"Is that so?" Ji Nianqin raised an eyebrow, her gaze sweeping between the two of them. "That's quite a coincidence."

“It is indeed unfortunate.” Rong Shenghan smiled without any hint of sarcasm. “But there will be plenty of opportunities in the future, after all, we are all classmates now.”

He pronounced the word "classmate" very lightly, yet it carried a cold, sharp edge.

Ji Nianqin smiled, said nothing more, and turned back to her seat.

The surrounding gazes swept over like searchlights, filled with curiosity, inquiry, and a sense of anticipation.

Looking at Rong Shenghan's tense profile, Yu Jiuyuan suddenly found the opening ceremony quite interesting.

She gently tugged at Rong Shenghan's sleeve, gesturing for him to sit down.

After he sat down, she leaned close to his ear and said in a voice only the two of them could hear, "There's no need for the regular meeting tonight."

Rong Shenghan's body stiffened for a moment.

Yu Jiuyuan's fingertips traced his tie, her voice soft and cloying: "But I want to go home with you."

A warm breath brushed past her ear, carrying her unique cool fragrance, and wrapped around her like vines, instantly dispelling the anger in Rong Shenghan's heart.

He turned his head, looked at the sly smile in her eyes, and suddenly chuckled softly.

Yes, what is he angry about?

His young lady has always been like this.

Seemingly docile, but actually in control of the whole situation.

Ji Nianqin's appearance may have disrupted her game of chess, but it also allowed him to see a different side of her. She could comfort him, explain things, and when he was jealous, she would tell him in the most direct way, "You are the one I choose."

He seemed to be getting more and more involved in the game.

Rong Shenghan took her hand, which was resting on his lap, and gently squeezed her palm with his fingertips, replying with his eyes, "Okay."

The speech in the auditorium continued, long and tedious.

Yu Jiuyuan leaned back in her chair, feeling the warmth from her palms. She looked at Rong Shenghan, who was calmly dealing with the gazes of everyone around her, and then glanced at Ji Nianqin, who seemed calm in the guest seats. A smile appeared on her lips that no one could notice.

Sunlight streamed through the stained glass, falling on her face, half bright and half dark.

That's really interesting.

She thought.