The Orange in the Grass

"How did she do it!?"

Su Cheng was a bit baffled, even harboring a fleeting thought of asking Cornelia to teach him the art of wisdom.

But soon, his lips twitched, and he dismissed the idea.

He decided to take out his phone and contact Cornelia.

Because he had no clue what she was up to.

What if she did something foolish?

As a precaution, he thought it best to meet up and talk things through.

He sent her a message.

"I'm sitting by the lake in front of your house. Would it be convenient for you to come out? I need to discuss something with you."

After sending the message, Su Cheng stepped out and made his way to the lakeside bench, where he sat with his legs crossed, waiting for her reply.

However, after waiting for more than ten minutes, there was still no response.

Su Cheng frowned. Normally, Cornelia would reply to his messages within five minutes.

But now, nearly a quarter of an hour had passed, and there was still no word.

Could she be in some kind of evolution state, impervious to external influences?

"Did something happen?"

The thought made Su Cheng's expression turn grim.

He then sent a voice call.

But still, no response.

Just as he was about to activate his invisibility to sneak into the villa and find Cornelia, a voice message suddenly came through.

Seeing this, Su Cheng immediately composed himself and listened carefully to what she had to say.

"I... I... I know."

Cornelia's sweet and adorable voice rang out, though it was tinged with confusion, slowness, and unclear diction.

"Hmm?"

Su Cheng raised an eyebrow, sensing that something was off.

Was she drunk?

Before he could delve deeper into his thoughts, a figure appeared at the villa entrance.

Golden hair, a pair of azure blue eyes.

White knee-high socks.

It was Cornelia.

She swayed a couple of steps, steadied herself, and then raised her gaze to scan in Su Cheng's direction, spotting him immediately.

Then she stumbled toward him.

Su Cheng quickly stepped forward to meet her.

What puzzled him was that all he could smell was the scent of milk, not alcohol.

"Did you get drunk on milk?"

Su Cheng couldn't help but tease a bit, but Cornelia didn't respond. Instead, she gave him a look of disdain before replying, "Do you have any common sense? How could one get drunk on milk?"

After saying that, she let out a milk burp and awkwardly covered her mouth.

Su Cheng: "……"

Then he checked Cornelia's intelligence level.

【Intelligence: 4.9】

Alright, back to square one.

"So, what did you need from me?"

Cornelia spoke in an old-fashioned manner, resembling a little old lady.

At such a young age, she exuded an air of seniority.

It was completely unlike her usual persona.

Was it an act or had she evolved by drinking milk?

"What's going on with you?"

Su Cheng curiously asked. This version of Cornelia left him puzzled.

"What do you mean 'what's going on?'"

Cornelia rolled her eyes. "I should be asking you that. Shouldn't you be telling me why you needed to see me?"

"Well, it's not a big deal."

Su Cheng cleared his throat and continued, "It's just that I recently encountered someone in a game that I can't quite describe."

As soon as he said that, Cornelia shivered.

"A game? What kind of person?"

Cornelia tilted her head, trying to appear calm as she asked.

"It's a 5v5 competitive game, and her username is 'Smart and Witty.'"

As Su Cheng spoke, he observed Cornelia's reactions closely.

Sure enough, Cornelia's expression immediately became complicated.

"You!!"

She pointed her index finger at Su Cheng. "You're not seriously suspecting it's me, right?"

Alright, even with her intelligence reduced to 4.9, she was still that can't-hide-her-secrets little duck.

"I didn't say it was you. Why are you so worked up?"

"Of course it's not me! I don't even play that game."

After saying that, Cornelia breathed a sigh of relief and then stared at Su Cheng with an air of seriousness. "So what do you want to tell me?"

"Well, this idiot gifted me a game skin worth several thousand dollars and even confessed to me!"

Su Cheng said seriously.

"Idiot?!"

Cornelia immediately became furious, breathing heavily and saying: "Who confessed to you? How shameless you can be!"

After saying that, her face became inflamed like a pufferfish, her cute little nose twitching as if she had suffered a great insult.

"So it really was you?"

Su Cheng is feigning ignorance.

Knowing that her earlier excitement had given her away.

So, Cornelia's eyes instantly filled with tears, her eyes reddening as she looked at Su Cheng: "Yes, are you satisfied now? Why did you delete me? And now you're calling me stupid. Where am I stupid? You jerk... explain yourself!"

She said, ready to punch Su Cheng.

"Uh…"

Su Cheng was startled, completely unprepared for Cornelia's reaction.

He had thought Cornelia would try to deny it, but instead, she admitted it outright.

Not sure where she had picked up such tactics.

"Why did you do that?"

Su Cheng grabbed Cornelia's little fist and asked.

"You dare ask me that? When I was 'Cute and Elegant,' and you insulted me like that, why didn't you consider how awful you were!"

Cornelia angrily exclaimed, "Why did you humiliate me like that? Why!"

As she spoke, her eyes grew even redder.

Su Cheng, upon hearing this, was stunned, letting her small fists land on him.

He hadn't realized that 'Cute and Elegant' was also Cornelia.

And now he understood why she had done this.

After all, he had indeed been quite harsh in his insults back then.

The intricacies of fate are truly profound.

"Alright, I apologize. It's all my fault."

Su Cheng quickly raised his hands in surrender and then said, "I just think there's no need for all this. If you wanted to play games with me, you could have just asked."

Hearing Su Cheng's words, Cornelia's expression softened slightly, but she still looked peeved as she gazed at him, "Hmph, who would want to play games with you? I was just toying with you, you fool."

"Yeah, yeah, I'm a fool."

"That's more like it!"

Seeing Su Cheng admit he was a fool, she felt a bit better.

"So, how about playing a game with this fool?"

Su Cheng inquired tentatively.

"Play a game?"

Cornelia was momentarily stunned, then clapped her hands, first looking excited, then assuming an old-fashioned demeanor once more. "You'd better make me happy, or else I won't bother with you."

"Alright, let's go."

"Wait for me, I need to get my laptop!"

Cornelia said and then skipped into the house.

She looked extraordinarily lively and carefree.

Su Cheng watched Cornelia's retreating figure. Initially, he had wanted to tease her a bit, but he hadn't expected it to be his fault after all.

Luckily, Cornelia was very easy to fool.

A little flattery and everything was fine.

However, the issue with the account still needed to be discussed with Cornelia.

So, Su Cheng sat on the bench, waiting for Cornelia.

Soon, Cornelia came out carrying a laptop bag and then arrived beside Su Cheng, asking, "Let's go, play a game!"

She was incredibly excited and eager.

Previously, they had only been teaming up without voice chat, but now they were face-to-face, ready to squad up. She found it absolutely fantastic.

She couldn't wait to experience it.

Su Cheng followed behind Cornelia.

The two quickly returned to the house. Cornelia skillfully took out slippers and put them on. Then, the two started playing games in the bedroom.

One at the computer desk, the other at the writing desk.

At Su Cheng's request, Cornelia could only accept using Su Cheng's account, which would become a dedicated squad-up account for the two of them.

During the game, Cornelia's smile never faded. She even hummed a little tune, looking extremely happy.

After bickering and playing several rounds, she finally closed the game, still feeling unsatisfied.

Su Cheng had prepared dinner, and after eating, Cornelia wanted to play games again.

Someone she liked, a game she enjoyed. Two sources of joy combined to make her full of vigor.

She even felt that if she could always maintain this happiness, she would be the luckiest person in the world.

However, this time, Cornelia's wish did not come true.

Because Su Cheng refused and expressed that she had classes tomorrow, he offered to send her back and suggested that she could come again another time when she's free.

Cornelia was a bit disappointed, but eventually nodded and agreed to Su Cheng's proposal.

"Let's finish this drink, and then I'll send you back," Su Cheng said, taking a drink from his pocket and handing it to Cornelia who was sitting on the sofa.

Cornelia didn't take it but instead fixed her beautiful eyes on Su Cheng, as if she was trying to confirm something.

"Why are you looking at me like that?"

"Where did you suddenly get this drink from?"

Cornelia blinked her beautiful eyes, looking puzzled.

Su Cheng shrugged and replied, "From my pocket."

He was actually quite surprised because Cornelia had finally noticed how completely unreasonable this was.

With that, he placed the drink on the table.

"But I just saw your pocket was flat!" Cornelia insisted, "And I clearly felt like you just conjured it out of thin air!"

"How could anyone conjure something out of thin air? Did you just see wrong?"

After saying this, Su Cheng stood up and changed the subject, "Let's go, I'll send you back."

Cornelia gave one more suspicious glance at Su Cheng's pocket, then nodded, slung her bag over her shoulder, and stood up.

After all, how could anyone really conjure something out of thin air?

If they continued arguing, Su Cheng would surely laugh at her for being ignorant.

Su Cheng then placed the drink in her arms and they left the house together.

Once outside, Cornelia chattered away the whole way.

"I'm very satisfied this time, so I'll forgive your rudeness last time!"

"Okay."

"Hmph, you're lucky today."

Cornelia huffed coldly, raising her head with pride, "If you ever want to play games in the future, remember to call me!"

After saying this, she ran back towards the villa, but just as she reached the gate, she suddenly realized something, turned around, and looked at Su Cheng with a serious expression.

Then, she revealed a radiant smile and said, "I had a great time today!"

With that, her cheeks flushed slightly, and she turned around and ran into the door.

Su Cheng was left stunned, then let out a silly laugh and turned back to leave.

The next day.

Su Cheng was a little different today.

In addition to his school uniform, he wore a pair of headphones around his neck.

He had also prepared earplugs.

He tested the effect, and if both the headphones and earplugs were worn, the world would become completely silent, with only the dynamic rhythms of the music in his ears.

Once he was ready, he rode his bicycle to school.

Upon arriving at school, Su Cheng saw Li Guanqi at the classroom door. She was sitting alone at her seat, and after they exchanged a glance, they both looked away.

Li Guanqi picked up her phone.

Su Cheng walked straight towards his own seat, also taking out his phone, just as Li Guanqi sent him a message.

Li Guanqi: "How do you feel?"

Su Cheng: "I'm not used to wearing headphones, but I have no choice."

Li Guanqi: "Do you have any plans for lunch today?"

Su Cheng: "I plan to go see Junior Sister Gu at lunch."

Li Guanqi: "Alright, I got it."

With that, they both put their phones away.

The morning classes quickly ended, and Su Cheng put on his headphones and earplugs, then headed towards the club building.

However, he didn't notice a similarly headphone-wearing beauty on the way. This girl exuded an intimidating aura, completely different from other students.

The president of the E-Sports Club.

"Su Cheng?"

This girl obviously noticed Su Cheng and immediately called out his name.

Wang Guancong often mentioned Su Cheng during club activities.

Moreover, now Su Cheng was a school famous figure, the archery champion.

Various reports and news about him were everywhere.

So, she had a memorable impression of Su Cheng.

But Su Cheng didn't hear her at all and continued walking straight ahead.

If not for the headphones, it would have seemed extremely arrogant and disrespectful.

The girl frowned, stopping in her tracks, and glared at Su Cheng's back for a moment, but then she noticed two other girls catching up to Su Cheng, taking out their phones as if they wanted to get his contact information.

But the next moment, a situation that left her confused and astonished occurred—

Su Cheng suddenly bolted, ignoring the girls' shouts, not even stopping to chat.

"Such a strange person..."

She muttered to herself, then headed towards the cafeteria.

…………………………………………………………

"Hey, stop right there!"

"Stop…"

The two girls chased after him, but before they could catch up, Su Cheng had already darted into a wooded area and disappeared.

"Is it necessary to run like you've seen a ghost?! So fast, it's so frustrating!"

"Too arrogant! Just because he won a championship, what's there to be proud of!"

The two girls leaned against the wall, panting heavily, their faces flushed with frustration and anger.

They just wanted to get his contact info, but Su Cheng ran off in front of everyone, which made them feel humiliated!

"Right, it's just arrogance."

"No wonder he's always alone. He deserves to have no friends!"

The two girls were complaining at a pavilion, completely unaware that a girl was pouring tea nearby.

Hearing their chatter, the girl put down her teacup and turned her expressionless face towards the two girls at the pavilion.

The two girls seemed to realize something and turned to look at the girl at the pavilion.

They immediately stiffened, their faces turning pale, their eyes filled with fear and apprehension.

Before them stood a pale, slender, yet imposing figure. Her long hair scattered, her piercing eyes like stagnant water, radiating an intimidating aura.

"What were you talking about?"

Her cold voice echoed, making the two girls tremble.

They hurriedly lowered their heads.

"We…"

"We…"

Neither of the girls dared to say more, aware that Su Cheng was part of the Archery Club and fearing they might anger this girl.

"I'm his friend. Is there a problem?"

The girl spoke softly, her tone calm but unsettling.

"No, no…"

"No, really not…"

The two girls shook their heads like a rattle drum, quickly denying it.

"We were too noisy. Sorry for disturbing your rest."

With that, they bowed their heads and scurried away.

Watching the retreating figures of the two girls, the girl turned her gaze towards the distant grass, her eyes flickering.

She stared at the lawn as if she could pierce through it.

After a long moment, she suddenly said, "Come out."

Then, after ten seconds…

Su Cheng still didn't appear, staying hidden in the grass.