Chapter 13 What Do You Think?

“Hey, what’s going on? Why are there so many cameras?”

“Yeah, it looks like it says ‘Haidong TV’ on them.”

“Hmm, a TV station. Is it some kind of help program?”

“Provincial stations don’t usually do those.”

The aunties and grandmas sitting downstairs were chatting and filled with curiosity when they saw a group of people with organized equipment, carrying cameras and microphones.

One female reporter, in particular, caught their eyes.

They stared intently at her shapely and attractive hips.

“Are all reporters such pretty girls?”

“Young lady,” one of the aunties called out to Su Yu, “Are you from the TV station?”

“Ah, yes, Auntie,” Su Yu replied with a smile.

“What are you here to do?” the auntie continued.

Su Yu politely answered, “We’re doing an interview.”

“So you’re a reporter?”

“Yes, I’m a reporter from Haidong TV.”

“How old are you? You’re so accomplished already!”

“Haha, thank you…”

“Do you have a boyfriend?” the auntie suddenly asked.

After she was taken aback, the auntie next to her continued, “My son is a PhD graduate from Haidong University, earns over 1.2 million a year, owns two apartments, and drives a big Mercedes. He's also single. Young lady, consider him!”

“Ah… that’s really impressive,” Su Yu replied awkwardly.

These aunties and grandmas in this old, small neighborhood were really interesting.

Did they know Chen Yuan?

Just then, a lady in a tight skirt and cheongsam, wearing a shawl and a sparkling ruby ring, walked out of the building. Seeing the camera, she immediately perked up: “Are you from the TV station?”

“Ah, yes, we’re from Haidong TV,” Su Yu quickly stepped forward.

The aunties sitting on their little stools looked even more curious and suspicious.

“Isn’t that old Wang’s daughter?”

“Why are they interviewing her?”

“She’s all dolled up, looks like something else, and she’s not young anymore…”

“Yeah, yeah.”

Su Yu could hear the aunties’ criticisms.

And she really didn’t understand.

Why do people gossip where the person can hear them!

But the landlady didn’t seem to care at all. She puffed out her chest proudly and kept turning her right profile to the camera to get a better shot.

“Hello, Ms. Wang, can you introduce yourself?” Su Yu asked with a smile, raising the microphone to her face.

“Hello everyone, hello to the friends in Haidong, hello to the viewers across the country, and hello to all my internet friends.”

Su Yu: “…”

Don’t overdo it!

Just say your lines, say your lines!

“I’m Chen Yuan’s landlady. He’s renting here with his family to go to school,” the landlady said.

“What kind of person is Chen Yuan in your impression?” Su Yu asked.

Hearing this, the landlady perked up immediately and said, “A very handsome, tall guy with a really good physique!”

“How did you figure out he had a ‘really good physique’?” Su Yu asked.

“He’s very enthusiastic and always helps the neighbors. Like when people are moving, he’ll offer to help carry appliances and such.”

“Ms. Wang, let’s just do a normal interview, no need to make things up,” Su Yu interrupted.

The cameraman next to her looked confused.

How could she tell she was making it up?

Wasn’t that a normal thing?

“Ah, how did you know I was making it up?” the landlady asked, equally puzzled.

“Because Chen Yuan wouldn’t do those things on his own,” Su Yu said.

“…” The cameraman.

So he's not enthusiastic or kind at all!

And it’s so obvious that anyone who knows him can see through any positive comments about him!

“Um…” the landlady thought for a moment and said, “He’s a really good cook. Every time I pass by his place, I smell delicious food, it’s really tempting.”

“That’s made by a little girl in his room!” one of the grandmas loudly corrected.

Then, an auntie came over and said to the camera, “But he really is a caring kid. I often see him feeding stray cats and dogs. And he's really patient with kids, he even plays skateboard with them.”

Su Yu: “…”

Are you sure he’s not stealing other kids' skateboards to play with?

Because the aunties were stealing her spotlight, the landlady’s expression turned sour. She pursed her lips, rolled her eyes, and stepped in front of the camera: “This kid is really amazing. When I bought a car, he immediately pointed out that it was a flood-damaged vehicle and helped me recover a large sum of money. Because of that, I've always given him a discount on the rent. This is Xia Hai, a two-bedroom apartment, and I only charge him a little over a thousand!”

That was true.

Interesting.

The top scorer in the country wasn’t a bookworm; he could also spot flood-damaged cars and had plenty of life experience.

“What do you think about him becoming the top scorer?” Su Yu continued to ask.

“It’s amazing, really amazing!” the landlady said with a smile. “This kid is so smart, he’s a genius. No matter what you ask him, he always gives you the best answer, and he's so nice. If I were ten years younger, I would really fall in love with him…”

“Hey, hey, don’t fall in love!” Su Yu raised her hand, quickly interrupting.

What are you saying, lady!

This is a serious TV station, not a variety show trying to create drama!

“The top scorer in the country is in our neighborhood?” Hearing this, the aunties got excited.

Several aunties crowded close to the front.

The landlady was quite unhappy, her lips were noticeably pursed.

“That kid is really hard-working. During the holidays, he basically never goes out to play, unlike other kids!”

“Yeah, yeah, and he’s really nice to that girl…”

“He’s also very polite to the elderly.”

Everyone was chatting excitedly, all eager to be on camera. Although not much of it would make it to air, it was still quite interesting.

The landlady couldn’t compete with them, so she quickly grabbed Su Yu’s hand: “Let’s interview somewhere else…”

“Oh, okay.”

Just like that, Su Yu followed her.

At that moment, Chen Yuan, who was peeking from the window at home, felt a great deal of pressure.

From now on, this familiar route home, constantly refreshed with auntie NPCs, was going to be difficult.

But thankfully, this interview didn't seem to be damaging his reputation.

………

“Chen Yuan is a gentle and handsome guy who is especially kind to elementary school girls.”

While interviewing the disabled girl Chen Yuan mentioned in the park, Su Yu was stunned.

Her face turned red immediately.

The cameraman next to her seemed to have captured some evidence and became suddenly alert.

“…Can…can we rephrase that?” Su Yu asked, looking at the beautiful little girl in a black princess dress sitting in a wheelchair.

Don’t use such creepy words!

Even the top scorer in the country can’t escape the law!

“But he really is good to me…” Shen Xiaoran said earnestly.

“How is he good to you?” Su Yu continued to ask.

Shen Xiaoran thought for a moment and said, “He massages my thighs.”

“?!” The cameraman.

“Ah? He really did that?” Su Yu was shocked.

Did Chen Yuan do that too?

But why did I say "too?"

“Rehabilitation requires massage, and he’s very diligent in massaging my thighs and feet…” As Shen Xiaoran spoke, the two people in front of her began to breathe more rapidly. So, Shen Xiaoran said, “After I became disabled, I was very insecure and didn’t want to go out. After meeting Chen Yuan, he took the initiative to play with me and pushed me out for walks, so I no longer resisted the outside world…”

“Great, that’s a good point!” Su Yu said, quite satisfied.

“But that’s too ordinary, not interesting at all,” Shen Xiaoran said, feeling bored.

“Being interesting requires you to abide by the Civil Code,” Su Yu lectured her. “As a girl, even if you’re just an elementary school student, you still need to keep a certain distance from boys.”

“…Oh, I understand.” Shen Xiaoran felt that the girl in front of her was a bit preachy and easily alarmed.

Her name is Su Yu, right?

She also has the character "Yu" in her name. (语)

“What kind of person do you think Chen Yuan is?” Su Yu continued to interview.

“A very enthusiastic, kind, and intelligent boy who’s above low-level interests.”

“That’s good, how does he show that?”

“He often sneaks into my house at night to tutor me privately.”

“Why does he have to sneak in?!”

“Because my mom doesn’t want me to bother him too much.”

“What about your dad? Doesn’t your dad come home at night?”

“He usually works at night. Oh, right, Chen Yuan gently gives me the same love my dad would when my dad isn't home."

“…While there's nothing wrong with saying it that way, it sounds strange, and probably can’t be aired, right?”

“Hey, if you can’t air this, you can’t air that, the adult world is so complicated!”

And it even has a touch of eroticism! (瑟禽)

Shen Xiaoran complained inwardly.

“For the last question, Chen Yuan got the top score in the country. What would you like to say to him?” Su Yu asked.

“Um…”

After thinking about it, Shen Xiaoran smiled brightly and said, “Congratulations on getting the top score in the country. I knew you could do it. You used to ask me, ‘Little Shen, am I amazing?’ At that time, only I knew how amazing you were. Now, everyone knows you’re amazing!”

“Um, good, that’s quite…no, no, let’s record that again.”

“Hey! What is it this time that won’t pass the censors?”

The censorship at Haidong TV was even more outrageous than the Qidian Chinese website she read!

………

The director, who was holding a thermos cup and drinking water in the hall, had just taken a sip of tea with 100% goji berry content when he saw a girl in professional attire, as pretty as a star, and looking like Liu Yifei, walk in with a microphone in her hand.

And on the microphone, it said "Haidong TV."

What was going on!

The director immediately became nervous.

Could it be that there was another media event and they were here to interview?

If that was the case, he was done for.

Right now, he felt like running away.

“Hello, officer, is Li Tong here?” Su Yu stepped forward and asked.

Li Tong?

What did that young female police officer, who had achieved many merits but also had many problems, do to attract the media?!

The director looked at her warily and said, “What happened to Li Tong?”

Hearing this, the police officer at the window also came over.

At the same time, several police officers preparing to go out on patrol were also very curious.

After all, Li Tong was the most popular policewoman in the station.

“Oh, we’re here to interview her,” Su Yu said proactively.

“Good thing, or bad thing?” one of the police officers asked.

The director was also very wary.

If it was a good thing, there was no problem.

If it was a bad thing… then he would have to consult the leadership first!

“Didn’t she tell you?” Su Yu asked, feeling confused, and then began to explain, looking at the dazed crowd, “Oh, it’s like this…”

“Hello, journalist, why didn’t you say so in advance?”

At this moment, Li Tong walked over. She adjusted her police hat and smiled.

Then, everyone looked at her.

Full of confusion.

“What’s going on?” someone asked.

“Hey, Chen Yuan got the top score in the country, they want to interview his sister, nothing big, go play.”

After Li Tong said this, the entire station erupted.

“The top scorer in the country? When did that happen?!”

“Chen Yuan is so awesome!”

“I did know that Eleventh High School seemed to have put up banners… but they even want to interview our station.”

“Not our station, me,” Li Tong corrected proudly, placing her hand on her chest.

“Then, then go ahead and interview,” the director said, sitting up from his chair, twisting the lid of his cup, and smiling at Li Tong. “Sit down, standing is tiring.”

“I want to establish the image of a capable and righteous policewoman,” Li Tong said.

“That also represents the spirit of our entire station,” the director added from the side.

“Okay, then I’ll start the interview, Sister Tong,” Su Yu said with a smile, and then, following the agreed-upon interview questions, directly asked, “According to Chen Yuan, he calls you ‘sister.’ What’s the story behind that?”

“This…”

Just as Li Tong was about to speak, one of the male police officers interrupted, “That day, we were arresting a suspect, and the suspect stabbed out with a knife. Then, Chen Yuan protected our police officer Li Tong behind him and blocked the attack. Later, she recognized him as her little brother, and they became like real siblings!”

“…Ah, that’s how it is,” Li Tong said with an awkward smile.

“I also heard that Chen Yuan has a lot of connections with our police station?”

“That’s right,” the director said with a smile. “Chen Yuan previously helped our station catch a pickpocket who stole an old lady’s purse.”

“Um, that person happened to be my…”

Before Li Tong could finish speaking, a policewoman at a window added, “Hey, that person is our police officer Li Tong’s mother. The two of them formed their connection at that time.”

“Chen Yuan has become the top scorer in the country. What are your thoughts?”

The director said with high emotional intelligence: “Such a kind student, who has devoted his strength to social justice, deserves such a…”

“Hey, who are you interviewing?!” Finally, Li Tong couldn’t help but interrupt, “If you keep this up, I’m calling the police!”

Li Tong’s excitement made everyone around her chuckle awkwardly, and they quickly raised their hands, gesturing ‘you go, you go,’ not daring to say another word.

“Then, what do you want to say to Chen Yuan?” Su Yu asked.

Like a wary kitten, Li Tong glanced around, telling everyone to shut up, and then spoke gently, “Congratulations on becoming the top scorer in the country. I hope you can become the person you want to be. And, as you said, change the world more.”

………

“Chen Yuan is a genius, one in a hundred years. I knew he would become the top scorer when he was a sophomore,” He Hongtao said.

“He’s not only good at academics, but also develops his moral character, intelligence, physical fitness, and work skills in a balanced way. It’s an honor to be the homeroom teacher of such a student,” Old Mo said.

“Although I’ve taught a top scorer before, that was the top scorer in Xia Hai. Chen Yuan is the top scorer in the country. For me, this is an unforgettable experience. I also hope that Eleventh High School will continue to produce talented individuals,” Xiao Yang said.

“A very handsome and cute man, the students all like him. And I really like his personality. Even in a teacher-student relationship, he would often joke with me, and he’s especially humorous, making me laugh all the time,” Shirley Liu said.

“Senior is the person I respect and admire the most. I’m very happy to be in the same school and dormitory as him,” Gu Chuan said.

Facing Haidong TV, the most prestigious TV station in Xia Hai, everyone associated with Chen Yuan was eager to perform in front of the camera.

And among them, many interesting conversations had the potential to become trending topics.

So, on the day after the interview, all the useful clips were released online.

………

The next day, Chen Yuan woke up.

Then, he saw that his phone was bombarded with messages.

Everyone was forwarding videos to him.

Among them, Su Yu’s messages were the most meaningful.

Su Yu: Junior!! My dear junior, you’re famous! Four videos are trending!

Su Yu: The director said that if he retires, he’ll let me be the director!

Su Yu: Okay, the director was probably joking. But, it's really hot, we are both so amazing!

“…” Chen Yuan.

Yu-zi is the kind of college girl who plays Yao and is a cat person, right?

And she even pulled him into it.

Chen Yuan opened Douyin with confusion.

And he really was famous.

The first trending topic was—The National Top Scorer with a Total Score of 742!

It was indeed quite intimidating.

The fourth was—National Top Scorer Once Saved a Drowning Person, Cooperated with the Police Three Times to Achieve Merit!

The seventh was—National Top Scorer Comes from Eleventh High School in Xia Hai, Hailed as the Gemini of Xia Hai District's Provincial Experimental High School!

Even Fourth High School managed to蹭 (ceng - leech) some popularity.

The ninth was—Chen Yuan Really Became the Top Scorer in the Country

Before even clicking into the video comment section, Chen Yuan knew how lively it would be.

And combining it with his previous reputation, Chen Yuan now thought of those four words: haters gonna hate.

So, he pinched awake Xia Xinyu, who was sleeping next to him.

As she opened her eyes hazily, sat up, and looked at Chen Yuan with her hair slightly disheveled and beautiful, Xia Xinyu complained, “Yuan, don’t you ever get tired?”

No, who said I wanted to do desk love!

“We’re trending, let’s enjoy it,” Chen Yuan handed his phone to Xia Xinyu.

“Oh, really, so many trending topics are about you.”

Xia Xinyu was particularly surprised and was about to click into it when she suddenly saw another one—The Most Hardcore Promise: Get Engaged If You Get the Top Score.

Then, Xinyu looked puzzled: “Ah? Engaged to who?”