Diary

Social Practice Club.

"Really, truly, thank you so much."

Hoshino Yikui, who had been tirelessly worrying about his younger sister, repeatedly bowed in gratitude to the club members Gu Ruoxue and Su Cheng, his face brimming with earnestness and a radiant, heartfelt smile.

Ever since Su Cheng pretended to be the Penguin Prince at noon, his sister had reverted to her usual lively and spirited self, no longer shutting herself away in a world of sorrow.

"No need to thank me."

Suddenly, Gu Ruoxue, who had been processing documents at her desk, paused her work and glanced up at Hoshino Yikui before lowering her head again to continue her tasks.

"Uh..."

Hoshino Yikui scratched his head awkwardly as he took in Gu Ruoxue's icy, unapproachable demeanor, then turned his gaze to Su Cheng, who was sipping tea nearby.

Su Cheng set down his teacup and motioned for Hoshino to come closer, as if to share a secret. After a brief hesitation, Hoshino nodded and leaned in.

"Don’t mind her," Su Cheng whispered conspiratorially, shielding his mouth with one hand as he spoke into Hoshino’s ear. "She may act all serious, but deep down, she’s actually a very adorable girl."

"Huh?"

Hoshino blinked in surprise, clearly not expecting such a remark. He couldn’t help but glance back at Gu Ruoxue—only to find her staring directly at them, her frosty gaze so intense it sent a chill down his spine. He quickly averted his eyes.

Adorable?

How in the world is that adorable?!

Wait… did she just hear that?

She definitely heard it!

"Anyway, thank you both so much for your help. If you ever need anything from me, just say the word."

Deciding that discretion was the better part of valor, Hoshino Yikui hastily expressed his gratitude before making a swift exit, practically fleeing the scene.

Watching his retreating figure, Su Cheng couldn’t suppress a chuckle before picking up his teacup again, sipping leisurely as if nothing had happened.

The clubroom fell back into silence—except for Gu Ruoxue, who narrowed her eyes at Su Cheng for a long moment before finally muttering, "Don’t you think it’s rude to comment about me behind my back?"

"I wasn’t doing it behind your back. I said it right in front of you."

Su Cheng retorted without a hint of guilt.

"Hmph."

Gu Ruoxue scoffed coldly and ignored him, returning to her paperwork.

But Su Cheng wasn’t done. He set his teacup aside, stood up, and walked over to Gu Ruoxue’s desk, eyeing the stacks of documents and files with amusement. "Are you trying to work yourself to death?"

"Mhm."

Gu Ruoxue responded without looking up, still scribbling away, completely unfazed by his teasing.

"How about a break? Let me give you a shoulder massage," Su Cheng suggested. "Like last time at the airport."

At that, Gu Ruoxue lifted her head, her gaze sharp with suspicion.

The last time at the airport… if she really thought about it, that had been right before a major upheaval—when he had regained his memories.

Now, Su Cheng bringing it up again made her wary.

Was he hinting at something?

Whatever had happened between him and Li Guanqi at noon remained a mystery to her. She wouldn’t find out until tonight. But for now…

"Relax."

Su Cheng stepped behind her chair without hesitation, placing his hands on her shoulders and kneading gently. "You’re all stiff. Let me help you loosen up."

Gu Ruoxue tensed at first, her brows furrowing, but then she exhaled and seemed to resign herself to it. "Do what you want."

With that, she relaxed, letting Su Cheng work on her shoulders while she closed her eyes and rested.

"So?"

Su Cheng leaned in slightly, his voice soft near her ear. "Feeling better?"

"Mmm. It’s helping." Gu Ruoxue cracked one eye open to glance at him before closing it again.

"Good."

Su Cheng straightened up and focused on his task.

Two minutes later, he stopped. Gu Ruoxue slowly opened her eyes and tilted her head to look at him—only to find him staring intently at her hair.

Their eyes met briefly before Su Cheng resumed the massage.

"More white hairs?"

Gu Ruoxue murmured the question so quietly it was almost inaudible, then shut her eyes again, savoring the rare moment of peace.

"Yeah… more and more of them."

Su Cheng’s voice carried a note of frustration, snapping Gu Ruoxue out of her thoughts. Her delicate brows knitted together.

White hairs were something she cared about more than she’d admit.

"I’ve really given you a lot to worry about, haven’t I?"

After a pause, Su Cheng spoke again, his tone subdued.

"Oh? Is that so?" Gu Ruoxue replied evenly. "Should I thank you for adding some color to my life, then?"

Su Cheng fell silent for a moment before hesitantly asking, "Want me to pluck them out?"

"No need."

Gu Ruoxue shook her head and closed her eyes once more.

"Alright."

Su Cheng continued massaging her shoulders, but this time, he didn’t stay quiet. Instead, he launched into a fairy tale, his tone gentle and soothing—as if he were telling a bedtime story to lull her to sleep.

But unlike before, Gu Ruoxue wasn’t simply listening.

Her guard was up.

Long ago, they had made a rule: whenever Su Cheng made a mistake, he’d make it up to her with a new story. But yesterday and today, he’d started telling fairy tales out of nowhere—without any apparent reason.

Tonight, she would definitely need to compare notes with Li Guanqi.

……………………

Night.

The sky was moonless tonight.

Special Residence.

Only the glow of the TV and a desk lamp illuminated the room. At the desk, Li Guanqi’s face was bathed in the soft light as she scribbled furiously on a blank sheet of paper, filling it with dense, inky characters.

Today’s diary entry—complete!

She had recorded everything that happened today: her observations at the archery club in the afternoon, her doubts, her concerns—all of it went into her book, The Heroine’s Fundamentals.

Once finished, she tried to fold the book and tuck it deep into her drawer—but then she remembered something and reopened it, flipping to a particular page.

On that page was a single, bold word: "Like."

She stared at it for a long time before finally exhaling, closing the book, and placing it carefully in the drawer.

"Looks like I can help share his burden now."

With that thought, she stood up and turned to Yaya, who was watching TV. "Want to go for a walk?"

Yaya shook her head and turned back to the screen.

Just then, Li Guanqi’s phone vibrated on the table.

It was a message from Gu Ruoxue.

She knew it was about what had happened at noon. Picking up the phone, she typed a simple reply: "Yeah."

After that, she walked out of the room and headed downstairs, only to find Li Zhaohao sitting by the stone table in the open-air living room, engrossed in her handheld game console.

She was wearing a white princess dress, a lollipop dangling from her lips. Sensing Li Guanqi’s approach, she looked up and flashed her a bright smile, asking, "Going for a walk again?"

"Yeah, I’ll be back soon."

Li Guanqi replied succinctly before continuing toward the door—

"Wait, I’ll come too. Just let me finish this round first."

The sweet, soft voice of Li Zhaohao called out from behind her.

Turning around, Li Guanqi seemed to consider something for a moment, then simply sat down beside her to wait.

"Where are we going?"

After a short while, Li Zhaohao couldn’t resist looking up to ask.

"East Creek. Gu Ruoxue will be there too."

Li Guanqi answered without hesitation.

"Oh~"

Li Zhaohao responded obediently, only to belatedly realize something was off. She immediately raised her head, widening her pretty eyes in surprise. "Wait, are you two planning to discuss something? Would it be awkward if I tagged along?"

"There are things I don’t want to tell her."

Li Guanqi paused briefly before meeting her gaze. "If you come, she’ll understand without me having to explain."

"Oh~ I see."

The explanation made Li Zhaohao’s face light up with understanding, and she gave a knowing, adorable nod before lowering her head again to focus on her game.

But to her dismay, she had already lost during their brief conversation. Muttering in frustration, she quickly brushed it off, picked up her console, and stood.

"Let’s go."

"Okay."

And so, the pair of sisters—one dressed in black, the other in white—left the house, heading toward the distant creek like the mythical Black and White Guards of the underworld setting off to claim a soul.