Immediately, after watching the Konohagakure sisters leave, Gu Cheng turned back to face Mizuki Mai, making a "please" gesture. He said calmly, "Mizuki-san, please."
Mizuki Mai stood aside, her expression a little awkward.
She hesitated, but ultimately decided to respect Gu Cheng's decision.
"Mr. Gu Cheng... I will relay your message to the Association's higher-ups," Mizuki Mai said softly.
Gu Cheng merely nodded faintly in response, not making any promises.
Seeing this, Mizuki Mai knew that she could not continue to persuade him, so she stopped talking and turned towards the other sedan.
Gu Cheng watched her get into the backseat of the car.
The black sedan slowly drove away, eventually disappearing into the night, leaving only two red taillights fading into the darkness.
Seeing this, Gu Cheng retracted his gaze, closed the door, and returned to the villa.
…
Until the next afternoon.
In a restaurant in Z-City.
Gu Cheng sat by the window, looking at the time. His "24-hour skill acquisition" cheat was about to activate in fifteen minutes.
So, Gu Cheng glanced at the sign and said to the owner, "Boss, give me a bowl of sea cucumber stir-fried noodles."
"Coming right up, sir. Please wait a moment."
The boss replied, turned around and went to prepare the order.
Gu Cheng idly flipped through his phone, browsing the news.
As expected.
The "Dragon-Level Monster attack on Z-City" incident from yesterday.
Unsurprisingly, it had made headlines on major media outlets, becoming a hot topic of discussion today.
Various news headlines continued to scroll past Gu Cheng.
However.
Gu Cheng only casually glanced at the headlines, and lost interest.
After all, the content of these news reports.
Mostly consisted of speculation, exaggeration, and even malicious conjecture. They were of no use as reference material.
However, the online discussion regarding his identity caught Gu Cheng's attention.
"The Guardian of Z-City!"
"The Youngest S-Class Hero in History!"
"Superpowered Boy!"
…
All sorts of positive titles were being bestowed upon him by netizens.
Gu Cheng was quite surprised by this.
After all, he hadn't expected.
That those "big shots" would act so quickly.
It hadn't even been a day.
They were already starting to control the public opinion, trying to shape him into a positive figure.
Furthermore.
It wasn't just about trying to mold him into a positive figure.
Online discussions about his true identity were completely absent.
Basically, any post attempting to reveal his true identity was deleted immediately.
Even some media outlets were banned for publishing speculation about his identity.
Seeing this, Gu Cheng couldn't help but squint slightly, a cold smile appearing on his face.
It seemed that these "big shots" weren't just some empty vessels.
Not only were they quite skilled in "public opinion control."
They also managed to make his identity very obvious.
After much thought.
Gu Cheng realized that only the "big shots" truly at the top of society could easily achieve this.
"Quite interesting. It seems things... are more interesting than I thought."
Gu Cheng put his phone back in his pocket, thinking to himself.
He originally thought that those "big shots" would choose to directly recruit him.
After all, with the resources and means they had at their disposal, it shouldn't be difficult to investigate his identity.
However, they didn't do that.
Instead, they chose to take the initiative, using "public opinion control" to shape him into a positive image.
They attempted to use this gentle approach to win him over.
It had to be said that these "big shots" were quite clever.
On the one hand, they could avoid direct contact early on, preventing him from becoming dissatisfied.
On the other hand, they could use this as an opportunity to test his attitude.
After all, if he felt puffed up with vanity after seeing these positive reports.
He would already be trapped in the scheme laid out by these "big shots."
"Such... cunning planning."
Gu Cheng looked out the window, a hint of amusement flashing in his eyes.
"This move is a two-for-one, offensive and defensive."
"To advance, they can use public opinion to roast me over a slow fire."
"To retreat, they can use this opportunity to observe my reaction and then make plans."
"They're being cautious to a fault."
Just as Gu Cheng was deep in thought.
A rich aroma wafted over with steam from the side.
"Your sea cucumber stir-fried noodles, enjoy."
A gentle voice sounded, and Gu Cheng subconsciously raised his head.
He saw not the boss's rugged face.
But a young girl, dressed in a waiter's uniform, with delicate features and a petite figure.
The girl had short, neatly cut orange hair, and beneath a neat fringe, a pair of clear blue eyes looked at him with a hint of unease.
A faint blush appeared on her fair cheeks, like a peach blossom in spring, delicate and alluring.
"Osafune-san?"
Gu Cheng recognized the girl immediately.
She was his classmate from the next class at Sōbu High - Osafune Riku.
"Gu... Gu Cheng-kun?!"
Osafune Riku obviously hadn't expected to run into Gu Cheng at her own restaurant.
Having long been accustomed to acting as the shop's mascot, her hand holding the tray trembled, almost spilling the steaming bowl of sea cucumber stir-fried noodles.
Fortunately, Gu Cheng was quick-witted and caught the tray with a swift move.
"Ah! Th... thank you!"
Osafune Riku was still in shock, patting her chest, her face flushed with shame. She wished she could just disappear into the floor.
Seeing her flustered look, Gu Cheng couldn't help but smile helplessly:
"Are you alright?"
"Osafune-san, don't be so nervous."
"I... I'm fine..."
Osafune Riku mumbled, her head lowered.
As she spoke, she secretly lifted her head, using her peripheral vision to examine Gu Cheng, her heart filled with curiosity and a hint of indescribable nervousness.
After all, she had been at school yesterday, and witnessed with her own eyes how Gu Cheng had split a "Dragon-Level Monster's" massive body in two.
Before that, Osafune Riku had simply regarded Gu Cheng as an ordinary classmate.
She knew he was a good student and handsome, but her family ran a restaurant.
She was used to seeing all sorts of people, so she didn't pay too much attention to these things.
But.
After witnessing Gu Cheng's strength yesterday.
Osafune Riku's view of him had completely changed.
Now, she was seeing Gu Cheng again in her family's restaurant.
And he knew her name.
This made her wonder if she was dreaming.
"Could it be... that I'm dreaming?"
Thinking about this, Osafune Riku couldn't help but reach out and gently pinch her cheek.
"Ouch - it hurts!"
The real sensation told Osafune Riku that this wasn't a dream.
But why did it feel so unreal, like a dream?!
"Osafune-san?"
Just as Osafune Riku was lost in thought.
Gu Cheng's voice pulled her back to reality.
"Ah! So... sorry!"
Osafune Riku realized that she had been staring at Gu Cheng blankly. She quickly lowered her head, her face turning crimson, wishing she could disappear into the floor.
She stammered, "Th... that... that is… your sea cucumber stir-fried noodles..."
"Thank you."
Gu Cheng didn't pay attention to Osafune Riku's flustered state, just smiling faintly.
He took the tray from Osafune Riku, offering a word of thanks.
"No... no problem!" Osafune Riku replied nervously.
The next second.
As if realizing that she was standing there in the way, Osafune Riku ran back to the counter, as if fleeing.
However, Osafune Riku seemed to suddenly remember something, and came back to Gu Cheng, stammering:
"Th... that's right, Gu Cheng-kun, th... that is..."
"Hmm? What is it?"
Gu Cheng looked up, puzzled, wondering what she wanted to say.
"Th... that is... it's like this..."
Osafune Riku lowered her head, anxiously twisting her fingers. It was as if she had summoned all her courage to finally look up at Gu Cheng, mustering her courage to say, "Gu Cheng-kun, thank you for saving me yesterday!"
Having said that, Osafune Riku bowed deeply.
Seeing this, Gu Cheng remembered that she might have been near the scene of the incident yesterday.
He guessed that yesterday's events must have left a significant psychological impact on her.
Thinking this, Gu Cheng shook his head slightly, his tone calm as he said, "Don't mention it. It was nothing."
"So don't worry about it."
"The important thing is that you guys weren't hurt."
Hearing Gu Cheng's words, Osafune Riku was stunned, then realized that she had overreacted. She immediately lowered her head, feeling embarrassed.
"Th... then... well, I have something to do, so I'll go now."
"Gu Cheng-kun, please eat slowly, don't rush."
Watching Osafune Riku scurry back to the counter, Gu Cheng smiled helplessly, shaking his head.
"That child..."
Gu Cheng lowered his head, looking at the sea cucumber stir-fried noodles in his hand, pondering to himself.
"But, she's quite cute."
Thinking this, Gu Cheng couldn't help but pick up his chopsticks, pick up a piece of sea cucumber, and gently put it in his mouth.
The sea cucumber was tender and smooth, with a delicious flavor, paired with the stir-fried noodles, making his appetite soar.
However.
Just as Gu Cheng was savoring the delicious food.
He suddenly felt a pair of eyes staring at him.
Gu Cheng looked up.
He found that it was still Osafune Riku standing behind the counter...