Chapter Nine: Intentions

Atop the Sun Tower, still on the seventy-ninth floor, Su Ziye and Liu Ru gazed down from their lofty vantage point at everything before them.

Looking down from over two hundred meters in the air, everything appeared as clear and miniature as a set of building blocks.

The students pouring in from all directions had occupied nearly half the plaza—a rare spectacle for the academy. Liu Ru even suspected that the event had drawn most of the students out of their classes, compelling them to join in the festivities.

“I’m really curious,” Liu Ru said, her eyes fixed on the scene.

“Curious about what?” Su Ziye remained as calm as ever.

“You know perfectly well.” Liu Ru sighed. “How did you persuade the Third Princess?”

Yes, that was the most astonishing thing here—how Su Ziye had managed to persuade the Third Princess.

No one could demand or force that girl to do anything; it always depended on her mood and thoughts. By any reasonable guess, this sort of public appearance should not suit the Third Princess at all.

Yet not only had she agreed, she was fulfilling her role with diligence and devotion.

“Care to guess?” Su Ziye asked with a smile.

“I won’t guess.” Liu Ru refused flatly. “I’m simply asking you.”

If I could guess, I wouldn’t have to ask.

“In truth, why are you under the impression that the Third Princess wouldn’t do such a thing?” Su Ziye countered calmly.

“Because…” Liu Ru thought for a moment. “Isn’t the Third Princess always reluctant to meet others?”

That girl was mysterious and elusive, shy and never fond of public appearances. She always gave the impression of a bashful, well-behaved child. The current scene—her acting as a hostess in the academy’s plaza, handing out drinks to every student—was something unimaginable in the past.

“Actually, that’s not quite true,” Su Ziye replied, shaking his head. “She simply isn’t skilled at interacting with others and is afraid of causing inconvenience. Given her status at the academy, wherever she appears, she stirs a commotion. Yet she feels she cannot properly respond to people’s expectations; as a result, she’s become more inclined to minimize her appearances.”

Liu Ru pondered this and realized it was accurate.

The Third Princess was not shy; more often, she was considerate of others. Just as when Su Ziye had chosen to stay at her home—who else would accept such a request? But the Third Princess felt it was possible, because Su Ziye genuinely needed a place to stay. If that was true, she would willingly make it happen.

“So what did you say to her?” Liu Ru pressed.

“I told her this was one of the best opportunities to respond to everyone’s expectations,” Su Ziye answered serenely.

Liu Ru was taken aback.

“The Third Princess loves this academy, and she loves its people,” Su Ziye continued. “She knows everyone here adores her and hopes she’ll remain for a long time.”

“But she’s never really done anything, so being loved in this way has always made her uneasy. Now, given this chance, I told her she could do this, and she accepted.” Su Ziye turned to look at Liu Ru. “That’s all there is to it.”

Liu Ru nodded involuntarily.

Yes, that was truly the Third Princess’s style.

If one day she could give each beloved child a delicious drink, at the mere cost of standing there a little longer, she would certainly choose to do so.

“But does she know you’re using her?” Liu Ru remarked quietly.

Indeed, while Su Ziye had persuaded the Third Princess, he was undoubtedly making use of her.

If Su Ziye wanted to promote his new drink, there was no one better than the Third Princess. Even Karotes or the reclusive headmaster would not rival her as the academy’s unprecedented mascot.

After all, the Third Princess had lived at the academy for more than thirty years, beloved by all; she had never done anything like this. Her unprecedented action caused a sensation now visible to everyone.

“What does it matter if she knows?” Su Ziye smiled calmly. “I’ve been using this kind-hearted girl from the very beginning, but I’ve never acted with malice. That’s enough for me.”

“What if you become malicious in the future?” Liu Ru asked.

Su Ziye always seemed to follow a certain principle, such as his oft-repeated claim that he acted without malice.

But, without question, one could act without malice—or with it.

All of this depends on a single thought.

After all, he had proven countless times that he possessed the necessary ability.

“We’ll talk about that when the time comes,” Su Ziye replied calmly.

He didn’t even bother to deny it.

“Will the Third Princess stand there all day?” Liu Ru chose to change the subject. “It feels like the crowd is growing larger and larger.”

“She won’t,” Su Ziye shook his head. “There are about six thousand students in the academy. With lecturers, professors, and other staff, the number might approach eight thousand. The Third Princess takes ten to fifteen seconds to hand out one drink, meaning she can serve at most three hundred sixty people in an hour. At the most extreme, she’d need to stand there for twenty hours.”

“Why don’t you prepare more of those glass tanks?” Liu Ru asked.

That glass tank behind the Third Princess looked large, but the syrup used was only a small fraction of what they produced last night. If Su Ziye wished, the three of them could work together and distribute over a thousand drinks an hour. Even if the entire academy joined in, it would all be resolved within eight hours.

“Scarcity marketing,” Su Ziye replied with a smile. “This is the first time. If something is easy to get, it won’t be treasured. Besides, how many people are actually here for the drink? Ninety-nine percent are here for the Third Princess. Even if all three of us joined in, her popularity would eclipse ours utterly. Why invite humiliation?”

“Besides,” Su Ziye paused, “do you really think the Third Princess couldn’t instantly let everyone taste the drink?”

Liu Ru was stunned.

A scene flashed across her mind.

The Third Princess stood there, without even moving her fingers, and in the next instant, all the cups before her vanished, appearing before each person in the plaza, filled with the new deep brown beverage as if conjured from thin air.

Though such a scene seemed fantastical, on closer thought, it would pose no difficulty for the Third Princess.

“She simply wishes to convey her goodwill to every student personally,” Su Ziye looked down, speaking calmly. “And none of them have any complaints.”