Yu Jiuyuan knew all about these things. As the student council president, nothing in the student council could escape her notice.

Rong Shenghan was like a master chess player, always making his move when she needed him, but never letting anyone see his chessboard.

“Then…” Rong Shenghan suddenly leaned forward, taking a step closer. He was more than half a head taller than Yu Jiuyuan, his shadow completely enveloping her. “What if the vice president wants more rewards?”

His breath, carrying the chilly air, landed on her forehead, and Yu Jiuyuan could clearly see the tiny snowflakes clinging to his eyelashes.

The system panel was flashing wildly in my mind. Rong Shenghan's favorability rating soared from 45 to 58, and the "positive" value in the emotional fluctuations instantly broke through 60, with the red progress bar almost overflowing.

Very good. Yu Jiuyuan mentally gave herself a checkmark. This move was the right one.

Instead of backing away, she raised her hand and gently touched his chest with her fingertips: "Then we'll see how the vice president performs next." Beneath the fabric beneath her fingertips, she could feel his steady and powerful heartbeat, faster than she had expected.

Rong Shenghan grabbed her wrist, his palm burning hot.

He lowered his head, his gaze falling on her lips, which were covered by a scarf, and the smile in his peach blossom eyes deepened: "The president has the final say."

Yuan Xu's voice came from afar, tinged with anxiety: "Jiu Yuan? Rong Shenghan? Where are you? Xie Zhecheng said he needs to check our return gear for tomorrow!"

Yu Jiuyuan withdrew her hand, took a step back, and created a safe distance. She straightened her slightly disheveled collar and her tone returned to its usual composure: "Let's go, don't keep them waiting."

Rong Shenghan didn't move, watching her back, then suddenly raised his voice and asked, "President, that kiss just now... does it count as a work injury?"

Yu Jiuyuan paused and turned to look at him.

The moonlight fell on his face, half bright and half hidden in shadow, and that unpredictable look returned.

She smiled, didn't answer, and turned to walk towards the accommodation area.

The night wind stirred up snowflakes again, dispersing the lingering scent of cedar in the air.

Rong Shenghan stood there, looking down at his palm, where the warmth of her wrist still seemed to linger.

He slowly clenched his fist, holding the pine nut strung on the red string in his palm until the sharp edge of the pine nut hurt his palm.

As the lights of the observatory drew closer, Yu Jiuyuan could see Yuan Xu standing at the door, wearing a white down jacket and waving.

Xie Zhecheng leaned against the door frame, her face expressionless, but she was clutching a spare scarf in her hand, which she had left at the observation station that morning.

Lin Yanran stood a little further away, arms crossed, looking impatient, the snow under her feet crumpled into a mess.

Four targets, four completely different reactions. Yu Jiuyuan tightened her scarf, a faint smile playing on her lips.

The aurora borealis on Changbai Mountain had faded, but this hunting game was only just beginning to get interesting. And the kiss she gave Rong Shenghan was merely a perfectly timed lure in this game.

As for what this bait will ultimately catch... Yu Jiuyuan looked up at the starry sky, her eyes calm and undisturbed. She only cared about the result, never about the people involved in the process.