The library of St. Sakura Academy was filled with the unique scent of old books in the afternoon.
Yu Jiuyuan's fingertips traced the hardcover of "Polar Biology," and out of the corner of her eye, she precisely caught two overlapping shadows behind the bookshelf. Yuan Xu was tiptoeing to hand the book to Rong Shenghan, the hem of her white coat brushing against his black trousers like a light cloud.
"Found it!" Yuan Xu's voice was filled with excitement as she held up a copy of "Atlas of Insects of Changbai Mountain." "It contains records of the cold-resistant subspecies of the Clearwing Moth!"
When Rong Shenghan took the book, her fingertips inadvertently brushed against the back of his hand.
The boy's cheeks flushed instantly, like an apple tanned by the sun.
Watching this scene, Yu Jiuyuan suddenly felt that the pure boy was like a sunflower with no defenses in front of the unpredictable vice president, and even the trembling of the petals revealed his thoughts.
Rong Shenghan: Favorability +2 (currently 45) (triggered "Desire for Control" satisfied)
"What interesting book are you reading?" Yu Jiuyuan walked over, her voice as soft as the turning of pages, her gaze falling on the atlas in Rong Shenghan's hand. "The vice president even studies insect classification? It seems he really intends to come to Changbai Mountain with us."
Rong Shenghan closed the book, his fingertips tracing the outline of Changbai Mountain on the cover: "I've heard that the starry sky there is the cleanest in the Northern Hemisphere. It would be a shame to miss it."
He suddenly chuckled, "Besides, it's a rare opportunity to see the chairman and Xie Zhecheng 'coexisting peacefully'."
Yuan Xu's eyes lit up: "Xie Zhecheng said he would teach me how to use a telescope! He even marked the best time to observe insects, saying it wouldn't interfere with my collection plan!"
Looking at the boy's unreserved trust, Yu Jiuyuan suddenly recalled Xie Zhecheng's appearance in the observation room last night. He was repeatedly calculating the star chart and circling the "Yuanxu collection time" in red, as if he were executing the most precise experimental plan.
[Xie Zhecheng: Positive Emotions +3, Current 50 (Triggers the "Proactive Accommodation" trait)]
"Speaking of which, how's Lin Yanran's application for Changbai Mountain coming along?" Yu Jiuyuan asked casually as she flipped through "Polar Biology." "Yesterday, he had someone deliver a document to the student council, saying it was a 'List of Equipment Sponsored by the Lin Family for the Astronomy Club.'"
Rong Shenghan's eyebrows twitched almost imperceptibly: "The telescopes on the list are more advanced than the ones Xie Zhecheng is currently using. It seems that Young Master Lin wants to win back face by throwing money at the problem."
He suddenly leaned closer and lowered his voice, "However, I checked the supplier and found that this batch of equipment is actually an old model that the Su family has phased out, and the optical lenses have hidden damage."
As Yu Jiuyuan closed the book, she happened to see Lin Yanran appear at the library entrance.
He wore a camel-colored overcoat, his hair was neatly combed, and he held a gold-embossed invitation in his hand. His face carried his usual arrogance, yet also concealed a hint of barely perceptible unease.
“Yu Jiuyuan,” he said before he even got close, his voice deliberately calm.
“My dad asked me to give you this.” His fingertips trembled slightly as he handed over the invitation. “The Su family is hosting a snow equestrian competition next week, and they’ve invited a lot of business tycoons. My dad said it will be good for you to acquire the land in the east of the city.”
The three characters "Su Jingshu" on the invitation were prominently displayed. Yu Jiuyuan looked at the struggle in Lin Yanran's eyes and suddenly felt that this arrogant peacock had finally learned how to "show goodwill," even if it was still tinged with calculation for personal gain.
[Lin Yanran: Favorability 0+2, currently 2 (Triggered "Actively Showing Goodwill" breakthrough)]
"Young Master Lin is getting better and better at understanding my thoughts."
Yu Jiuyuan accepted the invitation, her fingertip pausing on the words "equestrian competition." "I heard that the Su family's equestrian arena was designed by a European designer, with the track angle accurate to 0.5 degrees. Xie Zhecheng should be interested."
Lin Yanran's face darkened instantly, clearly not wanting to see Xie Zhecheng again in this setting. But in the end, he simply snorted, "Whatever." As he turned to leave, his steps were lighter than when he arrived, as if he had unloaded a heavy burden.
Rong Shenghan watched his retreating figure and suddenly chuckled, "Using Xie Zhecheng as a shield, the president's trick never fails."
"What kind of shield is that useful?" Yu Jiuyuan put the invitation into her handbag, her gaze falling on Yuan Xu's focused profile. "As for the vice president, could it be that she tampered with the equestrian competition roster, deliberately putting me and Xie Zhe in the same group?"
Rong Shenghan chuckled softly, a hint of seriousness creeping into his playful gaze: "More than that, I'd like to know how the chairman plans to handle the Su family's 'trap'."
"Since it's a trap, we should bring some 'return gift'."
Yu Jiuyuan opened a page of "Polar Biology" with an entry marked in red pen: "The Poisonous Moth Endemic to Changbai Mountain." "For example, tell Su Jingshu that the biological laboratory she invested in has actually been secretly researching the genetic modification of poisonous species."
Yuan Xu suddenly looked up: "Impossible! Our experiments are all compliant!"
“That private laboratory funded by the Su family isn’t one of them.” Yu Jiuyuan’s voice was as soft as snowflakes.
"They used your bioluminescent gene technology to make improvements, hoping to breed bioluminescent insects that can secrete neurotoxins. This secret funding is recorded in the asset records that Lin Yanran stole."
Yuan Xu's face turned pale instantly. Rong Shenghan looked at the sharp glint in Yu Jiuyuan's eyes and suddenly realized that this seemingly innocent young lady held far more cards in her hand than he had imagined.
Rong Shenghan: Favorability +3, currently 48 (triggered the "A worthy opponent" excitement)
As I left the library, the setting sun was painting the clock tower of St. Sakura Academy red.
Yu Jiuyuan looked at the three "gifts" in her handbag: a specimen guide of poisonous moths that Yuan Xu had given her, the address of the Su family laboratory marked by Rong Shenghan, and a gold-embossed invitation from Lin Yanran.
I suddenly remembered the message Xie Zhecheng sent me this morning: "I calculated the parameters of the equestrian track. There is a blind spot on the west side of the curve. Remember to stay on the inside when you ride your horse."
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