The night was like thick ink, casting a tranquil and profound light on the detached villa next to Saint Sakura Academy.
In the master bedroom, only a warm orange floor lamp was left on. The light shone through the sheer lampshade, casting a hazy glow on the carpet, which perfectly enveloped the two people lying in bed, embracing each other.
Yu Jiuyuan's fingertips were casually drawing circles on Rong Shenghan's chest, her gaze fixed on the platinum ring on his left ring finger.
The ring has a simple and neat design, with smooth and warm edges. It was made by Rong Shenghan himself after his arm recovered, just like when she made him a ring with the rare platinum piece from the Yu family's collection, and he smiled and promised.
At this moment, the cool metal against her skin made her feel more at ease than any other temperature.
"What are you thinking about?" Rong Shenghan's voice was languid, as if he had just woken up. He turned to the side and pulled her closer to his arms, gently placing his other hand on her waist, his fingertips unconsciously caressing her delicate skin.
His eyes appeared exceptionally deep in the dim light, like a bottomless lake hidden within them; no one could ever truly guess what he was thinking.
Yu Jiuyuan looked up, her nose brushing against his jawline, and a pure and innocent smile curved her lips: "I was thinking that our Vice President Rong's cooking skills are getting better and better."
She raised her hand and gently tapped the ring with her fingertip. "It's even more exquisite than the one I made back then."
Actually, she was thinking something else entirely.
After agreeing to give Rong Shenghan a formal title, her favoritism towards him seemed to become increasingly obvious.
Without fail, I sleep in the master bedroom with him every night. I always subconsciously pick out his favorite dishes first at the dining table. Even when dealing with student council affairs, I unconsciously rely on him a bit more.
This tendency is not deliberate, but more like an instinct, just as vines naturally twine around the thickest tree trunk.
Rong Shenghan chuckled softly, but didn't reply. He simply lowered his head and kissed the top of her head.
He seemed to relish this favoritism, yet also seemed to have foreseen this day.
Just then, there was a soft knock on the door, followed by Xie Zhecheng's cold voice: "Yu Jiuyuan, I've compiled the information on the Ji family that you asked me to look up."
Yu Jiuyuan wriggled out of Rong Shenghan's arms, straightened her slightly disheveled pajamas, and called out, "Come in."
Xie Zhecheng pushed open the door and entered, holding a black folder in his hand.
He was dressed in a well-tailored white bathrobe, his hair was neatly combed, his face was expressionless, and his eyes were as cold as ice. However, when he saw Yu Jiuyuan on the bed wearing only a thin silk nightgown, a fleeting emotion flashed in his eyes, but it was so quick that it was impossible to catch.
He is so meticulous that you can't find a single flaw in the timing of his knocking or the way he hands over documents.
"Put it on the table," Yu Jiuyuan said, pointing to the bedside table.
Xie Zhecheng did as he was told and turned to leave, but his wrist was pulled by a soft force.
He turned around and saw Yu Jiuyuan lying on her back on the bed, supporting her head with her other hand. Her eyes were as clear as a fawn's, but her fingertips held an irresistible force as they hooked his palm.
"President Xie," her voice was soft and slightly hoarse from just waking up, "You've been busy all day, won't you come in and rest for a while?"
Rong Shenghan watched from the side, his face still expressionless, but he tightened his grip on Yu Jiuyuan's waist.
Xie Zhecheng's body stiffened for a moment. He felt the warmth of her fingertips through his palm, with a slightly cool, silky touch, which surged into his heart like an electric current.
He wanted to say "no need," his instincts made him resist this overly intimate atmosphere, but looking into Yu Jiuyuan's innocent eyes, the words of refusal stuck in his throat.
Yu Jiuyuan didn't give him much time to think. She took his hand and gently pulled him down, causing Xie Zhe to bend over.
She lifted her head, her warm breath brushing against his neck, and then her soft lips gently landed on his Adam's apple.
It was a very light kiss, carrying her unique gardenia scent, yet it was like a key that instantly unlocked Xie Zhecheng's tense nerves.
He could clearly feel his carotid artery throbbing faster. His originally cold and hard body instantly stiffened, and then, incredibly, relaxed a few seconds later.
Yu Jiuyuan could feel the temperature of his palm rising, and she could also hear his heartbeat suddenly quickening.
She looked up and met his somewhat dazed eyes. The smile on her lips deepened, carrying a hint of barely perceptible desire for control.
[System Notification: Xie Zhecheng's favorability +3, current favorability 100, conquest complete.]
The system's mechanical notification sounded in her mind, but Yu Jiuyuan remained completely unmoved, as if she had completed an ordinary task.
She let go of Xie Zhecheng's hand and snuggled back into Rong Shenghan's arms like a contented cat, but her voice was still sweet and soft: "I'll look at the data tomorrow. President Xie, you should get some rest."
Xie Zhecheng stood there, his Adam's apple bobbing. The place where she had just kissed him still seemed to retain her warmth and fragrance.
He watched as Yu Jiuyuan leaned naturally against Rong Shenghan's chest. The intimate atmosphere between the two almost shut him out, and for the first time, a feeling of "melancholy" welled up in his heart.
He remained silent for a few seconds, then, maintaining his usual indifference, nodded, turned and walked out of the room, gently closing the door behind him.
The smile on Yu Jiuyuan's face faded the moment the door closed.
She toyed with Rong Shenghan's fingers, her voice calm and even: "The Su family has fallen, Su Jingshu has risen to power, Ji Luoqin has become a pawn, and Ji Nianqin has made no reaction at this time... This game is getting more and more interesting."
Rong Shenghan lowered his head and kissed the corner of her lips: "What do you want to do?"
“Su Jingshu came to see me today,” Yu Jiuyuan said casually. “She said she could help me completely destroy the Su family. Although the Su family has already fallen, we should nip it in the bud, shouldn’t we?”
She and Su Jingshu had genuinely cooperated, and she had given her a lot of benefits; now it was time for the other party to fulfill their promises.
"Do you need my help?"
“No need,” Yu Jiuyuan shook her head, a hint of madness flashing in her eyes, “I can do it myself. But Ji Nianqin…”
She thought of the man who had come to Saint Sakura Academy on loan, and of the ridiculous nickname for "engaged couple" from her childhood. A playful smile appeared on her lips. "He and Ji Luoqin, those twins, are more interesting than I imagined."
Rong Shenghan didn't ask any more questions, but simply hugged her tighter.
Moonlight streamed through the gaps in the curtains, falling on their clasped hands. The two identical platinum rings reflected a faint light in the night, like a silent declaration.
Yu Jiuyuan closed her eyes, feeling the warmth of the body in her arms.
The mission continues, Lin Yanran's favorability still needs to be increased, and Ji Nianqin's appearance brings new variables.
But she wasn't in a hurry; she had plenty of patience to slowly train these "pets" that belonged to her.
As for favoritism... she admits that she is increasingly favoring Rong Shenghan, but that doesn't stop her from smiling at others.
After all, a good hunter never focuses on just one prey.
And she, Yu Jiuyuan, has always been the most qualified one.
As night deepened, the villa fell silent, save for the occasional low murmur of conversation that drifted from the master bedroom, quickly replaced by more intimate breathing.
The game for the young lady has only just begun to reach its most exciting part.
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