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Then, the music started.

Lin Xian, dressed in formal attire, walked slowly from backstage. Cameras from various media outlets followed him, and the applause in the auditorium grew even louder. Old Mr. Song, smiling and clapping, approached Lin Xian, shook his hand, and then turned to face the cameras for a photo.

Next came the award ceremony. Lin Xian received his certificate of bravery, a top ten citizen certificate, and a cash prize placard from Old Mr. Song. This was the highest honor Lin Xian had ever received.

In reality, if it hadn’t been for the need to flush out Zhou Duan Yun, Lin Xian wouldn’t have wanted to be so high-profile. But later, he thought about it. He couldn’t hide anymore. Even though the public reports didn’t mention the operation on Ji Lin Xian’s birthday night, no wall is without cracks. Even if only a few people in the Donghai Police Department knew about these events, a determined investigator could still uncover the truth.

Moreover, Lin Xian’s enemies weren’t ordinary. He had no idea if the members of the Genius Club were watching him. This organization was too mysterious. So mysterious that it seemed non-existent.

At least, life had been calm recently, and Lin Xian felt the Genius Club was unlikely to be targeting him.

First, his assistance in arresting Ji Lin and Ji Xin Shui was justified; they were murderers wanted by all of Donghai. He was just a “helpful citizen.”

Secondly, Ji Xin Shui had mistaken him for a test or even a judge from the Genius Club; this misunderstanding suggested that the Genius Club didn’t want him dead, Ji Xin Shui did. Perhaps the old man’s plan was to use his head to claim a reward from Copernicus in the Genius Club. But unfortunately for Ji Xin Shui, his arrogance led to his downfall before his plan could come to fruition.

Lastly, and most crucially, Yellow Finch provided Lin Xian with a sense of security. She was a member of the Genius Club. If the club wanted him dead, he wouldn’t be alive now. Not only that, but Yellow Finch had helped him repeatedly, behaving nothing like an enemy.

So Lin Xian wasn’t entirely sure. What kind of organization was the Genius Club? What was its purpose? Was it just or evil? Even when Ji Xin Shui mentioned Copernicus, making it sound like these scientists were killed on his orders… could this information be trusted?

Ji Xin Shui was a poor imitator, arrogant and self-absorbed. It’s possible he misunderstood or acted on his own. At the very least… if he could mistake Lin Xian for a Genius Club examiner, it seemed likely that Copernicus hadn’t ordered him to kill Lin Xian; it was a personal vendetta.

In short, hiding was less effective than building his own strength.

Might makes right.

Clap, clap, clap, clap, clap, clap!!!

After the enthusiastic applause, it was time for Lin Xian’s speech.

“Leaders, guests, representatives…” VV had written the speech for him, and Lin Xian knew it by heart. Speaking without notes was easy. After all, these events were his own experiences, talking about them was like telling a story. It was effortless; he just needed to elevate the message where necessary.

“We deeply mourn the loss of Professor Xu Yun and Ms. Tang Xin…” As he spoke, Lin Xian scanned the audience. Most of the seats were occupied by student representatives of all ages, particularly many university students.

Among the students from Donghai University sitting in the front row, Lin Xian spotted the little happy-go-lucky girl—Chu An Qing.

At this moment, Chu An Qing was looking at Lin Xian. When their eyes met briefly, she smiled and waved at him. On the outside, Lin Xian remained composed, but inwardly, he was amused by her abilities. Chu An Qing could go anywhere in Donghai freely, as if she had an all-access pass. In a way, she was like a living key to Donghai City, going wherever she pleased. This was her superpower, named after her influential father, Chu Shan He.

Because of her father’s high status, Chu An Qing was given special treatment wherever she went in Donghai City. It wasn’t surprising that she could attend the commendation ceremony as a student representative.

“As they say, ‘the rise and fall of the nation concerns every citizen.’ A prosperous and safe Donghai depends on the efforts of each one of us…” Lin Xian was nearing the end of his speech. He performed exceptionally well today, thanks to his years of hosting experience in university, his voice was steady, resonant, and powerful: “With that, I wish for our Donghai to become more harmonious, more beautiful, where people live and work in peace, and our nation prospers!”

Boom———

After his speech, the applause in the auditorium was endless, marking the successful conclusion of the commendation ceremony.

…

“Hehe, Senior Lin Xian! Finally, I can talk to you!” After the reporters surrounding him dispersed, Chu An Qing squeezed through and stood in front of Lin Xian with a big smile: “Senior, your speech was amazing today. Many of our classmates are very impressed with you and are looking forward to you coming to our school for a return visit!”

“Really?” Lin Xian chuckled: “I felt like those elementary school students in the audience were giving me unfriendly looks… like they had a grudge against me.”

“That’s because they have to write an 800-word reflection essay when they get back!” Chu An Qing laughed at Lin Xian’s remark: “When I was in elementary school, it was the same. At that age, kids don’t understand much and lack genuine respect for heroes… To them, you are the reason they have to write essays, so of course, they look at you funny! But don’t worry, as they grow older, their attitudes will change, and they will admire heroes like you more and more!”

“Ughh…” Lin Xian sighed softly: “I hardly consider myself a hero. This little thing I did doesn’t qualify me for such a title.”

Chu An Qing had raised him to such a height… Lin Xian didn’t see himself as a hero. Frankly speaking, his involvement in solving the serial murder case was driven by a desire to bring the criminals to justice, but his primary motivation was self-preservation. After all, he knew better than anyone… the ultimate goal of the Seven Deadly Sins was to kill him.

This act of bravery was inevitable; if he didn’t take action, the commendation might have gone to Ji Lin instead.

Inverting the situation, during his time in Donghai, none of the reports mentioned that Ji Lin was also part of the task force assisting in the investigation, not a word, likely because it would have been too embarrassing… A thief crying “stop thief” is too surreal.

So, the entire Donghai Police Department was deeply grateful to Lin Xian; otherwise, they would have made a huge joke and a big mess.

“I believe you will become a hero, Senior Lin Xian.” Chu An Qing looked up at him, her eyes sparkling: “I don’t think what you did was a small thing… Yesterday, in the lab, what Mr. Liu Feng said, I thought about it a lot after I went back, and I think he was right. The meaning and value of everyone’s life aren’t measured by size or nobility; as long as you can stand up without hesitation when you should, and be brave when others need you, that’s enough. Not everyone is born to do earth-shattering things, and not only those who do earth-shattering things are heroes. At least, to me…”

Chu An Qing scratched her head and smiled sheepishly: “I still think about you pulling me back from the road and saving me; although I fainted soon after, at that moment, you were like a hero descending from the sky! My dad often tells me to learn from you, from your excellent qualities. I think so too. If one day, as Mr. Liu Feng said, I encounter a situation that requires me to stand up, protect something, and be brave…”

She looked up, her eyes determined: “I will be just like you, Senior… Without hesitation!”

Lin Xian smiled: “I believe you will.” He pushed the bravery award trophy towards her: “Here’s an early award for you.”

“Oh no, I can’t take your trophy! Haha, maybe someday I’ll earn my bravery award! Then we can have a matching set!”

…

After exchanging pleasantries with a few business associates, the auditorium was nearly empty, with the audience and media packing up and leaving. Lin Xian headed to the parking lot, ready to leave.

The electric door of the Alphard opened. Lin Xian placed the certificates and trophy on the seat and was about to get in—

“That was a passionate speech, Mr. Lin Xian.” A woman’s calm voice suddenly came from behind.

“Thank you.” Lin Xian responded reflexively. He had heard similar compliments countless times in the auditorium, saying “thank you” so much that his lips were almost numb. After saying that, he put his raised foot down, turned around, and looked at the woman who had just spoken.

At that moment… his eyes slowly widened.

The woman before him was a foreigner!

The flawless sentence without any accent came from this foreign beauty. She was tall, wearing sky-high heels, making her seem taller than Lin Xian. Her long legs were like straight chopsticks, mostly hidden under black leather, yet still giving a sense of a model’s perfect figure.

Looking up, her hair was long and smooth, shining, clearly well-maintained. And her face was the most captivating feature. She didn’t have the traditional Asian look or the typical Western look, but rather the unique, striking features of a Middle Eastern woman—sharp, defined, with piercing eyes, like a Hollywood spy.

This description was very fitting. Because she had indeed played many spy roles in Hollywood movies. Lin Xian had recently seen many of her photos and read numerous reports about her. Oscar-winning actress, Hollywood’s “Chameleon”… her titles were numerous, but her acting was deserving of all the praise.

“Nice to meet you, Lin Xian.” The woman smiled, flipping her hair back and striding forward: “My name is Angelica.”

Click. Her high heels stopped just a step away from Lin Xian. She extended her right hand for a handshake, smiling warmly, showing her pearly white teeth: “But… you can call me by another, more familiar name—***”