However, as the three of them moved through the crowd, he suddenly noticed several familiar figures with surprise!
They were a few girls from his class.
But he hadn’t interacted much with these girls.
They were just ordinary classmates.
Su Cheng’s gaze lingered on them briefly before he pretended not to recognize them and continued walking toward their destination with the two beauties by his side.
After all, they were wearing masks,
so there was no fear of being recognized.
As the trio walked, Gu Ruoxue inadvertently glanced in the same direction Su Cheng had been looking, and several familiar figures immediately caught her eye.
They were Su Cheng’s classmates.
She could recognize and name everyone in the entire school.
But she didn’t pay them much attention, as those classmates were nothing special.
Meanwhile, Ji Qingyi spotted another group of familiar faces, which made her eyes flicker with slight surprise.
These figures all had one thing in common—
they stood out in the crowd, beautiful and exuding an extraordinary aura, though one of them seemed rather inconspicuous.
Still, she didn’t dwell on them. Instead, her interest was piqued by something beside the three girls.
“What’s over there?”
Ji Qingyi asked in her usual calm tone.
Su Cheng followed her gaze and saw a dozen peach trees adorned with small cards. Next to each tree was a long table with red cards, golden pens, strings, and other items.
Many visitors had stopped there, writing something before hanging their cards on the branches.
“Must be some kind of wishing activity, right?”
Su Cheng wasn’t paying attention to the crowd, instead focusing on the cards, pens, and strings hanging from the trees as he made his guess.
After saying this, he began thinking about how to make their group photo later appear more intimate.
But Gu Ruoxue’s attention was elsewhere—fixed on a nearby sign.
【Peach Blossom Sea Wishing Tree】
"These trees carry people’s heartfelt wishes."
Gu Ruoxue nodded in acknowledgment.
These peach trees were taller and more lush than the others, surrounded by visitors writing and hanging their wishes.
“Since we’re here, we might as well make a wish.”
Ji Qingyi said, stepping forward toward the wishing tree.
She chose the exact spot where the three familiar figures had been lingering moments earlier. They had just left, and Ji Qingyi arrived right after, her expression as composed as ever.
“You have a wish to make, President?”
Su Cheng followed, slightly taken aback.
After all, their president was far more miraculous than any wishing tree.
“Naturally.” Ji Qingyi nodded, then looked down at the pens and cards on the table, murmuring softly.
With that, she picked up a pen and began writing slowly.
Seeing that she had already started, Su Cheng turned to Gu Ruoxue, only to find her also engrossed in writing her wish. Feeling somewhat out of place, he decided to join in.
"May the President and the Vice President get along harmoniously."
After writing this, Su Cheng was about to put the pen down and hang his card on the tree.
Unexpectedly, Ji Qingyi glanced at him and said flatly, “Hang mine up for me.”
“Mine too.”
Gu Ruoxue chimed in.
Su Cheng blinked in surprise but took both cards without protest. Though curious, he resisted the urge to peek at their contents and carefully hung them on the tree.
Little did he know—
While he hadn’t peeked at their wishes, and they hadn’t peeked at his,
that didn’t mean they didn’t know what he had written.
Just by observing the movement of his pen, they could deduce his words. So, as Su Cheng hung the cards, the two girls exchanged a glance before looking away in silent understanding.
“Huh?”
While hanging their cards, Su Cheng accidentally caught sight of something that made his expression freeze. His gaze involuntarily locked onto one of the cards already on the tree.
『I wish Su Cheng would become my boyfriend!』
One of the cards actually had these words written on it, making his heart pound violently!
No system notification appeared.
Did this not count as a confession?
There was no name either.
Whose was this?
Wait…
This handwriting… It’s Xuan Ying’s!
Su Cheng’s eyes remained fixed on the card, his emotions in turmoil.
He had copied Xuan Ying’s homework before, so her handwriting was unmistakable!
Xuan Ying!
Su Cheng’s expression shifted rapidly, his mind racing.
If Xuan Ying was here, then Li Guanqi and Zhao Yan must be too!
The three girls had planned to come out together today.
So… did that mean…
Li Guanqi’s card was also here?
Then…
After wrestling with his thoughts, Su Cheng ultimately decided not to snoop for other wishes. He finished hanging his and the girls’ cards properly before turning back to Gu Ruoxue and Ji Qingyi.
“President, Vice President.”
“Mm.”
The two nodded, and the trio continued their stroll through the vast peach blossom corridor. But Su Cheng’s mind was clearly elsewhere.
His eyes kept scanning the surroundings, searching for any sign of Li Guanqi and the others. His emotions were tangled—
part of him wanted to run into them, another part wanted to avoid them.
Not seeing them left him restless, yet seeing them would bring its own complications.
“You seem distracted. What’s on your mind?”
His odd behavior didn’t escape the girls’ notice.
Ji Qingyi couldn’t help but ask.
Su Cheng snapped back to reality and shook his head. “N-Nothing.”
Then, spotting a shop giving out free peach-flavored ice cream ahead, he quickly changed the subject.
“Want some ice cream? It’d be a shame to come here and not try the peach flavor.”
Ji Qingyi’s impassive eyes lifted slightly, studying him before she gave a nod.
Gu Ruoxue, however, frowned at the long line. “It’ll take too much time.”
“No problem, you two can go sit over there and rest.”
Su Cheng pointed to a nearby bench, then hurried off toward the ice cream line without waiting for their response.
The two girls exchanged another glance, both sensing he was dodging something.
But neither pressed the issue, simply heading to the bench as suggested.
“Wait, how am I supposed to get three servings by myself?”
Standing in line, Su Cheng suddenly realized the problem.
It was free—you couldn’t pay for extras!
They couldn’t all share one, could they?
Wait, I could split one serving into two.
Relieved by the idea, he relaxed slightly.
But the next second, his pupils shrank.
Because right then, he saw three girls walking toward him, having just collected their ice cream.
Li Guanqi, Zhao Yan, Xuan Ying!
His heart hammered uncontrollably at the sight.
Luckily, with his mask on and the crowded line, the girls didn’t notice him at first.
But just as they were about to pass by, the black-haired girl in all black—radiating a quiet, scholarly grace—suddenly glanced sideways at him.
“Li Guanqi recognized me!”
A bitter smile tugged at his lips.
Li Guanqi knew his schedule for the day, so it was only natural that he would be recognized.
After the three girls walked away, Su Cheng took a few deep breaths, pulled out his phone, found Li Guanqi's account, and opened the chat window. He typed out a message:
[Would you like to go flower-viewing together later?]
The reply came quickly:
Li Guanqi: [Sure.]
A simple one-word response. Su Cheng couldn’t help but ponder.
Had Li Guanqi led the two girls here?
After all, Xuan Ying and her friend had originally invited him to go shopping.
Yet today, they ended up at the peach orchard.
As he was lost in thought, his phone vibrated again.
Li Guanqi: [Xuan Ying said there’s a wishing tree here that’s very auspicious, so she brought us here.]
It was as if she knew what he was thinking and added an explanation.
"I see."
Su Cheng collected his thoughts, sent a brief reply, and put his phone away before continuing to wait in line.
Before long, just as it was almost Su Cheng’s turn, two staff members handing out free ice cream explained to him, "We’ve run out of ice cream."
Hearing this, Su Cheng’s expression froze.
After delivering the news, the two staff members immediately lowered their heads and started playing on their phones.
A wave of frustration washed over him.
With a sigh, he turned to walk toward the two girls, but unexpectedly, a blond, blue-eyed foreigner approached the ice cream stand and asked in English, "Can I get ice cream here?"
Just as Su Cheng braced himself for the kind of blatant favoritism that would feel cliché even in a novel—
The two staff members looked up in unison and replied expressionlessly in English, "We’ve run out."
Then they went back to their phones. It seemed they really were out.
Well, of course. How could there possibly be such shameless people in the world?
Su Cheng shrugged helplessly and continued on his way.
But then—
"Here."
Suddenly, an angel appeared beside him, holding out a box of ice cream.
Recognizing the familiar fragrance and hearing the calm, measured tone, Su Cheng froze before accepting it. He looked up to see who it was, but the figure had already vanished from sight.
"......"
Staring at the ice cream in his hands, Su Cheng’s lips moved slightly, momentarily at a loss for words.
Still, he decided to save it so he could share it with Li Guanqi later.
"They ran out just as it was my turn," Su Cheng said awkwardly, returning empty-handed.
"No matter."
Ji Qingyi stood up from the bench, her tone indifferent.
Gu Ruoxue also rose to her feet without a word.
The three of them then climbed the flower-viewing pavilion. Since it was a paid attraction, the crowd was sparse, and the top of the pavilion felt almost deserted.
Now unmasked, the trio stood at the observation deck, gazing down at the sea of peach blossoms below. The sweeping view, coupled with the gentle breeze brushing against them, was breathtaking.
As the wind stirred, petals danced through the air, landing on their hair, clothes, and shoulders—leaving them utterly enchanted.
Su Cheng, too, forgot his earlier frustration. The beauty before him filled him with a sense of clarity.
"It’s like being inside a painting," Ji Qingyi murmured, plucking a pink blossom from her hair and studying it.
Her beauty was otherworldly—delicate brows, flawless features.
At this moment, her stunning face carried a soft glow, as warm as the spring sun.
"You’re the one who looks like a painting," Su Cheng blurted out without thinking.
Ji Qingyi lifted her gaze to meet his.
"Thank you," she replied softly, her red lips curving slightly.
Su Cheng blinked, then smiled at her response.
Meanwhile, Gu Ruoxue stood nearby, snapping photos of the scenery with her camera.
After reviewing the shots on her screen, she glanced at Su Cheng and said coolly, "Let’s take the photo here."
Then, she called out to a figure in the distance, "Junior Li, would you mind taking a group photo for us?"
At her words, both Ji Qingyi and Su Cheng turned their attention to the slender figure standing not far away.
Su Cheng, in particular, was visibly startled.
Before them stood a girl in a black dress that hugged her curves, her long, dark hair cascading freely down her back—elegant and mesmerizing.
Pressed against the pavilion’s pillar, she turned at Gu Ruoxue’s voice, nodded, and walked slowly toward them.
Her steps were unhurried, yet each one seemed to resonate in Su Cheng’s chest. He had been too absorbed in the view to notice her earlier.
Li Guanqi took the camera, and the three of them stood stiffly side by side—just like during the waterfall photo.
Su Cheng had half a mind to pull the two girls closer but quickly dismissed the thought.
Click.
"It’s done," Li Guanqi said, handing the camera back to Gu Ruoxue.
"Thank you, Junior."
Gu Ruoxue smiled faintly as she accepted it.
"You’re welcome. My friend is waiting, so I’ll take my leave now."
With a nod to the trio, Li Guanqi descended the steps and disappeared from view.
Su Cheng’s lips twitched.
Gu Ruoxue, however, remained expressionless as she examined the photo. "This concludes the assignment," she declared.
Ji Qingyi arched a brow. "Mm."
But Su Cheng clenched his teeth, unwilling to let it end so soon. "Isn’t this a bit too rushed?"
Gu Ruoxue shot him a glance. "What, Su Cheng? Do you want to keep going?"
Ji Qingyi said nothing, merely watching him with a neutral gaze.
Su Cheng doubled down. "I want to take some casual photos!"
He emphasized the word casual as if worried they wouldn’t catch his drift.
"Go ahead."
Gu Ruoxue handed him the camera.
"Give me the tripod too," Su Cheng added.
Without protest, she passed it to him.
Once equipped, Su Cheng busied himself finding the perfect angle.
Ji Qingyi sat back down on the bench, while Gu Ruoxue stood nearby, observing him.
A minute later, Su Cheng announced, "Let’s take another group photo. I want a keepsake."
Gu Ruoxue gave a slight nod.
"Fine."
Ji Qingyi stood and returned to her original spot, with Gu Ruoxue doing the same.
They left a space in the middle for Su Cheng.
Taking a deep breath, Su Cheng set up the shot, then positioned himself between them.
But just two seconds before the photo was taken—he made his move!
Lightning-fast!
Yet—
In an unexpected twist, Gu Ruoxue and Ji Qingyi seemed to have anticipated it. With uncanny synchronization, they both pinched his sides with their slender fingers.
Su Cheng yelped, jerking back in pain, his face flushing crimson.
Talk about backfiring spectacularly.
Click.
The moment was immortalized—with Su Cheng’s face twisted in comical agony.
However, it still went as Su Cheng had hoped.
In the end, those unserious, playful photos were taken.
m back to his original world. In the end, he realized he had overthought things. [Hey, why is Shen Manni, the female lead, acting strange? Shouldn't she be fawning over the male lead at this point?] [Zhou Qiaoqiao, are you sick? Weren't you supposed to break off your engagement today?] [Damn it! An Youyi, please do your job as an undercover agent and sell my information to the protagonist, you idiot!] ... At this moment, Xu Mo himself didn't know that these female leads had already heard his inner thoughts. Then they decided not to play by the rules. Xu Mo: Please respect my profession as the big villain!
e bizarre and supernatural had descended. The previous emperor was a thoroughgoing tyrant; no longer satisfied with human women, he had set his sights on a stunningly beautiful supernatural entity. He met his end in his bedchamber, drained of all his vital essence. As the legitimate eldest son and crown prince, Wang Hao was thus hastily enthroned, becoming the young emperor of the Great Zhou Dynasty. No sooner had he awakened the "Imperial Sign-In Intelligence System" than he was assassinated by a Son of Destiny—a classic villain's opening. The Great Zhou, ravaged by the former emperor's excesses, was in national decline. The great families within its borders harbored their own treacherous schemes, martial sects began to defy the imperial court's decrees, and border armies, their pay and provisions in arrears, grumbled incessantly against the central government. Fortunately, the central capital was still held secure by the half-million Imperial Guards and fifty thousand Imperial Forest Army who obeyed the court's orders, along with the royal family's hidden reserves of power, barely managing to suppress the realm. As the Great Zhou's finances worsened and supernatural activities grew ever more frequent, the court sat atop a volcano. Ambitious plotters everywhere dreamed of overthrowing the dynasty, and even some reclusive ancient powers emerged, attempting to sway the tides of the world. At the first grand court assembly, the civil and military officials nearly came to blows, fighting tooth and nail over the allocation of fifty million taels of silver from the summer tax revenues. The spectacle opened Wang Hao's eyes—the Great Zhou's bureaucracy was not only corrupt but also martially proficient, a cabinet of all-rounders. Some officials even had the audacity to suggest the emperor release funds from the imperial privy purse to address the emergency. Wang Hao suddenly felt weary. Let it all burn.
ut it can buy an entire year of absolutely perfect training results! Su Yu stared at his empty wallet and decisively opened up various online loan platforms. “Borrow a thousand bucks! Recharge my vitality!” Boom! His vitality broke a hundred points, shattering the limits of the human body! “Borrow ten thousand bucks! Recharge my combat skills!” Boom! A basic punching technique so common it was everywhere instantly maxed out, revealing the ultimate assassination technique of Five Elements Unity—Inner Force! When a rich kid hired assassins for a midnight ambush, aiming to break both of his legs, they instead ran headfirst into a monster—a human-shaped tyrannosaur, brimming with dragon-like vitality. With just two fingers, Su Yu snapped a steel staff reinforced with alloy. Staring at the killer’s stash of stolen cash—a staggering quarter-million dollars—he showed a corporate-sincere smile: “Thanks for the pre-exam gift pack, Mr. Zhao! I’m gonna go re-invest this!” Three days later, at the National Martial Arts College Entrance Exam, while everyone else struggled just to reach the passing line, Su Yu threw a single punch—and more than a thousand vitality points literally detonated the entire arena!
ing gift was a patch of barren land, and disciples were all picked up along the way. He spent fifty years diligently building three "ramshackle little sects," thinking he could finally live a carefree life relying on his disciples. But right at the fifty-year mark, he was suddenly swept away by a spatial rift and exiled to the Chaos Desolation, the Disorderly Ruins. There was no spiritual energy there, only slaughter. Relying on the cultivation feedback from his disciples, Gu Changyuan hacked his way through a sea of blood for eleven hundred years. When the system finally fished him back out, he discovered the ramshackle little sects he'd built back then had developed a rather... unusual style. Hold on... I vanished for a thousand years, so how did my ramshackle little sects become holy lands?!
