The dim light in the fire escape made the obsession and deep affection surging in Xie Chen's eyes even clearer. His words, "Wait until I win the championship, wait until I... I'll give you everything," struck Su Nian's heart like the heaviest vow, making her breath catch in her throat.
However, the cold text message from "Star Remains" on the phone in my pocket was like a bucket of ice water, instantly extinguishing the excitement caused by the confession, leaving only a chilling cold and high vigilance.
[Disrupting the ritual to protect the "container." Well done. But the game has only just begun. Next time, it won't be so simple.]
"A container"... that's how they really saw Xie Chen. An object that carries power, not a living person. And her intervention had clearly caught the attention of "Star Skeleton," turning from covert surveillance into overt warnings and provocations.
"What's wrong?" Xie Chen keenly noticed Su Nian's sudden stiffness and the fleeting coldness in her eyes. He tightened his grip on the wall, his tone filled with undeniable tension and a hint of displeasure at being ignored. At the moment of his solemn confession, her distraction had stirred the beast of unease within him once more.
Su Nian quickly composed herself, turning off her phone screen completely, as if that would shut out the ominous message. She looked up at Xie Chen, giving him a familiar, slightly helpless yet indulgent smile, and even reached out to straighten the collar of his team uniform, which had been slightly disheveled from the earlier exertion.
"It's nothing, Manager Wang is urging us to go back and review the game." Her tone was relaxed, her eyes clear, revealing no flaws. "I heard what you just said." She paused, her fingertips casually tracing his jawline, bringing a slightly cool touch. "I'm looking forward to... your championship, and 'everything' about you."
Her touch and words were like the best tranquilizer. The tension and dissatisfaction in Xie Chen's eyes were instantly smoothed out, replaced by an almost dazzling light. He grabbed her hand that she was about to pull away, holding it tightly in his palm as if he were holding the most precious treasure in the world. The corners of his lips couldn't help but curve upwards into a clear arc, a smile that was pure and satisfied, dispelling the usual coldness and hardness around him.
"Yes." He nodded heavily, like a child who had received the candy he wanted most, as if his previous gloom and violence had never existed. He took Su Nian's hand, like the most loyal knight guarding his princess, and together they walked out of the dimly lit passage and back into the brightly lit, cheering, and praise-filled real world.
In the remainder of the match, Team NF continued their triumphant advance. The dominance of the "Silent" duo only increased, becoming a nightmare for all their opponents. Xie Chen's performance seemed even more stable than before, and occasionally, in extreme maneuvers, he would unleash a near-predictive precision that surpassed human reaction speed, prompting commentators and viewers to exclaim, "Shen has evolved again!"
Only Su Nian knew that it wasn't evolution, but rather Xie Chen's intentional or unintentional attempt to guide and control the wisp of power belonging to the origin of the stars within his body. He was becoming stronger in his own way, for the promise of "giving her everything." This clumsy yet stubborn effort always stirred an indescribable tenderness in Su Nian's heart amidst the heavy pressure of dealing with the threat of the "Star Remains."
Xie Chen's clinginess has also "evolved" accordingly.
During training, he was no longer content with just sitting next to her; he would press his gaming chair tightly against Su Nian's, his arm constantly brushing against her, as if he needed physical contact to confirm her presence. During breaks, he would cling to Su Nian like a giant koala, resting his chin on her head or shoulder, closing his eyes to relax, only feeling at ease when his breath was filled with her scent.
Even at night, he completely stayed in Su Nian's room, claiming that "base security needs to be strengthened, and it's safer for the two of us to be together." Each time, he would hug his pillow, looking at Su Nian with teary eyes, until she nodded helplessly. Only then would he quickly crawl into bed, and then use various excuses such as "the floor is too hard" or "I had nightmares" to eventually manage to pull Su Nian into his arms and hold her tightly, as if only in this way could he resist the unknown dangers outside the window and the deep-seated fear of loss within his heart.
Su Nian's initial helplessness turned into gradual acceptance, and she even began to secretly crave this warmth and dependence.
[Host, your heart is racing again! Abnormal dopamine secretion detected! Warning! Warning! The mission objective is to acquire 'hearts,' not to deliver 'hearts'!] 088 crunched on potato chips redeemed with points while issuing a completely insincere warning in Su Nian's mind.
"Shut up and eat your chips," Su Nian thought to herself. "I'm doing this strategic appeasement to keep my target's emotions stable, making it easier to reap the rewards later."
[Tsk tsk, so stubborn. This system recorded your secret reporting of his data last night! Duration: 3 minutes and 27 seconds!]
Su Nian: '...That's to prevent him from waking me up with nightmares!'
[Oh~ for sleep quality~] 088 drawled in its electronic voice, [Then why are your ears red, host?]
Su Nian subconsciously touched her earlobe; it was indeed a little hot. She forcibly ended her pointless conversation with 088 and focused her attention back on the training match in front of her.
Deep down, she couldn't deny that Xie Chen's pure, almost obsessive dependence and love were slowly eroding her composure as a mission executor. She began to feel happy because of his satisfied smile, to feel sorry for him because of his occasional vulnerability, and to unconsciously indulge all his clingy behaviors.
This feeling was both strange and dangerous, yet it carried a sweetness that made one want to sink into it.
With the regular season nearing its end, Team NF firmly held first place in the standings, and the playoffs were just around the corner. Just as they were preparing for their final regular season game, which had nothing to do with the final standings, an unexpected invitation arrived at the NF club.
The Golden Keyboard Awards, China's most prestigious esports awards ceremony, is about to be held. Team NF has received multiple nominations for their outstanding performance this season, with Xie Chen's nomination for "Player of the Year," and Su Nian's nominations for "Rookie of the Year" and "Support of the Year" being the most anticipated.
This is undoubtedly a great honor and recognition.
"Go! We absolutely have to go!" Manager Wang exclaimed excitedly, his face beaming. "This is a fantastic opportunity to boost brand awareness and enhance commercial value! Plus, Sister Nian walking the red carpet with Shen will definitely generate tons of buzz!"
However, Su Nian and Xie Chen both frowned at the same time.
The awards ceremony, with its mixed crowd and open environment, was practically the perfect breeding ground for "Star Remnant" to make his move. That text message, "The game has only just begun," hung over their heads like the Sword of Damocles.
"Could we... not go?" Xie Chen spoke first, his tone clearly showing resistance. He held Su Nian's hand tightly, his eyes filled with worry and reluctance. He couldn't bear to expose Su Nian to such a complicated and uncontrollable environment.
Manager Wang was taken aback: "Why? This is a tremendous honor, Shen!"
Su Nian patted Xie Chen's hand to comfort him, then said to Manager Wang, "Manager Wang, we've been a bit tired lately... and the playoffs are even more important, so we want to focus on preparing." She found a reasonable excuse.
Seeing the two looking like they were facing a formidable enemy, Manager Wang felt it was a pity, but he also understood the pressure the contestants were under, so he could only sigh and say, "Alright, I respect your opinion, I'll go and refuse."
Just as Manager Wang was about to leave, Su Nian's phone vibrated again. It was another text message from an unknown number, brief yet chilling:
On the night of the grand ceremony, we eagerly await the arrival of the "key" and the "container." Absence will have consequences.
A blurry image was attached, which appeared to be live footage from a surveillance camera on the perimeter of the NF base!
A threat! A blatant threat! The "Star Remnants" are not only monitoring them, but they're even using the base's security to force them to show themselves!
Su Nian's face instantly darkened. She handed her phone screen to Xie Chen.
Xie Chen's pupils suddenly contracted, and a terrifyingly low pressure erupted from his body, his eyes surging with a scarlet ferocity! How dare they!
"Wait, Manager Wang." Su Nian took a deep breath and called out to Manager Wang, who was about to leave, forcing a flawless, expectant smile on her face. "We've thought about it and feel that we should still go. After all... it's also a way to support the club and the fans."
Manager Wang looked at the two people whose expressions had changed instantly with suspicion, feeling that something was off, but being able to attend the grand event was always a good thing, so he happily agreed: "Okay! I'll make the arrangements right away!"
After Manager Wang left, only Su Nian and Xie Chen remained in the lounge.
Xie Chen suddenly pulled Su Nian into his arms, holding her tightly, his voice trembling slightly with anger and fear: "They actually... We can't go! It's too dangerous!"
Su Nian leaned against him, able to feel his rapid heartbeat and his almost uncontrollable emotions. She raised her hand and gently stroked his back, her voice unusually calm: "We have to go."
She raised her head, looking directly into Xie Chen's eyes, which were filled with worry and resistance, her gaze sharp as a drawn sword:
“Running away won’t solve the problem. Since they’ve extended an invitation, we might as well go and see what tricks they’re up to.”
“And,” she paused, gently tapping his heart with her fingertip, a gesture that carried a reassuring strength, “didn’t you say you would give me the championship and everything?”
"Let's treat this grand event as... a warm-up for the finals."
The Golden Keyboard Awards ceremony was a star-studded affair.
Su Nian wore a custom-made ice-blue starry sky dress, the hem of which was adorned with tiny crystals that shimmered and sparkled as she walked, as if she were draped with the entire Milky Way. She walked arm in arm with Xie Chen, who was dressed in a black haute couture suit and had a tall and straight figure, onto the red carpet covered with flashing lights.
Xie Chen remained expressionless as always, but his tightly pursed lips and the unconscious tightening of his grip on Su Nian's wrist betrayed his inner tension. His gaze, like a highly accurate radar, constantly scanned the surrounding crowd, lights, and even the movement of the air, not missing a single suspicious energy fluctuation. Only when the cameras were pointed at them, and Su Nian smiled and waved to the media and fans, would he reluctantly turn his gaze to her, and only then would the coldness deep in his eyes be replaced by an undisguised pride and infatuation.
[Host, the reporter in the gray suit and gold-rimmed glasses at one o'clock has an abnormal energy reading!] 088 issued a notification in Su Nian's mind.
The waiter serving drinks at the nine o'clock position has a heart rate 30% lower than normal!
[Caution: The overhead light fixture is showing a faint energy focusing effect!]
Su Nian maintained a perfect smile, but her heart was taut with tension. Sure enough, members of "Star Skeleton" had infiltrated, and there was more than one! They were like wolves hiding among sheep, waiting for their chance.
The ceremony proceeded according to schedule. The NF team indeed reaped a rich harvest, winning multiple awards including "Best Club of the Year" and "Best Coach of the Year." When the "Best Rookie of the Year" award was presented, Su Nian's name and highlights of her performances appeared on the big screen.
The audience erupted in applause.
Under Xie Chen's watchful gaze, Su Nian calmly rose and walked towards the stage. The spotlight shone on her, making her ice-blue dress gleam. She gracefully accepted the trophy and, speaking into the microphone, delivered a well-prepared, appropriate, and humble acceptance speech.
Everything seems normal.
However, just as she finished her speech and was about to turn and leave the stage—
A sudden change has occurred!
Above the stage, a massive glass chandelier, weighing hundreds of kilograms, suddenly cracked with a sickening sound! Carrying countless dazzling yet deadly shards, it crashed down towards the center of the stage, towards the newly awarded contestants!
"careful--!"
A chorus of terrified screams erupted from the audience!
The change happened so fast that everyone was stunned!
Su Nian, standing at the edge of the stage, was the first to be affected!
At this critical moment!
A black figure, moving with incredible speed, almost a blur, like a beast breaking through all obstacles, pounced onto the stage at a speed beyond human limits! Just before the glass chandelier was about to hit Su Nian, it fiercely and resolutely pulled her and the trophy in her hand into its embrace, using its own back to shield her from the devastating fall!
"Bang--!!!!"
The loud crash and the shattering of glass drowned out all the screams!
Debris flew everywhere, and smoke filled the air!
The entire venue fell into a deathly silence.
Under the spotlight, the smoke and dust slowly dissipated.
Xie Chen knelt on one knee, shielding Su Nian tightly beneath him like a silent and sturdy fortress. His suit jacket was torn on the back, blood seeping through, but he seemed oblivious, his head bowed, anxiously and trembling as he checked on the safety of the person in his arms.
"Niannian...Niannian! How are you? Answer me!"
Su Nian was held tightly in his arms, completely unharmed, and could even clearly hear his heart pounding uncontrollably like a drum. She looked up and met his eyes, which were filled with fear, panic, and a lingering sense of devastation.
Behind him lay shattered glass fragments, like fallen stars scattered across the ground.
Amidst the chaos and deathly silence, Su Nian, through Xie Chen's trembling shoulders, clearly saw that in the chaotic and panicked crowd below the stage, the "reporter" who had been marked by 088 and wore gold-rimmed glasses was standing far away, a cold and satisfied smile on his lips, like a scientist observing a successful experiment.
He silently mouthed two words in Su Nian's direction:
"Perfect."
(End of Chapter 95)
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