The Birth of Rumor, the "Busy" Director Yi

The large locust tree halfway up the hillside marked a spacious platform area.

It was also the most popular spot for tourists to take photos and feed the monkeys.

Rumor had it that,

on lucky days, visitors might even catch a glimpse of the mountain’s "internet-famous Monkey King," known as "Thirteen."

Unlike the many irritable and hyperactive young monkeys,

Thirteen was older, with a plump, round figure that even carried a hint of serene, Zen-like composure.

Among the monkey troop, he held a position of "revered authority."

He never had to beg tourists for food, fruit, or drinks himself.

Wherever he appeared, his underlings would automatically offer up their spoils.

Hence, he earned the title of Monkey King.

Monkeys, much like humans,

once they achieve "financial freedom," grow too lazy to clock in for work every day.

How often he showed up each month depended entirely on his mood.

At this moment,

an event monumental enough to be recorded in the annals of monkey history was quietly brewing.

At first,

no monkey paid attention to the whispers.

They dismissed it as a prank, a joke, or the wild fantasy of some young monkey…

Until the prelude to this "Return of the Great Sage" became inextricably linked to every monkey’s fate.

…

"Eek?"

"Chitter-chatter?"

"Ook-ook?"

"……"

Lin Yu: "Go where you’re supposed to go. Do I have to repeat myself?"

While leading the group up the mountain,

monkeys still occasionally scurried over, chattering noisily at him.

Lin Yu could roughly tell they’d come specifically to see him—

no doubt to verify whether the messenger monkey had been lying or not.

A few sharp words and a fierce glare later,

the "scolded monkeys," stunned into silence, became utterly convinced of the "messenger monkey’s" claims…

The terrifying, upright Ape King had truly appeared!!

[Ding!]

[Masterful move! Your intimidating aura, which sent the spiritual monkeys fleeing, has greatly reassured the Elder of the Transmission Hall!]

[Reward: 20 Spirit Stones.]

Tang Yimian walked side by side with Lin Yu.

Watching him casually scold the little monkeys and send them scattering, she felt an overwhelming sense of security.

"Junior Lin Yu, you’re so reliable—it’s like you’re a professional animal trainer."

"Before the hike, I was really worried about what I’d do if the monkeys attacked us."

"But who knew a few words from you would actually make them run away?"

"I’m so glad you’re here with us!"

Tang Yimian’s cheerful praise, however, took on a whole new meaning in the ears of the elementary schoolers.

First row, two little girls whispered:

"Did you hear that? Teacher Tang called Teacher Lin a beast tamer!"

"Yeah! So cool! No wonder the monkeys listen to him!"

Second row, two boys exchanged theories:

"Teacher Lin can command monkeys? What does that mean?"

"I saw it myself—Teacher Lin said one thing, and the monkey bolted! It’s like they understand him!"

Third row, a boy and girl gasped:

"Teacher Lin speaks monkey language? He was totally talking to them just now!"

"No wonder they brought someone from outside our school to lead us. He’s got superpowers!"

"……"

……

At the very back of the group,

Maomao snapped photos of the scenery, then carefully selected a few to post on her QQ feed.

Ever since her first post,

she’d discovered that documenting daily life was actually… kind of fun?

Just as she began editing,

she overheard two boys ahead arguing fiercely:

"I couldn’t have misheard! Everyone up front was saying Teacher Lin knows ‘Jizhou Witchcraft’—he can control monkeys!"

"No way! Monkeys don’t understand human speech. Maybe he used to be a zookeeper?"

"I trust my ears. When we stop for photos, just watch and see."

"Fine, but if you’re wrong, you owe me a forehead flick!"

"Make it ten!"

"Deal! Backing out makes you a coward!"

"……"

Maomao shook her head helplessly.

Kids these days would believe anything.

Witchcraft? Really?

But as she walked, a thought struck her:

"……"

Wait… could ZerO actually do that?

Meanwhile,

at the front of the group, Lin Yu was internally facepalming.

This was textbook rumor escalation.

Finding a single elementary schooler with a non-fantasy-based worldview was like searching for a needle in a haystack.

At this rate, he’d be the Monkey King by lunchtime.

Not that the kids were… entirely wrong.

After leading for a while,

Lin Yu slowed his pace, falling back to the middle of the group.

Tang Yimian had asked him to check on Fang Xinran’s leg injury, in case she needed to rest.

Noticing Lin Yu approaching,

Fang Xinran suddenly launched into a joke the moment he drew even with her:

"So, the Jade Emperor and Buddha were arguing over who ruled the heavens."

"The Jade Emperor said: ‘I am the supreme ruler of the cosmos!’"

"Buddha said: ‘You got beaten up by a monkey.’"

"Jade Emperor: ‘I command more disciples than you!’"

"Buddha: ‘You got beaten up by a monkey.’"

"……"

Lin Yu listened awkwardly: "……"

Even if you’re going for a joke, at least build up to it.

This was just… dry.

He waited patiently for the punchline,

even preparing to laugh politely to save face.

But then—

Fang Xinran abruptly concluded:

"So… Junior Lin, did you really beat up the Jade Emperor?"

Lin Yu: "???"

If awkwardness were a superpower, Fang Xinran would be its undisputed champion.

"N-not funny?" she asked, wilting under his silence.

Lin Yu: "Don’t listen to the kids. How could I possibly be a beast tamer?"

Fang Xinran: "But I heard students saying you can train monkeys. Are you sure you’re not a zookeeper?"

Lin Yu: "Of course not. I’m actually the Great Sage Equal of Heaven."

Fang Xinran blinked. They locked eyes.

Both: "Pfft—HAHAHA…"

……

"Hello, Director Yi!"

"Good afternoon, Director Yi!"

"……"

The lighthearted moment didn’t last.

Someone even more laughable arrived—

Director Yi!

While the student group explored the park,

Director Yi had already taken his family on a full tour of the safari zone’s sightseeing tram.

As the school’s academic director and the sole administrator on this trip—

plus his precious son had never visited Monkey Mountain—

the fashionably late Director Yi had informed Tang Yimian he’d meet them halfway for a "brief" group photo session.

Talk about an easy workday.

Snap a picture, clock out, and call it a business trip.

Back when Lin Yu was a corporate drone, he’d never dared to slack off this brazenly.

Trailing behind Director Yi,

a similarly stout, stylishly dressed woman struggled to keep up, sweating profusely.

Between them waddled a boy who—judging by height—had to be at least sixth grade,

towering even over Maomao.

"Fang Xinran, you two are something else," Director Yi huffed.

"Either you drag your feet or you speed ahead like you’re catching a train.

Pick a pace!"