The Brutal Showdown Between My Ex-Girlfriend and the Former Company President (Part 2)

Ji Qingyi showed neither surprise nor anger upon hearing this response, as if she had anticipated it. Instead, she picked up her teacup, gazed at the tea inside, and said softly, "Is that so? What a pity. It seems the Social Practice Club is nothing more than a hollow facade."

After speaking, she turned her gaze toward Su Cheng, her meaning unmistakable.

But Su Cheng pretended not to notice, avoiding Ji Qingyi's eyes entirely as he lowered his head and feigned ignorance, sipping his tea in silence.

He didn’t feel this argument was about him. He knew Ji Qingyi had never brought it up with him, but she had always harbored resentment toward Gu Ruoxue for taking advantage of the situation last time.

In any case, it wasn’t his problem.

But if he had to describe the current situation—

This was nothing short of a brutal showdown between his ex-girlfriend club president and the cold, aloof former club leader!

"With President Ji’s attitude, I don’t believe our club’s assistance is necessary. I’ll make it clear—I refuse. But if you try to force the issue, don’t blame me for being impolite," Gu Ruoxue said coldly, her words sharp and resolute.

"Then I’d very much like to see just how impolite you can be," Ji Qingyi replied with a faint smile, her eyes glinting as she stood up, looking down at Gu Ruoxue from her height.

"Holy crap, holy crap!"

Seeing the two women on the verge of a physical altercation, Su Cheng could no longer stay seated. He hastily set down his teacup and rushed between the two untouchable beauties, whose gazes clashed midair, sparking an intense tension that twisted the very air around them.

Su Cheng raised his hands to stop the confrontation, then turned to Gu Ruoxue. "President, I think we should at least hear President Ji’s request before making a decision."

Ji Qingyi, hearing this, stopped arguing with Gu Ruoxue and sat back down on the nearby sofa, crossing her arms.

Su Cheng let out a relieved sigh as Ji Qingyi took her seat, but Gu Ruoxue’s piercing glare felt like daggers, as if she wanted to stab right through him.

She was furious that Su Cheng had spoken up for Ji Qingyi!

He carefully chose his words to explain, "President, since our club’s mission is to help those truly in need, shouldn’t we first hear the request to see if it meets the criteria? Besides, isn’t this the way you’ve always operated? Wouldn’t you agree?"

One was his savior, the other his benefactor.

He truly didn’t know how to choose between them.

The ancients weren’t wrong—

Loyalty and filial piety are impossible to balance.

Gu Ruoxue let out a cold, mocking laugh. "So you’re saying I should just ignore the fact that she’s clearly up to no good? In that case, why don’t I just recruit a robot as a member?"

Su Cheng choked on his words. After all, no one understood procedure better than a robot.

"It seems this so-called Social Practice Club is nothing more than your personal plaything," Ji Qingyi suddenly interjected, her voice icy and laced with sarcasm. Then she turned to Su Cheng. "Isn’t that right, Su Cheng?"

Su Cheng stiffened—now the spotlight was back on him.

At the same time, Gu Ruoxue also fixed her gaze on him.

It seemed there was no escaping this predicament today.

"No, our club is actually very democratic and fair. Under the president’s brilliant leadership, we’ve been thriving and receiving nothing but praise," Su Cheng rambled, spewing flattery. But it was all empty talk—he was just trying to play both sides, avoiding direct conflict to spare himself and prevent either woman from losing face.

However, in Gu Ruoxue’s eyes, this blatant fence-sitting was utterly shameless, as it only gave Ji Qingyi another opening.

"He’s right. The club is indeed democratic and fair. Unfortunately, there are outsiders who love scheming. As they say, ‘It’s easy to dodge an open attack, but hard to guard against a hidden arrow.’ So in situations like this, we usually unite against external threats."

Gu Ruoxue’s tone grew even colder as she finished, then turned her gaze back to Su Cheng. "Wouldn’t you agree?"

Su Cheng felt his hair stand on end—once again, the question was being thrown back at him.

He was on the verge of tears.

All he wanted was to be a quiet, unassuming pretty boy.

Just as he was at a loss for what to do, Ji Qingyi cut in with a cold scoff.

"If it’s so democratic, then why was Su Cheng’s suggestion just now ignored?"

She didn’t rise to the bait of being called an "outsider," instead clinging to the word "democratic."

I can’t just sit here and take this!

Su Cheng screamed internally, trapped between the two.

"I have something to say—please, both of you, listen."

Suddenly, Su Cheng spoke up, shedding his earlier timid demeanor as he addressed Gu Ruoxue and Ji Qingyi with a grave expression.

Both women looked up at him.

"Since we’re talking about democracy, the most important part of the word is ‘demo’—the people!"

Su Cheng spoke passionately. "Both of you hold esteemed positions and possess unparalleled beauty and intellect. I don’t think either of you fits the ‘common people’ part."

He then pointed at himself. "I, on the other hand, am just an ordinary guy from the countryside. So I believe I’m the best representative of the ‘demo’ here!"

"So, what exactly are you trying to say?" Gu Ruoxue arched an eyebrow.

Su Cheng nodded and declared, "Demo plus ‘cracy’—rule by the people! So today, I’ll be the one making the decision!"

His absurd logic and shameless twisting of words left both women momentarily speechless. Ji Qingyi, however, seemed intrigued, a faint smile playing on her lips.

"Then tell us, how do you plan to ‘make the decision’?" she asked.

Seeing an opportunity, Su Cheng perked up. "Simple! Since we’re at school, let’s settle this the student way—a duel! If President Ji wins, we’ll at least hear her request. Whether we accept or reject it is still up to you, President Gu."

He glanced at Gu Ruoxue.

Gu Ruoxue blinked in surprise. "Fine by me."

She assumed he meant an academic test—her tone dripping with sarcasm, a clear display of her confidence.

"No, no, no! What’s the point of test scores?" Su Cheng shook his head. "What I mean is…"

Gu Ruoxue waited expectantly.

Ji Qingyi also remained silent.

Su Cheng took a deep breath and announced solemnly, "Arm wrestling!"

"Huh?!"

"What?"

Gu Ruoxue and Ji Qingyi spoke in unison.

"Yes, arm wrestling," Su Cheng affirmed with a nod.

"A contest of strength? That’s more suited to boys’ tastes, don’t you think? Hardly fitting for us women," Ji Qingyi remarked coolly, shooting Su Cheng a disdainful look.

"Someone just wants to see us go at each other’s throats, huh? Does the thought of us fighting get you all excited? What a disgusting fetish," Gu Ruoxue sneered.

Suddenly, the two women were united in their contempt for Su Cheng, catching him completely off guard.

"You—" Su Cheng’s handsome face flushed red, mostly from the embarrassment of having his ulterior motives exposed.

"Then… how about rock-paper-scissors?" he gritted out.

"Your brain really hasn’t evolved at all, has it?"

With that, both Gu Ruoxue and Ji Qingyi picked up their teacups.

Clink!

After drinking, they simultaneously slammed their cups back onto the table.

And just like that, the situation was deadlocked again.

Standing to the side, Su Cheng once again felt like he had become part of the background.

Eventually, he raised his head and looked at Ji Qingyi, who was sitting elegantly sipping tea. At the same time, she noticed Su Cheng's gaze directed at her.

She slowly glanced at him, their eyes meeting.

Then, Su Cheng's eyes revealed a pitiful, helpless, and resigned expression, as if conveying the melancholy of "his body being present while his heart remained in archery."

Ji Qingyi's shoulders trembled slightly, but she quickly regained her composure.

She said calmly, "It seems my sincerity was insufficient, which is why Minister Gu was unwilling to accept my request."

As she spoke, she picked up her teacup, took a graceful sip, and said to Gu Ruoxue, "In that case, I'll visit again another day. I hope we can reach an understanding then."

Gu Ruoxue was taken aback, not expecting Ji Qingyi to back down.

"It stopped raining!"

Suddenly, an exclamation from the doorway broke the silence.

"Thank you for your hospitality today!"

After saying this, Gu Ruoxue stood up and walked out.

Su Cheng watched her departing figure, quickly poured himself a cup of tea, and downed it in one gulp before turning to Ji Qingyi. "President, I'll take my leave now."

Ji Qingyi gave a slight nod, her expression resembling that of someone watching their own child suffer outside only to wolf down food at home. She then watched as Su Cheng left the room before finally withdrawing her gaze.

"I'll visit again tomorrow."

She lifted her teacup and took a small sip.

……………………

"Minister, wait for me!"

Su Cheng hurriedly followed his minister's footsteps, jogging to catch up with her.

However, Gu Ruoxue seemed angry, completely ignoring Su Cheng behind her as she strode forward at a brisk pace.

At times like this, if you hitched her to a plow, she could probably till at least two acres of land.

No, that wasn’t poetic enough.

At times like this, a young woman's thoughts were like the cold moonlight in the sky—unable to move forward, unwilling to retreat. The moonlight was chilly, and her feelings could not be spoken aloud.

And so, Su Cheng had no choice but to sincerely apologize.

He knew he had been unfair today. Despite recognizing Ji Qingyi's scheme, he had still spoken in her favor, leading to Gu Ruoxue seemingly disliking him now.

"I'm sorry, Minister!"

Su Cheng apologized earnestly while carefully observing Gu Ruoxue's expression.

To his surprise, her expression didn’t change at all. Instead, she turned her head and said, "I’m not blaming you."

"Huh?"

Su Cheng froze.

His eyes locked onto Gu Ruoxue, unblinking, as if searching for any trace of emotion on her face.

Yet, her expression remained as calm as ever, revealing neither joy nor anger.

"Set aside unnecessary emotions. We have important matters to attend to now."

Her tone was stern.

After saying this, Gu Ruoxue headed in another direction.

"Alright, I understand."

Su Cheng straightened up, matching her seriousness.

Side by side, the two walked off into the sunset, their figures gradually fading into the distance.

...............

Much later

Racecourse

The two stood at the entrance of the racecourse, staring at each other.

Su Cheng's face paled with horror as he realized something was wrong.

His feet involuntarily shuffled backward, but Gu Ruoxue's eyes locked onto him like an X-ray.

"Minister, when you said someone was using mental control… were you talking about me?"

Su Cheng pointed at himself, stammering.

Gu Ruoxue didn’t respond. Her gaze remained fixed on him, filled with scrutiny.

Su Cheng shrank under her stare, unable to help but hunch his shoulders.

"The culprit. Come in."

She said.

Then she walked into the racecourse first. After hesitating for a few seconds, Su Cheng quickly followed.

The two made their way to the stables, stopping in front of a stall labeled "Rice Bath."

The horse inside, "Rice Bath," grew visibly excited upon seeing Su Cheng, trotting over and affectionately nuzzling him.

"Your actions strike at the most sensitive nerve of ordinary people. By using your abilities for personal gain, you invalidate all the struggles and efforts of ordinary people. Worse, you make their years of perseverance seem like a mistake. If this behavior became widely known, what do you think would happen?"

Gu Ruoxue spoke coolly, her gaze icy and tone severe.

Su Cheng felt utterly ashamed.

He knew he had made an unforgivable mistake.

"Your personal actions have harmed others' interests. In principle, society and the law should punish you." Here, Gu Ruoxue's tone shifted slightly as she continued, "But as your minister, I also bear responsibility. Starting today, I won’t tolerate this behavior. Otherwise, society itself could descend into chaos because of you."

"I understand."

Su Cheng lowered his head, his voice filled with remorse.

A mistake was a mistake—he wouldn’t deny it or run from the consequences.

"From now on, any use of your abilities must first be approved by me. And on this matter, you are not allowed to voice any objections, rebuttals, protests, questions, or backtalk."

Gu Ruoxue's expression hardened, her beautiful eyes boring into Su Cheng.

"Why?"

Su Cheng blurted out.

"To protect society—and to protect you."

Gu Ruoxue replied flatly.

Su Cheng opened his mouth but ultimately said nothing, nodding in the end.

"I understand."

"Good."

Gu Ruoxue acknowledged, her gaze softening slightly.

"Can you restore it to its original state?"

She suddenly asked.

Su Cheng frowned.

He didn’t answer immediately, pausing in thought before finally saying, "No."

"I see."

Gu Ruoxue showed no surprise, her expression still indifferent.

Seeing this, Su Cheng couldn’t help but sigh. "Later, I’ll apologize to her and seek her forgiveness."

"No need."

Gu Ruoxue rejected flatly. "She’s already forgiven you. Besides, this horse now belongs to the club."

"What?"

Su Cheng’s face flashed with astonishment.

He never expected her to secure ownership rights!

What a masterful blend of firmness and gentleness!

Su Cheng took a deep breath and said nothing more.

...............

Later, the two returned to the club. But on the way back, Su Cheng suddenly stopped outside the library when he noticed Xuan Ying descending the stairs.

Gu Ruoxue, walking beside him, also spotted her and then turned her gaze to Su Cheng without speaking.

Su Cheng glanced at Gu Ruoxue and explained, "She’s a classmate of mine. But recently, I’ve noticed her associating with a woman in the library who has questionable social influences. I’m worried she might be led astray."

"Tell me the truth."

"She’s been conspiring with a completely unscrupulous woman on how to win me over!"

[P.S.: Taking one last day off this month.]