"I'm very sorry for taking up everyone's Saturday rest time. This was something we hadn't prepared for beforehand either. Still, since we've asked all of you to come here, we certainly won't disappoint you."
As soon as Ning Zhiyuan stepped up to the podium with the prepared material in hand, she bowed and softly apologized to the students below.
However, since they had come, they naturally understood that the school's situation must be urgent, so they did not mind much.
Besides, whether they rested at home or came to school to study or do something else made little difference to this group of students.
Resting meant they could do whatever they wanted, but it might also mean wasting time. By comparison, they were more willing to come to school. Even quietly reading a book was far better than sitting around bored.
"Mm, we've gathered here today to discuss the art exhibition in June, as well as..." Ning Zhiyuan paused there, seemingly preparing everyone for what she was about to say.
"As well as the matter of the President of the United States visiting our school next Monday..." Once she finished speaking, the other students might have been baffled, but Chu Lian and the others immediately understood why.
It seemed the President was very curious about who had fired yesterday's shot and why they had fired it.
But that did not matter. Curiosity was one thing. Even if he came to visit, Chu Lian had absolutely no intention of exposing herself.
"Yes, the first matter was decided some time ago, but it isn't especially urgent. The real reason we asked all of you to come is that the President made a last-minute decision to visit Huaxia and tour our school."
"Although we originally asked you to come to school because of another urgent matter, after the President's visit was announced, that matter no longer seemed quite so important."
"The school wants us to organize a performance event. While displaying our culture and heritage, we are also to show them just how much strength and confidence our school possesses."
"Supposedly, this will help with the enrollment expansion plan beginning next semester. The plan will be open to the entire world, welcoming all students of the appropriate age who meet the necessary conditions."
"In other words, when the President visits and the entire event is broadcast live across Huaxia and the United States, our school must astonish the entire world."
"However, this matter came too suddenly, and we aren't confident we can pull it off. Since everyone is gathered here now, we wanted to explain the situation and ask whether any of you have something prepared or feel confident you can accomplish it."
"The school has said that anyone who succeeds will receive a reward. As for what that reward will be, it depends on how well everyone performs."
"I know a little about it, so I'm quite envious. Unfortunately, apart from teaching, I don't possess any special talents. I'm also not a student, so I have no way to participate."
Ning Zhiyuan spoke at an unhurried pace, her voice clear and pleasant. Even though what she said was astonishing, listening to her somehow kept everyone's excitement from fluctuating too wildly.
"The President is coming? That's good. If he wants to tour the school, then let him..." As soon as Ning Zhiyuan finished, Chu Lian immediately chimed in.
After all, this matter had a great deal to do with her. Whether she participated or not, it was only right for her to voice her support.
However, the moment she spoke, the system notification rang out.
"Side Quest—[This Lady Is the Strongest] triggered: Participate in this event and show yourself off before the President. Whether through dance, music, or anything else, you must tell the entire world that you are the strongest loli."
"Notice: This is a special Side Quest and cannot be refused. Quest failure reward: Title ⑨. Quest completion reward: A random female character from the dimensional universe will descend by your side. Her affection toward you will be one hundred percent."
"Note: The descending female character's strength and specific attributes will be determined by the impact you create. So, young lady, go tell the entire world that you are the strongest."
"Title ⑨: This is a mediocre title that increases your cuteness by 100%. At the same time, in everyone else's eyes, you will be an idiot who can never count past ⑨."
"You cannot refuse. You cannot even say no. A quest does not disappear simply because you do not want it, so you must learn to accept it, desu~"
Chu Lian silently listened as Shiroha's system notification sounded beside her ear. Her expression was somewhat blank, but more than anything, she did not know whether to laugh or cry.
That girl was growing increasingly shameless. Worse still, this quest could not be refused. It was essentially mandatory, which left Chu Lian feeling rather displeased.
"Hey, hey, hey, why is it mandatory? I never planned to accept this quest. The reward may be tempting, but I still haven't finished my manuscript! How could I possibly have time for this?"
With no other choice, Chu Lian split off a wisp of spiritual consciousness and entered the system space to argue with Shiroha. After working for so long, she had only barely written two thousand words, still two thousand short of ten thousand. To finish sixty thousand words, she needed far more time. She had no free time whatsoever to deal with this.
"There's no helping it. Since the cause of this matter originated with you, its consequences should also be resolved by you. Besides, if you complete this quest well, the character who descends will definitely satisfy you." Shiroha's explanation and temptation forced Chu Lian to swallow her complaints.
Fine. She had only herself to blame for growing curious and firing that shot. This entire situation was her own doing, so she ought to resolve it herself.
Besides, since Shiroha had said someone who would satisfy her was coming, that person would surely be of tremendous help to her. That would be ideal, would it not?
"Forget it. Looks like I'll have to postpone my rest time over the next few days. Ah, then I won't have any time for H. How annoying." Chu Lian rubbed her forehead helplessly, though she knew this was the best choice.
After all, her physical attributes were so high now, various forms of energy circulated within her body, and her spiritual consciousness protected her mind. Even going five days and nights without rest would not affect her in the slightest.
She had simply developed healthy habits and felt obligated to rest, which was why she still wanted to sleep.
Of course, her final remark also exposed the real reason she had been so reluctant. Becoming addicted to H was not a good thing, young lady.
"You really are beyond saving, hentai!" After hearing her say that, Shiroha fell silent for a long moment before finally blurting out those words and ignoring her.
"Eh? Adorable Shiroha? Kind Shiroha? Clever and quick-witted Shiroha? What's wrong?" When Chu Lian saw the screen dim, she called out in astonishment several times. After receiving no response, she immediately realized Shiroha no longer wanted to deal with her.
"Fine. If you're going to ignore me, I'll go do something else." Chu Lian shrugged and muttered before withdrawing her spiritual consciousness from the space and returning to her body.
After Chu Lian left, the screen that had already gone dark suddenly lit up. A sentence flashed across it: "Chu Lian, you jerk! Idiot! Baka!!!"
But who was she acting tsundere for? Chu Lian could no longer see it. Only Shiroha herself knew.
"Does no one have the confidence to do this? I know this came far too suddenly and that none of you were prepared, but at least let me know that someone in our class can manage it." As Ning Zhiyuan spoke, her eyes remained fixed on Chu Lian.
The other students also understood that if anyone in their class could pull it off, it could only be Chu Lian.
She had performance experience, and her musical talent was absurdly high. In such a short time, the only person capable of producing a performance that would astonish the entire world truly was her.
Thus, when Chu Lian returned to her senses, she found everyone looking at her expectantly.
She smiled bitterly. She knew there was truly no way to put this off now. It seemed she would have to take the stage after all.
"Then I'll do it..." She stood and looked around, meeting gazes filled with either curiosity or admiration as she answered softly.
"This time, we'll have the new Seven Rain perform. Is that all right?" Chu Lian had a reason for specifying the new Seven Rain.
The previous Seven Rain had also included Wang Tingsi, Zhang Feng, and Bai Tiange.
But now, Wang Tingsi had been tricked by her into falling into the Nether River to cultivate "Desire Asura."
Because Zhang Feng had returned from the dead, the incident had alarmed Chu Xiao and the others, so he had been taken away to cooperate with their research.
As for Bai Tiange, he had grown increasingly distant from them lately. Even though he still liked Ayase, it seemed he no longer wanted anything to do with Chu Lian.
Under these circumstances, rebuilding Seven Rain was necessary.
"Then I'll leave it to you. Do whatever you want. The teachers and the school will support you." Seeing that the girl she most wanted to shoulder this responsibility had agreed, Ning Zhiyuan breathed a sigh of relief. As for Chu Lian's proposal to form a new Seven Rain, there was no issue whatsoever.
"Then who do you want as the new members?" After watching the girl sit down, Ning Zhiyuan asked curiously.
"Xiu'er, Yanran, Chu Chu, Cai Ya, Lux, Nana, and me. The seven of us will be enough." Chu Lian glanced at her, then turned toward the girls and slowly named them one by one.
"What do the rest of you think?" Although the matter had been entrusted to Chu Lian, Ning Zhiyuan still needed to ask the other girls and learn their own opinions.
"No problem." Even though Li Xiu'er knew she might not be much help, she still agreed. Since Chu Lian had personally declared her a new member, she would do her best.
Liu Yanran felt the same way. Her past life as Yu Ji had indeed been skilled in song and dance. However, more than two thousand years had passed, and that style had long since fallen hopelessly behind the times. Unless she became the centerpiece and everyone else performed around her, it would not work. But under the current circumstances, that was absolutely impossible.
"Since Big Sis has spoken, Chu Chu can't keep hiding her talents. Just wait and see how Chu Chu makes your eyes pop out of your heads." Chu Chu had seemingly never displayed any talent apart from painting, yet she was now brimming with confidence. Perhaps the other two girls had influenced her.
"We have no objections." The remaining three, Cai Ya, Ruriko Nana, and Lux Lyle, were all former members of Seven Rain, so naturally they had no objections.
"All right. The remaining matter concerns the art exhibition..." While Ning Zhiyuan explained the arrangements for the exhibition, Chu Lian's thoughts drifted elsewhere once again.
Who exactly would be the girl to descend by her side after she completed the quest? She was curious and expectant, but more than anything, she was determined to complete it.
Even if the character who descended was someone she disliked, that would still be better than becoming ⑨!