Chapter 42: Echoes of the Past: Elections and Expectations

Under the scorching sun, cicadas in the trees began their incessant, irritable chirping. However, most of their cacophony was muffled by the sealed glass windows of the teaching building.

Inside, a classroom hummed with air conditioning, where a slightly overweight middle-aged man was tallying votes. He announced, “It seems everyone has filled out their lists for the new class committee. First, we’ll reveal the results for class president. Wen Jiagan, one vote.”

As the homeroom teacher spoke, a male student drew a horizontal line beneath Wen Jiagan’s name on the blackboard.

“Wen Jiagan, one vote…”

Another vertical stroke joined the line.

The vote-counting was dull and drawn-out, prompting Lin Duo to gaze blankly out the window. Her eyes settled on a small bird perched on a branch, then followed its flight, tracing the path of photons back to a day two years prior…

****

It was the day for electing new class committee members for Class 2, Grade 8, at Linhuang City’s Fourth Middle School. The homeroom teacher stood at the podium, clearing their throat to signal for silence.

“This time, we’ll start with the class president election,” they announced. “First, students will nominate candidates. If you think a classmate is particularly outstanding, feel free to call out their name.”

Soon, a male student spoke up. “I think the previous class president did a great job.”

The homeroom teacher nodded, writing a name on the blackboard.

Then, a female student chimed in. “Teacher, I believe Jiang Chengying is excellent; she even ranked first in the class on the last exam.”

Another name was added to the blackboard.

Before long, the teacher had listed five names, then surveyed the classroom. “Any more nominations? If not, we’ll begin—”

At that moment, Gao Tianshu suddenly stood up. “Teacher, I’d like to nominate Lin Duo.”

Immediately, the classroom erupted in an uproar.

“Hahaha, Old Gao, are you serious? Let *that* transvestite be class president?”

“If she really becomes class president, we’ll never be able to face the other classes!”

“Exactly! Anyone but her for class president!…”

This sudden turn of events left Lin Duo bewildered, and she turned to Gao Tianshu with a puzzled expression, unable to fathom his reasoning. However, Gao Tianshu avoided her gaze, ignoring her completely.

The homeroom teacher, well aware of the class dynamics, frowned slightly. “Gao Tianshu, are you serious?”

“Of course! Any student in our class can be nominated, right?”

The teacher said no more, adding Lin Duo’s name to the blackboard. “If there are no new proposals, we’ll begin voting now. Please write your choice on a small slip of paper and pass it forward to me.”

Soon, the vote-counting commenced. As expected, the space beneath Lin Duo’s name on the blackboard remained utterly blank.

Lin Duo was not surprised by this outcome, merely lowering her head to fiddle with her slender fingers. However, when the teacher picked up the very last slip of paper, an unexpected name was called out: “…Lin Duo, one vote… All right, all votes have been counted. The previous class president received the most votes and will continue their term…”

While the homeroom teacher continued speaking, the students below had already begun to whisper amongst themselves.

“That freak is disgusting, voting for herself.”

“Exactly! She’s utterly useless, yet so conceited. Does she really deserve to be class president?”

“Such an unsociable person is truly strange.”

…

Amidst the various murmurs, Lin Duo remained utterly bewildered, for she had distinctly cast her vote for Jiang Chengying. However, the voting was anonymous, leaving her no way to discover who had voted for her.

Now, she could only lower her head silently, burying herself in her own world like an ostrich.

****

Back in the classroom of Class 5, Grade 1 at Nanli Affiliated High School, the homeroom teacher had moved on to tallying votes for the next position. “Now, we’ll announce the results for the class Arts and Culture Representative. Lin Duo, one vote.”

After the teacher spoke, a male student drew a horizontal line beneath Lin Duo’s name on the blackboard.

“Lin Duo, one vote.”

Another vertical stroke joined the line.

Ultimately, Lin Duo’s name proudly displayed seven ‘正’ characters, signifying her landslide victory and well-deserved re-election as Arts and Culture Representative.

Homeroom Teacher Lu Yusheng nodded in Lin Duo’s direction. “Congratulations, Lin Duo, on your successful election! Please come up and say a few words!”

By now, Lin Duo was far less timid, standing gracefully before the podium. “Thank you all for your support,” she began. “Although I still have many shortcomings in this role, I promise to work even harder in the future to organize our Class 5’s arts and culture activities effectively. I also hope you will continue to support my efforts!”

Some students in the audience listened attentively, while others did not. For instance, a male student in the second row spent the entire time staring at the pair of slender, fair legs beneath Lin Duo’s school uniform pleated skirt, practically drooling.

With the new class committee election officially concluded, the homeroom teacher gestured for quiet, offering a brief announcement. “So, our Class 5, Grade 1 committee is now set. The next election will be at the beginning of Grade 2.”

“One more thing: recruitment for clubs and the school student council has begun. Relevant information is posted on the bulletin board at the main teaching building’s entrance, so students who are interested shouldn’t miss it. All right, if there are no other questions, this class meeting is adjourned.”

Lin Duo and Shen Jing’an packed their bags and left the classroom together. They would have over three hours for dinner and rest before evening self-study began.

In late September, Nan’an City remained oppressively hot. As soon as they exited the teaching building’s main doors, a wave of heat washed over them, a stark contrast to the air-conditioned rooms inside.

Shen Jing’an quickly raised her backpack over her head to shield herself from the sun, all while chatting with Lin Duo. “Hey, which student council department are you thinking of joining?”

Lin Duo shook her head. “I’m not really interested; I don’t plan to sign up.”

Shen Jing’an’s expression instantly turned incredulous. “Hold on, are you serious? You know, when we reach Grade 3, there will be many opportunities for independent admissions to prestigious universities.”

“Having prior experience in student council work could definitely earn you some bonus points with university admissions officers.”

“Grade 3 is still a long way off,” Lin Duo replied, confident in her academic abilities. “And even if I don’t get through independent admissions, I can still rely on my own strength in the *Gaokao* to get into my dream university!”

“You’re certainly confident… What about clubs then? You’ll at least join one or two, won’t you?”

“Hmm… I’ll think about it. The deadline is still far off, anyway.” “So, have you decided to sign up for the student council?”

“Of course!” Shen Jing’an declared with a mysterious air of confidence. “A brilliant girl like me simply *has* to be student council president at some point during high school, right?”

“Uh, well, good luck with that…”

Shen Jing’an, surprisingly, caught the underlying implication, raising an eyebrow. “Hmm? Do you think I’m not qualified to be president?”

“Well, about that… what are we having for lunch today?”

“Hey, hey, don’t change the subject!…”