Chapter 155: The Election

On the final day of military training, following the collective performances, Instructor Bai departed directly without even saying goodbye.

In truth, everyone was merely passing acquaintances, falling far short of deep bonds. Yet, a faint sense of reluctance lingered in their hearts.

This reluctance stemmed largely from nostalgia for that period of military training—the memories of singing contests and sweating together.

Wang Zhimin shouted toward Instructor Bai’s retreating back, "Instructor Bai, I will strive to follow in your footsteps! You must wait for me!"

Wang Zhimin’s words carried a rather ambiguous undertone. Instructor Bai, originally marching away in step with the formation, was nearly startled into stumbling when he heard the chubby fellow declare, "You must wait for me," prompting him to quicken his pace.

The end of military training marked the official commencement of classes for the incoming high school freshmen.

During the first class, the head teacher adjusted his glasses and declared, "Our goal is crystal clear—the college entrance examination. Everything else is trivial!"

Wang Zhimin raised his hand. "Teacher, we haven’t elected class officers yet! And the seating arrangements haven’t been settled either!"

The head teacher waved a hand dismissively. "Such trifles! Who wants to be the class monitor?"

Not a single hand went up! Being a class monitor in high school offered no substantive benefits and merely wasted time. Everyone was single-mindedly devoted to their studies and had no desire to let trivial class matters squander precious time.

Wang Zhimin stood up. "In junior high school, I served as the labor commissioner, possessing a profound spirit of service to my fellow students. Therefore, I wish to run for the position of class monitor, contributing my light and heat to everyone. As Mr. Lu Xun once said: With a cold-browed glare, I defy a thousand pointing fingers; head bowed, like a willing ox, I serve the children..."

Before Wang Zhimin could finish, the head teacher directly interrupted him. "Alright, alright, is there anyone else running?"

Wang Zhimin felt a pang in his heart. Could the head teacher please take an endeavor as solemn as running for class monitor a bit more seriously? He hadn't even finished delivering his campaign speech!

Deng Qingqing also raised her hand. "Me."

The head teacher glanced at both of them. "To be fair, let's put it to a vote!"

"But everyone isn't familiar with either of our capabilities yet!"

The head teacher replied calmly, "Trivial matters! Let everyone decide based on their intuition!"

Wang Zhimin sat down in a daze. Did he still stand a chance?

"Your task is to study. As for the class committee positions, our class is so exceptional that anyone is capable of handling them."

Soon, the voting results were tallied, and Wang Zhimin secured a grand total of two votes.

One vote was from himself, and the other was because he had snatched Ming Han's slip of paper and written his own name on it.

A cruel outcome!

Deng Qingqing stood up and gave a slight bow to everyone. "I will strive to be a good class monitor."

The head teacher nodded with satisfaction. "You can directly assign the other class committee positions later."

Next came the seating arrangements.

The head teacher once again exemplified his "trivial matters" philosophy: "Find your own desk partners! Just try to keep the taller students toward the back."

With those words dropped, he left the classroom.

Wang Zhimin cheered jubilantly, "The head teacher has finally done a good deed! I'm going to sit with a female classmate."

No sooner had his voice trailed off than he discovered an awkward predicament: most of the female students had already chosen their desk partners.

Only he and Deng Qingqing were left.

A sudden wave of elation surged through him. She was, after all, a supreme beauty! The students of Class Eight were treating him quite well indeed!

He mentally rehearsed his lines. "Classmate Deng Qingqing, please take good care of me for the next three years." Ah, perfect! Polite and gentlemanly.

Yet before he could utter the words, Deng Qingqing walked over to Ming Han, turned to Ming Han's desk partner Wu Xinhai, and said, "Could I trouble you to switch seats with me?"

It was blatantly obvious! She intended to sit with Ming Han.

Wu Xinhai cast a reluctant, lingering glance at Ming Han, then weakly asked Deng Qingqing, "Can I refuse?"

Deng Qingqing flashed her sweet, flower-like smile and said softly to Wu Xinhai, "I am the class monitor, you know! Student Wu, you might want to think twice about that!"

This was a naked, unadulterated threat!

Helpless, Wu Xinhai grasped Ming Han’s hand and said, "I may not be by your side during class, but in the dormitory, the very first person you see when you wake up will definitely be me."

Ming Han rubbed his forehead. "Piss off!"

And just like that, Deng Qingqing became Ming Han's desk partner. Meanwhile, Wu Xinhai and Wang Zhimin blissfully ended up together.

Huang Ying was thoroughly displeased. How dare she snatch my Lilli’s man? Unforgivable.

"Ming Han, I want to switch seats with you."

Good grief, what kind of tactic was this? Self-sacrifice for a greater cause?

Deng Qingqing glanced indifferently at Huang Ying. "Rest assured! I have no interest in him. I merely heard that his mathematics and physics are exceptional, so I'm simply securing a free tutoring teacher."

"Best be like that."

Listening to the two girls volleying back and forth, Ming Han felt deeply aggrieved. I'm right here beside you both! Could I please be granted a shred of respect? Did anyone even bother to consult my opinion?

However, it appeared his opinion mattered not in the least, as neither girl had any intention of asking for his consent.

Deng Qingqing gave Ming Han's shoulder a hearty smack. "Help me raise my math and physics to your level, and I'll treat you to a grand feast."

Once the seating was settled, Wang Zhimin scurried over to Deng Qingqing with a fawning expression. "Class Monitor, I don't have many virtues, but I do love serving the people. Can you arrange a class committee position for me?"

Deng Qingqing knitted her brows, displaying a look of utter difficulty. "You know, the class committee is the backbone of a class. Whether we choose well directly impacts the future development of our collective. Your request puts me in a terribly difficult position."

Wang Zhimin bowed and scraped. "Indeed, indeed, but I will definitely strive to contribute my own share to the class's development."

Wang Zhimin had thought it through carefully: if he couldn't be class monitor, landing a role like arts commissioner or sanitation commissioner would still afford him plenty of interaction with the girls in the class.

"Then how about you be the sports commissioner? Coincidentally, our inter-class basketball tournament is about to start."

Huh? Wang Zhimin wore a depressed expression. Sports commissioner? Wasn't that just going to involve dealing with a huge pack of rough-and-tumble guys?

"What, you're unwilling?"

Wang Zhimin forced a smile. "Not at all! As long as I can contribute my meager strength to the class, I'm willing to take on anything."

Girls had to participate in the sports meet too, didn't they? Haha...

Deng Qingqing then pointed at Ming Han. "You... being the arts commissioner shouldn't be a problem, right?"

Veins throbbed on Ming Han's forehead. "I refuse!"

"Ming Han, I know you're someone who hates trouble. But for the sake of Class Eight's future development, I hope you can be as selfless as I am. Suffering a little hardship and fatigue is nothing, as long as all the students can have a good study environment, we are satisfied," Wang Zhimin lectured Ming Han from the side.

Ming Han shot Wang Zhimin a look of utter contempt. Heh, had he already become Deng Qingqing's little lackey?

"Fine! I agree."

Deng Qingqing nodded with satisfaction. "Arts commissioner, everyone is a bit tired today. Go up on stage and sing a song for everyone."

Ming Han flared up. "I am the arts commissioner, not a street busker. Do not insult me."

"If you don't sing, I'll call the sports commissioner."

At the mere thought of Wang Zhimin's soul-crushing voice, a shudder ran through Ming Han. "I'll do it myself!"