Noon
Class 1-2
After a morning of spreading rumors, the school forum posts about Su Cheng and Si Jing had reached peak popularity. During breaks, they became the hottest topic of discussion.
When the news reached the middle school section, it caused quite a stir as well. Many students expressed interest in coming to the high school club to witness the showdown.
Meanwhile, our protagonist, Su Cheng, was in a state of panic. He never expected things to escalate this much.
Originally, he just wanted to declare that he would quit the world of Go if he lost—but he hadn’t anticipated that his over-the-top act would snowball into something so massive.
Listening to his classmates’ discussions and his friends’ shocked inquiries, he felt like crying.
Because he! Didn’t! Even! Know! How! To! Play! Go!
"Did I max out my skill in pretending to be impressive? How else could I have caused such a huge uproar?"
He put on a thoughtful expression, but after a moment of contemplation, he realized he was completely out of ideas.
Suddenly, his phone vibrated.
A text message.
Gu Ruoxue: "I never asked you to make such a spectacle. Now the whole school is talking about you. Aren’t you worried about angering the other party and ruining the outcome?"
Su Cheng froze.
Reading the text, he could almost picture Gu Ruoxue on the other end—one hand typing the message while the other massaged her temples in frustration.
After hesitating, he mustered the courage to reply: "Then what should I do now? Use an item to control her?"
The reply came swiftly, firm and uncompromising: "Absolutely not! Just stick to the plan and go to the Go Club."
Su Cheng typed again: "Do you have a solution?"
But Gu Ruoxue didn’t respond this time.
"Ding ling ling~"
As soon as the lunch bell rang, Su Cheng immediately stood up from his seat and glanced toward his "third power."
In the corner, Li Guanqi seemed to sense his gaze and looked up, meeting his eyes.
Their gazes locked.
Su Cheng sent a silent plea for help.
Li Guanqi nodded, then reached into her skirt and pulled out her phone.
Su Cheng quickly did the same.
Li Guanqi: "Don’t worry. Just keep up the same confident attitude from this morning. Everything is under control."
Reading this, Su Cheng let out a sigh of relief.
His third power really was the best.
Li Guanqi: "By the way, I’m having lunch with them today."
Su Cheng (Don’t Like Oranges): "Got it."
After replying, Su Cheng looked up and saw the Xuan Ying duo heading toward Li Guanqi’s seat.
They also glanced at him, looking like they wanted to approach but hesitated.
Probably because of the upcoming Go match in the afternoon.
"Hey, Su Cheng, want to grab lunch together?"
"Yeah, consider it a pre-celebration!"
Wang Guancong and Gao Ye appeared at his desk, one on each side, their handsome faces filled with anticipation.
"I appreciate the offer, but I already made plans with Club President Ji today."
Su Cheng scratched the back of his head awkwardly.
"Huh?"
Their expressions immediately fell.
Wang Guancong sighed. "Alright then. We’ll be there to cheer you on this afternoon."
Gao Ye, however, nodded seriously. "Even if others don’t believe in you, we do. You’re definitely going to win!"
"Hey, I never said that—don’t drag me into it!"
"You think he can’t win?"
"Stop putting pressure on him! Let’s act normal!"
Wang Guancong and Gao Ye burst into laughter, and Su Cheng joined in before chatting a bit more and watching them leave.
Then, he started packing up his things, preparing to meet Ji Qingyi and claim his reward—after all, the mission was complete.
……………………………………
Archery Club
Standing at the entrance, Su Cheng took a deep breath before stepping inside.
The moment he entered, he noticed the entire club was buzzing about him. The chatter died down instantly, and everyone turned to stare, their expressions a mix of curiosity and intrigue.
"Is the club president here?"
Su Cheng broke the silence first.
"Yes, inside."
Li Shishi pointed toward the inner room with her fair hand.
"Thanks. I need to speak with her."
Su Cheng nodded at them before heading toward the private room.
At the door, he took another deep breath, then raised his index and middle fingers and lightly knocked.
"Tap—"
Creak—
The wooden door slowly opened, surprising him—usually, he was told to enter on his own.
Looking up, he saw a poker-faced female butler in a black suit standing before him.
Before Su Cheng could speak—
"The young mistress is changing. Please wait a moment."
Her tone was perfectly professional, devoid of emotion. She stepped aside, gesturing for him to wait in the practice area.
"Uh… sure."
Su Cheng nodded, then glanced around. The layout was the same as before, except for one table with calligraphy tools and a freshly completed ink painting.
Before he could examine it closely, the butler swiftly cleared the table, removing everything.
Left with no choice, he sat on a nearby stool to wait.
She must have been painting earlier.
Otherwise, she wouldn’t have needed to change.
When Ji Qingyi painted, she wore pure white attire and tied her hair into a single ponytail. In that state, her usual icy demeanor softened slightly, replaced by an air of scholarly elegance.
The thought made him regret not arriving earlier—if he had, the hair tie might have been his!
Now, the butler had left, and the dojo was silent except for him.
Remembering how he had hugged the club president just days ago—and the promised "answer" and reward—his nerves got the better of him.
He fidgeted on the stool, sitting stiffly with his legs pressed together.
Before long, soft footsteps approached from inside.
The door opened.
Ji Qingyi appeared, now dressed in her school uniform, her expression as cool and detached as ever.
Yet, the moment she saw Su Cheng, her frosty demeanor softened slightly, and a faint light flickered in her otherwise dull eyes.
And those legs—
Encased in sheer black stockings, long and perfectly sculpted—were enough to make anyone’s vision blur.
The kind of legs that made you want to drop to your knees and worship them, savoring every inch of their allure.
If this is the reward…
Hell yeah!
"Club President."
Su Cheng greeted her respectfully.
"Follow me."
Ji Qingyi gave a slight nod, then turned toward the adjacent room.
He followed, closing the door behind him.
Inside, a table was set with three dishes, a soup, and a pot of tea—clearly, Ji Qingyi intended to share lunch with him.
Ji Qingyi sat on her chair, gesturing for him to take the seat opposite her before picking up her chopsticks with refined elegance, eating at a leisurely pace. Her movements were so graceful and dignified that one couldn't help but hold their breath, afraid of disturbing her appetite.
Su Cheng, on the other hand, didn’t stand on ceremony either. Once the attendant brought his meal, he immediately began eating. Though the food was simple and light, it inexplicably suited his taste perfectly.
After all, every dish served to Ji Qingyi was meticulously selected, and the chef’s skills were undoubtedly top-tier.
The two of them finished their lunch in silence. Ji Qingyi took a sip of soup before dabbing her lips with a napkin, while Su Cheng, having devoured three large bowls, wiped his mouth as well and waited for her to continue.
Ji Qingyi spoke calmly, "I heard about what happened today."
As she said this, she lifted her gaze, her beautiful eyes resting on Su Cheng.
Hearing this, Su Cheng felt a pang of embarrassment and lowered his head, explaining, "I’m sorry you had to see that. I didn’t expect things to spiral out of control like this."
"So, you also think it was inappropriate?"
Ji Qingyi’s counterquestion only made him feel even more flustered.
"I admit it was my fault. I didn’t think things through properly—I should’ve kept a low profile instead of making such a spectacle."
Su Cheng hung his head in shame.
However, Ji Qingyi frowned slightly, realizing their conversation was completely misaligned.
She was questioning the use of underhanded methods to secure victory, while Su Cheng was apologizing for being too flashy instead of staying discreet.
Still, one thing was clear—Su Cheng himself seemed to agree with the approach.
This left her deeply frustrated, though she had no intention of reprimanding him.
Noticing Ji Qingyi’s silence, Su Cheng gave her a puzzled glance before tentatively asking, "President, about what you mentioned earlier…"
He trailed off, leaving the rest unsaid, but he was confident Ji Qingyi’s sharp mind would understand his meaning.
To his surprise, however, Ji Qingyi didn’t answer. Instead, she studied him with a faint trace of confusion for a few seconds before her expression smoothed over.
"Was it because of a mission?" she asked. "Were you forced to resort to such… underhanded methods?"
"Did… the senior tell you?"
Su Cheng was taken aback.
After all, he hadn’t informed Ji Qingyi about the system changes.
Ji Qingyi nodded.
"There wasn’t any mission. Minister Gu just anticipated that something might trigger during the match based on her understanding of the system, so she came up with a contingency plan."
Su Cheng explained earnestly.
Upon hearing this, Ji Qingyi’s brows furrowed slightly as she pondered his words. After a moment, she said, "If it was just a precautionary measure, I can understand. But before deciding to use this method, did you consider the potential consequences?"
She paused, her gaze sharpening as she fixed her eyes on him. "For instance, if you were exposed, your credibility and reputation would be ruined."
Su Cheng felt another wave of embarrassment—this whole mess was entirely his own fault for getting carried away.
Originally, Gu Ruoxue had only suggested he briefly explain the situation to the Go Club before the match. But he had gone and turned it into a public announcement, even posting about it on the forum, which sent the entire student body into an uproar and even caught the attention of the school administration.
He was the one primarily responsible for this disaster.
Clearly, he wasn’t cut out to be the protagonist of some web novel—he couldn’t even show off properly. Now, he was about to get a harsh reality check.
"Honestly, I was just too reckless," he admitted, lowering his head in remorse. "I acted impulsively without thinking it through, and now I’ve caused all this trouble."
Hearing this, Ji Qingyi’s confusion mostly dissipated. She had doubted Gu Ruoxue would ever encourage Su Cheng to do something so foolishly conspicuous.
Now it was clear—the blame lay entirely with Su Cheng himself.
"Do you know what I find most appealing about you?"
Ji Qingyi’s sudden, blunt question caught Su Cheng completely off guard.
This kind of direct, unfiltered statement…
Was this really something Ji Qingyi would say?
Su Cheng blinked at her, stunned, before noticing the unmistakable expectation and hope in her eyes.
For a moment, he was lost in that gaze—it was filled with such earnest anticipation.
It was as if she was on the verge of saying, "I care deeply about you. I see everything about you."
Being looked at like this also filled Su Cheng with regret and shame. He could see the faith Ji Qingyi had in him, and he knew he had let her down.
Taking a deep breath, he spoke honestly, "President, my recklessness has worried you."
"I’m not blaming you," Ji Qingyi replied, shaking her head. "But in my opinion, this isn’t the right way to solve problems."
She extended a slender, porcelain-white finger, lightly tracing the rim of her teacup. "Next time you face such a situation, come to me. We can find another way—not through deception or dishonesty."
Ji Qingyi had steered the conversation back to the core issue.
And her underlying message was clear.
She did not approve of Gu Ruoxue’s methods.
Moreover, she was making it known that if he ever encountered any problems in the future, he should turn to her first—she would help him.
"I understand," Su Cheng nodded in agreement.
Satisfied with his response, Ji Qingyi took a sip of tea before setting the cup down and saying calmly, "Go ahead and participate in the match this afternoon."
Su Cheng hesitated, eyeing her uncertainly. "President… what are you planning to do?"
Ji Qingyi smiled faintly. "I plan to…"
She paused mid-sentence, as if carefully choosing her words, then shook her head and fell silent.
Now it was Su Cheng’s turn to feel frustrated.
Everyone was like this—Gu Ruoxue, Li Guanqi, and now Ji Qingyi.
They all told him to just focus on the match, but none of them would explain what they were actually up to. Even "Ordinary Little Chess Player" had refused to divulge anything, leaving Su Cheng utterly exasperated.
Still, there was one more thing he was curious about, so he ventured another question. "Um… earlier, you mentioned that after coming back…"
He trailed off again, looking at Ji Qingyi expectantly.
Yet, to his disappointment, she acted as though she hadn’t heard him, serenely sipping her tea with an air of detachment that made him sigh.
"Fine, if you don’t want to say, I won’t press you."
Su Cheng shook his head regretfully and stood up, heading for the door.
Just as he was about to step out, however, Ji Qingyi’s voice stopped him.
"Haven’t I already made my stance clear?"
Su Cheng froze, turning back in surprise.
Then, he began turning her words over in his mind.
Made her stance clear?
From what had just transpired, it was clear that the other party had been worrying and fussing over him—undeniable proof that she cared deeply for him.
But for Su Cheng, it wasn’t enough.
Because he wanted a definitive answer.
Just like when he had confessed to her.
Seeing this, Ji Qingyi set down her teacup, as if carefully weighing her words for a long time before finally speaking in a slow, measured tone: "Truthfully, I usually force myself to look away from you. But while my gaze can shift, my heart cannot. I want to understand your inner world."
As she spoke, she stood up, took two steps forward, and raised her eyes to meet Su Cheng’s.
"Perhaps I’m not skilled at expressing such sentiments, nor am I willing to admit them. But in truth, my actions have long proven how much I care for you."
Su Cheng listened in stunned silence, his lips parting slightly as if to speak, only to find his throat dry and his words failing him.
Yet sometimes, his thought process took an unexpectedly whimsical turn, and he blurted out: "Then… where’s my reward?"
"Get out."
"Right away."
Ji Qingyi’s expression froze, and then she watched as Su Cheng turned and bolted.
However, her previously composed face, which had remained unreadable, gradually flushed a deep red, her eyes flickering with a mix of shyness and frustration.
Clearly, those words had been unbearably embarrassing for her, but she had already promised Su Cheng.
So she had no choice but to steel herself and say them.
"Why does it feel so warm?"
She raised a delicate, jade-like hand to touch her slightly heated cheek, frowning in confusion as she muttered to herself.
…………………………
Afternoon
Go Club.
The air buzzed with an electrifying clamor, as if the entire campus was alight with anticipation for the upcoming Go tournament.
Spectators gathered in eager clusters, their eyes shining with excitement as they discussed the brilliant match they were about to witness.
Disciplinary committee members and teachers weaved through the crowd, maintaining order with stern, watchful gazes fixed on every student.
Even younger students from lower grades had come from afar, dressed in neat white uniforms, their eyes brimming with boundless anticipation—an anticipation that seemed to transform into an indescribable energy.
Photographers from the News Society adjusted their heavy camera bags in a hurry, fiddling with apertures and shutter speeds, their eyes gleaming with the desire to capture the perfect creative moment.
Meanwhile, the Go Club members bustled about, meticulously arranging the tournament space—setting up boards, arranging game records, and preparing everything needed for the imminent match.
Everyone could feel the boundless possibilities hidden within this lively, expectant atmosphere.
"Weiyang, do you think Su Cheng-senpai will win later?"
Amid the crowd, a younger girl in a white uniform asked the middle schooler beside her—a girl with short golden hair, exuding an aura of youthful energy.
"Who knows? I’m just here to take photos. I don’t really care about winning or losing. Su Cheng-senpai is at his most handsome when he’s serious!"
The girl named Weiyang giggled, holding up her DSLR. Her response, however, made the other girl pout. "Ugh, you should’ve reminded me! Now I only brought my phone."
"Make sure to print me an extra copy of the photos you take later."
"No way! How could I share my beloved Su Cheng-senpai?"
…………
"Ah Cong, listen—it’s the pure love warriors!"
The conversation between the two middle schoolers was overheard by Chai Hao and his two friends nearby. Chai Hao exclaimed in amazement, "Su Cheng actually has such devoted fans even among the lower grades!"
"I think that’s a bit much. How is sharing regular photos even considered a big deal?"
Wang Guancong chuckled.
"I think it’s pretty normal," Gao Ye chimed in. "Everyone interprets things differently, especially when it’s something they’ve captured themselves. It holds more meaning and value that way."
Nearby, Xuan Ying and Zhao Yan turned their heads at these words. Xuan Ying nodded emphatically, clearly in full agreement with this perspective.
"Cornelia, there are so many people. We might not get the best spot later."
Ailiya tugged at Cornelia’s sleeve, whispering.
Cornelia glanced at the sea of people around them and sighed regretfully. Given her petite stature, chances were they’d end up staring at the ceiling.
"Got it!"
Just then, Cornelia suddenly spotted Xuan Ying and Zhao Yan—and, crucially, Su Cheng’s male classmates nearby.
If they stuck with them, they might be able to enter the Go Club’s room to watch the match.
After all, they were all classmates.
With this in mind, Cornelia excitedly bounced over to Xuan Ying’s group. When she reached them, she pulled out a tiny Su Cheng figurine—no more than a few centimeters tall—from under her skirt and nudged Xuan Ying’s arm with her elbow. "Here~"
Xuan Ying’s eyes widened at the sight of the Archery Club-uniform-clad figurine. "What’s this?"
"For you."
Cornelia lifted her chin proudly.
Xuan Ying, unable to resist the adorable item, immediately accepted it with glee. "Thank you!"
"By the way… is there something you want?"
Though thrilled by her new collectible, Xuan Ying hadn’t forgotten the old adage: "No kindness comes without a price."
After all, she and Cornelia weren’t exactly close.
"Nothing much. I just want to go in with you guys later to watch."
"Fine. But you have to tell me where you got this figurine!"
"Deal."
And so, the two petite girls—one in black thigh-highs, the other in white—happily huddled together, chattering away about their plans.
Meanwhile, Zhao Yan and Ailiya locked eyes, the air between them thick with hostility.
The two had a long-standing feud.
Whenever they crossed paths, verbal sparring was inevitable.
For example:
"Didn’t expect to see someone tagging along."
Zhao Yan crossed her arms, side-eyeing Ailiya.
Ailiya scoffed, shooting back with equal disdain. "Hmph! Don’t flatter yourself. If it weren’t for Cornelia, I wouldn’t be caught dead here."
"Alright, let’s just enjoy the match today, okay?"
Cornelia quickly stepped in to mediate. She glanced around, then pulled another SD figurine from her pocket—this one of Su Cheng in his school uniform—and offered it to Zhao Yan as a peace offering. "Here, Zhao-junior, this is for you."
Zhao Yan looked down at the figurine, then at Ailiya’s stifled frustration.
She cleared her throat, tucked the figurine into her skirt pocket, and said, "Since senior asked, I’ll let it slide."
But no sooner had she stored it away than Xuan Ying’s chubby little fingers darted out, attempting to snatch it back.
Zhao Yan hastily clamped a hand over her pocket.
She wasn’t a collector, but this little item could come in handy for teasing Su Cheng later.
She could anticipate that Su Cheng's expression at that time must have been extremely wonderful and adorable.
Seeing that her attempt failed, Xuan Ying pouted her lips and didn't force it anymore. She withdrew her hand, then turned to look at Cornelia beside her and curiously asked, "There's no such thing online. If you want it, you have to have it custom - made. So did you get it custom - made online?"
With her words, everyone pricked up their ears.
"No. I went to Su Cheng's orphanage last weekend and got to know Su Cheng's elder sister."
Cornelia proudly straightened her chest. She glanced at the two girls and stood there with her head held high like a victorious rooster. "This was handmade by Su Cheng's elder sister. It's a gift she gave me!"
"Really?"
"Su Cheng's elder sister?"
Xuan Ying and Zhao Yan widened their eyes in great surprise. Among them, Xuan Ying even directly smacked her own little head in annoyance, looking extremely regretful.
Ailiya finally understood who that so - called Sister Xue was. It turned out to be Su Cheng's elder sister!
"Then... how many did she give you?"
Xuan Ying swallowed hard and stammered. This made her extremely envious, jealous, and hateful.
"One hundred and eight."
Cornelia thought for a while and then cutely counted on her fair fingers. "I gave two to you two. I still have one hundred and six, which are in different looks of Su Cheng at various times."
"Gulp~"
The sound of swallowing saliva echoed.
Then, Xuan Ying said excitedly, "Can I have a look at them?"
Saying this, Xuan Ying reached out and grabbed Cornelia's delicate palm, shaking it coquettishly. Then she changed her words, "No, I'm begging you. Please let me have a look at this set of figurines, okay?"
Xuan Ying looked at Cornelia pitifully, hoping that she would agree. She was really suffering at the moment.
This feeling was like eating a lemon, so sour that it made her go crazy!
"Cornelia, she wants to snatch the figurines from you. Don't be deceived!"
Seeing Xuan Ying being so aggressive, Ailiya immediately stood up to stop her.
"How can you talk like that? Even if someone likes them, they won't snatch them!"
Zhao Yan interjected unhappily from the side.
Just when the two sides were about to quarrel -
The crowd around first got restless and then fell silent.
Xuan Ying, Ailiya, Zhao Yan and others all turned their heads in unison and looked towards the corridor.
They saw a young man walking slowly in the middle of the crowd. Every gesture of his exuded confidence and calmness, while his aura was magnificent. These two different contrasts were like the Taiji, seemingly integrated into the harmony of the world.
The Go - playing youth, Su Chenger,
made his debut!