Chapter 52: Clash
A Determined President
Faced with Zi Xing’s resolute expression, neither Lan Yi nor Ai Xinglan knew what to say. Zi Xing was unyielding—once she made up her mind, no one could sway her.
She was fiercely protective of every student council member, almost to a fault.
Lan Yi, knowing Zi Xing’s character, had asked Ai Xinglan to keep the matter hidden to avoid troubling her. After all, the culprit was the sole heir of the Ye family, a powerful ability clan. Having experienced their influence firsthand, Lan Yi didn’t want Zi Xing, who always looked out for others, to clash with such a formidable figure.
But now, Lan Yi’s fears had come true.
“No matter what, I won’t let you suffer injustice for nothing!”
Zi Xing stood, offering the two a gentle smile before heading toward the door.
As they knew all too well, Zi Xing’s decisions were final. Calling them to the student council room was merely to confirm and inform them—she was going to confront Ye Sheng, no matter what.
“President…”
Watching Zi Xing’s retreating figure, Lan Yi pursed her lips, her expression firming with resolve.
“Xiao Xinglan… wait for us to come back, please.” Before Ai Xinglan could react, Lan Yi followed Zi Xing out.
“Huh?”
Lan Yi’s expression, as if marching to her doom, suggested she didn’t want Ai Xinglan to get involved, likely to spare her more trouble.
Watching the two leave without a word, Ai Xinglan sighed, rubbing her forehead.
On the surface, Ai Xinglan appeared unfazed, but as the sole heir of another ability clan, she was quietly planning to deal Ye Sheng a major blow. She’d only pretended nothing was wrong to ease Lan Yi’s burden, knowing how much Lan Yi hated causing trouble.
Now, things had grown more complicated. The impulsive president clearly wouldn’t listen to reason, and unexpectedly, Lan Yi had followed her.
A Brewing Confrontation
Unaware that he was now the student council president’s target, Ye Sheng was still preoccupied with Fu Qingyue’s situation. After frustrating deliberation, he chose to trust the system’s detection, tired of guessing possibilities.
So, he sent Fu Qingyue a message, asking to meet during lunch to confirm if something was truly amiss.
“Qingyue, wanna grab lunch together?”
“Sure.”
Seeing her near-instant reply, Ye Sheng’s lips twitched. Fu Qingyue showed no sign of refusal, responding as concisely and clearly as always.
He struggled to believe that a girl whose attitude hadn’t changed could have such a drastic drop in favorability.
Yet, even if he trusted his own judgment, the system’s detection of her favorability drop was undeniable. In the bustling midday crowd, Ye Sheng waited anxiously for Fu Qingyue, feeling like he was sitting on pins and needles.
“No effort at all—you’re right here, Ye Sheng.”
A voice that clearly wasn’t Fu Qingyue’s called his name. Frowning, Ye Sheng looked up. Now wasn’t the time to deal with others.
“Who? The student council president? What do you want? I don’t have time for your student council games!”
Seeing Ye Sheng’s poor attitude, Zi Xing didn’t get angry. Instead, she smiled coldly, speaking slowly and deliberately: “Games? Our secretary received your ‘special attention’ recently. I’m here to properly thank you.”
Glancing at Lan Yi behind Zi Xing, Ye Sheng’s lips curled into a mocking sneer. “Oh, so you’re here to cause trouble for her sake. She sure has charm, ordering the student council president around.”
“But I don’t have time to waste on you. Why don’t you ask your precious secretary what she’s been up to?”
“What she’s been up to? You mean failing to win her over and resorting to slander?” Zi Xing shot back with equal sarcasm.
Her words struck a nerve, and Ye Sheng’s face darkened, his expression grim.
“Zi Xing, don’t think being the student council president gives you the right to talk nonsense.”
“Wanna fight?” Seeing Ye Sheng’s anger, Zi Xing’s lips curved upward—she wanted exactly this reaction.
“President!” Lan Yi tugged at Zi Xing’s sleeve, desperate to avoid a fight. It wasn’t that she doubted Zi Xing’s ability, but clashing with Ye Sheng, even if victorious, would have messy consequences.
Zi Xing ignored her. She had no patience for verbal sparring or petty schemes. As a pure combat-type ability user, her preferred method of teaching a lesson was straightforward—force.
“Zi Xing… you think I’m scared of you?!” Ye Sheng clenched his fists, light gathering around them, ready to strike.
Though his dark-element ability had been rendered useless by the system, the rewards from Yu Zifei’s increased favorability were substantial. Even against the high-tier ability user renowned throughout the upper division, he wasn’t intimidated, bolstered by his system.
“Good. Let’s see if you’re still this tough later,” Zi Xing said coldly.
Metallic swords materialized around her, each emitting a sharp, metallic hum.
The atmosphere grew tense, as if a fight could erupt at any moment. Unnoticed, a growing crowd of students gathered, eager to watch the spectacle.
An Unexpected Arrival
Despite the escalating tension, Lan Yi didn’t give up trying to dissuade Zi Xing. “President… President! If you have to fight, at least… let me do it!”
Lan Yi clenched her fists. She knew reconciliation with Ye Sheng was impossible, so she might as well face him herself.
Before she could finish, the situation spiraled out of control. A silver-haired girl, carried by a faint breeze, leapt from the crowd and landed lightly beside Ye Sheng, softly asking: “Ye-ge, what’s going on?”
“Ah… sorry, Qingyue. Looks like I can’t have lunch with you. These two from the student council aren’t letting me off easily.”
Hearing Ye Sheng’s words, Fu Qingyue turned to Zi Xing and Lan Yi. Noticing Zi Xing’s summoned weapons, she frowned slightly.
“Lan Yi… Student Council President, ganging up on him?”
Expressionless, Fu Qingyue conjured wind blades, aiming them at the two.
“Count me in, then.”
With Fu Qingyue’s arrival, the situation shifted to a two-on-two standoff. Lan Yi could no longer let Zi Xing fight alone.
Zi Xing smiled nonchalantly, reassuring Lan Yi: “Little Lan Yi, just watch from the side. One more won’t change a thing.”
Confident in her abilities, Zi Xing casually grasped a metallic blade and charged forward.
On the other side, Fu Qingyue and Ye Sheng didn’t hesitate, unleashing wind blades and light spears. The situation became chaotic, teetering on the edge of violence.
Clang—
A metallic sword was caught between two fingers, and the incoming abilities were effortlessly dispelled. As the smoke cleared, a well-dressed middle-aged man stood at the center of the attack.
“Sigh… students, this isn’t appropriate.”