Your Aloof Persona Has Crumbled - Chapter 46

Lu Jingwei looked at Wen Shike, whose head was lowered and whose body was trembling slightly. “Are you okay?”

“I’m fine.” Wen Shike straightened up, instantly becoming serious and feigning a couple of dry coughs.

[Wen Shike: I don’t get it, hahaha. Actually, my acting isn’t bad.]

[Fu Chenyuan: ???]

[Fu Chenyuan: Blocked.]

Wen Shike turned off her phone screen and leaned against the back of her chair. Watching the TV, her mood had brightened considerably. Whenever she saw a particularly ugly expression on screen, she still couldn’t resist taking a photo to send to Fu Chenyuan.

After responding with a contemptuous look, Fu Chenyuan didn’t say another word, presumably, she had muted Wen Shike.

At dinner, the eleven of them sat around a long table, with Wen Shike seated at the head.

“When that picture of you in the qipao came out, everyone said Wen Shike looked like the head of a prestigious household. Seeing you now, it really fits,” Xu Keke teased with a smile. “We’ll be relying on the Head’s protection from now on.”

“Hahaha, true. We already felt the ‘Head’s’ power today,” Ming Wangxue winked at Wen Shike. “Truly a young miss; you were so cool today.”

“It finally feels like we’re going on a trip,” Jiang Qi rubbed her hands together. “Ah, I can’t wait. Heavens, I’m actually looking forward to starting work for once.”

“Do we need to book rooms in advance?” Sun Yuexi asked.

“Probably not… it should be the off-season right now?” Sheng Ling looked at Wen Shike, then suddenly realized something. “In June, Ming Wangxue has the College Entrance Exam (Gaokao), and you and Lu Jingwei have the CET-4/6 exams. So you’re going to be recording the show halfway and then leaving to take exams?”

“Yeah,” Wen Shike nodded, glancing at Lu Jingwei. “We can fly back in the morning and fly back to filming at night.”

Lu Jingwei had no objections.

Ming Wangxue’s face instantly fell. “Then what about me? My exam is two days long. Do I have to go by myself?”

“Good luck,” Sheng Ling patted Ming Wangxue’s shoulder. “You’re a big girl now. It’s just the Gaokao, you can do it.”

Ming Wangxue stared at Sheng Ling, not expecting her to be so heartless.

She sighed. For her, the joy of this trip had vanished. Her original in-person tutors had switched to online sessions, and her suitcase was now stuffed with several thick exercise books.

When they set off on Monday, Ming Wangxue’s suitcase was the largest. Lu Jingwei’s was second, and Wen Shike’s was the smallest, not only small but very light.

“If I need anything, I’ll just buy it there,” Wen Shike said calmly.

“Then what about when we come back?” Ming Wangxue asked curiously.

“Ship it?” Wen Shike glanced at her, her expression silently asking if she was stupid.

Ming Wangxue: I am the stupid one.

The production crew gave everyone a compact GoPro to make it easier for them to film their journey. Everyone turned them on to test them out.

Wen Shike turned her camera in a circle before pointing it at Lu Jingwei. Lu Jingwei looked up, a bit dazed, and then gave a smile toward the lens.

Wen Shike quickly moved the camera away.

The tickets were booked by Yang Simiao.

Yang Simiao had been voted as the “Finance Officer.” Originally, everyone wanted to pick Wen Shike, but Wen Shike subtly hinted at her unwillingness to manage money, so Yang Simiao was voted in instead.

During the vote count, someone actually voted for Ming Wangxue. Ming Wangxue was stunned, wondering who was so wicked, but no one admitted to it.

Managing money and accounts is a thankless task. Yang Simiao knew this well, but since she had been chosen, she couldn’t refuse. She suspected Wen Shike had cast her vote for her.

Yang Simiao chose a 9:00 AM high-speed train to “Jiangcheng.” The trip would take about five hours; direct flights weren’t available until the afternoon.

The variety show was confirmed to follow a “film as you go” editing style, so they toured according to specific themes. The first theme was “Appreciating History.”

Although it wasn’t a holiday, the high-speed rail station was still crowded.

While going through security, Wen Shike was recognized. Moreover, the person was clearly a “CP fan” (couple fan), because when Wen Shike took a bag from Lu Jingwei’s hand, the stranger wore a very strange grin, giggling “hehehe” while snapping photos.

To be honest, Wen Shike was a little creeped out.

The girl looked down at her photo, and when she looked up, she made eye contact with Wen Shike.

The girl froze for a second, seemingly startled herself, covered her face, and ran away.

Wen Shike: “…”

Wen Shike: “???”

“What’s wrong?” Lu Jingwei didn’t miss the flash of bewilderment on Wen Shike’s face.

“Nothing.” Wen Shike put her sunglasses back on.

The business class cabin was occupied only by the eleven of them and two staff members, the rest of the crew were in first class.

Wen Shike chose a seat next to Lu Jingwei. Just as she sat down, she saw Lu Jingwei pull out a book.

Ming Wangxue had wanted to play, but seeing Lu Jingwei’s actions, she silently pulled out her “5 Years Gaokao, 3 Years Simulation” (5/3) workbook.

“Eldest Miss, can I ask you if there’s something I don’t understand?” Ming Wangxue poked her head over from the back row.

Wen Shike glanced at her. “No.”

“Then can Lu Jingwei ask you if she doesn’t understand something?” Ming Wangxue’s eyes were clearly teasing and mischievous.

Right on the edge of making Wen Shike snap, Ming Wangxue pulled her head back.

She took out her phone and clicked into a certain group chat. It was buzzing with activity. Ming Wangxue watched for a bit and couldn’t help but chime in.

[Did you get your sugar today?]: A top-tier CP fan should create their own “sugar” (moments) to eat.

[Assorted Sweetness Overload]: They have so much natural sugar, do we even need to create it?

Sheng Ling lowered her voice: “If you’re ever found out, you’re dead.”

“I won’t be found out. I only have one QQ account, and I only add people online,” Ming Wangxue chuckled, then glanced at Sheng Ling. “Unless you snitch.”

“I wouldn’t do that.” Sheng Ling leaned against Ming Wangxue, watching her chat with the group.

[Reality is Real]: Speaking of which, why do we all instinctively assume the Eldest Miss is the ‘1’ (top), whether it’s in Reality or Shijin?

[Shijin is Super Sweet]: True. Probably because Weiweiwei is just really ‘shou’ (bottom).

[Got a Cavity]: Because I like the ‘younger top’ trope. And, hehehe, every time they dance, the Eldest Miss stands behind her with her arms around Weiweiwei… Okay, I can’t say more, or the group will be banned.

“Aren’t you going to work on your 5/3?” Sheng Ling reminded her.

Ming Wangxue: “…”

Ming Wangxue turned to look at Sheng Ling. “How come I never noticed before how annoying you are?”

“Just write. If you can’t even hit the 300 points threshold, just wait to be mocked by everyone,” Sheng Ling said crossly.

Ming Wangxue sighed and opened the heavy workbook. She sat up slightly to glance at Lu Jingwei.

She was actually still writing, not looking up once.

Wen Shike was a bit bored. She checked her friend group chat where people happened to be talking.

[Huang Xiyun]: Racing tonight. Anyone?

[Qu Zhouxu]: My car was confiscated. If you provide the car, I’m in.

[Huang Xiyun]: Racing tonight. Anyone?

[Qu Zhouxu]: [Smash head with poop emoji]

[Wen Shike]: Ah, I’m so bored, sisters.

Wen Shike glanced at Lu Jingwei. This person had completely entered “study mode,” and Wen Shike felt bad interrupting her.

[Meng Jinyu]: What are you doing?

[Wen Shike]: On the high-speed train to Jiangcheng. Getting ready to film the group variety show. I’m so bored, sisters!!! Someone come quick and talk to me.

[Meng Jinyu]: [Image.jpg]

It was a table full of documents, even more than a high school senior’s desk.

[Huang Xiyun]: Where’s Lu Jingwei? Have her talk to you. Open your hearts.

[Wen Shike]: She’s studying…

[Huang Xiyun]: Then I’ll take you to play games?

[Wen Shike]: You mean Honor of Kings?

[Huang Xiyun]: No, that won’t work. How about Fight the Landlord?

Wen Shike felt Huang Xiyun was insulting her. Even though her highest rank was Platinum, and even though she had been stuck in Gold for three seasons, she shouldn’t be insulted like this.

[Wen Shike]: Ha. I’m going to go find four pro-carries. Goodbye.

[Qu Zhouxu]: Find me. Give the money to me.

Wen Shike didn’t bother replying. In the end, she didn’t play games either, she was afraid of breaking her persona.

She put her phone away and closed her eyes to rest. However, she couldn’t sleep and opened them again ten minutes later.

Finally, she resigned herself to taking out her laptop, putting on headphones, and starting to work.

Lunch was eaten on the train. Having no appetite, Wen Shike only ate a little. Lu Jingwei, on the other hand, ate quite a bit and continued studying afterward without showing any signs of fatigue.

Ming Wangxue had written for two hours in the morning before taking a nap. When she fell asleep, Lu Jingwei was studying, when she woke up, Lu Jingwei was still studying. It wasn’t until about ten minutes before they reached the station that Lu Jingwei finally put her books away.

Lu Jingwei rubbed her eyes and took a deep breath. “I’m a little sleepy. Are there any plans for this afternoon and evening?”

“Touring the ancient city tonight,” Wen Shike helped smooth Lu Jingwei’s hair behind her ear. “This afternoon is free time, you can sleep for a bit.”

Lu Jingwei nodded. “Then I’ll schedule an afternoon session with my tutor.”

Wen Shike: “…”

“Is the hotel booked?” Wen Shike turned back to ask Yang Simiao.

“I’m still looking. Do you want a standard room with two beds for 1,000 yuan, or a king size bed room for 500?” Yang Simiao had been looking at her phone the whole way, unsure of what to book.

“Both those room types are in the same hotel?” Wen Shike asked.

“No. If we stay in the 1,000 yuan standard rooms, those staying in king rooms alone would need to pay extra, well, not exactly a full thousand, everyone would need to chip in, but those staying alone would pay more,” Yang Simiao explained.

“Let’s go with the 1,000 yuan ones. I’ll cover the difference,” Wen Shike said.

“Okay. Then are you staying in a king room?”

Wen Shike glanced at Lu Jingwei. “Fine, I’ll take a king room.”

“In that case, who am I staying with?” Lu Jingwei looked up and asked subconsciously.

“Actually, I’ll stay in a twin room with Lu Jingwei,” Wen Shike interjected.

Everyone else: “???”

In the end, Xu Keke was the one who ended up with the king room, decided by a round of Rock-Paper-Scissors.

The group took taxis to the hotel to check in.