Chapter 62 Go wash up and go to bed, you idiot...
Although university life is not as easy as teachers used to make it sound, it is certainly more colorful than the monotonous life of high school, which consisted of going between the classroom, the cafeteria, and the dormitory every day.
Not long after the official start of the semester, the recruitment battles of the student union and various clubs were launched in full swing.
The tree-lined avenue was lined with all sorts of stalls, and the loud music, waving flags, and energetic shouts from the upperclassmen blended together, making it look like a bustling market.
As Peng Chengyi walked along, her hands were already stuffed with a thick stack of promotional leaflets, so colorful and dazzling that it made her dizzy.
Her roommates had clear goals and acted quickly—Fang Hao went to the dance club, Wu Xian chose the radio station, and Meng Yuqing joined the literature club.
"Chengcheng, haven't you decided which club you want to join yet?" Fang Hao asked, leaning over after filling out the application form.
"Hmm..." Peng Chengyi flipped through the pile of brochures with a troubled expression, feeling like she was about to suffer from decision paralysis.
Her hobbies are as wide as sesame seeds scattered across the sky: anime, guitar, games... she dabbles in everything. But a person's energy is limited, so she can't indulge in everything and can only reluctantly choose one she is most fond of.
Fang Hao glanced at the stack of flyers in her hand, then pointed her fingertip and precisely pulled out the guitar club's flyer from the pile of flyers for anime and game clubs that were full of otaku vibes, and waved it in front of her.
"Take my advice, this is it." Fang Hao sounded like a seasoned veteran. "The anime club and the game club... are probably just gathering places for otaku, there won't be any handsome guys."
“…I’m not going there for the handsome guys.” Peng Chengyi smiled and pursed her lips.
"Oh—" Fang Hao drawled, then slapped his head as if suddenly realizing something, "I almost forgot, you already have two handsome guys, Chen Yubai and Ke Xingjian, by your side. You really don't need these ugly ducklings from outside."
Peng Chengyi: "..."
"Oh, right," Fang seemed to suddenly remember something, her gossip spirit burning brightly, "which club did Chen Yubai sign up for? Why don't you just sign up for the same one as him?"
“I don’t want to!” Peng Chengyi immediately rejected, her tone carrying a hint of awkwardness she herself didn’t realize. “Besides, with his lazy personality, he probably won’t join any clubs, unless there’s some kind of sleep research association.”
As the two were talking, Wu Xian rushed back to the group, his face beaming with excitement as if he had discovered something amazing: "Breaking news! I saw Ke Xingjian at the student council recruitment office! Let's go check it out!"
Fang Hao immediately exposed her: "Huh? Didn't someone say at the beginning that they would never join the student council? Saying that there was too much work and it was tiring, like being free labor."
Wu Xian, without batting an eye, said confidently, "Oh, times have changed! Back then, I didn't know Ke Xingjian was also in the student council! Handsome guys were my perpetual motion machine for unpaid work!"
"Shall we wait for Qingqing to come back and go together?" Fang Hao suggested.
"Oh, I asked Qingqing, but she's not interested in this and went back to her dorm." Wu Xian waved his hand.
“Actually, I also…” Peng Chengyi weakly raised her hand. Just thinking about the kind of place that required frequent interaction with people and organizing various activities made her scalp tingle.
"Since you're already here!" Fang Hao didn't give her a chance to back down, grabbing her arm and half-dragging her. "Just come with us and have a look! It won't hurt you to take a look!"
Unable to refuse, Peng Chengyi was like a lamb being carried onto a cart, utterly dejected as she was led to the student council's recruitment booth.
Behind the table, Ke Xingjian was sitting. He was wearing a simple white shirt today, with the cuffs casually rolled up to his forearms, revealing his well-defined wrists.
Sunlight filtered through the leaves, casting a soft glow on him that complemented the gentle smile on his face.
Sitting next to him was a senior student with bright eyes and white teeth, and an outstanding temperament. The two of them sitting together looked like the face of the student council, the most attractive recruitment poster.
Ke Xingjian glanced up and saw Peng Chengyi trying to hide herself in the crowd. The curve of his lips deepened, and he took the initiative to speak: "Junior, want to join the student council?"
"I...I'm just looking around," Peng Chengyi instinctively tried to hide, quickly pushing her roommates out as a shield, "It's mainly because my roommates want to sign up."
Ke Xingjian smiled and pulled out a beautifully designed flyer, handing it to her: "How about checking out the Arts and Literature Department? I remember you used to be in a band, this should be a good fit for you."
"Oh... thank you, senior." Peng Chengyi took it, his eyes darting around, giving the words on it a perfunctory glance.
Ke Xingjian continued his gentle persuasion, his voice seemingly possessing a magical quality: "The Arts and Literature Department is mainly responsible for organizing events such as the freshman welcome party, the arts festival, and the campus singing competition. It's quite interesting. Moreover, there are many talented people in the department who can play musical instruments. They often get together in private to play in a band and rehearse some of their favorite pieces."
Play in a band.
These four words were like a small key, gently knocking on a long-dormant corner of Peng Chengyi's heart.
Throughout her senior year of high school, she was overwhelmed by exam papers and questions, and she almost forgot what it felt like to stand on the stage, her fingertips plucking the strings, and the electric current resonating through the speakers in her chest.
She also missed the summer evening party in Jiangwan New City because she was in a strange cold war with Chen Yubai at the time.
When school started, the once-cohesive band members went their separate ways, leaving only her and Chen Yubai together, and they could no longer continue playing together.
When she consulted the guitar club, she specifically asked if it was possible to form a band, but the club president said that everyone mainly exchanges fingerstyle guitar and singing, and there are no band activities.
So, upon hearing Ke Xingjian's words, the little flame in her heart couldn't help but flicker.
She looked up and asked softly, "So... does organizing these events take a lot of time?"
"Don't worry, it won't take up too much space." Ke Xingjian's smile was very reassuring, as if he saw through her concerns. "Besides, if you don't like dealing with people frequently, you can mainly be responsible for writing proposals, communication procedures, and other paperwork."
Upon hearing this, Peng Chengyi's tense shoulders relaxed slightly.
If she doesn't have to deal with strangers frequently, then it might be worth a try.
Seeing the longing look on her face, Ke Xingjian pressed his advantage, pushing a blank application form in front of her and thoughtfully handing her a pen: "How about it? Want to fill it out and give it a try?"
"Fill it out, Chengcheng, let's do it together, it'll keep us company." Wu Xian also chimed in, encouraging them.
"Does filling out the form mean I'll need to go through an interview or something?" Peng Chengyi held the pen, still somewhat hesitant.
"Yes, there is a simple interview," Ke Xingjian said casually, as if he were talking about something trivial. "But relax, it's just a formality, everyone can chat casually. The atmosphere in the Literature and Art Department is great, you'll see when you get here."
A senior student nearby chimed in, smiling and reassuring her, "Yeah, junior, just fill it out without worry! After all, he's the head of the arts and literature department, why would he lie to you?"
Unexpectedly, he was actually a minister. Peng Chengyi was stunned for a moment and looked at Ke Xingjian in surprise.
He met her gaze, leaned slightly forward, lowered his voice, and spoke with a playful familiarity and assurance: "So, with me pulling strings for you, you can just say a few words during the interview, and you'll definitely get in."
“There’s no need to pull strings…” Peng Chengyi felt a little embarrassed by his words, her cheeks flushed slightly, and she subconsciously pursed her lips, but the tension she felt about the interview had indeed dissipated considerably.
She took a deep breath, as if she had made up her mind: "Then I'll fill it out and give it a try."
Just as I was filling out half of my work at the table, a lazy, teasing voice came from behind me: "Not bad, Peng Chengyi. You didn't even dare to take on the role of the class's arts and culture representative before, but now you dare to try and get into the student council?"
Peng Chengyi's pen suddenly stopped, leaving a small mark on the paper. She turned her head and saw that Chen Yubai had silently walked up behind her at some point.
He casually put his hands in his pockets, wearing a loose black hoodie that made his skin appear even paler, and he exuded a lazy, half-asleep vibe. Yet, his eyes, which were lowered as he looked at her, were dark and bright, carrying an unfathomable emotion.
Unexpectedly running into him here, Peng Chengyi paused for a moment before coming to her senses, pouting and saying unhappily, "...People grow up, okay?"
After saying that, she simply turned around and continued filling out the registration form.
Chen Yubai's eyes dimmed almost imperceptibly for a moment, and his lips tightened slightly.
The senior student standing next to him had her eyes light up as if she had discovered a treasure. She immediately picked up her department's flyer and greeted him enthusiastically: "Young man, would you be interested in learning more about our Student Union's External Relations Department? I think you have an outstanding presence and would be a perfect fit for our department!"
Chen Yubai remained silent for a few seconds. Just when Peng Chengyi thought he would refuse her indifferently as usual, he unexpectedly stepped forward, walked to her side, and then casually flipped through the flyer that his senior had handed him.
Huh? What's going on?
Does he also fall for the enthusiastic sales pitch from the beautiful senior student?
Peng Chengyi gripped the pen tightly, a strange and indescribable emotion welling up inside her. She couldn't help but secretly glance at him.
The boy's face was expressionless, indifferent, making it impossible to tell whether he was interested or not.
The senior student was still trying to promote it, saying how much it could help people develop and how it could provide access to many resources outside the school. He just listened without saying a word.
"Have you filled it out?" Ke Xingjian's gentle voice interrupted, his gaze falling on the registration form in Peng Chengyi's hand.
Peng Chengyi quickly averted her gaze, as if she had done something wrong, hurriedly signed her name on the last line, and put down her pen: "Okay, all done."
She handed the registration form back to Ke Xingjian.
Chen Yubai glanced sideways at the words "Arts and Literature Department" written in the "Preferred Department" column of her form, then casually placed the promotional leaflet for the External Relations Department back on the table, interrupting the senior student who was still rambling on: "Besides the External Relations Department, what other departments does the Student Union have?"
"Huh?" The senior's smile froze abruptly, as if she hadn't expected the topic to be changed so suddenly, and she was stunned for a moment.
Seeing this, Ke Xingjian took over for his senior, speaking gently: "And there's the Organization Department, the Publicity Department, the Academic Department, the Sports Department..."
Chen Yubai listened with little interest, his brow furrowing slightly, his patience clearly dwindling. He simply looked up and asked, "Isn't there a literature and art department?"
Ke Xingjian's eyes darkened slightly, but he still nodded with a smile: "...Yes. Are you also interested in joining the Literature and Art Department?"
"Hmm." Chen Yubai responded casually, raising an eyebrow slightly. "What, senior, don't you welcome me?"
Ke Xingjian paused for a moment, his smile still on his face, but stiffened for a second before shaking his head with a smile: "How could that be?"
"Then please give me a registration form." Chen Yubai held out his hand to Ke Xingjian.
Peng Chengyi froze, turning to look at him as if struck by lightning: "You want to join the arts and literature department? Aren't you someone who's too lazy to join any clubs or departments because you find it troublesome?"
Chen Yubai lifted her eyelids, a half-smile curving her lips, and lazily mimicked her tone, replying, "I've grown up too, is that a problem?"
"..." Peng Chengyi choked, and for a moment he was speechless.
"See you at the interview later." He bent down and quickly filled out the application form. As he stood up, he casually ruffled her hair and turned to leave.
Peng Chengyi's lips twitched slightly, but she couldn't scold him in front of so many people, so she quickly tidied her messy hair and glared at his departing figure.
"Wow, he even ruffles your hair, how intimate!" Fang Hao couldn't help but exclaim.
“I think so too,” Wu Xian nodded in agreement.
"What's with all this ambiguity? It's so annoying..." Peng Chengyi's face inexplicably flushed, and she quickly pulled the two of them away from the student council's registration area.
-
The subsequent interview process was indeed as Ke Xingjian had described, not complicated at all. Several senior students sat around the table, the atmosphere relaxed as if they were having a casual chat.
First, she was asked to give a brief self-introduction, and then some related questions were asked before she was told that she could go back and wait for further notice.
Not two days later, Peng Chengyi received a WeChat message from Ke Xingjian: "Congratulations on joining, junior."
Remembering how Chen Yubai had mocked her when she applied, she immediately took a screenshot and sent it to him: "I passed the interview, humph."
Not long after, my phone vibrated.
Chen Yubai: "Oh, that's impressive."
Peng Chengyi: "...Could you be any more perfunctory?"
The chat window flashed "Typing..." for a while before a ridiculously long message popped up. Chen Yubai: "Congratulations, my dearest friend, my little brother, and former boss, you've gloriously passed the rigorous selection process of the Student Union's Arts and Literature Department, and are about to embark on a brand new chapter of serving the people."
Peng Chengyi's lips twitched, and she started typing furiously on the screen: "Why do I feel like every punctuation mark you use is sarcastic... You didn't fail, did you?"
Chen Yubai: "Hmm"
Peng Chengyi: "?!"
Peng Chengyi: "How could this be..."
Chen Yubai: "Maybe your senior Ke doesn't like me."
Peng Chengyi was taken aback, then a helpless smile appeared on her lips: "My senior isn't like that! I guess it's because you acted all arrogant during the interview, right?"
Chen Yubai: "Who's being arrogant? I'm just too lazy to talk nonsense."
Peng Chengyi could practically see through the screen his stubborn, feigned innocence, and defiant expression, which only solidified her judgment: "That's just arrogance! Okay?!"
But after sending the message, Chen Yubai unusually didn't respond, and the "typing..." message didn't even flash again.
As time passed, Peng Chengyi's initial sense of pride was gradually replaced by unease.
Is this dog really upset?
After all, although he may seem lazy, he actually has a strong sense of self-esteem.
So, just before going to bed, she finally couldn't resist sending another comforting message: "Hey, it's okay! If you really want to join the student union to get some experience, the external relations department is a good option too. I think that senior student really appreciated you the other day; maybe she can even give you a backdoor to register later?"
Shortly after the message was sent, the screen lit up briefly in the darkness.
Peng Chengyi quickly grabbed her phone to check, only to see his cold reply: "Go wash up and go to bed, you idiot."
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Author's Note: Chen Yubai: My head hurts.
Bonus chapter is here! [doge head with rose in hand]
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