Chapter 27
Manhattan Michelin Three-Star Restaurant
Beyond the floor-to-ceiling windows, New York's night view sparkled brilliantly.
Helen Cho gently swirled her wine glass, a smile playing on her lips.
"So, Mr. Yang—besides being a shareholder at Stark Industries, what do you usually do?" She tilted her head slightly, black hair falling over one shoulder.
Yang Jian cut off a small piece of steak, tone casual: "Unemployed bum."
Helen Cho froze for a second, then burst out laughing: "Then I've probably met the most luxurious unemployed bum ever."
"Occasionally do some research at home. Or… other things." Yang Jian shrugged.
"Research?" Helen Cho's eyes lit up.
"You're a scientist too?"
"Something like that."
"Which school did you graduate from?"
"MIT." Yang Jian said casually—it was the identity Bullseye had arranged for him.
Helen Cho was about to ask more when suddenly—
BOOM!!!
The restaurant's glass curtain wall exploded. A massive green monster was smashed inside by some immense force!
"Careful!"
Yang Jian flashed in front of Helen Cho in an instant. One arm wrapped around her waist; the other hand firmly blocked the incoming monster.
The shockwave shattered nearby tables and chairs—but in front of Yang Jian, the monster slammed into an invisible wall and stopped dead.
Helen Cho hadn't even reacted yet when Yang Jian raised his leg in a side kick.
Bang!
The monster flew backward instantly, disappearing into the night.
The restaurant fell deathly silent.
Helen Cho's eyes widened, lips trembling slightly: "You're… a superhuman too?"
Yang Jian released her and adjusted his sleeve: "As you can see."
Helen Cho took a deep breath, trying to calm her racing heart: "Sorry, I was a little scared."
"It's fine." Yang Jian glanced at the wrecked restaurant. "Change locations?"
Helen Cho hesitated for a moment, then suddenly suggested: "How about my place?"
She paused, then added: "I'm pretty good at cooking."
Yang Jian raised an eyebrow, looking at her with slight surprise: "Sure."
You said it—I didn't bring it up.
Outside the restaurant, the street was in chaos.
Sirens wailed; screams rose one after another.
Helen Cho was about to call a car when Yang Jian extended his hand: "Hold on tight."
She looked at him in confusion and took his hand. The next second—
"Ah!"
The bio-field instantly enveloped her. The two shot into the sky!
Helen Cho instinctively clung tightly to Yang Jian's arm, looking down at the rapidly shrinking streets below. Her entire body stiffened.
"You can fly too?!"
"Point the way." Yang Jian's voice remained clear even in the wind.
Helen Cho snapped back to reality and quickly pointed in a direction.
Helen Cho's Apartment
Floor-to-ceiling windows reflected the city lights. The living room was tidy and cozy.
"It's a bit messy—don't mind it." Helen Cho took off her coat and smiled as she introduced the place.
Yang Jian looked around: "It's nice."
"Sit first. I'll cut some fruit." She hurried into the kitchen, heart still racing.
Yang Jian sat on the sofa, listening to the sound of running water and chopping from the kitchen.
Soon, Helen Cho came out with an exquisitely arranged fruit platter.
"There's plenty of ingredients in the fridge." She placed the plate on the coffee table.
"What would you like to eat?"
"Anything."
Helen Cho laughed: "Then I'll improvise?"
She turned back to the kitchen, tied on an apron, and began preparing dinner.
Yang Jian leaned against the doorframe, watching her skillfully handle the ingredients. Her knife work was clean and precise.
"Need any help?"
"No need." Helen Cho didn't look back.
"Scientists are best at precise measurement."
One Hour Later
The dining table held beautifully presented Korean bibimbap, perfectly seared steak, and several refreshing side dishes.
Helen Cho raised her wine glass and gently clinked it against Yang Jian's.
"So." She took a sip, eyes sparkling with curiosity.
"Where did your abilities come from? Genetic mutation? Alien tech? Or…?"
Yang Jian cut a piece of steak: "Maybe beyond your field of research."
Helen Cho raised an eyebrow defiantly: "I'm one of the few people in the world who mastered the Regeneration Cradle."
"Is that so?"
Yang Jian set down his knife and fork and looked straight into her eyes: "Then can you figure out Superman?"
Helen Cho froze for a second, then laughed: "Yang, come on—Superman is just a comic book character."
Yang Jian didn't reply. He simply picked up his wine glass and blew gently across the top.
Crack!
The red wine inside instantly froze solid. Frost flowers crawled across the glass.
Helen Cho's smile froze on her face.
Before she could react, Yang Jian's eyes glowed faintly red. Two hair-thin beams of heat vision precisely swept across the glass.
The ice melted rapidly. The wine flowed again, even steaming slightly.
"What is this?" Helen Cho's fingers unconsciously gripped the napkin tightly.
"Real superpowers?"
"The real deal."
"But Superman is just a comic book character."
"What if…" Yang Jian swirled the glass.
"…comics were based on some real existences?"
Helen Cho opened her mouth, then suddenly laughed: "You're something else."
She shook her head: "Really too ridiculous."
But her eyes had changed—now filled with a scientist's pure curiosity. She studied Yang Jian carefully, as if trying to see right through him.
Dinner ended amid pleasant conversation.
A slightly tipsy Helen Cho, cheeks faintly flushed, sat with Yang Jian on the sofa in front of the floor-to-ceiling windows.
New York's night view spread out below them, lights twinkling.
"So." She hugged a cushion, tilting her head toward Yang Jian. "Do you have x-ray vision?"
Yang Jian raised an eyebrow: "Why? Want to test it?"
Helen Cho immediately hugged the cushion tighter, but her curiosity got the better of her: "How far can you see?"
"Right now…" Yang Jian looked out the window.
"I can see a cat chasing pigeons three blocks away."
"Really?"
"Fake." Yang Jian said seriously.
"Actually, it's four pigeons bullying one cat."
Helen Cho burst out laughing and lightly punched his arm: "You're hilarious, Yang."
Her fingers accidentally brushed his arm. The atmosphere between them suddenly became subtle.
The city lights reflected in Helen Cho's eyes like fallen stars.
She lowered her head slightly; long hair fell forward, hiding her reddening cheeks.
"Thank you for today." She said softly.
"Not just for saving me, but for solving so many problems."
Yang Jian reached out and gently tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear: "You're welcome."
She tilted her head, fingertips lightly tapping the rim of her glass, gaze thoughtful as it rested on Yang Jian.
"But I still want to ask." She narrowed her eyes.
"Do you really have x-ray vision?"
Yang Jian leaned back on the sofa, fingertips lightly tapping the armrest: "Yeah."
He paused, then added meaningfully: "And it glows. Want to see?"
Helen Cho's eyelashes trembled slightly. Then she smiled, lips pursed: "My bedroom has better lighting."
She stood up and extended her hand toward him: "Want to come see inside?"
Yang Jian gave a low laugh, wrapped an arm around her waist, and lifted her in a bridal carry.
Helen Cho let out a soft cry and instinctively wrapped her arms around his neck.
"How bright is it?" She looked up at him, eyes carrying a playful challenge.
Yang Jian strode toward the bedroom, voice low: "Very bright."
He leaned down and whispered in her ear: "Very bright."
The bedroom door closed silently, leaving behind a room full of intimate, flickering light.
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