[1st World: Campus of High Society 5] Interviews

[AKA {Rizzing Interviewees Up}: because that's what it feels like writing this...]

Petition for changing chapter title to this?

{ INTERVIEW 1 }

"Hello! Nice to meet you, Miss Lan!"

"Oh you don't need to bother with such formalities, feel free to just casually call me Ziyan."

"Alright, Miss Ziyan!" How sweet, she is sure different from her sister...or is she?

It's uncertain how being the favored one out of the Su sisters would affect Su Feili. If she was the one groomed to become the heiress, would she be as calculating as Su Lifei? Or is she sheltered from that due to their parents' love for her? Either way, she can be determined to be quite an impressive person. She had gotten accepted into Dame Dahlia and now even came to Blossoms, both top schools for the high society.

And what's also very important is...she has manners!

Lydia and Chen Tanglu aren't unpleasant, but Lydia can be awkward despite her best efforts to be polite. Meanwhile Chen Tanglu just have a way more casual and unrestrained attitude. It would be nice to have someone can pay attention to their own image properly, and perhaps even be the...mascot—face, of their club...

Of course, there is also the other new members that are here.

An Qi is currently in an interview room that the student council had lent to them, and sitting across from her at the single table in the room, is Su Feili.

Outside the door of this door, she can see from the surveillance on her phone that the rest had already arrived. Hu Jiajia and Falsetta Halls sat at a couch, chatting with each other. On the opposite side of the waiting area is Su Lifei and Chang Ju who shared a couch. The female lead of this world froze when she saw the two girls she had conflict with the other day, but soon settled down with the brown-haired girl that waved at her as an invite to sit together.

Lastly, sitting on the last couch in the middle of the room by herself, is the sister of President Peng Chenfang. Even though she was the only one waiting without accompany in the room, Peng Chunfeng didn't show any signs of awkwardness or nervousness as she surfs on her phone, drowning out her surroundings.

She was actually the first to arrive...after Su Feili, who was told to arrive a bit earlier as she was the earliest applicant and a transfer student. Peng Chunfeng didn't react to any of the other girls when they came in or even when there was obvious tension between Su Lifei and Hu Jiajia.

An Qi wonders about what exactly she is doing on her device that's so interesting, and even caused her to ignore conflicts between students?

Or maybe she is just putting up a front for an intimidating first impression.

Haha, if that's the case, then she will be happy to indulge and play around a little.

Now, back to the interview.

"Well, congratulations Su Feili. You are one among six girls who received an invitation AND had passed the club's screening too!" She didn't speak in a much too formal tone, opting for a more easygoing one to get the conversations running.

"Really? That's wonderful! Though, I'm wondering now what I have to do, being accepted and all—!" There was nervousness and excitement in the transfer student's voice.

"Don't you worry too much about that, our club is pretty laid back, you wouldn't have a hard time~"

"So what is the goal of the club? And what do we actually have to do?" Seems she now actually already started to consider herself as one of them.

"We have quite a grandiose agenda, do you think you can help achieve it?"

"Well—I've gotten this far already, so I'll still give my best!" There was sincerity in those words, the kind that's hard to fake.

"Your spirit is admirable...now, we have one last question for you: What are your true intentions for joining this club?"

"Huh?" Confusion was showed on Su Feili's face, and that was a pretty natural reaction.

"There is no need for any lies or for any fear. Even if we don't approve of your answer, you had already passed the evaluation and is an official member in the records. Your answer will also not reach the ears of anyone except me or the other two founders of our club."

The question was sudden and blunt, and so was the reassurance of privacy. It seemed almost fake, but it is obvious that An Qi sounded like she did her best to be truthful with her.

She told her that her position is ensured already regardless of her answer, but also added that her answer WILL be leaving the room to be shared with others. Even if it was only the other two in charge of the club.

Will Su Feili tell the truth with all this?

If it was An Qi, she could still effortlessly lie without batting an eye. Flowery words like that, no matter from who...would not faze her or weaken her resolve on keeping a goal hidden if she intended to.

To know Su Feili's motives, well, they could've done their own investigations on her, but where would the fun be in that? And it wouldn't do if it somehow got out that they are snooping on the information of their club members. This was especially true for teenagers who likes to have their privacy.

"Umm...well."

"I understand that you must be surprised by this question."

"Yeah..."

"Don't you worry though, if you don't want to, you don't even have to answer now. We can always wait for another day, if that's what makes you feel more comfortable."

"Ahh! There's no need. I don't want to inconvenience you all, running a club must be hard work—"

It seems she took the chance.

While teenagers are indeed conscious about protecting their privacy, they are also eager to share their own thoughts out loud to others at times. It wouldn't do for them to coop all of their feelings up and never express them, and if there was someone they deemed reliable enough to tell their thoughts too...how nice is that?

But it's not like An Qi have any particularly malicious reasons for trying to get Su Feili to tell what's on her mind...she just wanted to know more about her. And why she decided to join this club. But she also doesn't have any qualms about using this information if the need arises later.

"I joined because...I wanted to try something new. And different..."

"Oh? Well, we are a new club and have quite a different club plan compared to the other ones...but is that the only reason why? It is a huge compliment if these are the only reasons, but still, I'm sure trying any other clubs will be a refreshing experience too?"

"I—I have another reason as well." Su Feili shifted around in her seat. "Promise me this wouldn't be known to anyone but the club's founders?"

An Qi give her a gentle smile, something different from the blinding one she usually share with Lydia and Chen Tanglu. Then she turned on serious mode. "Of course, we take privacy seriously. Everyone in this club is bound to have their own secrets, and that's quite natural. We just want to make sure it wouldn't interfere with the stability of the club in general."

"Alright then. The truth is, I wanted to break away from my family, and the expectations that were held for me."

There was a brief moment of silence, before An Qi spoke again. It was deliberately done for the dramatic flair and to let it sink in for Su Feili. To help her fully comprehend that she finally said what's been weighing on her mind.

An Qi didn't change the way she spoke and still use that casual-like tone she started with, her words flowed easily and is almost like she is soothing the listener. "Don't worry, that's completely understandable. Being the children of the high class means a lavish life, but it comes with repercussions such as greater responsibilities."

Su Feili's nervousness was wiped away, and her tense posture loosen. "I—thank you."

"There's no point in mulling over it. I understand it might be extra stressful for you since you have a sibling to compete with too."

"Su Lifei? Well...she..." The girl started fidgeting at the mentioning of that name.

"We're only asking for the sake of the club, there's no need for you to get into more details." Though An Qi actually wants her to share more, to actually ask so would be inappropriate. So perhaps another time. "If you are ever ready to share more, I'm sure that you can share it within the club. It is supposed to be a place suited for its members, regardless of any conflicting thoughts or feelings."

"That...really?"

"Why of course! The goal of our club is to ensure our members have a stable life both during and after their school years. It is also set to build connections between members as we are a school housing the future of the high society. These connections will be quite useful even far from now."

Su Feili absorbed this information and her expression visibly went from being confused to reaching understanding. It eventually ended with her smiling brightly at her, accepting the hand of the Lan heiress.

"Thank you—Miss Ziyan, I will do my best to contribute to the club...!"

So it turns out that Su Feili is indeed more naive compared to her sister. It's honestly both a good and bad thing...

{ INTERVIEW 2 }

The first interview went by smoothly...and after Su Feili was Su Lifei, and it went by as An Qi had predicted.

Su Lifei showed friendliness and kindness without fail, obviously trying to make a good impression on her. Especially when she sees that this club seem to have other people she know, from her sister to Hu Jiajia.

Those two were people she had problems with, and she should be caught off guard by it. Even if she wants to quit the club now, it would be suspicious as she was already this far into the process. Plus, she seems to want the club's approval, very likely in order to gain part of their influence.

Or maybe she just likes the people in this club (other from the ones she has issues with)? That can never be fully confirmed though, because this girl...she keeps such a strong front for the sake of her reputation and success.

She is the main lead of the original path this world was set on, but at the same time, she herself is also affected by the world.

It surely doesn't excuse all the despicable things she done, but given her prewritten background, can she ever be a normal girl? There is a lot of pressure for children of high society, even if it range differently based on circumstances, they were all placed under heavy responsibilities ever since birth.

Su Lifei suffered through feeling inferior due to their parents playing favorite, choosing her sister over her. She is pressured by having to do so much but still not being enough to be supported.

Su Feili, on the other hand, suffers through carrying all the expectations placed on her by their parents. She has to deal with maintaining her role as the most ideal daughter for their parents so she wouldn't be punished or abandoned.

They can be said to be the two sides of the same coin, their design completely different due to how they were treated as they grew. But in the end they are both children of the Su Family, and the coin itself was already rusty, so neither of the faces are capable of shining their brightest.

They would both likely be better off in a normal family, one where they would've been happier.

Such is the unfairness of life...

An Qi would give them a chance, and if they took it, then fine.

If they didn't? That's fine too.

As long as they don't get in her way, they can do whatever.

Who cares about what the system thinks?

System #4444: sobbing ( ; д ; )

"Hello there, Su Lifei! Congrats on winning the tough screening for joining our club!"

Su Lifei's reaction was a bit delayed, as if taken back by her interviewer's enthusiasm, before she returns with the same cheerfulness. "Thank you! I'm very glad I managed to pull through!"

"We only have one question left for you, but this question may be a bit personal."

"A—ah...really?"

"It's about your true intentions for joining this club. You don't need to worry about your reply being spread, this will be kept private between the club's founders. It is only for the sake of maintains stability for the club and its members."

"If that's so...then...I think you already know that...me and those two girls—" She paused mid-sentence, obviously unsure about how to continue.

It shows her ever-lacking self confidence...and she will continue to not have that until much later according to the original path of this world...

"You don't need to worry about that! We understand that is kind of a complicated situation before, hehe! Our take on it is to give you all the cards, and if you all managed to get in? Well, it certainly is a fated encounter for you guys to clear whatever troubles you have."

"I—the thing is...I don't think they like me much because of some issue with—"

This time, An Qi actively interrupted her. "No no no! We understand that, and we just couldn't bear to see you not get along just because of love problems!"

One thing Su Lifei could never hide despite her strong skills at keeping her image is matters regarding the male lead—Mu Youcheng.

By which it means that she is now a burning blushing mess.

"I—me and—no! It's a misunderstanding!" She futile stuttered, trying hard to refute the implied relationship.

"We know." An Qi showed no signs of any negative reactions.

Su Lifei's face cooled down and she let out a sigh.

"But that's the thing, since it is a misunderstanding, then we would even strongly recommend on solving it by direct confrontation! We are all young girls at the prime of our life—so we shouldn't be infighting, but instead working together!"

It was honestly quite an inspiring speech An Qi made there on the spot, and Su Lifei totally bought it, because she had offer the other girl a solution to the dilemma she has been facing.

"I see now—you're right! This is a great opportunity for us to solve the conflict we had! Thank you for the enlightenment...uh, Miss Lan?"

"Please, you may just call me Ziyan. This is just one of the many reasons we decided to form this club! Social connections and interactions are very important for a school of this caliber! We are here to strive for the very best for our members' lives in and out of school!"

"Wow! That's wonderful! I'm really happy I can be a part this, and I'm prepared to to give my all in helping others..." There is a high chance that there was not a single fallacy in those words.

Su Lifei would indeed be happy to be able to help others...and it's not just for something as shallow as reputation. She does indeed care about improving the lives of others because she knows firsthand herself, how miserable someone without any support can be.

Which again, sad. Because wow, being the unfavored one sucks.

"Su Lifei, you don't need to worry too much about this."

"Uhh...huh?"

"Please don't be alarmed, I'll be brief. We know who you are, and heard of the stories circulated around about you. Both the good and bad." Coming clean is a good call to make now, because you can't expect to forge a connection with only promises that doesn't have any reliable weights or through giving help for undivulged reasons.

True trust is crucial, and to make that happen you need to tell the truth, obviously.

"...I see. Then what do you think about me?" Her voice and tone changed dramatically, and subtle gloom shows on her face.

"What do you want me to say?" An Qi gave her a curious look.

"I...just want the truth."

"Hm?"

"Is she a model student who is admirable for her hard work and clear handle on schedule? Is she a deceitful vixen who snatches the love of another person? Is she someone who is undeserving of even stepping foot onto the school grounds of this academy?" The girl unhesitatingly spoke out the opinions of others, completely expressionless as she goes on.

And with a knowing smile, An Qi added on to the chain of questions. "Or is she just herself?"

"...that's what I think I am. I am Su Lifei."

"Just Su Lifei?"

"Yes...but I want to be more." The strong passion in her voice was unwavering. "I want to be someone who I, myself, can be proud of. I don't want to be tangled up in the expectations everyone else hold for me..."

"But you know that you aren't close to that goal yet."

"You are clear about everything." Su Lifei realized by now that An Qi can basically read her thoughts...and knows all about her situation.

"You will never be close to that go without crushing your parents first."

Conversation stopped for a moment, then it briskly picked up again.

"You're right."

"It doesn't matter what goal you have in mind for joining this club. What matters in the end is that you contribute and stay loyal as a member of this club, if there are other complications that comes up—we are willing to act to resolve them."

"I—"

"Just keep in mind, for this club...our main agenda is to support each other until the end."

"...really?" It was almost as if the female lead is in a trance.

"It might be a bit tooo far fetched now, but a life-long support group doesn't come to fruition without time and effort. So if you are willing to stick by still, we welcome you with warm hugs~"

Su Lifei fell silent, and An Qi waited.

"I...I'm willing to stay."