Qi Li took Kate's right hand, intertwining his fingers tightly with hers, and said slowly, "Whether it's hero management or working as an agent, the people who choose those jobs are never irreplaceable. In fact, countless people could step in and fill their shoes. They've never been unique. But Kate, do you know what?"
"You're the one who is truly one of a kind."
Kate glanced down at their clasped hands, then looked back up at Qi Li. "Because... of my superpower?"
Qi Li smiled. "It's who you are, Kate. Don't throw away the very thing that makes you unique and utterly captivating. That would be a real waste."
"I'm not trying to throw it away," Kate said quickly. "I just want to use my power to help you more often."
In truth, after baring her heart in the hallway the previous night and seeing with her own eyes that Qi Li was immune to her mind control, Kate no longer felt so resistant toward her power.
Just as she said, she merely wanted to apply her ability to Qi Li's career. There would always be people trying to get in his way or stall contracts, and she could step in when that happened, couldn't she?
"I..." Kate wanted to explain further.
Qi Li pressed his chest firmly against Kate's bosom, shaking his head. "Superhero Agent Kate Dunlap? Utterly ordinary."
"The Queen of Minds, Professor V—Kate Dunlap? Now that would be truly awesome."
Qi Li gave her a big thumbs-up, full of anticipation. "Trust me, Kate. Becoming a formidable superhero is how you'll help my career the most. I'm looking forward so much to the day when the two of us stand side by side, rather than me fighting off every enemy all alone. Besides..."
Qi Li looked straight into her beautiful eyes and said with sincerity, "Kate, you were never meant to be an appendage to anyone. Do what you truly want to do."
Hearing Qi Li's words, Kate felt a rush of warmth and deep emotion.
A thin mist gathered in her eyes as she asked, "Really?"
Qi Li nodded solemnly. "Couldn't be more real."
Kate turned her face away, taking a quiet moment to compose herself before turning back. Smiling through her tears, she asked, "I'll listen to you—no transferring! But..."
Her eyes sparkled as she drew out the word, suddenly asking with a playful smile, "Are you sure it's not because seeing me in a superhero battle suit—with tens of millions of followers on social media, cheered on by throngs of people on screen—would get you more excited?"
Hearing that, Qi Li grew "indignant." How could such an earnest explanation be twisted into having an ulterior motive?
Still...
The thought of Kate wearing a superhero battle suit was indeed something to look forward to.
The design didn't need to be too avant-garde or daring, like some superheroines whose plunging V-necks were cut as deep as possible to flaunt their assets for the cameras. Kate didn't have the assets for that anyway. Still, the style couldn't be too old-fashioned either.
A more modest top was fine. As for the lower half, a combination of bulletproof sheer black tights and thigh-high boots would be unique, eye-catching, and perfectly showcase her charm.
Absolutely on point!
As for the overall color scheme of Kate's battle suit: matching his own with a couple's blue-and-gold palette? No, that was still tied to green, which was bad luck. White? That didn't quite suit Kate's aura. Besides, most people's first impression of psychic abilities certainly wasn't pure, unblemished white.
Sigrid, with her diamond superpower, was actually well suited for white. As it happened, Sigrid had mentioned that she planned to finalize her battle suit design before graduation and had asked him for input. At this moment, inspiration surged in Qi Li; he had already dreamed up a design for Sigrid's suit, waiting only for a chance to bring it up with her.
As for the color of Kate's suit, he had settled on that too: pure black. Mysterious, dangerous, unfathomable, and seemingly all-knowing—the very hallmark of a psychic. On top of that, Kate liked black herself, and more than half the clothes in her wardrobe were black. That made it even more fitting.
A sharply tailored, all-black battle suit accented with gothic witch-style lace, paired with black tights and thigh-high boots. The image was already vivid in Qi Li's mind. And when he imagined that in the future, that suit—worn by Kate as both a superhero and a superstar before countless screens—would be unzipped only by him...
*Cough, cough!*
Qi Li finally understood why Kate had insisted on him keeping his blue-and-gold battle suit on last night, all the way into the hotel.
He was getting sidetracked.
Qi Li retorted in all seriousness, "Kate, you've got a dirty mind. I've been thinking about your best interests this whole time, and you think of that? You're breaking my heart!"
"Is that so?" After spending these days together, Kate knew Qi Li well enough. Tapping her pointed chin against his chest, she smiled. "Because a certain someone just zoned out for several seconds."
Without missing a beat, Qi Li's mind spun into action. "That's because I was thinking about how to set up special training for you next."
Kate blinked. "Special training?"
The more Qi Li spoke, the more sensible it sounded to him. "As a future superhero, Kate, you have to improve your combat skills. Not every enemy is going to stand meekly in place, waiting for you to touch them with your bare hands so you can control them. You need formidable close-quarters combat skills, and as luck would have it, I happen to be very experienced in that area..."
Over the next while, Qi Li talked on and on, leaving Kate dazed and bewildered. Had she really misjudged him?
Kate felt deeply touched. Not only did Qi Li encourage her to be her true self, but he also thoughtfully pointed out her shortcomings and earnestly drew up a training plan for her—yet here she was, letting her mind wander in that direction. Kate felt utterly guilty. So, once Qi Li finished talking, she showed her gratitude with actions, making amends for her earlier lapse.
"By the way!" Just as Kate was about to slip under the sheets, she couldn't resist lifting her head to voice a serious complaint. "Queen of Minds isn't bad, but Professor V sounds terrible."
Qi Li shrugged. "What about Professor X?"
Without looking back, Kate retorted, "Even worse!!"
***
That afternoon, at the Godkin University Combat Hall.
*Bang! Bang! Bang!*
Loud impacts echoed repeatedly across the plain, reinforced training floor.
Dressed in casual clothes, Qi Li had just executed a shoulder throw on Kate—now clad in a cropped athletic tank top and track pants—slamming her to the ground.
Off to the side, Maverick, watching the spectacle along with several others, stirred up trouble without hesitation: "Whoa, whoa, Qi Li! I thought you and Kate were going on a honeymoon. Why are you suddenly throwing hands here? Could it be... this is your unique love language? Or is Kate being forced into this? Girls gotta be brave and say no! Kate, if you need outside rescue, just say the word!"
Before Kate could answer, Qi Li turned around, a chilling grin spreading across his face. Shifting his stance, he said with a pleasant smile, "No need for Kate to shout. You—get over here right now!"
Chapter 37