504. Lin Nan’s Image【5/40】
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The classroom in Building G, Room 201, was several times larger than the regular classrooms used for everyday classes. This size was typically reserved for lectures and big events, and naturally, it had no air conditioning or fans—just a few wisps of night breeze sneaking through the windows.
It was spacious, but also ridiculously stuffy. Lin Nan randomly picked a seat and cast an envious glance at her classmates sitting by the window.
She didn’t feel hot, but the stuffiness was making her a bit anxious.
On stage, two long tables were hastily set up, and Chen Yao hurriedly took a seat at one, leaning in to discuss strategies with a few classmates.
The debate topic had apparently been shared with both teams ahead of time, giving everyone in the room an unusually confident vibe.
A student, dressed in a suit on this sweltering summer day, took the mic as the host. Once all participants were seated, he launched into his opening remarks.
Lin Nan sat in the corner, twiddling her thumbs, and scanned the room. There were quite a number of people, maybe fifty or sixty. The teacher in the front row made this debate look way more professional than it actually was.
Then her gaze zeroed in on Chen Yao, who sported a serious expression and seemed tense. Even in his cultured white shirt and plain glasses, his tall frame stuck out like a sore thumb among all the neatly-dressed students, like a big bad wolf in a flock of cuddly sheep.
Lin Nan couldn’t help but chuckle at her own thought, but as she looked back at Chen Yao’s solemn face, she found herself momentarily dazed.
For some reason, the serious and focused Chen Yao on stage looked exceptionally handsome.
Unlike the sunshine and enthusiasm he displayed while sweating it out on the basketball court, or his studious seriousness in class, at that moment, he was casting an intense, almost aggressive gaze at the four debaters opposite him.
He appeared overly confident, sitting up straight with his hands clasped in front of him.
“Hey, looking for a date?”
A familiar teasing voice pulled Lin Nan from her daydream. She turned in shock to see Lilith, with her flat figure and long legs, casually plop down beside her.
Peeking over, she could see those three idiots and Li Na sitting in the back row.
Her face heated up, and she shot a glare at Lilith. “What are you doing here?”
“Just checking out the Earth’s debate scene. These three tourists are quite interested in the local customs,” Lilith leaned in so close that her cheek almost touched Lin Nan’s, clicking her tongue, “Wow, your boyfriend is handsome! How about sharing him with me? I promise he’ll never want to leave his bed!”
Just as the words left her mouth, Li Na quickly slapped the back of Lilith’s head from behind.
Lilith immediately sat up straight and pretended to be serious, staring at the spirited debate that had erupted. “What’s so great about this?”
Lin Nan ignored her, resting her chin on her hand, mesmerized by Chen Yao’s figure, her eyes sparkling like stars.
Oh my, my Chen Yao looks so handsome right now!
“Someone’s not here for the debate but for a little romance, huh?”
“Shut up…”
Lin Nan didn’t deny it. After all, Chen Yao was her boyfriend. What was the harm in watching?
Lilith wasn’t interested in the debate; she just grinned at Lin Nan, who had turned into a lovesick puppy. Then she suddenly recalled Lin Nan’s old self.
Back when she was still in a soul state, arriving in this strange world during a downpour, Lilith stumbled upon a timid-looking Lin Nan.
That weak little boy had now grown into a competent housewife.
How time flies! As a witch, Lilith had actually done something nice for once.
Glancing at Lilith beside her, Lin Nan saw mischief clearly sparkling in her eyes.
Don’t tell me she’s thinking about turning me back into a guy again?
Suddenly feeling on edge, she inched her chair away from Lilith.
With Chen Yao in her life, future in-laws on the horizon, and her mom living a stable life, Lin Nan couldn’t possibly accept becoming male again.
“What are you scheming now?” Lin Nan eyed her warily. “Aren’t you going to manage your three customers?”
In the back row, the three otherworldly tourists were buzzing with excitement, pointing at everything in the classroom. Li Na, however, showed no signs of restraint, busy doodling on a piece of paper, her excitement growing.
Lin Nan noticed Li Na’s fervor and suddenly felt an uneasy premonition. She quickly redirected her gaze back to Chen Yao, but it was too late.
“Lin Nan! Check out the outfit I designed!” Li Na thrust a couple of draft sheets at her.
“Outfit?”
“Yeah! I’m planning to create something original for the next fashion magazine!”
“Fashion magazine?” Lin Nan finally recalled that Li Na had once taken pictures of her, claiming they’d make a collection to promote fashion in another world—that was just her way of wanting to dress in pretty outfits where social norms wouldn’t allow it.
Lin Nan bent down to examine the sketches. Li Na hadn’t studied fashion design, but her drawing skills were solid; it was clear the designs were inspired by some magical anime.
They were all flashy and daring, but impractical, to say the least.
Just as she was about to respond, she caught snippets of the three tourists’ low whispers behind her.
“Surely she’s the one, right?”
“I told you it was her; you didn’t believe me. And the Saintess is the leader, no less!”
Why do they sound so sketchy? Calling Li Na a “leader” is giving off crime lord vibes.
Lin Nan froze for a second, continuing to eavesdrop artfully, though the conversation was choppy and vague.
“She seems to have no idea?”
“I wonder how happy she’d be if she knew that in another world, she was a notorious wanted criminal?”
“Honestly, dressing like that here is pretty normal, right? The ‘Saintess’ showed us that cosplay video yesterday—those people were what I’d call open-minded.”
Lin Nan was increasingly confused, feeling like they were talking about her, yet she couldn’t quite grasp the context.
Dazed, she looked at Lilith, who just chirpily said, “You’re super popular in that world, adored by countless fans.”
As if I’m an idiot! You’re being way too transparent!
Thinking back to Lilith’s memories, it occurred to her that women in that world almost always covered up in long robes and veils. The photos Li Na made her take, with skimpy dresses and backless gowns, would definitely raise eyebrows in an alternate realm.
Her face darkened as she pieced together how her image was being twisted in the other world.
In a fit of rage, she ripped the draft sheets into shreds and turned to glare at Li Na, growling, “No way am I wearing that! I’m never taking another photo for you again!”
“No worries, though,” Li Na waved her phone. “I’ve secretly taken loads of your pictures. They’ll work just fine.”
