Schrodinger's Chocolate

Su Cheng noticed that Li Guanqi seemed extremely pleased with his gift, which made him quite happy and eager to see her wear it.

"Hehehe… slurp~"

Suddenly, Su Cheng imagined Li Guanqi standing before him, dressed in the item he had given her, and couldn’t help but chuckle aloud.

"Huh… do I have a fetish?"

His expression froze as he realized he might actually have a thing for objects—otherwise, why would he randomly picture Li Guanqi wearing something like that?

Sure, she had asked him to give it to her, but a normal person wouldn’t be this excited about her wearing it, right?

It was intimate apparel, after all!

He shook his head violently to dismiss the thought and then decided that during the next break, he’d "accidentally" tear Li Guanqi’s current socks. That way, she’d have no choice but to switch to the pair he’d given her…

"Hehehe…"

"Wait, I’m getting way out of hand here! This is practically criminal!"

"I’m a total creep…"

Su Cheng fell silent, realizing he’d been acting like a pervert lately—especially since he felt his relationship with Li Guanqi had deepened. These thoughts were becoming more frequent…

This wasn’t good. He had to stop immediately!

This unhealthy obsession would ruin him!

Starting today, he’d quit cold turkey!

He had to strangle this twisted mindset in its infancy—no way was he letting it grow any further!

……………………

First period began.

The huge commotion from yesterday’s confession seemed to have been quietly suppressed by Ji Qingyi, as the school administration appeared unaware.

This eased Su Cheng’s nerves a little. As the teacher stepped onto the podium, he focused on the lecture, hoping the math instructor’s rigorous demeanor would help purge his filthy thoughts.

Unfortunately, his plan backfired spectacularly. His eyes kept drifting uncontrollably toward Li Guanqi in the corner—each glance longer than the last.

She sat primly in her seat, her beautiful eyes occasionally flicking up to meet his before darting back to the teacher.

Her lips were pressed tight, her brows slightly furrowed, and her lashes fluttered with a faint trace of melancholy.

"Melancholy little Qiqi?"

"So cute~!"

The sight tugged at his heartstrings, making him want to pull her into his arms and smother her with affection.

"So… puppy love really does mess with your studies."

"Parents… weren’t lying."

Back when he’d seen other couples glued to each other, he’d never felt envious—just thought they were childish.

Now, this strange sensation… must be the so-called "stench of love."

He sighed inwardly, forcing himself to look away from Li Guanqi. Instead, he closed his eyes and pondered the system’s rewards.

The benefits of a sincere confession were something he’d experienced firsthand yesterday.

At that moment, his mind had been completely empty—no thoughts of the system, rewards, or punishments. Only her. And she, too, had seemed to see nothing but him.

That was why he’d received a reward from Li Guanqi.

So, in essence, to earn rewards, he needed to enter a specific state.

Su Cheng dubbed this state "single-minded devotion."

Once immersed in it, most distractions and extraneous thoughts would vanish, allowing him to focus entirely on his goal.

Of course, this state only temporarily sidelined the system. Once it ended, his brain would resume its usual chaos. But as long as he achieved "single-minded devotion" during a confession, the reward was guaranteed!

Therefore, to secure rewards, the right setting, mood, emotions, and surprises were all crucial.

If he wanted another reward, he’d have to recreate a similarly grand scenario for Li Guanqi.

That way, he could cash in again!

"Ding-dong~"

The bell for break rang. Su Cheng snapped out of his reverie and instinctively reached into his desk for a chocolate bar. But the moment his fingers touched the wrapper, his entire body jolted as if electrocuted, and he yanked his hand back.

His instincts screamed DANGER!

His sudden movement drew the entire class’s attention, with dozens of eyes locking onto him.

"What’s wrong?"

Wang Guancong, seated behind him, asked worriedly and gave him a pat.

"Yeah, what happened?"

Others chimed in, sensing something off but unsure what. Su Cheng’s abrupt motion had even rattled his desk.

Gulping, Su Cheng—pale-faced and sweating—avoided their gazes before stammering, "Uh… it’s nothing… I just… had a hand cramp."

Li Guanqi, from her corner, glanced over with a hint of concern. Noticing his pallor and the cold sweat on his brow, she stood and walked toward him without hesitation.

"Hand cramps can be serious. You should get your blood electrolytes checked at the hospital."

Xu Tianyi, not far away, also approached Su Cheng.

"Yeah, good idea. I’ll go get checked now. Thanks."

Seizing the excuse, Su Cheng agreed quickly. As he stood, he brushed past Li Guanqi and gave her a reassuring blink before leaving the classroom.

"Phew—"

Once outside, Su Cheng ducked into the restroom, sat on a toilet, and took a deep breath.

"Damn it, who the hell gave me that Schrödinger’s chocolate?!"

He cursed inwardly. He’d nearly triggered a system punishment in front of everyone—thankfully, his enhanced reflexes had saved him.

Clearly, the chocolate’s enclosed note contained something impure and ulterior.

Pulling out his phone, he texted Li Guanqi about the incident, venting his frustration and anger.

[Li Guanqi]: "Want me to handle it for you?"

[Su Cheng]: "Yeah, up to you."

[Li Guanqi]: "Got it. Also, the class monitor got you a sick leave note. You can rest at the hospital."

[Su Cheng]: "Lunch together then?"

[Li Guanqi]: "Can’t. I’ll be with them this afternoon for the trip to your hometown, so I need to stick with them during lunch and the open class."

Su Cheng pouted, grumbling internally about those two troublemakers stealing his sweet, ordinary Qiqi away.

Still, he couldn’t complain. After a few more brief replies, he pocketed his phone and wandered outside.

Finding a quiet spot on campus, he checked that no one was around before flopping onto a bench in a pavilion. Propping his head up, he resumed his earlier train of thought.

But exhaustion from yesterday caught up with him, and before he knew it, he’d dozed off.

So soundly that he didn’t even notice when a slender figure appeared beside him.

Half an hour later…

……

"Mmm… awake now?"

Hearing a familiar voice by his ear, he rubbed his drowsy eyes and slowly opened them, only to freeze on the spot. Right before him was an exquisitely beautiful face, so close he could almost feel her breath.

"Well, well, junior, did sleep fry your brain?"

Liu Qingyue poked Su Cheng’s chest with a slender finger, then leaned in with a mischievous grin.

Su Cheng sprang up like a carp leaping out of water, eyes wide. "Senior, why do you always appear out of nowhere like a ghost? It’s terrifying!"

He’d sensed a delicate fragrance in his sleep, and upon waking, there she was—her lovely face beaming at him.

"I was about to head back when I noticed you skipped class to nap here," Liu Qingyue said, sitting beside him and crossing her legs, her tone a mix of reproach and playful scolding. "Honestly, you’re so inconsiderate. You knew I was back yesterday, yet not a single message to check on me. Do you think I’m free these days for no reason? It’s all because of you!"

"I was going back today too! We’d have met anyway," Su Cheng defended himself.

Liu Qingyue wasn’t wearing her school uniform or maid outfit today—just casual clothes: a black hoodie, shorts paired with black thigh-high socks, and canvas shoes. A backpack completed the look, radiating youthful energy.

"So, you already knew I’m heading to your hometown?"

"Yeah."

Su Cheng nodded.

"And that’s your excuse? Whatever. No point talking to a heartless scoundrel who abandons his loyal wife for the new and shiny," Liu Qingyue huffed, standing up to leave.

"Wait, since when did I earn such a ridiculously long label? And how am I heartless?" Su Cheng hurried after her, grabbing her slender arm in protest.

"Hmph. Heartless!" She turned her head away, shooting him a glare.

Su Cheng sighed, torn between exasperation and amusement.

"Fine, fine. I’m sorry, senior," he relented, releasing her arm.

"That’s more like it." Liu Qingyue smirked and sat back down, elegantly crossing her legs—the smooth curve of her thighs accentuated by the socks.

"You’re leaving already? In such a hurry?"

"Yep. Thanks to the young mistress and you lot, I’ve practically been living on planes lately."

She rummaged through her bag, pulling out a box of Pocky. After unwrapping it, she nibbled on one stick before offering him one.

Su Cheng took it, mimicking her bite-by-bite style, and found it oddly soothing.

"Is the club president going this time too?" he asked between chews.

"Ask her yourself. No idea." Liu Qingyue shrugged, clearly unwilling to elaborate, then stretched and stood. "Alright, I’m off~ Gotta hurry back."

"I’ll walk you."

"At least you’ve got some conscience left."

"Can you stop with that tone and weird look?"

Su Cheng stood and followed, though his voice carried a whiff of grievance.

"I told you to stay away from that woman. Now everyone’s worried sick about you. Must feel great, huh?" Liu Qingyue glanced back, her teasing smile laced with sarcasm.

Su Cheng fell silent, his expression unreadable.

"Hey, hey, just kidding!" Seeing his demeanor, Liu Qingyue sighed and patted his shoulder. "Relax. No matter what happens, the young mistress and I will always have your back."

Yet Su Cheng remained quiet, staring ahead as if lost in thought.

"Hmm?"

Liu Qingyue stopped walking, studying him. What’s with the silence now?

"Now that you mention it… I really have been selfish. My problems ended up dragging everyone in," Su Cheng murmured, shaking his head with regret.

"Wha—? Oh, come on!"

Liu Qingyue spun on her heel to face him, amused. "I was just venting. No need to take it so seriously!"

"It’s just…"

Su Cheng looked up. "A proper protagonist in novels never deliberately burdens others like I have."

"Pfft—hahaha!"

Liu Qingyue burst into bell-like laughter, then lightly flicked his forehead. "This is exactly the attitude that nearly got you killed before."

They reached a flight of stairs, and she hopped down effortlessly before turning back. "But the you now? I’m proud. You finally understand you have friends and aren’t afraid to lean on them."

Yet as she spoke, a fleeting loneliness—almost sorrow—flickered in her eyes, so raw that he couldn’t bear to meet her gaze. Was this the version of him she’d longed to see?

"Going back this time will blow your mind. Try not to cry from excitement," Liu Qingyue teased, waving as she walked away. "No need to follow further. See you tomorrow~"

Su Cheng stood motionless, watching her retreating figure until she vanished. Just as he lowered his gaze, his phone buzzed.

Li Guanqi: "Opened the three chocolates. The cards were signed by Aino Marui, Hoshino Mirai, and Shimizu Otono."

Li Guanqi: "It was orchestrated by a senior named Shimizu Otono."

Su Cheng: "Who’s that?"

He was baffled—he didn’t know her at all.

Li Guanqi: "Class 2-4. Family’s in real estate."

Li Guanqi: "While asking Zhao Yan, I also learned this senior once offered you an umbrella at the club entrance, but you struck a weird pose and bolted into the rain."

"…………"

Su Cheng.

"Got it." After a pause, he replied flatly and locked his phone.

Honestly, he had no clue how to handle this. It’s not like he could retaliate just because someone confessed or showed kindness with ulterior motives, right?

Then the screen lit up again.

Li Guanqi: "Seems this troubles you. From now on, leave such matters to me. I’ll respond appropriately on your behalf."