Beads of tears raced down Xu Jiji's cheeks. Still, he continued to chow down on his food, not even minding how disgusting it looked.
"Ajiji... Why are you crying?" Xi Huan couldn't help but ask.
Xu Jiji only continued eating.
"Don't cry, Ajiji..." Xi Huan consoled him. She pulled out a handkerchief from her sleeve and wiped Xu Jiji's tears.
'Is that the same handkerchief she used earlier?'
Finally, Xu Jiji reacted. He grabbed the handkerchief from Xi Huan's hands and wiped his own tears away before proceeding to blowing on it.
"I'm sorry..." Xu Jiji said then returned the handkerchief to Xi Huan.
Xi Huan didn't mind it one bit and tucked the handkerchief back into her sleeves.
"What's wrong?" Xi Huan once again asked.
Mr. Big News asked, his voice shaky with panic. "Are you crying because you didn't want to go to school?"
"Did someone bully you?" Yeo Haru also asked, his face darkening.
The others turned to Xu Jiji in alarm.
"No, it's not that..."
"Then why?"
Xu Jiji raised his eyes, his face gradually turning red. "It's actually quite embarrassing..."
"It's fine."
He opened his mouth to start explaining, "Well... I... I... Can I just get homeschooled too? They said we have to go to a normal school to let us socialise, but I can just have Yeo Haru as my classmate. Isn't that also called socialising?"
The others were speechless — except for Yeo Haru, of course.
This time, it was Adrian who spoke, "Why do you want to be homeschooled now?"
Once again, Xu Jiji's face turned red. "I... Promise me you won't laugh."
"I won't laugh at you," Xi Huan said.
Meanwhile, on the side, Rayen watched.
'Usually, the person who said that line would be the first to laugh.'
However, Xu Jiji didn't doubt Xi Huan's words. He started narrating his experience in school.
"When I went to school, some of my classmates were thrilled when they saw me... They were so kind and even asked me so many questions."
"Then why do you want to be homeschooled if they were good to you?" Iris asked.
Xu Jiji's face turned even redder. "Because..."
The others waited patiently. Feeling the pressure of eight people staring at him, Xu Jiji was almost at the point of breaking. His tears were threatening to fall again.
"Because they're all so tall..."
Once more, Rayen and the others were rendered speechless.
"I mean, we're all at the same age, but why are they all so tall? Even my brother grew up tall, but why am I so small?"
Rayen and his teammates glanced at each other. Just then, Xi Huan laughed.
As expected, the one who said they wouldn't laugh would be the first one to do so.
Xu Jiji glared at her. "You told me you won't laugh!"
Xi Huan hugged her belly in laughter. "I'm sorry, Ajiji, but you're just too funny."
Then, Yeo Haru also followed in her example, tears forming on the corner of his eyes from the intense laughter. "Just because of that, you cried and wouldn't go to school?"
Ren reprimanded him. "You're the last person who should be saying that."
This time, Rayen agreed inwardly.
"Is your reason even better than this?" Ren said.
Yeo Haru gritted his teeth. "My reason is better!"
"Then why don't you want to go to school?" Adrian also asked, leaning on his seat in comfort.
However, Yeo Haru's face only darkened and he didn't answer.
After Yeo Haru was berated by them, Xu Jiji's grievances eased up a bit. Then, with eyes full of hope, he turned to Mr. Big News.
"Brother, what's your secret to grow up so big?"
Beads of sweat formed on Mr. Big News's forehead. "S-Sleep?"
Xu Jiji pursed his lips. "Have I not slept enough?"
No, he had enough sleep every day. His mother also said before that he would grow up tall if he slept enough, so he never slacked off on sleeping, but he never grew tall.
Even when he was a girl, his height was considerably shorter than average. More so now that he'd become a male.
Having not received any good suggestions, Xu Jiji looked down. "I'm no longer hungry."
With that, he stood up from his seat.
But before he could walk out of the dining room, Mr. Big News suddenly thought of an idea.
"Jiji, wait."
Xu Jiji stopped in his tracks and glanced back at Mr. Big News, his eyes turning hopeful once again.
"I think our manager has a solution to your problem."
"Vance?" Xu Jiji's frowned.
"No. Our group manager."
Mr. Big News remembered the way fans mentioned that their manager was tall, so he mentioned this as it might help Xu Jiji in his awkward situation.
"That's right. Isn't that person also the one who helped you change your gender?" Iris also said.
Xu Jiji's eyes widened. That's right! Why didn't he think of Plotter?
Well, how could Plotter even cross Xu Jiji's mind? Isn't he also a midget himself? But well, it might just be his personal aesthetics that's why he's short.
However, how should Xu Jiji break this matter to Plotter? It was too uncomfortable to talk to him.
Suddenly, he was stuck again.
Just then, Adrian came to the rescue. "Why don't you ask our Mr. Vocalist there? He seems close to our manager."
Dragged into the matter, Rayen stiffened.
'Why are you targeting me again?'
Rayen glared at Adrian. He was sure this guy just didn't mention him out of goodwill since he also knew about Mini Plotter's existence on his system.
'Damn you.'
But getting stared at by the hopeful Xu Jiji, Rayen couldn't help but sigh.
"Okay, I'll contact him."
And so, Rayen pulled out his phone.
To infuriate and get back at Adrian, he did this in front of him with his plate of food still unfinished. And as expected, the lazy writer's face was dark.
Rayen immediately headed to the support chat.
[Rayen: Hey, help us out.]
Immediately, a reply came.
[Propagator: Yes?~]
[Rayen: Do you know any solution to Xu Jiji's height?]
A few while had passed before a reply came.
[Propagator: Do you want my suggestion for choosing a perfect Life Book page for him? (Mini Plotter eyes twinkling.gif)]
[Rayen: Yes…]
[Propagator: Generating suggestions, please wait~]
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