As Before

Just as Su Cheng was politely declining, the sound of footsteps suddenly echoed from the spiral staircase in the hallway, abruptly cutting off their conversation.

Coincidentally, the school bell rang, signaling the start of classes, and everyone returned to their seats to begin the morning lessons.

However, to Li Guanqi's surprise, Su Cheng soon slumped over the desk, resting his head on his arms, and fell asleep.

Did he not sleep well last night?

He must have reached the peak of exhaustion to doze off like this.

So, what had he been doing last night?

She had no way of knowing.

Questions swirled in Li Guanqi's mind, but the only thing she was certain of was that sleeping in such a position would inevitably lead to severe neck pain upon waking.

Fortunately, after just a few minutes, Su Cheng opened his eyes, straightened up, and flashed her a bright smile before resuming his attentive posture in class.

Seeing this, Li Guanqi averted her gaze, intending to focus on her own studies—yet her thoughts kept drifting back to Su Cheng for reasons she couldn’t explain.

A sense of nervousness and unease crept over her, as if she were about to face something momentous.

……………………

Meanwhile.

In the second-year section, one classroom carried on with its lesson as usual—except for the teacher at the podium, who was unlike any other instructor that day.

Today, she was unusually cautious and meticulous.

Why?

Because seated at the back of the classroom was an impossible-to-ignore presence. Unlike her usual attentive self, the girl spent the entire class gazing out the window, lost in thought.

This seemingly absentminded behavior made the teacher inwardly question whether she had made a mistake in her lecture or failed to explain something clearly enough, thus displeasing this distinguished student.

After all, despite her extraordinary status, the girl had always been diligent and well-behaved in class, never disrupting the lesson or spacing out like this before.

That girl was Ji Qingyi.

Her posture was elegant and poised, her back straight, with her slender hands resting lightly on the desk, fingers interlaced—a testament to her refined upbringing and grace.

Her aura was commanding yet composed, exuding an icy authority that made nearby classmates instinctively shrink in awe, as though everyone else paled in comparison.

Classroom discipline never needed enforcement, for no one dared disturb her.

Her breathtakingly beautiful face remained expressionless, as cold and distant as an iceberg, evoking both admiration and reverence from those around her.

Her peerless beauty and transcendent demeanor intertwined, elevating her to an almost divine status in the eyes of her peers.

Yet today, her distraction stemmed from Liu Qingyue’s proposal the previous night, which had left her unsettled.

"Don’t you want to know what the third reward is?"

"Now it’s your turn to perform a miracle, Young Miss!"

Liu Qingyue’s words from yesterday lingered incessantly in Ji Qingyi’s mind, agitating her to the point where she couldn’t absorb a single word from the lesson.

Admit her feelings? She simply couldn’t do it!

Besides, Su Cheng now felt like a stranger to her.

In the past, if she stormed out, he would always come to appease her or offer a peace offering.

But now?

Nothing.

Even though she had been so angry yesterday!

Clearly, Su Cheng had changed.

And under these circumstances, she was supposed to confess her feelings to him?

Just then—

"Miss Ji."

After much deliberation, the teacher finally mustered the courage to address the noble young lady, knowing that unless she clarified the issue, her unease would only grow.

A teacher couldn’t shirk her responsibilities out of fear—she had a duty to fulfill.

The moment the teacher called Ji Qingyi’s name, the entire class froze, their eyes collectively darting toward her.

Hearing her name, Ji Qingyi slowly turned her head, her face devoid of emotion, and merely cast a fleeting glance at the teacher before looking away again.

Yet that single glance made the teacher’s heart skip a beat, as though her teaching career had suddenly plunged into bleak despair.

Still, she resolved to see her duty through and softly inquired, "I noticed you’ve been deep in thought. Is there something you don’t understand? If so, please let me know—I’ll do my best to help."

As soon as she finished speaking, the classroom fell into dead silence.

She could hear her own breathing and heartbeat, anxiously awaiting Ji Qingyi’s response.

At that moment, Ji Qingyi lifted her gaze, her eyes filled with confusion and bewilderment.

She could sense the teacher’s fear and regret—so why had she called on her in the first place?

Was it courage?

This time, Ji Qingyi’s voice was serene and ethereal, like the gentle flow of a clear spring, soothing to the ear. "Thank you for your concern, but no," she replied.

"Very well."

Relieved by the answer, the teacher finally relaxed and resumed the lesson.

But Ji Qingyi sank back into her thoughts, knowing full well that her reluctance to confess her feelings was merely an excuse—she simply lacked the courage to try.

Ding-dong—

The bell rang, signaling the end of class. Ji Qingyi rose from her seat and stepped out of the classroom. With her hands gracefully clasped in front of her, she walked lightly toward the staircase, the surrounding students instinctively parting to make way.

Soon, she arrived at the first-year hallway. Students who spotted her gasped in surprise before quickly lowering their heads and scurrying past.

Ji Qingyi paid them no mind, instead scanning the classrooms one by one as if conducting an inspection, searching for someone.

She had come for Su Cheng.

She had visited the first-year section once before, even sitting in Su Cheng’s seat—but after that day, she had never returned.

Finally, she paused briefly outside one classroom, catching sight of a familiar figure. But before the person inside could react, she continued walking away.

Her heart skipped a beat in that instant, and her feet seemed to move on their own.

"President!"

The figure inside hurried out, quickly catching up to her and stopping in front of her.

"What brings you here?"

Su Cheng’s voice carried a note of confusion.

Ji Qingyi studied him, her gaze growing complex before she slightly lowered her eyelids, masking her emotions.

"Nothing. I took the wrong hallway."

Her tone was indifferent as she spoke, and without another word, she turned and walked toward the opposite staircase.

As she had expected, she lacked the courage to admit she had come looking for him, instinctively resorting to this clumsy excuse to brush off the other person.

Her justification was simple—Su Cheng before her felt utterly unfamiliar, and even his expressions might be nothing but an act.

Though she had previously confessed her true feelings, it was always because she had promised Su Cheng in advance, and at the same time, she could observe his genuine reactions. But now...

There was no feedback to be had—perhaps even a fabricated one.

"President, wait."

Just then, Su Cheng suddenly caught up to her.

"What is it?"

Ji Qingyi frowned slightly, stopping in her tracks. Her face clearly showed impatience, yet she still asked with restrained politeness, "What do you want?"

"This is for you."

Su Cheng glanced around, and seeing no one nearby, he produced a box, holding it out to Ji Qingyi with both hands. Then, with an earnest yet somewhat bashful expression, he said, "Honestly, I really liked the scrambled eggs yesterday."

With that, he shoved the box into her arms.

Before she could say anything, Su Cheng turned and walked away.

Ji Qingyi instinctively lowered her head and opened the box, only to find an assortment of flavored mochi sweets neatly arranged inside. She stared blankly for a moment before absentmindedly picking one up and taking a bite.

The taste was just as she remembered.

"The culprit behind his drowsiness has been found."

A calm, indifferent voice suddenly came from around the corner.

Ji Qingyi didn’t react to the voice, merely lowering her head again and gently closing the box of mochi before finally turning her gaze toward Li Guanqi, who had appeared at the corner.

"Come to the archery club this afternoon."

Li Guanqi looked at her without the slightest change in expression, responding flatly, "Mm."