Chapter 17: The Price of Popularity

Thanks to Bai Zhi’s relentless efforts, the conversation, which had been gradually sidetracked by Su Pei’s mischievous antics, finally returned to its intended course.

“In any case, I’m confiscating this for now, and all the photos within will be deleted shortly.”

Bai Zhi gave the camera in her hand a decisive shake.

“No objections, I trust?”

“Wuwuwu… Lady Ranxin’s full-body shots…”

“Rest assured, Lady Lin, the very instant Student Bai Zhi snatched the camera, I had already created a backup!”

Su Pei calmly presented the data card she held.

“I’ll send it to you later.”

“Lady Su Pei…!”

“In any case, hand over that data card you’re holding as well.”

Bai Zhi let out a weary sigh.

“And Lin, you should join them over there.”

Observing the three individuals standing perfectly aligned before her, resembling errant children being reprimanded by a teacher, Bai Zhi could only shake her head with a resigned expression.

“So, returning to our original discussion: what exactly is going on with you three? Why are you outside school grounds during class hours?”

“Ah, regarding that matter,” Xia Ranxin interjected suddenly.

“The news department, which Student Su Pei belongs to, is allocated two hours daily for off-campus interviews, so their presence here is perfectly normal.”

“Exactly! It’s a legitimate prerogative of the News Department.”

Su Pei maintained her usual impassive expression, yet a subtle hint of pride seemed to color her tone.

“Surely not? Such an outrageous privilege can’t actually be sanctioned?!” Bai Zhi exclaimed, her face etched with disbelief as she sought confirmation from Xia Ranxin, who, however, merely nodded in affirmation.

“It’s quite true, Student Bai Zhi; the Principal themselves approved it.”

“And we owe a great deal to your assistance, Student Council President,” Su Pei quipped.

“Hmm… I don’t believe my involvement was particularly significant,” Xia Ranxin mused, a peculiar expression gracing her features as she reminisced.

“At the time, I merely escorted Student Su Pei to the Principal’s office; she conducted all subsequent negotiations with the Principal entirely on her own.”

“Is that so… But how could something that sounds utterly preposterous possibly gain the Principal’s assent through mere negotiation? Could that seemingly antiquated figurehead actually possess an unexpectedly progressive mindset?” Bai Zhi queried, her disbelief palpable.

“Hmph hmph~ Such is the negotiating prowess of a professional journalist!”

“Oh, I never would have guessed that despite your shadowy demeanor, always appearing to relish in holding others’ weaknesses over them, you actually possess a certain degree of professional competence.”

“Er, that’s not quite how it happened, Student Bai Zhi.”

Xia Ranxin paused mid-sentence, casting a peculiar glance towards Su Pei.

“Initially, the Principal was adamantly opposed, but after Student Su Pei produced a stack of photographs, their attitude shifted abruptly…”

“It was merely blackmail in the end!”

Bai Zhi grumbled, then cast a helpless gaze at Su Pei.

“So your surreptitious photos from earlier were indeed for the purpose of extorting us…”

“They’re merely material for the next issue’s report; calling it ‘blackmail’ or ‘threats’ is quite an exaggeration,” Su Pei explained with an utterly calm demeanor.

“A report? About me?”

A touch of surprise coloring her features, Bai Zhi gestured to herself with a finger.

“Student Bai Zhi might not be aware, but since yesterday, your popularity within the school has soared astronomically.

For the sake of the next report’s circulation, it is imperative that we feature some news pertaining to you, Student Bai Zhi.”

“…Is it truly that exaggerated?”

“A courageous declaration of love! And an unprecedented, grand elopement for two! My, oh my, even though I was away on assignment and not present, merely hearing the descriptions allowed me to vividly sense the fervent atmosphere! Student Bai Zhi, you are truly a remarkable individual,” Su Pei exclaimed, her face alight with envy.

“Already, rumors concerning Student Bai Zhi have iterated through several versions; the tale of her burgeoning romance and encounter with President Xia Ranxin has even been updated to include their fated connection from a past life.”

“Er… I’m suddenly rather grateful I haven’t had to attend school recently.”

“Naturally, those are nothing more than baseless fabrications, and our News Department disdains stooping to write such trivialities!”

A look of profound pride was etched across Su Pei’s countenance.

“Our guiding principle has always been to craft reports founded on facts, yet infused with subjective personal imagination, thereby serving the public.”

“Isn’t that practically indistinguishable from baseless fabrication?” Bai Zhi sighed, a headache beginning to throb. “In any case, to prevent these rumors from escalating into even greater absurdity, could you please refrain from mentioning me in your next report? At least, don’t make it quite so outlandish.”

“A righteous journalist shall never yield to threats!”

Su Pei’s face was a picture of righteousness.

“However, if I willingly agree, it doesn’t count as being forced to yield. Therefore, as compensation for not mentioning Student Bai Zhi, might I interview Lady Lin and President Xia Ranxin, who are standing nearby? My ‘Journalist’s Soul’ informs me… their relationship is far from simple!”

Xia Ranxin appeared flustered. “Eh? Me? If Lin agrees…”

“The tale of my encounter with Lady Ranxin? Please, by all means, record it!”

“Wait, wait, don’t agree so readily!”

Observing the pair who had assented almost without a moment’s hesitation, Bai Zhi felt a surge of helplessness, yet found herself utterly powerless to stop them.

“Regardless, Su Pei, I’m certain you’ll inject some fanciful elements into the final report, won’t you?”

“Naturally!”

“Don’t be quite so unequivocally affirmative… In any case, Ranxin is my friend, and I cannot stand by while she continues to accumulate peculiar rumors throughout the school.”

Bai Zhi’s expression was utterly serious.

“In exchange, should I unearth any intriguing material in the future, I will inform you at the earliest opportunity. How does that sound?”

“Hmm… That sounds entirely like an empty promise, and I perceive no compelling reason whatsoever to agree.”

“If you find that unsatisfactory, I do possess some rather more… forceful solutions…”

“Of course, I have absolute faith in Miss Bai Zhi’s integrity! Very well then, let us proceed as you suggest!”

Having reached a consensus through this somewhat coercive negotiation, Bai Zhi proceeded to delete all photographs pertaining to herself and Xia Ranxin from both the camera and the data card, before returning both items to Su Pei.

“And here is my phone number… Let’s exchange contact information, and should I acquire any intriguing material in the future, I will proactively reach out to you.”

“Oh my, Student Bai Zhi is truly earnest,” Su Pei remarked, a fleeting flicker of surprise crossing her features before she reverted to her customary impassive demeanor.

“I had assumed you were merely jesting, never imagining you were entirely serious…”

“What kind of person do you take me for? I am certainly not someone who resorts solely to violent means of coercion!”

“My apologies. It appears I must have merely misheard that remark about ‘rather more forceful solutions’ earlier.”

“In any case! You have the number, now be on your way!” Bai Zhi waved her hand dismissively, a flush of vexation creeping onto her cheeks. “And don’t forget our agreement!”

“Naturally, you can trust every single word uttered by a journalist.”

“The way you phrase that actually makes me more inclined to disbelieve it…”

After they had exchanged phone numbers, Su Pei meticulously packed away the camera, turning to call her assistant, Zuo Yan, to depart.

It was then that Zuo Yan, who had been silently observing from the sidelines for a considerable time, finally gathered his courage and approached.

“B-Bai Zhi-senpai!”

“Hmm? I believe your name is… Zuo Yan, correct?”

“Ah~~, you remembered it instantly just from a single mention; truly befitting Student Bai Zhi!”

“No, no, no, it’s merely remembering a name; there’s nothing remarkable about it. Besides, your reaction seems rather overly dramatic, wouldn’t you agree?”

Confronted by Zuo Yan’s utterly fervent expression, Bai Zhi found herself feeling somewhat awkward.

“Su Pei mentioned earlier that you’re a fan of mine? …Have we actually met before?”

“You certainly haven’t seen me, but I was present the very moment you, Senior, burst into President Xia’s classroom and declared your affection for her!”

“Er… it was *that*…”

Disregarding Bai Zhi’s thoroughly mortified expression, Zuo Yan’s face took on a look of utter rapture.

“’Though the world may never acknowledge it, my love for you is unrestrainable! Let us flee to the ends of the earth together, Ranxin!’ The sight of Senior Bai Zhi, loudly declaring her affection for her beloved while assertively pulling the President to her feet, was simply too dazzling!”

‘No… in that memory, was I actually uttering such utterly mortifying lines?! Ugh… Rena, look what you’ve done!’

Bai Zhi muttered under her breath, her words barely audible even to herself, while the emotionally charged Zuo Yan before her continued to speak, oblivious.

“Speaking of which, when I first witnessed you, Senior, standing alongside Miss Lin, I confess a fleeting sense of disillusionment washed over me. However, seeing your recent display of concern for President Xia, Senior Bai Zhi, has utterly reassured me. You are indeed not someone who abandons others after an initial dalliance!”

“No, I believe you have a slight misunderstanding regarding Ranxin’s and my relationship…”

“Ah! The sight of Senior Bai Zhi, so resolutely treading her chosen—and perhaps destined to be solitary—path, is simply too captivating!”

“……Alright, I finally comprehend why you and Su Pei are so well-suited to each other.”

Bai Zhi let out a lengthy sigh, pondering how it was that everyone in the News Department seemed to be such an eccentric individual.

“However, I still cannot fathom… within that lengthy monologue you just delivered, was there truly anything about me that warranted such profound admiration, to the extent that you would declare yourself a fan?”

“Ah, well…”

Zuo Yan suddenly grew bashful.

“Oh?”

“…I was frail and sickly as a child, and my parents were often absent. Coupled with my introverted nature, I was frequently bullied by my peers.”

“Thus, when I beheld Senior Bai Zhi, so steadfastly expressing her emotions even when opposed by everyone, I couldn’t help but wish I could become a person as strong as that…”

“And subsequently, I became your loyal fan, Student Bai Zhi,” Zuo Yan concluded, his head drooping somewhat dejectedly. “…It sounds rather strange, doesn’t it? If I’ve caused you any distress, I shall depart at once…”

“It’s not that serious at all! While I was initially startled, it’s actually quite alright. In fact, seeing someone so… well… so positively interpret my actions at the time, I’m rather pleased.”

Noticing Zuo Yan’s dejection, Bai Zhi couldn’t help but offer comfort.

“While I don’t believe there’s anything particularly admirable about me, if my actions can serve as motivation for you to better yourself, then I’m quite happy about it.”

With that, Bai Zhi scratched her head, a hint of embarrassment coloring her expression.

“Though I still feel a bit awkward about it, I must admit.”

“Senior Bai Zhi!”

Zuo Yan’s eyes gleamed, his expression on the verge of tears.

“Please, please sign this for me! I shall preserve it as a treasured family heirloom!”

“I told you, that’s really a bit too much…”

Bai Zhi accepted the notebook Zuo Yan handed her with a wry smile, signed her name within, and carefully returned it.

“And you too… if you ever need any assistance, remember to contact me. You can get my contact information from your senior.”

“No, no, that would be far too presumptuous!”

Zuo Yan hastily refused, then bowed deeply.

“In any case, you’ve been a great help today, Senior Bai Zhi! Rest assured, upon my return, I will diligently supervise Senior Su Pei and ensure she upholds her promise!”

“Hey, you’re my assistant, aren’t you? Why are you siding with outsiders?”

Su Pei poked Zuo Yan irritably, and after a brief farewell, she pulled a sour face and dragged him away.