I stared at the girl who claimed to be student council president. Undeniably beautiful—but her smile now sent chills down my spine. Time seemed to freeze around me. *Who am I? Where am I? What am I even doing here?*

"Sorry, I must’ve walked into the wrong room. My bad." I turned to leave. *What kind of joke is this?* I’d applied for the Literature Club. Why was Xia Tong sitting on the sofa when I opened the door? And why was some "student council minister" telling me I’d been accepted?

"That’s right! I sent you that text." Her voice stopped me just as I reached for the doorknob.

Slowly, I turned back, disbelief written all over my face. Jiang Chen picked up a sheet of paper from the desk and walked toward me. A rich rose fragrance washed over me. I couldn’t help but inhale deeply. Jiang Chen’s lips curled into a faint smile at my reaction.

"Jiang Chen!" Xia Tong snapped, setting down her teacup. She stormed over and yanked me behind her. "If Ye Xi wants to smell something, he’ll smell *me*. I’m wearing perfume too—and it’s way better than yours." She pressed her slender hand over my mouth. Unlike Jiang Chen’s roses, a crisp fruity scent filled my nose.

I struggled against her grip. *So Xia Tong and Jiang Chen are close,* I realized. Otherwise, she wouldn’t be this playful in front of her.

"Xia Tong! Get your hand off me—you’re shoving it down my throat!" I growled.

Jiang Chen watched us, a look of weary amusement on her face. "Xia Tong, I was just showing him this. Why are you so worked up? Worried I’ll steal your things?"

A blush spread across Xia Tong’s cheeks. She dropped her hand from my mouth but clamped both arms around mine instead.

Ignoring her, I took the paper Jiang Chen offered.

*Huh.* The handwriting looked familiar… Where had I seen it before?

*Damn it!* This was the Literature Club application I’d filled out last Friday! But someone had scribbled "Student Council" over the department name—the handwriting was completely different!

*No wonder that registration guy seemed off.*

"No, no—I originally applied for the Literature Club. There’s been a misunderstanding." I jabbed at the altered text. "Look at these three characters! The handwriting doesn’t match the rest. Someone must’ve changed it."

"Right?!" I shook my arm free. No proof, but I *knew* Xia Tong was behind this.

"I have no idea!" Xia Tong feigned innocence. "I was just chatting with Jiang Chen when you barged in—you scared me half to death! See? I haven’t even touched my tea!"

Only then did I take in the room: sofa, coffee table, bookshelves, a massive desk… *And a huge TV?* Was this really the student council office?

Xia Tong seemed to read my thoughts. "Jiang Chen bought all this herself. The school didn’t provide any of it!"

*Birds of a feather.* So Xia Tong wasn’t just close to her—she was another evil capitalist.

No point relying on Xia Tong as a witness. I was on my own.

"Um… since this was a mistake, can I leave? I still need to report to the Literature Club." I forced a polite tone.

The room temperature seemed to plummet. Goosebumps prickled my skin. *Does this place have auto-climate control? Fancy.*

"Hah!" Jiang Chen’s smile vanished. Her eyes turned sharp. "Do you think the student council is some walk-in café? I did *so much work* to get your application approved. And now you just waltz in and out as you please?"

"Ye Xi…" Xia Tong poked my side. "Jiang Chen is *really* mad. Trust me—you don’t want to see the consequences."

"But I never applied!" I pleaded.

"That’s *your* problem. Why would I believe that? All I know is I received *your* application."

*What now? How do I escape? Since when is the council president a thug? If I join, my future’s doomed!*

"I—I quit!" I blurted out. *Screw it. They can’t force me to stay, right?*

"Eh?" Jiang Chen tilted her head, voice dripping with false sweetness. "Did I hear wrong, little junior? You just joined—and already want out? Make the wrong choice now, and the next three years might get… *uncomfortable*."

Xia Tong pinched my arm under the table.

*That was a threat. Definitely a threat.*

"I know people quit the council all the time!" I kept my face neutral.

"True," Jiang Chen’s expression darkened. "But they were just useless rejects. Their quitting means nothing to me. *You’re* different—I personally approved your application. If you quit now, where does that leave *my* reputation?"

"I know my limits. I’d only cause trouble later. Better to leave now." I softened my tone, but the meaning was clear. To my surprise, Jiang Chen seemed pleased. *Maybe she knows forced fruit isn’t sweet? Is she letting me go?*

"So you think you’re not capable enough to avoid burdening us?"

"Exactly. Everyone works hard. I won’t add to their stress. Besides, I know nothing about council duties. I’m simply not suited for this." Seeing her expression, my voice lifted with hope.

"Nonsense." Her smile returned, warm but firm. "You *are* interested—that’s clear. I may seem strict, but I’m not heartless. If I crushed your dreams over temporary shortcomings, wouldn’t I be a villain? How about this: you shadow others first. Learn the ropes. Fair?"

"Are you… asking my opinion?" My heart sank.

"No." Her smile vanished. "I’m informing you."

"*Cough! Cough! Cough!*" Xia Tong covered her mouth.

I stared at her.

"Sorry," she mumbled, avoiding my eyes. "Just a cold."

"Thank Jiang Chen *now*," she hissed, poking me again.

I ignored her. *If I thank her, I lose my last shred of dignity.*

"How about this—you partner with Xia Tong. You two seem close anyway." Jiang Chen’s gaze lingered on my trapped arm. "Both freshmen. You’ll have plenty to talk about. Any objections?"

"Yes!" I shot my left hand high. Xia Tong tried to yank it down from my right—but failed.

"What?" Jiang Chen leaned back in her chair, fingers steepled under her chin.

I seized the chance to wrench free of Xia Tong’s grip and stepped sideways.

"As newcomers, Xia Tong and I should both learn from an experienced member. It’d help me understand council work better."

"So you want a mentor?"

"Essentially—*ow!*" Xia Tong had crept up behind me and pinched my waist hard. I glared back; she puffed her cheeks and looked away.

Jiang Chen watched silently.

"Hmm…" She tapped her chin. *Maybe this’ll work.*

"My decisions rarely change," she finally said. "And Xia Tong isn’t like other freshmen. She handles problems better than most seniors."

*Wait—does that mean…?*

"My decision stands. You and Xia Tong are partners. *But*—" she added smoothly, "I’ll personally mentor you both. Come to me with any issues. You have my number. Consider yourself lucky—I’ve never trained rookies before. You should be grateful."

"Excuse me—was that a *request* or an *order* this time?"

"A *request*—" My heart leapt. "—for Xia Tong. An *order* for you."

"Xia Tong," Jiang Chen turned to her, "do you want this slacker as your partner? He might drag you down."

"Absolutely!" Xia Tong didn’t hesitate.

"See?" Jiang Chen smiled at me. "You’re council material now. You’ll learn everything soon. Just follow Xia Tong’s lead. What’s so great about the Literature Club anyway? Just a bunch of repressed weirdos."

*So my opinion means nothing? And apologize to every Literature Club member worldwide, will you?*

---

"Ugh! What a pain—why wait half an hour after school? Total waste of time." Fang Xuan muttered as he climbed the stairs.

Four guys and two girls already huddled outside the sixth-floor door. No one dared knock—their minister had texted strict orders: *No knocking before 6 PM.* After hearing her reputation, no one risked testing her.

"Bitch is just showing off," Fang Xuan spat. "Forcing class reps to join the council? Who does she think she is?" He’d planned to join whatever club Xia Tong picked—to get closer to her. But she’d shown zero interest in clubs last week. Then today, out of nowhere, she’d joined the council. He’d been furious ever since.

One guy in line spotted Fang Xuan arriving. He turned away sharply, knuckles white where he gripped his bag.

Finally, 6 PM struck. Someone stepped forward and knocked.

---

Watching these two women clearly in cahoots, I gave up arguing—they hadn’t heard a word I said anyway. An awkward silence filled the room. Then—*knock knock knock*—the door sounded behind me. *Thank god.* Though… who’d come here half an hour after school?

"Xia Tong." Jiang Chen’s voice cut through the tension.

Xia Tong instantly released my arm and stood stiffly beside Jiang Chen. *If anyone says they’re not close, they’re blind.* Their synchronized cold fronts were almost comical. Sometimes I wondered if Xia Tong had a split personality—how did she switch faces so fast?

"Enter!" Jiang Chen called once they both wore their public masks.