Good Night (The End)

"You should return the phone to Su Cheng."

After a brief moment of contemplation, Gu Ruoxue spoke with solemnity, addressing Li Guanqi's suggestion: "I understand how you feel, but Su Cheng might need this phone too. After all, it's already nighttime—if he has anything to say, he can reach out to everyone through it."

"That may be true…"

Li Guanqi lowered the hand holding the phone, staring at the messages on the screen with a hesitant frown. "But today, he’s refreshed his confession count again. Won’t that just give him another system item? And besides…"

She paused, glancing at the ring on her ring finger before continuing with slight hesitation, "If we’re going to let this slide, why can’t it be us?"

"Huh?"

Gu Ruoxue wasn’t sure whether to sigh at Li Guanqi’s lovestruck mindset again. Though she couldn’t see Li Guanqi’s expression, the pleading tone in her voice was unmistakable, making the situation all the more awkward.

Li Guanqi raised the phone again, pressing her lips together before speaking earnestly, "Senior, if possible… why don’t you go instead?"

Hearing this, Gu Ruoxue sighed inwardly—her junior’s mind was growing increasingly muddled. She could guess Li Guanqi’s intention: she wanted her to return the phone… and maybe confess along the way?

But that was exactly why she sighed.

Li Guanqi’s gaze was sincere and intense, forcing Gu Ruoxue to avert her eyes slightly, not wanting her own expression to discourage her.

Perhaps wanting to confirm whether Li Guanqi had truly thought this through, she asked softly, "Junior Li, are you really sure about letting him obtain another item?"

Of course, she herself would never go.

She just wanted to know why Li Guanqi was willing to give up an opportunity she clearly treasured.

"I think… if it’s you, he’d be happier."

Li Guanqi lowered her eyes, her gaze lingering meaningfully on the ring Gu Ruoxue wore on her index finger—a sign that might discourage Su Cheng.

That was why she made the suggestion.

Then, lifting her head, she stared straight at Gu Ruoxue, her tone laced with urgency: "Responsibility and affection have always gone hand in hand."

At that moment, Gu Ruoxue understood.

Li Guanqi was thinking of her. After all, she was the only one who had been treated differently—through a sense of duty.

Li Guanqi was considering her feelings.

"Senior, you should go!"

Sensing Gu Ruoxue’s reluctance, Li Guanqi got up from the bed, phone in hand, and walked straight up to her, speaking with sincerity: "If we stay stagnant, we’ll just keep circling the same spot. Besides, I don’t want to win unfairly."

Hearing this, Gu Ruoxue hesitated for a moment before suddenly summoning a pile of system items from her ring, dropping them onto the bed with a clatter.

Silence—

The air itself seemed to freeze.

Li Guanqi stood dumbfounded by the bed, staring blankly at the familiar system items scattered across it, her mind buzzing in disbelief.

Back then, Su Cheng had given some to her too.

But now, he had given everything to Gu Ruoxue.

"According to his own words, he’s entrusted everything to me—though I never took that excuse seriously. And besides…"

Gu Ruoxue’s voice was gentle yet firm as she continued, "If he could navigate between us on his own merit, I might have respected him more and been more lenient. But relying on external boosts while trying to have his cake and eat it too? Lowering the difficulty for him now would be delusional. So… why don’t you return the phone instead?"

Li Guanqi opened her mouth, only to close it again, unable to speak for a long while. Eventually, her expression settled into quiet resignation, murmuring bitterly, "I see."

She took the phone back and turned toward the door, gripping it tightly as she left.

Gu Ruoxue watched her retreating figure, rubbing her temples as if nursing a headache before exhaling deeply, as if relieved. Then she gathered the items, pulled the covers over herself, and—

…………

In the hallway.

The sound of her footsteps echoed as she walked in silence.

But as she passed Ji Qingyi’s guest room, she suddenly stopped, tilting her head toward the locked door with a puzzled look.

Hanging from the doorknob was something—

A peculiar thin rope, tied into a cute little bow.

Though she didn’t understand its significance, Li Guanqi could tell the door had been deliberately locked from the inside.

"Did Su Cheng reverse-lock it to keep the master and servant from coming out?"

Frowning, she thought for a few seconds before deciding to ignore it and continue walking. After all, keeping them locked up wasn’t such a bad idea—given their twisted sense of humor…

It was honestly a bit much.

And this way, she could rest easier.

Honestly, sealing them away was for the best!

"Ah~"

But just as she took a few steps, a sound made her pause again. She turned back, eyes narrowing in thought. "Huh? Was that Su Cheng’s voice?"

It sounded like Su Cheng feeding someone—faint but unmistakable.

At this realization, Li Guanqi quickly backtracked to the master-servant pair’s door, pressing her ear against it to listen.

But no further sounds came.

Disappointed, she could only leave.

She headed straight for Su Cheng’s bedroom door.

Knock knock knock~

Li Guanqi rapped lightly, but there was no response. After waiting a few minutes, she tried again, this time with more force.

Knock knock knock!

"Who is it? Disturbing people’s sleep in the middle of the night?"

The voice that answered was Liu Qingyue’s.

Hearing it, a sudden unease gripped Li Guanqi’s heart.

Click—

The door opened.

Liu Qingyue stood there, rubbing her eyes sleepily, clad only in a thin T-shirt that had slipped off one shoulder, revealing the faint outline of her—

"Junior, we’re exhausted today. So tired~"

Yawning, Liu Qingyue stretched lazily before tugging her shirt back up. "Unless it’s urgent, I might just get angry."

"If I recall correctly, this is Su Cheng’s bedroom, right?"

Li Guanqi’s eyes were dull, her voice oddly strained, her lips and legs trembling slightly.

"Oh, yes."

Liu Qingyue nodded languidly, stretching again. "But I’m sleeping here tonight."

As she stretched, Li Guanqi caught a glimpse inside—only to freeze.

Su Cheng wasn’t there.

Instantly, she realized what was happening. Remembering the locked guest room earlier, her face paled before twisting into anger as she glared at Liu Qingyue.

"Why are you always like this? So careless, so thoughtless—mocking others without ever considering their feelings."

Upon hearing this, Liu Qingyue blinked innocently and retorted, "Thanks for the feedback. If there's nothing else, I'll go back to sleep now."

"You want to sleep? Then go back to your own room!"

Without another word, Li Guanqi grabbed her wrist and dragged her out of the room, heading straight for Ji Qingyi's guest room.

"Hey, take it easy! Slow down!"

As she was being pulled along, Liu Qingyue instinctively complained, "You're just as guilty as I am, so why the anger?"

Her meaning was clear—Li Guanqi had likely come over in the middle of the night to confess to Su Cheng.

Similarly, she had locked the two of them together to give her young mistress a chance to confess to Su Cheng. They were both acting on the same impulse, so there was no reason for either to be upset.

She could sense that Li Guanqi was acting strangely today, but she didn’t want to dwell on it.

Li Guanqi remained silent but didn’t slow her pace, forcefully dragging Liu Qingyue all the way to the door.

She yanked the rope off the handle, twisted the knob, and pushed the door open.

Click.

The door swung open to reveal Ji Qingyi and Su Cheng sitting on the bed, so close they were practically touching. Su Cheng was even holding a stick of candied hawthorns in one hand and a glass of milk in the other, feeding Ji Qingyi with an almost fawning expression.

Judging by the number of missing candied hawthorns, Ji Qingyi had already accepted at least two from Su Cheng.

And most notably, the rim of the glass had faint red marks—proof that she had also accepted the milk.

The moment the door opened, Ji Qingyi immediately stood up, resuming her usual cold and dignified demeanor. She shot Li Guanqi an annoyed glance before walking to the windowsill and turning her back to everyone.

The slight tremble in her shoulders suggested she was still chewing the last bits of candied hawthorn, trying to swallow it discreetly.

"Perfect timing."

Su Cheng also got up from the bed and turned to Liu Qingyue. "Senior, you should get some rest too. No more mischief, alright? We’ll head back now."

"Yeah, seems like things are settled."

Liu Qingyue glanced at Ji Qingyi by the window and nodded, waving vaguely in the air as a silent goodnight.

Su Cheng then walked out of the room, with Li Guanqi following closely beside him. They walked side by side for a few meters before stopping in the living room.

Su Cheng suddenly paused and said, "I was just asking the club president to lend me her phone so I could message you for help. Didn’t expect you to show up first."

He smiled faintly, then looked up at Li Guanqi. "By the way, did you need something?"

Li Guanqi pressed her lips together, lowering her gaze to her phone without answering.

"Want a candied hawthorn?"

Su Cheng held out the stick.

Li Guanqi shook her head vigorously. "No, thanks..."

"How about some milk?"

He raised the glass instead.

"No need."

She refused again.

"Would be a shame to waste it."

With that, Su Cheng brought the glass to his lips—right where Ji Qingyi’s lipstick marks were.

Li Guanqi instinctively reached out to stop him. "Actually, I’m thirsty. I’ll take it."

Su Cheng handed her the glass. "Sure."

Li Guanqi took it and downed the remaining milk in one go.

Su Cheng watched silently, licking his lips as if savoring something delicious.

After finishing the milk, Li Guanqi noticed Su Cheng staring at her. She set the glass on the coffee table and pulled out her phone, handing it to him. "I came to return this."

Su Cheng didn’t take it. Instead, he studied her with amusement. "Is that really all?"

Li Guanqi hesitated before asking, "You… still have today’s chance left, right?"

"Nope." Su Cheng shook his head regretfully.

Li Guanqi froze, her mouth opening as if to protest—but realizing it was her own fault for being late, she shut it again, speechless.

"Did you only come for the system reward?"

Su Cheng’s question snapped her out of her daze, reigniting a flicker of hope. But before she could respond, he pulled her into an embrace, gently patting her back in reassurance.

Li Guanqi stiffened for a second before melting into him, resting her head against his chest. The steady rhythm of his heartbeat filled her with an inexplicable warmth and peace.

They stood there, holding each other.

A long moment later—

Li Guanqi tightened her arms around Su Cheng, her voice muffled against him. "I know most of these thoughts are pointless, but I can’t stop myself from overthinking."

"It’s… unbearable."

"So please, don’t lie to me."

In that instant, a surge of heat rose in her chest, and tears spilled over. She clung to him desperately, as if trying to merge him into her very being—so he’d never disappear, so she’d never forget.

"Will you forget me?"

She whispered the question.

Su Cheng stroked her hair lightly and smiled. "Never."

"Will your memory of me fade?"

She lifted her tear-streaked face, searching his eyes for an answer.

"What kind of cheesy romance plot is this?"

Su Cheng blinked, then chuckled dryly before wiping her tears away. "Of course not. I haven’t even fulfilled our promise yet."

His response made her loosen her grip. She wiped her eyes and studied his face intently. "What promise?"

"Oh, right. This diary—no, this book is for you."

"That one?"

"No."

"Then what?"

"Your smile."

………………

Late at night.

In three separate rooms, everyone lay in bed—some lost in thought, others tossing and turning in sleeplessness, and a pair of girls whispering about the sensation of kissing.

Then, in unison, their phones buzzed.

Everyone instinctively reached for them.

Su Cheng: "You asleep?"

Such a simple message, yet it sent an inexplicable unease rippling through them all.

"Goodnight. Tomorrow holds infinite possibilities!"