Chapter 14: Hobby Club Selection, Student Council

Chapter 14: The Student Council Selects Club Members

"Colorful club activities are an indispensable part of a wonderful campus life."

Before the start of the semester, Qi Heyin came across this sentence while searching for content related to campus life online.

It left a deep impression on her, and she quickly decided to include "participating in club activities" on her list of experiences to have during her two-year campus life.

Walking to her seat, her ears were filled with the enthusiastic and excited chatter of her classmates. From these discussions, she gleaned the key information that the public school's club recruitment for this semester would begin on Tuesday afternoon at the large student auditorium beside the Fallo Gymnasium.

Qi Heyin sat down at her desk, her gaze lowering to notice the dozens of colorful posters scattered on the table.

"These were just handed out by people from various clubs," Jiang Yancha explained casually, noticing Qi Heyin's puzzled look. "They're starting to promote for tomorrow's club recruitment today."

He gestured to his own desk, indicating he had them too, and said nonchalantly, "Those club organizers go crazy every year trying to recruit members, sweeping through both freshmen and upperclassmen. Every wall in Fallo will be plastered with their flyers, and even the printers will work until they break down."

"......I see." Qi Heyin nodded in understanding. She lowered her eyes, neatly stacking the pile of posters on the table, then pulled one out to read it carefully.

Beside her, Jiang Yancha propped his chin in his hand and watched her, raising an eyebrow slightly. "Qi, you're interested in clubs?"

Qi Heyin, still focused on the poster, gave a light "Hmm."

A hint of surprise flashed in Jiang Yancha's eyes.

"I didn't expect that," he shook his head and sighed. "I thought you'd be the type who isn't interested in extracurricular activities at all."

"After all, you're always busy studying, researching... things like that."

"Not at all," Qi Heyin glanced at him and patiently pointed out, "I enjoy studying and research, but that doesn't mean I don't have other interests."

"Hm." Jiang Yanche blinked lightly, raising his hand like a student in class, wearing an eager, curious look. "Mind telling me about your hobbies?"

Qi Heyin pondered for a moment. "I usually paint, garden, read, play chess..."

"And..." she thought for a bit before adding, "I play games a little."

"Huh? You play games too?" Jiang Yanche said in surprise. "Not like Sudoku or brain teasers, right?"

"No." Qi Heyin shook her head in denial. She said earnestly, "Combat games."

"Do you know 'Ballad of the Brave'? That full-immersion VR shooter—I'm at the Master rank."

Jiang Yanche froze for a second.

"Did I hear that right? 'Ballad of the Brave'?" He looked at her incredulously. "Your rank is higher than mine!"

"How’d you even get into that?" It seemed totally unlike her.

"After my surgery abroad, recovery was too boring, so my doctor lent me his old gaming headset... I played a lot during that time." Qi Heyin paused before adding, "But I haven’t played since returning to China."

Jiang Yanche: "..."

Hearing her say this so nonchalantly, he felt oddly defeated.

He had thought that at least in the realm of "play," he was unmatched and impressive...

But now, not only could he not compete academically, but he couldn’t even outplay her in games?

Qi Heyin didn’t notice the boy’s momentary dejection at all. She was staring at the three promotional posters she had narrowed down, torn between the Art Club, Book Club, or Go Club.

"I'll just go see for myself when the time comes..." she murmured to herself.

"Heyin, are you just planning to join clubs?" Jiang Yanche suddenly spoke up.

By now, he had fixed his expression, his face returning to its usual laid-back look as the corners of his lips lifted slightly.

"Actually, this time it's not just clubs—the school's student council is also recruiting. Heyin, have you considered joining the student council?"

"Since I'm in the sports department, why not join me there? I've got your back," he said with a smile.

"...No thanks," Qi Heyin replied. "I'm not good at sports."

With her physique, even a few extra steps of running would leave her winded with heart palpitations.

"Hey now, that's a misunderstanding. Who said joining the sports department means you have to play sports? We have desk jobs too, you know?"

Jiang Yanche pouted helplessly. "Most of our desk jobs are just setting up games or organizing the department's cheer squad rehearsals..."

—Cheer squad.

As he spoke, his face froze for a second, as if suddenly realizing something, and he silently turned his gaze to Qi Heyin.

With autumn coming on, the weather had grown colder. The girl still wore the standard red-and-white school uniform, but for warmth, she had layered a fluffy, cream-colored peacoat over it. Her raven-black hair framed her snow-pale face, her features delicate and aloof.

It was hard to imagine someone like her running a cheer squad—what kind of state would she be in while cheering others on?

Would she sit quietly in the stands, occasionally clapping along with the crowd, or would she be like the girls he usually saw—screaming their heads off for him during matches, then afterward, turning pink as they handed him water with shy, hesitant glances?

Come to think of it... would she even blush for someone?

Jiang Yanche's gaze lingered on Qi Heyin's face, his mind wandering without realizing.

His thoughts were filled with random, silly daydreams.

If Heyin joined his department...

"Why are you staring at me like that?" Qi Heyin turned to him, her expression slightly exasperated.

She had tried to ignore it, but the intensity of his gaze was impossible to overlook.

Jiang Yanche jerked back to reality, pausing for a rare moment of silence as he looked at her.

His good-looking face first furrowed slightly, then relaxed.

"Hey, I'm serious—consider joining the student council?" he suddenly spoke up again.

Tilting his head, the soft, fluffy ends of his hair bounced playfully, streaks glowing pinkish under the sunlight.

His tone was trying to sound casual. "You don’t have to pick my department... but if you do, I’ll even let you take over as department head if you want. How about it?"

"You lead, I assist. I’ll handle the matches, you handle the cheer squad. We’ll be a dream team—"

Qi Heyin: "?" What the...

"Come on? Pretty please?" Jiang Yanche clasped his hands together. "Just think about it! The student council has major bonus points!"

Qi Heyin: "......"

What was his deal with being so pushy? Just another one of his random ideas?

She had no idea what he was thinking about during that spacing out just now.

But... as for going, there was no way she would.

Qi Heyin pressed her lips lightly together. Deadpan, she refused succinctly, "No."

The student council of Faro Academy—where several Celestial Nobles male leads from the original story gathered—she’d have to be crazy to go there.

So far, she had already encountered Shang Wenze, Jiang Yanche, Li Chen... Just one of them alone was enough to leave her drained and outmatched. She had absolutely no desire to meet two, three... or even more of them at the same time.

Before she fully figures them out, she had to value her well-being and steer clear of the student council.