OSTF - 5

Fortunately, Su Mian was always carefree and was currently preoccupied with her own feelings of regret, so she didn’t notice the peculiar expression on Chi Sui’s face.

Su Mian said, “From now on, Pin Cheng Ji will be a place of heartbreak for me.”

Chi Sui remained silent for a few seconds. “It’s not that serious.”

Su Mian pressed her hand against her chest and shook her head. “Director Sui, you don’t understand the mindset of a fan like me. I know every time I eat at Pin Cheng Ji, I’ll remember that He Shen specially bought it for his girlfriend. And I still ate what was yours.”

“…”

“I’m so torn.”

“His girlfriend hasn’t even been confirmed yet.” Chi Sui rested her chin on her hand and casually added, “Besides, you can consider last night’s dessert from Pin Cheng Ji as something He Shen bought.”

The truth is, it was bought by your idol.

Su Mian was an oblivious lucky fan who didn’t realize how fortunate she was.

“I can’t imagine my idol personally buying dessert that ends up in my mouth,” Su Mian blinked her big round eyes. “And I already know someone bought it for you.”

Although she didn’t know who that person was.

“Yes, He Shen bought it.”

Chi Sui spoke openly.

“It’s just as I thought, Director Sui, I’m no match for you.” Su Mian was surprised by her words and took a deep breath. “Director Sui, are you secretly a fan of He Shen?”

“…”

These days, even telling the truth doesn’t make people believe you.

Chi Sui rubbed the corner of her eye and lied through her teeth, only to be interrupted by Su Mian again: “No, wait, I know! Director Sui, you’re a girlfriend stan!”

“…”

“Or maybe a wife stan!”

Chi Sui raised an eyebrow. “Whatever you say.”

She lowered her head to continue browsing the trending topics. The first two hot comments were relatively mild, but further down, a few arguments had erupted, showing a polarized divide.

[“I hope no one interferes with He Shen’s career.”]

[“He Shen isn’t an idol; please know that his relationship status doesn’t need your approval.”]

[“So what if he has a girlfriend? Does it affect his ability to win gold medals or bring glory to the country?”]

[“This is bad. His focus will be divided during the next competition.”]

[“What nonsense! As long as his girlfriend treats He Shen well, as a fan, I have no other thoughts.”]

[“Can we wait for an official announcement?”]

After scrolling through most of the comments, Chi Sui found that many people were quite rational.

Most people’s concerns revolved around whether He Xingwang could maintain his composure during the upcoming competitions, and there wasn’t much attention paid to the girlfriend herself.

Though technically, she wasn’t his girlfriend yet.

But there was another kind of relationship between them.

________________________________________

Shooting Sports Management Center, Training Base

The interior was spacious, and the sound of gunfire echoed intermittently. Everyone wore the same national team uniform, with a bright red five-star flag printed on their chests.

The sunlight was sliced into countless fragments by the glass above, scattering onto the ground and reflecting rainbow-like hues.

He Xingwang stared straight ahead, his back straight, his tall and slender figure casting an exceptionally long shadow on the floor.

He had been maintaining the position of raising his arm for some time now.

After going back and forth several times, He Xingwang finally fired.

Li Huaiyuan arrived just in time to hear the sound of the shot. His eyes lit up, and he excitedly ran over to take a look—

“10.9 rings!”

His voice was a bit loud, drawing everyone’s attention. When they saw He Xingwang raise his arm again, they all understood.

In their ten-meter shooting event, the diameter of the bullseye was even smaller than a baby’s fingernail. Add to that the difficulty of aiming with the gun itself, and fluctuating scores were very common.

But it was no surprise that He Shen achieved this score.

He was the undisputed king in this field.

He Xingwang loosened the strap binding his hand to the gun, turned his head, and smirked slightly. His long, elegant fingers gripped the gun, exuding an air of aloofness and restraint.

No wonder so many young girls swooned over him.

“He Shen, didn’t you go home for dinner yesterday?” Li Huaiyuan finally asked when he saw him pause.

He Xingwang rotated his wrist and glanced at him under half-lowered eyelids. “Do you think eating dinner takes two days?”

Not to mention, it was just one meal.

And calling it a meal was stretching it—it was just a plate of fish.

Li Huaiyuan let out an exaggerated sigh. “Of course not! If it were me, and my coach didn’t let me return, I’d stay at home for three days.”

“Pretty impressive,” He Xingwang said indifferently.

After a few seconds, he calmly continued, “When I see the coach later, I’ll pass along your thoughts.”

“…”

Is this guy even human?

What happened to friendship first?

Li Huaiyuan had been part of the shooting team for a long time. From a young age, he’d heard rumors about a genius senior brother, a legendary figure known to everyone.

Until four years ago, he met him in person.

In just a few short years, He Xingwang had won the Grand Slam in their event and secured gold medals in various other competitions, earning the title of a top-tier shooter.

With extraordinary talent and an impeccable face, he dominated headlines whenever he appeared. Now, he had countless fans worldwide, and there were endless women hoping to become his girlfriend.

However, over the past four years, Li Huaiyuan hadn’t seen He Xingwang change his attitude toward any woman. He treated everyone the same, formulaically. Not even a famous, beautiful journalist who interviewed him recently received so much as a glance.

So today’s trending topic felt like an information overload to him.

“Don’t do this, He Shen. You’re being unreasonable again,” Li Huaiyuan pulled out his phone. “I was just about to tell you about the trending topic.”

“Hmm?” He Xingwang looked down, adjusting his gun.

“You’re trending again.” Li Huaiyuan handed over his phone, talking nonstop. “I want to interview the woman in He Shen’s life. Who is she?”

“What woman in He Shen’s life?” someone nearby asked curiously.

“The one on the trending topic.”

“Isn’t it just someone trying to ride the wave of his popularity?”

“Who would dare try to piggyback on He Shen’s fame?”

Li Huaiyuan pouted. “The news didn’t specify. All I know is that He Shen bought dessert from Pin Cheng Ji last night, probably for a woman. No one knows what kind of woman she is.”

“Pin Cheng Ji?”

He Xingwang suddenly raised his head, his voice clear and sharp.

His distinct knuckles tapped lightly on the gun—a habitual gesture.

Everyone’s eyes were fixed on him.

But He Xingwang gave them no opportunity to gossip. He pursed his lips and remained silent, his mind inexplicably recalling the moment they first moved into Bai An Mansion together.

The instant he pushed open the door, a high-heeled shoe flew out and landed directly in his arms.

Silver, studded with diamonds, sparkling.

Just like Chi Sui’s wide, astonished eyes at the time, and the smile she hadn’t managed to suppress.

What kind of—

Bold woman.

________________________________________

The First Day of the Weekend

Chi Sui slept in late.

When she woke up, the room was filled with sunlight, and her WeChat was flooded with messages from the same person.

Song Miaoli: [“Is the young miss awake yet?”]

Song Miaoli: [“If you don’t come soon, I’m breaking into your house.”]

Chi Sui moved her fingers and replied: [“Awake.”]

She sat up and tidied her hair. Song Miaoli was Song Chengrui’s older sister—the legendary woman who had cut ties with her family and abandoned her fortune to become a doctor.

Song Miaoli resembled her mother, with an elegant appearance that became even more gentle when she smiled, making it easy for others to trust her. However, her personality was completely opposite.

During a banquet half a month ago, she had asked Chi Sui with great curiosity: “Why doesn’t our leader arrange for someone to interview me? I did make it to the trending topics a few days ago.”

Because earlier, while shopping, Song Miaoli had encountered someone collapsing. Her act of saving the person was filmed, and the video quickly became a top headline on major news websites.

Now, Dr. Song’s reputation as the “flower of the second hospital” was known throughout Nan Cheng.

Dr. Song happened to be on leave today—a rare occurrence for someone in her profession—and she began coaxing Chi Sui: [“Little Sui, will you accompany me shopping?”]

Chi Sui was a bit surprised by the message: [“Does Dr. Song have free time?”]

Song Miaoli: [“This is my reward for saving lives.”]

Song Miaoli: [“So I’ll save even more lives in the future.”]

Chi Sui thought her friend might as well have written across her forehead, “I am a righteous successor of socialism.”

She replied with a simple “Okay.”

She hadn’t gone shopping recently, and shopping with a like-minded friend was one of life’s greatest pleasures.

Half an hour later, the two met at the shopping mall.

“I never imagined I’d be shopping with He Shen’s woman.” Song Miaoli wore large sunglasses, revealing only the lower half of her exquisite face. “If I post a tweet, will I instantly trend number one?”

“Nope,” Chi Sui replied without hesitation.

“Living with He Xingwang for so long, you’ve become just like him.” Song Miaoli linked arms with her. “Let’s go, shop till we drop.”

While chatting, she was very interested in the trending topic.

“So He Xingwang really bought you dessert?”

“Probably.”

“What do you mean ‘probably’? Do you even know for sure?”

“I’m afraid if I say it, you’ll get upset.”

“…”

Song Miaoli felt even more provoked. Sitting there trying on shoes, she couldn’t stop talking. “My mom told me to learn from you. Honestly, I think she mainly wants to set me up with someone.”

Chi Sui: “?”

Song Miaoli winked flirtatiously. “You two aren’t dating, but it’s like you are.”

Chi Sui smirked. “Nice use of rhetorical devices.”

Song Miaoli rolled her eyes. “You’re too full of yourself.”

She changed the subject. “Let me tell you something bizarre. A patient’s family tried to give me a red envelope the other day. I refused, and then they cursed at me and threatened to report me.”

Chi Sui gave her a sympathetic look.

Song Miaoli pointed to her earrings and necklace, touched her clothes, and stomped her newly worn diamond-studded high heels.

A bling-bling princess.

“Do I look like I need that money? Do I seem like someone who lacks money?” Song Miaoli stood up, hands on her hips, rolling her eyes elegantly. “This is an insult to me.”

“Dr. Song is absolutely right,” Chi Sui enthusiastically agreed.

Song Miaoli snorted, then obediently sat back down and asked curiously, “So, as a journalist, has anyone ever tried to bribe you?”

“No,” Chi Sui blinked.

“It must be because you haven’t been officially employed for long,” Song Miaoli reasoned. “Maybe after some time, someone will.”

“That used to be the case, but things have changed now,” Chi Sui raised an eyebrow, her expression lively. “Now they wouldn’t dare.”

“…”

Song Miaoli fell silent for a moment, thinking about a previous incident where someone had splashed water on her. “Well, good. Good that they wouldn’t dare.”

Was she not intimidating enough in daily life?

The topic was dropped.

Song Miaoli bought quite a lot of jewelry. Unlike her preference for shiny things, Chi Sui enjoyed the process of shopping. She didn’t particularly care about what she ended up buying.

So when she first moved into Bai An Mansion, He Xingwang had once seen her walk-in closet empty: “Your closet is pretty big.”

At the time, Chi Sui had said, “It might be empty.”

But now, when she opened it, it was filled with all sorts of bags, evening gowns, jewelry, and shoe boxes piled up on the shelves below. Many gift boxes hadn’t even been opened, glittering with opulence and luxury.

Not to mention a dedicated piano practice room.

Empty? Impossible. It would never be empty in her lifetime.

Moreover, she later confidently claimed half of He Xingwang’s closet space.

At the time, she figured He Xingwang rarely stayed at the training base anyway.

So when He Xingwang returned once and opened his own cabinet, beautifully wrapped gifts spilled out, falling haphazardly onto the floor.

Thus, the renovation of the closet officially began.

The joy of shopping made the two forget all sense of time. They found a café for afternoon tea, enjoying a leisurely break after their intense shopping spree.

The phone on the table rang.

As soon as Chi Sui opened it, she saw a WeChat message from the class monitor—[“Director Sui, do you play the cello?”]

This question puzzled her.

Chi Sui: [“What’s wrong?”]

Class Monitor: [“The program list for the graduation ceremony is almost finalized. Today, my friend went to check and found your cello solo on it.”]

Chi Sui frowned. When did she sign up for a cello solo?

She had hardly ever performed the cello publicly on campus at S University. Only her dorm mates had heard her play, and everything had been fine for four years.

Not to mention signing up for the graduation ceremony program.

The only possible change was a few days ago.

Chi Sui narrowed her eyes, pondered for a moment, and replied: [“I didn’t sign up.”]

Class Monitor: [“???”]

Class Monitor: [“Did someone sign you up?”]

At first glance, this didn’t seem like a big deal, but upon closer inspection, it was strange that she didn’t know she had been signed up so close to the graduation ceremony.

Perhaps not waiting for Chi Sui’s response, the class monitor sent another message: [“Director Sui, should I find out who signed you up and remove your performance?”]

After waiting for a while, she only received four words.

Chi Sui: [“Just leave it there.”]

Class Monitor: [“Are you sure?”]

Chi Sui replied with a simple “Yes” and offered no explanation.

She would let whoever put her name on the list handle removing it themselves.

The class monitor didn’t ask further and instead brought up another matter.

[“Apparently, He Xingwang will attend the graduation ceremony. There’s a flower-giving segment, and the candidate hasn’t been decided yet. Zhou Qingya is very eager.”]

Chi Sui replied: [“So what?”]

Class Monitor: [“/blush Director Sui, I think you’re more suitable. You have a great image and outstanding grades.”]

Most importantly, in her memory, Chi Sui was proud, neither a fan girl nor interested in romance—a soulless machine.

Class Monitor: [“So I recommended you to the higher-ups. Don’t worry; our entire dorm trusts you.”]

It seemed like everyone trusted her to approach He Xingwang and present him with flowers because they thought she posed no threat.

Chi Sui lowered her gaze and curved her lips slightly. Everyone had such a misunderstanding about her.

Everyone could rest assured, but she certainly couldn’t guarantee anything.