Chapter 54: The Shalala Effect

Time flew by and midterms were over in a flash. Su Ning had already made a habit of keeping up with her studies after each class so she was not particularly worried about her results. Instead, she began to focus on practicing her lines and making sure that she was doing light exercise daily to keep up her stamina. Ever since the original owner's surgery, Su Ning has not really engaged in much physical activities.

In fact, aside from being assiduous in her studies, she is actually quite lazy in most other areas of her life. Unlike her peers, Su Ning would much rather lie around playing games on her phone and munch on junk food during her free time. In fact, she tends to be someone who accepts invites rather than the one initiating them. 

At 16 years of age, Su Ning is in her growth phase and her enviously slim figure is mostly attributed to her fast metabolism. Rather than workout daily like Gu YuChen, she prefers to make conscious choices about her diet. Of course, that didn't mean she doesnt dramatically whine to her best friends about missing eating street food and potato chips.

However, it was only when she began practicing with the rest of the troupe regularly 3 months ago that she realized her endurance may possibly be worse than that of Grandma Gu's. Su Ning couldn't have known how tiring it was to be traipsing on stage whilst singing. 'Musical performers really have it tough,' Su Ning thought as she relished the idea that she would not be pursuing this career in the future. 'As expected, I'm more suited for an easy life, like a salted fish.' Su Ning snickered to herself.

Su Ning could still remember the first week of practice with the rest of the performers. She had been quickly out of breath in the first half hour they began learning the dances. The director, Mrs Choi, had called a short break for the main leads and Su Ning wasted no time in sitting and guzzling her Pokari drink. 'Aigoo, it's only been 30 minutes but I already nearly died so many times. I don't know if this is worse or public accounting is worse,' Su Ning lamented internally. 

"My NingNing is surprisingly a 'weak chicken'. Don't worry your JinYan-gege will take care of you," Lin JinYan spoke in a comforting tone while trying to control his widening grin.

Su Ning took a look at Lin JinYan who didn't even break a single sweat despite having just recently recovered from a cold and she couldn't help but curse at the heavens. The aptly titled school prince is even casually exuding a 'shalala effect' without meaning to. 'Come na! The difference in level is too much bah!' she thought observing the rest of the male performers.

"Tche! Don't look down on me! I just haven't shown my real skills yet!" Su Ning harrumphed at her handsome friend. 'Hmph! Show some respect, you little kid! I could be your aunt,' she secretly grumbled with narrowed eyes.

Author's notes: 1) Ruoji means 'weak chicken'. It's a term used to describe someone who is weak or unimpressive at something. It doesn't necessarily need to be used in a derogatory way. Like me telling my friends that we should hike the easy trail since I am ruoji.ʕ￫ᴥ￩　ʔ 

2) Shalala effect would be an effect produced by someone who is brilliantly shining. Like when the good looking male lead comes out in a manhua/manhwa and the ladies block their eyes or don their sunglasses because the shalala is too bright. (*＞ｖ＜)ゞ*☆*.*.・ ⊂(▀¯▀⊂)

3) Yes this author-nim is a bit loco. Please bear with me.(๑•́ ₃ •̀๑)

However, Lin JinYan's smile simply grew bigger as he nodded at her childish remark. "Yes, my NingNing has yet to show her true abilities," he agreed as he patted her head.

"How about we eat at that skewer place you like for dinner?" Lin JinYan offered.

"Mm, alright," Su Ning responded, her mood brightening instantly.

It was only later she realized Lin JinYan was only appeasing her as he would a child. 'Damn Lin JinYan! He knows, food is the best way to get me!' Su Ning vowed that she would no longer be easily swayed with food again. At the very least, it should take more persuading as well as fine cuisine to win her over.

............

In a few days, it would be the long awaited annual M Academy musical. Su Ning did not forget to invite her two close friends Li Youqing and Lin Miao. Aside from their regular video calls, this would be the first time they would see each other in person in months. So they decided to splurge a bit and book a hotel room for a girls' sleep over after the performance. It's quite convenient that in C Country the minimum age to book a hotel is 16 years old. 

Lin Miao and Li Youqing were both aware that Su Ning lived at Gu YuChen's apartment near M Academy and were rather surprised that Lin JinYan had decided to move in after the former's departure to the UK. However, they knew that Su Ning trusts Lin JinYan implicitly and didn't not question their good friend's choice to continue living with the school prince. Whenever they had asked Su Ning about the nature of her relationship with Gu YuChen and Lin JinYan, she was always adamant in her response. "We are good friends. A brother-like existence. They are precious family to me," Su Ning would say with a sincere smile. 

However in secret, the two would wonder if Lin JinYan and Gu YuChen harbored the same sort of platonic feelings towards Su Ning. Li Youqing often thought that both boys were especially kind and doting only towards Su Ning. They have met Lin JinYan and Gu YuChen several times and though the two teens were always gracious, they were aware that this courtesy is only due to the fact that they were Su Ning's close friends. 

Lin Miao personally didn't mind this type of superficial connection as it gave her enough material for her webcomic without any personal involvement clouding her judgement. In essence, she is able to remain as an objective 3rd party who is watching a primetime drama unfold. 'Actually, it's even more exciting than those romantic korean dramas,' Lin Miao thought as she adjusted her glasses and began to draw another episode of her manhua. Her webtoon 2Love has gained a lot of popularity as of late and is generating a fairly decent amount of monthly earnings. At this rate, she would be able to save enough money to enroll in an art institute without having to take a gap year.