That night, The Zenith was closed to the public, but the kitchen was working overtime. Zhang Wei had prepared a seven-course feast, and Mei Ling had decorated the room with silver and blue streamers.
"To the '98.2% Club'!" Lin Chen shouted, raising a glass of sparkling cider. "The only couple smart enough to hack a National Institute and get away with it!"
"We didn't get away with it entirely," I laughed, leaning against Li Yan. "We're both technically 'on probation' from the Tech Association for a year."
"A small price to pay for total victory," Su Lan said, looking up from her laptop. "Also, Xiao Xing? Three major tech firms just emailed me asking for your contact info. They don't care about the probation—they want the girl who broke the Institute's firewall."
The "Group of Seven" erupted in cheers. We were all together again—successful, mischievous, and invincible.
As the music started, Hao Ran walked through the door. The room went quiet. He looked at me, then at Li Yan. He didn't look angry anymore. He just looked tired.
"I saw the news," Hao Ran said, walking up to us. He held out a hand to Li Yan. "Nice move with the livestream. I still think you're a robot... but at least you're a robot that knows how to protect its own."
Li Yan took his hand, a firm, respectful shake. "Thank you, Hao Ran. For taking care of her when I couldn't."
Hao Ran nodded, then looked at me. "I'm leaving for the National Karate camp tomorrow. Maybe I'll see you at the Olympics one day, 'Princess'?"
"Count on it," I smiled, a weight finally lifting from my shoulders.
As the night went on, the "Slow-Burn" finally settled into a steady, warm glow. Li Yan pulled me onto the makeshift dance floor.
"I still hate dancing," he whispered into my ear as the music slowed.
"I know," I said, wrapping my arms around his neck. "But your logic says that if you don't dance with me now, the 'Group of Seven' will tease you for the next decade."
"True," he sighed, pulling me closer. "The probability of embarrassment is 100%."