Extra: Once Again, the Spark That Ignites the War

"The karma he sowed, I am the one who reaps the consequence."

Ling Ning looked up at the sky, watching the clouds drift slowly by, her tone tinged with a hint of loneliness and helplessness.

Through her conversation with Su Cheng, she vaguely understood that he was currently in a twisted and contradictory state.

This made her uneasy.

Su Cheng was not as flawless as she had imagined. Logically, this realization should have shattered her illusions, yet she...

Ling Ning tightened her grip on the glass in her hand, feeling its cool surface. Her heart was like this cup of "Wish-Fulfilling Orange," both sweet and tart, a fierce clash of contradictions within.

Her hand trembled as she raised the glass and took a small sip. A cool breeze blew, instantly chilling the hand holding the glass.

Her resolve began to waver.

Should she continue, or should she give up?

Just as she was lost in hesitation and doubt, several footsteps sounded from behind. Turning, she saw three women of differing personalities standing there.

She recognized two of them: Xuan Ying and Zhao Yan from the class-based activity earlier, Su Cheng's classmates. The other was slightly older, with lovely features, seeming more like an elder sister to them.

Could they be... love rivals?

Ling Ning gathered her thoughts, set down the glass, and offered a polite smile. "Is there something I can help you with?"

"Senior," Zhao Yan and Xuan Ying spoke in unison. Xuan Ying even warmly linked arms with Ling Ning, saying in a sweet, coquettish tone, "We wanted to ask you something."

Faced with Xuan Ying's familiar demeanor, Ling Ning didn't push her away.

She glanced at the other two and noticed they didn't seem overly curious; instead, it was Xuan Ying who wore a pleading expression.

So she nodded. "Just say it. I am, after all, here at your invitation. Please, speak freely."

"It's like this," Xuan Ying released Ling Ning's arm, trying to appear more composed and graceful, and said apologetically, "We were eavesdropping from the balcony above you just now..."

"I see," Ling Ning wasn't surprised. Given how timely their appearance was, it wasn't strange they had listened in.

"Yes, we heard everything," Xuan Ying added.

Zhao Yan quickly chimed in, apologetically saying, "We're very sorry, senior. Please forgive our presumption."

"If you heard everything, then why come ask me?" A blush spread across Ling Ning's cheeks. Having her confession overheard by others was truly embarrassing. She opened her folding fan and gently fanned herself, trying to hide her awkwardness.

"They clearly know what's going on, but they won't tell me, insisting I come ask you instead."

Xuan Ying immediately accused Zhao Yan and Sister Qin of their "crime," then started pulling on Ling Ning's arm again, whining, "Senior~ What exactly did you mean by what you were talking about earlier?"

Hearing this, Ling Ning glanced at the other two in surprise. It seemed the ones who truly had questions weren't Xuan Ying, but them, using Xuan Ying as a front.

"Well then, what parts don't you understand?" Ling Ning asked with interest.

"This... that..."

Xuan Ying shyly lowered her head, not daring to meet Ling Ning's eyes. She spoke slowly, "Some of the things Su Cheng said... I don't really understand. I wanted to ask you for a direct explanation."

Ling Ning first looked at the other two. Seeing their tacit nods of permission, she smiled understandingly. "Then, can you tell me, do you also like him?"

"This... I... I..."

Xuan Ying stammered, her face flushing crimson, but she never gave a direct answer. Even though the person before her seemed to like Su Cheng too, she still felt too embarrassed.

"Then I'd advise you to give up on that idea." Seeing her like this, Ling Ning already knew the answer and spoke bluntly. "Whether it's personality or other aspects, you can't compare to the others. So, it's better to give up early."

Xuan Ying was left speechless by these words, her face instantly turning pale. She opened her mouth but nothing came out.

Zhao Yan sighed, patted Xuan Ying's shoulder, and looked at Ling Ning. "Senior, are you planning to give up?"

"He himself called it muddy water," Ling Ning turned, elegantly waving her folding fan as she spoke leisurely. "Knowing I would fall into an abyss, should I still jump in?"

The glow of the setting sun gilded the balcony with gold. In the distance, leaves rustled in the gentle breeze, as if narrating these complicated emotional entanglements.

"Senior, please tell me everything you know," Xuan Ying suddenly stepped forward, grabbing Ling Ning's sleeve. "I've learned a bit, but I'm still confused. There are many things I can't figure out. Please, senior, enlighten me!"

"In short, Su Cheng is greedy by nature, fickle and sentimental, liking many people. Do you think someone like that is worth yearning for?" Ling Ning stated plainly.

"So, he's a scumbag?" Xuan Ying's eyes widened in disbelief. "That doesn't make sense! If that's his character, how can they stand him?"

"Indeed," Ling Ning tapped the table lightly with her fan, her tone displeased. "This is something I also can't figure out. But the facts are right before us; I can't deny them."

"They are still competing," Sister Qin, who had been silent, suddenly spoke, drawing the attention of the other three.

She continued, "Waiting for a final victor to emerge."

"That might be the case," Zhao Yan nodded solemnly. "This morning we learned of his plans. He has decided to run for Student Council President."

"According to what you're saying..." Ling Ning closed her fan, resting it against her chin as if deep in thought.

After a long moment, she said quietly, "He's giving up on emotions for now, focusing on his ambitions instead?"

"Mhmm," Zhao Yan confirmed. "So, he's currently in a 'single' state. As long as he doesn't make a choice, no one knows who will win this battle."

"I see," Ling Ning nodded gently. "No wonder even those few are willing to stand by his side."

"So he's still single now?"

Xuan Ying had a sudden realization and said excitedly, "Then, they're all love rivals?"

But the very next second, her spirits instantly deflated as she said dejectedly, "But I can't even compete with Li Guanqi, let alone them..."

Xuan Ying animatedly held onto Ling Ning's arm, while Zhao Yan maintained a polite distance. Sister Qin stood slightly behind, a glint of wisdom in her eyes.

The charm of Gu Ruoxue and Ji Qingyi was well-known, considered top-tier existences. Coupled with their substantial backgrounds, Xuan Ying and the others were practically green leaves meant to set off the red flowers.

Her sigh affected Zhao Yan and Ling Ning as well. The three fell into silence, each lost in their own thoughts.

"They have already reached their peak," Sister Qin, however, narrowed her eyes, smiled, and held up a finger. "While you still have plenty of room to grow. That's one win!"

As soon as she said this, the three looked up in unison, a spark of hope reigniting in their eyes.

Xuan Ying asked eagerly, "What's the second win?"

"They have zero wins, you have one win. That's the second win!"

Sister Qin said.

"They have zero wins, you have two wins. That's the third win."

"From this, one can deduce that your victories are infinite!"

As soon as the words fell, the three of them sank into an eerie silence, staring dumbfounded at Sister Qin, feeling somewhat dazed and inexplicably impressed. For a moment, they couldn't fully digest the information contained in Sister Qin's words.

At first glance, this nested, matryoshka-doll-like theory of victory seemed utterly devoid of substance. But upon careful consideration, they found it held profound depth.

Especially that final phrase, "victories are infinite," inexplicably filled the three with a sense of exhilaration and solace.

A flicker of slyness passed through Sister Qin's eyes. Her words, though seemingly simple, contained profound life philosophy.

"Sister Qin, do you mean..." Zhao Yan was the first to snap back to reality, asking in surprise, "that as long as we are willing to strive, we can gain more opportunities?"

"Exactly." Sister Qin gracefully walked up to the three of them. Gazing at the mottled remnants of the sunset, she said slowly, "Only by experiencing a desperate struggle can one avoid the regret of 'I could have.' Success proves one's capability; failure either points the way for greater effort or provides a sufficient reason to let go."