Noon
On the lawn.
Li Guanqi and Su Cheng sat side by side, eating and chatting, their atmosphere as comfortable as a pair of ordinary friends.
"Are you going to see Junior Sister Gu today?"
Li Guanqi was tidying up the items on the lunch cloth, asking casually.
Today's lunch was prepared by Li Guanqi at home.
It was also because of preparing the lunch that she was late for two classes.
Su Cheng didn't decline.
After all, their relationship had long surpassed that of ordinary friends, becoming something a bit more.
"I was planning to go straight to see her."
Su Cheng nodded and continued, "But going directly to see her might be a bit too abrupt, right?"
What if she wasn't the one? Wouldn't that be awkward?
Moreover, they didn't even know each other.
Li Guanqi put down the things in her hands and looked at him: "Then I'll ask her for you next time."
"No need to trouble yourself."
Su Cheng shook his head, rejecting her offer: "After school, I'll go to her club to find her."
"If you go to her club, you won't find her."
Li Guanqi looked at him and explained softly.
"Huh?"
Hearing this, Su Cheng was stunned and looked at her puzzled.
"Her club activities are usually outside the school, so the probability of finding her at the club is very low."
Li Guanqi explained patiently.
Su Cheng understood: "I see."
"Do you know her?"
Su Cheng asked curiously.
"Some interactions, since we live in the same area."
"Oh..."
"By the way."
Li Guanqi suddenly thought of something and continued, "You haven't given me an answer about the last time."
Su Cheng knew what Li Guanqi was referring to.
It was the last time they went to her house.
So he nodded: "How about this Saturday?"
Li Guanqi looked at him: "Sure."
Although her tone was still calm and her expression unchanging, Su Cheng could still feel the joy.
"Do you want to take a nap?"
Li Guanqi then asked, and took out a small shared pillow from her satchel behind her.
"I slept in the morning. I think you're the one who needs rest now. I'll wake you up before the next class!"
Su Cheng spoke with a serious tone and took the satchel from her, taking out the pillow and thoughtfully placing it behind her back.
"Alright, I understand. Please wake me up half an hour earlier."
Seeing this, Li Guanqi nodded, then directly rested her head on the small pillow, closed her eyes, and soon, a steady breath could be heard.
Su Cheng looked at her peaceful sleeping face and couldn't help but sighed.
From yesterday to now, Li Guanqi hadn't rested properly.
After looking at her for a while, he retracted his gaze, inadvertently looked down at the contents inside the satchel, and then he couldn't help but fall into thought.
"How to Train Your Protagonist"
"The Great Method of Raising a Heroine"
"What is this?"
Su Cheng barely suppressed his desire to complain, took out the two light novels from the satchel, flipped through them, then closed them and returned them to the satchel.
Although reading such books didn't fit Li Guanqi's persona, these were her hobbies, and he didn't want to interfere with her interests.
In the past, he was afraid that Li Guanqi would discover him, so he made a scene in the library. But now that they had been honest with each other, there was no need to hide it anymore.
He stood up and then sat in front of Li Guanqi, shielding the sun tightly. Turning his head, he found that Li Guanqi's upper body was now covered by his shadow, and her slightly furrowed brow also relaxed.
"That's right."
He smiled satisfied and took out his phone to start chatting.
After parting in the morning,
during the morning break, he kept in touch with Liu Qingyue.
She was still on her way to his hometown.
He was very grateful to Liu Qingyue, who cared about him so much, yet never asked for anything in return. All he could do was silently remember her kindness.
Now, he continued their previous conversation with Liu Qingyue.
Since he had classes, their chats were always intermittent.
For example, just now, they were discussing the issue of being foolish or not.
Su Cheng himself thought he was quite foolish, but Liu Qingyue didn't think so. She even used a butterfly to describe him.
Liu Qingyue: "Junior, you now have wings, you know～"
Seeing this message, Su Cheng was stunned for a moment, then quickly typed a humble reply.
Su Cheng: "Where are the wings? I'm still just a caterpillar."
Liu Qingyue: "Do you have wings or not? Just look around yourself."
Su Cheng did take a look around, only to find Li Guanqi sleeping behind him, which made him chuckle and quickly replied.
Su Cheng: "You're really humorous, Senior. By the way, how many wings does a butterfly have?"
Liu Qingyue: "How many wings does Junior want?"
Su Cheng: "Who would ever complain about having too few? Of course the more the better, after all, they're all my wings!"
Liu Qingyue: "And you still say you're not like a butterfly?"
Su Cheng: "What part of me is like a butterfly?"
Liu Qingyue: "You're completely metamorphosed."
...
After chatting with Liu Qingyue for a while, the time was almost up.
He turned his head and looked at Li Guanqi behind him. At this moment, she was defenselessly sleeping on the lawn, her well-proportioned body exposed, long black hair cascading to the ground, and a pair of straight black stockings revealing her beautiful legs bare in the air, making people's mouths water.
Just this pair of stockings with beautiful legs would be enough to play with for a century, right?
Su Cheng swallowed and nodded confidently.
Then, he gently said: "Wake up."
"Mmm..."
Li Guanqi mumbled softly and then opened her eyes, stretching her legs and sitting up like a kitten.
As a gentleman, Su Cheng naturally immediately averted his eyes, pretending to be nonchalant as he picked up his phone to start chatting.
Li Guanqi next to him stood up to tidy her clothes, then placed the pillows back into the satchel and grabbed the two satchels. After everything was prepared, Li Guanqi turned around and glanced at Su Cheng, who was still playing with his phone.
She pursed her lips slightly, then quietly approached him and cleared her throat.
"Let's go to class."
"Mm-hmm."
Hearing Li Guanqi's voice, Su Cheng stood up, and the two walked towards the teaching building.
Since they weren't holding hands, Su Cheng seemed like a lone person to others, so the two walked side by side.
On the way, they passed by a pavilion and found that Xu Tianyi was playing chess with a school leader, who also noticed them at the same time.
Su Cheng stopped.
Li Guanqi also stopped.
"Want to watch the game?"
Li Guanqi asked.
Su Cheng nodded.
The two entered the pavilion and quietly watched the chess game.
It was Go, which Su Cheng didn't know how to play.
But that didn't prevent him from enjoying the game.
Xu Tianyi's stockings style and temperament were very similar to Li Guanqi's, except that there were grass stains on her stockings, possibly due to a recent fall that had soiled them.
The stockings genre.
Actually, this genre was quite controversial.
That is, whether it belongs to pants or socks.
Some people believe that the stockings genre describes socks, so from the perspective of noun interpretation, the stockings genre should be considered as socks.
Others think that the stockings genre serves as leggings and wraps around the thighs, so from a functional perspective, stockings should be considered pants.
These two factions have been debating for several years, and eventually a certain X institution made the highest ruling: the stockings faction belongs to the stockings faction!
........................
After watching for a while, he and Li Guanqi left.
Do you know how to play Go?
Su Cheng asked.
"Yes."
"Can you teach me on Saturday?"
Su Cheng looked at Li Guanqi expectantly.
Xu Tianyi had helped him, and she seemed very eager to play chess with him, so he wanted to learn and give back to her.
....................
After the afternoon physical education class.
Originally, he was planning to go to the Social Practice Club.
But learning that Gu Ruoxue might not be there,
he changed his plan and went straight to the dojo.
There were few people outside the dojo today and most were resting at home.
He didn't know if Ji Qingyi was around.
So he came to Ji Qingyi's private dojo with a feeling of unease and knocked on the door.
"Knock knock～"
"Come in."
Ji Qingyi's unique and cold voice sounded.
Su Cheng pushed the door open.
Ji Qingyi was sitting at a tea table, looking up at Su Cheng with a cold expression, not showing any surprise in her eyes.
It seemed she already knew Su Cheng was still alive.
"Sit down."
Ji Qingyi gestured to the seat opposite her.
Su Cheng nodded, then sat down and respectfully greeted: "President Ji."
Ji Qingyi did not answer him, still focused on the tea set in her hands, pouring a cup of tea for Su Cheng.
Su Cheng took the cup, gently inhaled the fragrant aroma, and felt a rich fragrance. He took a sip and immediately tasted the smooth sweetness of the tea, with a long-lasting aftertaste that left a pleasant scent in his mouth.
The two silently sipped their tea, the atmosphere somewhat eerie. Su Cheng sneakily glanced at Ji Qingyi, only to see her expressionless face, and couldn't help but worry if she was angry.
After all, he had taught her some profanity.
"Your victory in the competition surprised me, your ability to keep the flower alive surprised me, and what surprised me even more is that you're sitting here in front of me now."
After a long while, Ji Qingyi slowly spoke, and the content made Su Cheng pause for a moment.
"..."
He looked up at her.
She was staring at him with a scrutinizing gaze, as if she was contemplating something. Then, she lightly opened her lips and continued, "It seems you might have the ability to turn crises into opportunities."
"I..."
Su Cheng was just about to speak when Ji Qingyi interrupted him.
"Actions speak louder than words."
Listening to her tone, Su Cheng knew that Liu Qingyue might have told her everything about him.
He lowered his head and stopped speaking.
Ji Qingyi seemed to see through his thoughts and continued, "Don't be nervous. She didn't tell me your secrets."
Su Cheng looked up at Ji Qingyi, his eyes filled with doubt.
"However, I can probably deduce a few things."
Ji Qingyi seemed to know what he was thinking and continued coolly, "Though it’s rather inconceivable, this ability of yours came from your rejection, didn't it?"
Su Cheng didn't expect her to guess correctly.
Su Cheng smiled and nodded, saying, "Yes."
Now, he didn't care anymore. After all, it was the Ji family's master and servant who saved his life, and they had always treated him well. So, he had no reason to hide it.
"Mm."
Ji Qingyi lightly nodded, then stood up, walking gracefully past Su Cheng with her long, black-stockinged legs, leaving behind a whiff of scent. She then slowly bent down to place the potted plant properly before turning back to face him and said, "You don't need to be so restrained. There’s no master or servant between us."
The implication was clear: they were friends.
"..."
Hearing Ji Qingyi's words, Su Cheng was silent for a moment, then looked up to meet her beautiful eyes and slowly said, "Alright, President."
Then, she placed the potted plant on the table.
This flower was the one Su Cheng had previously saved.
"Its vitality is more vigorous than before."
Ji Qingyi looked at the flower and slowly said, her tone very calm.
After hearing Ji Qingyi's words, Su Cheng nodded.
"Thank you."
After saying that, Ji Qingyi walked directly to the window.
Her tall and slender back was incredibly beautiful, making Su Cheng lose himself for a moment. He quickly said, "If you really want to thank me, it should be me thanking you. If it weren't for you, my dream wouldn't have come true so quickly."
"Dream..."
Ji Qingyi turned around, looking at him, her gaze calm, showing no emotion.
But her face was extraordinarily beautiful.
"This was just a contract between us. You don't need to thank me."
After saying that, Ji Qingyi walked out of the room, "Come with me."
"Alright, President."
Su Cheng got up and followed behind Ji Qingyi.
There were no further words between them.
They soon arrived at the garden, where she stopped by a potted plant. The flower was in poor condition, barely alive, as if it could die at any moment.
"I’ll have to trouble you."
Ji Qingyi looked at the flower, her eyes showing a hint of pity, then turned to look at Su Cheng.
Su Cheng nodded and glanced around.
"There's no one else here, nor any surveillance."
Ji Qingyi said.
Her words made Su Cheng pause for a moment.
What did that mean?
No outsiders?
Was she treating him like one of her own?
Alright, it seemed Ji Qingyi considered him a friend.
"I see."
Saying that, Su Cheng magically produced a red potion. Ji Qingyi slightly widened her eyes, her expression flickering with surprise, but she didn't speak, quietly watching.
Su Cheng dripped a drop of the red potion onto the flowerpot.
The red potion fell onto the plant, turning into a drop of red liquid that moved along the flower's core.
At first, the flower didn't react, but soon it began to absorb the potion and quickly recovered, even more lush than before.
"Incredible."
Ji Qingyi watched the incredible scene before her, even though she was prepared, she couldn't help but be amazed.
Su Cheng smiled, lifting the small red bottle, "President, do the other flowers need it?"
Hearing this, Ji Qingyi's astonishment gradually faded, and she nodded. She didn't ask any questions, just quietly watched as Su Cheng performed his miracle.
A few minutes later,
After buffing a dozen more potted plants, Su Cheng wiped the sweat from his forehead and turned to look at Ji Qingyi, "President, it's done."
Ji Qingyi looked at him with admiration and nodded, "Mm."
Su Cheng handed the small red bottle to Ji Qingyi, saying, "President, this is for you."
Ji Qingyi was first slightly startled, then shook her head, "Though this holds great temptation for me, it's not enough for me to go against my principles."
Seeing this, Su Cheng didn't insist and stored it back into his system space.
The two then sat down and drank tea together again.
Ji Qingyi slowly spoke, "As payment, you can confess to me, and I will reject you."
Su Cheng was stunned, then looked at Ji Qingyi with an expression of disbelief, unable to react for a long time.
What did she just say?!
Requesting him to confess?
If it were before, he might have been ecstatic, but now, he had turned from active to passive.
There was no longer any need for this, and he had already declared he wouldn't confess anymore.
Seeing his dumbfounded look, Ji Qingyi’s brows lightly raised as she said plainly, "Cooperation for mutual benefit, isn't that enough of a reason?"
"Of course it is."
Su Cheng hurriedly nodded, then shook his head and added, "But now, I can only gain rewards by being confessed to, and it has to be sincere."
Suddenly, an awkward atmosphere filled the air.
Ji Qingyi also felt somewhat embarrassed and took a sip of tea.
"I won't confess anymore."
Su Cheng calmly took a sip of tea.
"Then propose another condition."
Ji Qingyi said.
Su Cheng fell silent, then looked up and said, "I want to add your communication account."
…………………………
Postscript —
Ji Family Villa
Ji Qingyi was watching the weather forecast.
For a flower grower, every day begins with a floral cultivation lesson, which is the weather forecast.
As soon as the weather forecast ended,
"Ding dong ding~"
Three knocks on the door sounded. Ji Qingyi turned off the TV and looked toward the doorway, "Come in."
Then, the door opened.
A female attendant holding an electronic device entered and immediately bowed her head respectfully, "Miss, this is our 'Six Star' brand's latest product."
After saying that, she handed the device to Ji Qingyi.
"Mm."
Ji Qingyi responded lightly.
Seeing this, the attendant didn't dare to stay, quickly left Ji Qingyi's room, and closed the door.
Ji Qingyi took the electronic device and opened it, finding the instruction manual and carefully reading it.
"Face unlock..."
After reading the manual, Ji Qingyi frowned, then held the unpowered phone against her cheek.
As expected—
It didn't turn on.
Ji Qingyi put down the phone and started reading the manual again. After a series of procedures that were cumbersome for her, she finally managed to turn on the screen.
But even then, she didn't know how to operate it.
Because Liu Qingyue wasn't there.
"Such a complicated thing..."
Ji Qingyi fiddled with it for a while without understanding what a communication account was. Irritated, she unconsciously gripped the phone tightly, and it instantly deformed, emitting black smoke.
In that moment, Ji Qingyi tossed the phone away, and 'bang', it exploded.
This commotion startled all the maids and attendants in the villa, who rushed out to see what had happened.
"Miss, are you all right?"
"What happened?"
"Miss..."
"Miss..."
Everyone's voices echoed in the room, and soon, people noticed the explosive device in the corner, prompting panic.
Mistaking it for a bomb being thrown, everyone was shocked out of their wits.
Ji Qingyi frowned and spoke coldly, "Why would our company's phones be exploding?"
Her words sounded calm, but to everyone present, they were like a thunderbolt on a clear day.
Everyone stiffened, their minds blank.
Phones and explosions?
"Miss, it's the phone's battery that caused the issue," one young assistant who had just handed over an electronic product, analyzed the cause of the explosion and cautiously explained.
Hearing this, Ji Qingyi's eyes deepened, and she spoke, "What a poor-quality product. Quickly inform the person in charge to have it rechecked."
"Yes!"
The assistant quickly withdrew to handle the matter.
Ji Qingyi glanced at the surrounding servants and assistants, saying faintly, "Go and prepare a phone of the same level as Su Cheng's for me."
At her words, everyone nodded instantly.
Some stepped out, others continued cleaning.
Shortly after, a brand-new phone of the same model as Su Cheng's was brought to Ji Qingyi. She glanced at it and then ignored it. She planned to let Su Cheng operate it herself tomorrow.