Chapter 24: That Delicate Flower (24)

When Gu Si came to, she found herself sitting in a police station. The lights were bright, and her head was spinning.

The three men across from her were battered and bruised.

Song Qi glanced at Gu Si. System, why did she wake up so quickly?

“Because the plot needs her to.”

“So she wasn’t taken to the hospital while she was unconscious because the plot needed that, too?”

“Yes,” the System replied. “Host, please don’t get hung up on these details.”

Song Qi’s mouth twisted. “What if I’d drunk the stuff?”

“I analyzed two possible outcomes. You could fight them off, call the police, or run. Or Qin Xiao could show up and save you.”

Song Qi had nothing to say.

She leaned back in her chair. The police had obtained the KTV’s security footage. At first, the officers kept looking at Gu Si. Then their attention shifted to Song Qi, their eyes filled with astonishment.

“Yangnuan,” Gu Si said softly. Her voice was hoarse, nothing like the lovely voice she’d had while singing. “I’m sorry.”

Song Qi glanced at her but said nothing. Her gaze was cool.

The footage had no sound, but it was clear enough what had happened.

“Young lady, whatever you wanted to say, couldn’t you have just talked it out?” An older officer sat down in front of them, looking exasperated. “You came out together, so I thought you two got along.”

Song Qi turned to look at Gu Si.

Gu Si bit her lip. Her voice came out small and tearful. “I… I didn’t want to, either…”

“Why couldn’t you talk it over? Why act so impulsively?”

“There was nothing to talk about.” Gu Si took a deep breath and clenched her fists. “I just hated her.”

Song Qi looked at Gu Si, then checked the time. She was getting impatient. Who knew when Xu Yangnuan’s parents would arrive?

The officer looked at Gu Si, at a loss for words. “You girls…”

“And you,” he said, turning to Song Qi. “You knew something was wrong, didn’t you?”

Song Qi froze. She looked at him, frowning, and was just about to ask the System—

“Because the plot needs it.”

Song Qi: Right.

“I wanted to see how far she’d go,” Song Qi said calmly.

Of the five people involved, she was the calmest. Two of the men had been beaten into silence, and another was still unconscious.

Gu Si turned to stare at Song Qi, her eyes wide with disbelief.

Song Qi didn’t look at her. “Besides, there was no way I was going to drink it.”

She smiled.

If Gu Si hadn’t taken the glass from her, Song Qi might have set it back down.

“You didn’t try to stop her?”

“She made her own choice, didn’t she?” Song Qi said gently. To everyone else in the room, her expression was unsettling. “It’s not as if I forced her.”

The three men looked up at Song Qi, then shuddered.

“What if you hadn’t been able to beat them?” the officer asked.

“That wouldn’t happen.” Song Qi spoke without a trace of concern. “I don’t do things unless I’m sure I can handle them. I could’ve gotten out on my own.”

Gu Si bit her lip. She understood what Song Qi meant.

On my own.

Xu Yangnuan’s parents arrived in a hurry, probably after speeding the whole way.

Song Qi immediately waved them over, stood up, and threw herself into their arms.

The speed of her change in attitude was astonishing.

“Are you all right?” Mother Xu pulled Song Qi back and inspected her from head to toe. Then she let out a sigh of relief.

“You scared me half to death. Why did you think it was a good idea to go there so late at night?” Mother Xu hugged her and patted her back, though it was hard to tell whether she was comforting Song Qi or herself.

Father Xu went to speak with the police. When he heard what had happened, he looked at Gu Si, his face reddening with anger. If she hadn’t been a girl, he might have hit her. But when he heard that his own daughter had beaten the men up, he stared in disbelief.

“You’re telling me my daughter did that? Xu Yangnuan?”

“That’s right. She was quick and precise. Very impressive.”

Father Xu looked at Song Qi, then at the officer, and laughed awkwardly. “You’re not pulling my leg, are you? My girl’s always been so delicate.”

“I’m not.”

Song Qi saw that things were going the wrong way and hurried over with Mother Xu. “Dad, I taught myself…”

“She’s clearly had professional training,” the officer said with a sigh.

“My learning skills are just that good,” Song Qi replied, her expression perfectly calm.

“Fair enough.” Father Xu patted Song Qi on the shoulder. “Good for you. It’s great exercise.”

The officer looked at the footage on his computer. Some of those moves were clearly beyond what you could pick up by teaching yourself, but the family seemed to have settled on their story. He decided to let it go.

Song Qi glanced at Gu Si one last time.

Gu Si’s face was red, and tears streaked her cheeks. “Yangnuan, I’m sorry. I really didn’t mean to.”

Father Xu looked at her. “Why haven’t her parents arrived?”

“They’re away on a business trip. A relative is on their way to get her,” the officer said helplessly. “Some parents only know how to make money. They don’t bother looking after their kids.”

“Uncle, could you take her to the hospital?” Song Qi asked, glancing at Gu Si.

“Sure. We’ll have someone check on her in a bit.”

Song Qi tugged on Father Xu’s hand. “Dad, I’m tired. Let’s go home.”

“All right.” Father Xu glanced at Gu Si again.

“Goodbye, Uncle.”

The officer waved. “Let’s not make a habit of it.”

Song Qi smiled and left the police station hand in hand with her parents.

Gu Si watched her go until she disappeared from view.

Father Xu contacted Gu Si’s parents afterward. Song Qi didn’t know exactly what happened between them.

All she knew was that when school resumed after the May Day holiday, Gu Si’s desk had been cleared out.

By that afternoon, word had spread that Gu Si had transferred schools. She’d left with a disciplinary record, though no one knew exactly what it was for.

People asked Song Qi about it. She said she didn’t know, and played innocent very convincingly.

Qin Xiao’s instincts told him that Song Qi had something to do with Gu Si’s transfer. “What did you two get up to?”

Song Qi glanced at him. “Nothing much. She just did something stupid.”

“What stupid thing?”

“Have you finished your homework? Why are you poking your nose into everyone else’s business?” Song Qi gave him a look.

Qin Xiao’s mouth twisted.

The rest of the school year flew by. Song Qi could feel everything around her fast-forwarding.

Time didn’t return to normal until the days just before the entrance exams.

It was the first time she’d ever taken the exams. She sat in the classroom and listened to the teacher’s final pep talk. Somehow, the moment stirred feelings she couldn’t put into words.

Their school was an exam site.

By chance, Song Qi and Gu Si were assigned to the same room.

They exchanged a glance. Gu Si seemed about to say something, but Song Qi didn’t give her the chance.

She walked past without a word.

She had no idea what to say. Small talk had never come naturally to her.

Gu Si’s expression stiffened. She swallowed the words she’d been about to say, turned to look after Song Qi, and sighed.

The five exams took three days. When they were over, the school erupted in celebration, releasing weeks of pent-up excitement.

The teachers didn’t stop them. They just watched the students holler with smiles on their faces.

Amid all the chaos, Song Qi was still the calmest person there. She quietly packed her things.

“Class Monitor, want to go out tonight?” Qin Xiao asked with a grin.

“Sounds like you did well?” Song Qi looked at him.

Qin Xiao sighed. “Come on, sis. The exams are over. Let’s not talk about them. I don’t think I did too badly, though I have no idea if I’ll get into A University.”

“Good luck.”

“So, are you coming? Everyone’s going.” Qin Xiao grinned at her.

Song Qi paused while packing. “System, does this world end once the exams are over?”

“Yes.” The System sounded glum.

“Then I’ll go,” Song Qi said, looking up.

In the days after the exams, Song Qi went to countless class reunions and even took a trip. She didn’t get home until the day before the results came out.

Her family thought it would mean more to open the results together at home.

The moment they clicked the page, all three of them held their breath.

The website lagged, and they had to wait before the results appeared.

After one glance, Father and Mother Xu both shouted.

Chinese: 146

Math: 157 + 37

English: 116

Physics: A+

Chemistry: A+

Additional points: 5

Total: 461

There was no doubt about it: Song Qi was the top science scorer. After the results came out, her family’s phone wouldn’t stop ringing.

Song Qi had already decided on A University and turned down countless tempting offers from other schools.

Qin Xiao had also gotten into A University, just as the plot had prescribed. With 437 points, he was something of a miracle, proving all the people who’d thought he cheated wrong.

Qin Xiao’s family even invited Song Qi to dinner to thank her.

Song Qi still knew very little about his family, but when she saw the woman who was about the same age as Qin Xiao, she understood.

Qin Xiao wore a sour expression from beginning to end. Finally, he threw down his chopsticks and walked out.

Song Qi watched him go, then followed.

She’d spent so long trying to teach him. One more lecture wouldn’t hurt.

“Why are you running off?”

“Disgusting.” Qin Xiao scowled. “He actually brought that woman here. Does he think nobody can tell what’s going on?”

Song Qi looked at him calmly. “If I were you, I’d study hard and push him out of the company.”

“Who wants anything from him?”

“Why not take what’s yours? If you don’t, you’ll just be handing it to someone you hate. And if you really can’t stand the idea, you could always destroy the company so nobody gets it.” Song Qi folded her arms. “But throwing down your chopsticks like that makes you look childish. It makes you look powerless, too.”

“So what, I should be more like you?” Qin Xiao’s expression turned strange.

Song Qi narrowed her eyes and smiled. “Hah. Looking down on me? If you could be half as capable as I am, you’d be doing pretty well. I heard you moved out. Why did you have to be the one to leave? If it were me, I’d find a way to make that woman leave instead. But you probably can’t manage that, so at least act aloof. You’ll look more impressive.”

“Whoever loses their temper first loses. That’s all the life advice I’m giving you, kid.” Song Qi patted Qin Xiao on the shoulder.

Qin Xiao looked helpless. “Thanks.”

“You’re welcome. I’m getting a real sense of accomplishment here.” Song Qi looked at him. “Keep it up.”

The System’s voice came from beside her.

[Quest completion rate: 60%. Transmitting back.]