Chapter 9: What the heck is this?
The show began with a quiet, picturesque school campus in the early morning. Even though it was a very familiar school setting, it looked strangely fresh and aesthetically pleasing through the lens of a variety show.
“Chen Siqing, so handsome!” A fan’s shout rang out near the school gate, marking the official start of the program.
Chen Siqing jumped out of a business car, and his profile introduction appeared alongside him. Even though he didn’t know much about him before, Pu Tong took a closer look.
From trainee since childhood, to debuting in third place on a talent survival show, then acting and releasing singles… he was indeed quite impressive. At least much better than Pu Tong’s past life.
A few “bro, bro” comments floated across the screen, but most viewers were talking about Chen Siqing’s white hair.
White hair in high school looked out of place. Even though fans insisted it was left over from a stage performance, it didn’t stop criticism online.
As it turned out, dyeing it back later was probably the smartest decision he made.
The second person to arrive was Yi Zhi Xuenai. Her profile was also surprisingly impressive—besides acting and singing, she was even listed as a top creator on Bilibili in last year’s “Top 100 creators.”
An otaku idol type—who wouldn’t like a Japanese girl who can dance idol-style?
Pu Tong liked her even more now. Not romantically, of course—more like a fan admiring an idol. If he had to pick one favorite among the seven celebrities in the show, it would definitely be her.
Lin Yuxi and Yu Wanwan arrived together.
They fit the “cold older sister and silly younger girl” pairing, often appearing as a duo. There were even rumors of a “forbidden ship” fandom between them.
“What do you think, which one is prettier?”
His mother, Ni Hui, glanced at his expression suspiciously.
“I think Lin Yuxi is prettier—tall and mature. Yu Wanwan is just a slightly attractive silly girl.”
“And if you had to choose one as a wife?”
“Then I’d pick Yu Wanwan. She’s silly. Easy to fool.”
Ni Hui narrowed her eyes. She smelled gossip.
“But even if I choose her, does that mean I get her? Does the government issue one to me?” Pu Tong rolled his eyes. “I don’t want to be a toad lusting after a swan. I’ll just be a frog prince waiting for fate.”
“Tch…”
They continued watching.
Gan Hengxu appeared next. Compared to the others, he had fewer fan cheers, but his features were decent. However, he was a true skilled actor—trained in traditional opera since childhood, with excellent singing ability and a reputation for hard work. He was the one Pu Tong valued most.
People like him deserved success.
Tang Luocheng and Xie Mu appeared last.
Rumors said they were dating, but Pu Tong recalled they barely interacted in class—likely just marketing.
Teenage romance is hard to hide anyway.
The seven students were now all present, and the show entered the self-introduction phase.
This part matched what Pu Tong already knew: introductions, seating, editing, and background music creating a lively atmosphere.
During the introductions, the show briefly showed a wide shot of the classroom.
Among excited students, Pu Tong—head down studying—stood out sharply.
“You’re actually that serious in school? Not even looking at celebrities?” His mother looked at him with newfound respect.
“What’s there to look at? Celebrities are just people…”
He paused.
Because a bullet comment flashed by: “Disrespectful to others…”
Come on. He did clap, okay?
Internet viewers were terrifying. This only strengthened his resolve never to become a public figure.
Among a flood of “so handsome”
comments, it was finally Yu Wanwan’s turn—but since she no longer had a deskmate, comments turned into “poor Wanwan” and “heartbreaking,” which made him cringe.
Then things got even stranger. Yu Wanwan requested to choose a civilian deskmate, and the camera cut to Pu Tong—looking up in confusion—with a full close-up shot.
A direct face shot.
Pu Tong went numb. Giving a random student this much screen time was too much.
For a moment, the comments went silent—then exploded into:
“OMG handsome!”
The internet was shocked that a random student looked better than the main cast.
If Pu Tong knew, he’d probably scoff that readers of certain web novels were far more handsome than him.
Luckily, he kept avoiding the camera.
Then he became Yu Wanwan’s deskmate.
“You became her deskmate like that?” his mother asked.
He ignored her.
The show continued with school life segments—classes, interactions, and daily routines. Fans from all sides spammed comments.
Notably, Tang Luocheng and Chen Siqing had many “couple-style” interactions. The editing clearly tried to push a ship.
So that’s the plan, huh—manufactured romance.
Meanwhile, Gan Hengxu and Xie Mu had comedic interactions, while Lin Yuxi and Yi Zhi Xuenai had a warm “big sister + shy girl” dynamic.
Then it was Yu Wanwan’s segment.
“Have you seen my acting before?”
“No. Act one for me now.”
“……”
“Math is so hard, so annoying!”
“Wait until Grade 11.”
“So I’ll understand then?”
“You’ll just get used to it.”
“……”
His mother froze.
“This kid of mine is so annoying.”
“Hey, how do you say ‘launch’ in English? I can’t write my essay.”
“Biu…”
The boy made a finger-gun gesture.
“……”
Comments exploded with laughter.
Why is it so funny?
Pu Tong was confused. Am I becoming famous for being funny?
His screen time was increasing rapidly.
“Son, you’re trending!”
“What the heck?”
He checked Weibo.
Top trends:
When You Were Young Episode 1
Yu Wanwan is about to cry
Chen Siqing and Tang Luocheng
Pu Tong and Yu Wanwan: this deskmate is too real
Who is Pu Tong?
He just wanted to ask the same question: who is he?
He clicked the second trend—comments from Yu Wanwan’s fans filled the section.
Then the seventh trend:
“Too real. This is exactly how classmates interact.”
“Feels more natural than scripted couples.”
“Ship them.”
“No way I’m not shipping this.”
Finally, the fourteenth trend:
“Pu Tong is the guy who makes Wanwan angry.”
“Let’s eliminate this kid.”
“I’m now his disciple, he’s hilarious.”
“From today I’m in the Pu–Yu ship camp.”
His phone kept buzzing. His DMs were exploding.
He had gone viral.
Completely, inexplicably viral.
What the heck is this?
(End of Chapter)
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