Chapter 10: The Disgusting School Bully
During the big break, Chen Zelin called Jiang Chuchu to his office to ask if she was willing to be the discipline committee member.
Jiang Chuchu readily agreed. So, by the time English class came around, Chen Zelin announced the new class committee members and even asked each of them to give an “inaugural statement.”
Aside from a few familiar names, the life committee position Gu Qinghuan had been curious about went to a girl named Han Xiaolan, while publicity committee went to Xie Xiangxue, who had already added her on WeChat.
Everyone’s inaugural speeches were decent—probably because of yesterday’s group takeaway meal, the class had warmed up to each other far quicker than most.
When it was Gu Qinghuan’s turn, she stood up and finally said what she’d been holding back:
“Getting everyone’s vote except my own—I’m honestly shocked.”
The class burst into laughter.
When filling out the forms yesterday, some desk neighbors had chatted and decided, “Since you wrote Gu Qinghuan, I’ll write her too.” But hearing her admit it like this was still amusing.
To have this kind of unspoken understanding on just the second day of school—wasn’t that a good omen? Who wouldn’t want to be in a friendly class environment?
“Actually, I’m not entirely clear on what a class monitor does,” Gu Qinghuan continued. “The other committee members handle specific tasks, so my idea is… no matter what happens, if you need something, just come to me.
“If I can solve it, I’ll help. If I can’t, I’ll find someone who can—whether it’s a teacher, a parent, and if worst comes to worst, even the police…”
“Let’s not go to the police,” Chen Zelin quickly interrupted, wiping his forehead. “The grade director would chew me out.”
The class roared with laughter again.
Gu Qinghuan grinned, her eyes curling into crescent moons. “Just kidding. Unless it’s really necessary, I don’t even want to bother teachers or parents.”
A bunch of students silently agreed: Exactly—who wants to drag “adults” into student matters?
Qin Yue stroked his chin in agreement—well, probably only to the first part. Because if it did reach Gu Qinghuan’s definition of “really necessary,” no one could stop her from going to teachers, parents, or even the police.
“Anyway, I’m your class monitor now. Please take care of me~” She sat down decisively, earning a polite round of applause.
After class, as soon as Chen Zelin left, Gu Qinghuan pulled out her phone and in a few taps created a WeChat group.
Gu Qinghuan: [Yo!]
Adding everyone on WeChat yesterday was already paying off.
Most classmates changed their group nicknames to their real names, and stickers started flying.
Qin Yue bounded onto the podium, slapping the desk. “Let’s pick a group name!”
“How about just ‘Class 3, Grade 10’?” asked Yu Xin, new to WeChat and not seeing the point of a fancy name.
“Of course not!” Qin Yue objected immediately. “That’s too boring!”
Several boys chimed in their agreement.
Yu Xin quietly went back to practicing her calligraphy—she didn’t care about the name.
“What are the other classes’ group names?” Gu Qinghuan asked. Her question silenced the boys.
Han Xiaolan pushed up her glasses, coolly fanning the flames: “Our class name can’t be worse than theirs, right?”
Xie Xiangxue batted her eyes innocently. “Why don’t we find out their names first, then come up with something better?”
The boys who’d been most enthusiastic seconds earlier instantly huddled, plotting how to pump other classes for intel.
“This one’s on you,” Gu Qinghuan said, patting Qin Yue’s shoulder. “You’ll have veto power on the final name.”
Qin Yue thumped his chest. “Just wait.” Then he went to scheme with the boys.
Jiang Chuchu poked Gu Qinghuan’s back with her pen cap. “You’re really letting them pick? I don’t trust boys’ naming skills.”
“I have final say,” Gu Qinghuan replied smugly.
Jiang Chuchu snorted with laughter.
“Club recruitment starts tomorrow, right? What do you want to join?” Gu Qinghuan asked.
“Not sports—don’t want to be sweaty every day. I’ll check out the arts clubs,” Jiang Chuchu said.
“Yu Xin, what about you?” Gu Qinghuan raised her voice.
Yu Xin looked up. “Is there a calligraphy club?”
“There should be,” Gu Qinghuan said.
“Then I want one where I can practice with a fountain pen,” Yu Xin replied.
Yesterday morning, Jiang Chuchu had given her two beginner-friendly copybooks and explained some basics during breaks. But Yu Xin still preferred structured learning.
“That’s good,” Jiang Chuchu said approvingly. “Let’s check the booths together at lunch.”
The club recruitment booths were set up on the walkway between the teaching building and cafeteria, in a small plaza to avoid blocking the track and interfering with PE classes.
After lunch, the three of them headed over.
The plaza was buzzing with activity. At the entrance stood a display board showing each club’s location and name.
Yu Xin quickly spotted the calligraphy clubs—there was even a split between hard-pen and brush calligraphy. Gu Qinghuan couldn’t help marveling at the detail.
Yu Xin went straight to the hard-pen booth while Gu Qinghuan and Jiang Chuchu browsed the overview. Baking Club? Gu wondered if they had lots of treats—chiffon cake, Swiss rolls, caramel pudding… her mouth watered.
She was about to suggest checking it out when a commotion in the crowd caught her ear.
The noise was faint at first, but then a deliberately raised male voice rang out, “Don’t refuse a toast only to drink a forfeit!”
“I told you it wasn’t on purpose!” came a familiar female voice.
It was Xie Xiangxue! Gu and Jiang exchanged a look before pushing toward the circle forming in the middle.
It was hot, and squeezing through the mass of bodies took effort.
Gu Qinghuan caught bits of two male voices but didn’t focus on their words. What she did notice was that Xie’s voice was growing weaker.
Through a gap, Gu finally spotted her and immediately pushed through. “I’m here!” she called loudly.
The sudden shout startled everyone, cutting the tension. Xie Xiangxue, who’d been panicked and breathless, suddenly got a moment to catch her breath and think clearly.
Gu Qinghuan stepped in front of her without even looking at the three boys opposite. “What happened? Is this bullying? Is it?” she demanded.
“Bullshit!” one boy exploded. “This girl spilled a drink on Brother Yan. We just want her to apologize!”
“I already apologized!” Xie snapped, her temper flaring again. “I even offered to take him to the supply office for a spare uniform and wash his dirty clothes to return tomorrow! But he said… he said I…”
She couldn’t bring herself to finish. The boy in the middle scoffed, “You’re just faking an ‘accident’ to get close to me. I’ve seen plenty like you.”
Before he could smirk further, a loud “yue—” (gag) rang out.
Gu Qinghuan clutched her chest with a sincere expression. “Sorry, I just ate. Hearing something that gross made my stomach turn.”
The boy’s face darkened instantly.
