10: Chapter 10 Classroom, Shop Windows, and Missed Calls

The lecture hall for "Introduction to Communication" at the University of Southern California was filled with an atmosphere that was a mixture of new-semester restlessness and lethargy. Alex sat in the middle row, by the aisle, trying his best to look like an ordinary student. On the podium, the professor was introducing the brief history of communication studies in a measured tone, with the classic models of Shannon, Weaver, and Laswell on the slides.

But it was hard for Alex to focus entirely on those theories from the last century. His phone vibrated slightly in his trouser pocket—not a call, but an email notification. He used his textbook to cover it and took a quick glance. It was a new email from Sarah, with an attachment of the draft "Long-term Partnership Agreement" prepared by Horizon Outdoors, as well as a screenshot of a five-figure "Performance Bonus" bank transfer confirmation.

A five-figure bonus. From one video. He tapped his fingertips lightly on his knee, suppressing the waves rising in his heart, set his phone to silent, and looked back up at the slides, trying to connect the "5A Communication Model" with how to shock the audience with his next video.

The bell rang, and students filed out. As Alex was packing his things, a girl in the front row, wearing black-rimmed glasses with a streak of purple in her hair, turned around and looked at him curiously: "Hey, are you... that 'Alex's Wonderland'?"

Alex felt a tightening in his chest, but his face showed just the right amount of confusion and a hint of shyness at being recognized: "Uh, that's me. And you are...?"

"Lena! I'm also at the Annenberg School, in the digital media track." Lena, the girl, looked lively; she lowered her voice, her eyes sparkling, "That 'Above the Reef' of yours is so cool! Several of us doing media assignments watched it and were discussing your editing rhythm and musical narrative. Did you really do it all by yourself?"

"For now, yes." Alex smiled, put on his backpack, and walked out of the classroom with her, following the flow of people, "Just messing around."

"That's not just messing around!" Lena kept pace with him, speaking quickly, "Oh, by the way, there's a group project for 'Fundamentals of Visual Communication' next week, and we have to analyze a contemporary visual culture case. I was just worrying about not finding an example that was both qualified and innovative. Do you think... would it be okay if I used your video as the subject of analysis? Purely from an academic perspective!"

Alex was slightly surprised. His work had already started to seep from online entertainment into university classroom discussions? This feeling of being "seriously" scrutinized was quite novel. "Of course, as long as you don't analyze me too harshly," he joked.

"Great!" Lena was very happy and took out her phone, "Can we exchange contact info? Maybe I can ask the master for advice if I have technical questions in the future."

After exchanging numbers, Lena waved goodbye and ran off to her next class. Alex stood where he was, watching the young faces passing by, talking about weekend parties and course difficulty. The reality of campus life enveloped him for the first time in such a concrete and positive way. He was not only a creator hidden behind the internet, but also starting to have a vague but positive "name" in this academic circle.

This feeling wasn't bad; it was even like a more comfortable camouflage.

He had no classes in the afternoon, so he drove to Beverly Hills. This time, he wasn't going to a discount store, but straight to a prestigious Italian men's custom suit shop on Rodeo Drive. The motivation stemmed from a discovery he made while checking the system last night—as his popularity surpassed 2,000 points, a new category was quietly unlocked in the store: [Temperament and Field]. There was one skill inside that made him pause for a long time:

[Mastery of Occasion Dressing and Atmosphere Integration] - 450 points

Description: Not only knowing what to wear but also having a deep understanding of the potential rules and aura requirements of specific high-end occasions (private clubs, gallery openings, charity galas, business negotiations, etc.), and being able to quickly adjust one's state through clothing details, manners, and conversation to achieve "harmonious existence" or "measured prominence."

It was expensive, but Alex realized that as the level of people he interacted with gradually rose (such as Horizon Outdoors headquarters, potential further contacts in Silicon Valley), just "looking good" was no longer enough. He needed a more internalized and effortless "presence." Redeeming this skill was more like an investment in future social interactions.

But he didn't redeem it immediately. He wanted to try first to see how far he could go using traditional "consumption" methods.

The custom shop was filled with the scents of wool, cotton, and a faint hint of cedar. The elderly Italian tailor was skillful; as he took his measurements, the numbers he whispered were precise and rhythmic. Alex chose two types of fabric: one was a deep navy blue worsted wool for a suit that could handle most semi-formal occasions; the other was a softer light gray flannel, intended for a casual hunting jacket. He didn't pursue top-tier luxury, but emphasized fit, fabric texture, and classic designs that wouldn't easily go out of style.

"Young man, you know exactly what you want." The tailor put away the measuring tape and smiled, "Many kids your age only want the most conspicuous logos."

"I hope the clothes are a backdrop, not a declaration." Alex said. This came half from his newly acquired knowledge of dressing, and half from his mindset of having lived two lifetimes.

"Excellent insight." The tailor nodded, "First fitting in two weeks."

Leaving the tailor shop, Alex strolled along Rodeo Drive. The setting sun gilded the storefront windows of the luxury flagship stores. He walked past those staggering displays, yet his heart was unusually calm. These expensive goods were no longer unreachable symbols, but measurable "goals" or "tools." His gaze swept over a watch in a window reflecting the sunset; it was a Patek Philippe Nautilus, a legendary model whose value would skyrocket in the next decade. He noted down the model.

Just then, his phone vibrated in his pocket. This time it wasn't an email, but a call. A strange New York area code.

He walked to a relatively quiet street corner and answered: "Hello, Alex Su."

"Mr. Alex? Hello! This is the digital content department of New York's 'Trend' magazine, and I am editorial assistant Sophia." A capable yet slightly excited female voice came from the other end of the line, "We have been following your 'Alex's Wonderland' channel, especially the recent 'Above the Reef'; the visual presentation and concept are outstanding! We are planning a special feature on 'Gen Z Content Creators Reshaping Brand Narrative,' and I was wondering if you would be interested in accepting a short phone interview? About twenty minutes, mainly to talk about your creative philosophy and your views on content commercialization."

'Trend' magazine? Although not as top-tier as Vogue or GQ, it was quite influential in the fields of fashion and youth culture. This call meant that his influence had already broken through YouTube and specific brand circles, starting to attract wider media attention.

"I would be honored, Sophia." Alex's voice was steady, while he quickly assessed the pros and cons in his mind. This was a good opportunity to improve his public image and increase his "legitimacy" endorsement, but he needed to be careful with his words to avoid exposing too much depth that didn't match his age and experience. "I can accommodate the time; we can confirm the specific details via email."

"Great! I'll send you the interview outline later, you set the time!" Sophia's voice became even more cheerful.

Hanging up the phone, Alex watched the neon lights gradually turning on along Rodeo Drive. Custom suits, magazine interviews... these things that were once incomparably distant from "Su Zhe" and the initial "Alex Su" were now crashing into his life with acceleration. The system provided extraordinary possibilities for advancement, while these realistic, step-by-step accumulations and recognitions were solidifying the foundation of his existence.

He didn't go home immediately, but walked into a quiet café, opened his newly bought MacBook Pro, and logged into that Silicon Valley testing platform. Eric had updated a few more "masochistic" testing modules. While drinking coffee, he skillfully began a new round of "destructive" operations, smoothly recording the anomalies and optimization suggestions he found. This "part-time job" brought not only gift cards but also a sense of participation in the forefront of technology and the honing of information sensitivity.

After finishing the test feedback, he opened his email and saw the detailed interview outline sent by 'Trend' magazine. The questions weren't tricky, mainly revolving around creative inspiration, technical challenges, and his views on collaborations with brands. He carefully considered his answers, needing to reflect depth of thought while maintaining the sincerity befitting his age and a touch of the sharpness of a "genius youth."

Just as he had finished replying to the confirmation email, his phone screen lit up again. This time it wasn't a call or an email, but a new video upload notification from the "TaylorSwiftVEVO" channel—she had released a live tour version of "Fearless."

As if guided by a ghost, he clicked into it. The girl on stage was radiant, her singing full of vitality. He watched the crazy cheers of fans in the comments and bullet screens, and watched the light flickering in her blue eyes when she smiled at the camera.

Very distant. But because of that faint data connection, it didn't seem so unreachable.

He turned off the video and leaned back into the soft sofa of the café. Outside the window, the lights of Beverly Hills poured down like a galaxy.

The system interface appeared in his consciousness, the number in the popularity column was 2310. Enough to redeem that [Mastery of Occasion Dressing and Atmosphere Integration].

But he hesitated for a moment.

Perhaps he could wait a little longer? Wait until the first fitting of the custom suit was done, wait until the interview in 'Trend' magazine was published, wait until the next video project "If Cities Could Dream" had a prototype... Perhaps then, he would have a clearer and more concrete perception of "what kind of field he needs to integrate into."

He turned off his computer, paid the bill, and left.

Driving on the road back to Santa Monica, the car stereo was playing music from an independent radio station at a low volume. The city's flowing light swept past the car window, casting alternating light and shadow spots on his face.

The conversation in class, the tailor's measuring tape, the call from a strange editor, the testing modules from Silicon Valley, and that distant yet vivid singing on the screen... countless threads were extending and intertwining around him.

He gripped the steering wheel, feeling the steady and powerful pulse of the engine.

Acceleration had already been generated. What needed to be done next was not to blindly chase all the threads, but to learn to see the direction clearly, stabilize his center of gravity amidst the increasingly fast speed, and then, selectively reach out and grab those threads that could truly be woven into a net.

The night sea breeze hit his face with a chill. The lights of his apartment were shining warmly ahead.

There were unfinished ideas, skills waiting to be redeemed, constantly growing data, and a life named Alex Su that was gradually being filled by multiple realities.

He stepped on the gas, the silver-gray BMW Coupe accelerated smoothly, and merged into the endless traffic of this sleepless city.