Hating Geniuses

“In the moment I wake from my dream, what saves me is the wind, the fire, the lightning, and the dark clouds…”

On stage, the performance of the second heroine, Xiao Yuehua, was underway. According to the judges’ whispers, she was performing a famous foreign play about a paranoid witch. It had to be said that as a protagonist, her fundamentals were incredibly solid. The nervousness she had displayed earlier had completely vanished, replaced by perfectly calibrated body language and facial expressions.

The other judges’ reactions confirmed her skill. But that wasn’t all.

Crackle…

The sound of burning firewood echoed through the hall. Illusions began to manifest: rising flames, a high platform, a crucifix, and a chilling, oppressive atmosphere. As the second freshman today capable of using the Method to conjure illusions, Xiao Yuehua’s strength was undeniable.

And yet, it was fundamentally different from Ning Rou.

“A pity. Her emotional depth is lacking. I’m prepared to give her a nine.” “That’s a minor issue. To have such a strong foundation in Acting Arts at her age is rare. Ten points from me.”

The judges whispered beside him.

Yes—emotion.

Xiao Yuehua’s performance lacked her own soul. Her understanding of the character was flawless, and her research into the Method was at a level her peers could only dream of. That was why she could construct the illusions of the fire and the cross.

However, she lacked the most crucial element: personal emotional investment. Consequently, in the illusion she built, there was no witch—there was only Xiao Yuehua. This was a fatal flaw that Jiang Li could sense without even eavesdropping on the judges. Because her acting was just like… Nangong Li himself.

It seems you, too, are a puppet. But that’s fine. This is the perfect opening.

Jiang Li thought to himself, his eyes shifting slightly.

……

“Wonderful performance! Ten points!” “Ten!” “Nine!” “Ten!”

The feedback was overwhelmingly positive. Xiao Yuehua breathed a sigh of relief. She was painfully aware of her weakness—her inability to pour emotion into her roles. This flaw became even more glaring when compared to her best friend, Ning Rou. She had repeatedly asked Ning Rou for advice, only to receive answers like:

“Yuehua, it’s easy! You just have to imagine yourself becoming the character! Really, just try it!”

In those moments, Xiao Yuehua truly understood the chasm between herself and a “genius.”

[What do you mean ‘it’s easy’?! Why do you always say it like it’s common sense? Everyone knows that to make bread you just put dough in the oven! But what about the specifics?! How exactly do you do it?!]

To be honest, having a genius for a friend was exhausting. And when that genius was a monster like Ning Rou, the pressure was suffocating. As time passed, it became harder to stop dark thoughts from festering in the depths of her heart.

Fortunately, Yuehua possessed great self-control and could suppress these ugly feelings. Growing up together, she knew Ning Rou wasn’t someone who would hide secrets or hold back. By today, she had almost convinced herself to let go.

Admitting I’m ordinary isn’t so bad. The gap in talent is an objective fact, Yuehua thought.

Regardless, today’s performance should have been enough to secure her the second-place spot and the “Special Invitation” status for Tianhua Academy. This was vital for her. Her parents didn’t support her pursuit of acting, despite claiming it was for her own good. She had been holding her breath, determined to get that invitation to prove herself to them and to secure her own financial independence.

Tianhua Special Invitation: zero tuition and fees, an annual scholarship, and exclusive acting resources. It was her entire future.

However, just as Xiao Yuehua was calculating her future with a faint sense of joy…

“Zero points.”

On the stand, the youngest judge pronounced a death sentence for her dreams.

……

“Wait, what…?” “Professor… Professor Nangong… surely you held up the wrong score card?” “Yeah, a performance like that…”

The voices died out instantly. The judges’ protests were scattered by a single cold look from Jiang Li. Nangong Li was backed by the school board, not to mention his “Movie King” father. In this academy, he was practically untouchable.

“Correct. Zero points.”

Jiang Li stood up, his face as cold as frost as he looked toward the stage. There, a dazed and indignant Xiao Yuehua stood pathetically, biting her lower lip as she locked eyes with him.

“Your performance lacked even a shred of emotional expression.” “It is a complete dead-end—a path to nowhere.” “Such a performance has absolutely no value!”

……

Shame, indignation, fury. And the desolate chill of a shattered dream.

A cocktail of emotions left Xiao Yuehua feeling like a hollow shell. She didn’t even know how she managed to return to her seat.

“Yuehua? Yuehua! Are you okay?!”

Beside her, Ning Rou shook her shoulder vigorously, her face full of concern.

“I’m… I’m fine…”

Yuehua feebly pushed Ning Rou’s hand away and shook her head. Ning Rou was always like this—completely oblivious to the atmosphere or social cues. Right now, Yuehua just wanted to be left alone in the silence…

“That judge… that judge is terrible, just lying through his teeth…” “Stop it.” “Clearly, Yuehua, your performance got the biggest applause in the room—” “Stop it, Rou…” “How can he give a zero? Is someone like that even qualified to be a judge?”

[SHUT UP!!!]

Xiao Yuehua screamed internally. Her mind was a chaotic mess. Her rage had no outlet. But luckily, she still had her reason. She knew this had nothing to do with Ning Rou. She couldn’t take her anger out on her.

Taking a deep breath, Xiao Yuehua grasped Ning Rou’s hands and lowered her head, looking as fragile as a flower about to wilt. “Rou, stop… I just want to rest for a while.”

“Okay, Yuehua…” Ning Rou finally quieted down, her eyes full of worry. “But promise me, if you feel unwell, you have to tell me, okay? We’re friends.”

Yeah, friends… Yuehua smiled bitterly. Ning Rou’s comfort had calmed her, and thinking of the malice she had just felt toward her friend filled her with guilt. I’m so ugly inside…

However…

“I hereby announce the recipients of the Special Invitation for this year’s Tianhua Academy Freshman Competition: First place in total points, Ning Rou! And second place, Liu Lin!”

“I… I’m so sorry, Yuehua, I…”

Facing the distressed Ning Rou, Xiao Yuehua simply looked up and forced her usual smile. “It’s fine. Go on. It’s your time to collect the award.”

Ning Rou nodded and walked away, looking back at her friend three times before reaching the stage.

Xiao Yuehua stood there, watching the warmth of her friend’s hand fade from her palm. Looking at the stage, a strange heat rose in her chest, like a bitter fire. Darkness and resentment surged. She knew Ning Rou owed her nothing, yet her heart refused to find peace.

Is this the gap between a genius and an ordinary person? I hate it. I hate it, I hate it, I hate it, I hate it, I hate it, I hate it, I hate it, I hate it, I hate it… I hate geniuses.