Victory or defeat is only known when the game ends.

00:30

In the dead of night, the entire hospital lay silent, with only the archery range brightly lit. A solemn atmosphere hung over the practice field, occasionally punctuated by the soft "click" of arrows and the rustling of leaves in the breeze, creating an oddly serene harmony.

Su Cheng lay sprawled on the wooden floor like a starfish, his shirt collar wide open—not from exhaustion or heat, but from an indescribable restlessness. He wanted to leap up and vent the anger simmering in his chest, but reason held him back, forcing him to remain motionless in this tense stalemate.

Then—

Footsteps.

They approached from a distance, growing steadily closer.

Lying on the ground, Su Cheng’s senses sharpened, and he reacted almost instantly, springing up like a carp leaping from water.

"Who’s there?" His eyes were bloodshot as he glared toward the door.

The redness was a side effect of suppressing the violent impulses raging inside him.

Yet, the footsteps stopped abruptly. Silence returned outside the door, with no sign of anyone entering.

Grabbing his bow and arrows, Su Cheng strode outside, scanning the area.

Nothing.

But soon, a thought struck him—

Was it a ghost?

After all, this was a hospital.

He’d clearly heard footsteps heading toward the archery range, yet there was no trace of anyone.

Though he’d never believed in the supernatural, the pent-up negativity in his heart now ignited a thrill of excitement.

Ghost or not, his resentment was so fierce that even the King of Hell would get slapped twice if he dared show up!

"I’ll count to three. You’d better come out now!"

He began the countdown: "Three… two… one…"

The moment he reached zero, a familiar figure emerged from the shadows.

"It’s me," the person said calmly.

"What are you doing here in the middle of the night?" Recognizing Li Guanqi, Su Cheng forcibly reined in his agitation, replacing it with surprise and confusion.

Li Guanqi approached with composed steps, clutching a book. When her gaze landed on Su Cheng, her brows furrowed slightly, as if she were carefully choosing her words. After a pause, she finally spoke: "Actually, there’s something I need to discuss with you."

"Come in, then." Su Cheng turned and ushered her inside, closing the door behind them before returning to the room.

"Take a seat," he said, gesturing to the tea table. "Though I didn’t prepare any tea, so you’ll have to make do without."

"That’s fine."

Li Guanqi shook her head and sat across from him, her eyes lingering on his face. "How’s your training going?"

The question reignited the frustration Su Cheng had just suppressed. After a few seconds of silence, he let out a self-deprecating laugh. "Looks like I’ll be making a fool of myself tomorrow."

"Don’t underestimate yourself. You never know." Li Guanqi’s voice was gentle, like an elder comforting a junior. "Maybe you’ll bounce back soon."

"Where’s this confidence coming from? Did you bring shampoo?"

Su Cheng shot her a suspicious glance.

"Because I came here specifically to help you regain your momentum." With solemnity, she slid the book in her hands toward him. "Take a look. You might find something unexpected."

However, Su Cheng’s attention wasn’t on the book’s cover. Instead, his gaze fixed on Li Guanqi’s delicate hands. Once smooth and fair, they were now marred by swollen bruises, clearly from some kind of impact.

"What happened to your hands?"

Su Cheng stood, frowning.

And upon closer inspection, he realized Li Guanqi’s entire appearance was disheveled.

Her skirt was smeared with mud, crumpled as if she’d taken a fall. Scrapes on her knees showed faint traces of blood, and even her lovely face bore smudges of dust and dirt.

"I wasn’t paying attention and tripped on my way here," Li Guanqi admitted, a hint of embarrassment in her tone.

Only then seeming to realize her messy state, she hastily stood, covering her face as she turned toward the washroom. "I’ll go clean up. You read the book—I’ll be back soon."

"Wait!"

Su Cheng stopped her. "Sit down. Let me treat your wounds first. Don’t move around."

Li Guanqi hesitated but, seeing his insistence, obediently sat back without another word.

"Do you mind dirt?"

Su Cheng looked up at her.

"All girls care about cleanliness."

Li Guanqi sighed. "Actually, I have a first-aid kit in my ring. I can just handle it in the restroom—"

Before she could finish, Su Cheng suddenly leapt to his feet, looming over her with an exaggeratedly dramatic expression. "Do you know why I call myself 'The Sun'?"

Li Guanqi blinked. "Wh… why?"

"Because…" Su Cheng paused for effect, then grabbed the cup of cold tea from the table and took a big gulp.

The next second—

Pfft!

He sprayed the tea all over her.

Li Guanqi froze.

What kind of conversation ends with someone spitting tea on you?!

"The treatment’s done. Go wash up now."

Thus spoke the self-proclaimed "Miracle Doctor Cheng," master of "Healing Spit."

Li Guanqi, now drenched in "saliva": "…………"

She mechanically wiped the dampness from her forehead and muttered, "Well… I guess this isn’t exactly dirty, just… confusing."

But soon, she noticed something strange—the pain from her injuries had faded, replaced by a tingling itch. When she checked, her wounds were visibly healing at an astonishing rate, bruises and swelling vanishing before her eyes!

She was stunned.

What girl wouldn’t care about scars?

She was no exception. So when her injuries disappeared completely, her heart swelled with surprise and delight.

But she knew the priority now was helping Su Cheng master his abilities. Suppressing the urge to ask how her wounds had healed, she simply said, "Thank you."

"If the sun can nurture all life, why can’t I?!"

His theatrics weren’t just for show—he’d discovered that acting this way helped vent his pent-up negativity, calming the violence in his heart. Only then could he regain focus.

Her reaction greatly satisfied Su Cheng’s ego, lifting his spirits.

"Actually, my saliva has a special healing property. It can stop bleeding and regenerate tissue quickly."

He couldn’t resist boasting.

"I… can see that," Li Guanqi replied, nodding. Then, redirecting the conversation, she tapped the book on the table. "For now, let’s focus on this."

"Right, sure."

Su Cheng’s initial disinterest had waned after his "performance," his mood slightly improved.

At her reminder, he set aside his distractions and prepared to read—

But just then—

At that moment, a night breeze drifted through the window lattice, lifting Li Guanqi's hair and carrying a faint, lingering fragrance to Su Cheng's nose. That subtle yet unforgettable scent unexpectedly soothed his previously turbulent emotions, even clearing his thoughts.

Su Cheng couldn’t help but look up.

Li Guanqi was also gazing at him expectantly, and when he suddenly raised his head, she blinked her beautiful eyes in slight confusion.

Their eyes met.

For an instant, the atmosphere between them grew strangely ambiguous—like a slow-motion freeze-frame in a film. Their dark, ink-like pupils locked in the air, their breaths mingling.

"You should read the book first."

"Ahem." Su Cheng coughed abruptly, masking his awkwardness, before finally lowering his gaze to properly examine the book's cover.

"Hah…"

Seeing Su Cheng finally focus on the book, Li Guanqi let out a quiet sigh of relief. But before she could fully relax, footsteps echoed from outside.

Unsurprisingly, it was Ji Qingyi and her attendant.

Reluctantly, Li Guanqi tore her gaze away from Su Cheng’s face and turned toward the door.

Sure enough, Liu Qingyue strode in with Ji Qingyi in tow, her sharp eyes immediately sweeping over Su Cheng, who was engrossed in reading.

"Miss, I told you—she never misses an opportunity. Tonight was bound to be no exception."

Liu Qingyue smirked at Li Guanqi. "Junior, you look rather disheveled right now."

"Have you gone too far?" Ji Qingyi questioned coldly.

"I don’t believe this collaboration was built on trust or mutual sincerity," Li Guanqi replied impassively, her tone firm. "If anything, I’ve already gone above and beyond, yet you’ve provided me with nothing of value."

She stood, locking eyes with the pair. "I’m curious—why won’t you tell me anything?"

At her words, Ji Qingyi and Liu Qingyue instinctively glanced at Su Cheng, but he remained absorbed in the book, oblivious to the tension.

This made them frown.

Noticing their reaction, Li Guanqi turned to look as well.

Su Cheng hadn’t moved an inch.

"Su Cheng?" A bad feeling crept over Li Guanqi. She stepped closer and patted his shoulder, calling his name.

Yet Su Cheng remained as still as a stone statue, his attention seemingly fixated on the book’s cover.

Alarmed, Ji Qingyi and Liu Qingyue hurried over to check.

His heartbeat, breathing, and pulse were all normal—but he showed no response whatsoever.

"Miss, the needles."

"Mm."

Liu Qingyue took the acupuncture kit and swiftly inserted needles into Su Cheng’s major pressure points, attempting to rouse him—but to no avail.

Now, panic began to set in for Li Guanqi and the Ji household pair.

They tried everything until, finally, Ji Qingyi suggested, "Let’s try taking the book away."

Just as Li Guanqi reached for it—

"He’ll wake when it’s time."

Gu Ruoxue suddenly entered, halting their efforts.

Li Guanqi stared at her in shock. "You… how would you know?"

"Because he made a promise with us."

Gu Ruoxue cast a brief glance at Li Guanqi before settling her gaze on Su Cheng, still seated motionless. "Since he agreed, he’ll honor it."

"The one-day promise from yesterday?"

"Mm."

"So he’ll wake within fourteen hours?" Liu Qingyue checked her wristwatch.

"Fourteen hours… entering his so-called dream again?" Ji Qingyi murmured, her eyes lingering on Su Cheng with unspoken meaning.

"Perhaps." Gu Ruoxue replied nonchalantly.

"So he’s cheating, then?" Liu Qingyue packed away the needles, amused.

Only Li Guanqi stayed silent, her eyes filled with worry and hope, silently willing Su Cheng to wake sooner.

In the end, they agreed to take shifts guarding the room, ensuring nothing unexpected happened. Caution was paramount.

Time passed slowly.

At dawn, Gu Ruoxue sat beside the statue-like Su Cheng, handling paperwork.

By morning, Liu Qingyue idly played with Su Cheng’s hair, even plucking a few strands to twist around her fingers.

At noon, Li Guanqi pretended to read but stole glances at Su Cheng every now and then.

In the afternoon, Ji Qingyi sketched Su Cheng’s sleeping face, adjusting his posture to capture the perfect angle.

Finally, with just half a minute left before the promised time, Su Cheng’s body trembled slightly before his eyes slowly fluttered open. He looked around, dazed.

"Why are you all here?" he asked blankly. Then, realizing the sun was high outside, he leaped up in alarm. "No time! Hand me the bow—I can’t wait to show everyone!"

The group exchanged glances, relief washing over them—especially Li Guanqi, though she forced herself to remain composed.

"Here, your 'Rising Sun,'" Liu Qingyue handed him a longbow, studying him with interest.

"No," Su Cheng corrected with a grin. "It’s now called 'Midday Sun.'"