Chapter 532 (1/2)

“If you hate me then- Huh? You do not hate me?” Du Hang was shocked. He had complained about girls in front of Zhao Youyue, and even treated her starting the conversation as unworthy, but he still had not earned her ire.

Du Hang tilted his head to glance at Zhao Youyue, yet the signs of a fake polite smile could not be seen. He had no idea how could a fake smile appear so genuine – normal people would never be able to tell. They would think that she was the most genuine, kindest, warmest person ever.

The look on Zhao Youyue’s face was one of intelligent coldness, saying “I do not hate you,” those were her true feelings – and nothing of it indicated her pretentious aloofness.

Zhao Youyue knew just how to deal with just about any character out there – she knew what to say, and who to say it to.

Du Hang took a blow to the heart, but quickly filled his mind with cynical, self-abusive thoughts. Was he actually a masochist? A beautiful maiden starting a conversation with a kind smile would not excite him, but looking at Zhao Youyue’s cold expression showed an elegant indifference. Somehow he thought that it was the most beautiful expression she could ever make.

He had to be insane!

“You do not hate me? That is unwise. Fortunately, people have not yet identified me as the resident lurch, or your actions would appear stupid to the passerby. So, please do not get yourself dragged into the hellish swamp with me. Just flash a smile here and there as you are so adept at!” Du Hang said, struggling to maintain his composure.

“You know, maintaining a smile is very tiring. I act according to whom I’m speaking to. For someone like you, I chose such an approach. So, was it effective?” Zhao Youyue immediately flashed a brilliant smile as she uttered the last sentence, like one of those face-swapping mask performers.

“As I thought. I saw that coming. So you still hate me, right? It’s all the same to me,” Du Hang tried to keep his impassive mask on.

“By hiding one’s thoughts, a person would be able to sweet-talk others, according to how they like it while settling matters. The entire world does this. It is the same as an elite scholar topping the charts in terms of grades, only to laugh it off and tell others that it was just coincidence; like a bishoujo surrounded by a batch of average-looking girls complaining about how they’re gaining weight, popping acne and all that to make themselves look ugly. High standards demand high expectations, and that produces high stress.”

Du Hang continued rambling on and went off the rails on his ideologies, trying his best to hide his surprise. He did not expect a regular to be capable of such masquerading.

He forced himself to remain uninterested, even if it went against his own ideals about transparency and blunt honesty. He hated himself for doing so. Does one have to lie to oneself before learning of the truth?

“Alright, alright, Du Sensei. Enough with the philosophy! Let us talk about something much relaxing and interesting, shall we? Who do you think the most beautiful girl in our class is?” This was Zhao Youyue asking a magic mirror.

Mirror Mirror on the wall, who is the fairest of them all? [1]

Other men would go with the flow, flattering Zhao Youyue, as the bishoujo had asked the question herself. It was a subtle move, but it would increase her favorability, would it not?

Du Hang remained himself and picked the unpopular route, as always. He probably thought that he was talking to another guy, and this was a men-only discussion.