18: My hands cramped from writing my reflections

Her cheerful disposition was greatly admired by all the acting teachers; no matter what, she always greeted them with a smile.

Sometimes, even when they were angry, seeing her silly grin with a mouthful of white teeth would make them unable to resist being infected by her optimism.

Seeing her once again shrinking her head like an ostrich, the teacher couldn't help but find it amusing, "Have you finished reading the book I asked you to?"

There was no need to get angry with her. She could feel that the other person genuinely disliked acting. Even if she didn't like it, it was good enough that she came to class every day. What more could they ask for?

After all, she was royalty, a connected individual; even the President couldn't do anything to her.

"I've finished it."

"What did it all say? Briefly summarize it."

"Acting is xxxx." This was her forte; with her almost photographic memory, reading a few books was child's play.

The teacher saw her speak clearly and logically, even adding some of her own interpretations. They always felt like she was just toying with them, but after a month of getting to know her, they realized she wasn't that boring.

After she finished speaking, the acting teacher said, "Isn't that a thorough understanding of acting? Why do you become so lifeless the moment you try to perform?"

"Perhaps heaven took away my acting talent!"

The acting teacher really wanted to open her head and take a look. What kind of talk was that? Without talent, how could she express so many insights? It seemed she simply lacked reverence for acting.

"From now on, you will be responsible for watching high-level acting performances, observing how professional actors handle roles and emotions, to enhance your sense of reverence for the art of acting."

Hearing this, she became energized. Wasn't this just openly binge-watching dramas? She hadn't expected underachievers to get such treatment.

Seeing her happy expression, the acting teacher couldn't help but curve their lips slightly, thinking, 'Little rascal, you really think I'm letting you watch dramas for entertainment.'

"You can only watch what I select for you, and after watching, you must handwrite the highlights of the actors' performances for me..." A whole host of demands that made her scalp tingle just listening to them.

"Um, teacher, actually, I don't like watching TV shows or movies, you see?"

"This is teaching. What does it have to do with whether you like it or not? Do you have a problem with the coursework I've assigned?"

Damn it, could she say yes? Not only did she have a problem, but a big one. But this was for teaching and not considered bullying. She must have had eight lifetimes of bad luck to choose to come to YG.

She really wanted to go home. She had initially thought coming to the company would be very happy, but she hadn't expected it to be so miserable.

"Are you mute!"

"No, I'll write." She lowered her proud head. There was no love left in this world.

The teacher finally let out a sigh of relief. After a month of being tormented by her, it was finally their turn to torment her, this plague-ridden student.

It was also fortunate that there was only one like her; if there were two more, they would truly be driven mad. She was a piece of fine jade, but her hardness was too high, the kind that even a drill couldn't carve.

After class, the five of them arranged to eat. Looking at the grass on her plate and thinking about her miserable life ahead, she had no appetite at all.

"What's wrong? No appetite? That's not like you!" She was considered a glutton among the five, never feeling full.

Seeing her like this was quite surprising.

"Chaeyoung! Alas! You wouldn't understand even if I told you. This life really can't go on." After saying that, she picked up her bowl and gobbled down the food in a few bites. She still needed to go watch those old-fashioned films.

"I'm leaving, you all eat slowly."

"What's going on?" Park Chaeyoung felt bewildered.

"What else could make her upset besides acting? We'll find out if we ask around later. Let's eat first!"

After Kim Jennie finished speaking, Park Chaeyoung sped up her grass-eating. She was very curious about what exactly made this person, who always smiled, look so lifeless.

The four of them heard about the morning's events from other trainees during their afternoon class. How did this person manage to make teachers both love and hate her? She was truly a unique talent.

And it was also hilarious. Only she could probably make a teacher lose their cool; at least, they hadn't heard of it in all their years at the company.

"What a talent! Unnie, how did she manage to make the teacher keep such a close eye on her?"

Kim Jennie had been at the company for five years and was very familiar with the teachers. They were truly the type who only taught but didn't care about results. She had never seen a teacher so focused on one trainee.

"The President probably wants her to debut as an actress! Otherwise, why would she only have acting classes?" They still thought Xu Zhiyou only knew how to dance.

Kim Ji-soo was somewhat envious of Xu Zhiyou. She had originally wanted to debut as an actress but was forced to become an idol instead.

"Those who want to learn acting are forced to learn vocal music, and those who don't want to learn acting are constantly being pushed into it. How pitiful. Alas!" Lisa feigned the appearance of an old scholar, shaking her head and sighing.

"If you ask me, they should swap Jisoo and Zoe. That would be so good, everything would be solved, perfect!"

Kim Jennie glared at Park Chaeyoung, "Only you would think that. Do you want the President to let you take over? Be careful, someone with ill intentions might hear you and report you."

There were many petty people in the company, so one needed to be very careful with what they said. Not everyone was like Xu Zhiyou, carefree and fearless, because she had a fallback plan, and a better one at that.

Park Chaeyoung scanned her surroundings and, finding no one, finally relaxed. She had been reported more than once or twice, and each time she was called to the President's office, she was terrified.

With a stern face, he looked somewhat unsettling when serious.

The other three, seeing her cautious demeanor, always thought she was quite idiotic. If there were people around, would Kim Jennie dare to say things like 'the President let her take over'?

No wonder she and Xu Zhiyou got along the best; two big fools attracting each other.

Another month passed, and Xu Zhiyou's hands cramped up several times from writing, but things finally improved a bit. They had to improve, she couldn't take it anymore.

After the assessment that day, she went from last place to second to last, and even offered to treat everyone to a meal. After the assessment, they would rest because another group of people was about to be sent away.

She didn't feel much separation. Besides playing with Kim Ji-soo and the other four, she hadn't made any other friends. It wasn't arrogance, but simply a complete lack of time.

At first, others were busy and had no time for her; now, she was busy and had no time for others. Could she not be busy when her hands were cramping from writing?

"Are you done sending them off? If so, let's go eat barbecue. We have plenty of time this time!"

"Okay! I'll take you, I know a place that's especially delicious."

The four of them were just going through the motions. Trainees were like university students; those from the same period were just classmates, and only dormitory friendships ran deeper.

However, most were superficial friends. The five of them were a breath of fresh air, preferring to stick together, while the vast majority of people acted alone.

"I don't have money, just so you know."

Kim Jennie was broke, at least for now. She and Kim Ji-soo were both quite miserable; their families weren't very supportive and were waiting for them to give up and go back to school.

Park Chaeyoung and Lisa, on the other hand, were more proud. They could get by on the monthly allowance from the company and didn't want to ask their families for money.

Xu Zhiyou had no such concerns. Why not use money if you have it? Save it to buy ghost money after you die?

Having died once, she only had one obsession with money: to spend it lavishly.

Don't wait until your last moment, leaving a pile of money, then be reluctant to take your last breath. It's only yourself who will suffer.

Unable to live, yet unwilling to die, it was indeed painful.

"I just don't understand. All of your families are quite wealthy. Is it worth putting yourselves through this for such a small amount of pride?"