Kate, You Don't Want Anything to Happen to Qi Li, Do You?

"Qi Li, look right here." "Switch poses once more." "Cast your gaze a bit lower. Give me a sharper, more piercing look." "Perfect..." Inside the university studio, Qi Li had changed back into his signature blue-and-gold battle suit. Standing before an enormous backdrop screen and facing the camera lenses, he posed for promotional photographs. Off-camera stood Kate, wearing a black-and-white shirt dress and lace gloves, her long legs straight and together as her gaze lingered tenderly on him. Although their date yesterday had seen its final moment interrupted by Maverick, their feelings hadn't waned in the slightest; if anything, their affection grew deeper with each passing day. Just then, a familiar voice murmured beside her ear: "He's quite photogenic, isn't he?" With her eyes still fixed on Qi Li, Kate answered with instinctive pride, "Of course." Only after speaking did it click. She quickly turned her head and saw Dean Shetty standing beside her with an amused smile. Startled for a fraction of a second, Kate broke into a sweet smile and greeted her with a hint of bashfulness: "Hey, Shetty." At this moment, she felt like a girl secretly sneaking her boyfriend into her bedroom, only to be caught red-handed halfway by her mother. To some extent, Shetty truly was a mother figure in Kate's heart. Fortunately, this "mother" was exceptionally broad-minded. Shetty glanced at Kate, then looked at Qi Li, a teasing warmth filling her expression. "I must say, my dear Kate, you have remarkable taste—and you certainly didn't waste any time. Godkin's newly crowned Number One, swept right into your arms just like that." Kate instinctively began to explain, "No, we haven't even..." Shetty pulled her into a light embrace, gently cutting her off. "You did wonderfully!" Pulling back slightly, Shetty gazed at the young woman right in front of her with genuine gratification. "I was worried before about whether you could adjust to your current life after everything tragic you went through. Seeing you now, Kate, you're far stronger than I ever imagined." "Qi Li is a wonderful match. Go ahead and love him with all your heart." Deeply touched, Kate's eyes rimmed with red. "Thank you, Shetty." Shetty stroked Kate's soft blonde hair, then glanced at Qi Li, who was showing no signs of stopping anytime soon. She smiled. "A man is busy with his career, so let's step aside and chat. Care for some afternoon tea while we're at it?" Shetty was British, and her office was always stocked with fine teas and teaware. Kate was no stranger to sharing them with her. Looking back at Qi Li, who was swamped with poses and instructions, Kate nodded and stepped away for the moment. In the midst of his busy shoot, Qi Li caught sight of their departure. *Kate and Dean Shetty are that close?* As the thought crossed his mind, a woman observing nearby—Courtney Fortney, an executive producer from Vought—suddenly asked, "Isn't the backdrop a little too extravagant? Won't that trigger the poor people?" Qi Li paused, utterly speechless, and looked over at her. "Courtney, is it possible that you *are* the poor people?" He had zero interest in starting the shoot all over from scratch. Courtney looked around in bewilderment before pointing a finger at herself, completely baffled. "Me?" Qi Li gave a solemn nod. "In my eyes, you are." Compared to his net worth, an executive producer like Courtney was certainly poor. Courtney opened her mouth, itching to curse him out. Beside them, Jeff, who had spoken to Qi Li on the phone just yesterday, chuckled heartily. "Courtney, you really are a little slut..." Qi Li couldn't be bothered to entertain either of them. He waved a hand. "Next shot." The on-set director hurried over. "Actually, we need to take that one again." Qi Li offered a faint smile. "No, we're not retaking it." The director looked thoroughly conflicted. "Hey, we really do need another take." Qi Li's smile vanished. "No, we don't. And if you say that again, I won't shoot anything else afterward either." The director: "..." Seeing him yield, Qi Li's smile returned. "Splendid! Then let's pick up the pace and nail everything else in a single take." He still possessed professional ethics. Frustrated as he was with their efficiency, he hadn't walked off the set mid-shoot, had he? *** Inside the president's office. Shetty and Kate sipped their afternoon tea, chatting about everyday life just as they always did. Naturally, this conversation included quite a bit more about romance. As someone with plenty of life experience, Shetty shared practical and comforting advice. Kate listened closely, eventually sharing her anxieties regarding the upcoming Campus Showdown. Having finally found a love she truly cherished, she was terrified of anything going wrong. Even though Qi Li had promised her he would win, she couldn't help but worry. After all, public matches of this nature had seen accidental fatalities before. When adrenaline ran high, superpowers were at their most volatile. Shetty consoled her warmly, "My dear, that only shows how much you love him. Men will always charge ahead fearlessly, leaving the women behind to fret and worry. Of course, that doesn't mean a woman can only stand by and watch." "Especially a superhuman like you, Kate." Shetty's tone held a deliberate, pointed meaning by the end. Kate looked puzzled, not quite catching her drift. Shetty shifted the topic. "Derek Fowler may have been Godkin's former Number One, but compared to past top rankers, he isn't particularly outstanding. In fact, he possesses glaring character flaws." "Arrogant, narrow-minded, a flat-earth conspiracy theorist, and completely deaf to professional advice. The only reason he maintained his ranking was his family pouring massive promotional funds into propping up his fame every year." "Along the way, they covered up his endless scandals. For instance, accidentally crushing an ex-girlfriend to death; strangling another who mocked how completely hairless and smooth he becomes down there after using his power; not to mention getting into drunken bar brawls over the years that left several people dead or severely maimed." Kate gasped in horror. "He's actually that kind of person?!" Shetty lifted her teacup, gently blowing on the surface. "Professor Brink believes Derek's future potential is limited. But our current Number One, Qi Li, has boundless potential. If Qi Li can step over Derek and claim victory on the stage of *Campus Showdown*..." Shetty paused, turning her gaze directly onto Kate with utmost seriousness. "I, Professor Brink, and the board of trustees are in complete agreement: Qi Li will become Godkin's true pride." Hearing this, Kate felt a surge of joy for Qi Li, but apprehension quickly followed. "Then he has to overcome Derek first." "Precisely." Shetty reached out, taking Kate's hand into her own. "Remember what I said earlier? A woman doesn't have to just stand by and watch." Under Kate's slightly bewildered gaze, Shetty patted the back of her hand and revealed her true intention: "Qi Li has a very high chance of defeating Derek. However, to leave nothing to chance, we need an insurance policy." "Kate, Qi Li needs you. Don't carry any guilt over it—this is the university's wish as well." Kate understood completely. She lowered her eyes and stared at her gloved hands. In the end, with firm resolve in her gaze, she nodded.