Chapter Five: The Rise of the Student Union

Half a month later, on the rooftop.

“Jiang Changyuan, what exactly do you mean by this? You set up a student club just to embarrass me?”

Faced with Gu Qing’s accusation, Jiang Changyuan felt his brain shrinking.

Two weeks ago, he had called a meeting with his underlings, persuading them to establish a student club to take over the student council’s tasks.

To keep them in line, he painted a grand vision of competing for the student council presidency next year, promising that once they took over, they could do whatever they wanted.

This way, his underlings would behave better and avoid provoking the student council.

He never expected that not only would they successfully establish the club, but they would also suppress the student council to the point it couldn’t lift its head.

The student club not only mediated disputes and drove away outsiders’ ruffians but was also highly capable of taking action.

From campus landscaping, repairing peeling walls, to refurbishing old desks—they took on all the dirty and arduous work.

The school saved money, student conflicts were resolved, and no hooligans dared approach the campus.

The whole school flourished with vitality!

At the flag-raising ceremony this morning, the principal publicly praised the student club for their selfless dedication.

He also sharply criticized the student council for inefficiency, rigid procedures, and lack of flexibility.

After the assembly, the student club members held their heads high with pride.

The student council was filled with frustration but had no outlet.

Because of this matter, Gu Qing specifically arranged a private meeting with Jiang Changyuan.

A real talent! A true talent!

Jiang Changyuan’s mouth twitched. So, apart from studying, his underlings excelled at everything else?

This exam-oriented education is really deadly!

“President, I absolutely did not mean to humiliate you,” Jiang Changyuan said.

Gu Qing’s expression remained cold, unmoved by the answer.

“Then why did you let them take over the student council’s work?”

Jiang Changyuan appeared calm but was internally restless.

After pondering for a long time, he feigned wisdom: “President, why do you think our school used to be so chaotic?”

Gu Qing sneered slowly, “Because you and your underlings acted recklessly, bullying other students.”

Jiang Changyuan looked at the lush playground and smiled like a saint: “Now that I’ve made them repent and contribute to the school, why do you think I’m humiliating you?”

“Don’t you want to see them turn over a new leaf and become better people?”

Gu Qing was momentarily speechless.

Thinking it over carefully…

It actually made a lot of sense!

But was there really no hidden agenda?

Frowning deeply, Gu Qing fell into thought.

Jiang Changyuan put his hands in his pockets, casually tousling his hair, and spoke with concern: “President, you were outstanding academically before, but since becoming student council president, your grades have declined—you’ve been distracted.”

“I know you’re an orphan who needs to get into a good university. Reducing your student council duties gives you more time to study. This is my way of making amends for the trouble I caused you before.”

Gu Qing was shaken to his core. He… had actually considered him so much?

“Is that really what you think?”

“Of course. Why else would I have gone through all the trouble persuading them to form the student club?”

Jiang Changyuan glanced at his busy underlings in the schoolyard and continued, “Their grades aren’t good, but each has strengths. I want them to train hard so that even if they can’t get into university, they’ll learn the spirit of endurance.”

Gu Qing’s expression was complicated. After a long moment, he bowed formally and apologized, “Thank you for all you’ve done for the school and the students. On behalf of the student council, I express my gratitude.”

“You’re welcome, you’re welcome.”

Jiang Changyuan appeared indifferent to honor or disgrace, but inside he was thrilled.

It seemed he finally wouldn’t have to clash with the protagonist anymore.

In the afternoon, the class bell rang.

Jiang Changyuan was in high spirits.

From now on, he just had to quietly keep his head down, study hard, get into a good university, and he’d never have to cross paths with Gu Qing again!

This class was math.

The math teacher was a fashionable woman in her forties.

Holding a huge set square, she spoke eloquently, constantly explaining the bonus questions on the test.

In the classroom, Jiang Changyuan focused intently.

Seated by the window, Gu Qing watched Jiang Changyuan’s back thoughtfully.

He admitted he shouldn’t judge with bias, but Jiang Changyuan’s transformation was so drastic it was like two different people.

For some reason, he felt uneasy.

“Gu Qing.”

Suddenly the math teacher called on him, tapping the blackboard, “I’ve just finished explaining the approach to this problem. Please restate it for everyone to reinforce their understanding.”

Gu Qing stood up blankly, a bit embarrassed, “Sorry, teacher, I was distracted.”

The math teacher frowned and scolded coldly, “Gu Qing, although you’re the student council president, your primary role is a student! And your student council is terribly inefficient. I lost my textbook last week, and you kept making excuses about paperwork and procedures, but the student club found it in minutes.”

“If you ask me, you shouldn’t even be student council president. Just focus on improving your grades!”

Hearing this, Gu Qing felt humiliated but replied earnestly, “Thank you for the reminder, teacher. I will pay attention.”

In the front row, Jiang Changyuan watched carefully, thinking, this was Gu Qing slacking off on his own—it’s not the student club’s fault.

“Jiang Changyuan, you answer this question.”

Suddenly called upon, Jiang Changyuan stumbled but recited the steps he had just noted down.

“Good, you’ve improved a lot recently.”

The math teacher smiled approvingly, then glanced at Gu Qing, “Look at him.”

Damn!

Jiang Changyuan’s scalp tingled. Why was the math teacher so weird?

Why stir up animosity for him?

He glanced sideways at Gu Qing, and seeing no displeasure, Jiang Changyuan finally relaxed.

Just as he thought the matter was over,

A student club member in the class suddenly sneered, “What kind of student council president is that?”

“When Jiang Shao becomes student council president next year, our student club will completely replace the student council. Then you’ll only be fit to clean the toilets!”

Damn it!

This big blabbermouth!

Jiang Changyuan instantly felt a dark glare lock onto him.

It was over! All was lost!

All the effort to salvage the situation had been ruined!

“Jiang Changyuan, you really have ulterior motives!”

Gu Qing’s face was as cold as water. “I won’t let you succeed!”

Wronged!

Jiang Changyuan wanted to cry but had no tears. The precarious situation he had just recovered was destroyed!

Gu Qing began studying seriously with visible determination.

After class, he gathered the student council leaders to rally them to compete with the student club and strive to surpass their reputation among students.

For a time, the entire school was inexplicably caught up in competition.

...

“Jiang Shao, how did I do today?”

“In class, my two loud shouts will definitely make Gu Qing unable to hold his head up!”

In the classroom after school, a chubby kid who had leaked their plan to Gu Qing boasted proudly.

Jiang Changyuan took a deep breath, barely restraining the urge to slap him.

“You idiot! Our plan needs to be executed in secret! If you tell him, he’ll be on guard. How are we supposed to quietly take over the student council then?”

The chubby kid froze, weakly replied, “But you didn’t say keep it secret? I thought you wanted to challenge him openly…”

Jiang Changyuan painfully covered his face.

He had seriously overestimated the intelligence of these lunatics.

Wasn’t this obvious?

Taking a deep breath, Jiang Changyuan pushed the chubby kid aside. He decided to confront Gu Qing at the student council.

From now on, they would keep their distance and not interfere with each other.

Just as he reached the student council door, someone shouted again, “Did you hear?”

“Jiang Changyuan and Su Yingying are running for next student council president!”

“If they win, they’ll be dating!”

As the words fell, the student council door was pushed open.

Gu Qing’s eyes were filled with fighting spirit as he stared fiercely at Jiang Changyuan standing at the entrance.

Jiang Changyuan felt struck by lightning!

Who was spreading these rumors?