True Nature Revealed (continued)

The subtle changes, including the frequency of breathing and the vibration of the air, require a month of training even with a renowned teacher to master. Ordinary students don't have that opportunity. They are students at Linked Mountains University, not music academies. Even if they master singing, they can only perform at school galas. It's impossible for them to give up their studies to become singers. If ten out of these nearly one hundred students can make a name for themselves, they would be considered exceptionally talented.

Si Ming had no time to care about what others thought. He was serious about learning the "Nine Shao Pitch-Setting Art." Although it was only the introductory chapter and probably wouldn't greatly enhance his sonic abilities, it was like the "Heaven-Howling Art"—a technical martial art. Having an extra skill was never a bad thing; it might come in handy someday.

If he had learned this martial art when he first transmigrated, he probably would have become a pop star. Now, he can only entertain himself with impersonations, such as singing "The People of Our Village" in Andy Lau's voice, "Toilet" in Teresa Teng's voice, and "May I Ask Where the Road Is?" in Jay Chou's voice. Just thinking about it is exciting.

After Yuezheng Yao explained the basics of the "Nine Shao Pitch-Setting Art," Si Ming had already grasped the basics. His throat vibrated and felt a little itchy. After two lessons, he had mastered it, and even his vocal cords had undergone changes.

In the past, even if he mastered the technique, he would have needed to spend a week honing his throat, constantly tempering it like body training. But now, his control over his physical body is so meticulous that making changes is incredibly easy.

Yuezheng Yao packed up her teaching materials, picked them up with an air of importance, tapped them a few times on the podium, and said, "Although I'm reluctant to leave, the bell has rung, so I have to announce the end of class. Otherwise, it would disturb the other teachers. Fortunately, we still have a semester to study together, so there's no need to rush. Well then, students, see you next week."

Although the students were reluctant to leave, grumbling "Let's talk a little longer" and "It's the first time I've felt that class time is so short," no one lingered or tried to run up to the stage to ask for autographs or photos. The school had informed every student that any behavior related to idol worship was prohibited, otherwise they would be expelled from the class.

As compensation, if everyone can restrain themselves for the entire semester, the last class will be an interactive class between students and teachers, Yuezheng Yao will fulfill everyone's request.

It is precisely because of the delicious pancakes hanging in front of them that enthusiastic fans like Hao Shuai can restrain their impulses and avoid making foolish mistakes that would lead to greater losses.

Just as everyone was about to get up and leave, Yuezheng Yao suddenly said, "It would be too boring to end like this. How about this, I'll draw a lot now, and the student who draws the lot can have lunch with me."

Everyone was stunned at first, then they started yelling like baboons in heat, their eyes gleaming. Since it was break time, they didn't have to worry about breaking the rules and could release their excitement to their hearts' content.

Under everyone's watchful eyes, Yuezheng Yao wrote numbers on some small slips of paper, crumpled them up casually, and said, "Now I'm going to draw some numbers. The first number will determine which row it's in. What do you all think it will be?"

"Third row!"

Sixth row!

People kept shouting, as if the louder they shouted, the higher their chances of winning would be.

Hao Shuai, standing next to Si Ming, clasped his hands together and kept muttering to himself, "Great Taiwei God, please bless me to be selected. If my wish is granted, I will definitely offer you ten bananas this month."

"How shabby! And why bananas? Is the true form of the Taiwei God Monkey?"

Si Ming's complaints were ignored by Hao Shuai. Although he rarely visited the Taiwei God, not even once a year, at this moment he was the most devout believer.

This is generally a common trait among Huaxia people: they only think of praying to gods and Buddhas at critical moments. In ordinary times, they think of "Heaven is the greatest, Earth is the second greatest, and I am the third greatest." Moreover, their attitude towards gods depends on whether the god is "efficate." If the god is not effective, they are dismissed and told to go away. If the god is effective, they will ask this god for help no matter what. This is how the Child-Giving Guanyin children came about. They don't even consider whether Bodhisattva Guanshiyin is in charge of this area.

At this moment, Yuezheng Yao pulled out the first slip of paper, glanced at the number on it, and read it aloud amidst everyone's anticipation, "The first number is '2'. Congratulations to the students in the second row, you have successfully advanced!"

For a moment, the sounds of surprise at those who made it to the finals and the sighs of those who were eliminated rose and fell.

"Great Taiwei God, is it really you protecting me?" Hao Shuai said excitedly.

The greater the hope, the greater the disappointment. Si Ming didn't want him to suffer too much of a blow, so he poured cold water on him, saying, "You, sitting in the second seat of the second row, have no chance of winning. No one else in the same row or column has any hope either, because they wrote down a whole string of unique numbers."

In his excited state, Hao Shuai's thinking ability was on par with that of a gorilla, and he couldn't figure out the logical relationship in the matter for a moment. At this moment Yuezheng Yao on the stage pulled out a second slip of paper.

"The second number is... number 3. Congratulations to the student in row 2, column 3, you've won!"

Si Ming was stunned. Wasn't this his seat number? Could there really be such a coincidence?

As soon as he looked up, he saw Yuezheng Yao smiling at him, and he immediately realized that everything was a pre-arranged script.

"Brother, you've won!" Hao Shuai's face showed no disappointment, but rather pride as he pulled Si Ming aside, quickly reminding him, "Don't forget the autographed photo, this spot was reserved for you, it's a token of my gratitude!"

"Yize my foot!" Si Ming thought to himself. If he refused in public now, he would probably look impressive, but he would probably become a public enemy afterward and gain the hatred of countless people, which would be a bit of a loss... Moreover, judging from the envious and burning gazes focused on him now, it wouldn't be surprising if someone challenged him to a duel.

"Young man, don't you want to have lunch with the teacher?" Yuezheng Yao was the first to challenge.

In an instant, Si Ming sensed the stagnation in the atmosphere and a dramatic shift in his emotions. He quickly forced a smile and said stiffly, "How could that be? I was just too happy for a moment, my mind went blank, and I didn't have time to react."

Looking up, I saw that the other person's smile was incredibly innocent and completely without malice.

But Si Ming knew that this woman was doing it on purpose.

Helpless, he could only leave with Yuezheng Yao under the envious, jealous, and hateful gazes of others.

"Don't look so serious, like you're going to your execution. I just wanted to thank you in person for the last concert. Because of this accident, my Lineage forbade me from going out until they found out who the culprit was, so it's been delayed until now."

"I wasn't the only one who saved you back then. If we're talking about credit, the girl who went on stage to perform the sword dance deserves the most credit."

"But she didn't choose my class, and neither did your other friends... I thought you were all my fans when you came to my concert. You put a lot of effort into preparing a lottery show; I was originally planning to draw four people at once."

Yuezheng Yao sighed, her expression slightly aggrieved, looking truly pitiful.

Unfortunately, Si Ming didn't respond at all and didn't speak a word the whole way, making the atmosphere a bit awkward.

As they approached the teachers' cafeteria, Yuezheng Yao, as cautious as a rabbit, asked, "Excuse me, have I offended you in any way? I feel like you have some kind of prejudice against me. If I have offended you in any way, I hope you can be magnanimous and not mind."

Then tear off your disguise... Although Si Ming really wanted to say that, he instinctively felt that getting involved with this woman would probably bring a lot of trouble, so he decided to play along, put on a good show, and then go their separate ways after this thank-you act was over.

Unexpectedly, Fifth Uncle, who had remained silent all along, spoke up at this moment, "Because he is Yan Jinghong's apprentice. When I sent people to kidnap your sister, he was one of the people involved. So he knows a thing or two about your schemes. Acting in front of him is like guessing a riddle whose answer you already know."

Hey, did you have to be so blunt?! Since you've chosen to be mute, just keep pretending!

Si Ming stiffly turned around, only to see that Yuezheng Yao's face showed no anger, but rather a visibly relieved expression. She stroked her face and said, "So that's how it is. I knew it. With my natural beauty and unparalleled charm, how could I possibly be disliked by men?"

Then she gracefully bowed to Si Ming and said, "I'm sorry, I was just wondering if you had homosexual tendencies. I misunderstood you."

Knowing that continuing the act was futile, did they simply tear off the disguise?

So, is this woman's true nature narcissistic and vain?

Feeling that she was somewhat different from the scheming woman he had imagined, Si Ming coldly retorted, "Although you are beautiful, you Non-Self have ever seen."

Yuezheng Yao sighed helplessly, gave her a pitying look, and said, "Everyone has different preferences, which I can understand, but liking young girls is a crime."

"I'm not a child fetishist!"