[Here it comes! The main event is starting! The jewels are about to move!]
[Go, Pursuit Team! Protect the Starry Light! We're counting on you!]
[Cifera: Isn't this my chance?]
[Little Grandchild: My chance too! Though I might lose my spot in the spotlight...]
[Aaaah, Sister Aya is finally going to wear the Starry Light! So exciting!]
[I hope the Pursuit Team protects the jewels well without disrupting Sister Aya's rehearsal!]
[Good luck to the other models too! Shine even brighter under Master Aya's guidance!]
Within the Starry Jewels' top-tier vault area, the atmosphere was tense before the massive alloy door.
Lei Gang, Feng Chiyu, and Zhang Hong stood with security personnel and Pursuers, ready for action.
The cold, harsh corridor lighting reflected off their taut faces.
The critical moment was at hand: safely retrieving all the auction jewels, especially the Starry Light.
Tap, tap, tap!
Footsteps echoed down the corridor as Liu Shanhe led Lin Zhiyuan, Nie Bing, and Wang Lei toward them at a brisk pace.
The two groups converged, exchanging nods of acknowledgment without further formalities.
"Let's begin," Liu Shanhe said tersely.
Given the tight security measures in place, Liu Shanhe didn't believe anyone could steal the Starry Light under these circumstances.
Unless Lei Gang was an imposter... but with the targeted protection measures in place, that possibility was virtually nonexistent.
Hearing Liu Shanhe's words, Lei Gang nodded, his expression grave and focused. He approached the control panel in front of the alloy door.
First, he unlocked the door with his fingerprint, then underwent iris scanning, and finally entered a long, complex password.
With a deep mechanical hum, the massive alloy door slowly slid open, revealing the brightly lit core area of the vault, filled with various detection instruments.
Under the watchful eyes of multiple security personnel and members of the Expert Team, Lei Gang donned white gloves and began extracting the jewels according to strict protocol.
One by one, the dazzlingly brilliant and priceless treasures were carefully placed into specially designed bulletproof and shockproof safes, which were then cradled by designated security guards. Each guard held the safes with solemn reverence, as if cradling priceless, fragile treasures.
Finally, all eyes converged on the deepest part of the room, where a solitary safe shimmered with a cold, ethereal blue light.
This was the exclusive sanctuary of the Starry Light.
Lei Gang took a deep breath and initiated an even more complex sequence of biometric scans and password verifications. With a silent click, the safe door swung open.
In that instant, it was as if starlight poured forth from within!
Even from a distance, the legendary jewel, the Starry Light, radiated an unparalleled, profound, and dazzling brilliance.
It was not merely a single diamond, but a necklace of minimalist design yet breathtaking impact.
The main chain was a delicate platinum strand, its cool, noble luster seemingly forged from condensed starlight.
At key points along the chain, smaller, equally flawless diamonds were set like stars orbiting a moon, converging toward the necklace's centerpiece—the peerless, legendary main diamond!
Held aloft by a classic claw setting, devoid of any superfluous ornamentation that might compete with its radiance, the diamond commanded absolute attention.
At that moment, it hung silently on its specially designed display stand, yet it seemed to concentrate the starlight of the entire universe into a single point!
Its beauty possessed a breathtaking, almost magical power, causing everyone present who saw it for the first time to hold their breath in awe.
Even Nie Bing, who had previously claimed to have little interest in jewelry, couldn't help but let astonishment flicker in her eyes—
No wonder it's the crown jewel of Starry Jewels. Its reputation is well-deserved. If only I could have it as a centerpiece on my Technical Booth.
The footage of the vault operations was only visible to those physically present; broadcasting it publicly was out of the question due to Starry Security's strict privacy protocols.
As a result, the viewers watching the premiere could only stare blankly, watching the Director deliberately cut to the shocked expressions on everyone's faces, especially Nie Bing's.
[Even though photos of the Starry Light are all over the internet, seeing the real thing in person must be even more breathtaking!]
[Look, even Little Bingbing, the tech geek, is showing a look of amazement and longing. That shows you how beautiful the Starry Light truly is!]
[Don't worry, we'll see it soon enough when Sister Aya wears it!]
Seeing the Starry Light safely inside the vault, everyone present finally breathed a collective sigh of relief.
Though no one had dared to voice it, a terrifying possibility had lurked in the back of everyone's minds: what if, upon opening the vault, they found it empty? What if Cifera, through some unfathomable means, had already stolen the Starry Light, rendering their efforts futile?
Thankfully, this worst-case scenario hadn't come to pass. Perhaps they had overestimated Cifera's cunning.
Lei Gang also exhaled in relief. If the Starry Light had vanished, he would have been the prime suspect, likely to be mistaken for a woman and forced into the women's restroom again... A truly horrifying thought!
Shaking his head to banish the unpleasant image, Lei Gang turned to Liu Shanhe for confirmation:
"Old Liu, can you confirm that I am indeed the real Lei Gang? If so, I'll proceed."
The answer was obvious, but Lei Gang asked deliberately, clearly seizing the opportunity to vent his frustration at being forced into the "strongman lock" over the past few days.
Liu Shanhe understood perfectly what Lei Gang was implying. He nodded sincerely and replied:
"Confirmed. Thank you for your trouble, Minister Lei."
This was both a request for him to proceed and an apology for the inconvenience caused during this period.
"Alright!"
Lei Gang felt a bit more at ease. He turned his head, his face already set in a focused, serious expression.
After all, Starry Light was a legendary jewel that foreign media had estimated would fetch at least a hundred million US dollars if sold. If he were to carelessly damage it due to negligence, he'd never be able to pay off the debt in his lifetime.
Donning white gloves, Lei Gang gently removed the display stand carrying Starry Light and carefully placed it into a custom-made, high-tech-looking portable safe.
With a soft click, Lei Gang locked the safe containing Starry Light.
He personally lifted the case, feeling its heft—not just its physical weight, but the weight of security responsibility.
"Starry Light extraction complete!"
Lei Gang's voice carried a barely perceptible rasp.
Liu Shanhe's sharp gaze swept across the assembled team:
"Move out! Everyone, stay vigilant!
"Minister Lei and the Starry Light will be at the center, flanked by the other jewels. The Pursuit Team and security personnel will provide front and rear escort.
"Feng Chiyu and Zhang Hong, remain at Minister Lei's side, providing unwavering protection!
"Nie Bing and Lin Zhiyuan, cover the left and right flanks. Monitor for any anomalies!
"Teacher Wang Lei, you'll be mobile, coordinating the team and ensuring smooth communication and progress!
"Action!"
"Understood!"
A formidable jewelry transport team, composed of elite members from Starry Security and the Pursuit Team, formed an impenetrable formation. With resolute, wary strides, they marched out of the chilling, austere vault area, heading toward the auction stage—a place brimming with artistic allure yet concealing countless potential threats.