Chapter 50

After finishing this tense conversation, Yang Yi’s gaze followed Chris’s figure as Helen approached with a champagne flute, following her line of sight.

“Oh, a superstar! What a body, right?”

She nodded: “Undoubtedly.”

“Look at that ass—he could debut just on that!”

Yang Yi feigned flirtatiousness: “A perfect peach!”

“His pectorals are flawless, his abs even better, but best of all is his proportions—broad shoulders, narrow waist, long legs. You know, being built like that naturally is rare.”

“Yes, and he maintains it through constant training.”

Helen’s eyes lit up with shared interest, shifting to another male star: “What about him? The lead of The Big Ship, the world’s number one dream lover, an Oscar-winning actor.”

Yang Yi sipped her champagne: “Past his prime.”

Helen blinked: “You prefer younger men? I think age adds depth and richness to a man.”

“Sometimes experience brings maturity; sometimes it just brings greasiness.”

“What about him? The youngest actor ever to win an Oscar—brooding, captivating, reserved, erudite, and an artist.”

“I love his films—they strike the soul and inspire. But his looks aren’t my type.”

“What about Albert Stock? Financial and internet tycoon, newly crowned world’s richest man, brilliant, in his prime, and effortlessly elegant.”

“Too brilliant. I can’t handle it.”

“Oh, right—nobody likes being constantly outsmarted. So your taste runs to classic handsome types? What about him? Our team’s most famous catch—flawless features, radiant and fresh aura, 190 centimeters tall, and most importantly, perfect proportions—the ultimate fusion of strength and beauty.”

Yang Yi followed her gaze—it was Daniel, the former firefighter who never abandoned her during the Misty Town mission, deeply touching her. He had awakened an electric control ability; when activated, lightning encircled him like Thor.

Now he was surrounded by a cluster of women, clearly trying but failing to escape.

As if sensing Yang Yi’s gaze, Daniel turned and raised his glass to her.

She had never noticed he had two small pointed teeth on either side when he smiled.

Oh, this body, this face, this aura—when she really thought about it, he was exactly her type. If she weren’t already emotionally attached, she might have been genuinely drawn to him.

“Well?” Helen raised an eyebrow.

“Closest to the water gets the moon first—why don’t you go for him?”

Helen rolled her eyes: “I don’t pursue colleagues.”

“Neither do I.”

Helen smiled knowingly: “Only Chris?”

Yang Yi feigned indifference: “He’s charming, isn’t he?”

“Are you his fan?”

“I’ve watched many of his films.”

“I get it—every fan wants to sleep with their idol.” Helen nodded.

Had Yang Yi not been practiced in her calm facade, she might have spit out her drink.

Daniel finally broke free from the women’s encirclement and approached: “What are you talking about? Is it about me?”

Caught red-handed gossiping behind someone’s back, Yang Yi felt awkward. But Helen confessed openly: “What do two women talk about when they’re alone? Men, of course!”

“May I know your evaluation?” Daniel asked, his eyes fixed on Yang Yi.

His gaze landed in Helen’s eyes; Helen smiled subtly and stoked the fire: “Your looks fit Yang Yi’s taste perfectly.”

Yang Yi wanted to dig her toes into the ground, but she remembered her aloof persona: “Mr. Daniel’s character is admirable—I’m deeply grateful for your help in Misty Town. And my taste is perfectly normal.”

Meaning: any person with normal taste would find him attractive.

“Daniel, are you single?” Helen flashed a flirtatious glance.

Daniel cleared his throat softly: “Yes.”

Sensing the conversation veering dangerously off course, Yang Yi quickly made an excuse to leave.

No sooner had she stepped away than she saw Chris standing among the crowd nearby, as if he’d been watching them all along.

Yang Yi’s heart stirred; she walked straight out of the banquet hall to a quiet, deserted balcony.

A moment later, Chris followed.

“The banquet’s pretty dull, isn’t it?” Yang Yi made small talk.

“You’re avoiding me, aren’t you?” Chris fixed his gaze on her eyes, leaving no room for evasion.

Damn it—she loved his directness, but she hated how he left her no time to think, no space to prepare.

“Don’t lie—you’re not good at it,” Chris cut off her escape route.

“Uh…”

“Don’t hesitate—just say it,” Chris said, his tone unusually serious. “I want my sincerity met with equal sincerity—not evasion or lies.”

For some reason, he had lost the gentlemanly poise he’d shown before. He’d prepared several strategies to handle her inconsistent behavior.

But seeing her laugh and chat so easily with Daniel, he suddenly refused to be gentle anymore. He felt like a tyrannical king dealing with a disobedient subject.

He was a man—and a seasoned player in love. He could tell Daniel, the B-rank Awakened, had feelings for her—not the look of a colleague, but of a man eyeing a woman.

He had to admit: at that moment, intense jealousy surged within him. He envied Daniel for awakening powers, for standing beside her, for fighting alongside her. What had happened between them in Misty Town? Would something happen between them later?

Countless bitter, resentful thoughts swirled in his mind—but what came out was an accusation.

The moment the serious words left his mouth, he regretted them.

He had analyzed Yang Yi countless times—from every word in their messages to every subtle clue.

She was a girl with heavy emotional defenses—deep, reserved, unwilling to show her feelings, living behind a mask, rejecting anyone who might hurt her.

To get close to her, you needed slow, steady patience—she doubted everything, trusted no one. She would never give her heart lightly.

She was still in the early stage of being drawn to him—but he had already fallen into her trap.

If he pushed too hard, he’d trigger her defensive reaction.

Sure enough, the moment he spoke, the faint shyness on Yang Yi’s face vanished, replaced by a cold, formal seriousness.

Her body stiffened; arms crossed, she turned slightly away.

A defensive posture—unconsciously protecting her heart and lungs when threatened.

Chris knew he’d made a terrible move.

“I’m sorry,” Yang Yi said. “If I’ve made you uncomfortable, it’s my fault. We might not be compatible…”

“Yang Yi, look at me.” Chris gripped her shoulders, his eyes filled with suppressed emotion: “Don’t be so cruel—don’t say that now, just as I’ve fallen in love with you.”

Yang Yi’s expression shifted slightly; Chris saw surprise and doubt in her eyes.

Chris’s heart sank—deeply, endlessly.

You only see me—you don’t see this fire. In this raging, roaring blaze, what burns is my heart.