Chapter 840: 839 Midnight New York Chapter 840: 839 Midnight New York Over the past couple of days, social dia has been collectively celebrating the Kansas City Chiefs’ victory. Following in the steps of the Seattle Seahawks, another team has earned a chance to defend their title. But the predicant the Seahawks faced after their failed title defense looms ahead, so the challenge for the Kansas City Chiefs is all too clear.
The lively discussions buzz incessantly.
However, Thalia noticed a small piece of news buried in the corners of the noise—
The Kansas City Chiefs, under Li Wei’s leadership, collectively attended the funeral of one of their fans, Annie Galas, each offering a lily to pay their respect.
It was just a tiny, inconspicuous news bit, quickly lost amid the controversies of the Conference Championship and the wave of hype for the Super Bowl.
But Thalia rembered a detail.
During the Arican League Championship, Li Wei dedicated his first touchdown to Annie, even having her na taped onto his cleats.
She knew this fan must have held special significance for Li Wei and for the Kansas City Chiefs. And yet, this fan had passed away far too young.
Eleven years old. So young, not even old enough to see her spring bloom before withering too soon.
Thalia didn’t know how to describe her own feelings—a mixture of lant and sorrow, a faint bitterness spreading on her tongue. Turning her gaze back to the city streets, the bustling and vibrant scenery suddenly felt different.
In one mont, she couldn’t help but wonder, what must Li Wei be feeling?
Until tonight.
Thalia finally saw Li Wei with her own eyes—the Li Wei who had seemingly disappeared from the public eye ever since the end of the Conference Championship.
He looked… thinner.
Not in the literal sense, but sothing leaner, more subdued, with a quiet gentleness in his gaze and smile. He seed more reserved, more inward.
People often think of grief as tears, as though weeping uncontrollably is the only proof of deep wounds.
But actually, everyone processes grief differently. The cold indifference and detachnt of a shattered heart can sotis be even more painful than tears, because so sadness cannot be expressed, not even with a soundless cry.
Thalia closely studied the face before her. Even though it was partially obscured by a baseball cap, she could still recognize his eyes.
“Number 23?” Thalia held up the card in her hand, a sly glimr flickering in her eyes. “So, do you want to guess, or not guess? You know, there are an overwhelming number of players who’ve worn 23. But the greatest Number 23 in history must be…”
She paused. “Michael Jordan, right?”
Thalia did it on purpose.
Li Wei looked at the playful girl in front of him. His eyes couldn’t help but reveal a faint smile. “Yet you still guessed correctly on your first try. I’m guessing either Michael Jordan isn’t interested in Broadway for now, or soone might have started watching Kansas City Chiefs gas over the past year.”
A quick counter.
Thalia froze for a mont before realizing she’d given herself away. Still, she wasn’t embarrassed, nodding openly, “Yes, I’ve started watching football.”
“After all, when you happen to know a superstar, it’s hard not to glance at the screen when everyone else is watching football. And then, of course, you brag about it to other fans, like, ‘Hey, guess what? I once served that guy coffee. Honestly, he’s not that special.'”
She rambled on, her expression full of fake disdain.
Li Wei’s smile blood wide in response.
Thalia was quite satisfied with her coback, but she wasn’t finished yet. “So, what about you? Why are you here? And why the flowers?”
Li Wei responded casually, “What if I said I was just passing by, saw the poster at the entrance, noticed a familiar face, and decided to show so support? I didn’t even watch the play. Would you believe ?”
Thalia: …
“I do.” With crisp certainty, Thalia nodded. “After all, our show has practically zero promotion. If you knew about it, that would be strange. I’d almost suspect you’ve been silently stalking my social dia and scrolling through my daily updates. But clearly, that’s not your style.”
Li Wei raised an eyebrow lightly. “Such confidence? Didn’t your mother teach you never to trust strangers so easily, especially those suave and polished ones?”
Thalia flashed a dazzling smile, her upturned lips igniting the night as though fireworks were bursting in the background. “So, should I be cautious? Should I call the cops now, dear Number 23?”
For once, under the bold and open gaze of Thalia, Li Wei averted his eyes. But he still confessed, “Yes, you should. I think I should head back now.”
Thalia noticed Li Wei’s hesitation, his careful attempt to conceal the wound in his heart. She quickly offered a warm smile. “Going ho already? No way. Don’t you know New York’s nightlife is just getting started? People are used to this city’s dayti, but it’s at midnight that New York is truly captivating.”
“I bet you haven’t truly seen this city’s charm either.”
As she spoke, Thalia began stepping back, raising her voice at Li Wei.
Li Wei glanced around, a hint of worry in his tone. “It’s so late. Where are you planning to go?”
Thalia’s voice drifted in the wind, “An adventure. What do you say? Wanna join ?”
Li Wei: ???
Just now, Li Wei had told nothing but the truth.
Today, Li Wei had flown from Kansas City to New York to reunite with his family and enjoy so simple pleasures. But even then, he’d ended up busying himself in the restaurant all day, especially for the guests who’d co specifically because of him. Li Yi and Jiang Yin always went all out to greet them with twice the usual enthusiasm, and Li Wei felt he should contribute as well.
Still, after a full day of work, the clamor inside his mind wouldn’t settle down, like countless dissonant noises roaring against his eardrums.
So, Li Wei had left the apartnt and planned to take a walk through Central Park.
By chance, he noticed the poster outside a theater, stirring a mory. Li Wei thought of the young woman he’d coincidentally t last year. Out of a small sense of camaraderie, he decided to show his support.
Now, however, watching Thalia’s lively and energetic spirit, Li Wei instinctively wanted to turn and flee.
A primal reaction.
Fresh from the sting of grief and subconsciously afraid of getting close to life’s bright vibrancy, as though avoiding a devil, all he wanted was to escape.
His footsteps froze in place. Li Wei wanted to call out to Thalia, to tell her he wouldn’t be joining her for the adventure.
Thalia turned, glancing back at the frozen-in-place Li Wei. She bead a dazzling smile and waved enthusiastically, “Co on!”
As she shouted, she walked backward, her arms swinging, trying to draw Li Wei’s attention, not caring whether she drew the attention of others.
The New York night, flickering and flashing, its dazzling neon lights like fallen stars scattered across the sky, slowly, slowly all faded into the background. In the brilliance of that bold, blooming smile, everything else paled in comparison.
Li Wei glanced at the direction of the street. He wanted to tell Thalia: You’re heading the wrong way. He had planned to go north, toward Central Park, while Thalia was heading south.
This was, quite literally, heading in opposite directions.
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