"I'm so sorry." Yu Jiuyuan took the book, her fingertips "inadvertently" brushing against the back of his hand, feeling its instant coolness. "I borrowed this book; it's about classical music appreciation... Does Xie also like classical music?"
She noticed a silver bookmark on the corner of Xie Zhecheng's desk, engraved with Bach's musical notation.
Xie Zhecheng's gaze lingered on her face for two seconds, as if judging the truthfulness of her words. Perfectionists hate insincere flattery, so she had to act "just right."
"So-so." He withdrew his hand and looked back at his book, clearly indicating that he didn't want to talk anymore.
[Xie Zhecheng's emotional fluctuation: Neutral +3 (currently 8).]
Yu Jiuyuan didn't press the matter further, but simply bowed slightly and said in a soft voice, "Then I won't bother you any longer. I apologize again."
She turned and left, her footsteps light and silent. Only when she reached the entrance to the study area did she receive a system notification:
[Xie Zhecheng's emotional fluctuations: Positive +2 (currently 12).]
As expected. For someone like Xie Zhecheng, directly showing goodwill would only be categorized as "imperfect intrusion," but a knowing when to stop and offer an apology could elicit a tiny bit of "appreciation" from him. Zero favorability is fine; as long as the emotional balance begins to tilt in his favor, there's a possibility of a change.
As Yu Jiuyuan left the library, the setting sun painted the sky orange-red. Walking along the tree-lined path covered in fallen leaves, she suddenly heard someone call her from behind.
“Yu Jiuyuan”.
She turned around and saw Rong Shenghan standing under a sycamore tree not far away, dressed in light-colored casual clothes, with a gentle smile on his lips. Ever since he transferred here, he has been the recognized "heartthrob" of Saint Sakura Academy. He comes from a prominent family but is unpretentious and always polite to everyone. However, Yu Jiuyuan always felt that there was something hidden under that gentle mask.
Just like now, he walked towards her with a smile, but the warmth in his eyes was like looking through frosted glass, impossible to see clearly.
"Senior Rong," Yu Jiuyuan greeted him politely.
"Just came from the library?" Rong Shenghan walked to her side with unhurried steps. "I heard you're a member of the equestrian club? What a coincidence, I just joined."
"Really? Then please guide me in the future, senior." Yu Jiuyuan replied with a smile.
"I wouldn't call it giving guidance." Rong Shenghan turned to look at her, sunlight dancing on his face. "There's an intramural equestrian competition next Saturday, want to go watch it together? Consider it... a welcome to my new club member?"
His tone was natural, with just the right amount of enthusiasm, leaving no reason for anyone to refuse. Yu Jiuyuan looked at the smile in his eyes and suddenly remembered the "Affection level not displayed" message on the system panel.
This man is the most mysterious of the three targets.
"Okay." She smiled and nodded, accepting the invitation. "However, I'm not very good at horseback riding, so I might have to trouble you to teach me."
"It's my honor." Rong Shenghan's smile deepened.
The two walked side by side for a while, chatting about trivial matters at school. Rong Shenghan was good at finding topics, from course schedules to club activities, and he could even accurately name the variety of sunflowers she had made in her flower arranging class the day before. He acted as if he knew her inside and out, yet without making her feel offended.
Yu Jiuyuan handled the situation with ease, sometimes listening, sometimes responding, and occasionally throwing out a few small questions to guide the conversation, always maintaining a perfect "pure and harmless" persona.
When they reached the fork in the road, Rong Shenghan stopped. "I'm going this way. See you on Saturday?"
See you on Saturday, senior.
Watching Rong Shenghan turn and leave, Yu Jiuyuan's smile slowly faded. The system still offered no notification; Rong Shenghan's favorability rating remained like an abyss shrouded in thick fog, its bottom unseen.
interesting.
She raised her hand to tuck a stray strand of hair behind her ear, a hint of interest flashing in her eyes. Xie Zhecheng was a chessboard requiring precise calculation, Yuan Xu was an experimental subject needing to be catered to, and Rong Shenghan... was more like a hunter lurking in the shadows; it was unclear who was whose prey.
But it's okay.
Yu Jiuyuan looked up at the last rays of sunset on the horizon, a cold smile curving her lips. No matter who it was, once she set her sights on a pawn, there was no reason for them to disobey.
This game, called "Strategy," has only just begun. And she has always been adept at making all the pieces dance to her rhythm.
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