The Not-So-Sharp Look

In the park, inside a pavilion.

Gu Ruoxue was sitting in her seat, fiddling with her new phone. Her actions took Su Cheng by surprise.

Unlike President Ji, who was technologically inept, Gu Ruoxue had familiarized herself with the new phone in just a few minutes.

She had even registered her own social media account.

And he—he simply stood by, watching quietly.

Suddenly, Gu Ruoxue lifted her head, glanced at him, then lowered it again without a word, continuing to toy with her phone.

After a moment, she finally spoke, her tone as light as a breeze: "I've already added you."

"Huh?"

Su Cheng was stunned. He hadn’t even given her his account details, yet she had already sent a friend request?

He pulled out his phone and, sure enough, found a pending friend request.

Opening it, he saw a string of numbers with no display name. After accepting, he looked up curiously and asked, "How did you know my account?"

"It was on the club application form," Gu Ruoxue replied without lifting her head.

"You really memorized it, huh?"

Su Cheng smirked, though inwardly he was sweating—this woman had deliberately memorized his account details!

"By the way, do you want to add President Ji?"

Su Cheng suddenly thought of something and made the suggestion while looking at Gu Ruoxue.

Gu Ruoxue shook her head. "No need."

"But you two are kind of friends, right? Last time, we all went on that outing together," Su Cheng pressed, frowning. He clearly wanted these two loners to become friends—it would make his life easier.

He figured they might have some common ground.

"Not interested," Gu Ruoxue coldly refused.

With that, she stood up, unwilling to continue the discussion. "Let’s go. We should head to the school now."

Hearing this, Su Cheng took out his phone—the same model as Gu Ruoxue’s and Ji Qingyi’s—and checked the location Li Guanqi had sent earlier. To his surprise, they were still at the school!

Su Cheng quickly sent a message to Li Guanqi: "What are you guys doing at school? I’m heading there now too!"

After sending it, he hurried to catch up with Gu Ruoxue.

Just as they fell into step, his phone buzzed with a reply from Li Guanqi: "We just finished touring the school. Now we’re planning to visit the welfare center."

Reading this, Su Cheng froze.

Given how things were unfolding, they might actually run into each other!

Then, he abruptly stopped and turned to Gu Ruoxue, who stood calmly beside him. "I can’t show my student ID, so I’ll have to take off my mask to register at the gate. If someone recognizes me, it’ll cause a scene. That’d be trouble."

Hearing this, Gu Ruoxue paused and turned her gaze toward him, silent for a long moment before reaching into her bag and pulling out a student ID.

It was the one she had used when she was a student here.

The photo inside was nothing like a standard ID picture—it looked more like a portrait of a fairy. All she had to do was show it, and the guard would let them in.

"Uh…"

Her move left Su Cheng speechless.

"You really think of everything," he finally said with an awkward chuckle.

"Are they at the school too?"

Out of nowhere, she dropped this bombshell.

"Who?"

Su Cheng’s heart skipped a beat, but he feigned ignorance.

Did Gu Ruoxue know Li Guanqi and the others were here?

"What do you think?"

Gu Ruoxue countered, her expression unreadable.

Su Cheng’s stomach lurched.

After a long pause, he nodded. "Yeah, they are. We might bump into them if we go now."

"Then let’s go later."

Gu Ruoxue put away the ID and walked toward a nearby café.

Su Cheng’s expression was complicated. He couldn’t figure out how Gu Ruoxue had known.

The café was small, no more than fifteen or sixteen square meters.

Though simply decorated, it was elegant and cozy.

Su Cheng and Gu Ruoxue took a seat by the window. The café wasn’t crowded, and they sat facing each other.

Su Cheng didn’t order coffee.

Everyone here was staring at them.

If he took off his mask, he’d be recognized instantly.

Soon, a steaming cup of coffee was placed in front of Gu Ruoxue.

"Thank you."

Gu Ruoxue removed her mask to speak, and the barista froze for a few seconds, stunned by her breathtaking beauty.

"You… Gu Ruoxue?"

At the barista’s words, both Su Cheng and Gu Ruoxue turned to look at her in surprise.

A young girl in a uniform stood there, her eyes wide with disbelief, as if she’d just seen the most unbelievable thing in the world.

"You…"

Gu Ruoxue was momentarily taken aback before her expression turned curious. "And you are…?"

"I’m Zhao Feifei," the girl said excitedly. "It really is you! I almost didn’t recognize you. We were in the same class before."

"Oh, it’s you."

Gu Ruoxue nodded in realization, then lightly tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear. "It’s been a while, Zhao Feifei."

"Yeah! I’m working here part-time now," Zhao Feifei replied, then suddenly turned to Su Cheng. "And this is…?"

"I’m her current classmate. We came to visit the school today. I’m Li Guanqi. Nice to meet you."

Su Cheng smoothly took over, lying without hesitation.

"Nice to meet you too. I’m Zhao Feifei." She responded politely, though her eyes lingered on Su Cheng’s mask, clearly curious about his appearance.

Meanwhile, Gu Ruoxue frowned slightly at Su Cheng’s use of Li Guanqi’s name but didn’t expose him, instead turning her gaze out the window.

Seeing that Su Cheng still wouldn’t remove his mask, Zhao Feifei looked disappointed but quickly turned back to Gu Ruoxue. "The school has changed a lot recently. If you’d like, I can show you around."

Gu Ruoxue was about to decline, but Su Cheng cut in gratefully, "That’d be amazing, thank you!"

He figured this girl might know something about Gu Ruoxue’s past—maybe even his own history with her.

This was an unexpected opportunity.

Gu Ruoxue glanced at Su Cheng, immediately understanding his intentions, but didn’t object. Instead, she asked, "Aren’t you working right now? Would it be inconvenient?"

"My shift just ended, and I’d be honored to help you, Gu Ruoxue!"

Zhao Feifei eagerly untied her apron. She had always admired Gu Ruoxue and was more than happy to oblige.

Though, she couldn’t help but side-eye the masked "Li Guanqi."

After all, the only one worthy of Gu Ruoxue was Su Cheng!

Although the two seemed to have broken up for some unknown reason—and there were even rumors that Su Cheng had later jumped into a river—she believed that as soon as Su Cheng appeared before Gu Ruoxue, the two would immediately rekindle their old flame.

Thinking this, Zhao Feifei grew even more disdainful of the masked man beside her, wishing she could shake him off.

"If that's the case, then I won't trouble you any further," Gu Ruoxue nodded, expressing her gratitude.

"Not at all."

Zhao Feifei quickly waved her hand and then led Gu Ruoxue out of the café, heading toward the school.

Meanwhile, Su Cheng stayed behind to settle the bill before catching up with the two women. Zhao Feifei ignored him the entire way, chatting only with Gu Ruoxue.

And he remained quietly by Gu Ruoxue's side.

"Do you still remember Su Cheng, your junior?"

At that moment, Zhao Feifei's question snapped Su Cheng to full attention.

"Hmm."

Gu Ruoxue glanced briefly at Su Cheng and responded indifferently, her expression revealing nothing.

"Back when you suddenly transferred schools, Su Cheng was heartbroken for a long time. There were even rumors that he jumped into a river."

Zhao Feifei suddenly sighed. "Ah, I was quite sad back then too. I really thought the two of you would end up together. Who would've guessed…"

As she spoke, she glanced at Su Cheng in his masked disguise and continued wistfully, "But fate has played a cruel joke on Su Cheng. Not only did he get into Flame City Private Academy, but he’s also become the pride of our hometown."

Her intention was obvious—she wanted the masked man to know just how outstanding Su Cheng was, hoping he’d back off.

After saying this, she looked at Gu Ruoxue again. "Gu Ruoxue, I really think you and Su Cheng would make a perfect match."

Then, she suddenly pointed to a library ahead. "I still remember how you and Su Cheng used to spend time there together. You’d focus on reading, and he’d just watch you—like there was nothing else in his eyes but you."

Her voice softened as she continued, "You two were so in sync back then. Every time you finished a book, Su Cheng would always take it and put it back on the shelf for you. I remember feeling so envious at the time…"

Hearing these words, Gu Ruoxue’s expression stiffened slightly. She glanced at Su Cheng, who seemed eager to enter the library, and bit her lip in frustration.

"Don’t misunderstand, Gu Ruoxue. I was just reminiscing," Zhao Feifei quickly explained, noticing her discomfort. "By the way, do you still have feelings for Su Cheng?"

"Let’s not talk about the past anymore. What’s done is done, and no one can change it."

Gu Ruoxue shook her head.

Her words stunned Zhao Feifei, whose eyes reddened as if overwhelmed by emotion.

"Gu Ruoxue…" Zhao Feifei choked out, "Please give Su Cheng another chance. You have no idea how hard he’s worked. I’m sure if you reached out to him, he’d never turn you away…"

Hearing this, Su Cheng’s expression twisted oddly under his mask. He couldn’t help but think his decision to disguise himself had been brilliant—Gu Ruoxue was clearly struggling to handle Zhao Feifei’s relentless persuasion, looking utterly flustered.

"I’m sorry."

Gu Ruoxue slowly closed her eyes, took a deep breath, and when she opened them again, her gaze was icy as she looked at Zhao Feifei. "There’s no need to waste your breath."

"But—" Zhao Feifei opened her mouth to protest.

"He’s quite the celebrity at Flame City Private Academy now. On Valentine’s Day, he gave flowers to multiple girls."

Gu Ruoxue’s tone was frigid.

Zhao Feifei’s eyes widened in shock. "What?! That can’t be true!"

The once pure-hearted boy had turned into a playboy?!

Su Cheng, though maintaining a neutral expression behind his mask, felt a hundred imaginary alpacas stampeding through his mind. Gu Ruoxue had just painted him as a womanizer.

Wait…

Technically, she wasn’t wrong…

"Alright, let’s tour the school now."

Gu Ruoxue seemed lost in thought for a moment before her expression smoothed over. Without another word, she walked straight toward the school.

Seeing this, Zhao Feifei swallowed her confusion and wisely kept quiet, though she made a mental note of what she’d just heard.

Near the school, crowds of students bustled about, making Su Cheng feel a wave of nostalgia—as if he’d returned to his carefree youth.

Under Zhao Feifei’s guidance, the three entered the school gates.

Su Cheng walked beside Gu Ruoxue, acutely aware of the curious glances and hushed whispers around them.

Even though it was the weekend, many students from rural areas boarded at the school, so the campus was far from empty.

"Wow, who are those two with Senior Zhao? They have such great presence!"

"Yeah, ever since Su Cheng became famous, lots of people have come to visit, but today’s guests are on another level. Don’t you think?"

Su Cheng’s ears buzzed with similar chatter, growing louder by the second, making him feel like the center of attention.

But as they walked further into the school, he froze. The old dirt track had been replaced with a synthetic rubber one, and the entire field had been upgraded to a professional-standard athletic track.

This wasn’t a key school in the county—so why did it look so different? Had he come to the wrong place?

"This field…"

Gu Ruoxue noticed Su Cheng’s surprise and turned to Zhao Feifei for an explanation.

"Oh, this was just completed last week. Right after Su Cheng won the championship, the school started renovations. Now every classroom even has multimedia equipment," Zhao Feifei said with a smile. "The school never gave a reason, but everyone assumes it’s because of Su Cheng’s victory. The timing can’t be a coincidence."

Hearing this, Su Cheng’s emotions churned—he didn’t know whether to laugh or cry.

No doubt, this was President Ji’s doing.

"I see." Gu Ruoxue looked away and said to Su Cheng, "Let’s have lunch at the school cafeteria today."

"Sure."

Su Cheng nodded without hesitation, then turned to Zhao Feifei and remarked, "This doesn’t look like a school in a poor county at all. If you told me this was a city school, I’d believe it."

Zhao Feifei covered her mouth and laughed.

The three continued exploring the campus.

Thwack!

A familiar sound of an arrow hitting its target caught Su Cheng’s attention, making him pause.

"Someone’s practicing archery?"

He turned to Zhao Feifei.

"Yep," she replied with a smile. "The International Kyudo Association sponsored a kyudo range, complete with equipment and protective gear. The school even hired a kyudo master to teach. Someone must be training now."

"Oh?"

Su Cheng raised an eyebrow, intrigued.

"You seem interested in kyudo?"

Zhao Feifei looked at him in surprise.

"Well… I’ve dabbled in it for a month or two."

Su Cheng gave a modest answer.

Hearing this, Zhao Feifei blinked, then cleared her throat. "Would you like to go in and take a look? Maybe even spar a little?"

At this moment, she decided to make the man before her embarrass himself in front of Gu Ruoxue later—preferably humiliated beyond repair.

Even if Su Cheng was a scumbag, he was still far better than this guy hiding behind a mask, too cowardly to show his real face.

"Uh, that really won't be necessary..." Su Cheng muttered stiffly.

"It’s no trouble at all! I’m off today anyway, so why not go have some fun? It’s not like watching will tire you out."

Zhao Feifei enthusiastically egged him on, even stepping behind him to push him straight into the archery range.

Gu Ruoxue followed with a slightly strange expression.

The moment they stepped into the archery range, several students practicing or observing—both male and female—immediately turned their attention to Zhao Feifei, greeting her warmly:

"Feifei, what brings you here today?"

"Who are these two?"

"We’ve got one more arrow to shoot—just a sec."

The male students politely acknowledged Zhao Feifei before refocusing on their practice.

"I brought them to check things out. And as it happens, Mr. Li here claims to be quite the archery veteran. He might even give you all a few pointers."

Zhao Feifei introduced with a playful grin.

The moment these words were spoken, the entire archery hall fell silent. Students holding bows lowered them, their gazes locking onto Su Cheng—their expressions shifting into varying degrees of skepticism.

Though Su Cheng wore a mask, he still ducked his head shyly at Zhao Feifei’s words, nervously fidgeting with his fingers.

This was nothing like the image of an archery master they had in mind. In fact, it almost felt like an insult!

The man before them looked no older than they were.

And these were all proud, spirited students.

So, they didn’t hold back their blunt remarks:

"This guy doesn’t look like he knows the first thing about archery."

"It’s a dangerous sport—what if he misfires and hurts someone?"

"Feifei, you’re joking, right? He seems worse than me."