Chapter 65

Chapter 65: Elections and Grouping

“The results of this exam have come out. Honestly, it’s hard to imagine that these are the grades the students from Class A of Experimental High School can achieve. I wonder what you all were listening to in class.”

Class advisor Li Shibing had already fallen into his scolding mode after spending less than a month with the class. “On a math test worth 120 points, only seven people scored above 100. The neighboring Class 8 has double that! Aren’t we ashamed?”

“I’ve been teaching for many years, and you can honestly say you’re the worst class I’ve ever had. Each of you needs to reflect on why this happened. After the questions are reviewed, each person must write a self-reflection and submit it… Oh right, Lin You Xi doesn’t need to write one.”

“Then, I’ll read out those who scored over 100.” Teacher Li began reading the scores one by one. “Lin You Xi, 120; Mei Fang, 119; Chen Jie, 111; Huang Zhe, 107; Lu Xueqing, 104…”

What the heck? Even with 119 points, I still have to write a self-reflection?

Mei Fang realized his mistake was just writing an extra stroke, which left him feeling very frustrated.

When he was in elementary school, Ms. Yu did not place much emphasis on grades unless it was a significant exam. She rarely announced scores individually as it made underperformers feel pressured and good performers feel like they were being honored.

Overall, this method indeed helped stimulate competitive spirit and ambition.

But for Lin You Xi, who was already the top student in the class, this wasn’t necessary.

As she walked back to her seat with the test paper, she saw everyone looking at her with expressions of admiration and envy.

“Additionally, you’ve all been interacting with each other for about a month now. Tonight, instead of doing homework during evening study, we will first hold elections for class officers and then rearrange seats and groups. Those interested in running for class officer should sign up with Lin You Xi.”

Lin You Xi was not averse to helping the class advisor, so after making a list, she poked Mei Fang with a pen.

“Afang, do you want to run for any class officer positions?”

Mei Fang shook his head. “I’m not really interested. I prefer to do my own things.”

“…Alright.”

Lin You Xi lowered her head as if deep in thought, and Mei Fang understood her intentions.

“Do you want to run for class president?”

Lin You Xi shook her head, then hesitated for a moment.

“There is a bit… although there’s a lot to do, it seems like a good opportunity for growth. But I don’t know if others would vote for me…”

“You definitely will.”

Mei Fang was certainly encouraging Lin You Xi to make some changes. “If you want to be class president, just put your name down. I fully support you!”

“Then… will you also become a class officer?” Lin You Xi started persuading Mei Fang. “This way, you can get some experience too.”

“Me?”

“Yes,” Lin You Xi nodded. “If you don’t run, I won’t want to either.”

Mei Fang thought that this girl was too straightforward. Why did she always involve him in everything?

He was about to say that he didn’t need to, but hesitated and changed his mind.

“I’ll think about it… I could be a group leader. Can you help me write it down?”

“Great!”

According to the rules set by class advisor Li Shibing before class, first, class officers and group leaders needed to be elected. Then, each study group would be assigned one group leader and two class officers. These class officers could freely choose their groups, which meant they could pair up again with You Xi.

Since they were in the same group, their seats wouldn’t be too far apart.

With his plan set, Mei Fang thought that the position of class president might require an election, so he discussed some campaign speech issues with Lin You Xi in advance, aligning their content. Only if You Xi got elected would being a group leader make sense.

When evening study began, Lin You Xi wrote the names of all current class officers and group leaders on the blackboard with chalk. After the teacher finished his opening remarks and turned around, he saw several empty positions on the board and asked everyone to go up and write their desired positions.

Teacher Li wanted eight group leaders, but only four people actually signed up, which frustrated him.

“What a great opportunity you’re missing out on. If you don’t seize it now, you’ll miss out on more later. Think carefully! Self-nomination or nominations from others are both acceptable!”

Li Shibing continued his verbal assault, and some hesitant students went up to write their names.

Mei Fang noticed his deskmate Zhang Ming staring at the blackboard, seemingly wanting to stand up but sitting back down.

Mei Fang felt compelled to help and asked him, “Zhang Ming, do you want to be a group leader?”

Zhang Ming quickly shook his head. “Why would I want to be a group leader? There’s a lot of stuff to handle, collecting homework, dealing with difficult group members, and so on. I’m not doing that…”

“Really? I thought you looked like you wanted to write your name just now…”

“I… I need to go to the bathroom!”

Mei Fang immediately stood up to give Zhang Ming space. “Go quickly, don’t soil yourself.”

“Hey, what are you doing!”

Just as Zhang Ming was about to grab Mei Fang’s sleeve, Teacher Li noticed Mei Fang.

“Mei Fang, do you still want to run for a class officer?”

“No, it’s Zhang Ming who wants—”

Zhang Ming grabbed Mei Fang to stop him from continuing. “I… I want to run for a class officer!”

“Then hurry up! Don’t dawdle.”

Everyone’s eyes turned to Zhang Ming. He blushed and shrank back, but reluctantly ran to the blackboard and wrote his name under the group leader section.

When Zhang Ming returned to his seat, he grabbed Mei Fang’s arm and whispered, “You really are something. Were you doing that on purpose? What kind of dog are you?”

“So… you actually do want to be a group leader, right? Otherwise, why wouldn’t you just say you need to use the restroom?”

“There’s nothing like that! I was just saying, Teacher Li is in a bad mood right now. If I said I needed to go to the bathroom, he’d probably tear my head off.”

“You coward.”

Mei Fang pursed his lips. He did have the intention to encourage Zhang Ming to become a group leader. Although being a middle school group leader mostly involved collecting homework, it also required organizing tasks like putting up the bulletin board and cleaning duties, which offered some experience.

Zhang Ming responded with a cheeky comeback:

“I am a coward, so what? Just deal with it!”

He then propped his chin up, looking dejected and sighed, gazing out the window to comfort himself. “Actually, whether I become a group leader is no big deal. I’m not that resistant to it…”

Mei Fang patted Zhang Ming’s shoulder and said earnestly,

“Zhang Ming, don’t think that the era of Dinglegong Four Cuties is still here. The proud and aloof attitude will soon fade away. Besides, you’re not a pretty girl, so stop being so dramatic.”

“Mei Fang, are you crazy?”

Zhang Ming muttered quietly, “What nonsense are you talking? I don’t understand a word!”

“Then do you still need to use the restroom? Don’t soil yourself.”

“I held it in!”

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This chapter’s protagonist’s handling method was initially inappropriate, so some modifications were made, but the plot flow remains unchanged, improving the overall impression. Feel free to reread it.

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(End of Chapter)