How Many Have Wasted Their Lives Here

"Su Cheng, he is mine."

Li Guanqi's words echoed through the silent night, lingering in the depths of everyone's mind like a thunderclap, shaking their very souls.

Su Cheng's eyelashes fluttered slightly, as if he were about to open his eyes. Li Guanqi quickly leaned over to soothe him, and only when she confirmed he had fallen back into a deep slumber did the others exhale in relief.

At this moment, no one wanted to disturb the sleeping young man.

Li Guanqi raised her head, meeting the gazes of the others. Their eyes clashed like ice and fire, instantly igniting the tension in the air. The volatile atmosphere foreshadowed an impending war of words.

"I must say," Ji Qingyi's face betrayed no emotion, her tone cold and distant, "I never realized you had a talent for comedy."

But those who knew her understood—this calm was merely the lull before the storm. The fury she forcibly suppressed could erupt at any moment.

Yet Li Guanqi refused to back down. "President Ji, it's precisely because of your constant interference that I’ve been unable to accomplish anything. Every time I try to do something for Su Cheng, you all force me to give up. That’s the real tragedy!"

"Now you’re shifting all the blame onto us."

Ji Qingyi carried herself with effortless elegance, her disdain and confidence evident even in her mockery. "What was our agreement? To do everything possible to save Su Cheng’s life. To let you use your strengths to stabilize his emotions, persuade him to return to treatment. And now?"

"Spineless, unreliable, and now you can’t even decide what you truly want—wavering back and forth. That’s who you are, Li Guanqi. What right do you have to say such things?" Liu Qingyue added indignantly.

She pointed first at Ji Qingyi, then at Gu Ruoxue. "When Su Cheng faces trouble, the young mistress lectures him while mobilizing resources to solve the problem. Minister Gu analyzes the situation objectively, identifies the root cause, and tackles it alongside him."

Finally, she tilted her chin up, looking down at Li Guanqi with condescension. "And what about you? Aside from empty platitudes, what have you actually done? Did you think a few hollow words of comfort could help him survive this life-or-death crisis?"

"Ultimately, the world operates on material reality. What problems can you solve?" Ji Qingyi continued sharply. "Other than adding to his—and our—distress, what else can you do? After everything falls apart, will you pathetically promise to share his hardships, then stand by and watch him die? Become his funeral escort, seeing him off to the grave?"

The relentless barrage of questions left Li Guanqi speechless. Her eyes reddened, yet she never stopped soothing Su Cheng, gently massaging his temples like a doting mother.

"Fine. You’re right. But arguing about it now is pointless."

Her voice was soft but unwavering.

"How is it pointless?" Liu Qingyue shot back. "You still have a chance to redeem yourself. Only by standing with the side that offers the highest probability of success can you help Su Cheng overcome this. Or do you want to push him toward destruction with your own hands?"

Ji Qingyi joined in persuasion. "Think carefully, Li Guanqi. In Su Cheng’s current state, survival, victory, and personal desires cannot coexist."

"We’d love to respect his wishes, but the problem is..." Liu Qingyue sighed. "We’ve been through similar situations before. Without everyone working together, Su Cheng would have died long ago."

Her voice grew heavier. "If everyone compromised like you, no one could bear the consequences."

Their words struck Li Guanqi like bombs, leaving her dazed.

She cast a pleading glance at Gu Ruoxue. Though he had remained silent, she knew he would never deceive her like Ji Qingyi and Liu Qingyue.

Yet after a moment of contemplation, Gu Ruoxue only offered one line: "Neither intention alone nor power alone is sufficient in the end."

The first half of his statement felt like a death sentence to Li Guanqi.

She choked, her chest weighed down as if by a boulder, unable to utter a sound.

Then, a hand grasped hers—firmly, unyieldingly.

It was Su Cheng’s.

Under everyone’s stunned gazes, he abruptly sat up, scanning the room with a furrowed brow.

"From the sound of it, I’ve repeated my mistakes," he said flatly, yet his words carried undeniable weight. "So tell me—how do I break this vicious cycle?"

"Well..." Liu Qingyue giggled, tapping Ji Qingyi and Gu Ruoxue playfully. "As long as you trust us and work together, anything is still possible."

"I know I can’t convince you," Su Cheng shook his head, his gaze fixed firmly on Ji Qingyi. "That’s why I chose to run, to distance myself, to hide the truth."

"You—!" Ji Qingyi barely restrained her anger. "Let’s go home. There’s no point wasting time on pointless arguments."

"President Ji, you’ve changed so much."

Su Cheng’s remark made everyone inhale sharply. Ji Qingyi’s pupils constricted as she stared at him, finally hissing through clenched teeth, "You... are?"

"Do you remember what you said to me when we first met?" Su Cheng stepped closer, closing the distance between them until they stood mere inches apart.

Ji Qingyi frowned, a flicker of surprise crossing her eyes.

The others exchanged glances, a daring suspicion forming in their minds—had Su Cheng regained his memories?

"I haven’t fully recovered my memories, just scattered fragments that occasionally resurface," Su Cheng said, sweeping his gaze across them with a faint smile. "But this is enough."

"Of course I remember," Ji Qingyi murmured, her voice soft yet crystal clear.

"Then, President Ji, would you mind repeating it for me?"

Su Cheng’s tone was hopeful.

But Ji Qingyi’s expression darkened.

"Enough, Su Cheng!" she snapped.

"Value! You said I had no value to you!" Su Cheng suddenly raised his voice. "Yes, you can save my life. But that version of me would just be a worthless shell, clinging to your protection just to survive!"

His hands gripped Ji Qingyi’s shoulders, his eyes burning with intensity. "If I could truly live freely, why would I ever choose to give up? I want a life worth living too—but it’s too hard! Every time I think of the future in my dreams, I’d rather die right then and there!"

Ji Qingyi remained composed. "Value isn’t for you alone to decide. To me, a living, breathing life is far more precious than some illusory future."

"Better to die with honor than live in disgrace. I’d rather meet my end gloriously than drag out a miserable existence!"

Su Cheng’s declaration was absolute.

Ji Qingyi's face turned livid with anger: "Why must you be so stubborn? Let me say it again—as long as you're alive, hope for miracles remains. Otherwise, everything will be lost!"

"That's right, junior." Liu Qingyue stepped forward to persuade him. "There are still so many people and things in this world waiting for you to save them. You can't waste your precious life on meaningless struggles."

But Su Cheng suddenly blurted out something shocking: "Actually, I like all four of you."

The others' expressions darkened, ready to scold him—until Su Cheng continued, "That’s exactly why I have to make this choice. For your sake. For everyone’s sake."

"Sorry."

Su Cheng turned to leave. "I can’t convince you, and you won’t convince me either. In that case, let’s each convince ourselves and spare the pointless arguments."

"Wait—if you insist on going..." Li Guanqi held out a small pillow. "At least take this with you."

Su Cheng hesitated for a moment before accepting it.

"Thank you," he said softly.

"Stop right there!" Ji Qingyi was seething. "Are you really going to persist in this foolishness to the end?"

"Yeah." Su Cheng didn’t even look back.

Ji Qingyi took a deep breath, her voice icy. "Your life doesn’t belong to you alone. It’s also mine. You have no right to take risks without my permission!"

Su Cheng’s footsteps halted abruptly.

"Is that so…?"

He turned his head thoughtfully and replied, "Then consider it a debt—I owe you a life."

"When will you repay it?" Ji Qingyi pressed.

"Next time, I’ll pay you back eightfold." Before anyone could react, Su Cheng bolted, leaving the group stunned.

It took Ji Qingyi a long moment to regain her composure.

Watching Su Cheng’s retreating figure, she asked Liu Qingyue in confusion, "...What did he mean by that?"

"Ah, he meant..." Liu Qingyue stifled a laugh. "For you to bear him eight children."

"What shameless nonsense." Ji Qingyi’s face darkened instantly before she finally muttered, "If he’s capable of cutting off his other entanglements and actually marrying me, I might just take him up on it."