"Isn't that incredibly demanding work?" Gemini asked with genuine concern.
Sun Xiaoxiao smiled with quiet pride. "It's manageable. The most important principle is this: relying on others pales compared to relying on yourself. What you earn through personal effort far exceeds anything given by others."
Silence settled between them. Gemini waited with mounting anxiety as intermittent cheers and victory shouts for China's team drifted from the stadium. She understood that if the Japanese side intended to cheat, they would most likely strike when the score differential remained within 150 points. Any later would replicate the Ireland-Bulgaria disaster—and since they'd already committed to this path, Gemini knew they wouldn't accept such an outcome.
When the score reached 70-20, Sun Aihua emerged from the elevator muttering colorful curses. "What's all this nonsense? What's the emergency? I still need to monitor those Japanese devils!"
Sun Xiaoxiao hurried forward, explaining in rapid Chinese. When Sun Aihua spotted Gemini, her expression brightened immediately. "I remember this little one! What's wrong, child? What's happened?"
Gemini couldn't understand the words, but felt honored that the elder remembered her.
Without speaking, she set the Omnioculars to replay the recorded evidence, then handed them to Elder Sun for personal verification.
Elder Sun accepted the device with puzzled curiosity, raising it to her eyes. The next instant, Gemini experienced true overwhelming pressure.
She felt as if a mountain was crashing directly toward her face. The crushing force destabilized her balance completely—she collapsed to the ground with an audible thud.
Fortunately, this imposing aura withdrew quickly. The elderly woman lowered the Omnioculars, observed Gemini gasping on the floor, and embarrassedly grabbed her collar to hoist her upright. "Apologies, little one. Did I frighten you?"
Though unable to comprehend the words, Gemini recognized Elder Sun's apologetic tone. She shook her head vigorously and pointed at the Omnioculars. "The evidence is recorded inside. We have perfect visibility from our box. Would you like to examine the actual location for confirmation?"
Sun Xiaoxiao translated Gemini's offer. The elder shook her head with solemn gratitude, requesting that Gemini delete the recording. They would handle this matter internally. Gemini and her companions were guests attending the match—involvement would be inappropriate. Chinese culture considered her warning more than sufficient. If she suffered retaliation because of her assistance, that would constitute their failure. "I didn't kill Boren, but Boren died because of me"—such guilt was impossible for Chinese people to forgive in themselves.
Gemini obediently deleted the saved footage from her Omnioculars and returned to the box as Elder Sun instructed.
Tony and the others had abandoned match observation, all awaiting Gemini's return. The door closed softly, and Gemini nodded with quiet confidence. "Watch the match. They know everything now. Those scumbags won't succeed."
Everyone released collective sighs of relief. From yesterday's beach incident to today's aggressively hostile "mascots" targeting ordinary spectators, Japan's reputation had plummeted to absolute rock bottom. Add their despicable cheating attempts, and contempt was universal. Before departure, Peter had borrowed Gemini's Quidditch Through the Ages. According to his analysis, this was definitive cheating—not the special exhibition Tony and others had assumed.
The match score had reached 140-20. Tony's discovered gap was no longer visible, but according to Gemini's prediction, the critical moment would arrive imminently.
Indeed, when Tony abandoned match observation to monitor that corner intensely, the gap reappeared.
Before he could issue warnings, a thunderous roar echoed throughout the entire stadium: "EVIL CREATURES! WHERE DO YOU THINK YOU'RE GOING!"
Immediately, brilliant golden light struck the concealed corner with devastating precision.
Tony screamed and covered his eyes. "I'M GOING BLIND! COMPLETELY BLIND!"
Gemini immediately focused on the targeted area. Elder Sun's force was perfectly calibrated—zero interference with match players, complete destruction of the corner structure. Gemini's sharp observation noted that despite personnel injuries, the magical formation on the ground remained completely intact.
The Golden Snitch had vanished—obviously escaped.
As stadium spectators began discussing and creating uproar, the commentator's sudden exclamation redirected everyone's attention to the match.
"QU LIANGJUN! QU LIANGJUN!" The commentator was too excited for coherent speech, only capable of shouting the name repeatedly.
Gemini and her companions quickly aimed their Omnioculars at the streaking figure. He was flying at incredible speed pursuing a golden streak, occasionally dodging Bludgers. The Japanese Seeker pressed almost directly against his broomstick tail.
With a sudden vertical ascent, every person in the stadium raised their heads following the aerial drama. The instant they exceeded the stadium's highest point, Qu Liangjun executed a body flip as if on solid ground and began diving toward earth.
The Japanese player maintained impressive speed—after momentary hesitation, he also dove groundward.
"Is this the Wronski Feint?" Gemini murmured. She couldn't detect the Golden Snitch's location and could only speculate.
The sharp whistle pierced the air. Qu Liangjun ceased his diving motion, slowly ascending with his right hand raised triumphantly, wearing a radiant smile. Golden light gleamed in his palm—he'd won! China's team had achieved victory!
The stadium's celebratory cheers hadn't even emerged before transforming into cries of alarm.
"WATCH OUT!"
The Japanese Beater viciously struck a Bludger toward Qu Liangjun's unprotected back. The match was officially concluded—who would anticipate such dirty tactics at this moment?!
China's team players recognized the danger but were already too distant. They dove desperately, attempting to catch him when he inevitably fell.
"HOW DARE YOU?! FILTHY BASTARD!" Madam Hooch roared with righteous fury, charging toward the offending player.
Gemini and her group couldn't help but stand in horror.
In the critical instant, as Qu Liangjun struggled to reposition his body defensively, a silver streak flashed through the air. The Bludger struck something solid, penetrated through, and collided with the protective barrier surrounding the stands before being intercepted.
A damaged broomstick tumbled from midair. Everyone was almost afraid to observe.
Soon, bursts of laughter erupted. When everyone looked carefully, they couldn't suppress their own amusement.
Qu Liangjun hung like clothing on a hook, his collar caught by a flying sword, his entire body suspended in midair, swaying back and forth with the wind.
His teammates suppressed their laughter, hurriedly ascending to retrieve him from the sword. Only after everyone had landed safely did spectators remember the incident's perpetrator. The stadium atmosphere immediately turned furious, with everyone screaming and cursing.
"SI——LENCE——" With a tremendous shout, the stadium fell completely quiet.
Elder Sun stood gracefully on her flying sword, her voice magically amplified so every person in the stadium could hear clearly. "The match concluded when young Qu caught the Snitch, correct?"
Madam Hooch, as official referee, nodded emphatically. "Absolutely correct! That filthy bastard deliberately attacked after the whistle!"
Elder Sun's expression hardened with cold authority. "Then this constitutes assault, not athletic competition. Such behavior demands consequences."
The stadium held its collective breath, sensing that justice was about to be served in a manner far more decisive than standard sporting penalties.
Qu Liangjun, finally freed from his aerial suspension, raised the Golden Snitch high above his head with both hands, golden wings glinting in the stadium lights. The crowd erupted in thunderous celebration—China had won the World Cup, and justice would follow.
Tony lowered his Omnioculars with satisfaction. "Now THAT was worth the price of admission. Sports, international intrigue, magical combat, and a happy ending. Best vacation ever."
This World Cup had delivered far more excitement than anyone had anticipated.
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