When the mind is disturbed, all joints are in disorder.

In the Ji Family Mansion, before a simple yet luxurious dressing table, the beautiful and aloof Ji Qingyi sat in front of the mirror.

Her hands rested beneath her chin, her gaze deep and contemplative. Behind her, Liu Qingyue was preparing to comb her silky hair. Ji Qingyi’s eyes, reflected in the mirror, fixed on Liu Qingyue.

After a few moments, Ji Qingyi slowly withdrew her gaze and straightened her posture, signaling Liu Qingyue to proceed.

"According to the surveillance team’s report and my own analysis of the footage, Li Guanqi has likely discovered some clues over the past two days."

Liu Qingyue sighed, her expression serious. "Though she probably hasn’t regained her memories yet, without escalating our methods, it’ll be difficult to stop this trend."

Ji Qingyi’s eyes darkened.

"Given her temperament, if she really recovers her memories, she’d probably storm straight to the hospital that very day."

Li Guanqi had deliberately gone back to buy oranges.

They knew exactly what was inside Li Guanqi’s ring—they had even seen its contents firsthand.

Naturally, they had taken every precaution to prevent Li Guanqi from coming into contact with such items. Whether it was oranges or other objects like the "blue dumpling," they ensured none of them appeared within her line of sight.

However, against their wishes, Li Guanqi had already noticed something amiss—perhaps she had even discovered the "orange" with writing on it. At this point, further interference would only seem overly deliberate.

So now, they had no choice but to let things take their course.

"But only to this extent."

Liu Qingyue looked at Ji Qingyi’s reflection in the mirror and explained, "Even if she hasn’t regained her memories, the conflict between her and us will only escalate over time. Given the current situation, our priority is to consolidate our existing advantages and secure more leverage before the conflict intensifies."

From the current state of affairs, the master-servant duo had leveraged their early advantage to lay continuous schemes, binding Su Cheng’s most important social connections. His greatest vulnerability—the orphanage he cherished above all else—was already in their grasp.

What’s more, Su Cheng was now shackled by his identity as the Ji family’s son-in-law. No matter how capable Li Guanqi was, she couldn’t defy this relationship to seek help, let alone attempt to take him away from it.

No matter how one looked at it, the possibility of their relationship progressing further was practically nonexistent.

"Hmm." Ji Qingyi nodded slightly in understanding before shifting the topic. "Has he been causing any trouble?"

"For now, he’s been relatively calm."

Liu Qingyue replied nonchalantly.

"Is that so?"

Ji Qingyi seemed slightly relieved and asked softly, "Then what exactly has he been doing?"

"He brought peonies home."

Liu Qingyue paused before adding, "And then… he made some dumplings at home."

"Dumplings?"

Ji Qingyi’s beautiful eyes flickered with a faint light, but she quickly regained her composure. A slight frown creased her brow, her tone laced with displeasure. "He really can’t stay idle, can he?"

Yet, as soon as the words left her lips, her tone softened slightly. "Well, it’s the thought that counts."

Liu Qingyue hesitated, as if struggling with something unsaid.

Noticing this, Ji Qingyi felt a premonition and pressed further, "Did he say who the dumplings were for?"

Her intuition was soon confirmed.

"Actually… the dumplings…" Liu Qingyue bit her red lips and forced out the words, "There weren’t any for you, Miss."

The moment these words were spoken, Ji Qingyi’s lovely face instantly darkened. A cold glint flashed in her eyes, and the temperature in the room seemed to plummet, the atmosphere freezing into suffocating stillness.

"Who were they for?"

Ji Qingyi stared at her icily, her hands gripping the wooden armrests so tightly it seemed they would shatter into dust at any moment if the answer displeased her.

"Miss, please don’t be upset." Liu Qingyue hurriedly tried to placate her. "Initially, he intended to give them to Gu Ruoxue and Li Guanqi, but I managed to dissuade him with a reasonable excuse."

"Oh?" Only then did Ji Qingyi relax slightly. Her arms remained elegantly draped over the armrests, her posture regal and composed, though the frost in her eyes remained undiminished.

"Then where are the dumplings now?"

"He gave them to me."

Liu Qingyue lowered her head respectfully. "He said it was a reward for my hard work. They’re currently stored in my room."

"Good. Bring them here." Ji Qingyi gave a slight nod, her expression gradually softening. "Only by storing them in the ring can their flavor be preserved."

"But these were given to me."

Liu Qingyue, however, didn’t move. Instead, she said, "Though… Miss could exchange them for candied hawthorns."

Ji Qingyi’s delicate brows knitted together. She stared at Liu Qingyue for a long moment before suddenly letting out a derisive chuckle. "Are you deliberately provoking me?"

"I wouldn’t dare." Liu Qingyue shook her head. "It’s just… since these were given to me, they are rightfully mine. Given the relationship between Miss and me, I trust you wouldn’t take what belongs to me."

"Hmph." Ji Qingyi reached for the ring hanging around her neck and conjured a bag of candied hawthorns out of thin air.

She placed it gently on the dressing table, opened it, and picked out a half-eaten skewer to hand to Liu Qingyue.

"Miss, if that’s the case…"

Liu Qingyue, however, wasn’t pleased. She took a step back. "Then out of my four boxes, I can only give you one!"

"There are four boxes?"

Ji Qingyi fell silent briefly before relenting. She glanced at the candied hawthorns and, with great reluctance, took out two untouched skewers and handed them to Liu Qingyue.

"How about this?"

"Thank you, Miss." Liu Qingyue accepted the candied hawthorns with visible delight and happily left the room.

Once her figure disappeared from sight, Ji Qingyi put away the remaining candied hawthorns and stood up. She walked to the window, her face expressionless as she gazed at the scenery outside, lost in thought.

Why hadn’t Su Cheng given her any dumplings?

Was it because he feared her reprimand?

An inexplicable sense of irritation welled up in Ji Qingyi’s heart.

Soon, Liu Qingyue returned, carefully carrying four boxes of dumplings.

Seeing them, Ji Qingyi’s frustration only grew—because these dumplings hadn’t been made specifically for her.

There was none of the usual joy she felt upon receiving them. Instead, she was left with a faint sense of disappointment.

Liu Qingyue presented the dumplings like a treasure, stepping closer to Ji Qingyi with a bright smile. "Miss, look—these dumplings are different from the usual ones."

Ji Qingyi glanced over and noticed that the dumplings in Liu Qingyue’s hands were shaped into adorable, cartoonish forms—round, smooth, and exuding a mouthwatering sweetness.

"Did you deceive me?"

Ji Qingyi narrowed her eyes, her tone dangerous.

"These are dumplings we made together."

Liu Qingyue quickly explained, "I taught him how to make this new style."

"I see. However…"

Ji Qingyi’s tone suddenly shifted. "Tell me, why didn’t he choose to give any dumplings to me?"

"I think… it might be because he was afraid of your scolding."

Liu Qingyue lowered her head and answered earnestly. "After all, Miss repeatedly told him to rest and avoid overexerting himself."

"……"

Ji Qingyi’s expression darkened ominously.

In the end, Ji Qingyi couldn't be bothered to dwell on it too much. With a cold snort, she stored all the dumplings into her ring and turned to Liu Qingyue, asking, "How can I change his mindset?"

"It's simple."

Liu Qingyue lifted her head and smiled casually. "Just be more straightforward with him from now on, Young Miss. He's a bit dense. He might not pick up on your true intentions otherwise."

"..."

Ji Qingyi's expression darkened slightly. She didn’t want to admit it, but she had to acknowledge the logic in those words.

It was likely all because of that candied hawthorn incident.

After a moment of contemplation, she reluctantly nodded. "Fine. I’ll be more direct with him from now on."

……………………………………

Monday

Flame City Private School

Class 1-2

In the classroom, one seat remained conspicuously empty.

Su Cheng hadn’t come to school today.

From the corner, a girl occasionally glanced at the vacant desk. Her posture was prim and proper, exuding a quiet, composed demeanor—though a trace of worry and absentmindedness lingered in her eyes.

Seeing that Su Cheng still hadn’t returned even after class had started, she sighed softly and lowered her head to flip through the ancient poetry book in her hands.

A long while later—

"Ding ling ling—"

The bell for the end of the first period rang, and students began leaving their seats, heading to their usual spots.

"Xu Tianyi, how’s that Su Cheng doing?"

"Didn’t you visit him over the weekend?"

A curious classmate approached Xu Tianyi to ask about Su Cheng’s condition.

"He had a fever, but he’d already recovered by the time I visited."

Xu Tianyi calmly answered while organizing her books.

"Oh, I see."

"That guy really went all out just for a blanket."

"Yeah, with all that thunder and rain back then."

"Wouldn’t the medical bills cost more than the blanket itself?"

"Totally unnecessary."

Upon hearing the situation, the classmates began discussing Su Cheng’s previous actions.

They didn’t understand—was a mere blanket really worth such a price?

Xu Tianyi didn’t join in. She simply finished tidying her books, then pulled out a workbook and started solving problems.

Meanwhile, Li Guanqi listened to the class chatter without reacting. She, too, took out a workbook from her desk and began quietly working on exercises.

Until someone burst into the classroom.

It was Ailiya.

Cornelia’s best friend.

"Senior Ailiya."

Before Ailiya could speak, Li Guanqi stood up and tugged at her sleeve. "Senior Ailiya, are you here for Su Cheng?"

"Yes, exactly! Where is he?"

Ailiya scanned the room furiously before her gaze landed on Li Guanqi.

"Let’s talk outside."

Li Guanqi pulled Ailiya’s arm, leading her into the hallway before lowering her voice. "Su Cheng is hospitalized due to illness, so he isn’t at school today."

"Serves him right! Which hospital is he in?"

Ailiya was practically seething, her fists clenched and teeth gritted. "I’m going to see if he’s dead yet!"

Her state was terrible. With Cornelia withdrawing from school and returning to her home country, Ailiya was left completely alone.

Her one and only best friend was gone—her last emotional pillar had collapsed.

And it was all because of that bastard Su Cheng. She would never let him off the hook!

"Is this about Senior Cornelia?"

Li Guanqi asked cautiously. She knew a little about the situation, though not the full details.

"None of your business."

At the mention of Cornelia, Ailiya’s expression twisted. She glared at Li Guanqi venomously. "Just tell me which hospital Su Cheng is in. I’m going to kill him!!!"

"Senior Ailiya, calm down."

Li Guanqi quickly tried to stop her. "Whatever he did to anger you this much—"

"I want to tear him apart, skin him alive!!!" Ailiya’s eyes reddened as she hissed through clenched teeth. "He ruined Cornelia! He’s the reason her parents sent her back home!"

Li Guanqi ventured carefully, "Can you still contact Cornelia?"

"I spoke to her parents. First, I’ll teach Su Cheng a lesson, then I’ll go find Cornelia!"

Just as Ailiya was about to say more, her phone buzzed in her skirt pocket.

She glanced at the caller ID.

Then, taking a deep breath to steady herself, she pulled out her phone and answered in a polite tone.

"Hello, Aunt William?"

"Oh, I see. Understood."

By the end of the call, Ailiya seemed to have received good news. Without another word, she pocketed her phone, spun on her heel, and sprinted away so fast she vanished in an instant.

"Senior Ailiya…"

Li Guanqi blinked in surprise before chasing after her. But just as she reached the stairwell, someone grabbed her wrist. She looked up to see Liu Qingyue staring at her expressionlessly.

"Junior Li."

Li Guanqi pursed her lips, pulled her hand free, and took two steps back, eyeing her warily. "Senior, is there something you need?"

"I’d like to invite you to lunch at noon." Liu Qingyue smiled. "Let’s meet at your usual spot on the lawn."

"No, thank you."

Li Guanqi refused outright and turned to walk back to the classroom.

………

Noon, the Lawn

"You came after all, Junior?"

Liu Qingyue sat on the grass, watching as Li Guanqi approached with the breeze. "I was afraid you wouldn’t show."

"This is where I rest."

Li Guanqi kept her expression neutral as she drew closer. "I’m just here as usual."

"Sure, whatever you say."

Liu Qingyue opened her lunchbox and held it out to Li Guanqi with a grin. "Want to try some?"

"Thank you, but I brought my own food."

Li Guanqi declined politely, though she couldn’t help glancing at the cute, cartoon-shaped dumplings inside.

She was a little surprised—she hadn’t expected Liu Qingyue to eat something so soft and adorable.

"Ah, what a shame."

Liu Qingyue withdrew her hand, picked up a dumpling, and popped it into her mouth. Closing her eyes in satisfaction, she mumbled, "So sweet. Junior Su Cheng’s cooking skills keep improving."

At those words, Li Guanqi’s brows furrowed slightly, her gaze unconsciously drifting back to the lunchbox.

"Hmm?"

Noticing her reaction, Liu Qingyue turned to her curiously. "Want some after all?"

"I brought my own food."

Li Guanqi lowered her eyes, masking her emotions as she shook her head.

"Then let’s exchange lunches."