Chapter 28: The Unflappable Newcomer

Tang Qihuang, still clutching her documents, gracefully settled into the swivel chair behind her work desk. With a subtle gesture, she indicated for the two girls standing before her to step to either side.

Only then did she lift her gaze slightly, her eyes briefly sweeping over Bai YuXi at the doorway.

Her voice, calm and steady, carried an undeniable weight of authority.

“Student, may I ask why you’ve come to the Student Council office? I don’t recall seeing you before; you aren’t a member, are you?”

“That’s right.”

Despite the intense pressure emanating from Tang Qihuang, YuXi remained utterly unfazed. She leaned casually against the doorway, a smile playing on her lips as she spoke.

“President Tang Qihuang, I’ve come to discuss something with you. Would it be possible for the other Student Council members to excuse us?”

The ‘other Student Council members’ naturally referred to the two girls currently in the room. Clutching their documents, they exchanged bewildered glances between their president and the silver-haired girl at the door.

A moment of silence hung in the air.

Tang Qihuang responded immediately.

“Excuse us? That’s utterly preposterous. Student, by whose permission and appointment did you enter the Student Council headquarters? To demand that my Student Council members leave the moment you open your mouth is simply unheard of.”

The two other girls secretly felt a sense of foreboding. The President’s tone suggested she was genuinely upset.

Due to the Student Council’s recent inefficiency, some crucial tasks related to the start of the semester had been neglected, and the President was already in a foul mood.

Now, this incredibly beautiful silver-haired girl had suddenly appeared, not stating her purpose, and spoken so impolitely. Was she not simply fanning the flames?

Yet, YuXi remained unhurried. “President Tang, I believe you should hear me out before assigning blame. I haven’t even said what this is about, and you’re already interrogating me?”

“These are school regulations,” Tang Qihuang retorted, her tone now tinged with impatience.

“I recall the very first page of the student handbook outlining the rule that non-Student Council members are not permitted near here. I don’t think I need to read it aloud to you, do I?”

Seemingly disinclined to elaborate further, Tang Qihuang directly inquired, “Which grade and class are you in, and what is your name?”

“First-year, Class Three, Bai YuXi. All right, President, are you finished with your questions? Can I speak now?”

Hiss…

The two observing girls were utterly dumbfounded by this exchange.

This student was a first-year? Were all first-year newcomers this audacious?

However, Tang Qihuang made no further move. She simply picked up her pen and continued marking her documents.

“A first-year student, correct? I can overlook this incident as you being unaware of the school regulations and inadvertently stumbling in here. There won’t be a next time, but if I encounter you again, I will deal with you according to school rules.”

She then lifted her head, her gaze sharp and piercing.

“Furthermore, if my memory serves me correctly, you were one of the three who were late for the opening ceremony this morning.

While you used the Student Council members’ dereliction of duty as a shield, and the situation was indeed true, that doesn’t mean you weren’t late. I can turn a blind eye to that matter. Now, return to your classroom for lessons.”

This was Tang Qihuang: in her seriousness lay an impeccable perceptiveness. No matter the issue, she always pinpointed the crucial details, and a single word from her would leave her opponent speechless.

However, YuXi simply had no intention of playing by her rules.

“Mm-hmm, I can go back to class, but from the moment I entered until now, I’ve had only one question that you, President, haven’t answered. I hope you can ask these two senior students to step out for a moment; I have something to say. Is that possible?”

This was YuXi’s second time asking the question.

Initially, YuXi’s tone had been light and natural.

But now, after Tang Qihuang’s pronouncements regarding school regulations, YuXi’s voice had taken on a distinct accusatory edge.

At this, Tang Qihuang froze. She set down her fountain pen and, with a displeased expression, raised her head to look directly at Bai YuXi.

“I can only say that I’ve given you a chance, Bai YuXi from First-year, Class Three. If you insist, then I will have no choice but to proceed according to school regulations.”

The two girls cast sympathetic glances at YuXi.

How tragic… If dealt with according to school regulations, even for a first-year, the punishment could be expulsion.

There was no reasoning with the President in this state; otherwise, they too would be implicated.

But to their surprise, the silver-haired girl standing at the doorway not only showed no fear but calmly walked forward. As Tang Qihuang’s brows furrowed, YuXi positioned herself directly in front of the work desk, opposite Tang Qihuang.

Tang Qihuang was slightly taller than Bai YuXi.

Yet, at this moment, the smiling YuXi seemed to possess an aura that subtly overpowered Tang Qihuang.

She maintained her smile. “That’s truly a pity. I had originally intended to save President Tang some face, but since you don’t want them to leave, I’ll speak plainly. President, your family’s manga collection—”

“Stop!”

She couldn’t hold back!

Upon hearing the word ‘manga,’ Tang Qihuang immediately shot to her feet!

She simultaneously interrupted YuXi’s words.

She glared at YuXi with an intensely furious gaze, then turned to the two girls.

“You two have nothing else to do, do you? If not, then follow my instructions and execute the tasks based on the documents. This time, there must be no more mistakes! Now! Be quick!”

“Ah? Ah! Yes, President! We’ll go right away!”

As astute Student Council members, how could they fail to read the room?

The President was clearly trying to dismiss them.

Although they were curious about how this silver-haired girl possessed such leverage, they were more concerned about themselves. If they didn’t leave now, the President would surely scold them!

Look, the President was already raging!

The two girls quickly clutched their documents and scurried out of the Student Council headquarters, making sure to close the door behind them.

Now, only YuXi and Tang Qihuang remained in the room.

Tang Qihuang let out a long sigh and settled back into her swivel chair.

“Bai YuXi, as you wished, everyone has left. Can you speak plainly now?”

YuXi smiled; this cunning fox still didn’t want to show her hand.

Having known her for so many years in her previous life, YuXi was, of course, privy to some of Tang Qihuang’s undisclosed secrets. For instance, while outwardly she was an impeccable, perfect young lady, she was, in reality, a recluse at home, indulging in manga, anime, and games without exception.

Well, being a recluse was nothing to be ashamed of, but Tang Qihuang couldn’t let anyone at school know about it; otherwise, where would her authority be?

YuXi had merely tested the waters earlier. The moment she uttered the word “manga,” Tang Qihuang had reacted so strongly.

This indicated that Tang Qihuang had already suspected this situation. If she had suspected it, then it could only mean she had also been reborn.

If not for rebirth, how could she have predicted what YuXi was about to say?

Heh, the fox’s tail had finally shown itself.

This time, YuXi had no intention of letting her off so easily. Hadn’t she been so imposing just now?

“Oh my, President, why are you suddenly allowing me to speak? Weren’t we just discussing school rules and regulations? And you were going to expel me? Mm-hmm, I think you should handle things impartially, President. It’s not good to suddenly change your mind like this.”

“……”

Tang Qihuang looked up, casting an utterly exasperated gaze at YuXi.

Suddenly, a bitter smile bloomed on the face of the proud young lady who had maintained such a tense expression. She even shook her head helplessly.

“YuXi, that’s enough, isn’t it?”