135 The Election, Qin Yingxue (He's Jade 4+)

With this realization, the final trace of obsession she held for Chen Zimo dissipated. Her entire being seemed to clear and brighten, as if washed by the moonlit breeze.

"This is the playground. Although it doesn't compare to the one at the First High School, it holds all my childhood memories." After introducing the last spot, Lin Xia exhaled and took a sip of water. Being a tour guide was no simple task; trying to introduce familiar places to friends, even within a small area, was exhausting. She figured she had spoken more today than in the past six months combined.

"Should we go down and take a look?" Zhao Qian asked.

"Better not, just looking from up here is fine. Xiaxia is tired, let's stand here and catch the breeze before heading back to get the car," Zhao Xin suggested with a smile. "When we arrived earlier, I thought that Four Lakes River looked beautiful, and the floodgate—I think they're releasing water; I can hear the sound."

"Really? I've never seen the floodgates release water before. We must take a good look later," Sun Xiaoxiao said.

"They say the Three Gorges Project in Yichang is almost finished. When that happens, you can go see that; it’ll be much more magnificent than our little place."

"Sure, we’ll go see that together then, but for now, we’ll just look at this," Sun Xiaoxiao said nonchalantly.

Lin Xia laughed, "So our little temple is too small to accommodate a great Buddha like you? My apologies, then."

After some lighthearted banter, the group returned to Lin Xia’s house, retrieved their bikes, and headed toward the floodgate. They parked by the roadside and stood on the bridge, gazing at the scenery below. It was truly picturesque—a breathtaking sight.

Layers of lush trees cast green shadows upon the river surface. Mischievous birds fluttered underneath, busy with some unknown task. The setting sun cast its glow upon the water, gilding the earth in a perfect layer of gold. Everything was as beautiful as a still-life oil painting.

Thin wisps of cooking smoke rose from the houses along the riverbank, as if breaking a spell, bringing everything to life. The white ducks on the water jumped onto the shore one by one, heading home for dinner.

Lin Xia led them down from the bridge with practiced ease, finding a clearing paved with bluestone where the group finally found a place to rest. Shoes were kicked aside. Below them flowed the river, and beside them were their dearest friends. The wind caught the loose strands of hair on their foreheads, making them dance.

Lin Xia relaxed, slowly lying back with her arms folded behind her head, watching the blue sky and white clouds. Truly, being alive was a wonderful thing.

Perhaps swayed by the atmosphere, the others cast aside their usual reserve and followed her lead, lying down on the stone slabs. Xie Xitong looked around to find she was the only one still sitting. Biting her lip, she carefully lay down next to Lin Xia as well.

Today was truly a test for her nerves—taking off her shoes and socks in front of men, soaking her feet, and lying by the side of the road in public. Good heavens! Xie Xitong groaned inwardly, then immediately consoled herself: *Whatever, when in Rome, do as the Romans do. Luckily, that annoying Zhou Meng didn't come; otherwise, I would never have done this.*

After giving herself a bit of mental reassurance, she finally felt at ease enough to enjoy the brief respite. With the sky as her blanket and the earth as her bed, the fragrance of the water and the chirping of birds among the trees made the surroundings feel even more serene, especially with her good friends by her side. It was pure happiness.

*Click.*

You Xin hadn't lain down, but instead captured everyone’s expressions from various angles. Sun Xiaoxiao suddenly remembered she wanted photos, but she was far too comfortable lying down to get up. "Axin, remember to take some solo shots of me. Don't forget, I'm going to strike a few poses!"

"Me too," Zhao Qian echoed.

Lin Xia had already sat up. "Alright, these stone slabs are cold. It's enough to lie down for a moment, or the chill will get into your bones. Tongtong has just recovered from a big illness, so we should be careful." With that, she pulled Xie Xitong up first. Seeing everyone standing, she smiled, "Didn't you want photos? Once we're done, we can sit and eat something, and then head back."

Xie Xitong sat with her knees hugged to her chest, gazing at the horizon. "It's so leisurely living here. Seeing scenery like this every day makes you feel much better."

Lin Xia tugged at her. "Let's take a photo together, back-to-back..."

Between eating and chatting, they captured several fresh and beautiful photos in the sunset before finally beginning their journey home.

Early Monday morning was the Chinese literature class, but Qian Rong had no intention of lecturing. The blackboard had already been wiped clean, with the words "Election" written in bold, sweeping calligraphy.

"We need one class monitor and one deputy, one arts and entertainment commissioner, one labor commissioner, one sports commissioner, and nine subject representatives—fourteen positions in total. As for group leaders, the student sitting on the outside of the first row in each group will serve. Does anyone have questions about the election?"

The class answered in unison, "No."

"Very well. I gave you a week, so I assume you are all prepared. We will start with the class officers, then change seats. For the officers, we'll start with the subject representatives, then the commissioners, and finally the class monitor. The candidate with the most votes for monitor will be the monitor, and the second-highest will be the deputy. I teach Chinese, so we’ll start with the Chinese representative. Who will go first?"

After Qian Rong spoke, a long silence followed. The room went cold. Seeing Qian Rong's expression darkening, Lin Xia stood up and smiled. "Teacher, since no one else is volunteering, I will offer myself first. Consider it throwing a brick to attract jade; I hope the students who follow will have even more brilliant performances."

Seeing her stand, Qian Rong’s expression softened, and he nodded. "Very well."

Lin Xia walked to the podium, stood with poise, and delivered her campaign speech in standard Mandarin. Regardless, she had been a writer, and having prepared beforehand, she didn't exactly stun the room, but being the first to step up with a calm voice earned her points. More importantly, she eased the class atmosphere, giving others who had never campaigned before a sense of confidence.

"...I served as a Chinese representative for two years in middle school, and I believe I am capable of handling this position... I promise to do my part conscientiously. Of course, this will require the support and cooperation of all my classmates... Thank you!"

As soon as she finished, the class erupted in applause. The students looked at Lin Xia on the podium with almost teary eyes; how much courage did it take to voluntarily offer to be the Chinese representative? Then, looking at the stone-faced Qian Rong on the podium, they shivered; things like Chinese representative duties were best left to Lin Xia.

There were two vote counters. Excluding the candidate and the counters, there were 57 students. The result surprised Lin Xia: she received 56 votes. There was no need for further campaigning; the position was hers.

With Lin Xia’s success as a buffer, the students gradually relaxed. By the second period, all positions except for the class monitor had been filled.

The main event arrived: the election for monitor and deputy. There were three candidates. As soon as Qian Rong announced the start, a beautiful girl rose from her seat and walked gracefully to the podium. She wore a simple, elegant dress, her features exquisite. Unlike the unintentional allure Zhao Xin exuded, this was a clear, peerless beauty.

Her eyes were like water-filled apricots, her skin fair, her figure graceful. A faint fragrance followed her wherever she moved.

"She smells so good," Xie Xitong whispered in Lin Xia’s ear. "It’s subtle, elusive, and captivating."

Seeing the class had quieted down, Lin Xia took a piece of scrap paper, wrote a few words, and handed it to Xie Xitong. "That perfume is called 'Sui Love - Butterfly's Romance.' It means 'always wandering between a delicate girl and a seductive woman, radiating unparalleled charm!'"

"Hello everyone, my name is Qin Yingxue. Today, I am running for class monitor. I come from City B, and I have served as class monitor throughout my school years. I am confident and capable of handling this position, assisting the teacher in managing the class well..."

Lin Xia stopped listening to what she said next because Xie Xitong had shoved the scrap paper back. "She’s from City B. With all those schools there, why come to our little place?"

"That's her business, let's not worry about it," Lin Xia wrote, though she privately wondered the same. Xie Xitong was right—what would bring this girl to such an out-of-the-way place?

If she hadn't seen wrong just now, the watch on Qin Yingxue’s wrist was a Piaget, a top-tier brand that countless wealthy people chased after. The case and bracelet were cast in 18k gold or platinum, and the dial design was stunning, decorated with precious stones like lapis lazuli, coral, mother-of-pearl, tiger's eye, and agate—truly breathtaking. Someone once said, "Looking at the time on a Piaget is like admiring a supreme treasure."

Someone who could casually wear a watch worth three or four hundred thousand had no reason to be here. Moreover, she was so beautiful. Lin Xia estimated that the combined value of all the students' clothes in the school wouldn't exceed the price of that one watch.

Qin Yingxue spoke quickly and decisively, which didn't quite fit her delicate appearance. From her speech, one could infer what kind of person she was. With such a beauty taking the stage and possessing such capability, the other two candidates had no chance, even though one of them was You Xin, who had already contributed to the class for over a week.

In the end, Qin Yingxue became the monitor, You Xin the deputy, Lin Xia the Chinese representative, Zhao Qian the math representative, and Sun Xiaoxiao the arts and entertainment commissioner. Xie Xitong did not participate due to her injury. However, for the other candidate who lost the monitor race, Qian Rong, fearing he would lose confidence, gave him the position of Youth League Secretary as compensation. After all, everyone who entered this class was the best student in the school; they couldn't afford for anyone to have a breakdown.

"Alright, now that the class officers are elected, you will each perform your duties and assist me in managing the class. Now, I will assign the seating. I have already drafted the seating chart; the class monitor will post it on the podium, and you will swap seats according to this order after class."

*Ring—*

The timing was perfect; the class ended just as she finished. "Alright, class dismissed."