Chapter 12: Network or Reality, Which is It?

  I'm not really into TV and I don't have much interest in politics either. However, the popular female mayor of this city is often mentioned, and I've heard her name come up when chatting with Irin Yunfei and others. They must have mentioned Su Jingmei to me before, but the name is so common that it doesn't leave a lasting impression, so even though I've heard it, it's like I haven't really heard it at all.

  Only then did the beautiful Mayor Su Jingmei wave her hand at the manager and whisper something to her brother. Then, Su Jingwei invited us to take our seats, saying "Everyone please, you can enter now." He looked very polite, but between his eyebrows, there was a hint of pride that he couldn't hide. This was natural, who wouldn't be proud if they had such a beautiful and powerful older sister?

  What's so great about not saying a word to us? I thought indignantly, isn't he just the mayor?

  Deep down, I still know that's incredible. Although Changjiang City is not too big, it's just a medium-sized city with several million people, and the vice mayor is not a trivial matter, it's a big shot. Moreover, this Su Jingmei, this vice mayor, is too young, too... ah, beautiful! Although I've heard of her before, seeing her in person today still makes me feel like my heart is racing.

  Su Jingwei saw me and added another sentence: "This one... come with your brother."

  I just can't stand this pretentious attitude. So what if your sister is the mayor? So what if she's a beauty? What does it have to do with me? I glanced sideways and saw Irina following closely behind Su Jingmei, acting like a little maid, while Su Jingmei walked and whispered something to her in a low voice.

  No one cares about me - in this gathering, I am the most insignificant role - of course, I was originally a small person. The joys and sorrows of small people can't be put on a big stage. I took out my last bit of self-respect and refused Su Jingwei. "Sorry, I have something to do first."

  Su Da Gongzi smiled meaningfully and said casually, "Since you're here, then make yourselves at home. If there's something to discuss, let's eat first?" As he spoke, his eyes followed Irina and the others.

  "No need to thank me."

  ……

  As I got on the bus, I let out a long sigh of relief. Although it was crowded here, I felt more comfortable than in that elegant and refined Rui Xue Hall just now.

  Then I found myself missing my wallet.

  ………

  I walked for over a dozen stops and finally returned home. I changed my clothes and habitually checked the game. Two accounts were still online, but Akane wasn't there. Of course not, she's probably having a heated conversation with the mayor's handsome younger brother at dinner.

  I feel a kind of unprecedented loneliness. The time I spent with Akira online every day for over a year was one of the few pleasures in my life, but now it's no fun anymore and it's time to say goodbye.

  It was almost 9 o'clock when Irene came back and immediately appeared in my room.

  "How's it going? The food is still okay, right? How many abalones are there?" I said.

  "How could Yixiu not see that you're so petty! You're like a little kid!" Irin said with a smile. "It's just one meal, what about you? Have you eaten yet?"

  "Am I being taken for a fool? You're all making fun of me! That Su, the mayor, you all know about it and I'm the only one in the dark. If I had known earlier, I wouldn't have gone. And that Su Jingwei, isn't she just the mayor's sister? Look at her attitude! Luckily, it's just a mayor, if it were a provincial or ministerial level, would we still be alive?" I'm venting my frustrations, but I don't know whether this anger is directed at Yilin or Su Jingwei.

  "I didn't know he was Mayor Su's brother either, nobody told us." She stuck out her tongue as if still feeling scared. "We also only found out after seeing Mayor Su."

  Listening to her calling me Mayor Su one by one is annoying, of course mainly because I'm annoyed at that little white face brother. "Is it necessary for Su Jingwei to bring his sister along every time he meets a girl? Then she doesn't need to be the mayor anymore, just go to beauty pageants every day!"

  "Has Su Jingwei offended you?" Yilin's voice rose. "What's more, she doesn't even know you! What were you doing at Haitian? Tell me!" I shuddered as I recalled her image of being ruthless and merciless in the game.

  "Does this rich kid's eyes grow on his forehead, who can he recognize?" I defended with a guilty conscience, feeling a bit nervous and finally asked about this. I had to take advantage of the situation and give Su Da Shao another sentence: "He only knows how to recognize you, flirting has made him forgetful - been staring at you for a long time, huh?"

  "You haven't answered me yet" Irin was clearly dissatisfied with my evasive response. "You still haven't said what you were doing there, is it to follow us?"

  I let out a sigh of relief as long as I don't say that I'm the one who wields the sword with a smile, everything is fine. "Is it okay if I just follow you? Are you afraid that I'll encounter a pervert or something? Being a guardian angel and secretly protecting you guys?" My heart feels at ease, so I might as well joke around.

  "Who's a pervert? Who's a pervert? Speak clearly!" Irina couldn't take it anymore. "Others are elegant and refined, not like you who don't have any dignity at all."

  "Ah, yes, indeed, and there's also a so proper sister..." I said with a drawl. This remark actually had a specific meaning because the romantic affairs of Su Jingmei, the beautiful single female mayor, were a popular topic among the people in Changchuan City.

  I've said too much and now I regret it a bit.

  "You're so boring!" Irin flared up. In my impression, this was still the first time I saw her get angry.

  …………

  Someone is knocking at the door.

  Yilin came in with two red eyes. She was holding a bowl of noodles with two eggs on top.

  …………

  Yilin - or is it Autumn Leaf? This is a problem. Why can personalities differ so greatly? Can the internet really change one's personality that thoroughly? If it were Autumn Leaf's temper, would we still be able to have a midnight snack tonight? Let's just eat an Extinction Chop instead.

  I went online with a heavy heart.

  The autumn leaves have not arrived yet.

  ……

  The autumn leaves have disappeared. Along with Irin, they have vanished.

  Since that day we met, I have never waited for her online again.

  Yilin went to Beifang University. The other day she came back excitedly and said that the unit organized personnel training and she was also selected for training, and after returning, she was transferred to a management position. She also said that the managers of the unit praised her as having great potential and being a cultivation object. I'm not as optimistic as her, opportunities aren't like flower pots on the balcony - they can't fall from the sky and hit your head without any reason. Of course, I would think of Su Gongzi and his mayor sister's behind-the-scenes push in this event.

  But I won't say that after all, I'm not so despicable as to take out such unfounded things and talk nonsense. This is what people call slander. I'm just a bit gloomy because under the seemingly sunny surface, I only see darkness - the light gave me bright eyes, but I use them to seek out darkness.

  I also can't bear to crush Irene, she'd rather believe that this is what she deserves as the best reward for her hard work. Besides, it's not like I have the ability to do anything about it anyway. The rich kid has his ways. I couldn't just sit around and say sour things like "don't go, it's a conspiracy" or something like that.

  In short, it's really helpless.