Morning light streamed through the gaps in the heavy curtains, casting a pale band of light on the carpet.
Yu Jiuyuan walked barefoot in the light strip, her fingertips tracing the glass on the bedside table.
The water inside had long since cooled down, and the condensation on the glass slid down the sides, leaving small damp patches on the expensive cashmere carpet.
The sound of fabric rustling came from behind her. Ji Luoqin sat up in bed, her messy black hair hanging down her forehead, obscuring the emotions in her eyes.
He looked at her bare back, which was covered with red marks of varying shades, like a painting that had been wantonly smeared, and his Adam's apple bobbed involuntarily.
"Awake?" His voice, hoarse from a hangover, broke the silence in the room.
Yu Jiuyuan didn't turn around, but simply picked up the silk robe draped over the back of the chair and slowly tied the belt.
The robe was made of thin material, which could vaguely reveal the marks underneath, but she didn't care at all, as if those marks were not from the indulgence of the previous night, but decorations drawn on casually.
"The news of the Su family's bankruptcy should have spread by now." She walked to the window, pulled back a curtain, and looked at the city skyline in the distance.
In the morning light, Saint Sakura Academy resembled a silent castle, while the world outside the castle must have been thrown into turmoil by the collapse of the Su family.
Ji Nianqin woke up at this moment. He leaned against the headboard, an unlit cigarette between his fingers, his gaze fixed on Yu Jiuyuan's back, a playful scrutiny in his eyes: "Sister is quite calm. Aren't you afraid we'll kill you to silence you?"
"I am afraid." Yu Jiuyuan turned around, her face bearing her usual innocent smile, but her eyes were icy cold. "But I'm even more afraid that you'll regret it."
She shook the jade bracelet on her wrist. It was an ordinary-looking antique bracelet, but it actually had a hidden secret: everything from last night had been recorded silently by it.
Ji Luoqin's face darkened instantly. He stood up abruptly, walked a few steps to Yu Jiuyuan, and reached out to snatch the jade bracelet.
"Don't move."
Yu Jiuyuan took a step back, avoiding his hand, her smile now tinged with sarcasm. "Touching it now will only make the contents transfer faster. You should trust Yuanxu's encryption technology."
When Yuan Xu was mentioned, Ji Nianqin paused.
That genius, who is obsessed with biological research, is also a leader in the field of information technology. If he sets his sights on the Ji family, their shady dealings will probably spread throughout high society in no time.
"What exactly do you want?" Ji Luoqin's voice was filled with suppressed anger. For the first time, he felt that this seemingly harmless girl was more troublesome than any opponent he had ever encountered.
"Not very good."
Yu Jiuyuan walked to the sofa and sat down, her posture languid. "Just like I said before, I want you to listen to me."
She paused, then added, "Of course, that's on the premise that my interests are not harmed."
This was said bluntly and arrogantly, like giving a command to one's pet.
Ji Nianqin chuckled softly. He walked to Yu Jiuyuan's side, leaned close to her, and asked in an ambiguous tone, "What if we don't behave?"
"Then let's fight to the death."
Yu Jiuyuan met his gaze, her eyes calm and unwavering. "What I've lost are just a few 'pawns,' but your Ji family will probably have to withdraw from Saint Sakura City completely."
Her words were like a cold knife, precisely piercing the Ji family's Achilles' heel.
Ji Luoqin clenched her fists tightly, her knuckles turning white, but she eventually let go.
He knew they had no choice.
"We will clean up the mess left by the Su family," Ji Luoqin said coldly. "But you'd better remember not to push your luck."
“I never push my luck.” Yu Jiuyuan smiled. “I only take what I deserve.”
At that moment, Yu Jiuyuan's phone rang, and the words "Rong Shenghan" appeared on the screen.
She glanced at the Ji brothers, pressed the answer button, and her voice instantly softened: "Hello, Sheng Han?"
"Where are you?" The voice on the other end of the phone sounded calm, but carried a hint of barely perceptible tension.
"I have some things to take care of outside, I'll be right back."
Yu Jiuyuan's tone was reassuring, "You stay home and wait for me, I'll come back and eat the crab roe soup dumplings you made."
After hanging up the phone, Yu Jiuyuan stood up and began to tidy up the clothes scattered on the floor.
Ji Nianqin watched as she skillfully folded the clothes stained with an ambiguous scent, and suddenly asked, "Aren't you afraid Rong Shenghan will find out?"
"So what if he knows?" Yu Jiuyuan said without looking up. "He'll understand me."
These words sounded like self-deception, but Ji Luoqin could detect absolute confidence in her tone.
He suddenly understood why someone as unpredictable as Rong Shenghan would be so devoted to her.
This young lady's greatest skill is getting others to willingly do anything for her, even if they know they are just a pawn on her chessboard.
"I'll take you back." Ji Nianqin picked up her coat, her tone leaving no room for argument.
"No need," Yu Jiuyuan declined his offer. "President Xie should be waiting for me downstairs."
She texted Xie Zhecheng last night, asking him to pick her up this morning, so he must have already arranged everything.
Sure enough, as soon as she stepped out of the hotel, she saw Xie Zhecheng's car parked on the side of the road.
He was wearing a well-tailored suit, his hair neatly combed, and he was standing by the car waiting for her. His gaze, behind his gold-rimmed glasses, fell on her with a hint of worry.
"Get in the car."
Xie Zhecheng opened the car door for her without asking any further questions, as if she had simply gone to an ordinary party since she hadn't returned home all night.
The car drove smoothly along the streets in the early morning, and the interior was completely silent.
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