Swimming Against the Tide Hinders Success

"This..." Hearing this, Su Cheng hesitated, but he couldn't refuse.

After all, he was the one who broke the promise first. The other party didn’t blame him and even invited him to share a meal. If he refused now, it would seem ungrateful.

Just then—

Li Guanqi placed the food on the picnic mat, pressed down her pleated skirt with one hand, and gracefully sat on the grass. She kept her knees together, tilted her body slightly to the right, and rested her legs—encased in sheer black stockings—to the side, exuding an elegant and poised demeanor.

Once seated, she looked at Su Cheng and patted the spot beside her with a fair, slender hand, gesturing for him to sit.

"Well, it seems I can’t decline."

Seeing this, Su Cheng had no choice but to brace himself and sit down, awkwardly lowering his gaze to the fresh green grass beneath his feet.

But then, a gentle breeze swept by, carrying the faint, irresistible fragrance from Li Guanqi’s person. It instantly lifted his spirits.

The scent seemed to have a refreshing, calming effect, soothing his previously anxious mood. It was... well, quite pleasant.

Unable to resist, he stole a glance at Li Guanqi beside him. Though her expression remained unreadable, her profile alone radiated beauty and charm, accentuated by the serene surroundings, making her appear even more refined and noble.

He quickly averted his gaze.

Truly, she was a young lady of noble upbringing.

He marveled inwardly but didn’t linger on the thought—after all, he was a man with a fiancée.

He couldn’t afford to entertain any improper thoughts about another girl. That would be a betrayal of his betrothed!

Clenching his fists, he silently admonished himself. Then, clearing his throat lightly to mask his earlier fluster, he raised his head again, pretending to look ahead—though his peripheral vision still instinctively traced Li Guanqi’s movements.

She was meticulously cutting the cake, her motions practiced and precise. For some reason, her every gesture carried a uniquely captivating grace, so pleasing to the eye that he found himself holding his breath just to watch.

Soon—

"Here, take this. I can’t eat too much."

Li Guanqi handed two-thirds of the cake to Su Cheng, keeping the rest for herself. She held it out with both hands and said, "Thank you for the cake."

"Ah... I should be the one thanking you for not blaming me. I’m the one who broke our agreement."

Accepting the cake, he froze for a moment before bowing his head in shame. "I’m really sorry. Yesterday was so busy that it slipped my mind. I truly apologize."

"I’ll forgive you this time."

Li Guanqi’s tone remained as calm and expressionless as ever, though it softened slightly. "Besides, this cake looks delicious. Did you buy it because you were worried I’d go hungry?"

Su Cheng was taken aback. He hadn’t expected her to be so understanding instead of angry. His guilt deepened, and he repeated, "I’m truly sorry."

"It’s fine."

Li Guanqi shook her head again, then picked up her own cake, appearing completely at ease, as if she’d already let the matter go.

Watching her, Su Cheng fell silent, reflecting inwardly. Despite her cool exterior, she was unexpectedly gentle, without a trace of arrogance or temper. In comparison, he felt like a childish, impulsive fool.

"Alright, let’s eat." Li Guanqi turned to him and nodded.

Su Cheng hurriedly agreed and began eating his cake slowly, though he couldn’t help stealing glances at her from time to time.

Her movements were refined and graceful, her pace measured—flawless in every way. She kept her eyes forward, her face impassive, as if completely unaware of his gaze.

Not daring to disturb her, Su Cheng quietly continued eating.

To his surprise, the cake was delicious.

So delicious that he ended up devouring it in one bite.

"Um... I should probably get going—" Just as he was about to excuse himself, Li Guanqi set down her fork and asked, "Do you have plans for the afternoon?"

"Ah..."

Su Cheng hesitated before answering truthfully, "Actually... no, not really. I just didn’t want to intrude on your rest time."

Hearing this, Li Guanqi shook her head. "Since you’re already here, it’d be a waste to leave now. You can stay and rest. I don’t mind."

"Wha—?"

Su Cheng’s eyes widened as he stared at her in disbelief.

He blinked, wondering if he’d misheard. But Li Guanqi’s firm gaze confirmed she meant every word—this wasn’t just politeness.

Could it be...?

"I know this might sound strange, but..." Li Guanqi paused for a second. "I find you rather intriguing. Ever since you arrived, things have been... eventful. I’d like to talk with you a bit more. Is that alright?"

"This is..."

He was at a loss.

As a man with a fiancée, being alone with another woman on a grassy field didn’t seem proper.

Yet, after a long silence, he still couldn’t bring himself to refuse—not when Li Guanqi’s eyes held a glimmer of hope, as if she genuinely wanted him to stay.

"Why?" Su Cheng finally voiced the question weighing on his mind. "We barely know each other, and we don’t share any common interests. More importantly, you know I’m engaged. Why take the risk of inviting me like this?"

At his words, Li Guanqi lowered her lashes, her long, curled eyelashes veiling her eyes. She didn’t respond immediately, only silently sipping her milk.

Su Cheng’s heart skipped a beat. He sensed she might have something difficult to say, but he couldn’t guess what. Uneasy, he watched her, waiting for her to continue.

"Actually..."

Finally, Li Guanqi spoke again. She lifted her gaze to meet his and said earnestly, "I—"

"Junior!!"

Just then, a bright, cheerful voice called out from a distance.

Su Cheng turned toward the sound and saw Liu Qingyue standing by a flowerbed, waving at him enthusiastically. Her lovely face was lit with a radiant smile as she shouted, "Junior, I’ve been looking everywhere for you! So this is where you were hiding—I almost couldn’t find you!"

"I’ll write it in the book I return tomorrow."

As Su Cheng looked toward Liu Qingyue, Li Guanqi’s whisper reached his ears—so soft he almost doubted he’d heard it. He instinctively turned back and asked, "Huh? Did you say something just now?"

Yet, Li Guanqi remained with her head lowered, picking up pieces of cake one by one and savoring them carefully, as if entirely indifferent to his question—not even bothering to lift her gaze.

Su Cheng frowned, sensing that she seemed wary of the senior student. With Liu Qingyue now approaching, he had no choice but to suppress his curiosity for the moment and shift his attention to her. "Senior, is there something you need?"

"Oh? Junior Li is here too?" Liu Qingyue glanced between the two in surprise before eyeing the cake in his hand with envy. "How nice. By the way, did you like the rice dumplings I gave you last time?"

"They were delicious," Li Guanqi finally looked up, murmuring her thanks. "I appreciate the gift, Senior."

"Don’t mention it!" Liu Qingyue waved her hand dismissively, then leaned closer to Su Cheng with a playful glint in her eyes. "Hey, junior, did you make the young lady angry yesterday?"

Su Cheng’s heart skipped a beat at her words, panic flashing across his face as he hastily stood up. "Uh… Senior, did you come to talk to me about something?"

As the saying goes, family matters shouldn’t be aired in public.

"Of course! Why else would I be here?"

"Alright, let’s walk and talk." Su Cheng shot an apologetic glance at Li Guanqi before leaving with Liu Qingyue.

Li Guanqi stayed seated, silently watching their figures fade into the distance before resuming her meal.

Meanwhile, Su Cheng and Liu Qingyue strolled leisurely along the tree-lined path. Though the dense foliage overhead should have made the air stifling, the atmosphere was instead cool and refreshing—like wandering through a winter forest, every breath crisp and invigorating, as if every pore in their bodies had opened up.

"Hey, you went a bit too far at lunch today!" Liu Qingyue suddenly complained.

"Huh? What do you mean?"

"Not only did you upset the young lady yesterday, but today you went and spent time alone with another girl. If she finds out, what do you think she’ll do?" Liu Qingyue puffed her cheeks in accusation. "How could you be such a jerk? That’s just awful!"

Su Cheng’s lips twitched at her words, and he sighed helplessly. "Senior, you know how it is. She came to visit me over the weekend, so I was just returning the courtesy and thanking her. That’s all."

"Enough, enough." Liu Qingyue cut him off abruptly, turning to face him with a serious expression. "The young lady sent me to tell you—from now on, don’t wander around at noon. Just come straight to the archery club. She’ll be waiting to have lunch with you."

"Wait, the president is waiting for me now?"

"Exactly!"