I Care About You Too

At the entrance of the private dojo.

Su Cheng took several deep breaths before finally mustering the courage to knock on the door.

Knock, knock, knock.

"Come in."

Soon, Ji Qingyi's cold and indifferent voice sounded from within.

When Su Cheng pushed the door open and entered, he found Ji Qingyi practicing calligraphy with a brush in hand.

"President, I've come to apologize to you."

Su Cheng lowered his posture, speaking with utmost respect.

"Oh? What have you done wrong?"

Ji Qingyi paused her movements and turned her gaze toward Su Cheng.

At this moment, as she was practicing calligraphy, she wasn’t wearing her school uniform but rather a simple, elegant white calligraphy robe, which made her seem less stern than usual and instead highlighted a delicate, feminine charm. Her hair was tied up, and the teardrop mole at the corner of her eye appeared even more enchantingly alluring.

"It's about the photo frame incident yesterday..."

Su Cheng recounted his own scheming actions from the day before in full detail. After finishing, he stood in place, awaiting Ji Qingyi’s reprimand.

Hearing this, Ji Qingyi’s expression didn’t change much, but the gloom between her brows eased slightly. She walked to the side, picked up a teacup from the table, and took a sip of hot tea.

Seeing that Ji Qingyi didn’t seem as angry as before, Su Cheng tentatively asked, "Um… President, I won’t ever do such a foolish and unnecessary thing again."

"You think it was foolish?"

Ji Qingyi set down the teacup and fixed her eyes on him.

"Yes. The president has always been incredibly considerate toward me, yet I acted so ungratefully. It was completely unacceptable."

Su Cheng answered earnestly.

"So, you do realize how rude and childish your actions were."

Though her face remained expressionless, Ji Qingyi extended a hand, pointing to a stool nearby, signaling for Su Cheng to sit. Once he was seated, she continued, "In that case, I won’t dwell on it further."

"Mm-hmm!"

Su Cheng nodded repeatedly, the tension in his heart finally easing as a faint smile appeared on his face.

"Yesterday, Ji Yuewu told me that your classmates are planning to visit your hometown to look for her. Did you know about this?"

Ji Qingyi suddenly changed the subject, her tone indifferent.

"Though Senior Ji didn’t mention it to me, I was aware of it."

Su Cheng nodded honestly.

"I see."

Ji Qingyi acknowledged with a slight nod before continuing, "If you find it unpleasant, I can have her divert your classmates elsewhere."

"No need."

Su Cheng shook his head, then said seriously, "I’ll be going back this Friday as well."

Since the topic had come up, he felt he shouldn’t hide this matter. Though the president had never explicitly expressed it in words, her actions had always been sincere and considerate toward him.

Something this important shouldn’t be concealed.

His words, however, caused Ji Qingyi to pause in surprise. She looked up at Su Cheng, puzzled. "You’re making a special trip back just because of this?"

Su Cheng nodded, then fell silent for a moment before confessing truthfully, "It’s also because Minister Gu… She happened to invite me to go back with her this Friday…"

"What a coincidence."

Hearing Su Cheng’s reply, Ji Qingyi raised an eyebrow, her tone carrying a hint of gravity as she sank into brief contemplation.

"Yeah, I thought it was too much of a coincidence too."

Su Cheng smiled bitterly.

"Not just a coincidence—it’s also quite strange."

Ji Qingyi narrowed her eyes, a glint of sharp intelligence flickering in their depths.

"Do you have any insights, President?"

Su Cheng looked at Ji Qingyi curiously.

"Because hearing you say this has piqued my interest."

Ji Qingyi’s response made Su Cheng stiffen in shock.

Damn, this is really weird. Is this some kind of gathering of the stars?

"You’re going back to clarify things that happened between you in the past?"

Ji Qingyi saw through Su Cheng’s thoughts and asked with amusement.

"Yes. I need to figure out what happened back then."

Su Cheng nodded.

"But this matter is significant—it shouldn’t be taken lightly."

Ji Qingyi frowned slightly, her tone solemn. "Though I can’t simply stand by, I don’t intend to interfere. Do as you see fit."

With that, she waved her hand, signaling that Su Cheng could leave.

Su Cheng nodded but didn’t move, instead standing there and watching her.

Deep down, he knew that once he mentioned this, his president would surely go as well.

Because Ji Qingyi cared deeply about him.

"Is there something else?"

Ji Qingyi looked at Su Cheng questioningly.

"Yes…"

Su Cheng hesitated for a moment before gathering his courage to ask, "Um… President… There’s something I want to say to you."

"What is it?"

"I mean…"

Su Cheng fumbled for words before finally blurting out, "The truth is… I care about you too."

As soon as the words left his mouth, the room fell into silence. For the first time, Ji Qingyi’s perpetually emotionless face showed a trace of surprise. She stared at Su Cheng as if confirming whether she had heard correctly.

But her reaction only made Su Cheng more nervous. He even clenched his teeth and shut his eyes. "Yes… I care. If something like this happened to you, I’d do the same."

A long moment passed without a response. When he finally opened his eyes, he found Ji Qingyi still gazing at him.

Her dark, mesmerizing eyes, usually so deep and unreadable, now shimmered with ripples of emotion.

She studied Su Cheng as if trying to see through him, then parted her lips slightly and said softly, "You’re still playing games—forcing yourself to say this under the pretense of my feelings? I never said I cared about you."

Su Cheng froze at her words.

But then—

"No."

Su Cheng stubbornly shook his head, pressing a hand to his chest with firm determination. "No. It’s precisely because my heart has felt your care and kindness that I’ve mustered the courage to say something so embarrassing. I’m afraid if I miss this chance, I might never be brave enough to tell you directly again."

The room lapsed into silence once more.

"……"

Su Cheng held his breath, waiting.

He didn’t back down—instead, his nervousness only grew.

Finally, Ji Qingyi spoke again, and her words made him exhale in relief.

"I understand."

She looked at Su Cheng, her eyes carrying a rare softness and fondness as she said gently, "However, you’ll have to wait until you return for my answer. I hope you’ll still have the courage to face it then."

With that, she gracefully raised her hands and pulled the small hair tie from her ponytail, letting her long, ink-black hair cascade down like a waterfall.

Su Cheng stared dumbfounded as Ji Qingyi stepped lightly toward him. She lowered her head and, with gentle movements, wrapped the hair tie around his wrist.

Then she looked up.

The distance between them was so close that their breaths mingled. Ji Qingyi’s lashes trembled slightly as they locked eyes, neither willing to look away.

"I understand. Seems like there’ll be a reward when I get back!"

Su Cheng was the first to break, turning to leave in a hurry. But even in retreat, he refused to lose face—forcing a carefree grin as he strode away.