Uneasy daily life

"A commoner, a king or general, a hero or villain, all equally brilliant in their time."

As the saying goes: troubled times produce heroes, and new people replace the old. Iron horses clashed, and war broke out, heralding a great struggle!

"In the chaos of the Soubu, extraordinary individuals emerged—one named Yukino Yukinoshita, a woman of great virtue and reputation, from the prestigious Chiba Yukinoshita clan. Another named Eru Chitanda, a descendant of the founder of the Yukinoshita clan, was a talented woman whose talents went unrecognized and whose ambitions were difficult to fulfill..."

"One day, under the snow, I sat and drank with Chitanda, discussing the past and present, criticizing the current situation, with green plums on a plate, orange juice in a cup, and fragrant black tea brewed."

"When the wine was half-finished, suddenly the Emperor on tour issued an order to select a virtuous and capable successor to the throne..."

……

The replacement of the old with the new, the alternation of youth and old age, is a natural phenomenon.

[I am old and frail, my hearing and eyesight are failing, and I am bedridden, unable to rise for a long time. The day I meet my ancestors in the afterlife is not far off. Therefore, I hereby issue this decree to select the most outstanding individuals from among the generals, those who possess abilities beyond the reach of ordinary people, are virtuous and wise, and are kind and benevolent—heroes who will win the world and the hearts of the people!]

[The Student Council's Great Wall patrol is hereby announced to the General Staff.]

After reading the entire text, Yukinoshita said, "Only by succeeding to the throne and wielding great power can one govern the country, establish unparalleled achievements, and make a name for oneself in this life. I will not shirk this responsibility."

Chitanda replied, "Me too!"

"Only one person can succeed, so we must determine who is superior." Yukinoshita asked, "Chitanda has always been well-connected and has many friends. He must know the heroes of Soubu. Please point them out."

Chitanda said, "Miura Yumiko from Class F is noble and reserved, the leader of the girls, could she be a hero?"

Yukinoshita laughed and said, "Stubborn to the end, obsessed with love, a cowardly rat, what is there to talk about?"

Chitanda said, "Hayama Hayato of Class F, who makes friends from all walks of life, is full of heroic spirit, treats people with sincerity, does not ask about their background, and has many followers, can he be considered a hero?"

Yukinoshita laughed and said, "Although Hayama is good at making friends with all kinds of people, he does not have great ambitions. He is actually confined to his own little world, entertaining himself. He is content with his lot and does not think about danger. He enjoys pleasure but has no ambition. He is not a hero."

Chitanda said, "There is a person who, although he has graduated, still holds the title of Outstanding Youth of the Soubu. He is from the same school as Yukinoshita, and is a powerful figure in the Soubu. He once helped the Emperor ascend the throne. His name is Yukinoshita Haruno. Can he be considered a hero?"

Yukinoshita said, "Sister is good at scheming but indecisive, all talk and no action. That's why she supported the emperor to show that she had succeeded. Hiding behind others and disappearing into the shadows, how can she be a hero? I will take her place sooner or later!"

Chitanda said, "There is a young man full of vigor who is about to advance with a flag raised. His name is Isshiki Iroha. Although he is only a first-year high school student, his army is numerous and his forces are unstoppable. Could he be considered a hero?"

Yukino said, "Being forced by circumstances and gaining fame by taking advantage of luck is not the way of a true dragon. A true dragon is not confined to the ocean, and a fierce tiger is not trapped in the mountains. How can a hero be manipulated by others? Even if an army is large, it is like a swarm of bees and ants, a motley crew that will surely collapse if touched. Such a person is not a hero."

Chitanda said, "There is a person who has entered society, achieved great success, and become famous throughout the world—Sakurajima Mai is a hero?"

Yukino said, "A senior high school girl, already past her prime, how can she compete on the same stage? It will only make us laugh."

Chitanda asked, "What about people like Totsuka Ayaka, Ebina Hina, Sagami Minami, Yuigahama Yui, Toyohama Kazuka, and others?"

Yukinoshita burst into laughter: "Hahahaha—!"

Chitanda replied, "Apart from that, I truly know nothing."

Yuki smiled and pointed to the green plum, asking, "Chitanda, do you know if this plum is sweet or sour?"

"I don't know."

Chitanda took a green plum and tasted it, saying, "It is extremely sour at first, but sweet upon closer inspection, and after swallowing, it leaves a refreshing fragrance in the mouth."

"To know is to know, and to not know is to not know; to embrace the unknown and seek the unknown." Yuki took a green plum and put it in her mouth, saying, "A true hero is one who is resourceful and decisive, courageous and resolute, with the ambition to bring peace to the world and the capacity to embrace it all!"

Yukinoshita pointed at Chitanda with her finger, then at herself, and said:

"The only heroes in the world today are Chitanda and Yukinoshita!"

After the drinking party had ended, there were a few fruit pits on the plate and a little black tea at the bottom of the cup.

Subsequent meetings will be a clash of titans, a battle of the most talented, and the friendship of today will never be the same.

Chitanda and his servant left with a small folding cloth.

Xiao Zhezi advised, "Xuexia may become a major threat. It would be better to strike first and nip it in the bud to prevent future troubles..."

"Stop talking nonsense."

Chitanda said unhappily, "Only by fighting on the battlefield and deciding the outcome can a hero truly be a hero. The schemes and plots of demons and monsters are nothing but a laughing stock for the world."

The little folder murmured in silence.

An era of converging forces has begun, and the curtain has been raised.

When did the emperor die?

When will the two heroes finally clash?

Are Yukinoshita and Chitanda truly the only heroes in the world?

Who will hold supreme power?

To find out what happens next...

boom!

"To be continued!"

Bai Ying slammed the gavel down, bringing the matter to a satisfying close, then reached for the mineral water bottle next to him, opened it, and gulped it down in one go.

Around the flat courtyard, several school buildings were surrounded by students who had gathered on the railings to look down, resembling bunches of rice ears hanging from stalks. Some students who were passing by or who liked to join in the fun had already come down to the courtyard, gathering in twos and threes to listen to the storytelling, and before they knew it, they had formed a circle.

Hmm? Why is it so quiet?

Bai Ying put down the water bottle, looked around at the audience who had stayed to listen to the story, and then focused her gaze on the shill she had arranged.

Huh? Oh!

Angelina realized what was happening and quickly clapped her hands. Amidst the crisp applause, some classmates subconsciously followed suit, and applause erupted.

The white figure winked again: Quick! Get moving!

Angelina's expression froze. Huh? Wasn't that a joke?

"Dear classmates! If you enjoyed this, those with money, please support us financially; those without, please show your support with your presence..." The white-clad figure closed his folding fan, cupped his hands, and called out, "I'll repeat what I just said later. If anyone missed it, or wants to hear it again, feel free to come back. As for the follow-up content, it will be updated in sync with the student council election, bringing you firsthand information... Hey! That over there is too long to read, what are you standing there for?"

The crowd's attention converged on the direction the white figure had called out. There stood Angelina, looking utterly grief-stricken as if her leader had died. Holding a bamboo basket, she expressionlessly handed it to the girl next to her: "Want some money?"

The girl was bewildered and confused. She subconsciously took out a 100-yen coin from her pocket and tentatively put it into the bamboo basket.

"?" Angelina was stunned. "You're really going to give it to me?"

"Uh...no, shouldn't I give it to them?"

"Uh... fine, I'll give it to you then."

Angelina just wanted this maddening event to end as quickly as possible. She quickly circled around with her bamboo basket, and Bai Ying provided her with a dutiful voice, calling out, "Those with money, give me some change! No paper money, only coins! Please stay tuned for the latest developments of 'The Legend of the Generals.' During the student council election, there will be a storytelling news program every afternoon..."

Use your own voice!

Angelina was devastated, feeling that her reputation was about to be ruined, and the whispers from her classmates seemed particularly jarring... Sigh?

"What kind of saying is that Miura Yumiko is love-struck and a cowardly rat?"

"She has a crush on Hayama Hayato, it started in the first year of high school. Everyone knows she likes him, but nothing ever came of it. You just started high school this year, so of course you wouldn't know..."

"This is some kind of 'Yukinoshita-san's sharp review of Soubu High School'... It must be an adaptation by Shiro-san."

"It has definitely been revised, and it has definitely been rewritten, but I feel that Yukinoshita's sharp comment has not been revised."

"Indeed, it might not have been beautified at all."

"The Emperor is bedridden and about to die... Pfft, cough cough! It's just a normal student council election, but Bai's words have made it sound like a battle for supremacy."

"Running for student council president in the first year of high school?"

"It was probably just a bunch of people making a fuss and joking around. Didn't Yukinoshita say that she was forced into it and gained fame by taking advantage of the situation?"

Well, it seems everyone is more interested in the gossip and scandals they hear while listening to audiobooks.

Angelina breathed a huge sigh of relief. After wandering around, she discovered that she had actually gotten quite a bit of money from listening to audiobooks in the bamboo basket... What?! Her superior's haphazard dramas and performances actually made money?!

While she was still in shock, she suddenly noticed a conspicuous middle-aged stranger standing among the students, who were brimming with youthful energy. Judging from the large bag he was carrying and the flyers he was holding, he didn't seem to be a teacher at the school.

"You actually took my money!"

A shout rang out from the arena, and Hiratsuka Shizuka suddenly charged out, her fists aimed straight at the white figure.

"Wait a minute!"

Bai Ying raised both hands to block the violent teacher's fists, engaging in a struggle: "I'm just telling stories to earn a little money through hard work, is there a problem with that?"

Hiratsuka Shizuka emphasized impatiently, "Commercial activities are prohibited on school grounds!"

The white figure exclaimed, "But I paid for the bread I bought at the convenience store!"

"You want to buy something and not pay?!"

"What's wrong with people paying a little money to listen to audiobooks? Schools are allowed to collect taxes, but students aren't allowed to do business?!"

"A student's duty is to study hard—take this punch!"

"I'm first in the grade, will you teach me or will I teach you?"

"Yukino is actually the top student in the grade!"

"I'll take your place sooner or later! Let go! This is just being unreasonable!"

"Just consider this a warning to others, eliminating unstable elements who disrupt school order!"

"Huh! You think you can take me down with just this one piece of yours?"

The two exchanged blows, shouting and yelling. Bai Ying helped Hiratsuka Shizuka put on a half-serious, half-fake performance, emphasizing to the students watching the spectacle: School spirit and discipline are upheld by iron fists; Bai Ying's actions are not to be imitated.

As the police arrived to arrest unstable elements, the scene quickly dispersed, leaving the students with a topic of conversation about a grand martial arts drama... oh no, it should be the student council election.

Bai Ying tidied up her folding fan and gavel, preparing to carry the table she had brought out back to the classroom, when suddenly Angelina ran over: "Bai Ying, someone is looking for you!"

"Find me?"

The white-clad figure turned around, carrying the overturned table, and sized up the middle-aged man behind Angelina. He nodded and asked, "Who are you?"

The middle-aged man had short hair, wore long sleeves and jeans, and carried a large bag on his shoulder. His appearance wasn't great, but he looked very energetic: "Hello, my name is Jiu Chongyun, I'll just call myself a director."

"Hmm?" Hiratsuka Shizuka was lighting a cigarette when she saw this and raised an eyebrow, questioning her with a slightly wary look. "Someone from outside the school? Interviewing Sakurajima Mai? Sakurajima never brings work to the school, and the school doesn't allow reporters or paparazzi to come uninvited. If it's work, shouldn't you contact Sakurajima directly outside the school?"

"I'm not a paparazzi, I'm just a recorder of stories."

Jiuchongyun emphasized, "I'm not here to interview Sakurajima Mai, I'm here for Baiying."

Putting everything else aside, just the storytelling scene I stumbled upon...

This ability to deliver a complete speech in one breath, with clear pronunciation, a loud voice, and varied intonation, occasionally incorporating emotional expression, is truly remarkable.

After finishing his storytelling, his hawking style became even more vivid and lifelike.

Combined with his own research and understanding, as well as his performance on screen, he can be described as a born actor.

Jiuchongyun felt that she had made the right choice in coming here.

"Huh?" Hiratsuka Shizuka asked suspiciously. "You didn't come here for Sakurajima? What's on this kid that you can interview?"

"Sakurajima Mai became famous right from her debut. She's been interviewed since she was a child star, almost ten years now. She's basically told everyone what she can tell outsiders. If you try to dig up what she can't tell outsiders, wouldn't you just become a paparazzi?"

Jiuchongyun stated frankly, "For viewers, fans, and other colleagues, Mai Sakurajima is a hot commodity. They've been interviewing her for ten years and can still continue to do so. As long as you're associated with her name, even if you're telling the same old stories, you can still gain some popularity. But for me, Mai Sakurajima is exactly what Bai Tongxue described in his storytelling—'a ten-year-old woman who has lost her youth.' Compared to that, I'm more interested in Bai Tongxue's experiences and stories."

After speaking frankly, Jiu Chongyun suddenly realized that the three people in front of her were staring at her.

"What's wrong? I'm telling the truth."

Jiu Chongyun said, "Student Bai, let me interview you."

Bai Ying suddenly smiled, raised her hand to gently stroke her cheek, and said in a soft voice, "Sister, please don't be offended. You are in your prime, like a peony in full bloom. How can you say you're a ten-year-old woman? It's just that I'm new to the world, and outsiders are curious and find it all very interesting..."

What a strange, effeminate actor! So he's also a master of voice imitation? No wonder his storytelling was so powerful and expansive just now…

As Jiuchongyun was feeling sentimental, she suddenly realized something and turned her head to meet Sakurajima Mai's smiling gaze.

"Ahem." Jiuchongyun coughed. "I didn't expect to meet Miss Sakurajima here... It was all a joke just now, don't take it to heart, and don't tell the old man."

The old man's most famous work is "Kokonoe," in which Mai Sakurajima played a child star. If Mai Sakurajima were to tell the old man that he was particularly irritable lately and would come to bother him during filming and interviews, he would have to waste his energy arguing with him.

"Since we've met, it must be fate." Mai Sakurajima walked over with a smile, placing her little leather shoes on the shoe rack. "I happen to be free of work lately, so I can give this interview..."

That means you promise not to tattle!

Jiuchongyun quickly replied, "Okay, I'll interview Ms. Sakurajima while I'm at it."

Mai Sakurajima: "?"

Old Master Jiuzhong really dotes on his son; he can't even bear to break his leg.

Chapter Nine is too small, its scope is too narrow.