"I... I want to turn into a penguin!"
"A penguin?"
Ji Qingyi's expression shifted slightly in surprise at these words. She tilted her adorable little head in thought, her breathtakingly beautiful face filled with contemplation, looking utterly charming—enough to make anyone momentarily lose themselves in a daze.
Su Cheng quickly explained the situation involving the Hoshino siblings, detailing their portrayal of the Penguin Prince and recounting everything to Ji Qingyi.
After listening, Ji Qingyi gazed into Su Cheng's eyes, her own shimmering with intrigue. She spoke slowly, "This is quite amusing. But you, transforming into a penguin..."
She looked Su Cheng up and down, her voice softening before she suddenly picked up her teacup, took a leisurely sip, and set it down again with an air of indifference, as though the matter held no significance to her.
Yet the very next words out of her mouth betrayed her true thoughts. With a faint smile, she remarked in a casual tone, "Penguins are creatures native to the Antarctic. I’ve never seen one up close."
As soon as she said this, Su Cheng’s lips twitched. Her words clearly implied that Ji Qingyi wanted to see him transformed into a penguin.
"Fine, I’ll show you when the time comes," Su Cheng forced himself to say through gritted teeth, suppressing his embarrassment. His face, however, had already turned bright red—he could easily imagine Ji Qingyi snapping photos of him and sharing them in a group chat for amusement.
"Wouldn’t that interfere with your important matters?" Ji Qingyi shook her head, feigning indifference and concern for his priorities, as if she had no interest in seeing it at all.
Su Cheng: "..."
A stampede of mythical beasts raged through Su Cheng’s mind. He knew full well she wanted to see it, yet she was pretending otherwise, even acting like she was doing him a favor!
He was certain that if he refused, she would immediately revert to her cold, aloof demeanor and ignore him altogether.
"Come on, it’s no trouble at all!"
To avoid being given the cold shoulder, Su Cheng waved his hand magnanimously and declared, "Showing you is an important matter in itself!"
"Hmm, if you insist, then I won’t argue further."
Ji Qingyi set her teacup down on the table and stood up. A delicate fragrance, reminiscent of orchids, wafted toward Su Cheng, filling his senses.
"Dinner is ready. Follow me to the dining hall," she said plainly.
"Alright."
......
After the meal, the two engaged in another game of Go.
Though Su Cheng’s skills had improved significantly, he still suffered a crushing defeat. Yet, as he stared at the board, his mind was elsewhere—he was preoccupied with finding a way to make Vice President Ling Ning confess her feelings to him.
But under normal circumstances, she would instinctively flee at the sight of him. How could she possibly confess?
How could he claim his reward?!
Even getting close to her was a challenge, let alone making her confess!
So, once the game ended, Su Cheng excused himself under the pretense of urgent matters and hurried off.
Meanwhile, Ji Qingyi remained seated in silence. Only after Su Cheng had left did she summon an attendant and instruct, "Prepare some cephalopods for me."
"Understood."
The attendant bowed respectfully but ventured to ask, "Would the young mistress prefer them alive or deceased?"
"Alive."
Ji Qingyi’s gaze lingered thoughtfully on the Go board before she added, "By the way, what is the primary food source for penguins?"
"According to reports, it’s Antarctic krill, my lady."
"Prepare some of those as well."
"As you wish."
The attendant promptly took his leave.
………………………………………
After leaving the Archery Club, Su Cheng racked his brain for a solution. In the past, he would have turned to his trusted allies for help.
But now, he was on his own.
Lost in thought, he wandered until he reached the first-floor schedule board. He checked his own class timetable and frowned upon seeing that his next class was swimming.
Just as he was about to return to his classroom to think things through, his eyes inadvertently landed on the second-year schedule.
A sudden realization struck him, and he rushed over to check Ling Ning’s class schedule.
[Equestrian Class]
(Horse Training and Taming)
Seeing this, Su Cheng froze for a moment before his sharp mind whirred into action, quickly devising a way to get close to Ling Ning.
Because he remembered—he had a connection at the stables!
That’s right, the Flame City Emperor!
With this in mind, he dashed toward the equestrian grounds.
……………………………………
Afternoon
Class 2-4
Dozens of young men and women dressed in riding attire stepped onto the field, their faces alight with anticipation. Today’s lesson covered equestrian theory—a class where students learned to build trust and cooperation with their horses.
For every student, the allure of taming a high-quality steed was irresistible.
After all, mastering a noble and spirited horse was a feat worth boasting about!
"This afternoon is the free equestrian class. I hope all students can seize the opportunity to quickly establish a connection with your horses."
"I declare the equestrian class officially begun."
As the instructor's voice echoed across the riding arena, all the students headed toward the stables to find their usual mounts.
Ling Ning strode into the stables with an air of confidence, her sharp gaze sweeping across the area until she spotted her horse, 『Noble Steed』, standing prominently in the center of the field.
That was the name she had given it.
Because her horse carried itself like a nobleman.
After entering the stable, she first soothed the horse, calming its restlessness before taking out a lead rope and guiding it out.
She had already formed a deep bond with the horse—so much so that a mere whistle from her would send it galloping to her side.
The horse had grown utterly dependent on her, so leading it out went smoothly. In fact, the horse pranced excitedly in place, brimming with energy.
"It's been so long since I last rode..."
Ling Ning smiled, stroking the horse's mane with a hint of nostalgia before effortlessly leaping onto its back.
"Isn’t that Su Cheng’s horse?"
"Yeah, don’t even think about it. You’ll get hurt."
The hushed conversation between two nearby classmates made Ling Ning freeze mid-motion. The mention of Su Cheng instantly soured her mood, draining her enthusiasm. Her gaze locked onto Su Cheng’s horse in the distance.
At first glance, the majestic steed appeared no different from any other horse—except for its clear, gentle, and almost intelligent eyes, which made it irresistibly endearing.
But appearances were deceiving.
In reality, this horse had injured numerous instructors and students. Though the wounds were never severe, everyone knew the first incident was just a warning.
This was a horse with fierce pride. If it didn’t approve of someone, it would outright ignore them. And if they insisted on approaching? Biting or kicking would follow.
Some stubborn students had tried repeatedly to tame it, only to be either kicked or dragged dozens of meters before being rushed to the hospital.
Such incidents were countless, leaving many students—and even some instructors—too terrified to approach the horse.
Yet, ironically, this was all because of Su Cheng’s influence.
His ability to tame the horse was nothing short of miraculous.
Of course, no one blamed Su Cheng for it. It was simply his own skill—others’ failures were purely due to their lack of ability.
"If only I had Su Cheng’s talent..."
"Right? If I could tame horses like him, I’d make every horse obey me. Then, no one could ride without my permission—they’d have to follow my rules."
"Hah! Keep dreaming!"
The chatter about Su Cheng only deepened Ling Ning’s irritation. But just then, she noticed something—Flame City Emperor was staring straight at her.
"...Is it looking at me?"
She was stunned. This horse never showed favor to anyone, yet now it was gazing at her with such intensity that she almost felt flustered.
"Ling Ning, you’re in the way."
A classmate’s voice snapped her back to reality.
"Oh, right."
She quickly guided her horse back a few steps but kept her eyes fixed on Flame City Emperor. What happened next, however, left her utterly shocked.
As if triggered by some unseen cue, Flame City Emperor suddenly reared its head and let out a piercing neigh.
The sound sent instructors and students alike scrambling back in alarm.
Even the calmest horses around grew restless, as if sensing a predator nearby. Even Ling Ning’s own gentle mount trembled beneath her, its body shaking with fear.
The sheer force of Flame City Emperor’s cry made Ling Ning’s heart pound violently.
Truly worthy of its name—Emperor indeed.
She hurriedly steadied her horse, whispering reassurances to calm it down. But just as she managed to soothe it, something even more unbelievable happened.
Flame City Emperor lowered its head, using its teeth to undo the halter’s buckle. Then, with deliberate ease, it slipped free of the reins and leaped out of its enclosure, striding gracefully toward Ling Ning.
The entire scene left the instructors and students dumbfounded.
The halter was secured with a fixed knot—impossible to undo without human hands. Yet Flame City Emperor had done it effortlessly.
They had spent an entire class learning how to untie that knot, and now a horse had just outsmarted them all.
While everyone stood frozen in disbelief, Flame City Emperor approached Ling Ning, the reins still dangling from its mouth.
Then, it nuzzled her thigh affectionately—like an obedient pet—leaving the onlookers utterly speechless.
Ling Ning was utterly stunned, frozen in place as she stared blankly at the Flame City Emperor before her. Her heart pounded wildly in her chest—because there was no mistaking it. This was an act of submission.
The horse had actually acknowledged her?
Su Cheng’s unruly, fearless Flame City Emperor was now standing obediently before her, the reins held gently in its mouth. Even a fool could tell what this meant.
She had been recognized by the Flame City Emperor!
"Quick, try riding it!"
An eager classmate nearby urged excitedly.
"No, don’t! This horse is cunning—don’t risk it, you could get hurt!"
A wary instructor who had witnessed its strange behavior before hastily warned.
But Ling Ning’s gaze lingered on the reins held between the Flame City Emperor’s teeth, leaving her torn between hesitation and temptation.
Why would Su Cheng’s Flame City Emperor act this way toward her?
Could it have sensed her hidden feelings for its owner?
Was this horse truly so perceptive of human emotions?!
Her eyes drifted to the saddle on its back, imagining how Su Cheng had once ridden upon it. Unconsciously, she swallowed hard.
Then, almost reflexively, she reached out and took hold of the reins.
Her fingers tightened around them, her heart nearly stopping as she swung herself up onto the horse.
Yet the moment her feet left the ground, the Flame City Emperor suddenly bent its front legs, kneeling halfway—as if inviting her to mount properly.
The sight drew gasps and murmurs of astonishment from the onlookers.
It was almost as if someone might exclaim, "This horse is terrifyingly intelligent!"
Since she was a woman, the horse’s size wasn’t overly large—but the Flame City Emperor was still quite tall. Mounting it would take some effort.
Ling Ning gazed at the incredibly clever steed, her joy overflowing. To be acknowledged by such a magnificent creature was truly a rare fortune in life.
Perhaps, from now on, she and Su Cheng could even share this horse—both becoming its masters.
The thought made her impulsively wrap her arms around the horse’s neck before leaping onto the saddle. Once settled, she looked down at the Flame City Emperor beneath her.
All around, envious eyes were fixed upon her.
But then—
The Flame City Emperor suddenly surged forward, bolting like an unbridled wild horse. The speed was so exhilarating it left her breathless—until her expression shifted to surprise.
The horse wasn’t racing within the training grounds. Instead, it leaped clear over the fence, charging toward a wild, overgrown area.
Ling Ning tried to rein it in, but the horse ignored her commands. Afraid to make any sudden moves, she clung tightly to its neck, refusing to let go.
After leaving the stables, they soon reached a place far from the training grounds—a dense thicket where the grass and trees grew so thick they formed an impenetrable wall.
Gradually, the Flame City Emperor slowed its pace—until Ling Ning’s eyes widened at the sight before her.
It was something astonishing.
Beneath a tree, a familiar figure sat leisurely, a chessboard laid out before him.
Su Cheng.
Her face instantly burned crimson with embarrassment. Instinctively, she tried to turn the horse around and flee—but the Flame City Emperor refused to obey. Instead, it quickened its pace, refusing to let her dismount.
"Hey! I said turn around! Stop—!"
Stranded in this remote wilderness, Ling Ning was both flustered and furious, shouting commands in vain.
But there was no escape. She could only watch helplessly as Su Cheng drew nearer and nearer.
And with each step, that strange, overwhelming sensation grew stronger.
Just as she buried her face against the horse’s back, too mortified to look up—
A fierce gust of wind swept through, tousling her long hair. The horse came to a smooth halt.
And then, a familiar voice called out beside her.
"Senior Ling Ning, I’ve been waiting for you."