Idea

Ding ling ling—

The bell signaling the end of class rang, and students in the lecture hall began rising from their seats—some grabbing their backpacks to head for the exit, while others dashed off in small groups toward the restrooms.

Soon, only a handful of people remained seated in the classroom, and these were none other than the infamous "back-row seven."

"Shameless."

Ji Qingyi shot a cold glare at the two interacting beside her, especially when Su Cheng suggested the other try something. The fury in her heart had already surged to its peak, nearly uncontrollable, yet she forcibly suppressed it.

She had noticed Li Guanqi and Gu Ruoxue observing her every move. She had to maintain an air of indifference in front of them, ensuring they couldn’t discern her true intentions.

So, even though she wanted nothing more than to grab Su Cheng and drag him out of the classroom, she knew that doing so without a word might prompt the other two to follow.

After all, if she outright asked Su Cheng whether he harbored feelings for her in front of them, the response she’d get would likely not only be far from what she wanted to hear but also expose her own emotions.

Ji Qingyi had no intention of losing her current advantage.

"No."

Li Guanqi swatted away Su Cheng’s paw-like hand, shaking her head firmly in refusal.

"Fine."

Su Cheng shrugged, dropping the matter without further insistence.

Ji Qingyi watched coldly but kept her expression neutral, as she always did, ensuring no one would find her behavior unusual.

Yet, the more composed she appeared, the more the two girls’ gazes toward her seemed to carry something unreadable.

Li Guanqi frowned slightly. Initially, Ji Qingyi had been visibly angry, but now she seemed utterly unperturbed—an inconsistency that made Li Guanqi suspect she had some scheme or goal in mind.

She wasn’t the only one. From the back row, Gu Ruoxue also cast a suspicious glance at Ji Qingyi, having keenly picked up on the subtle shift in her demeanor.

Gu Ruoxue had been scrutinizing Ji Qingyi’s every move—even her breathing patterns—and combined with the odd behavior earlier, she had already begun forming her own theories.

The weight of such scrutinizing stares was impossible for even Ji Qingyi to ignore. She turned slightly, meeting Gu Ruoxue’s gaze from the back.

Their eyes locked.

"If you have nothing scheduled this afternoon, why not come to the Practice Department for a brief chat?"

Gu Ruoxue took the initiative, her tone cool and detached, devoid of any arrogance—a demeanor that made Ji Qingyi narrow her eyes slightly.

The implication was clear: Su Cheng wouldn’t be attending either of their club activities today, meaning both of them had free time—the perfect opportunity to talk.

"Your tea is hardly to my taste."

Ji Qingyi shook her head lightly, her voice laced with mockery. But then, she pivoted, countering with her own proposal: "I’ve already prepared tea and pastries at my place. Why not come over and sample them instead?"

The exchange between the two naturally drew the attention of Su Cheng and Li Guanqi—especially Li Guanqi, whose eyes darkened with unease, as if troubled by the possibility of the two forming an alliance.

"These two beauties stand like opposing glaciers, neither willing to yield—because to retreat would mean admitting defeat. Yet, their refusal to back down only fuels their deepest ambitions and resolve, setting the stage for a dazzling showdown!"

As Su Cheng delivered this monologue, all three girls slowly turned their heads to stare at him. Su Cheng met their gazes without flinching, only grinning when Li Guanqi tugged at his sleeve. "I’m just the narrator," he explained.

The three girls’ expressions darkened in unison. Just as Ji Qingyi was about to snap and order him to shut up—

Su Cheng quickly raised his hand, signaling he had something important to say.

Their attention refocused as Su Cheng looked between Ji Qingyi and Gu Ruoxue, speaking with exaggerated seriousness: "President, Director, since you’re both struggling over whose place to visit, I happen to have a brilliant idea that’ll satisfy both of you. Would you like to hear it?"

Ji Qingyi’s face soured slightly, clearly dismissive of whatever "brilliant idea" he had in mind.

It was probably something crude like arm wrestling.

Gu Ruoxue, too, pressed her lips together, uninterested in entertaining Su Cheng’s nonsense. Whatever he suggested would likely be as childish as rock-paper-scissors—relying on luck and chance, far too ridiculous to take seriously.

"It’s not what you’re thinking!"

Su Cheng, the self-proclaimed "Idea King of Yancheng," shook his head vehemently, as if reading their minds. "Don’t underestimate my suggestion. It’ll absolutely solve your problem!"

"Oh? Do enlighten us."

Ji Qingyi straightened slightly, intrigued despite herself, eager to see what absurdity he’d come up with.

Meanwhile, Gu Ruoxue hesitated before finally asking, "What’s your idea?"

Seizing the moment, Su Cheng stood up, swapped seats with a bewildered Li Guanqi, then leaned in conspiratorially, lowering his voice: "My idea is… why not have Li Guanqi invite both of you to her place? That way, neither the Practice Department nor the Archery Club gets involved. Two birds with one stone—pretty clever, huh?"

"……"

All three girls fell silent, momentarily at a loss for words. To an outsider, it might seem like a reasonable solution, but the parties involved knew better—this "brilliant idea" essentially meant discussing how to deal with each other right under the other’s nose.

Let’s not forget, the whole reason they wanted to meet was to strategize after Li Guanqi’s sudden shift in allegiance. If Li Guanqi was present, what was there left to discuss?

Even the usually unflappable Li Guanqi was stunned speechless by this proposal, though she refrained from commenting, waiting instead for the other two’s reactions.

"Hmm?"

Noting their silence, Su Cheng deliberately drew out the syllable, stroking his chin in mock contemplation. "Unless… the thing you two want to discuss is—"

Before he could spell it out, Li Guanqi abruptly coughed, steering the conversation back. "Your suggestion isn’t bad," she said seriously, "but I have matters to attend to this afternoon and can’t host anyone."

Ji Qingyi and Gu Ruoxue exchanged glances but didn’t interject as Li Guanqi continued, "There’s a newly opened café outside the school with good reviews. If you both agree to meet there, it should serve the same purpose."

"That could work."

Gu Ruoxue nodded, seizing the opportunity to step down gracefully. Ji Qingyi, however, merely glanced at Li Guanqi, neither accepting nor rejecting the idea.

After a long moment of contemplation, Ji Qingyi finally spoke slowly, "In that case, there's no need to debate who should go where. Let's follow your suggestion and meet at the café."

"Do you have any plans for the afternoon?" Su Cheng couldn't help but ask Li Guanqi curiously.

Hearing this, Li Guanqi explained, "Aren’t you picking out a gift for your classmate? I happen to need to choose one too, so I thought we could go together."