There’re Always Paranoid Thoughts to Monopolize Me - Chapter 19.1

At the end of August, military training month came to an end.

All students were given a three-day break to go home and rest. Three days later, the new semester at Qiande High School officially began.

The excitement of the freshmen and their anticipation for the new semester had long been worn down by the month of military training. On the day of reopening, the classrooms of the freshman year echoed with cries similar to those of experienced students:

“No! Don’t want school to start!”

“Torturing students is a violation of human rights! I’m reporting this!”

“Let me go home, wuwu…”

The only exception was probably the elite students from three classes who were housed separately in a small building.

“Teacher Song, when will we have our mid-term exams this semester?”

“Teacher, what academic competitions are scheduled for this year, and how many spots will our class get?”

“I’ve already reviewed all the compulsory textbooks for this academic year. Can the school provide us with next year’s elective materials in advance, Teacher?”

“…………”

Watching Song Qisheng, expressionless, surrounded by students at the podium, Qin Ke felt a bit overwhelmed for him.

In fact, as the top scorer admitted to Qiande High School’s freshman class, she wasn’t much less stressed than Song Qisheng—

As another group of classmates came to “discuss” study experiences with her and then left, Gu Xinqing, sitting next to Qin Ke, looked crestfallen.

“Ke Ke, I regret so much sitting next to you now. The motivation of our class students is way too high. If this continues, won’t we be driven crazy this semester?”

Qin Ke smiled wryly, “It’s a bit like that.”

“Is it just a bit?” Gu Xinqing rolled her eyes weakly, “I swear, if you’d just said you could teach us how to study better, someone would’ve bowed down to you on the spot.”

“…………”

Qin Ke could only sigh.

Although achieving the top score in the grade was completely her own achievement, the result would certainly be different if she were to retake the exam now.

She could only be grateful that it was still the freshman year, where no new knowledge had started yet, and she still had a chance to maintain this “honor.”

Just as Qin Ke was about to make herself a schedule, she suddenly heard her name called from the podium—

“Qin Ke.”

“…………”

Qin Ke was stunned, and she looked up.

Standing on the podium, Song Qisheng waved at her, “Come up here for a moment.”

“…………”

As the form teacher, Song Qisheng usually appeared very aloof, mostly responding to previous annoying questions with a brief and perfunctory “I don’t know.”

This was the first time he had directly called out a student’s name in class—immediately, countless envious gazes fell on Qin Ke.

Gu Xinqing: “Holy crap, why does this feel like the beginning of a martial arts novel where the master is choosing a disciple?”

Qin Ke: “…………”

Qin Ke stood up and before leaving her seat, she helplessly poked Gu Xinqing’s head from behind, “Are you trying to infuriate both our language and history teachers at once?”

“Forget it.”

Gu Xinqing stuck her tongue out at her.

Qin Ke smiled and walked towards the podium.

At this point, all the other students on the podium had already been dismissed by Song Qisheng. Seeing Qin Ke approach, Song Qisheng raised his head, still expressionless.

“During the military training base, Instructor Hao chose you as the temporary class monitor, right?”

“……Yes,” Qin Ke hesitated noticeably.

“Then when you came back, let’s have you continue as the class monitor.”

“?”

This hasty decision left Qin Ke bewildered. She was about to speak up to decline again when Song Qisheng continued.

“You should understand the characteristics of the elite class. Whether it’s your top position or the role of class monitor, it’s all about survival of the fittest. So even if you don’t want to, it doesn’t matter. In another week, you might be replaced by someone else.”

Qin Ke: “…………”

Even though she could tell it was a form of motivation, Qin Ke had no choice but to accept.

“I understand, teacher,” Qin Ke replied calmly, showing no hint of annoyance despite being provoked.

Somewhat surprised by her calm response, Song Qisheng nodded slightly.

“According to the tradition of the elite class, you will form your own class committee, choose all the committee members yourself, and take responsibility if anything goes wrong—understand?”

Qin Ke remained silent for two seconds. “May I ask, since which year has this tradition been in place?”

She couldn’t recall if Qin Yan’s year had such a practice.

Song Qisheng didn’t look up. “Was it not there before? Then let’s start with your year.”

Qin Ke: “…………”

The form teacher of the elite class was indeed unique.

“At the beginning of the new semester, there aren’t many things we can fully entrust to your class committee,” Song Qisheng said, pulling out a blank A4 sheet from the pile of books and documents on his desk and handing it to Qin Ke. “This is one of the more important tasks. Handle it well.”

Qin Ke took a look.

“Art Appreciation Class?”

“Yes. In response to the call from higher authorities to promote comprehensive development in morality, intelligence, physical education, and aesthetics among primary and secondary school students, our school has selected the three elite classes as the initial pilot groups to plan this Art Appreciation Class.”

Song Qisheng’s tone was flat, devoid of any excitement. If he hadn’t been making eye contact, Qin Ke would almost have suspected him of reading directly from some document.

Qin Ke quickly scanned through the paper, finding it almost identical to what Song Qisheng had just said.

Unable to find any additional information, she decided to ask directly, “So, what do we need to do?”

“When you have time later, contact the class monitors of the second and third year elite classes. The school hasn’t set a specific time for this course, so you’ll need to discuss it among yourselves.”

Qin Ke’s expression subtly changed for two seconds.

“Are all three grades of the elite classes going to take this Art Appreciation Class together?”

“Yes. Art appreciation doesn’t differentiate by age or grade. Is there a problem with that?”

Qin Ke: “…………”

Qin Ke: “No.”