About Su Cheng Returning to Hometown on Friday

"Xuan Ying, your skirt doesn't seem to comply with school regulations."

Hoshino Mirai spoke these words before reaching out her hand. A Disciplinary Committee Member nearby quickly handed her a measuring tape, which she then used to measure the length of Xuan Ying's skirt.

The moment the words were spoken, both Xuan Ying and Zhao Yan stiffened, their faces flashing with panic.

"Um…"

Xuan Ying stammered, watching as Hoshino Mirai crouched down, unsure of what to do.

"It's 5cm shorter than the regulation length. Name and class, please."

Hoshino Mirai asked with meticulous precision.

Xuan Ying grew even more flustered, beads of sweat forming on her forehead. After hesitating for a moment, she could only murmur, "Xuan Ying, Class 1-2."

The Disciplinary Committee Member beside them began recording the details and handed a notebook to Xuan Ying, instructing her to sign it herself.

Hoshino Mirai suddenly looked up at Zhao Yan, who immediately hid her hands behind her back.

Noticing this, Hoshino Mirai said, "This skirt of yours is so short it doesn’t even need measuring. And you’re wearing nail polish, which is also against school rules."

Zhao Yan sighed in resignation and obediently wrote her name in the notebook.

"Make sure you correct these violations promptly."

Hoshino Mirai closed the notebook, gave Su Cheng a brief glance, and then prepared to leave with her fellow committee members.

Throughout the entire exchange, Li Guanqi remained unnoticed, as if invisible.

Even if she hadn’t been overlooked, Li Guanqi wouldn’t have been reprimanded—she hadn’t broken any rules.

"I have things to do, so I’ll be going too."

Seeing the dark expressions on Xuan Ying and Zhao Yan’s faces, Su Cheng decided to make a quick exit.

At the same time, Li Guanqi followed behind him, pulling out her phone to check if the group purchase item she had been eyeing earlier was still available. Unfortunately, it was already sold out.

"This is definitely revenge!"

Once Hoshino Mirai and Su Cheng were gone, Xuan Ying stomped her foot in frustration. "Humiliating me like that in front of Su Cheng—how could she?!"

Beside her, Zhao Yan also looked embarrassed but tried to console her. "Come on, let’s go change. Otherwise, we’ll be late for P.E. class."

"Hmph."

Xuan Ying let out a displeased grunt before turning and walking down a different path. In their distress, both girls had completely forgotten about Li Guanqi.

......

"How did you get to know Senior Si Jing?"

Li Guanqi’s voice floated beside Su Cheng, though her tone made it clear she wasn’t happy about it.

Before he could explain, a girl emerged from a nearby pavilion and eagerly asked, "Su Cheng, did you finish your match with Senior Si Jing? How did it go?"

It was Xu Tianyi.

Su Cheng immediately turned to Li Guanqi with an expression that seemed to say, "You’re the one who led the enemy straight to us!"

Li Guanqi blinked in realization, silently acknowledging her mistake.

………………………………

Afternoon

P.E. Class

Break Time

"So, I don’t actually know how to play chess. What do I do if she asks me again?"

Su Cheng recounted the events of lunchtime to Li Guanqi.

After listening, Li Guanqi frowned slightly, deep in thought. Finally, she spoke. "I’m not her match either. And it seems she can sense my presence."

Su Cheng wasn’t surprised by this. After all, Senior Si Jing’s abilities were far from ordinary—her senses were almost unnaturally sharp.

"I don’t need to win. I just need to make it seem like I’m trying my best. Maybe then she’ll lose interest."

Su Cheng shrugged, acting indifferent.

"If it’s just Gomoku (Five-in-a-Row), I have a way."

Li Guanqi’s voice was calm.

"What way?"

"Literal synchronized resonance."

"Huh?"

"Didn’t Senior Liu give you a pair of glasses with surveillance and audio functions? We can share the same perspective while playing. Then, if you carry a device that can adjust vibration frequencies, I can signal you with different patterns. That way, you can follow my moves."

Li Guanqi delivered this explanation with complete seriousness, leaving Su Cheng staring at her in disbelief.

"And this 'vibration device' you’re talking about… is it, uh, appropriate?"

………………………………

Afternoon

Club Activity Time

As usual, Gu Ruoxue sat quietly in the Social Practice Club, absorbed in a book. The scene was so picturesque that Su Cheng couldn’t help but pause for a moment to admire it.

Knock, knock, knock—

Suddenly, the clubroom door was rapped upon.

"Come in."

Gu Ruoxue set down her book, her cool voice carrying across the room.

"Excuse me."

The door creaked open slightly, and a girl with hair covering her eyes and nose stepped inside, her entire presence exuding an eerie chill. It was none other than Si Jing.

Seeing the ghostly senior reappear like a specter, Su Cheng rubbed his temples in exasperation.

Gu Ruoxue, however, showed no surprise at Si Jing’s arrival. She remained seated and asked in her usual detached tone, "What do you want?"

"I’m here to play chess."

Si Jing’s voice was icy.

"If you want to play chess, go back to your own club. The Social Practice Club doesn’t allow games during activity hours."

Gu Ruoxue dismissed her without hesitation, picking up her book again as if the matter was settled.

Si Jing didn’t argue. Instead, she ignored Gu Ruoxue and turned to Su Cheng, speaking in a strangely friendly tone.

"Want to play a game?"

"Sorry, I’m busy with club activities right now. And I’m not really in the mood for chess these days."

Su Cheng declined politely.

"I see…"

Si Jing’s tone remained unchanged. She then turned away, murmuring regretfully, "What a shame. I thought you liked chess, so I came to invite you."

"Next time, maybe."

"When?"

"Next week?"

"Deal."

Si Jing nodded and turned to leave—only to immediately walk straight into the door with a loud thud.

"Ow…"

"Seriously, can’t you do something about that hair of yours? It’s painful to watch!"

"It’s fine, it’s fine."

Thud.

Su Cheng facepalmed as Si Jing walked into the doorframe again. This time, she managed to suppress her cry of pain, merely rubbing her head before shuffling away.

"This Friday, you’re coming with me."

Gu Ruoxue’s cool voice cut through the silence, her words making Su Cheng tense up instantly.

"Where to?"

"Your old school."