On the Past

"This gentleman doesn't look too sharp—can he really shoot arrows?"

"This is a dangerous sport. What if he misses and hurts someone?"

When Su Cheng heard these remarks, his inner show-off spirit burned fiercely. He itched to remove his mask and reveal his true identity, delivering a jaw-dropping response—

To show them—

What it meant to be—

"The prodigy who dominated the archery world from his very first appearance!"

But reason told him he absolutely couldn’t expose himself. If he did, within half an hour, the entire school—no, the entire county—would explode with gossip, leaving him unable to move freely.

So, this frustration of being unable to flaunt his skills was downright suffocating.

Thus, he had no choice but to keep up the act of clueless innocence, shrinking his head timidly like a frightened quail as he retreated beside Gu Ruoxue.

"You surprised me. I didn’t expect you to hold back like this."

Seeing his pitiful act, Gu Ruoxue pressed her lips together, barely suppressing a laugh as she sighed softly.

Su Cheng frowned at her words and muttered under his breath, "It’s all because your classmate stirred things up. Otherwise, we wouldn’t be stuck in this awkward mess."

Meanwhile, the members of the Archery Club grew even more disdainful at the sight of Su Cheng’s cowardly demeanor.

"Feifei, your friend here doesn’t seem up to it."

A short-haired, muscular boy with tanned skin sneered mockingly.

"Yeah, Feifei, with that look of his, forget shooting—he probably can’t even draw the bow. Where’d you dig up this so-called ‘senior’?" Another lanky young man chimed in, his eyes full of ridicule as he stared at Su Cheng.

"Hahaha!"

"Stop bringing random weirdos to the dojo! If something happens, none of us can take responsibility!"

At this point, even Zhao Feifei was at a loss.

She had intended to embarrass him, but now the humiliation had backfired onto her. Glancing bitterly at Su Cheng and Gu Ruoxue, she was met with Gu Ruoxue’s icy glare—her eyes frosty with displeasure.

Panicking, Zhao Feifei stammered, "Gu… Gu Ruoxue, I… I didn’t mean to—"

"My friend here has social anxiety. He gets nervous in situations like this."

Gu Ruoxue’s cold voice cut through the air.

"Pfft!"

A soft snicker came from the side as a girl covered her mouth, her eyes sparkling with amusement as she looked at Su Cheng. "And yet you claimed to be some archery expert? Seems like you’re just here to mess around!"

"Hahaha!"

The crowd erupted in laughter again, all eyes on Su Cheng as if he were some kind of joke.

Just then, Gu Ruoxue seemed to have had enough. Without waiting for Su Cheng’s response, she turned and walked away, leaving him standing alone as he pondered the meaning behind her words.

Lately, he’d developed a habit—whenever Gu Ruoxue spoke, he’d overanalyze it.

"Is she telling me to step up and shoot?"

Su Cheng frowned, muttering to himself.

But he was above such petty displays.

Even if he stepped forward and nailed the bullseye, so what?

It wouldn’t earn genuine respect.

Besides, after being mocked like this, there was no way the dojo would hand him a bow—those were dangerous weapons, after all.

But he couldn’t just swallow this insult.

So then—

How could he make everyone regret their words without doing anything?

Su Cheng’s mind raced.

Attempting to connect to Li Guanqi’s brain…

Suddenly—

An idea struck him.

A brilliant, killing-three-birds-with-one-stone kind of idea.

Turning to Zhao Feifei, he shed his timid act and took charge, speaking casually, "Let’s go check out somewhere else."

"Aren’t you going to prove yourself?"

Zhao Feifei stared at him in confusion.

Su Cheng shook his head. "No point. We’ve already made fools of ourselves—might as well leave early."

"But…" Zhao Feifei hesitated. After all, his performance had been embarrassingly bad.

Seeing Su Cheng about to walk off, she panicked. "You’re not even going to defend yourself?"

"Wasn’t it you who randomly slapped that ‘archery expert’ title on me?" Su Cheng shrugged, feigning indifference. "Now we’re both humiliated—seems fair, doesn’t it?"

His response left Zhao Feifei speechless, her face cycling through shades of pale and green.

He was right—she had been laughed at too.

Even now, the dojo members were eyeing their exchange with skepticism, which only fueled her frustration. But if she just left now, the rumors later would be unbearable.

"I’m sorry, I… I didn’t mean to…"

Zhao Feifei fumbled for an explanation but came up empty, finally hanging her head in defeat.

"An apology’s enough. I hate it when people force labels on me." Su Cheng waved her off, signaling the conversation was over, then turned to leave.

"Wait!"

Zhao Feifei had expected him to show off after her apology, but instead, he was walking away. Stunned, she blurted, "You… you’re really not going to demonstrate your skills?"

Su Cheng glanced back, his gaze steady. "Why should I?"

Zhao Feifei choked on her words.

"Oh, by the way—can you point me to the restroom?"

Su Cheng added casually.

"Huh?"

Zhao Feifei blinked, then gestured toward a hallway. "Go down that way and turn right."

"Thanks."

With a cheerful nod, Su Cheng strolled off toward the restroom.

The moment he left, Zhao Feifei was swarmed by a group of guys.

"Hey, Feifei, what’s the deal with that socially awkward guy?"

"This is a restricted area—you can’t just bring anyone in here! Not everyone can handle a bow. If something happens, we’re screwed!"

"Seriously, we worked hard to get this dojo. One accident, and the school will shut it down! We can’t afford to be careless!"

"Feifei, did he scam you? Money? Or… other things?"

"You actually like spineless guys like that? He says he can shoot, and you believe him?"

"If he can shoot, then my family’s sow can climb trees."

"Ugh, shut up!" Zhao Feifei shot them a glare.

The group burst into laughter. "Hahaha!"

"Zhao Feifei, can you come here for a sec?"

Suddenly, Su Cheng’s voice echoed from the restroom.

"Go on, your mama’s boy is calling you."

A girl nearby giggled, nudging Zhao Feifei.

Blushing furiously, Zhao Feifei stomped her foot before hurrying toward the restroom.

But the moment she stepped inside and saw what was at the sink—

She froze.

As if struck by lightning, her eyes widened in shock at the unbelievable sight before her.

Because reflected in the mirror was a familiar face—a breathtakingly handsome visage that stole her breath away.

"Su… Cheng!"

Zhao Feifei's voice came out hoarse with shock.

"Shh."

Su Cheng pressed a finger to his lips, then winked playfully at her, his eyes twinkling mischievously.

"Su… Cheng, you… you…"

Zhao Feifei felt her breath hitch, her heart pounding so violently her limbs trembled. Instinctively, she clapped a hand over her mouth.

Oh my god, how could he be here?

Was that person just now really Su Cheng?

Su Cheng came with Gu Ruoxue!

How could I be so stupid not to recognize him?!

Her emotions were a tangled mess of astonishment and regret, though she couldn’t blame herself—after all, neither the county nor the school had managed to get him to return before.

"Senior Zhao, please don’t alert anyone. If people recognize me, I won’t be able to leave the school. So, do me a favor."

Su Cheng lowered his voice, then pointed to his broken mask and added, "My mask is damaged. Could you get me a new one?"

Zhao Feifei nodded repeatedly, taking deep breaths to steady her racing heart before pressing her hands to her chest, forcing herself to stay calm.

"Su… Su junior."

Her voice was a soft mix of excitement, nervousness, shyness, and hope.

After all, the person before her was the very one lauded online as: the Legend of Archery, a peerless scholar and warrior, dashingly handsome, graceful, refined—a once-in-a-millennium beauty of a young man.

"Mm, Senior, I appreciate it."

"I… I understand… It’s… no problem, really."

Hearing Su Cheng call her "senior" made Zhao Feifei feel like she was floating.

"And don’t tell anyone!"

"I won’t."

Mustering her courage, Zhao Feifei lifted her gaze to meet his striking eyes and whispered, "I’ll be right back."

……

Two minutes later, Zhao Feifei returned with a new mask—along with a notebook and pen.

"Thanks."

Su Cheng put on the mask, then smiled at her.

"Su junior, could you… give me an autograph?"

She hesitantly held out the notebook, her cheeks flushed with excitement. Just moments ago, she’d wanted him to leave, but now she couldn’t bear the thought of him going.

"Sure, but you have to keep my visit a secret. You can tell everyone I’m back on Monday. Deal?"

As he signed, Su Cheng spoke earnestly, his tone serious.

"Of course! Absolutely!"

Zhao Feifei thumped her chest in enthusiastic promise.

Once he handed back the notebook, she bit her lip and asked, "Could we… take a photo together?"

"Sure."

Su Cheng agreed easily.

Overjoyed, Zhao Feifei whipped out her phone, carefully sidling up to him before snapping several pictures.

"Um, the mask…"

She glanced at the photos, suddenly sheepish about his covered face.

"No worries."

Su Cheng pulled off the mask, revealing a radiant smile.

The sight of it sent a jolt through Zhao Feifei, freezing her in place. Her face turned pink, her heart hammering so hard it felt ready to burst.

Su Cheng had always been handsome, but now he was on another level entirely—so much so that she forgot to breathe.

"You… you’re just too good-looking."

After a long pause, she finally managed to squeak out the words.

"Later, act like you still don’t know it’s me. Keep asking her about me and her."

"Got it."

Zhao Feifei nodded vigorously. They took one last photo before leaving the restroom.

When they emerged side by side into the Archery Club, the middle and high schoolers burst into laughter.

But—

Zhao Feifei’s mindset had completely shifted.

Because in a few days, when she revealed that Su Cheng had visited—only to be mocked by them—

They’d be sick with regret!

These kids idolized Su Cheng.

Imagine their horror when they realized they’d laughed at their own idol!

Just picturing it made her giddy.

Every cell in her body buzzed with anticipation for the glorious moment of vindication.

……………………………………

Outside

Under the shade of a tree, Gu Ruoxue quietly tapped away at the new phone Su Cheng had bought her.

Even with her mask on, her ethereal beauty drew lingering glances from passing men.

Unfazed, she maintained her posture, her slender fingers flying across the smartphone’s screen.

Eventually, sensing Su Cheng’s return, she pocketed the device and looked up—just in time to see him and Zhao Feifei step out of the Archery Club.

But when she noticed the subtle shift in their proximity and demeanor, her brows furrowed slightly.

"Gu, I’m sorry for causing such an awkward situation earlier. It was all my fault."

Zhao Feifei approached Gu Ruoxue with an apologetic tone.

"So you’ve recognized each other." Gu Ruoxue’s voice was neutral, her expression unreadable—though her gaze lingered on Su Cheng’s fresh mask.

Her words stunned both Su Cheng and Zhao Feifei. The implication was clear, but how had Gu Ruoxue figured it out?!

"Nothing gets past you."

Su Cheng sighed, deciding to own up to it—though internally, he grumbled, "What is this, omniscient beauty protagonist energy?"

Gu Ruoxue offered no further comment, simply turning to walk away. The other two had no choice but to follow.

"Gu? Please don’t be mad. Blame me—it was all my idea."

Zhao Feifei kept her voice low, thick with remorse.

"You don’t owe me an apology."

Gu Ruoxue shook her head, her tone even.

"I…"

Zhao Feifei wanted to explain further, but Gu Ruoxue’s icy demeanor silenced her.

The trio walked in silence until they reached the school cafeteria.

"Lunch is on me—consider it my apology."

Zhao Feifei broke the tension first.

"Sounds great! Thanks for treating us, Senior Zhao!"

Su Cheng seized the opportunity to lighten the mood.

Gu Ruoxue didn’t object, though her indifference was palpable.

Since it was the weekend, the cafeteria was nearly empty. The school-run section was closed, so they headed to the third-party vendor’s area.

After ordering, Zhao Feifei suddenly chuckled. "I just remembered—back then, you never came to the cafeteria. Su Cheng always lined up to bring food to you."

Wait, I was that much of a simp?!

Su Cheng’s mind reeled.

I delivered meals to Gu Ruoxue every day?!

What kind of next-level white-knighting was that?!

And as an orphan, where did I even get the money to treat her?

However, Gu Ruoxue merely glanced at Su Cheng indifferently before turning her calm gaze back to Zhao Feifei.

Under that stare, Zhao Feifei immediately threw Su Cheng under the bus, hastily explaining, "There were rumors at school back then. They said you only made him run errands to buy meals because Su Cheng ate so poorly in the cafeteria that his nutrition was lacking. So you’d order two portions—one for you, one for him."

After speaking, she looked at Su Cheng and blinked, adding, "If that’s really the case, you should cherish this relationship. Don’t let Gu Ruoxue’s kindness go to waste."

Hearing this, Gu Ruoxue showed no reaction. Her clear eyes remained fixed on Su Cheng, her expression unreadable.

Su Cheng stood frozen, his heart a turmoil of emotions.

He knew almost nothing, forced to piece together fragments of the past from someone else’s words—an absurdity he couldn’t quite shake.