"In my opinion, the Planet Governor is quite perfect," Jiang Ye said, inspired. "Why not have her appear in a more perfect image."
"Does the Planet Governor have a high level of education?" Tang Hanliu asked.
"Only a master's degree," Cen Yemeng replied. "A Master's in Library Science from Jiedianxing Wenqu University. To be honest, it was a rather superficial degree. I only studied for a year and a half and didn't really learn much."
"That's enough!" Tang Hanliu exclaimed. "Education, for the most part, is just a label, like honorary titles. Having one is sufficient. Besides, no one knows the specifics of universities on alien planets. And you were a bookstore manager; you can leverage that experience, claiming you've read all the books under the sun, are learned and talented, and have incisive insights into many matters."
"Let's add an associate professor title as well," Jiang Ye suddenly interjected.
Cen Yemeng froze.
Tang Hanliu was initially surprised but quickly recovered. "Certainly! Ms. Cen, I now appoint you as an associate professor at Jiang Ye Star Media University. I happen to have some new invention patents, very minor ones, which I can list you as the second and third author for."
Cen Yemeng's jaw nearly hit the floor. "Is… is that appropriate? What qualifications do I have?"
"That's enough for the intellectual persona," Jiang Ye nodded. "She's very intelligent and has indeed read extensively; this persona won't collapse."
"The main persona has been designed; now let's finalize the details," Tang Hanliu said, then walked around Cen Yemeng twice. "Your posture needs to change."
"My posture? Is there a problem?" Cen Yemeng blinked, her entire demeanor stiffening as she tried to adjust.
"When you sit next to your husband, your body language and muscle tension indicate that you are very dependent on him and tend to let him make decisions. However, as Planet Governor, you must be more independent and appear to have your own ideas, standing on equal footing with your husband," Tang Hanliu explained. "Be more commanding, not demure like a little bird. Be noble, confident, and composed. Create the impression that you are a power couple."
"Indeed," Jiang Ye agreed. "The Planet Governor should have her own authority and ideas, not merely be an appendage to the General."
Cen Yemeng attempted to adjust her posture, but the more she tried, the more unnatural she felt, her face flushing with embarrassment.
She was accustomed to being demure beside Jiang Ye, and changing that suddenly was not something she could do instantly.
"You don't need to rush this now; I'm just pointing out the feeling. Someone will train you specifically in the coming days," Tang Hanliu said. "When you go home tonight, you can start by trying to relax your entire body. This is a method used by film and stage actors to improve body control."
"How do I relax? By lying in bed and sleeping?" Cen Yemeng asked, confused.
"When babies and kittens sleep on a bed, they leave complete body imprints when they leave. But when adults wake up, they often only leave imprints of their buttocks and shoulder blades. This is because babies and kittens are completely relaxed, while adults' muscles are always tense," Tang Hanliu explained. "Lie on the bed and feel all your muscles. Relax wherever you feel tension. However, often when you relax one set of muscles, another set becomes tense. So, relax that other set, and continue this until the area of relaxation grows, and you feel so light, as if you're about to turn into clouds and float away."
"I've heard of this method; Shao Wan told me about it," Jiang Ye said with a smile. "When traveling long distances in the desert with limited sleep, digging a sand pit and using this method allows for rapid deep sleep, making one hour of sleep equivalent to three. This technique dates back to ancient camel caravans on Earth."
"Many things are actually interconnected," Tang Hanliu nodded with a smile. "Your posture needs adjustment, as do your tone of voice, speaking speed, and demeanor. I have another practice method for you tonight."
"Please tell me," Cen Yemeng said with a smile.
"Find ten objects the size of your little finger, such as small pebbles, candies, or peanuts, and put them in your mouth. Practice reciting aloud in front of a mirror," Tang Hanliu instructed. "I will send you videos of reciters and orators. Imitate them; imitating them seven or eight parts like them is sufficient."
"That sounds simple enough," Cen Yemeng nodded.
"This depends on individual talent," Tang Hanliu smiled. "When I was in university, the teacher taught us this method. I achieved results within half an hour, while my two roommates read in front of the mirror for an entire night. The next morning, their jaws were swollen, and their gums ached when they ate. Although the process was painful, the results were truly transformative."
"I understand; I will practice diligently," Cen Yemeng replied.
"We also need to establish your personal preferences, daily routines, and values," Tang Hanliu continued. "This part might be a bit sensitive. You can choose to set it or not. If you choose to set it, please fill out this questionnaire. Mr. Jiang, you too."
Tang Hanliu took out two questionnaires from a drawer and handed them to the two leaders.
Jiang Ye frowned as he looked at a few questions, then shook his head and put it back on the table. "I'm sorry, let's skip this step."
Cen Yemeng also put her questionnaire back on the table.
Tang Hanliu smiled apologetically and said nothing more.
…
One o'clock in the morning.
Cen Yemeng spat out the peanuts from her mouth, feeling dizzy and lightheaded.
She had been practicing public speaking in front of the mirror for over three hours, leaving her brain oxygen-deprived. However, her mouth was not dry because the peanuts in her mouth had excellent water-retaining properties.
After brushing her teeth, she returned to the bedroom.
The bedroom light was still on. Jiang Ye was reading by the small desk lamp, "Memoirs of the General of Qiuze Star." His brow was furrowed as if he were in deep thought, and it was unclear what the book contained.
Jiang Senlin was sleeping soundly in the small bed beside the large bed.
"Finished practicing your speech?" Jiang Ye closed the book and turned off the light. "Lie down and try relaxing your muscles."
Cen Yemeng climbed onto the bed and lay down beside Jiang Ye.
Jiang Ye yawned, closed his eyes, and went to sleep.
Cen Yemeng kept her eyes open, feeling her muscles.
Her back seemed tense… relax… her waist felt tense… relax… her legs felt tense… her back was tense again… her whole body was tense!
After lying there for five minutes, she couldn't relax at all; instead, she felt uncomfortable all over.
She thought for a moment; she had always slept hugging her husband, and now lying flat on her own felt truly unnatural.
She turned over and reached out her hand to Jiang Ye.
"No, practice properly," Jiang Ye said, pushing her hand away.
"It's uncomfortable not hugging you… I'm used to it," Cen Yemeng said plaintively, then reached her hand out again.
"That's why you need to change the habit," Jiang Ye said. "Practice properly, lie flat, and relax."
Cen Yemeng lay there for a few minutes, feeling increasingly agitated.
She couldn't stand it anymore!
Lying flat like this, she couldn't relax at all!
She suddenly flipped over, hugged Jiang Ye tightly, and even possessively pressed her leg against him.
"How can you relax your muscles like this?" Jiang Ye frowned, reaching out to pry her off. "You need to lie flat."
"Don't move!" Cen Yemeng said loudly. "I just want to hug my husband! I can't sleep without hugging you!"
"Be good," Jiang Ye said, continuing to try and pry her off.
Cen Yemeng suddenly punched him twice in the chest. "Move again and I'll hit you! Just stay still and let me hug you!"
Jiang Ye was utterly bewildered.
Why had her temper suddenly grown so much?