Chapter 40: True Colors Revealed

“How amusing. Tomorrow, he’s in for quite a show.” Chen Fan put away his phone, ready to deliver a big surprise to Wei Youlong the following evening.

The elder, discovering this kind of move for the first time, couldn’t help but marvel, “It seems you’ve uncovered the wonders of the Fox Card. Indeed, the human mind is unfathomable.”

“I just tried it out, didn’t expect it to work. I can’t wait to see Wei Youlong’s embarrassing fiasco tomorrow night. If he can turn this around, I’ll write my name backward and upright.” Chen Fan harbored a bit of anticipation in his heart, wishing tomorrow would come sooner.

…

“A little girl’s prank?”

After the training meal, Chen Fan glanced at his phone. The interview was drawing nearer. Today, he was playing the role of a little girl, endowed with the ability to transmit sound over a distance—perfect for his current plans.

“It’s pretty useful, though the range is still a bit short.” Hiding outside the dormitory restroom, Chen Fan transferred Wei Youlong’s lewd humming from the restroom to the campus broadcast.

Tonight, Chen Fan had only one interview, unlike Wei Youlong whose schedule was packed, giving him plenty of time to prepare.

“Chen Fan, Xiao Yuhe, He Yushu, Li Fanyu, Wang Zhaoming—you five are a group. Leaderless group discussion, instructions are written on the blackboard. Fifteen minutes, timed.” The senior sister in charge of the interview tapped the blackboard, urging everyone to get into character.

Chen Fan whispered, “Xiao Yuhe, long time no see. Didn’t expect you to join this department.”

Xiao Yuhe smiled, “I’ve still got a few interviews to catch. I heard you and Xu Ying… is it true?”

“Not at all, we’re just ordinary friends. I’m still single.” Chen Fan shrugged, feeling a bit unnatural, uncertain why he added the last sentence.

“Ahem, you two, focus on your assigned tasks, no need for flirtation. Let’s get down to business.” He Yushu kindly reminded them.

“I’ll handle material preparation. I’ve got plenty of experience with online shopping.” Xiao Yuhe circled her part on the paper.

“I’ll take care of precautions. I think I’m pretty logical.” Chen Fan chose his area of responsibility.

“This so-called disciplinary department, instead of checking attendance, comes up with these goofy activities. Truly annoying. The budget is so tight, yet they want to pull off ten-dollar events with a one-dollar budget. Wishful thinking.” Chen Fan grumbled inwardly.

“Time’s up, on stage for the presentation.” Sister Lin Jing, marked by her pockmarked face, pressed her stopwatch and hurried everyone along.

“What? I haven’t even finished thinking…” Chen Fan looked at his blank sheet of paper, feeling a sense of impending doom.

“Well, if there are too few attendees on the day, we should ramp up promotion. If there are too many, we should divide the games into segments ahead of time. Also, if anyone is injured, send them to the campus clinic immediately, and if the situation is critical, transfer them to the city hospital.”

Holding a blank sheet, Chen Fan struggled to piece together his answer. After his speech, he let out a long breath, feeling his teammates' deep resentment.

“I didn’t want this either—maybe this is what it means to have a pig teammate.” Chen Fan sulked in silence, leaving the rebuttal to his teammates.

“All right, everyone did great. Go home and wait for the results.”

Sister Lin Jing led the applause. Chen Fan joined in politely. Even without the Fox Card’s ability, he could guess what the others were thinking: ‘everyone’ didn’t include him.

“Perhaps this is fate.” Chen Fan dejectedly exited the classroom, ready to vent all his frustration on Wei Youlong.

“Chen Fan, tonight you…”

A voice called from behind, but Chen Fan didn’t look back, running off in a hurry.

“Maybe he’s in as much of a rush as I am? I wanted to ask which other interviews he’s got lined up.” Xiao Yuhe turned and headed for the third floor, off to her next interview.

“Thankfully, I made it in time.” Chen Fan hid outside the door, even ducking his head beneath the window. Inside was the Secretary Office’s interview venue.

At the entrance, a senior noticed Chen Fan’s flustered state and approached, “May I ask your name, junior? Are you here for the Secretary Office’s second interview?”

“No, no, I’m just here to observe, not for the interview.” Chen Fan leaned against the wall, waving his hands and gasping for breath, pulling out his phone from his pocket.

“Oh, I see.” After clarifying, the senior returned to his post.

“Let’s show everyone your true colors.” Chen Fan clutched several recordings, waiting for the perfect moment to play them.

He glanced inside; the senior sister who had previously interviewed him, Zheng Xiaoruo, was there, engrossed in her phone.

“I’ll use her phone as the medium. Sorry, Sister Zheng, hope you don’t mind.” Chen Fan scanned the interviewees and spotted Pan Huiru among them.

“I believe handling issues requires prioritization. The Secretary Department’s workload is very heavy, so reasonable scheduling helps improve our efficiency. Therefore, a uniform standard should be established, and miscellaneous tasks shouldn’t be handled simply in chronological order.”

Wei Youlong, as always, spoke at length, gradually becoming the group’s focal point. In a leaderless group, a leader always emerges during the discussion.

Chen Fan looked at Zheng Xiaoruo, then at Pan Huiru. Both were clearly impressed by Wei Youlong’s eloquence, especially Pan Huiru, whose face bloomed with admiration.

“Let’s see how long you can keep showing off.” Chen Fan grinned and pressed play on one of the recordings.

[Actually, Sister Zheng Xiaoruo looks pretty good. Just wears glasses, and her chest is a bit small, but good enough to quench thirst.]

“Wei Youlong, what are you saying?” Zheng Xiaoruo put down her phone, astonished.

“I didn’t say anything just now, but…” Wei Youlong was bewildered, yet the voice was unmistakably his own. He had never shared these thoughts, so how could they be recorded?

[Pan Huiru’s legs are just amazing, and her figure is delightful. When will I finally trick her into my arms?]

Smack.

A glamorous slap, and the room was plunged into awkwardness. Chen Fan watched from behind the door, giggling.

During the Fox Card’s effect, Chen Fan discovered he could record others’ inner thoughts, so last night he had deliberately coaxed many words from Wei Youlong, capturing his true feelings on his phone.

“Wei Youlong, you… you pervert. I never thought your mind was so filthy. I misjudged you.” Pan Huiru whimpered.

Wei Youlong hurried to console her, “Someone must be framing me, darling. Let me find out the truth, okay? Don’t believe those rumors. You’re the only one I love.”

[Actually, chatting with over a dozen girls is pretty exhausting. Sometimes I mix up names—it’s so embarrassing. So I just call everyone ‘darling’.]

Smack.

Another resounding slap. Chen Fan had already ducked into the restroom, laughing so hard he feared being discovered.

“Wei Youlong, you shameless creep. I’m reporting you.” Pan Huiru no longer cared about the interview and stormed out.

“Listen to me, Huiru, let me explain. Calm down, don’t do anything rash.” Wei Youlong chased after her.

Chen Fan composed himself, returned to the scene pretending nothing had happened, and bumped into Wei Youlong head-on.

Chen Fan grinned, “Brother Long, which interview are you rushing to?”

“Rush to what? Get out of my way. I have to win back my love.” Wei Youlong shoved Chen Fan aside and dashed off.