19:00.
A crimson carpet rolls half a block.
Security radios hiss; camera flashes strobe like lightning.
Chen Yanxi steps out—emerald satin slit to the knee.
The diamond stud glints in her ear like a tiny wiretap.
Shen Yan offers his hand, palm up.
She places her fingers on it—ice-cold.
Shutters explode.
19:30.
The ballroom's chandeliers are too bright; no one casts a shadow.
Shen Yan is ring-fenced by champagne flutes.
Yanxi stands three paces behind, a folded umbrella.
044 murmurs:
[Target affection: 52/100]
[Tip: every bid bump raises +2]
She sips champagne—zero sweetness.
Across the stage, a white-jade bracelet opens at three million.
Shen Yan tilts his head. "Like it?"
"No."
"Then let's make it expensive."
He lifts his paddle: five million.
Gasps ripple.
Affection: 54.
3
20:15.
Corridor outside the powder room.
Lights dim; voices sink into thick carpet.
Qi Si leans against the wall, unlit cigarette spinning.
"You're here too."
"Proctoring."
"This is an auction."
"Same rules: highest bid wins."
He offers a folded slip—Lot 13, identity file.
She doesn't take it.
"Professor, grades aren't currency here."
"Then we'll use something else."
He walks away. The paper lands on the trash rim—half in, half out—like a warning left unsaid.
21:00.
Final lot: an untitled oil, estimate eight million.
The curtain lifts—blank canvas.
The auctioneer's voice trembles. "Artist absent; sale by proxy."
Spotlight hits her.
Shen Yan raises his paddle: ten million.
Affection: 58.
A cold voice from the back:
"Fifteen."
Fei Ye.
Black suit, cheap paperclip at the collar.
His gaze skewers her through the crowd.
Shen Yan smiles, lifts again: twenty.
Fei Ye: twenty-five.
Sparks crackle.
044 blares:
[Emergency branch: Fei Ye—revenge bidding]
[Choice: A block / B raise / C watch]
She doesn't move, only murmurs to Shen Yan:
"Let him."
Shen Yan lowers his paddle. "As you wish."
Hammer falls—Fei Ye wins the blank painting.
Affection: 60. Objective cleared.
22:30.
Underground garage, engines echoing.
Fei Ye leans against the Maybach; the frame rests against a tire.
White canvas, a confession not yet written.
"For you."
"Not needed."
"Then I'll tear it."
He rips the canvas in half—cloth screams.
"You owe me something else."
He leans close, breath against her ear:
"The game isn't over."
Headlights flare; he guns the bike, exhaust swallowing the scraps.
044 counts silently:
[Hidden target: Fei Ye—instability 37/100]
6
23:59.
Hotel rooftop.
Wind whips her hair across her mouth.
Shen Yan unbuttons his cuff, hands her hot tea.
"Blank canvas—satisfied?"
"Canvas isn't empty; it's room for more names."
He laughs softly, clinks her cup.
The diamond stud flashes once—like the last second of a countdown.
00:00
044 declares, cold and clear:
[Main quest complete—reward issued]
[New mission: reach affection ≥80 within 48 h]
The night wind snuffs the final lamp.