Chapter 49: Dinner Party

The dinner party was held on the top floor of the Kondra Hotel.

Yang Yi had not wanted to come; originally, she had come only to find a reason not to see Chris. But thinking of the next day's news, if the report did not feature her, would that not prove she was lying?

This time, she did not dress up carefully as she had last time; instead, she simply wore a suit, prepared to make an appearance and then withdraw, without even applying makeup.

The staff at the dinner entrance were a blond young man and a female colleague with glasses; the blond young man excitedly took her invitation: "Ms. Yang... could you sign an autograph for me?"

The woman with glasses tugged at his clothes, "It is working hours!"

"Sure." Yang Yi acted as if she had not seen their movements.

Not only the blond young man, but even the woman with glasses rummaged through their belongings to produce notebooks and pens.

After signing her name, Yang Yi entered the venue, not looking at the expression of the woman with glasses behind her, who looked at her attire with words on her lips but unsaid.

Only after she walked into the banquet did the woman with glasses pull the blond young man's sleeve: "Hey, we didn't remind her just now; her attire does not meet the standards; she... she didn't even apply makeup!"

The blond young man looked excitedly at the signature, saying carelessly: "Hey, no one cares about that, okay? We don't care, the people inside don't care either; the point is she—" the young man stressed the word "she", "is here!"

When she appeared at the dinner entrance, almost everyone looked over; she once again became the focal point of attention.

Having gained experience several times, she handled it appropriately.

"Why did you come? Didn't you say you weren't interested?" Feng Liancheng blinked, "It's the last night; shouldn't we seize the time for a date?"

Yang Yi did not want to deal with him.

Feng Liancheng handed her a glass of champagne, "It's been tested; drink it with peace of mind."

Jefferson Weber, Chairman of the International Awakeners Alliance, walked over and shook hands with her.

"Ms. Yang, thank you very much for resolving a new type of anomalous creature incident. Besides the Fire Demon, the Soul-Parasiting Demon is the second intelligent anomalous creature we have discovered so far. If they achieve successful parasitism, it will cause very significant harm to our human society."

The Soul-Parasiting Demon relies on parasitizing humans, fusing with the human soul; the person's memories and abilities are all swallowed by the Soul-Parasiting Demon. Once the fusion is successful, the human appearance is completely indistinguishable, and the Soul-Parasiting Demon will take the host's place to continue living.

If this host holds high position and power...

"Then, that Soul-Parasiting Demon inside the Anomalous Creature Research Department of the Ark Country..." Yang Yi raised an eyebrow, her words ending but her meaning unfinished.

"Fortunately, thanks to your reminder, we have already captured it." Jefferson Weber did not hide it; he frankly admitted it.

He was an Icelander and had no intention of covering up for the Ark Country.

To avoid bias toward one's mother country, the United Nations has a regulation: the five major powers cannot hold high positions within UN organizations, so all major positions in the newly established International Awakeners Alliance are held by non-five-major-power countries.

"Ms. Yang, your abilities should play an even greater role. There are many major anomalous creature incidents around the world; even an A-rank team cannot resolve them. Therefore, we wish to request you..."

"Yang Yi, you are here!" Director Zhou walked over at the right moment, interrupting Jefferson Weber's words.

Jefferson Weber was somewhat disappointed but concealed it well. For someone able to stand in such a position, keeping emotions hidden is a basic skill.

"Mr. Chairman, as a member of the International Awakeners Alliance, Yang Yi is naturally obligated." Director Zhou said solemnly.

Jefferson Weber's smile did not change; he knew there was a "but" coming next.

Sure enough, Director Zhou turned the conversation, "But our Xia Country has vast territory and a huge population; anomalous creatures are equally rampant. As a Xia Country citizen, Yang Yi can only go to save other countries' troubles after resolving major anomalous creature hazards within Xia Country's borders, can't she? Don't you agree?"

Jefferson Weber nodded, "Then, could you give us a definite time? You must know, there are currently six A-rank hazards, and two S-rank ones—these are anomalous creature incidents capable of threatening global security."

Yang Yi was just about to speak, but she looked at Director Zhou and closed her mouth again.

Jefferson Weber took her expression in.

"Like the S-rank hazard in the Misty Town of Brazil last time, Yang Yi certainly would not easily shirk responsibility."

"But I heard that these two S-rank hazards currently are: one occurred within the borders of the Mo Country, and coincidentally happened near an anomalous creature research institute in the Ark Country—how strange, it is somewhat similar to the global pandemic last time? According to certain rumors, it is said that some faction is using local civilians for certain non-compliant experiments—of course, rumors cannot be fully trusted." Director Zhou said they could not be fully trusted, but his expression was not so.

"Two cities in the local area have already fallen. I heard that the Ark Country bordering the Mo Country seems to attach great importance to this, so it does not require our Yang Yi to worry about it."

Jefferson Weber sighed, "Alright, then the other one is even more serious; five cities have fallen so far..."

"The other one occurred in Heizhou. The Ethi Country has always been plagued by frequent warfare. It is said that some anti-government armed force, with support from a major colonial power in Heizhou, is using anomalous creatures to attack the local government—you know, our Xia Country has always not interfered in the internal affairs of other countries..." Director Zhou said with great regret.

Yang Yi fell completely silent; professional matters should be left to professionals. At this moment, she only felt that Jefferson Weber seeking her out alone had ulterior motives.

Anomalous creature invasion incidents are not isolated events; it is not simply that an anomalous creature invasion occurs, and then awakeners are sent to resolve it.

The international situation is unpredictable; various factions are mixed and intertwined. If she goes to resolve anomalous creatures with pure, simple enthusiasm, she will instead be used as a pawn by others.

The plot of a web novel protagonist looking down on all heroes and having the world submit can only happen in novels.

Even if her strength is formidable, a human nuclear bomb, as long as she has leverage against her or something she values, she must follow the rules of the game.

"Those six A-rank hazard incidents..." Jefferson Weber frowned. Director Zhou had already refused him twice consecutively; he also knew that Xia Country was highly unlikely to agree to let Yang Yi resolve these two S-rank incidents. The reason for bringing them up first was merely to lay the groundwork for the following conditions.

Director Zhou cut off his words again, "Our country also has two incidents just rated as A-rank hazards. This time, Yang Yi is returning to resolve these two incidents."

Jefferson Weber's expression became somewhat unpleasant.

Yang Yi's old habit of feeling awkward for others struck again; she felt the exchange in their words seemed to involve her, yet it also seemed they were not talking about her.

She stubbornly maintained a poker face and shifted her steps slightly behind Director Zhou.

This small movement entered Jefferson Weber's eyes; he understood that to make Yang Yi work for the United Nations, he must first be able to deal with this Director of the Xia Country Awakeners Bureau.

Amidst the conversation between Director Zhou and Jefferson Weber, which concealed sharp edges, Yang Yi slowly finished her champagne, taking only a small sip at a time. Gradually, she felt a bit bored, her gaze wandering aimlessly through the dinner party.

She wanted to return to her room to rest.

A weapon should fulfill the duty of a weapon; a weapon is best without its own thoughts.

Just as she was preparing to take her leave, a familiar figure came into view; she almost thought she was drunk and seeing things.

"Hehe, I said why you didn't go on a date on this last night; turns out you're dating right here..." Feng Liancheng squeezed her shoulder, saying with a grin.

Oh, so it wasn't a trick of the eyes; it really was Chris.

Why did he come?

Yang Yi immediately moved her steps toward him; at this moment, she forgot the gazes of countless people around her.

Only when she reached him did she belatedly realize her behavior was a bit too conspicuous.

Fortunately, previous tabloid reports had said she was Chris's fan; perhaps that could hide them from prying eyes.

"How did you..." Yang Yi coughed, realizing the gazes secretly watching them around her, and changed her words: "Hello, we meet again."

Chris wore a suit; broad shoulders and a narrow waist, his bulging muscles almost bursting out of the shirt, yet every button was tightly fastened, all the way down to below his Adam's apple, not a single bit exposed.

But this tight, neat, rigorous, and meticulous attire aroused more curiosity than total exposure.

Chris saw admiration in her eyes; yes, this was his purpose, making his careful preparation before coming worthwhile.

Yang Yi's gaze lingered on him, as if admiring a steep and beautiful mountain range, or exploring a mysterious and deep perilous terrain.

She maintained a polite and courteous smile on her face; only her eyes revealed more.

Chris extended his hand; Yang Yi placed her right hand into his palm, and their hands clasped together.

"It is a great honor to meet you again—" he paused imperceptibly, then emphasized again: "—a very, very great honor..."

Where their hands clasped, the skin felt warm; Yang Yi felt her pulse surging like a torrent.

Chris looked at her; the smile at the corner of his lips seemed to hold a hidden meaning, containing a different kind of implication; in his simple upward glance, turbulent undercurrents also lurked.

Yang Yi's heart suddenly beat a few times faster; she felt a bit hot, and her lips suddenly felt dry.

She unconsciously licked her lips and smiled: "Me too."

Chris knew that when a woman faces an opposite-sex partner who stirs her heart, hormones accelerate secretion, blood flow speeds up, and lips dry out quickly, so she unconsciously licks her lips.

And this action also became one of the signals of a woman's heart fluttering.

Most women send this signal when facing him, because it is almost subconscious, an uncontrollable instinct, even if she already has a partner, is naturally reserved, and has no intention of seducing him rationally.

From childhood to adulthood, he could easily win women's favor and took it for granted. Because of his natural advantages, he could easily obtain things other men dreamed of.

Now, from Yang Yi, he received this delightful signal—for this, he had prepared more than for any occasion before.

"Why did you come?" Yang Yi said in a low voice.

"Because I wanted to see you."

A thin blush flew across Yang Yi's face; she hurriedly took a glass of champagne from a waiter to cover herself.

Damn, he knows I have no resistance to direct approaches!

Yes, she didn't like beating around the bush, she didn't like awkward displays, she even hated guessing others' thoughts; she liked straightforwardness, she liked simple interpersonal relationships.

What about Chris? Is he catering to me? Or speaking his true heart?

Yang Yi gazed into his sapphire-blue eyes; truly charming, but...

If only she possessed the superpower to see through people's hearts, like Jian and Wade, never worrying about others deceiving them.

Perhaps he isn't deceiving me? Maybe this is his true heart? Why not try trusting someone once?

She recalled Chris's confession on the terrace that night.

"I miss you too..." she lowered her eyes and said in a low voice.

Chris licked his lower lip; he was a bit nervous too.

At this moment, how he wished to embrace her, disregarding what the people around thought. How he wished she wasn't that S-Class Awakener, wasn't the "God Among Men," but just an ordinary girl, just his fan, with only him in her eyes.

【88】 Feng Liancheng arrived with two glasses of champagne, handed one to Yang Yi, and took the other from her hand.

Feng Liancheng came over holding two glasses of champagne, handed one to Yang Yi, and took the other glass from her hand.

"Hello, I am also your fan; I have watched the 'Spy Sea Operation' you acted in, it was fantastic!" Feng Liancheng said to Chris.

Yang Yi was somewhat surprised; Feng Liancheng was not the type to lack social awareness, so why act as a third wheel here?

Seeing Yang Yi accept the man's champagne without any guard, Chris's sapphire-blue eyes darkened; "Who is this..."

"I am Yang Yi's colleague." Feng Liancheng took a sip of champagne; Yang Yi's gaze made him uncomfortable, but he stood firm and continued: "This should be a banquet held by the United Nations, how did Mr. Norton get in?"

Yang Yi understood; Feng Liancheng was suspicious of Chris, doubting his motives for approaching her.

Her heart skipped a beat; she looked at Chris.

Chris shrugged: "Besides representatives from UN member countries, this place also invites celebrities from all walks of life."

Feng Liancheng smiled and took his leave.

"Oh—I feel a bit aggrieved," Chris spread his hands, "He is suspicious of me."

"You know, everyone who gets close to me is suspected."

Yang Yi didn't think this was a problem; when she stood at this position, she was prepared.

She remained silent for a long while; she looked at Chris, looked at this long-desired sapphire, feeling she was about to lose him.

There were too many things separating the two, so many that one lacked the courage to imagine the future.

Yang Yi maintained a polite and courteous expression: "I'm sorry. If you feel offended, we..."

Chris suddenly cut her off, "I am mentally prepared."

So, don't say that sentence.

The two remained silent, looking at each other for a long time.

Before the people around realized the unusual atmosphere between the two, Yang Yi gave him one last look and walked away silently.

Obviously, more than one person wanted to communicate with Yang Yi at the banquet; seeing no one by Yang Yi's side, others stepped forward to take advantage of the opportunity.

Facing the Minister of State Affairs of the Aka Country and the Director of the Anquan Bureau, she felt impatient in her heart, but her expression showed nothing; her gaze swept through the crowd; seeing the Xia Country Ambassador approaching with a smile and a wine glass, she sighed slightly in relief, took a polite step back, yielded the position to the Xia Country Ambassador, and demonstrated her attitude of handing over control of the conversation.

And she merely held her champagne, listening to the three's surface-level cheerful chatter, which actually hid sharp edges.

Taking this step already represented her meaning; her silence at this moment further indicated that she was fully represented by the Xia Country Ambassador, and it was best to treat her as a decorative object with no will of her own.

But, dare to ignore her?

Undoubtedly, as long as one came to this banquet, she was the absolute protagonist; one could also say, as long as she remained the strongest among the Awakeners, wherever she went, she was the only protagonist.