The Art of Instinct and Hidden Agendas

Xi Ruo had, of course, seen Initial D.

Such a classic film, in fact, that on the very first day Xi Yao came to her home, she had pulled Xi Yao along to watch it with her.

She still remembered that evening, the two of them sitting on the sofa, watching the beach date scene in the movie, unable to help but exclaim.

“I’m so envious of Takumi Fujiwara,” Xi Ruo had said. “So envious he has a girlfriend like that.”

The unspoken implication was: ‘When would you, too, wear a sexy swimsuit for me?’

At that time, Xi Yao had still been very shy; whether feigned or genuine, she couldn’t tell, but she had hidden herself away, not daring to utter a sound.

Then they watched as Natsuki stepped out of her uncle’s Mercedes.

Xi Ruo could never forget how Xi Yao had quietly glanced at her then, with a look that seemed to say, ‘You just said you wanted *this* kind of girlfriend?’

Memories were often less than pleasant, but thankfully, the future was bright.

Xi Ruo’s thoughts returned to the present, as she watched the one-yuan coin, gleaming silver as it danced between her fingers.

“Don’t look at it. Look elsewhere, or even do something else entirely. Don’t focus your attention on this,” Gu Xiaoxuan instructed her on the mind art (TL Note: A technique or method for training one’s mental focus or skill). “You must spin it with instinct—the instinct of your body and fingers.”

“Instinct?”

“Exactly. The moment you start, your brain shouldn’t need to send a command. It should move naturally on its own, ultimately reaching the highest realm of multitasking (TL Note: Literally ‘one mind, two uses’, referring to the ability to perform two tasks simultaneously with full concentration).”

The silvery coin spun and flipped between her fingers, as if by magic.

“I think I understand,” Xi Ruo said calmly. “It just requires practice, doesn’t it?”

“Precisely.”

When the elective class concluded, Xi Ruo offered a simple thank you, and, taking her coin and pen, exited the classroom. She would return to her dorm to practice at her leisure.

She still had over a day of practice time. By the weekend, it would be time to start spinning it in the most opportune location.

****

After school, Aileen did not return to her dorm, nor did she go to the student union office. Instead, she made her way to a secluded corner beneath the academic building.

Though there was a public bench available and the view was not entirely unpleasant, this was hardly an elegant place for a discussion.

Aileen had no choice. Most of the student union executives had been bought off, and she certainly couldn’t go there to strategize with anyone.

The blonde girl had brought her own cup of teabag tea, taking a delicate sip. Before long, a girl with braided pigtails and glasses quietly approached.

“Sister Ai, I’ve confirmed it.”

The braided girl sat down at the other end of the bench. “The situation isn’t great. It seems they’ve just passed the halfway mark.”

Aileen remained silent for a moment, then asked, “Is the source reliable?”

“Reliable.”

The braided girl’s name was Yan Rui, and she was a member of the student union’s secretarial body. She didn’t actually have vision problems, wearing a pair of plain-rimmed glasses—to, as she put it, ‘throw people off the scent.’

After all, there were too many ‘rebels’ (TL Note: A humorous term for those secretly working against the current leadership) within the student union.

Aileen still had many people under her command, hidden throughout various parts of the student union. Though not executives themselves, they were far more trustworthy than those who were.

“The number of voters they’ve bought off has already passed the halfway mark. It’s certainly not ideal.”

Aileen slowly lowered her teacup and looked ahead. Students, just dismissed from class, poured out of the stairwell, each heading towards the cafeteria or their dorms.

Out of the vast student body, eight or nine thousand strong, only a mere hundred votes were cast by the general populace. Their class presidents, club leaders, and student union executives would divide the remaining 205 votes.

Purely in terms of voting, it was truly unfair.

Fortunately, the students’ role extended beyond merely casting votes.

“Sister Ai, the situation is too disadvantageous for us. Perhaps we should avoid the direct confrontation in this election for now,” Yan Rui advised. “Rest for a month or two, then come back to reclaim our position (TL Note: A literary idiom meaning to restore one’s power or influence), and it won’t be too late.”

In the young secretary’s opinion, Yun Caiyi had already secured more than half the votes, making her victory practically a certainty. Rather than stubbornly fighting on, it would be better to retreat to advance, resigning from office and idling for a while.

Without Aileen, Yun Caiyi wouldn’t have the capability to be a good student council president. It wouldn’t be long before she would likely face impeachment, leading to a reorganization of the student union. At that point, returning to reassemble their forces wouldn’t be impossible.

Aileen gently shook her head.

“Firstly, I don’t intend to concede defeat just like that. I’ve already made my stand on the forum. To slink away so ignominiously, even if only temporarily, would be utterly humiliating.”

Her voice, ever so elegant, was always convincing. “Secondly, I must correct you on one point: she has only bought off the *voters*, not the *votes* themselves. It’s not yet time to vote, and nothing is set in stone.”

Yan Rui looked thoughtful. If Aileen said so, it was clear there was still a way; the situation wasn’t as disadvantageous as she had imagined.

“Still, I’m a little curious,” the braided girl couldn’t help but ask. “Sister Ai, are you really that optimistic about Jiang Li?”

As a member of the student union, Yan Rui saw things more clearly than others. Regardless of whether the rumors were true or false, Jiang Li’s performance last year had been obvious to all.

Aloof and solitary, she disliked interacting with others. This personality allowed her to focus on self-improvement and thus achieve outstanding results.

However, that really wasn’t suitable for a student council president.

Aileen smiled faintly. “Who told you I was optimistic about Jiang Li?”

Yan Rui was startled. “Then who…?”

“You’ll know when the time comes—no, perhaps in a few days.”

Aileen leaned back against the bench, as the image of a white-haired, large-chested girl appeared in her mind.

“Don’t worry, the person I’ve chosen is an expert. Even I can’t gain much advantage in front of her. As long as she takes it seriously, I’ll have a much easier time.”

The only problem was that this ‘big sister’ (TL Note: A casual, affectionate term for a young woman, often implying a degree of familiarity or a slight age difference) was a lesbian. She was always neglecting proper affairs and only knew how to flirt with pretty girls.

Last night, Aileen had personally gone to see her, telling Xi Yao how urgent the situation was and urging her to show some commitment. Therefore, at least for this period, she should take it seriously and give it her all.

Oh, and she was also spending the weekend with her sister.

Xi Yao’s sister, the legend of Wenlu Academy, the goddess of the university department—Xi Ruo.

Aileen held a glimmer of hope in her heart: Xi Yao going to see her sister this weekend, was she perhaps planning to ask her sister for advice or request her help? After all, Xi Ruo had been at Wenlu Academy for four years, from high school to university, and was very familiar with all aspects of the school.

It had to be this way. Otherwise, it made no sense. At such a critical moment, when she needed to give her all, to take out such precious weekend time, it must be for something even more important.

Thinking this, Aileen felt a touch of relief, musing, ‘This white-haired, large-chested girl is quite sensible after all.’

When the time came, she would also be in the room. She would find a place to hide, to see what kind of advice Xi Ruo could offer.

The wisdom of an elder!

“Oh, right,” Aileen suddenly recalled what she had overheard that day. “What is ‘elemental charge efficiency’?”

Yan Rui paused, slightly stunned, her expression blank. “Huh?”

“I said, elemental charge efficiency,” Aileen reiterated, her expression calm. “Do you know what that means?”

Then she saw Yan Rui’s face light up with surprise. “Sister Ai, you… you too!”

“…?”

****

Thursday evening was a special day for the girls’ dormitories.

Xi Yao packed her things, holding her basin, and told her roommate, “Jiang Li, I’m heading out now.”

Though she didn’t know why she had to report going to the bathhouse to her roommate, she had been feeling off all day, and her intuition told Xi Yao it was better to be a little cautious.

“Understood.”

Jiang Li pouted unhappily, thinking of Xi Yao being seen by so many other girls.

But she couldn’t do anything about it; what needed to be done, had to be done.