Opportunity Does Not Come, Seek It Yourself

The group walked together toward the venue for the pitch-pot competition.

Following behind the three girls, Su Cheng felt his heartbeat quicken, a wave of nervousness washing over him until even his palms grew clammy with sweat.

Ji Qingyi, who was leading him forward by the hand, naturally sensed his tension. She couldn’t help but glance at him, noticing his stiff expression and the deep furrow between his brows.

As if sensing her gaze, Su Cheng instinctively looked up, his eyes meeting Ji Qingyi’s.

After a brief moment, Su Cheng averted his eyes first and cleared his throat, asking in a voice only the two of them could hear, "Did you know the previous archery club president and vice president?"

"No," Ji Qingyi replied succinctly, her answer sending a jolt of unease through Su Cheng, making his anxiety grow even stronger.

To dispel the suffocating tension, he deliberately changed the subject. "Do you know how to play pitch-pot?"

"Yes," Ji Qingyi answered tersely, without elaboration.

"Could you explain the rules to me?" Su Cheng pressed further.

"Pitch-pot is a game derived from ancient archery rituals," Ji Qingyi paused briefly before continuing, "Much like archery, it’s more than just a game."

"Please elaborate," Su Cheng held his breath, waiting for her to continue.

Ji Qingyi maintained her usual tone. "Similar to archery competitions, it’s not merely about hitting the target. Pitch-pot inherits the ceremonial aspects of archery rituals, as well as the etiquette of self-discipline and moral cultivation."

"Could you simplify it a bit?" Su Cheng sighed in frustration, unable to grasp the deeper meaning behind the rituals.

"In short, if your score ties with someone else, the judges will evaluate based on your etiquette, attitude, and even your throwing technique to determine the final ranking."

"Sounds just as complicated as archery," Su Cheng muttered. "I thought it’d be as simple as modern ring-toss games."

Ji Qingyi added, "Which is why I’ve been teaching you how to calm your mind."

"Oh…"

Su Cheng lowered his head at her words, unable to deny the truth. If he was this nervous over a simple game, how could he possibly handle future archery competitions?

"President, should you avoid being seen later?"

A sudden thought struck him—Li Shishi, the archery club’s senior member, was also present. If she ran into Ji Qingyi, wouldn’t the truth come out?

"No need. She’s intelligent enough to figure it out."

Ji Qingyi shook her head slightly and looked at Su Cheng. "The question is, are you ready?"

Su Cheng forced a wry smile. "I’ll do my best."

Before long, the group arrived at a spacious square.

At its center stood a magnificent ancient structure called the "Pitch-Pot Pavilion."

Once a venue for royal banquets and games during festivals, it still housed six antique pitch-pot vessels from medieval times.

The area around the pavilion was bustling with activity, the crowd lively and energetic.

At the entrance, staff maintained order while a young man in traditional attire sat at a registration desk, facing a long line of participants.

"Over here!" A bright-eyed girl stood on tiptoe in the queue, waving enthusiastically—it was Li Shishi, who appeared to be in the middle of signing up.

The group quickly made their way over, with Su Cheng and Ji Qingyi lingering behind the three girls.

"Senior Li, we found your partner for this event!" Xuan Ying eagerly announced to Li Shishi.

Li Shishi turned her head, only for her eyes to widen in shock as she stared at Su Cheng and Ji Qingyi.

As a member of the archery club, she immediately recognized the masked girl beside Su Cheng as Ji Qingyi.

Though the mask concealed her face, Ji Qingyi’s noble, icy demeanor was unmistakable.

Li Shishi froze as if struck by lightning.

Xuan Ying noticed her odd reaction and asked, puzzled, "What’s wrong, Senior?"

Meanwhile, Zhao Yan frowned, the absurd suspicion she had dismissed earlier resurfacing. "Don’t tell me…"

"Senior Li must already know Su Cheng," Li Guanqi smoothly interjected. "The one next to him is his girlfriend, Wang Yu."

"Su Cheng’s… girlfriend? Wang Yu?" Li Shishi’s voice trembled slightly as she stared intently at the pair, scrutinizing every detail.

"Hello," Ji Qingyi extended a graceful hand. "It’s a pleasure to meet you. I’m Su Cheng’s girlfriend, Wang Yu."

"Oh… right." Li Shishi quickly composed herself, though her gaze lingered on Su Cheng for a moment before she extended her own hand. "The pleasure is mine, Miss Wang Yu. I look forward to working with you."

The moment their hands touched, Li Shishi’s pupils constricted—the firmness of Ji Qingyi’s grip conveyed an unmistakable message.

As someone who often assisted Ji Qingyi, she understood her president’s intentions all too well.

Internally, she thought, "So the president wants to play pitch-pot with Su Cheng? In that case… I’ll play along."

"By the way, you came just in time. Could you hold this spot for me? I need to use the restroom." After letting go of each other's hands, Li Shishi seized the opportunity to slip away.

Xuan Ying took Li Shishi's place, and as they stood in line, the group began chatting.

Zhao Yan initiated the first round of probing with a light cough, asking, "Su Cheng, you haven’t introduced us to Miss Wang Yu yet."

"Yeah, yeah," Xuan Ying chimed in eagerly. "How did you two get together? How did you meet?"

Li Guanqi remained silent on the side, her face expressionless. But upon closer inspection, one might notice a trace of hesitation in her eyes, as if something was troubling her.

"Uh..." Su Cheng glanced at Ji Qingyi beside him before responding, "That’s..."

"No need to hesitate. Speak freely," Ji Qingyi nodded slightly, signaling for Su Cheng not to worry.

"Mmm..."

Just as Su Cheng was about to fabricate a story, a friendly voice suddenly called out from nearby: "Hi~"

Everyone turned to see a slender, graceful girl in a casual white dress, her hair loosely cascading down, waving at them with a bright smile as she approached.

"Wow~ Sister Lin!" Xuan Ying exclaimed in surprise, clearly recognizing the woman. "Long time no see!"

"Ah, Xuan Ying, you're here too," the girl referred to as Sister Lin nodded slightly. Her gaze swept over Su Cheng and Ji Qingyi before settling on Zhao Yan. Smiling, she extended her hand. "Looks like Yan’er has made some lovely friends this year. It’s a pleasure to meet you all."

As she drew closer, Su Cheng noticed the resemblance between her and Zhao Yan—not just in their features but also in their mannerisms.

"This... this is my older sister, Zhao Lin," Zhao Yan quickly introduced her to the group. Li Guanqi, Su Cheng, and the others then politely greeted her in turn.

When she learned that Su Cheng and Ji Qingyi were a couple, Zhao Lin covered her mouth in surprise, looking at her sister. "The friends you brought today are truly extraordinary."

Though her tone was gentle, her eyes didn’t linger on Su Cheng. Instead, she kept observing Ji Qingyi, clearly sensing that she was no ordinary person.

"You flatter me," Ji Qingyi replied with a faint shake of her head. "But I’m not a participant in the competition."

"Oh? You’re not?"

Sister Lin feigned disappointment before quickly adopting an apologetic expression. "My apologies. I thought we might get to witness a couples’ showdown today."

"From the way Sister Lin is talking..." Xuan Ying leaned in curiously. "Does that mean the friends you brought are a couple too?"

"Yes, exactly," Zhao Lin confirmed with a smile. "They developed feelings for each other in the archery club during school. After graduation, they both enrolled in my university and eventually became a couple."

"Oh? Then where are they?" Xuan Ying began scanning the surroundings. "Why haven’t they shown up yet?"

"They arrived early to register—they’re probably further ahead in line," Sister Lin explained before shifting her gaze back to Su Cheng. "So, little brother Su Cheng, are you ready to face your seniors in a match?"

"Sister Lin, please pass along my hope that they’ll go easy on me," Su Cheng replied with a hint of shyness. "I’m not very experienced with this game."

"Oh?" Zhao Lin couldn’t help but reassess Su Cheng. At his age, especially as an archery club member, she’d expected him to be more brash. Instead, he was surprisingly humble and gentle—even blushing when she spoke to him.

Honestly, that blush made her want to tease him a little. He really was adorable.

"I’ll let them know," Zhao Lin said with an amused nod. "Then I’ll look forward to your match with the seniors. Excuse me for now."

"Take care."

As they watched Zhao Lin leave, Xuan Ying sighed dramatically. "Who would’ve thought the archery club seniors were a couple? If we lose, we’ll have to endure their lovey-dovey victory too."

Ding ling ling~ Suddenly, Zhao Yan’s phone rang, and she answered the call.

"Why were you blushing earlier?" Ji Qingyi’s tone carried a hint of displeasure.

"‘In war, feign weakness to deceive the enemy,’" Su Cheng recited smoothly.

But his response earned him a sharp pinch on the waist, pain shooting through him so intensely he nearly teared up—yet he stifled any sound.

Li Guanqi caught the playful exchange out of the corner of her eye. She pressed her lips together, lowered her gaze, and looked away.

Meanwhile, Zhao Yan hung up the phone, her expression grim. She looked up helplessly. "Senior Li just called—she had a family emergency and had to leave early."

"What?!"

Xuan Ying’s eyes widened in outrage. "What’s going on? Since when are archery club members so unreliable? First one, then another backing out last minute—what kind of commitment is this?!"

"Don't speak nonsense, Xuan Ying," Zhao Yan quickly tried to calm Xuan Ying down before turning to Su Cheng with an apologetic expression. "Sorry about that, she can be a bit blunt."

Well, it was because Su Cheng was the Archery Club.

"It's fine, I understand."

Su Cheng waved his hand with a cheerful smile, though inwardly he sighed in relief—it seemed he wouldn’t have to compete after all.

"Given the situation, it’s up to us now."

Xuan Ying frowned in thought for a moment before glancing around at the other girls present. "Who among us has more experience with arrow-throwing? That person should step up later."

Hearing this, Su Cheng’s momentarily relaxed heart instantly tensed again. It looked like there was no escaping today’s competition.

"Though my skills aren’t as good as the seniors in the Archery Club..." Li Guanqi was the first to raise her hand, speaking softly, "But under these circumstances, I think I can manage."

"Guanqi?!"

"That’s great!"

"Neither Xuan Ying nor I are particularly good at this sort of thing..."

At Li Guanqi’s words, Zhao Yan and Xuan Ying both let out sighs of relief, their faces lighting up with joy. Xuan Ying even grabbed Li Guanqi’s arm excitedly and said, "Then you and Su Cheng can team up later!"

But just as the group settled on the candidates—

"Let me partner with him instead."

Ji Qingyi spoke calmly. "I’ve dabbled in this as well. Perhaps I can be of help."

Her words left the room in stunned silence.

Of course, the most shocked was Su Cheng, who stared at Ji Qingyi in utter bewilderment, unable to comprehend why she would do this.

Truthfully, the idea of standing side by side with the club president in a competition filled him with longing, excitement, and anticipation. It would prove he had the skill to stand on the same level as her.

But the problem was—he had no skill whatsoever?!

Now that this opportunity was right in front of him, he suddenly felt overwhelmed—nervous, fearful, even cowardly. He was terrified.

Because he knew he would only drag the president down.

If he embarrassed himself...

Wouldn’t the president be humiliated by association?

Could he really bear that responsibility?

In just a split second, fine beads of sweat formed on Su Cheng’s forehead.

"Then, Su Cheng and Wang Yu will compete later?"

After finalizing the candidates, Zhao Yan smiled and sought confirmation from the group.

Xuan Ying immediately nodded in agreement. "Sounds good!"

Li Guanqi also gave a small nod.

Ji Qingyi, noticing Su Cheng’s unusual reaction, realized what was happening. Li Guanqi deliberately provoked this situation, forcing me to respond and shifting the pressure onto Su Cheng. She must have an ulterior motive—I need to be careful.

However, she quickly thought of a way to turn the tables. Just as she was about to explain things to Su Cheng, she caught a glimpse of the struggle and pain in his eyes before he suddenly raised his head and said, "You all go ahead. I need to use the restroom."

………………

Restroom

Su Cheng splashed cold water on his face, desperately trying to steady himself. He took deep breaths, but his trembling hands still betrayed the fear churning inside him.

He was just an ordinary person. Even if he had talent in archery, arrow-throwing was an entirely different matter. He had never trained for it, so he couldn’t face this sudden competition.

But now, there was no choice but to tough it out.

"Haaah..." Su Cheng exhaled slowly, straightened his clothes, and prepared to leave.

Yet, the moment he stepped out of the restroom—

"Su Cheng."

Li Guanqi stood quietly at the entrance, dressed in a black dress, serene and composed. She extended her delicate hand, palm upturned, revealing what she held.

The sight left Su Cheng utterly bewildered.

Because in her palm were two objects—

A cigarette and a match.