Do you even understand the value of this gift

Ji Yi took the folded antique rice paper, carefully unfolding it to examine its contents. Upon opening it, she noticed the entire sheet bore signs of restoration, yet the text inside remained perfectly legible.

It was a marriage contract!

"The union of two families, a bond sealed in ceremony,

A harmonious match, declared equal in standing.

Behold this day of blooming peach blossoms, auspicious for home and hearth;

May the years ahead bring abundant offspring, prosperity unending.

With this vow of shared white hairs, inscribed upon crimson paper,

We pledge this intertwining oath, a shared commitment to uphold.

Any descendants born shall be betrothed to one another.

This we certify."

The document bore her father's signature, his personal seal, and the official stamp of the Ji family registry.

This was a binding covenant!

And the two surnames inscribed upon it were:

Ji and Su!

The Su family's signature belonged to Su Ying.

Ji Qingyi stared at the rice paper, momentarily speechless.

"Who is this Su Ying?"

Taking a deep breath to steady the turbulent emotions within, she calmly asked, "Could it be his parents?"

"He was Su Cheng's grandfather. According to my investigation, the family head was once rescued by Su Ying during a hunting trip in his youth, and thus arranged this betrothal between their descendants."

Liu Qingyue lowered her head and answered softly, "Su Cheng used his abilities to alter reality directly—this history is now fact. Hence, the contract is genuine."

"I see..." Ji Qingyi nodded. "Does the family head know about this?"

"He does." Liu Qingyue nodded, then met Ji Qingyi's gaze. "The family head suddenly recalled this arrangement. He decided that if no one came forward with the token to propose by your eighteenth birthday, the contract would be voided."

Ji Qingyi fell into deep silence upon hearing this.

"So... he’s also noticed Su Cheng?"

"Mm. Out of gratitude for Su Ying's past kindness, the family head has kept it discreet. The investigation and surveillance on Su Cheng happened to be handled by Ji Xiaze, who is under my control. I filtered the reports, and judging by the family head’s subsequent attitude, he seems quite satisfied with Su Cheng. Marrying into the Ji family shouldn’t be an issue—provided the marriage contract is presented."

"Is that so..."

Ji Qingyi murmured softly, then gently traced her fingers over the document.

She stood up, tucking the contract into her inner pocket, and walked to the windowsill. Gazing at the moon outside, she narrowed her phoenix eyes, her demeanor exuding noble elegance.

"And... this contract?"

Liu Qingyue hesitated before inquiring.

"Leave."

Ji Qingyi’s gaze remained fixed on the nightscape outside as she uttered the two words lightly.

"Yes."

A faint smile touched Liu Qingyue’s lips as she bowed slightly and withdrew.

Once the door closed, Ji Qingyi took out the contract again, studying it for a while longer.

"A destroyed contract, restored..."

——————————————

The next day

Flame City Private Academy

Class 1-2

It was Valentine’s Day, and the school was buzzing with an unusual energy. Most students had received gifts or flowers from their girlfriends or boyfriends—even loners found themselves gifted by fellow singles.

As Su Cheng changed into his indoor shoes, he spotted a large bouquet of roses discarded in a remote corner of the shoe locker, right beside the trash bin.

Clearly, some simp’s gift to his crush, only for her to toss it away without a second thought...

"Tsk, what a waste of such expensive flowers..."

Having visited a flower shop just yesterday, he knew exactly how much they cost.

After changing his shoes, he headed to the classroom. Along the way, he passed countless boys and girls carrying chocolates and flowers—girls especially, nearly every one of them clutching bouquets of varying styles.

The boys, meanwhile, held chocolates.

Walking alone with his mask on, Su Cheng couldn’t help but chuckle bitterly, thinking to himself, "I never realized Valentine’s Day had such an impact on school life."

But when he entered the classroom, he found it sparsely populated. His eyes then landed on his desk—where several chocolates were neatly arranged.

He froze.

"What is this?"

Su Cheng stared blankly at the pile of exquisitely wrapped boxes. He turned to Wang Guancong beside him, half-convinced he was dreaming.

"Don’t get too excited!"

Wang Guancong, whose own desk was conspicuously empty, pouted in displeasure. "You’ll have to return the favor!"

"Huh?" Su Cheng was baffled.

Return the favor?

How?

Since when was that a thing?

Wang Guancong patted his shoulder conspiratorially. "Next Valentine’s Day, you’ll have to reciprocate with gifts—and a response. Got it?"

Su Cheng frowned, utterly lost by Wang Guancong’s logic.

People gave him chocolates without asking, without his consent, and now he was expected to return the gesture?!

"It’s an old Japanese custom. This school isn’t just for Flame City locals, you know. Some folks just prefer this tradition when gifting. No big deal."

With that, he gave Su Cheng another pat. "So, what goes around comes around. Serves you right for being popular. Not that I’m jealous or anything."

Having said his piece, Wang Guancong slumped back into his seat, gazing wistfully out the window as a single tear rolled down his cheek...

Su Cheng sighed, glancing at the despondent Wang Guancong with a pang of sympathy. He picked up one of the chocolates and examined it, only to frown in confusion.

"But there’s no name on these. How am I supposed to return the favor?"

"Are you dumb? They snuck these onto your desk early in the morning to avoid being seen. The card’s inside the wrapper—just tear it open."

"...Oh."

Su Cheng had no rebuttal. He hesitated briefly before ripping open the packaging.

Rip—

Pulling out the card, he scanned the name written on it.

And then...

[Wang Guancong]

Su Cheng: "..."

"Are you insane? Why’s a grown man giving me chocolate?"

"Heh, what do you know?"

Wang Guancong stood up with a sly grin. "This is giri choco—a token of friendship. Don’t disrespect the sentiment."

Su Cheng massaged his temples, taking a bite of the chocolate. "Fine. I’ll get you one later as thanks."

"But... are the other chocolates from you too?" Su Cheng eyed the remaining boxes on his desk suspiciously.

"Nope. Probably from girls. Don’t let them down." Wang Guancong nodded sagely, like a seasoned expert.

"Right..."

Su Cheng ignored him, focusing on his chocolate. He’d deal with the others at home. Then his gaze drifted to an empty seat in the corner.

He wondered—should he just slip yesterday’s system item into her desk?

——————————————

Meanwhile

Li Guanqi had also arrived at school, though unlike previous days, Zhao Yan and Xuan Ying hadn’t invited her to come together.

Instead, they’d announced in their group chat earlier that morning that they were "packing things."

What things?

She opened the trio’s chat.

Group Name: Friendship • Everlasting

Group ID: xxxxxxxxx

Members: Li Guanqi, Zhao Yan, Xuan Ying.

Xuan Ying: "I've already bought the plane tickets for everyone. Pack your things this morning, and after school this afternoon, we'll fly straight to Senior Liu's place."

Seeing this message, she was genuinely surprised, as Liu Qingyue had made an untimely appearance just last night.

According to Xuan Ying, Liu Qingyue would be waiting at the airport to pick them up, which meant she might have to return today—or perhaps even Ji Qingyi would come along.

She tucked her phone away and headed toward the school building.

Upon entering the classroom, her gaze immediately went to Su Cheng's seat, where she found him eating chocolate and discussing something with Wang Guancong.

What’s more, his desk drawer was stuffed with even more chocolates.

Her eyes briefly darkened with a hint of resentment, but she quickly masked it, then moved to place her bag inside her own desk—only to find something unexpected inside.

She hesitated, slung the bag back over her shoulder, and recalled Su Cheng’s mention of a gift yesterday.

Sitting down, she leaned forward slightly and pulled out the object inside.

"Huh…"

Staring at the sleek, metallic gift box, she froze for a moment—until her phone buzzed in her pocket.

She hastily returned the box to the drawer and checked her phone, only to see a message from Su Cheng.

The text explained the contents of the iron gift box… and their effects.

Her pupils dilated slightly as she read, her breath hitching involuntarily. Flustered, she shoved her bag into the drawer to hide the box, then took several deep breaths to steady herself.

For any woman, such a thing would be irresistibly tempting—even she couldn’t help but lose her composure.

"How obsessed can he be? Even the reward is something like this!"

She grumbled inwardly, though a faint sweetness still seeped into her heart. Then, cheeks flushed, she glanced back at Su Cheng, who gave her a knowing nod and a smug, almost teasing grin.