The kings Avater

While the exhilarating match kept the nation glued to their screens, Stacy Li was at the grand family event she had mentioned. The gathering, hosted by her wealthy extended family, was nothing short of luxurious. Lavish decorations adorned the expansive venue, chandeliers sparkled overhead, and soft classical music filled the air. Guests dressed in designer attire mingled, their conversations revolving around business ventures, luxury vacations, and affluent lifestyles.

Despite the opulence, Stacy couldn't help but feel out of place. Her immediate family—her parents and younger sister—weren't as well-off as the rest of the clan. Though they were far from poor, their wealth didn't compare to the fortunes of their extended relatives. As a result, they often felt a subtle pressure to keep up appearances, a challenge that sometimes bordered on intimidation.

Stacy, however, carried herself with grace. She wore a stunning evening gown that perfectly complemented her toned figure, a reflection of her career as a model. Her confidence and beauty drew occasional glances of admiration, yet inside, she felt restless. Holding a glass of wine in one hand, she moved through the crowd, engaging in polite small talk with relatives she only saw once every decade.

The event was meant to be a reunion, a time for catching up and strengthening family bonds, but Stacy found it more exhausting than enjoyable.

As she wandered through the crowd, nodding politely and exchanging pleasantries, her thoughts drifted to Ye Qiu. He had promised to attend the event, and she couldn't help but glance toward the entrance every few minutes, hoping to see him walk in. She imagined the moment: introducing him to her relatives, proudly telling them he was her boyfriend.

Not that Ye Qiu looked like the type to impress her family. Stacy knew he wasn't the most polished man. He didn't care about fashion, and his pale skin and casual style made him seem far removed from the world of opulence around her. But Stacy didn't mind. What mattered to her was that Ye Qiu was kind, funny, and always genuine.

Still, she underestimated him in more ways than one. Stacy knew Ye Qiu loved playing games—it was something he did often, to the point of obsession—but she had no idea how deep his passion ran or how skilled he truly was. To her, it was just a hobby, maybe even a distraction. She'd sometimes tease him about spending too much time on his computer, wondering aloud if he could ever turn his "gaming" into something productive.

As for his wealth, Stacy had only a vague idea. Ye Qiu had once mentioned working as an online freelancer, and she assumed he made enough to live comfortably but not extravagantly. After all, he didn't flaunt his money, and his modest lifestyle gave no indication of the substantial fortune he actually possessed.

Now, as she stood near the edge of the party, she sighed softly, glancing at her phone. There was no message from him, no call to say he was on his way. Her fingers fidgeted with her glass as she tried to ignore the nagging questions from her cousins. "When are you introducing your boyfriend, Stacy?" "Do you even have a boyfriend yet?" "What does he do?"

Her cousins, all dressed in designer gowns, wasted no opportunity to flaunt their lives. They bragged about their wealthy boyfriends, luxurious vacations, and glittering jewelry. Stacy, who usually had no trouble staying composed, felt a flicker of frustration.

She wanted Ye Qiu to be here—not just to prove a point but to have someone by her side who made her feel grounded. He might not look like the stereotypical rich boyfriend her cousins would gush over, but Stacy knew he was more than capable of holding his own. If only he'd show up.

As the night dragged on, Stacy tried to shake off her impatience. She couldn't help but feel a little disappointed. Still, she reminded herself that Ye Qiu wasn't one to fit neatly into anyone's expectations—not hers, not her family's, and certainly not society's.But then she couldnt stop thinking of him.Ye Qiu was tall and handsome, but his looks weren't the exaggerated kind that immediately turned heads. Instead, his charm lay in his natural, understated appearance. His pale skin, a result of his indoor lifestyle, gave him a distinct and unique look that Stacy secretly found endearing, though she would never admit it outright.

Still, his lack of attention to grooming could be frustrating. His messy hair and casual attire didn't exactly scream "model boyfriend material," and she couldn't imagine how her image-obsessed family might react. Yet, Stacy didn't care.