Afternoon.
Physical Education class.
The entire Flame City Private Academy was brimming with youthful energy. On the tennis courts, beautiful girls in tennis outfits danced gracefully, their sweat and laughter intertwining, creating an atmosphere so exhilarating it made one’s blood boil.
Coincidentally, a match was underway—three first-year classes were engaged in a heated tennis competition.
"Nice, beautiful shot!"
"Zhao Yan is amazing!!!"
"Keep it up!"
The stands around the tennis court erupted with cheers and shouts. Students from Class 1-2 rallied around Zhao Yan, screaming their support.
"That was incredible! Did Zhao Yan just change the ball’s direction mid-shot?"
"Yeah, that was an absolutely hype move!"
"I had no idea she was this good."
"Right? She’s usually so low-key during tennis practice."
Wang Guancong and Gao Ye showered her with praise, the former even slapping Su Cheng’s thigh in excitement, leaving a visible red handprint.
"Are you out of your mind?"
Su Cheng, sitting beside him, winced as his thigh flushed red. He shot Wang Guancong a glare, rubbing the sore spot irritably.
"Sorry, sorry! Got carried away," Wang Guancong chuckled sheepishly before pointing back at the court. "But we’re about to win!"
"Hahaha!" Gao Ye laughed in agreement.
Behind Su Cheng sat Xuan Ying and Li Guanqi, both observing the red handprint on his thigh with different expressions—Xuan Ying glaring at Wang Guancong indignantly, while Li Guanqi studied Su Cheng’s reaction with an unreadable face.
"Zhao Yan actually beat an official member of the tennis club," Gao Ye remarked, clicking his tongue in admiration.
"Hmph! Zhao Yan’s physical fitness is way better than you boys. She trains regularly and even spent her breaks practicing with professional players," Xuan Ying retorted, tossing Gao Ye a disdainful look.
Meanwhile, Li Guanqi seemed lost in thought.
She had initially assumed Zhao Yan was likely a "B," but now, she wondered if she might be an "A"?
After all, Zhao Yan’s tennis skills were at a professional NTRP 5.0 level—her shot techniques, tactical awareness, match experience, and even her control over ball speed, angle, and spin were all polished.
Take Ling Ning from the Go Club, for example—she was an "A."
So, Li Guanqi concluded, Zhao Yan might very well be one too.
"Yeah, I won’t deny that. But today, she’s just… stunning."
"Right? I never expected her to be this good."
At that moment, their class monitor, Li Wen, chimed in, "Zhao Yan is incredibly popular among the boys. Whether it’s looks, academics, sports, arts, manners, or personality—she’s top-tier in every aspect. Honestly, she might be the most outstanding girl in our class."
"Yeah, she really is," Wang Guancong agreed with a nod.
Throughout their conversation, Li Guanqi kept watching Su Cheng, waiting for his reaction.
Yet, Su Cheng remained unfazed, quietly observing the match as if none of it mattered.
This made Li Guanqi frown.
Here was a potential "A"-level reward right in front of him, yet Su Cheng showed no interest.
What’s more, he hadn’t even sought out Ling Ning today.
Was her judgment wrong?
Did he not want rewards anymore?
She had even prepared to stop him if he went after Ling Ning, but he didn’t.
It made no sense.
Had he already used up his chances for the day?
"Hell yeah!"
"Beautiful shot!"
Zhao Yan leaped through the air like an elegant crane, her movements swift and graceful as she swung her racket, captivating everyone present. With a final, flawless strike, she secured the victory.
The cheers and applause from their class grew deafening, the stands shaking with excitement.
"Phew—"
Zhao Yan’s cheeks were flushed, her breath uneven, sweat glistening on her forehead as her chest rose and fell rapidly. Yet, despite her exhaustion, her gaze instinctively sought out a certain spot in the stands—as if longing for someone’s attention, or perhaps, their approval.
Following her line of sight, she saw Su Cheng clapping for her, a faint smile on his lips.
Zhao Yan’s own lips curled upward as she accepted a towel, wiping away her sweat, her heart swelling with joy.
This feeling was indescribably satisfying.
Back when she had watched Su Cheng shine during his own competitions, she had secretly wished that one day, he would stand by and cheer for her too.
And now, that dream had come true.
With a contented sigh, Zhao Yan turned back to bask in the crowd’s adoration, drying her forehead before heading toward the stands.
When approached by the tennis club for recruitment, she politely declined.
Truthfully, she didn’t even like tennis—to her, it was just a tool to achieve her goal.
Now that she had succeeded, she had no intention of continuing.
Her next dream awaited.
One she had always yearned for.
The memory of Su Cheng delivering that speech in the auditorium for someone else was etched into her mind.
She would never forget it.
So, she would join the Disciplinary Committee.
And then, she would invite Su Cheng to give a speech in her support.
……………………………………
The match had officially ended.
"You’ve been pushing yourself so hard for this day—I knew you’d win!" Xuan Ying handed her a water bottle, beaming.
"Yeah, I didn’t let everyone down," Zhao Yan replied with a gentle smile, accepting the bottle and taking a long drink.
But her eyes flickered toward Su Cheng again, only to find him already looking at her. Flustered, she lowered her head after a single sip and tightened the cap.
"How about we throw a victory party this weekend?" Li Wen suddenly suggested. "Everyone performed so well—we should celebrate!"
"Sounds good."
"I’m in."
"We’ve never had a class gathering before, right?"
"Then let’s make it epic!"
The proposal was met with enthusiastic agreement from most of the class.
"Alright, I’ll post the details in the group chat later. For now, everyone, go change."
With that, the class dispersed. Li Guanqi followed the other girls toward the locker room.
"Do you think Su Cheng will come to the party this weekend?" Xuan Ying asked Zhao Yan as she changed, though her tone was uncertain. "He probably won’t, right?"
"I think he might?" Zhao Yan, currently showering, paused before answering slowly, "He didn’t object earlier."
"Honestly, we could just ask him directly."
Li Guanqi, who had just changed her clothes and was about to leave, overheard the conversation inside and couldn't help but interject.
"That's right."
Xuan Ying froze for a moment upon hearing this, then suddenly realized something and quickly picked up her phone to send a message to Su Cheng: "Su Cheng, are you coming to the weekend gathering?"
Soon, a reply came through: "Yeah, I'll be there."
"He said he's coming!"
Xuan Ying immediately cheered upon receiving the answer.
"Really?"
Zhao Yan was secretly delighted but maintained a calm demeanor, casually remarking, "Seems like you’ll have to dress up nicely this weekend."
"Of course."
Xuan Ying proudly straightened her posture and declared, "It’s rare to meet outside of school, so of course I’ll make an effort."
Meanwhile, Li Guanqi left the changing room alone and headed straight for the club building. On the way, she spotted Su Cheng but chose not to approach him, instead quietly watching until he entered the building.
"Stalking, are we?"
Suddenly, a teasing voice came from beside her.
Li Guanqi turned to see Liu Qingyue leaning against the wall nearby, looking at her with amusement.
"Aren’t you afraid Su Cheng might notice you?"
Li Guanqi asked indifferently.
"Let’s go."
Liu Qingyue ignored her question and turned to walk toward the Archery Club, saying as she went, "My young mistress is looking for you."
After a brief hesitation, Li Guanqi followed.
...
Archery Club.
Ji Qingyi sat at the tea table, her black-stockinged legs crossed elegantly. She leaned lazily against the chair, her right arm resting on the armrest with her hand supporting her forehead, exuding an air of effortless charm.
However, the arrival of two figures soon caught her by surprise. She glanced up, but upon seeing only the two of them, she closed her eyes again, uninterested.
"President Ji."
Li Guanqi greeted her as she approached the tea table. At Liu Qingyue’s gesture, she took a seat diagonally across from Ji Qingyi, while Liu Qingyue settled at the other end, idly toying with the tea set as she waited for her to speak.
"At noon, he told me about the attribute points and the effects of his new skills. I won’t comment on their validity."
Ji Qingyi opened her eyes and dropped this bombshell, leaving Li Guanqi stunned.
"President Ji, what are you talking about?" Li Guanqi blurted out reflexively.
"Hmph."
Ji Qingyi gave her a sidelong glance and said coolly, "Seems you’re out of the loop, Junior Li."
"I really don’t know," Li Guanqi admitted, shaking her head. "He didn’t mention anything to me."
"He gained an intelligence attribute point and unlocked emotional control and objective thinking modes," Liu Qingyue summarized succinctly. "That’s why we wanted to ask if you knew anything. Or do you have any thoughts on this?"
"......"
Li Guanqi lowered her head in silence, as if lost in thought—or perhaps wrestling with conflicting emotions.
Finally, she took a deep breath and looked up. "I believe he’ll tell me everything tomorrow at noon."