Extra Story: Su Cheng's Home Seems to Have Become a Gathering Place for Beautiful Girls

The eastern sky gradually lightened to pale.

The sun began its slow ascent.

A strand of golden sunlight pierced through the window lattice, spilling into the room and illuminating a corner.

On the bed, Ji Qingyi's brows were tightly knit, her face pale and her forehead beaded with cold sweat. Her expression was pained, as if trapped in some terrible nightmare. The veins at her temples stood out, clearly indicating she was undergoing immense suffering.

The items on the bed were in complete disarray. Sugar-coated haws on sticks, sugar figurines, photographs, a camera, and other objects were scattered across the floor in chaotic disorder, like the contents of a broken suitcase spilled everywhere.

The wretched scene was almost unbearable to behold.

And then—

Ji Qingyi's eyebrows twitched slightly, and her eyes slowly opened. Her gaze gradually focused, and then she abruptly sat up. At the same moment, Liu Qingyue, who had been sleeping on a makeshift bed on the floor, also rolled over and got up. The mistress and her maid were remarkably in sync?

A look of horror was written across Ji Qingyi's face as she glanced around, her eyes finally meeting those of Liu Qingyue beside her. Both their eyes held gravity and trepidation.

They almost simultaneously raised their hands to rub their eyes, confirming they were truly awake. Then, as one, they looked at the various items scattered on the bed, before shifting their gaze to the rings on their fingers.

Upon discovering the rings were gone, a chill shot from the soles of their feet to the crowns of their heads, as if they had been plunged into an ice cellar.

"Miss, the rings... they're still gone," Liu Qingyue said with difficulty, swallowing hard, her voice nearly trembling.

The items that should have been in the rings were now all spilled out on Ji Qingyi's bed. The rings had vanished.

The shock this brought to the two of them was beyond words.

Because it meant that what happened in the dream was actually connected to reality. The dream wasn't just a simple dream.

The system was killed by Su Cheng.

Su Cheng perished together with the system.

Ji Qingyi and Gu Ruoxue personally shot Su Cheng.

At this moment, the scenes from the dream replayed vividly in both their minds, leaving them unable to calm down for a long time.

Now!

What they wanted to know most was whether Su Cheng was still alive.

Without a word, Ji Qingyi threw off the covers, sweeping the items on the bed to one side. Barefoot, she stepped onto the floor and walked to the door in her nightgown. Liu Qingyue followed. The two pulled open their door and went out to investigate.

Click. The door to the neighboring room also suddenly opened.

This was followed by the sound of fabric rustling through the air.

They looked toward the sound and saw Li Guanqi running out in a panic, her expression telling a clear story. It seemed the expressiveness of her face had fully returned.

Seeing them, Li Guanqi froze for a second, then spoke somewhat incoherently: "Is he... is he in his room?"

"We don't know yet."

Ji Qingyi and Liu Qingyue shook their heads.

Gu Ruoxue also emerged from behind Li Guanqi.

She looked somewhat haggard. She swept her gaze over everyone and said steadily, "Our fates are already intertwined with his. We are destined to be entangled with him indefinitely."

"Minister Gu is right," Liu Qingyue chimed in. "Given his personality and methods, since he chose death, even if he didn't reset the world line, he would certainly erase our memories, making his existence vanish without a trace."

Their words eased Li Guanqi and Ji Qingyi's tension slightly. They also nodded slightly in agreement, but a thread of worry remained in their hearts.

Now, the most important thing was to find Su Cheng.

And his bedroom was where the truth would be revealed.

The four girls nodded in unison, then walked with heavy steps toward the bedroom. Ji Qingyi and Liu Qingyue as one pair, Gu Ruoxue and Li Guanqi as another, they stopped before the door.

They took a deep breath. Liu Qingyue reached out, pressed the door handle, and the three of them pushed the bedroom door open together.

The sight that met their eyes made their hearts sink.

The room was empty. There was no sign of Su Cheng.

Instantly, the suffocating feeling assaulted them again, and they even felt a faint sense of vertigo.

Could it be that Su Cheng had irresponsibly perished together with the system, leaving them behind to linger on in this world?

Just as the four girls were plunged into confusion and despair, the sound of a toilet flushing suddenly came from outside the room.

To them, this sound was like heavenly music.

Almost as a conditioned reflex, they rushed toward the living room with urgent steps.

As a result, the girls witnessed a scene they would never forget for the rest of their lives—

Su Cheng walked out of the bathroom, hiking up his pants as he went, as if he had just finished using the toilet.

He looked up and saw them, explaining with a perfectly calm face, "For breakfast, is noodles okay?"

At that moment, the originally cool living room seemed to fill with scorching air. This wasn't due to the weather, but because four girls were burning with rage.

Tick, tock.

In that moment, only the clock on the wall ticked in the eerie silence, its hands pointing precisely on the hour.

"Or... dumplings?" Su Cheng ventured to ask.

The next second, Liu Qingyue delivered a flying kick that sent Su Cheng flying several meters, only stopping when he crashed against the back of the sofa.

However, this was only temporary.

The girls worked together to tie him up like a zongzi (sticky rice dumpling), tossed him onto the sofa, and then each returned to their rooms to wash up and change.

"I'll behave, please spare me," Su Cheng pleaded, putting on an act of being a good boy for the girls pacing back and forth in the living room.

"We'll deal with you later," Ji Qingyi said coldly before turning and entering the bathroom. Gu Ruoxue, looking weary, took cleaning supplies back to her room, apparently to tidy up the clutter that had spilled from the rings.

"My little Qiqi, my ordinary little Qiqi," Su Cheng called out, wriggling his body, trying to appeal to Li Guanqi's gentle side as she looked for a trash bag. "My power of the third, my hands are tied so tight it hurts, could you loosen them a bit?"

Hearing this, Li Guanqi was visibly moved. Hesitation flashed across her face. Just as she was about to nod, Liu Qingyue suddenly stopped her. Then Liu Qingyue took off one of her knee-high socks and stuffed it into Su Cheng's mouth.

"Senior, isn't that a bit... inappropriate?" Li Guanqi frowned, looking at Liu Qingyue who now wore only one sock.

"It's fine. Consider it his reward."

"What kind of reward is that?"

"With this, he can finally be quiet for a while."

"Alright." Li Guanqi glanced at Su Cheng, whose eyes were wide, conveyed a helpless look, and then went back to her task. After all, there was only one bathroom; everyone had to take turns, so the others found other things to do.

Half an hour later, all four girls had finished washing up and were dressed neatly. Well, not entirely—Liu Qingyue wasn't fully dressed.

Under Su Cheng's intense gaze, she sat down on the sofa wearing only one sock.

A cup of light tea sat steeping on the coffee table.

"What's that in his mouth?" Ji Qingyi asked curiously, glancing at the black cloth in Su Cheng's mouth and then at Liu Qingyue's exposed, fair, and slender foot.

"A sock," Liu Qingyue replied, taking a sip of her tea. "He was being noisy and annoying earlier."

"Mmmph mmmph!"

Su Cheng made protesting noises.

"Shut up."

Ji Qingyi shot him a sidelong glance.

Su Cheng immediately fell silent.

"Those who believe he is guilty, please raise your hands." The cold Chief Judge, Ji Qingyi, issued the command. The other three girls all raised their hands.

However, under Su Cheng's pitiful gaze, Li Guanqi, who had raised her hand to shoulder level, hurriedly pulled it back. This made Ji Qingyi frown with displeasure.

"Even at a time like this, you're still shielding him. I really don't know what to say about you."

"I understand. Please judge him seriously." Li Guanqi lowered her head and muttered softly. She raised her hand again. As long as she didn't look at Su Cheng, his pitiful eyes wouldn't stir her compassion.

"Four votes in favor. Do you have anything to say for yourself?" Ji Qingyi questioned coldly, her voice filled with anger.

Su Cheng nodded, indicating he had nothing to say.

"Good. In that case, how should he be punished?" Ji Qingyi nodded in satisfaction, looking around at everyone.

"Me, me, me!"

Liu Qingyue was the first to raise her hand: "Since he admits to being a scumbag who pretended to be innocent to deceive young girls' feelings, I suggest writing four big 'zhèng' characters on his inner thigh, one from each of us."

"Mmph mmph!"

Su Cheng's face twisted in extreme humiliation.

However, Liu Qingyue's proposal was met with strong opposition from the other three.

"Tch." She pouted unhappily, silently stepped aside, and said no more.

"If we're going to graffiti, wouldn't the face be better?" Gu Ruoxue proposed, putting on a thoughtful expression. "Since he lacks discipline, I suggest having him join my Practice Department. I will personally supervise his education in manners, humility, respect for teachers, and other virtues. With my personal charisma, I can surely reform him into an outstanding individual."

"Are you still dreaming?"

Ji Qingyi retorted coldly, strongly disapproving of Gu Ruoxue's suggestion: "The equestrian archery competition is coming up soon. No matter what, he needs to come to the Archery Club for professional training."

"Put the matter of the overseas competition aside for now."

Gu Ruoxue insisted on her view: "My commission with him isn't finished. I need time to observe and confirm whether the system will have an impact on society. So he must remain within my sight."

The two began to argue again. Li Guanqi, who was beside them, timidly raised her hand to interrupt their conversation.

Her voice was still flat, but carried an undeniable firmness: "I think the most important thing right now is to get the truth from him, as well as understand his current condition and abilities. Other matters can be dealt with gradually."

Gu Ruoxue and Ji Qingyi looked at each other and nodded.

Liu Qingyue stood up and said to Su Cheng: "Answer whatever we ask truthfully. If you dare lie, next time I'll gag you with a toilet rag!"

"Mhm, mhm." Su Cheng nodded repeatedly.

After Liu Qingyue removed the sock, under everyone's gaze, Su Cheng gasped for air and complained: "Really, was it necessary to take your anger out on me like this?"

"Enough nonsense. Where did the system go?"

Liu Qingyue was the first to ask.

Just as Su Cheng was about to answer, footsteps came from outside the door, followed by a series of urgent knocks.

"It should be Cornelia."

Li Guanqi got up to open the door.

Sure enough, as soon as the door opened, a golden figure darted in like lightning. Seeing Su Cheng, she immediately threw herself into his arms, crying and scolding him at the same time, creating a rather pitiful scene.

Liu Qingyue separated the two. Under Ji Qingyi's cold-faced warning and threat, Cornelia obediently sat to the side.

"Back to the main topic. Where's the system?" Liu Qingyue asked.

"Gone." Su Cheng answered.

"Then how are you still alive?"

"I died too."

"Then what's the deal with you sitting here in front of us now?" The girls stared at Su Cheng with unfriendly expressions, as if he would be torn to pieces the next second if he dared lie.

"My consciousness died in the dream. Although I retained the memories from there, I can't explain the specific details clearly." Su Cheng confessed honestly. "To describe it, I also paid a price. That is, my intellect died in that dream, but the person survived."

"According to what you're saying,"

Liu Qingyue frowned in thought, "you lost a part of your intellect, mutually assured destruction with the system?"

"You could understand it that way." Su Cheng nodded. "But if you want me to describe it specifically, my brain can't explain it clearly now. Because everything was too complex, too vast. I don't know how to describe it either."

"So, you've been... intellectually diminished?" Li Guanqi said thoughtfully. "Your original innate ability is gone?"

"Correct." Su Cheng nodded: "The 'Milk Prop' allowed me to arbitrarily construct a realistic dream. In that dream, consciousness could be actively split by me, and could also be quantified. I split both my consciousness and body in half. One half died, the other half survived. The cost was losing the ability."

"Although I don't really understand, I'm so glad you're alive!" Cornelia happily hugged Su Cheng's arm and shook it. "I was terrified when I woke up, so I rushed over from home right away."

"It does sound very complicated." Ji Qingyi raised an eyebrow. "What abilities do you have left now?"

"The system props and system skills are gone."

"What remains then?"

"Because this world inherently possesses special innate abilities, my innate ability is still here." Su Cheng looked around at everyone. "And the Third Power, Fourth Power, Fifth Power, Sixth Power are all still here too. Everyone's happy, our story can have a perfect ending!"

"Enough with the glib talk!" Liu Qingyue waved her hand impatiently. "You, who used us as chess pieces, now talk about a perfect finale?"

"What power am I?" Cornelia noticed that Su Cheng's references to Third, Fourth, etc. seemed to point to the girls present. She curiously pointed at herself, blinking her bright eyes. "Which number am I?"

"You are... the Two Point Five Power." Su Cheng hesitated for a moment before saying carefully.

"Wow!" Cornelia exclaimed in amazement, excitedly clenching her small fists. "So it's Two Point Five! A step further than Li Guanqi, fantastic, hahaha!"

Just as the atmosphere was beginning to ease, the door was knocked on again. Everyone frowned, looking towards the entrance.

"It should be Zhao Yan and Xuan Ying."

Li Guanqi stood up and explained.

"What are they doing here?" Ji Qingyi asked unhappily.

"Young Lady, have you forgotten?" Liu Qingyue reminded her. "Xuan Ying's birthday."

"Ah, I remember now." Ji Qingyi suddenly realized.

"They probably want to take Su Cheng to get a formal suit tailored."

After Li Guanqi said this, she went to open the door.

Hearing this, the several girls present all looked at Su Cheng, who was still tied up, realizing he didn't have proper formal attire.

At this moment, everyone reached a consensus: they would take Su Cheng to have a suit tailored later, then go to the evening banquet, treating it as a welcome-back celebration.

"Hurry up and untie me, save me some face!" Su Cheng struggled, signaling for everyone to let him go.

Liu Qingyue helped him undo the ropes.

As soon as the knot came loose, Su Cheng eagerly stood up and stretched his limbs. Before leaving, he tossed out a sentence: "Please help me entertain the guests for now, I'm going to change clothes." With that, he dashed into the bedroom.

"Li Guanqi, why are you at Su Cheng's place so early in the morning?" Xuan Ying's displeased question came from the doorway.

"Guanqi, you came without even letting us know," Zhao Yan said with a hint of reproach.

When the two girls followed Li Guanqi inside and saw the stunning beauties seated on the living room sofa, especially Gu Ruoxue and Ji Qingyi, they froze on the spot, falling into a state of infinite stupor.

Seizing the moment of stalemate between the two sides, Li Guanqi quietly slipped into an unobservable state and entered someone's bedroom.

“Who am I... Where am I?” Similar questions surfaced simultaneously in the two girls' minds, their hearts stirred up like a raging tide, looking as if they'd seen a ghost.

The presence of Cornelia, Li Guanqi, and Liu Qingyue was somewhat understandable, but why were Gu Ruoxue and Ji Qingyi here?

In the end, it was Zhao Yan who reacted first. She politely gave a slight nod to everyone: "Good day, everyone. We're here to see our classmate, Su Cheng. May I ask..."

"What do you want with him?"

Liu Qingyue spoke up first and interrupted her.

"Well..."

"We..."

"We're here to invite him to a birthday party."

"Yes, but considering he might not have suitable formal wear, we wanted to help him pick and prepare an outfit as classmates and friends."

Their tones were somewhat strained, but they tried to force a smile, trying to steer the conversation back to themselves: "After all, we're all classmates. We're just not sure, seniors, you..."

"There's no need for the two of you to trouble yourselves with this matter." Li Guanqi emerged from Su Cheng's bedroom in his usual barely-there manner. Seeing this, Ji Qingyi, Gu Ruoxue, and the others instantly darkened their expressions, revealing looks of annoyance and displeasure.

Because—

Li Guanqi was holding a suit in his hands, a serene and warm smile on his face, as gentle as a spring breeze, seemingly announcing to everyone:

"Because, I prepared this for him a long time ago!"