"Oh? Go on," Liu Shanhe said, granting Lin Zhiyuan permission to speak.
Lin Zhiyuan adjusted his glasses, a glint of intelligence shining behind the lenses. "If Cifera wants to observe our security arrangements, I believe she'll primarily rely on hacking into Starry's surveillance system."
"As a contestant on the show, I trust her integrity. I doubt she would resort to cheating by watching the live broadcast just because she's escaped the Production Team's filming crew."
"Therefore, my suggestion is this: if we can't prevent Cifera from hacking into the surveillance system, we should temporarily shut it down altogether. This will strip her of the 'eyes' she could use to spy on us anywhere within the Starry Building!"
No sooner had Lin Zhiyuan finished speaking than Lei Gang vehemently objected.
"Absolutely not! That's out of the question!"
He slammed his fist on the table, his massive pectoral muscles quivering with the impact. His face was a mask of disbelief.
"Expert Lin, your idea is utterly naive! Shutting down the entire building's surveillance system? That's like disarming ourselves!
"Forget about Cifera for a moment! Our Starry Headquarters Building is enormous, and our daily security depends entirely on this system!
"Shutting it down would render our security personnel completely blind!"
"Let alone guarding against the elusive Cifera, how would we handle ordinary staff disputes, lost valuables, or, God forbid, malicious individuals infiltrating the chaos? What surveillance would we have?
"Rely on sheer manpower for patrols? That's inefficient and riddled with vulnerabilities!"
Lei Gang paused to catch his breath, forcing himself to remain calm, though his tone remained unwavering.
"Keeping the surveillance system active at least maintains a basic level of deterrence and order! Even if Cifera can infiltrate and manipulate the footage, it still requires her time and energy!
"This alone serves as a drain on her resources and an obstacle to her actions!
"It's far better than abandoning the system entirely and letting her operate completely 'invisible,' acting without restraint!"
He paused, his gaze sweeping over the group with a mix of exasperation and understanding—as if to say, "You clearly don't grasp the realities of security."
"Your focus on capturing Cifera is ultimately within the scope of the show, but Starry Jewels, as a high-profile company, faces constant threats from genuine criminals. The surveillance system is our first line of defense—it's absolutely non-negotiable!"
After hearing Lei Gang's impassioned rebuttal, Liu Shanhe nodded slightly, a look of understanding and agreement crossing his face.
"Minister Lei is absolutely right, Little Lin. Your proposal stemmed from tactical considerations—aiming to restrict Cifera's information gathering—but it overlooks the complexity and necessity of real-world security measures."
He turned to Lin Zhiyuan, his tone gentle but critical:
"As Minister Lei pointed out, we cannot dismantle the surveillance system. While keeping it active might reveal some of our arrangements to Cifera, it also forces her to divide her attention between evading and deceiving the system. This creates a dynamic game of cat and mouse.
"Moreover, is Cifera our only opponent? Let's not forget the Grandchild of the Phantom Thief, still at large in the show. While the kid's theft of a children's rocking horse might seem comical, that's no reason to dismiss him. Who knows if he might also have his sights set on Starry Light?
"Remember: don't cut off your nose to spite your face."
Faced with consecutive rebuttals from Liu Shanhe and Lei Gang, Lin Zhiyuan's face flushed with embarrassment and realization. He adjusted his glasses and said sheepishly:
"I apologize. I oversimplified the situation, focusing solely on Cifera as the sole variable and neglecting the complexities of reality and other possibilities."
He nodded sincerely to Lei Gang, acknowledging the criticism.
Liu Shanhe clapped Lin Zhiyuan on the shoulder approvingly, then his gaze sharpened as he swept his eyes across the room:
"Alright, the surveillance issue is clear: keep it running! Everyone, prepare yourselves mentally—our every move is likely under Cifera's 'watch.'
"She can see our defenses, hear our discussions, and even guess some of our plans."
His tone shifted, now filled with unwavering conviction:
"But! She ultimately needs to approach the Starry Light to truly seize it! No matter how many 'eyes' she has or what tricks she employs, her ultimate goal remains singular!
"We must control this core critical point—the Starry Light itself and every step of its movement and display!"
Liu Shanhe turned his gaze to Li Zhanting, the Starry President, who had been listening quietly. His voice became more formal:
"President Li, I have a crucial question about tonight's auction.
"I've reviewed the schedule and noticed a 'Brilliant Galaxy' jewelry showcase before the official auction begins. It's divided into two stages, correct?"
Li Zhanting nodded, his eyes gleaming with pride for his company's design:
"Exactly, Old Liu. This is a meticulously crafted dual climax for the auction.
"The first stage is 'Starlight's First Bloom'—our top models will wear tonight's most coveted pieces, including the Starry Light, as they walk the runway under spotlights."
"This segment is designed to allow guests to experience the splendor of the jewelry up close and with the utmost human warmth," Li Zhanting explained.
He then described the second stage:
"Following the runway show, we'll transition into the 'Universal Convergence' phase.
"After the models complete their walks, they'll approach the central exhibition stage, where a designated transfer area awaits. There, they'll carefully remove the jewelry they're wearing and place it onto specially prepared transparent bulletproof crystal trays.
"Once all the jewelry has been transferred, these trays, bearing priceless treasures, will be taken over by sophisticated automated tracks and robotic arms hidden beneath the stage.
"At this point, the entire venue will plunge into darkness, leaving only the positioning lights built into the trays themselves. Accompanied by grand symphonic music and top-tier lighting effects, the central exhibition stage will transform into a deep, boundless cosmos.
"Each piece of jewelry, as if imbued with the life of a star, will glide along pre-programmed, cosmically rhythmic paths, gracefully converging and separating, tracing breathtaking luminous trails across the 'sea of stars.'
"Finally, all the 'stars' will converge with pinpoint accuracy at the most dazzling focal point in the center of the stage, symbolizing the convergence of all streams to their origin. The radiant light of the 'Starry Light' will represent the 'Cosmic Heart'—the celestial core guarded by all the surrounding stars!"
"Afterward, robotic arms will transport them to their respective bulletproof display cases for the formal auction."
Liu Shanhe frowned deeply as he listened. "President Li, while the design of this jewelry showcase is undeniably stunning, the risks are enormous!
"Dim lighting and exposed jewels create a perfect opportunity for a top-tier thief like Cifera!
"She wouldn't need to breach any display cases; she could simply blend into the crowd, create a brief distraction in the darkness, and seize the Starry Light in an instant!
"Could this process be modified for security reasons? Perhaps eliminate the runway show altogether, or at least add protective measures to the Starry Light throughout the second phase? Even... cancel the entire showcase?"
Li Zhanting's expression hardened. He shook his head resolutely.
"Old Liu, I regret to say that the 'Brilliant Galaxy' segment is far more than just a display process. It's the soul and symbol of the Starlight Brand, the core ritual through which we reveal the most dynamic and ethereal facets of our jewelry to our esteemed guests!"
"This ritual embodies the very essence of our brand, its history, and its legacy. It holds immense significance for us!"
Li Zhanting's tone left no room for negotiation.
"Canceling or modifying it is absolutely out of the question.
"This is a tradition deeply ingrained in Starry's heritage and a hallmark that distinguishes us from other jewelry brands. I believe in human ingenuity. With meticulous security measures, we can control the risks involved."
Liu Shanhe sighed inwardly at Li Zhanting's unwavering resolve.
Merchants naturally value their brand and traditions, but this insistence undoubtedly complicates security arrangements, akin to dancing on the edge of a cliff.
He didn't press the matter further. Instead, he took a deep breath, his gaze sharpening with renewed focus. Addressing everyone present, he declared:
"Understood... I see.
"Since we can't eliminate this segment, it becomes our top priority for tonight's defense! This is Starry Light's most vulnerable moment!
"If Cifera intends to strike beneath this artificial 'starry sky'? Then we'll show her that every corner beneath these 'stars' is watched by vigilant guardians!
"Make securing the 'Brilliant Galaxy' segment the core of our security strategy tonight!"
-
At the same time,
On a commercial street near the Starry Building, at an open-air café on a street corner,
Cifera, now transformed into an elegant, golden-haired Big Sister, sat leisurely at an outdoor table, cradling a steaming cup of milk tea.
Sunlight filtered through the gaps in the leaves, casting a serene and beautiful glow upon her—a stark contrast to the tense atmosphere within the Starry Building.
She took a gentle sip of her milk tea, savoring the sweetness on her tongue. Hidden within her hair, a miniature bone conduction earpiece relayed the Expert Team's discussions on security countermeasures.
"How intriguing. This Starlight Rendezvous... I shall certainly attend as planned."
As Cifera murmured to herself, a mischievous smile crept across her face, catching the eye of a passing young man. He promptly crashed into a lamppost with a loud thud, drawing peals of laughter from the café patrons and nearby pedestrians.
Cifera glanced over, inwardly scoffing, Aglaea's modeling really packs a punch. How many lampposts has she taken down now?