Where Truth Resides When Falseness Passes for Real

"What a smooth talker."

The girl's gaze remained calm, utterly unprovoked by his words. Instead, she seemed mildly amused. "Nurturing flowers with care and growing alongside them naturally brings joy to the heart."

She neither agreed nor disagreed with Su Cheng's argument, but in the next moment, her tone abruptly shifted. "However, that has nothing to do with you fetching the Water of Life. Don’t conflate the two."

As soon as she finished speaking, an invisible pressure radiated from her, engulfing the surrounding space and trapping Su Cheng within it, making it hard for him to breathe.

"Anyway, I can’t get the Water of Life."

Su Cheng’s face was pale, but he refused to back down.

"You’re quite stubborn."

The girl spoke indifferently before changing the subject. "If you were truly sincere, you wouldn’t have mindlessly plucked the flowers yesterday, ending up in this lose-lose situation."

"Today, I’m just paying you back for the humiliation I suffered yesterday!"

Su Cheng stiffened his neck, defiantly retorting.

Yesterday, this woman had forced him to retrieve the Water of Life without even listening to his explanation, outright tossing him out. The sheer injustice of it had nearly suffocated him—she had gone too far.

Today, repaying her in kind was only fair!

"You’re quite the grudge-holder."

The girl scoffed before her tone turned sharp. "But since you failed the task and now dare to talk back, it’s only right you suffer a little to cool your temper."

With that, two attendants stepped forward, flanking Su Cheng on either side.

"Take him away."

"Yes."

"Wait!"

Su Cheng shouted hastily.

But it was useless. The attendants clamped onto his shoulders, lifting him off the ground.

"What kind of skill is this?"

Su Cheng kicked wildly in midair, struggling with all his might, but to no avail. He twisted his neck to glare at the girl. "Fight me one-on-one if you dare!"

Hearing this, the girl raised a hand in signal.

The attendants released Su Cheng and obediently stepped aside.

"One-on-one?"

She shook her head in amusement, then slowly approached him, saying as she walked, "What is this 'one-on-one' you speak of?"

Though Su Cheng disliked the idea of fighting a woman, he had no choice now. Steeling himself, he declared, "It’s the rules of the jianghu—a fair duel! If you beat me, I’ll submit willingly. Otherwise, I’d rather die than yield!"

As he spoke, he rolled up his sleeves, ready for a fight.

While fighting a woman might tarnish his pride as a man, it was still better than being dragged off to who-knows-where.

The next second, she laughed—a mocking, derisive sound, as if amused by his childishness. "Why would you think I’d engage in such a reckless and absurd act?"

She lifted her arm, crooking a finger. "However, if you can touch me, I’ll consider it your victory."

Su Cheng tensed. Was this woman so confident because she had some supernatural ability?

After a brief hesitation, he mustered his courage and charged. After careful consideration, he planned to seize her as a hostage, threaten the black-clad attendants, and escape the garden!

But plans never survive first contact.

The moment he got close, the girl sidestepped effortlessly. Su Cheng stumbled past her and crashed face-first into a chair!

Thud!

His head smacked against the wood, leaving him dazed.

What just happened?

Did she teleport or something?

Still… she smelled really nice.

Had he encountered that scent before?

Wait—was this really the time to think about that?

He blinked up to see the girl looking down at him, a faint smirk on her lips. "Are you convinced now?"

Su Cheng stared blankly. "What exactly are you?"

"Just an ordinary flower grower."

She released him, dusting off her hands before leisurely returning to the sofa. Her voice was cool. "Still not enough?"

"Enough."

Su Cheng struggled to his feet, humiliation and resentment burning in his chest. He lowered his head, no longer in the mood to argue or resist. With a defeated sigh, he muttered, "I have nothing more to say."

Finally, he gestured to the attendants. "Bring me paper and ink. I’ll write a statement—proof that I lost fair and square, and that no one will hold anyone accountable."

"You’re an interesting one."

The girl sipped her tea leisurely. "You actually think anyone would dare cause trouble for me?"

Su Cheng remained silent, waiting for the writing materials.

The attendants handed him a brush, inkstone, paper, and seal paste.

"Not everyone relies on power and influence to bully others. And not everyone fears authority."

Su Cheng gripped the brush, his expression solemn and focused.

"From your tone, it seems you have some background I can’t afford to provoke?" The girl took another sip, curiosity flickering in her eyes. "Is it a great clan? A royal family? Or perhaps… a prestigious noble house?"

Su Cheng looked up, meeting her gaze deeply.

After a long pause, he lowered his eyes and resumed writing, still unwilling to reveal his identity.

"No."

His voice was firm.

"If you tell me, and if I recognize it, I might let you go," she added nonchalantly.

Su Cheng’s brush paused briefly before he continued, his strokes messy and uneven.

He wasn’t used to writing with a brush.

"Playing mysterious."

The girl snorted.

Su Cheng ignored her, focusing on the paper.

Soon, he finished his statement, pressed his seal onto it, and set the brush aside. "This should suffice, right?"

The girl’s expression remained indifferent.

She barely glanced at it. "Disgraceful handwriting."

Su Cheng’s eye twitched. "I didn’t ask for a calligraphy critique. This is just proof."

"When did I demand such a thing?"

Her tone was flat, as if stating an obvious fact. "This is nothing but your own wishful thinking. Your 'proof' is meaningless to me. Might as well tear it up."

With a flick of her slender fingers, the paper shredded into pieces, scattering like snowflakes.

"Fine. Then I have nothing left to say."

Su Cheng took a deep breath, suppressing his frustration. Her arrogance made him want to blurt out his identity several times.

But he held back—after all, he had already vowed not to rely on any connections.

"Take him away."

The girl waved a hand dismissively.

The two attendants moved to obey.

Su Cheng was dragged out, sandwiched between them, but this time he didn’t struggle. His heart was filled with bitterness and helplessness, a profound sense of powerlessness—like being unable to pry open a sealed door. Strangely, he even felt a hint of relief.

Then, a voice reached his ears—

"Wait. Bring him back."

The girl’s command came again.

The attendants immediately turned and hauled him before her once more.

Su Cheng’s face was blank. "Do you find this amusing?"

The girl ignored him, her gaze shifting to a withered peony nearby. "This peony is on the brink of death, yet you’re using premium soil to cultivate it?"

"I don’t understand flowers. Or soil."

Su Cheng shook his head and confessed honestly, "The only thing I know for certain is that this peony still has a sliver of life left. The chances of it surviving in my hands are slim, but if I hand it over to you, there's hope."

The young woman raised an eyebrow, glancing at the peony with interest. "I can certainly revive it, but what does bringing it to me have to do with returning my flower?"

Su Cheng was momentarily stunned before letting out a helpless chuckle.

The girl waited silently for his explanation.

"Since you can revive this dying peony, that means I’ve already found the Water of Life."

Su Cheng stared at her fair, slender hands and spoke deliberately, "Your demand was for me to bring you a peony nourished by the Water of Life. Now, both the flower and the Water of Life are here, waiting for you to perform the final act. I’ve fulfilled my promise."

The young woman took a sip of tea and nodded lightly. "Truly a silver tongue."

She set the teacup down and slowly approached the peony.

"Lift it," she instructed the attendant, not even bothering to bend down.

The attendant complied, carefully picking up the plant.

"Very well, I’ll accept your reasoning."

She turned back to Su Cheng, her tone unchanged. "However, this peony will now be entrusted to you. If you can revive it and present it to me, then all grievances between us will be settled."

"Are you serious?"

Su Cheng’s spirits lifted, and he pressed eagerly for confirmation.

"Naturally."

She gave a slight nod.

"And if I fail?"

Su Cheng couldn’t resist asking.

"An apology will suffice."

Her reply was indifferent.

"That’s all?"

Su Cheng was taken aback, finding it hard to believe she would let him off so easily.

"Of course, but you must tend to the flower with utmost care."

"Agreed."

Hearing this, Su Cheng finally felt the weight lift from his shoulders. A smile surfaced as he took the peony from the attendant and turned to leave.

"Wait."

The girl suddenly called out to him.

Su Cheng halted, turning back in confusion. "Is there something else?"

"Judging by your demeanor..."

She studied him for a long moment before speaking slowly, "You seem rather confident. I’m curious—what exactly is your background?"

"Nothing special."

Su Cheng shook his head.

"I understand you don’t like relying on others, but..."

The girl frowned slightly, her voice tinged with puzzlement. "Now that our business is concluded, why still keep secrets?"

"Well..."

Su Cheng hesitated before finally relenting. "I do have something about my identity..."

He glanced around, then at the girl, who dismissed her attendants with a wave. Only then did he feel at ease.

"Don’t tell anyone."

He took a deep breath and revealed his secret—

"Actually, I’m the Ji Family’s son-in-law."

The girl’s expression turned peculiar, as if suppressing something, but she merely gave him another once-over without comment.

Su Cheng wasn’t surprised. After all, the Ji Family was the most powerful conglomerate in the world. Anyone hearing this would be shocked—who could imagine the esteemed son-in-law of the Ji Family refusing to seek their help even in dire straits?

"Remember, don’t breathe a word of this!" Su Cheng emphasized solemnly. "If word gets back to the Ji Family, people might think I’m flaunting my status or throwing my weight around!"

The girl nodded, promising not to inform the Ji Family.

"Our agreement stands—don’t let my identity change anything." Su Cheng spoke earnestly, then suddenly remembered something. "We’ve talked so much, yet I still don’t know your name. May I ask?"

The girl paused briefly. "Liu Yuewu, second year."

"Senior Liu, since the matter is settled, I’ll take my leave."

Su Cheng prepared to depart with the peony, inwardly pleased with her subdued reaction. She must have been thoroughly awed by his status.

"Go ahead."

"I’ll return when the flower blooms."

"Very well."

As she watched him walk away, a smile finally broke across her face. Then, she turned toward a folding screen behind her and called out, "Did you hear that, Young Mistress?"

What happened next was astonishing.

"Hm."

A woman’s cool voice came from behind the screen, followed by a figure stepping out—identical in appearance to the girl, yet exuding an icy, aloof aura. Her gaze lingered on the direction where Su Cheng had disappeared.

"This afternoon, it’s your turn, Young Mistress."

The girl removed her wig and wiped off her makeup, revealing her true face—Liu Qingyue!

"If I weren’t professionally trained, I might’ve burst out laughing earlier."

Liu Qingyue couldn’t help giggling as she recalled Su Cheng’s dead-serious expression. She rubbed her cheeks vigorously, trying to soften her grin in the mirror.

While removing her makeup, she grumbled, "Getting him to confess took forever. My patience was wearing thin."

The real Ji Qingyi, however, seemed unbothered. She closed her eyes, lost in thought.

"Oh, Young Mistress."

Liu Qingyue suddenly remembered something and reported, "Li Guanqi seems to have noticed the ring’s connection to Su Cheng. Should we proceed with the class-switch plan?"

"No need. Let her be."

Ji Qingyi’s voice was detached. "Switching classes would reduce their interactions, but it would also introduce more variables. The drawbacks outweigh the benefits."

"Su Cheng demanded that we withdraw the personnel tailing him. Do you plan to agree or refuse?"

Liu Qingyue added, "He’s adamant about this. If we don’t comply, he might rebel, and we’d only lose more than we gain."

"That just means your team failed. Replace the problematic members. You’ll forfeit three months’ salary as punishment."

Ji Qingyi opened her eyes. "Tell him the electronic bracelet stays on. Rearrange the surveillance team to maintain a greater distance. Set up fixed observation points near his activity zones—we can’t afford delays if something happens."

"Understood." Liu Qingyue accepted the order.

Yet, the two matters Ji Qingyi usually prioritized now seemed trivial. She stared at where Su Cheng had vanished, silent for a long while before finally sighing.

After a pause, Ji Qingyi murmured,

"Do you think he can revive that peony?"

Her gaze grew distant, as if piercing through time and space, settling on some faraway, intangible horizon.

"That depends on his efforts. Last time, he cheated with red potion. Now, it’s all up to him."