Chapter 35

The next day, when Xu Wushuang came to the classroom for morning study as usual, she would occasionally sneak a glance at Wang Bai, checking if he was paying attention to her.

Wang Bai was diligently reading a book, sometimes taking notes, completely focused, whether the teacher was there or not. This made Xu Wushuang secretly frustrated. She had been tossing and turning all night, but it seemed this guy didn't take it seriously at all. She could say she was drunk and pretended to have amnesia, but he was very clear-headed at the time, otherwise he wouldn't have been so composed.

Thinking of that word, Xu Wushuang couldn't help but recall how she had straddled Wang Bai's lap last night, wrapped only in a towel. That was truly throwing herself at him. She cursed herself for being shameless and was secretly grateful for Wang Bai's actions yesterday. If he hadn't kept his cool, she might be even more regretful now.

The phrase "drunkenness leads to indiscretion" indeed had some truth to it. She admitted that in a sober state, she would never do such a thing, so she blamed it all on being drunk.

After circling the room, Xu Wushuang came to Wang Bai's side and patted his shoulder, "Come out with me for a moment."

After they left, Jin Xiaoli asked Qian Ning, "What did Wang Bai do wrong again?"

"I don't know, probably still about his absence yesterday. They're probably going to wash his brain again."

Jin Xiaoli added, "He's in for it, poor guy."

Outside the classroom, Xu Wushuang looked at her student and sighed lightly, "The teacher was drunk yesterday." This was to set the tone, so Wang Bai wouldn't think she was intentionally seducing him.

Wang Bai nodded, his eyes fixed on his toes. Seeing that he didn't say anything, Xu Wushuang felt a bit flustered and didn't want to bring up the matter again. She clicked her tongue and said, "Fill out this application form, and you'll be a volunteer. Think about it, and don't talk about it everywhere. The school doesn't encourage this."

Her words had a hidden meaning. Wang Bai took the form she extended and nodded understandingly, "Thank you, teacher. I'm always tight-lipped, I won't tell anyone." This was a trade: I let you join the service team, and you keep your mouth shut.

Xu Wushuang breathed a slight sigh of relief. With the situation like this, she had to use a form of bribery to make a deal with her student, which was not what she wanted. She hoped this guy would keep his word; otherwise, she would be in a bind.

"I'll find a place to stay as soon as possible and pay you back the rent. By the way, where did you get so much money?" she asked.

"I have a friend at Kaiden Castle, so..." he said vaguely, "You can stay with peace of mind. Don't be too casual when looking for a place, take your time. If seven days aren't enough, let me know in advance. You don't have to pay me back the money, in the future, you can..."

He hesitated, and yesterday Xu Wushuang had many complaints, which he could understand. She didn't care and said, "I can take care of myself, no need for you to worry. I will definitely pay you back, go back to class."

So Wang Bai nodded and returned to the classroom, his eyes fixed on his toes the whole time, as if he could see flowers. This made Xu Wushuang a bit annoyed: Am I that scary? I won't do anything to you in school! Acting so distant, saying a few insincere words, do you think I'll be grateful? A little brat, not even daring to eat the meat in front of you, acting like an adult...

Xu Wushuang's face turned red again, and she cursed herself for being shameless, feeling self-pity all the way back to the office.

Back in the classroom, Wang Bai first put the application form in his drawer and continued studying. During the break, he took out the form and read it carefully when no one was paying attention. There was a section at the top with application guidelines, including the team's declaration and purpose, and an introduction to the activity cycle.

One of the rules stated: The school organizes a regular volunteer activity once a month, and each volunteer must participate. Volunteers can organize their own activities at other times, but they must involve at least three people and submit a plan to the school in advance.

Wang Bai wondered when the regular monthly activity was, and if it had already happened this month. If so, he would have to organize an activity himself. He needed to confirm this with Yu Jia.

The bottom of the form had detailed information for the applicant and a voluntary declaration, with a signature section and a note about the seal required for it to take effect. After reading it, he put the form away and started doing his homework.

At lunchtime, Wang Bai found his class's designated seats in the cafeteria and sat across from Yu Jia. Lu Lu was sitting next to her, and both were surprised to see him join them for the first time.

Yu Jia glanced at Lu Lu and asked, "Should I leave?"

Lu Lu rolled her eyes, and Wang Bai said, "I came to talk to you, I have a question."

"Oh," she nodded, "What is it?" Lu Lu was also listening intently.

"Has the volunteer service team already conducted the regular activity this month?"

"Yes," Yu Jia replied, "Last Saturday, we cleaned up at the nursing home. It was a whole afternoon, and I was exhausted."

This answer made Wang Bai's mood plummet. He thought he had finally joined the volunteer service team and could complete his task, but it turned out there was no activity this month. His task required him to participate in one activity, and with 14 days left, he was in a bind.

His only option was to organize an activity himself, but the school required at least three people, which left him at a loss.

Not to mention what kind of activity to organize, as a prospective member, he had no connections in the volunteer service team. Who would go with him just for the sake of it?

Where could he find the other two people? Wang Bai couldn't help but look at the formal member in front of him. His eyes darted around, and Lu Lu glared at him, "Why are you looking at her like that?"

Yu Jia trembled and said weakly, "Should I leave?"

Wang Bai waved his hand, signaling her to stay, "Why leave? I'm not here for Lu Lu. I came to talk to you about something important."

Then he put on a flattering smile, "Secretary Yu, can you tell me if there's anyone in the volunteer service team who you're close to? Preferably someone who is very active and dedicated."

"No," Yu Jia shook her head, "Everyone complains about the volunteer activities, wishing they could get to senior year and escape this misery."

"Cough!" Wang Bai had expected this, but hearing it still made him feel embarrassed. Even as a class leader, she was unwilling to participate in a monthly volunteer activity. He wanted to participate but had no chance, and it was hard to even get an application form.

"Then, anyone who is just a bit closer?" Wang Bai asked, lowering his standards, hoping to gather a team first.

"Well, I have a good relationship with a junior," Yu Jia said, weighing her words. She had little to talk about with the class leaders of the same grade, as they were competitors, but there was no conflict with the juniors. "We graduated from the same middle school, so we sometimes chat during activities."

"An alumnus?" Wang Bai was delighted, "That's great, you're a direct senior, you must get along well."

"What exactly do you want, why are you asking these questions?" Yu Jia couldn't help but be curious.

"Hehe," Wang Bai smiled sheepishly, "To be honest, I'm about to join the volunteer service team. I've already filled out the application form and just need to submit it. I plan to organize a volunteer service activity before the midterm exam, and I'm still short of two teammates, so I thought of you."

"Ah?!" Yu Jia exclaimed, then shook her head, "Don't count on me, I won't go with you. And my junior isn't easy to deal with, I can't ask her."

"Don't refuse outright," Wang Bai劝道, "I've treated you to a meal before, this is hurting our friendship, isn't it?"

As the saying goes, "If you take someone's hand, you can't refuse their mouth." Having treated her to a meal, Wang Bai had some leverage. Yu Jia's resolve weakened, and she said, "If I had known, I wouldn't have gone. Fine, I'll consider it as repaying you. I can go with you as a volunteer, but I can't guarantee I can convince my junior. I can only help you make the connection. If it doesn't work out, you'll have to find someone else."

"Alright, alright," Wang Bai said, feeling half successful with one teammate, "What's your junior's name and which class is she in?"

Before Yu Jia could speak, Lu Lu said coldly, "Qi Jueling, the class leader of Grade 1, Class 3. She came to find you a few days ago."

That day, Yu Jia wasn't there, so Lu Lu had to pass the note. She and Yu Jia were close, so she had interacted with Qi Jueling a few times, but there was no mutual admiration between the two beauties, just a casual acquaintance.

"It's her?" Wang Bai was surprised, thinking of the strange girl he had encountered in the school yesterday. She looked good, but was quite aggressive, and seemed hard to deal with. "She's actually the class leader?"

Seeing his disbelief, Yu Jia said, "She's talented and beautiful, with excellent grades. She's very active in the class committee, and both teachers and students like her. However, she only asks others to do things for her, I've never heard of her doing things for others."

Hmph, "one call and a hundred responses," Wang Bai thought disdainfully. You call, and I'll see if I respond. His name had a "柏" (bǎi), giving him confidence.

[The end of the text includes a promotional message for a Chinese website, which is omitted in the translation.]