The evening glow streamed through the huge floor-to-ceiling windows of the St. Cherry Academy library, casting warm, dappled light onto the floor.
The air was filled with the distinctive scent of ink from old books, and it was so quiet that the only sounds were the soft turning of pages and the occasional tapping of a keyboard.
Yu Jiuyuan sat by the window on the third floor, her fingertips unconsciously tracing the cover of a hardcover edition of Byron's poetry.
She arrived early and chose a corner with a wide view, where she could see the entrance clearly and observe the surroundings at any time.
The phone screen was dark, stuck on the chat interface with the unknown number. "Seven o'clock tonight, third floor of the library, by the window, I have something for you. — Xie Zhecheng," she had read that short sentence at least ten times.
[Host, Xie Zhecheng actually asked you out! This is definitely a turning point!] 007's voice echoed in my mind, filled with barely suppressed excitement. [What do you think he'll give you? A love letter? A token of love? Or...]
"Shut up," Yu Jiuyuan coldly interrupted in her mind. Her fingertips traced the smooth cover of the book, her eyes reflecting the deepening twilight outside the window, yet her thoughts remained unusually clear.
Xie Zhecheng wasn't the type to do things without a reason. During the day in the cafeteria, he clearly stated that "it has nothing to do with her," but then he took the initiative to invite her out, even using the ambiguous reason of "I have something for you," which didn't make sense.
Unless, of course, this "thing" is related to interests.
Yu Jiuyuan lowered her eyelashes slightly, her long eyelashes casting a small shadow under her eyelids.
On her innocent and harmless face, her beautiful almond-shaped eyes appeared exceptionally clear, as if filled with a naive anticipation for the upcoming meeting. But only she knew that deep within those eyes lay a calculating mind, almost coldly indifferent.
A lover? Of course she would. Having grown up in the Yu family, her greatest skill was using the gentlest approach to get what she wanted.
Her obedience to elders, her friendliness to peers, her consideration for waiters… these are all protective facades. As for sincerity? That's the cheapest and most useless thing in the world.
Even the current "strategy" to win over Xie Zhecheng is essentially just a transaction—using his favor in exchange for one's own survival.
As for Rong Shenghan? He's just a variable that suddenly appears in the transaction. He might be useful, or he might be a hindrance, but ultimately he has to serve the final goal.
"Click".
The silence was broken by soft footsteps. Yu Jiuyuan immediately looked up, her face showing just the right amount of surprise and shyness, like a startled fawn.
Xie Zhecheng stood not far away, still wearing his dark school uniform, his posture as upright as a pine tree.
The setting sun cast its last rays on his hard profile, softening his features but failing to dispel the chill emanating from him. He held a black folder in his hand, his gaze sweeping across the room before quickly settling on Yu Jiuyuan by the window.
The moment their eyes met, Yu Jiuyuan's heart skipped a beat "just in time." She lowered her head, her fingertips gently twisting the hem of her skirt, looking both nervous and expectant.
【! He's here! Host, keep this expression! Pure and seductive! Men all fall for this!】007 screamed in his mind.
Xie Zhecheng strode over, his leather shoes making almost no sound on the carpet. He sat down opposite Yu Jiuyuan, placed the folder he was holding on the table, and pushed it towards her.
"Here, take this." His voice was low and cold, just like it had been in the cafeteria during the day.
Yu Jiuyuan looked up, her gaze falling on the folder, a perfectly timed look of confusion in her eyes: "This is...?"
"The bidding documents for the East City plot." Xie Zhecheng leaned back in his chair, his hands folded on the table, looking at her calmly. "The Yu family has been following up on this project recently, and there are several risk assessment reports compiled by the Xie family, which may be useful."
It really is all about profit.
Yu Jiuyuan sneered inwardly, but her face showed a look of surprise and gratitude. Her voice was soft and sweet as she said, "Thank you, classmate. This is too much... Our family is really having a headache over this project. Thank you."
Her fingers gently brushed the edge of the folder, her movements tender and her eyes sincere, as if she were truly moved by this timely act of kindness.
Xie Zhecheng's gaze lingered on her face for two seconds, his deep eyes still devoid of emotion. He simply said, "No need to thank me. If the Yu family can secure the project, it will also benefit the Xie family."
He was blunt to the point of being cold-blooded. He never concealed his intentions, just as an iceberg never concealed its coldness.
Yu Jiuyuan's smile deepened, tinged with a shy, ingratiating tone: "No matter what, you helped me. In the future... if there's anything I can do to help, you can come to me."
【!! A textbook-level response! It expresses gratitude while also foreshadowing future developments! His favorability rating is definitely going to rise!】007 excitedly rubbed his hands together (if he had hands).
Xie Zhecheng simply nodded slightly, neither replying nor moving. Silence fell once more in the library, broken only by the sound of the wind outside the window and the turning of pages.
Yu Jiuyuan could feel Xie Zhecheng's gaze on her. It wasn't sharp, but it carried a sense of scrutiny, as if he were assessing the value of an item.
Instead of looking away, she raised her head and looked back at him with her clear, peach-blossom eyes, her eyes filled with just the right amount of confusion and shyness, like a little rabbit who doesn't know the ways of the world.
After a long while, Xie Zhecheng finally looked away, picked up the water glass on the table, and took a sip: "Keep the documents. If there's nothing else, I'll be leaving now."
He stood up, his movements swift and decisive, without the slightest hesitation.
【?? He's gone already?】007 was stunned. 【He didn't have anything else to say? Didn't he take the opportunity to ask you to meet again? My favorability rating... is still 0?!】
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