Rong Shenghan: Favorability +3 (currently 43) (Bonus points for triggering "Detailed Memories")

Yu Jiuyuan noticed the fleeting inquiry in his eyes and suddenly chuckled, "Vice President even knows that Xie Zhecheng doesn't eat ginger? Looks like you've done a lot of research in private."

She took the two insulated containers and naturally separated her hands from Yuan Xu's. "I'll go deliver the soup to Xie Zhecheng. You guys go to the student union to prepare the application materials for Changbai Mountain."

Yuan Xu nodded immediately, picked up the insulated box, and hurried away, her steps as light as if she were walking on sunshine after a snowfall. Rong Shenghan watched her retreating figure and suddenly whispered, "Is the president really so comfortable with me being alone with him?"

“Yuan Xu’s world is very simple,” Yu Jiuyuan turned and walked towards the Astronomy Club, her voice as light as falling snowflakes, “But the vice president, would you have tampered with the materials and deliberately listed my name next to Xie Zhecheng?”

Rong Shenghan chuckled softly, watching her figure disappear through the observation room door, a hint of seriousness creeping into the playful expression in his eyes.

In the astronomy club, Hsieh Che-cheng was still working on the observation data.

His fingers traced smooth lines on the notebook when he suddenly noticed the off-white scarf on the carpet, its star trail embroidery on the edges strikingly similar to the constellation pattern on his shirt.

He hesitated for a few seconds, but finally bent down and picked it up.

The cashmere felt as soft as a cloud, and it still carried a faint scent of gardenias, which was Yu Jiuyuan's scent.

[Xie Zhecheng: Favorability +2 (currently 5) (triggers "Item Retention" bonus)]

He clumsily folded the scarf into a neat square and placed it next to the binoculars, in a position that was closest yet wouldn't obstruct his operation, like placing a precious specimen.

When the door was pushed open, he immediately hid the scarf behind his back, his movements so flustered that they were unlike his usual self.

Looking at his reddened ears, Yu Jiuyuan suddenly felt that the perfectionist's flustered appearance was more moving than any precise data.

"I brought you some mutton soup." She placed the thermos on the table with a kind smile. "Yuanxu's mother made it specially, saying it can help keep you warm."

Xie Zhecheng's hands were still trembling slightly as he took the thermos.

As he bent down to ladle soup, the scarf hidden behind his back accidentally slipped out, its off-white cashmere standing out against his dark blue windbreaker.

Yu Jiuyuan pretended not to see it, and just pointed to his notebook: "Isn't this angle calculation wrong? The magnetic declination of Changbai Mountain is greater than that of Shengying..."

Xie Zhecheng followed her finger and immediately forgot about the scarf, starting to seriously discuss the data.

Sunlight streamed through the frosted glass window, casting dappled patterns of light on the intertwined shadows of the two people, like a handful of stars scattered across the sky.

When the clock in the observation room struck eleven, Xie Zhecheng suddenly said, "You forgot your scarf here."

He handed her the neatly folded scarf, his fingertips accidentally brushing against her palm, causing her to recoil as if electrocuted.

Yu Jiuyuan took the scarf and deliberately wrapped it around her neck: "Perfect, it was a bit chilly outside." Seeing his eyes light up instantly, she added, "I didn't expect it to match my coat so well."

Xie Zhecheng's lips curved almost imperceptibly, like a gentle crack appearing on ice surface touched by a spring breeze.

[Xie Zhecheng: Favorability +3 (currently 8) (triggers "Tacit Understanding" bonus)]

The sunlight after the snow shone through the clock tower of St. Sakura Academy, reflecting countless rays of light on the snow.

Standing at the door of the observation room, Yu Jiuyuan watched Xie Zhecheng's back as he resumed his calculations. Suddenly, she felt that in this game of "taming," she herself seemed to be gradually deviating from the intended path.

But what does it matter?

She touched the warm scarf around her neck, a satisfied smile playing on her lips.

After all, the moment when a perfectionist breaks the rules is far more precious than any predetermined "strategy progress".

The snow on Changbai Mountain will fall soon.

And on her chessboard, the hardest piece finally began to take its first step in the direction she wanted.