Phoenix Rising: From Heartache to Heroism

"Bang-" The office door was flung open.

Zelena and Candy walked in. "Nolan, we're here to get our new uniforms."

Nolan and Violeta turned to look, meeting Zelena's accusatory gaze.

Nolan furrowed his brow, glanced through the documents on his desk, found Zelena's size information, and said calmly, "Your size is in the second cabinet on the left, third shelf."

Zelena walked in, pretending to open the cabinet to get her uniform. She exchanged a glance with Candy, who understood immediately.

As Zelena grabbed her uniform, a small ping-pong ball "accidentally" fell out of Candy's pocket and bounced under the desk.

"Oh no, my ping-pong ball!"

Candy quickly moved forward, bending down to retrieve it.

Violeta stepped back to give her space.

After picking up the ball, Candy stood up and bumped into Violeta.

Nolan gently pulled Violeta back, allowing Candy to catch a glimpse of the content on their computer screen.

So, this is what they had been working on in the office all these days-designing promotional graphics.

"Sorry for the interruption, Nolan," Candy said, after seeing the screen.

With their uniforms in hand, Zelena and Candy left the office.

As soon as they were outside, Zelena eagerly asked Candy what she had seen.

"Lena, they're designing promotional graphics for something related to chess..."

"Chess?"

Zelena suddenly realized the connection-it was related to the Chess Association!

The Chess Association's visit to the school for a promotional lecture was originally the responsibility of the student council.

Violeta must have used her Chess Association membership to get close to Nolan. How shameless!

...

In the afternoon, the Chess Association finally confirmed the time for their promotional lecture.

The advisor came to the class to make an announcement, "There will be a Chess Association lecture in the auditorium the day after tomorrow. If anyone is interested in chess, I highly recommend attending. It will be very beneficial."

"There will also be small gifts for those who attend."

Not many young people were interested in chess these days.

Zelena herself hadn't been interested either until she realized that learning chess might help her make a better impression on Wade.

But now that the Chess Association was coming to the school for a promotion, if she could help Nolan attract more attendees, he would surely look at her in a new light.

After the advisor left and the classmates were about to leave the classroom, Zelena stood up and said, "Chess is an intellectually stimulating leisure game. I personally love chess and would like to invite everyone to attend the lecture. If you all come, I'll treat everyone to a seafood feast this weekend!"

"Wow! That's great!"

"Zelena is so generous!"

Candy chimed in, "You probably don't know this, but the president of the Chess Association giving the lecture is acquainted with Lena. They've even taken a photo together!" "Really?"

Zelena blushed modestly, "Oh, it's not that impressive. We just met once and took a photo together."

Candy said, "Lena, you're too modest. You don't just get to take a photo with someone after meeting them once. The president must really value you!"

Sitting in the back, Kaylee cringed at the boasting in the front.

"Vio, you're the real Chess Association member here, and you're not bragging. Where does she get the nerve to show off like that? It's so annoying." Violeta replied, "It's okay. What she's doing might actually help."

Young people today aren't very interested in chess.

Nolan and Violeta had been brainstorming ways to attract attendees to the lecture, empty seats would make the event look bad.

They had even planned to buy small gifts out of their own pockets for those who came.

But if Zelena wanted to play the fool and help by offering treats, why not let her?

Violeta figured Zelena was trying to gain more favor with Nolan.

But Violeta just wanted to complete her assigned task for the Chess Association and move on.

"Let's go, Kay. We have to head to club practice."

"Okay."

Two days later, the chess lecture was successfully held in the auditorium. The association president took the stage, facing a packed audience-at least half of whom were performing arts students that Zelena had dragged along.

Recently, rumors of Zelena's close relationship with the Chess Association president had been spreading, with people almost calling her a chess prodigy.

However, after the two-hour lecture ended, the Chess Association president didn't mention Zelena at all. Instead, he acknowledged the only Chess Association member at Toland University, Violeta.

"That concludes my lecture today. If anyone is interested in chess, feel free to reach out to our only member at Toland University, Violeta Blake ... "