Chapter 250 Starlight (Part 1)

One floor of the Sunny Day Guild headquarters building was brightly lit.

Ji Wanqing had just finished a meeting with the operations team about key activities for the second half of the year. She rubbed her slightly sore neck and walked out of the meeting room.

As the founder of the Sunny Day Guild, she wields real power, exudes a calm and capable aura, and radiates the confidence and composure that comes with success in her career.

Thanks to her and her team's efforts, the guild has long been on the right track, firmly ranking among the top in the industry, and has become a truly prosperous and successful guild.

And all of this begins with that name.

Xu Xinghe.

Thinking of him, Ji Wanqing's lips unconsciously curled up slightly.

The boy who, with his passion and family support, carved out a new path for her, is now about to graduate from university.

"Sister Wanqing, aren't you off work yet?" an employee passing by greeted her.

"I'll be leaving right away," Ji Wanqing replied with a smile, walking briskly towards her office.

She was slightly taken aback when she pushed open the office door.

On the once tidy desk, there was now something that seemed out of place with its surroundings.

A bright yellow swimming ring with exaggerated cartoon patterns is placed next to a box of exquisitely packaged egg tarts that exude an enticing aroma.

There's no need to guess; you know whose handiwork it is.

The phone vibrated at just the right moment, and the name "Xu Xinghe" appeared on the screen.

Ji Wanqing answered the phone, smiling as she "questioned" him.

"Xu, can you explain why there's such a... lively swimming ring in my serious office?"

Xu Xinghe's clear, slightly mischievous laughter came from the other end of the phone.

"Sister! This is my lucky swim ring! Tomorrow is my last important competition in my college career, so I'm sharing half of my luck with you! The egg tarts are fresh out of the oven, from your favorite place, have a taste!"

His voice is always full of sunshine and energy, like a battery that never needs to be recharged.

Since Ji Wanqing's career stabilized, Xu Xinghe's pursuit has changed from the initial heroic intervention to resolve the crisis to the current pervasive and somewhat childlike warm penetration.

He knew she was busy with work, so he would remember the preferences she casually mentioned and then arrange everything quietly.

It could be a bowl of hot porridge that she suddenly brings while she's working overtime, or a bouquet of sunflowers that brightens her mood when she's feeling frustrated in a meeting, or like today, a funny swimming ring and a dessert to share his important moment.

"How are the preparations for the competition going?" Ji Wanqing picked up an egg tart and took a bite. The flaky crust crumbled, and the filling was sweet and tender. It tasted really good.

"I'm in fantastic form! I'm just waiting to break the record tomorrow!" Xu Xinghe said confidently. "Sister, will you... come to watch my match tomorrow?"

His tone carried a hint of barely perceptible tension and anticipation.

Although Ji Wanqing had already tacitly agreed to go, he would still earnestly invite her every time.

This respect and care made her feel very appreciated.

"Of course I'll go." Ji Wanqing said easily. "It's the final battle of our Xu team's university competition, how can I miss it? Do your best, and there will be a reward if you win the championship."

"Really? What's the reward?" Xu Xinghe's voice instantly rose several octaves.

"It's a secret." Ji Wanqing kept it a secret, but a gentle smile appeared in her eyes. "I'll tell you after your competition."

The atmosphere was lively at the city's university swimming championship the following day.

Ji Wanqing had already flown over from Beijing and was sitting in the front row of the audience, watching Xu Xinghe warming up by the pool.

He was wearing professional swimming trunks, tall and upright with smooth and beautiful muscle lines, and his wheat-colored skin glowed with a healthy sheen under the lights.

When Xu Xinghe stood on the starting platform and focused intently on the other side of the pool, his entire aura changed.

His usual sunny and cheerful demeanor was replaced by a sharp and composed one, and his eyes were filled only with a desire for victory and a reverence for water.

As the starting gun fired, he leaped into the water like a nimble flying fish, his movements precise and explosive, quickly establishing a lead.

Ji Wanqing's gaze followed the figure cutting through the waves, her heartbeat quickening involuntarily with the intense atmosphere.

In the final 50-meter sprint, Xu Xinghe's advantage was already very obvious, but he did not relax at all. Instead, he rowed even harder. At the moment of touching the wall, the result displayed on the electronic screen broke his own competition record.

The entire venue erupted in cheers.

Xu Xinghe lifted his head from the water, wiped the water droplets from his face, and instead of celebrating, he turned to look at the audience, accurately found Ji Wanqing's position, gave her a bright, slightly smug smile, and then waved vigorously.

At that moment, Ji Wanqing clearly heard the sound of her heart fluttering.

It wasn't because he won the championship or broke the record, but because the first person he wanted to share his joy with the moment he achieved his goal was her.

After the award ceremony, Xu Xinghe didn't even change out of his award-receiving clothes. He just casually put on a sports jacket, grabbed his bouquet and medal, and with his hair still dripping wet, he couldn't wait to run towards Ji Wanqing, who was waiting for him at the entrance of the passage.

"Sister! I won!" He ran up to her, slightly out of breath, his eyes shining like they were filled with stars, radiating youthful energy and joy.

"I saw it, that's fantastic!" Ji Wanqing smiled, taking out a tissue to naturally wipe away the water droplets that had slid down his forehead. "Congratulations, Champion Xu."

Xu Xinghe enjoyed her care and stuffed the bouquet of flowers in his hand into her arms.

"This is for you!" Then, like a proud little dog waiting for praise, he hung the gleaming gold medal around his neck and leaned closer to her. "So... what about the reward you promised?"

Looking at his expectant face so close to hers, and the medal around his neck that still carried his body heat and the coolness of the pool water, Ji Wanqing felt her heart melt.

She didn't answer, but instead tiptoed slightly and gently kissed his still-damp cheek.

The kiss was light and quick, yet it instantly froze Xu Xinghe.

He stared wide-eyed at Ji Wanqing in disbelief, his ears turning red rapidly, and even his neck turning crimson.

"Is this...is this the reward?" he stammered, his voice trembling.

Looking at his innocent and adorable appearance, Ji Wanqing couldn't help but laugh out loud and deliberately teased him.

"What? Not satisfied? Then give it back to me."

"No, no, no! Satisfied! Very satisfied!" Xu Xinghe realized what was happening, shook his head violently, and then, as if afraid she would change her mind, he hugged her and the flowers tightly in his arms with astonishing force, his voice filled with uncontrollable ecstasy.

"Wanqing! You promised me? You really promised me?!"

Ji Wanqing felt a little breathless from his tight grip, but her heart was filled with sweetness.

She hugged his wet yet incredibly warm body back and whispered in his ear.

"Okay, I promise you."