Chapter 161: The Misfit
Chapter 161: The Misfit
The convoy quickly arrived at the Imperial Capital International Hotel.
Today, all the key members of the strategy team followed the convoy to the Imperial Capital International Hotel to participate in Gu Yi's award ceremony.
The strategy team and the hotel's Public Security were responsible for the security of the event. Even Ah Jian, who had just recovered from a serious illness, followed the team with his plaster.
This was the first time Gu Yi wore a suit in his life, and no matter where he went, he kept loosening his tie.
Qu Kangping, the leader of the strategy team, despite not liking social occasions, still smiled and shook hands with leaders at all levels.
Gu Yi, extremely socially anxious, had to follow behind Ah Jian, pushing the wheelchair. His gaze constantly swept through the crowd, as he had to find the mastermind hidden among them.
"Brother Ah Jian."
"What's up?"
"When will the ceremony end?"
"It hasn't even started yet, and you're thinking about it ending already?"
"No, it's just that this suit is too uncomfortable." Gu Yi said after a moment of silence, "It's chafing, really uncomfortable."
Hearing this, Ah Jian rolled his eyes.
At this moment, Qu Kangping approached Gu Yi with a middle-aged man. Gu Yi quickly lowered his head to pretend not to see.
"This is Gu Yi."
"Oh, a hero from the youth. You look more handsome than in the videos, but why are you in a wheelchair? Are you injured?"
"Uh... President." Ah Jian awkwardly said, "I'm not Gu Yi, the person behind me is Gu Yi."
President Wang He raised his head and looked toward Gu Yi.
Gu Yi, feeling the awkwardness of the situation and unable to avoid it, finally lifted his head. He strained to pull the corners of his mouth into a simple smile.
"Hello, Mr. President..."
"No need to be so formal," Wang He extended his hand. "You are the people's hero."
"Ah, really."
Qu Kangping approached Gu Yi and whispered frustratedly, "Idiot, shake his hand."
Gu Yi extended his right hand.
"Dummy, use both hands."
Gu Yi then extended his left hand too.
Wang He laughed heartily and also extended both his hands to shake Gu Yi's. "I told you, there's no need to be so tense."
"Hehe, I'm not nervous, really not nervous."
"Okay, good kid."
Gu Yi withdrew his hands, pondering where to place them, and finally rested them on the armrest of Ah Jian's wheelchair.
"It must be tough for you?"
"Not tough."
"Hmm, you're a good kid," Wang He said with narrowed eyes. "I heard your family is still recuperating?"
"They slept too long in the Scranton Stability Anchor and are a bit mentally fatigued, but they should recover soon."
"That's good. Do you have any wishes?"
"Wishes?" Gu Yi paused. "To make the weird world disappear?"
Everyone laughed at this, except Gu Yi, who didn't understand what was amusing.
Wang He stroked his chin, smiling. "That's a wish for all humanity. What I meant was, what can I do for you?"
"Lower the housing prices."
"Uh... Let's talk about defeating the weird world instead."
Everyone laughed even harder.
More and more leaders approached, some whose names Gu Yi knew, and others he didn't. In such a serious setting, Gu Yi felt even more pressured. He would rather face three more challenges in the weird world than interact with these people.
"Excuse me, I need to use the restroom."
Gu Yi touched his head and excused himself under the pretext of needing to urinate.
The restroom was right next to the hall.
Entering the restroom, Gu Yi opened a stall, took off his pants, and adjusted the position of his underwear and trouser crotch.
"This tailor's skills are really terrible."
He had been feeling uncomfortable all morning. There were too many people earlier, and it wasn't appropriate for Gu Yi to adjust himself. Only now did he manage to get comfortable. Sitting on the toilet, he carefully pondered and recalled the appearances of all the guests, trying to find the one who stood out the least.
Thinking it over, it seemed like he was the one who didn't fit in.
The sound of running water came from outside.
Since Gu Yi had entered the stall, the sound of water hadn't stopped. He wondered who had forgotten to turn off the tap after washing their hands.
He opened the stall door to look.
A man of average height stood by the sink, incessantly washing his hands. The foam had filled the entire basin, and it was only when his fingertips were washed raw that he stopped.
The man took out seven or eight tissues, repeatedly wiping his palms until he had used up the last few.
Mysophobia.
And a particularly severe case at that.
Gu Yi didn't think twice before labeling the man.
The man walked to the bathroom door, hands in his pockets, refusing to touch the doorknob. Instead, he turned back to glance at Gu Yi.
Gu Yi pursed his lips, casually flushed the toilet, and walked over.
Once Gu Yi opened the bathroom door, the man followed him out.
"Thanks."
The man left these words and walked away.
Gu Yi watched the man's retreating figure, silently following behind him.
The man looked back at Gu Yi. Dropping his pretense, Gu Yi walked up beside the man, "Hello, I'm Gu Yi."
"Yes, I know you," the man smiled. "My name is Love."
Love's accent was very strange.
"You're not from Dragon Country?"
"I'm mixed. My mom is from Dragon Country, and my dad is from Lighthouse Country."
Hearing this, Gu Yi noticed for the first time that the man's eyes were brown, and his hair was somewhat curly. But his face and figure were indistinguishable from a Dragon Country native.
"It seems your mother's genes are stronger. I wouldn't have realized you had foreign ancestry if you hadn't told me."
"Hehe, thank you."
"What are you doing here?"
"What else?" Love said. "I came to attend your award ceremony."
"Oh."
After speaking, Love nodded in farewell and returned to his family.
Gu Yi touched his chin, thinking that this guy seemed even more socially anxious than himself.
"Gu Yi, there you are!" Qu Kangping jogged over. "Where did you go just now?"
"Didn't I say I was going to the restroom?"
"Come quickly."
Qu Kangping led Gu Yi to the grand hall of the hotel, surrounded by famous and unnamed tycoons and world dignitaries.
The Imperial Capital International Hotel is a landmark building in Dragon Country and the only hotel designated for hosting foreign guests.
The building is 117 meters tall, with 40 floors.
Today's award ceremony for Gu Yi was being held in the auditorium on the top floor.
Gu Yi looked around, feeling uneasy. A sense of foreboding once again surged in his heart.
"Now, please welcome our hero of humanity, Gu Yi, to the stage."
The host walked onto the stage, holding a microphone, calling out Gu Yi's name with a smile.
Then came thunderous applause.
Despite his reluctance, Gu Yi had to go on stage.
The host handed the microphone to Gu Yi, "Hero, do you have anything you'd like to say to everyone?"
Looking at the sea of people below, he felt his palms sweat and his throat tighten, struggling to speak.
"Um... I..."
Suddenly, a man stood up from the audience. He pulled out a handgun from his pocket and, without hesitation, pulled the trigger.
Bang!
A gunshot rang out.
Gu Yi didn't feel anything at first, not until two seconds later when a warm sensation spread across his chest.
Then, intense pain followed.
Blood instantly soaked his white shirt. Gu Yi coughed twice, his legs gave out, and he collapsed to the ground.
Before his eyes...
Everything was a blur of red.