Teachers across Skysea University sprang into action, so the collection process moved swiftly.

The delay in reviews stemmed from students submitting their entries at different times.

A day later, the academic office delivered one hundred carefully selected novels to Kujou Yukihime.

Today, Kujou Yukihime wore a hanfu. Its top half featured an intricately embroidered pink lotus, while the long skirt trailed nearly to the floor, covering her feet.

Her tall figure perfectly embodied the hanfu's elegant grace and scholarly charm.

The ancient attire suited Kujou Yukihime flawlessly, enhancing her allure instead of clashing with it.

Huang Bing, Skysea University's president, sat in her office.

As a middle-aged woman, she was utterly captivated by Yukihime's presence.

Beside Yukihime stood Kujou Kana, wearing a black-and-white maid uniform and a stern expression. She was nearly as striking, lacking only a touch of her mistress's refined aura.

Two breathtaking beauties stood before Huang Bing, unsettling even her seasoned composure.

Huang Bing broke the silence first, smiling warmly. "Miss Kujou, your attire today overwhelms me. Such formality—wearing traditional Chinese hanfu—truly honors us."

Kujou Yukihime smiled slightly, her charming peach-blossom eyes curving gently.

She covered her mouth elegantly with one hand, replying in a slightly husky yet magnetic voice, "President Huang flatters me."

"After all, today marks our first cultural exchange. Presenting masterpieces from my country as awards for your students is a profound honor."

She then let her small hand drift to her sleeve, lifting the hem just enough for a polite bow.

"Wearing this ceremonial dress reflects our sincerity. Thank you for supporting our initiative."

Her Mandarin flowed flawlessly, carrying a touch of classical literary grace.

Huang Bing marveled inwardly at her linguistic talent.

Without knowing her name, no one on the street would guess she was Japanese—they'd assume she hailed from a scholarly Chinese family.

"Haha," Huang Bing chuckled lightly, a flicker of pride warming her chest. Having the Kujou clan head treat this so seriously was undeniably prestigious.

"Since Miss Kujou puts it that way, I'll be direct," Huang Bing straightened her posture, her expression turning serious.

"What brings you to request my presence?"

"Oh!" Kujou Yukihime feigned sudden realization, tapping her forehead. "Forgive my poor memory, Kana—bring it out!"

Kujou Kana responded promptly, pulling a meticulously foldered document from the cluttered desk and placing it before the president.

Huang Bing eyed it curiously, opening the first page at Yukihime's gesture.

She finished the short story quickly.

At over fifty, Huang Bing wasn't easily moved, yet this tale stirred her deeply.

Its brief intersection of parallel lives sparked her curiosity.

The "they" mentioned early on puzzled her—were the protagonists literal lines?

Only after finishing did clarity dawn.

The story felt raw, authentic, and masterful—flawed only by its tragic ending.

But that very tragedy lent it truth and emotional weight.

As a university president, she recognized genuine merit.

"This must be the winning entry," Huang Bing said, setting the file down gently.

"Yes," Kujou Yukihime nodded.

Beside her, Kujou Kana frowned slightly. Had her mistress just sounded... proud? Probably just her imagination.

"But surely you didn't summon me merely to view this piece?" Huang Bing asked, genuinely puzzled. This hardly warranted a personal meeting—she could attend the award ceremony later.

"Precisely," Kujou Yukihime explained. "I'd like you to invite the author for a private meeting. In our country, we hold such writers in the highest regard and respect."

"Of course, no problem," Huang Bing agreed, though surprised. It was a small request.

Still, she mused how their culture valued elaborate formalities often overlooked in China.

True—even meeting a student required presidential involvement.

"If there's nothing else, I should take my leave," Huang Bing said, her schedule pressing.

"One moment," Kujou Yukihime interjected smoothly. "Since you've agreed, could we arrange it soon? I have many duties, yet meeting this writer is essential."

"I see," Huang Bing's brow furrowed briefly before relaxing. "Certainly. What's his name?"

Delight nearly spilled from Kujou Yukihime's eyes, but her ironclad control masked it perfectly.

"Mr. Yun," she replied serenely. "Yun Mingxin."

Huang Bing showed no reaction, but Kujou Kana stiffened.

Why did this feel like the dagger revealed at the map's end?

That boy?

Kana subtly shifted closer to the winning manuscript.

She'd handled its filing but never read it—nor knew the author.

Unexpectedly, her calm heart rippled with anticipation.

Kujou Yukihime escorted President Huang Bing out with polite smiles.

Per their agreement, she'd meet him in roughly five hours.

The moment the door closed, Yukihime swept her hanfu sleeves dramatically, her ink-black hair swirling as she plopped into the central chair.

The motion was almost unseemly.

As her maid, Kana should have corrected her—but something felt off.

Her mistress radiated... satisfaction. Like a hidden goal achieved.

In five years of service, Kana had never seen Yukihime's emotions so exposed.

For the Kujou clan, that was dangerous.

A young head of house couldn't afford such transparency.

But... was it because of him?

A boy's face flashed in Kana's mind.

No. Impossible. He was just an ordinary student.

Lady Yukihime must have her reasons.

The young maid's thoughts wandered.

Kujou Yukihime ignored her maid entirely, already humming a tune inwardly.

Mission accomplished!

For a first meeting, this custom hanfu was worth every stitch.