Keep Tightly Locked the Root of Tongue-Caused Calamity

"Um... I think my staying here isn't helpful and might even disrupt your discussion."

Su Cheng forced a stiff smile, trying to ease the tension. "Maybe I should take my leave first?"

"You seem in quite a hurry to leave," Gu Ruoxue remarked calmly, her gaze steady on him. "But I suspect you’re not planning to go back and rest—you want to ask the other version of me for another dose of the potion, don’t you?"

"I can’t just sit around doing nothing!" Su Cheng protested, his face twisting with frustration. "I absolutely have to participate in this competition! I think there’s something wrong with the potion you gave me. It was supposed to work wonders, but it did nothing for me."

Suddenly, his eyes lit up with realization. "I get it now—it must be the dosage! One drop might heal wounds, but for physical enhancement, maybe I need more! I’m willing to take the risk and be the test subject!"

He stared longingly at the red potion on the table, though several people—especially Ji Qingyi and Liu Qingyue—stood between him and it. Knowing he had no chance of snatching it, he slumped into a corner, sulking.

"You’re clearly fixated on this," Gu Ruoxue sighed, then glanced at Li Guanqi. "Li, go talk to him. Help him adjust his mindset."

After a brief hesitation, Li Guanqi walked over and spoke gently, "Su Cheng, please don’t take our earlier attitude to heart. This is a serious matter, and we have to be cautious. We hope you understand our concerns."

But Su Cheng remained unmoved. He merely glanced at her before lowering his head again, silently fidgeting with his fingers.

Seeing his stubbornness, Li Guanqi tried changing the subject. "What do you plan to do when you go back?"

"Hmm..." Su Cheng hesitated, as if struggling with the question.

When he looked up, he realized the other three were also watching him intently.

"Wasn’t it already guessed by Senior Gu?" Su Cheng exhaled sharply, spreading his hands helplessly. "I’ll go find Gu Ruoxue and beg her to lend me the life potion."

"What if she refuses? Or what if the potion still doesn’t work on you?" Li Guanqi pressed.

The question stumped him.

He instinctively turned to Gu Ruoxue, asking cautiously, "Would you lend me the potion?"

"No," she answered firmly.

Su Cheng frowned. "Why not?"

"My judgment is the same, no matter which version of me you ask," Gu Ruoxue said sternly. "If it truly worked for you, I’d give it to you. But the fact is, it doesn’t. Besides, the life potion is a non-renewable, highly valuable resource, and we don’t fully understand its side effects when ingested. So I advise you to drop this idea."

Her words left Su Cheng silent, his head bowed in deep thought.

Ji Qingyi spoke up at the right moment. "Focus on recovering first. All miracle drugs come with risks, especially one meant for external use. Please think carefully."

Su Cheng didn’t respond, still lost in his own thoughts.

Liu Qingyue seized the opportunity to add, "The other world’s young lady was wise to schedule the competition six months later. That’s plenty of time for you to recover. In the meantime, you can strengthen your bonds with classmates and friends, boosting your influence among peers. By the time you win the archery championship, your popularity will far surpass this world’s Su Cheng, and you’ll gain even more resources."

Her words were clearly meant to dissuade him from competing in seven days. The girls were convinced that his obsession was behind both his reckless interdimensional travel and his insistence on participating.

To persuade him, they needed to appeal to his emotions—only then would their efforts bear fruit.

Yet, despite their earnest pleas, Su Cheng remained unmoved. Though he felt some uncertainty, he knew he couldn’t give up so easily.

He could wait six months—but what about everyone else?

Was he being selfish?

Suddenly, the driver’s words and the online praises for this world’s Su Cheng flashed through his mind. His expression darkened momentarily before clearing again.

He realized his talent could inspire something greater—a noble spirit that benefited both himself and others, illuminating countless lives.

Since fate had given him this chance, he couldn’t let it slip away.

If he didn’t stand firm, how could he expect others to admire and support him?

"What are you thinking about?" Li Guanqi’s puzzled voice pulled him back.

Su Cheng snapped out of it and smiled at her. "Nothing. Just... figured some things out." He stood and walked toward the fridge. "I think it’s time I headed back."

His words stunned the girls.

Ji Qingyi pressed, "What exactly do you plan to do?"

"I’m going to convince the other version of you," Su Cheng answered plainly, pausing mid-step. "To keep the competition on schedule."

"In your current condition, winning is impossible!" Liu Qingyue shot back. "Your physique is too weak. If you push yourself, you’ll only make things worse—you might even risk your life!"

"Winning isn’t the point," Su Cheng shrugged, unfazed. "The Su Cheng of this world shattered my mental barriers. Now, I’m just picking up where he left off—trying to break free from the suffocating self-doubt and insecurity. The trophy doesn’t matter. What matters is proving something to myself."

Hearing this, the others sighed in resignation.

Su Cheng opened the fridge and grabbed a carton of milk.

Just as he was about to drink, Li Guanqi glanced at Gu Ruoxue, who had stayed silent. "Senior Gu, don’t you have anything to say?"

"It’s pointless," Gu Ruoxue replied icily. "No matter what we say, he won’t listen. Our words can’t reach his heart, and right now, we lack the means to act."

Su Cheng tightened his grip on the glass and downed the milk in one go. Wiping his mouth, he said casually, "Don’t worry, my body isn’t as bad as you think. Even if I don’t win this time, there’s always next year. But I can’t just stand by and do nothing when the future is at stake. So, no matter how slim the odds, I’ll give it my all. After all, how will I know if I don’t try?"

"Are you planning to dump all the trouble on the other versions of us?" Ji Qingyi shot him a look before turning to Gu Ruoxue. "You’re not even bothering to stop him. Seems you’re pretty confident in yourself."

"Don't you have any confidence in yourself?"

Gu Ruoxue retorted coolly. Then, she nodded at Su Cheng, signaling that he could set off.

Relieved, Su Cheng lay down on the sofa, holding an empty cup.

Li Guanqi thoughtfully tucked him in, while the girls all stared at him intently, eager to witness the spectacle of his time-travel.

However, a minute passed...

"Ugh, I can't sleep," Su Cheng suddenly sat up under their burning gazes, looking distressed. "Can someone give me a sleeping pill?"

The girls exchanged glances before Liu Qingyue began rummaging through her bag. Su Cheng leaned over curiously. "Huh? Do you often have trouble sleeping, Senior?"

Liu Qingyue shot him a glare. "It's because I'm always dealing with nonsense. Of course I can't sleep well."

Su Cheng apologized sheepishly. "So the club president doesn’t treat you well? When I get back, I’ll give her a piece of my mind and make sure your counterpart over there has an easier time."

"Oh, so you’re quite the big shot over there," Liu Qingyue handed him the pill, her tone dripping with sarcasm.

"Well, she usually respects my opinions."

"Really? I find that hard to believe."

Liu Qingyue scoffed.

"I’m way more impressive over there."

Hearing this thinly veiled jab, Ji Qingyi’s expression darkened as she glared at Su Cheng. "I have a more effective method—guaranteed to knock you out instantly."

Su Cheng paled and scrambled backward.

"Come here." Ji Qingyi stood up and crooked a finger.

Gulping, Su Cheng hesitantly approached but remained wary. "What’s the method?"

Ji Qingyi suddenly gripped his shoulder with terrifying strength, as if trying to nail him to the chair.

"Are you ready?" she whispered in his ear, her voice like a demon’s murmur.

"Director Gu, please talk some sense into her!" Su Cheng desperately turned to Gu Ruoxue for help.

"I can’t," Gu Ruoxue sighed helplessly. "You brought this on yourself by showing off right before leaving!"

"Li Guanqi, you—" With no other options, Su Cheng cast a pleading look at the angelic Li Guanqi.

But Li Guanqi merely averted her eyes, stammering, "Don’t worry... President Ji knows her limits."

"Will I fall asleep right away?" Resigned to his fate, Su Cheng still couldn’t help asking.

"Yes," Ji Qingyi confirmed with a nod, then cracked her knuckles, as if preparing thoroughly.

"Then... can I at least make a cool exit?"

"How?"

"Can I take a sip of this?"

Su Cheng pointed at the potion on the table.

"It won’t work on you."

"Just treat it like alcohol. It tastes good—let me savor it."

Before anyone could react, he grabbed the bottle and took a huge gulp, slamming the now two-thirds-empty container back onto the table.

Then—

A sharp impact struck the back of his neck.

"Wait!"

"Su Cheng didn’t actually swallow it!"

"He’s planning to hold it in his mouth and swallow it after he time-travels!"