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As the award ceremony ended and the applause died down, Lin Xian made his way backstage. He noticed a lively girl with a high ponytail darting up from the crowd. She had crescent-shaped eyes and a bright, refreshing smile that Lin Xian knew well. Chu An Qing, full of energy, jogged up to him, hands clasped behind her back.

Lin Xian handed her the gleaming world championship trophy he had just won. “Want to take a look? If it weren’t for you, I wouldn’t have this.”

“Wow, it’s so beautiful! Is it made of pure gold?” Chu An Qing asked, her eyes sparkling as she examined the trophy with a mischievous grin.

Lin Xian laughed lightly. “Trophies like this aren’t usually made of pure gold. Pure gold is too soft and can easily deform. But remember, the value of a trophy isn’t in the material but in what it represents.”

As Chu An Qing continued to inspect the trophy, Lin Xian scanned the bustling venue. Something felt off. Chu An Qing’s father, Chu Shan He, was notoriously protective. It was strange for him to let his teenage daughter travel abroad alone, especially to a packed event in America. Lin Xian wondered where her bodyguards were. If not for Yellow Finch’s timely intervention, Chu An Qing could have been in serious danger.

“Why are you here alone, An Qing?” Lin Xian asked, his tone laced with concern. “Where’s your dad? Did he really let you come by yourself?”

Chu An Qing scratched her head, smiling sheepishly. “He definitely wouldn’t let me. I sneaked out. I grabbed my passport last time I was home, took leave from school without telling anyone, and flew to New York all by myself.”

She paused, then hastily added, “You must keep this a secret from my dad! If he finds out I came to America alone, he’ll freak out!”

Lin Xian chuckled, though worry creased his brow. If Chu Shan He discovered his daughter had traveled alone, amidst strangers, he would be terrified.

“I guess I need to follow the plan Zhao Ying Jun and Kevin Walker used in the third dream,” Lin Xian said to himself. He tapped his Bluetooth earpiece, signaling someone.

“Understood. I’ll erase the relevant videos and photos from the internet,” VV responded through the earpiece. For VV, manipulating digital content was simple. The guards, disguised in plain clothes, had quickly shielded Chu An Qing, preventing any clear footage from being captured. The few videos that had surfaced were swiftly deleted by VV.

“What you did was very dangerous, An Qing. Please, don’t do it again,” Lin Xian advised gently, his voice firm. “But I doubt there will be a ‘next time.’”

The hacking competition was a critical battle. If Lin Xian hadn’t intervened, his country’s cyber defenses would have been compromised, leaving everything exposed to constant surveillance. It was a daunting scenario where every camera and digital device could be turned into a spying tool under Kevin Walker’s control.

“This mission was necessary,” Lin Xian continued, his mind racing with the weight of their situation. They had to cross borders, visit significant locations, and ensure the security of their cyber walls—all under the veil of national security.

Lin Xian fell silent, lost in thought about the enormity of their challenges and the dire stakes of their ongoing struggle.

Chu An Qing watched him, her expression turning solemn. “I’m sorry, Senior Lin Xian. I realize now that what I did was reckless. It’s embarrassing to think about.”

She sighed, then a spark of determination lit her eyes. “But I couldn’t stand the thought of you facing all that hostility alone. I had to be here, to support you, even if it meant facing those rude shouts from the crowd.”

“It’s okay,” Lin Xian reassured her with a warm smile. “Sometimes, we act out of passion. There’s no absolute right or wrong in that. I appreciate your intentions. Just be safer next time.”

At that moment, the leader of the X Country team appeared at the backstage entrance. He had been watching from a distance and approached upon seeing the young pair in conversation. His eyes twinkled with a mix of curiosity and amusement.

“Hey, Lin Xian, who’s this young lady?” he asked, a smile spreading across his face as he recalled her spirited cheering during the competition.

The man, in his fifties and seasoned by many such events, gave Lin Xian a knowing look. “Is she your girlfriend? She’s got the spirit of a real heroine, like Mulan!” he chuckled, echoing the sentiments of many who had witnessed her fearless support.

“Captain, you’ve misunderstood,” Lin Xian clarified with a gentle smile. “This is Chu Shan He’s daughter. Have you heard of him?”

The team leader’s expression shifted to one of recognition. “Oh.”

Although he had never met Chu Shan He personally, he knew of him as a prominent figure in the scientific community, widely respected for his philanthropy. Chu Shan He was known for his generous funding of labs and scientists, providing substantial support without expecting anything in return.

However, the leader’s instincts told him there might be more to the story between Lin Xian and Chu An Qing. It wasn’t common for someone to take such risks for a mere friend, and certainly, family members wouldn’t either in such a potentially hostile environment. He suspected they might be secretly dating, especially considering Chu Shan He’s status and their age difference. Giving Lin Xian a friendly pat on the shoulder, he smiled knowingly. “I see. She’s a brave girl. Congratulations, Lin Xian, on your great achievement today. Don’t worry too much about status now.”

Lin Xian looked a bit puzzled by the leader’s insinuations and knowing smile. “Anyway, congratulations!” the leader added, shaking both Lin Xian and Chu An Qing’s hands. “For your safety, stick with us. Lin Xian is heading to Princeton. You’ll be under our protection and will return with us.”

Later that evening, the team celebrated at the hotel restaurant. The older team members and leaders indulged in drinks, their spirits high from the day’s success. As a hero of the hour, Lin Xian sipped his drink conservatively, mindful of the tasks awaiting him the next day. As the older members delved into tales of past glories, Lin Xian felt somewhat out of place with the generation gap and chose instead to spend time with Chu An Qing on the rooftop observation deck. They leaned against the railing, gazing out at New York’s sprawling nightscape.

“How does it feel?” Lin Xian asked, eyes scanning the vibrant city below.

Chu An Qing’s ponytail fluttered in the breeze, occasionally brushing against Lin Xian’s neck. “Hehe, I think it’s not as good as Donghai,” she replied. “I prefer Donghai because it’s home. It might not be as bustling as New York, but it’s where our roots are. Home feels warm, no matter how humble. And Donghai is prospering too, just in a newer way.”

She pointed towards a towering structure in the distance. “Lin Xian, do you know what that building is?”

“That’s the Empire State Building,” Lin Xian answered with a smile, recognizing the silhouette immediately. “It’s iconic, often featured in countless movies.”

“And that one?” she asked, pointing to another prominent building.

“That’s the Rockefeller Center, another major landmark,” Lin Xian replied, impressed but not surprised by her curiosity. Chu An Qing seemed to enjoy his knowledge about various subjects. “What about over there?” She gestured towards the distant shore.

“That’s also part of Manhattan,” Lin Xian explained. “We’re in the most prosperous, wealthy, densely populated, and smallest of New York’s five boroughs. The river you see is the Hudson River, and this entire area is considered the economic hub of the world.”

“Wow!” Chu An Qing exclaimed, her eyes wide with wonder. “So this is like the center of the world!”

“Well, the economic center,” Lin Xian corrected gently, then added thoughtfully, “But you could say it’s the world’s center. After all, the earth is round.”

Chu An Qing climbed onto the first step of the railing, elevating herself to Lin Xian’s height. She spread her arms wide, emulating Rose from the Titanic, embracing the expansive night sky. “It’s wonderful…” she whispered, her voice carrying a blend of awe and freedom. “I heard about a movie called ‘Crying Out Love in the Center of the World.’ It would be perfect to film it here, though I think it’s a Japanese movie.”

“It is,” Lin Xian confirmed. “And it’s quite a tragic story.”

Chu An Qing shuddered slightly. “A tragedy? Then I won’t watch it. I don’t like sad endings.”

“They say even comedies have tragic undertones, but maybe that’s the beauty of simplicity,” she mused. “I can only grasp the surface-level stuff and enjoy the laughs. My mom says I’m naive, but I think there’s joy in simplicity. Being happy is what matters most!”

Lin Xian watched her, her hair tousled by the wind. Unlike Zhao Ying Jun, who would likely be fussing with her hair by now, Chu An Qing remained unaffected, her spirit unbridled by the wind’s chaos. Today, Lin Xian, typically reserved and cautious, found her joy infectious, prompting a rare smile. “Want to shout something?” he suggested, gesturing towards the city below.

Chu An Qing giggled. “I was thinking about it earlier. I almost did, but held back.”

“Go ahead now. Make it count,” Lin Xian encouraged.

“Will it disturb anyone?”

“After the boos we heard today, I think they can handle it,” he joked.

“You’re right!” Chu An Qing nodded, then yelled with all her might, “Lin Xian, senior! You can do it!”

Her voice echoed across the cityscape. “Ah, that felt great!” she beamed, rubbing her throat. “I didn’t get to finish shouting at the stadium. Those guys cut me off. Now, I feel relieved!”

“Was it too awkward?” Lin Xian asked with a smile.

“Not at all,” Chu An Qing replied, impressed by his perception. “Were you trying to do a Titanic scene just now?” Lin Xian asked, catching her earlier pose.

“Yes,” she admitted sheepishly. “You’re like a mind reader. I wanted to shout, ‘You jump, I jump!’”

And with that, she stood tall, arms outstretched towards the vast city, and shouted into the night, “You jump, I jump!”