Chapter 79: Jealousy

“Look at this too!” Zhang Ningning, still afraid she wouldn’t believe it, pulled up another interview video—it was from a famous Akar nighttime variety show that invited a celebrity each episode; this time, Chris was promoting his lead role in the film series “Spy Sea Operation 2.”

On the show, host Hughes asked him about his recent romantic status, since it had been two to three years since his last relationship; everyone was deeply curious, and nearly every appearance brought up the question.

When asked if he was still single, he seemed nervous, his eyes darting away as he unconsciously licked his lower lip—Yang Yi recognized this tiny habit; he always did it when nervous.

Unlike previous appearances where he clearly stated he was still single, this time his answer was vague, ambiguous—he said he’d consider dating if the right relationship came along.

“Look, look!” Zhang Ningning jabbed her finger hard at the phone screen: “This is practically a direct admission!”

Yang Yi fell completely silent.

Zhang Ningning put down her phone and stared intently at her until Yang Yi finally broke under the gaze.

“Why are you looking at me like that?” Yang Yi avoided her eyes, whispering.

“It’s you!” Zhang Ningning’s eyes sparkled like two lightbulbs, so bright Yang Yi couldn’t bear to meet them.

“Why do you say that?” Yang Yi looked away, avoiding direct eye contact.

Zhang Ningning held up her fingers, counting them off one by one: “First, you saved him! I saw it with my own eyes! Second, you took a photo together at a banquet in Jin Shan City! Third, he’s been learning Chinese! Fourth, he’s followed news about Misty Town and the Soul-Hosting Demon—and he’s also followed reports on biohazards within Xia Country—all incidents you handled! Fifth, when you were in Xincheng for a meeting, he checked into the Elro International Hotel in Xincheng! You returned home, and he left right after!”

Zhang Ningning pushed up her invisible glasses, her bangs parting to reveal eyes gleaming with intensity—she looked exactly like a young detective from an animated series: “Taken individually, one or two coincidences might be plausible. But when multiple points all align? The only possible explanation—even if it seems impossible—is the truth!”

Yang Yi was deeply impressed, genuinely convinced. She nodded. “Yes, we’re dating.”

Zhang Ningning burst into ecstatic delight upon hearing her admit it. “I knew I had detective talent!”

Yang Yi worriedly asked, “Has this already become common knowledge…?”

“No, no!” Zhang Ningning hurried to reassure her. “Only I know about you saving him, and aside from that one banquet in Jin Shan, he’s never mentioned you on his personal blog—no one could possibly deduce anything… right?” By the end, even she sounded uncertain.

The two exchanged glances. Zhang Ningning wrapped an arm around Yang Yi’s shoulders. “So what if someone figures it out? Even if someone with my deductive skills guesses it—so what?” Zhang Ningning raised an eyebrow, her already round eyes widening further. “Can’t the God of Earth date? Can’t she date a celebrity? What do they care?”

“And!” Zhang Ningning leapt off the sofa, waving her arms wildly, “It’s Chris! Who could resist him? The sexiest man on the planet! You did it! Sister! You landed Chris Norton! This is every fan’s ultimate dream!”

“Uh—aren’t you jealous?” Yang Yi hesitated. “After all, you love him so much…”

“Jealous? I’m dying of jealousy!” Zhang Ningning bounced around like a sugar cube, unable to sit still—Yang Yi wondered if she’d had too much to drink.

“You know, I’d be jealous of anyone who dated him! I’ve loved him for eight full years—he was just emerging then, starring in a teen comedy as the second male lead in a girl’s movie—I still don’t understand how the female lead chose the male lead over Chris!”

Zhang Ningning gripped Yang Yi’s shoulders, shaking her as if trying to shake sense into her. “I fell for him at first sight! Do you know? I’ve followed him for eight years—I’ve watched every movie he starred in, each one four or five times! Even his supporting roles, I’ve seen at least twice! Even his earliest films and shows where he had only one or two shots—I’ve watched them all!”

Yang Yi struggled to pry Zhang Ningning’s hands off her shoulders. She was genuinely impressed by Zhang Ningning’s devotion—because she herself had never watched any of Chris’s films more than two or three times, let alone every single one. And for his minor roles, she’d only watched fan-made compilations.

Thinking of this, she felt deeply ashamed.

Zhang Ningning plopped back down beside her, gazing at Yang Yi solemnly. “Even though I love him so much, if his lover is you, I think he’s incredibly lucky. Truly!”

Yang Yi felt embarrassed but couldn’t help asking, “Why?”

“Because it’s you! The first Awakened One! The God of Earth! The only person worthy of being called a superhuman! You saved Jin Shan City! You defeated the Fire Demon! You resolved the crisis in Misty Town and saved Balia City! You just handled two A-class biohazards in Wuming City and Wucheng, saving countless people from alien creatures! Do you know? When you dealt with the Soul-Hosting Demon in Xincheng, I was just—”

She paused, struggling for words. “I was in awe! My mind went completely blank—I didn’t know what to do! But you saved Amy, and along the way, you saved everyone in the neighborhood! You even scared off the Akar National Security Bureau and the Biohazard Research Institute! You were so calm, so effortless! When you forced everyone in the neighborhood to the ground, I was utterly stunned! And you took the Soul-Hosting Demon’s infection source as a trophy right in front of them! They didn’t dare make a single sound!”

Zhang Ningning seized Yang Yi’s hands, her eyes nearly brimming with tears. “If I weren’t certain I was straight, I swear—I might have fallen for you right then!”

Yang Yi awkwardly pulled her hands away, utterly at a loss for words.

“It’s only natural that Chris fell for you—if he didn’t, that’d be strange! So I say, if his lover is you, I think he’s incredibly lucky. Because he really is!” Zhang Ningning’s round eyes gazed at her with sincere, sparkling warmth. “Honestly, I’m a little jealous of you—and even more jealous of him!”

She’s definitely drunk too much! Yang Yi truly believed it.