Talent and New Weapons

After this incident, Ji Qingyi showed not a trace of surprise. Instead, she gazed at Su Cheng with curious and expectant eyes, as if asking, "Why aren't you rolling around yet?"

This made Su Cheng stare at her guilty, jade-like hands with a pained and heartbroken expression. His heart was bleeding, but he still managed to squeeze out a sentence through gritted teeth: "President, was that intentional or accidental?"

She had just crushed one of the remaining three sets of cultural relics!

"What do you think?" Ji Qingyi glanced at him lightly before extending her sinful hand into the go stone container, preparing to pick up another white stone.

Her movements appeared casual yet elegant.

But Su Cheng knew he couldn’t let her keep destroying these relics—otherwise, he’d suffer an extreme mental blow.

The feeling was like being an interrogated prisoner, his entire body tense, his hair standing on end.

So, without hesitation, he reached out and grabbed her slender wrist, using all his strength: "Don’t ruin precious things!"

Though her hand didn’t budge, she still paused. Tilting her head slightly, she looked at Su Cheng’s grip on her wrist, a flicker of surprise in her eyes: "How is it ruining if they’re mine?"

"President, you’re being too willful."

Su Cheng didn’t let go, his gaze fixed on Ji Qingyi with a hint of reproach and displeasure.

"Willful?"

Ji Qingyi arched a brow. Her hand began to move again, and Su Cheng, still powerless to stop her, could only watch helplessly as her fingers leisurely pinched another stone.

Then, she asked nonchalantly, "Are you sure?"

"What will it take for you to stop using these stones?"

Su Cheng clenched his teeth, enunciating each word.

Ji Qingyi replied in a leisurely tone, "What do you think?"

As she spoke, she glanced first at the lawn, then at the stones on the board.

The implication was obvious.

Either roll around, or accept this set of stones.

"President!"

Su Cheng was exasperated. He never expected the president to crush cultural relics with her bare hands just to make him roll around!

This was downright insane!

"It’s too valuable. I really can’t accept it."

Su Cheng shook his head firmly, resolute in his refusal.

Something so precious was beyond repayment.

If he gave in even once, there’d be no end to it.

So, he absolutely couldn’t take it!

As for rolling around?

That’s ridiculous!

It’s way too embarrassing!

"Oh, right… I really liked the fan you gave me last time."

Suddenly, as if remembering something, Su Cheng quickly added, "To me, it holds more value and meaning than these stones."

At his words, the white stone in Ji Qingyi’s guilty fingers fell back into the container, and Su Cheng released her wrist.

"Oh?"

Ji Qingyi chuckled softly.

Her voice betrayed no emotion.

"Yes, I really like it."

Su Cheng nodded solemnly.

The fan was a gift from the president for his birthday.

It was just an ordinary folding fan, inscribed with her calligraphy.

"Mm. Let’s play."

Ji Qingyi said nothing more, simply picking up another white stone. Under Su Cheng’s nervous gaze, she slowly placed it on the board, making the first move.

"Phew…"

Su Cheng exhaled in relief and, without hesitation, placed his own stone.

The two focused on the game, playing five or six rounds. Su Cheng lost every time. Even though the president reviewed each game with him afterward, the next match still ended in crushing defeat.

Ji Qingyi didn’t give him the slightest chance to win.

Not even a glimmer of hope!

And so, another round.

"I lose."

Su Cheng finally surrendered, now feeling utterly disillusioned. It was the worst!

Hearing this, Ji Qingyi looked up at Su Cheng. Seeing his bowed head and dejected expression, she spoke in a clear tone: "No need to be discouraged. You did quite well."

"But it’s meaningless."

Su Cheng grimaced. "I think I just don’t have any talent for this."

Complaining was his last act of defiance.

Of course, he wasn’t actually disheartened.

His grumbling was just a ploy to get the president to go easy on him—to let him taste victory and regain some confidence.

But it was clear Ji Qingyi had no intention of losing. She remarked offhandedly, "I don’t agree with that."

She gave him a faint glance before returning her gaze to the board. Slowly, she said, "Your talent surpasses all others."

Hearing this, Su Cheng froze. Then, his eyes lit up, and he couldn’t help asking, "What talent?"

Could it be that the president had spotted some hidden, god-tier talent even he wasn’t aware of?

Was he some legendary prodigy?!

"Effort."

Ji Qingyi lifted her eyes to meet his and uttered the word.

"You call that a talent?!"

Su Cheng’s face flushed red with indignation. Effort wasn’t a talent—it was something everyone had! Why was she acting like it was above all else?

Besides, only fools relied on effort.

Because geniuses don't need to work hard—just like the club president, who has never put in effort. Everything comes naturally to her; she’s never even experienced the feeling of struggling!

"Did I say something wrong?"

Ji Qingyi raised an eyebrow. "Talent in this world doesn’t appear out of thin air. It’s built through years of accumulation."

Pausing, she turned her gaze to Su Cheng, her tone firm and resolute: "Your talent is forged through sweat, achieving the extraordinary through action and changing your own destiny. Your effort is beyond words."

Su Cheng: "..."

The slogan left him utterly speechless.

If he didn’t know better, he’d think he was back in elementary school during sports day, listening to class cheers.

What nonsense about hard work.

His fate wasn’t shaped by effort—it was handed to him by the system!

Su Cheng couldn’t wrap his head around it, but seeing the president’s unwavering expression, he couldn’t help but ask, "President, have you ever considered... what if I didn’t have the system—"

But his words only provoked Ji Qingyi’s sharp disapproval.

"Why deny yourself?"

Her voice was icy, her words rapid, carrying an inexplicable pressure: "Is your success not rooted in your attitude and actions? Do you really believe it hinges solely on something external?"

The moment she finished speaking, Su Cheng shuddered as if struck by a blunt force, leaving him dazed and unable to react.

He hadn’t expected the president to get angry!

Lowering his head, he murmured, barely audible, "But... without it... I wouldn’t even be sitting here..."

Though his voice was almost inaudible, Ji Qingyi heard him clearly. Her eyes darkened.

Pursing her lips, she cut him off calmly: "There are no ‘what ifs’ in this world—only the present."

"From my perspective, everything you’ve achieved is the result of your own efforts. That’s what defines you."

Her gaze lingered on Su Cheng, a strange glint in her eyes. "I think you’re remarkable. I despise how you attribute everything to external factors. That’s nothing but cowardice and evasion—and it’s not who you are."

"I..."

Su Cheng opened his mouth, at a loss for words. He hadn’t anticipated such high praise from her.

"Take out the folding fan!"

Ji Qingyi suddenly commanded.

Snapping back to attention, Su Cheng produced an antique black wooden fan from his hand, staring blankly at her.

"Open it!"

With a swift motion, he flicked it open.

On the fan were four bold yet elegant calligraphy strokes:

"Hundredfold Effort."

The style was domineering yet refined, much like the president herself—somehow, it carried an inexplicable warmth.

Su Cheng froze at the sight of those words.

A simple idiom, yet it carried profound understanding and recognition of him.

"Whether it’s the system or your own hard work, I see it all as your talent."

Ji Qingyi continued, "Your talent isn’t limited to innate ability—it’s your character, your perseverance and dedication. Have you ever considered that the very reason you’re sitting here playing chess with me is inseparable from these qualities?"

Su Cheng listened, stunned.

Her words left him in a daze.

She was right.

Back then, he had been foolish enough to gamble his life for a championship promise—and it was that same foolish persistence that earned him his reward.

If he had chosen his life over victory, he would never be sitting across from the president now.

The system might have paved his way, but everything he had now was inextricably tied to what Ji Qingyi had just described. None of it would exist without his own resolve and effort.

A surge of warmth rose in Su Cheng’s chest. His eyes shimmered with emotion as he looked at Ji Qingyi. "Thank you for your guidance, President."

Originally, he had just wanted her to go easy on him—but this outcome wasn’t bad either. Now, his mind felt clear, his spirit lifted!

"No need for thanks."

Ji Qingyi smiled faintly, a rare softness in her expression. "I just don’t want you trapped in that narrow mindset. It would waste everything you’ve built."

Hearing this, Su Cheng’s eyes grew hot. Clasping his hands in salute, he declared dramatically: "Su Cheng has drifted through life, regretting only that he did not meet you sooner, President. If you’ll have me, I vow to follow you from this day forth—through fire and water, without hesitation. I will stand by your side and aid you in your grand ambitions!"

"..."

Ji Qingyi narrowed her eyes slightly.

"Enough."

After studying him for a moment, she finally said, "Let’s play chess."

"Then, President... could you let me win just once?"

"No."

…………………………

The morning passed quickly.

Though Su Cheng didn’t win a single game, his skills had improved.

During lunch break, Ji Qingyi and Su Cheng sat together at the dining table.

The dining table was laden with a sumptuous feast, and Su Cheng was enthusiastically piling food into his bowl, eating with exaggerated gusto, almost wolfing it down. Yet, every time he caught sight of Ji Qingyi's frosty, indifferent phoenix-like eyes, he would obediently rein himself in and take dainty, measured bites.

But within seconds, he’d be devouring his food ravenously again.

After this cycle repeated two or three times, Ji Qingyi finally couldn’t take it anymore. She cleared her throat lightly and said, "Just eat however you’re comfortable."

Though her tone was even, Su Cheng could detect a hint of resignation in her words. He stole a glance at the club president, then quickly lowered his head and resumed stuffing his face with abandon.

After lunch came naptime.

Su Cheng planned to retreat to his room for a short rest and check the group chat to see what his female friends were up to.

But before he could, Ji Qingyi stopped him.

"Come with me."

"Where to?"

Su Cheng blinked, his expression puzzled.

Before he could ask further, Ji Qingyi had already strode ahead. Su Cheng hurried after her, jogging to keep up while peppering her with questions: "Where are we going?"

Ji Qingyi didn’t answer, quickening her pace as she headed upstairs.

Soon, she stopped before a redwood door.

The room was at the end of the hallway—undoubtedly the master bedroom!

"This… doesn’t seem appropriate?"

Su Cheng grew nervous at the prospect of entering Ji Qingyi’s bedroom. He scratched his head awkwardly. "Your bedroom… I shouldn’t—"

"It’s not."

Ji Qingyi cut him off and pushed the door open.

Su Cheng followed her inside, only to find, to his surprise, that it wasn’t a bedroom at all—but an indoor shooting range, albeit with just one target.

"By now, I believe you’re capable of drawing it."

Ji Qingyi turned toward the doorway, and Su Cheng followed her gaze to see two maids carrying a bow of unknown material between them.

"This is…"

Su Cheng nodded eagerly, then gingerly took hold of the bow. It was pitch black, its surface intricately carved with exquisite patterns, stunning to behold—but Su Cheng’s attention wasn’t on its beauty.

The bow was incredibly heavy—so much so that an average person couldn’t even lift it with one hand, let alone draw it.

Moreover, it wasn’t made of iron but some special material. Though it resembled iron in appearance, it was anything but, with a flexibility and strength far surpassing that of an ordinary bow.

Su Cheng took a deep breath, accepting it from the maids. One hand gripped the composite metal-reinforced body, while the other rested on the bowstring. With a slight tug, the sheer weight surprised him.

This… string.

He realized that his usual strength wasn’t enough to draw this bow, much less fire it.

"You can use this to train your explosive power," Ji Qingyi said, handing him an arrow far thicker and heavier than normal. "Try shooting it."

Su Cheng hesitated but ultimately took the arrow. Testing the string with a tentative pull, he was met with a resonant hum.

His pupils constricted, his heart skipping a beat.

He couldn’t draw it without exerting his full strength!

In other words, he had to tap into his explosive power skill.

Su Cheng glanced at Ji Qingyi, who was watching him with calm, expectant eyes before giving a slight nod.

Pursing his lips, he took another deep breath and closed his eyes.

In an instant, the world fell silent.

Everything around him seemed to vanish. He could hear only his own heartbeat and breathing, as if he were floating in an empty void where nothing existed but himself.

He had entered the shooting state.

Then, his muscles came alive, surging with raw power and elasticity.

Drawing the bow like a full moon, his focus condensed to its peak.

For the first time, Su Cheng linked his explosive power with archery, and an indescribable emotion welled up inside him—something wild and untamed, bursting from his chest and coursing through his veins.

His eyes snapped open, blazing with intensity as he released the arrow.

Whoosh—

The arrow cut through the air with a piercing shriek, streaking toward the target.

This shot seemed capable of piercing the stars themselves!

But… there was no sound of it hitting the bullseye.

Instead, an explosion-like boom rang out.

Su Cheng froze, his eyes widening as he stared at the wreckage. The entire target had been obliterated into splinters.

And the arrow…

Had punched straight through the concrete wall behind it!

What the hell? Since when could humans do something like this?!

This was beyond legendary—it defied all logic!

Anyone would think he’d stepped into a fantasy world!

Just how terrifying was this power?!

"T-This is insane…" Su Cheng stammered, gaping at Ji Qingyi. "President… did I really just shoot that?"

"Mm." Ji Qingyi nodded, a glint of approval flashing in her eyes. "Indeed, your new ability is far better suited for archery than hand-to-hand combat—safer and more reliable too."

"Uh, I don’t have to pay for this, right?"

Su Cheng hurriedly set down the bow, rubbing his palms together awkwardly.

Though firing that last arrow had drained his energy completely, his body showed no signs of discomfort—only the satisfying fullness from his recent meal had vanished again.

One more shot, and he’d probably collapse on the spot.

Ji Qingyi shook her head, her gaze lingering on the bow before she spoke again. "Since you declined the chess set, consider this bow and arrows my gift to you."

"This…"

Su Cheng hesitated.

Ji Qingyi looked at him, her tone as composed as ever. "No more refusals. This bow was custom-made for you."

Hearing this, Su Cheng had no choice but to accept. "Thank you, President. By the way, does this bow have a name?"

"No. You can give it one."

Staring at the sleek black bow in his hands, the words spilled out impulsively: "Then let’s call it... the Ultimate Invincible·Dark Overlord Bow and Arrow!"

"Awful and clunky. Asking you to think was clearly a mistake. I’ll handle it."

Ji Qingyi paused for a few breaths before clapping her hands decisively.

"It shall be called... 'Falling Moon.'"