Liu Jun had previously served as the class president, yet he had submitted his resignation to homeroom teacher Zhao Qian some time prior, citing the overwhelming pressure of his final year studies. After all, his academic performance mattered far more to him than the hollow title of class president.
Naturally, even as he stepped down from the position, he had recommended his close friend Zhang Chengyi as his replacement to Zhao Qian. After all, no one wanted good fortune to flow into the laps of outsiders, right? Yet Zhao Qian had, without the slightest warning, handed the position to this new arrival instead, and Liu Jun seethed with resentment.
"Liu Jun, you were the one who voluntarily resigned from the class presidency. Do you now intend to take the position back?" A frown of displeasure crossed Zhao Qian's face as she watched him stand.
"Ms. Zhao, I believe Student Fang Yu is unfit for the role of class president." Liu Jun's expression remained unflinching as he spoke. "He is a brand-new transfer student, with no understanding of our class's affairs whatsoever. Furthermore, I believe Zhang Chengyi is far more suited to the position."
Sure enough, the moment Liu Jun finished speaking, a number of students in the class caught onto his underlying agenda, and a chant soon erupted through the room: "Zhang Chengyi for president! Zhang Chengyi for president!"
"What an arrogant bastard." Yan Ting let out a cold huff as she watched the boys egg Liu Jun on. "Does he really think he's all that just because he's halfway decent looking?"
"Hey, Xiao Ting, weren't you just dying to watch this guy make a fool of himself? Why are you sticking up for him now?" Xiao Qin nodded toward Fang Yu, who stood silent and unmoving at the front of the room, a playful smirk on her face.
"Compared to that Liu Jun guy, Fang Yu is practically a saint." Yan Ting sniffed disdainfully.
"Is that supposed to be a compliment?" Xiao Qin shook her head, wondering at the girl's unreadable train of thought.
"Quiet!" Seeing the classroom descending into chaos, Zhao Qian's face twisted with fury. She took a deep, shuddering breath, her chest heaving with the force of it.
"Teacher, if the rest of the class is against this appointment, then let Student Zhang Chengyi take the position." At last, Fang Yu spoke, his face completely devoid of emotion.
As the words left his mouth, Fang Yu's gaze shifted, landing directly on the tall, broad-shouldered boy with a crew cut standing beside Liu Jun. From the smug, triumphant look on his face, this had to be Zhang Chengyi.
"Absolutely not. I said you will be class president, and so you shall." Zhao Qian's face alternated between livid red and deathly white. In truth, her decision to appoint Fang Yu had been a spur-of-the-moment one, and even she could admit now that it had been hasty. But she was the homeroom teacher. If she reversed her decision so easily, how would she ever maintain control over the class again?
"But I have no desire to create a rift between myself and the rest of the class over this." Fang Yu shook his head.
But just then, a figure shot up from her seat, and a clear, melodic voice rang out through the classroom.
"Teacher, I have an idea, if you would be willing to hear it." Lin Ruofei stood, a warm, gentle smile on her face.
"Go ahead, Student Lin Ruofei." Zhao Qian nodded, granting her permission to speak.
"My suggestion is this: we let Student Fang Yu serve as class president on a probationary basis. If he performs well, he keeps the position. If not, we replace him." Lin Ruofei spoke with a soft, easy smile.
"Excellent. I think this is a wonderful suggestion." Zhao Qian nodded and smiled, clearly relieved and satisfied with Lin Ruofei's compromise. She looked out over the students and asked, "What does the class think of this proposal?"