Yu Jiuyuan raised an eyebrow.
Perfectionists' gestures of goodwill are always like this: wrapped in a businesslike guise, yet concealing a unique warmth.
She smiled, didn't reply, and turned to walk towards Yuan Xu.
“Jiuyuan,” Yuanxu’s eyes lit up immediately when she saw her, and she handed her the notebook. “Mr. Su’s orchids have a genetic mutation. The edges of the petals will turn light purple, which is very similar to the mimicry fungus I cultivated!”
"Really?" Yu Jiuyuan took the notebook, which contained detailed sketches and precise color markings. "It seems you've made quite a bit of progress today."
“Yes!” Yuan Xu nodded vigorously, then suddenly remembered something and took out a small box from her pocket. “This is for you. It’s a bookmark made from the spores of mimicry bacteria. It will change color under different lighting conditions.”
It was a transparent bookmark with tiny spores embedded inside, shimmering with a faint blue hue under the light.
Yu Jiuyuan took it, her fingertips touching the boy's slightly cool fingertips. The system notification sounded softly, and Yuan Xu's positive mood increased even more.
"It's beautiful, thank you."
As they were talking, Lin Yanran walked over unnoticed, her whiskey already finished, her tone still barbed: "Had enough fun? My dad wants me to take you to meet some elders."
"What's the rush?" Yu Jiuyuan put the bookmark away. "Tell me first, has Su Mingche been getting close to an overseas company called 'Blackstone Capital' lately?"
Lin Yanran was stunned, as if she hadn't expected her to ask this suddenly, then frowned: "Why are you asking this?"
"Just out of curiosity." Yu Jiuyuan smiled casually. "After all, the boss behind that company is somewhat related to an 'accident' that happened to the Yu family three years ago."
Lin Yanran's expression changed instantly.
He opened his mouth as if to say something, but in the end he only muttered, "I don't know."
She turned to leave, but Yu Jiuyuan grabbed her wrist.
Her fingertips were slightly cool, but the pressure was not light.
Lin Yanran could feel the force coming through the fabric of his suit, as if it were reminding him of something.
"Lin Yanran," Yu Jiuyuan's voice was low, carrying a subtle allure, "Do you want to be your father's pawn, or do you want to be your own master?"
Lin Yanran turned around abruptly and met her eyes.
Those seemingly innocent eyes now seemed to hold a whirlpool, drawing him in involuntarily.
He saw his reflection flickering in her pupils, filled with a panic he had never felt before.
On the system panel, Lin Yanran's favorability jumped to 49 (+3), her positive emotional fluctuations instantly increased by 10 points, and her neutral emotions dropped to 5.
Yu Jiuyuan released her hand, her innocent smile returning to her face: "Let's go see our elders."
Watching her turn away, Lin Yanran clenched her fists until her knuckles turned white.
For the first time, he felt that his pathetic arrogance was utterly insignificant in front of this woman.
Rong Shenghan was standing by a pillar not far away, holding a glass of champagne, watching this scene with a smile.
Seeing Yu Jiuyuan looking over, he raised his glass to her, the smile in his eyes carrying a deeper meaning.
The banquet hall was still brightly lit, and the violin music was melodious and gentle.
Yu Jiuyuan weaved through the crowd with a perfect smile on her face, like a white rose blooming in the dark night, beautiful, yet with deadly thorns.
She knew that tonight was just the beginning.
The forces behind the Su family, Xie Zhecheng's secret protection, Lin Yanran's wavering, Rong Shenghan's indifference... all the clues are slowly tightening, like an invisible net.
And she was the one who pulled the strings.
The champagne glass swayed slightly between her fingers, the golden liquid reflecting the indifference and composure in her eyes.
This "strategy" game is finally about to enter an even more interesting phase.
The snow outside the window started falling again, silently settling on the roof of the Su family's old house, as if covering the banquet with a white mask.
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