Chapter 262: Unexpected Class Election

The classroom during the first class meeting.

Amid whispers and discussions, students filled out their voting lists.

The atmosphere was mostly light-hearted, with laughter and casual chatter.

Among the eight potential candidates, some were clearly nervous, like Huo Dashan…

Huo Dashan headed to the back row, grinning as he looked at the guys from the two dorms.

It was obvious he was there to campaign for votes.

“That’s not playing fair,” Xu Chen said with a smile. “You should treat us to a meal first. That way, we’d write your name more willingly!”

Huo Dashan looked a bit embarrassed: “Dinner’s on me. Tea restaurant, crayfish, barbecue—your choice!”

Xu Chen laughed and gave him a thumbs up.

Huo Dashan was straightforward about it, openly stating his intentions without any pretense.

…

…

A few minutes later, all the votes were collected.

The homeroom teacher randomly picked three students to count the votes and tally the marks.

They read out names one by one, just as expected…

Min Siyang and Huo Dashan clearly had the highest votes.

In their earlier campaign speeches, these two stood out from the rest.

Whether in content or the confidence, presence, and communication skills they showed.

The class monitor position would likely go to one of them.

They were probably sizing each other up right now.

Especially Huo Dashan, who probably didn’t expect such a strong rival in Min Siyang!

The girl counting votes picked up another ballot and read aloud:

“Xu Chen…”

“??”

Xu Chen was completely baffled.

What? Why was his name on there?

He hadn’t even campaigned—how did someone vote for him?!

His classmates turned to look at him, equally puzzled.

Hong Xiaoqiang said:

“Boss Xu, looks like someone’s voting for you on the sly!”

Xu Chen muttered quietly, “Must be someone joking around…”

Up on the podium, the girl writing on the board paused and glanced at the homeroom teacher.

Xu Chen’s name wasn’t on the board yet, of course.

Shi Dinghai smiled and said:

“Our rules didn’t specify that votes had to go to those who campaigned.

So, let’s add Xu Chen’s name to the board too.”

Xu Chen: “…”

…

…

Ten minutes later.

The vote count was final.

Xu Chen was still in shock.

Because next to his name on the board, there were 1.8 marks—meaning nine votes.

In other words, nine people had voted for Xu Chen.

Xu Chen was utterly speechless and confused.

He hadn’t campaigned at all, and his self-introduction was deliberately low-key and brief, just a few generic lines.

Who would vote for him?

He turned to his roommates:

“Did any of you vote for me?”

“The Shanghai local” Huang Hao raised his hand slightly:

“I did…”

Xu Chen was at a loss for words.

Was this payback for helping him get Bai Miao’s autograph?

Really, no need, bro…

Next to him, Chen Wenyi also raised his hand:

“Me too. Xu Chen, I think you’re really outstanding, so I voted for you.”

Xu Chen: “…”

He felt like complaining but figured they meant well, so he said to them:

“Thanks for the support, brothers.”

…

…

The final vote rankings were clear at a glance.

Xu Chen was even more baffled…

Homeroom teacher Shi Dinghai stood at the front and announced the results:

“Min Siyang, 22 votes.

Huo Dashan, 18 votes.

Su Rong, 13 votes.

Huang Qiqi, 12 votes.

Xu Chen, 9 votes…

So, these five classmates are the class committee members.

Among them, Min Siyang and Huo Dashan with the highest votes are the monitor and vice monitor.

Let’s give them a round of applause!”

The room erupted in applause.

Xu Chen: “…”

His roommates—Hong Xiaoqiang, Chen Wenyi, Pei Qian, Huang Hao, Qian Xin—were already congratulating him.

“Who’d have thought, Boss Xu? Congratulations!”

“That means a few girls voted for you secretly!”

“You’ve got female fans already without even trying?”

“Impressive—getting on the committee without campaigning!”

…

Xu Chen was truly troubled; he didn’t want to get involved in class committee stuff.

If he’d actually campaigned, he wouldn’t have placed fifth.

He glanced up at Shi Dinghai with a pleading look.

Shi Dinghai noticed and seemed to guess his thoughts, smiling as he said:

“Here’s an issue: Xu Chen didn’t campaign but still got nine votes and made the committee.

This is the public result, so it’s final.

But maybe Xu Chen and others are wondering why people voted for him without him running.

Would anyone who voted for Xu Chen like to share why?”

Chen Wenyi hesitated, thinking of raising his hand.

Xu Chen stopped him: “Don’t say anything; I want to see who else voted for me…”

A girl in the front row stood up:

“Teacher, I voted for Xu Chen.”

It was the newly elected monitor, Min Siyang.

Shi Dinghai smiled at her, waiting for more.

Min Siyang didn’t turn around as she explained:

“At the freshman orientation this morning, Xu Chen won the ‘Star Admission Scholarship’.

There are thousands of undergraduates this year, and only twenty-two got this honor.

Xu Chen is the only one in our class and our college to receive it.

I believe Tonghai University doesn’t hand out awards lightly—they have standards and thorough evaluations.

So, Xu Chen must have exceptional qualities we don’t know about yet!

Plus, his self-introduction, though short,

showed he’s confident, composed, and mentally strong…

That’s why I think Xu Chen is outstanding and should be on the committee.”

Her words drew a wave of unexpected applause from the class.

It was unclear if they were applauding her analysis or Xu Chen.

Xu Chen kept a straight face but felt speechless inside.

This seemingly pure, fresh, and quiet Sichuan girl was actually so assertive and eloquent—it was a waste she wasn’t on the debate team…

And he hadn’t realized that accepting the award onstage that morning would cause such trouble.

Even his brief intro made her see ‘confidence and inner strength’?

That’s not just flowery talk!

…

No one could tell from Xu Chen’s mild smile that he was internally rolling his eyes.

“The Jiang-Zhe Prince” Qian Xin listened to Min Siyang’s speech and nodded at Xu Chen:

“Min Siyang makes a good point!”

Whether he really thought so or just because it was from his crush.

Hong Xiaoqiang glanced at Xu Chen and whispered:

“She’s right! Out of thousands of freshmen, only twenty-something won awards.

Your scholarship is no joke!

“I should’ve voted for you too!”

Xu Chen: “…”

Min Siyang sat back down after speaking.

Shi Dinghai nodded with a smile and added:

“I hope that explains things for Xu Chen and the others…

And to the other students who voted for Xu Chen,

did you have the same reasons as Min Siyang? Anyone else want to share?”

From the middle, a girl raised her arm slightly.

Shi Dinghai smiled at her and nodded for her to speak.

It was You Li, one of the ‘Shanghai Twins’.

With her red lips, wavy hair, stunning figure, and tall frame in a long skirt…

You Li said in a playful tone:

“I voted for Xu Chen too—because he’s tall, handsome, and would boost the committee’s looks!”

Her comment sparked laughter around the room.

At the same time, several girls in the front turned to check out Xu Chen’s so-called appeal.

Xu Chen: “…”

Eyes swept through the back row, comparing the guys.

Xu Chen stayed calm, but Chen Wenyi, Hong Xiaoqiang, and the others felt awkward.

It was like…

the less appealing ones squirmed.

While Xu Chen was stunned, he couldn’t help admiring how outgoing and direct the girls from Shanghai and big places were.

Of course, it might also be the school’s influence—kids here had strong overall qualities.

Personality and courage were part of that.

From the introductions and speeches, you could see how capable this group was.

At least, compared to Xu Chen’s previous life’s second-tier normal university students, the difference was stark.

On the surface, it showed in eloquence, presence, and logic; underneath, in thinking, personality, and ambition.

Getting into a top school meant they weren’t just coasting.

…

…

…

Though Xu Chen hadn’t said a word, Shi Dinghai seemed to sense his reluctance and set the stage:

“Xu Chen fitting in makes sense.

With only one guy on the committee so far, like Huo Dashan, it’s unbalanced.

Adding Xu Chen makes it three girls and two guys, which works better for tasks.”

With that said, Xu Chen couldn’t argue.

He recalled the ‘committee’ positions Shi Dinghai mentioned earlier and quickly picked the one that sounded like a do-nothing job—the psychological committee—in his mind, planning to grab it when assignments came.

So, a bit abruptly but logically, the five-member class committee was set.

…

The first class meeting ended smoothly.

As it wrapped up, Shi Dinghai reminded everyone of two things:

First, for the national university advertising competition, submit entries soon if interested;

Second, finish online selections for general education and cross-college courses this week…

Tonghai University’s courses are divided into ‘major courses’, ‘general education courses’, and ‘cross-college electives’.

‘Major courses’ are from your own college and major—all required, with the college scheduling them for you to follow.

‘General education courses’ are universal across majors, including advanced math, university English, Marxist politics, etc., with both required and elective options.

‘Cross-college electives’ let you pick courses from other colleges based on your interests.

Each college offers some, open to all students.

For example, as a student in the Creative and Arts College, Xu Chen could sign up for sculpture in the Architecture College or finance in the Economics College…

Theoretically, you could pack your schedule super tight if you wanted.

But most people won’t—after all, university is for easing up a bit.

Plus, too many general or cross-college courses could mess with your major studies and evaluations.

The bulk of graduation requirements are in your major anyway.

Usually, when choosing electives, students think about future jobs and internships.

But Xu Chen figured he’d just go by interest, like pursuing hobbies.

After all, he didn’t have to worry about jobs or planning ahead.

That’s the perk of being a ‘rich second-generation’.

No need to stress over employment—just learn what you enjoy.

Without job worries, the pressure from classes melts away.

What’s left is mostly fun and purpose.

Learning for a job versus for fun is worlds apart.

Same process, but the mindset is totally different.

…

…

…

After the meeting, the five committee members stayed back.

Two tasks to handle:

First, assign the other committee positions besides monitor and vice monitor.

Second, plan next week’s autumn outing.

…

Monitor Min Siyang flashed a fresh smile, quickly got to know everyone, and brought up the committee roles.

The arts committee spot was a no-brainer for Su Rong, with her piano level eight and dance skills.

At the same time, she also got the propaganda committee role.

Su Rong smiled shyly, seeming pleased with the arrangement.

As they were about to discuss more, Xu Chen smiled and said:

“I have a request. As an unexpected addition, I didn’t get to give a campaign speech, so I haven’t expressed interest in any position yet.

Can I go first…?”

Implying, let me pick one!

Min Siyang had no issue and checked with the group.

Seeing no objections, Xu Chen said:

“There’s a psychological committee position I’m interested in.”

“?”