Closer to Revealing My True Self
Chapter 273 - 203 Starting Out_1

Chapter 273: Chapter 203 Starting Out_1

Feng Yi scrolled through the photos on his phone for quite a while before he settled on one. It was taken during an event at the museum on the fifteenth day of the first lunar month, in the section for snake exhibits. However, instead of land snakes, this area featured sea snakes.

In the entire photo, at first glance, most people would notice Feng Yi instead of the sea snake specimens behind him.

Even if someone did notice the sea snake specimens in the background, those who were afraid of snakes wouldn’t feel too much fear because the specimens weren’t very large and didn’t have much presence in the photo.

Actually, the first photo Feng Yi had chosen wasn’t this one. However, the few he initially liked before this one were not recommended by Wei Hongxun, who said that the snakes looked too fierce in those photos and could scare away fans. For the first photo post after verification, it was better to be conservative. There would be plenty of opportunities for high-definition snake photos later on.

Feng Yi muttered to himself,

"As a snake catcher, can’t I prioritize posting high-definition snake pictures first!"

But he also understood Wei Hongxun’s point.

The Conservation Bureau wasn’t short of people doing science communication, right?

No!

There were plenty of people who could do science communication better than Feng Yi, more professionally and rigorously, and not lacking in entertainment value!

The reason the publicity department of the Conservation Bureau was focused on Feng Yi was his popularity. They hoped he could interact more with the public online and, when necessary, convey the higher-ups’ messages, as the public would be more receptive this way.

Especially for those young people who usually don’t follow science videos or articles, have no interest in science, and might even be afraid of snakes.

Compared to the whole group, those who liked snakes were still a minority.

Feng Yi chose the photo, with a caption indicating he had taken on a task from the Conservation Bureau and was about to travel.

Before posting, Feng Yi showed it to Wei Hongxun, "Is this okay? I think I get what they’re asking for over there."

Wei Hongxun: "It’s not that you can’t post snake pictures, just try to reduce the close-ups. Also, it’s better to be in the pictures yourself."

"Understood. I’ll post more once I’m on the task," Feng Yi said.

"When you’re on the task, take more pictures, and remember to show your face. You can wear sunglasses or a mask for the photos, but try to appear in front of the camera as much as possible." After some thought, Wei Hongxun added, "It doesn’t necessarily have to be during the task. Post whenever you have free time, and including some elements of your personal life is better. Many people online are curious about your daily life."

Worried that Feng Yi might not understand, Wei Hongxun flipped through the social media account of a net celebrity who loves posting about their daily life, "You can take inspiration from them, like cooking at home, collecting models, tidying up your room, planting, and so on..."

Feng Yi thought to himself: There’s no way I’ll post pictures from home!

At home, I’m in my true form!!

If I get into the habit and accidentally reveal something, like a glass object or other reflective surfaces capturing an odd image, that would be me digging my own grave!

Seeing Feng Yi’s silence, Wei Hongxun sensed his reluctance and thought that not many scions of wealthy families frequently posted photos of their homes either.

So Wei Hongxun said: "It’s okay if you don’t want to. Photos from trips are good too. And don’t worry about people saying you’re showing off your wealth, many people know about your background already, and there’s no need to deliberately avoid that topic. In short, there aren’t too many restrictions on you, you have a lot of freedom – make the most of it. I have faith in you! And be sure to post more photos where your face is visible, it’s related to your salary and bonus."

Feng Yi’s spirits lifted.

Mention salary and bonus, and I’ll get excited!

Just showing my face?

Easy!

Wei Hongxun completed his task and left quickly, as he had other matters to attend to. The publicity department would continue to liaise with Feng Yi for more details.

Feng Yi then browsed the comments under the post he had just made.

Even though Feng Yi had been inactive on social media platforms for a long period, the number of followers had more than tripled since a year before.

[Took on a task from the Conservation Bureau? Completely leaving the entertainment industry? Not acting anymore? It would be okay even if it’s just a variety show! What a waste of that face!]

[Fan of your looks checking in! I don’t care if you act or not, just post more pictures! (Preferably without snakes)]

[Those scared of snakes can go somewhere else! How can Brother Se not post snakes! How about some high-definition pictures or videos, Brother Se? Like those popular snake-catching videos from Florida, venomous snakes, pythons, the more, the better]

[I’m not interested in snakes. I just want to know, is it true that the Feng Family’s patriarch didn’t leave you a penny in his will?]

[He probably didn’t get anything. The tasks for experts from the Conservation Bureau are never easy; if he had inherited wealth, an ordinary person wouldn’t be able to spend it all in a lifetime, so why risk it?]

[That way, Feng Yi will lose the halo of the wealthy family.]

[Even if he didn’t get anything from the will, it doesn’t mean he has nothing. Maybe some assets weren’t included in the will, like the lakeside villa or perhaps shares in some company.]

[Does anyone know what car Brother Se drives?]

[His clothes from last time looked great, couldn’t find them online, request the same model!]

...

Feng Yi browsed through the comments, watching as the focus of the discussion drifted off topic, feeling helpless inside.

I damn well want to talk seriously about snake-catching work, but you’re all concerned about whether I inherited any wealth, what car I drive, and what clothes I wear!

He closed the app and continued focusing on his work.

After his online task application was approved, he was added to a task group. The group leader said that there were anomalies in the ocean current monitoring data and that the scheduled time for the mission might change, so everyone should look out for the latest notices in the group.

Just as he was looking at the analyses from the various experts in the group, a request for a voice call popped up.

It was Feng Chi.

He answered the call.

Feng Chi, "Bro! I saw the new update on your social media. Are you leaving Yang City soon?"

Feng Yi, "Yeah. I told you about it before."

"I didn’t expect you to leave so soon! When are you leaving?"

"In the next couple of days. Is there something you want?"

"Uh... about my brilliant idea, I wanted you to be the first to see it."

"Have you finished it?" Feng Yi asked.

"Not yet, but if the weather is good in the following days, the rest of the work can be done quickly. I can definitely finish it within two weeks."

"Then I probably can’t wait for it."

"If you’re not busy at that time, you have to come see it! Not seeing it will be your loss! Hearing about it from someone else or seeing it online won’t do, you have to see it with your own eyes, up close! Otherwise, it would be a waste of my effort and the brilliant idea. Are you really out of time?" Feng Chi pressed.

"Hard to say. The task isn’t in one fixed location; I have to travel to several places." Feng Yi glanced at the discussions in the workgroup chat. Even if his task wasn’t delayed, two weeks would be tight.

"Tsk," Feng Chi clicked his tongue regretfully, "then you’ll just have to see it online."

Upon hearing this, Feng Yi laughed, "Are you so sure it will cause a big stir?"

"Whether it’ll be a huge stir is uncertain, but it will definitely be shocking! With a bit more effort, I guess I could make it into the top ten trending topics, certainly better than that recent scandal."

One of Feng Yi’s cousins had been involved in a scandal with a young celebrity, which had caused a bit of a stir online. However, Feng Yi had become aware of this issue because netizens had brought up the topic of the Feng Family’s wealth distribution, dragging him into the discussions again.

After the scandal had died down, Feng Yi did not pay it any special attention.

Feng Chi said, "Those guys, once the will was settled, they just let loose. Look, they get involved in scandals with celebrities, and they’re trending for two or three days. The old man doesn’t even bat an eye, as if it’s nothing! So, you don’t need to worry about the old man reacting if I make a big splash, it’s not possible! Sigh, if it weren’t for my brilliant idea that I need to accomplish, I’d be out and about every day too."

"Can I know what your brilliant idea is about?" Feng Yi was still worried, sensing that Feng Chi might do something excessively extravagant.

"Top secret! Just wait and see. The next time I trend, it will definitely be classier than them! They can only trend by having scandals with celebrities, but I have my own strength!" Feng Chi was quite proud of himself.

"... As long as you know what you’re doing. Just don’t go overboard and waste the fortune you’ve just acquired," Feng Yi said.

After finishing the call with Feng Chi, Feng Yi continued to browse through the workgroup chat.

New notification!

The workgroup had changed their schedule. After monitoring the ocean currents, they sent a notification, pushing the task back by a week. Two experts in the field of marine ecological environment from the group were temporarily dispatched to another location.

Group Leader: [No rush for those who haven’t checked in yet, and those who have can move around freely. If the new schedule conflicts with your plans, you may submit a request to leave the group.]

Feng Yi had no other plans, and it was only a delay of one week. He decided to go to the city where he was supposed to report first.

This assignment would focus on inspecting several coastal cities known for their tourism industries. The city where he was supposed to report was also famous for tourism, so Feng Yi planned to explore there first.

After scrolling through the group chat, Feng Yi replied to a message in the group, then decided to see what was recommended on the travel app; he was up for a one-week tour.

Just as he opened it, he saw a private message from the group leader—

Group Leader: [Feng Yi, you haven’t left yet, right?]

Feng Yi: [I was planning to leave in the next couple of days, but I changed my plan after seeing the notice in the group.]

Facing the group leader, Feng Yi certainly wouldn’t say that he had decided to go on a trip for a week first.

Group Leader: [If you don’t have other plans, you could head north to Mo City. Professor Ding and Professor Li were also dispatched there; there are some abnormalities there. They will return after a week, and you can join them then. It’s good for young people to follow their seniors and learn knowledge beyond their specialty.]

Feng Yi knew the group leader meant well and took good care of newcomers like him in the circle. As a way of networking, these suggestions were meant to introduce Feng Yi to the more experienced professionals in the field.

Compared to these talents, Feng Yi had an unconventional background and couldn’t boast of many high-impact factor papers. In this circle, he had his disadvantages.

Feng Yi: [Are Professor Ding and Professor Li dealing with the "Seafloor Locust" issue?]

Group Leader: [Yes, we discussed it in the group a few days ago.]

Feng Yi: [Okay, thank you, group leader. I’ll set off tomorrow!]

Group Leader: [I’ve already spoken with Professors Ding and Li, and they are looking forward to your arrival. I’ve heard you have excellent diving skills, which could be a great help.]

Feng Yi: [I will definitely be a great help!]

The "Seafloor Locusts" referred to the sea star outbreak in Mo City, which had caused significant trouble for the aquaculture farmers there.

Feng Yi wasn’t just bragging when he said he would be a great help.

I can not only help with the removal, but I can also help eat!

What’s there to see in the scenery? Obviously, eating is more important!

I heard there’s even a big eater competition there!

I’ll just go for a meal and come back to work when I’m full.