Ch 3: How To Be A Good Lackey (QT)

Shao Ye first met Xi Guanming two years ago. At that time, Xi Guanming was not yet the student council president, only a student representative giving a speech at the opening ceremony.

That day, he wore a black tailcoat, with a small black bow tie pinned neatly at the collar. Every strand of his hair had been carefully arranged. From head to toe, he radiated refinement and precision.

His speech was witty and humorous, his demeanor gentle. Compared to those arrogant, untouchable top-tier aristocrats, he was almost too approachable. Rumors about his family background varied widely throughout the school, and even now there was no clear answer, but no one dared to underestimate him because of it.

Two years ago, a member of the royal family deliberately went to provoke him. No one knew what happened, but not long after, that same royal spoke of Xi Guanming with nothing but admiration and praise.

There were many wealthy people at Golden Laburnum, but even wealth had its hierarchy. Shao Ye’s family background was decent. His father had originally been a small breakfast stall owner. When Shao Ye was in elementary school, that tall, heavyset man bought a lottery ticket and became rich overnight. Translated on Hololo novels. With guidance from someone influential, he went on to invest in several promising ventures. By the time Shao Ye entered middle school, he had accumulated considerable wealth and opened hundreds of chain restaurants across the country.

But in the eyes of the old aristocratic families, such assets were nothing worth mentioning. To them, Shao Ye, his father, and all those newly rich who had risen within a few decades were nothing more than crude upstarts, unworthy of entering their circle.

Of course, Shao Ye himself had little interest in their circle. It was just that sometimes these idiots were so obnoxious it made him want to slap them twice.

He had gotten into Golden Laburnum through connections his father pulled. When he first transferred in, those people didn’t dare confront him directly, but mocked him behind his back, saying he was all muscle and no brains. Some even went too far, sneaking onto his bed while he slept to feel his chest and check whether his muscles were fake.

Shao Ye: “……”

What was wrong with having big muscles? Had he eaten their food or used their water?

Jealousy. Naked jealousy.

When Shao Ye suddenly woke up, the one touching his chest was so frightened he fell straight off the ladder. Before Shao Ye could break each of his fingers one by one, the guy had already fainted.

In the end, the matter concluded with Shao Ye writing a thousand-word self-criticism, because the one he had scared unconscious happened to be the principal’s nephew.

It was then that Shao Ye realized that if he wanted to live comfortably at Golden Laburnum, he needed to find himself a boss. He would become the most loyal subordinate, and his boss would become his strongest backing. Then he would never need to hold back against those idiots again. If he wanted to break a few fingers, he could break a few fingers.

The first person he chose was Xi Guanming. For that, he even carefully set up an observation period, secretly watching him for a long time.

The more Shao Ye learned about Xi Guanming, the more certain he became that after drifting through half his life, he had finally found the right master.

But—

The master did not care.

For example, at this year’s spring sports meet, Xi Guanming was already the student council president. Rarely, he wore a light gray casual outfit. Members of the student council followed closely behind him, reporting the arrangements for each event. He greeted every student who approached him with a smile, whether they came to apply for funding or admit mistakes.

Shao Ye took first place in the 100-meter race. Turning his head, he searched for Xi Guanming in the crowd. He was seated below the podium, head lowered as he examined the results sheet before him, like an ancient emperor meant to hold dominion over the entire world.

That year, Shao Ye participated in three events and won three gold medals. The medals were awarded by the school’s old administrators, which meant nothing special to him. He simply hung all three around his neck and ran more than twenty laps around Xi Guanming, hoping to attract his attention.

In the end, Xi Guanming did notice him, but seemed to think he was warming up. He gave him an encouraging smile, then took off his coat and continued handling his work.

Shao Ye comforted himself. It didn’t matter. As long as he worked hard enough and found a chance to prove himself to the president, he would recognize his strengths, keep him by his side, and never let him go again.

After lying low for many days, he had finally encountered a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Not only had he rescued the president’s beloved, he had also managed to run into the president afterward.

Thanks to Jiang Yan!

Thanks to Lu Yiheng for bullying Jiang Yan!

And thanks to Si Xu for giving Lu Yiheng the reason to bully Jiang Yan!

There was not the slightest trace of annoyance on Xi Guanming’s face at having his plans disrupted. He spoke to Shao Ye as gently as ever. “This student, I admire your courage in standing up for what is right, and I believe the school should commend your actions. As for Lu Yiheng’s bullying of Jiang Yan, I will investigate after I return. If it is confirmed, the student council will represent the school in disciplining him. But I do not understand, why did you ask Jiang Yan to have lunch with me?”

Shao Ye blinked in confusion, then asked as if it were obvious, “Doesn’t the president like Jiang Yan?”

Xi Guanming, however, seemed unaware. “Why would you say that?” he asked.

“That afternoon, behind the gym,” Shao Ye said, “I saw you give Jiang Yan your handkerchief.”

Xi Guanming immediately recalled the moment Shao Ye was referring to. That day, Jiang Yan had just lost her mother’s pendant, and a group project she had spent half a month preparing had been deliberately ruined by her teammates. In her anger, she lashed out at everyone present. After calming down, she regretted it and hid behind the gym, crying alone. Xi Guanming had come across her then, which led to the scene Shao Ye witnessed.

Smiling, Xi Guanming said to him, “If the one crying in front of me had been you, I would have handed you a handkerchief as well.”

Shao Ye did not doubt the truth of his words at all. So the president didn’t actually like Jiang Yan? Had all his efforts tonight been for nothing?

What Shao Ye did not notice was that Xi Guanming had never directly answered whether he liked Jiang Yan.

Filled with grief and indignation, Shao Ye thought that during the sports meet, he shouldn’t have run circles like an idiot. He should have squatted down and cried. Then the president would have come to him on his own.

Xi Guanming watched as Shao Ye suddenly began making exaggerated facial expressions. For a man over one meter eighty tall, it looked rather ridiculous. Xi Guanming asked, “What are you doing?”

“I’m trying to squeeze out tears,” Shao Ye answered honestly. But his tear glands seemed unusually stubborn, and no matter how hard he tried, nothing came out.

After a brief pause, Xi Guanming asked, “Do you want my handkerchief? If you like, you can come to the student council office tomorrow to get one. You know where my office is, don’t you?”

Shao Ye nodded. Of course he knew where it was. He had wandered outside that office countless times. After a moment’s thought, he shamelessly said to Xi Guanming, “President, I want to join the student council.”

Xi Guanming replied, “Student council recruitment ended last week. If you want to join, I’m afraid you’ll have to wait until next year.”

Of course Shao Ye knew that this year’s student council recruitment had already ended. Translated on Hololo novels. He had applied as well, but unfortunately failed in the very first round of interviews. At the time, he not only praised himself to the skies, but also sincerely expressed his admiration and respect for the student council president, just short of saying he was willing to be Xi Guanming’s dog. In the end, he was still mercilessly eliminated.

There was definitely something shady going on!

Those people in the student council must have been afraid that if he got in, they wouldn’t get a chance to speak in front of the president anymore!

“Try again next year,” Xi Guanming said, the corner of his lips lifting slightly. After offering encouragement, he remembered to ask Shao Ye’s name. “Student, what’s your name?”

“Shao Ye.”

“Shao Ye? Which ‘Ye’?” he asked.

“The ‘Ye’ from ‘field,’” Shao Ye replied, his eyes bright, his honey-colored chest muscles full and firm, almost gleaming under the moonlight.

Xi Guanming nodded. “Alright, I’ll remember it.”

Jiang Yan really should have come to see this, to see how the president remembered someone’s name. Even though he hadn’t managed to get into the student council through the back door, this still counted as a huge step forward.

“President, I’ll walk you back,” Shao Ye said, puffing out his chest.

Xi Guanming’s gaze lingered briefly on his chest before he softly replied, “No need. The dorms are about to close. You should head back soon.”

Shao Ye obeyed, though he kept turning back repeatedly as he left, like a child going to kindergarten for the first time.

Just that this “child” was a bit oversized.

Xi Guanming waved goodbye to him.

As Shao Ye walked, he thought, why would Xi Guanming come here so late? Could it be he had eaten too much and came out for a walk to digest? He remembered the convenience store outside the dorms sold digestive tablets.

But what if the president wasn’t feeling bloated?

Whatever. Those tablets wouldn’t cause any harm anyway. They could be eaten like hawthorn candy. If he guessed right, wouldn’t the president look at him in a whole new light?

Shao Ye couldn’t help but laugh out loud. Just then, he heard Xi Guanming call from behind him, “Student Shao Ye.”

Shao Ye immediately stopped and turned around. “President, is there something else?”

“The weather’s getting cooler,” Xi Guanming said. “Button up your shirt so you don’t catch a cold.”

Shao Ye let out an “oh,” lowered his head to fasten his buttons, then dashed toward the dorms at full sprint.

Xi Guanming remained where he was. He raised his left hand, checked the time under the streetlight, and the smile on his face vanished in an instant.

Shao Ye was still too late. By the time he got back, the dorm doors were already locked. He could still get in, but he would definitely get scolded by the dorm supervisor. It would be better to find somewhere outside to make do for the night.

After leaving the convenience store, he planned to deliver the medicine to Xi Guanming first, then find a place to sleep. When Xi Guanming saw him return, he asked in surprise, “Why haven’t you gone back yet?”

“President, the dorm is closed,” Shao Ye said, sounding a little aggrieved.

“That’s unfortunate,” Xi Guanming said, glancing at the dorm building in the distance. “Come with me to the office building. There’s a place to rest on the third floor.”

The president was such a good person. Shao Ye immediately perked up and handed over the medicine he was holding.

Xi Guanming looked down at it, puzzled. “What is this for?”

“I saw you walking outside so late,” Shao Ye said, blinking his dark eyes. “Are you feeling unwell?”

Xi Guanming took the medicine box and smiled. “Then thank you, Shao Ye.”

They went together to the lounge on the third floor of the office building. The room was small, with only a single bed by the window, a low cabinet at the bedside, and two potted plants on the windowsill. There was nothing else inside.

After arriving, Xi Guanming went to the restroom first. Cool water ran over his fingertips. White foam, along with two pills, was washed down the drain.

After a while, he carefully dried his hands with a towel before coming out.

By then, Shao Ye had already laid out bedding on the floor. Xi Guanming lowered his gaze toward him and said softly, “Shao Ye, there’s something I’d like to tell you.”

Shao Ye sat up straight and looked at him attentively, more serious than he ever was in class.

Meeting his eyes, Xi Guanming paused, then said, “Si Xu is a good friend of mine. Since he likes Jiang Yan, why don’t we let him take my place at tomorrow’s lunch at Lostine? He can properly apologize to Jiang Yan. What do you think?”

“President,” Shao Ye said.

“Hmm?” Xi Guanming leaned slightly closer, listening.

Shao Ye’s face showed both admiration and helplessness. With complete sincerity, he said, “You really are a good person.”

Author’s note:

[No. 6’s character explodes in greatness, spending the night alone in the same room as the president, two men alone together, sparks flying, a night of passion]

: Holy shit! Is that real?! No. 6 is that strong?!

: It’s real… but… however… the actual situation is slightly different from the title

: May I ask, where is the passion? Where is it?!

: Reporting clickbait title

: The “passion” is probably at Si Xu’s lunch table tomorrow

: I can only say, President, truly worthy of you

: “Good friend” “Good person”

: Is it that the president’s definition of “good friend” is different from ours, or that No. 6’s filter is just too strong

: Si Xu: ???

: Sitting at home and suddenly taking the blame

: Si Xu: Thanks, but really unnecessary

: Damn it, feels like No. 6 actually managed to flatter his way in

: What do you mean flatter? He just touched the president’s hand, and the president went back and washed his hands for half an hour out of disgust

: Not that long, just 29 minutes and 59 seconds

: Isn’t No. 6 taking his clothes off to sleep tonight? Without that, where’s the passion?!

: No. 6 is still being too polite. At this stage, he’s still treating the president like an outsider

: No. 6: I may be a bit dumb, but I’m not brainless

: I have doubts about the statement above

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