Chapter 158: Misplaced Affection

At the banquet hosting envoys from various nations, Yang Yi appeared as usual, her face still bearing a calm smile.

Those who had doubts about Yang Yi's pause on stage hid their suspicions upon seeing her appear, each acting as if nothing had happened.

During the banquet, when Yang Yi went to the rest room, Thomas followed her.

As he walked, he carefully observed Yang Yi's expression and said with some reserve, "Are you alright?"

"At least it's better than when I first ended up at your house," Yang Yi shrugged indifferently.

"What was that pause this afternoon about?" Thomas asked straight to the point. "Many are discussing it; they might even be trying to investigate what happened to you. Everyone hopes to seize your weakness..."

"You too?" Yang Yi interrupted him, smiling and asking in return.

Thomas turned his head to look at the girl beside him. She was a full head shorter than him, with a slender build. No matter how one looked, one could not see such immense power hidden within such a fragile body.

He said slowly, "No, I hope you remain this powerful forever, and never fall into a situation like Frieza's again."

Yang Yi's steps paused slightly, moved by his words.

As the two entered Yang Yi's private rest room, she asked softly, "Why?"

Thomas did not explain; instead, he suddenly brought up the matter of the painting. "The painting you wanted, I have already instructed someone to pack and ship by air. It will arrive in Xia Country tomorrow. Don't forget to receive it then."

"Why so suddenly..." Yang Yi looked at him, almost surprised.

Thomas turned his face away, saying impatiently, "I dislike people asking me for gifts, but that doesn't mean I am stingy with friends. If you like other paintings, say so quickly; perhaps I will be generous enough to give you another one."

Looking at Thomas's arrogant expression, and recalling how he had packed and shipped that painting overnight, Yang Yi suddenly had a flash of insight—Thomas might have guessed that the painting had inspired her initially and perhaps played some role in her recovery of telekinesis. Now, worried by her sudden pause on stage that afternoon, he hoped the painting could bring her some help...

Thinking of this, Yang Yi suddenly remembered that kiss at an inappropriate moment.

Amidst the flurry of busy activities, she had almost forgotten that kiss—kissing the forehead is a normal Western greeting, isn't it? It doesn't mean anything.

But perhaps that kiss held another meaning? After all, for Thomas, those were already the last few seconds of his life. At that time, he had said, "What a pity, I still don't know your real name..."

Yang Yi's lips felt dry; vanity's satisfaction and guilt simultaneously surged upon her heart.

Oh, back then I was still Frieza, a body-type awakener with only C-level abilities, not "Yang Yi." Yet, yet he actually developed feelings for me based on romance between man and woman...? No, no, perhaps he didn't mean that. After all, his nature is so arrogant; the only ones he could love would be a kindred spirit with shared language or some inspirational muse, right?

And... Chris... Yes, all this is just wild speculation. The adoration from everyone these days has made your vanity explode. After taking this position, you started losing humility, started blindly becoming arrogant... That's it. Even thinking about such things is a betrayal of one's partner; this is a desecration of Chris's pure feelings...

Moreover, for so long, Thomas has never revealed any such intentions. He might purely be concerned as a friend... Yes, he just said he wouldn't be stingy with friends!

Thinking thus, Yang Yi felt almost ashamed of her own misplaced affection. She suddenly cut off those few lingering romantic thoughts and swept these wild speculations deep into the recesses of her mind like trash.

Pausing for a moment, she joked, "Then many thanks to Hou Jue Essex for his generosity. I will ask for a few more and wait for them to appreciate in value in the future."

Thomas still turned sideways, chin up, refusing to look at her, maintaining an air of noble coldness. "Now, even if you just scribble a few strokes on paper, you can sell them for several times the price of my works."

Seeing him still look awkward, Yang Yi had to reach out, grasp his arms, straighten his body to face her directly. Then, placing both hands on either side of his head, she pulled his high-held head down, making those brown-green eyes look at her.

"Your Grace, the noble Hou Jue Essex, your loyal friend feels your friendship." She performed a curtsy in the style of noble ladies from old black-and-white Western films, albeit inappropriately. "I will certainly preserve this great painting well."

Thomas watched her pretentious and error-filled etiquette with an expression that made one's eyes burn, yet his eyes held an unmistakable smile.

"Eh? Haven't we exchanged contact information yet?" Yang Yi suddenly remembered, took out her phone, and jokingly urged, "Quick, add me, or how will I receive your painting when it arrives?"

Thomas secretly gritted his teeth, then angrily took out his phone to exchange numbers.

But he finally couldn't resist making a sharp sarcastic remark. "You, a person of high status, have a forgetful memory. It's been a whole week since you returned to Xia Country, yet you didn't think to contact an old friend; you probably forgot me... us... already..." As if suddenly sensing the melancholy in his tone, he hastily added, "Miranda has been constantly mentioning you..."

Even he himself felt that this addition seemed like trying to cover up, making things worse instead. His face darkened, and he tightly closed his thin lips.

Yang Yi recalled that gentle and kind old lady, and guilt immediately arose. She apologized sincerely, "I'm sorry, Thomas. It's been too busy since I returned, too many things; I forgot. I will definitely visit you and Miranda when I have time."

Thomas sneered and lifted his head again.

Seeing he wasn't buying it, Yang Yi adopted the same demeanor she used to coax him into eating when his wrist was injured. "Really, I miss life in Timms Village. I also miss the days when I was just Frieza and was with you. Those were rare moments when I felt relaxed..."

Finally, Thomas opened his mouth. "I thought you would be much happier after recovering your power." After all, back then, she looked so... desperate, painful...

Yang Yi paused for a moment, pressed her lips together. "That was another kind of relaxation—a relaxation that everything was about to end... a relaxation that I had already done my best, and the rest was up to fate... But now, there is yet another kind of tiredness..."

She forced herself to smile.

Thomas looked at her expression, suddenly reached out with both hands, and pulled down the corners of her mouth. "If you can't smile, don't force it. Such a smile has no aesthetic effect of pleasure. To be honest, beneath this smiling face, I only see a lost child..."