Your Aloof Persona Has Crumbled - Chapter 60

To avoid severely impacting everyone else, Wen Shike despite having the heart of a pro carry, knew her own skill level all too well and chose to play Yao.

Her Yao was merely a standard “accessory.” Aside from knowing she needed to hop off someone’s head to refresh her shield when it was about to break, she knew nothing else. She wanted to intercept control skills for her teammates, but whether she succeeded usually depended on luck, most of the time, she just jumped down and died.

Lu Jingwei was still playing Angela.

“Lu Jingwei isn’t very good at this…” Wen Shike said cautiously.

“I know, I know,” Ming Wangxue interrupted with a laugh, glancing at Wen Shike who sat across from her. “The game has just started and we haven’t even hit her yet, and you’re already giving us warnings.”

Wen Shike: ?

Wen Shike followed Ming Wangxue, choosing to remain silent. Ming Wangxue was playing Gongsun Li, and her playstyle was incredibly aggressive, diving the tower multiple times to kill the opposing Shouyue.

The person playing Shouyue was Sheng Ling, who was being pinned down ruthlessly under the tower.

[Just a Salted Fish (Baili Shouyue)]: Do you hate me that much?

Ming Wangxue didn’t reply, instead gesturing for Wen Shike to dive the tower again.

Shouyue died a tragic death under the turret.

Ming Wangxue burst into laughter, her voice exceptionally arrogant. She was always the one being bullied, now she could finally fight back!

Wen Shike kept a close eye on Lu Jingwei. Their team’s jungler had initially intended to gank Lu Jingwei, but after spectating the mid lane for a bit and realizing she truly didn’t know how to play, they simply left and never ganked her once.

Despite this, Lu Jingwei still managed to die five times.

Xu Keke, who was playing mid, glanced at Wen Shike. “I wasn’t intentionally targeting her. She just Flashed into the tower herself, scared the life out of me.”

Wen Shike: Oh boy.

Wen Shike wanted to laugh, but she held it in.

In the other room

Lu Jingwei frowned. She had intended to tap her first skill, but God knows how she misclicked. Just as she Flashed into the tower, her team’s jungler happened to pass by and paused in the mid lane for a moment.

Lu Jingwei glanced at Jiang Qi, sensing that the girl was laughing at her. Well, she was actually giggling quietly.

Because Ming Wangxue was being too arrogant, she ended up being ganged up on and killed by four enemies.

Wen Shike transformed into a deer and fled at top speed. However, as she passed the mid-lane brush, she had a narrow encounter with Lu Jingwei.

Wen Shike: !!!

Wen Shike ran right past Lu Jingwei. Seeing that Lu Jingwei didn’t attack her, she felt a flicker of touched emotion. She slid her camera view back to take another look.

Fine. The skill was aimed the wrong way again.

Her touched feelings were wasted.

Lu Jingwei: ?

Lu Jingwei: What a good kill that would have been.

Lu Jingwei sighed inwardly, looking at her 0-7-3 score. She really wanted to get at least one kill.

The game finally ended with a victory for Wen Shike’s team.

Ming Wangxue looked at her 9-12 score, feeling annoyed. The opposing team had locked onto her; every time she stepped out, four people were waiting for her. Their support was Zhang Liang, who kept her CC’d (crowd-controlled) to death. In the end, they won entirely because Sun Yuexi’s Old Master pushed the lane and backdoored the crystal.

“It’s all thanks to Ming Wangxue’s contribution, she pulled the aggro so well,” Sun Yuexi laughed.

Ming Wangxue looked at Wen Shike with a look of betrayal. “Eldest Miss, how could you abandon me at the end?”

“That’s not called abandoning; it’s called a strategic retreat.”

Ming Wangxue: ???

Afterward, they reshuffled the teams and played a few more rounds. Wen Shike teamed up with everyone at least once. She was even talked into playing a round as Gongsun Li, which resulted in her dying from beginning to end with absolutely zero “gaming experience.”

Ming Wangxue’s psychological perception of Wen Shike’s gaming level shifted from. How bad can she be? to Good lord, she really is that bad!

“I’m suddenly starting to wonder if you playing games with me after the College Entrance Exam is a reward or a punishment,” Ming Wangxue muttered.

Wen Shike: “Is playing with me not fun?”

“It’s fun,” Ming Wangxue said. “It’s just a bit hard on the heart. And I don’t dare give you pointers because I’m afraid you’ll scold me.”

Wen Shike patted Ming Wangxue’s shoulder. “My requirements aren’t high. Just carry me to Diamond.”

“I’ll try.”

“Oh, and Lu Jingwei too.”

Ming Wangxue: ?

As a CP (couple) fan, one person thinking of another should usually be added to the list of “shippable moments.” But for some reason, Ming Wangxue only felt a sense of bitterness.

Wen Shike left. Ming Wangxue let out a long breath and rubbed her temples.

“No complaining on Weibo about how bad I am at games,” Wen Shike added, looking back at her.

Ming Wangxue: ?

The Amusement Park Trip

Wen Shike and Lu Jingwei returned to their room. Both were in high spirits.

“It was a good team-building game, though a bit damaging to our relationships,” Lu Jingwei remarked, recalling the scene of Sheng Ling and Ming Wangxue brawling. “Do you think Ming Wangxue and Sheng Ling will start a real fight after we leave?”

“Impossible,” Wen Shike chuckled. “Don’t worry, they won’t.”

Lu Jingwei leaned against the sofa. “I’m going to start studying.”

“Okay.”

“Games are fun, but you can’t let them sap your ambition,” Lu Jingwei repeated, looking into Wen Shike’s eyes.

Wen Shike looked back. “Fine, I’ll read with you.”

They had to go to the amusement park the next morning. To ensure they had enough energy for a full day, the two went to bed at exactly 11:00 PM. The park opened at 9:00 AM, and they wanted to be there as soon as the gates opened.

To show the “authentic” side of travel, they were going to wait in lines like everyone else.

“Are you brave?” Wen Shike asked, lying in bed. She was staring at the raised edge of the bedside, feeling a bit annoyed. During the day, the bed seemed fine, but now it felt terrible because it blocked her view of Lu Jingwei’s face.

“Quite brave,” Lu Jingwei replied, not really understanding what it felt like to be a coward. “Why?”

“Then tomorrow, let’s try to do all the thrill rides.”

“Okay,” Lu Jingwei agreed. She was actually a bit excited, it was her first time visiting a place like this. She dimmed her phone’s brightness and looked up information about the park.

The night passed without dreams.

Wen Shike and Lu Jingwei woke up early. When they went downstairs, they found the others in varying states, some looked refreshed, while others looked withered.

“As expected, I slept too much yesterday afternoon and couldn’t sleep last night,” Ming Wangxue sighed, letting out a yawn. “And then the more I looked at my phone, the more awake I became.”

“It’s fine, you won’t be sleepy once we start playing,” Sheng Ling said, pulling out a chair for Ming Wangxue.

Ming Wangxue tried to reply but ended up letting out another massive yawn.

It had to be said that Ming Wangxue had the lightest “idol baggage” among them all. She was bleary-eyed, mechanically stuffing food into her mouth and chewing like a robot. It looked hilarious; a passing waitress couldn’t help but lower her head and stifle a laugh at the sight.

Since it wasn’t a holiday, the park wasn’t very crowded. The eleven of them didn’t have to wait long before entering.

Ming Wangxue was instantly revitalized.

Lu Jingwei looked around. Near the entrance, there were mostly statues and plants related to the theme park. The eleven of them stood in an orderly fashion for a group photo.

Wen Shike stood in the middle, looking noble and cold.

“Eldest Miss, can’t you smile like you did in the theme song?” Jiang Qi looked at the photo. “And Sister Zhou, you look so fierce. We don’t look like we’re at an amusement park, we look like we’re going to collect a debt.”

“Really?” Zhou Yueran looked at her photo. “No way, this is clearly ‘cool and domineering’.”

Jiang Qi: Wen Shike: ?

Everyone turned to look at her in unison.

“Let’s go, let’s go! What are we playing?”

“The roller coaster,” Zhou Yueran suggested. “Coming to an amusement park and not riding the roller coaster is like not coming at all.”

Ming Wangxue: ? “Who said that!” she shrieked. “I’m not riding it. I’m scared. Raise your hand if you’re riding.”

Ten hands went up instantly.

Ming Wangxue: ? Why is everyone so brave?

“Then go ahead. I’ll wait?” Lu Jingwei said. “And afterward we can play what you want?”

“Fine, I’ll take photos. You guys watch your facial expressions,” Ming Wangxue said, lifting her GoPro. “Hehehe, be careful not to let me catch any ugly faces. I’m telling you, if you want me to edit them out later, it’ll cost you at least this much.” She shook five fingers.

“I doubt you’ll catch anything.”

“Then the production crew will use the drone!” Ming Wangxue shouted to the director behind them, her expression excited as if she could already see the ten of them with their faces contorted in fear.

Wen Shike glanced at her.

The roller coaster here had two seats per row, so the ten of them occupied five rows. Wen Shike and Lu Jingwei chose the middle section.

“Nervous?” Wen Shike looked into Lu Jingwei’s eyes.

“I’m okay.” Lu Jingwei leaned back and took a deep breath. “It’s just that my heart is racing a bit.”

“That means you’re nervous.” A smile played on Wen Shike’s lips. “I want to hear what your scream sounds like.”

Lu Jingwei thought for a few seconds. “I’m afraid I’ll disappoint you. I probably won’t make a sound.”

“That’s a pity.”

The staff checked the restraints several times and repeated the safety instructions. The machine began to move slowly. It started the climb.

Wen Shike stared at the sky and spotted the drone. She looked away expressionlessly.

Ming Wangxue stood next to the drone operator, watching the live feed.

“Tsk tsk, the Eldest Miss’s expression is still so cold. Follow her closely later, let’s see if her face crumbles,” Ming Wangxue said mischievously. “How is everyone so calm… Oh wait, not everyone. Xu Keke, hahahaha!”

Lu Jingwei’s mind was somewhat blank. She was thinking about future plans and schedules while staring at the deep blue sky. When the weightlessness hit unexpectedly, her brow furrowed and she instinctively gripped the handles on her safety harness. Her mind remained empty.

Wen Shike kept listening for Lu Jingwei’s voice, but the girl truly didn’t make a sound. On the contrary, the pairs in front and behind them were screaming so loudly that she didn’t even know who was who. She was worried they might lose their voices and wouldn’t be able to sing.

Wen Shike’s style of riding roller coasters was “go with the flow.” She didn’t hold onto anything and let her body relax completely, letting the machine toss her around. It was thrilling, though her head occasionally bumped into the headrest, which hurt a bit.

Yang Simiao regretted her life choices the moment the drop began, but she knew the drone was filming, so she tried her best to maintain a smile. Though that smile looked incredibly strange.

Ming Wangxue was howling with laughter below. “I can’t, this is too funny. Look at Sheng Ling, hahahaha, her face is all wrinkled up.”

As the ride neared its end, Ming Wangxue ran to the exit to wait for them. She held up her GoPro, attempting to record everyone’s expressions.

Zhou Yueran was the first one out. Her expression hadn’t changed much. She glanced at Ming Wangxue. “You were laughing so loud I think I heard you up there.”

Ming Wangxue: “Really?”

Zhou Yueran looked at her with disdain and nodded.

Ming Wangxue: She hadn’t noticed at all. No wonder the two passersby had looked at her so strangely.

Yang Simiu and Xu Keke were helped out by others, their faces pale. Wen Shike and Lu Jingwei were the last to come out, their expressions largely unchanged.

“Sigh,” Ming Wangxue lamented. “You two are no fun.”

“Hmm?”

“Even though it was funny when the Eldest Miss bumped her head, your expression was still too serious, like you were in a meeting. And Wei-Wei-Wei, your expression just now looked like you were memorizing English vocabulary,” Ming Wangxue critiqued. “No fun at all.”

“So my face didn’t distort?” Wen Shike glanced at Ming Wangxue. “Your material is gone.”

Ming Wangxue huffed.

Wen Shike and Lu Jingwei sat on a stone bench by the road for a while. Lu Jingwei rubbed her temples. “The wind made my head ache.”

“My head hurts too.”

A playful glint appeared in Lu Jingwei’s beautiful eyes. “I definitely heard the sound of your head hitting the seat.”

Wen Shike glanced at her. “But I didn’t hear you scream.”

“What a strange hobby you have.”

Wen Shike frowned slightly. “Probably because you’re always too proper. I wanted to see you lose your composure.”

“You have the nerve to say that about me?” Lu Jingwei laughed, leaning in slightly and lowering her voice. “Cold. Aloof. Fe. Male. Star?”

Wen Shike: ???

Wen Shike’s heart skipped a beat. She instinctively leaned away from Lu Jingwei and stared into her eyes. No way, no way… why did she say it word by word like that? Has my persona crumbled? Impossible. My acting is perfect. I barely even speak.

Lu Jingwei laughed again. “Why are you so nervous?”

“I’m not. You just leaned in suddenly and startled me.”

“What are you two whispering about! Let’s go!” Ming Wangxue waved at them.

The next attraction Ming Wangxue chose was the Spinning Teacups.

“I’m not playing that. Spinning makes me dizzy. I can’t even do the carousel,” Wen Shike said.

“That’s a shame.” Ming Wangxue grabbed Wen Shike and gloated. “Then Wei-Wei-Wei will come with us.”

Wen Shike: ?

She glanced at Ming Wangxue, too lazy to argue. “I’ll take photos for you guys.”

“Okay,” Lu Jingwei nodded.

“Take good ones,” Ming Wangxue instructed. “You must make me look ‘so beautiful that flowers close and the moon hides’.”

Wen Shike gave her a look.

“Our little XueXue has really stepped up! She dares to boss the Eldest Miss around now. I declare Ming Wangxue our team bully!” Jiang Qi came over, clapping her hands.

“I wouldn’t dare. The Eldest Miss is still the real boss.”

“How am I the bully?” Wen Shike didn’t understand.

“You hold down the fort?”

Wen Shike: ?

“Go play. I’ll take photos. Except for Ming Wangxue, her skill level isn’t high enough,” Wen Shike said coldly.

Ming Wangxue: ???

She stared at Wen Shike with wide eyes. “Eldest Miss! How can you be so heartless to me!”

She wanted to say more, but it was their turn. Ming Wangxue looked piteously at Wen Shike and then grabbed Lu Jingwei’s arm. “The Eldest Miss is too much.”

“You can take your own photos,” Lu Jingwei replied.

Ming Wangxue: ?

Sheng Ling, standing nearby, let out a snort.

“It really is more convenient to take your own in a place like this,” Lu Jingwei continued.

“I knew it, Wei-Wei-Wei, you wouldn’t mock me.” Ming Wangxue felt her wounded heart heal slightly. Sheng Ling laughed again, earning a glare from Ming Wangxue.

The three of them sat in a teacup. Lu Jingwei also thought the teacups were a bit boring, but since they were here, it felt like a waste not to play.

Wen Shike’s photography skills were quite good. When the others passed by her, they would slow down their spinning to strike a pose.

“Eldest Miss, look at me!” Ming Wangxue dragged Sheng Ling toward Lu Jingwei and then gave Wen Shike a provocative look.

Wen Shike: ?

She immediately captured Ming Wangxue’s incredibly goofy expression.

When they exited, everyone gathered around Wen Shike.

“I’ve sent the photos to the group chat. Pick what you like. They’re all candid, so some might not be great,” Wen Shike said.

“Awesome.” “This one is good, I’ll save it for Weibo.” “This one is pretty too.” “Hahahaha, Xue, your face here is so silly!” “This one is silly too.”

Ming Wangxue scrolled through her photos and took a deep breath. She looked at Wen Shike. Lu Jingwei and Sheng Ling looked perfectly normal, while she looked dazed and foolish, not very bright at all.

The group laughed together.

“Post it on Weibo! Seriously, Xue, these are too perfect for Weibo.”

“There are good ones too. This one,” Sun Yuexi said, zooming in on a photo.

Ming Wangxue: ?

“I didn’t do it on purpose. My photos are very clear, your expression really was like that,” Wen Shike said earnestly.

Ming Wangxue: ?

True. If the photos were blurry, she could say Wen Shike caught her at a bad moment. But alas, all three faces were crystal clear.

“It must be because I spent too much time with Sheng Ling. I caught her ‘silliness’,” Ming Wangxue grumbled.

Sheng Ling: ?

“Who did you say?” Zhou Yueran looked up from the photos with a questioning gaze.

Ming Wangxue looked around and wiped away imaginary tears. “It’s too sad. My teammates are truly heartbreaking. Good thing I took a lot of selfies.”

“Wei-Wei-Wei was right; a person must be self-reliant.”

Lu Jingwei saved a few photos. Hearing her name, she looked at Ming Wangxue. “I guessed she would probably take photos of you looking a bit silly.”

Ming Wangxue: ?

The group chatted and laughed as they walked toward the next ride, stopping to buy specialty ice creams along the way.

“Is the milk flavor good?” Ming Wangxue looked longingly at the ice cream in Sheng Ling’s hand.

Sheng Ling stared at her, then held out her ice cream. Ming Wangxue opened her mouth wide and took a massive bite, nearly a quarter of it. A second later, Sheng Ling grabbed Ming Wangxue’s hand and took a reciprocal quarter-sized bite. Then, the two of them started bickering.

Wen Shike looked at her strawberry ice cream and then at the chocolate one in Lu Jingwei’s hand.

“Want a taste?” Wen Shike tilted her hand slightly. “I haven’t eaten it yet.”

Lu Jingwei didn’t hesitate. She bit off half of the little fairy head on the ice cream and then offered her own. Wen Shike studied it for a moment. “I won’t be as cruel as you.” She then bit off half of the tiger head.

Lu Jingwei gave a soft laugh.

“The chocolate one is a bit bitter,” Wen Shike remarked.

“True. Your strawberry one is sweeter.”

“Eldest Miss, I want a bite of yours too,” Ming Wangxue suddenly appeared.

“No,” Wen Shike refused instantly. The image of Ming Wangxue’s “giant abyss mouth” was still fresh in her mind.

“Why!” Ming Wangxue’s eyes widened. “Is Wei-Wei-Wei your only good sister?”

“You eat too much,” Wen Shike stated her firm refusal. “Go eat Sheng Ling’s.”

“I finished it.”

Wen Shike moved to the other side of Lu Jingwei. Lu Jingwei looked at Ming Wangxue, and just as the girl looked over, she took another bite of her own ice cream, silently signaling her refusal.

“Sigh. Only the older sister gets to eat the Eldest Miss’s ice cream, while the younger sister gets nothing. Sob sob, this little sister is so sad,” Ming Wangxue clutched her chest and scurried off to the others.

Likely traumatized by the “abyss mouth,” everyone heartlessly rejected her request.

“Only you are good to me,” Ming Wangxue said, looking at Sheng Ling.

“Ha.” “Didn’t you also eat a lot of mine?” Ming Wangxue muttered under her breath.

Wen Shike hadn’t had ice cream in a long time. After finishing one, she wanted more, but she definitely couldn’t have a second. She knew that if she ate another, Qiu Yu’s phone call would be coming in no time.

For lunch, they found a themed restaurant and ordered bowls of noodles. It had to be said, amusement parks are amusement parks, the food was terrifyingly expensive and, in some cases, not very good.

“This is so hard,” Zhou Yueran said, poking at her mixed noodles.

“Noodles can be hard?”

“Evidently. Anyway, it’s not good. The taste is weird. Instant noodles would be better.” Zhou Yueran wiped her mouth and lowered her voice. “If I say it’s bad, will they edit that in? If they do, will the park sue me?”

“Don’t worry, they probably won’t include it.”

“Alright.” Zhou Yueran leaned back, looking disappointed. She had tried to eat some, but it was simply too hard to swallow.

Lu Jingwei, however, finished everything. When she was done, she noticed everyone looking at her as if she were a hero.