Nighttime—before-bed dorm moments.
“Xu Chuyao, after the theory exam, everyone was looking at you and Shen Ning,” said Mi Xiaolu. “Who would’ve thought the questions on the B-side were all about your real-life experiences?”
“Can’t help it—true strength just can’t be hidden.”
“Well, it is true that you and Shen Ning suddenly jumped to Tier Two. Gave everyone quite the scare. Especially Shen Ning—she didn’t just advance, she’s got a whole arsenal of powerful spirit skills now. Oh right, speaking of Shen Ning, why did she rush off the second she handed in her paper?”
Mi Xiaolu added, “I thought she’d come over to find you and maybe plan out what you two were going to do over the break.”
“Break? We’re not even allowed to freely leave the academy—it doesn’t count as a real break.”
“Still, no classes. Plenty of time for you lovebirds to go on dates.”
“Come on,” Xu Chuyao rolled over in bed, “We still found time to date during the school term.”
Their first date was an all-nighter in the old school building. Then a few times skipping naps at noon. If worse came to worst, even skipping class wasn’t off the table. Dating was serious business—you had to make time for it.
“Yeah, fair point.”
Mi Xiaolu mumbled something and tucked herself in under her beloved blanket, closing her eyes: “I hope they have pudding jelly at tomorrow’s banquet.”
While her roommate looked forward to the future, Xu Chuyao lay in bed reflecting on the past.
Another semester gone—and with it, another school year completed. The Thunder Girl mentally reviewed her tactics and strategies, systematically evaluating all she had gained.
Just two months ago—before she became the protagonist’s girlfriend—she’d done loads of creative things. Stealing disposable chopsticks from food deliveries was one of the more minor offenses. Back then, every little mischievous act netted her about 80 villain points on average.
But ever since she took her roommate’s advice and forcibly claimed the title of the female lead’s girlfriend… Oh, it was no longer about how many bad deeds she committed. Sometimes, a single sentence could net her 100 villain points. Two or three hundred wasn’t even rare anymore.
That identity shift? Easily the most brilliant strategic move in her entire time-travel career.
Damn, I’m really… too smart for my own good!
Having systematically reviewed her performance, Xu Chuyao began planning ahead. She was determined to solidify her new identity, refine her villain gameplay, pursue sustainable innovation in tactics, and stay firm in her advanced ideals—welcoming the bright future through effort and hard work.
Zzzzz…
Academy Carnival Day — usually refers to the day after final exams.
There was no banquet in past semesters, but even then the school gave students a bit of a break—turning off the morning alarm music, canceling bed checks, and handing out snacks and drinks unavailable on regular days, including a few types of low-alcohol beverages.
Now that there was a celebration banquet, the goodies would naturally increase. A stage had already been set up since morning to host performances from the afternoon through evening.
“The cultural exams were graded yesterday. You all failed. If you don’t want to copy the textbook as punishment, each of you needs to go up there and sing a song, dance, perform a skit—whatever.”
And just like that, a full lineup of impromptu acts was thrown together in a day.
That morning, those who didn’t need to wake early were sleeping in, while the rest were busy—either hauling equipment to help set up the stage or practicing their craft.
“Watch my hand movements carefully. You can only see it in 2D, but this is actually a 3D technique.”
On the foggy glass window, the Sexually Repressed Reflection was demonstrating a special move for Shen Ning. Its shadowy hands twisted and turned on the surface like an intricate puppet show. Even if the full dimensionality couldn’t come through, the artistry was apparent—like a shadow play.
“Well?” it asked. “Did you learn anything?”
Shen Ning’s mouth twitched. “Honestly, it looks more like a piece of art.”
In other words, the practical use was… questionable.
“Aha! But that’s exactly it—this is art,” the reflection said, pulling back its hands with self-righteous flair. “Form doesn’t matter. What you must grasp is the essence. Treat this kind of thing as an artistic performance. Once you internalize that mindset, it all becomes natural.”
First it told her to memorize moves. Now it was telling her to absorb meaning. It was trying to have it both ways.
Shen Ning sighed to herself. She finally understood—regardless of the timeline, she had absolutely no talent for this sort of thing.
To put it nicely: she was naturally innocent.
Even the reflection dropped the pretense. “Okay, fine—if nothing else works, just stab it directly!”
That crudeness nearly made the Broken-Down Reflection pass out on the spot.
Shen Ning picked up a towel and wiped away the mist on the window, revealing the growing crowd downstairs.
A stage performance, huh…
They used to have those back in Mine No. 13 too. Usually it was some unknown singer from outside. Even so, the crowds were massive—practically the entire mine turned up. The audience section was always packed, with everyone standing up to get a better view. If you weren’t tall, you didn’t see a thing.
But the uncles she worked with in the mine would lift her up high, so little Shen Ning could see her very first live stage show. In truth, the sound system was pretty bad, and the singer’s voice couldn’t even reach the crowd over the surrounding noise. She didn’t hear a single lyric.
But she did hear the uncle beneath her say:
SampleStringWith😃Emojis🚀ForTestingPurpose“Little Shen Ning—stand tall, go far. Someday, you’re gonna walk out of here.”
Someone beside him joked, “How? How’s she supposed to get out?”
Another one laughed and said, “Look at that singer on stage—not even that good. Maybe someday, if she trains hard enough, little Shen Ning can sing better and perform all over too.”
Well, the girl did leave the mines… just not through singing.
Still—maybe, in some alternate timeline, she really did learn how to sing…
“Ahem.”
The Broken-Down Reflection suddenly cleared its throat.
Shen Ning gave it a puzzled look.
“What’s up?”
“Nothing really, it’s just…”
“You’re not about to claim you’re the version of me that can sing, are you?”
That last jab came from the Sexually Repressed Reflection.
“It was just a coincidence, forget it… Anyway, it’s time for you to head down.”
That afternoon, the stage performance began right on time. Xu Chuyao was dragged down by her roommate and sat among classmates, listening to their comments.
“Whoa, Xiao Wang knows how to do clapper talk!”
“Real dark horse. Didn’t Zhang and the others do a comedy skit too?”
“I recorded it. Gonna play it next semester when he’s whispering sweet nothings to his girlfriend.”
Ah, good classmates still do exist in this world.
Mi Xiaolu brought back a few pudding jellies, but Xu Chuyao didn’t eat those kiddie snacks. Her eyes were on a fruity cocktail drink, something like a Rio.
Gulp, gulp, gulp… Ha! Refreshing!
Now this is living.
Just as she slammed down the empty bottle, she realized the crowd around her had gone quiet. She figured it was because her “alcohol tolerance” had shocked them.
But when she turned around, she saw the real reason.
The homeroom teacher had arrived.
“Don’t worry about me, carry on,” Yu Jing said casually. Then she leaned in close to Xu Chuyao and whispered, “Come with me—the principal wants a word with you.”