OSTF - 78

Hearing this, Chi Suisui could almost vividly picture the scene.

“There’s no one as blunt as you,” she said with a laugh, resting her chin on her hand. “He must have just been speaking out of frustration.”

If it were her, she wouldn’t give up such an excellent team member either.

He Xingwang lowered his eyes. “It’s time.”

He had loved shooting since he was young and had spent nearly a decade on it, achieving everything he had hoped for. Now, he had other plans for the future.

Chi Suisui thought for a moment. “So when do you plan to retire?”

If he announced it now, the internet would explode.

He Xingwang glanced at her. “Next week.”

There was still plenty of time. Chi Suisui nodded and softly said, “Since you’ve already made your decision, then go ahead.”

Her eyes twinkled mischievously. “In that case, can we go on our honeymoon?”

As Chi Suisui moved, the tassels on her earrings fell onto the hollow of her collarbone, delicate and alluring.

He Xingwang caught sight of it unintentionally.

A few seconds later, he glanced over again. “You want a honeymoon?”

Chi Suisui pretended not to notice his gaze and boldly asked, “Who gets married without a honeymoon?”

He Xingwang did think of a few people but didn’t say anything.

A honeymoon meant traveling and shopping—irresistible temptations for someone like Chi Suisui, who lived a luxurious lifestyle.

“We’ll go,” He Xingwang raised his eyes, succinctly answering.

“Don’t end up stuck in the office with no time,” Chi Suisui teased, giving him a reproachful look. “And become a workaholic.”

“It won’t happen.” He Xingwang smiled faintly.

Receiving a definite answer, Chi Suisui felt satisfied.

In the evening, Coach Zhu sought out He Xingwang again.

After all, he had personally trained him; there was no way he would give up because of that reason.

“Think it over again,” Coach Zhu sighed. “At your age, retiring now is still very early, and your condition is also great.”

“I’ve already thought it through.” He Xingwang’s voice remained steady.

“I can give you leave for your marriage,” Coach Zhu considered for a moment. “You’ve already gotten your marriage certificate. Surely your wedding won’t take months.”

He Xingwang chuckled lightly at this.

Coach Zhu felt somewhat relieved. “Even after getting married, you can still compete. It would be such a shame to retire with your achievements. See, what I’m saying makes sense, right?”

He Xingwang called out, “Coach.”

Having known each other for so long, from their younger days, Coach Zhu knew exactly what he was about to say with just that one address.

This team member of his was very independent, had extraordinary self-control, and carefully planned every decision.

Coach Zhu sighed deeply. “Alright, I understand.”

He Xingwang gave a small hum and looked down at him. “Thank you for taking care of me all these years.”

“No need to thank me.” Coach Zhu waved it off. “The Shooting Sports Center has benefited from you.”

Otherwise, how could they afford such extravagance?

Coach Zhu felt a twinge of melancholy. Thinking about it, he could retire happily now, but he didn’t want to. He wanted to keep striving and watch the Chinese team win more gold medals.

“You should go back. Don’t let Xiao Chi wait too long,” he said.

That girl probably had all sorts of thoughts about him. Every time he thought of the two of them, Coach Zhu couldn’t help but sigh.

He Xingwang and Chi Suisui returned directly to Bai’an Mansion.

After not living in this house for two weeks, it felt like a little reunion honeymoon, a feeling that deepened in the evening.

After lying in bed, Chi Suisui’s curiosity arose. “Did they distribute a lot of condoms to you all in the Olympic Village this year?”

“Mm, yes.”

They were placed directly in the rooms by the Olympic Committee. When He Xingwang arrived, there were a few, and when he left, there were still a few.

“Did anyone use them?” Chi Suisui asked.

“As far as I know, the shooting team didn’t do anything,” He Xingwang’s voice was still a bit hoarse, carrying a hint of sexiness and allure.

Coach Zhu was very strict with his team members, especially since the shooting events started a few days prior. He wouldn’t tolerate any behavior that could affect performance.

Chi Suisui turned over. “Did they really have to hold back?”

In the dark, He Xingwang could imagine her expression and calmly said, “I don’t know about others.”

“You’re subtly hinting that you didn’t use them,” Chi Suisui’s eyes sparkled as she blindly pinched his chin in the dark.

“I think this should be an explicit hint,” He Xingwang said.

He turned his head to look at her. Her black hair slid from behind her back and shoulders, draping over the pillow, while the obvious groove of her spine was concealed by the blanket.

A flicker passed through He Xingwang’s eyes, and his Adam’s apple bobbed.

Chi Suisui looked up and saw his eyes, her heart trembling. By the time she realized it, the lights were off.

Outside the floor-to-ceiling windows, the night was cool, with the moon hanging high.

The topic was thus interrupted.

Chi Suisui could feel He Xingwang’s hair brushing against her cheek, his breathing by her ear, and perhaps he said something, but she couldn’t quite hear it.

He Xingwang’s kiss landed on her collarbone.

Even in pitch-black darkness, he could accurately find the spot where his gaze lingered during the day, lingering there.

Perhaps it was because of today’s events, or maybe it was due to the long period of no contact, but they only barely finished by the early hours of the morning.

Chi Suisui had already fallen asleep.

He Xingwang rearranged her sleeping posture, untangled her hair trapped underneath, and lay beside her.

The next morning, the sun was bright.

Chi Suisui woke up to the sound of the phone ringing. The spot beside her was already cool, indicating that He Xingwang had risen early.

“Boss, the headlines are full of your news these past two days. Aren’t you coming to work at the news agency?” Su Mian blurted out in one breath.

“I’ll come in the afternoon,” Chi Suisui lazily claimed with confidence.

Since owning her own news agency, she found herself lacking the diligence she once had, clocking in daily.

No wonder some rich second-generation heirs and wealthy beauties went to work for several thousand yuan a day.

Chi Suisui felt she had become decadent and sat up from the bed. “There’s nothing major happening recently. Just post about the Olympics. Other columns shouldn’t be empty; proceed as usual.”

Su Mian said, “Boss, your voice sounds a bit off.”

“Really?” Chi Suisui cleared her throat; it was indeed a bit raspy. “Maybe I talked too much yesterday.”

“...”

Su Mian’s face turned red. She wasn’t ignorant of what might have happened.

Why did she choose to call at a time like this? An invisible car seemed to zoom past her ear.

After hanging up, Chi Suisui checked her messages.

The person in charge of yesterday’s charity auction had already replied: [I never expected that Gu would really accept. Suisui, you have so much influence. Thanks to you this time, mwah!]

Their excitement practically leapt off the screen.

Chi Suisui didn’t hold back and sent a kissy face back.

As for whether Gu Nanyan would meet Song Miaoli at the auction and what might happen if they did—well, that was next week’s problem.

Chi Suisui had said she’d go in the afternoon but actually arrived at the news agency at 10 a.m.

As soon as she walked in, all eyes turned to her.

Nothing was more shocking than having the subject of the latest headlines right there with them—and not just anyone, their very own editor-in-chief.

“Good morning, Editor Chi.”

“Good morning, Chief Editor.”

“...”

Chi Suisui hummed an acknowledgment and strode past them in her high heels, exuding confidence as she entered her office.

Whispers quickly spread through the workspace.

“Oh my God, my heart almost exploded just now.”

“Editor Chi is so beautiful. I used to think she might keep a young toy boy, but my imagination was just childish.”

Suddenly, one of the female reporters asked, “Can you imagine what Editor Chi, who has such grace, looks like in front of He Shen?”

The first image that flashed in everyone’s mind was the smiling photo from before.

Bright-eyed and charming in every way.

Who wouldn’t be captivated by such a woman?

“Cough, cough.”

Someone suddenly cleared their throat. “Careful, or the chief editor will catch you slacking off when she comes out, and then—”

Everyone looked toward Su Mian, who was closest to Chi Suisui.

Su Mian pretended she hadn’t heard anything.

Truthfully, she thought the same way. Over the past year, she, as an observer, was well aware of the emotional changes.

At first, it wasn’t obvious, but over time, that small liking gradually grew, becoming clear and distinct.

Though online everyone said Chief Editor Suisui was a successful fan-turned-wife.

Even as a fan of He Shen, she felt that He Shen and Chief Editor Suisui being together was mutual fate, without any talk of who matched whom.

The Nancheng TV station could be described as exploding.

Since Chi Suisui left, no one paid much attention to her news. Even when her smile went viral during the Olympics, there wasn’t much special about it.

Until now, every major media outlet was covering it.

During lunch, everyone sat together eating and sighed. “Thinking about it, didn’t Chi Suisui show some mercy towards Zhang Yue?”

Whether or not she showed mercy, they weren’t sure, but Zhang Yue clearly knew.

She wasn’t in the news industry anymore but worked a simple job. Still, she kept up with daily news.

Zhang Yue gritted her teeth. If they knew each other long ago, why did she pretend not to know her? Was it intentional humiliation?

The photos of He Xingwang and Chi Suisui online felt like a slap in the face.

None of this concerned Chi Suisui.

Her life continued as usual. After work, she met up with Su Mian and Song Miaoli for dinner.

“Today I asked Xiao Gu if he was shocked by your news,” Song Miaoli rested her chin on her hand. “Guess what he said.”

Su Mian thought for a moment. “Not surprised?”

Chi Suisui raised an eyebrow. “Didn’t say anything?”

Song Miaoli’s eyes curved into crescent moons. “You guys really don’t understand him. He told me he was shocked, but his expression didn’t show any surprise.”

She found it quite magical.

Su Mian said, “Dr. Song, do you think he guessed that you’re wealthy because of your close relationship with Chief Suisui?”

Song Miaoli’s eyes widened. “That makes so much sense.”

And she became deeply worried.

Chi Suisui: “...”

After a while, Song Miaoli managed to console herself. “One step at a time. If he knows, it’ll be good for him to back off. Worst case, we’ll never see each other again.”

She sighed gloomily.

Chi Suisui remained noncommittal, thinking Song Miaoli’s IQ dropped in matters of love.

Saying breakup and then reconciling—don’t emotions get deeper the more involved you are? And yet she remained optimistic, coincidentally dealing with someone as cunning as Gu Nanyan.

Acting along with her, setting traps once the act was over.

By the time he caught the rabbit, it probably wouldn’t even realize it, sitting obediently in the cage munching on grass.

Her phone vibrated twice.

He Xingwang: [Where are you?]

This opening line was so familiar to Chi Suisui that she simply sent him her location, and there was no reply from the other side.

Near the end of the meal, Su Mian keenly sensed something was off. “Do you guys feel like people around us are taking pictures of something?”

This place was close to the news agency, right in the bustling square of Nancheng.

They had chosen a quiet corner near the window, separated by screens and greenery from the other tables.

Su Mian noticed several girls leaving their seats, holding their phones and taking pictures towards the entrance.

Song Miaoli guessed, “Maybe a celebrity came by.”

The restaurant had a good reputation, and indeed, there had been previous sightings of popular stars, leading to long reservation queues.

“You guys aren’t fans.” Chi Suisui didn’t look back, calmly eating her food and teasing them. “If you keep staring, your eyeballs might fall out.”

Curiosity knows no bounds. Su Mian stood up.

Peering over, she saw a man walking through the crowd towards them—a face she recognized all too well.

“Forget about fans or not,” Su Mian quickly sat back down, excitedly saying, “Chief, your husband is here.”

“He Xingwang is coming?” Song Miaoli reacted even more intensely than Chi Suisui. “What’s your husband doing here suddenly? Could it be to catch someone cheating?”

“...?”

Where would there be any affair to catch?

Chi Suisui turned her head indifferently.

At the end of her line of sight, He Xingwang approached her, with twinkling lights and bustling crowds behind him stretching endlessly.

He was a hero to others.

But to her, he was the boy who would carry her down after piano practice and spend a month carving gifts for her.