By the time they arrived at the hotel, it was already late at night. After a few words from the team leader, everyone was dismissed to rest.

At that moment, Shi Xing felt a tap on her back. She instinctively turned and saw Ji Yu standing before her, having made his way through the crowd.

The surrounding crowd was bustling and noisy, but in that corner, the two of them seemed to exist in a bubble of calm. Shi Xing looked up and locked eyes with him.

After a brief pause, she softly said:
“Good luck!”

Ji Yu’s eyes narrowed slightly, the corner of his mouth curling into a faint smile as he murmured:
“That’s it?”

Shi Xing lifted her chin, voice playful, mimicking his usual tone:
“What else do you want me to say?”

“At least winning should come with a reward, right?” His casual tone deepened slightly, carried by the evening breeze.

Shi Xing’s small dimples appeared as she tiptoed to plant a quick kiss on his cheek before dashing away, whispering over her shoulder:
“Do your best tomorrow!”

Ji Yu watched her retreating figure thoughtfully, a subtle smile playing on his lips.

By now, the rain had mostly stopped, the night descending, and distant buildings lit up, their glow filtering through the mist. Ji Yu quietly withdrew, striding inside.

The night before a major competition was never peaceful.

The next morning, Shi Xing was woken early by her colleagues to prepare for pre-competition tasks. As she stepped out of her room, a wave of athletes in red uniforms passed by.

Among them were unfamiliar faces, yet she scanned the crowd, hoping to spot someone she knew.

Sure enough, she heard Xie He calling and turned to see Ji Yu standing beside him.

He wore a white shirt, holding his jacket casually, eyes dark, casually observing the surroundings.

When he slightly lifted his gaze, their eyes met—a brief, wordless connection.

Ji Yu had intended to come find her, but the coach called him away. Shi Xing, meanwhile, was assigned to work further back by Yu Jing.

By evening, she was finally free to meet Ying Xiaoxiao. Together, they headed to the Seine to watch the opening ceremony.

Bathed in the sunset, the Seine glittered like a golden ribbon winding through the city. Crowds pressed around them, but an invisible pull drew them forward. Cheers erupted around them.

Shi Xing glanced curiously around while Ying Xiaoxiao, excited, nudged her shoulder and pointed ahead:
“They’re coming out! They’re coming out!”

Looking where her friend pointed, Shi Xing saw the boats carrying the athletes slowly approaching. The riverbanks were packed with cheering spectators, flags waving. Ying Xiaoxiao commented enthusiastically:
“This one’s handsome, but unfamiliar.”
“That one’s good too, but the beard’s ugly.”
“This one’s my type.”

Shi Xing, however, was focused elsewhere—searching desperately for Ji Yu. Her view was blocked repeatedly by taller spectators.

Only when Ying Xiaoxiao called her several times did Shi Xing finally respond.
“What are you looking at? I’ve called you so many times,” her friend said, curious.

Embarrassed, Shi Xing deflected:
“Are they about to enter the stadium?”

Before Ying Xiaoxiao could answer, the announcer’s voice boomed, and the crowd erupted. Shi Xing leaned forward, the evening’s energy growing, and even caught snippets of familiar Chinese voices.

She finally spotted Ji Yu, standing quietly but exuding a presence that made him the most striking figure among the athletes.

As the boat drew near, Ji Yu’s gaze met hers across the crowd. In that instant, both smiled knowingly.

When the boats passed, the official opening ceremony began. Ying Xiaoxiao pulled Shi Xing closer to the giant screen. The French flair of the performance was surprising, offering plenty of unexpected visual moments.

During the eighth act, a drag queen on the Debilly pedestrian bridge caused international broadcasts to pause momentarily, seemingly coordinated.

Shi Xing frowned. She speculated that the director drew inspiration from Jan van Bijlert’s paintings and Le Festin des Dieux. The final act even resembled Da Vinci’s Last Supper. But the abstract nature of the show might spark online controversy.

She sighed, sensing that this Olympics might not go smoothly.

Ying Xiaoxiao, however, was thrilled:
“These foreigners really know how to put on a show!”

Shi Xing shrugged:
“Not sure how the domestic broadcast will interpret it.”

Suddenly, gilded female statues rose into the air, commanding attention. A female choir performed a medley, announcing their achievements in six languages. Each statue symbolized the pinnacle of a particular field. Light rain fell, reflecting off the rising sculptures.

Before Shi Xing could react, the lights dimmed, and the crowd quieted.

A silver-armored female knight rode a mechanical horse along the Seine. The water and rain reflected off her armor, creating sparkling ripples.

Shi Xing watched intently until Ying Xiaoxiao whispered:
“Who is that?”

“Joan of Arc,” Shi Xing replied.
“She led the French army to victory multiple times, contributing greatly to France’s liberation.”

After the show ended and the crowd dispersed, Ji Yu found her. Shi Xing suddenly felt a pang of guilt—she hadn’t taken any photos of him while engrossed in the show.

True to form, Ji Yu casually said:
“Show me the photos you took.”

Blushing, Shi Xing handed him her phone, trying to shift the topic:
“Why don’t we explore the area a bit?”

Ji Yu didn’t buy it. As he flipped through the photos, his expression darkened.

Shi Xing quickly explained herself:
“I planned to take pictures of you, but the opening ceremony impressed me so much I forgot. Plus, with so many fans, there must be plenty of photos from every angle.”

She tried to retrieve the phone to show him photos, but he dodged. Raising an eyebrow, he said:
“You didn’t have time to photograph me, so you took pictures of others?”

He held out her phone. Shi Xing froze—her album was filled with countless foreign men’s photos.

Ji Yu’s gaze darkened, throat rolling as he said hoarsely:
“I just wanted you to document it for me. Photos from someone else’s phone aren’t the same.”

Feeling guilty, Shi Xing hurried to explain:
“That was during the time Ying Xiaoxiao’s phone died. Tomorrow, I’ll make sure to photograph your competition properly.”

Ji Yu’s lips curved subtly. After a moment, he nodded reluctantly and added,
“Make sure to document me 24/7.”

Shi Xing, feeling at fault, agreed without complaint.

Walking along the wet street, the air was thick and humid. She already felt a thin layer of sweat forming on her neck.

A cheer erupted in the distance. Following the sound, they saw a couple surrounded by a crowd. The man knelt and proposed. The woman’s initial surprise gave way to tears, and they embraced as the crowd cheered.

Watching this, Shi Xing laughed softly, locking eyes with Ji Yu. Boldly, she blurted out:
“Did you come to Paris planning to propose to me too?”

Ji Yu froze for a moment, then composed himself, voice calm:
“Who said that?”

Shi Xing shook her head:
“I’m just guessing. Somehow, I feel like you’re keeping something from me.”

Her suspicion stemmed from a glimpse of Ying Xiaoxiao and Xie He’s conversation, where her name and the word “gift” appeared. Combined with Ji Yu’s behavior, it led to her assumption.

She had intended to tease him, but seeing his composed expression, she realized her expectations might be misplaced.

Ji Yu pursed his lips, tone casual as ever:
“Let’s head back.”

Shi Xing nodded, thinking of his competition tomorrow.

Back at the hotel, Ji Yu called her:
“Wait for me backstage after your competition tomorrow. I have something to give you.”

Her heart stirred, though her expression remained composed.

Ji Yu hesitated, then simply said,
“Good night,”
and left.

Shi Xing lay in bed, colleagues already asleep. Looking out at the moonlit, misty night, she drifted into a daydream of Ji Yu proposing to her. She couldn’t help but smile, imagining teasing him before giving her answer.

The next morning, colleagues noticed dark circles under her eyes:
“You didn’t sleep well yesterday?”

Shi Xing smiled faintly, brushing it off:
“I’m a light sleeper.”

When the competition began, she followed the coaches to the arena. Spectators were seated, the murmur of the crowd punctuating the air.

When Ji Yu’s name appeared on the big screen, Shi Xing’s heart raced uncontrollably.

If you like, I can continue translating the actual competition and the “unexpected mishap” next—it’s the most dramatic part of this chapter.

Do you want me to continue?