Chapter Forty-Eight: Joining the Cheerleading Squad

One month later.

Upon seeing the recruitment event announcement on the school's website, Yu Qian immediately turned around in excitement and said to the girl behind her, who was playing on her phone, “Jiujiu, the school clubs and student council are recruiting new members today. Let’s go have a look.”

The words “student council” instantly caught the girl’s attention. Her hand, which had been replying to Muting Ye’s message, paused for a moment as she looked up in Yu Qian’s direction. “When does it start?”

Sunlight wrapped the girl in a gentle glow, her fair face flawless and clear, her jet-black, glossy hair cascading over her shoulders—beauty in every detail. Despite the prolonged exposure during military training, she hadn’t tanned; in fact, she’d become even paler. Yu Qian couldn’t help but marvel—comparisons are odious, she thought. What on earth did Jiujiu eat growing up to be so uniquely different?

She cleared her throat lightly. “It starts at ten this morning and goes until evening.”

The girl glanced down at her phone. There was just an hour until ten. She quickly said, “Oh, it’s almost time. We’d better tidy up a bit before we go.”

“Mm-hmm! Jiujiu, I think we should look our best today. It’s a big event—so many people, and who knows, we might even run into some handsome guys!” Yu Qian winked at her.

Clearly, her real intentions lay elsewhere. The girl cast a light, knowing glance at her. “It’s not about handsome guys, it’s about Senior Wen, isn’t it? He might be there, so just for that one in ten thousand chance of running into him, you want to look your best. Don’t think I don’t know you.”

“Jiujiu!” Yu Qian’s cheeks flushed as she glared at the girl, a mix of embarrassment and shyness at having her little thoughts exposed.

“All right, all right, I won’t tease you anymore. But I really think there’s a good chance you’ll see him,” she said, putting away her smile and looking earnestly at Yu Qian’s red face.

Wen Hao was the vice-captain of the basketball team, and in her previous life, Lin Yuexin had joined the cheerleading squad and met him there. This time, Yu Qian could join the squad instead, leaving no opportunity for Lin Yuexin.

The girl’s serious demeanor was convincing enough that Yu Qian immediately busied herself preparing, full of energy and impatience.

Such enthusiasm—if she weren’t here, those two would probably get together anyway…

She withdrew her gaze from Yu Qian, tousled her own hair, and looked down at her plain white T-shirt. Well, she’d better tidy up, too.

By the time both girls were ready, they were almost late. Yu Qian grabbed her hand and rushed them out, afraid the spots would be gone if they arrived too late.

First floor of the academic building.

The annual club recruitment event was in full swing. The grand scale, the sheer number of people, the lively atmosphere—it was truly a sight to behold.

“Wow, Hanfu Club, Photography Club, Roller Skating Club, Dance Club… There are so many, I can barely keep track!”

“Jiujiu, look, those seniors from the Roller Skating Club are amazing…”

“Jiujiu, look, it’s Lin Yuexin! No wonder she got up so early and disappeared after doing her makeup—turns out she came by herself. Hmph, let’s just ignore her and browse on our own. If we pretend not to see her, she can’t deliberately pick the same clubs as us.”

“Jiujiu, which club do you want to join?” Yu Qian chattered nonstop as they walked.

The girl glanced briefly at Lin Yuexin in the distance without answering, carefully considering her options.

Aside from the student council, Cheng Yanran had only joined the basketball team, so…

She was just about to reply when Yu Qian suddenly pulled her aside. “Jiujiu, look, the cheerleading squad! Their outfits are so cute!”

The young women wore tank tops and ultra-short skirts, their youthful figures both alluring and charming, drawing many admiring glances.

Yu Qian craned her neck for a better look, then turned to the girl with stars in her eyes, full of hope and longing.

She and Jiujiu both had great figures; they’d surely stand out in those outfits. Besides… Senior Wen was on the basketball team, and she wanted to cheer him on…

“Jiujiu, should we join the cheerleading squad?” Her tone brimmed with excitement.

After spending so much time with Yu Qian, who wore her heart on her sleeve, the girl could almost always guess what she was thinking with just a glance.

“Sure, if you go, I’ll go!” Though her voice was soft, it rang clear in Yu Qian’s ears.

Overjoyed, Yu Qian hugged her tightly. “Jiujiu, you’re the best! I love you, mwah!”

The girl smiled faintly, content to keep her thoughts hidden, calculating that having Yu Qian as company would make her choice seem less conspicuous.

The first floor was packed with clubs recruiting new members, the crowd bustling and lively.

As student council president, Cheng Yanran naturally came to supervise, but his aversion to crowds kept him on the second-floor balcony, his hand resting on the railing as his deep gaze swept over the scene below.

Sometimes, you know you’re moved when you spot one person in a crowd.

The girl wore a playful printed hoodie and a pleated skirt, her slender, straight legs and flawless skin giving her a fresh, youthful charm, as sweet as a peach, captivating all who saw her. She tilted her head, a beautiful smile on her lips, patiently listening to her friend, her neck elongated, her snowy skin radiant in the light.

Though she was some distance away, Cheng Yanran felt his eyesight sharpen, each of the girl’s movements magnified before him, making his throat inexplicably dry. He swallowed hard.

This was already the second time he’d seen her. Cheng Yanran sensed something stirring deep inside. He’d never believed in fate, but if the first meeting was chance and the second was coincidence, would there be a third? If so… he would believe they were meant to be.

For now, he would leave it to fate.

He tore his heated gaze from her and turned away.

He didn’t know that, just as he left, the girl headed for the student council recruitment booth to sign up.

“Qianqian, I want to join the student council too. Would you like to come with me?” she asked Yu Qian.

Upon hearing this, Yu Qian shook her head vigorously. “No, no, the student council is full of geniuses. I’m just a little rookie; I’ll pass.”

“Oh, all right. I’ll go by myself, then.”

“Okay, I’ll browse a bit more here, and we can go back together afterward.”

“Sure, see you later.”

After bidding Yu Qian goodbye, the girl made her way to the student council registration area.

Upon approaching, the difference was clear. The student council booth was far less crowded, and the senior members, dressed smartly in suits, wore polite smiles that could not hide their authoritative bearing.

The student council, as its name implied, was the school’s highest-level organization, a bridge between the administration and the student body. All its members had been rigorously selected for their excellence, so most students had no desire to join.