The crystal chandelier at the banquet reflected a soft, shimmering light that fell on the rim of Yu Jiuyuan's champagne glass, like scattered diamonds.
She was chatting with Yuan Xu about interesting things in the lab when she caught a glimpse of Rong Shenghan standing by the bar, casually tapping the rim of his glass with his fingertips, his gaze fixed intently on the backs of her and Yuan Xu's clasped hands.
"Yuanxu, may I take a look at your fluorescent bacteria sample?" Yu Jiuyuan withdrew her hand at the right moment and changed the subject with a smile.
She knew that Rong Shenghan's possessiveness was acting up again, like a cat whose territory had been violated, silently declaring its ownership with its eyes.
Yuan Xu nodded immediately and took out a sealed sample tube from her bag: "Here you go, but be careful, it's very sensitive to temperature."
"Don't worry." Yu Jiuyuan took the sample tube, and just as her fingertips touched the tube wall, she was pressed down by another strong hand.
Rong Shenghan walked over unnoticed, smiling gently as he took the sample tube and handed it to Yuan Xu: "Don't take things from the lab at the banquet. What if you accidentally break them?"
His tone of concern was just right, yet it subtly distanced her from Yuan Xu.
Yuan Xu was taken aback for a moment, then obediently put the sample tube away: "Oh, right."
Yu Jiuyuan looked at the triumphant smile in Rong Shenghan's eyes and found it amusing, but she said in a cooperative tone, "It was my oversight."
As she turned to get the dessert, Xie Zhecheng gently pulled her wrist.
He held a program for the club dinner in his hand and said in a calm tone, "I've adjusted the speaking order for the third item. Take a look."
The handwriting on the flowchart was still neat, except that a small arrow was drawn next to Ji Luoqin's name, moving it two places to the right.
Yu Jiuyuan raised an eyebrow: "You also think he's stealing the spotlight?"
"It does not comply with the procedure."
Xie Zhecheng spoke succinctly, but his gaze lingered on her wrist, which Rong Shenghan had pinched red, and asked, "Did he just lay a hand on you?"
"No, I was just kidding."
Yu Jiuyuan smiled, her fingertips tracing the modified marks on the flowchart. "This adjustment is very good. We'll do it as you said."
Xie Zhecheng's ears turned slightly red. He didn't say anything more, but when she turned around, he blocked the oncoming waiter for her.
That instant of tacit understanding was like a pebble thrown into a lake, quietly creating ripples.
As soon as she walked into the dessert area, she saw Lin Yanran standing there with her back to her, holding a piece of Black Forest cake in her hand, but she didn't eat it. She was just staring blankly at the cherries on the cake.
"Don't you like it?" Yu Jiuyuan walked over, picked up a piece of mousse and handed it to him, "Try this, it's mango flavored."
Lin Yanran turned around abruptly, saw it was her, and hurriedly stuffed the cake into her mouth, saying indistinctly, "Who, who doesn't like it anymore?"
Cream smeared on the corner of his mouth, making him look like a cat stealing a bite.
Yu Jiuyuan couldn't help but laugh, and pulled out a tissue to wipe his mouth: "Eat slowly, no one's going to take it from you."
The moment her fingertips touched the corner of his lips, Lin Yanran took a half step back as if burned, her cheeks flushed red: "I can do it myself!"
Watching him awkwardly wipe his mouth, Yu Jiuyuan suddenly said, "Where's your wristband? Why aren't you wearing it?"
"Who wears it every day?"
Lin Yanran said stiffly, but her hand unconsciously reached for her pocket, which was bulging, obviously where the wristband was hidden.
"Idiot." Yu Jiuyuan shook her head and turned to walk towards the dance floor.
As soon as I stood still, I was pulled into someone's arms.
Rong Shenghan's presence enveloped her, carrying the scent of ebony and champagne. "Having a good chat with Lin Yanran?" he whispered in her ear, his tone tinged with a hint of bitterness.
"It's alright." Yu Jiuyuan tiptoed and kissed his chin. "It's more enjoyable than talking to you."
"Is that so?" Rong Shenghan's hand suddenly tightened, pressing her closer to his chest. "Then I have to make you 'happy'."
He led her into the dance floor, his steps precise and powerful, carrying an irresistible possessiveness.
With each turn and spin, he held her firmly in his arms, as if declaring to everyone that she was his.
At the edge of the dance floor, Ji Nianqin stood there holding a wine glass, looking at them with a gentle smile.
Behind his gold-rimmed glasses, however, lay a determined glint in his eyes. The waiter beside him whispered, "Should we remind Young Master Rong?"
"No need." Ji Nianqin gently swirled her wine glass. "The real show has only just begun."
When the song ended, Rong Shenghan pulled Yu Jiuyuan into his arms, their breaths mingling.
"Are you tired?" he asked, his fingertips brushing against her sweaty forehead.
"It's alright." Yu Jiuyuan looked up at him, a sly glint in her eyes. "However, someone seems to be more tired than me."
Her gaze passed over his shoulder and landed on Ji Nianqin, who was not far away.
The latter was raising his glass to her, his smile carrying a deeper meaning.
Rong Shenghan followed her gaze, and the temperature in his eyes instantly turned several degrees colder.
"Want to dance with him?" His voice was deep, with a hint of danger in it.
"I don't want to." Yu Jiuyuan hooked her arms around his neck and kissed him. "I just want to dance with you."
The kiss was deliberately lingering, burning as fiercely as a flame in front of everyone.
Rong Shenghan's breathing gradually became heavy, and all his jealousy and possessiveness quietly melted away in this kiss.
He suddenly realized that he had never been her match.
This seemingly innocent little fox had already figured out his thoughts perfectly, making him both jealous and willingly succumbing to her charms.
Outside the dance floor, Xie Zhecheng watched the two embracing, his fingertips unconsciously tightening around his wine glass.
Yuan Xu blinked and whispered to Xie Zhecheng, "They seem to really like each other."
Xie Zhecheng didn't say anything, but simply drank the whiskey in his glass in one gulp.
Lin Yanran turned her face away, pretending to look at the ceiling, but her ears were burning red.
Ji Nianqin watched this scene, her smile fading slightly, but she still maintained her composure.
He knew that patience alone wouldn't be enough to tame the fox; he would need to use some special methods.
Yu Jiuyuan leaned against Rong Shenghan's chest, feeling his strong heartbeat, a satisfied smile flashing in her eyes.
Xie Zhecheng's forbearance, Yuan Xu's purity, Lin Yanran's awkwardness, Rong Shenghan's obsession, and even Ji Nianqin's ambition are all under her control, like a meticulously choreographed dance.
She enjoyed the feeling of being needed, and enjoyed watching them react to her with joy or anger, whether near or far.
This is more fun and more addictive than any other game.
"What are you thinking about?" Rong Shenghan pinched her cheek, his tone full of affection.
“I’m thinking,” Yu Jiuyuan looked up at him, a flash of madness in her eyes, “how to make you more ‘obedient’.”
Rong Shenghan chuckled softly and kissed the corner of her eye: "Then let's give it a try."
The music from the banquet continued, and the crystal chandelier shimmered endlessly.
Yu Jiuyuan looked at the man beside her with his deep gaze, then glanced at the crowd outside the dance floor, each with their own thoughts, and a faint smile appeared on her lips.
She will keep playing this game forever.
Until everyone willingly becomes her "dog".
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