The Interim Director’s Intervention

Aileen noticed this too, a triumphant smile playing on her lips.

“Our external aid is none other than Wenlu Academy.”

Xi Yao exclaimed in surprise, “You mean we’re asking the school for help? That’s wonderful! Once the school gets involved, Yun Caiyi…”

“The school won’t intervene; it’s a rule not to interfere with student council elections,” Aileen drawled, her voice unhurried. “Besides, there’s no need.”

For the school, the identity of the student council president was inconsequential.

If the chosen candidate proved incompetent, they could simply be impeached within a month or two, rendering the matter entirely harmless.

It wasn’t worth breaking established rules over such a trivial matter.

For Xi Yao and Aileen, however, this was a battle they absolutely could not afford to lose.

“Then, what are we going to do? You just said it could do something, then nothing at all, but then something else entirely…”

Xi Yao found herself thoroughly confused by Aileen’s words.

“The school doesn’t interfere with student council elections, but that doesn’t mean it can’t do anything at all,” Aileen clarified, handing over her phone. “Take a look at this.”

It was an internal student council notice stating that the academy director had temporarily left due to a family matter, and a newly appointed interim director would be overseeing the academy in their stead.

“The former director was a lady in her forties, exceptionally composed and experienced in every conceivable situation.

She went home for a family matter, and her replacement, the interim director, is her younger cousin,” Aileen explained. “A lady not yet thirty.”

“Is she pretty?” Xi Yao asked casually.

Aileen remained silent, merely staring at her, causing a blush to creep across Xi Yao’s youthful face.

“I, I was just asking, purely out of curiosity.”

Aileen snorted softly. ‘See? I told you yesterday that after you indulged in 涩涩 (TL Note: A slang term referring to suggestive or erotic thoughts/actions) kinds of things, your mind would be filled with them for days.

Yet, you didn’t believe me.’

‘Are you convinced now?’

‘Learn, little sister, for learning knows no bounds.’

“In any case, this interim director is undeniably young, unlike the former director who was so composed,” Aileen continued, outlining her plan. “We can approach her for a discussion, as we might just share a common goal.”

Xi Yao tilted her small face upwards. “What common goal?”

“To prevent Yun Caiyi from winning the election, of course, you silly girl!” Aileen retorted, exasperated. “Does the mention of a woman instantly turn your thoughts to *those* things?”

Xi Yao blinked her eyes forlornly.

She had merely spoken without thinking, truly not intending anything suggestive.

After all, she didn’t even know if the woman was pretty or not.

“Being young, the interim director surely wouldn’t want to see Yun Caiyi secure the student council president position by simply throwing money at it.

While she can’t directly intervene in the election, she can influence Yun Caiyi’s approach through other means.”

This time, Xi Yao had learned her lesson, refraining from interrupting and listening quietly to Aileen’s explanation.

“Yun Caiyi is currently uncertain whether her methods have crossed any boundaries, making the school’s stance her utmost concern.

Therefore, if the school were to simply invite her for a chat and subtly hint at their intentions, it could be quite effective.”

Aileen let her own hair fall, then picked up a strand of Xi Yao’s white hair near her ear, twirling it idly.

The soft white strands flowed through her fingers like spilled moonlight.

Xi Yao dared not resist, nor even stir.

Playing with her hair was one thing; as long as Aileen didn’t venture further, it was fine.

Before coming, she had already decided that simply not being ‘penetrated’ (TL Note: A slang term for engaging in sexual activity) would count as a success.

After a brief pause, Aileen laid out her full plan.

“For instance, the school could approach Yun Caiyi and offer some subtle hints—perhaps expressing a desire to improve overall academic performance this year, or to apply appropriate pressure on students.

This would prompt Yun Caiyi to proactively state that, upon becoming student council president, she would actively cooperate with the school by increasing classes, reducing holidays, and canceling events.”

Xi Yao finally understood. “Then, if we ‘accidentally’ leak that information, the entire student body’s fury will be ignited.”

Recalling the story of a former student council president, she asked curiously, “Could it be that the president who was impeached for adding four extra evening study sessions fell for a similar trick?”

“Not at all; he was simply driven mad by studying,” Aileen scoffed, pursing her lips. “The school would never make such a demand; they don’t need to, nor do they care.”

Wenlu Academy was quite affluent, after all.

Xi Yao now grasped the crux of the matter. “So, we absolutely must establish an understanding with the interim director.”

“Precisely.

Over the next few days, I’ll find an opportunity to take you to meet her.

If we succeed, we’ll have a seventy percent chance of victory.” Aileen’s voice brimmed with confidence.

“Alright!”

And perhaps, while they were at it, she could see if the interim director was pretty… No other meaning, A’Yao was just genuinely curious.

Seeing her radiant expression, Aileen remembered something and cautioned, “Don’t ‘open any prizes’ (TL Note: A euphemism for engaging in sexual activity, often referring to self-gratification or similar acts) for the rest of these days.

You have your monthly exams next week and the week after, including the physical education test.

I… I don’t want to see you standing on the sports field with wobbly legs, understand?”

‘Huh, won’t that mean abstaining for over a week?’

Xi Yao drooped her small head. “Understood. I don’t want that either.”

‘Abstain, abstain, it’s fine.

After all, she had just given herself a strong ‘reward’ yesterday, so a few extra days of abstinence wouldn’t hurt.’

‘Better to have more and make up for less, right?’

Aileen released Xi Yao’s hair, stood up, and brushed down her skirt, seemingly transforming from a little chef back into the elegant young lady she truly was.

“You should head back now,” she said. “I still need to check Ai Xiaoxue’s homework.”

Xi Yao tilted her head. “Should I go say hello to her?”

“No need, she’s still taking her afternoon nap.”

“Alright then…”

Xi Yao tidied up her belongings, while Aileen retrieved an insulated container and packed some of the leftover dishes from lunch.

“Here’s your dinner.

Don’t mess up your exams.”

“Oh, wonderful!” Xi Yao exclaimed, accepting it with delight.

Aileen’s cooking far surpassed the cafeteria’s fare, even outshining the professional chefs at the Xi family estate.

‘Come to think of it, if that’s the case, does it mean Aileen’s hands are exceptionally nimble…’

‘No, I can’t think about such things!’

Xi Yao shook her head, forcefully dispelling those *kinds* of thoughts from her mind.

She was to abstain from ‘prizes’ for over a week; if she kept thinking *those* thoughts daily, how could she possibly endure?

Clutching the insulated container, Xi Yao prepared to leave Aileen’s home.

“Xi Yao,” Aileen suddenly called out, stopping her.

The young girl turned back. “Hmm?”

Aileen gazed at Xi Yao’s long, fair, and beautiful legs. “That outfit suits you quite well.”

She recalled Xi Yao wearing the same outfit yesterday morning, though unfortunately, she had soon changed into a cheerleader uniform and was trembling in Xi Ruo’s arms.

A blush spread across Xi Yao’s youthful face, and after murmuring a soft “Goodbye,” she quickly opened the door and slipped away.

She was afraid that Aileen’s comment might be an insinuation, a suggestion to engage in *those* kinds of acts with her.

If she didn’t leave now, it would be too late.

Back at Aileen’s home, after Ai Xiaoxue woke up, she searched around but couldn’t find the ‘big-chested, fair-skinned, long-haired big sister’.

“Sister Yaoyao left?”

“What else? Stop thinking about it.

I told you she’s an older sister,” Aileen scolded. “Go write your homework properly.”

“I know, I know.”

Aileen glanced at the back of Ai Xiaoxue’s head. “Also, let your hair down.

She’s already gone, yet you’re still fussing over your pigtails.”

Ai Xiaoxue’s elementary school didn’t permit pigtails, mainly out of concern that they might hit others during playtime.

“Oh.”

Meanwhile, back at the school dormitory, Xi Yao pushed open the door, only to be met by Jiang Li’s piercing gaze.

****