Chapter 43: What an Incredible Guy

“You two must be the new first-year students, right?”

“Yes.”

Jiang Wanning glanced at Lin Xue’er, who had responded to her, then at Xia Mengxi, who was hiding behind Lin Xue’er, before speaking slowly, “Do you know why I had someone bring you here?”

Lin Xue’er nodded calmly, indicating she had already learned the reason from the bespectacled senior who fetched them earlier.

“Since you’re both aware, I won’t repeat it.”

With that, Jiang Wanning picked up two sheets of paper and two pens from her desk and approached the two again.

“Considering you’ve been enrolled for less than three days and aren’t yet familiar with the school’s rules—after all, every new class assumes this private school isn’t strict with its regulations—I can overlook your violation this time. However…”

After handing the pen and paper to Lin Xue’er, Jiang Wanning continued, “Both of you need to write a 500-word self-criticism here. You may not leave until it’s finished. Understood?”

“Understood.”

Huh… This wasn’t quite the development she had imagined.

As the student council president, Jiang Wanning, returned to her desk, Xia Mengxi couldn’t help feeling a bit puzzled. Based on her first impression, Jiang Wanning seemed like someone who would be difficult to talk to. Yet, she hadn’t given Xia Mengxi or Lin Xue’er a hard time, maintaining a strictly professional attitude throughout. Something felt off.

Could it be… she’s playing mind games?

Recalling the effects of the earlier choices, Xia Mengxi grew even more wary of the student council president. Her instincts told her this person was far more calculating than Lin Xue’er.

Whether Xia Mengxi’s suspicions were accurate or not, during the time she and Lin Xue’er were writing their self-criticisms in the office, the student council president suddenly struck up a conversation.

“By the way, is one of you named Xia Mengxi?”

Hearing her name, Xia Mengxi immediately tensed up. As the student council president, Jiang Wanning surely had access to their information—especially since she was the one who summoned them. There was no way she didn’t know who was who.

So… what was Jiang Wanning up to now?

Still bound by the restrictions of Option B, Xia Mengxi didn’t respond to Jiang Wanning’s question and instead leaned closer to Lin Xue’er beside her.

Though puzzled by Xia Mengxi’s sudden timid behavior, Lin Xue’er assumed it was due to embarrassment over being caught kissing in public, so she answered on Xia Mengxi’s behalf.

“Yes, that’s correct. Is there something you need, President Jiang?”

“Yesterday morning, during the freshman orientation, a student named Xia Mengxi fainted during the event.”

As she spoke, Jiang Wanning stood up, retrieved a special document from a folder, and approached the two again.

“This is a special exemption form your first-year homeroom teacher submitted yesterday. It bears the signatures of the homeroom teacher, myself, and the principal.”

Placing the document on the table in front of them, Jiang Wanning explained its purpose.

“Due to Xia Mengxi’s health condition, with this certificate, you can enjoy certain privileges such as leaving school early, resting in the infirmary, or staying in the classroom during PE lessons. All these actions will not affect your attendance record or result in any deduction of credits.”

Holy crap! A golden legend!

In a way, this special certificate was like a divine artifact-with it, she could move freely around the school without even needing to attend classes.

Unfortunately, she never cared much about school in the first place. Moreover, her reason for attending was to establish a certain persona in front of Lin Xue’er. So, while the golden-legend certificate did surprise Xia Mengxi briefly, she quickly felt nothing about it.

“I see. Xiaoxi isn’t feeling well today, so I’ll thank you on her behalf, President Jiang.”

“This was the kindness of your grade-level supervisor. It has little to do with me. If you want to thank someone, go to them directly. However, if Xia Mengxi encounters any issues this certificate can’t resolve, you can come to me. If reasonable, I’ll assist depending on the situation.”

With that matter settled, Jiang Wanning returned to her desk to continue working. Even when the two later submitted their reflection statements, she treated them with the same professional demeanor.

“I’ve received your reflection statements. Regardless of your relationship, you must refrain from any behavior that violates school conduct. Understood?”

“Understood.”

“Good. I hope you won’t have to come here a second time for this. You may leave.”

That’s… it?

Seeing Jiang Wanning dismiss them, Xia Mengxi remained inwardly wary, unable to believe it. No, this isn’t right! Why was it completely different from what she expected? Just like that? Or was it because Jiang Wanning didn’t dare make any moves during work hours?

That must be it. Otherwise, how could someone who seemed so upright be connected to something like the “Hunting List”? Hah, you think you’re hiding it perfectly? I’ve seen through you, Jiang Wanning!

This time, Xia Mengxi’s guess was spot-on. After the two left the student council president’s office, Jiang Wanning—now alone-let a faint smile curl her lips as she gazed at the door.

“Heh, what an adorable little hamster. But this is an unexpected harvest. I hadn’t even gone looking for you, yet you came to me yourself.” From these words, it was clear Jiang Wanning had already intended to get to know Xia Mengxi.

When news spread yesterday morning about a first-year fainting during the orientation ceremony, Jiang Wanning learned Xia Mengxi’s name-though that was all. What truly piqued her interest was Xia Mengxi’s infamous, school-wide embarrassment at noon yesterday.

“Frail and timid… That combination of traits makes for a perfect plaything. I can’t wait to see her flustered, lewd expressions beneath me~” Jiang Wanning’s vulgar remark and the dazed look on her face-lost in some fantasy-confirmed Xia Mengxi’s intuition. Indeed, Jiang Wanning had been wearing a mask the entire time.

“But that girl named Lin Xue’er beside her… there’s something off. From my years of experience, she’s definitely not simple. But isn’t that more interesting? Stealing prey from another hunter makes the taste of the catch even more delicious, hehe…”