Chapter 373 - Overwhelming Support
Grandpa Lu tugged Tristan's sleeve, signaling him to sit down. Tristan already caught the attention of other students and Grandpa didn't want him to make a scene there.
Zhen-Zhen who was still holding the microphone at the center stage shifted her gaze from the basketball varsity team to Tristan.
She noticed the upset and angry expression of her husband, Tristan. She remembered that Tristan told her that he could easily get jealous.
At that certain moment, she knew that she had to pacify him. But at the same time, she should be polite in dealing with and refusing the suggestion of the basketball player who asked her about pictures and dates.
Before Tristan could lose his remaining self-restraint and reach his boiling point, Zhen-Zhen spoke up from the stage. Her voice suddenly diverted Tristan's attention.
When he looked at the stage, he met Zhen-Zhen's gaze. She was looking at him with a loving smile on her face. Her beautiful blue eyes seemed to tell him to calm down.
Tristan went back to his seat as he realized his mistake. He knew that this was Zhen-Zhen's moment. He should not ruin it just because of his anger and jealousy. He had to behave and be more patient for Zhen-Zhen's sake.
Matthew and Grandpa Lu heaved a sigh of relief when Tristan silently and obediently sat back on his seat. Their attention was back to Zhen-Zhen who was talking on the stage.
"I'm sorry, I forgot about the promise," Zhen-Zhen chewed on her lower lip while looking apologetic.
The men swooned upon seeing that pretty and cute gesture of her. How could someone be as pretty as this, even by just simply pouting her lips?
The men who asked her about promises and making demands on her felt guilty for her.
"Oh, don't apologize, Ms. Lillie. It's alright. Don't be sad," the man said while scratching his face.
Zhen-Zhen smiled at him and gave him a grateful look. The man felt like he just won a lottery upon seeing her smiling at him.
'Aah, so gorgeous! I think I fell in love. Is this what they called love at first sight?' the player thought to himself. His dreamy eyes sparkling with joy.
"I can't promise to treat you in a cruise ship or throw a party for everyone. I'm just a simple student here. I can't spend that money. Just like my friend, Sophia, I am also a scholar here. Trying our best to study hard to maintain our scholarship. But despite that, I am proud to be a scholar. We are not rich in wealth but we are rich in intelligence."
Zhen-Zhen told this statement to uplift the morals of the scholars in the university. She wanted to emphasize that though students were just relying on scholarship, others had no right to look down on them because they were working hard to maintain it.
Because of this statement from her, she gained respect from all scholars of the University of Imperial Knight. They were glad that someone stood up for them and became their voice.
Most of them experienced bullying and oftentimes others looked down on them because they didn't belong to rich and prominent families, unlike other students.
Sometimes, social status mattered to them that poor students like them often got bullied. Some professors also gave special treatment to those rich kids.
"I will definitely vote for her, our fellow scholar," one scholar mumbled, showing his support for Zhen-Zhen.
Other scholars shared sentiment with him. They would definitely vote for her. She's kind and she's smart, an epitome of beauty and brain with a good heart.
Sophia, who was just listening backstage, felt touched by Zhen-Zhen's words. She was feeling grateful to her. Even in times like this, she was thinking about her. A true friend indeed.
Jade, on the other hand, clenched her fists in annoyance and irritation. She knew that Zhen-Zhen intentionally used her promise as an example.
'What is she trying to say here? Is there something wrong with that? So what, I can afford it. It's not my fault that my family is rich.' Jade complained in her thoughts. She felt like Zhen-Zhen was indirectly attacking her.
After a while, Zhen-Zhen continued her speech.
"I'm sorry, I can't offer you a date as well. For me, dating someone should be taken seriously. You should date someone because you truly like to get to know that person, not because of a prize or the benefits you will gain from it."
"I don't want to give others false hope and toy with their feelings just because I will gain something from it," Zhen-Zhen said meaningfully.
"Don't you agree with me?" Zhen-Zhen asked them. But for some reason, Marcus felt like that statement was directed at him. His face darkened, gritting his teeth.
Almost everyone liked her statement as they unconsciously nodded their heads in agreement. She had a point for telling that.
"How about a picture from you, Miss Lillie?" Another player asked her again for a picture.
Tristan hastily turned his head in that direction, looking daggers at the man who just spoke up. If just one look could kill then that player should have been dead already.
"Here we go again," Matthew murmured after sensing the chilly aura surrounding Tristan.
"Someone is really courting death here," Matthew sighed helplessly.
*Cough* *Cough*
Grandpa Lu cleared his throat to remind Tristan to behave. Tristan continued frowning. Someone was really testing his patience here. He didn't know how long he could bear this.
Zhen-Zhen, on the other hand, let out a soft giggle making the men's hearts fluttered by just listening to it.
"Sorry, I'm not that famous for me to offer you my picture. I am not an artist nor a model. I am just a simple first-year student, trying to compete for the title of Campus Belle."
"I don't want to make promises because I want you to choose among us whom do you think is the best candidate to become the Campus Belle."
"You should choose someone not because of the promises but because you think she's the one suitable for the title. I feel like making any promises is like bribing someone. If I do that then I feel like I will lose the true meaning of this contest."
"I want to get this title because of my qualities, not because of the promise I make. Gentlemen... I trust your judgment. If you think I am not suitable for this title as Campus Belle then I can accept that wholeheartedly. The final decision is on your hands."
"Once again, this is Lillie Meyer, representing First-year Class A, hoping for your support." Zhen-Zhen ended her speech with a charming smile on her face.
"Whoa!!! That's our classmate!!! Please vote for her! Support her!" Someone shouted from the group of First-Year Class A.
That person was their President. Zhen-Zhen's classmates started cheering after her speech. They even clapped their hands for her, feeling proud.
After a while, the President of First-Year Class-A spoke up again.
"Vote for our classmate. Though she didn't make any promises, I will make a promise on her behalf. I will treat everyone who will vote for her to our restaurant. Unlimited food for free!!"
When they heard that, another person spoke up.
"I am her fellow scholar. If you will vote for her, I promise to tutor everyone for free for three days!"
"Me too, I can do a free tutorial for subjects you have difficulty with, just vote for her." Another scholar spoke up.
Everyone was showing their support by making promises on Zhen-Zhen's behalf. This turn of events was unexpected.
The basketball varsity team did it once for Athena before.
But now, Zhen-Zhen was getting overwhelming support from other students. They were willing to support her without asking anything in return.
Zhen-Zhen was surprised to see this. She just told them she didn't want to bribe anyone just to gain votes but her supporters were doing this for her.
Liam who was enjoying the scene leaned on Mary and whispered something. "Miss Vice President, Is a professor allowed to show support as well? How about I offer an exemption on the final exam too for those who will vote for Lillie?" Liam chuckled after saying those remarks.
Mary: "..."
'Eh, Is professor Liam joking? Or he really means it?' Mary pondered at that thought.
Liam patted Mary's shoulder after seeing her stunned expression. "I'm just kidding. Someone might beat me up if I do that." Liam said meaningfully, averting his gaze in Tristan's direction.
Grandpa Lu was grinning from ear to ear. He admired his granddaughter-in-law more for that very amazing and wonderful speech.
She was able to handle everything smoothly, gaining instant loyal supporters who would do anything for her just to win.
"How about you grandson? I think it's your time to make a promise on your wife's behalf and show your support."
Tristan automatically stood up, giving his grandfather a cheeky grin. Without caring about what others would think, Tristan confidently walked on the center stage, grabbing the microphone.
Tristan cleared his throat first before speaking up. The gym was engulfed by silence once again as everyone focused their attention on the CEO of the Heavenly Star Enterprise. It seemed like he had some important announcement to make.
"Hello, everyone. My grandfather and I watched the program since the start. Upon seeing all the candidates, we, as alumni of this Alma Matter, have decided to support someone as we think she's the one who deserves to be called the Campus Belle."
"I brought two thousand Heavenly Star gift certificates. Those first two thousand who will vote for her will receive one gift certificate from us. Choose Lillie Meyer."
Then Tristan glanced at Zhen-Zhen meaningfully. He looked like saying, "Sorry wifey. But your husband is a CEO and you are a CEO's wife, so if you can't afford to spend money, then I will do it for you."
Zhen-Zhen: "..."