Chapter 156: Election for Class Monitor

Hearing the voices, everyone turned their heads toward the source.

Even Li Xi was no exception, looking up toward the front. Soon, everyone, including Li Xi, saw a male student who had already stood up.

Naturally, Ye Junze followed suit and cast his gaze on the student. After recognizing his face, Ye Junze recalled that his name was Zhang Junzhi. Earlier during the self-introductions led by Fang Lin in class, everyone had stated their names, so Ye Junze naturally had an impression of him.

Zhang Junzhi himself was quite burly, almost tall and imposing, and even his facial features matched his sturdy build, giving him an honest and simple-hearted appearance.

Upon seeing Zhang Junzhi, the crowd began to look at him with curious gazes.

The look in their eyes seemed to say: How could someone who looks so honest and steady be the first to step forward so proactively?

As a teacher, Li Xi naturally didn't harbor any complicated thoughts. Looking at Zhang Junzhi standing up on the stage, he smiled and asked, "Alright then, what is your name, student?"

Hearing this, Zhang Junzhi replied, "Teacher, my name is Zhang Junzhi."

Li Xi nodded to show he had noted the name, and then asked, "I heard you just say, student Zhang Junzhi, that you want to be this class monitor?"

Zhang Junzhi nodded and answered, "Since it looked like everyone was still hesitating, I figured I would step up to be the bellwether you mentioned, Teacher. As for whether I can actually become the class monitor, of course, it will still depend on everyone's decision."

Li Xi nodded in understanding, then looked at Zhang Junzhi and said, "Good. In that case, student Zhang Junzhi, please come up first and give your election speech."

Zhang Junzhi responded, "Okay."

Then, he walked step by step up to the stage and faced the crowd below.

Li Xi took a few steps back and said, "The stage is yours now. You may begin."

Zhang Junzhi nodded at Li Xi and said, "Alright, thank you, Teacher."

Li Xi smiled without saying anything further.

After that, Zhang Junzhi looked back at the crowd and took a deep breath, as if calming his emotions and mentally drafting what he wanted to say.

Before long, he nodded, seemingly having figured out how to put it into words.

Zhang Junzhi began, "Sorry to keep you all waiting. I'm not afraid of being laughed at, but I've been thinking about how to give the election speech the teacher mentioned. I'm not good with words, so I'll just say a few casual things. I hope you won't laugh at me."

Hearing this, the crowd burst into laughter, though not with any mocking intent; rather, they were amused by his candid remarks.

Zhang Junzhi took in everyone's reactions, but he didn't think too much of it, as everyone's smiles looked very kind and friendly.

He then continued, "Well, judging by your expressions, I'll take it that you won't make fun of me. So I'll go ahead and speak my mind."

Seeing this, Li Xi chimed in, "Let's all give student Zhang Junzhi a round of applause to encourage him."

Hearing the prompt, the crowd smilingly broke into applause.

When the applause died down, Zhang Junzhi smiled and said, "Thank you, everyone."

Without dragging it out any further, he continued, "First of all, my purpose for coming up here is just as I said earlier—to act as the bellwether the teacher mentioned. Actually, it doesn't matter too much to me whether I ultimately become the class monitor or not. The reason I came up here was simply to encourage those of you who are still hesitating and watching from the sidelines. Once I'm done, don't hesitate anymore; if you have the idea, hurry up and come give your speech. Who knows, the class monitor might just end up being you."

"What I just said was what I wanted to say first. Now, let's move on to the actual election speech. Don't worry, I won't talk much, so you don't have to worry about me taking up too much time."

Hearing this, the crowd naturally chuckled again.

"As you can see, I'm not a very eloquent person, but I do have a few good points. First, I'm warm-hearted, and as you can tell from my build, I've got plenty of strength. So, if I become class monitor, I will do my absolute best to fulfill any requests you have, and guarantee that I will be responsible for every single one of you, and for our Daoism Department class. Of course, even if I don't get chosen, don't worry—if you ever need help with anything, come to me, and I will spare no effort to help you all out. I'm not someone who speaks well, nor do I like to make empty promises. To sum it all up in one sentence: if I become class monitor, just watch my performance. I guarantee I will be responsible for everyone. If I fail to do so, I'll resign myself, and you all can elect a more capable class monitor."

"That concludes my speech. I hope to gain everyone's recognition and support. If you believe in me, please cast your votes for me."

With that, Zhang Junzhi looked at Li Xi behind him and said, "Teacher, my speech is finished."

Li Xi clapped his hands and smiled, "Well said. You can step down for now."

Zhang Junzhi nodded in acknowledgment, then walked down the stage and returned to his seat.

As soon as Zhang Junzhi was back in his place, Li Xi spoke up again, "I believe everyone took student Zhang Junzhi's speech to heart. With him taking the lead just now, I think those of you who were hesitating earlier probably have some ideas of your own now, right?"

Seeing that the crowd was somewhat stirred, Li Xi continued, "Are there any other students willing to come up and participate in this class monitor election? We don't have much time left. If you have any ideas, students, you better seize the moment and not waste the opportunity."

Just as Li Xi's voice trailed off, a familiar voice rang out, "I'll do it."

Hearing the voice, Ye Junze and the others quickly looked toward their side.

Then they saw that Li Ling, who had been sitting down just a moment ago, was now slowly rising to his feet, smiling and waving at them.

Though a bit surprised, Ye Junze and his friends didn't say anything; they each nodded, as if reassuring Li Ling to go ahead with confidence.

Seeing this, Li Xi on the stage smiled and said, "Student Li Ling?"

Hearing this, Li Ling nodded.

Seeing Li Ling's reaction, Li Xi said, "It looks like you also intend to run for class monitor, huh?"

While he was speaking, Li Ling had already walked up to the stage. Reaching Li Xi, Li Ling replied, "I'll just join in for the lively atmosphere. I saw that the other students seemed a bit hesitant, so I figured I'd be the second person to encourage everyone. In case everyone actually elects me as class monitor, that wouldn't be a bad thing either."

Li Xi nodded in response, "Alright, since you've made up your mind, I won't say much more. Start whenever you're ready."

Li Ling smiled, acknowledged the instruction, stood firmly on the stage, and faced the crowd.

Li Xi stepped back a few more paces.

Looking at the crowd below, Li Ling smiled and said, "I suppose everyone already knows me and remembers me, so I won't bother with an unnecessary self-introduction."

Hearing this, the crowd burst into laughter. That was true, after all—Li Ling had definitely left a deep impression on them.

Even Ye Junze and his group couldn't help smiling. This guy Li Ling was truly as shameless as ever.

Seeing everyone's reactions, Li Ling didn't care what they were thinking and simply continued.

"Seeing how modest everyone was earlier, as if none of you had any interest in the position of class monitor, only Zhang Junzhi and I have come up to run so far. I sincerely hope that after I step down, more students who have ambitions for the class monitor position will come up and join the race. That would make it much more interesting, wouldn't you agree? Otherwise, it would look ridiculous if only Zhang Junzhi and I were out here canvassing for votes. How does that saying go? A single flower blooming does not make a spring; a hundred flowers in bloom bring full spring to the garden. Therefore, I really hope that no matter who ends up being the class monitor in the end, we should at least have a vibrant scene of a hundred flowers blooming beforehand."

Hearing this, the crowd nodded thoughtfully. After all, Li Ling's words did make a lot of sense. As for those who had been hesitating since earlier, the doubt in their eyes faded away, replaced by a firm determination, as if they had finally made up their minds.

Regardless of what they were thinking down below, Li Ling's speech on stage was not yet over.

"I have many strengths. As for the requirements the teacher mentioned earlier—being responsible to the students, being responsible to the class, and handling all our class affairs well—I certainly have the confidence to do a good job. I also hope everyone can trust me. I am confident I can be a good class monitor, and even more confident in my ability to serve you all and our class. Whether you encounter any difficult problems in your studies or cultivation that you can't solve on your own, please feel free to come to me. I will share everything I know and do my utmost to help you solve your problems."

"As for other words, saying too much right now doesn't mean much anyway. After all, we are all cultivators now, and practical actions are always better than empty talk. So, I will just say this: whether I can accomplish the things I mentioned, you are welcome to give me the chance. If I truly become the class monitor, just watch my performance."

"That concludes my speech. I hope to win the support of all my fellow students."

At the very end, Li Ling added half-jokingly, "I am Li Ling, and I endorse myself."

Hearing this, the crowd broke into knowing smiles. The atmosphere of this class meeting was indeed far from dull.

After Li Ling finished speaking, Li Xi stepped forward and said, "Alright, everyone has heard student Li Ling's speech. It was very well said. You can go back down now."

Li Ling nodded, then walked off the stage and returned to his seat.

As soon as Li Ling was back in his place, Ye Junze and the others, who had been holding back for a while, instantly erupted into chatter.

Yun Tianhan looked at Li Ling and said, "Not bad, Li Ling! Who knew a guy like you had such a silver tongue? Impressive, impressive."

The others also nodded in agreement, showering Li Ling with praise.

Fan Yan smiled and said, "Don't worry, my vote is definitely yours."

Hearing this, Li Ling smiled and replied, "Really? Then let me thank you in advance."

Fan Yan waved her hand and said, "Of course. Don't mention it."

Yun Tianhan chimed in, "Not just Fan Yan's—our votes are definitely yours too, right, you guys?"

Lu Renjia smiled, "Of course! If we don't vote for our own people, who else would we vote for? Besides, Li Ling's speech just now was genuinely good."

Ye Junze also nodded in agreement. Since they had a good relationship with Li Ling, priority in voting should naturally go to him.

Li Ling smiled and replied, "Then let me thank you all in advance. I'll make this clear now: win or lose this election, I'm treating you all to a meal."

Yun Tianhan rubbed his hands together, putting on an embarrassed expression, though his words were anything but embarrassed, "Oh, how could I accept that? But if you insist on treating us, of course we have no objections."

Hearing this, everyone burst into laughter.

Amidst their conversation, Li Xi spoke up again from the stage.

"With student Zhang Junzhi and student Li Ling taking the lead just now, I believe everyone has made up their minds by now, right? Are there any other students who want to run for class monitor? If not, our class monitor will have to be chosen from those two students."

Just as Li Ling's voice faded, multiple students in the audience instantly stood up, as if they had finally resolved to join the race.

Seeing this, Li Xi nodded with satisfaction and said, "Good, then let these students come up and participate in the election one by one."