Chapter 47
Chapter 47
Face-Slapping the School Heartthrob and Student Council President (2)
Editor: ghost
In front of everyone’s incredulous eyes, Zhou Xu leisurely walked down the podium. Pride, self-confidence and self-respect. There was no trace of the previous Zhou Xu whom had only ever shown half of his face.
Of course You Luoqi was amongst the people in disbelief.
After Zhou Xu’s explanation, the teacher picked up his design again–liking it the more he looked at it. He gave a more in-depth explanation of Zhou Xu’s design. Of course, the analysis was from an observer’s perspective and not the original creator’s perspective.
After this class, the teacher asked Zhou Xu to stay behind.
“I have a competition. Here are the requirements and the promotional leaflet. See if you are interested.”
Zhou Xu looked at the leaflet and asked, “The closing date is three days from now. Moreover, we have to begin preparing for the end-of-term exam next week. Teacher, do you think that I have the time?”
The middle-aged teacher patted Zhou Xu’s shoulder, “I believe in you. Right, go back and cut your hair. A crew cut would make you look more spirited.”
Zhou Xu shook his head and said, “Sorry, I decline.”
“Which are you declining? Cutting your hair or entering the competition?”
“Cutting my hair.”
“Why?”
“Because I find long hair prettier.”
The teacher paused for a moment, then laughed, “Ha ha ha, I never thought that you had this kind of interest?”
“En, I like anything beautiful. Right, I like women’s clothing as well. Teacher, I know you manage the university associations. I want to form a women’s clothing society, can I?”
The teacher was truly stunned this time. He looked at Zhou Xu and only replied after a long time, “Cough cough, you like women’s clothing? Or you like wearing them, or….”
“Everything. In any case, it doesn’t break the law.”
“No.”
“Then how about this: if I obtain the special prize for this competition, approve my application after the winter holidays. What do you think?”
“So confident? You know that there are many professionals with years of experience entering this competition.”
“We are talking about conditions. So what do you think?”
The teacher thought for a bit, then nodded. He was currently an assistant professor applying for a professor position. If his student could win such a big prize, then as the student’s direct teacher, the school would give him a fitting reward. When he again applied to be a professor, his application would be prioritised for consideration.
This was a matter that benefitted both sides; why would the teacher not be glad to do it? It was simply a club and at most there would be no teachers willing to be the club advisor. If this was the case, he just needed to do it himself.
“Okay,” the teacher again laughed, “this is the first time a student had the guts to discuss conditions with me. Kid, you are really capable ah.”
Zhou Xu smiled, “Teacher, you should treat me to a meal. I’ll tell you the details of the women’s clothing club.”
“I can treat you to a meal, but shouldn’t we first discuss your participation in the competition?”
“I can settle that myself. Believe in me Teacher.” Zhou Xu raised his chin. His youthful face was filled with confidence.
The teacher’s name was Lu Zhongban, whom was about forty years old. He treated students very well and appreciated talent very much.
He managed the university’s clubs and societies. Of course, he would not actually participate in the activities, but rather surveyed the number of members in clubs and ensured no clashes in schedule between club activities and classes .
This position was not worth much in the university. Other people were unwilling to do it because the work was tedious and was not looked upon favourably by many.
However, Lu Zhongban rather liked the work; those in the design industry were the most afraid of being out of touch with the times. Being with the students could give him inspiration. Just like Zhou Xu’s self-confidence, it let him think of a new creative concept.
You Luoqi was also participating in the design competition. He registered of his own accord because he had liked graphic design since high school and even won an award in a small competition before–hence he wanted to challenge himself.
Most of the third years and fourth years were participating in this competition. If they won an award, even if it was a third tier award, there would be many big design companies vying for them when they job hunted.
This competition had one special design award, three first tier awards, ten second tier awards and fifty third tier awards
At first glance, it may seem that the number of awardees were rather large, but the number of participants were a staggering hundred thousand. One would be able to tell how precious an award was if they compared these numbers.
Looking at the informational leaflet, this year’s theme was the environment. Zhou Xu turned his head to look at a large, bare tree through the window. The corner of his mouth lifted. If he could achieve an even more accurate promotional effect by doing the exact opposite, this kind of design would easily draw more attention. It would be the easiest way to win an award.
Switching on his computer, Zhou Xu began to design.
Two days later, Zhou Xu handed the design to Lu Zhongban for him to take a look. Lu Zhongban was shocked and mesmerised by the design. He had never really seen a design of such calibre. No matter whether it was the colours, writing or background, everything was perfect. The key point was that his creative idea was good, using roots as a contrast to trees and the soil as contrast to a forest. After various contrasts, it was no longer abrupt, but rather caused people to think deeply.
The teacher originally wanted to let Zhou Xu do some minor corrections, but in the end decided not to; no matter which part he changed, the teacher felt that Zhou Xu’s design would only lose colour. Zhou Xu’s original intention was precisely to use comparison to let the audience understand the value of the environment.
Watching the teacher’s reaction, Zhou Xu said, “Hand me the application form for my club. I’ll fill it in first then establish it after the winter holidays, okay?”
Lu Zhongban laughed heartily and patted Zhou Xu’s shoulder, “Kid, you haven’t even won the award yet. Moreover, you can establish the club, but you must recruit more than ten people to be members within a month before you can officially form the club. Otherwise, you can’t.”
“Don’t worry about this. Since I want to form this club, I naturally would have a way to settle this issue.”
“Ha ha ha, sure. You can go to the school website to print the application form, then hand it to me. Remember, the club must have more than ten people.”
“I understand.”
Zhou Xu returned to the dormitory; his mood was quite good. In this period of time, he had always paid attention to a manga club. There were many cosplayers in the club and among them, there were two or three male students who indeed liked to wear female clothing although they would not do it in a public setting.
In addition, Zhou Xu made posts on the school’s intranet. These posts were numerous and influenced the audience’s thinking, making them feel that crossdressing was “adorable, cute, likable,” popularising it in the school.
When he was making the posts, he paid more attention to the girls’ attitude. Whether it was language or accompanying images, he focused on them. This kind of respect would leave people a favourable impression.
In the beginning, only a few fujoshis supported the posts, but afterwards other girls joined in and in the end, many boys were attracted.
University students were easily guided sheep. As long as the method was right, not arousing any repulsion, the students were very willing to support the vulnerable.
Zhou Xu was very satisfied with the results. Afterwards, he only needed to appropriately make some posts, not to purposely guide their thinking but rather let them know that no matter a person’s hobby, it was a personal matter and would not affect anyone; the posts discouraged people from wearing tinted lensesto criticise others.
After Zhou Xu’s work was submitted to the design competition, he entered exams period.
The previous Zhou Xu had just left home in this half year and had felt especially lonely. In addition, he had knots in his heart due to secretly loving You Luoqi. Hence in this first exam, he failed three of his classes. However it was different now. Zhou Xu looked at the exam questions. He was prepared and the questions were all too simple for him.
After two weeks of exams, Zhou Xu found out that his work had passed the qualifying round and was undergoing a second round of voting amongst the judges.
Zhou Xu told the news to Lu Zhongban. Naturally the teacher was happy for him, but Zhou Xu received a piece of news from him: You Luoqi and Chang Shaojun had both made it past the qualifying round as well.
“Right, do you know Chang Shaojun? He is your senior and student council president; a very capable student.”
Zhou Xu shook his head, expressing that he did not know. However, he naturally knew who Chang Shaojun was. This was precisely the person You Luoqi liked and the one who had forced the original host to commit suicide in the end.
“I will introduce him to you after the winter break.”
“Okay, Teacher,”
“Why are you so well-behaved today?” Lu Zhongban patted Zhou Xu’s shoulder as he spoke.
“Because I’m scared that you’ll make me stay. I want to rush home.” Zhou Xu answered in a joking manner.
“Ha ha ha ha, fine fine, I won’t trouble you any longer, you should go back. In a while, your new teacher will ask your class to hold a meeting before you are liberated for your winter break.”
Nodding his head, Zhou Xu expressed his understanding.
Zhou Xu’s former teacher was female, but after she got pregnant, she had no choice but to suspend her duties and the university found a graduate student to act as their mentor at the last moment.
Zhou Xu thought for a bit. If he did not remember incorrectly, this new mentor was called Yang He, a second year graduate student. It was said that he once took X University by the storm and was very popular. This person was actually acquainted with the past Zhou Xu, but because Zhou Xu always had long bangs covering his face, Yang He had never realised that Zhou Xu was the little boy who had always followed him around when they were young.
This time, Zhou Xu would not be so stupid. Since he was a teacher, he had many uses; he would be of help in leave requests and applications to live outside of school.
Zhou Xu arrived at the classroom in which the meeting was taking place. He sat in the front row, a seat near the heater; this body was too weak and afraid of the cold. The original host naturally did not have the guts to sit in the front row, but Zhou Xu did.
Zhou Xu enjoyed the warm air and closed his eyes.
Suddenly, something hit his forehead. Zhou Xu opened his eyes, his forehead in pain. He saw a handsome, smiling face and the person asked, “Student, is my marksmanship good?”
Zhou Xu glared at him; he hated pain. Any bit of pain was unacceptable.
Zhou Xu picked up the chalk which had dropped onto the table, then threw it towards the person on the podium, accurately hitting the centre of his forehead.
The person on the podium was a bit shocked as he rubbed his forehead. Suddenly, he burst out laughing; his straight teeth were a bright white, making him look particularly sunny.
Zhou Xu lightly laughed and said, “Your marksmanship is nothing special compared to mine.”
A cacophony of laughter rang below the podium. The new teacher did not feel awkward and laughed together with everyone. Only Zhou Xu suddenly felt a bit stupid. He remembered that a long time ago, there seemed to be someone who laughed like that. Why did that person laugh?
Right, at that time, he was still very young and always craved sweets. However, he was restricted by his parents due to his bad teeth. There was an older brother who occasionally came to visit him. He would always conjure up a rainbow coloured candy for him. That boy’s smile was really similarly good-looking.
“Peng.” Another piece of chalk hit Zhou Xu’s forehead.
“Student, earnestly listen to the lesson. Also, you don’t need to return that piece of chalk to me.”
Zhou Xu looked at the chalk that had landed on the table and faintly smiled, not saying a word.
He sneakily gripped the chalk in his hand. Zhou Xu thought, sooner or later I will return this to you. Fuck, the second piece of chalk had hit the same spot on his forehead–it was really painful.
Translator’s Note:
hope everyone enjoyed 11.11! will try to pick up pace since the holidays have started most will be stockpile but i may have a Christmas surprise for everyone