Chapter 604 - 380: If You Make Me Happy, I’ll Let You In

"He said he wanted to be the student council president and make Lin Ruoxi his personal secretary to give him shoulder massages. You just got the position, so hearing that made me uncomfortable..."

Fan Kangjie choked on a puff of smoke. "COUGH, COUGH..."

...

「Inside the academic building.」

Xue Rui strolled back to the interview room, hands behind his back. He was surprised to find that because the External Relations Department’s room had been locked for half an hour, many of the people who had been waiting in line for an interview had left, apparently for other departments...

Cheng Nian stood in the classroom, unsure whether to stay or go.

"Senior, pour me a glass of water," Xue Rui said bluntly.

Cheng Nian swallowed. Now she understood what Xue Rui had meant by "later"...

However, she noticed that Xue Rui had a very relaxed demeanor and didn’t put on any airs like a leader.

She suddenly had a feeling. ’Is Xue Rui actually pretty easy to talk to?’

’It was just that Sun Xiaoran’s previous high-and-mighty attitude had pissed Xue Rui off...’

Cheng Nian mustered her courage and tested the waters. "You’re closer. Pour it yourself."

"Students will be students," Xue Rui said with a helpless smile.

"Hey? What’s that supposed to mean? Aren’t you a student, too?" Cheng Nian said with a laugh.

"It’s different. Your attitude toward me is different," Xue Rui said, shaking his head.

’His identity had been revealed just moments ago, causing a brief stir of surprise, but it was just surprise. In their hearts, the student council president was still the top dog. Students weren’t so tainted by the stench of money. They cared more about who became a school official, who had good grades, which girl was pretty, which boy was good at basketball... Only after entering the workforce, having their ideals ruthlessly crushed by reality, and being forced by their bosses to toast with a few drinks would they finally realize the importance of money. Students like Li Ruihao, who were extremely desperate for money and therefore fawned over him, were a minority.’

"What do you mean?" Cheng Nian didn’t understand what Xue Rui was getting at.

"What I mean is, you don’t want me to say bad things about you to the teachers, do you?" Xue Rui said, winking.

Cheng Nian’s eyes flew wide open. ’Xue Rui is actually threatening me?’

"I don’t." Cheng Nian gritted her teeth, picked up the water pitcher, and reluctantly poured Xue Rui a glass of water.

Xue Rui thought for a moment. ’Cheng Nian is a diligent and responsible member of the student council; she clearly wants to climb the ladder.’

’According to the student council’s structure, sophomores who don’t make it to a leadership position have to leave. His arrival had blocked Cheng Nian’s path to promotion.’

"From now on, I’ll be in charge of getting sponsorships. You can do everything else, but the credit will go to me," Xue Rui said shamelessly.

"You... You’re too cruel! I’m going to report you." Cheng Nian pointed her finger at Xue Rui. A bell she wore jingled crisply, as if it, too, were condemning Xue Rui’s wickedness.

"You could scream your lungs out and no one would believe you."

"Let me ask you, what’s your goal for joining the student council?" Xue Rui asked, guiding her patiently.

Cheng Nian was taken aback for a moment before answering, "To get a scholarship. Student council also counts as work experience, so it looks better on a resume for future job hunting, and it helps you adapt to the workplace sooner."

"Then I’m helping you adapt to the workplace ahead of time. If you don’t give credit to your leader, how is your leader supposed to promote you?" Xue Rui said with a smile.

"..." Cheng Nian fell silent upon hearing this. ’Is this how leaders think?’

"Do you want to be the student council president?" Xue Rui winked at Cheng Nian.

"Me?" Cheng Nian was stunned. She couldn’t keep up with Xue Rui’s pace at all.

"Fan Kangjie is a junior this year, right? He’ll step down next year as a senior. With my help, you can move up quickly, but you have to listen to me," Xue Rui said.

Cheng Nian crossed her arms. "That’s not right. By then, I’ll be your leader. Why should I listen to you?"

"You can’t even refuse to pour a glass of water, and you’re talking big." Xue Rui tapped the paper cup and said leisurely, "When you’re being kept, you don’t get to talk about having an independent personality. Haven’t you noticed how wary Fan Kangjie is of me?"

Cheng Nian pouted. "Oh. I doubt anyone else is coming for an interview. I’m leaving."

’Because of Xue Rui, all the students who came for an interview have fled. I haven’t recruited enough people... I wonder if I should schedule another interview session.’

As Cheng Nian reached the classroom door, she saw a tall, stunningly beautiful girl standing outside, followed by a large group of male students.

"Senior, are you also here for the External Relations Department?" a male student asked curiously.

Lin Ruoxi waved her hand. "No, I’m a first-year student."

"Then are you here to interview for the External Relations Department?" another student pressed.

Lin Ruoxi craned her neck. When she saw Xue Rui, the corners of her eyes unconsciously lifted, and she started to walk into the classroom.

Xue Rui also spotted Lin Ruoxi. ’I should tease her a bit.’

"Stop. Why didn’t you knock before coming in?" Xue Rui said with a serious expression.

Lin Ruoxi blinked blankly. ’She and Xue Rui share a bedroom. Does she still need to knock?’

But since Xue Rui had asked, she obediently took a few steps back and knocked gently on the wide-open classroom door.

"KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK~"

"Come in, close the door, and introduce yourself," Xue Rui said with a smile.

’Lin Ruoxi has a star-like effect; as long as she’s in the External Relations Department’s classroom, there will be no shortage of new students lining up outside to interview.’

Lin Ruoxi closed the door. She tilted her head and thought for a moment. ’Xue Rui must be playing a game with her again. She should listen to him obediently.’

’How does an interview go?’

Lin Ruoxi stood in the middle of the room and bowed. In a soft, sweet voice, she said, "Hello, interviewers. My name is Lin Ruoxi, from Software Engineering, Class One. My specialty is C programming..."

"Stop, stop, stop. We don’t need those skills in the External Relations Department," Xue Rui interrupted.

"I... I..." Lin Ruoxi looked weakly at the other interviewer, analyzing the situation in her mind.

’Xue Rui told her to introduce herself, so he must want her to join the External Relations Department, too. But she also has to satisfy the other interviewer.’

Cheng Nian shook her head slightly. "Classmate, your personality isn’t suited for our External Relations Department. It requires strong social skills."

"That’s why she needs the practice, because she’s an introvert. Give her a chance," Xue Rui said with a smile.

Cheng Nian leaned close to Xue Rui’s ear and whispered, "She’s in your class. You’re not planning on stuffing all your classmates in here, are you? How am I supposed to get any work done in the future?"

"Tell us your strengths," Xue Rui said, winking at Lin Ruoxi, completely ignoring Cheng Nian’s concerns.

Cheng Nian glared at Xue Rui and muttered under her breath, "What does she have besides being pretty? She can’t even speak clearly."

’Still, she was surprised. It was rare to see a girl as beautiful as Lin Ruoxi be so introverted.’

"How about this: find a few of my good qualities," Xue Rui said nonchalantly.

"Okay!" Lin Ruoxi nodded emphatically. Her tone became cheerful. "You’re very gentle, and very hardworking, you’re compassionate, and you’re also the most handsome..."

Cheng Nian almost spat out a mouthful of water. ’Lin Ruoxi’s flattery skills are way too strong!’

’You really can’t judge a book by its cover!’

"Do you want to join the External Relations Department?"

"I do."

"Make me happy, and I’ll let you in," Xue Rui said with a smile.

Cheng Nian’s scalp tingled. ’Xue Rui is the real one abusing his power! How did he have the nerve to criticize Sun Xiaoran?’

"Go, pour a glass of water," Xue Rui said, pointing at the pitcher.

Lin Ruoxi obediently took out some paper cups and poured a glass of water for both Xue Rui and Cheng Nian.

Xue Rui said to Cheng Nian, "See how obedient she is?"

"Hmph." Cheng Nian rolled her eyes.

Xue Rui massaged his shoulder. "I’ve been sitting for too long today. My neck is a little sore."

Lin Ruoxi hurried behind Xue Rui, reached out, and gently began to massage his shoulders.

’Cheng Nian desperately wanted to yank open that door and let all the students outside see Xue Rui’s dark side!’

"The External Relations Department often has to deal with businesses, and I am the department’s biggest sponsor. Since you’re so beautiful, I should at least get some kind of benefit, right?"

As Xue Rui spoke, he crooked his finger, gesturing for Lin Ruoxi to come a little closer.

Lin Ruoxi felt a sweet sensation in her heart. She liked playing games with Xue Rui.

Xue Rui pointed to his own cheek. "Here."

Just as Lin Ruoxi was about to lean down and kiss him, Cheng Nian pressed a hand to her forehead, stopping her.

"Miss, please have some self-respect. Joining the student council isn’t that big of a deal. You don’t need to make such a huge sacrifice."

Cheng Nian’s expression was grave. She said angrily to Xue Rui, "You slandered Sun Xiaoran for taking advantage of female students. I see now you were just talking about your own desires!"

Xue Rui pulled Cheng Nian’s hand away. "It’s all for the sake of adapting to the workplace ahead of time. It’s no big deal."

Lin Ruoxi saw that the two of them were starting to argue and quickly said, "Rui, don’t fight."

Cheng Nian turned her head, dumbfounded. ’What did Lin Ruoxi just call Xue Rui?’

While Cheng Nian was still stunned, Lin Ruoxi impatiently planted a quick peck on Xue Rui’s cheek, then hugged his head and whispered:

"Rui, is she your subordinate? Please stop teasing her, okay?"