Chapter 15: Sustained Interest, Student Council President’s Personality…

Chapter 15: A Lingering Interest – The Student Council President's Two Sides...

Once again rejected outright by Qi Heyin, Jiang Yanche felt a twinge of disappointment as his subtle hope was dashed, leaving him visibly sulking. For the first time, he couldn’t focus on the lesson, his brows furrowed as he glared resentfully at his desk, as if trying to burn a hole through it with his gaze.

Accustomed to being revered and obeyed as the proud young master he was, always getting his way, he had grown used to unquestioned authority. Yet lately, he kept facing repeated rejections from the same person. Shouldn’t the world revolve around people like him? Whether ordinary commoners or lesser nobles, shouldn’t they all fall over themselves in gratitude for the slightest favor he deigned to bestow? That was how the world was supposed to work.

Jiang Yanche couldn’t understand—what was so bad about the student council? It was the dream pinnacle for every Faro Academy student, an organization whose influence even surpassed the Board of Trustees. Its members called the shots on nearly every aspect of the school... He had thought such an offer would be irresistible. Why would anyone refuse?

But displeasure aside, he didn’t feel any rage or resentment from the repeated rejections. Instead, they only reinforced his realization that this girl beside him was completely unlike anyone he’d ever met.

At this thought, Jiang Yanche suddenly smirked. Lowering his head, he sent a vague message via his communicator to a newly created small group chat with his friends.

Group Name: Bros 2.0 (No Brother Ze Edition)

"Jiang Yanche: I have a feeling this time, my interest might last a long time ^＿^"

The vague message drew instant responses within minutes.

"Zhu Xuan: Xiao Che found a new hobby? Congrats."

"Ji Ningye: This group still exists?"

"Ji Ningye: ? @Jiang Yanche"

"Ji Ningye: Shang Wenze might actually kill you..."

The next afternoon at two o’clock.

As scheduled, Qi Heyin arrived early at the student auditorium.

Jiang Yunxin, tagging along just to join her after learning of her intention to sign up for a club, casually pointed out clubs while explaining them. Having spent two years at Faro, she was already familiar with the major clubs on campus.

"...So many people," Qi Heyin remarked, glancing at the packed room around them.

Jiang Yunxin scanned the scene and said, "Besides freshmen, a lot of upperclassmen are here today too."

She hummed in reply. "I see a lot of classmates from our major."

"Guess everyone’s into clubs," she mused aloud.

Jiang Yunxin chuckled and shook her head. "At this point, anyone who wanted in already joined. These upperclassmen aren’t here for the clubs."

With that, she gestured toward a banner a few yards away. "The Faro student council is also recruiting today."

"Many are here to apply for the student council..." Jiang Yunxin paused before adding, "And quite a few are just here to see the president."

Qi Heyin blinked. *The president?*

"Yeah, Zhu Xuan, the president of Faro’s student council. You’ve probably heard of him—you know, the guy with serious clout and die-hard fans?" Jiang Yunxin explained.

Right on cue, a wave of cheers erupted from the surrounding crowd.

"The president is here!"

"Aaaah President Zhu Xuan!"

"He's starting his speech!"

Qi Heyin followed the commotion and saw a dazzling spotlight shining down on the podium at the front of the auditorium, illuminating the tall figure standing at the center.

The man on stage was dressed in a tailored pure white suit, the smooth fabric fitting snugly against his tall, straight frame, adorned with golden enamel cufflinks, radiating refined elegance.

His aura was unique—aqua-blue hair tied into an elegant low ponytail at the back of his head, his handsome yet gentle features accentuated by slender eyebrows and warm, bright emerald-green eyes that resembled willow fluff brushed by spring's first light, exuding a serene and approachable charm.

"Good afternoon, everyone. I am Zhu Xuan, president of The Philos Student Council..." The man smiled slightly, his composed and steady voice rising above the roar of the excited crowd.

"He's really popular," Jiang Yunxin couldn't help but remark as she watched the scene. "President Zhu Xuan is probably one of the rare figures in the school who enjoys immense popularity among both noble students and merit scholars alike."

Gazing at the figure on stage, Qi Heyin fell silent for a moment before suddenly asking, "Yunxin, do you like him too?"

"Huh?"

Jiang Yunxin seemed surprised by the question. After a moment's thought, she replied, "Like him? Well... I wouldn't go that far. I just think well of him."

"I've had a few official dealings with President Zhu. Compared to those stuck-up, hot-headed rich boys in the student council, he's actually quite a decent person."

With that, she took Qi Heyin's hand, batting her eyes playfully as she said affectionately, "You're the only one for me, He Yin."

Qi Heyin's face flushed slightly as she nodded seriously and gently squeezed her hand in return.

So Yunxin isn't into him... Good.

She had finally met the last male lead from the original novel—Zhu Xuan, the student council president of Philos Academy.

Zhu Xuan was the only son of the Zhu family in the imperial capital. Unlike old aristocratic families like the Shangs or the Jiangs, the Zhu family was part of the new nobility. They had amassed immense wealth during the Industrial Revolution, emerging as industrial titans and financial powerhouses who had historically challenged the feudal monarchy's power, significantly contributing to the empire's systemic reforms. Today, the Zhu family controlled multiple energy companies within Philos, exerting profound influence over the empire's economy by controlling nearly all energy production.

...Yet another true-blue elite Celestial Noble.

However, compared to the other male leads with their terrible personalities, Zhu Xuan's portrayal in the original novel stood out like a clear stream.

His character was starkly different from the others—gentle, kind, and flawlessly courteous, appearing almost perfect. At the academy, many students referred to him as "Philos' Most Gentle Noble" because of his approachability, treating even merit scholars—often discriminated against by other noble students—with warmth and friendliness.

In the novel, it was precisely this gentleness that made Zhu Xuan the female lead's most trusted confidant. He was her protector, her only shoulder to cry on, her steady rock she could always lean on...

He sounded like the kind, devoted second male lead often seen in dramas.

Judging solely by the novel's descriptions, President Zhu Xuan was undoubtedly the most normal among the Celestial Noble male leads.

If, in the original story, the female lead had to choose one of these terrible men as her ending, he would undoubtedly seem like the best choice.

But upon closer reflection, Qi Heyin found something subtly unsettling about the plot.

The gentleness described in the novel wasn't false, but if Zhu Xuan was truly so devoted and kind, why didn't he directly resolve the female lead's plight at its root?

He possessed overwhelming power and influence—enough to change the female lead's fate of being bullied and toyed with by the others. Yet, despite knowing the actions of the other male leads, he just stood there watching as she suffered again and again.

He always appeared deeply distressed, yet his responses were limited to band-aid solutions—medical treatment, words of concern, or consolation gifts—equivalent to putting a bandage on after throwing the punch.

Because of these reservations, Qi Heyin remained unconvinced by the student council president, who was hailed by everyone as practically perfect.

Only after asking Jiang Yunxin and learning that she only felt mildly about Zhu Xuan did Qi Heyin breathe a little easier.

...He was the male lead best at fooling the female lead in the original novel. Qi Heyin was deeply suspicious of his true nature.