OSTF - 2

The last message in the chat was from He Xingwang.

He Xingwang: [I have something for you.]

It had been sent five minutes ago.

Chi Suisui had initially wanted to ask what it was, but after some thought, she decided against it. It wasn’t the right time.

Before she could even put her phone away, she noticed a flurry of messages in the group chat.

Looking up, she saw her classmates simultaneously listening to the teacher’s instructions while furiously tapping on their phones.

[He Xingwang is back at school!]

[Where? Where? Where?]

[In the auditorium, I saw him!]

[Oh no, I just went out for dinner, I’m coming back right now!]

The group chat buzzed with excitement.

Chi Suisui closed her phone. Just as she looked up again, she heard Su Mian’s voice: “Sui-senpai, do you think I can get his autograph if I go now?”

“Probably not. The principal’s over there,” Chi Suisui glanced briefly before asking, “Do you really want it that badly?”

“Of course!” Su Mian suppressed the tremor in her voice and whispered, “This is He Shen we’re talking about! An Olympic champion!”

“Yeah.” Chi Suisui let her gaze drift.

Seeing how calm Chi Suisui appeared, Su Mian assumed she didn’t follow sports news and quickly began explaining.

Ever since his first win, He Xingwang’s entire career history had been made public.

He specialized in the men’s 10-meter air pistol event and was discovered by the national shooting team coach at the age of thirteen. However, he soon withdrew due to personal matters. Four years ago, he reemerged, directly securing his first gold medal.

From the World Cup to the Olympics, and then the World Championships, his victories in these three major competitions earned him the title of Grand Slam in his discipline.

“You can’t even count all the gold medals!” Su Mian grew more animated as she spoke. “If I have time next year, I’m going to Tokyo to watch him in person.”

During the live broadcast of the Olympics, a clip of He Xingwang smirking during a pre-award interview was turned into a GIF. That Weibo post garnered millions of retweets—how could anyone not adore the nation’s idol?

And shooting, as a sport, naturally carried its own allure.

Like an elite sniper, it required focus, calmness, and delivering a decisive shot that struck straight at everyone’s hearts.

Being a fan of He Xingwang—whether for his looks or his achievements—was enough to make someone smile in their sleep.

Chi Suisui couldn’t help but laugh softly: “I know.”

Su Mian said: “I think you don’t.”

Chi Suisui raised an eyebrow and hummed faintly: “Do you still want that autograph or not?”

With that, Su Mian’s attention was immediately redirected: “I bet tonight there’ll be media trying to sneak in for photos.”

For outsiders, what captured their attention wasn’t just He Xingwang’s outstanding achievements but also his godlike handsome face.

Zhou Qingya had been listening to their conversation. Finally unable to resist, she interjected with a smirk: “Well, isn’t it obvious why our sports channel would care?”

She gave Chi Suisui a triumphant look.

Interviewing an athlete was indeed an area where a sports channel had significant advantages over regular TV stations.

Chi Suisui arched an eyebrow: “True.”

Seeing this reaction, Zhou Qingya felt her vanity deeply satisfied, yet suspicion lingered. Was that all it took to dismiss the matter?

Chi Suisui glanced at the front row where He Xingwang sat, her lips curving slightly: “Then I wish you success with your interview. Good luck.”

With that, she pulled Su Mian away from Zhou Qingya’s side.

“What’s there to congratulate about?” Su Mian muttered under her breath, loud enough for Zhou Qingya to hear.

Realizing this, Zhou Qingya stomped her foot in frustration.

Just as Su Mian had pointed out, such news would drive their TV station wild with competition. There was no way they would hand it over to someone like her—a rookie journalist who’d only recently completed her probation.

Chi Suisui did it on purpose!

And what was all that nonsense about “good luck”?

The teacher assigned small tasks to the graduating students, mostly minor setup jobs for the auditorium.

Chi Suisui was sent to the stage.

At that moment, Zhou Qingya protested: “Teacher, let me go instead. She’s always been pampered; she won’t be able to handle it.”

Everyone immediately turned to look at her.

They understood Zhou Qingya’s diss toward Chi Suisui. Being on the stage meant getting a clear view of He Xingwang.

Su Mian rolled her eyes: “How would you know?”

Someone who disapproved chimed in: “Suisui is tall. She’s perfect for checking things. Besides, she’s not pampered—it’s just her skin that’s naturally delicate. How can you say that, Zhou Qingya?”

Even the teacher turned to Zhou Qingya: “You’re almost graduated and already a journalist. Think before you speak.”

“I…”

“Chi Suisui, go up and check.” The teacher made the final decision and added sternly: “Today’s a special occasion. Everyone should be mindful.”

Zhou Qingya flushed red, clenching her fists tightly. In the end, she bit her tongue and refrained from arguing, silently resolving to secure the interview at all costs.

She was determined to stand out.

Chi Suisui smiled gently: “I’ll check carefully.”

In reality, most things were already prepared. Sending them to inspect was merely a formality. Additionally, Chi Suisui’s striking appearance made her a good representative of the school.

Chi Suisui ascended the stage via the side staircase. Her professional skirt suit from earlier hadn’t been changed, and she looked perfectly natural in it.

A few staff members were still on stage, exchanging brief words with her before the curtains slowly closed.

Below the stage.

The principal was asking: “Do you have confidence for next year’s Olympics?”

He Xingwang remained composed: “It’s not something to boast about in advance.”

The principal burst into laughter, his graying temples more prominent. He patted He Xingwang’s shoulder: “That’s true. Today, just enjoy the celebration. S University will always be your backbone.”

If rumors leaked prematurely and something unexpected happened next year, He Xingwang would inevitably become the target of public criticism.

He Xingwang nodded.

Out of the corner of his eye, he caught sight of a figure on stage. Pausing briefly, he turned his head fully, his gaze following the movement.

Chi Suisui was adjusting the curtains. On the vast stage, she appeared small and delicate. The deep red behind her starkly contrasted with her white shirt today.

Her waist seemed even slimmer.

Her long, slender legs stretched gracefully beneath her black pencil skirt, dazzlingly fair.

Perhaps sensing his gaze, Chi Suisui suddenly turned her head, then casually turned back as if she hadn’t seen him at all.

He Xingwang chuckled softly.

The principal, hearing his laughter, turned to him and asked curiously: “What’s making you so happy?”

He squinted and looked up at the stage.

He Xingwang had already averted his gaze, his expression relaxed. Calmly, he responded: “I spotted a cat with quite the temper.”

“Our campus has quite a few stray cats,” the principal replied, joining in. “The students are kind-hearted and even named them. They told me they set up a Weibo account, posting pictures daily. It has more followers than the school’s official account.”

The old principal loved to talk.

He Xingwang listened patiently, occasionally chiming in with a word or two.

When he looked up again, he only caught Chi Suisui biting her lip softly. Her plump, moist lips were slightly indented, revealing a hint of red between her teeth.

The celebration began promptly at eight o’clock.

Chi Suisui and Su Mian sat in the back row. Listening to one school leader’s speech after another, it was enough to make anyone drowsy.

Su Mian typed incessantly on her phone.

[Breaking news: He Shen just finished his competition and will rest for a while.]

[Did you guys see him in person tonight?]

[All the school leaders are gathered around him. If you can squeeze through, I’ll take your last name.]

[But hey, I managed to snap a photo! Hahaha, my new phone takes pro-level shots!]

A picture soon appeared in the group chat.

Su Mian tugged at Chi Suisui. Chi Suisui opened her sleepy eyes, her gaze watery and dreamy, making Su Mian’s heart flutter.

“Sui-senpai, check the group chat.”

Chi Suisui stifled a yawn behind her hand: “Check what?”

Unable to wait, Su Mian shoved her phone screen toward Chi Suisui, leaving only the newly opened photo visible.

Around the edges were blurry dots of light, but the face in the center stood out sharply. He Xingwang was listening to the principal, his profile exuding refined sexiness with a high, straight nose bridge.

Perhaps noticing someone secretly taking a photo, he glanced up.

His gaze effortlessly pierced through the screen, seemingly landing directly on those viewing it—distant yet vivid.

“That’s enough, I’ve seen it,” Chi Suisui blocked the phone with her hand, her curled lashes fluttering as she murmured a few words.

“Why are you blocking it?” Su Mian huffed.

“Blocking He Shen’s breathtaking beauty.” After she pulled her phone back, Chi Suisui exhaled and teased.

Unsurprisingly, Su Mian didn’t question her response and continued: “The group just said He Shen has already left. Guess my chances of getting an autograph are gone.”

She sighed dramatically, resting her chin in her hands.

Chi Suisui looked forward. Sure enough, He Xingwang was no longer in the front row, and even the principal had left.

Her phone screen was blank.

Chi Suisui rose from her seat and casually said: “I’m heading to the dormitory to grab something. Are you coming back too?”

“Sure, sure, I left some stuff there.”

Since they hadn’t officially graduated yet, their dormitory rooms were still reserved for them. They wouldn’t be cleared until after the graduation ceremony.

The auditorium wasn’t far from the dormitory building.

A girl on the balcony folding clothes looked down and spotted Chi Suisui under the streetlamp. Excitedly, she rushed back inside: “I just saw Chi Suisui outside!”

This sparked a conversation.

“I heard she’s already returned to the TV station.”

“She’s probably here to pick up things from her dorm. It’s only half a month until graduation, and everything in the dorms needs to be cleared out, or it’ll be thrown away.”

“Speaking of which, I watched her video. Our Sui-senpai is as fiery-tempered as ever. So wild.”

The few people in the dorm exchanged glances, understanding each other’s thoughts—Chi Suisui was incomparable.

The school didn’t enforce mandatory dorm living. Since freshman year, Chi Suisui spent ten days or half a month off-campus. Rumors had circulated about her back then.

Later, after a speech competition, Chi Suisui went directly to the dorm of the first person who gossiped about her. Still wearing her formal gown, makeup intact, she was cold, proud, and stunning, her sharp gaze carrying a provocative edge of intense beauty.

At the time, someone in the dorm live-streamed the incident on the school forum. Chi Suisui didn’t resort to physical confrontation but silenced the person with just a few words.

Afterward, the title “Sui-senpai” spread throughout the school.

There was no one else in the dorm. Originally housing four people, most had already gone their separate ways as graduation approached. The school rarely brought students back unless necessary.

A layer of dust had settled on the desks.

Chi Suisui didn’t bother touching anything. She hadn’t spent much time in the dorm, and most of her belongings were at the villa in Bai’an Condominium.

“Your cello’s still here,” Su Mian pointed to the case in the corner. “Didn’t you take it last time?”

“There was too much stuff last time.” Chi Suisui hummed faintly.

“It’s been ages since I’ve heard you play the cello.” Su Mian sat on the chair. “No one in our school knows you’re a master.”

Chi Suisui responded nonchalantly: “It’s just a hobby.”

At that moment, her phone rang. She casually opened it and saw a new message from He Xingwang.

He Xingwang: [Don’t you want the thing?]

Chi Suisui sent a “?” back.

She remembered clearly—he had left the auditorium earlier, so she assumed he’d forgotten about it.

Chi Suisui glanced at Su Mian and stepped out onto the balcony.

Outside the window, night had fallen. It was just past nine, and the entire campus was brightly lit. Below, pairs of strolling couples could be heard chatting.

Chi Suisui leaned against the railing, tucking strands of hair blown by the wind behind her ear. With a light tap, she replied: [Didn’t you leave? You can give it to me when you come back tonight.]

Seconds later, a new message popped up.

He Xingwang: [I’m downstairs at your dorm.]

Chi Suisui instinctively looked down.

A familiar Bentley was parked by the walkway. The rear window rolled down, and under the dim yellow streetlight, He Xingwang’s profile appeared even more profound.

Before she could reply, he looked up.

Chi Suisui recalled Zhou Qingya’s taunting words from earlier and smirked.

The He Xingwang whom others found nearly impossible to interview was, for her, someone she could approach whenever she pleased.

He Xingwang was actually downstairs and hadn’t left.

Chi Suisui blinked.

What could he possibly be giving her at this hour? If it was money, she supposed she could reluctantly accept it.