(Hearts at Start: 2,793)
As stadium security finally allowed them through, Tang Yuxi stood near the players' lounge, waiting. Her calm gaze lingered on Zhao Yifen—the young man who had just effortlessly crushed Li Zixuan, a wealthy Level 13 awakener, and controlled a Level 37 assassin with a mere command.
Power.
It radiated from him—not in reckless arrogance, but in absolute confidence. A quiet dominance that only those at the top carried.
Tang Yuxi had seen many influential figures in the entertainment industry, but none like him.
As Yifen, Xu Qingya, and Lin Xixi approached, excitement flickered in the two girls' eyes.
Xu Qingya beamed. "Miss Tang! I'm a huge fan! I love your acting, and your latest drama was amazing!"
Lin Xixi nodded eagerly. "And your music too! Your last song topped the charts for weeks!"
Tang Yuxi smiled warmly at them before turning her gaze toward Yifen. But instead of greeting them all at once, she extended her hand toward him first.
As Yifen shook hands with Tang Yuxi, a system notification popped up:
[Physical Contact Detected: +100 Hearts]
"Mr. Zhao… I should be thanking you. Your presence alone is quite reassuring."
Yifen smirked, shaking her hand with a firm but casual grip. He understood the underlying message—she wasn't just thanking him for allowing the meeting. She was acknowledging him as someone significant.
"I didn't do much. Just handling a minor inconvenience."
Tang Yuxi's eyes gleamed with understanding. She then turned back to the girls with a bright smile.
"Since you're my fans, and today's match was exciting, why don't we have a meal together? My treat."
Xu Qingya and Lin Xixi gasped in disbelief.
Xu Qingya blurted out, "Really?! You mean it?"
Tang Yuxi cast a brief glance at Yifen—subtle, yet full of intent—before nodding.
"Of course. Consider it my way of thanking you for your support."
Yifen's lips curled slightly. He wasn't fooled. This wasn't just about meeting fans. She wanted to get closer to him.
Before the conversation could continue, the stadium lights dimmed slightly, signaling the end of halftime. The announcer's voice boomed across the massive venue.
"Ladies and gentlemen, the second half of the game is about to begin! Please return to your seats!"
Tang Yuxi turned to them with a charming smile.
"Looks like we'll have to wait for our meal. The game is about to start."
Xu Qingya clapped her hands excitedly. "Right! We need to get back quickly!"
As Tang Yuxi walked away, she glanced over her shoulder at Yifen one last time.
"Let's meet properly after the game."
Lin Xixi leaned closer to Xu Qingya, whispering, "Did you see that? She definitely meant something when she looked at Yifen."
Xu Qingya bit her lip, a strange feeling settling in her heart. But there was no time to think about it.
With that, they hurried back to their seats as the second half began.
---
Anomalies in the Financial World
Inside the Money Tracking Authority, a junior employee rushed into his superior's office, a report clutched in his trembling hands.
"Sir! We have an anomaly. A company registered just two days ago, and in that short time, they've spent over 2 billion!"
The higher-up frowned. "What did they buy?"
The employee took a deep breath. "Yesterday, they purchased a coffee shop for 63 million Ayuan. And today, they bought an entire stadium for 2.917 billion Ayuan."
The manager's eyes widened. "That's a massive investment for a new company. Have we initiated a Wealth Statement Filing?"
"Yes, sir. I sent the notice just now."
"What's the company's name?"
The employee hesitated before reading from the report.
"…Zhao Capital Investment."
Silence.
The higher-up's face paled. Without another word, he grabbed his coat and rushed out of the office.
The confused employee muttered under his breath, "What the hell? Who is this Zhao?"
---
A Name That Shakes the World
The higher-up stormed into the office of his superior—the Chairman of the Authority.
"Sir! We found a company that spent over 2 billion in just two days!"
The chairman barely looked up from his paperwork. "And? Follow standard procedure."
The higher-up swallowed hard. "Sir… the company's name is Zhao Capital Investment."
The pen in the chairman's hand froze. Slowly, he leaned back in his chair, exhaling deeply.
"…So, they've finally decided to reveal themselves to the world."
The higher-up hesitated. "Sir?"
The chairman turned to the window, his sharp gaze lost in thought.
"For over a thousand years, the Zhao family has existed in the shadows—never showing their true wealth or influence. If they've decided to move publicly now… it means they have more money and power than anyone else combined."
The room fell silent.
Then, the chairman picked up his phone.
"I'm informing the Awakening Association about their presence."
As he dialed, he added one last question.
"By the way… who is leading Zhao Capital Investment?"
The higher-up hesitated before responding.
"…A young man. Early 20s."
The chairman chuckled. "A young lion leading an empire. Things are about to get interesting."
---
(Hearts at End: 2,893)