Chapter 37: This President Must Go

The idea of changing classes had barely left his lips before it was immediately met with resistance from the chubby boy and the others.

"Fine, if you won't leave, I will!"

"I am trying to save you from this hellhole! If you want to play with fire, go right ahead!"

Jiang Changyuan turned to head for the principal’s office, but in the next second, the chubby boy slid across the floor and latched onto his leg, howling.

"Young Master Jiang, you can't abandon us! How are we supposed to survive without you?"

"That’s right, Young Master Jiang! A class without you is like the West losing Jerusalem—you can’t leave!"

"What are you all doing?"

He tried to shake his leg, but he couldn't move an inch. At that moment, Jiang Changyuan felt like he was strapped to a rack, his limbs pinned down.

"We’re brothers, don’t drag me down with you if you want to die."

"I don’t get what you’re saying, Young Master Jiang. I just feel like we’ve built a real bond in this class."

"Yeah, yeah, Fatty’s right. We aren't used to changing classes and starting over. Besides, you know how much people hate us, Young Master Jiang..."

Jiang Changyuan laughed in frustration. A bunch of traitors trying to stage a mutiny!

"You guys..."

"Jiang Changyuan!"

The icy tone cut Jiang Changyuan’s words short. Gu Qing walked over with a blank expression and, without a word, bowed to him.

"Thank you."

"Thank you for what?"

Jiang Changyuan recoiled in surprise, his balance relying on his lackeys. He had no idea why Gu Qing was thanking him. Besides, what kind of person thanks someone while looking like they’re ready to draw a blade?

Gu Qing frowned, his expression reluctant. "Thank you for standing up for me."

"Oh, that. Brother, can you not hold your breath like that next time?" Jiang Changyuan patted his chest, unbothered. "It’s a small matter. Besides, we’re brothers. For brothers—"

"Who’s your brother?"

If they were brothers, he’d have been beaten to death by now!

Jiang Changyuan thought, *What the hell?* This guy was truly ungrateful. He had managed to snatch some benefits for himself, but on a bigger scale, wasn't he saving Gu Qing from going down a dark path today? If he didn't have to worry about the male lead's fragile ego, he wouldn't have bothered making such a scene. Honestly...

"Talk about casting pearls before swine! If it weren't for Young Master Jiang, would you have been able to let off steam?"

"Young Master Jiang could have handled this privately with the principal in minutes. Who do you think he did this big scene for?"

"He took a huge risk for you, maybe even risked expulsion. Who are you pulling that long face for?"

"And you call yourself a brother? We aren't your brothers."

Fine, fine, very well. Everything Jiang Changyuan wanted to say, his lackeys had already said. But these things shouldn't be said out loud!

"Cough, cough, brothers, don't be like that. We’ve shared some hardships with President Gu, after all."

"President Gu, don't take it to heart. We say things and forget them immediately; they didn't mean it that way."

"How about I treat you today after school—"

"It was my fault. You helped me, and I should thank you."

Before Jiang Changyuan could finish, Gu Qing bowed to him again, shocking everyone on the spot. Never mind Jiang Changyuan; even the chubby boy and the others had never seen Gu Qing lower his head like this.

"Big brother, are you... okay?"

"I am sorry. Please forgive my earlier words."

The chubby boy was bewildered. Was he still dreaming?

*Smack!*

"Hiss, it hurts. Not a dream."

"I am sorry. Please forgive me—"

"Alright, alright, you're forgiven! Please, stop bowing!"

Knowing Gu Qing’s stubborn nature, he would keep bowing until the end of time if he didn't get a response. Jiang Changyuan quickly stopped him, feeling like every bow was taking a year off his life.

"I will remember this kindness, but when it comes to the student council president election, I won't go easy on you."

Upon hearing this, Jiang Changyuan’s eyes lit up. A perfect opportunity! He could take this chance to state he had no interest in the position and just withdraw! However, he forgot about the group of traitors behind him.

"Our Young Master Jiang is the top dog of Shi Gao. Anything he wants, he just has to wave his hand. Does he need you to go easy on him?"

"Exactly! Forget president; even if he wanted to be principal, it’s just one phone call for Young Master Jiang."

"Beating you is as easy as drinking water or eating for Young Master Jiang. Just wait to step down!"

Jiang Changyuan felt his soul leaving his body. He didn't want to be president at all! Who wanted that thankless, exhausting job?

"Shut your mouths!"

"Gu Qing, about the president position—"

"Then I’ll be waiting for you!" Gu Qing lifted his head proudly, his eyes burning with competitive spirit. "We tied on the last exam. Let's see who wins and who loses this time!"

"I, Gu Qing, never admit defeat!"

With that, Gu Qing turned and left, carrying the hopes of the entire village on his back. Jiang Changyuan felt a throbbing headache. Dammit, could he just let him finish a sentence?!

"Young Master Jiang, there’s a speech for the election. We can pay someone to write it for us."

"And we need the school's approval. The principal is on our side; the advantage is ours."

"Stop!" Jiang Changyuan shouted in a panic. If he let them keep talking, he’d end up as president without even knowing how it happened.

"We cannot take this president position!"

"Why, Young Master Jiang? Whether our student club becomes a formal organization depends on this one shot."

"If you're worried about not getting elected, you can just have Uncle Jiang put in a word with the principal."

The chubby boy and the others were deeply confused. Once Jiang Changyuan became president, they could reshuffle the leadership and turn into student council members themselves. Who would dare mess with them then? They would be the undisputed kings of Shi Gao!

Jiang Changyuan looked at them gloomily, feeling his heart break. *Damn it, it’s because being president is a death sentence!*

"Let me ask you: what is the purpose of students coming to school?"

"Uh... so no one manages our sleep?"

"To skip class and go play?"

"To collect protection money?"

Jiang Changyuan’s mouth twitched, and he knocked each of them on the head. He shouldn't have expected any better answers from these idiots!

"There is only one purpose for students at school: to study!"

"If you don't study, are you going to just eat dirt in the future? Don't tell me you can just live off your parents forever."

"What if something happens to your families and you’re left all alone? Who are you going to rely on then?"

His words sent their limited intellects into a brief moment of reflection, especially the chubby boy, who was genuinely reconsidering things. Ever since his family connected with the Jiang family, his parents had been praising him so much he wondered if they had been possessed by aliens. Plus, his grades had improved significantly in the last exam, and he had received more pocket money from his parents—something that had never happened before.

"Young Master Jiang is right. Since that exam, my parents haven't hit me once."

The chubby boy’s words opened the floodgates, and the others began sharing their parents' reactions—all of them noting that as they improved, their parents treated them better in turn.

"So, do you want your parents to treat you better, or do you want to go back to the days of being beaten for no reason?"

"Of course, better! Even with my thick skin, I’m still afraid of getting hit." The chubby boy instinctively touched his rear; even he felt pain.

The others agreed as well. Who would want chaos when they could live comfortably?

"So, our main goal right now is to study! If we become the student council, we'll be bogged down by every trivial, annoying little thing."

"You won't have time! But Gu Qing and his crowd will have plenty of time to study. Think about it—think carefully!"