Meanwhile, the busy Liming fixed his gaze on someone.

Sure enough, Xulu—the new study committee member—was far more reliable than his deadbeat best buddy Zhangqianxing, who froze whenever he saw a girl.

Watching Xulu diligently verify info on the other side of the classroom, Liming smiled with utter contentment. Working hard was fine, but sharing it with someone equally diligent? Pure joy.

Sensing his satisfied look, Xulu turned, flashed a bright smile, and dove back into work.

No romance here—just pure, simple happiness. Liming, gifted at reading women since childhood, sensed emotions like a natural talent.

Right now, he could tell Liqianying—his current verification target—looked calm but seethed inwardly after he’d glanced away.

His nose twitched slightly, catching a sweet, creamy scent from her. Only cake-lovers carried this non-cloying aroma that made mouths water. Liming knew it well; Senior Bailin used to smell the same. After working with her so long, not recognizing it would’ve been weird.

“Done filling it out…?”

She rudely tossed the file over. Liming, expecting the class beauty’s outburst, caught the flying pen with one hand and steadied the document with the other—perfect!

“Well, thanks for cooperating. Let me check… Hmm, why’s your contact info blank? It’s required.”

“Shut up. I didn’t bring my phone.”

This time, Liqianying didn’t hide her impatience. She stared at him like he was filth, signaling him to leave.

Abandoning work mid-task was irresponsible—to the teacher, classmates, and himself as monitor. Liming was stubborn; he’d never quit until it was done.

“If you forgot your phone, memorize your number by this afternoon’s return. Or tell me another way. This form’s due Wednesday—don’t forget.”

She didn’t even reply. Liqianying turned to the window, propping her cheek on her palm, freezing Liming out.

Liming, oddly sensing her disdain, repeated his words before moving to the next classmate.

Only after he vanished from sight did Liqianying’s watery eyes flicker faintly—then harden back to cold aloofness.

Except for Liqianying, classmates cooperated smoothly. Who’d risk offending a diligent monitor? By high school, maturity was essential growth.

Eccentric loners were rare; humans were social. Liming’s work flowed easily, his verification speed far outpacing Xulu’s.

When Liming finished, Xulu still had several left. He helped her, earning a warm, approving smile.

Gentlemanly? No—just Liming’s ingrained work habit.

Thanks to Xulu, he wrapped up with ample time before class. But first-day “lessons” were just motivational talks and self-study. Real classes wouldn’t start until after military training.

Finally done with the homeroom teacher’s tasks, Liming sighed in relief. He craved this—unfinished work felt wrong. Simply put, he was a self-made workaholic~~

“So~~, as monitor, don’t overdo responsibility. Split tasks—it’s easier. Take on too much, and hard work won’t pay off~~”

“Lazy slackers like you have no right to preach. Hide behind fancy words, Zhangqianxing—you’ll get karma.”

Liming scowled at his best buddy, who’d only appeared post-work. He gulped water to soothe his dry throat, then shot Zhangqianxing two icy glares.

Everything unspoken—feel it with your heart~~~

Thick-skinned as ever, Zhangqianxing ignored the daggers and laughed carelessly.

“Chill out! You’re wound tighter than a bow—burnout’s coming. Our class has plenty of pretty girls. Wanna try~~?”

“What’s in your head besides women?”

“Don’t be like that. Senior Bailin’s a grand goal, but don’t hang on one tree. Honestly? That girl over there’s not bad~~”

Zhangqianxing grinned slyly, nodding toward Liqianying. She nearly kicked him, but yeah—she was undeniably pretty.

No point talking to this beast obsessed with conquest targets.

Liming rolled his eyes, itching to snap, “You’re courting death.”

“But forget that—I’ve got huge news~!”

“Changed girlfriends again…?”

“Pfft! Is my ‘huge news’ just girlfriend gossip to you?!”

Liming paused a second—realizing it was painfully true—then beamed an exaggerated smile and nodded at Zhangqianxing.

Critical hit from Liming!

For a free spirit like Zhangqianxing, swapping girlfriends was trivial.

“Ugh, no jokes. Firsthand intel—read this.”

Zhangqianxing pulled out his phone, tapped open a Word file. Bold black text filled the screen:

“New Student Council Recruitment Details and Work Assignments…”