Redemption from the Abyss: The School Beauty Insists on Pulling Me Out of the Mire

The auditorium was in complete chaos after the game ended.

Xie Wang didn't care much about how Shadow left.

As soon as he stepped off the stage, he was surrounded by domestic media and computer science professors from various universities.

The flashes were so bright they made it hard to open his eyes, and various recording pens were practically poking his face.

"Xie Wang, may I ask what your core strategy was in turning the tables just now?"

"Wang Shen! Are you really just a high school student? Would you be interested in coming to our research institute?"

"Regarding this overwhelming victory, what would you like to say to Chinese netizens?"

Xie Wang wasn't used to such a noisy scene. He shielded Su Qinghe behind him with one hand, blocking the crowd for her, and casually brushed aside several microphones that were almost touching his face with the other.

"Nothing special to say, just performed normally."

His tone was calm, showing little of the excitement of winning the world championship:

"If I had to say something, it would be to read more books and newspapers, and to refrain from spouting nonsense online. Excuse me, thank you."

With the help of Su family bodyguards and several on-site security personnel clearing a path, Xie Wang and Su Qinghe finally managed to squeeze out of the frenzied crowd and retreat to the relatively quiet backstage corridor.

Kang Ping was already there waiting for them, holding two opened bottles of mineral water, which he handed over.

"You did a good job, you didn't embarrass us." Kang Ping smiled, just about to chat with Xie Wang about the end of the live broadcast.

"Xie Wang, please wait a moment."

A slightly smooth voice came from around the corner of the corridor.

The three of them stopped.

A middle-aged man wearing a silver-gray suit and with his hair neatly combed walked over quickly.

He wore a seemingly friendly professional smile and held a gold-embossed business card in his hand.

"Let me introduce myself. I am the Human Resources Director of Tianlong Group. My surname is Wang."

Director Wang walked up to Xie Wang, handed him his business card with both hands, and spoke with an air of superiority:

"Mr. Xie, our CEO watched the entire competition upstairs and greatly admires your talent."

"President Gu asked me to convey that Tianlong Group's doors are always open to you. As long as you are willing to sign a letter of intent, you can name your terms: annual salary, stock options, or even an independent laboratory."

Upon hearing the words "Tianlong Group".

The air in the corridor seemed to drop in temperature instantly.

Xie Wang did not reach out to take the business card; his hands remained in his coat pockets, and his gaze darkened slightly.

Before Xie Wang could speak, Su Qinghe suddenly stepped forward and blocked Xie Wang's side.

The usually gentle and calm Su Qinghe, for the first time, had an undisguised anger in his usually cold eyes.

"Put your business card away and move aside." Su Qinghe's voice was as cold as ice.

"He won't go anywhere, and he certainly won't go to your Tianlong Group."

Director Wang was taken aback, clearly not expecting a high school girl to have such a strong presence. His smile faltered slightly: "Young lady, this is Xie's career development plan. I'm afraid you can't make that decision..."

"She can make the decisions, and what she said is exactly what I wanted to say."

Kang Ping frowned as well. He stepped forward and stood beside the two children.

Kang Ping looked at Director Wang, his tone carrying a hint of the arrogance that belonged to Tianqi:

"You think you can recruit him with this little money and resources? Go back and tell Gu Tianlong that your Tianlong Group isn't qualified or worthy."

Director Wang's expression changed completely; he was caught in a dilemma, unsure whether to retract his outstretched hand or release it.

"Alright, stop making things difficult for a mere errand runner."

Xie Wang finally spoke. He patted Su Qinghe on the shoulder to calm her down, then looked at Director Wang.

"Go back and tell your Mr. Gu that I find his money dirty."

Director Wang's face turned pale and then red, and he could only slink away.

Kang Ping looked at the calm and composed young man before him, a hint of admiration flashing in his eyes, and patted him on the shoulder with satisfaction.

"Thank you, Uncle Kang. I'm so grateful for your help with this trip to the capital," Xie Wang said sincerely.

……

A few hours later.

Beijing Capital International Airport, First Class Waiting Room.

It was already dark outside.

Outside the huge floor-to-ceiling windows, flights take off and land, and navigation lights flash.

Away from the hustle and bustle of the competition, soothing music played in the waiting room, and life seemed to have returned to its original track.

Su Qinghe leaned back in the soft sofa, gently rubbing his temples.

My emotions have been fluctuating too much today, and now that I've relaxed, the fatigue from the journey is overwhelming me.

Xie Wang walked over with two cups of hot milk, sat down next to her, and handed one of the cups to her.

"Tired? Have some hot drinks, take a nap on the plane, and you'll arrive in Jiangcheng tomorrow."

Su Qinghe, holding the warm cup, glanced at him and asked softly, "Since Gu Nan was also there backstage, why did he only send a director to probe instead of showing himself?"

"Perhaps it's because he thinks too highly of himself and feels it's not the right time for him to personally get involved." Xie Wang took a sip of milk and looked at the night sky outside the window.

Just then, Su Qinghe's phone rang; it was a video call from Lin Wanyi.

"Mom," Su Qinghe called out.

"Just finished watching the live stream, well done." Although Lin Wanyi was talking to her daughter, her admiring gaze fell on Xie Wang at the edge of the camera, her tone brimming with pride.

"Xie Wang, you've really made Auntie proud in front of the whole country today. It wasn't for nothing that we sent so many people to protect you."

"Auntie, you're too kind. It's nothing," Xie Wang said with a smile, leaning closer to the camera.

"Let me show you this." Lin Wanyi chuckled and turned her phone camera to point at the rice ball lying on the cushion next to her.

With them away for the past few days, the rice balls were naturally handed over to Lin Wanyi.

The kitten has become quite plump and is purring soundly as it sleeps.

"This little guy is so well-behaved, he doesn't make a fuss at all, and he's stayed with me for several days." Lin Wanyi reached out and rubbed the rice ball's head, her tone unusually gentle.

But then she sighed:

"However, once you all return to Jiangcheng safely tomorrow, I should also leave. I have a ton of meetings piling up at the company, and I can't keep hiding at home doing nothing all the time."

Upon hearing this, Su Qinghe's lips, which had been slightly upturned upon seeing the rice ball, drooped.

She gave a soft "hmm," revealing a hint of disappointment she couldn't hide.

She knew her mother was very busy, and it was already extremely rare for her to be able to spend so many days with her in Jiangcheng, but she still felt a little empty inside.

Xie Wang noticed her emotions and took her hand.

"Alright, get some rest in the waiting room. Old Zhong will pick you up when you land." Lin Wanyi gave the instructions swiftly and decisively before hanging up the video call.

The screen went dark, and soft music resumed playing in the waiting room.

Xie Wang was about to say something to comfort the girl next to him who was feeling down.

Just then, Xie Wang's phone, which was on the coffee table, suddenly started vibrating violently.

Xie Wang picked it up and saw the caller ID: Lu Wen.

A strange feeling inexplicably flashed through Xie Wang's mind.

He swiped to answer the call and held the phone to his ear: "Hey? What's wrong?"

"Wangzi...is it convenient for you to talk now?"