Chapter 41: Vying for Affection Part 3

“Is Bai Ran crushing on her roommate? She’s protecting her like she’s some priceless treasure. Does Xu Yinian even know? My girlfriend didn’t even provoke her; all she did was ask the girl to share the recruitment post in a group chat…”

The President noticed the PR Head’s venomous, grumbling tone and warned him, “The people have already been fired. Don’t go looking for more trouble. Do you have any idea who Bai Ran is? You dare provoke her?”

“No, of course I don’t dare! I just want to see what the situation is. Maybe we can ask Xu Yinian to plead our case.”

The President didn’t respond this time. He was just as curious.

The Book Club’s tent was a bleak sight, nearly deserted. It stood in stark contrast to the nearby Anime and Esports club booths, which were swarming with people and raking in membership fees hand over fist.

The club had set a recruitment goal for the year. If they didn’t gather enough members or fees, they wouldn’t be able to afford the rent for the Student Club Federation’s activity rooms. There was even a risk they would be forced to merge with the Literature or Poetry clubs next year.

The senior members of the Book Club were currently shrouded in a gloom so thick it was practically tangible.

As Xu Yinian and her companions approached, even the members who had been idly passing the time reading looked up in a daze. Upon recognizing two of the girls, they gasped in unison. “We’re actually getting business?!”

Fearing they might misunderstand their intentions, Xu Yinian shook her head. “It’s just me signing up…”

Before the words had even left her lips, Bai Ran chimed in, “Count me in, too.”

Beside her, Shen Ruoshuang picked up a registration form. “Do I just fill this out here?”

Xu Yinian looked at the two of them, speechless. Before I said I wanted to join this club, neither of them had even mentioned it, had they?

A flicker of suspicion crossed her mind, and she couldn’t help but ask, “Do you two actually know what kind of activities they do here?”

Before either could answer, the Club President—desperate to lock them in—interjected eagerly.

“Our biggest advantage over the Literature or Poetry clubs is our monthly reading salon! We’re also very accommodating to those who are socially anxious. If you don’t feel like talking, you don’t have to say a single word. You can just listen to everyone else share.”

Having her introverted nature called out so bluntly, Xu Yinian went quiet and focused on her registration.

Shen Ruoshuang and Bai Ran were far too conspicuous in a crowd; they were like walking advertisements. Their presence immediately drew a throng of onlookers, and the once-quiet Book Club booth suddenly became a hive of activity.

The club members exchanged ecstatic glances. They no longer had to worry about meeting their quota—they had hit the jackpot!

It was obvious to everyone that the crowd was only there for Shen Ruoshuang and Bai Ran. Meanwhile, the two beauties were entirely focused on the gentle, soft-spoken girl between them.

As Xu Yinian filled out her form, she noticed the area becoming so cramped they could barely move. I didn’t realize everyone loved reading so much, she thought innocently. I guess I’ll really be able to learn a lot during those salons.

Just as she was about to pay her dues, a club member spoke up.

“The Student Club Federation is hosting some mini-games to waive the membership fee. Do you want to try? If you pass, the Federation will reimburse your fee.”

Since Xu Yinian was currently trying to save money, the prospect of saving thirty yuan was enough to make her decide on the spot to participate. Bai Ran and Shen Ruoshuang naturally followed suit.

When they reached the game station, they realized the challenge involved several “mystery boxes” draped in black cloth. If you could reach inside and identify the object by touch, your fee would be waived.

Xu Yinian knew she wasn’t the bravest person, and she felt herself instinctively shrinking back.

Bai Ran noticed her hesitation. “Niannian, it’s okay. If you don’t want to play, you don’t have to.”

“But… we’re already here,” Xu Yinian murmured. She felt it would be a bit embarrassing to back out in front of such a large crowd.

At that moment, Shen Ruoshuang took a step forward. “I’ll play for you. If I win, I’ll give the waiver to you.”

“Wait… ah? No, you don’t have to!”

By the time Xu Yinian managed to voice her protest, Shen Ruoshuang had already picked a box at random.

She rolled up her sleeve, revealing a slender arm with subtle, elegant lines. Her expression remained cold and detached, her peach blossom eyes as calm as a still lake. Even as she thrust her hand into the pitch-black opening of the box, she didn’t show a hint of fear.

Xu Yinian, however, was so nervous on her behalf that she began unconsciously twisting her fingers together.

After feeling around for only a few seconds, Shen Ruoshuang’s heroic brow twitched slightly. She promptly withdrew her long, fair hand. Her steady, rational movements drew a wave of gasps from the surrounding crowd.

She is so cool!*

Xu Yinian didn’t care about the crowd’s reaction; her eyes were glued to Shen Ruoshuang’s hand to see if she was hurt. She caught a glimpse of a slight dampness on the girl’s fingertips.

Shen Ruoshuang leaned in and whispered something into the organizer’s ear.

“Correct!”

The certainty of her answer meant Shen Ruoshuang didn’t look particularly surprised. She nodded, accepted the voucher, and walked back toward Xu Yinian.

The worry in Xu Yinian’s eyes hadn’t quite faded, yet she couldn’t control the sudden flutter in her heart as she watched Shen Ruoshuang approach.

“I suppose it wasn’t a wasted trip then?” Shen Ruoshuang said plainly, echoing Yinian’s earlier words.

Sensing a certain shift in Xu Yinian’s gaze, the previously stoic Shen Ruoshuang narrowed her eyes and suddenly leaned down.

In full view of the crowd, their faces were suddenly inches apart. In this ambiguous proximity, Xu Yinian could feel Shen Ruoshuang’s breath tickling the tip of her nose.

Xu Yinian took a half-step back, yet she couldn’t escape the intense, burning focus of those peach blossom eyes.

“But tell me…” Shen Ruoshuang murmured. “Were you worried about me?”