“It’s Yuan Xu who put in the effort.” Yu Jiuyuan turned to Rong Shenghan, her tone as natural as if she were talking about the weather. “I just heard Miss Tang say that Vice President Rong often goes to concerts when he’s in London?”

Rong Shenghan traced a circle with his fingertip on the rim of his glass: "I go occasionally, but I still prefer live performances." His gaze fell on Xie Zhecheng, his smile gentle, "For example, President Xie's performance just now was much better than the version on the record."

Xie Zhecheng didn't reply, but walked to the piano and his fingertips landed on the keys again.

This time, it wasn't Chopin's Nocturne that flowed out, but an unfamiliar melody.

The clear, melodious voice carried a hint of urgency, as if it were chasing something, or perhaps telling a story.

Yu Jiuyuan's gaze lingered on his fingertips, and she suddenly recalled the night in Changbai Mountain when he stood by the window of the observatory, focused on tracking a shooting star with his telescope.

Even a cold and aloof perfectionist has moments when they can't hide their emotions.

[Xie Zhecheng: Favorability 17 (unchanged), Emotional fluctuations - Negative 0/Neutral 5/Positive 105 (Positive +2)]

As the system notification sound rang, Rong Shenghan suddenly took half a step closer, his warm breath brushing against Yu Jiuyuan's ear: "This melody sounds a lot like the frequency of your heartbeat when you kissed me for the second time."

His voice was very low, like a whisper between lovers, audible only to the two of them.

When Yu Jiuyuan turned her head, she happened to meet his unfathomable eyes, where her figure was reflected, as if the starlight of an entire universe was hidden.

"Vice President Rong is too kind." She took a half step back, maintaining a polite distance, and her tone returned to its usual calm. "I'll go see if Secretary Lin needs any help."

As she turned to walk towards the registration area, Rong Shenghan watched her retreating figure and suddenly smiled.

Xie Zhecheng's melody continued, Tang Nianzhi's exclamations of praise mingled within it, while his gaze remained fixed on that white figure, as if conducting a silent hunt.

When Yu Jiuyuan arrived at the registration area, Lin Yanran was awkwardly handing a pen to a guest.

His posture remained arrogant, but he didn't lose his temper again; only when he saw her did his ears turn slightly red.

“It seems that Officer Lin has adapted.” Yu Jiuyuan picked up the sign-in book and flipped through it. The handwriting was much neater than in the morning. “Your father was just praising you for being sensible.”

Lin Yanran paused, her voice muffled: "I just don't want to bring shame to the Lin family."

Looking at his awkward expression, Yu Jiuyuan suddenly remembered the proud ferret that Yuan Xu kept.

She clearly craved attention, yet deliberately acted as if she wanted to be unapproachable. She turned and walked towards the banquet hall, leaving behind a nonchalant remark: "Keep trying, don't disappoint your father."

As Lin Yanran watched her figure disappear into the crowd, the fingers gripping the pen suddenly loosened slightly.

The breeze at the registration desk carried the sweet scent of champagne. He looked down at his name in the sign-in book and suddenly felt that his handwriting... wasn't so bad after all.

[Lin Yanran: Favorability 3 (unchanged), Emotional fluctuations - Negative 24 / Neutral 10 / Positive 0 (Negative -1)]

The system panel's notification sound rang softly amidst the noise.

Yu Jiuyuan picked up the champagne offered by the waiter, her gaze sweeping over the figures in the banquet hall. Xie Zhecheng's melody was still playing, Rong Shenghan was talking to Tang Nianzhi, Yuan Xu was intently watching his butterfly, and Lin Yanran straightened her back at the registration desk.

They were like chess pieces scattered on a chessboard, each moving along its own path, yet all within her sight. Yu Jiuyuan took a sip of champagne, and as the bubbles burst on her tongue, a faint smile curved her lips.