"President Yu seems to be very interested in butterflies." Tang Nianzhi's voice was filled with curiosity as she followed Yu Jiuyuan toward the side hall. "She and Senior Yuan Xu have a really good relationship."
Rong Shenghan stirred the champagne in his glass, the bubbles rising in the liquid: "They have been friends for many years. Only Chairman Yu can understand Yuan Xu's obsession with biology."
He looked at Tang Nianzhi with a gentle smile, "Just like I always understand your love for art."
Tang Nianzhi's cheeks flushed, and just as she was about to say something, she suddenly heard a clear and melodious piano sound. Xie Zhecheng had begun to play.
The melody flowed like moonlight across a lake, and the crowd fell silent instantly, all eyes turning to the tall figure beside the piano.
Yu Jiuyuan happened to walk out from the side hall and stood at the edge of the crowd, holding a glass of champagne in her hand, her gaze falling on Xie Zhecheng.
Her profile glowed under the piano music, and a faint smile played on her lips, as if she were admiring a perfect work of art.
Rong Shenghan: Favorability 64 (unchanged), Emotional fluctuations - Negative 1 / Neutral 8 / Positive 92 (Positive +2)
Rong Shenghan looked at her profile and suddenly remembered the feel of her lips—cooler than piano keys, warmer than champagne, landing at a temperature that made one's heart tremble.
He raised his glass, gesturing towards the piano from afar, but his eyes never left Yu Jiuyuan out of the corner of his eye.
As the music reached its climax, Yu Jiuyuan suddenly turned around, her gaze meeting his through the crowd.
She raised her glass, her smile deepening, as if she were telling a secret only the two of them could understand.
When Xie Zhecheng's fingertips landed on the last note, the banquet hall was silent for two seconds before thunderous applause erupted.
He stood up to greet them, his gaze unconsciously drifting to the edge of the crowd. Yu Jiuyuan was no longer there; only empty champagne glasses had been taken away by the waiters, with faint lip prints still remaining on the glass.
[Xie Zhecheng: Favorability 17 (unchanged), Emotional fluctuations - Negative 0/Neutral 5/Positive 103 (Positive +3)]
The system panel's notification sounds were particularly clear amidst the applause. Xie Zhecheng stepped down from the piano platform, and Rong Shenghan greeted him, handing him a glass of warm water: "President Xie's piano skills are still as amazing as ever."
"You flatter me, Vice President Rong." Xie Zhecheng took the water glass, but his eyes searched for the white figure in the crowd.
"Looking for President Yu?" Rong Shenghan's voice was tinged with amusement as he pointed towards the side hall. "She went to see Yuan Xu's butterflies. It seems one of the little ones isn't feeling well."
Xie Zhecheng paused for a moment, then walked towards the side hall. His back was still upright, but his pace was slightly faster than usual.
Rong Shenghan watched his retreating figure, then glanced at the swaying white tuxedo at the side hall entrance, and suddenly smiled. He raised his wine glass, took a small sip towards the empty corner, and
As the champagne bubbles burst on his tongue, he suddenly understood the true meaning of this welcoming banquet.
It wasn't to welcome Tang Nianzhi, but to provide Yu Jiuyuan with a perfect stage, allowing her to watch her tamed "pets" present themselves in the spotlight, just as she most wanted to see them.
In the side hall, Yu Jiuyuan was helping Yuan Xu adjust the temperature of the butterfly display case.
The veins of the aurora butterfly's wings glowed again under her fingertips. Yuan Xu excitedly raised her camera to take pictures, while Xie Zhecheng appeared at the door, his gaze falling on her profile illuminated by the fluorescence, with an almost imperceptible fluctuation.
Yu Jiuyuan felt that gaze, and a very faint smile appeared on her lips.
She pressed the sound wave controller, and the clear melody flowed out again. This time, all the aurora butterflies flapped their wings at the same time, weaving a flowing galaxy in the warm light.
[System notification: The current target is in a stable mood; the prologue to the welcoming banquet is complete.]
She looked up at Xie Zhecheng at the door, then seemed to casually glance towards the banquet hall. The smile in her eyes was as light as moonlight, yet it carried an undeniable sense of control.
Only under her watchful eye did all the pieces follow the prescribed path, moving towards the ending she had set.
The main event of the welcoming banquet has only just begun.
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