The spring night was bathed in warm tones from the gilded lights, and tiny starlight twinkled among the branches of the century-old sycamore trees, intertwining with the crystal light cascading down from the top of the banquet hall, making this highly anticipated engagement banquet look like a fairytale celebration.
Yu Jiuyuan stood on the west side of the banquet hall terrace, her fingertips lightly holding a glass of champagne. The cool glass perfectly neutralized the heat from the hand-embroidered rhinestones on her dress.
She wore a moon-white fishtail gown, with thousands of tiny diamonds sewn onto the layers of tulle on the skirt, making it seem as if she were walking on shattered stars.
The pearl necklace around her neck was a family heirloom of the Rong family. The chain of round South Sea pearls was adorned with a pigeon blood ruby, which made her skin look as white as snow, while her eyes and brows held a calm and composure that did not match her age of 19.
"President, the guests from the student union have been settled, and several directors of the alumni foundation are still asking when you will come over."
The student council member's voice, tinged with a cautious respect, interrupted her thoughts.
Yu Jiuyuan turned her head, the aloofness in her eyes instantly disappearing, replaced by a gentle and proper smile. Her tone was soft but carried an undeniable certainty: "Tell them to wait for ten minutes. Mr. Rong and I will be over after we finish this round of business."
Her voice was like melting snow in spring, clear and melodious, and no one would guess that she was the student council president of Saint Sakura Academy.
Right now, I'm frantically checking tonight's schedule in my mind.
At 7:30, I exchanged pleasantries with the elders of the Rong family. At 8:00, I gave a brief interview to the media. At 8:15, I handed over the urgent documents from the European branch of the Yu Group. At 8:30, I accompanied Rong Shenghan to toast the guests. I had to finish the approval of the student council's annual budget before 9:00.
Since entering the St. Sakura University Department, this kind of busyness has become the norm.
As a top student who was directly admitted to university without taking the entrance exam, she did not need to worry about her studies, but she took the initiative to take on the important task of student council president. At the same time, the handover of power in the Yu Group was also progressing steadily.
The elders in the old house initially did not approve of her working so hard, until they saw her sort out the long-standing problems of the student council in three months.
He then impressed the veterans at the Yu Group's board meeting with his precise data analysis and sharp decision-making, finally putting their minds at ease.
"What are you thinking about?" A warm hand gently covered her waist, carrying the familiar scent of ebony.
Rong Shenghan walked up to her without her noticing. He was wearing a black bespoke suit, which made his figure appear even taller and more slender.
His eyes, which were usually always smiling, were now as deep as the night, his gaze fixed on her face, filled with an unyielding tenderness.
Yu Jiuyuan leaned towards him, her forehead gently resting against his shoulder, her voice soft and sweet as if she were pouting: "I was wondering when you were coming. I'm getting tired of all those uncles and elders asking me questions."
Her tone carried just the right amount of coquettishness, but her eyes remained completely calm. Only the five "Affection Level 100" indicators on the system panel reminded her that this game of love had come to a successful conclusion.
Rong Shenghan chuckled softly, his fingertips tracing through her hair, his tone indulgent: "I'm waiting for your signal."
He knows the girls around him too well; they seem innocent and harmless, but in reality, they have an extremely strong desire for control.
Whether it's student council work, the power of the Yu family, or the people around her, she wants to hold them firmly in her grasp.
But it was precisely this extreme control that made him sink deeper and deeper into depravity.
He enjoyed watching her calm demeanor when she was strategizing, her cunning when she was feigning weakness, and even more so, the way she would shed all her masks and reveal her cold, indifferent nature when no one was around.
"Let's go, it's time to offer toasts."
Yu Jiuyuan straightened up, composed her smile, and put on the most perfect mask.
She took Rong Shenghan's arm and walked gracefully into the banquet hall, instantly becoming the focus of everyone's attention.
Flashbulbs went off one after another, and the reporters' questions were sharp yet restrained: "Ms. Yu, as the heir apparent of the Yu Group and also the student council president, how do you balance your work and personal life?"
"The secret to balance is to always do only what is most important."
Yu Jiuyuan smiled as her gaze swept over several familiar figures in the crowd.
Xie Zhecheng, dressed in a white suit, stood in the corner. His usually indifferent face softened slightly, and his gaze followed her intently.
Yuan Xu pushed up her glasses, still holding a miniature experimental notebook in her hand, but when she saw it, she immediately put the notebook away and gave a slightly shy smile.
Lin Yanran leaned against the bar, one hand in her pocket, her face still showing that arrogant expression, but her eyes held a subtle tenderness.
Rong Shenghan seemed to notice her distraction, gently squeezed her palm with his fingertips, and asked in a low voice, "What are you looking at?"
"Looking at my spoils."
Yu Jiuyuan turned her head and gave him a sweet smile, but her eyes flashed with an almost insane obsession.
“Rong Shenghan, do you know? I never do anything I’m not sure I can get. Whether it’s the power of the Yu family or you… these are things I’m determined to have.”
If someone else heard this, they would definitely feel a chill run down their spine.
But Rong Shenghan felt his heart being gripped tightly, and a surge of extreme excitement welled up inside him.
He leaned down and whispered in her ear, his voice seductive: "Then, Miss Yu, please guide me for the rest of my life."
He knew he was one of her "trophies," but he was happy with it.
Being controlled by such a cold and crazy woman is perhaps the greatest fortune of his life.
The toasting ceremony proceeded smoothly, and Yu Jiuyuan handled it with ease.
Whether facing the probing of a business tycoon or the earnest advice of an elder, she responds appropriately, maintaining the poise of a young lady while also displaying the vivacity of youth.
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