Chapter Seventeen: Suddenly Famous?!

Natsuki had assumed that after exchanging goodnights with Su Rouxue, he would drift off to sleep in bliss. However, it wasn’t long before the dormitory erupted in a dreadful cacophony of three-dimensional nocturnal noises—grinding teeth, sleep-talking, snoring… With four people in the room, every possible torment to sleep was present.

Curled into a ball on his bed, Natsuki pressed his hands over his ears, resigned to the situation, forced to become the dorm’s reluctant night watchman.

The next day dawned bright and clear. Around seven in the morning, the dormitory began to stir.

“Natsuki, wake up! We have to pick up our military training uniforms at eight!”

“Huh? Didn’t you sleep well? Why do you have panda eyes?”

“Looks like you’re not used to traveling far from home. You’ll need to adjust!”

His roommates chattered away, and the blameless Natsuki could only force a sheepish smile. He wasn’t even sure when he’d finally fallen asleep; upon waking, his mind felt as blank as a sheet of paper.

After exchanging morning greetings with Su Rouxue, Natsuki quickly dressed and washed up. Once everyone was ready, they set out together for the location specified in the class group chat.

“Whoa, Natsuki, is this you?” Wang Yang exclaimed, raising his voice as he scrolled through his phone.

“Hm?” Natsuki looked bewildered.

“Look!” Wang Yang thrust his phone in front of Natsuki, while Liu Zhuang and Lin Xiang craned their necks to see.

“It is me…” Natsuki raised his eyebrows, recognizing himself in the photos Wang Yang had pulled up. As Wang Yang swiped the screen, a series of screenshots appeared—posts declaring crushes to the “Cloud University Official Confession Wall.”

“Someone fetch this freshman who was interviewed, he’s so handsome! If he already has a girlfriend, then excuse me, but he looks tall and his skin is really fair. I hope I get a chance to meet him.”

“This is incredible! Our official account’s freshman interview is trending now. This guy is too cute. I wish he was on my friends list. Admin, can you help?”

“I have to gush about this freshman—he’s making Cloud City University proud! Every trending back-to-school video on DouDou features him. As an older student, I wonder if I’ll get to meet him?”

“If a dashing young man is a noble son, then a fair-skinned one is a beautiful youth. Admin, blur his face for me. I’m a senior with money; I’d love to take care of this fair, tender freshman. Can you help me out?”

This was just the beginning.

“This is the stuff of dreams! This year, our university is in the spotlight for back-to-school season—are we already starting next year’s admissions campaign? [Sneaky smile]”

As he scrolled through the screenshots, Natsuki recalled the message he’d received yesterday from a senior called Lin Wanwan. After she’d given him a welcome gift, she’d asked if he was willing to let his interview video be published. He’d just nodded absentmindedly while unpacking in the dorm, paying it little heed.

He hadn’t expected that, after a single night’s sleep, he’d wake to find himself an overnight sensation.

Scratching his head, Natsuki noticed that as he walked down the street, people were already starting to stare at him. Some students even furtively took out their phones to snap his picture.

How to describe this feeling… It was uncomfortable, even a bit off-putting. Natsuki was not the type who enjoyed the limelight, so being so suddenly idolized and noticed made his head ache.

Still, what was done was done; he had to face it properly.

“Unbelievable! My roommate’s become a campus celebrity the moment we started college,” Liu Zhuang said cheerfully, his envy mingled with pride. Having a roommate who was the focus of nationwide attention would certainly be something to brag about.

“Every year, universities compete on DouDou during back-to-school season, but this year Cloud City University is at the top. Natsuki, when you make it big, don’t forget about us!” Lin Xiang grinned, throwing an arm around Natsuki’s shoulder.

“It’s nothing, just a brief moment in the spotlight,” Natsuki replied, appearing calm, though inwardly he felt at a loss.

He’d never imagined he’d become famous in such a way. In this era of rapid internet growth, the short video boom had become a major competitive arena. Now, many top influencers could earn more easily than celebrities by taking the occasional ad or livestreaming.

Still, Natsuki, with his laid-back attitude, wasn’t keen on such attention. Maybe he just didn’t know how to handle it yet. Besides, he’d rather have his novels become a sudden hit than become popular for his looks; quietly making money writing seemed much more appealing than being in the public eye.

Fame brings trouble.

After his campus interview video went viral on DouDou, word quickly reached all of Natsuki’s friends and relatives. Soon, he was bombarded with message after message.

Natsuki scrolled through the endless notifications, replying as best he could, but it was enough to give him a headache.

Bzzz—

His phone vibrated.

It was a message from Su Rouxue, marked as “Special Concern.”

[Smirk] “You’re famous now, little brother!”

[Scratching head] “Now that you’re famous, there’ll be lots of girls and rich ladies wanting to befriend you.”

“Oh, but no matter how many girls pay attention, my heart belongs only to my darling.”

[Rolling eyes] “Really?”

“Of course! You’re not getting anxious about this, are you?”

The moment Natsuki saw the rolling eyes emoji from Su Rouxue, he tensed up.

“Of course not! Why would I be anxious over something like this?”

[Patting head] “Don’t worry, babe. I’m a loyal man.” [Hehe]

“Really?”

“Absolutely!”

“Are you sure?”

“If I’m lying, I’m a little puppy!” [U·ェ·U]

[Giggling] “Alright, alright, go take care of your things.”

“Okay!!!”

Natsuki sighed softly. He had expected Su Rouxue would message him after all this blew up. His popularity on DouDou and the school confession wall was still rising, and before long it would certainly spill over into his daily life.

When one is excessively idolized, it’s all too easy to lose one’s head and make mistakes. Natsuki only hoped he could remain calm through it all.

As for what would happen next, he would simply let things take their course, meeting life as it came…