Volume 3 Chapter 18

Volume 3 + Chapter 18: The Misunderstanding Deepens

“What exactly should I be paying attention to?”

“That is, besides the club exhibitions, Sakura Academy’s Cultural Festival has a grand finale every year, a stage play!”

“But what does that have to do with me?”

“Because the lead actors in the stage play are selected by a vote of the entire school’s students and faculty. So, as Sakura Academy’s most popular student, you could say there’s no escaping it.”

“What? But I’ve never had any acting experience before!” At this, Qianxue clutched their head and wailed.

“Senior Ouyang is going to perform on stage? Then I absolutely have to go watch! I will definitely be the most enthusiastic cheerleader among Senior Ouyang’s fans!” Duan Haichen exclaimed excitedly after hearing the vice president’s words.

“Duan Haichen, don’t make things more difficult for me!” Ouyang Qianxue said, on the verge of tears.

“But Qianxue, you’ll definitely be the female lead, and without a doubt, the center of attention throughout the entire event.”

“What!” Ouyang Qianxue’s head was spinning.

“Why do I have to play the female lead? I could play an inconspicuous supporting role, like a little animal or something.”

“With your popularity, if they had you play a role like that, the people in charge of casting would be torn to shreds by Sakura Academy’s students. But don’t worry, all of us in the club will help share the burden.”

“Although none of you understand exactly what it is I’m so distressed about, thank you anyway.” Ouyang Qianxue slumped onto the table.

(Oh, heavens above, I beg you, please don’t let the people putting on that stage play give me some particularly embarrassing female role. The more neutral, the better!) Qianxue prayed silently.

Meanwhile, out on the school field.

“Hey, look over there!” a student said, pointing at the sky.

“Look at that cloud. Doesn’t it look like that funny face emoji?”

“It really does!”

Now, back to Qianxue.

“After the grand finale stage play ends, there’s the game segment. That means after the club and class performances are over, the student council will organize a large group game. In past years, it’s always been things like tug-of-war or drawing games to guess objects, everyone’s long since grown tired of them. So this year, everyone’s expectations are focused mainly on the earlier club and class performances. You don’t need to worry too much about the game.”

“Alright. But weren’t we talking earlier about the Go Club running a shop? Do you have any ideas?”

“Ah, we haven’t really thought about that yet. But personally, I think a maid café might be a good idea. If we had you, Qianxue, put on a maid uniform and stand at the entrance…”

“Absolutely not!” Before the vice president could finish, Ouyang Qianxue shot up from their seat, visibly agitated. He could never forget the day Bai Yuxuan had treated him like a maid, it had left him with a severe psychological scar.

“Well, I never expected you to be so against it. But since you don’t agree, that’s fine. Do you have any good ideas then?”

“Well… actually, I think running a regular dessert shop would be fine. I’ve noticed the girls in our class really like sweets.”

“But we don’t have the equipment, like ovens, to make desserts.”

“Don’t worry about that. Remember the cooking club I helped out last semester? They’ll lend us their equipment!” Qianxue said confidently.

“But none of us here know how to make desserts either,” the vice presidents exchanged uncertain glances.

“Who says there isn’t anyone?” Ouyang Qianxue puffed out his flat chest proudly.

“Could it be…?” The vice presidents stared at Ouyang Qianxue in surprise.

“Qianxue can even make desserts? You’re practically a perfect superhero!”

“You truly deserve to be my idol! Just as I thought, there’s nothing in this world that Senior Ouyang can’t do!” Duan Haichen’s eyes sparkled like stars.

“But something tells me that with Qianxue’s ‘perfect girl’ image, her cooking would probably be nothing but a dark, inedible disaster!” one of the vice presidents said defiantly.

“If you don’t believe me, you’re welcome to try my cooking,” Qianxue said, and led everyone to the cooking club.

Ouyang Qianxue’s technique was exceptionally skilled. Whether it was mixing, shaping, seasoning, or baking, the entire process was fluid and seamless, each motion graceful and effortless. Even the head of the cooking club watched in awe.

“Go ahead and taste them,” Qianxue said, placing a tray of cookies in front of everyone inside the cooking club room.

“These are delicious!” After tasting them, the vice presidents were all amazed.

“Qianxue, you’re absolutely infuriating. You’re good at everything, even making pastries this outstanding. Being around such a perfect woman like you just makes me lose all my confidence,” one vice president said reluctantly, while still eating.

“Right? Why do you, Qianxue, get to have everything a girl could possibly want? This world is so unfair!” another vice president added begrudgingly.

“Ahaha… I’m not some perfect woman at all. I just happen to be rather interested in cooking, that’s all.”

“That’s right! There’s nothing in this world Senior Ouyang can’t do. Mm, so fragrant! I’ve made up my mind, I’m not eating anything else for the next few days except for Senior Ouyang’s cookies!” Duan Haichen praised while wiping his mouth and munching away.

“But honestly, Qianxue, your idea is absolutely brilliant. Who would have thought to make cookies shaped like Go stones?”

Ouyang Qianxue had indeed made two kinds of cookies: plain ones, and black ones coated in chocolate. His idea was to shape the cookies like Go pieces, then use a clean Go board as a serving platter.

“Senior is absolutely right. Senior Ouyang’s idea will attract visitors and highlight the Go Club’s unique charm. Senior Ouyang is just too amazing!” Duan Haichen let out a satisfied burp and continued praising Ouyang Qianxue.

“Alright, Duan Haichen, enough with the flattery. Even though we have the molds this time, the Go Club doesn’t have a lot of people. The time to make enough cookies to serve everyone over three days is still a bit tight. So I’ve written down all the ingredients and measurements. Let’s all pitch in and make them together!”

“Yes, Senior Ouyang!” Duan Haichen bounded over to Ouyang Qianxue’s side to help with the cookie making.

Just then, the door to the cooking club room was knocked on again. Seeing the young man at the entrance, the head of the cooking club stepped back in fright.

Standing before him was none other than the student council president, Bai Yuxuan, the very person who had previously tried to abolish their club.

“I’ve reviewed your funding request. Though it’s been somewhat reduced from last year, it is still excessive. Please be sure to cut it by another ten percent, ” But before Bai Yuxuan could finish, she noticed Ouyang Qianxue baking cookies.

“Bai Yuxuan?” Ouyang Qianxue also noticed her.

“What are you doing here?”

“I’m here for our club. The Go Club plans to run a dessert shop this year.”

“Is that so?” Bai Yuxuan walked over to Ouyang Qianxue, picked up a cookie, and was about to eat it.

“Don’t!” Ouyang Qianxue quickly tried to stop her.

“Put that cookie down! Senior Ouyang didn’t make those for you!” Duan Haichen moved to block the way.

“Hmph. I wouldn’t want such cookies anyway,” Bai Yuxuan said, storming out of the cooking club in a huff.

After she had gone some distance, Ouyang Qianxue let out a long sigh of relief. After all, these were only his trial batch, and the flavor still wasn’t quite right. Still, he had already intended to set aside a separate batch for Bai Yuxuan alone.

(I hope Bai Yuxuan doesn’t get the wrong idea… ) Qianxue said to himself.

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