chsdbacks Page 76
Page 76
well.
Another perfect "work" has been completed.
It seems tonight is destined to be another sleepless night.
After successfully "capturing" the Ice Queen Caitlin and enjoying a few days of fun, Lin Tian turned his attention back to the female reporter, Iris West, who was still struggling in an emotional vortex.
Lin Tian adopted a "boiling frog" strategy towards this intelligent, independent woman who longed for understanding and reliance.
Unlike his approach with Caitlin, where he directly used force or "healing" as a breakthrough, he chose a more subtle and insidious method—emotional infiltration and comparative harm.
He needs a "catalyst," an event that will make Iris completely disillusioned with her current feelings and tip the scales entirely in his favor.
Lin Tian decided to use the two people closest to Iris as a "catalyst"—Barry Allen and Eddie Swann.
Lin Tian had Zero closely monitor the interactions between Iris, Barry, and Eddie. He discovered that the relationship between Iris and Barry, just like in the original storyline, was filled with the ambiguity of childhood sweethearts and the struggle of being more than friends. Barry deeply loved Iris, but because of his identity as the Flash, he hesitated to confess, always silently protecting her as a "friend."
Iris, too, wasn't without feelings for Barry. She was used to Barry's company and relied on his kindness and support.
However, she also felt a sense of helplessness towards Barry's occasional "slowness" and "lack of romantic understanding." In addition, Barry's "mysterious" nature and inability to be found at crucial moments also caused Iris to accumulate some subtle complaints.
As for Eddie Swann, he may be handsome, honest, and kind to Iris. But ultimately, he's just an ordinary policeman.
After experiencing so many superpowered events and witnessing the extraordinary power of The Flash and Lin Tian, Iris may have developed an unspeakable sense of distance from the "ordinary" Eddie deep in her heart. She yearns for a more exciting and extraordinary life, which Eddie seems unable to provide.
Lin Tian keenly noticed these subtle emotional cracks.
He decided to exploit these cracks and magnify them infinitely!
On this day, a bank robbery, neither too big nor too small, occurred in the city center. The robbers were not powerful superhumans, but simply a group of well-equipped, well-coordinated professional thugs.
Logically speaking, with the Flash's speed, dealing with criminals of this caliber should be a piece of cake.
But an "accident" happened.
Just as Barry was about to subdue all the robbers and catch them red-handed.
He suddenly received an urgent communication from Starry Sky Labs! — A chemical plant in the south of the city had experienced a leak! It could trigger a massive explosion! He was needed to provide immediate assistance!
Of course, this "emergency communication" was forged and sent by Lin Tian's "Zero".
On one side are bank robbers who are about to be arrested, and on the other side is a chemical plant leak that could threaten the lives of tens of thousands of people!
Barry is faced with a difficult choice!
Ultimately, a strong sense of responsibility led him to choose the latter! He rushed to the chemical plant at top speed!
Meanwhile, at the bank, the group of ruthless criminals seized the opportunity due to the Flash's sudden "departure" and went all out! They not only successfully stole a large amount of cash but also engaged in a fierce gun battle with the arriving police during their retreat! They even took several hostages!
Iris, who happened to be conducting an interview nearby and was led there by an anonymous tip, was also caught up in the chaos! She was even nearly hit by a stray bullet!
At this critical moment!
Lin Tian appeared once again, as if a "divine soldier had descended from the heavens"!
He remained as calm, elegant, and composed as ever.
Faced with those vicious and heavily armed bandits!
He didn't even move a step!
He just... snapped his fingers?
Om-!
An invisible mental storm instantly swept through the entire bank lobby!
Those robbers who were previously firing wildly and putting up a stubborn resistance suddenly seemed to be possessed!
Some clutched their heads and screamed in agony, as if they had seen some extremely terrifying hallucination!
Some even attacked each other, pointing their guns at their own comrades!
Others simply dropped their weapons, knelt on the ground, and tearfully confessed their crimes!
Just a few seconds!
A bank robbery shootout that could have resulted in heavy casualties!
With just a snap of Lin Tian's fingers, the matter was completely quelled in an extremely bizarre yet incredibly "peaceful" way!
All the robbers were incapacitated, disoriented, and surrendered without resistance!
The hostages are safe and sound!
Not a single bullet was fired!
Iris stared in disbelief at the miraculous scene before her!
She looked at the man standing in the center of the bank lobby, still wearing a faint smile on his face, as if he had only done a trivial thing!
The shock and...awe in my heart reached an unparalleled level!
This is true power!
This is true control!
In contrast
The Flash who abandoned this place for a "greater crisis," putting innocent people in danger.
Doesn't that seem a bit incompetent? Or even irresponsible?
"Are you alright, Iris?" Lin Tian walked up to Iris, who was still in a state of shock, and showed just the right amount of concern and a hint of lingering fear on his face. "That was really dangerous! Luckily, I just happened to be passing by."
"I...I'm fine," Iris said, coming back to her senses. Looking at Lin Tian's handsome face so close to hers and his eyes full of concern, a warm feeling welled up in her heart, and her cheeks involuntarily turned red. "Thank you, Lin, for saving me again."
"It was nothing," Lin Tian smiled, but his gaze drifted meaningfully to the chaotic street outside the bank. "But it seems the city's security needs improvement. Even a bank robbery requires 'passersby' to handle it?"
Lin Tian's words once again struck a nerve with Iris!
Yeah! Where's the Flash?!
He kept saying he'd protect this city! But at this crucial moment, he's nowhere to be found?!
If Lin hadn't happened to be there, wouldn't I have been...
In Iris's heart, she had already vaguely guessed the Flash's true identity and felt strong dissatisfaction and disappointment for the first time!
"Perhaps," Lin Tian said "casually," noticing the fleeting disappointment in Iris's eyes, "some heroes have too many responsibilities to bear. They end up neglecting the people around them who need their protection the most."
“Unlike me,” he suddenly leaned closer to Iris and whispered ambiguously in her ear in his magnetic voice, “If I had someone I wanted to protect, I would definitely put her first. I would never let her suffer even the slightest harm.”
The warm breath brushed past her ear, and the suggestive and "affectionate" words struck Iris's heart like an electric current!
She suddenly raised her head and looked into Lin Tian's eyes, which seemed to contain the stars and the sea!
Was he confessing his feelings to me?!
The person he wants to protect is me?!
Iris was overwhelmed with immense surprise and excitement!
She felt her cheeks burning! Her heart was pounding like it was going to explode!
She even forgot where she was! Forgot that there were police officers and terrified citizens around her!
Her eyes were fixed on the man before her! This powerful, mysterious man, who seemed to be devoted to her!
at this time!
A red lightning bolt finally streaked across the distance and stopped at the bank entrance!
It's Barry Allen!
He had just finished dealing with a chemical plant leak—of course, it was a small illusion created by "zero" manufacturing—which was quickly brought under control by the fire department, so he immediately rushed back as fast as possible!
When he saw that although the robbers inside the bank had all been subdued, Iris was standing so close to a man! And that man was Lin Tian!
Barry's heart felt as if it had been stabbed hard by something!
"Iris! Are you alright?!" He rushed over anxiously, trying to pull Iris away from Lin Tian!
however
Iris instinctively took a step back, avoiding Barry's hand!
And she looked at him with a complicated expression, her tone carrying an undisguised disappointment and estrangement:
"Barry? You've finally arrived?"
Barry froze on the spot when he saw Iris's unfamiliar eyes and tone!
What's wrong with Iris?
Why was she looking at me like that?
Lin Tian stood aside, watching this dramatic scene unfold before him, a barely perceptible, victorious smile playing on his lips.
Very well, a crack has formed.
The scales of emotion have begun to tip completely.
82. Unable to contain my emotions! My childhood sweetheart is in my arms! I'm putting a hat on The Flash!
The aftermath of the bank robbery caused quite a stir at the Central City Police Department.
On the one hand, all the robbers were subdued by the "mysterious force," the hostages were unharmed, and all the stolen money was recovered, making it a "perfect" victory.
On the other hand, discussions about the Flash who "dropped the ball" at the crucial moment, and the Eastern man who suddenly appeared and mysteriously disappeared, have also been rampant.
As a participant and a well-known journalist, Iris West naturally became the focus of attention from all sides.
But she surprisingly remained silent.
She did not dwell too much on the Flash's "dereliction of duty" in her report, nor did she overemphasize Lin Tian's miraculous "heroic behavior."
Her report was objective and restrained, simply stating the facts.
This surprised and puzzled her father, Joe West, and Barry Allen, who had been secretly watching her.
Isn't Iris always known for pursuing the truth and speaking her mind? Why is she being so "low-key" this time?
They didn't know that Iris did this not to cover anything up.
Rather, it was her heart that was in complete turmoil.
Everything that happened in the bank that day, Lin Tian's strength and composure, and the suggestive and "affectionate" words he said to her, all made her feel unprecedented disappointment and unease towards Barry and the Flash.
She began to doubt whether her "natural" dependence and closeness to Barry was really love.
She began to think about what she truly wanted: a "hero" like Barry, kind and upright but always burdened with heavy secrets, who couldn't always be by her side.
Or is he like Lin Tian, a mysterious and dangerous yet powerful and confident "king" who can give her an unparalleled sense of security and seems to cherish her like a treasure?
This multiple-choice question caused her great distress.
Lin Tian, on the other hand, was like a master hunter, secretly observing the inner struggles of his prey and providing timely and "perfect" assistance.
He no longer created "chance encounters" as frequently as before.
Instead, they began to adopt a "close yet distant" strategy.
He would occasionally send Iris anonymous messages, perhaps "exclusive scoops" about a news lead she was following, which would help her achieve success in her career and make her feel "omnipotent".
He might also suddenly appear outside Iris's apartment window late at night, when she is tired and frustrated because of work or life's trivialities, leaving a small gift—perhaps a bouquet of her favorite flowers, or a dessert she has always wanted to eat—before quietly leaving, leaving behind a mysterious silhouette.
He might also use "Zero's" abilities to secretly help her solve her problems when she needs assistance, such as when her computer breaks down or she encounters a difficult interviewee, without leaving any trace, making her feel as if she is being silently protected by some powerful being.
These seemingly unintentional but actually meticulously planned "little actions" gradually eroded Iris's defenses, deepening her curiosity, dependence, and... emotional investment in Lin Tian.
She thought of Lin Tian more and more frequently, of his charming smile, his deep eyes, his wise speech, and the occasional hints of domineering yet gentleness.
She even began to look forward to his reappearance, hoping to have more contact and communication with him.
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