were standing in an ice cellar, making every hair on his body stand on end.

He did not say a word; he simply tucked the pen into his pocket and walked out gracefully. From the moment he entered to pick up the pen until he left, it took less than a minute. Yet, Song Yang’s back was stiff, and his heart was in his throat. This silence was more powerful than sound; it felt as if ten thousand years had passed.

Tao Ziyi’s tense nerves finally relaxed, though he was still shaken: “My god, you scared the life out of me.”

He Jiamiao sighed helplessly and closed her eyes in despair: “What did I tell you? You could not keep your composure and had to run your mouth. Now look at what you have done.”

Song Yang slapped himself twice in his heart and swallowed his spit, his voice trembling: “When did he start standing there?”

Sang Ling broke into a cold sweat for him: “Probably since you started your ‘Literary Department Independence Declaration’.”

“Damn it, I was really just joking. I would not dare… Senior, is it too late for me to quit the student council now?” Song Yang looked at He Jiamiao tentatively with innocent eyes.

He Jiamiao had a look of “hopeless” on her face and calmly pronounced his sentence: “It is too late. Just bury yourself.”

Seeing that it was nearly 9:30 PM, Song Yang had no time to deal with the mess he had made tonight. He hurriedly bid farewell to He Jiamiao and the others, and ran to the subway station as soon as he left the school.

On the subway, he received a private message from Xiao Dai:

[Xiao Dai: Ceil, the livestream starts at ten. Do not forget.]

[Ceil: Hmm, I am almost home.]

Song Yang put down his phone. The whistling sound of the subway passing through the tunnel filled his ears. He stared quietly at the roof of the carriage, his thoughts drifting.

I might just have bad luck with Ji Ting, Song Yang thought. Maybe he is my predestined nemesis. It is a disaster tonight; we have truly crossed lines. What if that jerk king gives me a hard time at work later?

After all, considering my relationship with Ji Ting, if this were the feudal era, he would be the king, and I would be the courtier. If the king wants the courtier to die, the courtier… no, no, this will not do!

After a moment of thought, he decisively picked up his phone.

[Ceil: By the way, Xiao Dai, do you have any official merchandise left? A friend of mine happens to be a fan of yours, and I want to buy some to give to him.]

[Xiao Dai: Oh, unless something unexpected happens, I do! I have to ask.]

[Xiao Dai: Which kind do you want? I will send it to you directly.]

Song Yang thought for a moment. That 2D otaku Ji Ting probably went to fight for merchandise last week. Since he was giving it as a gift, he had to give something rare—the kind that the dead-set otaku definitely could not snatch.

[Ceil: Can I have the collector’s edition Nendoroid?]

The pretty lady’s Nendoroid—won’t that make you go crazy? Once the grudge is cleared, my days in the student council will not be so rough in the future.

A winning smile spread across Song Yang’s lips.

Song Yang returned to his apartment, threw his schoolbag on the bed, and poured a glass of warm water before turning on the computer.

Tonight was the collaboration livestream he had been looking forward to for a long time. It was a rare opportunity, and he warned himself repeatedly to keep his temper in check and not be impulsive. He could not bring shame to Xiao Dai. Regardless of anything, it was always better to be cautious.

Ten o’clock arrived. Song Yang opened the livestream on time, pinched his throat, expertly switched his voice, and greeted the few viewers present as usual.

Ceil: “Ceil is going to connect with a good friend tonight. Everyone can guess who it is.”

The chat ignored him.

Ceil blinked innocently: “Then we will wait for her to invite me. It will be revealed soon.”

[Not looking forward to it.]

Song Yang’s internal monologue: Who the hell asked you?

Ceil’s voice sounded a bit aggrieved: “You should look forward to it. That streamer is a very interesting girl.”

[What? There is a pretty lady? Is this not more interesting than a fake-voiced boy?]

[Waiting for it.]

At that moment, Xiao Dai’s invitation link popped up. Song Yang’s heart beat faster, and his fingers trembled slightly as he clicked “Accept.”

Immediately after, Xiao Dai’s avatar appeared next to Ceil: a head of seaweed-like purple curly hair, butterfly hair accessories on both sides, and pale purple eyes that seemed to contain stars. It was a beautifully drawn skin that perfectly matched Xiao Dai’s gentle and delicate voice.

As soon as she arrived, the number of people in Song Yang’s room suddenly increased by several dozen—they were all Xiao Dai’s fans who had come from the other side.

“Hi, good evening, Ceil.” Xiao Dai’s tone was very cheerful.

“Good evening, Sister Xiao Dai.”

“I have been looking forward to this for several days. I can finally collaborate with you. I am very excited now.”

Ceil replied softly: “Me too, and I am also very nervous. This is my first time doing a connected livestream with someone else. I am worried I will not broadcast well.”

Xiao Dai chuckled a few times and said: “Do not be nervous. The babies in our livestream room are all very kind. Babies, Ceil will play games with me today. I heard he is very good at playing games.”

“Actually, it is just okay. I will have to ask Sister to take care of me later, hehe.”

As soon as he finished speaking, the bullet comments in the chat box scrolled by. Song Yang took a glance.

[The chat on the other side is too noisy. Come here to get some peace and quiet.]

[Coming from Dai Dai’s side. So annoying. Why do you have to collaborate with Dai Dai? And with this affected, hypocritical voice, it makes me want to vomit like I ate feces. Just roll away!]

The two livestream rooms were not interconnected, so Xiao Dai could not see the bullet comments here.

Song Yang felt displeased and cursed inwardly: The country is truly developed now; inclusivity is gradually increasing. Even red-eyed baboons can go online. I still have to play games with her, and she is still going to send me Nendoroids. I hope you die of jealousy.

[To the one above, can you stop bringing shame to Dai Dai? Streamer, mute him. He is really bringing shame to us Dai-fans.]

[Streamer, do not pay him any mind. You are very cute. Following you now. Take good care of our Dai Dai while playing.]

Song Yang felt much more at ease and spoke again: “What we are playing tonight is ‘Jungle Realm,’ a horror-oriented adventure game.”

Xiao Dai: “I have not played horror games yet. I do not know if my little heart can withstand it.”

Ceil: “Sister Xiao Dai, do not worry, Ceil will protect you.”