Encounter

The late afternoon sun cast long shadows across the small, cozy café. The smell of freshly ground coffee and warm pastries lingered in the air, wrapping the space in a comforting embrace.

Seated near the window, Jiang Yuxi stirred her drink absently, the soft clink of her spoon against porcelain the only sound at her table. She was dressed in a casual oversized sweater, a cap pulled low over her face, and large shades covering most of her delicate features.

Despite the disguise, she still exuded elegance and power—as if the world itself had molded itself to accommodate her presence.

She had come here for quiet.

For a moment away from the industry, the pressures, the constant scrutiny.

Instead—

Fate had other plans.

Or rather—

Daphne Han had other plans.

Across the café, Daphne spotted her target.

Her heart leaped in excitement, though her expression remained neutral.

She had been waiting weeks for this moment.

Tracking Jiang Yuxi's movements.

Mapping out the places she visited.

Waiting for a chance to "naturally" meet again.

And now—here she was.

Sitting alone.

Vulnerable to a well-timed accidental encounter.

Daphne picked up her coffee cup, stood up, and made her move.

She navigated the tables smoothly, angling herself just right—

Then—crash.

Hot liquid sloshed over the rim of her cup as she bumped straight into Jiang Yuxi's table.

> "Shit—sorry!" Daphne exclaimed, grabbing a napkin.

Jiang Yuxi's head lifted slightly, her eyes still hidden behind her shades, a slight crease forming between her brows.

It was only a second.

But Daphne caught the flicker of recognition.

Jiang Yuxi wasn't just annoyed by the interruption.

She was curious. And then—

They spoke at the same time.

> "You're the girl I saved a month ago."

> "The actress Jiang Yuxi."

A beat of silence.

Then—

Jiang Yuxi's brows rose slightly above the rim of her sunglasses.

> "Ah, right. That too." Daphne admitted, sheepishly wiping at the spilled coffee with a handkerchief.

A small, unexpected laugh escaped Jiang Yuxi's lips.

She blinked in surprise, as if caught off guard by her own reaction.

The laugh wasn't loud. Nor was it dramatic.

But it was real.

And that was enough to shift the atmosphere entirely.

Jiang Yuxi pulled down her shades slightly, revealing piercing, dark eyes that studied Daphne more closely.

> "The man from that night."

A statement, not a question.

Daphne grinned.

> "Miss, actually."

Jiang Yuxi tilted her head, intrigue flashing across her expression.

> "Thank you."

A simple sentiment, but spoken with genuine sincerity.

Daphne didn't miss the way Jiang Yuxi held her gaze, a rare thing for someone so accustomed to dismissing people effortlessly.

Perfect.

She extended a hand, fingers deliberate, smooth, her grip firm yet undeniably elegant.

> "I'm Han Li."

Then, without breaking eye contact, she took Jiang Yuxi's hand and kissed her knuckles.

A subtle, lingering touch—just enough to make an impression.

The moment their skin touched, Jiang Yuxi felt a jolt of awareness run up her arm. The warmth of Daphne's lips against her knuckles was unexpectedly bold, subtly charming.

Jiang Yuxi had been given countless handshakes, received endless formal greetings.

But this?

This was different.

It wasn't flirtatious.

It wasn't overly dramatic.

It was confident. Certain.

A gesture that spoke volumes without needing unnecessary embellishment.

Her lips parted slightly, surprised by the odd sense of amusement curling in her chest.

Daphne straightened, smirking ever so slightly.

> "I figured since I was your knight in shining armor, proper introductions were in order."

Jiang Yuxi scoffed, but there was no real malice in it.

> "You're ridiculous."

> "So I've been told."

A pause.h

Then—

Jiang Yuxi gestured to the empty seat across from her.

> "Sit. If you're going to ruin my coffee, you might as well make the conversation worth my time."

 >" Yes ma'am." Daphne says with a bright smile.

---

Meanwhile, in the System Core…

> System 404: [ERROR. ERROR. ERROR.]

System 404: [HOST HAS

SUCCESSFULLY INSERTED HERSELF INTO A MAJOR CHARACTER'S LIFE PREMATURELY.]

System 404: [THIS IS NOT SUPPOSED TO HAPPEN.]

System 404: [WHAT DO I DO?!]*