Deliberate planting often leads to difficulty in blossoming.

Afternoon

During the afternoon P.E. class, Su Cheng sat alone in a shaded pavilion, cradling a pot of withered peonies, lost in thought and inner conflict.

His pact with the garden girl had already been sealed.

To him, there was no inequality between the two parties.

On the contrary, she had been lenient, simply asking him to revive the flowers to settle the matter.

Thus, this plant had now become something of utmost importance to him. Since he had promised to save it, he would spare no effort.

But—

He had classes to attend. Where could he leave the flowers?

Right now, the peony was at a critical stage and needed to be kept in partial shade. If he left it unattended or if someone plucked it…

Wouldn’t that be disastrous!?

So, at school, he had to keep a close eye on it to feel at ease.

What if something went wrong?

Frowning deeply, Su Cheng grew increasingly restless. After much deliberation, he decided to skip afternoon classes and head to a flower shop to buy some cultivation supplies.

He knew next to nothing about gardening and would need to consult the shop staff to cram some essential knowledge—otherwise, the chances of him accidentally killing the flower would only rise.

Once decided, Su Cheng immediately carried the peony toward the school building. Though he stood out awkwardly with a potted plant in his arms, drawing curious glances, his focus remained entirely on the flower, oblivious to the strange looks.

With the sun blazing overhead, he feared the intense light might snuff out the peony’s last flicker of life.

Halfway there, he panicked and began frantically searching for water and shade to protect the plant.

When he reached a secluded spot, he found himself surrounded by flower beds—a vibrant sea of blossoms teeming with butterflies and buzzing bees.

And there, not far away, stood a graceful figure holding a watering can, tending to the flowers.

"Heaven’s blessing!"

Overjoyed, Su Cheng rushed forward and blurted out, "Excuse me, senior… Could I borrow your watering can? It’s urgent."

The girl turned around, her mysterious silver-white mask glinting brilliantly under the sunlight. She gave a slight nod and handed him the watering can.

But Su Cheng barely registered the details. His eyes fixed on the can, he snatched it without hesitation, turned away, and began drenching the peony.

The girl stood silently beside him, watching without a word, the atmosphere oddly serene.

Only when Su Cheng kept pouring water relentlessly did she step forward and stop him.

"You’re overwatering it," she said, her tone firm and unyielding.

"Oh…"

Su Cheng finally looked up—and realized the girl before him was none other than the student council president.

The silver-white mask, the elegant and cold hime-cut hair, the sacred and pristine white stockings, the ample bosom, and the aura of unapproachable authority—who else could it be but the president?

"P-President?" he stammered, uncertainly eyeing Li Zhaohao before handing back the watering can.

Li Zhaohao ignored the gesture. Instead, she crouched down to inspect the soil around the peony, then frowned.

"You don’t even know the basics of plant care?"

"Sorry… I suddenly had to take care of this flower, and I panicked," Su Cheng admitted sheepishly, lowering his head.

Hearing this, Li Zhaohao stood up. Though her mask hid her expression, her voice carried a hint of pity.

"It won’t last more than a few days like this."

"President, I may not know much now, but I’m willing to learn," Su Cheng said earnestly. "If possible, please teach me. This flower’s survival is crucial to me!"

After studying Su Cheng’s face for a moment, she nodded slowly.

"Follow me."

With that, she strode toward a small shed in the flower beds, Su Cheng hurrying after her.

"How were your hospital results?"

Li Zhaohao’s sudden question caught Su Cheng off guard.

He froze, stunned. A few days ago, she had urged him to get a check-up—he’d assumed it was just a passing remark when she noticed he looked unwell.

Yet she had remembered and even followed up.

"Nothing serious," he replied quickly.

Li Zhaohao shook her head but said nothing more, as if she knew he was lying. Still, she didn’t press further, simply pushing open the shed door and stepping inside.

The room was filled with gardening tools and cultivation equipment, arranged in a way that suggested years of use, exuding an old-fashioned charm.

"I can tell this peony means a great deal to you," she said, stopping by the only table in the room and turning to face him, her tone grave. "But one misstep, and it will wither completely. If you want it to live, you need to learn."

Su Cheng looked down at the peony in his arms, then met the president’s gaze with resolve.

"I’ll study hard!"

"Put it on the table."

Li Zhaohao issued the instruction, then extended a hand clad in white gloves, pinching a small amount of soil between her fingers and rubbing it gently.

Noticing her action, Su Cheng quickly followed suit, scooping up a pinch of soil into his palm and listening attentively to the president's explanation.

"It's understandable that you panicked and watered the flower after it was exposed to harsh sunlight."

Li Zhaohao spoke indifferently, flicking her wrist slightly. The soil instantly scattered across the table, leaving behind damp patches. She continued, "But overwatering causes root suffocation, leading to anaerobic respiration that produces harmful substances and drastically reduces absorption capacity."

"Huh?"

Su Cheng mimicked her movements but failed to separate the soil from the moisture. Stunned, he widened his eyes at the president as if witnessing something supernatural.

A centrifuge.

She must have a centrifuge on her fingers!

Li Zhaohao paid no attention to his astonishment, nor did she find her earlier action particularly remarkable. She calmly continued her lesson, "First, control the watering. Follow the principle of 'soak thoroughly, then let dry completely.'"

After recovering from his shock, Su Cheng hastily pulled out a small notebook and pen from his pocket, jotting down every piece of advice she gave while nodding earnestly, the picture of a diligent student.

Being the academic overachiever he was, he even began asking pointed follow-up questions, which earned approving nods from the president. She seemed to appreciate his earnest attitude and spared no effort in teaching him.

Gradually, their conversation grew more in-depth, delving into specialized terminology.

The tutoring session lasted a full half-hour.

"I’ve learned so much."

Su Cheng expressed his gratitude, genuinely surprised that the student council president would personally instruct him on such matters. It was an unexpected honor.

No wonder her approval rating is a staggering 95%. When she cares for the students, they naturally hold her in high esteem.

"You can leave the flower here for now. Don’t let it interfere with your classes."

Li Zhaohao said this plainly before stepping out of the room. Just before leaving, she added, "If you have any questions, you can come find me here after meals."

"Understood."

Su Cheng agreed, watching as the president walked away.

Only when Li Zhaohao’s imposing figure disappeared into the distance did he finally lower his gaze to the peony on the table.

The wilted flower suddenly stirred in the breeze, as if revived, welcoming the spring air.

His furrowed brow relaxed, and a bright smile spread across his face.

"My luck might not be so bad after all?"

He murmured to himself, eyes gleaming with anticipation.

A problem that had been giving him a headache was resolved just like that—his fortune today was beyond belief.

"Or is my 'peach blossom charm' acting up again?"

Su Cheng joked, though he certainly wouldn’t attribute this to any romantic luck. His gratitude and respect for the student council president only deepened.

After placing the peony in a shaded spot in the room, he closed the door and left the greenhouse.

On his way to the classroom building, he pulled out his notes on plant care, reviewing and memorizing the key points to ensure he fully grasped the knowledge.

……………………

Afternoon.

P.E. class, free activity period.

Su Cheng sat under the shade of a tree, about to review his notes again, when a familiar voice reached his ears.

"Here."

He looked up to see a flash of golden hair in his vision—Cornelia, dressed in gym clothes and sneakers, her fair legs exposed.

"Oh, you have P.E. too?"

Su Cheng blinked in surprise, instinctively asking.

"Yep."

Cornelia nodded and, without waiting for his response, shoved a water bottle into his arms.

"Ah, thanks."

Su Cheng accepted it and thanked her politely.

Then, Cornelia noticed something unexpected—the mark she had left on his lips the day before was gone.

Her eyes widened in shock. "Your lip healed already?"

"Uh, well..."

Su Cheng touched his lip, wincing slightly at the lingering tenderness. "I covered it with concealer."

"What?" Cornelia froze, instinctively leaning in for a closer look. Su Cheng immediately recoiled, afraid the golden-haired girl might take another bite out of him.

"Geez… why so scared?"

Cornelia’s face flushed red as she shot him a pouting glare before turning away, refusing to engage further.

Clearly, the bold act of biting Su Cheng the previous day still filled her with embarrassment.

Just how embarrassed was she?

She had tossed and turned all night, unable to sleep, her mind replaying her reckless behavior over and over. Even now, she felt too shy to face him properly.

Honestly, she could hardly believe she’d had the nerve to do something like that.

As the two stood in silence, Su Cheng hesitated for a moment before softly calling out, "Hey, um...?"

"What is it?"

Cornelia turned her head to look at Su Cheng, though her body remained still, perhaps still caught in a shy daze.

"I... I just..."

Su Cheng stammered, seemingly at a loss for words.

"Quit beating around the bush—this isn’t like you!"

Cornelia blinked, though despite her teasing tone, her heart pounded with nervous anticipation. She even held her breath, waiting for his next words.

Could it be about yesterday’s kiss?

Was he about to confess?

"We should keep our distance from now on."

But the words that left Su Cheng’s mouth left her stunned. She stared at him in disbelief, her voice barely above a whisper. "Did you just say... we should keep our distance?"

"Uh—what I mean is, remember that agreement I signed yesterday? Right now, I’m technically someone else’s fiancé."

Su Cheng awkwardly explained under her questioning gaze.

"Oh... that."

Cornelia’s expression dimmed, her shoulders slumping slightly as disappointment settled in.

"And you know how the Ji Family operates."

Su Cheng sighed, adding seriously, "I don’t want you getting dragged into their schemes because of me. Once the agreement ends, I’ll let you know right away."

"Pfft—hahaha!"

To Su Cheng’s surprise, Cornelia suddenly burst into laughter, her mirth unrestrained, as if she’d just heard the funniest joke in the world.

Su Cheng frowned, bewildered. "What’s so funny?"

"I couldn’t care less about that."

Cornelia wiped a tear from her eye, shaking her head. "The Ji Conglomerate might be powerful, but in the future, that Ji Family heiress loses to me every single time. As long as I’m around, she’s the one who ends up humiliated. I was just laughing at how utterly clueless Ji Qingyi is."

"Wha—?!"

Su Cheng sucked in a sharp breath, eyes widening. "Ji Qingyi loses to you often?"

"You think I’m lying?" Cornelia rolled her eyes, about to recount her glorious victories when her phone suddenly buzzed from her leggings pocket.

She pulled it out and glanced at the screen, her delicate brows furrowing. "Mom?"

"What?"

"You’re back? And staying for a while?"

"Why so early?"

"Never mind."

"Wait—you’re already at the school?!"

"Fine, fine, I’ll be right there."

Cornelia hung up, then turned to Su Cheng with a bright smile. "My mom’s here. I’ll catch up with you later tonight—we’ll talk more then."

"Got it."

"Oh, and don’t forget—my mom and I might drop by your place anytime. Be ready."

"Uh..."

With that, Cornelia left, leaving Su Cheng with an ominous "good news" that instantly darkened his expression.

"Ugh..."

He sighed, standing up and glancing at the sky before deciding to check on his peonies in the garden.

But just as he turned, a rustling sound caught his attention. He looked over to see a girl leaning against a tree, one hand braced against the trunk as she panted heavily, her chest rising and falling.

Dressed in athletic wear with her hair tied in a ponytail, the girl’s fair skin glistened with sweat, her curves accentuated by the damp fabric clinging to her—especially around her chest, which only made her all the more alluring.

"Li Guanqi?"

Su Cheng recognized her instantly—his classmate, Li Guanqi. She looked utterly exhausted, her pretty face flushed pink, her free hand fanning herself weakly.

"She’s not wearing her ring again..."

Su Cheng noticed the absence of the ring she usually wore, stirring his curiosity.

Did it break when he dropped it last time?

Or did she take it off for exercise?

"Huff..."

Li Guanqi lifted her head, meeting his gaze before pushing off the tree and shuffling toward him. Her eyes, however, were fixed on the bottle of water Cornelia had given him.

"Su Cheng, I..."

She hesitated, her words trailing off.

"Here."

Su Cheng, ever perceptive, unscrewed the cap and handed her the bottle.

But she shook her head, instead pointing at the cap in his hand. "That."

"Oh... sure."

He handed it over, watching as Li Guanqi poured water into the cap and took small, elegant sips—like she was savoring ambrosia itself. She repeated this three times, her movements refined and oddly endearing, leaving Su Cheng momentarily mesmerized.

Truly a young lady of noble upbringing. Even after intense exercise, parched and exhausted, she still made drinking water look like an art form.

After four delicate sips, she rinsed the cap and screwed it back onto the bottle before returning it to Su Cheng. Her expression remained composed, yet an undercurrent of gratitude seeped through her calm tone:

"Thank you."