Extra Story: Su Cheng's Endless Ramblings

Su Cheng's exploits in teaching kyudo techniques outside had become the hottest topic at this banquet.

However, the fans who couldn't find Su Cheng himself turned their attention to his "elders" instead.

Ji Qingyi appeared in the role of Su Cheng's elder sister; Liu Qingyue played the part of his brother-in-law. The two sat together, in perfect harmony, as if they had truly known each other for years.

The straightforward Liu Qingyue told the fans bluntly, "Showing off like that, I'm afraid he's thrown all shame to the wind."

Although the fans were displeased with Liu Qingyue for speaking ill of Su Cheng, out of respect for his elder, they suppressed their dissatisfaction and turned to ask Ji Qingyi, "Sister Wang, was Su Cheng's performance today not good enough?"

Ji Qingyi first glanced at Gu Ruoxue and Su Cheng in the corner, then replied with an unchanged expression, "He is still young and not yet qualified to be a teacher to others. Imparting knowledge with a frivolous, show-off mentality goes against the original intent of kyudo."

"Hearing Sister Wang say that, you seem to know quite a bit about kyudo?" one of the fans ventured to ask.

"I know a little."

Ji Qingyi nodded modestly. Seeing that everyone still looked confused, she explained, "The art of kyudo is never something that can be explained in a few words. It requires personal experience and comprehension; the path varies from person to person."

“Let me tell you,” Liu Qingyue suddenly interjected, while also glancing at the corner where Gu Ruoxue and Su Cheng were, “it's precisely because your Sister Wang loved kyudo from childhood that Su Cheng was influenced by it growing up. Outsiders think he's naturally gifted, but in fact, he laid a solid foundation from a young age.”

"So..."

She paused, her tone turning serious, "Our criticism of him is well-founded. We hope he can be more down-to-earth, thoroughly understanding the basics and philosophy of kyudo before teaching others."

While the two "elders" were conversing with the younger female students, Gu Ruoxue and Su Cheng were also interacting in their corner.

Gu Ruoxue did not touch the pastries Su Cheng had brought. Instead, with a cold and detached attitude, she passed the time alone by flipping through the fashion magazines on the table, as if the person beside her had nothing to do with her.

A small round table separated the two, on which sat a plate of exquisite pastries that Li Guanqi had been longing for. There was nothing else, not even a glass of juice.

"Xiaoxue, try this pastry." Seeing the other party ignore him, Su Cheng wasn't annoyed. Instead, he explained, "I snatched this from Guanqi. She picked for a long time before choosing this plate; it must be the best!"

"I can't believe you can say such shameless words with a straight face." Gu Ruoxue looked up and glanced at Li Guanqi in the distance, who was on a phone call. Although talking, her gaze kept drifting over here.

"Haven't you realized the problem with your fooling around yet?"

Gu Ruoxue withdrew her gaze and continued flipping through the magazine in her hands. "I suggest you rein it in now and find a place to stay put. Thank you."

They returned to that state of detachment. Even though they were only tens of centimeters apart, it felt like thousands of mountains and rivers lay between them.

After saying that, Gu Ruoxue no longer looked at Su Cheng, focusing on the pictures in the magazine as if he were just air.

But Su Cheng did not leave. Instead, he began muttering to himself, "Department Head Gu Ruoxue, who often uses aloofness to mask her shyness."

As soon as the words left his mouth, Gu Ruoxue's delicate brows furrowed slightly. She tilted her head slightly and looked at him with a cold gaze, as if looking at trash.

"Ahem."

Under such a gaze, Su Cheng tried to cough to gloss things over, but the other party remained unmoved, still staring at him with that look that seemed ready to toss him into the trash at any moment. So, he shamelessly changed the subject: "I used to be an arrogant guy, until I met someone as noble as you. That's when I came to my senses, began to sheath my edge, and settle my temperament."

As these words were spoken, the chilly air around them dissipated. Gu Ruoxue lowered her head to look at the magazine again, as if nothing had just happened and she hadn't been affected in the slightest.

Unexpectedly, Su Cheng then began muttering again, "Sure enough, it's Xiaoxue using aloofness to conceal shyness."

Before the words even finished, the air froze once more.

Gu Ruoxue finally put down the magazine and looked calmly at Su Cheng. Although her gaze was even, it couldn't hide the faintly rising anger.

Just as expected

“Do you think this banquet is your personal palace or villa? Flirting with this one and that one? If you want to play some twisted version of house, go somewhere else!” Gu Ruoxue reprimanded Su Cheng in an extremely stern tone, her voice growing colder, “I thought after the last incident, you might have completed some self-reform. It seems now... you’ve only become worse, more reckless.”

"Stop scolding, I'm behaving now."

Su Cheng hurriedly begged for mercy: "Please spare me!"

Hearing this, Gu Ruoxue's tone softened slightly but remained serious: "I don't care what you do in private, but in public, you must be careful with your words and actions. Everything you do affects countless people's nerves, understand? Three strikes and you're out. If you continue to lack any sense of being a public figure, presuming on favor to act willfully, I'll have no choice but to subject you to strict training and discipline!"

"Stop scolding, any more and I'll turn stupid."

Su Cheng hurriedly placated her, "I'll leave now, but I still hope you can be a bit gentler with me in the future."

Unfortunately, this is my gentle style.

“Ah, actually, I came here this time on serious business,” Su Cheng immediately put away his playful grin and said earnestly, “You probably can guess what I’m going to say, right?”

"I never studied 'microbial' behavior," Gu Ruoxue remained seated as before, showing no intention to play along, "Speak plainly if you have something to say. If not, please leave."

“Have I fallen to the level of a paramecium in your heart?” Su Cheng sighed mournfully, “Actually, it’s nothing much. I just remembered that I seem to have never visited your home, so…”

Just as Gu Ruoxue was about to refuse, Su Cheng cut her off: "It's been a long time since I've seen Orange Cat. It's only right to pay a visit."

Right at that moment, Li Guanqi walked over and said apologetically, "Sorry to disturb. There's something I'd like to discuss with Su Cheng, I wonder..."

Gu Ruoxue nodded, showing no emotional change due to Li Guanqi's arrival. She continued sitting quietly, as if blending into her surroundings.

"Has the stuff arrived?" Su Cheng stood up and asked Li Guanqi.

"Mhm, uncle is waiting for us at the entrance." Li Guanqi nodded, hesitating to speak.

"You stay here and keep the Department Head company for a bit." Su Cheng, not noticing her unease, straightened his clothes, "I'll go alone. I'll be right back."

With that, he walked straight out. Li Guanqi was taken aback for a moment, then looked awkwardly at Gu Ruoxue.

"Is there something else?"

Gu Ruoxue saw through her hesitation.

“It’s just… my older sister is here too.” Li Guanqi sighed lightly, “It seems he was deliberately avoiding you, leaving in such a hurry without even letting me finish.”

Gu Ruoxue remained silent, which was taken as acknowledgment.

Li Guanqi sat down in the spot Su Cheng had just vacated and asked casually, "What were you two talking about? The atmosphere didn't seem very pleasant."

"90% of it was nonsense." Gu Ruoxue rubbed her temples and glanced at her, only to find Li Guanqi's attention entirely on the pastries. She couldn't help but frown. "I genuinely couldn't discern any substantive content from what he was saying."

"Is that so?" Noticing Gu Ruoxue's gaze, Li Guanqi quickly looked up to explain, "These pastries are quite delicious. Would you like to try one?"

"Eat if you want to. You don't need my permission." Gu Ruoxue averted her eyes and pushed the remaining pastries towards her. "I've never had much of a sweet tooth."

"This... I..." Li Guanqi waved her hands in a fluster, but Gu Ruoxue pressed a hand on her shoulder to stop her.

"If he asks, just say I ate them." Gu Ruoxue said flatly. "That person can't even manage himself properly, yet he has the nerve to police others. How shameless."

“Well then... thank you, senior.” Li Guanqi stopped refusing and lowered her head to focus intently on enjoying the delicious pastries.

As her taste buds were once again satisfied, Li Guanqi's mood lifted accordingly. She began to take the initiative to try and smooth things over regarding the relationship between Gu Ruoxue and Su Cheng, saying, "By the way, I read in a book on behavioral science that when lovers are talking, if one of them speaks 90% nonsense, it means they must be very happy."

"Oh?" Gu Ruoxue sighed inwardly, looking at her with a sense of helplessness. Li Guanqi's tolerance for him was far too boundless; such indulgence would only let him drag her down with him.

"Yeah." Sensing her look, Li Guanqi explained, "If someone always talks nonsense with you, it means they're very happy when they're with you."

After saying this, she stuffed another pastry into her mouth and mumbled indistinctly, "I rike it when he tawks nonsense to me."

"Is that so?" Gu Ruoxue smiled a self-deprecating smile.

"Could it be... senior, do you find him annoying?" Li Guanqi suddenly posed a soul-searching question.

Hearing this, Gu Ruoxue brushed the hair from her shoulder and looked at her with a meaningful gaze. The previously worldly-wise, seen-it-all aura about her completely vanished.

"No, not at all."