About Taking the Subway with Li Guanqi

Just as he was about to take a break—

"Knock, knock—"

Someone rapped on the door.

Su Cheng frowned.

Who would come looking for him so late at night, especially in the rain?

Still in his pajamas, he walked to the door and pulled it open, revealing a calm yet exquisitely beautiful face.

It was none other than Li Guanqi, the seemingly ordinary girl with the ability to remain unseen.

Dressed in Flame City Private School's uniform, she wore an additional black coat over it and carried a small black handbag. Standing at the doorway, she stared expressionlessly at Su Cheng.

Though puzzled, Su Cheng stepped aside to let her in and asked, "Why didn’t you tell me you were coming?"

Li Guanqi, however, remained silent, retrieving her slippers from the shoe rack before bending slightly to remove her shoes and change into them.

Su Cheng couldn’t help but let his gaze linger.

Noticing his stare, Li Guanqi finished adjusting her footwear and glanced at him coolly before calmly hanging her coat and handbag on the nearby rack.

"There’s something I need to discuss with you in person," she said, turning back to him with the same detached expression, emphasizing, "Something important."

Su Cheng quickly composed himself and nodded seriously, then followed her into the living room.

However, as soon as Li Guanqi entered, her attention was drawn to the dozens of crows perched on the balcony.

She had a fondness for black, and the crows' glossy, dark feathers perfectly matched her aesthetic.

Following her gaze, Su Cheng explained, "They come here to take shelter when it rains."

At this, she looked up at him and asked, "Can you tell which one is Ya-Ya?"

Su Cheng shook his head. They all looked the same—just a bunch of pitch-black birds. It was impossible to distinguish one from another.

But it didn’t matter much. As long as Ya-Ya recognized him, that was enough.

So, he called out "Ya-Ya!" toward the balcony, and soon, one of the crows flapped its wings excitedly, cawing as it flew over.

This time, however, it landed on Li Guanqi’s shoulder instead.

Clearly, it recognized her.

Li Guanqi tilted her head slightly to observe it, then reached out a finger to gently touch its beak. In response, Ya-Ya affectionately nuzzled her fingertip.

"Have you eaten?" she asked.

"I have," Su Cheng replied.

Seated across from each other on the sofa, Su Cheng asked, "So, what’s this important matter?"

Li Guanqi then recounted the events of the previous afternoon and repeated what had happened in the group chat, concluding, "So, this Friday, they might visit your hometown to look for Senior Sister Liu."

"What?!"

Hearing this, Su Cheng’s composed demeanor shattered, his face twisting in shock.

Noticing his reaction, Li Guanqi reverted to her usual serious and composed tone, asking, "That reaction… Does that mean you’re also planning to go back on Friday?"

Su Cheng took a deep breath, trying to steady himself, and nodded. "Yes. This afternoon, Minister Gu told me to accompany her back to the place where I used to study."

No wonder he was so stunned.

The whole situation felt eerily orchestrated, as if some invisible hand was pulling the strings.

Li Guanqi’s frown deepened. Speaking slowly, her tone laced with caution, she said, "If this isn’t a coincidence, then Sister Qin might be involved in something suspicious."

"True," Su Cheng agreed, sighing. "But I’d rather believe it’s just a coincidence, not some conspiracy. I just want to enjoy my school life peacefully."

After a moment of contemplation, Li Guanqi looked up and asked, "Have you decided to go back this Friday?"

"This might be connected to my past… So, no matter what, I have to go with her," Su Cheng admitted with another sigh. "Besides, you know how rare this opportunity is."

Li Guanqi lowered her gaze, thinking for a long while before finally nodding in understanding.

Silence settled over the living room. Su Cheng watched as Li Guanqi kept her head down, her small hands resting on her knees, fingers curling slightly.

He could sense her hesitation—or was it unease? Maybe even fear?

Because of this trip…

If he regained his memories, would he still be the Su Cheng she knew?

Would he change?

There was no way to predict it.

Too many uncertainties loomed, and Su Cheng couldn’t help but worry. What if his current memories were just those of an outsider?

If he recovered his original memories, wouldn’t his priorities shift? The things he cherished now might lose their significance.

His gaze lingered on Li Guanqi, who remained silent, her expression unreadable. Su Cheng pressed his lips together before finally mustering the courage to speak.

"You…" he began.

Li Guanqi lifted her head, her eyes flickering with unspoken emotion. "Compared to everything else, I think this matter takes precedence over anything else," she said.

With that, she stood up and walked over to Su Cheng, taking his cold hand in hers with firm resolve. "Did you think I’d stop you from going?"

Su Cheng met her gaze but said nothing, though his expression answered for him: Yes, that’s exactly what I thought.

Li Guanqi’s voice softened as she explained, "I did consider it. But if I really did that… I’d feel like I was being selfish."

As she spoke, she looked at him, but her eyes were shadowed, as if veiled by a thick fog.

Su Cheng countered, "In that case, why not come with me to my hometown?"

"If that’s what you want, then I have no objections."

Li Guanqi nodded, her usually impassive face softening with a warmth like winter sunlight piercing through the cold.

She added, "But I plan to go with Xuan Ying and the others."

"Alright," Su Cheng agreed.

Li Guanqi continued, "There’s one plan we need to move up—your chess match with Senior Sister Si."

Su Cheng blinked in surprise before chuckling. "That can wait, can’t it?"

"Well, since you refuse to spend your free time memorizing AI-generated chess moves, we’ll have to resort to this old-fashioned method," she said matter-of-factly.

"It’ll require custom equipment—wireless tech, remote control, and sensors set to different frequencies for remote operation."

Her gaze turned intense as she stared at him. "So, we should start preparations today. I plan to install the sensors in your shoes."

Su Cheng’s brows furrowed, his expression turning odd.

"What are you thinking?"

Unexpectedly, Li Guanqi seemed to read his mind from his expression alone. With a faint sigh, she pinched the soft flesh at his waist.

But Su Cheng, lost in thought, barely felt it. Mistaking it for a gentle massage, he gave her a look that said, Is that all you’ve got?

Li Guanqi widened her eyes, looking at him in disbelief. Her grip remained firm, even tightening slightly, yet she couldn’t bring herself to use her full strength.

As a result, Su Cheng showed no reaction whatsoever, as if he hadn’t felt a thing. Frustrated, she could only glare at him angrily before huffing and turning her head away, letting go of his hand.

Su Cheng froze, only now realizing what had happened.

A wave of regret washed over him.

Having been pinched by two human-shaped Gundams before, he had practically become immune to pain around his waist. This time, all he felt was a slight tickle—nothing more.

But now, she seemed genuinely upset!

This wouldn’t do.

"Ow, that hurts!"

Suddenly, Su Cheng leaned back, clutching his waist with an exaggerated expression of agony, letting out a pitiful cry as if he’d been brutally mistreated.

Li Guanqi tilted her head slightly, stealing a glance at Su Cheng, whose over-the-top reaction could’ve shattered a Guinness World Record. She couldn’t help but mutter coldly, "A sloth in its old age would’ve reacted faster than you."

"Heh, didn’t you say we should prepare early? The rain’s stopped now. It’s only seven—if we want, we can start getting ready right away!"

Su Cheng pointed at the weather outside, deftly steering the conversation elsewhere. After speaking, he stood up, making a show of heading to the bedroom to change clothes.

Li Guanqi lifted her head to glance outside. Seeing the rain had indeed let up, she nodded. "Alright, go change first."

"Mhm."

……………………

Though the rain had stopped, the air outside remained thick with humidity, stifling and muggy. Su Cheng carried only a bag, leaving his jacket behind at Li Guanqi’s place.

As they walked, their conversation revealed that Su Cheng planned to take Li Guanqi shopping for new shoes, while she would handle installing the sensors.

Since Su Cheng’s driver was scheduled to pick her up at nine from his place, he didn’t want to trouble him further. So, for this trip to the city center, Su Cheng suggested taking the subway.

On the Subway

Fresh after the rain and right during rush hour, the subway was packed. Every two or three seconds, people jostled against each other.

Left with no choice, Su Cheng shielded Li Guanqi, ensuring she wouldn’t have unnecessary physical contact with strangers.

……

Time ticked by, and station after station passed. The doors slid open repeatedly, passengers streaming out in waves. The crowd thinned from its initial suffocating density, but seats remained scarce.

Now, believing his protective role was no longer needed, Su Cheng naturally let go of Li Guanqi. After all, they weren’t officially together—holding her like this felt far too intimate.

But to his surprise, the moment he released her, Li Guanqi lost her balance, nearly toppling forward. Luckily, Su Cheng swiftly reached out and pulled her back into his arms.

"What’s wrong?"

Su Cheng leaned in slightly, studying Li Guanqi’s profile. A faint sheen of sweat glistened on her delicate face.

Was she feeling too warm from being held?

Too embarrassed to say so?

Toughing it out?

"I—it’s nothing. Maybe I’m just not used to this kind of transportation. First time, you know."

Li Guanqi shook her head, trying to play it off, but her vulnerability was unmistakable.

The sight struck a nerve in Su Cheng.

Going out with a girl and making her stand the whole ride?

Pathetic!

What a failure of a transmigrator!

Determined to fix this, Su Cheng scanned the carriage for an empty seat—only to find every spot taken, even the aisles crammed with standing passengers.

His brow furrowed.

At that moment, he was sorely tempted to freeze time, sweep Li Guanqi into his arms, and plant her in the most comfortable seat available.

Now that would be worthy of a transmigrator’s prestige!

Just as he was racking his brain for a solution, his gaze landed on a young girl seated nearby, engrossed in her phone. She was browsing a popular red-themed reading app.

Crucially, her phone was the same brand as his.

A spark of inspiration lit up his eyes. He turned to Li Guanqi and whispered, "I’m going to use my phone. Hold steady, okay?"

Li Guanqi nodded obediently, though her fingers still clung to the hem of Su Cheng’s shirt.

Only then did Su Cheng free his arm, reaching into his pocket to retrieve his phone. He activated the airdrop feature, scanned for nearby devices, and, once locked onto the girl’s phone, sent over an image.

Even if rejected, this approach spared him public embarrassment.

Ding~

The girl, who had been typing "Sis, your base is great—you’ll look amazing once you slim down!" under someone’s post, suddenly saw a notification pop up.

Puzzled, she tapped it open—then frowned in displeasure. Her eyes darted around until they landed on Su Cheng.

Su Cheng nodded subtly, signaling that it was from him.

Yet instead of the reaction he hoped for, the girl’s face twisted into outright disgust. She immediately looked back down at her phone, ignoring him completely.

A rejection?

Su Cheng’s first attempt at deploying his "charm offensive" had backfired spectacularly, dealing a crushing blow to his pride.

Embarrassed, he turned toward the window—only to catch Li Guanqi’s puzzled reflection staring back at him. Flustered, he quickly lowered his head, instinctively reaching to adjust his mask.

But the moment his fingers touched it, his eyes widened in realization.

He’d been wearing a mask this whole time!

The epiphany hit him like a thunderclap, washing away his earlier frustration and awkwardness in an instant.

With renewed confidence, he repeated the maneuver, sending another image.

Annoyed by the unsolicited message, the girl looked up, ready to snap, "You disgusting lowlife, how dare you harass me? Get lost!"

But before the words could leave her mouth, Su Cheng removed his mask, revealing a strikingly handsome face—warm, clear-eyed, and adorned with a bright, disarming smile.

Instantly, her heart began to race uncontrollably.

Wh-what’s happening?!

How could someone be this heart-stoppingly attractive?!

At that moment, Su Cheng’s smile shone as brilliantly as the sun.

The girl found herself holding her breath, utterly mesmerized, even forgetting the scathing remark she’d prepared.

"You were about to say something?" Su Cheng asked curiously.

"Ah! Oh… um… your mask!"

His voice finally snapped her out of her daze.

Meanwhile, Su Cheng had already slipped his mask back on.

Flustered, the girl stuffed her phone into her bag and stood up, hastily revising her words: "Th-that is, I was going to say… my stop’s coming up. You can have my seat!"

Her cheeks burned a vivid red, like ripened apples, as she kept her gaze firmly downward, too embarrassed to meet his eyes.

"Thank you."

Su Cheng nodded graciously.

"N-no problem!"

She waved her hands hurriedly, about to ask for his contact info—when her expression abruptly froze. Her face cycled through shades of green and pale, twisting into something almost grotesque.

Because Su Cheng had just taken another girl’s hand and was now guiding her toward the vacated seat with unmistakable tenderness!

"!??"