Su Cheng Actually Cried His Eyes Out

Su Cheng's face flashed with a hint of bewilderment before breaking into an awkward smile. "Uh... what did you say? Me? Senior, are you joking with me…?"

"Little sis."

Hoshino Yikui quickly stepped beside his sister and whispered in a placating tone, "Look at how timid Su Cheng is right now. Does he look anything like the composed, confident person during the speech? Besides, Su Cheng has never supported anyone before—he has zero experience. The fact that he went up to help you without a script clearly means he’s been possessed!"

"No!"

Hoshino Mirai refused outright, her large eyes brimming with stubbornness. "Brother! He’s an archery champion, for heaven’s sake. His mental fortitude can’t possibly be that weak!"

"I’m actually terrified of ghosts, so…"

Su Cheng hung his head in shame, avoiding the siblings’ gazes as he muttered in a low voice.

"Enough!"

Hoshino Mirai cut him off with unwavering resolve.

"That’s enough!"

Her firm expression, paired with the forceful words that trembled slightly in her throat, left both Su Cheng and Hoshino Yikui stunned.

Neither had expected the usually gentle and quiet Hoshino Mirai to react so fiercely…

"Senior…"

Su Cheng called out hesitantly.

"Since you refuse to admit it…"

Hoshino Mirai’s face twisted with frustration and helplessness, but she suppressed her emotions and continued, "Then I’ll take matters into my own hands! From now on, I’ll keep an eye on you—every single move you make!"

At her words, Su Cheng stiffened momentarily.

He had said something similar when he’d stepped up to support her.

But he quickly regained his composure.

Hoshino Yikui stepped in again, his tone indulgent. "Mirai, stop being unreasonable."

Hoshino Mirai only grew more agitated, clenching her fists so tightly her nails dug into her palms. She pointed at Su Cheng and declared loudly, "I believe you’ll slip up one day—and I’ll catch you red-handed!"

Tears streamed down her face as she finally released the pent-up emotions she had no outlet for.

"I’ll make you confess with your own words!"

She poured all her accumulated feelings into that shout, her voice raw and desperate.

"Uh…"

Su Cheng looked utterly dumbfounded, casting a helpless glance at Hoshino Yikui, who could only frown in uncertainty.

But noticing Su Cheng’s silent plea, he gave a slight nod, signaling for him to leave.

Taking the hint, Su Cheng spared one last look at Hoshino Mirai, whose eyes were still locked onto him, then turned and walked away without hesitation.

However, as soon as he reached the Social Practice Club’s floor, he nearly collided with Gu Ruoxue.

She stood at the stairwell, her student bag slung over one shoulder, exuding an air of cool detachment. Her long legs, encased in thigh-high socks, were particularly eye-catching.

Su Cheng’s first instinct was to greet her casually. "Hey, President. See you later."

Without waiting for a response, he continued downstairs, not wanting to waste time—especially if Hoshino Mirai came down from the rooftop.

He had initially thought she was just a naive airhead, but she turned out to be anything but easy to fool!

For some reason, he suddenly missed Cornelia.

"Seems like you’ve gotten into trouble again."

Gu Ruoxue glanced up at the flustered Su Cheng before descending the stairs leisurely. Her tone was indifferent, yet carried an undeniable certainty—as if she already knew everything.

Su Cheng’s lips twitched. He stopped and gave her a wary look. "Do you know what happened to me?"

"No."

Gu Ruoxue shrugged, her voice still calm, but the faint smirk at the corner of her mouth betrayed her.

"……"

Su Cheng felt his mood plummet.

He had never told her about the whole "Penguin Prince" incident.

So, could Gu Ruoxue really predict the future?

Or was this her second playthrough?

Had she been reborn?!

Su Cheng fell silent. Right now, words couldn’t describe his state of mind. Not only had he run into another cryptic person, but now Hoshino Mirai would be watching his every move.

Though, usually, the only time he used his abilities at school was at noon—when he’d pull steaming hot meals from his system space to share with Li Guanqi.

Su Cheng chuckled bitterly to himself before continuing downstairs.

Soon, the two of them left the club building separately, heading toward their own destinations without further conversation.

Su Cheng made his way to the parking lot to retrieve his bicycle. Once he found it, he pushed it toward the school gate.

Since it was right after club activities ended, the path was crowded with students. Many greeted him, but thankfully, no one stopped him for questions.

He responded with polite nods and kept moving.

But soon, he noticed something odd.

Every student—male or female—seemed to be staring at him in unison, their eyes filled with admiration, curiosity, and amusement.

The usual wariness and fear were gone.

He slowed down.

What was going on?

Had his handsomeness and charm skyrocketed to the point where people no longer feared Ji Qingyi’s influence?

Or was this the aftermath of his impromptu speech?

News sure traveled fast.

Before, thanks to Ji Qingyi’s presence, most students had regarded him with a mix of fear and curiosity.

If he ever made eye contact, they’d immediately look away. Now, though, they held his gaze boldly—making him incredibly uncomfortable.

Who knew one speech could have this kind of effect…

"Su Cheng, wait up!"

A sudden shout rang out.

The surroundings fell silent as all eyes turned toward him.

Su Cheng: "……"

"Su Cheng, we heard this was your first time giving a campaign speech. For most first-time supporters, stage fright is a huge hurdle. How did you manage to stay so calm under pressure? Could you share some tips?"

A female student from the News Society, microphone in hand, approached him. Behind her, several male students lugged camera equipment as they hurried over.

Su Cheng: "……"

Meanwhile, a crowd of students—both guys and girls—gathered around, chiming in: "Yeah, Su Cheng, give us some pointers!"

Su Cheng was at a loss for words.

"It’s about to rain. I need to get home. Everyone, please disperse."

Ignoring them, he pushed past the crowd and mounted his bike, ready to leave.

"Seems like Su Cheng really does march to his own beat, completely unfazed by others’ opinions. Maybe that’s the secret to his confidence!"

Just as Su Cheng was about to leave, a senior male student from the News Society suddenly interjected, his tone dripping with sarcasm.

Clearly, Su Cheng's indifferent reaction had rubbed him the wrong way. After all, they had scoured the entire school looking for him and then waited for over an hour. Even the most patient person would need to vent their frustration.

However, Su Cheng pretended not to hear. Though the remark carried a hint of passive-aggressiveness, it wasn’t enough to provoke him.

As he pushed his bicycle, preparing to weave through the crowd and leave, another senior student chimed in.

"Of course, just look at the bicycle he’s riding. He clearly doesn’t care what others think."

Then, yet another male student added fuel to the fire.

"In that case, I should ride a bicycle to school tomorrow too! Maybe it’ll boost my confidence."

"But then people outside the school might think you stole your uniform!"

"Hahaha."

"HAHAHA!"

The jeers and mocking laughter from the crowd made Su Cheng freeze mid-step.

He turned his head, scanning the faces around him before locking eyes with the boy who had spoken. But before he could say anything, a familiar car pulled up nearby...

"If you don’t ride bicycles to school tomorrow, then don’t bother coming at all."

A cold, emotionless female voice rang out as a luxury car came to a smooth stop beside him.

At the same time, a woman in a tailored suit emerged from the crowd, holding a camera and capturing images of everyone who had laughed moments ago.

Click—

The horrified expressions of the students were immortalized in the frame.

"Twelve in total," the attendant remarked, examining the photo.

The moment the words left her lips, the onlookers—who had merely been bystanders—turned furious glares toward the boys who had spoken earlier.

The three who had made the remarks were now deathly pale, too terrified to utter another word, their heads bowed as they wiped sweat from their brows.

The female reporter from the News Society, still clutching her microphone, trembled so violently she nearly dropped it.

"P-President Ji? I—" she stammered.

"Disperse," Ji Qingyi commanded from inside the car, her icy gaze sweeping over them.

"Yes!"

Almost instinctively, everyone responded in unison before scattering like frightened mice, desperate to avoid any further trouble.

"What were you thinking, running your mouths like that?!"

"Now we’ll have to ride bicycles to school from now on!"

"I’m so sorry!"

"Sorry!"

"Sorry!"

"Why did you have to say anything?!"

"Don’t you know about Ji Qingyi’s relationship with him?!"

"I—"

"During the speech, he represented the Social Practice Club, which means he left the Archery Club. I thought—"

"You thought, you thought—then who just stood up for Su Cheng?!"

……………………

Once the crowd had completely dispersed, Ji Qingyi turned her calm gaze toward Su Cheng, who still stood nearby.

"Get in. I’ll give you a ride," she said, her tone leaving no room for argument.

Su Cheng handed his bicycle to the attendant who had taken the photo before stepping into the car.

The moment he settled into the seat, the familiar scent of Ji Qingyi enveloped him.

He glanced sideways at her.

She sat with perfect posture, exuding an air of nobility—her flawless skin like snow, her long legs sheathed in black stockings, her entire presence radiating an untouchable, goddess-like aura.

"Thank you, President. I’ll repay this kindness in the future."

After a long silence, Su Cheng finally spoke up.

Once again, Ji Qingyi had intervened on his behalf.

Hearing his words, she tilted her head slightly, her dark, fathomless eyes briefly meeting his before she turned away again.

"It was nothing," she replied coolly.

With that, she fell silent, clearly unwilling to engage further.

She was still harboring resentment over the incident with the photo earlier that afternoon.

Su Cheng sighed inwardly and chose not to press the matter. Silence was golden, after all.

He didn’t want to provoke her any further.

Leaning back, he focused on the passing scenery outside the window.

But then, his expression shifted.

Something was wrong.

This wasn’t the direction to his house.

He was certain the driver knew the way.

So why were they heading somewhere else?

Confused, he turned to Ji Qingyi, only to find her eyes closed, feigning sleep.

Resigned, Su Cheng let out another quiet sigh and decided not to disturb her.

Yet, just then, he felt the air around him grow unnervingly cold.

He glanced around—nothing seemed amiss on his right. But when he looked to the left, through the window beside Ji Qingyi, a shiver ran down his spine.

Another luxury car had pulled up beside them, and through its window, he caught sight of a tall, elegant figure.

Gu Ruoxue.

Ji Qingyi also turned her head, her eyes locking with Gu Ruoxue’s.

Their gazes clashed—icy, unyielding, as if the very air between them had frozen solid.

"Heh."

Gu Ruoxue’s lips curled into a perfectly polite smile, one that sent a chill down Su Cheng’s spine. Her eyes flicked toward him briefly before she turned away, facing forward again.

Ji Qingyi also withdrew her gaze.

The car resumed moving.

Su Cheng couldn’t suppress another shudder as he recalled that terrifying smile.

"President, this isn’t the way to my house, is it?" he couldn’t help but ask.

Ji Qingyi didn’t even open her eyes.

"No," she answered simply.

"Then why are we going the opposite direction?"

This time, she didn’t even dignify him with a response, keeping her eyes shut as if she hadn’t heard him.

Su Cheng was beyond frustrated, but he knew better than to push further.

When the car stopped at another traffic light, he glanced out the window again.

This time, he spotted a fellow student in the neighboring car staring in their direction. The moment the boy realized Ji Qingyi and Su Cheng were inside, he averted his gaze, panic flashing in his eyes.

Finally, Su Cheng understood.

Earlier that day, he had publicly represented the Social Practice Club, signaling his departure from the Archery Club. As a result, rumors had spread that his relationship with Ji Qingyi had deteriorated beyond repair.

Without the protection of the Archery Club, it was no wonder those seniors had dared to mock him so openly.

And now, Ji Qingyi had not only shared a car with him but deliberately taken a different route—making sure others saw them together.

She was sending a message: their relationship wasn’t broken. If anything, it was stronger than ever.

But as Su Cheng studied her profile, a pang of bitterness twisted in his chest.

He didn’t know how to describe what he was feeling—only that it hurt.

His heart ached for her.

She knew full well how much this would cost her, yet she had still gone this far for him.

To be honest, everything Ji Qingyi had done for him left him in awe. Despite her lofty status and aloof demeanor, she had still taken such pains to shield him.

How could he not be moved?