What they wanted was never a parasitic plant clinging to Yu Jiuyuan, but a helper who could stand shoulder to shoulder with her.
Yu Jiuyuan ate her meal quietly, occasionally glancing up and always meeting Rong Shenghan's gaze.
His gaze, filled with a smile, seemed to say, "See, I did a good job," which warmed her heart inexplicably.
On the way back, Yu Jiuyuan leaned back in her seat and closed her eyes to rest when she suddenly felt Rong Shenghan's hand cover her forehead.
"Are you tired?" His voice was soft, carrying a barely perceptible hint of heartache.
“A little.” Yu Jiuyuan didn’t open her eyes, but leaned closer to him. “It’s much easier than dealing with a bunch of old foxes.”
Rong Shenghan chuckled softly, gently massaging her temples with his fingertips: "Then I'll handle it for you next time."
"You?" Yu Jiuyuan opened her eyes and looked at him. "Aren't you afraid of being speechless when they ask you questions?"
“You have to learn something.” Rong Shenghan’s gaze fell on her face as he said seriously, “I’ll take care of these things for you from now on.”
Yu Jiuyuan's heart felt as if it had been gently bumped by something.
She had seen too many people make promises to her, some like Ji Nianqin who were driven by family interests, others like Xie Zhecheng who were driven by perfectionist obsessions, but only Rong Shenghan's words, spoken so casually, made her believe them inexplicably.
She suddenly leaned in and planted a light kiss on his lips: "Okay, then I'll be waiting."
The lights were still on in the living room when the car drove into the villa.
Xie Zhecheng sat on the sofa reading financial newspapers, while Yuan Xu fiddled with several petri dishes on the coffee table, filled with an unknown purple liquid.
Seeing them return, Xie Zhecheng raised his eyes and said, "You're back."
"Hmm," Yu Jiuyuan changed her shoes, walked over to Yuan Xu's side and glanced at her, "What are you fiddling with now?"
“Freshly extracted anthocyanins,” Yuan Xu pushed up her glasses, her tone tinged with excitement, “are good for repairing nerves after staying up all night. I’ve saved a bottle for you.”
Yu Jiuyuan picked up the small glass bottle, looked at the purple liquid swaying inside, and a warm feeling flashed in her eyes: "Thanks."
"Did they give you any trouble at the old house?" Xie Zhecheng put down his newspaper, his tone still calm, but with a hint of barely perceptible concern.
“No,” Yu Jiuyuan smiled, “Rong Shenghan made them quite happy.”
She deliberately emphasized the name "Rong Shenghan," and sure enough, Xie Zhecheng's brows furrowed almost imperceptibly. Yuan Xu also stopped what she was doing and silently put away the petri dish.
Yu Jiuyuan found it amusing.
These men, despite having reached an "agreement," still secretly compete over trivial matters.
Xie Zhecheng, in particular, appeared calm and collected on the surface, but secretly harbored resentment countless times.
"I'm going upstairs to take a shower first." She shook the glass bottle in her hand. "This is a good thing Yuanxu gave me, I have to use it soon."
After saying that, he turned and walked towards the stairs.
Rong Shenghan followed behind her, and as they passed through the living room, he didn't forget to smile at Xie Zhecheng and Yuan Xu, his smugness almost overflowing.
The sound of water soon came from the bathroom.
Rong Shenghan leaned against the door frame, listening to the rustling sounds inside, his fingertips unconsciously stroking the ring on his ring finger.
This month, Yu Jiuyuan was noticeably busier, having to handle the handover of the Yu family business and take care of student council affairs, often so tired that she would fall asleep as soon as her head hit the pillow.
Even when she's busy, she still goes back to the master bedroom every night and soothes him in the gentlest way when he's being difficult.
Just like last night, she stayed up late with Xie Zhecheng checking the club's accounts, and when they came back, he deliberately turned his back to her and pretended to be asleep.
She didn't say anything, but gently hugged him from behind, kissing his spine and moving downwards until his tense body completely relaxed, and he turned around and pressed her tightly into his arms.
"Stop fooling around," she said with a smile, her fingertips tracing his cheek. "I know you're jealous."
He didn't speak, but silenced her lips with a kiss.
That night, he exerted extra force, as if trying to meld her into his very bones, to confirm that she had truly returned to his side.
"What are you thinking about?" Yu Jiuyuan came out wrapped in a bath towel and saw him standing at the door in a daze, so she couldn't help but ask curiously.
Rong Shenghan snapped out of his reverie, stepped forward, pulled her into his arms, and rested his chin on the top of her head: "I was thinking, this May is really nice."
Yu Jiuyuan leaned against him, listening to his steady heartbeat, and suddenly smiled: "After we're done with this busy period, I'll take you on vacation."
"Okay." Rong Shenghan tightened his arms, holding her even closer. "Anywhere is fine, as long as I'm with you."
Moonlight streamed through the sheer curtains, bathing the two embracing figures in a silvery glow.
Yu Jiuyuan closed her eyes, smelling Rong Shenghan's refreshing scent, and felt much of her fatigue from the past few days dissipate.
She knew that beneath the calm surface, undercurrents were still surging.
Lin Yanran's favorability rating has exceeded 90, which means that the conquest mission has taken another step forward.
Although things have calmed down at the old house for the time being, it's not necessarily true that they've truly accepted Rong Shenghan.
Not to mention Ji Nianqin, who was studying at Saint Sakura Academy on loan, whose gaze always carried an inexplicable obsession.
But so what?
Yu Jiuyuan smiled faintly.
She is Yu Jiuyuan, the student council president of Saint Sakura Academy, the heir to the Yu Group, and the master of these men.
No matter who they are or what their intentions are, they can't escape her grasp in the end.
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