"Good morning, Youjie."

"Good morning, Zhiye."

Out of all the people who can greet others after running several laps smoothly, it can only be He Yuqing, the freak with exceptional athletic abilities. He can run multiple laps without breaking a sweat, unlike me who is exhausted after just a few laps. Early in the morning, this idiot suddenly decides to go for a run and says, 'It's like shedding sweat, just like youth.' This made me even more tired and annoyed.

We just ran together earlier, so there's no need to greet each other like this, you weirdo from a light novel setting.

"Good morning, Yuqing." Zhiye responds with a gentle smile, truly a polite girl.

"No, Youjie." He Yuqing shamelessly leans on me and even puts his arm around my shoulder, saying something annoying with a smile on his face. I really want to give him a punch.

"You're so annoying. Did I look like someone who'd willingly go for a run if you didn't drag me along!?" This guy doesn't consider others at all. Does he think I'm some sort of marathon Fitipitz? Even if I have good endurance, there's still a limit.

Who do you think I am, you weirdo from a light novel setting?

"Don't say that. After all, this is the essence of youth." He Yuqing clenches his fist, showing determination in his eyes. I hope this guy isn't a messed-up bishounen with a mental problem. Please stay away from me, as I might catch his low intelligence.

"Spare me. I don't want to drop dead on the track."

"How could that happen? Youjie is so strong." He says while patting my back forcefully. Ouch, it hurts. This damn bishounen has so much strength. I can't believe I thought he was cute for a moment. Now I realize he isn't cute at all.

"The teacher is here. We should return to our seats." Seeing the arrival of the teacher, He Yuqing finally behaves and obediently goes back to his seat. I finally get some temporary relief and slump on my desk.

"Are you okay, Jie?" Zhiye asks worriedly.

"I'm... I'm fine," I lift my upper body and forcefully put up a front of being okay.

"Jie, you look exhausted." Zhiye looks genuinely concerned. It's understandable that she would worry if we're in the same class and I'm in this state. But He Yuqing, I hope he gets transferred to another class because he's really annoying.

To prevent Zhiye from worrying, I'll endure even if I'm exhausted. How can a second-year high school student like me be defeated by such little hardships?

"I'm doing great. Look at how energetic I am," I can't help but brag and show off my nonexistent biceps.

"That's amazing. My husband is truly incredible." Zhiye's smile is so healing, gentle like the spring sun.

But using the term 'husband' is dangerous.

"Youjie, class has already started. Please stop talking non-stop like a comedian."

The teacher frowned and spoke, and I suddenly realized that He Yuqing had returned to her seat when the teacher arrived.

"Sorry," I shamefully took out the textbook from my bag.

"Now let's open our Chinese textbook to page 32. Today we will discuss the Orchid Pavilion Preface," the teacher finally focused his attention on teaching.

"Eating two bowls of rice for a meal and running nineteen laps, you really look like a fool," I heard someone mocking me. I really wanted to beat those who were mocking me. The scene of me punching them away had already appeared in my mind several times. But I held back. Remember that famous saying, "What doesn't kill me makes me stronger." Just wait and see, you will also be mocked someday.

"Are you okay, Jie?"

"I'm completely fine," I said, but my body really wanted to rest. I endured through it, not knowing what the teacher was talking about. Finally, the 45 minutes of class passed in a daze. The ten-minute break after class was like a lifesaver to me. I could finally lie down and rest for ten minutes.

"Youjie, someone is looking for you," He Yuqing appeared next to me again. Even sleeping was going to be interrupted. Even if you have excess energy, there should be a limit, right? I was a little impatient, but still looked in the direction he pointed.

"What!? Stella? How did she end up here?"

"Wow, she's such a cute girl."

"Judging from her uniform style, she's probably a freshman."

"So cute, she's so adorable. Who is she here to see? That jerk, probably."

"Youjie senior, um… can you come out for a moment?" She had a shy expression and was exceptionally cute, like a doll. No one could resist wanting to talk to her. But I had a sense of uneasiness for some reason.

"Jie, who is this girl?"

"This girl... is just a junior."

"Is she a newcomer you found from outside?" Zhiye's body suddenly exuded a black aura. Her eyes felt like the red eyes of a demon, and her hair seemed to be floating. This situation was particularly bad.

"Yiqing, can you help me deal with Zhiye? I have something to take care of."

"OK!"

Leaving behind those words, I grabbed Stella's wrist and ran towards the corridor. I couldn't care less about the expressions of those guys anymore.

"Youjie senior, I can't run anymore." After running about twenty or thirty meters, Stella could no longer run. She sank to the ground and gasped for breath.

"They probably won't chase us. Let's take a break."

"Okay."

Seeing Stella clutching her chest and gasping for air, it seemed like running was too difficult for her.

"Feeling better now?" After resting for a moment, I asked.

"It should be better." At this point, I reached out my hand. Stella grabbed my hand, and as I tried to pull her up, I don't know if I used too much force or what, but after she stood up, she stumbled and fell into my arms. A pleasant fragrance filled the air.

"S-s-s-sorry, Youjie senior," Stella quickly apologized.

"No, it was me. I didn't have a good grasp of my strength."

To be honest, this feeling... this is the first time. Even if I really won't waver, the fragrance and the soft touch are making my rationality soar.

"Keep that pose," I heard the clicking sound, as if a camera taking a picture.

"Loving each other, mmm, super nice,"

"What?!" I quickly took a step back.

"Senior, why did you step back? Don't tell me you don't like Stella?" Another annoying character appeared, first-year student Wen Xiaojing, with a mischievous smile on her face.

"It's not like that,"

"Then you must like her. It seems that Senior can't resist Stella's adorable temptation and has fallen for her."

"I haven't fallen for her. By the way, why did you suddenly appear here?"

"Of course I have to appear here, Senior. It's part of the plan," she smirked and turned her phone screen towards me.

"Teasing a younger female student, with such a creepy expression. If this photo is exposed, Senior will be isolated, and in severe cases, you might even be expelled."

A cunning and triumphant face, it was obvious that I had been played. I looked at Stella, who had a guilty expression. It turned out that this was all planned in advance.

"What do you want?"

"I can't think of a solution, because the Joy Society still needs one more member. If we don't find a member soon, the club will definitely be disbanded. To prevent that from happening, we had to come and ask for Senior's help."

"I'm just an exchange student, I don't know many people here. Moreover, everyone has already chosen the club activities they like. It would be too forced to make someone join."

"Because that is the requirement for establishing a club. Stella and I have already found two students to pretend as ghost members, but the actual number of participants in the club activities can't be less than four."

"So, one hundred ghost members won't be useful?"

"It can be said so. They won't participate in club activities. Student council is very strict with club establishment now."

"I didn't expect it to be so troublesome." I sighed.

"That's why we need Senior's help," Wen Xiaojing said, holding my hand and looking at me with sincere eyes.

"I also want to help, but I'm really powerless." With poor interpersonal skills like mine, how could I possibly complete this task? Even if I had to find an animal, it would be difficult enough.

"I knew Senior would back down. So, if you don't want your deeds to be exposed tomorrow, find the remaining member before tomorrow afternoon."

"That's too difficult, isn't it?"

"Senior, that's just how cruel society is. Instead of complaining here, it's better to take action quickly."

"I..."

"Stella, it's time for class. Let's go." Wen Xiaojing said as she pulled Stella away. How despicable to do such a dirty trick. I watched them run off and was so angry that I almost punched a tree. Luckily, I came to my senses. Fighting with a tree would only bring myself pain.

The deadline is tomorrow afternoon. If I haven't found a new member to join Joy Society by then, I will be labeled as someone who teases female students and disregards school discipline. I won't be able to stay at this school anymore, and my original school might not take me back either. It would be truly miserable, not what I wanted. For now, it seems that I have to follow Wen Xiaojing's advice and do as she says.

But what should I do? I'm completely clueless. Just as the class bell suddenly rang, I remembered how terrifying Zhiye looked just now. I think it's better not to go back to the classroom for now. I'll ask the teacher for permission to leave and skip this class.