OSTF - 55

Chi Suisui chose to meet in person.

But after replying, she suddenly remembered that a voice call would have sufficed. However, since she had already replied, it felt awkward to change her mind.

He Xingwang didn’t ask what the matter was.

But he had a good sense of things—whatever could make Chi Suisui sound so serious wasn’t trivial. If it wasn’t trivial, then they should meet.

Chi Suisui exhaled deeply.

“Director Chi, what’s wrong?” Su Mian noticed her unusual expression and assumed it was related to Zhang Yueyan landing a big scoop.

“It’s nothing,” Chi Suisui said casually.

She didn’t want others to know about this matter. As for public opinion, that was beyond her control.

Su Mian nodded and didn’t press further.

There were several names listed in the email—marketing accounts and their teams behind them, all notorious for stirring up trouble online.

At the very top of the list was Zhou Xucheng.

Mentioning this name, few people today would recognize him, as he had disappeared from the public eye for nearly □□ years.

It had been so long that even Chi Suisui couldn’t quite remember clearly.

She searched for Zhou Xucheng’s name online. The latest news she found dated back several years ago, reporting his departure from the Shooting Sports Center.

The article expressed regret: Zhou Xucheng was only fifteen years old at the time, young and talented. Unfortunately, he left after just one year at the Shooting Sports Center.

The article had garnered only a few hundred views.

Coincidentally, the day before Zhou Xucheng left, He Xingwang had announced his own departure, which was reported extensively by sports media.

Zhou Xucheng had been recruited into the Shooting Sports Center due to his talent.

However, six months later, Coach Zhu discovered He Xingwang. In subsequent major competitions, Zhou Xucheng’s performance consistently fell short of his.

When one person shines brightly, others inevitably fade into obscurity.

That year, He Xingwang was still in his teens. Though both he and Zhou Xucheng left within a day of each other, no one connected their departures.

The incident where Zhou Xucheng once attempted to slip stimulants to He Xingwang was buried and forgotten.

Suddenly, Chi Suisui looked up and asked, “Su Mian, you’ve been a fan of He Xingwang for so long—do you know everything about him?”

“That’s definitely impossible,” Su Mian thought carefully. “I’m just a fan; I can’t access his real life. What I see is only what he chooses to show.”

Of course, now there was a bit more.

For instance, Lord He’s fiancée was her good friend!

And Lord He had once dropped Director Chi off at work!

“When did you start following him?” Chi Suisui asked again.

“During the Olympics a few years ago. I was stunned by him and fell into Lord He’s fandom ever since,” Su Mian lightly tapped the table.

That animated GIF of his captivating smile went viral during the Olympic month.

Chi Suisui lowered her gaze. “Many fans are probably like you.”

Su Mian nodded. “Yes.”

Though she didn’t know why Director Chi suddenly brought this up, she answered earnestly.

Chi Suisui felt a pang of regret.

At thirteen, He Xingwang’s shooting talent was discovered by Coach Zhu, leading him to join the Shooting Sports Center, where he was groomed as a key prospect.

With his family background, it took considerable effort from Coach Zhu to convince him to join.

No one expected issues to arise within the Shooting Sports Center.

Today’s events left Chi Suisui feeling drained all day. She completed her tasks ahead of schedule, but her mood remained low.

Zhang Yueyan, on the other hand, was the opposite.

Everyone noticed her good spirits. Even when bossing interns around—a task she usually performed without a word of thanks—she said “thank you” today.

“She applied for your cameraman.”

Just before leaving work, Chen Ruyu informed Chi Suisui.

Though uninterested, Chi Suisui was somewhat surprised: “She’s worked with her usual partner many times. Why the sudden change?”

Typically, once someone got used to working with a specific partner, they wouldn’t switch.

Chen Ruyu held her thermos, adding some goji berries, and spoke meaningfully: “Probably because she saw your recent interviews.”

Veteran employees didn’t spell things out too clearly.

Chi Suisui understood and slightly raised an eyebrow.

Zhang Yueyan might not realize that while a cameraman contributes to the quality of an interview, the reporter themselves played a much bigger role.

If one’s focus wasn’t on the right priorities, external factors wouldn’t make a difference.

Since she had agreed to meet He Xingwang to discuss matters, Chi Suisui directly requested a day off for tomorrow. Whether they’d finish talking or not, she wasn’t sure.

Both families already knew about the list.

“So you’re saying Suisui has seen it too?”

“Yes, Miss Chi directly instructed us to send the email to her once we finished investigating.”

After hanging up, Jiang Huiyue opened the email and read through it. She sat at home for a full half-hour before calling Chi Suisui.

By then, Chi Suisui had just finished work.

She was having hot pot with Su Mian. The weather was cold, and her mood hadn’t improved much due to the matter involving Zhou Xucheng.

“Suisui, you’ve seen the email, right?” Jiang Huiyue asked.

“Aunt He,” Chi Suisui paused her chopsticks, “I’ve seen it.”

“For now, don’t tell Xingwang about this,” Jiang Huiyue advised. “He’s currently in training camp and can’t afford any distractions.”

She fully supported her son’s career.

As for gossip about the heir of the illustrious He family becoming a shooter, she paid no heed. He Xingwang excelled wherever he went.

“Aunt He, I believe he needs to know about this,” Chi Suisui said quietly. “You should trust him.”

“But…”

Jiang Huiyue hesitated. She remembered how, after this incident, He Xingwang’s temperament grew colder, shedding his youthful arrogance.

“Are you still worried about him?” Chi Suisui chuckled softly. “Xingwang made decisions back then, and he can do so again. Let him handle it.”

Undoubtedly, Jiang Huiyue was persuaded.

After hanging up, Su Mian blinked repeatedly, sensing something significant had happened—something related to Lord He.

She scoured her memory, recalling Chi Suisui’s mention of He Xingwang making a second decision, and suddenly exclaimed: “Director Chi!”

“Hmm?”

“Is Lord He retiring?”

Chi Suisui glanced up. “Why would you ask that?”

“I guessed,” Su Mian explained. “Actually, I’ve read summaries about Lord He’s past. There’s one thing I never understood: not long after he joined the Shooting Sports Center, he left.”

This detail, accurately speaking, was unknown to all fans.

At the time, He Xingwang had just emerged and wasn’t widely recognized. He hadn’t participated in international competitions, so his public profile was low.

However, sports reports covered his competitions extensively.

Back then, Weibo itself was relatively new. While traces of old news could be found now, there wasn’t much, and specifics weren’t reported.

Su Mian only vaguely knew it might be related to Zhou Xucheng.

Because the day after He Xingwang left, Zhou Xucheng also departed from the Shooting Sports Center. Now, He Xingwang stood at the pinnacle of the world, while Zhou Xucheng had vanished without a trace.

Chi Suisui remarked, “You know quite a bit.”

Su Mian blinked. “I’m a journalist.”

She connected dots instinctively.

Chi Suisui smiled faintly, praising her: “Su Mian, you’re much more suited to being a journalist than before.”

That comment had Su Mian glowing for the rest of the evening.

While eating, someone nearby recognized Chi Suisui.

This hot pot restaurant wasn’t far from the TV station and was a popular spot. Recognizing Chi Suisui’s face and confirming her identity was easy.

Chi Suisui had a keen sense for when someone was taking her picture. As soon as she felt the camera, she looked up and sure enough, caught the person halfway retracting their hand.

The two girls at the table awkwardly smiled.

Chi Suisui didn’t approach to ask them to delete the photo. As long as it wasn’t overly intrusive, she didn’t care much about such things.

Winter nights fell early. After dinner, the entire city was brightly lit.

Chi Suisui tightened her coat, standing tall under the night sky. Her legs were slim and straight. She parted ways with Su Mian, returned to Bai’an Mansion to change clothes, and then drove to the airport.

She hadn’t told He Xingwang that she’d be coming tonight. By the time she reached the training camp, it was already past 9 p.m., nearing 10.

The weather here was hot.

Chi Suisui immediately took off her coat, revealing a brown dress underneath that accentuated her fair skin. As she stepped out of the airport, her tall figure drew many glances.

Her high heels clicked rhythmically against the ground.

With an innate air of elegance, every step she took resembled a supermodel walking down a runway. Strangely, countless passersby seemed to overlook the thick coat draped over her arm.

He Xingwang had mentioned the training camp location to her before.

But obviously, Chi Suisui was stopped at the gate again.

There was no training at night.

Coach Zhu was arranging for all the athletes to watch footage of their opponents’ matches. The venue was quiet, save for the occasional sound of gunshots.

At this moment, He Xingwang’s phone screen lit up, displaying Chi Suisui’s name. As soon as he answered, he heard her voice.

“He Xingwang, I’m stuck outside the gate. Come get me.”

The usually bright and lively young lady sounded a bit frustrated.

Chi Suisui was indeed irritated. After staring down the guard for a while, she ultimately gave up on the idea of forcing her way in.

Today, perhaps fueled by anger over the doping rumors, she decided to push back: “You’re really not letting me in?”

Though her tone wasn’t harsh.

The guard remained silent, offering no response.

When He Xingwang came out, he saw Chi Suisui standing on the steps, her eyes tinged with a hint of red, radiant and striking under the lights.

In that moment, she seemed to have returned to her teenage years.

A carefree, unruly girl.

He Xingwang stood still, watching her vivid expression. His usual calm demeanor softened under the glow of the lights, and the corners of his lips curved slightly upward.

“He Xingwang!”

Chi Suisui spotted the man emerging and called out loudly, not forgetting to complain: “Why did you take so long?”

She was practically melting from the heat.

Although she had deliberately worn light clothing underneath, the temperature here was in the teens or twenties Celsius—summer attire would’ve been more appropriate.

“I came late.”

He Xingwang readily admitted his mistake and took the heavy coat from her hands. She hadn’t brought anything else this time.

As they walked inside, he said: “I thought you were coming tomorrow.”

Chi Suisui calmly explained: “Time waits for no one. My profession has taught me to finish things early whenever possible.”

In truth, if she delayed further, it would be the weekend.

After not seeing him for a few days, she felt that He Xingwang’s presence had grown even more restrained, his mature aura increasingly pronounced.

She could distinctly feel a fatal attraction.

Chi Suisui wondered if she had been drugged. How could just a few days apart make her feel so different?

She pondered suspiciously.

“How long are you staying?” He Xingwang changed the subject.

“Just one day. I didn’t bring any clothes.” Chi Suisui fanned herself with her hand. “It’s pretty hot here.”

Though there was air conditioning inside, it wasn’t set too low.

He Xingwang’s room was still a single. When he came out, everyone knew. As Chi Suisui entered the corridor, she caught several heads peeking out to sneak a look.

Once discovered, they quickly retracted.

The vitality unique to youth.

Chi Suisui found it amusing, her eyes curving into a smile. Once inside He Xingwang’s room, she couldn’t hold back and burst into laughter: “Your teammates are so fun.”

He Xingwang raised an eyebrow. “Are they?”

He poured a glass of warm water.

Chi Suisui gulped it down in a few sips, then sat in the room for a few seconds. “Do you have any clothes? I want to change.”

He Xingwang gave her a deep look.

“Why are you looking at me like that?” Chi Suisui asked.

“I thought you were joking.”

“…?”

Could such a thing even be joked about?

Chi Suisui was confused. Was he implying she was intentionally teasing him?

He Xingwang simply said, offering no further explanation to her confusion, and handed her one of his shirts. “This one?”

Chi Suisui sat on the chair, only realizing abruptly after taking the pristine white shirt from him—

“Is this all?”

“What else do you need?” He Xingwang frowned.

Chi Suisui stood up, holding the shirt in front of her and tucking her ankle-length dress inside. Being tall, the shirt’s hem barely reached her thighs.

Thus, a stretch of fair skin was exposed.

It looked as though she were wearing only a man’s shirt.

Chi Suisui curled her lips upward: “He Xingwang, do you think the ‘missing bottom’ look is attractive, so you’re not giving me pants?”