Chapter 50: A Burning Heart

After navigating that conversation brimming with hidden undercurrents, Yang Yi's gaze followed Chris's figure. Helen approached with a glass of champagne and, following her line of sight, remarked:

"Oh, a superstar! What a hot body, isn't it?"

She nodded. "Undoubtedly."

"Look at his perky butt; he could debut based on that alone!"

Yang Yi feigned frivolity. "A perfect peach!"

"His pectorals are flawless, his abs even better, but the best part is his proportions: broad shoulders, a narrow waist, and long legs. You know, it's hard to be born like that."

"Yes, and it requires constant training to maintain."

Helen's eyes lit up with the look of kindred spirits meeting. She shifted her gaze to another male star. "What about him? The lead from 'Big Ship,' ranked number one as the dream lover of women worldwide, an Oscar-winning best actor."

Yang Yi took a sip of champagne. "His prime has passed."

Helen blinked. "You prefer younger men? I'd argue age adds a rich, mellow charm to a man."

"Sometimes experience adds maturity to a man; other times, it just makes him greasy."

"Oh, I see what you mean. What about him? The youngest best actor in history, possessing a melancholy and captivating aura, deep and reserved, immensely knowledgeable, and an artist to boot."

"I like his movies; they strike straight at the soul and offer inspiration. But his looks aren't my type."

"What about him? Albert Stock, a titan of finance and the internet, the newly crowned richest man in the world, brilliantly intelligent, in the prime of life, and exceedingly graceful."

"Too smart; I couldn't handle him."

"Oh, true, no one likes having their intelligence constantly suppressed. It seems your aesthetic preference leans toward the orthodox handsome type. What about him? A famous bachelor among our Awakened ranks, with impeccable features, a sunny, fresh, and warm demeanor, standing 190 centimeters tall, and most importantly, possessing absolutely perfect proportions—the ultimate fusion of strength and beauty."

Following Helen's gaze, Yang Yi saw Daniel. A former firefighter, he had stood by her side as a companion in Mist Town, never abandoning or giving up on her, which had moved her deeply. He had awakened the ability to control electricity; when he unleashed his power, lightning swirled around him, making him look as awe-inspiring as the God of Thunder.

At that moment, he was surrounded by a crowd of ladies, seemingly trying to escape but unable to do so.

As if sensing Yang Yi's gaze, Daniel looked over and raised his glass to her in a toast.

She had never noticed before that when he smiled, two small canine teeth appeared on either side.

Oh, with that body, those looks, and that demeanor, upon closer inspection, he was indeed her type. If her heart weren't already taken, she feared she might truly be tempted.

"So?" Helen arched an eyebrow.

"A tower near the water gets the moon first; why don't you make a move?"

Helen rolled her eyes. "I don't make moves on colleagues."

"Neither do I."

Helen smiled meaningfully. "Only Chris?"

Yang Yi affected an air of indifference. "He's charming, isn't he?"

"Are you his fan?"

"I've seen many of his movies."

"Understandable; every fan wants to F their idol," Helen nodded.

If Yang Yi hadn't long since mastered the art of maintaining a calm expression, she would have nearly spit out her wine right then and there.

Daniel finally broke free from the siege of ladies and walked over. "What are you discussing? Is it about me?"

Caught red-handed talking behind someone's back, Yang Yi felt a bit awkward. Helen, however, spoke frankly and openly, "When two women are together, what else could they possibly talk about but men!"

"May I be privileged to know your evaluation?" Daniel asked, though his eyes were fixed on Yang Yi.

His gaze did not escape Helen's notice; she smiled subtly and added fuel to the fire. "Your looks fit Yang Yi's aesthetic quite well."

Yang Yi wished she could dig a hole with her toes and hide, but she hadn't forgotten her aloof persona. "Mr. Daniel's character is admirable, and I am very grateful for your help in Mist Town. Moreover, my aesthetic preferences are quite normal."

Her implied meaning was that anyone with normal aesthetic standards would consider him good-looking.

"Daniel, are you single?" Helen tossed a coquettish glance his way.

Daniel coughed softly. "Yes."

Seeing the conversation veering further and further off course, Yang Yi quickly found an excuse to take her leave.

Just after leaving the pair, she spotted Chris standing amidst the crowd not far away, seemingly having been watching them the whole time.

Something stirred in Yang Yi's heart; she walked straight out of the banquet hall to a secluded, empty balcony.

After a while, Chris followed her out.

"The banquet is quite boring, isn't it!" Yang Yi made conversation out of nothing.

"You're avoiding me, aren't you?" Chris looked straight into her eyes, allowing her no chance to dodge.

Damn it; she liked his direct approach, yet she also disliked how blunt he was, leaving her no time whatsoever to formulate a counterstrategy.

"Don't lie; you're not a skilled liar." Chris cut off her retreat directly.

"Uh..."

"Don't hesitate; just say it," Chris said again, his tone more serious than ever before. "I hope the sincerity I offer receives an equal return, not evasion and lies."

For some reason, he had completely lost the gentlemanly grace he displayed in previous encounters. Before coming, he had prepared several strategies to deal with her fluctuating attitude, keeping her at arm's length one moment and drawing close the next.

But after seeing her chatting so happily with that Daniel, he suddenly no longer wished to remain so gentlemanly. He even felt like a rough king dealing with a disobedient subject.

He was a man, and moreover, an experienced player in the game of love; he could tell that the Grade-B Awakened, Daniel, held feelings for her. That was the look of a man gazing at a woman, not the look of a colleague.

He had to admit that in that moment, a fierce jealousy had surged within him. He envied Daniel for awakening superpowers, for being able to stand beside her, and even for being able to fight alongside her. What had happened between them in Mist Town? Would anything happen between them in the future?

Countless thoughts, veritably filled with resentment, churned in his mind, yet what escaped his lips was a rebuke.

As soon as these serious words left his mouth, he regretted them.

Regarding Yang Yi, he had analyzed her countless times, scrutinizing every word from their interactions and every tiny clue.

She was a girl with heavy internal defenses; her personality was deep and reserved, disinclined to reveal her emotions. She lived behind a mask, rejecting anyone who might hurt her.

To get close to her, one must proceed with a steady, slow flow, for she doubted everything and trusted no one. She would never easily give her true heart.

She was still merely at the stage of being attracted to him, yet he had already fallen into her trap one step ahead of her.

If he attacked too aggressively, it would only trigger her stress response instead.

Indeed, the moment his words fell, the slight shyness and awkwardness on Yang Yi's face vanished instantly, replaced by a formal, serious expression.

Her body straightened accordingly, her arms crossed, turning sideways toward him.

This was defensive body language, an instinctive action usually triggered by a sense of threat, unconsciously made to protect the heart and lungs.

Chris knew he had made a blunder.

"I'm sorry," Yang Yi said. "If I made you uncomfortable, it is my fault. Perhaps we are not suited..."

"Yang Yi, look at me." Chris gripped her shoulders with both hands, his eyes filled with forcibly restrained emotion: "Don't be so cruel and say those words just as I've fallen in love with you."

Yang Yi's expression shifted slightly; Chris saw surprise and suspicion in her eyes.

Chris's heart sank, sinking ever deeper.

You can only see me; your eyes cannot see this fire. Amidst the towering, raging Xiong Xiong flames, what is burning is my heart.