Selecting the Class Monitor

As they passed the Sea God Lake Shore, the surrounding students were drawn to Lin Qianyi one after another. She looked fresh and ethereal, like a fairy stepping out of a painting. Whether boys or girls, everyone who saw her could not help but stare, their eyes filled with amazement. Xiao Xiao, standing beside her, teased, "Wow, our Qianqian has become the center of attention!" Lin Qianyi always maintained a distant coldness toward strangers, but she was warm and approachable with her friends. She smiled faintly and said playfully, "That's because you don't understand my charm." Xiao Xiao could not help laughing as well, her laughter echoing in the breeze and adding a lively touch to the beautiful morning scene.

Inside the freshmen teaching building, Xiao Xiao and Lin Qianyi found their seats and sat down softly. Huo Yuhao and Wang Dong exchanged a glance, faint smiles appearing on their lips as a greeting between them. At that moment, the classroom door slowly opened. The formerly noisy room seemed to have been struck by a silencing spell, falling utterly quiet. Teacher Zhou Yi walked in at an unhurried pace. This strict teacher, known among the students as "monster-level," was so imposing that no one dared make a sound.

Zhou Yi stopped before the podium, her gaze sharp as fire. "Today, I will choose a class monitor." Before her words had even faded, her eyes seemed to sweep deliberately over Lin Qianyi, Wang Dong, and Huo Yuhao. At that moment, Lin Qianyi looked exceptionally calm. The eyes of the students around her were filled with desire for the position, yet she remained like a tranquil lake, undisturbed by any ripples.

"Is anyone willing to volunteer?" Zhou Yi asked again, deliberately letting her gaze linger on Lin Qianyi. Though Lin Qianyi had no interest in it, she did not immediately refuse, because this was one of the ways Zhou Yi wanted to draw out her potential. "Since no one is stepping forward, then Lin Qianyi will serve as class monitor, while Huo Yuhao and Wang Dong will be vice monitors."

The moment she finished speaking, whispers immediately rose throughout the classroom. Many students had objections to Huo Yuhao becoming vice monitor, but under Teacher Zhou Yi's pressure, no one dared voice their dissatisfaction openly. When Lin Qianyi heard that she had been selected as class monitor, she did not show the slightest surprise, as though everything had gone exactly as she expected.

The dismissal bell rang, and the classroom instantly became lively. Xiao Xiao tugged on Lin Qianyi's sleeve and asked in confusion, "Qianyi, why are you so calm about Teacher Zhou Yi choosing you as class monitor? If it were someone else, they'd have been flying with joy already."

Huo Yuhao and Wang Dong also leaned in curiously. Lin Qianyi smiled softly, her expression carrying a detached calm beyond worldly concerns. "Being class monitor may be a title within this class, but once you step outside it, it means nothing. Whether I'm chosen or not makes no difference to me. If I'm chosen, I'll naturally do my best to fulfill my responsibilities. If I'm not, I certainly won't limit my broad vision and perspective to such a trivial matter."

By chance, Zhou Yi, who was passing by, heard every word. She nodded silently, inwardly admiring Lin Qianyi's carefree and broad-minded attitude. Xiao Xiao exclaimed sincerely, "Qianyi, you really have such a clear head!" Wang Dong, however, put on an unconcerned look and said, "Come on, why think so much about it?"

After a week of study, Huo Yuhao and Lin Qianyi finally found Tang Ya during their free time. Tang Ya brought the two of them to the back mountain not far outside the academy. There, something tightly covered by a large sheet of cloth piqued their curiosity.

"Teacher Xiaoya, what exactly is this?" Lin Qianyi asked, her eyes full of confusion. Huo Yuhao could not help turning to look at Tang Ya too, curiosity shining in his eyes. Tang Ya gave a mysterious chuckle, slowly walked forward, and abruptly pulled away the cloth. In an instant, a brand-new gold-gray cart came into view. Two eye-catching words were written on it—Grilled Fish. The cart's interior was cleverly designed, equipped not only with a professional grill but also a small cash register.

"Little Yuhao, your grilled fish is absolutely amazing! How about we set up a stall here? That way, we can earn some tuition money too." Tang Ya looked brightly at Huo Yuhao. "I've already prepared the ingredients and seasonings. If you run out of seasonings, just go ask the cafeteria for some. Don't feel embarrassed about it."

Lin Qianyi looked somewhat troubled at the side. "What about me? I don't know how to grill fish." Tang Ya smiled at her. "Qianqian, you can handle the cash. The money you two earn will be split evenly!"

Night fell like an enormous curtain of silk, gently covering the skies above Shrek Academy. At the night market not far from the academy, the lights shone brightly. The tempting aromas of all kinds of snack stalls mingled together, forming a scene full of bustling life.

Lin Qianyi, Huo Yuhao, and Tang Ya stood watch over their grilled fish stall. Lin Qianyi skillfully handled the payments, Huo Yuhao focused on grilling the fish, and Tang Ya helped out from the side. Though she was mostly there to make up the numbers, she still looked especially earnest. The scent of grilled fish filled the air. Huo Yuhao asked softly, "Teacher Xiaoya, how much should we sell each fish for?" Tang Ya thought for a moment before answering, "Including the labor and the cost of the fish, five copper soul coins should still leave us some profit." With that, she deftly put up a sign: One grilled fish for five copper coins.

However, though the aroma of the grilled fish made mouths water, most people hesitated when they saw the price before choosing to leave. Seeing this, Tang Ya frowned and decisively changed the price to three copper soul coins.

Just then, a male student, drawn by the rich aroma of grilled fish, slowly approached the stall. "Junior, how much is your grilled fish?" he asked curiously. Huo Yuhao looked up and answered with a smile, "Three copper soul coins." The male student's eyes lit up. "That cheap? Give me one." As he spoke, he took three copper soul coins from his pocket and handed them to Lin Qianyi. Lin Qianyi accepted the money and skillfully put it into the pouch.

"Coming right up," Huo Yuhao replied, his hands moving even faster. Before long, a fragrant grilled fish was handed to the male student.

A short while later, a golden grilled fish, giving off an enticing aroma, was ready. Huo Yuhao handed the carefully grilled fish to the student. The student took it and bit down lightly. Instantly, its delicious flavor spread through his mouth. There was not the slightest fishy taste; it was tender and rich without being greasy, perfectly preserving the fish's natural freshness. "It's so good!" he exclaimed involuntarily. His praise was like a stone tossed into a lake, sending ripples through the crowd. The people nearby were all drawn over. The price of the grilled fish rose from three copper soul coins back to five. People had complained that it was expensive before, but now the crowd surged in like a tide, each person scrambling to taste the delicious grilled fish. The place was packed and bustling. "This is ridiculous!" Lin Qianyi cried out as she watched the scene before her. Huo Yuhao calmly maintained order. "Seniors, please line up first."

I'll refine this passage to give it a stronger novelistic feel and greater emotional tension:

Amid the bustling crowd, a girl who seemed to have stepped out of a painting quietly appeared. She had a graceful figure, golden hair cascading down like a waterfall, and playful rabbit ears that added a touch of liveliness to her elegance. Her jade-like fair skin and clear eyes made every male and female student present hold their breath as they stared. She was the famed number one beauty of the outer academy—Jiang Nannan.

When Jiang Nannan approached Huo Yuhao's stall with graceful steps, sunlight happened to fall across the ends of her hair. "Junior, how much is your grilled fish?" she asked, parting her red lips slightly.

Huo Yuhao was focused on his work and did not look up. "Senior, five copper soul coins."

Hearing the price, Jiang Nannan frowned slightly. "That's a little expensive. From my experience, you could still make a reasonable profit with three copper soul coins, including the labor cost."

Huo Yuhao remained focused as he turned the fish on the grill. "Sorry, Senior, my grilled fish has a fixed price."

The atmosphere suddenly became delicate. Just as things grew awkward, Lin Qianyi spoke up at the right moment to smooth things over. "Senior, you may not understand. It isn't just a matter of labor costs. It also includes the cost of the ingredients and the time and effort invested. Five copper soul coins is already a very fair price."

Jiang Nannan nodded thoughtfully. "All right, then I'll come back another day to try it."

Just as she turned to leave, a glittering gold coin suddenly shot through the air toward Huo Yuhao's stall. At the critical moment, Lin Qianyi flicked her slender hand, sending a bamboo skewer flying from her fingers. It collided with the gold coin in midair. The coin fell onto the grill, while the bamboo skewer plunged deeply into the ground.