Chapter 37

Afterward.

The self-introductions continued in an orderly manner.

Soon, it was Xuecun Lingyin's turn.

Natsume Chikage paid close attention to this girl.

After all, she possessed the special equipment he needed.

Moreover, he had just vaguely heard classmates discussing that Xuecun Lingyin seemed to have won some literary award?

Although he didn't know exactly what award it was, he was very clear—in Japan, writers are worshipped by many people.

Among the many professions in society, only some professions like writers, lawyers, and doctors are respectfully called "teacher."

And a somewhat famous author, even if you have multiple scandal-ridden girlfriends at the same time, won't be criticized by the public.

If you don't have a few girlfriends, the public might even despise you, feeling that you aren't qualified enough.

Conversely, for some professions like celebrities, lawyers, and doctors, as long as there is one scandal, they will basically be scolded to death by the media.

The tolerance of Japanese society for authors is just that outrageous!

Thinking of this, Natsume Chikage didn't feel surprised at all that many classmates came to Xuecun Lingyin to ask for autographs and chat about novels during the break.

The cold Xuecun Lingyin stood up slowly.

Her expression was indifferent, her long eyelashes drooping, as if the surrounding noise had nothing to do with her.

"My name is Xuecun Lingyin, and my hobby is reading and writing novels."

"My dream is to win more literary awards, that is all."

As her voice fell, she had already sat back in her original seat, as if she had never stood up; her fair fingers flipped open the hardcover book pages on the table again, quickly immersing herself back into her world of words.

Jiu Jing Ziyuan's gaze lingered on Xuecun Lingyin's name for a moment.

The data clearly marked her origin—the famous literary Xuecun family.

This family had produced a literary giant in the long river of Japanese history.

Although no one in later generations had reached that peak, members of the family still occasionally won the laurels of various literary awards.

After examining the data of this literary girl, Jiu Jing Ziyuan's gaze finally moved to the last person on the list—Natsume Chikage.

Previously, her attention had been more focused on other students, and she had almost never noticed the seat by the window in the corner of the classroom.

When her gaze truly fell on Natsume Chikage, who had stood up, for the first time, the fingers holding the list paused imperceptibly.

The boy standing below the podium had a face so exquisite it was almost unreal, and the afternoon sun outlined a hazy halo around him through the window.

A hint of indescribable surprise flashed in Jiu Jing Ziyuan's heart at this overly outstanding appearance.

She quickly lowered her eyes, her fingertips moving rapidly next to the name "Natsume Chikage" on the list, her gaze scanning the small lines of text, her lips moving silently:

'Grades: D-…'

'Specialty: None…'

'Hobbies: Playing games, playing on the phone…'

'Club affiliation: Going-home club…'

'Character description: Relatively quiet…'

'Participation in class activities: Very little…'

Her gaze continued to move down, landing on the family background column.

'Family situation: Once operated an IT company… went bankrupt due to major decision-making errors… recently sold almost all assets…'

'Status: Not adopted by wealthy relatives… presumed to be dependent on his younger sister… current residence: To be investigated…'

Her fingertips rested on the last few lines of text, and Jiu Jing Ziyuan was silent for a few seconds.

She looked up again at the boy standing straight and calm below the podium, a hint of extremely complex emotion flashing in the depths of her eyes—there was scrutiny, regret, and perhaps a trace of imperceptible pity.

Natsume Chikage knew it was his turn and stood up calmly.

His tall and straight figure instantly attracted the vast majority of the gazes in the classroom like a magnet.

Even Xuecun Lingyin, who had been focusing on reading, although she didn't turn her head, seemed to tighten her fingers holding the edge of the book pages, and her small ears moved imperceptibly.

"My name is Natsume Chikage, and my hobbies are..."

Before he could finish, some boys started to heckle:

"Natsume-kun, do you already have a girlfriend?"

"Yeah, yeah, looking this handsome, you must have been taken long ago, right?"

"That's right, just be honest."

The boys heckled on the surface, but inwardly they were all calculating, hoping Natsume Chikage would quickly be "taken."

Because sitting around Natsume Chikage were two class beauties—Xiyuanji Qilai and Xuecun Lingyin.

As long as he had a girlfriend, they would have one less strong potential "threat."

This direct question also hit the mark for many girls in the class.

They had actually wanted to ask for a long time, but because they had just met, they had maintained their maidenly reserve and hadn't been able to ask proactively.

At this moment, their gazes instantly became burning, tightly locking onto Natsume Chikage in front of the podium.

Xiyuanji Qilai also blinked her lively eyes, her long eyelashes fluttering, and she also looked at Natsume Chikage curiously.

And Natsume Chikage just shook his head lightly.

"No girlfriend."

A brief silence.

The boys were collectively silent, various complex emotions flashing in their eyes—surprise, disbelief, and even a little bit of disappointment.

The girls, on the other hand, were like dry firewood thrown into a fire, instantly becoming excited, and the dam of reserve was instantly breached.

"Natsume-kun! What type of girl do you like?"

"Do you like the cute, chubby type?"

"Have you had a girlfriend before? How many have you dated?"

The classroom was instantly filled with the girls' chattering questions.

"Quiet!" Jiu Jing Ziyuan frowned, "It's still class time!"