The next day after the second class, during the break,

"Youjie, how are you adapting to the club?"

He Yuqing came running over to talk to me again. Come to think of it, we would chat endlessly about these topics in the dormitory. Do we really need to chat during breaks too?

The reason why I am annoyed is because He Yuqing never goes to bed early at night. Instead, he always talks about the Tea Ceremony Club, about the club president. His eyes would shine, just like a believer.

"It's alright," I casually replied.

"It should be interesting since it's a club activity, and everyone has a common interest," He Yuqing said.

"Interest, huh?" I couldn't help but murmur. After Wen Xiaojing smashed that game called "Dark Soul", I thought she would be disgusted with games, but the next day, she was still as passionate as ever.

But when it comes to playing games, I don't have a deep interest in this hobby. So, having a common interest is definitely the purpose of a club, but for Joy Society, it seemed a bit far-fetched. At least, that's how it seems to me now. It's just Wen Xiaojing amusing herself.

"But I still think going back to Home Department is better," I thought carefully, and this was the best answer in my heart.

"Well, that would be a waste," He Yuqing said seriously.

"Everyone has their own opinions," I replied.

"I actually hope to go to club activities every day, and even not attend class," He Yuqing said with such obsession for the Tea Ceremony Club. Looking at his enchanted face, it seems like he's beyond saving.

"Oh, the second class is about to start," I reminded He Yuqing as the bell rang.

"Oh, I know. We'll talk later."

He would never stop talking about this topic. If I had the chance, I really wanted to see what the Tea Ceremony Club president looks like.

The second class was taught by Professor Zhong Meiya. By the way, Professor Zhong Meiya had also talked with Zhiye before. I glanced at Zhiye, who smiled at me when she noticed me looking at her.

Since class was about to start, it wasn't appropriate to speak. Anyway, I'll ask Zhiye after this class is over.

During the break after the second class, we had about twenty minutes of rest, so I asked Zhiye the question I wanted to ask earlier.

"Zhiye, you've been going to the club really late these past few days. Is there something going on?"

"It's because Professor Zhong Meiya asked for my help," Zhiye looked troubled.

"Do you have to help?"

"Well," Zhiye nodded. When she was in her previous school, the teachers never asked for her help. Although she was quite well-known in her class, her presence here at Fengyu Middle School was average, probably because people here didn't really know her.

But when Zhiye transferred to this school, those remarks that made people blush and heart race skyrocketed in popularity in front of the whole class, especially the confession she made in front of everyone. As for me, who was confessed to, I endured resentment and hatred from the whole class and even the entire school for a long time, especially from the dark groups in the school, who treated me very badly and regarded me as an outsider.

"But why was Zhiye asked to help?" I couldn't quite understand this point. In theory, others could also do it.

"It was personally requested by the principal of our alma mater."

"The principal personally requested it? So even here, we're under her control."

She made me become an exchange student without my consent, and even got my parents on board, making them proud and supportive of me becoming an exchange student. It's all the doing of this principal.

Even at Fengyu Language School, I can't escape her clutches. I couldn't help but feel deeply afraid of this sinister force.

"It wasn't the principal of our alma mater who forced me, you know." Zhiye seemed to say this to ease my troubled thoughts.

"Then why did they specifically choose Zhiye?" I returned to the original question.

"Because Zhong Meiya, the teacher, earnestly asked for it. It was difficult to refuse," Zhiye's tone was filled with helplessness.

"She also said she would become our club's advisor, so she did us a favor in that aspect as well."

The advisor of the Joy Society is Teacher Zhong Meiya, but I never expected her to act according to this. You simply can't guard against the tactics of adults.

"So, based on all of this, I had no choice but to agree to Teacher Zhong Meiya, for the sake of our club and to show gratitude for her help," Zhiye smiled faintly.

"I never expected Zhiye to go this far."

I suddenly felt an inexplicable sense of gratitude because I was the one who dragged Zhiye into this. Although it was out of necessity, I hadn't considered Zhiye at all and only thought about solving the urgent situation. As a result, I felt guilty.

"It's also for our club. I don't want it to collapse just a few days after its establishment."

Zhiye said thoughtfully.

"True, but Zhiye has taken on additional tasks because of this."

It would have been fine to rest after school, but now there's no way to fully enjoy that time off.

"On the other hand, the time spent together with Jie has decreased," Zhiye said sadly.

"We can make up for it later." To prevent Zhiye from feeling melancholic, I replied encouragingly.

"Really? Jie," Zhiye's face brightened up like a cloud being lifted, showing a very happy smile.

"Of course, after all, Zhiye has put so much effort into this." I scratched my cheek, unable to hide my shy feelings.

"Of course, another reason I thought about whether I could help is because this started because of me. So I want to do what I can," I asked seriously.

"Although I really want Jie to help, so that we can be together, can Jie do calligraphy?"

"Calligraphy?"

"Using a brush to write, like in elementary school art class?"

"Art class? Because I didn't like it, my handwriting might be super terrible. Even in junior high, I didn't join any calligraphy clubs, so now I've completely forgotten how to write with a brush," I remembered how I had ruined my brushes and ink back then, and it wasn't a pleasant memory to bring up, considering it was disrespectful to calligraphy.

"So Jie can't help me with this, but I really appreciate Jie's consideration," Zhiye said.

"But why calligraphy?" I had my doubts about this.

"It seems that the school wants to cultivate some students to participate in the city's calligraphy competition," she explained.

"But the school already has a calligraphy club, and they must have studied calligraphy extensively," I argued.

"True, but the calligraphy club was only established recently, so most students only have a moderate interest in calligraphy. In addition, the calligraphy competition is coming up soon. So this time is special training, selecting a few students who are relatively good at calligraphy and training their works to reach the level of competition. But it's not enough to just be able to participate in the competition, they also need to excel and stand out," she explained further.

Zhiye's face didn't show any relaxation. This was an honorable battle, representing the school, so there was quite a bit of pressure.

"So it's special training, and I am the team leader of this group. The goal is to win a place in the competition with the team members. Although my mother's father was a calligrapher, and my mother inherited her father's achievements in calligraphy and taught me everything, I actually dislike it and didn't want to learn calligraphy. But my mother didn't give me the right to refuse. She believed that girls should be knowledgeable and skilled in every aspect, including music, chess, calligraphy, and painting. So until I met Jie, I practiced calligraphy and etiquette every day," she revealed.

It turned out that Zhiye also used to dislike calligraphy. Even though she didn't want to learn it, she didn't have the right to refuse. Zhiye's mother seemed too strict.

"Jie, can I hold your hand?" Zhiye's eyes were filled with indescribable complex emotions.

"My hand?" I didn't think much and extended my hand. Zhiye held it, and in that instant, I felt warmth and an accelerated heartbeat. Wasn't she afraid of being seen by our classmates? It was dangerous to do such a thing in public. But I couldn't say it out loud. And I could feel that Zhiye was very uneasy, her hand trembling.

"Thank you, Jie," Zhiye seemed relieved. If this could encourage Zhiye and eliminate her nervousness, then it was worth it. However, I still had to be careful not to attract attention from other classmates, especially if He Yuqing suddenly came over to chat. That would be troublesome. Fortunately, he had good relationships with others and was currently talking to a girl next to him. Her gaze and behavior towards him were obviously filled with affection.

This guy isn't lacking in popularity either. How annoying!

"So I won't be able to participate in club activities for a while. Please help me explain this to the club president and others. As for the problem of insufficient participants in the club, if the Student Council causes trouble, Teacher Zhong Meiya will explain it to them," she requested.

"I didn't expect Zhiye to consider everything so carefully. I will explain it to Wen Xiaojing and the others. Zhiye just needs to focus on preparing for the calligraphy competition and winning the prize. I will support Zhiye," I reassured her confidently.

"Thank you, Jie." Zhiye let go of my hand and thanked me again.

"I should also thank you, Zhiye." We thanked each other, which might have seemed like a scene from a play to others, but I didn't care what others would say. At least for now, I felt this phrase had to be said.

"Will Jie miss me?" Zhiye suddenly asked shyly.

"Um... I think so, because as an exchange student, the only person I'm familiar with in this school is Zhiye," I replied.

"I really hope that Jie's intentions are not like this, but rather an expression of genuine love for me," at this moment, the school bell suddenly rang, completely drowning out Zhiye's words, leaving me unable to hear what he said, perhaps feeling a bit anxious and uneasy.