Chapter 598: Ephemeral Beauty

Everyone felt perplexed.

The Di Zhu, who usually appeared arrogant and completely clueless about social interactions, turned out to be a chuunibyou adolescent.

“I originally thought you were the weak link team, but now it seems everyone has their destined fate!” Di Zhu nodded and said. “I have a lot of information you don't know, and you have a detailed plan. If we really team up... if we really do, the consequences will be unimaginable.”

“Is ‘unimaginable’ used like that?” Hei Yang felt it was odd.

“So, what's your plan...?” Di Zhu asked as if he hadn't heard, “This matter is huge. When do we start acting?”

Everyone turned their gazes toward Di Hu, since he was the first to suggest rebelling.

“The plan...?” Di Hu blinked and said reluctantly, “I—I do have a plan... We'll just kick the door open and shout, 'Heaven-level, come out and face your doom!' That should do it.”

His words left all the Di Ji Sheng Xiao in the room silent.

“Your leadership is really bold...” Di Shu said with an awkward smile. “This plan of yours sounds fresh to me. Is it called 'no plan'?”

“I really haven't thought it through,” Di Hu said. “I haven't even figured out how many people we can gather, so how could I make a proper plan?”

At that moment, not only were they silent, but their faces also went blank.

“Can I kill him now?” Hei Yang asked. “Right now—I can't hold back anymore.”

“Hey! Lao Hei, don't be like that!” Di Hu said with a grin. “We have strength in numbers. We should discuss this together. Such a big thing—surely you don't expect me to handle it alone?”

“I'll kill you first,” Hei Yang said speechlessly. “I feel like the plan would be fine without you.”

“How can you be so heartless?” Di Hu turned to the others. “Do you all think that way too?”

“Leader, if you say that, I'm this fence-sitter who's ready to switch sides right now,” Di Shu said with a forced smile. “You all seem decent, so I'll hold off on betraying you for now. Let's just call it quits here.”

“Don't!”

The atmosphere stalled, and Bai Lan Gou put his hands behind his head, saying lazily, “How about we start with self-introductions?”

“Hmm?” Di Hu was taken aback. “Is it that formal?”

“We're all in this together like grasshoppers on a rope, and we don't even know who the others are. Isn't that weird?”

“Alright, alright!” Di Hu nodded quickly. “I'll go first. I'm Di Hu.”

Everyone stared at him blankly.

“What?” Di Hu asked, puzzled.

“Then what?!” they all asked in unison.

“That's it!” Di Hu said, a bit confused. “Do we need anything else? I can't reveal my real name, and I can't show my face—that's all the info.”

He thought for a moment and added, “Oh, right, I could introduce my game. It's specially designed by Yang Ge for me—no brainpower needed, perfect for me. If you have time, I can explain it in detail.”

Hei Yang turned to Di Gou and asked, “Can I kill him now? Just right now.”

“Ah, fine, fine, fine.” Di Gou felt a headache coming on. “I never thought off-duty time would stress me out this much.”

“What's there to stress about?” Di Hu asked. “Self-introductions are great—they build rapport. Who's next?”

No one really wanted to respond to him. As Di Ji, an introduction was basically just “I'm Di Hu”—what was there to say?

“This is boring; I'm heading back.” Di Gou stood up and walked toward the door. “This plan isn't going anywhere. I'd rather go home and sleep.”

“Ah?”

Di Hu watched Di Gou leave, and before he could say anything, Hei Yang stood up too.

“I'm leaving too,” he sighed. “If I stay here longer, I might end up killing you.”

“Hey?!”

The two left without another word, and the onlookers outside had already dispersed.

Di Shu, seeing this, covered his mouth and smiled. “In that case... we'll take off too. Let's end it here.”

“Why is everyone leaving...?” Di Hu looked at the departing trio with a grievance, feeling lost. “I'll get you some drinks later—can't you stay?”

They didn't stop, and only the sound of their shoes echoed down the hallway as they walked away.

In the room, the three remaining people stared at each other awkwardly.

Di Hu glanced at the rabbit in front of him, who was about as sturdy as he was. Neither recognized the other, making the moment tense, but luckily, the Di Tu seemed steady and didn't show any expression.

“Uh... buddy... you...” Di Hu didn't know how to start and scratched his head. “How about we have a drink?”

“Uh...” Di Tu hesitated awkwardly and said, “Maybe I should head back. I'm all beat up—can't stay up drinking.”

“Ah? We don't have to drink...” Di Hu desperately tried to keep him, grabbing a handful of sunflower seeds from the ground. “Let's just chat? Want some seeds?”

“Ah, no, no...” Di Tu politely waved his hand. “That's fine... It's too late today. Maybe another time.”

Watching Di Tu almost flee, Di Hu's face showed disappointment. The only one still standing in the room was the Di Zhu, who had earlier kicked his knee.

“Big Tiger, are you okay?” Di Zhu asked.

“I'm fine, Little Pig,” Di Hu shook his head. “I never thought the rebellion would end up with just us two... But I have faith... As long as someone's with me, I can definitely...”

“I have to go too,” Di Zhu said. “I have a lot of students waiting for me to give them a talking-to.”

“Hey?”

“But today was really fruitful,” Di Zhu said with a smile. “When you get that group together again, I'll come back.”

Di Hu lowered his head silently, wondering what he had to bring these varied Di Ji personalities back together.

Seeing Di Hu's disappointment, Di Zhu held out his fist in front of him.

“What's this?” Di Hu asked.

“It's our agreement,” Di Zhu smiled. “Bump fists, and we're set. We'll carry on with that promise.”

Di Hu looked at him absentmindedly, then extended his large fist and bumped it half-heartedly.

After seeing Di Zhu off, Di Hu sat down on the ground, feeling especially down.

He knew Bai Yang had been working hard all day outside to rally various “Sheng Xiao,” and with seven “Sheng Xiao” gathered, it was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

But he had messed it all up.