Chapter Forty-Nine: The School Student Council

The student council's recruitment staff was nearly losing hope after waiting so long without anyone showing up. Joining the student council was indeed difficult, but shouldn't everyone at least give it a try? What if someone actually got in? If only the president were here, the freshmen girls would surely flock around, and there would be no need to wait idly for so long.

Just as they were sighing, a pair of slender, fair legs appeared before them, causing their thoughts to scatter.

"Hello, may I ask if the student council is still recruiting?" The clear and melodious voice entered their ears, soft and enchanting.

The recruitment staff snapped to attention, quickly looking up at the newcomer—and what they saw was startling. The girl before them had an oval face, a delicate, upturned nose, slightly parted pink lips, and clear eyes that gazed unwaveringly, giving the illusion that you were her entire world. She wore a gentle and playful floral sweatshirt with a pleated skirt. Others had worn similar outfits before, but never exuded such an ethereal charm.

"Hello, yes, we're still recruiting. Do you—do you want to sign up?" The staff stammered, voice barely above a whisper, afraid to startle this angelic freshman.

"Yes, could you please give me a registration form? Thank you." The girl's smile was pure and sweet, making everyone feel at ease.

Her gentle reminder made the staff realize they'd been staring for too long. With a flushed face, they quickly found a registration form and handed it to her with both hands.

"This is the one. Please fill it out truthfully, then scan the code on the corner of the table to join the group. Information about the preliminary interview and other news will be posted there." At last, the staff remembered their main duty, eager to recruit this freshman so they could work together. Just imagining it made them happy.

That joy wasn't only internal; it showed in their actions. The staff enthusiastically explained what to write here, what to write there... making the girl wonder if her decision to join the student council was a mistake.

Were they so passionate because so few people signed up? Would she even need to prepare thoroughly?

Once everything was settled, and after receiving a wistful farewell, the girl left, finding Yu Qian, who had nearly finished her own tour, and the two walked back together.

"Jiujiu, I want braised chicken. Let’s eat at the third cafeteria today."

Ever since Yu Qian had joined her favorite club, she hadn’t stopped smiling.

"Ah, sorry, Qianqian, I have to go home today, so I can't join you," the girl said apologetically.

Yu Qian remembered—Jiujiu went home every Wednesday and weekend, and she had been so happy that she forgot.

She shook the girl's arm, unconcerned. "It's fine! I can manage on my own. Besides, you live close, so spending more time with family is good."

Family? Did Mu Tingye count as family?

"Thank you, Qianqian. Such a wonderful Qianqian—I wonder who she'll end up with!" The girl's brows arched as she deftly changed the subject.

"Of course it'll be..." Yu Qian blurted, then paused, stammering, "Someone excellent."

The girl chuckled, teasing, "If you ever feel lonely, chat with Senior Wen. I'm sure he'd be happy to talk."

The result was Yu Qian chasing her, both running and laughing, their cheerful voices echoing through every corner of the campus.

When school ended that afternoon, the girl headed straight for the usual parking spot. As the driver opened the door, she was just about to get in when she saw someone unexpected.

Delighted, she called out, "Uncle Tingye!"

At the sound, Mu Tingye turned, his expression calm as he looked at her.

The girl stood with her back to the light, her face unclear, but her curved brows and sparkling eyes were striking—she was clearly very happy.

Was it something at school that made her so happy, or was it because he had come to pick her up himself?

"Come in," he said, his tone softer.

The girl obediently sat beside him, her voice gentle and curious, "Uncle Tingye, why are you here? Did you just happen to get off work?"

Mu Tingye paused mid-typing, his brows knitting slightly.

How was he supposed to answer—say that he wanted to see her sooner? He could never utter such words.

He simply nodded in response.

From the corner of his eye, Mu Tingye noticed that after he nodded, the girl's nose turned red as she lowered her head in disappointment. Regret flickered in his heart, and just as he was about to say something, the girl suddenly looked up, her eyes shining, and said with childlike enthusiasm, "Uncle, I signed up for the school's cheerleading team today. I think I’ll be chosen!"

Her jet-black hair fell across her milky cheeks, her eyes as clear as a mountain stream, her voice soft—if one listened closely, there was a hint of a choke.

He was about to speak when—

Cheerleading team?

A vivid image flashed through Mu Tingye's mind: the girl in a seductive, revealing skirt, dancing, cheering on other boys.

His brows furrowed deeply, his gaze darkening. "No. You're not allowed to join," he said coldly, his voice sharp as a winter wind.

The girl flinched at his harsh tone, shrinking her shoulders and staring at him with wide, anxious eyes. Carefully, she asked, "Uncle Tingye, why not?"

He simply looked at her, his gaze unwavering, giving no answer.

After a long silence, the girl, already feeling aggrieved, was now forbidden from joining the club she wanted. Her eyes reddened, a strange heat rising to them.

Her shoulders trembled, her lively eyes blurred by tears, and her red nose twitched—she looked pitiful indeed.

"Don’t cry!"

His deep voice rang out, commanding and irrefutable.

The moment she heard him, the tears she'd been holding back flowed freely, streaming down her soft cheeks. Her innocent eyes, cleansed by tears, gazed up at him, reflecting his handsome, resolute face.

The sight stung Mu Tingye's heart. Slowly, he reached out, gently wiping the tears from her face, his tone resigned. "There, don’t cry. If you want to go, you can."

Sniffling, the girl bit her lip, then suddenly threw herself into his arms, burying her face against the chest she’d longed for.

She didn’t really know why she felt so hurt—it was such a minor thing. But she wanted Mu Tingye to listen to her, to be tolerant, to support her no matter what.

Perhaps it was the innate pride of a girl, perhaps the thrill of having a billionaire CEO obey her, or perhaps... it was the stirrings of her heart.

Her thoughts were a tangled mess, leaving her at a loss.