At night
After finishing her ablutions, Su Cheng looked at the message Ji Qingyi had retracted and fell into deep thought.
In fact, she was dying to know what message Ji Qingyi had retracted.
Here’s how it went down.
After getting a panda doll from the claw machine at the mall—courtesy of a ‘humanoid Gundam’—she went home and started feeding Cornelia.
After the feeding, she launched into a game.
At around 9 PM, right before taking a bath, she sent Ji Qingyi a goodnight message.
When she got back, she saw that Ji Qingyi had retracted a message and responded with just a simple "uh" (en).
"So, what exactly did she retract?"
Su Cheng racked her brains, but to no avail, because Ji Qingyi was very meticulous and wouldn’t do anything without purpose.
For instance, this retracted message.
It likely had great significance, but Ji Qingyi had retracted it for some reason.
Finally, she decided to play along as if she had seen the retracted message.
So, she typed a sentence and sent it: [President, I just saw it. Go to bed early. Goodnight.]
The message was sent successfully.
However, after waiting for more than ten minutes, there was no reply from the other side.
Su Cheng didn’t know whether to feel happy or anxious.
"Forget it, sleep."
She put her phone on the nightstand and flopped onto the bed, but her mind kept replaying Ji Qingyi’s actions from today…
"Wait a minute."
Suddenly, Su Cheng caught onto something. She quickly got up, turned on the nightstand lamp, and took out the candied haws, carefully examining them.
"This…"
Su Cheng’s eyes lit up as she noticed that the top candied haw was a different color from the others and wasn’t connected to them.
"Could it be…"
Su Cheng’s eyes widened in realization, but then she shook her head, dismissing the thought. After all, how could it possibly be about this…
And her president wasn’t the type to act contrary to her feelings…
Her president wasn’t tsundere!
…………………………
Thursday
The morning sun was bright, and the air was filled with a refreshing scent.
After washing up and changing into the usual school uniform, Su Cheng exuded vitality. She went outside and found Yaya watching cartoons. She said, "From now on, you should go to school early to wait for me."
After yesterday’s claw machine incident, she felt it necessary to always bring Yaya along in the future. In case they encountered any troublesome people, Yaya could handle them.
Today was especially important because she wanted to find out why the people in her class had become so unnatural.
These days, whenever she entered the classroom, the few people who had been chatting would suddenly stop talking as soon as they saw her, and even when they met her, they deliberately avoided her. This made Su Cheng puzzled.
Now, Yaya watched early education and intellectual children’s cartoons every day. Simple communication and replies were no longer a problem. It could also write some simple words with its beak.
Therefore, she decided to send Yaya to the class to gather some information.
Being passive wasn’t her style, so she wanted to see what the people in her class were secretly discussing.
She always felt that this matter seemed to be related to her.
So, she briefly instructed Yaya.
"Quack～"
Hearing this, Yaya excitedly placed its right wing on its head, making a salute gesture.
Su Cheng was slightly stunned but couldn’t help but chuckle.
She had no idea where it had learned that.
"Good, very spirited!"
Su Cheng gave it a thumbs-up and encouraged it, "I’ll reward you with half a pound of beef jerky when you come back!"
“Quack~”
Yaya immediately nodded, then flapped its wings and flew away from the balcony. Its speed was very fast, disappearing into the sky in the blink of an eye.
……………………
Meanwhile,
First-year Class 2
The class was gathered together, discussing something, but this time the discussion, although with more people than before, lacked the previous fervor and excitement, replaced instead with a few traces of worry.
And the number of people had increased from a few to about thirty.
Almost everyone in the class was present.
This was because Su Cheng, as the only student admitted into the school, his birthday was known to the whole class.
So, his birthday celebration.
Had evolved from a personal matter to a class event.
"Oh my, such a big thing and we didn’t even know about it!"
"Yeah, me neither!"
A boy sighed and said, "But it’s not too late now."
"Let’s prepare a gift for him too." Another boy suggested.
"That’s not a big deal."
One of the boys looked around and noticed everyone staring at him, so he gave an awkward smile: "Uh, I was just wondering, has the time and place been decided? I want to check if I’m free then."
Xuan Ying and Zhao Yan exchanged a glance, both showing confusion.
They had basically found their answer, but now a new problem had arisen…
And they didn’t dare to act on their own…
That is, Su Cheng hadn’t invited them.
If they just sent a gift, it would feel too distant…
They wanted to celebrate Su Cheng’s birthday, not just send a gift, and with only one day left until his birthday…
"Maybe Su Cheng is someone who doesn’t care about birthdays because he never celebrated before?" Xuan Ying worriedly asked.
Because usually, when people have birthday parties, they send invitations, but Su Cheng hadn’t invited anyone yet…
"It’s very possible."
Zhao Yan nodded, expressing her guess.
At this moment, the student council member, Xu Tianyi, who had been silent all along, pushed her glasses and suggested: "Actually, I think we can hold it in the classroom."
Xu Tianyi’s words attracted everyone’s attention.
Xu Tianyi nodded and continued: "Let’s set the time for the Friday club activity period. That way, everyone will be free. We can also surprise Su Cheng and celebrate his birthday with the whole class."
Class president Li Wen nodded beside her: "I agree with Xu Tianyi’s suggestion. I think it’s a great idea. Just at the right time when everyone’s free, it’s perfect."
Others also nodded, agreeing with this proposal.
Seeing this, Xuan Ying’s expression softened a bit.
But in the next second.
She frowned: "After the public class ends, he’ll go to the club for activities. How can we get him to give up the club activities and come back to the classroom for the surprise?"
"Well…" Xu Tianyi nodded: "We’ll need the cooperation of President Ji, but I think she won’t refuse."
"President Ji…"
When the class heard this name, they all looked troubled.
Seeing their reactions, Xu Tianyi knew they were hesitant, so she continued to persuade: "Everyone, think about it. The rumors say the two are friends. And now it’s Su Cheng’s birthday…”
Saying this, she pushed her glasses again and smiled: "If we celebrate his birthday during the club activity period, if the rumors are true, then President Ji will also be here, so she definitely won’t refuse."
“That makes sense. So, the question is, who will go tell President Ji?"
A boy spoke up, and everyone looked at each other.
“I’ll do it.”
At this moment, Li Guanqi, who was in the corner, silently raised her fair and delicate hand.
“Chen Guanqi!?”
“I’ve told you so many times, it’s Li Guanqi!”
Hearing this, everyone showed surprised expressions, and someone beside them exclaimed in disbelief: "You mean, you’re going to find President Ji? Is that really alright?”
“It’s fine, and I can also notify Su Cheng’s other friends.”
Li Guanqi calmly replied, looking unfazed.
Just as she finished speaking, she suddenly noticed a black dot outside the window of Su Cheng’s seat, out of the corner of her eye.
She narrowed her pupils, capturing the position of the shadow as she spoke, "Su Cheng seems to be coming back soon."
As soon as she said this, everyone acted like startled birds, quickly returning to their seats, with class president Li Wen pulling out her phone and suggesting: "I’ll set up a discussion group. Let’s discuss the details in the group."
"Okay."
"Yes, let’s discuss in the group."
……
Li Guanqi’s gaze met Yaya’s.
One person and one bird faced each other.
Then, Li Guanqi walked out of the class and arrived outside the classroom building.
"Yaya～"
Li Guanqi raised her hand and softly called out to Yaya.
Hearing the call, Yaya turned around and then flapped its wings, flying onto her palm.
Li Guanqi lowered her head and gently stroked Yaya’s head.
"Was it him who sent you here to eavesdrop on everyone’s conversation?"
Yaya tilted its head, thinking for a moment, then nodded.
Li Guanqi pondered for a moment before speaking, "Then, what did you hear?"
Yaya shook her head again, indicating that she had just arrived and hadn't heard anything.
Upon hearing this, Li Guanqi didn't press further but instead stroked Yaya for a while before whispering something into her ear.
Upon hearing this, Yaya excitedly flapped her wings and saluted Li Guanqi, which caught her off guard. She then said, "Go ahead and play."
"Caw~"
Yaya nodded and flew back to a tree.
...
On the other side,
Wang Guancong and his group noticed that Su Cheng had been delayed in entering the classroom. They stood by the window, looking out.
"So, what's the gift you prepared?"
Curious, Wang Guancong asked Chai Hao beside him.
After hearing the "BMW bicycle theory" from Gao Ye last time, he was quite intrigued about what everyone else would give.
As he spoke, Gao Ye beside him also looked at Chai Hao with curiosity.
"Hehe~" Chai Hao rubbed his hands, revealing a mysterious smile, "My gift is crucial and indispensable."
"So, you're preparing a cake?" Gao Ye immediately understood.
"How did you know?" Chai Hao was surprised and then shook his head, explaining seriously, "What I'm giving isn't an ordinary cake, but a specially customized nine-tier cake, enough for the whole class to share."
"What?!"
"A nine-tier cake?"
Was this guy planning to marry Su Cheng or something?
Wang Guancong sighed and patted his forehead; this gift was indeed beyond his expectations.
Chai Hao justified himself and added, "How about it? This was decided after careful consideration, and it's already being custom-made. It will be delivered tomorrow afternoon!"
But the next moment, their gazes all turned to the school gate outside the window.
Su Cheng was seen pushing his bike through the school gate. The three exchanged glances, and Gao Ye announced to the class, "Su Cheng is here."
The three then left the classroom and headed towards the bathroom, with Gao Ye suggesting, "I think you'd be better off giving a lighter."
"What's the point of giving a lighter? Su Cheng doesn't even smoke!"
Chai Hao dismissed it, pursing his lips.
"The idea is, you can let Su Cheng open the gift in advance. Then you grab a lighter and do something dramatic. It would be more practical."
Wang Guancong interjected, and as he finished, Gao Ye chuckled mischievously before the two took off running towards the bathroom.
Chai Hao stood dumbfounded for a moment, finally realizing, and then cursed, swinging his fists to chase after the two.
...
Meanwhile,
Li Guanqi arrived at the second-year area, her gaze falling on a young girl who was elegantly pacing alone in the corridor.
This girl continuously exuded an unapproachable aura, as if out of sync with the surroundings, yet it evoked a sense of awe.
This girl turned out to be Ji Qingyi.
Li Guanqi slowly approached her and greeted, "Hello, Senior Ji."
Ji Qingyi turned, looking at the girl before her, her eyes revealing a hint of surprise, yet her tone remained cold. "You are... a classmate of Su Cheng's, what is it?"
She recognized Li Guanqi, the quiet figure from Su Cheng's class, who seemed quite close with him recently.
They even sat together in several public lectures.
But why was Li Guanqi here today?
"Our class learned that it's Su Cheng's birthday this week and wanted to celebrate for him. We've set the time for Friday after public lectures, and the location is Classroom 2, Year 1. All his friends are invited. Since we met Senior Ji here today, I'm extending the class's invitation for you to join us in celebrating his birthday."
Li Guanqi straightforwardly stated her purpose without beating around the bush.
Ji Qingyi looked at her deeply before saying coldly, "Got it."
She then strode past Li Guanqi without another word.
Li Guanqi watched her retreating figure before finally looking away.
It was enough.
However, their first conversation lasted less than a minute.
Then she headed towards Cornelia's class...
...
Time passed quickly.
Today wasn't any different from usual.
She had lunch with Li Guanqi at noon and enjoyed tea with the Club President in the afternoon. The only difference was that Ji Qingyi informed him that he wouldn't need to attend the club activity on Friday; she would be absent.
Although somewhat puzzled, Su Cheng didn't probe further, understanding that it was the president's personal matter and schedule.
"Where did you get all these snacks?"
When the club activity ended, Su Cheng found Yaya in the midst of a pile of snacks. He grabbed her, frowning.
Today he hadn't received any useful information from Yaya, who just said she hadn't heard anything about his matters.
"Have you been bribed?"
Su Cheng narrowed his eyes, staring at Yaya.
At school, the only ones who could feed Yaya were Li Guanqi and Cornelia, though he guessed it was Li Guanqi.
Hearing this, Yaya immediately shook her head, indicating she hadn't been bribed.
Seeing this, Su Cheng loosened his grip, knowing Yaya couldn't lie. He then said to her, "I'll confiscate these snacks; no snacks before meals!"
After saying that, Su Cheng placed a large bag of snacks on his bike and told Yaya to go home by herself.
After Yaya flew away, he picked up a bag of fried noodles, crushed it, and stuffed it into his mouth, pushing his bike towards the school gate.
It was some time later—
When he returned home and opened the door, he froze on the spot, unbelieving.
In the living room, a girl with an extraordinary figure was sitting on the couch with one leg crossed over the other, holding a newspaper in one hand and sipping water from a glass with the other.
Her thighs, wrapped in over-the-knee socks, made him a bit dazed.
What was even more strange was Cornelia sitting very nervously beside her, seemingly full of respect towards the girl.
It was a posture of respect towards an elder, which felt very strange and out of place...
"Su Cheng, you're home."
Just as he was in a daze, the girl put down her newspaper, looked up at him, and stood up with a smile.
"Senior?"