But she swallowed the words back. She was Yu Jiuyuan, the young lady who always controlled the situation. How could she let herself appear like a resentful woman who was anxious and insecure?

I am genuinely angry.

I'm angry at his concealment, angry at his dishonesty, and even angrier at myself for being upset about these things.

So what if the walkthrough is 100% complete? So what if you finish the walkthrough?

What she wanted was never the numbers on the system panel, but absolute control.

Rong Shenghan's secret was like a time bomb, making her experience the feeling of being out of control for the first time.

She walked to her desk, sat down, and opened her laptop. An email from Xie Zhecheng popped up on the screen. It was a summary report about the AI ​​exhibition, and several photos were attached, one of which was a group photo of her, Xie Zhecheng, and Lin Yanran standing in the smart healthcare exhibition area.

In the photo, she smiles gently, Xie Zhecheng stands beside her, looking at her intently, while Lin Yanran stands awkwardly on the other side, her lips pursed, but she doesn't actually leave.

Yu Jiuyuan tapped her fingertips lightly on the photo, suddenly recalling how Lin Yanran, despite being terrified, still stood in front of her in the exhibition hall yesterday, and then she remembered Xie Zhecheng's profile as he silently investigated Su Mingyu's whereabouts.

Their thoughts may be simple or clumsy, but they are all out in the open, unlike Rong Shenghan, who always hides behind a gentle mask, making him impossible to understand.

My phone vibrated on the table. It was a message from Lin Yanran: "[Regarding the student council matter, should I go over this afternoon to discuss it?]"

Yu Jiuyuan replied: [Three points.]

She put down her phone, leaned back in her chair, and watched the snowflakes falling outside the window.

In the villa's garden, the butler was directing the servants to shovel snow. Rong Shenghan stood on the veranda, his back to the study, lost in thought.

His posture remained upright, yet there was an inexplicable sense of loneliness about him, like a child abandoned by the whole world.

Yu Jiuyuan's heart stirred inexplicably, but she forcibly suppressed it.

Don't be soft-hearted.

She said to herself, "This is what he owes you."

She opened the document and began working on student council files, forcing herself to focus on her work.

But out of the corner of her eye, she couldn't help but glance out the window. That lonely figure was like a thorn stuck in her sight, impossible to remove or forget.

Time passed slowly, but the study door remained closed.

Rong Shenghan stood under the corridor for the entire morning. Snow fell on his shoulders, accumulating a thin layer of white, but he seemed oblivious, his gaze fixed on the tightly closed door of the study.

He knew Yu Jiuyuan was waiting for an explanation.

But there are some things he can't say.

The Su family's affairs are too complicated, involving too many interests; he can't drag her into it.

He would rather she hate him now, resent him, and punish him in this cold way, than see her in danger because of him.

At three o'clock in the afternoon, Lin Yanran appeared at the villa entrance on time.

Upon seeing Rong Shenghan standing under the eaves, he paused for a moment, then frowned and asked in an unfriendly tone, "What are you doing standing here?"

Rong Shenghan ignored him and simply stepped aside to make way for him.

Lin Yanran glanced at him suspiciously, then walked into the living room and saw the butler bringing tea to the study.

He lowered his voice and asked, "Is Yu Jiuyuan inside?"

"Yes, Miss has been in the study all morning." The butler's tone was somewhat troubled. "Mr. Rong has been standing outside all morning as well."

Lin Yanran raised an eyebrow, a hint of schadenfreude flashing in her eyes. It seemed these two had a fight.

He cleared his throat, walked to the study door, and knocked: "President, I'm here."

The door opened quickly, and Yu Jiuyuan stood inside, her face already back to normal, showing no sign of anything amiss. "Come in."

Lin Yanran entered the study, and the door closed behind him, cutting off all outside views.

He glanced back at the closed door, then at Yu Jiuyuan sitting behind the desk, and suddenly felt that this silent cold war had probably only just begun.

As for the seemingly all-powerful young lady and the unassuming vice president, it remains to be seen who will ultimately prevail.

Under the eaves, Rong Shenghan looked at the tightly closed study door and slowly exhaled a breath of white air.

The snow was still falling, landing on his eyelashes and bringing a cool touch.

He knew this cold war wouldn't be short-lived.

But that's okay, he has plenty of patience to wait.

Wait until she calms down, until she's willing to listen to his explanation, or... until she completely despises him.

He will accept whatever the outcome.

Because he is her "pet," isn't he? The owner has the right to be angry and punish, while he only needs to wait to be "forgiven."

Why does my heart hurt so much?

Rong Shenghan raised his hand and pressed it to his chest. Snowflakes fell on the back of his hand and quickly melted into water, like a silent tear.