Ji Family Mansion.
Ji Qingyi was seated on the sofa, watching the weather forecast on TV as the host introduced the day's weather.
As soon as it finished, she was about to turn off the TV when a maid entered holding a cell phone: "Miss, you have a message."
"A message?"
Ji Qingyi raised her eyebrows slightly, eyeing the phone in the maid's hand with a hint of confusion.
After a moment, she realized this phone was the one she had prepared yesterday. She took the phone, and the maid, seeing her reaction, gently retreated from the room.
Upon unlocking the screen, she found a new message.
【I_Dont_Like_Oranges】: "Are you there, President?"
Ji Qingyi was taken aback by this message, not knowing who had sent it.
Moreover, the sender had addressed her as "President"?
And what was with this strange username?
After pondering for a moment, she recalled giving Su Cheng an account during the afternoon club activities.
"Is this Su Cheng?"
Ji Qingyi murmured to herself, then opened the message.
The message was brief, only four words: "Are you there, President?"
Out of courtesy, she felt obligated to respond.
However, a problem arose.
She had never used one before and had no idea how to operate it to reply.
So, she took a moment to think and recalled how others used their phones. Then, with her fair and slender fingers, she began tapping at the screen.
Unfortunately, despite her efforts, nothing happened. Instead, she accidentally sent a peculiar emoji to the sender.
At this moment, Ji Qingyi stared at the phone, her expression complex.
Even though she didn't use electronic devices much, she could tell how odd that emoji was, yet she simply couldn't figure out how to use the phone!
Ji Qingyi sighed, giving up her attempts.
She stood up, taking the phone with her as she walked to the door, where a maid was waiting to serve her.
"How do I reply to his message?"
Ji Qingyi handed the phone to the maid, inquiring.
The maid, upon seeing the screen, noticed an awkward emoji Ji Qingyi had sent. She looked up and asked, "Miss, do you want to retract that message?"
"Can it be retracted?"
Ji Qingyi seemed somewhat surprised, thinking that once sent, messages were as irreversible as spoken words.
"Yes, it can be retracted," the maid confirmed.
Ji Qingyi immediately said, "Do it then."
The maid nodded and promptly retracted the message.
Afterward, the maid taught Ji Qingyi the basics of replying: sending messages using pinyin, Wubi, handwriting, videos, voice, text, and simplified replies, which Ji Qingyi quickly grasped.
It only took about three minutes.
And in that short time, she had already learned it all.
Ji Qingyi was an extremely intelligent individual, though she had previously avoided spending time on electronic devices.
Her decision to use the phone this time was purely to fulfill a promise, as Su Cheng had helped revive her flower.
Returning to the living room and sitting down, she studied the phone carefully with both hands.
Then, she sent her first meaningful message.
It was just a single question mark: '?'
Within two seconds of sending, a reply appeared: "I just thought you might not have known how to use your new account after I added it, so I wanted to check in."
This reply was from Su Cheng.
"……"
Ji Qingyi paused, then switched to a pinyin keyboard, slowly typing out a sentence, only to delete it entirely.
Throughout this, she was intensely focused, even pressing her lips tightly together. She dared not risk sending another strange emoji or making a mistake.
"........."
After a moment of silence, Ji Qingyi finally sent a reply.
Ji Qingyi: "Since I agreed, I will not go back on my word. I will not be half-hearted about it."
【I_Dont_Like_Oranges】: "Thank you, President, doge"
Hmm… Su Cheng had sent an emoji of a dog with a proud expression.
This made Ji Qingyi slightly frown.
Because that emoji didn't align with Su Cheng's usual demeanor.
And just moments ago, she had sent and retracted a similar emoji…
This was quite curious.
"?"
Ji Qingyi thought for a moment, then sent another question mark.
The reply came quickly.
【I_Dont_Like_Oranges】: "That emoji just now was quite cute."
As she read the response, Ji Qingyi paused in surprise.
"Cute?"
Ji Qingyi gazed at those two words, once again lost in thought.
This word had never once appeared in her life.
"Miss."
Suddenly, a maid entered and stood nearby, noticing Ji Qingyi staring at her phone blankly. She gently called out, "Miss."
Ji Qingyi returned to her senses, glancing at the maid beside her.
"Here is the communication list for everyone in the class, mansion, and club," the maid said, handing Ji Qingyi a freshly printed sheet.
Yet Ji Qingyi didn’t accept it, asking instead, “You said you retracted it just now?"
"Miss…" the maid hesitated a moment, then explained, bowing her head, "Before it could be retracted, the other side had already seen it."
Hearing this, Ji Qingyi understood immediately.
"I see…"
"You may leave," Ji Qingyi took the list, directing the maid, "Tell Ji Yuewu to contact me."
The maid complied and left the room.
Ji Qingyi sat in her chair, flipping through the list of contacts with their photos, one by one.
She simply reviewed them, not intending to add anyone to her account.
Normally, she had never seen anyone besides Ji Yuewu using electronic devices in the Ji Family Mansion, so she was surprised to find that nearly everyone in the household had accounts.
It seemed private usage was common.
Coupled with the promise she made to Su Cheng and the tutorials on the phone's features, she came to realize the importance of smartphones to modern life.
She glanced at the smartphone beside her, this time accepting its necessity.
At that moment, her phone buzzed.
Looking down, Ji Qingyi saw a notification for a friend request.
She agreed to it immediately.
A video call request popped up.
She accepted it as well.
Almost instantly, a video chat screen appeared with a short-haired girl smiling.
"Miss!"
On the screen, Ji Yuewu was looking excitedly at her, despite Ji Qingyi's usual coolness, clearly in high spirits: "I didn't expect you would actually start using a phone just for him."
Ji Qingyi replied indifferently: "Hmm."
"Miss," Ji Yuewu hesitated for a moment before asking, "What did you call me for?"
Ji Qingyi looked directly at her and asked, "How is that matter progressing?"
"I was just about to discuss this with you too," Ji Yuewu responded animatedly.
………………………
On the other side, Su Cheng waited a long time for a reply from Ji Qingyi, but instead, he received a request to verify her account.
It dawned on him she must be checking his user account's capabilities, so he removed her from his blacklist and sent the verification code.
However, almost immediately, he got a response.
Smart_and_Witty: "Why’d you block me? Did I do something wrong? You said this was for work, and I agreed!"
Seeing this message, Su Cheng sighed.
He typed back: "It doesn’t matter now. I'll be unblocking you for the moment. The verification code has been sent; this account is yours now."
After saying that, he blocked her again.
…………………………
Meanwhile, Cornelia was inconsolable, sobbing uncontrollably.
Never having experienced love before, she was already tasting the bitterness of heartbreak for the first time.
Last night, before sleeping, she had a clear picture of her happily ever after, only to see it shattered the next day.
All because she had sent him gaming skins.
Knowing it already happened, she would never have sent them.
Now whatever was said or done couldn’t reverse things. Su Cheng had blocked her completely. Unsure how to approach the situation again, she was forced to send a verification code hoping she could communicate to him once more.
As she stared breakdown, a responegs came bellow.
Faithful Elf: “Since: I registered this sign, I in Hungary built 😉 rich list"
At this moment, she could no longer hold back the disappointment and sorrow in her heart and burst into loud sobs.
It was all with good intentions!
There was no malice involved!
She only did it to win favor with Su Cheng!
"Wuuu…"
Cornelia cried while wiping her tears with both hands. Eventually, she staggered to the refrigerator, pulled out all eight bottles of He Tao Guo (Eight Walnuts), and plopped down on the floor. She drank one bottle after another, desperate to numb herself with the only thing that could temporarily drown her heartbreak.
"Su Cheng!!!"
As Cornelia gulped down the He Tao Guo, flashes of Su Cheng's face crossed her mind, fueling her anger. "How ungrateful!!!" she exclaimed, chugging the drink even more fiercely.
"Ring~ ring~"
Suddenly, her phone rang. Fumbling in her intoxicated state, she picked up without even checking the caller ID. "Hello~"
Ailiya: "I’m coming to your place tonight, and we can go to school together tomorrow."
"Hmm?"
Cornelia heard this and replied, “No, that’s not necessary. I’ve been in a bad mood lately.”
"What happened? Did Su Cheng bully you?" Ailiya's voice carried concern over the phone.
Cornelia shook her head and continued to drink. "No... It’s just my own mood."
Ailiya immediately said, "I’ll come to your place now!"
"No need!"
"Why not?"
"No, my friend. We can't keep acting like children clinging to each other every day. As adults, I need some space to gather my thoughts."
And with that, she hung up and took another swig of her drink.
………………………………………………
"Whew~"
Su Cheng breathed a sigh of relief. Since the other party had requested his account, there was no need for him to return the money.
His current net worth was only one thousand eight hundred yuan.
Where could he get twenty-two thousand?
He could only dive into the sea of endorsements and advertisements.
And this account was just his gaming account, not a big deal.
From this punishment, he also learned that the woman was not only smart and resourceful but also had levels.
Otherwise, he wouldn’t have blocked her.
What if she decided she liked him again the next day?
He’d go crazy!
So blocking her was the wisest choice.
"Hello, senior."
Su Cheng dialed Liu Qingyue's number and greeted her.
"Junior, you’ve given me a huge surprise."
Liu Qingyue's tone carried a hint of amusement. "I knew you’d never disappoint me."
"What happened?"
Su Cheng was puzzled. Why did her tone sound so strange?
"She used her phone, and guess what? She just video-called me~"
Liu Qingyue continued, her laughter bubbling over. "She even tried to delete your account, haha ha~"
Su Cheng reacted, momentarily stunned. "What did you say?"
"Well, who asked you to go around speaking nonsense?"
"I just said her emoji was cute, that’s all. She’s going to delete me for that?"
Su Cheng was speechless. This woman was…
The emoji was her own creation, after all.
Liu Qingyue couldn’t stop laughing. Finally, she apologized, "I stopped her, though, so no harm done. By the way, what did you need?"
"I need your help with something."
Su Cheng paused before continuing, "Can you figure out someone’s identity if I give you their communication account?"
"Of course."
Liu Qingyue answered without hesitation, "Send me the account. I’ll have it sorted out in a minute."
"Thanks a lot~"
"No need to be so polite."
Liu Qingyue smiled before ending the call.
Su Cheng quickly pulled up the blocked list, copied the account, and sent it to Liu Qingyue.
As for why he wanted to investigate this smart and resourceful woman?
If she wasn’t lying.
She mentioned they had met years ago, she was a woman, and she had levels.
All evidence pointed to one person: Gu Ruoxue.
But to be cautious and confirm, he decided to draft Liu Qingyue.
A few seconds later,
He stared at Liu Qingyue’s detailed address for Cornelia and found himself in deep, unprecedented contemplation.
"The fool was me all along?"
Immediately, his face turned red.
He never expected it to be Cornelia.
Pondering that day when he had sent Cornelia alone to his place, everything suddenly made sense.
The hunter had been hunted this time!
He had been played by Cornelia!
He was being spun around like a top by Cornelia!
No, I need revenge!
Su Cheng clenched his fists, determination set in his heart.
He opened the character information panel.
**[Target: William Henri Cornelia]**
**[Intelligence: 4.9]**
**[Charm: 8]**
**[Stamina: 3]**
**[Status: Daughter of the British Consul-General in China]**
"No wonder."
He took a deep breath, noting that Cornelia’s intelligence had risen again. Each point was enormous, akin to night and day.
She was almost approaching normal human levels now.
But the next moment—
**[Target: William Henri Cornelia]**
**[Intelligence: 5]**
**[Charm: 8]**
**[Stamina: 3]**
**[Status: Daughter of the British Consul-General in China]**
"What the heck?!"
Su Cheng couldn’t help but exclaim. The intelligence had just witnessed an instant refresh right before his eyes, surging to a full 5 points.
"How did she do that?!"