Yu Xi propped up his chin, lowered his eyelids, and looked toward Yi Chen.
“Do I have to answer right now?” Yi Chen asked.
Yu Xi thought for a moment and took a step back. “It’s not urgent.”
On the way back, the two didn’t speak. There wasn’t time either—the director had suddenly added an opening narration for them right before going live. Reading from a script on camera wouldn’t do, so they had to memorize their lines.
When Fu Le finished his phone call and came out, the first thing he saw was Yu Xi reading his narration in front of the camera. The cameraman had framed it perfectly—a beam of sunlight streamed through the window, full of vitality, as if the whole world was focused on him.
Messages kept popping up endlessly on his phone.
【Are you sure you can repay on time?】
【You’re just like your dad, stubbornly hopeless.】
【You’ve already ruined your public image. I’m really worried about your ability to make money.】
【If you don’t pay up, I’ll expose all of this!】
Fu Le clenched his teeth tightly, using every ounce of strength to keep his expression normal, without twisting into a grimace.
The next day’s schedule was very relaxed. B University was holding an art exhibition, so after touring it, they wandered around the campus, played some games, and sampled B City cuisine—a full day of genuine sightseeing.
The B University art exhibition was stunning. Right at the entrance stood a striking piece: a puppet entangled in dense threads, suspended halfway from the ceiling. It strained forward with its hand, desperate to break free. Though a fixed wooden puppet, its struggle conveyed a powerful sense of motion and visual impact.
The piece was titled Life.
This was a relatively straightforward work in both imagery and meaning. Deeper into the venue, some pieces were simple in form yet profound in intent, while others were intricately constructed, each beautiful in its own way.
The exhibition was highly inclusive, not limited to art majors. Students from math, physics, and other departments with artistic ideas could apply for space. The further in one went, the more one appreciated the essence of art.
“Art is the external manifestation of the inner world,” the leading student guide explained. “In the flat, uneventful daily life, it captures the pain, joy, sorrow, fear, and fantasies of the spirit. It seeks fervor amid indifference, irrationality within reason, disorder in order—vibrant and rich.”
“Many say art is abstract, only understandable to artists. But without art, wouldn’t the world be too cold and heartless?”
【Wow, well said!】
【True, but only the rich and idle can afford to pursue art. For us workers, even spacing out feels luxurious, let alone pondering life’s meaning.】
【Thanks to the artists for letting us glimpse their inner worlds.】
At that moment, Fu Le spoke up. “I think you’re absolutely right. Lately, I’ve been studying architecture, which is a form of art too, and I’ve gained a lot of insights.”
Fu Le launched into a long monologue.
He had prepared this speech in advance after learning the schedule, perfectly aligning with the architecture prodigy persona he’d established in class.
But the live chat reactions were the complete opposite of what he’d imagined.
【Here we go again, acting like you know everything.】
【Back to reciting lines.】
【So fake, such BS.】
【I bet Fu Le’s trying to tie this back to his class performance, but what if he never actually established that persona in the first place? Now you’re just filling dead air.】
【Is reciting lines art too? Please don’t tarnish art.】
After the art exhibition, the group strolled through B University’s campus.
The campus greening was excellent, with a small river running through it. Scholarly students passed by constantly, and snippets of recitation and study echoed from the riverbank now and then.
The live camera stayed at the front of the group, with the host steering the conversation.
“Fang Peng, your lesson today was on Eastern and Western art appreciation. After the exhibition, any new insights?”
“Come on,” Fang Peng said. “Don’t set me up. I don’t want to give a long lecture while everyone’s relaxing.”
Everyone laughed. They reached the sports field, where the production team had already set up. Chatting and playing games on the field created a great vibe—relaxed and smooth.
During a break, Yu Xi saw a message on his phone.
From 【Geng Shanglou】.
【Geng Shanglou: Waaah, sister, help!】
【Geng Shanglou: My alt account might’ve been found out by my ex.】
【Zhen Bu Chi Yumi: You have an alt?】
【Geng Shanglou: Of course! How can you surf the internet without a vest? What if the main gets doxxed and ruins my image?】
【Geng Shanglou: I built a perfect persona in front of my ex.】
Yu Xi: “.”
He was actually quite curious about what 【Geng Shanglou】’s alt was and what outrageous things she’d posted. He was even more interested in her exact relationship with Yi Chen.
—But while he could ask Yi Chen, he couldn’t directly question 【Geng Shanglou】. Yi Chen’s actions involved their joint CP promotion, so he had standing to inquire. But whatever tied 【Geng Shanglou】 and Yi Chen wasn’t his business.
【Zhen Bu Chi Yumi: What persona did you build?】
【Geng Shanglou: Forced by circumstances—colleagues who bicker on sight but end up teamed for a project. I tolerate all the pleasant and unpleasant past, care about his feelings, meet his expectations, show him my gentle, reliable, strong side. A rare, top-tier business partner image.】
Yu Xi: “.”
【Geng Shanglou: Off topic.】
【Geng Shanglou: Point is, he asked about my alt today. What do I do? How should I reply? You’re calm—give me advice!】
【Zhen Bu Chi Yumi: Just play hard to get. What can he do, actually check?】
【Geng Shanglou: But he’s super smart—the smartest person I’ve met. He’ll spot tiny flaws and unravel everything. The harder I deny, the more lies I spin, the more he’ll dig up TAT】
Yu Xi seriously brainstormed strategies for his internet sister 【Geng Shanglou】.
【Zhen Bu Chi Yumi: What happens if he finds out?】
【Geng Shanglou: No idea, maybe dox me?】
【Zhen Bu Chi Yumi: Didn’t you say he still likes you?】
【Geng Shanglou: You know how tsundere he is.】
【Zhen Bu Chi Yumi: I think when something’s about to be exposed, you can’t hide it.】
【Zhen Bu Chi Yumi: Forcing secrecy backfires.】
【Zhen Bu Chi Yumi: What you need is to soften the shock when he learns the truth.】
【Zhen Bu Chi Yumi: Like letting him figure it out himself—from the alt’s posts, life traces, personal symbols hinting it’s yours, without spelling it out.】
【Zhen Bu Chi Yumi: Or preset the reveal day, prepare a surprise even bigger than the truth, and at peak emotion, sincerely apologize.】
【Zhen Bu Chi Yumi: Sincerity is the ultimate weapon.】
【Zhen Bu Chi Yumi: Or find his dirt, like his alt, so he can’t make a fuss.】
【Geng Shanglou: Knew the internet had gems.】
“Teacher Yu Xi, Teacher Yi Chen.” In the distance, Wu Zhiqi waved at them. The next round of games was about to start, but Yu Xi and Yi Chen seemed absorbed in something important, staring intently at their phone screens and typing away. “Games are starting soon—come get ready!”
“Our next game is simple,” the host said. “Everyone hands over their phones. Losers draw numbers from boxes: first box for which album, second for which photo. Teachers, watch out!”
Live chat: “!!!”
【!!!】
【Vocal! Production team’s going all out!】
【Guests look clueless!!】
【Time for my fave privacy dive (crossed out), slice-of-life closeness!!】
The host smiled. “Shall we begin?”
