Isn't the Clumsy President Adorable

When the resignation letter was placed on Ji Qingyi's desk, she showed no surprise—her expression remained as unreadable as ever. It was as if she had anticipated this outcome all along.

Su Cheng wasn't surprised by her impassive demeanor either, though a faint tension coiled in his chest. After all, this decision was somewhat sudden for both of them.

"It seems you've made up your mind."

Ji Qingyi set down her teacup, picked up the resignation letter, and skimmed it before speaking slowly, "You still have a few competitions left. Remember to return for them."

Su Cheng exhaled in relief and nodded. He knew she was referring to the horseback archery tournament.

Ji Qingyi observed his reaction, then retrieved a pen from the side, swiftly signing her name on the document before placing it back on the desk. She lifted her teacup again, taking a sip of fragrant green tea—though her gaze lingered on the pastry box in Su Cheng's hands.

"I bought this from the dessert shop."

Noticing her attention, Su Cheng quickly set the box on the table.

"Leave it here. I'll have it later."

Her tone was indifferent. With that, she lowered her head and resumed drinking her tea.

"Uh… alright."

Su Cheng nodded awkwardly, tucking the signed resignation letter away before hesitantly taking a seat nearby.

"Is there something else you’d like to say?"

Ji Qingyi set her cup down and looked at him, her voice soft.

Su Cheng blinked, then shook his head. "No, nothing in particular. I just wanted to sit here for a while. It's quiet."

"I see."

Her response was as detached as ever.

Su Cheng fidgeted, unsure how to proceed. It would feel too abrupt to just take the letter and leave now, wouldn’t it?

As he wrestled with the thought, he suddenly sensed Ji Qingyi’s eyes on him. Puzzled, he turned to meet her gaze. "President, is something wrong?"

"Walk with me around the campus," she said lightly. "I’d like to take a stroll."

Su Cheng nodded. "Sure."

They wandered leisurely through the school grounds, where lush trees and blooming flowers painted a serene scene. With club activities in full swing after classes, the atmosphere was peaceful—devoid of noise or boisterous games.

When other students spotted Ji Qingyi and Su Cheng together, they averted their eyes and hurried away, visibly tense. Some, however, couldn’t help stealing glances at Su Cheng, their expressions a mix of shock and disbelief.

Though rumors of their friendship had spread across the school, seeing them side by side still left many stunned.

Su Cheng glanced at the elegant girl beside him—just as Ji Qingyi turned to look back, her dark eyes fathomless and deep. Compared to the icy detachment she’d once regarded him with, this gaze could almost be called gentle.

Their eyes locked, and Su Cheng quickly lowered his head, watching fallen leaves drift to the ground. An inexplicable weight settled in his chest.

Ji Qingyi hadn’t reacted to his resignation—no words, no change in expression. Yet her sudden invitation to walk together carried an unspoken reluctance, a quiet sense of attachment.

She did care, after all.

No longer the cold, unfeeling sculpture she’d once been, she conveyed it not through words or expressions, but through action.

It even gave Su Cheng the faint illusion that she was trying to persuade him to stay.

Undeniably, she had given him nothing but trust and respect in this matter.

"President… could I still come by for tea sometime?"

After a long silence, Su Cheng finally lifted his head, his tone tentative.

Ji Qingyi paused mid-step, tilting her head slightly as if puzzled. Her reply left him flustered: "Our relationship doesn’t hinge on the club. Why wouldn’t you be able to?"

"Ah…"

Su Cheng scratched his cheek, embarrassed.

Right. He’d been the one lost in some melodramatic sentimentality.

"I just didn’t want to interrupt your work," he admitted with an awkward laugh.

Ji Qingyi studied him. "There’s no need for such formality between us. Friends visit each other. It’s normal."

"Yeah, yeah."

Su Cheng nodded eagerly, then grinned. "And if you ever have time—"

He abruptly cut himself off, realizing the implications. If Ji Qingyi visited his new club…

Who was in the Social Practice Club?

Gu Ruoxue.

Ever since that open lecture, he’d known the two girls were like oil and water. If they crossed paths, sparks would fly.

What if things escalated?

What if they fought?

Both were veritable human-shaped mechs with stamina stats of 8. If they clashed, the entire clubroom might be reduced to rubble.

In that split second, Su Cheng’s mind raced, and he swallowed his words, offering Ji Qingyi a sheepish smile instead.

"Hm?"

Noticing his sudden stiffness, Ji Qingyi arched a brow.

Su Cheng hastily shook his head, blurting, "I meant… if you’re free, you could visit my place sometime."

He emphasized my place deliberately.

Last time, Ji Qingyi had intended to escort him home—and even expressed interest in seeing his house—but time hadn’t permitted it. Extending the invitation now shouldn’t be a big deal. She probably wouldn’t actually come over anyway.

To his shock, however, Ji Qingyi nodded and uttered a single, simple word: "Okay."

Su Cheng turned to stare at her. Dressed in Flame City Private Academy’s uniform skirt, her slender legs sheathed in stockings, she was the picture of effortless allure—her dark hair cascading loosely, adding a touch of lazy charm. A true vision.

Though her reply sent a jolt through him, Su Cheng instantly resolved to prepare proper tea and utensils for guests tonight, along with a grocery run for other necessities.

"I’ll look forward to it, then," he said as they walked.

"There will be opportunities."

Ji Qingyi kept her eyes ahead, her tone casual.

Lost in conversation, they soon reached the school’s shopping district, where the crowd thickened.

Then Su Cheng’s steps faltered.

Nearby, a vending machine was being used by someone clad in a white polar bear costume.

He stiffened, instinctively stepping back.

That bear—during P.E. class today, it had ignored everyone’s stares, latched onto him, and nibbled him.

He had no idea who was inside that suit, but he had zero desire to be hugged and rubbed against again.

Moreover, with Ji Qingyi standing nearby, he didn’t dare gamble on whether the person in the mascot suit would once again ignore their surroundings and do something crazy to him.

Ji Qingyi also noticed his hesitation. Her gaze flickered toward the polar bear mascot, but she remained silent, simply standing there.

"President, should we go another way?" Su Cheng suggested.

"No need," Ji Qingyi replied coolly.

After speaking, she turned her attention to the girl who had just removed the mascot head to take a drink of water. Ji Qingyi narrowed her eyes slightly. "Do you know her?"

"No," Su Cheng quickly shook his head, answering honestly.

Though he had been "attacked" by this bear earlier, after a closer look, he realized he truly didn’t recognize her—in fact, he had never seen this girl before.

Still, the fact that it was a woman came as a relief. Otherwise, the situation would’ve been downright disgusting...

Ji Qingyi frowned at his response. Just moments ago, Su Cheng had clearly been afraid of the polar bear, yet now he denied knowing her.

But his expression showed no signs of lying, making her question whether she had misjudged. She turned her gaze back to the girl.

"Need something to drink?" Su Cheng asked, breaking the silence.

Ji Qingyi nodded.

"What would you like? I’ll get it from the vending machine!"

Seeing the polar bear mascot about to leave, Su Cheng pointed toward the distant vending machine.

"Let’s go together," Ji Qingyi said before walking ahead without waiting for his reply.

Su Cheng hesitated for a moment, then hurried after her.

They walked close together, one in front of the other. As they were about to pass the polar bear, Su Cheng silently prayed the mascot wouldn’t suddenly act up again.

Fortunately, as the three of them crossed paths, the polar bear merely glanced at them before stepping aside, as if it had no idea who Su Cheng was, and continued on its way.

Su Cheng let out a sigh of relief, but Ji Qingyi’s brows only furrowed deeper.

What part of this didn’t add up?

She couldn’t make sense of it.

"What would you like to drink?"

Su Cheng turned to Ji Qingyi, looking at the colorful array of beverage labels displayed behind the vending machine’s glass.

But as soon as he spoke, he noticed Ji Qingyi staring intently at the drinks, seemingly lost in thought and oblivious to his question. He cleared his throat and repeated himself.

"Ahem… President?"

Ji Qingyi snapped out of her daze, her eyes briefly lingering on one of the tea labels before she replied, "White tea."

"Got it."

Su Cheng fished out some coins from his pocket, ready to insert them, only to realize Ji Qingyi was watching his every move with unblinking focus.

It dawned on him—his president might have never used a vending machine before. Maybe she was even curious about how it worked.

Hesitantly, he asked, "Um… have you ever used one of these before?"

Ji Qingyi slowly lifted her gaze to meet his. "What do you think?"

Su Cheng nearly facepalmed.

Couldn’t she just say yes or no? Did she have to answer with another question?

"This Ji Qingyi definitely has no clue how it works!"

Deciding it was his duty to teach her, Su Cheng took a deep breath, withdrew his hand, and held out the coins to her.

"Want to try it yourself?"

Ji Qingyi’s cold stare bore into the coins, but she made no move to take them. The frost in her eyes only deepened, making Su Cheng quickly retract his hand in alarm.

He sighed in disappointment. He’d wanted to guide her, but she wouldn’t even attempt it.

Resigned, he inserted the coins himself, selected a cola from the touchscreen, and—partly out of awkwardness—began muttering under his breath while waiting for it to drop:

"Come on, cola… cola, come out…"

Ji Qingyi heard every word, along with his earlier disappointment and the entire process of his operation.

Clink!

The cola landed with a crisp sound. Su Cheng bent down to retrieve it, then prepared to insert more coins for Ji Qingyi’s white tea—

But then she spoke.

"I’ll do it myself."

Su Cheng froze.

So his president did care about his feelings!

Quickly, he fished out more coins and handed them to her, stepping aside with a bright smile.

"Go ahead."

Ji Qingyi took the coins but didn’t immediately insert them. Instead, she first checked the prices on the machine, confirmed the amount, and then inserted the exact change with practiced precision.

Her fingers moved swiftly and confidently across the touchscreen, executing the steps flawlessly.

Su Cheng blinked in confusion.

This didn’t look like someone who had never used a vending machine before. If anything, she seemed like a seasoned pro.

So she actually knows how to use it?!

Ugh, I underestimated her!

Just as this thought crossed his mind, however, the next moment completely shattered his assumptions—and nearly made him burst out laughing.

He had to bite down hard on his lip, pinching his thigh to keep his expression neutral.

Because…

Ji Qingyi, with utmost seriousness, was now staring at the screen and softly chanting—

"White tea, come out… white tea, come out~"

The sight was so absurdly out of character that it bordered on comical.

But Su Cheng didn’t dare laugh. He could only hold it in.

"White tea, come out…" Ji Qingyi continued her summoning ritual.

Clink!

The bottle dropped.

Ji Qingyi gracefully bent down to retrieve her white tea, then turned to face Su Cheng—

Only to immediately frown.

At some point, Su Cheng had put on a pair of glasses and was now staring at her with an utterly blank expression.

She knew what those glasses were for—they helped him control his facial expressions. If he was wearing them now, it meant his composure had slipped.

"President, shall we head back?" Su Cheng said flatly, glancing at the drink in her hand.

"I dislike it when you wear glasses," Ji Qingyi stated calmly.

Su Cheng’s heart skipped a beat. He hadn’t expected her to dislike his glasses-wearing appearance.

But then again, the glasses were just a tool for deception. Resigned, he took them off.

Being disliked was painful, so the amusement from earlier had completely faded.

As he removed the glasses, he said earnestly, "Understood. I won’t wear them again."

"Mn."

Ji Qingyi gave a soft hum in response, then took her drink and walked back the way she came with graceful steps. He hurried to follow.

Their campus stroll had come to an end...

After escorting the club president back to the equestrian field, he bid farewell and headed home.

…………………

Ji Family Estate

Night

Ji Qingyi sat alone in the courtyard, tilting her head to gaze at the moon suspended in the night sky. A trace of melancholy flickered in her eyes.

On the table beside her lay an empty dessert wrapper and a bottle of white tea drink...

"Whoosh—Boom!"

Just then, a deafening roar erupted from the distant sky, followed by a burst of flames shooting upward before blossoming into a dazzling firework.

Her attention was instantly captured. As the firework bloomed in a brilliant display, an unusual glimmer flashed in her eyes.

"Beautiful," she murmured under her breath.

Yet, as soon as the words left her lips, the sky returned to its usual silence, as if nothing had happened at all.

Lowering her head, she stared at the items on the table and sighed wistfully. "What a pity. The more dazzling, the more breathtaking, the more it stirs the heart... the lonelier it feels when it fades away."