Approaching eight o'clock.
By now, quite some time had passed since Su Cheng's outrageous declaration of "wanting it all."
The two girls had brushed off his words as a joke, not pressing the matter further—but that didn't mean the unresolved tension between the trio had dissipated.
He knew exactly what his reckless outburst represented.
Twisted, selfish, arrogant—shallow and repulsive. He had imposed his own ugly self-indulgence onto the two girls, even attempting to justify his absurd behavior by making them tolerate each other.
And so, he still had to make a choice.
But making a choice meant someone would get hurt.
No matter how desperately he racked his brain, he couldn’t find the "right" answer. He didn’t know what the best decision was.
Yet—
The one thing he did know was that all of this was his own doing.
……………………………………
The amusement park’s fireworks display was about to begin. With their passes, the three secured a prime viewing spot.
"I heard this year’s fireworks show is bigger than ever!"
"Yeah, it’s also meant to mark the end of summer."
"Summer’s already ending? Feels like more people came this time."
"Not just us—even some celebrities are here."
Listening to the chatter around them, Su Cheng scanned the packed square. The crowd stretched endlessly, a living testament to the phrase "the sheer scale of popularity is immeasurable."
Most people nearby were dressed lavishly, exuding an air of wealth. Some even had bodyguards standing stiffly behind them—expressionless, rigid, almost robotic, their presence alone enough to unsettle anyone.
"My youth’s about to end too~"
Su Cheng couldn’t help but mutter under his breath.
Beside him, Gu Ruoxue tilted her head upward, gazing at the sky above the white castle as if waiting for the fireworks to bloom there.
Meanwhile, Li Guanqi fiddled with her camera, seemingly intent on capturing the spectacle.
The atmosphere between the three was unnervingly tense—nothing like the ease they’d shared earlier in the day.
"It’s time."
After much deliberation, Su Cheng decided to bring out the cakes he’d prepared for the girls.
None of them had eaten dinner, after all. What better way to pass the time before the fireworks than with dessert?
"Are you two hungry?"
Su Cheng suddenly broke the silence, prompting both girls to turn toward him. They said nothing, simply waiting for him to continue.
Seeing this, he nodded.
"I brought these." He slung his backpack around, pretending to rummage through it while actually retrieving two exquisitely packaged cakes from his system space.
Their reactions differed. Gu Ruoxue wasn’t the least bit surprised—she had been the one to teach Su Cheng how to make this cake.
But Li Guanqi’s eyes widened in shock and confusion. "This is… cake?"
"These are cakes I made with Minister Gu."
Su Cheng handed one to each of them, then adjusted his backpack again.
"I didn’t make it with you. At most, I just gave you some guidance." Gu Ruoxue accepted hers, her tone icy and detached.
Ever since Su Cheng’s infamous declaration, she had reverted to her original demeanor—aloof and untouchable, like snowflakes drifting in the sky.
Distant. Cold.
Any goodwill she’d held for him had reset to zero the moment he spoke those words. The damage was irreversible.
After tonight, their relationship would likely regress to nothing more than a basic superior-subordinate dynamic. She might even leave their group chat. The "Orange Cat" might no longer be hers.
Su Cheng noticed the change, of course. He could only bow his head in guilt and anguish. He understood why Gu Ruoxue was acting this way—knew she was probably just as upset, disappointed, and furious with him. That was why she was drawing this line so coldly.
Yet even knowing this, he had no solution.
Well, there was one way.
To choose again.
And this time, choose Ruoxue without hesitation.
"You made this yourself?"
"Sort of."
"Can I open it?"
"Go ahead."
Li Guanqi cradled the cake in her hands, staring at it with barely contained excitement. The moment he gave permission, she lifted the lid—only to freeze when she saw the tiny fondant figure inside, shaped like her, with her name written beside it.
Unlike Gu Ruoxue, Li Guanqi hadn’t outright cut ties with him. She’d just teased him a little. But that didn’t mean she approved of his indecision.
Unless he made a choice, she wouldn’t let their relationship progress beyond friendship.
"Go on, eat."
Su Cheng’s gaze shifted from Li Guanqi to Gu Ruoxue, watching her expectantly.
Gu Ruoxue bit her lip lightly, her eyes conflicted as she unwrapped the cake. After a brief hesitation, she took a small bite, savoring it slowly, as if it were a rare delicacy.
Beside her, Li Guanqi also took a bite, closing her eyes to fully appreciate the taste.
The sweetness of the dessert, combined with the love she felt—two joys overlapping should have created a dreamlike flavor. Yet in her mouth, it carried an inexplicable bitterness.
The two girls ate in silence, focusing entirely on the cakes.
They knew Su Cheng needed space to sort through his thoughts alone.
......
"Haah..."
Su Cheng stared blankly at the castle ahead, exhaustion and confusion clouding his eyes. For some reason, his mind drifted to the Gu Ruoxue of the past—pure, untainted, like a beam of light piercing through his darkest moments.
Then, Li Guanqi’s image surfaced with equal clarity. He realized she had long become irreplaceable in his life—always there, quietly supporting him, standing by him, helping him. And him? He only ever turned to her when he messed up, seeking her comfort and aid.
The two images flickered relentlessly in his mind, each stroke of memory deepening his torment. His feelings for them were a tangled thread, coiled tightly around his heart—agonizing, inescapable.
The weight was suffocating.
Especially here, in this square, surrounded by countless people eagerly awaiting the fireworks. The oppressive atmosphere was unbearable.
The world seemed dyed in shades of darkness.
Click, click—
Suddenly, the square’s lamps and decorative lights all switched off, plunging everything into blackness.
Then, the soft strains of classical music began to play, elegant and soothing.
Hearing it, Su Cheng instinctively looked up—toward the castle in the night sky.
And in that instant—
The entire castle, rendered by projections, became hazy and mysterious, followed by a sudden display of lasers, fountains, balloons, and fireworks unfolding before him.
Grand fireworks rained down into the night sky like droplets, bursting and blooming into dazzling lights of every color. One after another, breathtaking fireworks blossomed overhead, illuminating the square in a dreamlike splendor, immersing everyone in their radiant glow.
Yet, unexpectedly, amid the flickering lights and shadows, Gu Ruoxue and Li Guanqi weren’t admiring the spectacle. Instead, their gazes were fixed on Su Cheng.
He stood there, staring blankly at the fireworks in the sky, his face pale, his entire being exuding sorrow—as if trapped in some deep anguish.
But the next moment, he closed his eyes, as though focusing intently on something within, and his demeanor grew eerily calm.
This version of Su Cheng seemed to have made a decision, as if he had resolved himself to something.
Time passed slowly, and as the fireworks finally ended, leaving behind silence and desolation, Su Cheng lowered his head—like a storm brewing just beneath the surface.
The two girls watched him nervously.
What choice would he make next?
What would he decide?
Finally—
He slowly raised his head and opened his eyes.
At the same time, the oppressive, deathly stillness around them dissipated instantly. All the lights brightened, replaced by an atmosphere brimming with clarity, brightness, vitality, and hope.
Su Cheng stood there, his expression composed, his gaze clear—as if nothing had happened at all.
Beside him, the two young women showed no change in expression, yet their hearts raced. Their hands clenched unconsciously from tension, their eyes locked onto him, as if afraid he might make a decision that would shatter them.
And now, Su Cheng had made his choice. Even though it might alter the course of his life, he had chosen this path—because only this way would no one be hurt because of him.
Using a system item to erase all social ties.
Only this way.
No one would suffer because of him.
"Ahem."
Just as he was about to speak, a dry cough shattered the tense atmosphere, making them turn toward the source of the sound.
A woman in a butler's uniform approached, adopting a perfectly respectful posture. "Young Master Su Cheng, it's time to return with me. The young mistress has been waiting for you."