Seven people bustled into the room. Among them, I recognized two: Fang Yiyi, my class monitor, and Fang Xuan—the guy who’d confessed to Xia Tong on Tieba. I’d seen his photo before.
Fang Xuan’s eyes lit up the moment he spotted Xia Tong standing beside Jiang Chen. But he quickly masked his delight. The others seemed oblivious.
I stole glances at Xia Tong, but she appeared utterly indifferent to Fang Xuan’s gaze—or perhaps hadn’t noticed at all. Her expression stayed calm as she stared straight ahead. Since I faced her directly, I couldn’t tell if she was looking at me or something beyond.
*They say if a man and woman lock eyes for less than a second, there’s no spark. Over three seconds? Mutual attraction. Four seconds? Secret longing. Three minutes? Even friends would tear up.* My gaze drifted to the scenery outside the floor-to-ceiling window behind Xia Tong, carefully avoiding her eyes.
“Alright, now that everyone’s here, I’ll keep this brief,” Jiang Chen began, addressing the seven. “I’m Jiang Chen, current Student Council president. You’ve likely heard of me, so no need for introductions.”
“Each of you is a class monitor. My apologies for summoning you last minute—you’ve all been assigned to the Student Council. Officially, we’re meant to be the bridge between students and the school. But lately? We’ve become little more than hall monitors.” Jiang Chen’s voice turned sharp. “I won’t let that continue. Last year’s reforms proved change is possible—I won’t bore you with details. Today’s meeting is about consent. I pushed for mandatory monitor recruitment, but this isn’t a gang. Anyone who wants out can leave now. Saves us future headaches.”
*Wait—since when did you give* them *a choice? What about my “honor”?!*
Grumbling aside, I was impressed. Brilliant move. Monitors held real sway in their classes. Absorbing them would streamline the Council’s control. For them? Student Council approval meant smoother class events. A perfect win-win.
I expected Fang Yiyi—the decisive type—to speak first. But she seemed distracted, fidgeting. Instead, Fang Xuan stepped forward.
“President Jiang makes perfect sense,” he declared, eyes flicking toward Xia Tong. “How can we serve our classes if we won’t join? I’m in.”
Jiang Chen caught his lingering glance and smirked. “Oh? Such enthusiasm. Which class are you from?”
“A-Class monitor. Fang Xuan.”
“Ah… Xia Tong’s class.” Jiang Chen turned—only to find Xia Tong intently watching *me*. Under the table, he subtly tugged her sleeve.
“Perfect timing. Everyone, meet Xia Tong from A-Class. You know her.” Nods all around.
“And over there—Ye Xi from G-Class.” Jiang Chen pointed at me. “You remember the… incident.”
*Why pin it all on me? I was a victim too!* The others stared like they’d seen a ghost. *Did no one notice me? Not even you, Monitor?*
Then I felt it—Fang Xuan’s glare. Different from the rest. Sharp. Hostile. After what happened at the freshman assembly, he clearly saw me as a rival.
“These two,” Jiang Chen gestured to Xia Tong and me, “are current Council members. No need for intros. So—final call. Anyone quitting?”
*Thank you for shifting focus.* Being scrutinized like this made my skin crawl.
Silence.
“Excellent. Welcome to the Student Council.” Jiang Chen scanned the room. “Next two weeks won’t be easy. Sports Day is in fifteen days. Seniors handle most logistics, but you’ll submit class plans and reports. Your homeroom teachers will brief you on class preparations—we don’t micromanage that.”
He stood, bowing slightly. “I look forward to working with you all in good faith. Sorry to take your time.”
Everyone flinched in surprise.
As we filed out, Xia Tong and Jiang Chen walked behind me, whispering. Too far to hear.
Fang Xuan only noticed Fang Yiyi near the exit. While he stared fixedly at her, she deliberately looked away. A barely perceptible smirk curled his lips.
“Xia Tong,” he called, rushing to her side. “I never expected you’d join the Council. Let’s collaborate for our class.”
I slowed my steps, straining to listen. Xia Tong noticed my eavesdropping and edged closer to Jiang Chen.
“Sorry,” she said smoothly. “I already have a partner. Right, Senior Jiang?”
Relief washed over me. *Good. Fang Xuan’s too calculating. Stay away from him, Xia Tong.*
Jiang Chen shot me a pained look—*why drag me into this?*—but played along. “Indeed. Xia Tong’s partnered. Sorry, Fang Xuan.”
“With who?” Fang Xuan snapped.
“Him.” Jiang Chen jerked his chin at me, grinning.
Fang Xuan’s gaze locked onto me.
*I knew it.* I quickened my pace. *These two love stirring trouble.*
The good news? Xia Tong hadn’t encouraged Fang Xuan.
The bad? A prickling sensation crawled up my spine all the way home. Like eyes boring into my back. Sixth sense, maybe.
I pushed open my apartment door at 7 PM—and choked on thick smoke.
“Cough! Cough! Is the place on fire?!” I yelled, kicking off my shoes. “Xiaoxi! Xiaoxi!” I charged into the empty bedroom.
“Ge! What’s with the screaming?” Xiaoxi emerged from the kitchen, unharmed.
I rapped her head lightly. “You scared me half to death! Since when do you cook? I thought the building was burning down!”
She flopped against me. “Check your phone! Seventeen missed calls! Were you trying to starve me to inherit my piggy bank? You’ve been weird since our last outing.”
I pulled out my silent phone. “Sorry—I was at the club. Go shower. Your face is filthy.”
She wiped her cheek carelessly. “You could’ve texted. I thought you got hit by a bus!”
“Why do I feel like the little brother here? Ever wish me well?”
Her lips started to pout. “Fine, fine—I’ll text before club next time. Now go shower. Food’s ready.” I nudged her out of the kitchen.
*How did she even…?* The pot held a gloopy black mess. The rice cooker overflowed—enough for a week. After salvaging the kitchen, I cooked proper dinner. *Definitely teaching her basics tomorrow.*
At the table, Xiaoxi asked, “So which club did you join?”
“Student Council.” I shoveled rice.
“Student Council?!” She choked. “Are you joking?”
“What’s the big deal? It’s just a club. I wanted Literature Club, but bureaucracy screwed me over.”
“Ge! What nonsense are you spouting now?” She sighed. “Why are you so shocked? Did you really think I’d join a club?”
“Didn’t you go to Yinghua Middle School?”
“Obviously—I walked you there every day!”
“Then how do you not know Jiang Chen?”
“I know her. Met her today. She’s… capable.”
Xiaoxi facepalmed. “Seriously? How did you even get in? Who do you think got AC installed in every classroom last year?”
“To keep us cool?”
“And the Winter Festival? Did it magically appear?”
“You mean… Jiang Chen did all that?” I stared. *That’s way beyond a student council’s reach.*
“I wanted to join too,” Xiaoxi sighed dreamily. “If only middle schoolers could apply. Working under her would be heaven!”
“You’re strong. You’ll get in next year. No rush.”
"I'm not impatient. I'm just thinking—you're such a lazybones it takes a whole year to flip over. How did you even get in?"
"Charisma, I guess. Jiang Chen thinks I'm cut out for big things, a real talent..." Hearing that, I couldn't exactly disagree.
Xiaoxi ignored my rambling and kept chattering nonstop about Jiang Chen's exploits. The more I listened, the more terrifying Jiang Chen seemed. Compared to her, Xia Tong was practically a newbie. And Xiaoxi was clearly her fangirl!
"Let's eat! Let's eat!" I cut in. If I didn't stop her, gossip would start spilling out.
"Bro..." What? Why did Xiaoxi's voice sound like she was about to cry?
"What's wrong?" I snapped out of my daze and asked.
"The meat... the meat here... is gone," Xiaoxi pointed at the empty plate ahead.
Damn. I'd been lost in thought earlier and didn't notice I'd eaten it all.
I put on a serious face, winked at Xiaoxi, and said, "Xiaoxi, girls shouldn't eat too much meat. Have some veggies too—what if you gain weight?"
"But... I still..." Xiaoxi stammered.
Seeing things turn bad, I said, "I'm hitting the shower first! I'll make it up to you tomorrow." With that, I bolted to the bathroom like the wind, leaving Xiaoxi alone outside, staring blankly at the leftover dishes.
Such a sin. Amitabha.
