Chapter 31: Revenge is Best Served Fresh

The general manager of Express in Jiangling District, Zhong Jiancheng, wasn't keen on replacing the financial department's general representative yet, but he did set a condition: the daily pickup should be at least 100 packages.

Chen Hanxing didn't just want to meet this number; he wasn't the type to follow someone else's plan when negotiating. He always had his own ideas.

After the military training officially ended, various clubs began recruiting new members. However, there were many things to take care of in class, so Chen Hanxing discussed with Hu Linyu: "I'm thinking of running for the student council. Can you take care of class duties for a while?"

Hu Linyu was confused: "Aren't you planning on doing business? Why are you so involved in these things?"

To ease Hu Linyu's concerns, Chen Hanxing explained seriously: "Business is about balance. Right now, I have no money and no resources. If I want to elevate my standing in other people's eyes, I have to first gain some credibility through these things, and later, through accumulation, I'll have bargaining power."

"But I also want to join the student council!" Hu Linyu complained.

"Don't worry. Focus on the class work. Once I become president of the student council, I'll specially recruit you so you can get some extra shine," Chen Hanxing said, patting his back and walking off, leaving Hu Linyu irritated but helpless.

The student council existed both in the department and the college, and the department-level councils were more competitive, so Chen Hanxing decided to join the student council at the department level first.

He was most interested in the External Relations Department. This department suited Chen Hanxing's strengths and would also be beneficial for his future business ventures.

The Humanities and Social Sciences Department was one of the largest at the financial college, so when Chen Hanxing arrived at the classroom recruiting for the External Relations Department under the midday sun, many freshmen were already lined up outside.

Unexpectedly, there were some classmates from his own class, all girls, and among them was his fellow hometown friend, Tan Min. When they saw Chen Hanxing, they were surprised and greeted him.

"Class Leader Chen, you're joining the student council too?"

"Yeah, for the future of our Public Management Class, someone has to join the council as a spy," Chen Hanxing joked.

The girls laughed and, after a quick discussion, decided to leave: "Class Leader, we're going to check out other departments. We can't compete with our own people, so let's stick together and fight outsiders."

Chen Hanxing knew they were just trying to lessen their own competition, but he didn't call them out, just smiling and waving: "Okay, don't buy breakfast tomorrow morning. I'll treat you all."

Before leaving, Tan Min gave Chen Hanxing a cheer: "Go for it, try to get the vice president position!"

At that moment, a senior, possibly a third or fourth-year student, walked by and, hearing the words "vice president," turned to look at Chen Hanxing, sneering before entering the interview room.

Since this was just the preliminary round, where they screened interested first-year students, each person had a short time to introduce themselves, and it wasn't long before it was Chen Hanxing's turn.

When he entered, he saw three people sitting at the table: a woman in the middle and two men on either side. The woman was likely the head, and the two men were the vice heads.

Their names were displayed on signs in front of them. The head was named Qi Wei, and the two vice heads were Zhou Xiao and Yao Qingguo.

As Chen Hanxing walked in, he greeted them with a smile, and Qi Wei and Yao Qingguo nodded slightly, signaling him to start.

But just then, Zhou Xiao suddenly interrupted for no apparent reason: "You don't need to introduce yourself. We're looking for a female candidate for the External Relations Department, and you don't meet the criteria."

"What?" Chen Hanxing was stunned, thinking to himself, what kind of nonsense reason is this? Even if I don't get the position, what's with not letting me speak?

Qi Wei and Yao Qingguo were also surprised, clearly not expecting this.

Zhou Xiao leaned over to whisper to Qi Wei: "Sorry, I forgot to discuss this with you in advance, but we often deal with businesses and sponsors, and I think being female would be more advantageous."

Before Qi Wei could respond, Zhou Xiao turned back to Chen Hanxing and said, "You can leave now. Don't waste anyone else's time."

Outside the classroom, many freshmen were watching, some offering sympathetic looks toward Chen Hanxing, others intimidated by Zhou Xiao's actions.

Zhou Xiao sat up straight, clearly pleased with his little show of power.

However, after waiting for a while and seeing that Chen Hanxing wasn't leaving, Zhou Xiao slammed his pen down angrily and shouted, "Do I need to say this again?"

Qi Wei and Yao Qingguo didn't know why Zhou Xiao was acting this way, but they felt it was inappropriate to treat a freshman like that. They were about to intervene when Chen Hanxing spoke first.

"You think you're something just because you have a small position? You want me to help you puff up your chest?" 

The entire room gasped.

Zhou Xiao's authority was challenged by a freshman, which was a first for many in the room. Qi Wei and Yao Qingguo were confused. Why was today so strange? First, Zhou Xiao made up a rule for no reason, then this freshman immediately fought back.

Chen Hanxing wasn't one to back down. If the place didn't want him, he wasn't going to beg for it, but at least he would make sure to leave his mark. 

Zhou Xiao, likely never having been confronted like this before, realized the freshman was serious and had an unyielding attitude, making him feel uneasy. However, he didn't want to lose face, so he tried to downplay the situation: "The new students these days really have no manners."

"I'm calm, I just have a few things to say to Vice Minister Zhou," Chen Hanxing said calmly, walking towards Zhou Xiao.

Yao Qingguo worried about Zhou Xiao's safety and tried to stand between them, but Chen Hanxing brushed him aside easily.

"What do you want to do?" Zhou Xiao asked, now clearly nervous, as Chen Hanxing was taller and more imposing, with an air of aggression.

"If the problem is something else, I'll let it go, but what's with this gender issue? Does the student council have gender discrimination in its selection?" 

Chen Hanxing wasn't trying to fight, but he wasn't going to let this absurd reason slide.

Zhou Xiao quickly retreated, and when Qi Wei stepped between them, Zhou Xiao regained his composure and said, "The External Relations Department needs to communicate and coordinate, and of course, women are better for that."

"That's nonsense! It's about getting the job done, not about gender," Chen Hanxing said disdainfully, glaring at Zhou Xiao. "And if you need a woman, why don't you leave?"

Zhou Xiao was left speechless, and the tension in the room only grew.