Chapter Fifty-Two: The Self-Strengthening Society, Forcing the Unwilling

Regarding the fact that the class monitor knows about his novel writing, Natsuki feels nothing but embarrassment no matter how he thinks about it.

Isn't this essentially letting her guess that he's a "Mrs. Enthusiast"?

But in truth, there is a subtle distinction. He likes mature older women, but his heart only stirs for someone as exceptional as Su Rouxue...

Of course, the reason his sense of shame is so acute is because, in the author's note at the end of the first chapter of his novel "My Wife Isn't Proper," he told readers that the book might, perhaps, be a realistic depiction...

"Damn it!!!"

Staring at the computer screen for ages, Natsuki couldn't get himself to type out even a few words.

It must be a guilty conscience.

He doesn't mind if his roommates know what kind of story he's writing—after all, they're all men. But for the class monitor to know he writes such content, he can't help but care, even if only a little.

"Sigh."

Natsuki let out a soft breath. People inevitably care about what others think.

But from another angle, perhaps Xiao Xiao only appears proper on the surface and is actually just another senior who loves reading online novels?

He tried to stay calm, intending to write something explosive for the latest chapter and perhaps share some extras in the group chat. Yet now, it felt as though he was sneakily committing some crime.

One update!

Usually, he'd finish a chapter in under an hour. But tonight, he dragged on until nearly midnight.

With the stockpile he'd saved up, he managed to post exactly four thousand words at the deadline.

After updating for the day, Natsuki finally breathed easier.

Posting right at the cutoff is practically a rite of passage for countless online writers.

The platform he publishes on requires a minimum of four thousand words daily to qualify for full attendance pay. Since he’d already used up all his leave notes, every remaining day this month would require Natsuki to work overtime, diligently typing away.

After daily military training, he truly was exhausted. But thinking about how, if he relied solely on his parents' allowance, he would barely scrape by, Natsuki pushed himself to keep up with his updates no matter how tired he was.

At least he had to secure full attendance. The monthly fifteen hundred he earned was basically his living expenses. With the occasional tip or subscription, his finances became a bit more comfortable.

Since entering university, Natsuki had grown more aware of money’s significance.

In high school, he’d just eat at the cafeteria and go straight home, forced to wear the uniform—he spent almost nothing. Now, buying clothes and shoes every month, going out with his girlfriend, occasionally buying her gifts—there was no way to get by on the allowance alone without earning extra.

Given his current situation, Natsuki could already imagine how much worse it would be once he entered society.

Su Rouxue’s family was certainly well-off; to marry her, he'd need to have his own car and home in Cloud City, at the very least.

After washing up, Natsuki lay in bed, lost in thought.

Since coming of age, he’d begun to tackle many issues from a practical standpoint.

All the beautiful sights in the world seem to beckon only to the wealthy.

For those without money, even happiness feels like a luxury!

Pursuing material things, people sometimes act impulsively and irrationally to chase profit.

Natsuki could tell right from wrong; no matter how hard life got, he would still write honestly to earn his keep.

To become a legend, to attain godhood, is the dream of countless online writers.

Natsuki smiled faintly, wondering whether his “wife novel” might one day become a bestseller.

If he truly succeeded, he'd gladly be a full-time writer.

Then, every day he could stay by Su Rouxue’s side—writing, cooking for her, taking her shopping...

In these sweet dreams, Natsuki drifted off to sleep.

The next morning, sunlight streamed in.

After finishing the military training tasks, Natsuki hurried to the student affairs office to meet the director about his role as the freshman representative.

He expected the director to be an older teacher.

But to his surprise, when he entered the office, there sat a young woman at the desk, wearing a pink short-sleeved shirt. Her features were elegant and striking, her expression regal.

Natsuki didn’t know her name, but after hearing the other students call her "Ms. Ma," he knew how to address her.

"Natsuki, right? No wonder you’ve put Cloud University on the map. You’re even more handsome in person than in the videos," she said.

"And you’ve got a good build—look energetic. Choosing you as the freshman representative this year was an excellent decision," Ms. Ma’s eyes couldn’t hide her admiration as she looked him over from head to toe. After a brief conversation, she began treating Natsuki as a treasure.

It was enough to make Natsuki, sitting in the office, feel a bit embarrassed.

"Natsuki, I’m also the faculty advisor for the Self-Strength Society. You must join our club as a role model!" Ma Xiaohui said elegantly, looking at Natsuki seated before her.

"Ms. Ma, but I’ve already joined the basketball team, and we have lots of training every week. I don’t have the energy to take on another department!" Natsuki scratched his head and gave a wry smile. Since the semester began, he felt he’d been busy nonstop, with hardly any free time.

"No problem! The Self-Strength Society mainly handles scholarship distribution and student assistance issues. You only need to act as my assistant—there’s not much to do, and you’ll earn plenty of credits each semester. You know how important credits are in college: awards, scholarships, all depend on them," Ma Xiaohui quickly reassured him, her gaze unwavering and her tone decisive.

"Natsuki, don’t worry so much. I think you’re really outstanding, and every year the freshman representative joins our Self-Strength Society. So, by tradition, you can't escape! Just stay with us!" Ma Xiaohui’s lips curled into a beautiful smile, her hands folded elegantly.

"Uh..."

"Alright, then."

He really had no choice!

Natsuki sighed inwardly; her stance was too firm, and using the freshman representative role as leverage made him feel almost kidnapped.

But it made sense—The Self-Strength Society was an important organization, and each year needed a representative student as its face.

With Natsuki’s current popularity, if he joined, the club’s recruitment would go much more smoothly.

In short, by accident, he ended up joining a department he hadn’t wanted to.

He could only hope things would get easier from here. How was it that university had only just begun, and already his campus life felt so far from what he’d imagined?