Chapter 51: An Unavoidable Invitation

Although Tang Qihuang was indeed present, she did not speak immediately. She merely looked up at YuYang first, then continued writing the document in her hand.

“Bai YuYang, correct? Please wait a moment. I need to finish this document first; a department might need it soon.”

“Understood, President. Please take your time.”

‘This was exactly how she was in high school…’

Meticulous in her work, never slacking, she also possessed the gravitas of a superior. A single word from her left no room for dissent.

For instance, now that she had asked him to wait, YuYang felt awkward, unsure whether to stand or sit.

However, based on his years of experience with job interviews, standing seemed preferable to sitting, as it conveyed better manners.

Several more minutes passed before Tang Qihuang finally paused, setting down a document she had been writing for quite some time.

However, the document was actually blank. YuYang, of course, couldn’t have known that.

Seeing Tang Qihuang lift her head, YuYang was the first to speak.

“President Tang, you specifically called me over. May I ask what the matter is?”

“Yes, of course there’s a matter. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have you running over here during class time.”

Unbeknownst to YuYang, the outwardly composed and dignified Tang Qihuang was, at that very moment, fiercely pinching the flesh of her own thigh with her right hand, desperately trying to suppress the urge to laugh and to rush over and embrace YuYang.

‘Ugh… A rare moment alone, and I have to maintain such a stern expression,’ Tang Qihuang thought, feeling weary, truly weary.

“Regarding your report yesterday about the student council members neglecting their duties, I have thoroughly investigated the matter. Although I publicly addressed the situation during the opening ceremony, as a party involved, I still wish to thank you, Classmate Bai, for the information you provided. Had it not been for you, I would not have discovered the bad apples within the student council.”

‘It’s about this?’

That made things much simpler. If it was about this, YuYang felt no pressure at all.

He quickly interjected, “It’s nothing, President. Isn’t the relationship between the student council and students one of mutual supervision? I believe anyone who saw such a phenomenon would report it to you.”

“Yes, you’re right.”

Nevertheless, Tang Qihuang proceeded to ask her question.

“Bai YuYang, tell me, have you seen the notice for the student council’s new member recruitment?”

‘So, I can’t escape this after all?!’

YuYang remained silent for a moment before nodding.

“Yes, I saw it. The whole class is discussing it.”

Indeed, since this morning, the school forum’s pinned post, the school’s notice boards, and announcements in various class groups had been overwhelmingly filled with the rules and notices for student council recruitment. It was impossible not to have seen them.

Upon receiving his answer, Tang Qihuang asked directly, “Since you’ve seen it, I have a question. Do you intend to apply for the student council, or have you considered it?”

‘How many times have I been asked this question in the past two days?’

However, this time it was the Student Council President herself asking. YuYang certainly couldn’t refuse outright, so he chose a more tactful rejection.

“Regarding that… I actually did consider applying at first, because the student council truly offers great development. But after a comprehensive analysis of my own situation—the increasing academic load in my second year, coupled with my part-time job outside of class—I felt that joining the student council wouldn’t be realistic for me.”

“Is that so…” Tang Qihuang pondered for a long time, a fleeting look of disappointment crossing her face before vanishing without a trace. “If I could guarantee that joining the student council wouldn’t affect your studies or work, would you still not consider it?”

“President, please wait a moment.”

At this point, YuYang couldn’t help but wonder if Tang Qihuang had truly been reborn.

He was extremely suspicious.

With so many people in the school, why had she specifically invited him alone? This was clearly abnormal, wasn’t it?

“Before I answer your question, may I ask the reason you’re inviting me to join the student council?”

YuYang couldn’t help but ask first.

Logically, Tang Qihuang shouldn’t have needed to exert such effort to invite him to join. If凰儿 was a reborn, she should acknowledge it now, right?

But to his surprise, Tang Qihuang remained calm and composed, showing no hint of abnormality. She tapped the desk with her slender fingers, responding word by word.

“Bai YuYang, I was just asking you a question, yet you haven’t answered and are now asking me one. Answering a question with a question is, I believe, inappropriate… Well, that’s what I’d like to say, but I also understand how you feel. It must seem very strange to be summoned out of the blue, right? Alright, in that case, I can answer your question first. In return, you must answer my questions properly afterwards.”

“Understood, thank you for your understanding, President.”

For YuYang, if this matter wasn’t clarified, the conversation couldn’t possibly continue.

At this, Tang Qihuang stood up, turning her back to YuYang, her hands clasped behind her. Her figure was graceful, her golden hair particularly dazzling in the slanting sunlight.

He heard her sigh softly, her tone filled with a sense of profound regret.

“Time truly flies so quickly. In the blink of an eye, I’m already in my final year of high school.”

After uttering just that single sentence, she paused.

With just that one sentence, YuYang understood what she meant: “President, are you saying you’re struggling to choose the next student council president?”

Tang Qihuang half-turned, and what YuYang saw in her eyes at that moment was a deep appreciation for talent.

“Bai YuYang, you truly are intelligent.” She turned back to sit down, her face etched with worry. “Yes, the student council has been operating until today, yet it still lacks a vice president. I’ve been here for two years, and while I wouldn’t say I consider the student council the most important thing, I did build it up myself. I can’t bear to see it gradually decline after I graduate.”

“Then why didn’t you decide on a vice president earlier? I imagine the current student council members must be quite talented.”

“Talented, yes, but that’s also my fault. Because I managed the student council too strictly in the past two years, they now have a ‘managed’ mindset.

They only act on instructions. With such talent, do you think they could manage the student council well even if they took over?”

YuYang grew increasingly confused. “Then, President, what do you mean…?”

“My meaning is to select a new talent from students who have never joined the student council and cultivate them to be the candidate for the next student council president.”

‘Oh, so that’s what she means.’

However, even with such a roundabout explanation, there was no way YuYang would be drawn in. He shrugged indifferently.

“Even so, this doesn’t seem to have much to do with me, does it? President, you still haven’t answered my question. You’ve only said that I’m smart, but there are many people smarter than me in this large school. It’s not as if it absolutely has to be me.”

“I apologize, but it really has to be you.”

“?”

‘Hey! Why are you being so unreasonable now?’

Before YuYang could retort, Tang Qihuang held up three fingers.

***

📚 Also on NHV Novels

Male Body, Female Soul

DramaFemale ProtagonistGender Bender

Read Now →
Not interested