As a cultured woman from a wealthy family who valued quality of life, Zhu Xiaoqing had a deep understanding of luxury brands.
With her resources, she wasn't necessarily adorned in designer goods from head to toe, but buying a handbag or ordering a pair of shoes was a common occurrence.
However, this latest collaboration from Hermès
Anya bowed uneasily, "Hello, Dean."
"Oh, hello student. How did you get this set of stationery?" Zhu Xiaoqing's tone was polite.
Anya, confused, replied, "Ah, I just bought it. Do you like it too, Dean?"
Zhu Xiaoqing hummed and her expression calmed.
Just bought? That was hilarious. It turned out to be a high-quality fake.
It wasn't surprising, considering the girl's simple clothes; how could she possibly get such limited edition luxury items?
Zhu Xiaoqing adjusted her glasses, "What's your name?"
"Ah, my name is Anya, I'm from the accounting department..."
Zhu Xiaoqing impatiently interrupted, "Student Anya, vanity is not a good trait. Especially at your age, you should focus on your studies and prepare for your future when you enter society, understand?"
She shook her head as she spoke, "Buying fake imitations is wrong. You'll become increasingly vain in the future."
Anya's eyes widened, bewildered by the criticism, her small face flushed red.
Just as Zhu Xiaoqing was about to launch into a lecture, putting on her superior airs, Qin Yexuan gently stepped in front of Anya. "Dean Zhu, there will be plenty of opportunities to give these educational talks later. For now, we need to address the school's management issues."
Zhu Xiaoqing finally focused her attention on this "opponent."
For a student to have replaced the old dean in managing the school, he must have some abilities.
But seeing how young he was, with the face of a young master from social media, Zhu Xiaoqing inwardly looked down on him.
"Student Qin, I am the Dean personally appointed by the Mayor. You need to recognize this fact!"
"Dean Zhu, I am specially assigned by the Capital and personally invited by the old dean as the student union president to be in charge of the overall management of the academy. You need to accept this fact too!"
Zhu Xiaoqing took out her phone, her expression grim, "Do you want me to call the Mayor?"
Qin Yexuan handed over his phone, "The number for Director Chen of the Capital Education Headquarters!"
What?!
Zhu Xiaoqing's lips trembled, and her beautiful face wrinkled.
She silently took the phone. The influential figure from the Capital, who oversaw all academies in Great Xia, spoke with a heavy local accent.
But the meaning was clear!
Student Qin possessed unquestionable authority!
Qin Yexuan took his phone back and hung up, looking at the pale Zhu Xiaoqing, "I respect your profession and expertise. You will remain the Dean of the academy; you only need to cooperate with my work!"
Zhu Xiaoqing stood there stunned for a minute, then sneered, "The hundred thousand students of Chaoge Academy will not agree to this. How can a mere child like you manage such a large academy?"
Behind her, she had Zhu Xiaotian's support, as well as the support of the entire faculty and staff.
This was a power struggle, a battle between the forces of the Capital and the Zhu family's forces in Chaoge.
To be honest, both sides had valid points and the means and conditions to attack the other.
But clearly, Qin Yexuan did not want to be drawn into this struggle, so he immediately said, "I can be solely responsible for the safety and logistical aspects of the academy, especially safety! You can manage all other affairs."
Zhu Xiaoqing refused without hesitation, "These rights are also the dean's responsibility."
Qin Yexuan nodded, "It seems neither of us can convince the other. Then let's leave it to the hundred thousand students to vote."
Zhu Xiaoqing smiled.
"Student Qin, you are still too young. I know you've prepared many small gifts to win votes from the students, and I know you've dominated the 'Campus Heartthrob' poll. But unfortunately, this is a game for adults; your little tricks are useless."
She tilted her head, and a unique necklace peeked out from her beautiful neck.
It was a small Buddhist jade pendant, left to her by her parents.
Qin Yexuan's gaze changed, and he stared at the necklace for a long, long time.
Zhu Xiaoqing subconsciously tugged at her clothes, "Student Qin, where are you looking?"
She was indignant. As a woman, despite being nearly forty, she was still single and therefore sensitive to the gazes of young men.
Qin Yexuan withdrew his gaze, and his plan immediately changed.
He had intended to finish this quickly, even to deal with this newly appointed dean directly.
But Zhu Xiaoqing's jade pendant... he hoped it wasn't what he suspected.
Qin Yexuan collected himself and smiled, "It won't be long before the entire Chaoge is plunged into great change, Dean Zhu. Do you know what the suddenly appeared Lu Tai has brought? A world about to be filled with demons and monsters."
"This entire city, especially our academy, will become the most terrifying battlefield!"
Zhu Xiaoqing interrupted unceremoniously, "I know more about it than you do. So, as I said, let the hundred thousand students decide. This is the world of adults, not a place for children to fool around!"
Qin Yexuan fell silent.
Zhu Xiaoqing scoffed, too lazy to waste more words on him.
The two stood in opposition. After exchanging glances, they walked towards the auditorium together.
Anya quickly followed.
However, Zhu Xiaoqing's secretary remained standing in place, staring intently at something on the ground.
It was a silver card!
A membership card that came with the luxury stationery, which Qin Yexuan had casually discarded.
The secretary had seen it from the beginning but, for some reason, hadn't spoken up.
Perhaps it was because this silver membership card was the most valuable item.
With this card and its accompanying number, one could directly register as a VIP member on the luxury brand's website.
It offered discounts on all purchases.
Therefore, there were dedicated online sellers for such cards, which were even more valuable than the luxury items themselves, fetching at least a hundred thousand yuan.
This membership allowed those who were vain but lacked wealth to save a great deal of money.
The secretary carefully picked up the card and confirmed the number on it.
A quick check on his phone confirmed that the stationery set from earlier was genuine!
The secretary felt a chill run down his spine and looked around.
He was in a dilemma, wanting to rush in and explain everything to Zhu Xiaoqing, but he ultimately held back. He quietly slipped the card into his pocket...
At this moment, the grand auditorium was in an uproar.