Extra Story: Su Cheng Wants to Become the Student Council President

"What a fine gentleman, but that's about it."

Su Cheng stood before the mirror in his well-tailored suit, striking various poses. His every move was elegant and gentlemanly, his brows radiating a heroic spirit.

This suit was a birthday gift from Li Guanqi.

Looking at it now, Li Guanqi's foresight was indeed remarkable, truly far-sighted and prudent.

Just as Su Cheng was immersed in admiring his own dashing appearance, the door was unlocked with a key.

"Huh, is someone here?" Su Cheng was a bit puzzled. Everyone had gone home that morning to prepare for the evening banquet, so logically, no one should be coming over now.

After all, everyone was quite busy.

"Could it be Cornelia?" With this doubt in mind, Su Cheng left the bathroom and went to the living room.

Then, he saw—

Li Guanqi, of course!

She wore a long black dress, a black beret on her head, paired with black stockings, revealing only her calves and ankles.

Her exquisite features, lovely figure, and that dignified yet serene aura gave her a unique charm all over, like a tranquil black lotus.

"Why are you here? Weren't you supposed to..." Su Cheng began to ask, but Li Guanqi stepped forward directly and undid his tie, her tone earnest and serious. "You tied your tie wrong."

"I knew you wouldn't know how, so I kept it in mind," Li Guanqi explained while adjusting his tie for him. "For attending someone else's birthday banquet this time, you should use a Double Cross Knot for your tie."

"Didn't realize it was so particular," Su Cheng teased. "Don't tell me you came specifically for this?"

"Not entirely. You lack too much knowledge, so I was a bit worried," Li Guanqi replied. "For example, do you know how to dance ballroom dance? Have you prepared a gift? Have you thought about what to say for social niceties at tonight's banquet?"

Faced with this barrage of questions, he shook his head helplessly.

He had never attended such a formal banquet before.

"So, I came."

A faint smile hung on Li Guanqi's face, as if that was precisely why she had come, always concerned about a certain someone named Cheng.

At that moment, Su Cheng placed his hands on her shoulders, forcibly turned her around, and gazed at her face.

"Wh-what... is there a problem?" Li Guanqi's face showed a hint of fluster, mixed with a dazed and bewildered look.

"Do you remember when we went to buy tea together before?" Su Cheng asked in a serious tone.

"I remember."

Li Guanqi nodded obediently. "What about it?"

"Good that you remember!"

Su Cheng nodded gravely, then released her, turned, and walked to sit on the sofa, seemingly steeling himself for something.

Although puzzled, Li Guanqi followed his lead and sat down beside him. She picked up the kettle, poured him a cup of hot water, placed it on the table in front of him, and waited for him to speak.

Su Cheng suddenly let out a sigh and began slowly, "It's about that fortune teller we ran into on the roadside when we were buying cheap tea back then, remember?"

Li Guanqi gave a slight nod, then looked at him questioningly.

"She said you have 'wo can' when you smile, meaning you have the fate of an empress," Su Cheng put down his water cup, turned to look at her, his tone grave and serious. "And just now when you smiled, those oval-shaped 'wo can' were very obvious, and it looked like your eyes were smiling too!"

Upon hearing this, Li Guanqi immediately composed her expression, putting on an indifferent look. While pouring herself a cup of water, she refuted in a light, airy tone, "I never thought you'd take the nonsense of a roadside charlatan to heart. There are no emperors or empresses anymore these days. Don't be superstitious."

Just as Li Guanqi finished her mild rebuttal and was about to take a sip of water, a deep and earnest voice suddenly reached her ears from Su Cheng: "Don't forget, I am the 'Emperor of Heavenly Mandate, Vast Fortune, Literary Sage, Martial Wisdom, Courageous, Benevolent, Thrifty, Diligent, Filial, Chosen by Heaven'!"

"Cough..."

Li Guanqi, who had just taken a sip of water, nearly choked to death. She coughed violently and, after finally catching her breath, covered her mouth with one hand while looking at Su Cheng beside her in astonishment.

Meanwhile, Su Cheng interlocked his fingers under his chin, his expression still serious, enunciating each word clearly and forcefully: "I have even received incense offerings (referring to the Hoshino siblings) and been praised and revered by the common people. Tell me, do I count as an emperor?"

"Cough... cough..."

Li Guanqi choked a few more times. She took out a handkerchief to wipe the water from the corner of her mouth, unsure whether to cry or laugh. In the end, she couldn't help but retort, "Weren't you a prince?"

"What prince has such a long posthumous title?"

Su Cheng explained with a straight face.

"Now you care about accuracy?" Li Guanqi shot him a glance, picked up her cup again to take a drink, but nearly choked once more because Su Cheng spoke up again.

"You won't even call me 'Your Majesty'."

Su Cheng frowned, a hint of grievance in his tone, as if his authority was being challenged.

"It's too embarrassing."

Li Guanqi picked up her cup again to drink. "Could you try to understand the feelings of us normal people a little?"

"Listen, as the female lead, if you want to become the number one heroine, in short, you have to do things others wouldn't do."

Su Cheng analyzed with a serious face. "Look, if it were them, the moment they heard me say this, they'd probably start lecturing me on proper thinking right away, and might even try to physically correct my bizarre behavior."

"Is it because you see me as the easiest to bully, so you only indulge in this obsessive role-play with me to satisfy your strange fetish?" Li Guanqi mercilessly exposed Su Cheng's bizarre logic.

"Who told you to dote on me the most and be the most accommodating?"

Su Cheng said matter-of-factly, not feeling the least bit embarrassed.

"You dare say that."

Li Guanqi glared at him and couldn't help but reach up to pinch his ear. "If they found out I'm playing along with your embarrassing games, it might become a lifelong black mark!"

"Ouch." Su Cheng reached out and grasped her small hand. "Are you planning a rebellion? How dare you pinch your emperor's ear?"

"Stop saying such nonsense!"

"The fortune teller said it, not me!"

"You're shifting the blame!"

"I'm not shifting... oh right, disrobe! I command you to disrobe me!"

"..."

The two of them tussled in the living room, the sound of their laughter and banter filling the space. Su Cheng started tickling her, forcing her to surrender and demanding she address him as 'Your Majesty'.

Faced with such unreasonable, willful demands,

Li Guanqi she—

"Y-Your Majesty~" Li Guanqi, pinned on the sofa, turned her head away and uttered the words in a soft, shame-filled voice. It was tender, delicate, very much like a coquettish whimper.

"Haha... haha... finally got to live out my emperor fantasy."

Su Cheng held his stomach laughing, straightened up from the sofa, bent down to help her up. "Empress, please rise quickly."

Li Guanqi's face was slightly flushed. She gave his chest a light punch with her small fist, then sat down in a spot far away from him as if sulking, turning her back to him and refusing to engage further.

"Don't be angry, I admit I was wrong, okay?" Seeing this, Su Cheng immediately stepped forward to coax her. "I won't play around like this anymore, alright? Just let me be willful this one time?"

"No." Li Guanqi sat up again and moved to sit on the adjacent sofa.

"Come on, think about it." Su Cheng stood behind her, reaching out to massage her shoulders with just the right pressure, patiently explaining. "It's like in a story, if there aren't any... beneficial developments between the male and female leads, how can their story be interesting? So, my being affectionate like that was to add fun to the story, to build a foundation for mutual feelings..."

"I'm so sorry for lacking such 'benefits' and fun." Li Guanqi reached out a hand, stopping both his actions and his words. She turned to face him, saying coldly, "I think you're being utterly baffling right now. There's clearly so much to be busy with, I'm getting anxious on your behalf, and yet here you are, not taking it seriously at all. You even have the leisure to play these embarrassing games with me!"

"......" Su Cheng shrugged his shoulders and sat back in his original spot, leaning lazily against the sofa. "Nothing is more important than companionship."

"Xuan Ying's birthday, Si Jing's chess game, Ling Ning's condition, the equestrian and archery competition... all these matters are lined up waiting for you to resolve them... If you're not worried, I am!" Li Guanqi said all this in one breath, then slumped onto the sofa as if she had used up all her energy, closing her eyes with a weary expression.

"Then let's start with today's birthday." Su Cheng fell silent for a moment before speaking up, interrupting her rest. "I don't plan to be passive. I'll take the initiative."

"Oh...? Initiative?!"

"Just take a dance partner." Hearing Su Cheng's words, Li Guanqi opened her eyes to look at him, her beautiful eyes wandering with meaningful implication. "Is that so?"

"And regarding the gift...?"

"I've prepared it for you. I heard Xuan Ying really likes Cornelia figurines, so I pre-ordered a batch from Sister Xue. You sign each one, then give them to her."

"As expected of my third-in-command, thoughtful in every way, truly my considerate little confidante!"

"Enough sweet talk. Who do you plan to ask as your dance partner?"

"Well, of course it's—"

Just as Su Cheng was about to answer, an ill-timed knock at the door interrupted him.

Li Guanqi frowned towards the door.

"Let me check first."

Su Cheng gestured for her to stay calm, then went to open the door and check. Peeking through the peephole, he saw Liu Qingyue standing outside.

He then mouthed to Li Guanqi.

『It's Liu Qingyue!』

Li Guanqi frowned, immediately stood up, and responded with sign language: "Help me hide my shoes. I'll hide in your bedroom, otherwise she'll gossip about me again!"

Su Cheng gave an 'ok' gesture, bent down to hide Li Guanqi's 'black loafers' in the shoe cabinet. After making sure Li Guanqi had entered the bedroom, he slowly opened the door.

The result—

Liu Qingyue was leaning against the wall with her arms crossed, looking at him with a dissatisfied expression, seemingly annoyed by his delay.

"Hiding a beauty in a golden chamber?" Liu Qingyue looked Su Cheng up and down in his formal attire and snorted coldly.

Her outfit was very simple: a long-sleeved sweatshirt on top, a skirt with black over-the-knee socks below. The only thing he wasn't sure about was whether they were the same pair he had for breakfast that morning.

"Not at all, I was just changing clothes." Su Cheng shrugged and stepped aside. "Come in first."

However, Liu Qingyue suddenly raised her hand, grabbed his tie, and pulled him closer to herself. She rubbed her petite nose against his neck, sniffed, then narrowed her eyes and asked, "Why do I smell Li Guanqi on you?"

"When you give someone roses, their fragrance lingers on your hands. It's normal." Su Cheng smiled calmly. The distance between them was very close, their breaths mingling.

The suit was a gift from Li Guanqi, so it carries her scent. Perfectly reasonable.

"Is that so?" Liu Qingyue was unconvinced, continuing to stare intently at him as if she could see right through him, deep in thought. "Why do I get the feeling someone is sneaking ahead again, trying to overtake on a curve?"

"You're being too sensitive."

"I'm good at noticing the small details. Afraid I'll sniff out that sweet scent between you two?"

Liu Qingyue gave him a cold glance, pulling his tie towards herself again. "Such disloyal behavior towards the young lady deserves punishment."

"Then, please tell me, how exactly should I be punished?" Su Cheng smiled with a curled lip, raising an eyebrow flirtatiously. "Or should I do the same to you?"

"Hmm...?" Liu Qingyue blinked. "You have the guts?"

But before her words even finished, she felt an arm wrap around her waist, pulling her forward. She crashed right into his embrace. Their close, clinging posture was incredibly ambiguous.

"Now, I have your scent on me too."

Su Cheng gently blew on her earlobe, murmuring, "Do you want to take a bet?"

"Hmph, if you're really that bold, try it in front of others?" Liu Qingyue puffed out her cheeks unhappily, pushing him away with annoyance before walking into the living room. "You only act tough when no one's around, no real guts."

She dismissed the idea that Li Guanqi might be at his place. After all, if Li Guanqi were here, even Su Cheng wouldn't dare do something like this.

"Still better than you stuffing your socks in my mouth." Su Cheng closed the door and followed her, teasing as he walked. "Next time you provoke me, I'll just give you a taste of your own medicine. It's not like I'm the one at a disadvantage."

"What? That was clearly you taking advantage, and you're not even thanking me?" Liu Qingyue still wasn't wearing slippers; her black silk-clad feet tapped on the floor. She turned her head to glare at Su Cheng.

"I don't consider it taking advantage." Su Cheng shook his head dismissively, casually pouring a glass of water and handing it to her. "Speaking of which, I don't actually know how to dance ballroom. That move earlier was just something I learned from online tutorials."

"Heh heh heh."

Liu Qingyue sat on the sofa, crossing her legs, holding the water glass in one hand and propping her chin with the other, looking askance at Su Cheng with a series of cold laughs. "What kind of dance requires bodies to be pressed together like that?"

"As I said from the start, I don't know how to dance ballroom." Su Cheng sat down opposite her, explaining seriously. "Occasional mistakes happen; some physical contact is unavoidable."

"Ridiculous, you almost made me laugh." Liu Qingyue unhesitatingly picked up the used glass from the table, took a small sip, stroked the cup, and said slowly, "It seems you're already prepared to dance with someone tonight?"

"No preparation, but I can't afford not to know how."

Su Cheng spread his hands, answering honestly, then added, "Besides, Senior, you surely didn't come just to sniff for scents. You probably have something you want to help me with, right?"

"Tsk, pretty clever."

Liu Qingyue set down her water glass, leaned back on the sofa, and lazily propped her chin in her hand. "Xuan Ying and Zhao Yan have called in reinforcements. That would be someone named Ye Ruiqin."

"Senior, is this just to remind me?" Su Cheng nodded to show she understood, then shifted to a more comfortable sitting position. "If it's just a reminder, I don't mind hearing your advice a few more times. Of course, if you have a way to solve this problem, I'm all ears."

"The young mistress definitely doesn't want you dancing with someone else. No, it's not just the young mistress; I'd say none of us want that." Liu Qingyue stretched and then said languidly, "So, the young mistress asked me to relay a message. She hopes you will attend the ball with her as mutual dance partners."

"Oh." Su Cheng responded indifferently. "Tell the president not to worry. I have my own clever plan to handle it."

"The young mistress also has another message. If you don't agree, she will bring another male companion to the ball tonight." A smile appeared on Liu Qingyue's face as she looked at Su Cheng with great interest. "It's her childhood sweetheart, you know."

"Is this childhood sweetheart you, by any chance?" However, Su Cheng seemed completely unaffected, as if she had seen through Liu Qingyue's thoughts, and said calmly, "Senior, don't play such low-level mind games. No matter what tricks you pull, the outcome will be the same—I won't go dance like that."

"Tch, how boring." Liu Qingyue showed a look of disinterest, then picked up her water glass again and took a gulp. "Well then, I'll teach you ballroom dance. Save yourself from embarrassing yourself later."

"Then I'll trouble you for your guidance, senior."

"Mhm, let's see if we have good chemistry."

Just as the two stood up, ready to demonstrate the essence of ballroom dance in the living room, the door was knocked on again.

For the second time, Su Cheng made a gesture indicating she would go check first. Liu Qingyue nodded somewhat displeasedly, showing she understood.

Su Cheng walked to the entryway and looked through the peephole to find Cornelia.

"It's Cornelia," Su Cheng said, turning around. Liu Qingyue looked pained, rubbed her temple, and sighed, "That dummy always ruins things whenever she comes. What a hassle."

Su Cheng narrowed her eyes slightly, lost in thought.

Then she opened the door.

Liu Qingyue remained seated on the sofa, unmoved.

"My mom sent me to find you."

Cornelia straightened her back, puffed out her still non-existent chest, tossed her dazzling golden ponytail, and did her utmost to project the imposing air of a mistress returning home.

She was wearing an evening gown. The lavish attire, combined with her radiant golden hair, made her appear exceptionally noble. Her purpose in coming dressed like this was already obvious.

"What instructions does your mother have?"

Su Cheng asked curiously.

Sure enough—

"My mom hopes you can take me to the banquet." As she spoke, Cornelia took out a gilded postcard from a pocket in her skirt and handed it to Su Cheng. "My mom asked me to give this to you."

"Oh." Su Cheng took it and saw it essentially asked her to look after Cornelia during the banquet, as Cornelia was quite willful and needed extra supervision to avoid any trouble.

While Su Cheng was reading the note, Cornelia had already taken out her little shoes and was tiptoeing into the room on her white-stockinged, ice-cream-like feet. "Also, my mom wants you to teach me ballroom dance!"

Pat-a-pat, pat-a-pat. Cornelia's light footsteps came to an abrupt halt. She opened her eyes wide, looking at Liu Qingyue on the sofa, and asked in surprise, "You bad woman, what are you doing here?!"

"No respect! Call me Sister Liu!"

"You have the nerve to say that, tricking me for so long!"

Cornelia instantly bristled, flailing her arms and pouncing, but Liu Qingyue easily blocked her and started to taunt, "Who can you blame but yourself for being stupid."

"I'm so mad, so mad!" Cornelia was left speechless, finally just glaring at Liu Qingyue, fuming.

Cornelia had already figured out the truth of the matter in her dreams. Since Ji Qingyi and everyone else were present before, she hadn't made a scene. Now that it was just the two of them, she immediately exploded!

"I don't know how to dance ballroom dance," Su Cheng walked over, placing herself between Liu Qingyue and Cornelia, and said calmly, "You're wearing that outfit for the banquet tonight. Don't get it wrinkled, or it'll look terrible when you go."

"Hmph." Cornelia's face was full of displeasure, and she made a disgruntled sound. "Why isn't this servant girl off serving her own master? What's she doing here?!"

"I don't know how to dance, so I asked her to teach me."

"What, have her teach you?" After saying this, Cornelia vaguely sensed an opportunity but couldn't quite figure out where it was. Her eyes then took on a look of scheming shrewdness that was, however, not fully realized.

"Wait for me a moment!" When in doubt, eight walnuts. She immediately strode towards the refrigerator, took out a can of 'Eight Walnuts,' slapped the fridge door shut, then opened the can and gulped it down.

"Growing brains again?" Liu Qingyue chuckled.

"Ah, you know this meme too?"

Su Cheng was somewhat surprised.

A few minutes later—

"You!" Cornelia, having finished drinking, now had a gleam of intelligence in her eyes. She pointed at Liu Qingyue. "If you're willing to teach both of us to dance from the side, I can forgive you!"

Sure enough, she got smarter, but not by much.

"Why should I?" Liu Qingyue didn't buy it at all, even deliberately provoking her, sipping her water slowly. "Save your little schemes. Don't think I don't know what you're plotting."

"Sister Liu, please~" One plan failing, Cornelia hatched another. She affectionately moved closer to Liu Qingyue, hugged Su Cheng's arm as if acting cute, and pleaded with a soft voice, "Didn't you promise me before that you would help me and Su Cheng? Now's the chance... Please, Sister Liu, I really need your help."

"No." However, Liu Qingyue was immune to both soft and hard tactics, her reason for refusal simple and brutal: "Because you're dumb. You'll never learn. Teaching you would just be a waste of everyone's time!"

"Says who! How would you know if you don't try!"

"Says me."

Hearing this, and seeing the other's firm attitude, Cornelia sat down beside her somewhat unhappily. Since her combination of soft and hard approaches hadn't worked, she grew a bit frantic. She stretched out her little white-stockinged foot and kicked Liu Qingyue's leg, muttering under her breath, "You only know how to bully me, you toxic supporting character!"

However, Liu Qingyue didn't indulge her either. She immediately stretched out her own black-stockinged foot and kicked Cornelia's knee. It's worth mentioning she held back her strength, or Cornelia would have surely ended up with a fracture.

And so, the First Ice Cream Battle, began!

A dessert war of white chocolate versus dark chocolate.

Their legs kicked at each other under the coffee table. Su Cheng also enjoyed herself, appreciating this hard-won... delicacy.

The battle concluded with the sound of knocking at the door.

For the third time, Su Cheng signaled for the two to be quiet, then went to check the door again. This time, she immediately turned back with a grave expression, mouthing to the living room, "It's President Ji!"

The two immediately scrambled up from the couch, both seeming a little flustered. Liu Qingyue, in particular, was gesturing at him, saying, "Hide the shoes. I'm going to hide in your bedroom."

Cornelia followed her footsteps towards Su Cheng's bedroom. The two moved quickly, slipping into the bedroom just as the door was closing. Cornelia leaned against the now-closed door, catching her breath.

Then, they saw a figure sitting on the bed.

The two were stunned.

"Well, well, Junior Li, what a coincidence."

"How come you're here too?"

"Care to come listen to the commotion outside with us?"

"I was just thinking the same."

Just as the three in the bedroom pressed their ears to the door—

Outside,

Ji Qingyi stood elegantly and dignifiedly at the doorway in a simple, elegant dress, her gaze sweeping over Su Cheng in his formal wear, her face still carrying that same unreadable, placid expression.

"President, please come in."

Su Cheng hid their shoes, then prepared slippers for Ji Qingyi to step into before retreating to the side.

"Mmm." Ji Qingyi stepped inside with an ethereal grace, as if untouched by worldly cares, like an orchid from a secluded valley gently descending to the mortal world.

After sitting on the sofa, she took a bottle of drink from her bag and handed it to him, her tone light and casual, as if making small talk: "I bought this tea for you from the vending machine downstairs."

It was less like tea and more like some kind of awful herbal drink.

"Thank you, President. You really shouldn't have gone to the trouble and expense." Su Cheng smiled as he took it, but his heart skipped a beat, as it was clear she was here to demand answers.

Because— 'White Tea, come out~'

"What, not to your taste?" Seeing him hesitate to open it, Ji Qingyi stood up, took the drink back, and with a somewhat forceful motion, popped it open with a snap before handing it back to him: "It dispels melancholy, regulates qi, clears the heart, and brightens the eyes."

"Thank you, President!"

Even though he had his suspicions, Su Cheng still put on an act of gratitude, took the drink, and gulped down a couple of mouthfuls. Instantly, his face twisted into a mask of agony, his brows furrowing: "It's awful!"

"Hmph."

Ji Qingyi indifferently averted her gaze and sat down again, her tone scrutinizing yet nonchalant: "I am currently rather displeased. What do you suggest we do about that?"

"I accept my punishment. Please go ahead and discipline me, President." Having said that, Su Cheng closed his eyes, awaiting his punishment.

"Oh?"

Ji Qingyi showed a hint of surprise, then shook her head slightly. Her tone, however, became relaxed and lazy. She reached out a jade-like hand, grasped Su Cheng's chin, and tilted his head from side to side: "Now, how should I punish you?"

She suddenly leaned in close to Su Cheng, their noses almost touching. Their breaths mingled as she whispered softly, "I'd like to hear your suggestion."

"I think..." Su Cheng opened his eyes, looking at Ji Qingyi who was so close he could feel the warmth of her breath. He couldn't help but propose, "How about like last time?"

"Humph, wishful thinking."

Ji Qingyi pinched his chin, her lips close to his ear as she breathed out, "What did you promise last time? Do you remember?"

"Ahem, that..."

Su Cheng coughed dryly twice, his expression rather awkward. Having eight or something... she couldn't possibly afford that, could she? The cafeteria was only so big, and they couldn't hire wet nurses for all eight kids, right?

"So, in your opinion, what should we do?"

Su Cheng asked.

"Simple."

Hearing this, Ji Qingyi's fingers slowly moved to Su Cheng's chest, stroking it lightly, her tone ambiguous: "Sever all those complicated, entangled relationships. I will cooperate with you to fulfill our agreement."

Just as her words fell, the doorbell rang, accompanied by a knocking sound, causing her delicate brows to furrow.

"President, I'll go see." Su Cheng stood up, straightened his disheveled suit, and gestured for the third time that he was going to answer the door.

Ji Qingyi sat elegantly to the side, not uttering a word.

Su Cheng left the living room and went to the door. Peering through the peephole, he then mouthed to his president: "President, it's Gu Ruoxue."

Ji Qingyi pondered for a moment, then stood up: "I'd like to see what she's here for and what she has to say."

After saying that, she walked towards the bedroom, instructing, "Don't give me away."

Su Cheng acknowledged, hid the bento box the president had brought once again, and then opened the door, looking outside.

—Gu Ruoxue.

She was wearing casual loungewear, her jet-black, lustrous hair cascading loosely. She gently combed it with her fingers, tucking it behind her ear, then raised her eyes, which held a hint of a teasing smile, to stare at Su Cheng. She said softly, "You seem rather surprised by my visit?"

"A little. Please come in, Minister." Su Cheng held out slippers for her to change into, speaking cordially.

"Mmm." Gu Ruoxue responded softly, bent down to change into the slippers, and noticed the absence of other slippers in the shoe rack. Turning, she asked, "Is there someone else here?"

"No." Su Cheng smiled slightly, stepping aside. "Please come in, Minister."

"Why are there fewer slippers?"

"I replace them periodically."

"Then why hasn't mine been replaced?"

"You've only worn them two or three times."

"Given your effort in finding an excuse, I'll let it slide." Gu Ruoxue walked into the living room and sat on the sofa. Her gaze swept around the room once before finally settling on the bedroom. She frowned slightly, "Was there a sound from the bedroom?"

"You must have misheard."

Su Cheng explained, then poured her a cup of tea, placing it on the table. "Minister, is there something you need?"

"Never mind, business first."

Gu Ruoxue took out her phone from her pocket and began to read in a cool, slightly husky voice: "I am here for a follow-up check. Regarding the system issues, I need more detailed, comprehensive, and precise answers."

Hearing this, Su Cheng raised an eyebrow, then lowered his gaze, thinking for a moment before saying, "You can ask me directly."

Gu Ruoxue nodded, opened a transcription app, and began her questions. Su Cheng sat opposite her, answering patiently.

Time passed minute by minute. After browsing through the transcribed text, Gu Ruoxue looked up at Su Cheng: "So, what are your plans moving forward?"

"There is actually something giving me a bit of a headache at the moment." Su Cheng imitated her by rubbing his temples and sighed helplessly.

Gu Ruoxue inquired, "What is it?"

"Well..." Su Cheng deliberated for a moment, deciding to tell the truth: "I don't know how to dance ballroom dance. And with only a few hours, it's impossible for me to learn. I'm bound to make a fool of myself. It's fine if I'm the one embarrassed, since I'm a member of your club."

"Hmm..." Upon hearing this, Gu Ruoxue fell into brief silence. After a moment's thought, she said slowly, "You've been quite cooperative today. As a reward, I can try to teach you."

"Really?"

Su Cheng was overjoyed: "Thank you, Minister."

"No need to thank me." Gu Ruoxue lowered her head to check a small notebook, and seeing it was fine, tucked it into a small pocket. "There's no time to waste. We can practice now."

Su Cheng nodded and followed Gu Ruoxue to an open space in the living room. Her posture was very standard, beautiful, and elegant, looking quite charming. But for some reason, it felt like something was missing. For instance, the atmosphere... there was no music.

And the four people in the bedroom could appear at any moment.

Gu Ruoxue glanced at Su Cheng and said indifferently, "You're too stiff. Relax your limbs."

"Oh, okay." Su Cheng complied.

The two of them coordinated closely, their proximity so intimate they could even smell each other's scent. Suddenly, Gu Ruoxue's steps faltered slightly as she realized Su Cheng's nose was almost touching hers, their faces so close that the slightest nod from either would bring their lips together.

"What's wrong, Minister?" Su Cheng asked, puzzled.

"Nothing." Gu Ruoxue immediately reined in her thoughts and continued instructing, "Right, lift your chin a bit higher, don't look down, and relax your shoulders."

"Oh." Su Cheng followed her directions, then, following the steps, spun her around, his hand on her slender waist.

It had been a long time since they were this close.

"Minister, how do you know how to do this?"

"Watched someone do it once. It's not difficult."

"You and the club president are really alike, so naturally gifted," Su Cheng teased. "But even if you learn it, you'll only be half-skilled and still make a fool of yourself tonight."

"I usually don't have time to stay long at these kinds of banquets," Gu Ruoxue replied, her demeanor still cool and detached. "However, since you asked for my help, I'll stay a bit longer to see you through this event."

"Thank you, Minister!" Su Cheng quickly expressed his gratitude. "Will you be my dance partner?"

"If necessary." Maintaining their intimate posture, they danced gracefully around the living room furnishings.

"Xiao Xue?"

Suddenly, Su Cheng called out softly.

"What is it?"

"People might think you're my girlfriend like this."

Su Cheng whispered, "After all, dance partners and such..."

Gu Ruoxue stopped moving, narrowed her eyes, suddenly leaned in to sniff his clothes, then instantly pulled back.

"You have quite a few little thoughts, don't you? If you can make a clear commitment and distance yourself from others, I'll seriously consider that proposal."

After saying this, she took out her phone.

"Just kidding, just kidding. It's already great that you're willing to help me today."

Sensing the danger, Su Cheng quickly tried to laugh it off, but he was a step too late.

The bedroom door suddenly swung open, revealing four girls, each with a gloomy expression and eyes radiating intense 'kindness'. At the same time, Gu Ruoxue immediately turned her back to them to hide her state.

"This is too much, you scumbag Cheng!!"

"Committing crimes right in front of us, Cheng!"

"Your methods lack elegance. Please endure this properly."

Liu Qingyue launched another flying kick at Su Cheng. However, Su Cheng seemed prepared, neither dodging nor flinching, and was sent flying straight onto the sofa with a pained grunt.

"You used to at least hide your scummy behavior, but now you're being so blatant about it. You're really regressing, Su Cheng!"

"Don't you think you've gone too far?"

"Even doing intimate things with everyone in turn right in front of me this time, it's absolutely despicable!"

"You're truly a scumbag!!"

They took turns berating Su Cheng, their gazes looking down on him as if he were trash, criticizing him without mercy.

Su Cheng clutched his chest, coughed twice, then struggled to get up from the floor. He didn't refute, explain, or even argue, but silently endured.

Because he knew there was something he had to say.

"You are all my feathers!"

He announced loudly.

"Aren't they supposed to be wings?"

"You dummy, there's only one pair of wings..."

But before Su Cheng could finish explaining, Liu Qingyue's attack came again: "Su Cheng, you really have no shame!"

"Stop hitting him! Su Cheng must have his reasons for doing this!" Cornelia finally couldn't bear to watch any longer and stopped the enraged Liu Qingyue.

"Fine. Give us a reason to explain." Liu Qingyue glared at Su Cheng angrily and said, fuming, "Speak. Why did you do such an antisocial thing?"

The girls all looked at Su Cheng, their expressions varied.

"I..."

"You what?!"

"Speak!"

"Because I am a scumbag." Su Cheng declared, not ashamed but rather proud, articulating his inner thoughts word by word. "I like you all. I cannot abandon any one of you!"

Crack. Ji Qingyi's veins bulged, while Gu Ruoxue behind him clenched her fists so tightly her knuckles turned white, as if the joints might shatter.

"Heh, you're just trying to provoke us on purpose, right?" Liu Qingyue sneered, then delivered a sharp hook punch to Su Cheng's abdomen. "Your intention is obvious. You want to provoke us like this. Tell us, what's your real goal?"

Su Cheng didn't speak, only silently endured.

Li Guanqi took a deep breath, suppressing the turbulent emotions within her, and guessed, "Could it be... your system updated again? Requiring you to complete some strange task?"

"No." Su Cheng shook his head. "I just wanted to blurt out what's in my heart all at once."

"Didn't you think about the consequences?"

"You're as willful as ever, Su Cheng."

"As long as everyone knows my true feelings, that's enough. My next goal is to focus on my studies and become the student council president first." Su Cheng announced his plan. "I just hope that after knowing my heart, everyone can make a choice. Any choice is fine. I just hope those who choose to stay can assist me in becoming the student council president!"