Chapter 15: In Short

After dinner, at Ying Linmao’s request, Jian Yanzhi squatted by the coffee table to sign the photos he had brought out.

 

“This one, this one, and this one too!”

 

“Could you add a little message to this one? Oh, you’re the best! Give my mom a hug for me!”

 

“Xiao Yanzhi, your handwriting is amazing!”

 

“Wow, I’m so touched!”

 

“I—Ah!” Lin Mao turned back in confusion. “Eldest, why did you hit me?”

 

He Yuan sat on the sofa, flipping through channels with the remote. Without turning his head, he said, “Keep it down. You’re giving me a headache.”

 

Lin Mao pouted.

 

“Ignore him,” Jian Yanzhi said, still annoyed by his earlier “Mmm” at the dinner table. Her tone turned sharp. “He doesn’t appreciate art! Mao Mao, are there any more? Bring them all here.”

 

Lin Mao opened his mouth, clearly moved by his idol’s support. He blushed and fidgeted shyly. “No, that’s all of them.”

 

“Oh, then I’m done signing,” Jian Yanzhi said, standing up. “I’ll head back now.”

 

She had squatted between the coffee table and the sofa to sign the photos more easily. Now that she stood up, she realized she was completely hemmed in. To her left, Mao Mao, Lao Yao, and the others were sitting and playing on their phones, while to her right, He Yuan sat alone watching TV.

 

To go left, she’d have to squeeze past too many people. Since He Yuan was the only one on the right, she naturally headed in his direction.

 

“Move,” Jian Yanzhi said coldly, glaring at his long legs blocking the space between the coffee table and the sofa.

 

He Yuan glanced up at her, then leaned back casually against the cushions, lazily propping his feet up on the coffee table. The path was now completely blocked.

 

“I said, move,” Jian Yanzhi repeated, her voice rising.

 

“Who was it who said I didn’t understand art?” He Yuan asked, leaning back, arms crossed over his chest, his lazy, roguish gaze meeting hers.

 

“You! You said it! What’s wrong with that? Was I lying?!” Jian Yanzhi snapped, her temper flaring like a firecracker about to explode.

 

He Yuan raised an eyebrow in mock surprise. “Did you swallow dynamite today?”

 

“None of your business!” Jian Yanzhi retorted. “Move or I’ll step over you.”

 

He Yuan smirked coldly. “Step over me? Who gave you that kind of nerve?”

 

Jian Yanzhi shot him a glare, lifted her foot, and took a bold stride over his obstruction. But as she confidently retracted her other leg, her toe snagged on his calf.

 

She stumbled forward, nearly losing her balance.

 

*Whoosh!* He Yuan yanked her hoodie hood just as she was about to fall. The tight fabric choked her, but she managed to steady herself.

 

“Cough, cough, cough! Let go, let go, you’re choking me!”

 

He released her, and she glared at him, her face flushed crimson.

 

The commotion drew the attention of the others nearby, who had been absorbed in their own activities.

 

Lao Yao blinked and asked in a teasing tone, “Eldest, why are you bullying the little girl?”

 

He Yuan looked genuinely puzzled, feigning innocence. “She was about to fall. I was just saving her.”

 

Lao Yao narrowed his eyes. “Really? Doesn’t look like saving to me.”

 

He Yuan turned back as if to prove his point. “She was trying to step over my leg earlier. If I hadn’t stopped her, she would have fallen, you know.”

 

*Who was trying to step over whose leg? Have you no shame? You could have just put your foot down!*

 

“I’m so grateful!” Jian Yanzhi thought that if she stayed any longer, she might be tempted to lift He Yuan and shove him down the toilet—though she knew she couldn’t manage that. It was best to leave quickly.

 

After Jian Yanzhi left, He Yuan resumed watching TV with his leg propped up, seemingly in good spirits.

 

Lao Yao squinted at him. “Eldest, be honest. Were you teasing her? You upset our Yan Zhi.”

 

He Yuan scoffed. “Do you think I have time for that?”

 

Lao Yao nodded earnestly. “Absolutely.”

 

He Yuan fell silent.

 

“Ugh, whatever. Women are just like that,” Jian Boyi said, tossing a grape into his mouth with a practiced air of resignation. “My sister is the ultimate evolved form of womanhood. The speed at which she can change her expression… I swear, I don’t know why the Oscars haven’t given her an award yet.”

 

He Yuan raised an eyebrow in agreement. “The Academy voters clearly have terrible taste.”

 

—

 

Jian Yanzhi lay on her bed, staring blankly at the ceiling.

 

*Why am I even upset?* she wondered. *I’ve dealt with haters before. Plenty of people dislike me. After hearing it all so often, I should be immune by now.*

 

“Jian Yanzhi, you’re an idiot!” she muttered, mentally berating herself. She grabbed her laptop, determined to unwind with a game.

 

*Buzz… buzz… buzz…* Her phone vibrated.

 

Jian Yanzhi answered. “Hello? What do you want?”

 

“Sister! I’m going to a match this weekend!” Lu Xue exclaimed excitedly on the other end.

 

“What match?” Jian Yanzhi asked. “Aren’t you in your final year of high school? Shouldn’t you be swamped with studying?”

 

“No amount of studying can compare to DSG! I finally get a weekend off, and the team’s making an appearance. How could I miss that?” Lu Xue laughed as if she’d won the lottery. “I already got the tickets—front row seats! I’ll be able to see our Xiao Yuanyuan up close!”

 

“Get lost. What’s so great about it anyway?”

 

“Huh?” Lu Xue paused, then teased, “Hey, don’t be a sore grape just because you can’t reach them. I know you’re dying to go, but too bad you can’t be there in person.”

 

Jian Yanzhi scoffed. “What kind of tournament is it? I’ve never even heard of it.”

 

“It’s the Celebrity Charity eSports Tournament! DSG and two other teams were invited, plus a bunch of celebrities are making appearances.”

 

“What?!” Jian Yanzhi ripped off her headset in shock. “DSG’s going too?”

 

“Surprised? DSG’s management is actually organizing this friendly match. Didn’t you know?”

 

“Like hell I did.”

 

“Well, no worries! You can always watch the livestream,” Lu Xue chirped cheerfully. “Just try not to be too jealous.”

 

“Jealous of what? Of you sitting in the audience while I’m on stage?”

 

Five seconds of silence hung in the air before a thunderous “Fuck!” erupted from the phone. “You’re on stage?!”

 

“Heh, I’m one of those ‘celebrities making appearances’ you were just talking about.”

 

“What?! Sister! My own sister! Pull some strings for me! Get me backstage!”

 

“Heh heh heh, I’m just a celebrity making a guest appearance. I don’t have that kind of influence.”

 

Someone’s expression changed faster than a chameleon’s. “So what if you’re just making a guest appearance? You’re still a star! Sister, I want to see Shen Yuan! Please! Front-row seats are nothing—I want to get right in his face!”

 

“……”

 

Finally, the weekend arrived.

 

Half an hour before the event started, Jian Yanzhi arrived at Shanghai Grand Gateway Plaza. She took the staff elevator, but even from downstairs, she could already see the long queues of fans waiting to watch the competition.

 

The event publicly featured three professional teams, while the appearance of special guests like Jian Yanzhi was kept secret. As a result, no one knew she was about to grace the stage.

 

A staff member led Jian Yanzhi and her entourage backstage, which was divided into several VIP lounges.

 

“Miss Jian, your lounge is this way. We’ll send someone to notify you when the event is about to begin.”

 

“Thank you,” replied Jian Yanzhi’s assistant. As for Jian Yanzhi herself… she seemed to be frozen in place.

 

Jian Yanzhi sat down in the lounge. To her left was Song Nanzhi, the person she disliked most, and to her right was DSG, the esports team sponsored by Yuanjia Investment from across the hall.

 

A row of black lines appeared on her forehead. *Damn, what a coincidence!*

 

“Yan Zhi!” Song Nanzhi called out, waving as she walked over. “You’re here! I’ve been waiting for you.”

 

Jian Yanzhi hummed in acknowledgment, her gaze drifting past Song Nanzhi to He Yuan, who was lounging lazily in a nearby chair, absorbed in his phone. His calm demeanor suggested he was completely oblivious to her presence.

 

“Hey, you know them, right? DSG is the team Yuanjia Investment sponsors. They’re really good,” Song Nanzhi said familiarly, tugging her toward the group. “Let’s say hi. The staff said I’ll be teamed up with He Yuan later. He’s an amazing ADC player.”

 

*Song Nanzhi and He Yuan on the same team?* Jian Yanzhi scoffed inwardly. *What a terrible combination!*

 

Forcing a dry laugh, she tried to pull her hand free, but Song Nanzhi’s grip was surprisingly firm. Without another word, she dragged Jian Yanzhi over to the group of male players.

 

“Hello everyone! I’m Song Nanzhi. It’s an honor to finally meet you all.”

 

Jian Yanzhi nearly rolled her eyes. This woman was grinning like a blooming peony—what was she up to?

 

Hang Wenjie and Lin Mao exchanged awkward glances, clearly out of their depth in this social situation. Jian Boyi stood to the side, yawning with apparent disinterest.

 

He Yuan, absorbed in his phone, glanced up at the newcomer. His gaze slid across Song Nanzhi’s face before settling on Jian Yanzhi.

 

“So you actually came.”

 

Song Nanzhi’s eyes lit up. “Of course! I’m thrilled to play against my favorite team.”

 

As she finished speaking, Song Nanzhi noticed He Yuan staring at her. She met his gaze and found herself locked in his deep, unfathomable eyes.

 

An inexplicable tension gripped her. *This man is truly handsome,* she thought, *every bit as striking as any male celebrity I’ve met in the entertainment industry. His eyes might appear languid, but they hide a sharp edge.*

 

And right now, that edge seemed tinged with… disdain?

 

Song Nanzhi lightly pressed her lips together. *No, I must be imagining things,* she told herself. *Why would he disdain me? He was the one who struck up the conversation first.*

 

“Hello, hello! You’re even more beautiful in person,” Lao Yao chimed in, stepping forward to diffuse the awkwardness with his usual social flair. “Ah, this must be Jian Yanzhi, right?”

 

Jian Yanzhi smirked. “Hello, you’re Jungler Chen Zhao, right?”

 

Lin Mao had been winking at her all day but hadn’t addressed her directly. Jian Yanzhi quickly understood: they must have agreed to pretend not to know her. Her relationship with Jian Boyi needed to remain private, and it was best to keep the fact that she lived across the hall from DSG a secret. This casual arrangement suited her perfectly.

 

“That’s right! Oh my god, you actually know me!” Lao Yao’s reaction was deliberately exaggerated, forcing Jian Yanzhi to match his theatricality. “I’m a huge fan of your team! You guys are incredible during matches!”

 

“Really? Thank you, thank you!”

 

“No need to be modest! You’ve earned it.”

 

As Lao Yao and Jian Yanzhi bantered back and forth, Song Nanzhi stood by, utterly bewildered and unable to interject.

 

“Miss Jian, Miss Song, please prepare to go on stage,” a staff member announced.

 

“Okay, got it,” Song Nanzhi replied. “Yan Zhi, I’ll see you on the battlefield later. With Shen Yuan backing me up, you’d better watch out!”

 

He Yuan’s hand, holding his phone, froze. *What kind of help?*

 

Before He Yuan could voice his confusion, someone scoffed coldly, “His help won’t make a difference. My team also has professional players, and they’re just as skilled. It’s still anyone’s game.”

 

*Anyone’s game?*

 

He Yuan stared at Jian Yanzhi as if she were mentally challenged. Was she looking down on him, or was she simply overconfident in her teammates?

 

___

 

**Author’s Note:**

 

*Don’t even try to guess what’s going through the mind of a game-obsessed virgin (straight) guy. Trust me, it’s just childish, childish, and incredibly childish!*

 

*Somewhere, a sharp glare pierced through the air: “What the hell are you blabbing about? Who’s the virgin here?!”*

 

*Author: Captain… I’m just stating facts! It’s not my fault you’re still a virgin. You’re the one who spends all your time gaming!*

 

*The aloof captain: Get out of my sight!*