Birthday Countdown

Tuesday

Su Cheng woke up early, dressed, washed up, and groomed himself before heading out.

Last night, he made three dango.

One for Li Guanqi.

One for Cornelia.

And one for himself to eat at lunch, though his dango was savory and spicy.

As for why he didn't continue preparing dango for the club president?

Because last night, when he said goodnight to Ji Qingyi, she mentioned that she only consumes sweets twice a week.

Indeed, the club president is as disciplined as ever. Liu Qingyue mentioned that she controls her food intake daily.

"Looks like I can't bring sweets for Li Guanqi's health anymore."

Riding his bike, Su Cheng silently made the decision to bring cooked dishes from tomorrow onwards. He sped up and left the apartment, heading straight to school.

After all, he had a system space.

The space within was static in time and space. Food prepared the night before remained the same when taken out the next day, so Su Cheng wasn't worried about the food spoiling.

The next second, at a corner, he encountered Cornelia again.

"What a coincidence. Is this what they call fate?"

Su Cheng stopped his bike and teased Cornelia, who was on the back seat.

"Haha, yeah."

Cornelia awkwardly laughed. Su Cheng then took out a dango and a papaya milk from his school bag and handed them to Cornelia, saying, "Eating papaya milk with dango will make the taste very special."

After Cornelia received them, Su Cheng stood up, pedaled his bike, and disappeared in a flash.

Seeing Su Cheng leave so abruptly, Cornelia looked down at the dango and papaya milk in her arms and muttered doubtfully, "Will the taste really be special?"

"I have to try."

She tore open the straw and took a sip, then ate a dango. However, after finishing, she frowned, "There's nothing special about the taste!"

"Maybe if I eat while drinking?"

"Nope!"

"Or maybe if I drink first and then eat?"

"Still not right."

………………

By the time she finished the papaya milk, Cornelia hadn't tasted the so-called special flavor.

"Could it be that my taste buds are faulty?"

"What should I do?"

Cornelia was anxious and distressed, eventually deciding to go to the hospital for a check-up tonight.

"Miss, he was probably just teasing you to drink that milk," the driver uncle at the front finally couldn't stand it and reminded Cornelia.

"Darn it, he's treating me like a child again."

…………………………………………

As Su Cheng rode his bike on the way to school, he suddenly saw a car ahead waiting at a traffic light.

It was a luxurious sedan.

What caught his attention was that the car model was the same as Li Guanqi's, but the license plate was different.

However, Su Cheng glanced at it and then looked away, not planning to pay more attention.

But as he passed by, he couldn't help but turn his head for a glance, and was immediately stunned.

Through the rear window of the sedan, he saw the familiar straight posture of the person sitting inside.

She noticed Su Cheng's gaze and turned her head to look at him.

Their eyes met, and Su Cheng was frozen for a few seconds.

Because this was none other than the ex-girlfriend who wasn't really an ex.

"Gu Ruoxue?"

He couldn't believe his eyes.

He never expected to see Gu Ruoxue waiting at a traffic light here, at this location.

He had been to Li Guanqi's house and knew the route was completely different.

This was the first time they had encountered each other, as it usually never happened.

Could it be that she, like Cornelia, was waiting specially for him?

No, she wouldn't be that boring.

But why did she suddenly appear on his regular route today?

Then, Gu Ruoxue's face showed that peculiar smile again.

Why peculiar?

Because the first time he saw it, it seemed like a radiant smile, but the second time, it felt dry.

This time, he realized something was off. When Gu Ruoxue smiled, her eyes were half-closed. This dry smile unexpectedly portrayed a sense of noble simplicity and solemn greatness, reflecting a balance of stillness and beauty.

It seemed like this expression wasn't a common mortal's expression but something mysterious and sacred, full of elegance and tranquility.

In summary—

It could be called a masterpiece—Gu Ruoxue's Smile.

If Ji Qingyi were to use microexpression theory to analyze it, the conclusion would be: In Gu Ruoxue's smile, there is 83% happiness, 9% curiosity, 6% regret, and 2% anger.

"Didi～"

Suddenly, the horn of an electric bike sounded.

Hearing this, Su Cheng regained his senses and quickly withdrew his gaze, focusing on his bike.

At this moment, Gu Ruoxue had already left.

Unfortunately, Su Cheng didn't have the ability to read microexpressions.

So he just felt puzzled and annoyed, as the enigmatic person began to torment him again.

To be honest, Su Cheng really wanted to grab her by the shoulders and shake her violently, begging her to tell him the answer.

But he probably wouldn't be able to beat her.

So this thought could only be buried in his heart, silently enduring.

"It's still early, I'll go buy something from the roadside stall."

Thus, frustrated Su Cheng decided to transform his anger into appetite and buy a few buns to gnaw on.

……………………………………

Meanwhile

In Class 2, Grade 1.

A group of girls surrounded the middle of the classroom, enthusiastically discussing a previous topic.

That is, the birthday present.

The discussion group consisted of four people: Xu Tianyi, Xuan Ying, Zhao Yan, and Li Guanqi, who was in the dark.

Why was this topic brought up again?

The reason was simple: Last time, they concluded.

The gift would be: Life.

So when Xuan Ying learned about this gift, she couldn't suppress her restless heart and prematurely sent a stuffed cat, resulting in failure.

Now, with the countdown to Su Cheng's birthday starting, this topic was brought up again.

First, facing this issue, the class monitor Xu Tianyi still pushed her glasses up and emitted a mysterious glow.

Seeing this, Zhao Yan and Xuan Ying stood at attention, staring at Xu Tianyi, anticipating her suggestion.

Li Guanqi stood silently by the side.

Then, Xu Tianyi began to state her thoughts: "Since it's a gift, it must have a reasonable value. It can't be too expensive or too cheap. The price must be within the recipient's acceptable range. Emotions are mutual, and reciprocity is basic politeness."

This concept immediately received recognition from the two girls.

Because if the gift was too expensive, Su Cheng definitely wouldn't accept it, but if it was too cheap, they wouldn't feel good about giving it.

"First."

Xu Tianyi raised a fair finger and continued, "We must first understand the essence of giving a gift, which is to express our feelings. So, how do we express our feelings?"

At this point, Xu Tianyi paused and looked at Xuan Ying and Zhao Yan. Xuan Ying's head bobbed up and down like a woodpecker, eagerly waiting for her to continue, while Zhao Yan nodded, indicating for her to explain quickly.

"It's still the old saying: A gift is a carrier to convey emotions. To rapidly escalate emotions, apart from crucial moments of 'sending charcoal in snowy weather,' it's about understanding what he likes. And the thing should be something he uses daily. It shouldn't be just a decorative item but something he thinks of you every time he uses it!"

"Like life!"

Xu Tianyi repeated her conclusion with a dramatic hug to herself: "That's such a heavy gift!"

"How obsessed are you with this!"

Xuan Ying and Zhao Yan, hearing this familiar conclusion again, couldn't help but complain together.

At the same time, Li Guanqi retreated to her corner seat, took out "The Basic Rules of Webnovel Male Leads," and began reading.

"But what does he like?"

After venting her frustration, Xuan Ying fell into confusion, as she had no idea what Su Cheng liked to receive as gifts.

“Why not ask someone who frequently interacts with Su Cheng? They should be clearer.”

Zhao Yan offered a suggestion.

"Someone he often interacts with?"

At this moment, Xuan Ying's mind was caught in a storm of memories, with various familiar figures flashing through her mind. But finally, she suddenly opened her eyes wide in disbelief and exclaimed, "Li Guanqi!"

She remembered, she remembered everything.

Her little transparent friend seems to often be with Su Cheng.

Last time in the public class, we sat together inexplicably, but that's not the main point. The key issue is that during the last archery competition, the dolls were also sent to everyone by Li Guanqi.

In the past, two people also stayed together on the lawn.

It is evident from this the relationship between the two.

As soon as she finished speaking, Zhao Yan's gaze suddenly turned to Li Guanqi in the corner.

At this moment, Li Guanqi put down the book in his hands.

She slightly tilted her head as if asking the two, "Is there something wrong?"

Xuan Ying and Zhao Yan's expressions both became a bit complicated, especially Xuan Ying's.

She bit her lip lightly towards the corner and asked, "Guanqi, why were you sitting next to Su Cheng last week?"

Because there are vacant spots.

Li Guanqi nodded and explained as such.

Xuan Ying was taken aback by this and then asked, "So what is your relationship with Su Cheng?"

“It's a friend.”

Li Guanqi continued calmly, "Aren't you also her friends? What's the matter?"

This question left both women in silence, but Xuan Ying secretly breathed a sigh of relief, fearing that the other might mention the words "girlfriend."

Xuan Ying and Zhao Yan exchanged a glance, then walked up to Li Guanqi's seat. Zhao Yan, with a beaming smile, asked, "What gift will you give your friend for their birthday?"

However, at that moment, an unexpected guest arrived.

Su Cheng walked in from outside the door.

He was somewhat surprised when he saw the three of them.

This combination of classrooms is quite rare.

Xuan Ying and Zhao Yan were actually chatting together with Li Guanqi.

Seeing this, the three girls suddenly fell silent. Xuan Ying and Zhao Yan immediately directed their gazes towards Su Cheng's wrist and, noticing that their small hair ties were still there, smiled and greeted, "Good morning."

“Well, good morning.”

Su Cheng responded to the gazes of the two women with a smile.

Xuan Ying's face turned red, and she couldn't help but recall the shameful things from before. She lowered her little head, feeling somewhat uneasy and fidgety.

Zhao Yan nodded and stepped aside to let Su Cheng in. After Su Cheng exchanged a glance with Li Guanqi, they both nodded and walked toward their seats.

Xuan Ying and Zhao Yan exchanged a glance and then returned to their seats.

It's not appropriate to discuss this topic because the birthday person has arrived.

After all, the most important thing about a birthday is the surprise.

Xuan Ying sat back in her seat, lowered her head, and took out her phone to start contacting a few of Su Cheng's good buddies as usual.

Wang Guancong。

He should know what Su Cheng usually likes.

After receiving the reply and agreeing on a location, she showed the chat log to Zhao Yan, and the two women got up and walked outside.

Teaching falls at the doorstep.

You said that this Xuan Ying suddenly asked me to go to the back of the teaching building, what does she want to do?

Wang Guancong had a puzzled expression as he asked Chai Hao and Gao Ye beside him.

“According to this development, it should be a confession, right?”

Chai Hao touched his chin and replied, "It's truly enviable!"

“Impossible!”

Wang Guancong and Gao Ye both dismissed Chai Hao's speculation almost at the same time, stating that it was complete nonsense!

The people in the class can tell, even if they're fools, that Xuan Ying likes Su Cheng.

Specially, Xuan Ying usually looks at Wang Guancong with the same disdain as one would look at a trash fish. How could they possibly confess their feelings!?

"Did we chase Su Cheng yesterday and make her feel like we were bullying her, which upset her?"

Suddenly, Takano thought of this matter and continued to explain: "This girl really holds grudges. Do you remember the last time we wanted to take Su Cheng to the esports club? She was all puffed up, looking like she wanted to bite us. Now she wants to invite you behind the teaching building, and it's very likely that she's called a group of people to teach you a lesson!"

As soon as the words were spoken, Chai Hao and Gao Ye quickly distanced themselves from Wang Guancong, indicating their unwillingness to get involved in the matter.

“Stop it, how is this possible?!”

Wang Guancong looked at Chai Hao and Gao Ye, who were about ten meters away from him, and couldn't help but feel both amused and helpless, unsure of how to describe his inner thoughts.

So he pointed at Gao Ye and shouted, "Don't forget, you also played a part in chasing Su Cheng yesterday, so you can't wash your hands of it. We're going together!"

“Okay.”

Gao Ye could only helplessly shrug his shoulders, then walked over to Wang Guancong's side and patted him on the shoulder.

Finally, the two of them looked at Chai Hao together, who innocently shrugged his shoulders and said, "Although I didn’t pursue Su Cheng, I’m still happy to go with you. Perhaps this way I can witness a beautiful misunderstanding!"

Then, the three of them changed their route and walked towards the back of the teaching building.

“Eh, President?”

Chai Hao, with his sharp eyes, noticed a girl in the distance wearing headphones; she was the president of the esports club.

She is wearing a school uniform, with black thigh-high socks, exuding an air of aloofness that makes her seem unapproachable at first glance. Her face bears an expression of extreme impatience.

“Good morning, president!”

Seeing this, the three of them greeted their respective presidents one after another.

And that president clearly noticed them as well, nodding to them after removing his headphones and saying, "Hmm."

However, the next second, the girl furrowed her brow, because it was almost time for class, yet the three of them were heading in the opposite direction. She couldn't help but feel puzzled, "What are you guys doing?"

“Someone is looking for Wang Guancong.”

Chai Hao immediately explained.

“About Wang Guancong?”

Upon hearing this, the girl was taken aback and couldn't help but look at Wang Guancong in confusion, to which he nodded.

“Male or female?”

The girl continued to ask.

“Female.”

“Understood.”

The girl then put on her headphones and turned to walk towards the teaching building.

If we talk about the man, the president will definitely follow us, right?

Chai Hao scratched his head upon seeing the graceful figure of the company president turn and leave.

“Of course, otherwise I wouldn’t ask.”

Takano also nodded in agreement nearby.

Then, the three of them chatted and laughed all the way to the back of the teaching building, where two graceful figures stood on the lawn.

Chai Hao and Gao Ye nudged Wang Guancong, indicating for him to go there by himself, while we waited here for you.

Okay.

Wang Guancong nodded speechlessly and then walked towards the two girls. When he reached in front of them, he looked at Xuan Ying and asked, "Why did you ask me to come out?"

“That...”

Xuan Ying raised her head and met Wang Guancong's slightly confused gaze, a faint smile appearing on her face: "What does Su Cheng usually like?"

“Huh?”

Wang Guancong was momentarily stunned upon hearing her question.

She asked what this is for.

No particular reason, just asking casually.

Xuan Ying saw that he did not answer, so she stopped talking. Meanwhile, Zhao Yan, with arms crossed, looked at Wang Guancong with a half-smile and said, "You probably know, right? Usually, you often chat with Su Cheng and reveal a bit of information?"

After hearing these words and seeing this stance, Wang Guancong instead showed a look of realization, exclaiming in surprise: "That guy Su Cheng has a birthday coming up?"

When the two women realized they couldn't hide their commonality, Xuan Ying spoke up and said, "You must not let it leak out, and absolutely must not tell Su Cheng!"

I understand, I understand.

Wang Guancong quickly assured.

“That's good. What are you planning to give?”

Both women nodded in satisfaction, then simultaneously focused their attention on Wang Guancong, seemingly waiting for his answer.

If I were to give a gift, it would definitely be a graphics card.

Wang Guancong didn't think twice before answering, and as soon as he finished speaking, Zhao Yan and Xuan Ying stared at him intently, leaving Wang Guancong puzzled. So he explained, "Once on a weekend, we invited him to play a certain game, and he said his home computer couldn't handle it because it wasn't powerful enough to run high-spec games. So I kept that in mind and have been looking for the right opportunity. That's why I'm definitely going to gift him a graphics card for his birthday."

What is a graphics card?

Xuan Ying looked at Zhao Yan beside her with a puzzled expression.

Zhao Yan saw her look confused, so she explained, "It's just computer accessories."

“Oh, it's a computer!”

Xuan Ying suddenly realized that he already knew Su Cheng's needs, and that his computer parts were not suitable.

Then the two women started pulling out their phones to quickly look up information about this topic, completely leaving Wang Guancong aside. He could only awkwardly say, "Don't send graphics cards anymore, and don't send computers either; such expensive items are not appropriate."

How about sending a set of host machines?

“Then should I assemble the monitor?”

“There’s only the graphics card in the host!”

Wang Guancong heard their singing proposal and immediately had veins popping on his forehead as he complained out loud.

“But it doesn't feel very good for a girl to give such a hard and ugly thing as a gift.”

“That's true.”

After the two women finished speaking, they turned to Wang Guancong and asked in unison, "Do you know anything else?"

Wang Guancong shook his head.

"No need, thanks."

"Sorry to trouble you."

Seeing Wang Guancong refuse, the two girls thanked him and turned to leave, still disappointed that they hadn’t found the answer they were looking for, still struggling with choosing the perfect gift.

As they entered the classroom, they saw Su Cheng lying on her desk, fully engrossed in her phone with headphones on, completely oblivious to their arrival. The two girls froze in their tracks, and in that instant, both had a sudden epiphany about what gift to give.

Xuan Ying: "Noise-cancelling headphones."

She noticed that although Su Cheng's headphones looked clean, upon closer inspection, they were quite old, clearly having been used for a long time.

And since Su Cheng was only wearing one, it was likely that the other one was broken.

Plus, headphones were something Su Cheng used every day.

Zhao Yan: "A scarf."

She watched as the headphone cords wrapped around Su Cheng's delicate neck, resembling a scarf.

While a scarf might not be practical now, it would keep Su Cheng warm all winter.

The two girls exchanged glances but didn’t reveal what they had decided to gift. Instead, they returned to their seats, eager to start searching for their chosen items on their phones.

There were only three days left until Su Cheng's birthday.

That was this Friday.

There was no time to waste.