Chapter 38: The Fox Lacks Cunning

Host: Chen Fan
Identity: Fox
Ability: Honesty is Gold
Duration: 24 hours, refreshed daily at midnight
Note: Truth or lies, it’s never really a problem...

Ring~ ring~ ring.
Chen Fan turned off the alarm, noticing a new unread message on his phone from Xu Ying.

[Sorry, I thought it over last night, and I was the one who didn’t consider things carefully. You were right—being friends first is a good idea. Thank you.]

Scratching his head, Chen Fan replied with a mix of relief and regret: [Love is about attraction. The real key is to keep improving yourself.]

“So today’s the old fox, how interesting. I wonder what kind of power this one has.” Chen Fan glanced at the deck of cards—today, he’d drawn the Fox card.

“Military boxing, ready!”

“Hoh! Ha!”

“Yi, how many days have we been practicing these drills?”
Chen Fan couldn’t quite remember. Aside from picking up a few new tricks at the beginning, every day had become a repetition of the same movements. Sometimes he’d even break into a routine spontaneously while walking down the street.

“The fourth day, I think. We’re halfway through. Hang in there—ha!” Hua Tianyi was momentarily distracted, but as soon as he noticed the instructor’s gaze sweep over, he shouted a quick “ha!” in an attempt to get by unnoticed.

“You two over there—the lazy ones! Yes, you! Not taking the drills seriously, always chatting. You find this fun? Step out and run two laps. You have three minutes—the countdown starts now. Hurry up, get moving!”

“Damn it, just our luck…” Hua Tianyi shot Chen Fan a resentful look, his extra weight already trembling.

...

“All personnel, dismissed!”

“Yes!” came the chorus. After a full day of drills, Chen Fan still hadn’t figured out what the fox card was good for.

“Elder, have you finished your beauty sleep yet? What does the Fox card do?” Chen Fan walked along, Elder card in hand, muttering to himself. Anyone who didn’t know better would think he was some narcissist talking to his own reflection.

The Elder answered languidly, “Young people need a bit of mystery. Don’t you have an interview tonight? You’ll find out then.”

Chen Fan sighed, tucking the Elder card away. “I don’t even know which departments are worth joining. Do I really have to get involved with the student council?”

“That’s up to you. But I think you should. Otherwise, you’ll just hide in the dorm for four years and graduate single,” the Elder mocked.

“Who are you calling aimless? Talent like mine is always in demand. Back in middle and high school, everyone wanted my help,” Chen Fan retorted.

“Tsk, tsk. People only thought of you when there was heavy lifting to do. A free helper who can’t say no—who wouldn’t like that?” The Elder was merciless.

“You don’t get it. That was the old me. Tonight, I’ll prove you wrong.”

“We’ll see about that,” the Elder replied with a chuckle.

...

Even before nightfall, the road to the academic building was packed, a scene rivaling the rush before the Spring Festival. Looking at the sea of people, Chen Fan felt a cold sweat break out on his back.

He finally squeezed into the building, only to find long lines at every classroom door. For the more popular departments, the numbers being called were already past two hundred.

“Do you get paid to join the student council? Why are so many people desperate to get in?”

Baffled, Chen Fan used his height to his advantage, jumping to catch a glimpse of the serpentine lines ahead. Where did they begin? Where did they end? He couldn’t tell.

“Number 76, is number 76 here?”

“That’s me!” Chen Fan waved his damp slip of paper. After sweating half an hour in the crowded hallway, it was finally his turn.

As soon as he entered, a sense of ceremony washed over him. Chen Fan straightened up, ready to give his best at this interview.

“Please begin with a simple self-introduction.”

The interviewer was an upperclasswoman with long, chestnut curls and classic bookish glasses. Her demeanor was cold and severe, as if untouched by the world—a model student through and through.

“My name is Chen Fan, from the School of Accounting. I’m here to interview for the Secretariat.” He kept his introduction brief, then tossed the conversation back to her.

She scrutinized him closely, then asked a series of questions. “Why did you choose the Secretariat? What kind of department do you think it is? What advantages do you have over other candidates?”

Why did I choose the Secretariat? Weren’t they the ones desperate for us to apply? Now they’re asking why I’m here. Chen Fan tried to organize his thoughts, hoping to make a good impression.

“I think the Secretariat is a united family. Compared to other departments, you get to communicate more closely with school leaders, which helps with personal growth and development. As for my strengths, I suppose I’m hardworking and easygoing. That’s about it, yes.”

As he spoke, Chen Fan felt a little guilty. Not a single concrete answer in that whole speech.

“Oh, I see. Alright, please wait for further notice. We’ll send out the first-round results tonight, so keep an eye out,” Zheng Xiaoruo replied coolly, handing back his number slip. As Chen Fan reached out to take it, his fingers accidentally brushed hers.

[His height is decent, but his overall appearance is lacking, and he’s a bit dull. Our Secretariat is the face of the department—we can’t lower our standards. Let’s see if there are better candidates behind him. Why are all the freshmen guys so unimpressive this year?]

“Huh? Who’s talking?” Chen Fan murmured, stupefied.

Zheng Xiaoruo eyed him, prompting, “Please move quickly. There are other candidates waiting.”

“Oh, sorry.” Chen Fan gave a slight bow and slipped out the back door.

[We already have plenty of male candidates, but keeping this one as backup isn’t a bad idea. If we’re short on numbers, he can fill in. Recruitment is going well this year—the allure of a beautiful department head is as strong as ever.]

[Forget it, let’s not take any more guys. Keep the team pure—then the whole department is my secret garden, ha ha!]

[This guy—I asked him about his computer skills, and he answered Minesweeper. I could do better with a matching game. No tech rookies, please!]

Chen Fan left several interview rooms in a row, the harsh gossip echoing in his ears.

Where are these voices coming from? Don’t tell me the Fox card lets me hear people’s thoughts?

“Bingo, you got it. But it only works after you’ve made contact with someone, and you can only hear their recent thoughts.”

A bunch of hypocrites, Chen Fan cursed. They pour honeyed words out loud, but inside they’re full of petty schemes.

The Elder sighed, “People wear masks to get by. Is there anything wrong with a harmless lie? If someone listed all your flaws to your face, could you really take it?”

“Of course I could,” Chen Fan insisted, full of confidence.

A drawn-out voice whispered in his ear, “Su~per~ nar~cis~sist~.”

“Get lost!” Chen Fan shouted.