Taking Shortcuts Only Leads to Stumbling

Afternoon

The morning's training session had been strange. Logically, he should have been exhausted, but for some reason, he had only grown more energetic as he exercised, barely even breaking a sweat.

This state lasted until lunchtime, after which he was once again dragged off by the doctors for a checkup.

When Su Cheng returned to face the four girls, they had regained some of their usual composure.

The intense morning workout had caused a slight decrease in the viral activity within Su Cheng's body, but whether the effect was significant would require further observation and testing.

If exercise alone could completely purge the virus from his system, that would be ideal. But if not…

Then it was only a matter of time before death claimed him.

"It's time for lunch," Ji Qingyi said coldly before leading the group to the dining room.

Her tone was so icy that the atmosphere grew tense, and everyone silently followed her.

The table wasn’t set with his favorite dishes—instead, it was filled with foods rich in water, potassium, vitamins, acidic elements, dietary fiber, and high-quality protein.

Yet Su Cheng had no appetite. He wasn’t hungry at all. His mind was preoccupied with how to convince Ji Qingyi to let him participate in the upcoming competition that afternoon.

"Why aren’t you eating?" Ji Qingyi asked after everyone had taken their seats, noticing Su Cheng’s lack of movement.

Her voice held more than just curiosity—it carried reproach, like a parent scolding a disappointing child.

"I’m not hungry," Su Cheng answered truthfully, shaking his head.

"You should still eat a little," Liu Qingyue chimed in, placing a piece of meat on his plate with her chopsticks while giving the others a meaningful glance.

Reluctantly, Su Cheng muttered a quiet thanks and ate the meat, then took a bite of rice. Just as he was about to set his chopsticks down, another slender hand extended toward his bowl, depositing a green vegetable on top of his rice.

"Eat more vegetables," came Li Guanqi’s calm remark.

"Thanks," Su Cheng said, forcing himself to take another bite.

But when he looked up again—history repeated itself.

Another delicate hand appeared, this time holding a square of white tofu, which was carefully placed in the center of his rice. The tofu wobbled slightly, looking soft and appetizing, untouched by any marks from the chopsticks.

He glanced up to see Gu Ruoxue, who had already withdrawn her hand and resumed eating as if nothing had happened.

Tofu?

Why give me tofu?

Was there some hidden meaning?

Su Cheng didn’t understand, but since she had gone out of her way to serve him, he couldn’t refuse. He picked up the tofu with his chopsticks, chewed, and swallowed it, then took another mouthful of rice.

Finally, he looked up again.

This time, thankfully, no more hands appeared.

Instead, Ji Qingyi, seated directly across from him, fixed him with a frigid stare—as if he were a criminal.

Perhaps because she was at the head of the table, too far to reach him without standing and leaning forward—an undignified act.

"Junior, you really are stubborn!" Liu Qingyue laughed in exasperation, watching as Su Cheng refused to eat unless someone served him. "Won’t eat unless someone puts food in your bowl, huh?"

"No, of course not!" Su Cheng hastily picked up his bowl and shoveled rice into his mouth, not even bothering with side dishes.

Li Guanqi quietly placed a small bowl of soup in front of him. "Don’t choke," she urged gently.

"Oh—thank you!" Su Cheng accepted the soup and gulped down a few mouthfuls before flashing her a grateful smile.

"You’re welcome," Li Guanqi replied, then scooped a spoonful of side dishes onto his rice. "Eat more. You might need the energy for this afternoon."

The table returned to its earlier atmosphere, but Su Cheng found the meal unbearably difficult.

Especially with Ji Qingyi’s deathly glare piercing him from across the table—it was suffocating. But he had no choice but to endure.

A few minutes later—

Several attendants entered, escorting Gu Ruoxue and Li Guanqi away to rest. Liu Qingyue also left.

Only the two of them remained, but the tension only thickened.

Finally—

Ji Qingyi stood, looking down at him with undisguised disdain. "Are you full?" she asked, her voice sharp and cold.

"I am!" Su Cheng made to stand, but a firm hand on his shoulder forced him back into his seat.

Ji Qingyi then sat beside him, taking his half-finished bowl. She picked up a spoon in one hand and chopsticks in the other, scooping rice and topping it with a side dish before holding it to his lips.

"Open your mouth," she commanded, leaving no room for refusal.

Dare he resist this retaliatory "feeding"?

Of course not.

Su Cheng obediently accepted the bite, and Ji Qingyi continued the process until his bowl was empty.

"President, about the competition I mentioned this morning…" Su Cheng seized the moment, sensing her mood had slightly improved. He couldn’t let this opportunity slip.

"I need an honest reason," she replied.

Taking a deep breath, Su Cheng spoke slowly: "I have my reasons. First, it’s about proving my own worth. I want to show that I’m not useless—that I have the ability to stand on my own. Second… it’s to repay you. For everything you’ve done for me, and for the orphanage."

"And this is how you repay the orphanage?" Ji Qingyi frowned.

"Yes," Su Cheng said solemnly. "I want them to know that the child they once cared for has grown into someone remarkable—someone worthy of standing beside the world’s most esteemed princess, someone capable of giving back to society!"

Ji Qingyi smirked faintly. "Is that so? Not just an excuse to bring Cornelia back?"

Su Cheng stiffened. "That’s… part of it, but not the whole reason."

"Hmph. At this point, your reasons don’t matter."

She studied him for a moment, then stood and walked toward the door, leaving behind only one sentence:

"I’m allowing this—not because I believe your excuses, or because I care about society. It’s only for you."