Chapter 159: The Decision

Shi Ji suddenly felt like he was about to break down. After everything he had gone through, big and small, and spending more than a year at the Star Hero Academy, having visited the Star Alliance several times, this was the first time he’d ever heard that heroes actually received a salary.

In his mind, heroes were simply symbols of justice, admired and revered, gaining a sense of superiority and attention. 

But a salary? How was it that heroes also earned a paycheck?

Lin Xinyan, Xing Yuxiu, and Chi Yang all stared at Shi Ji, looking both surprised and confused.

Lin Xinyan knew all too well about Shi Ji’s financial situation. She had previously encouraged him multiple times to become a professional hero, hoping it would help alleviate his financial troubles. But her efforts hadn’t worked. Every time, Shi Ji refused.

“Shi Ji, are you okay?” Lin Xinyan asked, seeing the utterly defeated look on his face.

Shi Ji shook his head, looking at Lin Xinyan, his expression nearly on the verge of tears. He finally realized that one of the reasons Lin Xinyan had been so persistent in urging him to become a professional hero was to help him financially. But, because of his own naivety, he had no idea heroes even got paid and had rejected her time and time again.

At that moment, Shi Ji suddenly made an unexpected and bold move. He looked at Lin Xinyan, opened his arms wide, and lunged forward, catching her off guard and pulling her into a tight hug.

“Ah~~~ Xinyan, I’m so sorry. It turns out that when you insisted I become a hero, it was also because of this. I’m really, really sorry!” Shi Ji’s voice trembled, sounding almost as if he was about to cry.

Lin Xinyan’s eyes widened, her heartbeat quickening. Aside from family, this was the first time someone had hugged her like this. 

While she and Shi Ji were very close, they were still just friends, and normally she would feel some resistance because of the difference between men and women. But this time, it was different. She found the sensation unfamiliar yet comforting, and she didn’t resist at all.

Xing Yuxiu and Chi Yang were utterly stunned. 

Shi Ji was hugging the campus beauty of Yinshuang Academy, the very girl worshiped by so many male students.

Xing Yuxiu’s eyes bulged, his glasses slipping down his nose as his mouth hung open, unable to form any words.

After what felt like a long time, Shi Ji finally released Lin Xinyan. He acted as if nothing had happened. His face wasn’t red, and his heart wasn’t racing. But Lin Xinyan, on the other hand, was blushing deeply, her face flushed with a visible pink hue. She lowered her head, feeling shy and not daring to look at Shi Ji.

Shi Ji’s mood had calmed considerably, and the bewildered expression he had earlier was gone, replaced by his usual demeanor. However, if you looked closely, there was something slightly different about him now.

Seeing Xing Yuxiu and Chi Yang still staring at him, Shi Ji grinned and scratched the back of his head. 

“What’s with you two? Why are you looking at me like that?”

Xing Yuxiu walked up and punched Shi Ji lightly in the chest. 

“Damn, right in front of us, you shamelessly took advantage of Lin Xinyan. That’s something else, man.”

Chi Yang didn’t say a word but just stood there chuckling to himself.

Only after Xing Yuxiu said this did Shi Ji turn his gaze to the still-blushing Lin Xinyan. Realizing his earlier actions, he acknowledged it had been a bit reckless.

“Um… Xinyan, sorry about earlier. I got a little too emotional and couldn’t hold back. Don’t take it the wrong way.”

Still not meeting Shi Ji’s eyes, Lin Xinyan shook her head gently. “It’s okay, I understand.”

That night, Shi Ji made a firm and resolute decision.