Chapter 27: An Unwilling Participant and a Determined Pursuit

“You know… what?! Yang-ge, what did you just say? Not participating?!”

“That’s right, not participating. Why such a strong reaction?”

Luo Hao had simply never expected it!

During their first year, Yang-ge had constantly spoken about wanting to join the student council for experience, and how he was genuinely interested in its operational model, always saying he’d seize any opportunity to observe it.

Now that the opportunity had arrived, he was saying he wouldn’t participate?!

Yang-ge! If you don’t join, what will we do about the ever-increasing homework and daily class inspections in our class?

Luo Hao felt he could still put up a fight. “Why, Yang-ge? Ah, I know! Are you worried about not getting selected? It’s fine! Let me tell you, with Yang-ge’s caliber, there’s no chance of not being chosen. If you don’t get in, then I’ll have to conclude this election is rigged!”

“I don’t have any other intentions,” YuYang calmly replied. “I simply don’t wish to participate, and it’s not as if I absolutely must join the student council. It’s perfectly fine for me to continue being a good class monitor.”

“But Yang…”

“Haozi,” YuYang interrupted him. “Do you want to copy the Chinese assignment? Wasn’t it you the Chinese teacher was subtly criticizing this morning?”

“Haha, Yang-ge truly understands me!”

This tactic of changing the subject was one YuYang employed with practiced ease.

He promptly pulled out his Chinese homework and handed it over, which Luo Hao eagerly snatched.

This was like receiving charcoal in winter! Luo Hao had been fretting over this assignment; if he didn’t finish it, the Chinese teacher would call him in for a talk, and he certainly didn’t want to endure the incessant nagging of an entire office full of teachers.

Noticing that class was about to begin, Luo Hao held the assignment and glanced at YuYang, truly caught between a rock and a hard place.

Ultimately, he had no choice but to take the homework and return to his seat.

“Alright, Yang-ge, I won’t try to persuade you any further. Even I know this is a rare opportunity, so please give it some more thought. The student council doesn’t recruit new members often, you know.”

“Alright, alright, Haozi, I know. I’ll give it serious consideration. Now go copy your homework.”

“Understood!”

Only after dispatching Luo Hao could YuYang finally let out a sigh of relief and rest for a moment.

He himself was likely the one feeling the most conflicted. Not participating in this election would undoubtedly mean missing his encounter with Tang Qihuang.

To deliberately avoid a destined meeting with someone so crucial to his life, especially with full awareness, would be difficult for anyone to bear.

Yet, if they were to meet, the choices that followed would be even more agonizing.

Hence, the situation felt utterly exasperating.

In the front row, Mo Sishi had remained bent over her desk, writing, from beginning to end.

However, she had heard the conversation from YuYang’s side with perfect clarity.

When she heard YuYang say he didn’t want to participate in the student council elections, her writing movements suddenly became much smoother, for reasons unknown.

She had several times considered turning around to say something, but each time, she quietly turned back.

***

Also pondering matters of rebirth, much like YuYang, was Bai YuXi, currently seated in Class 3 of the first year.

She absolutely had to confirm one thing: whether Tang Qihuang, that vixen, had truly been reborn.

If not, then there was no issue.

But if she had, then her threat was immense. As the eldest daughter of the Tang family, she possessed the power to achieve many things.

YuXi was not so naive; this matter was urgent.

Therefore, she decided to skip the first self-study period that afternoon. After all, she still remembered the textbook content clearly, rendering the class unnecessary.

YuXi spoke to the new female class monitor, using the excuse of feeling unwell and needing to go to the infirmary.

Though, admittedly, it might not have been the best excuse…

Even though YuXi had only been in the class for half a day, her popularity was undeniable. Several girls immediately came over, asking if she was ill and offering to accompany her to the infirmary.

It took YuXi a significant effort to persuade them all back to their seats, allowing her to finally leave the classroom alone.

Because, in reality, the infirmary was not where YuXi was headed.

She had to go to the student council headquarters immediately and confront that golden-haired vixen with her questions.

Her dazzling silver hair swayed with YuXi’s light steps, the empty corridor echoing only her presence.

Class had already begun.

Yet, YuXi paid no mind to the ringing bell. She exited the first-year teaching building and cast her gaze towards a large clock tower situated in the center of the school grounds.

At the top floor of that clock tower were the student council offices, a place YuXi frequently visited in her previous life.

Indeed, just like YuYang, YuXi had also been a member of the student council headquarters in her previous life.

What was her position again?

‘Who cares,’ YuXi thought. She had never been interested in the student council anyway; if her brother hadn’t been the vice president, she wouldn’t have bothered joining.

YuXi was intimately familiar with the path to the student council. Without taking a single detour, she navigated a secluded small path that led directly to the base of the clock tower.

The clock tower was built with great grandeur, easily considered the iconic landmark of Qifeng No. 1 High School.

It appeared classical on the outside, yet its interior was surprisingly modern.

For instance, the elevator on the ground floor instantly stripped the clock tower of its elegant charm.

Although the top floor of the clock tower was the exclusive activity room for the student council headquarters, taking the elevator there required no card swipe or verification.

There was simply no need.

Anyone who dared to ascend to the top floor without permission would be immediately expelled. This rule was even enshrined in the school regulations.

‘Heh, would YuXi worry about such things?’

With her brother’s situation at stake, she only wanted to quickly clarify the current state of affairs.

‘Golden-haired vixen, oh golden vixen, I wonder what schemes you’re plotting.’

YuXi strode confidently into the elevator and pressed the button for the top floor.

After about ten seconds of operation, the elevator came to a steady halt, emitting a ‘ding’ notification sound, and the automatic doors slid open.

It was still that familiar, somewhat nostalgic, student council office.

Large, gold-bordered characters spelling out “Qifeng No. 1 High School Student Council Headquarters” adorned the wall, looking incredibly prestigious. However, ninety-nine percent of the students in the entire school would likely never have the chance to see this activity room until they graduated from their third year.

Who would dare to come here without reason when it meant expulsion?

This top floor contained only this single activity room, surrounded by glass walls that offered a panoramic view of the entire Qifeng No. 1 High School campus.

YuXi had no desire to look at the campus, a sight she had long grown accustomed to.

She walked directly to the activity room door, extended her hand, and knocked very naturally.

*Knock, knock, knock.*

Almost without a pause, a response came from inside the activity room.

The voice was firm and melodious, and YuXi recognized it instantly as that of the golden-haired vixen, Tang Qihuang.

Without ceremony, YuXi grasped the doorknob and, without hesitation, pushed the door open.

Unlike observing the clock tower from the outside, stepping inside revealed the immense space of the activity room. As the student council headquarters, it certainly exuded an impressive presence and aura.

The activity room was structured in a circular fashion.

Two rows of tables and chairs lined the sides, while a large office desk occupied the very center of the circular layout.

A massive floor-to-ceiling window stretched behind the large office desk.

At that moment, Tang Qihuang stood before the window, holding several documents. Two girls stood respectfully in front of the desk, seemingly listening to Tang Qihuang explain the contents of the documents, nodding occasionally.

In the presence of the student council president, they couldn’t help but appear somewhat apprehensive.

Tang Qihuang had likely assumed it was another student council member who had arrived, which was why she hadn’t looked up, given how natural the knocking sound had been.

“So, do you understand this plan? You absolutely must not overlook it, like this… uh…”

However, when Tang Qihuang inadvertently raised her head and her gaze met YuXi, who was leaning against the doorway, smiling at her, she clearly froze.

But it was only for a fleeting moment, less than a few microseconds, before the surprise on her face completely vanished.