Extra Story: Yet, He Continues on the Path to Find Xuanying

"My apologies." Ling Ning rose with a somber expression, gave them a slight nod, and immediately turned to leave.

"Senior Ling, please wait."

Seeing this, Zhao Yan also offered them an apologetic smile before hurrying after her, her dress fluttering like a butterfly.

The two of them ceased their admonishments of Da Huang (Big Yellow) and looked up, meeting each other's gaze. Each turned their head away, not letting the other see their expression. Li Guanqi concealed the turbulent emotions in her eyes—feelings that could not be expressed in the current setting—all of which now dissolved into a soft sigh.

"If Da Huang is here..."

Li Guanqi lifted her head, her gaze piercing the night sky, and raised her slender hand as if waiting for something.

The night breeze brushed past, and the sound of flapping wings approached from a distance. Moments later, a crow descended gracefully onto the back of her hand, its black feathers shimmering with a dark, iridescent luster under the moonlight.

"Yaya, why have you all come?"

Li Guanqi gently stroked Yaya's feathers with her other hand, her tone carrying a rare tenderness. "Didn't we agree you'd wait for me at home?"

Yaya rubbed its sharp beak against her palm, its round eyes darting about, then pointed a wing at Da Huang and let out a crisp "Caw—", as if shifting the blame onto it.

Da Huang was immediately displeased. It sat on the ground, its front paws patting the ground incessantly, letting out angry barks as if protesting Yaya's betrayal of their friendship.

"Alright, alright." Su Cheng soothed, pinching Da Huang's ear, then turned his gaze to Li Guanqi. "I'll go get some food for them. Wait here a moment."

"Mmm, be quick." Li Guanqi replied softly, but then seemed to remember something, looking up at him. "I also want... the same pastries as last time."

She said this quietly, like a child asking for candy, yet with an undeniable insistence. Su Cheng, looking into her expectant eyes, was momentarily taken aback before nodding in agreement.

After he left, Li Guanqi's gaze lingered for a long time in the direction he had disappeared. Only when Yaya hopped from her hand to a nearby seat did she snap out of her reverie.

"Just now, he actually didn't restrict me from having dessert..." she murmured to herself, a flicker of confusion in her eyes.

This aberration stirred a thread of unease within her, yet it was mixed with a secret sense of anticipation.

A few minutes later, Su Cheng returned carrying two delicate porcelain plates. One he placed on the ground for the pets to enjoy, the other he gently set before Li Guanqi: "Please, enjoy."

Li Guanqi stared at him for two seconds, then picked up a pastry and placed it in her mouth. She chewed slowly and deliberately, but her gaze remained fixed on Su Cheng, as if trying to see through his thoughts at that moment.

Su Cheng focused on tending to the two small animals, letting them roam freely nearby only after they had eaten and drunk their fill.

Then he finally paused, turned to look at her, and said, "Dinner is still a while off, so this should count as a little snack, right?"

"Are you letting me eat so much because you're afraid I'm hungry?"

Li Guanqi placed the pastry beside her, glancing at him sideways, her eyes sparkling.

"Of course not. Special circumstances call for special treatment."

Su Cheng shook his head, explaining, "After all, we're here for a banquet. There's no need to impose such restrictions, otherwise everything would feel too constrained and dull."

"I see."

Li Guanqi nodded thoughtfully, then picked up the pastry plate again and began eating with elegant composure.

Soon, the five pastries Su Cheng had brought were completely devoured by her. Just as she was about to wipe the crumbs from the corner of her mouth, she realized that wearing a formal gown, she had no pockets for a tissue.

Fortunately, Su Cheng, sitting beside her, very timely handed her one. She nodded, took the tissue, and gently dabbed her lips.

"Still hungry?"

"Hungry."

"Is that really hunger? Clearly it's just craving!"

"It's hunger."

"You don't even feel cloyed eating so many pastries."

Su Cheng's tone held a hint of teasing. Then he lowered his head, felt inside his jacket's inner pocket, and pulled out a familiar sandwich.

Li Guanqi looked at the sandwich and was momentarily stunned.

Because she had once handed this same type of sandwich to him in much the same way. Now, him holding out the sandwich towards her created a fleeting illusion, as if they had returned to the very beginning.

She tilted her head slightly, avoiding this memory-filled scene, then took the sandwich, tore off the outer plastic wrap, and handed it back to him. Her tone carried a hint of resentment as she said, "Didn't I tell you I don't like sandwiches?"

"Oh, I must have remembered wrong."

Su Cheng gave an awkward chuckle and took the sandwich back.

Then, an indescribable atmosphere filled the air. The two fell into silence, the sound of chewing unusually clear in the night.

Feelings are such an absurd thing. Clearly it's a war among several women, yet someone finds smug satisfaction in a piece of pastry, a single glance, on a night like this. Laughable yet tinged with desolation, and within that desolation hides a sliver of hope—this is probably the reason they willingly remain imprisoned.

“Actually, it is somewhat shameful.”

Li Guanqi's voice was as light as a feather, yet laden with an undeniable bitterness.

"How so?" Su Cheng stopped chewing and looked at her seriously. That gaze made Li Guanqi's heart flutter.

"Forget it."

She lowered her eyelids, concealing the turmoil within.

"Then I'll go get something to drink." Su Cheng stood up, his tone cheerful as he asked, "What would you like?"

"Milk..." Li Guanqi's voice was somewhat hoarse. After saying it, she lowered her head again, as if even this simple request made her feel embarrassed.

"Okay." Su Cheng acknowledged and left.

A moment later, however, he returned holding a bottle of carbonated drink and offered it to her: "I remember last time you traded your milk for my cola, so I just brought cola directly."

"You..." Li Guanqi jerked her head up, a flash of displeasure in her eyes. "You know perfectly well I don't like carbonated drinks. Why must you... toy with me like this?"

"Hahahaha, surprised?" Su Cheng, his scheme successful, threw his head back and laughed heartily.

"Surprised?"

Li Guanqi snorted coldly. "You're always like this, presuming to guess others' feelings in your own self-important way."

As she spoke, she reached out to pinch his waist, but Su Cheng grasped her wrist first. His smile faded as he said earnestly, "I just wanted to tell you, sometimes I might be slow to react, but that doesn't mean I'll always be a fool."

"So what do you understand now?" Li Guanqi met his eyes directly, her voice trembling slightly. "Do you understand how to maneuver between us? Or do you understand how to make everyone feel special?"

Su Cheng was taken aback, seemingly not expecting her to say such things.

"You're always like this." Li Guanqi withdrew her wrist, her tone carrying resignation. "You're gentle and considerate to everyone in the same way. But have you ever considered that such gentleness can be the greatest cruelty?"

"I..."

"Don't explain."

Li Guanqi cut him off. "Just like now, are you going to spout some high-sounding words to fob me off again?"

Silence spread between the two of them. Under the moonlight, Li Guanqi's profile appeared particularly cool and aloof. She gently rubbed the spot on her ring finger where a ring should have been.

"Have you noticed something is missing?"

Su Cheng suddenly asked.

"What difference does it make?"

Li Guanqi countered faintly, "Even if it were found, it would just be one among many similar tokens."

"It's different." Su Cheng insisted.

"Then tell me, how is it different?" Li Guanqi turned to look at him, her gaze sharp as a blade.

"First, give me your hand." Su Cheng said.

Li Guanqi trembled all over; she was all too familiar with this expression of Su Cheng's. Looking up, her eyes already held a trace of unease: "What trick are you playing now?"

Su Cheng didn't answer, instead looking at her right hand.

Li Guanqi hesitated for a moment, then finally extended her right hand. She watched Su Cheng's every move intently, her fingertips trembling slightly. This feeling of intertwined anticipation and disappointment—she had experienced it too many times to recapture the excitement of the first time.

"Snap—"

A crisp snap of fingers broke the silence of the night. Flocks of crows flew in from all directions, arranging themselves into a heart shape under the moonlight, circling for a long while before finally leaving behind an exquisite box.

"So, romantic enough?" Su Cheng asked with a smile, unable to hide the unease in his eyes, "It might be a bit cheesy, but I thought just pulling it out would be too plain..."

"Cheesy?"

In discerning the hidden meaning in Su Cheng's words, Li Guanqi could now be considered quite experienced. "Are you talking about this performance, or about your considerate attitude that you show to everyone?"

"You've misunderstood."

"Misunderstood?"

Li Guanqi interrupted him, "Then may I ask, how many copies of this 'ring' did you prepare? Four? Or more?"

"This time is different."

"How is it different?"

Li Guanqi's voice trembled, "Is the ring different, or are your tricks different?"

Su Cheng opened the box, revealing a black and gold ring: "This was prepared especially for you. As compensation for me... not being by your side during your most painful time."

"Compensation?" Li Guanqi chuckled lightly, "Do you think a ring can compensate for that period? Or is this also one of your usual tactics?"

Yet, the moment she saw the ring, her eyes unconsciously revealed a flicker of longing. Hesitating, she finally extended her ring finger.

Su Cheng carefully slipped it on for her: "Now, it's returned to its rightful owner."

Li Guanqi examined the ring under the moonlight, sweetness and bitterness intertwined in her heart.

"I'm going to find Xuan Ying." Su Cheng turned to leave.

"Wait." Li Guanqi stopped him, a dangerous curve lifting the corner of her lips, "Since you don't plan to give them rings, what are you planning to give them instead? Let me guess, is it another so-called unique gift?"

"Um... the moonlight is really beautiful tonight."

"Su Cheng!"

"My bicycle fell into the ditch again..."

"Are you really that afraid of making a choice?"

Li Guanqi's voice suddenly turned sharp, "Using gentleness as an excuse, gifts as a cover-up, just how long are you going to keep running away like this?"

Su Cheng fell silent for a moment, then began to deflect with corny pick-up lines again: "There are few beautiful things in the world, but right now there are two. The wind blowing from across the river, and you, finally able to show a different smile."

"Enough!" Li Guanqi turned her face away, "Stop using these words to brush me off. I'd rather you just tell me directly that you have no intention of making a choice at all."

……………………

In the banquet hall, glasses clinked and the clamor of voices rose and fell.

It seemed those meticulously crafted conversations and laughter felt particularly hollow on this night.

Su Cheng moved through the crowd, searching for Ji Qingyi. She was always so conspicuous; even when deliberately keeping a low profile, her innate presence was impossible to conceal.

On the balcony, she stood alone by the railing, seemingly isolated from the entire banquet.

Only, that air of aloofness was broken by Liu Qingyue beside her.

"Come to be a nuisance again?" Liu Qingyue's voice carried an obvious note of sarcasm.

"I need to talk to the president. Step aside." Su Cheng said.

"The young lady has no time for meaningless conversation with you right now." Liu Qingyue scoffed lightly, "Or perhaps, you're planning some trick again?"

Ji Qingyi remained with her back to them, silent.

This silence held more power than any words.

"Senior, actually, I have something to say to you alone too."

Su Cheng looked at Liu Qingyue.

"What else is there to say between us?"

"How would you know there's nothing to say if you don't listen, senior?"

"Then let's talk in the men's restroom."

Liu Qingyue looked at him challengingly.

"Are you insane?"

"What, I'm your brother-in-law now, can't I take you to the restroom?" Liu Qingyue shifted slightly to the side, staring at him meaningfully, "Speak, what trick are you trying to pull?"

Su Cheng glanced at Ji Qingyi with his eyes, indicating that her master was present, it wasn't convenient to speak openly, and they should talk elsewhere.

"Hah," Liu Qingyue sneered, "Still being secretive in front of the young lady? What are you treating the young lady as?"

"Then I'll say it directly." Su Cheng took a black box from his bag, "This is for you."

Lifting the lid, an exquisite wooden comb lay quietly inside. The pneumatic cushions between the teeth showed the care of its maker.

"This is... a peace offering prepared before the dream."

Su Cheng explained, "Knowing senior works hard every day and is under a lot of stress, I specially made this massage comb."

Before he finished speaking, Ji Qingyi suddenly turned around, swiftly taking the box with a deft motion: "That's thoughtful of you. I'll thank you on her behalf."

She said faintly, her gaze still fixed on the distance.

"Young lady! That's for me!" Liu Qingyue grew anxious, shooting Su Cheng a look for help.

"It's a good thing the president is keeping it for you."

Su Cheng pretended not to understand.

"Is that so?" Liu Qingyue narrowed her eyes, "Then I suppose you must have gifts for others in your bag too? One, two, three...?"

"What are you trying to do?"

"Since my gift was snatched," Liu Qingyue smiled dangerously, "why not take the young lady's gift in advance too?"

"Enough."

Ji Qingyi finally spoke, "I will return it to you later."

"But I haven't even touched it!"

Liu Qingyue protested unhappily.

"Since it's a comb, it naturally requires someone to do the combing." Ji Qingyi said calmly, "I am also quite willing to do such things."

These words seemed to possess an unusual magic. Liu Qingyue immediately quieted down and silently retreated from the balcony. In the space left behind, only a silent contest of wills remained.

"President." Su Cheng stood at Ji Qingyi's side, his voice so light it was almost a sigh.

Ji Qingyi glanced sideways, her gaze cold as winter stars: "Starting your 'generous bestowal of favors' again?"

"President, this time is different." Su Cheng hadn't expected the president to be so blunt and let out a sigh.

"All meticulously prepared?" Ji Qingyi interrupted him, a hint of mockery at the corner of her lips, "Just like the words you say to everyone, all 'from the heart'?"

"I..."

"It's a wooden hairpin, isn't it." Ji Qingyi looked towards the distant night sky, her voice suddenly softening a little.

Su Cheng was taken aback: "How did you know, President?"

"Because you are always like this."

Ji Qingyi turned around, looking directly at him. "Using the most beautiful things to conceal the most cruel truths."

Su Cheng silently took out the rosewood box. "Please accept this."

Ji Qingyi took it, opening it with elegant grace. Under the moonlight, the wooden hairpin was crystalline and translucent, with a faint, shimmering glow. It was even more exquisite than the identical one from memory.

"Your craftsmanship has improved." She gently stroked the hairpin, but her tone gradually cooled. "A pity, it's refined to the point of being deliberate."

"President..."

"Tell me," Ji Qingyi suddenly asked, "when you prepare gifts for everyone, do you always carve them with such meticulous care?"

"This one is special."

"Special?" Ji Qingyi scoffed coldly. "As special as the 'you are special' you say to everyone?"

"I am sincere."

"Sincere?"

Ji Qingyi closed the box. "Should I be glad you still remember that promise, or should I pity myself for still holding onto expectation?"

She turned to Su Cheng, her gaze sharp. "I fear one day I might burn it and scatter its ashes to the wind. At least that way, it could maintain the dignity of being 'the only one'."

This was not a nonsensical remark but an allusion to a classical reference, roughly meaning: to express one's absolute refusal to debase oneself, preferring death over sharing a beloved with anyone.

"President, you jest." Su Cheng attempted to defuse the awkwardness. "Didn't you promise to cherish it?"

"Cherish?" Ji Qingyi's voice carried a chill. "The way you cherish everyone's feelings?"

She faced the nightscape again, her voice indifferent. "Emperors would always take a portion of their collection into their tombs, because those were their most beloved, most cherished possessions, things they wanted to possess exclusively forever, never to give to others. That was their way of cherishing."

After that, she offered no further response, only tightening her grip on the wooden box in her hand.

"Then... I'll go find Xuan Ying first."