"Plop~"
The sound of a drink falling to the ground startled Su Cheng, who was in stealth mode. He turned his head to look in the direction of the sound.
To his surprise, it was Cornelia.
"Big silly Ya, why are you here?"
Hidden in the darkness, Su Cheng was momentarily stunned, then noticed the dog and takeout on the ground, realizing what had happened. Earlier, after he had sent Cornelia home, he had planned to use stealth to gather some information. But just as he learned about his condition, Cornelia showed up.
"Ah, this is troublesome."
Su Cheng watched as Cornelia stood there stupidly, her mouth twitching a few times before he quietly slipped away.
Actually, when he found out he had a heart condition, he wasn't as surprised or scared as he thought he would be. Instead, he felt very calm. After all, he had a system, and it wasn't like he was doomed to die.
He didn't doubt the diagnosis of a heart condition because he had noticed something off with his body recently. Plus, the doctor was invited by Ji Qingyi, so it was likely a top-tier professional. Such a level of expertise wouldn't make a misdiagnosis. Especially someone who could predict his death date must be well-versed in the Five Arts of Chinese metaphysics (medicine, divination, physiognomy, etc.).
So now, he faced a significant dilemma.
He needed to stay calm and weigh the pros and cons.
**Mechanical Deus Ex Machina**
**[Mechanical Deus Ex Machina]**
**[One-time Skill]**
**Effect: System Forcefully Intervenes**
**System: When the plot is stuck, and the predicament is unsolvable, the system will arrange a powerful god/item/ability to solve the problem, creating an unexpected plot twist.**
A one-time skill that could solve the problem.
But he faced two dilemmas now:
1. His life
2. The archery championship
Choosing life would mean he couldn't guarantee the championship.
Choosing the championship would mean he couldn't guarantee his life.
Back home, Su Cheng locked himself in his bedroom and started brainstorming various solutions with a pen.
He had to come up with an absolutely foolproof solution. After all, no one wants to die.
If he used the skill directly, he wouldn't be able to fulfill his promise of winning the championship.
"Promises must be kept, and actions must be resolute."
This was his principle and bottom line. If he compromised his moral foundation, his future actions would inevitably lose the most basic control and restraint.
Once you start, there's no stopping.
It's human nature. Eventually, even if he survived, he would turn into a behaviorally extreme demon.
At this moment, his notebook was filled with many solution ideas:
1. **Win the championship through his own efforts, then use Mechanical Deus Ex Machina to save his life.**
- (The competition is in seven days, and his death date is eight days later. There's time.)
- (Side effect: If he can't win the championship, he has to give up his life.)
2. **Restart the confession plan.**
- (Target: S-rank)
- (Practice Club President, E-sports Club President, Archery Club President.)
- (Gamble: May not gain the ability to solve the problem, and could affect archery practice progress.)
3. **Mechanical Deus Ex Machina effect.**
- (He wants both life and the championship.)
- (Gamble: Whether the skill can solve all problems.)
4...
………………………………
"Knock knock~"
"Knock knock knock knock~"
Abrupt knocking interrupted Su Cheng's thoughts.
He knew it was Cornelia.
Su Cheng sighed, put down his pen, and walked to the door to open it.
Through the peephole, he saw Cornelia standing outside, silent, but her tear-streaked face showed how bad her mood was.
Especially when the door opened, her tears flowed uncontrollably like strings, and she grabbed his hands with both of hers, holding them tightly.
"Su Cheng, Su Cheng, let's go to the hospital quickly."
Cornelia looked up, crying as she spoke.
"......"
Su Cheng didn't answer. He just looked at her, his eyes narrowing slightly, looking very complex, before he finally spoke, "Why go to the hospital? I'm fine."
"Don't lie to me! I heard it! I heard it! You have a heart condition, and you're going to die soon."
Cornelia said anxiously, pulling Su Cheng toward the door.
"Don't talk nonsense. I'm living well."
Su Cheng smiled, then pulled his hand back, looking confused at Cornelia, "Where did you hear that?"
"It was a servant from the Ji Family."
Cornelia glanced at him, her eyes still red and swollen from crying, then continued, "And they mentioned your name."
"It must be a coincidence. Look at me, I'm fine. How could I have a heart condition?"
Su Cheng said, waving his arm, then looked at Cornelia and smiled, "With my health, I can live at least another hundred or eighty years. Don't worry about me!"
"Su Cheng! Stop lying to me!"
Cornelia said with a sad face, "The Ji surname is unique in the world, and you've joined the archery club, connecting with the Ji Family. Your name is Su Cheng, and you went to the promotion event. What are the odds of that happening by coincidence?"
At this point, her emotions became agitated, and she pulled Su Cheng's hand, "Quick, come with me to the hospital for treatment. I beg you, don't be stubborn!"
Being told not to be stubborn by a willful tsundere.
For him, the only good news recently was that Cornelia had started using her brain, so she wouldn't be easily fooled in the future.
But now, seeing Cornelia so worried, his heart ached.
"Even though I don't know why you're acting like this, please stop crying."
Su Cheng sighed, gently patting her shoulder to comfort her.
Hearing this, Cornelia stopped crying but suddenly leaned against Su Cheng's chest, sobbing, "Waa~ I don't want you to die. Let's go get treated!"
In her embrace, Su Cheng felt a deep stirring in his heart, but he still pushed Cornelia away, speaking softly, "Alright, okay, let's go to the hospital now."
His soft words calmed Cornelia's emotions, but she still held onto his sleeve, pulling him toward the door.
Su Cheng's lips moved a few times, as if he wanted to say something, but in the end, he said nothing.
Words couldn't fool Cornelia anymore.
So he had to find another way to get Cornelia out of this state.
...
The two hailed a taxi and quickly arrived at the hospital, heading straight to the cardiology department.
Throughout the journey, Cornelia tightly held Su Cheng's hand, and neither spoke, as silence sometimes better conveyed their inner feelings.
At the hospital, they immediately registered and waited.
During the wait, Cornelia still held Su Cheng's hand, as if afraid he would disappear from her world.
Soon, it was Su Cheng's turn.
He went in.
Cornelia waited outside, like a husband waiting for his wife to give birth, anxiously looking through the door, praying that heaven would bless Su Cheng.
Soon, the door opened.
Cornelia's first reaction was to grab Su Cheng's arm, nervously staring at the attending doctor, who was smoking a cigarette.
"Smoking?"
Cornelia felt this doctor lacked medical ethics, smoking in the cardiology department.
"Doctor, what's his condition?"
However, Cornelia was still very anxious and nervous, asking immediately.
The attending doctor looked at her, putting the cigarette behind him, and smiled, "May I ask what your relationship is with the patient?"
Cornelia was stunned, then realized she was just a classmate of Su Cheng's.
This made her a bit annoyed, wondering why she had rejected Su Cheng's confession last time.
"I'm his girlfriend!"
Without hesitation, Cornelia declared, raising the hand she held with Su Cheng to show their relationship.
"Girlfriend? This gentleman has no illness at all, and he's very healthy. Didn't you do any checks before?"
The doctor said with a smile.
"No heart condition?"
Cornelia was stunned, then looked incredulously at Su Cheng and the doctor, "But... but..."
The doctor shook his head and continued, "Mr. Su Cheng is in very good health. I've checked thoroughly. The instruments don't lie."
"See, I told you I'm fine. It must be a coincidence. You insisted on bringing me to the hospital."
Su Cheng quickly added his comment.
The doctor, witnessing this scene, couldn't help but speak up, "I'm really envious. Your girlfriend is very caring towards you."
"Huh!?"
Cornelia suddenly realized what was happening, quickly let go of Su Cheng's hand, and blushed as she said, "Doctor, I'm just his female friend!"
"Hehe."
The doctor chuckled and then turned back to his room.
"Alright, let's go home," Su Cheng said to Cornelia.
On the way home, the two remained silent, but the atmosphere was different this time—it was awkward. Cornelia kept her head down, blushing and not daring to look at Su Cheng. She felt she was about to die of embarrassment for admitting to the doctor that Su Cheng was her boyfriend.
"About that... girlfriend thing."
Before Su Cheng could finish, Cornelia, in her embarrassment and anger, glared at him and retorted, "Don't you dare say anything! We're just ordinary friends!"
"Oh, I see," Su Cheng said with a hint of disappointment, then looked at Cornelia and smiled, "Alright, we're just friends."
"Hmph."
Cornelia huffed, feeling a bit relieved.
It turned out they were just the same name after all...
As long as there's no heart disease, it's fine.
However, she still felt a bit frustrated. Today, she had gone so far, yet Su Cheng still hadn't confessed to her.
What a blockhead and a fool!
This made her extremely annoyed!
At the entrance of the villa district
"Thank you for your concern," Su Cheng said, smiling at Cornelia in front of him.
"Tch, I was just afraid I wouldn't get to eat cake anymore!" Cornelia retorted coldly, then immediately turned and walked towards the villa gate with her white stockings, leaving Su Cheng standing there, watching her petite figure.
………………………………
Ji Family Residence
Study
Ji Qingyi listened to the servant's report, her eyebrows slightly furrowed: "Have Ji Yuewu invite 'Cleveland' over."
The servant nodded and then left.
【Cleveland】
『One of the World's Top Ten Doctors』
Renowned for being the best in heart bypass surgery, a true master of his field!
Even some presidents from other countries have entrusted him with their heart surgeries, and he is also employed by the 『Ji Family』 as their doctor—
While inviting him might not cure Su Cheng, it can certainly ensure the success rate of the surgery and delay Su Cheng's decline.
Ji Qingyi felt somewhat responsible for Su Cheng's condition.
"Knock knock knock..."
The knocking sound echoed.
Ji Qingyi sat at her desk, coldly glancing at the door: "Come in."
A young and beautiful servant pushed the door open, entered carrying a tea tray, placed the teacup down, and then bowed before leaving.
Ji Qingyi picked up the tea on the table and took a sip before lowering her gaze to the detailed investigation report on Su Cheng.
This report was obtained from Ji Yuewu, and it was found under Ji Yuewu's bed, with a photo attached.
It was a photo of Su Cheng.
The report detailed everything about his diet, habits, schedule, and more.
However, everything changed dramatically before.
After jumping into the river and being rescued.
After that, he exhibited various bizarre and confusing behaviors.
And these behaviors were all outlined in ink by Ji Yuewu, who even made notes, indicating that these were important matters for Ji Yuewu.
As follows:
1. Three days after Su Cheng jumped into the river, against everyone's opposition, he used all his money to buy virtual currency.
(Result: Within a week, it devalued to nothing, leading to the bankruptcy of his company and losing everything.)
2. Not long after, he started working part-time washing dishes, earning a few thousand dollars, and then, with absolute confidence, bet everything on Germany winning 7-1 against Brazil in the World Cup.
(Result: Brazil 7-Germany 1)
3. After the failure, instead of being discouraged, he started writing web novels, but due to his age, he couldn't sign a contract and had to stop.
(Legal regulations require using one's own ID to sign contracts.)
…………
24. Su Cheng eventually believed that only studying could change his fate, thus beginning his long and arduous journey of studying, ultimately getting admitted to Flame City Private Academy.
On the first day of school, his behavior started to become confusing again.
Each of Su Cheng's decisions was filled with confidence, just like when he agreed to win the championship for her, but each time, the result was the opposite.
"Miracle?"
Ji Qingyi looked at the report on Su Cheng and murmured, "Always walking on the wrong path."
Just like his confidence in wanting to win the championship, it was no surprise that the final result would be losing the competition and even losing his life.
Ji Qingyi glanced at the report for a while before giving up.
The report was full of Su Cheng's failures, with the only success being his admission to Flame City Private Academy.
……………………
The next day at noon
In front of the class bulletin board, some students gathered, their eyes burning with excitement as they stared at the words on the board, and Su Cheng was also among the crowd.
The bulletin board had a piece of paper posted on it.
The paper read as follows:
Hereby announce the top twenty outstanding students of Class 2, Grade 1, in this semester's class test. We hope that all of you will continue to serve as role models and strive for greater achievements.
1st Place: Su Cheng 391
2nd Place: Xu Tianyi 389
3rd Place: Li Wen 380
4th Place: Li Guanqi 379
…
19th Place: Zhao Yan 365
"What a surprise."
"Su Cheng is actually first?"
Some girls in the crowd exclaimed in surprise, and some boys also started discussing.
"When are you giving me the graphics card!"
"Come to my house to pick it up!"
……
At this moment, everyone's gaze turned to Su Cheng, who was standing nearby, with expressions ranging from shock to joy, even admiration.
Last time, he was still in the middle of the pack, but this time, in a short period, he defeated Xu Tianyi to take first place, which was simply unbelievable!
"No wonder he's the national champion," a girl with thick glasses suddenly remarked.
Her face showed no emotion. Whether in terms of figure or appearance, this girl was extremely beautiful.
Only her braided hair and glasses significantly affected her beauty, but they couldn't hide her original charm.
She was Xu Tianyi, who ranked second this time.
Su Cheng glanced at her, shook his head, and said, "You're also very impressive. This time, there was some luck involved, maybe next test, I'll be back to the middle of the pack."
"No, I saw your attitude clearly this time," Xu Tianyi said in a normal tone, "This wasn't just luck."
At this, she slightly nodded and turned to leave: "I accept this result willingly. This is what you deserve because you worked hard."
Watching her graceful figure, Su Cheng raised his eyebrows slightly.
Then he retracted his gaze, looking at the bulletin board in front of him, which was in the first place.
He had to take a look, after all, this was what he had worked hard for.
First place, Su Cheng.
Hmm, let's see it again.
First place, Su Cheng.
One more time.
Just as he was about to turn around after seeing it a billion times, he bumped into a girl.
Familiar fragrance, familiar softness.
Hmm, Li Guanqi.
..............................
On the other side, Xu Tianyi arrived at a secluded place, took off her glasses, revealing a pretty face, though her eyes were red, and tears streamed down her cheeks.
"Ah, I'm so unwilling!"
She said, stomping her feet, then threw herself onto the grass and rolled around wildly to vent her frustration and unwillingness.
Having been the first since she was a child, this time, suddenly getting the second place, how could she be willing?
This was simply unwillingness to the point of shedding tears.
……………………………