The Days to Come Are Still Promising and Joyful

The bus started moving again, with Xu Tianyi's black sedan closely following behind, seemingly determined to tail the bus relentlessly.

"Stop keeping me in suspense," Su Cheng finally couldn't hold back his curiosity and asked, "What's this all about?"

Despite knowing the answer to Xu Tianyi's pursuit, Liu Qingyue refused to reveal anything and even told him to go buy workbooks. It was utterly baffling.

It was enough to make anyone itch with curiosity.

"You'll find out soon enough," Liu Qingyue responded to Su Cheng's questioning with a mysterious smile. She crossed her black-stockinged legs, lazily leaning back in her seat with her eyes slightly closed, as if resting.

Seeing that she wasn’t going to spill, Su Cheng gave up and instead turned his attention to the electronic wristband on his arm and the pile of medicine on his lap. Just by their appearance, these items were clearly extraordinary—he guessed they must be worth a fortune.

The agreement he had signed earlier stated that all his medical expenses would be fully covered by the Ji Family, and as long as he cooperated, his freedom wouldn’t be restricted.

Every clause in the medical agreement seemed tailor-made for him, offering nothing but benefits. It had even filled him with such overwhelming joy that he fainted after agreeing.

Silence returned to the bus as Su Cheng focused on reading the medicine instructions and related information, occasionally glancing at the scenery outside the window.

Meanwhile, Liu Qingyue pretended to nap beside him, stealing glances at him now and then. Seeing him so engrossed in studying the medicine, she couldn’t help but press her lips together in a faint smile.

"Hey, Su Cheng," Liu Qingyue suddenly spoke up.

"Hmm?" Su Cheng replied.

"Tell me something interesting," Liu Qingyue opened her eyes and looked at him expectantly. "Like… have you ever had a girlfriend before?"

"Oh, I’ve been single my whole life," Su Cheng answered casually before returning to his research.

"So, your first kiss is still intact?"

Liu Qingyue leaned in excitedly. "Well, I’ll have you know—mine’s already gone!"

"Wait, didn’t you still have it this morning?" Su Cheng was surprised but played along.

"Oops, you caught me," Liu Qingyue giggled, covering her lips with her fingers before tracing them lightly. "I gave it away today. And it was mutual, you know~"

As she said this, she playfully winked, as if bragging about her achievement.

"Oh… congrats," Su Cheng replied dryly, though he still humored her. "Impressive."

Crack—

Suddenly, Su Cheng’s sharp ears caught the sound of something shattering. He looked around curiously but couldn’t find the source, muttering to himself, "Weird, I definitely heard that."

Liu Qingyue readjusted the earphone that had just transmitted the sound of breaking glass before asking Su Cheng, "Aren’t you curious who was lucky enough to take my first kiss?"

"Oh, who was it?" Su Cheng asked absentmindedly, though he had a feeling this wasn’t as simple as it seemed.

"Not telling," Liu Qingyue shook her head.

Su Cheng gave her an unimpressed look before returning to the medicine, muttering, "You’re so childish."

"Mhm~" Liu Qingyue chuckled softly.

Su Cheng found her reaction oddly intriguing and turned to look at her again, only to find her staring back with that same mysterious smile. It deepened his confusion.

Did she kiss me while I was unconscious?

The thought crossed his mind, but he quickly dismissed it as absurd.

Right now, he was her master’s fiancé—albeit still in the probationary phase—but from a formal standpoint, her doing something like that would be completely inappropriate.

Then again, she had a quirky personality. Maybe her rebellious streak and thirst for excitement would drive her to do it anyway?

He couldn’t be sure.

"Hey… what are your plans for the future?" Liu Qingyue spoke up again, this time with a bright smile.

At this, Su Cheng fell silent, frowning slightly.

Cornelia’s note had mentioned that the orphanage would be renovated, the entire county would rise out of poverty, and in the future, he would become a household-name super bishōnen.

So, this was the path laid out for him. All he had to do was follow it step by step.

"I want to become the number one bishōnen in Yan Country!"

Su Cheng declared it like an official announcement.

The moment the words left his mouth, Liu Qingyue froze before bursting into laughter. "Pffft—HAHAHA… You really have the makings of a comedy star."

"I’m serious," Su Cheng looked at her earnestly. "Don’t you think I have the potential?"

"A comedy star?" Liu Qingyue teased.

"No, a once-in-four-thousand-years bishōnen."

Su Cheng corrected her with utmost solemnity.

"I take back what I said about you not being funny."

Liu Qingyue’s laughter slowly died down as she wiped a tear from the corner of her eye and nodded. "You’re right, you do have good genes. With a little grooming, you could definitely be a heartthrob."

"Exactly," Su Cheng nodded in satisfaction before touching his delicate face. "I need to take better care of myself. Treat myself right for once."

"Like how?" Liu Qingyue suppressed another laugh.

"Buy a men’s facial cleanser."

Su Cheng answered with complete seriousness.

"That’s it?" Liu Qingyue barely held back her amusement.

"That’s it," Su Cheng replied succinctly.

Liu Qingyue stared at his deadpan expression before finally losing it. "BAHAHAHAHAHAHA—"

"What’s so funny?"

Su Cheng remained unfazed because everything he said was genuine—he wasn’t trying to be humorous.

After all, in the future—

He really would become a nationally renowned bishōnen!

"Alright, alright…" Liu Qingyue wiped her tears and tilted her head at him. "I believe you can do it. After all, when someone is loved, they grow flesh and blood like crazy."

"Thank you," Su Cheng nodded politely.

"But why do you want to be a bishōnen?" Liu Qingyue asked seriously once the laughter subsided.

"In this era where attention is currency…"

Su Cheng nodded and explained, "Livestreamers and influencers can make millions just by being outrageous. I want to ride that wave and monetize my fame."

"Oh? You really need money?" Liu Qingyue raised an eyebrow.

"Yeah," Su Cheng nodded. "With money and fame, I can start a charity."

Liu Qingyue’s eyes lit up in realization. "So, what would your foundation’s mission and vision be?"

"Probably education, medical care, and basic living needs," Su Cheng answered vaguely, unsure how to articulate his thoughts properly.

Hearing this, Liu Qingyue’s expression turned complicated. She realized Su Cheng’s understanding of society was still too shallow—he didn’t even grasp the fundamental nature and role of modern foundations.

If not for the system, if not for meeting them, he would’ve either died from illness by now or, if lucky, been saved at the last minute—barely clinging to life.

"Ah..." Liu Qingyue let out a heavy sigh and explained, "Actually, you don’t need to do any of those things."

Su Cheng was puzzled. "Huh?"

"You just need to be yourself," Liu Qingyue said seriously, looking straight at Su Cheng. "Because if you can just make the young lady happy, it’ll only take a word from her to help you. There’s no need to exhaust yourself working hard for money—especially when you’re dealing with an illness. You shouldn’t overexert yourself."

"No need." Su Cheng dismissed the idea with a scoff. "I may learn things quickly, but one thing I’ll never master is flattery. Sure, the young lady could help me..."

He paused for a moment before continuing, "But I wouldn’t be able to repay her. Besides, if I rely on others to solve everything for me, I’d spend my whole life living under someone else’s shadow, unable to do what I truly want. I’d rather die than live like that."

"You really are..." Liu Qingyue shook her head with a wry smile. "You’re such a bore, always going on about pride and principles. As if being an internet celebrity is any more dignified—you’d just be trading on your looks."

"A path can only be measured by walking it yourself," Su Cheng murmured, leaning back in his seat and closing his eyes, signaling the end of the conversation.

In his view, becoming an internet celebrity was one of the fastest and most efficient ways to make money, gain fame, and build a following in today’s society.

Cornelia’s mention of a "parallel self" likely referred to a version of him who had become a well-known influencer—otherwise, he couldn’t imagine how else he’d achieve widespread recognition.

Still, he’d have to ask Cornelia for details later. Maybe she could even provide some crucial information to change his fate.

"Pfft—"

The hiss of brakes sounded as the bus came to a stop, tires screeching against the pavement. The two of them stepped off once again.

This time, they were heading to a bookstore to buy workbooks.

Once inside, Su Cheng picked out over a dozen exercise books before returning to the bus stop and boarding the next bus.

But unexpectedly, after moving forward for a short while, the bus turned around and stopped near the bookstore again.

"What’s going on?" Su Cheng asked curiously.

"Shh!"

Liu Qingyue spotted something outside the window and motioned for him to stay quiet, then pointed toward the bookstore. "Your classmate just went in. Let’s go confront her."

"Ah, is that really necessary?" Su Cheng sighed in resignation.

"Oh, come on, it’ll be fun!"

Without waiting for his response, Liu Qingyue grabbed Su Cheng’s arm and dragged him off the bus, sprinting toward the bookstore.

Just as they reached the entrance—

They nearly collided with Xu Tianyi, who wore her hair in braids and thick-rimmed glasses. She was clutching a full set of "Five Years of College Entrance Exams, Three Years of Simulations" workbooks in her arms.

The moment they locked eyes, Xu Tianyi panicked, hiding the books behind her back as she tried to flee.

But Liu Qingyue, having waited for this moment, wasn’t about to let her go. She swiftly blocked Xu Tianyi’s path with a mischievous grin. "What a coincidence, Xu Tianyi!"

Su Cheng, observing Xu Tianyi’s reaction and the workbooks she was hiding, finally understood—though he was still baffled. Was this really worth all the trouble?

"Seriously, classmate, you followed us all this way just to buy workbooks?!"