Hu Xin suddenly burst into laughter. Inside the pavilion, Xiao Bin was animatedly recounting the events that had just transpired in the meeting room.

As he spoke, he kept glancing at Zhang Yang, a look of increasing admiration now mixed with the gratitude and trust he already held for him.

The day's turn of events had been utterly surprising and deeply satisfying. When he was first demoted, he’d felt genuinely dejected, but he hadn't blamed Zhang Yang; he knew Zhou Yichen’s move against him was only a matter of time.

He just never imagined that mere minutes later, he, a recently deposed official, would be promoted to the rank of Minister.

This impossible occurrence had materialized into reality, cementing his already profound respect for Zhang Yang, who had single-handedly pushed him into the ministerial position.

"Yes, Zhou Yichen was furious today. But Zhang Yang moving to the External Relations Department isn't necessarily a good thing either; Zhang Yang has set an extremely heavy sponsorship quota for himself!"

Recalling Zhang Yang’s boast about securing a hundred thousand in sponsorship upon joining External Relations, Xiao Bin’s brow furrowed once more.

They had won this battle today, Zhou Yichen had taken a hit, but Zhang Yang had been saddled with a massive potential pitfall. At least in Xiao Bin’s eyes, one hundred thousand was an impossible target.

If the quota wasn't met, even Zhang Yang wouldn't be able to remain in the Student Union; the regulations were already set in stone.

"What quota?"

Mi Xue asked urgently. Xiao Bin had only mentioned the preceding events, omitting the details about Zhang Yang joining External Relations.

"Alright, class is starting soon. We’ll talk more about this later!"

Zhang Yang smiled, cutting them off. Mi Xue shot him a slight glare but obediently nodded, not pressing further.

Time was indeed tight; lingering here would certainly lead to tardiness.

Xiao Bin and Nannan left first, as they didn't have to attend the public course, meaning they couldn't stay together. The remaining five, including Zhang Yang, hurried toward the large lecture hall.

Arriving at the seats they had reserved, they were perfectly on time.

This public course was Philosophy, taught by an inflexible old professor, rendering the lecture dull and tedious. Many students were slumped over asleep, or scribbling aimlessly at whatever occupied their minds.

Looking out at the scene in the massive classroom, Zhang Yang felt a mixture of excitement and curiosity.

Since graduating in his previous life, he had stood on countless podiums in classrooms like this, but he had never returned as a student to listen to a lecture.

Being back here in the guise of a student felt utterly marvelous.

While others felt the time crawl, Zhang Yang felt it fly. The first public lecture ended before he realized it. Mi Xue immediately scurried to his side, her gaze strangely fixed, her expression odd.

Hu Xin, Gu Cheng, and Xiao Dai also clustered around, eager to press for more details about the afternoon’s Student Union drama.

"Was it very entertaining?"

Mi Xue suddenly asked, her tone distinct from her usual manner. Xiao Dai shot her a surprised look.

"What was entertaining?"

Mi Xue leaned close to Zhang Yang, who felt somewhat bewildered and directly asked in return.

"Those girls, you weren't exactly subtle today, looking at other girls during this class. I saw you check out every pretty girl in the room. Tell me, which one caught your eye? I can introduce you!"

Mi Xue's next words were even stranger, laced with a thick undercurrent of jealousy, her eyes sharp yet tinged with a hint of hurt.

Zhang Yang froze instantly, staring foolishly at Mi Xue. Hu Xin and Xiao Dai’s eyes widened.

It was true; he had looked at many people during the lecture, his gaze lingering on several female students.

However, he could swear that not a single inappropriate thought crossed his mind. He was simply marveling at the beauty of youth. When he was a professor before, situated high above, he never paid attention to every girl in the room—unlike now, as a student, where he could look as much as he pleased.

It was pure, momentary curiosity, coupled with the novelty of reliving his student days, that made him steal a few extra glances. He hadn't expected Mi Xue to notice and confront him directly.

"Mi Xue, are you jealous?"

Xiao Dai chuckled, grabbing Mi Xue’s arm and whispering the question. Mi Xue immediately lowered her head, weakly retorting, "Who’s jealous? I’m not!"

She denied it, but her demeanor betrayed her completely. Even an idiot could see what was happening.

Mi Xue was jealous over Zhang Yang, but was too embarrassed to admit it.

"Zhang Yang, I’m not saying this to criticize, but with a girl as wonderful as Mi Xue right beside you, why look at others? Oh, and quickly, what’s the deal with that sponsorship task?"

Hu Xin chuckled slyly, giving Zhang Yang a knowing wink—he was deliberately changing the subject.

"I truly didn't mean anything else. I was just casually looking around; I looked at both boys and girls. Besides, many were just their backs. What could I possibly see? You all are overthinking it!"

Zhang Yang shook his head with a wry smile. Hu Xin meant well by trying to divert the topic, but he refused to follow suit.

That was simply his nature; he believed everything needed to be aired out, especially with those close to him. If issues festered, they could easily evolve into misunderstandings, which, over time, might detonate like bombs.

In his past life, he had suffered once from such a pitfall.

"Exactly, Mi Xue, you must be imagining things. Our seats are so far back, how could we possibly see what anyone looks like!"

Xiao Dai chimed in to support him. They were seated toward the rear, and even if they were closer, Zhang Yang wouldn't turn around to scrutinize the girls’ looks.

Whether in his past life or this one, he wasn't the type to initiate flirtations.

"Who knows? He kept looking!"

Mi Xue’s face flushed slightly. She had been overcome by an intense wave of jealousy just moments ago, prompting her question. Zhang Yang’s explanation settled her nerves somewhat.

However, the thing that truly gnawed at her was that Zhang Yang had observed nearly every girl except her, the one sitting right beside him. That was the real root of her annoyance.

Zhang Yang’s standing in her heart had become incredibly high. She cared deeply about his every move. Girls deeply in love often become simple-minded, feeling inexplicably jealous without knowing precisely why.

"Fine, I absolutely won't look around anymore. Changing subjects—when school ends today, Mi Xue, you’ll move out. Hu Xin, Cheng Zi, and I will help you. Many hands make light work. Tonight, we’ll all eat together; I have something else I need to tell you all!"

Zhang Yang said with resignation. The mention of moving made Mi Xue’s face turn even redder. She nodded slightly, her head still lowered, replying with a tiny, barely audible "Mm."

Soon after, the public lecture resumed. This time, Zhang Yang behaved himself strictly, his eyes not darting around. However, a few female students occasionally stole glances at him.

With two public lectures completed, the academic schedule for the day concluded. The group headed toward the girls' dormitory.

Mi Xue’s jealousy flared quickly, but it also vanished fast. After school ended, she completely dismissed the issue; that was her temperament—frank and candid, speaking whatever came to mind but rarely holding grudges.

Mi Xue didn't have an excessive amount of belongings, but it wasn't sparse either. In the end, Zhang Yang borrowed a tricycle to move everything. Some scoundrels hanging around the entrance of the girls' dorms couldn't help but point and murmur things inaudible to the moving party when they saw Mi Xue, the Math Department Beauty, moving out.

………… Thank you to old friend Yan Hui Man for the generous reward of 1888 Qidian Coins. Thank you for your support! C