At this moment, Ji Qingyi's pupils lost their luster, as calm and still as stagnant water, devoid of any ripples.
Though her demeanor appeared composed and steady, her slender, pale hands trembled slightly, betraying the turmoil within her.
"What exactly are you trying to do?"
Suddenly, Ji Qingyi parted her lips, her voice carrying a cold sharpness, slow yet mesmerizing.
Now that she had calmed down, she had discerned Su Cheng's actions, but the shameful way she had shifted blame earlier was too unsightly.
It was as if her darkest moments were being publicly exposed, making her feel an unprecedented humiliation.
Her image had also plummeted.
"I'm not doing anything."
Facing Ji Qingyi's questioning, Su Cheng wiped his mouth and flashed an innocent, guileless smile before nodding earnestly. "The club president was very cute today."
Snap.
"C... cute...?"
The chopsticks in Ji Qingyi's hands snapped in half. She raised her eyes to stare at Su Cheng, her gaze icy. "That doesn’t sound like something you’d say to me. So, should I take your words and actions as a provocation?"
"No, no, no!"
Su Cheng quickly shook his head, then blinked at Ji Qingyi with an innocent yet earnest expression. "Getting to see the president’s truest self again is a happy thing."
"Of course, if the president minds..."
Here, he paused and glanced at Liu Qingyue before continuing, "You could have my senior confess to me and obtain some memory-erasing item to make me forget tonight’s events. That’s also an option."
"Again..."
Ji Qingyi narrowed her eyes slightly at this word—clearly, this "again" implied the existence of other "dark moments" of hers.
It plunged her into a tangle of conflict and hesitation.
Finally, she stood up and fixed her gaze on Su Cheng. "I’ll consider it. But right now, you need to tell me—what is your goal? What do you intend to do?"
"Or rather..."
Her tone was resolute and grave, her eyes piercing as if trying to see right through him. "What are you planning to say to Li Guanqi tomorrow at noon?"
"Oh, that."
Su Cheng pulled out his phone, opened a chat log, and showed it to Ji Qingyi.
"I promised her I wouldn’t reveal this to anyone before tomorrow noon."
After a pause, he added apologetically, "Sorry, President. I didn’t mean to hide it from you. But I can tell you with certainty—I don’t plan to do anything. Please trust me."
"Is that so?"
Ji Qingyi glanced at the chat log, then stared deeply at Su Cheng again. After a long silence, she averted her gaze and turned to Liu Qingyue before striding decisively toward the door without another word.
Liu Qingyue picked up the suitcase she had prepared earlier and followed her mistress out.
...
Ji Qingyi’s steps never faltered until she boarded the extended luxury car. Only then did she relax slightly, leaning back into the seat and closing her eyes without another word.
"Miss..."
Liu Qingyue sat across from her, suitcase in hand, watching Ji Qingyi feign sleep with a hesitant expression.
"Speak." Ji Qingyi’s voice was hoarse and dry.
"How are you feeling?"
Liu Qingyue’s eyes were full of concern.
"Unwell."
Ji Qingyi opened her eyes slightly, her tone calm, but her gaze brimmed with disappointment, resentment, and unwillingness.
"He’s become unfamiliar—even every expression of his feels foreign now..."
Her voice trailed off, dissolving into the clamor of passing vehicles.
"Yes, his new ability is truly detestable."
Liu Qingyue nodded slightly with a sigh.
"It feels like everything is under his control somehow..."
Her eyes darkened, her tone thick with frustration. Now, she didn’t dare act recklessly either.
Su Cheng’s "I’m not doing anything" sent a chill down her spine.
"What exactly does he mean by that?"
Ji Qingyi furrowed her brows, lost in thought. When Su Cheng had said those words, she had sensed that he was telling the truth.
But how much was hidden beneath that statement?
"Miss."
At that moment, Liu Qingyue suddenly called out to Ji Qingyi, who had closed her eyes again. Her voice carried a trace of hesitation.
"Hm?"
Ji Qingyi frowned slightly before nodding.
"What do you plan to do next?"
Liu Qingyue took a deep breath, her gaze fixed intently on Ji Qingyi’s profile. She knew full well that the cool-headed, rational, and sharp-witted young mistress would make the right decision.
"What do you think he means by 'I’m not doing anything'?"
Ji Qingyi lifted her head slightly, meeting Liu Qingyue’s eyes with a composed and steady tone. "I actually think he was telling the truth."
"I believe it’s more like waiting for the rabbit to run into the tree stump."
Liu Qingyue shook her head, her eyes glinting with shrewdness. "It’s obvious—he’s saying that even if he doesn’t act, he’ll still get what he wants."
"So that’s why you didn’t do anything earlier?" Ji Qingyi arched a brow, her tone teasing.
"Miss." Liu Qingyue straightened, explaining seriously, "I’m sure you’ve noticed too—acting rashly would backfire. So, I’ll leave this matter for you to decide."
Hearing this, Ji Qingyi retrieved a small box from her pocket, took out a cigarette, and placed it before Liu Qingyue. "Seems even you have moments of caution. Though I’m still unwilling... Tomorrow afternoon, invite Li Guanqi back to the club."
Liu Qingyue nodded silently, pocketing the cigarette—her intent was clear. She wouldn’t use any items on Su Cheng and would instead approach Li Guanqi.
Since Li Guanqi had formed a cooperative relationship with them, they would wait and observe, learning the contents of tomorrow’s conversation before making their next move.
"Do you have a way to change the current situation?" Ji Qingyi’s gaze settled on Liu Qingyue, her detached tone laced with a hint of expectation. "This can’t go on. We must suppress his objective abilities, or we’ll remain at a disadvantage."
"Yes."
For once, Liu Qingyue wore a solemn expression, her voice grave. "And only two people can do it."
"Who?"
"You and Gu Ruoxue. No one else can alter Su Cheng’s current state."
"Just the two of us?"
Ji Qingyi’s face stiffened momentarily before returning to normal, but her beautiful eyes flickered with unmistakable conflict and hesitation.
"Intense emotions—subjective, of the highest order—are the strongest suppressant."