OSTF - 76

In just a few seconds, the coat was draped back over her. Chi Suisui breathed in He Xingwang’s familiar scent and fell into an even deeper sleep than usual.

However, as the surrounding environment changed, she gradually woke up. Opening her eyes, she immediately noticed the crowd not far behind He Xingwang.

“...”

Chi Suisui instantly became fully awake. “Put me down.”

She lightly patted He Xingwang, then steadied herself on the ground. It was only then that she remembered taking off her mask in the lounge earlier.

And then she had forgotten about it after falling asleep.

Had everyone seen her just now?

The boarding process was quick, especially with ticket checks. Once they were inside, the outdoor streamer reluctantly turned her camera away.

As soon as the audience in the live chat room realized the person had disappeared, dissatisfaction quickly followed.

[Look again! Look again!]

[Streamer, turn back quickly!]

[Who is Chi Suisui? Is this the beautiful girl from the trending topic last time?]

[Yes, yes, it’s her.]

But no matter how agitated they were, they couldn’t see her anymore.

The number of curious glances around them increased. Coach Zhu touched his bald head and glanced back at He Xingwang, who remained completely calm.

Well, the main subject was calmer than him—what was there for him to worry about?

For the first time, Li Huaiming felt so many eyes on them, even though they weren’t directed at him.

He sighed, “I think we shouldn’t return to Nancheng. By now, domestic media might already have plastered the headlines.”

Fortunately, they weren’t in economy class.

Chi Suisui finally spoke: “Why didn’t you wake me up just now? So many people saw… When we get back, the whole world will probably know.”

He Xingwang turned his head slightly to look at her. “It’s not a big deal.”

It was about time.

Chi Suisui curved her lips. “I see you’re calmer than I am.”

He Xingwang’s voice was steady: “What else should I do?”

His tone was so serious that Chi Suisui thought carefully for a moment and realized he was right.

If they weren’t calm, what else could they do?

Charge forward and gouge everyone’s eyes out?

She and He Xingwang were legitimately married—they weren’t secretly meeting. What was there to worry about? Suddenly, Chi Suisui felt enlightened.

Before takeoff, phones were still allowed on the plane.

The outdoor streamer’s live chat room had already gathered hundreds of thousands of viewers. Unfortunately, those who joined late relied entirely on the barrage of comments to catch up.

[Too late—can someone fill me in?]

[Just now at the airport, He Shen carried Chi Suisui like a princess!]

[Class representative, summarize everything in one sentence.]

[Holy crap, is it really that explosive?]

[Does the streamer have a replay?]

Minutes ago, countless people had already posted on Weibo.

At first, they posted about running into He Xingwang, but now it had been edited to include He Xingwang carrying Chi Suisui like a princess.

One post might be dismissed as photoshopped, but when countless posts appeared, it became undeniable.

With just a few days left until the end of the Olympics, any news related to He Xingwang drew massive attention.

Especially such explosive news.

The commotion spread quickly.

Previously, Chi Suisui had gone viral due to her smiling photo at the match. Even though she wasn’t a celebrity, many people now knew who she was.

As soon as the incident broke, someone reposted the news.

—[Did you see the posts on Weibo? He Shen and Chi Suisui together?]

[???]

[If I had money, I’d hire a comment moderator.]

[Hugging together? Where did they hug—it’s a serious question!]

[Holy crap, can paparazzi now sneak into bedrooms too?]

The thread grew rapidly, dozens of replies every minute.

After dozens of posts, the original poster finally reappeared: “You’re thinking too much. Someone ran into them at the airport. Just search ‘He Shen Chi Suisui’ on Weibo and you’ll find it.”

With that explanation, the truth quickly came to light.

This morning, everyone was still discussing whether Chi Suisui had broken off her childhood betrothal and married a wealthy man. Not even an hour had passed, and the story had already updated.

Could she really be with He Xingwang?!

He Xingwang had previously posted their marriage certificate, and everyone knew he was married. Over the years, he had never been involved in any scandals.

Now, being so bold in a public place at the airport—was this cheating?

Most netizens were skeptical, but without a statement from the parties involved, all sorts of guesses circulated.

[Chi Suisui has chased He Xingwang through several matches, right? Could it be that He Xingwang married her? The photos seem to match.]

[Holy crap, it’s possible!]

[Didn’t realize it until now—it’s shocking.]

[Wait a second, isn’t Chi Suisui’s wedding ring visible? Compare it with He Xingwang’s and you’ll know!]

The streamer’s broadcast had ended due to the plane taking off, but the replay video remained accessible for everyone to watch.

Midway through the video, He Xingwang’s wedding ring was particularly clear.

Although one was a men’s ring and the other a women’s ring, it was easy to tell they were a pair—if they weren’t, why call them a pair?

[Confirmed—they are husband and wife.]

[...Chi Suisui is really good at keeping secrets. Most people would want the whole world to know they’re He Shen’s wife.]

[This is what a proper childhood betrothal looks like!]

[Earlier, everyone mocked her childhood betrothal partner as some uncouth guy. Now, if that guy were real, I’d take ten of them!]

[Sister, your comment is dangerous.]

[Ten? I’d take a hundred!]

The thread veered further off course, heading toward indescribable territory.

During the daytime, there were many people online, and because of the Olympics, fewer celebrity posts appeared on the forum’s front page. This post quickly became a hot topic.

Even after two pages of discussion.

Chi Suisui suddenly became the object of everyone’s envy.

It wasn’t until the third page that someone finally offered a different perspective amid the sea of “Ahhhh!” and “The CP I shipped isn’t fake—it didn’t end badly!”

[No, how do you know He Shen is the childhood betrothal partner? Couldn’t it be that Chi Suisui broke up with her childhood partner and got together with He Shen?]

Anything in the world is possible.

This reply stunned the comment section into silence for a full ten seconds.

It wasn’t that no one had considered this possibility, but He Xingwang’s earlier Weibo post about his marriage gave off the impression of childhood sweethearts.

Did that mean Chi Suisui and He Xingwang were childhood sweethearts?

But upon closer reflection, He Xingwang had never explicitly said so. If he and Chi Suisui knew each other, and he posted a photo from when they were seven years old, it wouldn’t seem strange at all.

[Feels like the truth has surfaced.]

[This explanation actually makes more sense. Chi Suisui has never flaunted wealth.]

[Though I’m shocked, in terms of looks, they’re definitely a match.]

[If it were me, I’d choose He Shen too! Handsome, wealthy, and a national idol—everyone wants that!]

Chi Suisui’s image as someone from humble beginnings was deeply ingrained, even though it had already collapsed. Still, people didn’t jump to assume she was some top-tier socialite.

The logical assumption remained that Chi Suisui met He Xingwang through her work as a journalist—or perhaps during the flower-giving event at S University.

One beautiful, one handsome—a love-at-first-sight story.

Unbeknownst to her, Chi Suisui was already being cast in an idol drama plot by netizens: The Love Story of a Beautiful College Girl and a Top Shooter.

As the discussion heated up, the trending topic exploded.

On Weibo, many initially thought it was about Chi Suisui successfully meeting her idol or perhaps posing for a photo or interview with He Xingwang. But when they clicked on the link, they found a video.

And not just any video—it was He Xingwang carrying Chi Suisui!

The barrage of comments from the live stream replayed itself in the Weibo comments.

Su Mian, who spent most of her time online, was munching on a small loaf of bread when she clicked on the trending topic. Her heart sank immediately, sensing trouble.

Sure enough, the next second, she nearly choked.

Just like that, it was out in the open?

Su Mian blinked, still feeling as if she were in some surreal fantasy. She quickly messaged Chi Suisui but received no reply.

After a while, she could only post a link in the group chat.

Song Miaoli: [? Little He is really bold?]

Song Miaoli: [Such big news—I need to go check it out.]

Song Miaoli had recently quit her job and was bored at home, not even wanting to attend tea parties. Of course, she couldn’t resist diving into the drama involving her friends.

As for dating, that had long been forgotten.

Due to the card-giving incident last time, the nickname “Little He” had spread among the sisters, much like how men were nicknamed based on their height.

It seemed the friends enjoyed using codenames when chatting.

Su Mian: [Boss is probably on the plane now. My messages aren’t getting replies. This is bad. When they return, they’ll definitely be mobbed at the airport.]

Being in the industry, she knew this kind of news wouldn’t slip past the media.

When she entered her fan group, there were already hundreds of messages—all from people returning after devouring the gossip.

“…I screamed so loud my dad said the mice came out.”

“As long as she’s not some internet celebrity, I think it’s fine.”

“What’s wrong with Suisui? Perfect career, beautiful, no scandals, doesn’t cause trouble—such a sister-in-law, I’m in love!”

“Ahhhh, I can finally ship this couple guilt-free!”

Previously, due to He Xingwang posting his marriage certificate, some netizens criticized those who shipped him as being disrespectful to married people.

No one expected that the ship they were shipping would turn out to be real.

Su Mian had originally planned to scold anyone in the group who insulted Boss Suisui, but upon entering, she found the atmosphere surprisingly harmonious.

She cupped her face and thoughtfully reflected.

Boss Suisui was such a good person—who wouldn’t like her?

Half an hour later, when Su Mian checked the news again, she was startled to find that someone had already edited a video, compiling clips of Chi Suisui and He Xingwang.

As soon as the video was released, its views skyrocketed.

The flight from Tokyo to Nancheng took several hours.

Chi Suisui picked a movie to watch. Inside the cabin, He Xingwang’s teammates were either gaming or chatting—it was lively.

Once the competition ended, they let loose.

“Not sleeping?” He Xingwang asked.

“Can’t sleep,” Chi Suisui replied, then turned her head. “Back at the stadium, I thought you were going to say something shocking again.”

“…”

He Xingwang glanced at her indifferently, then suddenly smiled faintly, his voice low as he asked, “What do you want me to say?”

Chi Suisui raised an eyebrow, her voice clear and charming: “Didn’t you say it pretty well last time? Something romantic, like showing affection.”

“So you like that kind of thing,” He Xingwang mused, nodding slightly.

“That’s not what I meant,” Chi Suisui slapped his hand resting on his leg. “Why are you nodding? What reaction is that?”

“It means I’ve already remembered.”

“And what exactly are you remembering? Are you planning to post it on Weibo?”

He Xingwang’s eyelids lifted slightly as he stared at her for a few seconds, his lips curling faintly: “I didn’t have that idea at first, but if you want…”

“…”

Chi Suisui didn’t respond for a long moment.

The air conditioning was on in the plane, and a blanket was draped over her legs. Her hands were hidden underneath, revealing only the delicate whiteness above.

The next second, she reached out from under the blanket, quickly touching the man’s leg. Her fingers danced lightly across it.

A blatant attempt at seduction.

He Xingwang turned his head to look at her, his voice low as he asked, “Let go.”

Chi Suisui hummed in response but feigned compliance, rubbing lightly a few times instead.

Until her hand was caught, and He Xingwang gazed deeply at her: “Suisui, I don’t think you want to do this here.”

His words carried a hint.

Chi Suisui blinked innocently: “What are you saying? I don’t understand.”

“…”

Seeing He Xingwang rendered speechless, Chi Suisui finally burst into laughter, withdrawing her hand. “Alright, I won’t tease you anymore. Let’s sleep.”

With that, she closed her eyes.

He Xingwang watched her close her eyes so quickly, as if afraid he might do something. The blanket was pulled up to her chest, covering her completely.

He chuckled softly, closing his eyes and leaning back against the seat.

Time flew by, and when Chi Suisui woke up again, they had arrived in Nancheng and were descending. From the window, she could see the entire cityscape.

Coach Zhu still managed to interject: “We’ll head back to the Shooting Sports Center first. After wrapping things up, you’ll get some vacation time.”

He specifically glanced at He Xingwang.

Chi Suisui smiled faintly: “Is Coach Zhu worried that your king won’t rise early to court?”

He Xingwang’s expression remained unchanged: “Didn’t you call me Daji earlier?”

The two bantered back and forth. Li Huaiming, standing behind them, looked numb. Was this how conversations between couples always went?

The group exited the plane.

The Shooting Sports Center had arranged for cars to pick them up, waiting in the parking lot. Coach Zhu didn’t think much of it—they weren’t celebrities, after all—so they took the regular route.

That’s when they walked straight into a crowd of reporters.

Half an hour earlier, sports journalists, entertainment reporters, and even some news videographers had already gathered at the airport to wait.

Instantly, screams and camera flashes erupted.

Chi Suisui was still wearing that mint-green dress, the hem swaying slightly, exuding charm. Her slender waist looked as if it could snap with a pinch, accentuating her graceful curves.

Standing beside He Xingwang, her presence commanded equal attention.

The reporters who had waited half an hour were already impatient, thrusting microphones forward and shouting prepared questions.

“He Shen, do you have anything to say about your performance in this competition?”

“You broke the 10-meter air pistol world record this time, and it will likely remain unbroken for a while. How do you feel?”

“There are rumors that He Shen carried a girl princess-style. Is it the woman beside you? What is your relationship? Who is Chi Suisui to you?”

“…”

Fans couldn’t see anything, only hearing the cacophony of interviews.

Coach Zhu regretted more than once taking this route. With a team member like He Xingwang, he shouldn’t have assumed normalcy.

Questions poured in from all directions. He Xingwang removed his mask, his stern face appearing before the crowd once again.

Seeing this move, the reporters immediately raised their microphones.

Chi Suisui sensed that something big was about to happen.

He Xingwang remained calm. Facing the numerous cameras, he took Chi Suisui’s hand, which had been lost in thought, and brought their wedding rings into the same frame.

In an instant, all eyes focused on them.

The answer seemed obvious, but everyone still wanted to hear it directly.

“She’s my wife,” He Xingwang raised his gaze to meet the countless reporters. His palm held soft, delicate skin as he slowly stated: “Simply put, we’re husband and wife.”

As his words fell, the entire venue was stunned.

Most people would have been vague, either denying or waiting days to confirm. No one expected He Xingwang to publicly acknowledge it so directly.