Dumpling

"Let's move to dine."

With that, Ji Qingyi stood up, leading the way with her elegant and perfectly straight black-stockinged legs, a sight so flawless it was impossible not to marvel.

She walked toward the dining room in the side hall, with Su Cheng naturally following close behind. The room was filled with a fragrant aroma, its decor exuding classical charm.

"I didn't put much effort into preparing the meal, so it may seem rather simple," Ji Qingyi remarked indifferently as she took her seat.

"You're too modest, President," Su Cheng replied with a humble smile, sitting down across from her.

Ji Qingyi ignored his flattery, picking up her chopsticks with slender fingers to pluck a piece of vegetable. She chewed lightly a few times before swallowing, a faint weariness flickering across her brow. After dabbing the corners of her lips with a napkin, she said coolly, "Please enjoy."

"You're full after just one leaf?" Su Cheng, who hadn't even touched his chopsticks yet, couldn't hide his surprise at her demeanor.

"My appetite isn't great."

Her expression remained indifferent as she sat upright. Then, without another word, she rose and walked leisurely out of the dining room, casting an inadvertent sidelong glance at Su Cheng as she passed him.

Su Cheng paused, seemingly wanting to say something, but ultimately chose to remain silent. He lowered his head and began eating.

After leaving Su Cheng with nothing but her noble silhouette, she returned to the central tea table in the dojo. Picking up a cup of tea, she took a small sip before setting it down again, her expression gradually growing more tired and languid.

While eating, she had inexplicably recalled the scrambled egg incident, which instantly ruined both her mood and appetite. Deciding it wasn't worth forcing herself, she simply stopped eating and closed her eyes outside, feigning sleep.

Noon wasn't club activity time—teaching would have to wait until the afternoon. For now, she was preparing her lesson plans in advance.

After some time, she detected faint footsteps approaching, followed by a figure slowly settling beside her.

She slowly opened her eyes to see Su Cheng.

He sat next to her, reclining comfortably against the chair with his eyes closed, looking utterly at ease as he began to rest.

Ji Qingyi frowned slightly, noticing something that made her extremely uncomfortable—

Su Cheng hadn't wiped his mouth clean.

"Ahem..."

Her mood darkened slightly, and she let out a light cough, hoping to draw his attention.

Yet Su Cheng seemed completely oblivious, continuing to sleep peacefully without even a twitch of his eyelids.

Though suspicious, Ji Qingyi maintained her aloof demeanor, her gaze fixed on the oil stain at the corner of Su Cheng's mouth.

After a few minutes, Su Cheng's breathing gradually steadied, his chest rising and falling rhythmically as he sank into deep slumber.

How could he make such a basic mistake?

Ji Qingyi's delicate brows furrowed further. She found it hard to believe—given Su Cheng's current temperament, he wasn't the type to be so careless, let alone commit such an undignified oversight.

Unless...

Her thoughts raced as her eyes swept over Su Cheng's face, and a sudden suspicion arose in her mind—

Was this related to Liu Qingyue's theory of equality?

Was he deliberately leaving it there, expecting her to wipe it off for him?

No.

More likely, he planned to suddenly wake up when she tried, putting her in an awkward position again.

"Hah... as if."

Ji Qingyi scoffed coldly, then sat up and stood gracefully, heading toward her office.

She retrieved a camera.

Returning to the center of the dojo, she looked down at Su Cheng from above and raised the camera, intending to capture his sleeping face—proof to confirm her suspicions.

Click.

The shutter sound echoed, and the flash startled Su Cheng awake. Rubbing his bleary eyes, he looked at Ji Qingyi in confusion. "P-President? What's wrong?"

"Nothing."

Ji Qingyi returned to her seat, placing the camera on the table before enunciating each word clearly: "You had oil on your mouth."

"Oh?"

Su Cheng blinked, then pulled out a wet wipe and dabbed at the corner of his lips. With a grateful smile, he said, "Thanks for the reminder."

"You're welcome."

Ji Qingyi gave a slight nod before lifting her teacup for another sip, effectively ignoring Su Cheng as if he were air.

"President, you seem... really tired lately."

Su Cheng couldn't help but ask.

"Oh?"

Ji Qingyi arched a slender brow, glancing at him before replying thoughtfully, "How observant. Though, yes, I have been rather exhausted recently..."

"You've been working hard!"

Su Cheng quickly chimed in, his expression radiating understanding.

Ji Qingyi calmly averted her gaze and resumed sipping her tea.

But the next moment, Su Cheng suddenly produced a box of dango, sliding it toward her.

Ji Qingyi frowned slightly, eyeing the box without a word.

"This is my way of showing gratitude. I know your appetite isn't great today, but I still hope you'll give it a try—as thanks for your guidance and care all this time."

Su Cheng beamed at her as he carefully lifted the lid, revealing six soft, snow-white dumplings that looked irresistibly delicious.

Even with her earlier lack of appetite, the sight of those plump, round dango stirred her hunger.

But then another thought crossed her mind—she could turn the tables on him.

She wanted to see how Su Cheng would react.

Would he wipe it off for her?

But what if he chose to take a photo of her in an unflattering state instead?

Wouldn’t that be digging her own grave?

Her thoughts spiraled in countless directions.

"President?"

Su Cheng's puzzled voice snapped her back.

Ji Qingyi's heart skipped a beat.

"Since you went to the trouble... I suppose I'll try one."

After a brief hesitation, she delicately picked up a dango. This time, however, she deliberately let some of the white powder cling to the corner of her lips before taking a bite. Her brows lifted slightly as she chewed.

"Mmm..."

She hummed softly before commenting, "The taste is still..."

With that, she closed the box and set it aside, wiping her fingers and lips with a napkin before closing her eyes again, feigning light sleep.

Indeed, the white powder still lingered at the corner of her mouth.

And she wasn’t fully asleep—she could still observe Su Cheng's movements. If he tried to take a photo, she would snap awake instantly. But if he didn’t, she was content to keep pretending.

She was determined to see what he would do!

Suddenly, Su Cheng moved beside her, his hand slowly reaching toward her lips.

So he was planning to wipe off the powder for her.

A flicker of hesitation passed through Ji Qingyi's eyes.

For a moment, she wasn’t sure whether to stop him or keep pretending to be asleep.

But just as his fingers were about to touch her lips, her heart lurched, and she resigned herself inwardly—Fine, it’s not like I can avoid it anyway...

The next second, she felt the faintest brush against the corner of her mouth, sending an odd, tingling sensation coursing through her entire body.

Wait—

This feeling...

There was no napkin?!

Su Cheng was using his bare fingers to wipe it off!

Ji Qingyi cracked her eyes open just enough to witness a sight that would shock her for years to come—

He was pulling his hand back... and trying to put his finger in his own mouth!

"......"

Ji Qingyi's eyes widened at the scene before her. In an instant, she sat bolt upright and without hesitation reached out her slender hand to seize Su Cheng's wrist, stopping his outrageous action.

Immediately, the air thickened with palpable awkwardness.

The two remained locked in an odd posture, staring intently at each other—neither willing to be the first to look away.