This Su Cheng is Really Brave

Monday

The club activities had come to an end.

The setting sun dyed the sky a fiery red, like boiling water—its scorching heat made one’s heart burn with intensity, yet soon enough, it would inevitably grow cold again.

Much like Su Cheng’s mood at the moment.

At first, receiving Ji Qingyi’s call for help had filled him with excitement, eager to step up and intervene without hesitation.

But after calming down, that surge of enthusiasm quickly faded, replaced instead by a creeping sense of unease.

At the school gate, all the students had already left. Su Cheng pushed his bicycle out as well, but after stepping beyond the entrance, he paused and glanced back at the gilded school gates.

And there, standing in the fading light, was a lone figure.

Gu Ruoxue.

There was no denying it—

This woman had predicted every possible outcome.

Bathed in the slanting rays of the sunset, she stood quietly at the entrance, her silhouette exuding an air of solitary elegance.

The upper half of her body was bathed in golden light, while the lower half was cloaked in shadow.

Like a barrier dividing sunlight and darkness, she seemed to split the world into two.

This woman really knows how to pick a backdrop.

Guess I’ll have to ask her for tips on upping the dramatics someday.

Su Cheng muttered to himself, studying her for a moment before finally looking away and pushing his bike toward her.

"Waiting for me?" he asked casually.

"No, just passing by," Gu Ruoxue replied coolly.

The response made Su Cheng smirk. "What a coincidence."

"Mhm. Coincidence."

Su Cheng: "……"

"Can I really do it?"

Su Cheng voiced the doubt that had been lingering in his mind.

Today, the proud and composed Ji Qingyi had asked for his help.

His club president had always held herself in high regard—just like him, she was the type to repay every debt, no matter how small.

Which meant she would never lightly seek assistance from others.

That alone spoke volumes about how dire the situation must be—serious enough that even Ji Qingyi had no choice but to rely on him.

And that… was exactly what worried him.

He wasn’t sure if he could handle it perfectly. Though Gu Ruoxue had assured him he could, doubts still gnawed at him.

Because this wasn’t about him.

If it were his own problem, he’d charge in without a second thought. But helping someone else? That was a different matter entirely.

He had to take responsibility for Ji Qingyi.

So, he voiced his uncertainty.

Gu Ruoxue looked at him, taking in his mix of nervousness and expectation, and let out a sigh as if massaging away a headache.

"Should I be surprised, or just resigned?"

"Why don’t you ask Su Cheng?"

After saying this, she met his gaze again and added, "If you’re this indecisive, people will walk all over you."

"……"

Su Cheng blinked. Ask… myself?

And walk all over me?

I’m already being led around by you right now.

With that thought, he pushed his bike closer to Gu Ruoxue, parked it, and then reached out to grab her shoulders.

She didn’t resist, standing calmly as he took hold—because she could see the desperation in his actions.

Once he had a grip, Su Cheng started shaking her vigorously.

But she didn’t budge.

Not even a millimeter.

This woman must’ve trained in some immovable-mountain technique.

Gu Ruoxue frowned slightly, tilting her head to glance at his hands, her expression unchanging.

But Su Cheng could tell—she was very displeased.

He immediately let go.

And then felt awkward.

Next time, I’ll try shaking her when my stamina’s maxed out.

"Ahem."

He cleared his throat, trying to mask his embarrassment, then said, "Look, just—keep it simple, okay? You know my brain doesn’t work in convoluted ways. You’re not some kind of troll—drop the cryptic act."

"Admitting you’re not the brightest isn’t something to be proud of… but I don’t dislike it."

After this remark, Gu Ruoxue continued, "I can’t speak for others, but I know you can do it."

She was well aware that his mind worked in abstract ways—sometimes brilliant, sometimes utterly clueless. But with the right guidance, his logic would click into place.

Just as she finished speaking, a car horn sounded at the school gate.

Both Su Cheng and Gu Ruoxue turned toward the noise.

A sleek silver-gray limousine sped down the campus road, and as it passed them, the window rolled down, revealing Ji Qingyi’s face.

"Get in," she said flatly.

At the same time, the female driver stepped out and opened the rear door, gesturing for Su Cheng to enter.

Su Cheng was stunned. What’s happening now?

When he turned to Gu Ruoxue in apology, he noticed something unexpected—

The two women were locked in a silent stare-down.

After a moment, Gu Ruoxue broke eye contact, her demeanor as indifferent as ever. Yet the way she had looked at Ji Qingyi carried an unmistakable hint of something inscrutable.

Then, she turned back to Su Cheng. "Go on. Don’t let her kindness go to waste."

With that, she turned and walked away, heading straight for the bus stop.

At the same time, a woman in a suit approached him at the school gate and explained, "I’ll leave your bike on campus. Please rest assured and get in the car."

With that, the woman pushed his bicycle toward the school grounds.

Su Cheng looked at the open rear door and the coldly composed Ji Qingyi sitting inside, then obediently climbed in.

The moment he entered, the sheer luxury of the interior took him by surprise—especially the familiar delicate fragrance, a scent uniquely tied to Ji Qingyi.

This was also his first time riding in the student council president’s car.

But his attention wasn’t fixed on the vehicle for long.

Because aside from Ji Qingyi, there was another woman inside.

Su Cheng found her vaguely familiar, but after a closer look, he realized she wasn’t the person he was looking for today.

His target was the head butler.

"President, is there something you need?"

After sitting beside her, Su Cheng couldn’t help but ask.

Ji Qingyi sat gracefully in the car, hands resting on her knees, poised and composed. At his question, she turned her head and regarded him with calm indifference. "I happened to pass by. Consider this a ride."

Then, she glanced at the driver and instructed, "Let’s go."

The driver obeyed and started the car.

Su Cheng, however, felt a strange unease.

He couldn’t shake the feeling that his president didn’t want him spending time with Gu Ruoxue—though that might just be his imagination.

Moreover, the two women had exchanged a glance earlier, their eyes flickering with something dangerous.

For some reason, Su Cheng sensed a connection between them.

And the source of that connection…

Might be him.

He turned his gaze toward Ji Qingyi, who sat beside him.

Her eyes were lowered, her posture serene.

From any angle, she appeared cold, noble, and utterly detached from worldly concerns.

But Su Cheng, having grown familiar with her, recognized this as her quiet, tranquil state—though her expression remained unreadable.

"Thank you, President."

In the end, he voiced his gratitude.

Ji Qingyi gave a slight nod, then looked out the window as the route changed to unfamiliar streets. A faint glimmer of interest flickered in her eyes.

After driving about 300 meters, the car stopped at a red light.

Ji Qingyi turned her gaze back and noticed the black hair tie she had given Su Cheng was no longer on his wrist. Her brows furrowed slightly.

"Did it break?"

Su Cheng immediately understood her meaning and explained, "It was inconvenient to wear on my wrist, so I took it off and stored it safely."

"I see."

Ji Qingyi responded indifferently, then closed her eyes and leaned back against the seat as if resting—only to suddenly ask, "What were you two discussing earlier?"

Her lashes fluttered slightly as she spoke.

The question caught Su Cheng off guard.

In his experience, Ji Qingyi wasn’t the type to pry into others’ affairs.

It struck him as odd.

Was this really the same president?

He wasn’t sure if he should answer truthfully. Though she had asked for his help, she hadn’t been explicit about it.

After a brief hesitation, he opted for a vague reply: "We were just talking about how to build confidence."

Ji Qingyi opened her eyes, considering his words for a moment before nodding.

"There are some things I’m not sure I can handle well."

Su Cheng’s response seemed to touch a sensitive nerve.

Her brows twitched into a slight frown, and she fell silent.

Then, she closed her eyes again.

She understood exactly what he meant.

As the car began moving once more, she reopened her eyes and regarded him with an even gaze.

"I understand."

With that, she reached into her skirt pocket and retrieved another black hair tie.

"Give me your hand."

Su Cheng froze momentarily.

The déjà vu hit him hard—this scene was eerily similar to what had happened not long ago.

Back then, Ji Qingyi hadn’t believed he could succeed, yet she had acknowledged his efforts by giving him the hair tie.

And now, here they were again.

What was the reason this time?

Almost instinctively, he extended his arm.

Ji Qingyi lowered her head, carefully tying the hair tie around his wrist. Her lips were pressed into a thin line, her expression solemn, yet her movements were gentle.

A few strands of her hair fell forward, veiling her eyes and obscuring her expression—but though her face remained as cold as ever, Su Cheng couldn’t help but imagine a faint blush dusting her cheeks.

"You’re someone who can create miracles."

Once the hair tie was secured, Ji Qingyi released his wrist and met his gaze again, her tone as detached as ever—but the words left Su Cheng stunned.

Last time, she had acknowledged him but doubted his ability to succeed. Now, she was outright stating he could work miracles?

Her words acted like a balm, instantly calming the anxiety and tension that had coiled inside him.

"You flatter me, President."

Su Cheng quickly responded with humility, then suddenly raised his head to look at Ji Qingyi, his eyes flashing with confidence as he added, "You can count on me!"

He even patted his chest for emphasis, exuding an air of reliability.

Ji Qingyi's gaze flickered slightly as she observed him.

"Mm."

She acknowledged softly.

By then, the driver had already steered the car out of the city center, and a faint trace of Ji Qingyi's fragrance lingered in the air inside the vehicle.

Soon, the car pulled to a stop at the entrance of a residential complex.

"President, would you like to come up for a cup of tea?"

Su Cheng offered politely before stepping out of the car.

To his surprise, Ji Qingyi nodded. "Very well."

Her tone remained as composed as ever.

Su Cheng's internal reaction was anything but composed—Holy shit! You’re actually coming up?!

Panic set in immediately. His place wasn’t just home to Da Huang and Ya Ya—Cornelia was also there, gaming and having dinner as she did every day.

(The two troublemakers, the dog and the crow, had returned earlier after completing their mission—complete with planting a tracker on Ji Qingyi’s car.)

He had no idea what would happen if these two women crossed paths. The mere thought of it was something he’d never dared entertain.

"Miss, you have a visitor arriving at six. Your schedule doesn’t permit an extended stay here."

The driver’s timely reminder cut through the tension.

Su Cheng exhaled in relief.

Ji Qingyi didn’t argue. Instead, she nodded and explained to Su Cheng, "It seems I’ll have to take my leave now."

As she spoke, she cast a faintly regretful glance toward the apartment building.

"Then I’ll excuse myself first."

The car door slid open automatically. Su Cheng stepped out, and as he closed the door behind him, he waved at Ji Qingyi.

"Mm. Goodbye."

Ji Qingyi’s reply was so quiet only she could hear it.

Su Cheng nodded and turned to leave—

Wait.

Goodbye?

Since when does the president say things like that?

He whipped his head around, but the car had already vanished from sight.

---

8:00 PM

The night was dark, the wind howled—perfect conditions for a covert infiltration.

After sending Cornelia home under the pretense of having urgent business, Su Cheng holed up in his bedroom, drafting meticulous plans. Once finalized, he geared up for action.

Glasses on, he tracked the red dot displayed on the lens, then left his apartment and hailed a taxi, heading straight for the target location.

A while later...

This is the Ji Family’s estate?

Staring at the towering, grandiose villa gates, Su Cheng swallowed hard and took a deep breath. Gripping his ghost blade, he lurked nearby, waiting for the gates to open so he could slip in undetected.

Only an idiot would try scaling that wall. Not only would it make noise, but you’d probably break something in the process.

Besides, a mansion this massive was bound to have guard dogs. The slightest disturbance or unfamiliar scent would set them off.

And the people protecting Ji Qingyi? No doubt they were elite.

Better play it safe.

So...

The proper way in is through the front gate—bold and unashamed.

Soon, a car rolled out of the villa. Su Cheng kept his eyes locked on the gates, and the moment they fully opened, he began moving forward. Thanks to his invisibility, no one noticed a thing.

He slipped inside without a sound.

But the moment he stepped into the estate, he froze again.

Poverty really does limit the imagination.

The villa’s scale dwarfed anything he’d pictured—a massive fountain, meticulously arranged flower beds, artificial hills with cascading water, koi ponds, lush greenery, and even multiple pavilions.

At the center stood a three-story palace-like mansion, exuding classical opulence.

Just as he was marveling at the sight, familiar voices reached his ears from the nearby garden. Moments later, a group of figures emerged.

Leading the way were two women—Ji Qingyi and an elegantly dressed noblewoman. Behind them trailed several maids.

So this is the visitor the president had today?

Su Cheng didn’t bother hiding. Standing plainly in the open, he scanned the maids first, then sighed when he didn’t spot the head butler from before.

As Ji Qingyi gracefully led the guest forward, explaining something, she suddenly sensed a gaze on her. Without breaking stride, her eyes flickered toward Su Cheng’s direction, lingering for just a second before shifting away.

Then, she guided the noblewoman toward the mansion, the maids following in their wake.

Su Cheng paid it no mind. His focus was on locating that butler.

Where would he be?

After a moment’s thought, he decided to head straight into the main villa to investigate. Stealthily, he followed Ji Qingyi’s path.

---

Ji Family Estate

Every corner of the mansion radiated brilliance and extravagance under the glow of countless lights.

Invisible and undetected, Su Cheng moved freely.

But...

Since he didn’t dare follow too closely, he soon found himself lost inside the villa. Though it was only three stories, the place was enormous and labyrinthine—even after circling halfway, he couldn’t see any end in sight.

"What’s the point of living in such a huge house? Empty like this, it’s practically begging for ghosts in a horror movie!"

Su Cheng couldn’t help but grumble inwardly.

He searched for a while longer, but aside from one corridor after another, there was nothing to see—as if the entire place was just an empty shell.

After a few more minutes, he finally spotted a maid holding cleaning tools, unlocking a door with a key.

But the maid seemed to sense his presence. She suddenly paused her work, frowned, and glanced around, searching for the source of the noise. After finding nothing, she muttered under her breath, "I could’ve sworn I heard footsteps… Is this place haunted?"

Su Cheng’s lips twitched. So, he was the ghost now?

Just as he was about to pull out a cigarette to incapacitate and interrogate her, distant footsteps echoed down the hall. His expression tensed, and he froze in place, careful not to make a sound.

Soon, the footsteps grew closer, and Su Cheng recognized one of the voices speaking: "Bring Ji Xiaze here."

Hearing that familiar voice—and his own character’s name—Su Cheng’s pupils constricted.

Ji Xiaze?

Wasn’t that his target?

A coincidence?

Before he could dwell on it, Ji Qingyi emerged from the distance. The maid, who had just been muttering about ghosts, bowed to her before retreating.

As Ji Qingyi passed by, Su Cheng waited a few seconds, then—gripping his ghost blade—moved silently, closing the distance until he was just five meters behind her.

The scene looked eerily like Su Cheng was silently stalking Ji Qingyi with his blade.

Then, in the next instant, Ji Qingyi stopped. Dressed in a pristine white reception gown, she turned around, her gaze locking onto the space behind her.

Su Cheng’s heartbeat spiked uncontrollably.

He had the distinct feeling she’d noticed him.

But the problem was—she didn’t call him out.

So, he had no choice but to wait and see.

Then, Ji Qingyi began walking toward him.

As she passed, he held his breath.

But she paused mid-step, lingered for half a second, then continued forward, brushing past him without a word.

Seems the president knows.

Su Cheng observed her reaction, recalling her cryptic words before he got out of the car—"Again?"—and realized she must have anticipated his arrival.

Well, no point pretending anymore.

He stopped suppressing his footsteps, openly following his president with the ghost blade in hand. Soon, the two exited the villa and arrived at a lakeside.

Ji Qingyi suddenly halted and sat on a stone bench, turning her head to gaze at the water.

"President~"

Su Cheng called out softly, but Ji Qingyi ignored him.

"President."

He tried again.

Still no response.

Clearly, she was deliberately disregarding him.

But that wasn’t about to stop him.

Next, he reached out and poked her shoulder, hoping to snap her out of it.

No luck. Ji Qingyi remained fixated on the lake, as if lost in deep thought.

Seeing this, Su Cheng sighed and spoke once more: "President, I really came here to discuss something with you."

If she already knew he was here, there was no need to waste a cigarette trying to interrogate anyone. He might as well get the answers straight from her.

Ji Qingyi still didn’t acknowledge him.

Maybe she was genuinely absorbed in thought.

So, with nerves of steel, Su Cheng reached out again—this time, lightly poking her cheek.

Unexpectedly, her skin was warm and soft… not as icy as her demeanor suggested.

But in the next second, Ji Qingyi suddenly turned her head.

Her eyes—dark as midnight, pupils black as ink—gleamed with an eerie, unsettling light that sent a chill straight to his bones.