The moment Yun Mingxin received the notification from his college counselor, a single thought popped into his head—

❓ Do you have *that* many friends?

He was utterly bewildered.

The message seemed to say his essay had won first place. The sponsor—and organizer—of the contest apparently wanted to meet him personally. Just to chat.

*Seriously? Why would some big-shot businessman waste time chatting with me?*

For starters, the results hadn’t even been officially announced. Declaring him champion beforehand felt… off.

And this organizer—drinking boxed milk yet insisting on meeting the cow that produced it? That was just plain bizarre.

The meeting place was the International Hall—a space reserved for Skysea University’s collaborations with foreign institutions, used to host visiting professors. It opened only twice a year, always for heavyweight discussions.

Naturally, its interior was… special.

"Grand," "opulent," "palatial"?

Nonsense. That’d invite criticism.

Instead, Skysea University championed ancient Chinese architectural heritage, investing heavily in a minimalist Han Dynasty aesthetic. Wealthy families back then favored understated elegance—flaunting gold bricks and jade tiles would’ve screamed *rob me*. Just ask Shen Wansan.

Yun Mingxin adored ancient culture; he’d woven plenty of it into his own novels. True elegance, he knew, often lay in simplicity.

Stepping into the central reception hall, he spotted a beautiful maid waiting patiently.

"Kujou Nana?"

His voice carried mild surprise.

Confusion flickered in his eyes. This person’s aura was utterly unlike the maid he’d met before. *Could they really be the same person?*

Kujou Nana wore her heart on her sleeve—joy, worries, everything plain to see. Zero guile.

But this woman? Ice-cold silence. An unreadable face. Exactly the type Yun Mingxin struggled with most.

*Because…*

His ex-girlfriend, Su Xiaoyue, had been just like this.

Before he could approach her, she glided forward, gesturing toward a room with flawless, economical grace. Impeccable etiquette.

"Lord Yun, welcome. Lady Kujou Yukihime has been awaiting you. Please, enter."

Her voice was stiff, cool—yet undeniably similar to Kujou Nana’s.

"Uh…"

Yun Mingxin wasn’t close enough to Nana to pry. *Her sister?* Kujou Nana had mentioned one.

They looked identical—except for their expressions. Even the tiny mole beneath their left ear matched perfectly.

*Not the same person?* The personality shift was jarring. If it *was* one person, her acting skills were Oscar-worthy. Tears on command? Hollywood couldn’t switch personas that freely.

Sensing his doubt, Kujou Kana spoke just before they entered the room.

"I am Kujou Kana. Nana is my younger sister."

She omitted the truth—her dual personalities. Such a secret invited either pity or prying curiosity. For now, she’d keep it hidden.

*Ah. Sisters.* Yun Mingxin’s mind wandered. *Imagine having both under one roof… Same face, two different voices…*

He stepped inside. A stunning figure came into view.

Even with his usual composure around beautiful women, Yun Mingxin couldn’t suppress a flicker of awe.

Some beauty strikes like lightning on first sight.

An impression that lingers a lifetime.

Replaying in your mind, growing more radiant with each memory.

Few possessed that power.

This woman did.

She wore a refined Hanfu robe. Delicate *petite dancing concubine lotuses* bloomed across her chest—pale petals tipped with violet, embodying a maiden’s pure grace. At her back blazed crimson lotuses, symbols of fierce passion.

Amidst the classical setting, Yun Mingxin felt transported to an ancient noble household.

The blend of pristine innocence and mature elegance was intoxicating. *I’d knock her out and stuff her into a suitcase to take home,* he thought wildly.

Merging two opposing lotus motifs into one harmonious statement of elegance? Remarkable.

But what stunned him most was the uncanny resemblance to an outfit worn by Kanako—one of his novel’s heroines—during a pivotal confession scene.

*Coincidence,* he decided. She was clearly the "Lady Yukihime" Kujou Nana had mentioned. A Japanese noble.

Still, the attire softened his earlier impression of her as a baffling, eccentric billionaire.

"Mr. Yun Mingxin," Kujou Yukihime began softly, a slight tremor in her voice masked by its naturally husky undertone. "An honor to finally meet you."

That voice held no fragile femininity—only steely resolve. Paired with her beauty, it amplified her allure.

"Hello," Yun Mingxin replied.

"Please, sit. Forgive my abrupt invitation."

Only after he settled did she calmly produce an exquisite Tang Dynasty-style tea set. The sturdy, unadorned wooden tray thudded heavily onto the table.

*That’s… substantial.* Yun Mingxin blinked.

Kujou Yukihime pushed up her sleeves, revealing arms like polished jade. Her movements as she prepared the tea were unhurried, yet warmth flickered in her eyes.

*Forgive me for taking such a roundabout path to meet you. I’ve longed for this day.*

*But as clan head, my youth undermines my authority. I couldn’t act openly.*

*These three years… they’ve given me the strength to face anything.*

*All because of the courage you gave me.*

*Thank you.*

Her silent words hung in the fragrant steam.