The opening ceremony of St. Sakura Academy has always been a grand affair.
Inside the Gothic auditorium, stained glass windows refract sunlight into colorful spots that fall onto the red velvet carpeted aisles.
The students, dressed in crisp school uniforms, sat neatly in their respective classes, their very breathing exuding a carefully maintained elegance.
As the student council president, Yu Jiuyuan sat in the head seat of the first row.
She wore a white shirt and a black knee-length skirt, with a silk bow tie at the neckline as required by the college. Her long hair was neatly tied into a low bun, revealing her slender, fair neck.
From giving her speech to receiving the award from the principal, her smile was both appropriate and aloof, like a meticulously painted portrait, without a single flaw.
As she stepped off the stage, her gaze subtly swept across the audience.
Yuan Xu was sitting in the science class area, holding an open notebook in her hand. When she saw her looking over, she immediately put down her pen, her eyes shining like stars, and the smile on her lips was impossible to hide.
Yu Jiuyuan nodded slightly to him, making a "good luck" gesture with her fingertips at her side. It was their agreed-upon code, meaning "see you tonight."
Xie Zhecheng sat diagonally in front of him. As the representative of the student union, he stood tall and straight, his profile as hard as a sculpture.
Sensing her gaze, he turned his head, his eyes calm and unwavering, but his fingertips twitched slightly as her skirt brushed against the leg of his chair.
Yu Jiuyuan slowed her pace and said in a voice only the two of them could hear, "The Japanese restaurant reservation is ready, seven o'clock." Xie Zhecheng nodded almost imperceptibly in agreement.
Lin Yanran was seated towards the back, and probably couldn't sit still, so she was fidgeting with her pen.
When he saw her looking over, he immediately put down his pen, put on a serious face and pretended to listen attentively, but his ears secretly turned red.
Yu Jiuyuan suppressed a laugh and gestured with her chin toward him, indicating "Don't forget to hand in the form." Lin Yanran awkwardly turned his face away, which was considered as receiving the signal.
Finally, her gaze fell on Rong Shenghan.
As the vice president of the student council, he sat next to her.
When she went on stage, he straightened her slightly disheveled bow tie, his fingertips brushing against the side of her neck with a deliberate coolness.
At this moment, he was looking down at the process sheet in his hand, his profile appearing particularly soft in the light and shadow. Only Yu Jiuyuan knew that the knuckles of his hand resting on his knee were turning slightly white.
Ji Luoqin sat in the guest seat, not far from the head seat.
He wore the same school uniform as everyone else, yet he exuded a refined and noble air.
Seeing Yu Jiuyuan looking over, he raised the mineral water bottle in his hand and gestured to her from afar, his smile gentle, but his eyes held a deep sense of determination.
Yu Jiuyuan withdrew her gaze and sat down in her seat.
As soon as she sat down, Rong Shenghan reached his hand from under the table and gently squeezed her wrist.
His strength wasn't great, but it carried an irresistible force. His fingertips caressed the skin of her wrist, as if silently declaring ownership.
"Be careful," he whispered, his breath brushing against her ear. "Don't go too far."
Yu Jiuyuan turned her head and gave him a kind and innocent smile, but her fingertips gently pinched the back of his hand: "Don't worry, I know what I'm doing."
Her nails were trimmed smoothly and rounded, and the pressure she applied was like a tickle, which made Rong Shenghan's breathing become heavier.
He looked at the cunning glint in her eyes and suddenly felt that he must be crazy to let this little fox frolic in his heart, and even... enjoy it.
Halfway through the opening ceremony, it was time for the new student representative to speak. Ji Nianqin, as a representative of the visiting students, was invited to the stage.
He walked up to the microphone, bowed politely, and then took off his glasses, revealing his warm and deep eyes.
"Hello everyone, I am Ji Nianqin." His voice, carried through the speakers, resonated throughout the auditorium with a calming magnetism. "I am very happy to be here at Saint Sakura Academy, and even happier to see my... old friend here."
When he mentioned the words "old friend," his gaze fell precisely on Yu Jiuyuan, and his smile was meaningful.
A murmur of discussion immediately arose from the audience.
Most of the students at Saint Sakura Academy come from wealthy families. Some people may not be familiar with the name Ji Nianqin, but the Ji family's reputation is well-known.
Moreover, the implication in his words was far too obvious.
Yuan Xu frowned, her hand squeezing the notebook until it became deformed.
Xie Zhecheng looked up at the stage, his eyes turning cold, and the atmosphere around him instantly became oppressive.
Lin Yanran sat up straight, her face showing a wary expression that seemed to say, "Who is this? How dare they steal my person?"
Rong Shenghan tightened his grip on Yu Jiuyuan's wrist, his fingertips almost digging into her flesh.
Yu Jiuyuan could feel the chill emanating from him, like a sudden drop in temperature that made her skin numb.
She took Rong Shenghan's hand in her own, gently scratched his palm with her fingertips, and told him with her eyes, "Don't be impulsive."
Then, she raised her head and looked at Ji Nianqin on the stage, a flawless smile on her face, as if responding to his "greeting" and as if giving a silent warning.
Ji Nianqin seemed quite satisfied with the effect, smiled, and continued his speech.
The content was nothing more than thanking the school and looking forward to the future. The wording was appropriate and there was not a single fault to be found. However, to a discerning person, every word seemed to be announcing his special relationship with Yu Jiuyuan.
After he finished speaking, he stepped off the stage and deliberately slowed his pace as he passed the main seat. He said to Yu Jiuyuan, "Jiuyuan, are you free tonight? I've made a reservation at the dessert shop we used to go to when we were kids."
The sound wasn't loud, but it was loud enough for those around to hear.
Before Yu Jiuyuan could speak, Rong Shenghan had already released her hand, stood up, and stood in front of her with a gentle smile: "Sorry, Ji, the student council has a regular meeting tonight, Jiuyuan is not available."
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