As they exited the supermarket, arms full of grocery bags, Tong Yao made a subtle effort to step away from the crowd of shoppers lingering nearby. She knew what was about to happen. Lu Sicheng's tall frame and recognizable face always attracted attention, and sure enough, whispers started swirling almost instantly.
"Isn't that Chessman?" one fan murmured, their eyes wide with excitement.
Tong Yao sighed inwardly, her instincts telling her to quietly slip away and avoid the inevitable spotlight. She shifted to the side, trying to make a casual retreat, but just as she was about to escape unnoticed, a voice cut through the murmurs.
"Wait! Isn't that... Yona Linghuo?"
The mention of her photography alias froze her in place. Tong Yao's entire demeanor shifted in an instant. Gone was the slight tension in her shoulders, and the flush on her cheeks from earlier embarrassment faded, replaced by a practiced and utterly charming smile. Her posture straightened as she turned to face the group of fans with an air of quiet confidence that seemed to draw their attention even more.
"It is her!" a girl exclaimed, eyes lighting up. "I used to watch your figure skating all the time! I was so sad when you quit."
Tong Yao's smile softened. "Thank you. Skating was incredible, but... I wanted to explore a world outside of the ice." Her voice was warm, a perfect balance between humble and self-assured.
Another fan, younger and clearly starstruck, quickly chimed in. "Oh! Oh! I love the photography you've been doing recently! Especially the 'White Winds' series. It's beautiful. Could I get your autograph?"
Tong Yao's heart softened at the girl's polite enthusiasm. "I don't have a pen, unfortunately..." she began, but the fan, practically bouncing with excitement, pulled out a pen from her bag.
With a light chuckle, Tong Yao took the pen and signed the girl's shirt with a flourish, twirling her playfully afterward. The girl giggled, and the little interaction was so genuine and lighthearted that it caught the attention of everyone nearby. Even those who had initially been focused on Lu Sicheng now couldn't help but be drawn to the charismatic woman by his side.
A few of Lu Sicheng's fans, who had been simpering over him moments earlier, were now watching Tong Yao with newfound interest. One of them, braver than the others, asked with a playful tone, "Are you his girlfriend?"
Still focused on signing, Tong Yao didn't look up as she responded, "No," the answer coming out so smoothly it sounded almost rehearsed.
Ever composed, Lu Sicheng stepped in to introduce her properly. "This is Tong Yao, our new mid-laner."
The fans' surprise was evident as their eyes widened, shifting between Lu Sicheng and Tong Yao. They hadn't expected the renowned Chessman to have such a vibrant new teammate, especially one who carried herself with such effortless charm.
One of the girls, still curious, asked, "It must be nice, though, right? Having all this male attention?"
Tong Yao paused slightly, the question hanging in the air. Then, with a quick wink, she turned the moment on its head. "Honestly? I appreciate the attention, but I adore my female fans so much more. It's always the girls who notice the details I care about most."
Her words were genuine, but they also carried a playful spark, making the group laugh. "I love it when women compliment me," she added, her grin growing. "I like to look good for myself—so it's always more fun when the compliments come from the girls."
The atmosphere shifted instantly. Tong Yao's confidence and easy charm pulled the focus entirely onto her, even from those who had initially only been interested in Lu Sicheng. The playful ease with which she carried herself made her even more captivating, and now, even Lu Sicheng's fans were glancing her way with admiration. He couldn't help but notice how effortlessly she commanded the attention of the crowd, amused by the way his own fans had seemingly become hers.
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Honorable Sacrifice - FIYS
أدب الهواةAi Jia didn't want his team in trouble but also didn't want to be the reason that someone else was unfairly punished so he turned to the third option. Enter Smiling the only girl that might have the guts to approach an enraged Chessman. Her sacrifi...
