Regarding this research, everyone is quite enthusiastic, and Banai even issued a statent, saying that a club journal on this research the will be released on Halloween—hmm, looks like she’s really addicted to it. If I had to guess, it’s likely that Christmas turkeys, New Year’s rice cakes, and Valentine’s chocolates won’t escape Banai’s grasp either.
Even from Duanmu Huai’s understanding of her, those things probably weren’t spared by Banai before either.
Moreover, Banai has taken on the task, stating that the compilation and binding of the journal will be her responsibility. Rarely does she take such initiative, and the reason is quite simple.
"Sakura and Huailian invited to a Halloween costu party."
Banai sat pale-faced in her chair, looking like she’s about to die.
"One plans to dress as a vampire, the other as a demon. They even asked what I’d dress as, hahahaha..."
Duanmu Huai thought Banai could just put on mourning clothes and she could be a ghost.
So, Banai is turning her sorrow into motivation, like a white-collar worker imrsing themselves in work to forget the pain of a breakup... hmm... how should I put it...
As long as she’s happy.
"But... the Classical Studies Club doesn’t have enough mbers."
Chitanda spoke up anxiously.
"Teacher Gan Xia talked to about it; at least two more people are needed..."
"If it’s just ghost mbers, I could pull both Kana and Ruby in, but don’t expect them to participate in club activities; they’re even busier than ."
"Speaking of this topic, I’ve been aning to ask."
At this point, Banai, eating dried kelp as a post-al dessert, curiously stared at Duanmu Huai.
"Is it alright for you to co to the club room every day? You should occasionally connect with your classmates and build good relationships."
"I can’t do that."
"Why? Are you being ostracized?"
"If a teaching director or principal cos to your classroom, would you feel relaxed?"
"That... of course not."
No matter how understanding and popular they are, these are adults, elders, and regular students would naturally feel restricted.
"Sa with . I’m not exaggerating; if I were to stay in the classroom, that group would only speak in whispers or communicate via phone."
"What? Why?"
"Because they’re afraid the noise will disturb ."
"But Xiao Ai, you don’t mind, right?"
"I don’t mind, but the people around don’t see it that way."
Duanmu Huai shrugged.
"You know, people always think when you’re brokenhearted, they need to find you a new partner, even if you don’t want one, right? Sa reason: even if I don’t care, others don’t see it that way. With my status, talking loudly in front of would be seen just like causing a ruckus on a train—treating them as heretic and ostracizing them."
"Is it that exaggerated?"
"It really is. The hierarchy in the entertainnt industry is a serious matter, and I can say straight away that in the Performing Arts class, I’m at the pyramid’s top. I say snow is white, and it’s white; I say snow is black, and it’s black. No one dares to counter ."
"Sounds like a tyrant..."
Even Chitanda was surprised, staring wide-eyed at Duanmu Huai, marveling.
"It’s more evident on set. If you upset soone, they’ll bark at you in front of everyone. High-status perforrs can slap lower-status ones without reasoning, saying it’s for the juniors’ own good. If you dare to protest, it’s considered disrespect. I might beat you up, and you have to thank ."
"Wow..."
This left Banai speechless.
"Just like Chitanda said, my status is akin to a tyrant. Do you think staying near a tyrant in class feels comfortable? Even if the tyrant doesn’t mind, soone will pop up to reprimand others in the tyrant’s na. So, staying here is good for and others."
As Duanmu Huai spoke, he stretched lazily.
"Besides, students in the Performing Arts class aren’t great for chatting."
"Hmm? Why?"
"Because everyone’s a perforr, naturally, they’ll discuss work, right? Unemployed perforrs listening to complaints about on-set troubles think: is she complaining or flaunting?"
"Uh..."
At hearing this, Banai was silent too. She, being quite popular in her class, understood the small groups’ dynamics. However, the Performing Arts class clearly exceeded Banai’s expectations.
"Performing Arts students seem to have it tough too."
"Most rely on their youth, just these few years. If they haven’t made it before graduating high school, they’re usually done for."
Duanmu Huai shook his head, hence he preferred spending ti in the club room. Since everyone else were competitors, Duanmu Huai had already transcended this stage; yet so still tried to curry favor with him. As Duanmu Huai said, even for tyrants, there’s always soone wanting to be the eunuch.
It’s said that being close to the emperor is like being close to a tiger, but aren’t there plenty of people willing to do just that?
This is because Duanmu Huai’s status is extrely high. If he were just a popular celebrity like Buzhihuo, it wouldn’t matter as much. But Duanmu Huai is at the level where a single word from him can elevate an artist’s level. If he takes a liking to an artist, they could get on shows. If he doesn’t like soone, they might find themselves jobless.
At this level, others only dare to act in accordance with Duanmu Huai’s whims.
So over here in the regular departnt, Duanmu Huai feels more comfortable. After all, he has no conflicts of interest with the regular departnt, and Banai and Chitanda don’t seem like they would enter the entertainnt industry.
"Actually, it’s quite hard to find people in the regular departnt too."
Upon hearing about Duanmu Huai’s situation, Banai shared her own troubles.
"Because everyone knows that Xiao Ai is here, all the boys want to join, but I’m definitely not letting them. Besides, Xiao Ai, you wouldn’t like it, right?"
"Of course not."
"As for the girls... how should I put it? They’re all quite scared."
"Scared?"
"Yes, Xiao Ai, you said it yourself, though the regular departnt students aren’t as exaggerated as those in the performing arts departnt, you are a popular celebrity after all. It’s no exaggeration to say that many have grown up watching your movies. Participating in club activities with you, for many, the psychological pressure is just too much."
"But you’re not really... oh, never mind."
Duanmu Huai looked at Banai, originally intending to say she’s not different either—but seeing her excitedly tearing open another bag of shredded kelp, he swallowed his words.
Hmm, for Banai, it seems food is clearly more important than celebrities.
"What about Chitanda?"
"Oh?"
Facing Duanmu Huai’s inquiry, Chitanda paused for a mont, then smiled bashfully.
"Ah, actually, I’m not quite like Anan. I know Xiao Ai is a famous actress, but... I haven’t really watched your movies."
"Oh?"
"Because... I don’t like works with people dying."
"Oh... got it."
Duanmu Huai nodded, knowing his films are all horror movies, and such movies inevitably involve death. Chitanda doesn’t like works where people die, so she naturally wouldn’t watch horror films.
Duanmu Huai, however, is the opposite; if there aren’t a few deaths, he isn’t interested in watching.
Given such differences in their attitudes towards movies, it seems unlikely there will be a day when Duanmu Huai and Chitanda watch the sa film.
With the research the confird, it was naturally ti to gather information. This ti, Duanmu Huai volunteered to take on the task. Although he’s not actually very enthusiastic about it, Duanmu Huai knows people who are.
That would be the master of horror films — Director Qing Shui.
So, Duanmu Huai directly called Director Qing Shui, asking him to help introduce talent and materials on the subject.
"You actually participate in club activities? That’s really unexpected."
After hearing the background from Duanmu Huai, Director Qing Shui laughed heartily on the line, finding it quite amusing.
"I didn’t expect Mr. Duanmu, you would do things suitable for soone your age."
"Mainly because the the is interesting."
"Indeed, connecting myths and food is quite an unprecedented idea. When your research report is out, rember to send a copy. Might even inspire my next film."
"No problem, I’ll save you a copy."
"Alright, I’ll introduce you to an old friend of mine, a folklore scholar. I’ve relied heavily on his help for past films. I think he’d be very interested in your research topic."
"I appreciate it."
Following the phone number provided by Director Qing Shui, Duanmu Huai contacted the folklore scholar. The latter was indeed quite intrigued by the unique topic, so Duanmu Huai arranged, on behalf of the Classical Studies Club, to visit his ho on the day off.
Originally, it was just an ordinary affair, but things didn’t go as smoothly as everyone expected...
[September 8th, Sunday, 22:15]
"...It’s her, she’s the murderer!"
The woman’s eyes were red with anger as she reached out her hand, pointing at Duanmu Huai who stood not far away. Hearing the woman’s shout, Duanmu Huai sighed helplessly, then opened the guitar case behind him, pulling out the Red Blade.
"What a nuisance."
Duanmu Huai looked calmly at the people before him, his tone void of emotion.
"Might as well kill them all."
Then, Duanmu Huai spoke.
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