Those middle school days now filled his memories with nothing but helplessness and regret—watching the once-mighty Student Council crumble under his watch. That period stood as one of the rare moments in Liming’s life where true guilt gnawed at him.

Hearing his best friend blurt it out in front of others made Liming’s expression stiffen slightly. He hadn’t shared details, so he couldn’t blame his friend—but the sting was there.

Yet almost instantly, Liming brushed off the prickling discomfort, as if nothing had happened.

Xulu was too stunned to notice that flicker of unease. *Liming had worked alongside the renowned Senior Bailin?* That alone was astonishing. Anyone who’d served under Senior Bailin couldn’t possibly be mediocre.

But someone else had caught it. A pair of sharp, beautiful eyes flickered toward the chatting group, noticing the uncharacteristic shadow that crossed Liming’s usually warm face. A thoughtful glint flashed—then vanished as if it had never been.

Liming, unusually attuned to women’s moods, glanced toward Liqianying. Finding nothing, he withdrew his probing gaze.

"Really? You actually worked with Senior Bailin?"

Now he had to deal with Xulu, suddenly transformed into an overeager question machine. Liming had never planned to dwell on this—but avoiding it would only fuel her relentless curiosity.

"Yeah. I did work with her. But only for a little over a year before we parted ways. That’s all. Though... I learned a great deal from her."

Back in middle school, Liming had been the Council President’s secretary—the second-in-command under Bai Ling herself. That was why the presidency fell to him after her early graduation. No one else had been fit for the role.

"...So that’s how it was. No wonder I lost to you."

Xulu’s expression shifted from realization to resignation. Her earlier competitive spark toward Liming faded into quiet acceptance.

"Only a monster trained by Senior Bailin could match those Student Council elites. Your grades and efficiency... terrifying."

Her emotions settled, but curiosity about Liming now simmered quietly in Xulu’s eyes.

Bai Ling’s past and background had always been shrouded in mystery. Now, Liming—a living witness to her time in the Council—had appeared. Xulu’s heart itched like cat claws were raking it.

"It’s not that impressive," Liming deflected, slightly embarrassed. "Senior Bailin handled almost everything herself." Her competence had been monstrous. He’d barely grasped a fraction of her skills—not even matching the old-timers.

(Though he was being modest. Among Bai Ling’s former team, he alone had balanced top grades with real work ability.)

"Still incredible! Your work ethic, Xiao Mingzi, is unmatched. I used to worry you’d collapse under the pressure—but look at you now~"

*Because I learned no one can do everything perfectly.* That lesson had been paid for in blood.

Liming offered only a quiet smile. He wouldn’t burden his best friend with old regrets. The only person he owed was Senior Bailin.

"Well," Xulu chirped, "I only came to check the recruitment notice—but this was an unexpected treasure. Class Rep Liming, I’ll rely on your guidance for future work."

"Before that," Liming redirected gently, "let’s focus on joining the Student Council first."

Sensing his reluctance to revisit the past, Xulu dropped the subject. Seeing was believing—and she’d witness Bai Ling herself soon enough.

"Right!" Zhangqianxing perked up, eyes gleaming. "Xiao Mingzi, you must know Senior Bailin’s selection methods! Spill it~~ We need countermeasures~~"

*This is about Senior Bailin!* His talent for deducing women’s preferences from tiny details went into overdrive. How could he not be thrilled?

"As for her methods..." Liming sifted through memories of working with Bai Ling. For recruitment, he could guess her unorthodox approach.

"...They’re practically nonexistent."

He spread his hands with a wry smile. Xulu and Zhangqianxing frowned. If not for Liming’s steady nature, Zhangqianxing would’ve thought he was mocking them. Liming raised a hand, cutting off their protests.

"I know what you’re thinking. Relax—we’ve got time before class. Let me explain."

Piecing together his thoughts and Bai Ling’s patterns, Liming’s hazy memories sharpened.

"I say ‘no method’ because Senior Bailin’s approach is... unpredictable. The test has already begun—we just didn’t realize it."

If their frowns had deepened before, now their jaws nearly dropped.

*The test started already?* And they’d noticed nothing?

"You must’ve seen it," Liming pressed on. "Every time the Disciplinary Committee patrols, the Welfare Department inspects, or the Arts and Sports Department runs events—Secretary Section members tag along, taking notes. Since they report directly to Senior Bailin... those records are hers. By the time formal reviews begin, every viable candidate is already documented."

*And unsuitable ones get flagged too. She’s still protecting the Council—no, even more fiercely than before.*

Zhangqianxing’s face turned ashen. He’d shamelessly flirted with girls right under Student Council members’ noses—*multiple times*. Those notes were surely on Bai Ling’s desk. He felt tears pricking his eyes.

Who could’ve guessed recruitment began this early? This strictly?

Watching his best friend’s devastated slump, Liming almost laughed—but another thought struck him.

"Don’t despair. That’s just groundwork. The real test starts next week." Liming’s voice dropped, sharp with certainty.

"Military training."