Chapter 366: Literature Club Reading Sharing Session

At the Literature Club, after Ying Chanxi arrived at the activity classroom, she sat on the podium.

When the club members gradually arrived and the time reached one in the afternoon, Ying Chanxi glanced at the clock, nodded, and clapped her hands to signal everyone to quiet down.

"President Li Luo still has some matters to attend to at the Rock Club, so he asked me to take over for him."

Ying Chanxi spoke with the authority of the Student Council president, her expression calm: "Today's activity is simple."

"First, students who have confirmed pen-pal relationships may continue exchanging letters."

"Second, for this week's reading sharing session, everyone may choose one book they've recently read and share their thoughts, along with reasons why they recommend it."

"Third, we'll arrange this year's two vice-presidents of the Literature Club—this will be announced by Li Luo when he arrives."

Ying Chanxi was undoubtedly capable in her personal skills; hosting such a club activity came to her effortlessly.

For the first half-hour, they exchanged pen-pal letters; those who hadn't prepared letters could write them on the spot.

Or, those who received letters could read them and choose to reply immediately.

After the half-hour pen-pal exchange ended, Ying Chanxi checked the time and, seeing Li Luo hadn't arrived, proceeded to the reading sharing session.

What she hadn't expected was that this reading sharing session would be completely different from before.

In the past, everyone would share classic works from home or abroad—books like "Camel Xiangzi" were so well-known they were never mentioned, assumed to be universally read.

Thus, the reading sharing sessions often featured relatively obscure classics; even Ying Chanxi benefited greatly and occasionally bought books recommended by members to read herself.

But today, everything had changed…

"The book I'm sharing today is called 'I Am Really Not a Star,'" said a boy named Su Lin Tian as he stood up to address the group—but as soon as he finished, he couldn't suppress his laughter and quickly covered his mouth to stifle it.

The other students burst into laughter, and even Ying Chanxi on the podium couldn't help but smile wryly.

Su Lin Tian then composed himself and continued seriously: "I've read about two hundred thousand characters of this book so far."

"I never read Online Novels before, but after encountering this one, I realized that while its depth may not match traditional classics, as pure leisure reading, it's genuinely excellent."

"For example, our club president's own creation, 'I Am Really Not a Star,' tells the story of a down-and-out eighteen-line celebrity from real life who, after being transported to an alternate parallel Earth, rises step by step to become the entertainment patriarch by leveraging classic songs and films from his original Earth."

"Honestly, compared to traditional classics, Online Novels naturally carry a stronger sense of anticipation."

"I believe everyone here feels the same—just hearing this premise of an ordinary person rising to greatness already makes you wonder: How will the protagonist act? Which works will he choose? And how will the people in this parallel world react when they encounter these brilliant creations?"

It must be said that although Su Lin Tian had originally intended only a joke, after reading Li Luo's 'I Am Really Not a Star,' he had genuinely analyzed some meaningful points.

Since his remarks were substantive, Ying Chanxi couldn't very well interrupt him.

But this was likely the first time in the Fuyi High School Literature Club's activity classroom that someone had chosen to recommend and share an Online Novel.

The key was, since this Online Novel was written by the club president himself—and had achieved tremendous success—

it naturally made club members feel less distant from the work.

Some members might have previously looked down on such works, but upon reflection, since it was written by their fellow Gao Zhongsheng, they wouldn't judge it too harshly.

Instead, perhaps because they had little prior exposure to Online Novels, seeing this nearly three-million-character epic made them have to admire the president's creative perseverance just from the sheer word count alone.

After reading the novel's content, they couldn't help but laugh and marvel at the president's imagination.

Still, although Su Lin Tian was bold, he hadn't gone so far as to overstep—he discussed the book's merits from a serious perspective after sharing it.

But after Su Lin Tian sat down, Jiang Liuxian's desk-mate Ai Kesi immediately raised her hand.

Ying Chanxi invited her to speak.

Ai Kesi stood up with a grin, chest out, speaking without the slightest hesitation: "Like the previous student, I'm also here to share 'I Am Really Not a Star.'"

"But my perspective differs—I believe that beyond the main plot, the romantic relationship between the male and female leads is also a major highlight!"

Here, Ai Kesi paused, as if choosing her words carefully.

The others in the room, especially those who had specifically read the novel, immediately looked at her with admiration.

Especially Su Lin Tian, who felt immense respect, thinking: You really dare say that?

Ying Chanxi, on the podium, had thought the 'I Am Really Not a Star' segment was over—she hadn't expected more, and now she rubbed her forehead in mild headache.

Especially when Ai Kesi began discussing the romantic plotline, she felt an inexplicably bad premonition.

But since the younger student had already gone this far, she couldn't just cut her off.

So Ying Chanxi gritted her teeth and kept listening.

On the other hand, hearing someone praise Li Luo's novel made her genuinely happy.

But if Li Luo himself were here to bear the brunt, Ying Chanxi would be even happier.

"I've read over five hundred thousand characters of this book!" Ai Kesi said proudly, lifting her chin. "There are three female leads, but my favorite is definitely the one named Shen Dongdong."

"As the male lead's childhood friend, she's had a strong desire to perform since childhood and has always dreamed of becoming an actress."

"After successfully entering China's top film academy and fortunately receiving an audition invitation from a production team, she was asked by the director for sexual favors—and became deeply disillusioned with the industry."

"So, heartbroken, after firmly rejecting the director's demand, she resolved to quietly improve her acting skills at school—even if no roles came her way, she could still shine someday at the National Theater or elsewhere."

"And it was under these circumstances that her childhood friend Li Yang became a light in her acting career."

"I really love the character Shen Dongdong," Ai Kesi said, her gaze fixed directly on Ying Chanxi. "She feels so pure, so untainted—her feelings toward the male lead were cultivated since childhood, with not a trace of ulterior motive."

Hearing this, Ying Chanxi blinked, slightly embarrassed yet secretly pleased, her cheeks faintly reddening.

Some students who had already guessed Shen Dongdong's real-life prototype now saw Ying Chanxi's reaction and silently cursed the club president.

"She's loved Li Yang since childhood, never changing her attitude whether he was down-and-out or later became outstanding—she always treated him the same."

Ai Kesi continued, "In this regard, I think Shen Dongdong is truly adorable—but also a little pitiful."

"After all, such a good girl deserves genuine love, not to be forced to share the male lead's affection equally with two other equally outstanding girls."

"But then again… this is a fantasy novel, so I wonder if guys generally like this trope—multiple girls falling for you, while you hold the power to choose."

Saying this, Ai Kesi snorted, scanning the boys in the classroom with a chuckle: "If it were me, I'd slap him twice—so full of himself."

"What two slaps?"

Just as Ai Kesi finished speaking, a figure entered through the front door of the activity classroom.

Hearing Ai Kesi's final words, Li Luo turned curiously toward her and asked in confusion.

At once, the classroom burst into laughter, even Ying Chanxi on the podium couldn't help laughing out loud.

Ai Kesi hadn't expected that after she just finished mocking, she'd run straight into the subject—she felt a bit embarrassed, quickly sat down dejectedly, and hid behind Jiang Liuxian, refusing to meet Li Luo's gaze.

"Jiang Jiang… if the president finds out, will he beat me up?"

"P-probably not," Jiang Liuxian replied softly, her face slightly flushed.

"Then will he give me the cold shoulder?"

"You're overthinking it. The president isn't like that."

Seeing the sudden laughter in the classroom, Li Luo walked up to the podium, confused, and glanced at Ying Chanxi, who was also laughing. "What's going on?"

"Nothing," Ying Chanxi shook her head, covering her mouth as she chuckled lightly. "We're just having a book-sharing session."

"Oh, I see." Li Luo didn't suspect a thing. Checking the time, he nodded. "Then carry on. Anyone else want to share?"

"Me! Me! Me!" Ai Kesi immediately grabbed Jiang Liuxian's hand and raised her right arm high, grinning. "President! Jiang Jiang says she wants to share the book I Am Really Not a Star! She stayed up all night reading it these past two days—she's got dark circles now!"

"Si Si!" Jiang Liuxian noticed all eyes turning toward her and grew flustered, quickly pulling her hand back.

On the podium, upon hearing Ai Kesi's words, Li Luo's eye twitched—he could guess now what these people had been sharing.

But before Li Luo could react, Ying Chanxi, clearly enjoying the drama, called out: "Jiang Liuxian, you tell us about it."

The classroom erupted in laughter again, followed by loud applause.

This time, Li Luo was right here, watching firsthand as someone openly brought up his novel in front of the president—this was too good to miss.

Everyone egged her on, and Jiang Liuxian had no choice but to stand up, her face flushed red.

Still, she was a vice-class monitor and had once been class monitor in junior high. After briefly gathering her thoughts, she set aside her shyness and began sharing seriously:

"After reading about seven hundred thousand characters of this book, I have a slightly different view from what Si Si just said."

"Setting aside the harem aspect of this kind of Online Novel, I think the romantic plotlines between each heroine and the protagonist are extremely well-designed."

"Hmm… I usually read romance novels where the protagonist is a girl." Jiang Liuxian's face flushed slightly, but she continued, "Actually, in romance novels, there are also plots where several boys revolve around the heroine."

"But in those books, the heroine is always portrayed as ordinary, relying solely on some naive, sweet, and dumb personality to win the hearts of all the boys."

"In contrast, I think the protagonist in the president's book is genuinely excellent—his personal abilities, personality, and way of handling things all provide sufficient reasons for these outstanding heroines to be drawn to him."

"Under these circumstances, the romantic feelings between the protagonist and the heroine don't arise abruptly, but accumulate gradually through repeated plot developments and collisions."

"At least logically, I think it holds up completely."

"As for moral constraints… do we read novels to see the protagonist act as a moral saint?"

"How many classic, time-honored protagonists are even good people by traditional standards? Some are outright villains or scumbags."

"So I never impose worldly morality on protagonists or any character when I read."

"From this perspective, I think this book is very well-written—especially in how the romantic relationship between the main characters is developed. It's believable, not just a sudden crush."

"Hmm… that's about it."

After speaking, Jiang Liuxian sat back down, her face still flushed, too shy to look at Li Luo on the podium.

Li Luo cleared his throat twice and said, "Thank you, Jiang Liuxian, for your sharing. Let's pause the book-sharing session for now. I'll announce the vice-president appointments."

Though flattered by the praise, the thought that dozens of members in the literature club had all read his novel made Li Luo's scalp prickle—even though he'd told himself to learn to enjoy it.

Enjoy this? What a load of crap!

Li Luo felt like he was about to drop dead right there.

If he hadn't had such strong self-control, he would've opened his memory palace and looped "Tantan" in his mind nonstop to calm himself down—otherwise, he might've dug a hole through the floor.

After appointing Wu Yihang and Jiang Liuxian as vice-presidents of the literature club, Li Luo immediately had them come up to host the rest of the book-sharing session.

Around three in the afternoon, Li Luo announced the club activity was over.

If you're in other clubs, feel free to wander elsewhere; if not, pack your bags and get ready to go home.

As for Li Luo, after returning to the classroom with Ying Chanxi, he picked up Yan Zhusheng's bag and headed again toward the rock club.

"If I'd known the literature club was going to cause trouble, I wouldn't have come today," Li Luo sighed, slinging his own bag over his shoulder and carrying Yan Zhusheng's bag. "How am I supposed to live like this from now on?"

"Hahaha~" Ying Chanxi couldn't help laughing at his gloomy expression, patting his shoulder to comfort him. "But I think everyone spoke very well—insightful, logical, and they all genuinely read your book."

"I really appreciate them," Li Luo rolled his eyes, then couldn't help asking, "Weren't you embarrassed just now?"

"Embarrassed about what?"

"Talking about Shen Dongdong and stuff."

"Hmm…" Ying Chanxi blinked, then blushed slightly, lowering her voice. "What's wrong with talking about Shen Dongdong? Could it be… that the Shen Dongdong someone wrote is actually me?"

"Cough… the plot is purely fictional," Li Luo said with a straight face, unblinking. "Any resemblance to real people is purely coincidental."

"Hmph."

The two walked together toward the gymnasium, entering the activity room on the second floor.

Yan Zhusheng and the others were still rehearsing. Li Luo and Ying Chanxi sat down to watch.

Midway, Yan Zhusheng pulled Li Luo up to sing a few songs with her, while Ying Chanxi sat quietly.

Around four-thirty, Yan Zhusheng felt it was enough and announced the end of today's club activity.

Everyone packed up, laughing and bidding farewell to the president and acting president. Before leaving, they glanced at Li Luo and the two girls, remembering the plot from someone's novel, and snickered to themselves.

As Li Luo walked out of the gymnasium with the two girls toward the school gate, several other clubs were just ending their activities.

A large crowd of students, backpacks on their backs, were leaving school. When they saw Li Luo walking side by side with two girls, whispers broke out around them.

Normally, if people saw someone stepping on two boats in real life, they'd at least mutter a few curses behind his back.

Or at least make a snide comment.

But for some reason…

Seeing Li Luo walking with two girls, everyone just wanted to laugh.

It felt like watching a drama unfold in real life.

It was like watching a TV drama in real life.

Added to this, since Ying Chanxi and Yan Zhusheng were both strikingly beautiful women and Li Luo was a handsome man, it further reinforced everyone's impression.

Yet everyone in Fu Yi was also very curious.

Li Luo wrote three female leads in his novel.

Mo Qinghan could sing, so she must correspond to Yan Zhusheng.

Shen Dongdong was his childhood friend, perfectly matching Ying Chanxi, whose status as a cousin was still uncertain.

Then there was Jiang Mingyue—who did she represent?

Or was this third female lead entirely fictional?

This made everyone extremely curious.