Celia walked over, her books tucked under one arm. "Mr. Fu, how's your arm? Is the wound healing?"
Julian Fu looked at her with dark, searching eyes that seemed to carry both fire and shadow. "Celia, so you're the legendary genius from Tsinghua University."
Celia smiled faintly.
"Last night I said I'd play my game with you," Julian continued. "How far have you gotten in the one I developed?"
Celia could only answer honestly. "I've cleared up to level eight."
Julian let out a soft, self-mocking laugh. "Celia… let me buy you dinner."
She shook her head. "I'm flying abroad tomorrow. I'd like to rest early tonight. My car is here—goodbye, Mr. Fu."
With that, she slipped into the Shen family's private car. She had turned him down again, denying him any glimmer of hope. Yet Julian stood there, watching her silhouette vanish into the city lights. How could a man willingly let go of a girl like her?
······
Not far away, Nathaniel Fu had witnessed Julian and Celia together.
Just then, a car horn blared, and a sleek sports car pulled up. Zane Song leaned out the window. "Brother, hop in."
Nathaniel got into the passenger seat. "Why are you here?"
"Brother, didn't you see?" Zane smirked. "Once the news broke that Celia was a prodigy, half the young men in Beijing showed up to catch a glimpse of her. Now everyone envies you—her first man."
Nathaniel's Adam's apple bobbed, but he said nothing.
Through the rearview mirror, Zane caught sight of where Celia had disappeared. That girl shone too brightly. He wondered—could his brother really let her go?
······
Meanwhile, Yara Lu was also leaving the campus. The sight of luxury sports cars lined outside only deepened her unease.
Ning Xiner hurried to her side. "Yara, tomorrow Professor Fu and Celia will be leading the team abroad. They'll be spending every day together. You'd better be careful—don't let Celia seduce him."
But Yara remained steady. She trusted Nathaniel Fu. He would never betray her.
Beyond their childhood sweetheart bond, there was also gratitude binding them together.
Years ago, Nathaniel had sworn at her mother's grave that he would be her lifelong guardian—her dark knight—and never abandon her.
Even if she found love with another, he would accept it without complaint.
Yet Celia's existence struck a chord of deep crisis within her. She couldn't take her eyes off Nathaniel for even a moment.
······
The next day.
Nathaniel and Celia, along with their seven-member competition team, boarded a chartered flight to Country Z. Upon arrival, they checked into a lavish six-star presidential suite.
Because the competition was scheduled for the following day, the team gathered to discuss strategies. Hours passed before they realized evening had fallen. A waiter soon delivered a sumptuous dinner.
"Everyone, eat first," Celia said gently. "We can continue afterward."
"Alright," they replied, settling around the long table.
When they noticed Celia wasn't joining them, they called out quickly, "Cici, come eat with us!"
Being younger than the rest, and so exceptionally talented and beautiful, she had earned their affection. They all called her Cici with natural fondness.
Celia, still sorting through the test questions, shook her head. "You go ahead. Don't worry about me."
But then, the sharp scent of the stew hit her. Her face paled instantly. She sprang to her feet, rushed into the bathroom, and bent over the sink, retching.
"Cici, what's wrong?" The team gathered anxiously outside the door.
"I'm fine," she said weakly. "Please, eat first."
······
At that moment, Nathaniel had taken several teammates to the examination venue to handle formalities with the organizers. After negotiating the final details, he returned to the suite.
The first thing he saw was everyone crowded near the bathroom door.
He set down his car keys and strode over, his voice deep. "What happened?"
"Professor Fu," Zhou Yi said quickly, "Cici isn't feeling well. She vomited."
Vomited?
Nathaniel's brows drew together sharply, his eyes locking on the closed bathroom door, the weight of worry pressing down on him.