Chapter 12 Chapter 12: Class Officer Elections
At eight o’clock that evening, Su Yuan and the others hurried into the classroom, the usual meeting place for their Bioengineering Class One.
By the time they arrived, most of the class was already seated.
“You should give it a try” Gao Jun said, pointing to the words Class Officer Election written on the blackboard. Su Yuan shook her head. “I would rather not. My course load this semester is heavy enough”
“What a shame” Ji Yehan said, surprised by her refusal. With her cute appearance, Su Yuan had always been popular in class. But she had never shown interest in taking responsibility, always avoiding class affairs. This semester, the outgoing Youth League secretary was stepping down, and many expected Su Yuan to step up. Instead, she seemed even more withdrawn.
Ji Yehan looked at her, disappointment flickering in his eyes.
Su Yuan lowered her head. She had been a top candidate for Youth League secretary until her body changed. Now she wanted to avoid standing out in public as much as possible. Her decision drew puzzled glances from several classmates.
Jiang Yuan, the arts and sports delegate, was running again for her position, a thankless role no one else seemed eager to take. Her dark gleaming eyes fixed on Su Yuan, as if trying to read something hidden in her face.
“See that. Your sister will not stop staring at you” Gao Jun whispered.
“Shut up and get lost” Su Yuan muttered, lightly punching his head and shooting him a sharp look.
Because their names shared the same second character in pronunciation, many jokingly called Su Yuan Jiang Yuan’s little brother. Jiang Yuan had always treated him like a younger sibling, and though harmless rumors occasionally swirled about them, Su Yuan knew well that Jiang Yuan’s heart belonged to their classmate Lu Chuan.
Having no interest in the election, Su Yuan watched the proceedings as an outsider.
On stage, a girl named Lu Wei delivered a confident eloquent speech. Her words flowed smoothly, full of ambition, but something about it grated on Su Yuan’s ears. After frowning for a while, she realized why. Lu Wei’s speech was laced with veiled barbs.
She guessed the girl was simply too competitive. Though university class officers held little real power and mostly took on extra work, the classroom still mirrored society. Some students brought social rivalries into class life, driven by a need to never appear inferior. Their pettiness poisoned the simplicity of school friendships.
Throughout her speech, Lu Wei kept glancing toward Su Yuan. He had gotten even more delicate over summer break, she thought. In truth, she feared Su Yuan might suddenly change his mind and run for secretary, because if he did, he would likely win.
“Su Yuan, that Lu Wei seems awfully focused on you” Yang Xiaowei teased, sitting beside her.
Su Yuan twirled a pen between her fingers, silent and brooding. She was growing annoyed. She had not wanted to compete at all, yet somehow, in some people’s eyes, she had become a rival. She touched her own face. Am I really that threatening.
The thought made her smile. Ah, such is the power of charisma. She basked quietly in self admiration.
Suddenly, her leg was nudged. Startled, she turned to see Yang Xiaowei raise his hand high as soon as Lu Wei stepped down. He stood up, flashing a bright white smile. “I am running for Youth League secretary”
Su Yuan’s eyes widened. He was about to stir up trouble.
“What is Xiao Wei doing” Gao Jun asked, astonished.
“He has lost his mind” Su Yuan muttered.
Yang Xiaowei had always been articulate, a skill honed by his upbringing. Now he and Lu Wei were direct rivals.
During the vote count, Yang Xiaowei lost by just a few ballots. Though he missed the secretary role, he was unexpectedly elected class monitor. But could someone like him really handle the job.
On the walk back, magnolia trees lined the road, their glossy leaves glowing under streetlights, majestic and serene. Yang Xiaowei clutched his chest in despair. “It is over, Su Su. Why did I go and trap myself like this. Now I will have zero time alone with my girlfriend. I have tied myself in knots, completely self sabotaged”
“Everyone fights to be class monitor” Su Yuan finally snapped, rolling her eyes. “You act like you have been conscripted into the army. It is still a leadership position”
“I was just trying to stand up for you” he grumbled. “Did not expect it to blow up like this”
“You are a fool” Su Yuan said coldly. “Now Lu Wei will definitely think I put you up to it”
Some conflicts arose for no good reason. Lu Wei already viewed her with suspicion. Psychologically, when someone dislikes you, everything you do or do not do feels like a deliberate slight. Su Yuan had not even complained, yet Yang Xiaowei was already whining.
“Yehan, look what your Su Su did to me” Yang Xiaowei appealed to Ji Yehan.
Ji Yehan, who never got involved in impulsive drama, groaned at the request. “You brought this on yourself”
“Wait, whose Su Su is he” Su Yuan shot up, indignant.
“I was just joking”
Ji Yehan turned serious. “Do not make jokes like that anymore”
“Fine, fine. No more jokes” Yang Xiaowei quickly patted his chest and declared to Su Yuan, “Do not worry about Lu Wei, Su Su. I am class monitor now, I will protect you”
Su Yuan could not decide whether to laugh or cry. “Oh, what a mighty official you are”
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