Chapter 14: In Short

Game over. Victory.

 

Jian Yanzhi raised an eyebrow at the man beside her. “So, want me to take you down again?”

 

“You’re getting awfully full of yourself, aren’t you?” He Yuan pressed his eyebrows together, his tone measured. “Let’s play a few more rounds. I’ll teach you how to spell ‘MVP’ properly.”

 

“Hmph! You might dominate in League of Legends, but Honor of Kings is a different story!”

 

“Then let’s see who’s right.”

 

“Fine, let’s play!” Jian Yanzhi fumed, ready to start another round when her phone rang.

 

“Who is it?!” She hated nothing more than calls interrupting game time. Her tone was sharp as she answered, “Hello?”

 

“Jian Yanzhi, where are you?!”

 

He Yuan observed the woman’s every move, watching her transform from a confident gamer to a wilted flower.

 

*Pathetic*, he thought. *Just like an actress – her expressions could fill an emoji library.*

 

“Ah… Sister Yang? What’s up?” Jian Yanzhi had been so absorbed in gaming she’d completely forgotten about her manager, Fang Yang.

 

“What’s up? I’m trying to find you! You abandoned a perfectly good banquet – where did you disappear to?”

 

“I… I felt a bit sick. I’m resting in the back hall.”

 

“Sick? What’s wrong? I’m coming over.”

 

“No need, I’ll come myself.” Jian Yanzhi stood up, gesturing toward the door while still on the call. “I’m just in a lounge. Wait, which hall? The back one? Don’t bother coming… Oh, why can’t I find the exit? You’re the one who gets lost all the time!”

 

After Jian Yanzhi left, the lounge quieted considerably. He Yuan glanced at the seat where she had been sitting before focusing his attention on his phone screen.

 

*One more game?*

 

But without her constant chatter, the appeal had diminished.

 

He Yuan set down his phone just as the lounge door swung open.

 

“Been waiting long?” The newcomer offered an apologetic smile. “Let’s go. You can head home now.”

 

He Yuan furrowed his brow. “Didn’t you say there was something you needed to discuss face-to-face? Why are we going home?”

 

He Yuanjia clicked his tongue and took a seat beside him. “Both parents are home today. They’ve ordered me to bring you back. I dare not disobey.”

 

“I’m not going. I need to return to the base.”

 

“What base? As the owner of the DSG Club, I’m granting you leave. You’re coming home today.”

 

He Yuanjia’s declaration earned him a frosty glare. He cleared his throat. “Alright, alright. Do this for your brother, won’t you? If I can’t take you home today, I’ll never hear the end of Mother’s nagging.”

 

He Yuan snorted coldly. “I bet you’re just afraid of Mom nagging you about your philandering ways, so you want her to focus elsewhere.”

 

He Yuanjia blinked, then sighed. “Brother knows best, doesn’t he?”

 

“…Get lost,” He Yuan retorted.

 

—

 

On the weekend, Fang Yang came to school to pick up Jian Yanzhi.

 

As they got in the car, Jian Yanzhi heard someone calling out to her.

 

“Senior Sister, it’s you!” Jian Yanzhi looked at the woman getting out of a nearby vehicle and smiled indifferently.

 

The newcomer was Song Nanzhi, two years senior to Jian Yanzhi and also a student in the school’s performance program. Song Nanzhi had appeared in numerous films, but had remained stuck in third-tier roles, unable to advance.

 

Jian Yanzhi and Song Nanzhi had always been at odds. Song Nanzhi resented Jian Yanzhi for using her family connections to dominate the entertainment industry, while Jian Yanzhi despised Song Nanzhi for resorting to extreme measures to secure roles.

 

“What a coincidence! Are you leaving for work?” Song Nanzhi asked with a smile.

 

“No, just going home for a visit,” Jian Yanzhi replied.

 

Song Nanzhi nodded, then suddenly added, “Oh, right. I heard Yuan Jia mentioned he invited you to the celebrity charity e-sports tournament?”

 

Yuan Jia… The online rumors about Song Nanzhi and He Yuanjia, the young heir of Kais Group, being in a heated relationship turned out to be true.

 

In short, “Yes, that’s correct.”

 

Song Nanzhi chuckled softly. “I’ve always heard Yuan Jia talk about how amazing you are. I never expected you to be such a skilled gamer, Senior Sister.”

 

“I’ve been playing games for years,” Jian Yanzhi replied nonchalantly. “You’re quite impressive too, Senior Sister. You put so much effort into mastering League of Legends, and I even heard you hired a professional coach.”

 

He Yuanjia had a strong interest in gaming. His previous girlfriends were all connected to the e-sports scene – some were streamers, others were commentators… Jian Yanzhi’s roommate had mentioned Song Nanzhi had been working hard at League of Legends to get closer to He Yuanjia. *Ah, she really goes all out.*

 

Song Nanzhi’s expression shifted slightly at these words, but she quickly regained her composure. “Well then, we’ll see each other on the battlefield. Let’s… see who comes out victorious.”

 

Jian Yanzhi raised her eyebrows. “Alright then, Senior Sister. You’ll need to give your best effort. Remember, this is just a charity event—even if you lose badly, it’s no big deal.”

 

“You…”

 

“Goodbye, Senior Sister.” Jian Yanzhi, unwilling to waste more breath on her, waved and climbed into the car.

 

After Jian Yanzhi left, Song Nanzhi’s face instantly turned cold.

 

Over the past few days, whenever discussing e-sports, He Yuanjia had constantly praised Jian Yanzhi, claiming that female celebrities who played games as well as she was a rare find.

 

*Hmph, what’s so special about that? If you want to play well, just practice more. This competition will show who’s truly the better player—*

 

Fang Yang drove away after dropping Jian Yanzhi home.

 

After bathing and changing into comfortable clothes, Jian Yanzhi went downstairs to grab food from the fridge.

 

“Damn, where’s my yogurt?” The fridge stood empty; all the snacks she’d bought days ago had vanished.

 

Jian Yanzhi slammed the fridge door shut, slipped on her slippers, and strode out the door without hesitation.

 

Someone knocked on the door across the hall. After a moment, it opened. “Oh, Miss Jian, it’s you.”

 

The door opened to reveal Aunt Jiang, the cook at the base. Recognizing the visitor, she warmly invited her inside. “Miss Jian, are you here to see Xiao Jiu?”

 

“Yes.”

 

“Have you eaten yet? We’re just about to serve dinner. Would you like to join us?”

 

Before Jian Yanzhi could respond, Jian Boyi appeared, a chicken wing dangling from his mouth. “Aunt Jiang, you don’t need to invite her. With her bottomless appetite, we might not have enough food for dinner.”

 

Jian Yanzhi’s eyebrow twitched, and she nearly threw her slipper at him. “Jian Boyi, did you take the snacks I bought?”

 

“Snacks? Oh, you mean those from our place?”

 

“Cut the crap!”

 

“I did take them.”

 

Jian Yanzhi glared. “Is your base mistreating you so badly that you need to smuggle food across the hall?”

 

Jian Boyi shrugged. “It’s not exactly across the hall. We’re right next door.”

 

Jian Yanzhi rolled her eyes. “I don’t care. Give me back my yogurt.”

 

Jian Boyi finished the chicken wing and offered the bone. “No yogurt, but how about this as collateral?”

 

“Jian Boyi!”

 

“Ah, I really didn’t touch your yogurt! That was all someone else’s!”

 

“I don’t believe you for a second.”

 

If this were at home, Jian Yanzhi would have already grabbed Jian Boyi by the collar and given him a thorough beating. But this was at the base—she had to maintain some semblance of decorum!

 

“If you don’t believe me, you must believe the Eldest, right? Look over there!” Jian Boyi suddenly pointed his finger to the side.

 

Jian Yanzhi paused, following his direction.

 

At that moment, He Yuan was passing by them, a straw dangling from his mouth. In his hand was the imported yogurt she’d had someone bring back from abroad.

 

“…”

 

Noticing their gazes, He Yuan removed the straw and asked, somewhat confused, “What are you looking at?”

 

Jian Yanzhi pointed at the yogurt in his hand. “…Is there any left?”

 

He Yuan, not understanding the situation, simply answered, “This one? That’s probably the last bottle in the fridge.”

 

Jian Yanzhi pursed her lips, shooting Jian Boyi a resentful glance. Jian Boyi shrank back, hastily saying, “See? It’s all the Eldest’s. I haven’t touched a drop.”

 

“You want some too?” He Yuan approached and casually placed the yogurt in Jian Yanzhi’s hand. “It’s pretty good. Here, have the rest.”

 

“???”

 

Jian Yanzhi stared blankly at the yogurt in her hand. Before her face could even begin to flush from holding this “yogurt he’d drunk from,” she realized it seemed a bit light.

 

It was… empty!

 

By now, He Yuan had already reached the dining table and was preparing to eat. He turned to look at the two of them and said solemnly, “Finished drinking? Throw away the trash and come eat.”

 

“!!!”

 

*Fuck! Am I a walking trash can or something?!*

 

This was Jian Yanzhi’s first time eating with all the DSG team members at the base. To think, just a short while ago, she would never have imagined such a thing happening.

 

“Yan Zhi, have you been filming lately? You haven’t been home in ages,” Lin Mao asked.

 

“No, I’ve been at school.”

 

“Oh… Oh right! When I went back home for the New Year, I showed our photo to my family. They were so jealous!”

 

“Huh?”

 

“You know, from the drama you’re in. All my relatives watched it, and they all love you,” Lin Mao said cheerfully. “Why don’t you sign a few autographs for me later? I’ll send them back home!”

 

“Ah… Sure, no problem.”

 

Jian Boyi grabbed another large chicken leg and mumbled through a mouthful of food, “Your family’s tastes are just as… unique as yours.”

 

In short, “Hey! I’ve got tons of fans chasing after me, you know! What do you even understand?!”

 

“I really don’t,” Jian Boyi suddenly pinched He Yuan’s arm. “Eldest, tell me, what’s so great about chasing after some little girl, huh?”

 

He Yuan’s chopsticks froze mid-air.

 

Jian Yanzhi discreetly stomped on Jian Boyi’s foot under the table, but her thoughts involuntarily drifted toward He Yuan. She found herself inexplicably nervous, waiting for his response.

 

“Mm,” came the flat reply. It could have been a perfunctory acknowledgment or an honest answer.

 

Either way, Jian Yanzhi’s heart plummeted from the clouds to the ground. The impact was silent, yet unmistakably shattered into pieces.

 

“Pfft, who wants your fans anyway? With our Yan Zhi being so cute, only people with good taste like us should chase after her.” Lin Mao grinned at Jian Yanzhi. “Goddess! Don’t worry, I’ll keep my position as fan club president rock-solid!”

 

Jian Yanzhi smiled back, feigning lightness. “You certainly have good taste.”

 

She lowered her head to eat, her brow furrowing imperceptibly when no one else was looking.

 

Damn… Why does this feel so suffocating? It’s just He Yuan saying “Mm”, right?

 

What’s so special about that?