Chapter 385: The Chairman's Seat - Pretending to Cultivate in Kindergarten

Chapter 385: The Chairman's Seat The competition was in full swing. As a judge, Fang Meng quietly observed the changes unfolding in the match. Regarding Jiang Qian's newly acquired chairman position, even her close friend Fang Meng had no idea what exactly Jiang Qian had done in this past month to effortlessly secure this role. Ever since they parted ways that day, Fang Meng wasn't so privy to Jiang Qian's actions. She only had a rough sense that Jiang Qian had been extremely busy, with hardly any time to meet her outside of classes, and even when they did get a chance, their conversations were brief and to the point. Naturally, she noticed the changes in Jiang Qian, but Jiang Qian would mostly respond coldly with: "Just continue with your investigations; everything is going smoothly on my end." Thus, Fang Meng refrained from probing further, trusting that Jiang Qian's actions were indeed purposeful. And indeed, it turned out to be true—today's competition, centered around Lin Zhenran, promised a nearly perfect outcome regardless of how later events unfolded. At this moment, as the second round of the intellectual contest began, among the crowd, a short-haired girl with a sun hat was squeezed in with the others. Her eyes were bright, clearly focused on Jiang Qian and Lin Zhenran at the center of the match. The woman first assessed Jiang Qian, then turned her attention to Lin Zhenran, musing to herself: "Jiang Qian, is he really the guy you're so determined to pursue? He certainly seems a bit different from the average boy." This girl was none other than Shen Xia, the student council president before Jiang Qian took over. Watching Jiang Qian's earnest expression during the event, Shen Xia recalled the scene from a month ago when they first met, a memory still fresh in her mind. She remembered it was a rather dreary day. Sitting in the student council president's office sorting files, Shen Xia was suddenly visited by Jiang Qian, with her long hair draped over her shoulders and an air of aloofness. Jiang Qian opened with: "Hello, you're the student council president, Shen Xia, right? I'm Jiang Qian. I'd like to become the student council president. Could you step down?" Shen Xia had been taken aback, responding half-jokingly: "Sure, if you want the position, start by joining the student council, then wait for the election next year. If your name is on the ballot and you get the most votes, it's yours." But Jiang Qian retorted, "No, I'm not interested in next year. I want to be president this year." At that point, Shen Xia sensed the serious intent in Jiang Qian's visit. Jiang Qian had indeed come prepared: "President Shen, I know you'll be going abroad soon and are looking for a successor. Although the student council presidency is ostensibly open to anyone, the conditions for cutting in line are extremely strict. However, I meet all those requirements. Thus, if you propose to the school to resign and recommend me, I can assume the presidency this year." Shen Xia looked up from her seat to scrutinize Jiang Qian: "How did you know about my plans to go abroad? Are you serious?" "Of course, if you're willing to step down, I can fulfill any requests within my capabilities," Jiang Qian offered. But Shen Xia wasn't just anyone. She, too, came from wealth and lacked for nothing in terms of resources. So that day, she turned Jiang Qian down, but Jiang Qian persistently sought her out afterward. Out of curiosity, Shen Xia decided to look into Jiang Qian's background and discovered she was indeed not an ordinary person—Jiang Family's second daughter. Moreover, she excelled in both conduct and academics. Intrigued, Shen Xia tried to find out more. After one of the student council meetings, Shen Xia encountered Jiang Qian yet again. This time, she did not refuse outright, saying: "No wonder you could dig into my affairs so easily—the second daughter of the Jiang family. But come to think of it, only someone with actual ability would dare waltz into my office and request that I step aside." Shen Xia then said to Jiang Qian: "As you mentioned, I am indeed heading abroad soon, and the presidency will be vacant before the year ends. But I don’t think that’s a reason for me to hand over the position to you. I don’t even know you; is it just because you have money? I have money too. So unless you give me a compelling reason why it has to be you—" In her customary frosty tone, Jiang Qian replied: "I told you, within my power, I'll grant any wish. It's a transaction." "Is that so? In school, I dislike referring to things as transactions. Fine then, your talents have indeed checked out as impressive. But being president requires more than personal excellence. Over the next few days, if you can meet a few conditions I set, I'll consider it. Though, I doubt you'll manage even one." Jiang Qian retorted, "You're underestimating me." Shen Xia assessed Jiang Qian: “Not underestimating—it's just that privileged girls carry a certain pride in their bones, particularly evident in you. But since you want to try, then we’ll see. In a few days, the student council has a trash-cleaning task scheduled. Join in, and during that time, I'll throw in some smaller requirements. Each time you accept, I'll increase your chances by ten percent. If you reach a hundred, then the position is yours. You can quit whenever you wish.” "Thank you," Jiang Qian replied simply. Shen Xia chuckled softly: "No need for thanks just yet. May I ask, what's your reason for wanting to be the student council president? For someone like you, this position shouldn't hold much appeal. It’s not particularly useful." Jiang Qian was succinctly straightforward: "I want to be president to pursue a guy." "Sorry?" Shen Xia thought she misheard her: “What did you say?” Jiang Qian clarified: "You heard right. I want to become president to get closer to a guy. It’s the perfect opportunity. And to be honest, once I’m president, I’ll organize a competition for next year's presidency. If everything goes as planned, he’ll win and become the next president, with me as his secretary." Shen Xia was speechless: “What are you talking about... are you sleepwalking?” Later, when the student council undertook the task of cleaning the river, Jiang Qian indeed participated. Perhaps it was an interest in understanding what this second daughter aimed to achieve, or due to the intrusive investigation she had carried out earlier that left Shen Xia feeling a bit invaded. In any case, Shen Xia admitted she deliberately tested Jiang Qian. For instance, while others used nets to gather trash, she would intentionally say: “Jiang Qian, the net can't reach the trash over there. See if you can get down and retrieve it.” The river water was filthy, pitch black and filled with who knows what. No one wanted to get in, and the task didn’t require completing every nook and cranny. Jiang Qian didn't respond initially, only acting after Shen Xia mentioned: “If you do it, your chances increase by ten percent.” Without hesitation, Jiang Qian jumped into the grimy water and retrieved the trash. Throughout, her expression remained unchanged. She glanced back at Shen Xia and said, "You promised, ten percent." Shen Xia was taken aback: “Quite the personality you have... though with things so grimy, how many more times can you handle this?” Subsequently, Shen Xia led Jiang Qian into various chores like cleaning the academy and organizing storage, with Jiang Qian shouldering much of the dirtier work. Even the student council members commented that it wasn’t necessary for Jiang Qian to be so thorough. Yet she said nothing in response, just consistently meeting Shen Xia’s conditions until her eligibility rate soared past sixty percent. On one occasion, while rearranging the shelves, a prop fell, scratching both Jiang Qian and another girl's hands. Without hesitation, Jiang Qian, seeing her wound wasn't severe, carried the other girl to the infirmary. It turned out after the check that Jiang Qian's injury was actually worse, stirring admiration from Shen Xia, who silently added another thirty percent to Jiang Qian’s eligibility. Perhaps swayed by her unique personal charm, everyone began to see Jiang Qian as genuinely formidable. Though sparing with words, she had won even Shen Xia’s respect over time. Finally, a little over a week ago, Shen Xia approached Jiang Qian with a resigned smile: “You’ve won. For this president’s position, you truly went all out.” At the time, Jiang Qian was changing out of dirty clothes, replying, “As I said before, it's all to pursue a guy. My efforts are for him.” “That’s still impressive, makes you a top-tier romantic.” “I wouldn’t say that. You haven’t met him, so you can't comprehend his excellence. When you do, you'll understand these menial tasks are trivial compared to being with him.” (Chapter End)