Chapter 108: Stan Sterling
Only when the fireball got closer did they realize—what the hell, was that a man on fire? And he was HOWLING as he ran!
A menacing-looking group was chasing him, their expressions fierce. It was like watching a real-life battle royale.
"Stop! Don’t run! If you run one more step, you son of a bitch, I’ll catch you and break your legs!" The sheer killing intent in the roar froze most of the customers in place.
Lily Hart watched the man on fire run into the protected zone and immediately activated the highest level of defense, sealing off entry from the outside.
The man ran a few meters inside, glancing back. Only when he saw the group blocked a few meters away did he finally slow to a stop.
The surrounding customers scattered, not wanting to get caught in the crossfire. Within moments, a clear space had formed around him, making him the center of attention.
The flames on his body gradually died down, revealing his true appearance. His short hair was a mess, the tips slightly singed.
His small face was deathly pale from running, making his rosy lips stand out. His features were delicate and beautiful—rosy lips, pearly teeth, a reddened nose—all contributing to an air of utter fragility.
Lily Hart’s breath hitched. ’The very definition of pitiable beauty...’
Outside the Protective Shield, the pursuers frantically pounded on the empty air, their faces savage, their eyes practically dripping venom.
They looked as if they wished they could manifest a pair of invisible hands, drag the man out, and teach him a harsh lesson.
"You little punk! Get out here! I’ll give you to the count of three. Come out now and I might spare your life," the leader roared, talking a big game.
If not for the barrier, he would have charged right in, making his threat much more imposing. As it was, he was all bark and no bite.
The man on fire seemed to realize this too. He stuck his tongue out at them, wiggling his eyebrows provocatively, completely lacking the panic of someone who had just been hunted down.
Lily Hart sighed and put a hand to her forehead. ’Is he a beautiful idiot? You just escaped with your life, and you’re already provoking them?’
’Why does that just make him more endearing...’
Just as she was thinking this, the man turned around and smiled at her, revealing a set of perfectly straight, white teeth that complemented his crescent-shaped eyes.
Lily Hart was smitten. ’Is this what they call a sweet boy? He’s too sweet, I can’t take it. His idiocy is forgiven.’
"You son of a bitch, get out here if you have the guts! Get out here!" they continued to roar, launching attacks that were completely ineffective.
The man on fire watched them for a while. Once he confirmed they really couldn’t get in, he relaxed and trotted happily over to Lily Hart.
Lily Hart was inside her RV, situated on higher ground. The man, his hair still slightly singed, looked up at her and smiled.
His eyes curved into crescents, his lips were red and his teeth white. His small face seemed to glow, and the corners of his eyes were still a little red, as if he’d been bullied relentlessly.
"Thank you for saving me," the man said with sincere gratitude, a smile never leaving his face.
Lily Hart smiled back and shook her head slightly. "It’s nothing." Looking at his immaculately clean face, a flicker of doubt crossed her mind.
"You must be Boss Hart!" the leader outside suddenly called out.
Lily Hart had no desire to respond. She wasn’t about to be friendly to someone who bullied a beautiful idiot.
The leader continued, "I’ll trouble Boss Hart to hand him over. I’m willing to pay in Crystal Cores."
Now *that* got Lily Hart’s attention. She toyed with her fingers nonchalantly. "How many Crystal Cores?"
Seeing an opening, he did a quick mental calculation and said with great confidence, "One hundred Crystal Cores! This little punk is only worth a hundred!"
"Oh? One hundred Level 5 ones?" Lily Hart’s voice rose at the end. She gave them a cool glance that sent a mysterious chill down their spines.
"No, not... Level 1..." he suddenly stammered, his confidence wavering.
Lily Hart frowned slightly, her tone dripping with disdain. "You think I’m short on chump change?"
"No, that’s not it! It’s just that the punk is only worth that much..." he explained frantically.
Anyone with a Light Brain knew Boss Hart’s name. Who would dare to cross her?
If you got on Boss Hart’s bad side, you could forget about buying scratch-off tickets, shopping at her convenience store, or checking into her hotel.
She’d blacklist you completely, and you’d be scorned by everyone in Cathaya.
There was even a saying going around: You can have a problem with Crystal Cores, but you can’t have a problem with Lily Hart!
"Frost Shaw," Lily Hart called out softly. Her voice was so quiet that even the customers nearby barely heard what she said.
But in the next second, Frost Shaw’s figure appeared to teleport, rushing toward the group outside the Protective Shield.
A left hook, a right hook, and he froze them all solid before tossing them a hundred meters away.
Lily Hart’s lips curled into a smirk. ’Nice one. A beautiful job. Didn’t make me lose face.’
"WOAH—" Cheers erupted from the crowd as they looked at Frost Shaw with adoration.
But the person in question simply dusted off his clothes and left, like a peerless master who accomplishes great deeds without seeking fame or recognition.
After dealing with them, Frost Shaw turned around. His gaze immediately found Lily Hart. Seeing her boss’s satisfied smile made him happy too, and he returned to the convenience store, trying his best to look composed.
As soon as he got back to the store, he was met with Roman Rowe’s teasing. "You’re screwed! You’re so done for!"
Frost Shaw was confused. "?"
Then, Roman Rowe slung an arm over his shoulder. The two of them huddled conspiratorially outside the convenience store entrance, peering in Lily Hart’s direction.
"Look! That guy!" Roman Rowe pointed at the man who was on fire, though the flames were gone now.
"I see him. What about it?" Frost Shaw didn’t understand.
Roman Rowe was exasperated. "Where’s that sharp intuition you always had with me?"
’If he wasn’t a First Rank higher than me, and I couldn’t beat him in a fight, I’d crack open his head to see what’s inside!’
A sudden flash of realization struck Frost Shaw. He looked at Roman Rowe and stammered, "You mean... him... ah?" His world was collapsing.
’So I just dealt with trouble for my love rival...’
Meanwhile, the man who was on fire was still thanking Boss Hart. "You’re that super famous Boss Hart from the internet, right? Thank you so, so much!"
Lily Hart nodded and smiled. ’I’m suddenly beginning to understand how people feel when they see a sweet, sheltered girl who doesn’t know the ways of the world...’
"My name is Stan Sterling," he introduced himself, his eyes seeming to hold the stars as he gazed at Lily Hart.
Lily Hart tilted her head slightly. Her greatest weakness had always been attractive people looking at her with their beautiful eyes.
She just couldn’t help it. She’d give her life for them—but not her money. That was her *real* life.
"Who were those people?" Lily Hart asked, curious.
Frost Shaw and Roman Rowe had snuck over at some point and were listening in from the side, completely unnoticed by Lily Hart.
At her question, Stan Sterling’s eyes instantly welled up with tears. He sniffled. "They... they’re from Auspice Base. I... I-I-I..."
The words seemed to be caught in his throat. His face turned bright red, but he just couldn’t get them out.
Lily Hart gently guided him, comforting him and handing him a tissue. "It’s okay, it’s okay. They can’t get in here. Don’t be afraid..."
Frost Shaw stared at Lily Hart in shock. ’She’s never been this gentle with me... Should I try crying too?’
Stan Sterling took the tissue and dabbed clumsily at the corners of his eyes. In a choked voice, he said, "I... I’m a pet raised by Auspice Base."
"I’m used to please important people. Today, they were going to send me to Central Command. I didn’t want to go, so... I took the chance and escaped..."
’Well, damn.’ Lily Hart sized him up. He certainly had the looks for it. Even his quiet sobs didn’t seem sissy-ish.
The reddened corners of his eyes, the tip of his nose... all these details that inspired pity seemed almost as if they had been deliberately trained.
No wonder...