They are still close to me today despite their negative feelings

"Eh? Why?"

"Because commenting is inherently about expressing an opinion. If you're truly neutral and objective, you'll often just scroll to the next topic after reading it."

Most people simply observe the topic in silence, and even when it comes up in conversation, they only occasionally share it with those around them. They might use subtle language in their speech, but most of the time, they just observe passively.

“Speaking out means having your own thoughts, but to speak out and then claim to be a ‘just bystander’ is something I can’t say doesn’t exist, but it is certainly rare.”

"Ning Ruoyu, are you a monster? Is your thinking really what a normal student should have?"

Li Yueyao, who was selecting replies to netizens nearby, couldn't help but complain.

Her statement drew agreement from the surrounding community leaders. It was truly disheartening, especially from Grandma, who seemed to be eagerly anticipating it, as if to say, "I've thought so all along."

"I am just dark."

I chuckled and sent a private message to the guy I was following.

This guy has been active on the front lines of gossip ever since the Qiu Luxi trending topic incident. His words are vulgar and chaotic. Although he has set his past comments to be invisible, I still managed to find some of his past comments based on his username and speaking style.

An extreme male fan, he privately photoshopped many "photos" of himself and Qiu Luxi, genuinely believing that Qiu Luxi was his wife, giving the impression of a madman living in his own world.

Besides that, most importantly, he's a master of manipulating public opinion, operating outside of my circle and the gray market. This particular incident probably gave him a level of attention he doesn't usually get, allowing him to fabricate and piece together a lot of rumors that even gray market trolls haven't bothered with, including so-called "concrete evidence" of school bullying and the "sugar daddy/skinny girl" scandal.

I chatted with him privately for a few minutes, and based on the character I had just drawn in my mind, I catered to his interests a little, and from his boastful talk, I got some information and details.

"Brother, you know me too well. Now the internet is starting to defend that bitch Qiu Luxi again. Damn, I've finally seen through this rotten bitch. I've been sending her private messages every day for the past few years, and I even follow her travel updates during holidays… Does she know how far it is from here to Lucheng? The ticket price alone is…"

Yes, yes, yes. Whether online or in real life, never feel like you've known someone forever. If someone makes you feel like you've found a kindred spirit, then unless you believe in Qin Shi Huang, it's most likely a carefully orchestrated scheme by that person.

While estimating the distance based on the ticket price at the time, I compiled the information about the people into a booklet and then sent it to Uncle Gold Tooth.

What do you mean by this?

This person is suspicious.

"...Damn it, we're already in a state of chaos because of you guys, and you still dare to message me now?"

"Oh yes, yes, I'm so sorry. Go ask if you can help investigate this person a little. As for the other onlookers, forget about them; their mouths are just too foul, and they've taken the conversation off track."

"...I've had the worst luck in eight lifetimes to run into a madman like you."

There was no follow-up message, and I stretched and yawned, exhausted, as I slumped onto the sofa.

Excessive mental labor, this kind of work that influences public opinion, is quite strenuous for ordinary high school students.

"His mouth is so dirty."

I quickly sat up straight and picked up my phone.

"I haven't finished watching it yet."

Squatting on the ground, Qiu Luxi openly and brazenly peeked at my phone screen and said this with a straight face.

"You can even see through the privacy screen? Your eyesight is amazing."

Of course, it was probably because she squatted down and adjusted to the right angle.

"I haven't finished watching it yet..."

“This has nothing to do with you. Go and continue assisting Chen Di and Xiao Lai with the filming.”

Xiao Lai's unauthorized use of his teacher's identity to speak out should have angered the school. However, we had previously applied for a "literary society promotional video," and Qiu Luxi's appearance as a member was not inappropriate. We had obtained written permission in black and white, so the school suffered a loss due to a contractual breach.

In response to the positive feedback, the school, initially caught off guard, eventually adopted a tacit acceptance attitude. This reflects the standard official stance of cutting ties when things go wrong and exploiting the hype for attention.

"The filming is finished, and they said they can come find you now."

It felt like a wandering cat being chased around.

I glared at Chen Di, who was looking this way and smiling.

"I'm very busy too, so just find a place to stay and be a mascot."

Compared to the others who could move freely, Qiu Luxi, being unable to participate directly, seemed somewhat idle. However, being a true idol star, her mere presence in the Literature Department's club room motivated the other club leaders working nearby.

"Oh."

She wasn't angry at being treated like a mascot. She obediently took a tablet and then jumped onto the armrest of the sofa next to me as if it were her right.

"?"

"You said you'd find any place. I'm revising the script."

Even though there were empty seats, she insisted on choosing this awkward angle. I looked up, wanting to complain, but I finally gave in under the gaze of her eyes, which were as bright as stars.

Are you the cat that comes over and seriously messes with other people's computers?

"..."

An Yu, who was next to us, glanced in our direction and cautiously squeezed closer to me.

"?"

"I, I, I've gained weight and need more space."

The reason was so tragic that even someone as heartless as me could only look at her with silent, tender, and watchful eyes.

A few seconds after An Yu blurted out his words, his face flushed red, in the silence of the crowd, he seemed to finally realize something, and he bent over weakly, burying his face in his legs.

"No, no! I haven't, I haven't gained weight..."

[Next chapter preview: "What the hell is this gunfight? What do you take us for, the Yamaguchi-gumi?"]

"Haha, that noodle shop really does look tempting."

"Is this the kind of manners those two good-for-nothings teach us? Nonsense!"

"I want to see you as soon as possible." Qiu Luxi seemed a little unconvinced.

Interlude: The Tamed Cat Princess (Bonus Chapter)

"Honestly, how many more unexpected things are you going to do?"

On the outskirts of Lucheng, in that old-looking detached villa, Jin Shuheng opened the door for the young man in front of him while complaining.

However, the boy just smiled and did not directly answer Jin Shuheng's complaint. Instead, he looked around.

"The last time I came here was in July during the summer vacation. It seems to have gotten a bit more dilapidated... Are you guys playing a shooting game here?"

"What the hell is this gunfight? What do you take us for, the Yamaguchi-gumi?"

The boy nodded approvingly. "If you're ever thinking about going from the gray to the black, remember to give yourself a cool underworld name—Kiryu Kazuma, what do you think?"

Jin Shuheng glared at the nonchalant-looking young man. "You want me to take the blame, huh? Or are you cursing me to get cancer from dealing with nuclear wastewater in the future?"

"This is the only meeting place in Lucheng that we have agreed upon in the industry. The old man personally came to communicate with you this time, but it is officially an invitation to classmates to get together. Considering your status and the fact that Miss Qiu is involved, although it is a bit simple, please make do here."

"I'll say that to Grandpa. If you want me to make the arrangements, I think the KFC we just passed by is perfect. It's Thursday today, and I'd like a kids' meal that comes with a Doraemon piggy bank."

"Haha, piggy banks are indeed tempting."

A loud, hearty laugh broke the conversation between Jin Shuheng and Ning Ruoyu. An elderly man in a gray-brown suit walked over, looking sprightly, and gave the two of them a friendly smile.

"Mr. Qiu".

Jin Shuheng dared not be careless and quickly stood up straight and bowed slightly to the old man.

To be honest, he hadn't expected Mr. Qiu to personally come here to greet a junior like himself. Even some of the new bigwigs in the industry behaved themselves respectfully and obediently in front of Mr. Qiu. They were all flattered to receive some guidance from Mr. Qiu at the meeting.

Now Jin Shuheng could only pray in his heart that Ning Ruoyu would not treat the old man with the same casualness he usually showed.

"Hello, old man."

To Jin Shuheng's surprise, the young man beside him did not maintain his usual unruly demeanor as he had imagined. Instead, he nodded to the old man in a friendly manner.

"Oh? Haha, hello there, young man. I've heard Xiao Jin mention you a few times and have always been curious about you. Meeting you today is quite a surprise, and your politeness is rather unexpected."

The old man's eyes were smiling, but his tone sounded somewhat surprised.

“Whether it’s experience or status, this politeness is expected,” the young man said politely. “Of course, speaking of the matter at hand, please forgive my rudeness in other matters as well.”

"Alright, alright. It seems I really was blind before, actually..."

"rather!……"

Before the old man could finish speaking, Qiu Luxi, dressed in a long black dress, ran over from a distance, lifting her skirt.

But soon, upon seeing the old man, she seemed startled, then slowed her pace and tried to walk over "properly".

"Grandpa." Unlike her usual wildcat appearance, Qiu Luxi looked very well-behaved at this moment, and timidly greeted the old man.

The old man's warm smile vanished, and he sighed.

"Sigh, is this the kind of etiquette those two good-for-nothings taught us..."

Qiu Luxi's eyes darkened, and the excitement she felt upon seeing Ning Ruoyu vanished instantly, leaving her feeling somewhat at a loss and embarrassed.

Come here.

Jin Shuheng watched in horror as Ning Ruoyu calmly walked around the old man, overcoming his pressure and authority, and took Qiu Luxi's hand. With a somewhat bewildered look in Qiu Luxi's eyes, she pulled the girl to a position behind her.

"Hey, hey, hey, Brother Ning, you!"

Seeing the sudden sharpness in Old Master Qiu's eyes, Jin Shuheng quickly tried to stop him and smooth things over.

“I remember I asked you, sir, if I could take care of Qiu Luxi during this time. Although I had to take the child away early today because of some business—but please, don’t scold her in front of me, okay?”

Ning Ruoyu said without changing her expression, without even letting go of Qiu Luxi's hand.

“Otherwise, if the child develops psychological problems when he goes back, won’t he hold me responsible for not protecting him properly? We don’t want to see that happen, Mr. Qiu.”

Ah, after hearing those words, the eldest daughter of the Qiu family completely changed her mood. If she was still afraid of Old Master Qiu's criticism just now, now she felt that as long as Ning Ruoyu said he wanted to run away, she would have the courage to hold the boy's hand and elope to the ends of the earth.

Jin Shuheng clicked his tongue in amazement.

How can the difference between people be so great? I'm still at the age where I'm excited because a girl I have a crush on talks to me, while this guy seems to be doing something completely different, effortlessly stirring up the hearts of the girls around me.

Although the old man's expression was somewhat unpleasant, he ultimately managed to suppress his inner irritation.

"Since you're so enthusiastic, Xiao Ning, please take good care of this child's safety during this time." Old Master Qiu's words sounded even harsher and more barbed than before. "I'll go back to the hall now. I hope we can have a meaningful conversation later."

As he said this, he glanced at Qiu Luxi, then turned and left.

"Phew..." Jin Shuheng made no attempt to hide his relief and turned to complain to Ning Ruoyu.

But before he could speak, Ning Ruoyu was already lecturing Qiu Luxi.

"Are you an idiot?! Your grandfather came to the gate to show his attitude and set the tone for the conversation. What are you doing here? You're embarrassing Old Master Qiu. Shouldn't you find a way to save face?"

"I want to see you as soon as possible." Qiu Luxi seemed a little unconvinced.

"Am I a national treasure, a giant panda? Will looking at me for too long prolong my life or something? To be honest, I felt like I was talking like a blond-haired kid riding a ghost firecracker. And you, don't just listen to that old man's criticism. His reaction just now was more like self-deprecation, and the target of his criticism wasn't actually you."

Seeing Qiu Luxi's disbelieving expression, Ning Ruoyu hesitated to speak and could only sigh.

Jin Shuheng raised an eyebrow. He hadn't expected Ning Ruoyu to suddenly speak up for the old man. Did this kid really see through something, or was he simply trying to lower their guard?

"Anyway, if it weren't for the fact that you were about to cry just now, I wouldn't have wanted to get involved in this mess. I came here to figure out some things, so you should just be a good mascot and not do anything stupid again, okay?"

"It's not a stupid thing to do. Looking at you makes me feel more at ease. Just like right now."

Qiu Luxi tugged at Ning Ruoyu's sleeve.

Jin Shuheng couldn't take it anymore. "Damn it, you lured the dog in here to kill it!"

"What a coincidence, I always feel terrified whenever I see you."

Jin Shuheng admired Ning Ruoyu's stubbornness. He was like a block of cold, hard ice. If Jin Shuheng were in Ning Ruoyu's situation at the same age, he suspected he would have immediately shouted at the girl, "Hello, let's get married."

However, Ning Ruoyu seemed completely unaware of being relied upon by the national idol, the eldest daughter of the Qiu family. Instead, she slightly tugged at her sleeve, as if it were too much trouble.

What's even more terrifying is that Qiu Luxi, who was pulled away, just nodded regretfully, showing no sign of feeling disrespected, like a docile cat that had been tamed.

"Brother Ning, have you ever considered publishing a book or writing an autobiography? To share your experiences and insights or something like that."

Jin Shuheng asked Ning Ruoyu in a low voice.

"I've considered having my ashes scattered at sea as soon as I die, so I can rest in peace and never be dug up and whipped for extra work."

Ning Ruoyu rolled her eyes and made up a story.

[Next chapter preview: "...Put your pudding down before you speak."]

"We just saw each other ten minutes ago, didn't we?"

I can more or less understand the old man's attitude now.