He was wearing a light gray cashmere sweater with the sleeves rolled up to his elbows, revealing his smooth forearms, and was bending down to break cookies into small pieces with a silver fork.
"You've come at the perfect time, it's just cooled down." He looked up and smiled, the warmth in his eyes even greater than the heating in the tea room.
Yu Jiuyuan sat down opposite him, picked up a cookie and put it in her mouth. The sweet but not cloying taste melted on her tongue: "Your skills have improved again."
“Yuan Xu taught him,” Rong Shenghan poured her a cup of tea. “He said you like this low-sugar formula, so he specially brought the precision scale from the lab to use.”
Yu Jiuyuan smiled but didn't say anything.
Yuan Xu's dedication was always like this, pure as the sterile culture medium he cultivated; whenever she needed it, he could precisely prepare the most suitable environment.
Rong Shenghan watched her drink tea and suddenly said, "The Su family will be making moves soon."
Yu Jiuyuan raised her eyes, a sharp glint in them: "What did you find out?"
“It’s not certain yet,” he said, his fingertips gently tracing the rim of the teacup. “But Lin Yanran’s father’s request for him to pay New Year’s visits is probably more than just a simple visit to relatives.”
He paused, his tone carrying a subtle hint of warning, "The people behind the Su family are very adept at using others to do their dirty work."
Yu Jiuyuan lowered her eyes, her long eyelashes casting a small shadow under her eyelids: "I know."
Rong Shenghan didn't ask any further questions, but simply pushed a plate of freshly cut strawberries in front of her: "Try it, it's an imported variety. Yuan Xu said it's suitable for gene sequencing samples, so she specially saved a box for you."
When Yuan Xu was mentioned, Yu Jiuyuan's eyes softened: "Is he really planning to spend all his winter break in the lab?"
“Yes, I applied for special access.” Rong Shenghan smiled. “But we agreed that I would come over for dinner on New Year’s Eve.”
Yu Jiuyuan nodded, already having made up her mind.
As darkness fell, the snow completely stopped.
Yu Jiuyuan stood at the entrance of the plum garden to see Rong Shenghan off. She watched his car disappear at the end of the road before turning around and walking towards the main building.
My phone rang again. This time it was a message from Xie Zhecheng, just a simple line: "[For next semester's debate topic, I've chosen artificial intelligence ethics. Looking forward to your reply.]"
She looked at the message, a meaningful smile curving her lips.
Xie Zhecheng is always like this; even the way he expresses concern carries a competitive connotation, as if he wants to confirm his place in her heart.
"Sure," she replied, then added, "Are you free during winter break? How about we go see an AI exhibition together?"
The reply came almost instantly: "You set the time."
Yu Jiuyuan put away her phone and looked up at the starry sky.
The night sky after the snow was exceptionally clear, and the stars shone like scattered diamonds on black velvet.
The system panel was clearly displayed in my mind:
Xie Zhecheng: Favorability 79 (+2), Emotional fluctuations (Negative 0/Neutral 3/Positive 112)
Lin Yanran: Favorability 48 (+2), Emotional fluctuations (Negative 0/Neutral 8/Positive 25)
Yuan Xu: Affection level 100, complete the walkthrough.
Rong Shenghan: Favorability 100, Complete the walkthrough
Winter break has just begun, and this strategy game still has a long way to go.
The force behind the Su family is like a hunter lurking in the shadows, ready to bare its fangs at any moment.
But Yu Jiuyuan was not afraid.
She pulled her shawl tighter around her shoulders, then turned and walked into the warm room.
The fire crackled in the fireplace, illuminating her innocent and harmless profile, yet her eyes held a cold indifference and composure that commanded everything.
Whether it's a chess piece on the board or a hunter lurking in the shadows, they will ultimately only become footnotes to her victory.
This winter break is destined to be anything but peaceful.
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