He hadn’t even reached the bathroom when his pocket vibrated again.
Shen An pulled out his phone and checked. Sure enough, it showed that two commissions had been completed.
“You have completed the commission: ‘Supporter’. Everyone has moments of weakness and self-doubt. A strong supporter can provide tremendous encouragement in those dark times.”
“You have received one integral point as a reward. Current total: two points.”
“Warm reminder: Due to your unusual supportive attitude, Shen Lianyao has developed some goodwill toward you, though it is not yet firm.”
“You have completed the commission: ‘Ignored Courage’. Courage stems from confidence, and confidence comes from repeated self-breakthroughs. Do not casually overlook others’ courage. Even the humblest blade of grass can harbor the spirit of a towering tree.”
“You have received one integral point as a reward. Current total: three points.”
“Congratulations! You have received the commission reward: ‘Song Rui’s Gratitude’. Every girl has her springtime dreams. Will you be her ideal Prince Charming?”
A string of messages popped up in the dialog box. Shen An skimmed through them quickly, feeling utterly bored.
Just as he was about to put his phone away, it vibrated once more.
“Huh?”
Shen An frowned in confusion. Could he trigger a commission even in the bathroom?
But when he tapped to open it, he was left dumbfounded.
“Self-commission: ‘Club or Student Union?’: This is a commission for you. You’ve adapted to university life and made new friends. It’s time for the next stage: find a school organization you like and become a member.”
“Note: This commission will affect other commissions. Choose carefully.”
“Reward: Two unknown movie tickets, seemingly for a film perfect for couples.”
“Completing this commission will grant you one integral point.”
After reading the commission details, Shen An was speechless.
He hadn’t expected this damn system to issue commissions to itself.
And that reward only confirmed his suspicion: this system was designed to combat the plummeting birth rate, having nothing to do with healing at all.
Couple’s movie tickets? Why not just reward him with a night in a love hotel?
Shen An immediately turned off his screen and silenced the vibrations. He had zero interest in entertaining this commission.
He straightened up and headed back to the classroom.
The system’s lengthy loading screen meant it took at least ten minutes to open each time.
By the time he returned from the bathroom, the classroom was a complete madhouse—bustling and lively like a farmer’s market.
Chen Nannan wasn’t at the podium; she was standing by her seat, answering someone’s question.
On his desk sat several slips of white paper. He noticed every student’s desk had a few, apparently for voting later.
Soon, Chen Nannan returned to the podium and clicked the mouse. The PPT slid to the next slide.
The blackboard had several position names written from left to right, each with blank space underneath for candidates.
Anyone who wanted to run for a position could go up and write their name below the corresponding title, then give a campaign speech.
He had barely sat down when the clamor began to quiet.
Chen Nannan cleared her throat into the microphone. “Alright, classmates, the elections are starting now! If you want to be a class cadre, come up, write your name under the position you’re running for, and give your campaign speech!”
As her words fell, Wang Yuqiong turned to Shen An. “Did you just go to the bathroom again?”
“Yeah.”
Shen An nodded.
“No surprise there. I was just about to look for you, and you’d vanished.”
Wang Yuqiong gazed at him with a hint of concern. “You okay?”
“I’m fine.” Shen An’s reply was curt. Wang Yuqiong smiled. “So, have you decided? Gonna vote for me?”
Song Rui sneaked a glance back, and Shen Lianyao beside her subtly turned her eyes as well.
This double-team left Shen An a bit uncomfortable.
“I’ve already got someone in mind. Sorry.”
“Oh well, no big deal. I’m heading up!” Wang Yuqiong flashed a bright, carefree smile, stood, and walked to the podium under everyone’s gaze.
She took the microphone from Chen Nannan, turned, and wrote her name under “Class President” with the steady poise of someone giving a self-introduction.
She was the first, and her intent was the most obvious.
As Wang Yuqiong delivered her campaign speech from the stage, Chen Nannan slipped down and wandered to the back.
Shen An didn’t notice at first; he was focused on listening to Wang Yuqiong.
Her speech was light on fresh ideas, heavy on boilerplate, but her presence was razor-sharp.
Every word radiated unshakeable confidence from within.
He glanced around at the reactions and had his answer.
Class President was Wang Yuqiong’s for the taking, most likely.
Suddenly, someone patted his shoulder.
Shen An turned instinctively. A familiar fragrance wafted over—Chen Nannan’s scent.
She had quietly come up behind him, her tone laced with teasing. “Not planning to go up and say something?”
“Me?” Shen An stayed calm. “I’ve got nothing to say.”
He shot her a sidelong glance and chuckled. “Someone who’s always ready to skip class isn’t cut out for class cadre.”
“Suit yourself.”
Chen Nannan smirked, pinched his shoulder, and leaned in closer. “But it seems like you tricked me again.”
Shen An blinked in mock alarm. “I really was planning to skip.”
“That’s not what I mean!”
Her small hand tightened on his shoulder. “Aren’t you supposed to have social anxiety? Seems like you’re chatting just fine with everyone around you.”
“Ahem, basic greetings are a must!”
“Oh? Basic greetings, huh~” Chen Nannan sneered, glancing at Song Rui in front of him. “Do basic greetings now involve blocking the bathroom door?”
She hadn’t heard Shen An’s talk with Song Rui earlier, but she’d seen it.
She had been coming back from the office with a stack of voting slips.
“Just a coincidence.”
“Hmph. Two bathroom trips in such a short time—kidney issues? Or is my class meeting really that boring, making you so restless you need to step out for air!”
“Didn’t I tell you yesterday, Senior Sister?” Shen An said seriously.
“Did you?”
“Of course.” Shen An whispered. “I’ve got a stomach condition.”
Chen Nannan wasn’t buying it. “Get outta here with that nonsense. You’re full of lies—who knows what’s true and what isn’t.”
“That bit about wanting to live off a woman? That one’s absolutely true.” Shen An was practically swearing on it.
Chen Nannan swatted him playfully with a pout, then released her grip. “Who do you have your eye on?”
“Huh?”
“The elections.”
Shen An glanced back at the podium. Wang Yuqiong was down; someone else was up now.
She was running for Psychological Commissioner.
“Look at you asking that, Senior Sister. First time meeting them—how would I know who’s gonna win?”
Shen An countered. “Got your pick, Senior Sister?”
“Mm-hmm.”
Chen Nannan didn’t name names, but her eyes kept drifting toward Wang Yuqiong.
“I think she’ll win too.” Shen An smiled knowingly.
“Oh? So you’re voting for her too? She might just sweep every vote.”
Chen Nannan murmured.
“Every vote? That’s extreme.”
“Yeah. Yuqiong’s super outgoing, super active in the group chat yesterday. She’s got high popularity. Oh, right—you haven’t joined the group!”
Chen Nannan rolled her eyes. “Anyway, I think Yuqiong’s perfect for Class President.”
“Perfect or not, my vote’s not going to her.”
“Eh?”
Chen Nannan looked shocked. “Then who?”
Seeing Shen Lianyao focused on the stage, Shen An leaned to Chen Nannan’s ear. “I’m voting for you.”
He deliberately puffed a warm breath. Her ear tingled, and she jerked back, shivering slightly.
“Nonsense! I’m your senior sister!”
“That’s why it’s such a shame~” Shen An sighed. “If only you were my Class President.”
“Too bad you can’t.”
“No more fooling around. Come up later and help me count votes!” Chen Nannan instructed before heading back to the podium to manage things.
“I haven’t agreed yet…” Shen An muttered softly after she left.
Turning, he found Shen Lianyao staring at him intently.
Shen An paused. “Classmate Shen, taking such an interest in me? Not even blinking.”
Shen Lianyao pursed her lips and asked casually, “You and Senior Sister seem pretty close.”
She had caught their whispering.
Though she hid it well.
“Who could dislike a gentle, kind senior sister?” Shen An narrowed his eyes.
Shen Lianyao sensed something unspoken in his words. She frowned slightly, unsure how to respond.
She hadn’t really wanted to ask. With her turn on stage approaching, she was a bit nervous and wanted a way to relax.
Chatting was one method.
As for Shen An’s exact relationship with Chen Nannan, she didn’t care.
She lowered her head, her fingers intertwining again.
Her nervous habit was plain to see.
Shen An leaned in closer. “Are you really going to run for class president?”
“Yeah.”
“I’m not too optimistic about it.”
“You don’t have to support me or anything.”
“That’s not what I mean. I just think you don’t have much of an edge.”
“So?”
“So, I figure you could try running for some other position.”
“No need. If I get it, great. If not, whatever.” Shen Lianyao acted utterly nonchalant, but her tightly intertwined fingers inadvertently betrayed her tension.
Shen An yawned and said offhandedly, “You going up soon?”
Shen Lianyao paused for a moment, then her expression grew solemn. “There’s something I need to tell you.”
“Hm?”
“After I finish my speech later, please don’t just clap randomly like you did before.”
“What do you mean ‘randomly’? That was me giving you moral support.” Shen An defended himself.
Shen Lianyao gave him a look of mild disdain.
“Fine, fine, no clapping. So when are you planning to go up? The longer you wait, the more nervous you’ll get.”
“Now.”
Shen Lianyao drew in a deep breath and slowly rose to her feet.
