When the Stars of the Su Family Shine

"Who is it?"

Su Cheng tied his apron as he walked toward the door. But after just a few steps, he noticed Cornelia and Li Guanqi staring intently at the entrance—especially Cornelia, who looked like she had just seen a monster.

He found it baffling.

Was there a naked girl at the door?

Still, he didn’t stop. Instead, he quickened his pace.

When he finally reached the doorway, he was met with a familiar face—one so exquisitely beautiful it bordered on envy.

Her deep, still eyes held no emotion, yet radiated an intimidating pressure that made people hesitate to approach.

"Ah? President?!"

Su Cheng blurted out in surprise.

He quickly sensed the tension between the girls, but oddly enough, his mind remained unusually clear in such situations.

Ji Qingyi’s gaze swept over the two girls first. When her emotionless eyes landed on Cornelia, the latter flinched and instinctively hid behind Li Guanqi.

No one found Cornelia’s reaction strange. Anyone who met Ji Qingyi’s piercing stare—combined with the rumors about her—would feel a twinge of fear.

Though they were both second-years, Cornelia knew next to nothing about her.

After all, the rumors painted Ji Qingyi as a ruthless, bloodthirsty demoness.

"Hello, senior."

Li Guanqi greeted her politely with a nod. Ji Qingyi returned the gesture before Li Guanqi picked up some bags and headed to the kitchen, leaving the two alone.

Cornelia immediately scurried after her, feeling suffocated under the human woman’s presence.

She desperately needed to recharge in the kitchen!

"My apologies for the intrusion. I hope I haven’t disrupted your evening."

Once they entered the living room, Ji Qingyi spoke in a detached, almost icy tone.

She had assumed Su Cheng would be alone. She hadn’t expected such a lively gathering.

Her arrival now felt awkwardly out of place.

"N-not at all!"

Su Cheng tensed at her cold voice but quickly composed himself. "I just happened to have some free time today, so I invited friends over for dinner."

He hurriedly pulled out a new pair of slippers from the shoe cabinet and gestured inside. "Please, come in."

Bending down, he placed the slippers neatly at Ji Qingyi’s feet.

She looked down at Su Cheng in his apron, her expression darkening slightly. Her lips parted as if she wanted to say something, but instead, she reached into her coat and tossed him a stick of candied hawthorn.

Su Cheng fumbled to catch it.

The gesture wasn’t lost on him—this was her way of apologizing for the sudden visit.

That afternoon, he had offered candy as a peace offering. Now, she was returning the favor.

"Thank you."

He smiled.

Ji Qingyi glanced at the slippers, then back at Su Cheng, her brow furrowing slightly—as if to ask, Are you really going to watch me change shoes?

Su Cheng quickly averted his gaze, though inwardly, he lamented the missed opportunity to admire the president’s elegant legs in black stockings.

Meanwhile, in the living room, the two girls had begun another silent battle.

Cornelia marched to the fridge, pulled out a bottle of "Eight Walnuts," and chugged it down, her face flushed.

As she drank, she mentally scolded herself.

How shameful!

As the self-proclaimed "lady of the house," she had cowered in front of a guest!

She was supposed to be the one in charge here!

After finishing the drink, she closed her eyes, shaking her head as she psyched herself up.

She needed to reclaim her authority—to show these intruders their place.

Even if Ji Qingyi and Su Cheng were unlikely to be involved, Cornelia had to assert her dominance.

She wouldn’t let anyone encroach on her territory.

With renewed courage, she tossed the empty bottle into the trash and glared toward the entrance, ready to face Ji Qingyi head-on.

She’s just a human with two arms and a head!

Just then, Li Guanqi—standing by the cupboard—spoke up.

"Senior, where are the tea utensils?"

"Tea utensils?"

Cornelia blinked, then a plan formed in her mind.

Of course!

As the host, serving tea was her duty.

She couldn’t let Li Guanqi take the initiative again.

"I know where they are. Leave it to me. Yaya seems to like you—maybe you could feed her? She hasn’t eaten yet."

Cornelia gestured to the crow perched on Li Guanqi’s shoulder.

Li Guanqi’s eyes flickered, but she nodded in agreement.

Delighted, Cornelia grabbed a stool, climbed up to the cupboard, and carefully retrieved the tea set, arranging it meticulously on the coffee table.

She worked with unusual enthusiasm.

Meanwhile, Li Guanqi fed Yaya some nuts, watching Cornelia’s antics with an unreadable expression.

……………………

At the door, Su Cheng turned around only after hearing it close.

Ji Qingyi had already stepped inside, her coat hung on the rack. His gaze instinctively dropped to her feet—those long, slender legs encased in black stockings, now nestled in soft slippers.

Even that brief glance was enough to leave him in awe.

"Please, come in."

He stepped aside.

Ji Qingyi strode past him with effortless grace, her every movement exuding elegance—and an unmistakable air of detachment.

The moment they entered the living room, they found Li Guanqi playing with Yaya on the sofa while Cornelia fussed over the tea set.

The blonde’s overly familiar behavior made Ji Qingyi’s brow twitch.

This wasn’t how a guest should act.

It was as if Cornelia was a regular here—someone who treated Su Cheng’s home as her own.

Ji Qingyi disliked such presumptuousness.

But she said nothing, merely observing for a moment before allowing Su Cheng to guide her to the sofa.

Her posture remained impeccable, her demeanor cool and distant.

She wasn’t accustomed to sharing space with unfamiliar girls.

"Let me handle that."

Su Cheng hurried over, trying to stop Cornelia’s overeager hosting.

"Mm."

Having achieved her goal, Cornelia didn’t argue. She plopped down beside Li Guanqi.

In that instant, the seating arrangement became clear—Ji Qingyi sat alone on the left.

On the right sat Li Guanqi and Cornelia.

Su Cheng arranged teacups on the center coffee table while asking, "What kind of tea would you like?"

"Anything is fine."

Ji Qingyi replied nonchalantly.

"Mm, I’m fine with anything too."

Li Guanqi responded in an equally indifferent tone.

As the "lady of the house," Cornelia felt no need to speak.

"Then please wait a moment while I prepare it."

Su Cheng carried the tea set toward the kitchen, surprised that the expensive tea he’d bought would come in handy so soon.

The moment Su Cheng left, the atmosphere in the living room grew strangely tense. Ji Qingyi, however, surveyed Su Cheng’s home with curiosity.

Though unexpectedly small, it had an inexplicably cozy feel.

After a thorough glance around, she turned her gaze to Cornelia and Li Guanqi.

Cornelia stiffened under her scrutiny but forced herself to appear composed, pretending nothing was amiss.

Li Guanqi, on the other hand, seemed far more at ease, quietly playing with Yaya on her lap.

"My name is Ji Qingyi. You may address me directly. I’m his friend."

Ji Qingyi’s tone was measured, as if this were an ordinary introduction.

Cornelia tensed up immediately, her heart pounding as if she were guilty of something. Still, she mustered the courage to say, "I... I’m also his friend."

But she couldn’t meet Ji Qingyi’s eyes, her gaze instead fixed on her own wrist, her expression conflicted.

"Friend?"

Ji Qingyi narrowed her eyes slightly, a hint of danger flickering in them. The faint smile on her lips made Cornelia feel as though needles were pricking her back.

Li Guanqi remained oblivious, thoroughly engrossed in playing with Yaya.

Cornelia’s eyes darted around before she finally looked directly at Ji Qingyi and asked, "Do you know me, Ji Qingyi?"

"No, but we can get acquainted now."

Ji Qingyi’s tone remained indifferent.

"I’m from the class next door. William Henry Cornelia."

Cornelia spoke with an air of confidence.

"I see."

Ji Qingyi observed Cornelia’s amusing expression, her posture unconsciously shifting into one of lazy arrogance.

But the next moment, she straightened up again—Su Cheng had returned with the tea set.

As a guest, she couldn’t overstep her place.

Su Cheng carried out a tray with three steaming cups of tea and set it on the coffee table. Bowing slightly, he served each of them in turn. "Please enjoy."

Then, standing aside, he added, "Feel free to chat. I’ll be in the kitchen."

Cornelia glanced at the tea—she didn’t care for it and couldn’t understand its appeal compared to her beloved walnuts—so she quickly stood up. "Let me help you."

Su Cheng didn’t refuse.

The hopeful look in her eyes made it impossible for him to say no.

Besides, he knew Cornelia wouldn’t appreciate the tea, and leaving her with Ji Qingyi might lead to conflict.

Ji Qingyi watched Cornelia’s retreating figure, lost in thought.

Li Guanqi, meanwhile, stayed put, still playing with Yaya, showing no intention of helping.

Silence settled over the living room once more.

Ji Qingyi examined the tea Su Cheng had personally brewed, her eyes flickering with surprise. Instead of drinking immediately, she lifted the cup to her nose, inhaling the aroma, then studied the leaves with a thoughtful gaze.

It was white tea—Silver Needle, to be precise.

"He went to a tea shop this afternoon to buy it."

Li Guanqi lifted her cup, blew lightly on the surface, and took a small sip before speaking softly.

Ji Qingyi paused, then a faint glimmer of understanding crossed her eyes, her lips curling into a subtle smile.

This confirmed that the tea had likely been bought specifically for her.

During their last encounter at a vending machine, she had casually mentioned white tea.

She hadn’t expected Su Cheng to remember—let alone go out of his way to purchase it in anticipation of her visit.

It seemed his previous invitations hadn’t been mere politeness.

"Quite thoughtful of him."

Her voice was soft yet cool as she brought the cup to her lips. The tea’s delicate fragrance spread across her palate, refreshing and soothing.

Though his brewing method was far from perfect—this tea deserved silver-charcoal-boiled water and a needle-flame simmer—the sincerity behind it made it worthwhile.

Ji Qingyi said nothing more, simply savoring the tea Su Cheng had prepared.

Beside her, Li Guanqi sipped quietly as well.

The two sat in peaceful silence.

Time passed swiftly.

Before long, Su Cheng emerged from the kitchen with five dishes and a soup, arranging them on the dining table before inviting the three to eat.

Ji Qingyi observed the spread and remarked, "I hadn’t expected your culinary skills to be so refined."

"Thank you, but I hope you’ll try it first," Su Cheng replied modestly, gesturing for them to sit.

Ji Qingyi gave a slight nod, took her seat, and picked up her chopsticks, sampling a bite of greens with deliberate grace.

The meal began in harmonious warmth.

Even while eating, Ji Qingyi remained the picture of elegance—never taking more than three bites of any dish, savoring each flavor meticulously.

Cornelia, in contrast, dug in with gusto, barely restraining herself despite her best efforts, her chopsticks moving swiftly.

As for Li Guanqi?

She maintained her usual poised demeanor, eating at a deceptively leisurely pace that was, in reality, quite efficient.

Just as Ji Qingyi set down her chopsticks and dabbed her lips with a napkin, her phone buzzed in her pocket.

She gave Su Cheng an apologetic glance and stood. "I must take my leave now."

"Let me walk you out," Su Cheng offered, following her outside.

They strolled along the apartment garden’s stone path.

Su Cheng glanced at Ji Qingyi from the side.

She wore a black trench coat over her Flame City Private Academy uniform, her striking beauty accentuated by the contrast.

"President," Su Cheng called softly.

"Hm?"

Ji Qingyi halted and turned to him, a trace of curiosity in her eyes.

Su Cheng met her gaze, then produced a stick of candied hawthorns. "For you. A dessert after the meal."

But she didn’t take it. Instead, she frowned slightly at the offering.

This had been her gift to him upon her unannounced visit—a gesture of courtesy.

Yet here it was, being returned.

"No need." Her voice turned chilly as she averted her eyes.

Su Cheng persisted. "Shared treats taste better."

He repeated the reasoning he’d once used for candied hawthorns.

Ji Qingyi’s eyes flickered with surprise, but before she could respond, the skewer was already at her lips, its sweet aroma drifting between them.

Her pupils contracted slightly as she stared at Su Cheng in astonishment.

As a result, Su Cheng revealed a row of pearly white teeth and smiled, "Want one?"

His tone carried a hint of caution, as if afraid of upsetting her.

Ji Qingyi's lips parted slightly, but the candied hawthorn was rather large—it would look undignified to take a bite outright.

In the end, she took a few steps back and replied calmly, "I don't have an appetite."

"Oh..."

Su Cheng's eyes dimmed with disappointment. Then, noticing an approaching car, he said, "Then let me see you off."

Ji Qingyi studied Su Cheng, sensing the faint trace of dejection in his demeanor, but she had no intention of changing her mind.

Yet when his retreat failed to advance his cause, Su Cheng stubbornly conjured a silver needle out of nowhere, skewered the candied hawthorn, and handed it to her. "Then have it when you're hungry."

His words carried a childish insistence that left Ji Qingyi both amused and exasperated.

In the end, she accepted the candied hawthorn and boarded the car, while Su Cheng watched her leave.

Only when Ji Qingyi's figure vanished into the night did Su Cheng finally turn and head home.

………………

"How was it, Young Mistress?"

Once inside the car, Ji Qingyi pulled out her phone and initiated a video call. Liu Qingyue's face appeared on the screen, curiosity lacing her voice.

"Worth the trip."

As she spoke, Ji Qingyi took a bite of the candied hawthorn before continuing, "But..."

"But?" Liu Qingyue blinked in surprise, watching her mistress nibble on the treat. "But what?"

"There's a girl named William who caught my attention."

A faint ripple of interest colored Ji Qingyi's tone, as if this "William" held some significance.

Liu Qingyue nodded in understanding. "I know her. Her parents are abroad, so she’s relatively free-spirited."

"Bring them back."