Extra Story: The Future Remains Unknown, But His Daily Life with Them Will Continue.

20:00

The evening banquet began. Warm yellow lights illuminated the smiling faces of the guests, while the aromas of fine food and the scent of perfume intertwined in the air. Glasses clinked and laughter flowed continuously in the banquet hall.

20:15

Zhao Yan was carrying two plates of exquisite food, on her way to deliver dinner to Xuan Ying and Sister Qin.

Her steps were steady, her expression focused. But just then, a familiar figure blocked her path.

"Let me take them," Su Cheng said, extending his hand, his tone flat.

Zhao Yan was taken aback for a moment, looking into his eyes.

There was a certain undeniable firmness in them. After a brief hesitation, she handed the trays over. The dishes on them were still steaming, their fragrance wafting through the air.

20:30

When Ling Ning and Zhao Yan pushed open the door to the dressing room, they were met with this scene: Xuan Ying sat before the vanity, the mirror reflecting her complicated expression. Joy and sorrow were interwoven across her delicate features; she had clearly already met with Su Cheng.

Several lipsticks and some unopened cosmetics were scattered across the vanity table.

22:30

In the courtyard, the moonlight was cold and clear.

Several people sat around on the rattan chairs of the terrace, chatting and laughing merrily.

Cornelia kept showing off the jade bracelet on her wrist, like a child who had received a beloved toy.

The bracelet glowed with a soft luster under the moonlight, making her fair wrist appear even more slender.

Even the usually frosty Gu Ruoxue couldn't help but curl the corner of her lips into a faint smile.

Her smile was subtle, yet it felt exceptionally genuine.

23:00

As the night deepened, the conversation gradually quieted. Su Cheng leaned back in his chair, his eyelids slightly drooping, showing signs of weariness. The night breeze gently brushed by, carrying the distant chirping of insects.

"Would you like to rest for a while in the lounge?"

Li Guanqi asked softly, her eyes sparkling with concern, "I'll wake you when it's time."

At these words, everyone's gaze focused on Su Cheng. He shook his head gently: "It's just that there were too many things today, my mind is a bit overloaded."

"Indeed," Liu Qingyue said, a faint, elusive smile playing on her lips. "Someone went to great lengths to present a gift for everyone."

"What, you gave gifts to everyone?" Cornelia exclaimed in surprise, then immediately pouted, "I thought mine was the only one!?"

Hearing this, Su Cheng simply laid his head on the table, pretending to be asleep. Moonlight spilled onto his hair, reflecting a faint silvery light.

"What did he give you?" Cornelia turned to Li Guanqi, her eyes sparkling with curiosity.

Li Guanqi's gaze wavered slightly, as if avoiding some hard-to-utter secret: "Ah… just ordinary accessories, um… not as precious as yours."

Cornelia flitted between everyone like a dancing butterfly. She walked up to Gu Ruoxue, clasped her hands together, her tone tinged with a wheedling note: "They're all unwilling to show theirs, let me see yours, okay?"

Gu Ruoxue sat there, an aura of aloofness enveloping her. Faced with Cornelia's coquetry, her expression remained calm as still water, only a barely perceptible flicker of helplessness flashed in the depths of her eyes. Such closeness felt like crossing a boundary to her.

Fortunately, Su Cheng suddenly stood up at that moment.

All eyes gathered on him.

He unhurriedly took out his phone to check the time, then swept his gaze over the face of each person present and spoke: "It's about time. I'm going to go help."

"What are you going to do?"

Li Guanqi asked, a trace of unease in her voice.

"Although I declined the request for a dance, the other party also prepared generous birthday gifts for me on this occasion. As a reciprocal gesture, shouldn't I also make some kind of acknowledgment?" Su Cheng's tone was calm, yet it conveyed a sense of resoluteness.

"Though the reasoning is rough but correct, your approach is too rough! Clearly, she disregarded your feelings first, and now you're feeling sorry for her instead. It's utterly baffling."

Liu Qingyue frowned, a trace of barely detectable mockery in her voice, as if ridiculing something.

Ji Qingyi sat to the side, her fingers lightly stroking the rim of her teacup. Her gaze was thoughtful, as if pondering something. The steam from the tea rose before her, blurring her expression.

"You're still unwilling to change, aren't you?" she spoke up, her voice cool with a hint of a sigh, "In my view, acting this way will only cause more pain for both parties."

Cornelia tugged at Su Cheng's sleeve, worry flashing in her eyes: "You came, and you delivered the gifts. That's enough. Don't go stirring up trouble."

The gazes of several people were fixed on Su Cheng, filled with reproach, worry, and confusion. But he avoided everyone's eyes, lowering his gaze: "I spoiled her mood, so it's only right that I do something for her."

Just as he was about to turn and leave, Li Guanqi reached out and grabbed his wrist. Her fingers trembled slightly, as if conveying a silent message. In the night breeze, her hair fluttered gently, covering half her face.

Su Cheng stopped and looked down at her.

Li Guanqi bit her lip and gently closed her eyes. She wanted to say something but didn't know where to start. The others also watched this scene in silence, the air seeming to solidify.

In the end, Su Cheng still gently pulled his hand free and turned to walk slowly away. His back appeared particularly slender under the moonlight, yet it also exuded a sense of finality.

"He actually understands everything perfectly well," Liu Qingyue shrugged, her tone carrying a mix of mockery and helplessness: "Let me think what trick he'll play. The dog and the crow have already made their appearance, but there's still a horse that hasn't shown up."

Hearing this, those present fell into thought.

A flicker of anticipation passed through Cornelia's eyes, as if she was already imagining Su Cheng transforming into a prince on a white horse, stunning the entire crowd with Xuan Ying riding behind him.

Ji Qingyi's hand holding the teacup paused slightly, her gaze profound. Gu Ruoxue, meanwhile, impassively smoothed her skirt, as if indifferent to it all.

23:57

Ye Ruiqin stood before the control console, watching the flickering display screens. Ready signals from various departments kept coming through her headset.

"One minute. One last minute until start!" Her voice was steady and forceful.

The heads of each position reported in sequence:

"Lighting, illumination, no issues."

"Host in position."

"Music ready."

"Lighting technician in position."

"Venue prepared."

"Backstage all ok."

Ye Ruiqin quietly watched the seconds tick by and began the countdown: "Starting countdown now, nine… eight…"

Li Guanqi's hand gripping the teacup tightened, her knuckles turning white. She didn't know exactly what Su Cheng was planning, but a strange premonition stirred deep within her.

Ji Qingyi's gaze grew sharp, as if trying to pierce through the mist of the night. Gu Ruoxue maintained her elegant posture, though a barely noticeable ripple flashed in the depths of her eyes.

The moment the countdown reached zero, the entire villa plunged into complete darkness. Exclamations of surprise rose here and there, only to be overwhelmed the next second by a sudden burst of intense light. When people opened their eyes again, a figure was already standing on the stage.

Zhao Yan stood at the center of the stage, microphone in hand. Her voice was gentle yet firm: "Dear guests, hello everyone! Welcome to tonight's gala. We've gathered here today, under the guise of an ordinary class reunion, but there's actually a special surprise in store!"

Liu Qingyue hugged a bag of potato chips, a flicker of disappointment in her eyes: "I thought Su Cheng would have snatched the hosting job." Her tone held a hint of mockery, yet it couldn't conceal her dashed expectations.

"Some people don't know how to behave even after receiving gifts." Cornelia pouted, her golden twin-tails swaying slightly as she shook her head. "If I were Su Cheng, I definitely wouldn't give you anything, leaving you to awkwardly perform a one-man show."

Liu Qingyue couldn't even be bothered to glance her way. She focused on eating her chips. The crisp crunching sound was particularly clear in the silent atmosphere.

After all, what adult would bother getting angry with a child?

"So, senior, what do you think he'll do?" Li Guanqi asked, a trace of unease in her voice. Her fingers unconsciously twisted the hem of her skirt, her eyes constantly searching the crowd for a certain figure.

"What he's doing right now, I don't know. But I dare say, he's definitely planning something big." Having said that, Liu Qingyue continued focusing on her snack, as if indifferent to whatever happened next.

On stage, Zhao Yan's voice rang out again: "Next, let's have today's birthday girl make a wish!"

The revolving door slowly opened, the cake appearing especially dreamlike under the candlelight. Xuan Ying stood there, her slender figure enveloped in a soft, yellowish glow. She clasped her hands together, closed her eyes, her eyelashes fluttering slightly, her breathing somewhat hurried.

When the microphone was handed to her, a sharp buzz cut through the silence. All eyes focused on her, even those on their phones looked up.

But what astonished everyone was the wish she voiced: "My wish is for Su Cheng to achieve a great victory in next year's election and ascend to the position of Student Council President."

Xuan Ying's voice wasn't loud, but it was exceptionally clear in the quiet venue. Her words were like a stone dropped into a calm lake, sending ripples across the surface.

The venue instantly erupted, murmurs and discussions rising and falling.

Outside the main area, the reactions of several female leads varied. Ji Qingyi's brow furrowed slightly, a flash of deep meaning in her eyes; Gu Ruoxue maintained her elegant posture, though the teacup in her hand paused mid-air; Li Guanqi's gaze grew complex, as if she had understood something; Liu Qingyue revealed a meaningful smile.

"Su Cheng is running for Student Council President next year?"

"Did I hear that right?"

"Just based on qualifications alone, he's quite suitable, isn't he?"

"Yeah, with his fame and popularity, the votes would be overwhelming, right?"

"But the problem is, he's a commoner. How could the board of directors possibly agree to a commoner candidate... Even with the Ji family's support, he couldn't possibly secure the critical percentage needed to win..."

The murmurs echoed through the venue. Ji Qingyi sat in a corner, her fingers lightly tapping the table, a thoughtful glint in her eyes.

As the young lady of the largest financial conglomerate, she understood the workings of the board better than anyone.

If one Ji family isn't enough, what about adding the Si family?

Is this his true goal?

To secure the support of the Go Club and the Si family?

Gu Ruoxue still maintained her usual elegant demeanor, but the fingers holding her teacup tightened slightly.

Meanwhile, Xuan Ying's voice sounded again: "Everyone might be looking for Su Cheng, but he isn't here. He came to congratulate me in advance an hour ago and then left... Also, thank you all for coming, thank you for your blessings. I'm honored and very happy!"

Her voice held a slight tremble, yet also conveyed firmness. As she bowed and retreated from the stage, her skirt swayed gently, shimmering softly under the lights. Immediately after, another wave of noisy discussion filled the banquet hall, clearly the recent news had caused quite a stir.

Unable to reach Su Cheng, Li Guanqi and the others went backstage. Through the crack in the door came fragments of conversation:

"Sister Qin, is it really okay for us to take matters into our own hands like this?" Xuan Ying's voice was filled with worry.

"Yeah, will this really help Su Cheng?" Zhao Yan chimed in.

"Don't worry, he'll definitely remember your kindness." Sister Qin's voice held a note of certainty. "He might not be able to repay it in this lifetime. Just wait and secretly rejoice."

When Su Cheng had come to deliver food earlier, and Xuan Ying was alone with him, she had been eavesdropping nearby. She heard him mention his desire to run for Student Council President, so she immediately changed tactics.

"Is that so? Then I'm relieved."

"Hehe, I'm just happy I could help."

Liu Qingyue gently knocked on the door, and the conversation abruptly stopped.

Zhao Yan opened the door, a gentle smile on her face: "Please, come in and sit. Make yourselves at home."

"No need."

Liu Qingyue got straight to the point: "Where is Su Cheng? He's not answering his phone. Where did he go?"

Her voice held a trace of impatience, yet it couldn't hide the worry in her heart. As Ji Qingyi's personal maid, she understood the weight of this matter better than anyone.

"I don't know."

Xuan Ying shook her head: "He left an hour ago. I thought he had informed you all."

After exchanging pleasantries, everyone presented their gifts, and Xuan Ying thanked them with a beaming smile. But everyone understood that the focus of the night was no longer this birthday party.

By the cars.

"I think he went home and fell asleep." Cornelia swung her twin-tails, her tone naive. "After all, he was already very tired earlier."

"How can you be so sure?" Liu Qingyue looked at Cornelia with a hint of teasing, a flash of cunning in her eyes. As Ji Qingyi's personal maid, she always held a bit of provocation towards her mistress's romantic rivals.

"Of course I am. Just look at who he spends his time with normally?" Cornelia proudly lifted her chin. Though sometimes tsundere, she was always the most straightforward in expressing her feelings.

Everyone fell silent, each lost in their own thoughts. Ji Qingyi maintained an elegant posture, yet her eyes held a sharp edge; Gu Ruoxue remained expressionless, but couldn't conceal the turmoil in her eyes; Li Guanqi looked down, her slender fingers twisting together uneasily. In that moment, everyone had an answer in their hearts, yet bound by their respective positions, they couldn't voice it. So naturally, everyone went their separate ways, heading towards their own destinations.

However, some time later.

Everyone's phones vibrated simultaneously.

— School, Lawn No. 14.

The brief message was like a stone, breaking the night's calm.

Yancheng Private School was silent in the early hours.

At the end of the tree-lined path, a cluster of flames danced in the wind, like a beacon in the darkness. Li Guanqi walked alone on this path, each step seeming to fall in time with her own heartbeat.

In the distance, by the bonfire, sat a figure.

A crow perched on his shoulder, a yellow dog lay beside him. The sight made Li Guanqi's heart skip a beat.

She knew she was the favored one, yet she dared not be certain of the weight of that favor.

"The future student council president is openly violating school rules?" Her voice held a note of teasing as she approached, but it couldn't disguise the tremor within.

Bathed in the firelight, Su Cheng curled the corner of his lips. "Surprised? I checked in with your sister ahead of time."

"Someone is truly 'clever,' thinking of everything." She sat down beside him, her tone laced with dissatisfaction, yet hiding a deep-seated attachment.

"You weren't like this before."

Li Guanqi gazed into the bonfire, her voice tinged with grievance.

Each word seemed wrung from the depths of her heart: "On the surface, it's just like before, muddying our perceptions; but in secret, you've quietly prepared everything, leaving us all unprepared."

"If not like this, how would you all 'see'?" Su Cheng maintained his inscrutable smile.

The firelight played on his face, casting flickering shadows. "My actions exist because of you. If there were no ripple effects at all, wouldn't that be strange?"

Li Guanqi fell silent. The grass on the lawn stood straight in the night breeze, like strands of copper wire.

The crackle of burning wood was especially clear in the stillness. A crow landed on her shoulder, gently pecking her cheek, but she only felt an emptiness inside.

"If you become student council president..." She hung her head, her shoulders trembling slightly. "...you'll be away from school more than half the time, sometimes even going abroad, with all sorts of events, and even holidays packed full..."

She looked up, the moonlight illuminating the reddened corners of her eyes. "My sister is like that. Sometimes she's so busy she has no time to spare..."

"Isn't that a good thing?" Su Cheng's smile seemed profound in the firelight. "Let me take over from your sister sooner. That way, you can properly accompany her, relax on the rocking car. Your sister needs your company more than I do."

He added a few more sticks of firewood, and the flames leapt higher. "As a consequence of an error, I came into this world. Therefore, I have a mission to fight against that error."

Li Guanqi shuddered. She could already hear footsteps approaching from behind and knew time was running out.

She had to say the words buried in her heart, to draw a period on her youth, regardless of the outcome.

Turning her head, she looked directly into Su Cheng's eyes. The firelight illuminated her face, reflecting an unusual determination.

"I love you. Even if it hasn't been long, it's not something trivial." Her smile was like the first ray of sunlight at dawn. "This is my declaration. Li Guanqi is your heroine. Past, present, future, always the same."

Her voice echoed in the night air, and the footsteps behind her came to an abrupt halt.

Su Cheng was stunned, then revealed a gentle smile. He reached out and lightly stroked her hair, his gaze burning and sincere, looking both at her and at the several figures gradually approaching behind her.

"Whether you are my heroine or not is no longer important. What matters is that you have always been the protagonist of your own story."