School Flower and School Tyrant - Chapter 2

“I’m back.”

Ouyang Qianxue pushed open the door to her dormitory and promptly flopped onto her bed, face first.

“Not very dignified of you, Qianxue,” teased a girl lounging on the opposite bed, a book in her hands.

This was Wang Qian, Qianxue’s dormmate at Sakura. The school’s boarding policy assigned two students to a room, and Wang Qian had grown accustomed to Qianxue’s occasional lapses in decorum.

“Who cares? It’s just the dorm. Pretending all day is exhausting,” Qianxue replied lazily, her voice muffled by the pillow.

“That may be true, but you can’t let your guard down completely. If your true identity gets exposed, your mission will fail, and they’ll stop paying for your mother’s treatment.”

“I know.”

Qianxue turned over and stared at the ceiling, her expression clouded. Memories from the past crept in, pulling her thoughts far away.

Eight Years Ago, in a City Hospital

“Doctor, please save my mom!”

A golden-haired boy knelt on the cold hospital floor, clutching the hem of a doctor’s white coat. His eyes brimmed with desperation.

“Kid, I understand your pain, but your mother’s condition is critical. She has severe kidney disease and needs regular dialysis to survive. A kidney transplant would be the only permanent solution, but both options are extremely expensive. Without the money, there’s nothing we can do to continue her treatment.”

Nearby, a dark-haired little girl tugged at the boy’s sleeve, her teary eyes wide with fear.

“Big brother, does this mean there’s no hope for Mom?”

The boy turned to her, his expression resolute. “Don’t worry. I’ll save Mom. I promise.”

Turning back to the doctor, the boy begged once more.

“I’m really sorry, but I can’t help you without the funds,” the doctor replied with a sigh, ready to leave.

“Wait!”

A woman’s voice stopped the doctor in his tracks.

“I overheard everything just now. I can cover his mother’s medical expenses,” the voice said, firm and calm.

The boy looked up and saw a glamorous woman walking toward them. Her expensive attire and commanding presence radiated wealth and authority.

“You mean it? You’ll help us?” The boy’s voice trembled with disbelief.

“Yes,” the woman said with a faint smile, “but there’s a condition.”

She leaned down and gently lifted the boy’s chin with her manicured fingers, inspecting his face closely.

“Hmm, good skin, graceful demeanor, and those features… exquisite. It’s decided. You’ll do. Now, child, tell me your story,” she said, her eyes sharp but not unkind.

The boy hesitated but soon began recounting his tragic tale.

His family had once been prosperous, his father a successful businessman. But with business came risks, and his father’s gamble on a high-stakes investment had ended in utter failure. Not only did they lose everything, but his father had also accrued a mountain of debt.

What hurt the boy most was that the man he had idolized for his sense of responsibility chose to abandon them, fleeing without a word.

The creditors, enraged, descended on their home, stripping it of all valuables and evicting the family. Left homeless, the boy, his little sister, and their mother had no choice but to fend for themselves. The relentless stress eventually took its toll on his mother’s health. When she collapsed, a hospital visit revealed the severity of her condition. That was the day they found themselves begging for help.

The woman’s gaze softened as the boy finished his story.

“You’ve been through so much,” she said, reaching out to stroke his hair.

The boy, who had bottled up his pain for so long, suddenly broke down, tears streaming uncontrollably. The woman said nothing, simply pulling him into an embrace and letting him cry his heart out.

After what felt like an eternity, he finally calmed down, wiping his swollen eyes.

“But, ma’am… you said there’s a condition for helping my mom. What is it?” he asked cautiously.

“That’s right, I’m the general manager of the largest talent agency in Xijiang City. Recently, our company has been working on a Campus Idol Project.”

The elegant woman handed the boy a blue-covered booklet labeled Campus Idol Project.

“Campus idol?” he asked, flipping through its pages.

“Exactly. The market is saturated with conventional idols, leading to aesthetic fatigue among audiences. That’s why our company has set its sights on something fresher, more unique: campus idols. But our vision goes far beyond the ordinary.”

“What makes it different?” the boy asked, tilting his head in curiosity.

“We’re not looking to produce shallow or overly dramatic internet celebrities. Our ideal idol is one of unmatched elegance, someone who embodies refinement and grace. A true paragon who can hold their own even among the elite. That’s the ultimate goal of this project. And for that, we need your help.”

“Me? What could I possibly do to help?”

“We’re new to this field, so we need a prototype, a model to gather data. For example, what kind of charm points captivate fans most effectively, and how best to present them. This groundwork is critical to ensure the success of the project.”

“But… what does that have to do with me?”

“Because I’ve decided that you’ll be our prototype.”

“Wait a second. This booklet says you’re looking to create female idols.”

“That’s correct. Female idols.”

“But I’m a boy!”

“That’s irrelevant.” The woman’s expression was calm, almost amused. “Your potential is too extraordinary to pass up. If I let you slip through my fingers, I may never find another candidate like you. Besides, if we can transform a boy into an outstanding idol, imagine how successful we’ll be with actual girls.”

Eight Years Later

A golden-haired girl stood at the gates of Sakura International School, her delicate features glowing in the morning sun.

“To conquer the entertainment world, you must first conquer the students of this elite school,” echoed the woman’s words in Ouyang Qianxue’s mind.

“Remember, you are not to reveal your identity or true gender under any circumstances. Your task is to become the most popular girl in Sakura without actively seeking attention and maintain that status until graduation. If you succeed, I will reward you handsomely. The funds will cover your mother’s medical expenses and provide for your sister’s education and living costs.”

The woman’s instructions played back in his head like a mantra.

“And one more thing: confidence. Ouyang Qianming, no, from this moment, you are Ouyang Qianxue. After years of intense training, your voice-acting skills and talents are second to none. Combined with your naturally beautiful face and the golden locks you’ve grown over these years, I guarantee no one will suspect you’re a boy.”

Those were the final words the woman left him with.

“I was told my contact should be around here somewhere,” Qianxue muttered, glancing around the school entrance.

“Over here!”

A cheerful voice called out, and a girl with a sweet face and a ponytail came running toward him.

“You must be Ouyang Qianxue! I’m Wang Qian, your boss’s niece. My aunt told me all about you. Starting today, I’ll be observing you, documenting your life, and helping you with your mission at school. I’ll also cover for you if anything comes up.”

And so, the thrilling and nerve-wracking double life of Ouyang Qianxue as a cross-dressing campus idol officially began.