Chapter Fifty-Three: The Student Council Second Interview

Turning her attention, she asked, “Xinxin, why did you suddenly buy so many clothes?”

Caught off guard by the question, Lin Yuexin’s gaze darted away. She tucked a stray lock of hair behind her ear and replied, feigning nonchalance, “I just got paid today, so I thought I’d treat myself to some new clothes.”

Her answer was met by the girl’s eyes, brimming with concern and affection. “That makes sense. You really work too hard, juggling all those part-time jobs from early morning till late at night.”

That sympathetic look again—how detestable. Why is it that you can have so much with such ease? And why do you think a simple, caring glance is enough to win someone’s unwavering devotion? If you truly care, then show it through real actions.

Why is the world so unfair? Why am I always left envying everything you have?

One day, I’ll make you envy me.

Lin Yuexin’s nails dug hard into her palm, but her face was all radiant smiles. “With a good friend like you looking out for me, I don’t feel tired at all!”

“Then make sure you get some rest. Look at you, your face looks a bit drawn,” the girl said at once, pulling her over with genuine worry.

Perhaps the girl’s acting was too convincing, her innocence disarming to everyone she met; or perhaps Lin Yuexin simply overestimated her own performance, for she still believed the girl hadn’t seen through her feigned sincerity and continued to treat her as a close sister in her simple, trusting way.

She believed those words of concern without the slightest doubt.

Immediately, she rushed to the mirror, anxiously examining her reflection to see if she really looked as haggard as the girl claimed. Was it her imagination, or did she truly look much more worn?

Lately, she’d been working several jobs to make money, and her skin had suffered for it.

Maybe it was time to quit a few. After all, Senior Mu Tian had promised her—so long as she reported everything about Jiujiu, she’d be paid.

Since making money could be so easy, why bother working so hard?

The corners of her mouth lifted as she turned to the girl with gratitude. “Thank you, Jiujiu. I’ll take better care of myself from now on. It’s getting late—you should get some rest too.”

“Mm, good night.” The girl flashed a harmless, gentle smile, seemingly free of guile.

The moment she turned away, however, all trace of that smile vanished, and a glint of cold light flickered in her eyes.

[System, make her skin worse for the next few days. Didn’t Mu Tian just give her a lot of money? Let’s help her out, save her from the trouble of not knowing how to spend it.]

[Got it.]

The system noted how ruthless this tactic was—after all, a girl cares most about her face. Jiujiu always struck where it hurt most. Still, Lin Yuexin deserved it.

After everything that had happened during the day, the girl’s mood had been rather grim. But that night, she unexpectedly received an invitation to the student council’s second-round interview.

Staring at the bright message on her phone, she sighed. Finally, she’d reached the crucial stage. So… what about Cheng Yanzhen? Would he be there the day after tomorrow?

Her eyes shone. The student council’s second-round interview—surely the president himself would attend.

Setting her phone aside, she turned to her wardrobe, wondering what she should wear. Their encounter today had been by chance; the day after tomorrow would be their first official meeting. She had to make a lasting impression.

Her gaze lingered over each outfit until it settled on one, satisfaction gleaming in her eyes.

Simple and elegant in style, yet brimming with youthful energy—bright, unique, and perfect.

****

That day, on the third floor of the teaching building, the student council’s second-round interview began at nine in the morning.

The girl arrived twenty minutes early, only to find the room already filled with people waiting, buzzing with nervous chatter.

“My heart is racing, I’m so nervous, what should I do?”

“Me too, but just thinking about seeing Cheng Yanzhen gives me motivation.”

“Don’t get your hopes up. Mu Tian will be there too.”

...

Mu Tian’s here too? Looks like getting into the student council won’t be easy.

After scanning the room, she chose a seat at random and waited quietly.

Following the previous incident on the basketball court, many people now recognized her and began glancing her way, whispering among themselves—

“She’s the new campus belle, isn’t she? I think her name is—”

“I know it! Wei Jiujiu. She really is as beautiful as the rumors say.”

“Isn’t she? I heard that the other day, Cheng Yanzhen happened to rescue her on the basketball court, and Mu Tian saw it—they almost fought.”

“Wow, could she really take on Mu Tian? Some seniors told me she’s a real tough one; nobody dares cross her.”

“No kidding. I can’t believe she’s here for the interview today. Mu Tian will definitely make things hard for her—no way she’ll pass.”

“But what if Senior Cheng helps her again?”

...

Listening to the hushed conversations, the girl’s eyes sparkled with amusement. So Mu Tian’s reputation was already in tatters, was it? How could she hope to challenge her now?

It was unclear whether the excitement of the gossip or the efficiency of the interview itself made time seem to fly.

“**—enter. Next, Wei Jiujiu, please get ready,” called a student council staff member from inside the classroom.

Aha, the real show was about to begin.

Interest in the earlier topic had started to wane, but with this announcement, everyone turned to look at the girl again, eager to see her reaction—was she nervous or afraid? But she simply waited innocently, all wide-eyed and obedient.

Disappointed, they returned to their own preparations.

When the student before her came out, the girl glided gracefully into the room.

As she opened the door, she saw a row of student council staffers seated inside, dressed in formal suits and ties, sitting upright with a seriousness that made them seem almost like business professionals—though with the freshness and inexperience of youth, lacking the commanding presence of someone seasoned like Mu Tingye.

As she glanced their way, many were visibly dazzled by her presence.

How boring; not much of a challenge at all.

Just as she was about to look away, her gaze was caught by the young man seated at the head of the row: strikingly handsome features, deep dark eyes, a high-bridged nose, lips pressed in a slight line. He wore a crisp white shirt, sleeves rolled up to reveal a forearm, giving him an air of effortless competence—aloof, restrained, and cool.

He was the legendary heartthrob of Zhuoguang University, Cheng Yanzhen.

Just as she expected, he was here. A brilliant smile lit her face.

Cheng Yanzhen had been writing an evaluation for the previous candidate, head bowed, when he suddenly felt an intense gaze on him. He assumed it was just another starstruck junior, and frowned slightly as he looked up—only to find someone entirely unexpected.

She was beaming at him, but the moment their eyes met, she turned away, biting her lip in feigned embarrassment.

The instant she walked in, Mu Tian’s brows furrowed deeply, her gaze turning venomous.

So she claimed not to be interested in Cheng Yanzhen, yet here she was, chasing him all the way to the student council.

What’s more, seeing everyone’s awestruck expressions only fueled Mu Tian’s fury. She slammed the table hard and snapped coldly, “You there—are you here for the interview, or to seduce men?”

The whole room fell silent, every eye turning on the speaker in disapproval.