Chapter 34: My Boyfriend

The afternoon meeting primarily finalized plans to strengthen protection against alien creatures nationwide, concentrating residents from remote areas into towns. It also introduced additional preferential policies for Awakened individuals and accelerated recruitment of unaffiliated Awakened not yet joined to the government. Furthermore, the Dark Matter Research Institute reported new progress, achieving significant advances in the application of dark matter, and is currently actively developing dark matter weapons usable by ordinary people.

The next day, a national online conference for Awakened representatives was held, with tens of thousands of Awakened participating online. Several rewards targeting Awakened individuals were announced, the scope of alien creature prevention was expanded, and rough deployments were made for future scenarios involving rising dark matter concentrations and rampant alien creature activity.

Yang Yi spoke at the online conference as an Awakened representative, stating she would do her utmost to safeguard the nation and the personal safety and property of its people.

After going through this round of meetings and bureaucratic formalities, Yang Yi felt more exhausted than during the Fire Demon and Mist Town incidents. Moreover, she inexplicably discovered that after these two meetings, she had invisibly shouldered many responsibilities that were unseen and intangible, yet heavier than Mount Tai.

Furthermore, this responsibility was moving her further and further away from her dream of being a salted fish.

Previously, she had remained noncommittal about the individual heroism depicted in Arcan country superhero movies, but now the phrase "With great power comes great responsibility" wrapped around her tightly like a vine, constricting her until she could barely breathe.

She knew that the status she now held was not due to her personal efforts, but entirely because of the superpower she possessed, which felt like winning a lottery dropped from the heavens; rather than saying this responsibility was bestowed upon her, it was more accurate to say it was bestowed upon the lottery ticket she carried.

"Has there been any movement from Vade recently?" Yang Yi asked Feng Liancheng.

She decided to resolve the issue of the voice inside her body. She realized that her ability to see the stone chair on the altar and her hunger for the Source of Life might be related to that inner voice, which in turn might be connected to some evil god from another world. As for the voice's claim that she would inevitably walk a certain path, she temporarily dismissed it as alarmist talk; currently, the only method to understand this evil god was through Vade.

"No, ever since he disappeared in Mist Town, he has gone completely off the grid; law enforcement agencies worldwide are searching for him," Feng Liancheng said. "It's possible this guy is brewing a major move... He is too dangerous—an Awakened terrorist with potentially A-rank abilities, possessing capability, objectives, plans, and execution power; he has stacked every buff imaginable! He could create Super S-rank danger!"

"Coordinate with the United Nations; if there is any news of Vade, notify me immediately," Yang Yi said. "I want to capture him with my own hands."

Feng Liancheng was burying his head in work before his beloved silver laptop; hearing this, he looked up at her, raised an eyebrow, and hesitantly offered comfort: "I know, the death of those four thousand people in Mist Town had a huge impact on you. Otherwise... our psychological counseling here is quite good, and post-combat psychological counseling is standard procedure... Why don't you go get counseled?"

Yang Yi's body immediately tensed, but her face remained expressionless: "What? Do I look like someone who's been struck? Are you worried I have PTSD?"

"No, it's just standard procedure. Wei Chang'an, Chen Chen Yushu, and the others go every time they complete a mission; it would be strange if you didn't go," Feng Liancheng shrugged, saying it as if he didn't care at all.

Yang Yi looked at Feng Liancheng, who was still burying his head in his work, hesitated for a moment, and said, "Alright, I'll go."

She left Feng Liancheng's office, looked across the corridor at the other office building opposite; the psychological counseling room was on the fifth floor, room 503, of that building.

The Awakened Administration Bureau was newly planned; the office building had a total of fifteen floors, with their office conveniently located on the second floor. The landscaping within the compound was excellently planned, the sunlight was brilliant, and the May roses were in full bloom, wafting bursts of fragrant breeze through the window. But this did not improve Yang Yi's mood.

After returning from Mist Town this time, she had been busy with meetings, so she had naturally "forgotten" about this procedure; now, reminded by Feng Liancheng, she had no choice but to go.

She returned to her own office expressionlessly and sat by the window, staring blankly.

One moment she suspected Feng Liancheng knew something, otherwise why would he remind her to undergo psychological counseling? The next moment she comforted herself that this was just standard procedure, a process everyone who completed dangerous missions had to undergo. Two days ago, she could still use the excuse of many meetings and busy work, but today there was no excuse left to dodge it.

Her fingers unconsciously fiddled with her phone screen, swiping rows of apps back and forth; accidentally opening her messages, Chris's text and shared images appeared on the screen, making her head ache even more.

She had dodged for two days, always claiming to be busy with meetings; this excuse was terrible.

What are you hiding from? Isn't he your male god? Haven't you been fantasizing about him for ages? Now he's voluntarily coming to your door, what are you hiding from?

You are so damn pretentious! Since you've already decided not to escape anymore, then whatever happens, just go for it, do it! He's already built a ladder for you; if you don't climb down now, it would be too impolite...

So she pressed her fingers to type: "Finally not so busy today, what are you doing? My boyfriend?" After typing these words, she herself shivered all over from embarrassment.

After sending the message, she quickly threw her phone onto the desk as if it were a time bomb.

Even if she had decided to face this strangely begun romance, how was this romance supposed to be conducted? He was far away in Arcan country, while she was here in Xia country, separated by an entire Pacific Ocean! Although the Pacific Ocean wasn't covered with a lid, did she really intend to fly over? She would likely be attacked by their air force immediately for illegal entry as a human-shaped nuclear bomb!

Moreover, why should you eagerly volunteer to fly over? Why doesn't he fly over here?

Yang Yi scratched her head, finding her own thoughts ridiculous.

So, a Platonic spiritual love? Exchanging messages and pictures, sharing life updates? How long could such a romance last? Besides, Hollywood has so many beauties; the large group of ex-girlfriends rumored online were each stunning, either blonde with blue eyes or boasting voluptuous figures with narrow waists and long legs. What value do you, a skinny ribcage, bring to a man besides the vanity of the title "God Among Men"?

Furthermore, there is a high probability he is with you because of your title "God Among Men"; otherwise, it's impossible he fell in love at first sight at the gala. So-called love at first sight is merely lust aroused by beauty; how much "beauty" do you possess to make a seasoned flower-cluster veteran, who has seen every shade of purple and red and never lacks floral companionship, look at you differently? Just because you are his savior? Would a man fall in love with a woman out of gratitude? Absolutely impossible!

Moreover, a handsome man like him has never lacked women's favor since childhood; your only novelty is probably having the number one superpower under heaven. A man might not fall in love with a woman out of gratitude, but he will absolutely pursue a woman to conquer the "number one under heaven."

Do you think he will truly fall in love with you? It's simply ridiculously narcissistic.

Thinking it over and over, she felt that her answer that night was completely a mistake.

Seeing the words "boyfriend" again on the message, she wished she could dig her toes into the floor out of embarrassment.

Mistake! Mistake! This was completely a mistake! Things shouldn't have happened this way. Meeting the male god, hmm, that was good! Liking his strikingly handsome face, liking his eight-pack abs, biceps, and that eye-catching peach butt, and his beautiful blue eyes, being fascinated by the characters he portrayed in movies—that was all fine! But then what? It's like seeing a dish that is perfect in color, aroma, and taste; you want to eat it, and you have the opportunity to eat it, so you prepare to step forward and take a bite. But have you considered that this dish might be poisonous?

While you've only smelled the aroma, let go quickly!

But, the dish has already been served; wouldn't it be a bit of a loss not to taste a bite...

Thinking of this, she looked at the photo he had sent: he was sitting with his little nephew on his shoulders, a five-year-old boy with light blonde hair and sky-blue eyes; both were smiling brilliantly, a completely genuine smile revealing two rows of white teeth. The background was a house full of pastoral charm; he said he had been in his hometown these past two days.

This smile was even a bit silly, not resembling a thirty-two-year-old man, but rather a very cheerful and innocent big boy.

Thinking this way, his shy, head-bowed smile from the banquet that night returned to her mind, making her heart itch again.

At this moment, it was around 8 PM in Arcan country; Chris's family had just finished dinner, and the whole family was sitting in the garden chatting leisurely.

Chris's parents had divorced during his childhood; his father had formed another family, while his mother, weary of marriage, raised him and his sister alone. His mother was a theater manager; influenced since childhood, both siblings chose to become actors. His sister was not as famous as him and had married a screenwriter early on; she was currently pregnant with her second child. His little nephew, Sam, was playing video games with his father inside the house.

When Chris received Yang Yi's message, his mother was asking him about his relationship status.

"Uh... currently there is one... but... I'm not sure..." Thinking of Yang Yi's cold and distant attitude over the past few days, Chris felt troubled and licked his lower lip; whenever he was nervous or uneasy, he couldn't help but do this.

His mother, Mary, knew this habit of his very well, so she smiled: "Oh, it seems this time isn't going as smoothly as usual, is it?"

"It's been two years since your last relationship, right? Who is it? Someone in the industry? Catherine? Joanna? Kristen..." His sister, Norma, rapidly asked the names of several actresses he had recently collaborated with, but Chris shook his head to deny them all.

Facing his mother's teasing and his sister's questioning, Chris only smiled bitterly: "Currently, we are in a kind of... strange relationship; she confessed to me, but then suddenly became cold—I'm a bit unclear about what she's thinking?"

With his family, Chris rarely pretended; he loved his family and was willing to share his life with his closest relatives, sometimes even discussing work troubles. When he had once fallen into a slump, it was his family who helped him emerge.

"Wow—it seems this one is a bit difficult to handle; my son rarely worries so much about love—" Mary winked at her son. "Usually, it's the other party who is worried..."

"I'm getting more and more curious, who exactly is it? Who is this woman capable of controlling you? I'm about to worship her and ask her for tips on catching men!" Norma said gleefully. "Look at this tactic of playing hard to get; even my battle-hardened brother can't handle it!"

"It's not playing hard to get; I think she's figuring out how to reject me," Chris touched his nose and smiled bitterly. "She might be regretting confessing to me."

Chris was an actor; besides acquired training, he possessed an innate sensitivity to others' emotions; he could always detect the true emotions hidden beneath the surface. If he focused on someone, few could pretend in front of him.

Mary and Norma exchanged glances, both realizing the difference this time.

"Tell us, why do you think she's figuring out how to reject you?" Mary gently encouraged him.

Norma also withdrew her gleeful expression, adjusted her pregnant belly, and prepared to listen attentively.

Facing his mother and sister's relentless pursuit, Chris hesitated slightly; he did not want to publicize this relationship that hadn't even begun, and moreover, her identity was very sensitive; if their relationship became known, it would bring her great trouble.

"Her confession was very sudden, like a whim, and she soon regretted it a bit, then hung up on me..." Chris recalled what had happened two days ago; he had recalled it countless times over these two days, pondering and analyzing, trying to discern her true intentions from every word she spoke and the tone of every sentence. Finally, he had to realize that her confession that day was completely impulsive, perhaps just wanting to make a joke.

At the moment she quickly hung up the phone, she might have realized her impulsiveness and wanted to end the topic, but he had eagerly called back, relentlessly seizing this opportunity to finalize their relationship.

This was hardly gentlemanly; perhaps it was even taking advantage of her. She had once said she suffered from nightmares, and the day she called was at 4 a. m.; she might have had a nightmare—she had just resolved the crisis in Mist Town that day, news reports stating over four thousand people had died there; undoubtedly, having just experienced all this, her mood was terrible; she wanted to seek comfort from a friend. If he were truly a gentleman, he should have waited until she was fully awake and rational to confirm things—no, he should have sought the right moment to confess his feelings himself, and certainly not when she had just endured such immense danger and the shock of death...

"... I didn't know... at that time, I perhaps realized that this wasn't actually her true righteous thoughts... but I was too excited; I didn't even know her confession would impact me so greatly. At that moment, I completely disregarded everything else; I only wanted to seize this opportunity and confirm our relationship..." Chris rubbed his forehead, his eyes lowered, his tone full of exhaustion. "I felt she might not trust me very much, so I sent her messages, sharing some photos of daily life and pictures of our family. I wanted her to know the real me, not the me on television and in news reports... but these past two days, she has been extremely cold to me..."

"Perhaps I really messed up. If... maybe we can't even be the most basic of friends, when originally there should have been more opportunities between us... Since that day, she has always used meetings as an excuse... However, perhaps she is truly very busy; the work she does is very important..." Chris said.

"Oh, come on. If a girl truly likes you, she won't care about any meetings. Even when going to the toilet, she can't help but send you a message! She would waste her entire night's sleep to video call you, call you during meal times, and think of you constantly—look at you, you look like a love-struck fool right now..." Norma rolled her eyes at him. "Oh, you finally got your comeuppance. Think of Deborah, how heartbroken she was when she left you... That is a woman truly in love!"

"Norma! Let your brother off the hook—" Mary said. "Our family's heartthrob is falling in love for the first time; we should comfort him and help him, shouldn't we..." As she spoke, she couldn't help but laugh herself.

"Alright, alright, laugh at me to your heart's content! This is the comeuppance for me confiding in you..." Chris said helplessly.

Suddenly, the text message ringtone sounded. Chris took out his phone; it was a message from Yang Yi. The word "boyfriend" on it instantly made him forget all his previous doubts and worries.

He tried hard to suppress his joy, but the muscles on his face still rose uncontrollably.

"I bet it's that girl! Let me see who it is quickly?" Norma puffed out her pregnant belly and started to walk over. Chris quickly grabbed his phone and hurried deep into the garden.

Taking a deep breath, he dialed Yang Yi's number.