Chapter 21 – Under the Same Umbrella
The relentless patter of rain outside the hotel created a muted, silver-grey atmosphere, intensifying the tension that now constantly trailed Xiao Xi.
She had just stepped out of the luxury van, her face perfectly composed in the practiced mask of the rising star.
A familiar throng of loyal fans crowded the gate, their voices muffled by a forest of brightly colored umbrellas, calling her name in a chorus of devotion.
Cameras flashed, their light strobing against the downpour.
She managed a practiced smile and a wave—and then froze.
The practiced composure of her public persona shattered as someone appeared directly beside her, moving with effortless grace, holding an enormous, dark umbrella over her head.
Gu Yanzhou.
He hadn't arrived in the chaos of the main entrance; he had materialized, a pillar of calm authority in the storm, instantly cutting off the noise and the blinding camera flashes.
"You'll catch a cold, Xiao Xi," he said simply, his voice a low, steady rumble that barely cut through the drumming rain.
He placed his hand on the small of her back, the gesture proprietary and firm, drawing her close to his side as they navigated the surging, chaotic crowd.
The world seemed to compress around them.
All the frantic energy of the fans, the clicking of the cameras, and the noise of the rain faded into a distant, irrelevant hum. Only the heavy, luxurious warmth of his presence and the drumming of her own heart mattered.
"President Gu, this looks highly suspicious," she teased, tilting her head back to look at his jawline, attempting to inject humor into the terrifying intimacy of the moment.
She knew the paparazzi were capturing every frame, and tomorrow's headlines would be scandalous.
"Then let them suspect," he said, his voice dropping to a near-whisper that was meant only for her.
His eyes, fixed on the path ahead, were resolute.
"I'm tired of hiding the fact that I value my investment."
The excuse was professional, yet the action felt entirely personal.
The warmth of his hand on her back wasn't an act, wasn't part of any strategic script, but a genuine, anchoring support.
It was a declaration that they were an unbreakable unit.
Her heart skipped a dangerous beat.
The System, which had been dangerously quiet, suddenly burst forth with a series of alerts:
[System Alert: Affection +20%. Significant Emotional Resonance.]
[Luck +500. Public display of high-value alliance achieved.]
[Current Luck: 5300.]
She blinked, momentarily overwhelmed by the sudden influx of positive feedback.
For once, the soft, rewarding tone of the system felt almost approving of the emotional bond.
But the approval was fleeting.
The entire interface suddenly flickered violently, red code snaking across the display panel like digital lightning, overriding the positive messages.
[External interference detected… system integrity compromised. Access escalating.]
A sharp, searing jolt of pain struck her temples, a brief but blinding digital migraine. She stumbled slightly, her foot catching on a crack in the pavement.
"Xiao Xi? Are you alright?" Gu Yanzhou's arm instantly wrapped fully around her waist, steadying her, his concern immediate and unfiltered.
"I'm fine," she lied, forcing a weak smile that she hoped covered the frantic terror in her eyes.
But she knew she wasn't fine.
The System was under attack, and the hacker was closing in.