In the following days, the entire company grew busy.
Preparations for the banquet were in full swing.
After several discussions, the venue was finalized—
Jin Yue Grand Hotel (锦月大酒店).
Elegant. Luxurious. Filled with the kind of atmosphere that matched the importance of the event.
Lin Ya sat at her desk, staring at her laptop.
Slides.
Data.
Game structure.
User response.
Everything was ready.
And yet—
Her fingers felt cold.
Her heart restless.
Why am I this nervous…?
The day of the banquet arrived.
The hall shimmered under golden lights. Well-dressed guests, investors, and VIPs filled the space, their voices blending into a low hum.
Lin Ya stepped inside.
Her heartbeat—
Fast.
Loud.
Uncontrollable.
Not far away, Xu Ming stood slightly to the side, finishing a call.
"…Alright. I got it."
He ended it and turned—
His eyes landed on her.
"You're nervous?" he asked, walking closer.
Lin Ya nodded.
Her heart felt like it might burst.
Xu Ming smirked slightly.
"Don't be."
He paused, his voice lowering just a little.
"Remember why you created the game."
His gaze held hers.
"What matters is what you believe in. Whether we continue investing…"
A faint pause.
"…depends on how well you express that."
He turned and walked inside.
Leaving her standing there.
Lin Ya took a slow breath.
Then nodded to herself.
And walked toward the stage.
Standing under the lights—
Her mind went blank.
Her vision blurred slightly.
The crowd felt distant.
For a second—
She couldn't speak.
Then—
His words echoed in her mind.
Remember why you created the game.
She steadied herself.
"…When I was in high school…"
Her voice was soft at first.
"…I had a dream."
"To create a game where people can make choices."
Her fingers tightened slightly around the mic.
"Choices that lead to different outcomes… just like life."
Her voice grew steadier.
"I want players to understand that even the smallest decision has meaning."
"That they matter."
"That they are not insignificant."
Her gaze lifted—
And met his.
Just for a second.
She finished her presentation smoothly.
"…Thank you for your time."
She bowed slightly and stepped down.
Applause filled the hall.
Her boss stepped onto the stage.
"Now, let us invite our major investor…"
A pause.
"…Mr. Xu."
Xu Ming walked onto the stage.
Calm.
Composed.
Untouchable.
Her boss smiled. "Mr. Xu, what made you invest in X-Games?"
Xu Ming's lips curved faintly.
His gaze shifted—
To Lin Ya.
Then back to the audience.
"…Because of someone."
A slight pause.
"Someone I met before once said…"
His voice deepened slightly.
"Games are not just entertainment."
"They connect people to the world."
"They make you think… decide… understand consequences."
"It's like entering another world…"
"…but still walking alongside reality."
"And every choice you make has an impact."
His eyes flickered back to her.
"…Just like Ms. Lin said."
A quiet silence followed.
"And X-Games…"
"…creates that meaning in every game."
He stepped down.
Lin Ya stood frozen.
Every word he said—
Was hers.
Her thoughts.
Her beliefs.
Her reason.
How… does he know that?
Her mind raced.
She searched for him—
But he was gone.
Time passed.
The banquet slowly came to an end.
Later—
She found him.
In a quiet corner.
Drunk.
His usually calm eyes were heavy, slightly unfocused.
Her phone buzzed.
A message from her boss:
"Lin Ya, please take care of him. I've sent his address. Book a taxi."
She replied:
"Okay."
She looked at him again.
A small smile formed.
"…Cute little drunkard."
"Mr. Xu… let me help you."
She extended her hand.
He took it.
Soon, they were in the taxi.
The city lights passed by like quiet streaks.
Xu Ming leaned slightly—
Then fell asleep on her shoulder.
Lin Ya froze.
Her cheeks warmed.
She hesitated… then gently placed her hand on his forehead.
"You're burning up…"
She sighed softly.
"Why drink if you can't handle it…"
The taxi stopped.
They arrived.
She helped him out, paid the driver, and guided him to the door.
A keypad lock.
She turned to him.
"Mr. Xu… what's the password?"
He looked at her lazily.
"…419."
She entered it.
The door clicked open.
Inside—
She carefully helped him to his room and let him lie down on the bed.
She turned to leave—
But suddenly—
He grabbed her wrist.
And pulled her closer.
"Don't leave…"
Her heart skipped.
"…Fine. I won't."
She gently freed her hand, her cheeks warm.
She walked toward the cupboard, opening it to find a blanket.
But then—
She froze.
A photo frame.
Inside—
Two people.
High school uniforms.
Smiling.
Him.
And—
Her.
Her breath caught.
Her fingers trembled slightly as she picked it up.
Confusion.
Shock.
Something deeper she couldn't name.
She turned back toward him.
But he was already asleep.
Slowly, she sat down on the couch.
The photo still in her hands.
Her mind—
Spinning.
Who… was she to him?