Saturday afternoon came with a burst of energy and the sweet scent of caramelized sugar and roasted peanuts. The Autumn Harmony Festival was in full swing at Xinhua University — a charming blend of cultural booths, student fashion showcases, and creative business projects. Banners fluttered in the breeze, laughter echoed across the courtyard, and music played softly from the central stage.
True to their word, Lu Meilin and Lu Yuhan had made Liyana promise to show up — not as CEO of Celeste, but as their Jie. And she did.
She arrived in muted elegance, wearing a silk ivory blouse paired with wide-legged tan trousers, a cashmere coat draped over her arm. Her signature red lipstick was swapped for a soft coral tint. Today, she wasn't here for power plays—just presence.
"Jie!" Meilin sprinted over, waving frantically. "You came early!"
"I was told there would be food." Liyana smirked.
Yuhan laughed as he approached, holding a panel pass. "You're one of the tasting judges. Your opinion holds weight, apparently."
Liyana accepted the pass with raised brows. "Dangerous idea. I might bankrupt someone over bad coffee."
"That's why you're perfect," Meilin winked, looping her arm through Liyana's as they guided her into the event space.
Elsewhere on campus, Zhen, Damien's right-hand and long-time friend, stood near the event's fashion booth, scanning the crowd.
His suit was slightly casual today—light grey with a charcoal collar, no tie. A subtle but commanding presence.
"You're not a student, are you?" came a smooth voice beside him.
Zhen turned. Ruoxi stood there, holding a cold soda, sunglasses perched on her head, looking far too sharp to be just an attendee. She wore a fitted blazer over a black silk camisole and flared jeans — effortless, modern, and magnetic.
He arched a brow. "Neither are you."
"I'm here as a sponsor," she said, tilting her head toward the Celeste branding near the fashion runway. "You?"
"Watching someone's back," he replied smoothly, eyes flicking toward the Xu siblings and Liyana not far off.
Ruoxi smirked. "Let me guess. Damien's orders?"
Zhen gave a small smile. "No. Mine."
That earned him a pause — then a little amused laugh. "You're not what I expected."
"And what did you expect?"
"Some stoic bodyguard with no sense of humor," she teased. "But I stand corrected."
He nodded at her soda. "And I thought you'd be sipping champagne in a rooftop bar. But here you are. Among the people."
She grinned. "I like being unpredictable."
There was a short silence as they watched Meilin pulling Liyana toward the food stalls, and Yuhan trying to stop her from buying ten dumplings from the same stand.
Zhen finally asked, "Why Celeste?"
Ruoxi turned to him. "You mean why I chose to invest in it? Easy. It has Liyana Xu."
He looked curious.
"I like people who know their worth," she said. "She built Celeste from scratch. Women like her don't chase approval. They set the standard."
Zhen's expression didn't change, but something softened. "That's a rare perspective."
Ruoxi sipped her drink, then glanced sideways. "So. Are you single?"
He blinked. "Direct."
"Life's short. And you're cute," she said casually, her eyes gleaming.
Zhen chuckled. "I'm… considering my options."
"Consider me," she replied, tone playful but eyes sincere.
Before he could respond, a familiar shout drew their attention.
"Jie! You HAVE to try this!" Meilin dragged Liyana toward a dessert stall. "They named this strawberry mochi after your fashion line—'Celeste's Cloud'!"
Liyana raised a brow. "Flattering or threatening?"
Yuhan sighed beside her. "I tried stopping her. She bribed the vendor with extra cash to rename the dish."
As Liyana tasted it, Meilin practically bounced with excitement. "Do you like it? I told them soft and elegant, just like you!"
"It's perfect," Liyana said with a rare smile.
Just then, a few students recognized her and began whispering.
"Isn't that the CEO of Celeste?"
"She's here?! In person?!"
Liyana glanced at Meilin nervously. "Maybe this wasn't a good idea—"
Before she could finish, Meilin gently slipped a flower crown onto her head. "Too late. You're our queen for the day."
The crowd applauded, and someone handed Liyana a mic. With Yuhan's encouragement, she gave a short speech — graceful, empowering, and heartfelt.
"As someone who once walked these very corridors as an invisible girl… I hope today reminds you that your future is built by the hands of your present self. Keep building. Even if no one sees it yet."
The courtyard erupted in applause.
Back near the fashion booth, Zhen glanced at Ruoxi. "Still think I'm a bodyguard?"
"No," she said, her voice softer now. "I think you're the kind of man who notices the details… and protects what matters without needing the spotlight."
He looked at her, surprised by her honesty.
Ruoxi shrugged, then nudged him lightly with her shoulder. "Also, still cute."
Zhen shook his head, lips quirking. "This is going to be dangerous."
Ruoxi smirked. "Good. I like danger."
As the sun began to dip, painting the sky in soft ambers and rose, Liyana sat with Meilin and Yuhan beneath a tree, exhausted but content.
"You did this," Liyana murmured. "You made this day happen."
Meilin leaned her head on Liyana's shoulder. "We just wanted you to feel... celebrated."
"I do," she said softly. "I really do."
And somewhere, not too far away, Zhen and Ruoxi walked side by side under the string lights, their silhouettes almost touching. Something unspoken had begun.