Gu Xi finally arrived at the classroom under everyones look.
Lo and behold, it was even livelier inside the classroom.
Gu Xi is here!
Welcome back, Valedictorian!
Gu Xi, you are so good at hiding. Had it not been this competition, nobody would know that Gu Xi was as scary as Sheng Xiuyan.
Out with it, did you eat Wang Houxiong* or textbooks growing up? Someone asked.
Gu Xi, too, joked around with him, Both.
Gu Xi was surrounding by everything asking about the joint competition.
They finally returned to their own spots after the bell signifying the beginning of the class had rung.
Dong Mingming, sitting next to Gu Xi, still looked very emotional.
Once upon a time, a valedictorian sat right next to me and I was oblivious about it. My bad. My bad. Said Dong Mingming in a very exaggerated way.
Gu Xi rolled her eyes. Dong Xiaoming. Going a bit over board here.
Alright. Dong Mingming wiped away her exaggerated look. But her surprise was real. When Gu Xi had told her in the past that her grades were decent, she did not realize it was the top of the ceiling kind of decent.
Congratulations. Now others had labeled you with a god status much like Sheng Xiuyan. Said Dong Mingming in all seriousness as she patted Gu Xi on her shoulder.
Gu Xi, That did not make her feel particularly happy.
Oh right! Something just occurred to her and Dong Mingming said again, Gu Xi, you can be the representative for our class during our Art Festival!
Just what the heck is that?
Before Gu Xi could even ask the question, the art committee sitting in front of them turned around.
I second that idea! Gu Xi had good looks and was famed on their school forum after winning an award at the joint competition, she was the perfect candidate to represent their class during Art Festival!
If it is Gu Xi, our class just might win this time!
Yes, yes, yes. Exactly my thought. Dong Mingming started discussion excitedly with the art committee.
Gu Xi, sitting on one side, was still baffled: So, exactly what is this representative thing again?
Nevertheless, from the conversation alone, Gu Xi figured out as much: The representative for the Art Festival was more or less similar to the role of the person holding up the class sign during a sports competition except that they would be delivering the opening remark before the official start of the Art Festival.
In addition, a best representative would be elected to perform at the close of the Art Festival.
Gu Xi didnt pay too much attention to the exact requirement of the performance but she heard this much: Extra credits.
So, what do you think, Gu Xi? You want to be our class representative? asked the art committee.
Gu Xi thought about it. It didnt seem too complicated, so she nodded. Sure.
Keke, okay. Ill put your name in then.
The art committee couldnt wait to throw Gu Xis name into the hat. In addition to her name and her class, etc., she would also need to upload a photo.
They talked about it some and finally decided to just upload one of Gu Xis photo from the award ceremony rather than taking a new one.
Gu Xi was already pretty in the photo. With her title as a valedictorian, the effect was amazing!
***
Gu Xi was baffled while watching them did all those.
When is the Art Festival? She asked.
More or less when we return after the mid-autumn festival, replied Dong Mingming.
So that was another two weeks or so from now. It was a ways out.
Why do we need to submit the information so early then? She asked.
Its not that early. There will be a voting session ahead of time, explained Dong Mingming.
Gu Xi was just about to ask what was the voting for when she was interrupted by someone who had dashed in front of her.
DONG! Gu Chenyi suddenly dashed in front of Gu Xi and placed his palms onto her desk.
I have a very important question to ask, said Gu Chenyi, looking very solemn.
His look baffled Gu Xi. She had no idea what it could be about.
Go ahead.
When is your birthday?
Gu Xi, Was that it?
July 17. Why do you ask?
Before Gu Xi was even done talking, Gu Chenyi let out a shriekd and looked devastated.
Gu Chenyi recalled his conversation with his father the other day.
His father asked him why did he suddenly wanted to join the competition, to which he replied that he wanted to protect his little sister. His father gave him a loaded, She may not necessarily be your little sister. She just might be the older of the two of you.
Gu Chenyi was very perturbed when he heard that.
He was even more perturbed now.
Three days. Gu Xi and he were only 3 days apart and he was, indeed, the younger of the two.
It had never occurred to Gu Chenyi that he wasnt the older brother.
That was too devastating
***
Looking at Gu Chenyi who had ran over excitedly but left looking crushed, Dong Mingming and Gu Xi exchanged a look and asked she asked, Whats up with him? What was so devastating?
I have the same question
As the two chatted, Dong Mingming, with her phone in head, suddenly let out a loud cry, Gu Xi, Gu Xi. You are already in fourth place!
__________
Translator's notes:
A very accomplishing person in education.