Chapter 69

Page Nineteen Let’s Row the Boat Together

Life consultations on the water still had to continue.

“Although the topic has veered off course, what I want to say is that people put on different masks when facing different people and for different purposes. This mask is what we call a Persona.”

Suddenly, an obscure English word popped out. Even Tan Lin Hua, a top student, didn’t understand it… It might also be because of my Japanese pronunciation.

I never thought that knowledge from games could be applied to real life. Thank Atlas.

“Does Kǎi-Chan wear a mask too?”

“Of course. Although I am someone who lives quite independently, there are times when I wear a mask too.”

I continued, “To be accepted by others, to hide one’s bad side and show what others hope to see, this is a Persona. The true self isn’t entirely good. We are all imperfect. If we don’t hide ourselves properly, we can easily hurt ourselves or others.”

If I were to talk about someone I know who lives truly, it would be the mountain gorilla-like person who follows their desires and wholeheartedly serves their own lewd soul.

“So I can’t just wear a mask?”

“You’re different, Lin Hua. As I said, a Persona exists to achieve a certain goal. Your mask is worn so that everyone sees you as a true girl.”

I stared into Tan Lin Hua’s eyes and spoke seriously.

“But with the power of a deity, when you realize you’ve become a true girl, this mask will be discarded by yourself, revealing a somewhat negative self. The worst part is, your mask has severely affected your nature, making it hard for you to recognize who you really are.”

Wearing a mask for too long makes you forget your true appearance.

“And you’ve hurt Kǎi.”

“That incident is over, but the problems revealed are real.” Thinking back, I still feel annoyed. I paused and continued, “Don’t hide it from you, Yan Liu Zuan actually cares about you. He hopes you’ll take off your mask and live more true to yourself.”

“Liúliú?”

Tan Lin Hua’s face showed a bitter smile.

“Yes, I’m talking to you partly because of his request. I do have a way to find that deity, but I don’t want you to become someone with a terrible personality. My purpose isn’t just to remove that ‘ideal girl’ mask. Besides helping you recognize the boundary between your true self and the mask, I also want to give you a proper adjustment.”

“Kǎi, as expected, loves to meddle…”

“Probably, but it’s for your own good.”

“If I become a true woman, will you still confess to me?”

Damn, it’s my heart… Pfft.

Maybe it’s because I’m dressed as a man, I don’t feel any heart palpitations.

Of course not, I’m not gay.

“I liked you before, maybe just because of your mask. Besides, aren’t you more fond of Yan Liu Zuan?”

Seeing his thoughts exposed, his face flushed red like fire.

Oh, seeing a delicate boy blush in front of me makes me feel goosebumps, so gay!

“When I turned into a girl before, I did feel hopeful again.”

Though for that ascetic, whether you’re a man or a woman doesn’t matter to him. This sentence should remain unsaid to avoid hurting him.

The topic has veered off again, but I’ve said everything I wanted to say. Let’s continue boasting.

“In fact, Lin Hua, you always say I’m cowardly, but in critical moments, I, Cháng Kǎi, still stand firm.”

“Oh-ho? How so?”

Seeing I was going to boast, Tan Lin Hua played along.

I crossed my arms, closed my eyes, but my tone was heavy and heroic.

“Let me tell you, Zhao Zhao and I were in a small alley, and we encountered a group of about ten ruffians.”

“Ruffians?”

“Yes, ruffians! They had iron bars and chains, attacking us right away. Zhao Zhao was beaten terribly, covered in bruises, rolling around in pain. At that moment, I couldn’t stand it anymore, grabbed a five-foot-long steel bar, rushed to the leader of those little bastards, and hit him right on the head… Gwa!”

Something hard, dripping wet, slapped my face.

My nose ached, and my tear ducts started working again.

“Hey, girl, who did you hit? Ah?” It wasn’t Tan Lin Hua’s low voice, but familiar.

“What are you doing?” Then the rubber boat shook, and Tan Lin Hua’s tense voice came.

Opening my eyes, another four-person rubber boat had approached us. It was Lei Miào Miào and Tian Qian. Tian Qian had already joined them.

On the four-person rubber boat, Lei Miào Miào wore a yellow two-piece swimsuit, a hat with the “Water World” logo, and held the plastic paddle that hit my face.

Tan Lin Hua grabbed the other end of the paddle, causing the shaking.

“Ling Meng Little Sister, long time no see… Are you okay?”

Even at the water park, Sister Yuǎnyuè looked very young. Her skin was smooth like a boiled egg, hard to believe she’s in her forties. Though she wore a sunscreen suit, it was transparent, showing a high-cut bikini underneath.

“Do I look fine?”

“Oh? Ling Meng Little Sister?” Tan Lin Hua’s gaze was strange, with a hint of disdain.

“Hey girl, weren’t you supposed to scare her? You’ve made her cry directly,” Uncle Lei Lào seemed a bit angry.

I rubbed my nose, it wasn’t that painful, but hitting the nose often brings tears, and I have quite active tear glands.

Maybe thinking she hit too hard, Lei Miào Miào’s beautiful almond eyes avoided looking at me—the girl’s eyes were really beautiful, like deep red rubies.

“It’s her fault for bragging without a script, it’s annoying… Ow!”

Uncle Lei Lào hit Lei Miào Miào’s hat with his paddle, causing her to lose grip. Tan Lin Hua pulled the plastic paddle away.

“Lin Hua, we’re all friends, no need to be so tense.”

“Because we’re friends, does getting hit mean nothing?”

“It seems reasonable… So.”

I took the paddle from Tan Lin Hua and gently tapped Lei Miào Miào’s head.

“Alright, settled.”

I was worried Lei Miào Miào would attack, but she lowered her head without saying anything, her hat hiding her expression. Was she crying for my kindness?

Impossible.

Tian Qian sat next to Lei Miào Miào without speaking, instead watching Tan Lin Hua with interest. Did she like this type?

This busty girl seemed to guess something and excitedly said, “You two rowed a rubber boat? Could this guy be Ling Meng Little Sister’s boyfriend?”

“No!” I denied immediately.

Hearing this, I remembered.

I once saw on TV that couples rowing together use the effect of being on a boat to deepen their connection and affection.

Suddenly, I recalled Bei Qiao Jue’s mocking laugh at the dock. Was she thinking of this then?

Tan Lin Hua glanced at me, snatched back the paddle, and grabbed my hand.

“Right, I am Ling Meng Sauce’s boyfriend.”

What is he doing, causing trouble?

“Don’t joke, we’re not that kind of relationship!”

I protested loudly, but in this situation, it sounded like a girl denying love when discovered.

With Tan Lin Hua’s confirmation, Tian Qian’s eyes became teasing, and others looked enlightened.

“What about that strong guy who protected you last time?”

Uncle Lei Lào was referring to Zhao Zhao. He must have thought Zhao Zhao was my boyfriend… Wow, I felt insulted.

Uncle Lei Lào sized up Tan Lin Hua and shook his head, “No good, kid. You lack masculinity. I won’t approve of this marriage!”

Are you my dad? And who said anything about marriage?

But for Tan Lin Hua, such words are taken positively.

“Turns out Ling Meng Little Sister likes young men, tsk tsk.” Lei Miào Miào chimed in.

“Leave my matters alone.” Explaining only makes things worse, I changed the subject, “How’s your idol career? Don’t tell me you’re not getting popular?”

“Let’s not talk about that.” Seeing my question, Lei Miào Miào’s face showed fatigue, similar to Zhao Zhao after extra classes, “An idol has to learn so much, singing and dancing are basics, plus emotion management and physical training. Every day is busy.”

“Stop complaining, it’s your choice. Sister Qian must be learning the knowledge needed for a manager, right?” Tian Qian nodded, but Lei Miào Miào snapped.

“Then you shouldn’t talk either. Recently, I participated in a few small commercial performances. Although I gained some popularity, Xiao Qian is more popular than me! Those fools even say managers are cuter than idols themselves?!”

Lei Miào Miào complained, and Tian Qian scratched her head awkwardly. Clearly, some shallow men were blinded by her chest.

“So, where does Ling Meng Little Sister study? I plan to have these two girls return to school in the second half of the year to catch up on their studies.”

Sister Yuǎnyuè’s question stumped me. She wants Lei Miào Miào to attend the same school as me, but there’s no one named Cháng Lingmèng.

“Bìyáng Girls’ School.”

Tan Lin Hua answered on my behalf.