Chapter 19: Where to Go

Multicolored lights danced across the enormous private room. The moment Jian Yanzhi stepped inside, she realized it wasn’t just members of the DSG Team present.

 

A bar, a small dance floor, plush sofas… Some were singing, others drinking, and still others milling about aimlessly.

 

Jian Yanzhi pursed her lips, scanning the room for Mao Mao.

 

Suddenly, someone tapped her shoulder from behind. She froze, then turned around.

 

The man standing behind her was tall, his features shifting between light and shadow in the flickering light, lending an inexplicable touch of sinister charm to his handsome face.

 

Still, Jian Yanzhi sighed in relief upon seeing him. “How did you end up behind me?”

 

In the distance, Jian Boyi continued his drunken caterwauling. He Yuan frowned slightly, as if he hadn’t heard her.

 

“I said, how did you end up behind me!” Jian Yanzhi rose onto her toes and raised her voice.

 

“I just stepped out for a moment,” He Yuan said, bending slightly to match her height.

 

“What?!” Jian Yanzhi looked bewildered. “It’s too noisy here!”

 

“…”

 

“What did you say?!”

 

He Yuan watched her growing frustration with amusement. He placed a hand on her shoulder, leaned closer to her ear, and said, “I said I just stepped out. When I came back, I found you standing here blocking the way.”

 

His warm breath lingered near her ear as his words effortlessly pierced her eardrum, striking deep within her. His magnetic, low voice instantly flushed Jian Yanzhi’s ears crimson.

 

She glanced sideways at him, her gaze meeting his calm eyes with a hint of panic.

 

“I… I just got here and saw there were other people, so…”

 

“They’re all friends. No need to worry,” He Yuan said, straightening up and turning her by the shoulders. He strode ahead.

 

Jian Yanzhi watched his retreating figure, struggling to suppress the frantic pounding in her chest. He was still wearing his DSG team uniform—a simple outfit, yet he managed to make it look so effortlessly stylish. *Damn it…*

 

A few steps ahead, he turned back. Jian Yanzhi read his lips: “Come here.”

 

“Oh.”

 

Realizing he couldn’t hear her, she mumbled apologetically and hurried after him into the room.

 

Lin Mao, Lao Yao, and the others were playing dice inside. No wonder she hadn’t been able to find them earlier.

 

“Xiao Yanzhi!” Lin Mao rushed over to greet her. “Where have you been? I’ve been waiting forever!”

 

Jian Yanzhi smiled sheepishly. “Sorry, I just got here.”

 

“Quick, sit down! Or… do you want to sing a song first?”

 

“No, no, no! I’m not singing tonight.”

 

As Jian Yanzhi finished speaking, the music outside stopped. Jian Boyi tossed the microphone aside and strode over. “Hey? What are you doing here?”

 

Jian Yanzhi glanced at him. “You were so engrossed in your singing, it’s no wonder you didn’t see me.”

 

“True enough,” Jian Boyi said, settling down beside her. “So, how was it? Have I improved at all?”

 

Jian Yanzhi nearly rolled her eyes. “Still terrible.”

 

Jian Boyi scoffed. “You brat! Have you no appreciation for art?”

 

“Holy crap, it really is Jian Yanzhi!” By now, everyone in the private room had gathered around. Among them were two familiar faces: Wang Yanjiang, a popular esports commentator, and Wang Tong, a League of Legends host, both frequent figures in livestreaming.

 

Jian Yanzhi hadn’t realized they were so close to the DSG Team.

 

“Hello, hello! I loved your movies,” Wang Yanjiang said.

 

Jian Yanzhi stood up and shook his hand. “I enjoy your commentary too. It’s brilliant.”

 

“Huh?! You actually listen to my broadcasts?”

 

Jian Yanzhi smiled. “Of course! You’re a gold-medal commentator.”

 

“Oh, you’re too kind,” Wang Yanjiang said bashfully.

 

“I never thought I’d meet you in person,” Wang Tong chimed in, shaking Jian Yanzhi’s hand. “He Yuan, you all seem so close to Miss Jian. How did you suddenly become friends with a big star?”

 

He Yuan settled onto the sofa, pausing before saying, “We met at that charity eSports tournament.”

 

“Exactly! We hit it off backstage,” Lin Mao chimed in eagerly.

 

Jian Yanzhi’s smile didn’t waver. She knew they were saying this not only for her sake but also to protect Jian Boyi. If their relationship were to become public, the media frenzy would inevitably focus on him. The increased attention would complicate his gaming life and potentially harm his competitive performance.

 

“I’m really into eSports, and I get along well with DSG, so we became friends,” Jian Yanzhi explained.

 

“I see,” Wang Tong said, raising his glass. “Since we all love League of Legends, how about a toast?”

 

“Great idea! I’m a little starstruck meeting a celebrity for the first time,” Lin Mao said.

 

“Hey, let’s have fun, but no photos, okay?” He Yuan reminded them.

 

“Of course, of course,” they all agreed.

 

Jian Yanzhi mused to herself that she seemed to have a natural affinity with gamers. While it was rare to find friends she could truly connect with in the entertainment industry, she found it remarkably easy to strike up lively conversations with these passionate eSports enthusiasts.

 

“DSG will definitely win their next match,” Jian Yanzhi declared confidently. “No doubt about it.”

 

“Wang Yanjiang, you’re not a DSG fangirl, are you?”

 

“What’s wrong with being a fangirl? They play great!”

 

“Right, right, right! I’m a huge fan of the team too. That’s why I latched onto Shen Yuan’s coattails and started hanging out with them.”

 

“Ah, I see. No wonder the commentary sounded biased.”

 

“Damn! Was it that obvious?!”

 

“Pretty obvious,” Jian Yanzhi said with a smile.

 

Wang Yanjiang chuckled, raising his glass. “It’s a shame we didn’t meet sooner. Cheers to lost time!”

 

Jian Yanzhi casually raised her glass. “Cheers!”

 

One drink led to another, and Jian Yanzhi was soon thoroughly enjoying herself.

 

After Jian Yanzhi drained her glass for the nth time, He Yuan’s teasing began. “Are you some kind of Shandong strongman?”

 

“Red wine is for savoring, not chugging. You must be from the countryside.”

 

“Next time, you should challenge Barrel in the game. He’s basically your in-game doppelganger.”

 

“How well do you even know these guys to be drinking so much? Did your manager only teach you how to play the naive ingénue?”

 

Finally losing her patience, Jian Yanzhi grabbed a piece of watermelon and shoved it into He Yuan’s mouth. Turning to the others, she asked, “Is he always this annoying, muttering to himself?”

 

Wang Yanjiang burst into a goose-like laugh. “Just get him to drink a little. He’ll shut up after a few sips.”

 

Jian Yanzhi glanced back at He Yuan and realized he hadn’t touched a drop of alcohol. “Shen Yuan, why aren’t you drinking?”

 

Her question drew the attention of everyone who had been minding their own business.

 

Wang Tong smiled at He Yuan. “Our Shen Yuan is a complete teetotaler. No one can persuade him otherwise.”

 

“Really?”

 

“Seriously! Eldest has amazing self-control.”

 

“Hahaha, he’s just afraid of embarrassing himself when he’s drunk!” Lao Yao’s laughter died in his throat under He Yuan’s icy glare. He hastily grabbed the microphone. “Alright, alright! Who wants to sing? Come on, someone give it a try!”

 

Jian Boyi rushed forward enthusiastically. “Me! Me!”

 

“Get lost, you! Don’t subject us to your ear-splitting singing!”

 

“You have no taste! If you don’t appreciate art, shut up!”

 

While the others were making a racket, Jian Yanzhi turned to He Yuan with a hint of surprise. “You can’t even drink?”

 

He Yuan paused, glancing at her. “I *don’t want* to drink, not that I *can’t*.”

 

“Really?” Jian Yanzhi’s eyes sparkled with excitement. “So, you actually do lose control when you’re drunk? Oh my god, Shen Yuan losing control—how thrilling!”

 

He Yuan scoffed. “You actually believe the nonsense Lao Yao spouts?”

 

“What kind of ‘losing control’ are we talking about?” Jian Yanzhi peppered Wang Tong with questions like an inquisitive child. “Do you start dancing? Swearing? Or do you just talk non-stop?”

 

Wang Tong pondered for a moment. “Come to think of it, I’ve never actually seen He Yuan drunk. I guess only the Base personnel have witnessed that.”

 

Jian Yanzhi nodded, a teasing smile playing on her lips as she turned back to He Yuan. “Well, well, I never thought you couldn’t handle your liquor.”

 

He Yuan’s face darkened. “I told you, I *don’t want* to drink, not that I *can’t*.”

 

“Sure, sure. Shen Yuan is such a good boy,” Jian Yanzhi declared to Lin Mao. “You guys should learn from your Captain. Drinking too much is bad for your health.”

 

“Ugh, my parents always said, ‘A real man drinks. If you can’t hold your liquor, you’re a weakling,'” Lin Mao slurred, completely forgetting He Yuan was still his captain in his drunken stupor.

 

Jian Yanzhi burst out laughing, her eyes crinkling as she turned to He Yuan. “Your mid-laner’s got a loose tongue after a few drinks, but I certainly don’t feel that way.”

 

He Yuan scoffed. “Weakling? You’re one to talk, you can’t even finish three glasses without collapsing.”

 

“Three glasses? Are you kidding me!” Lin Mao’s face flushed crimson with alcohol. “I could drink until tomorrow! Hey, Captain, wanna bet?”

 

Jian Yanzhi leaned back, propping her chin on her hand, watching the pair with amusement. “Hey, Mao Mao, don’t bully him! I told you, Shen Yuan can’t handle his liquor…”

 

Before she could finish, He Yuan, his face darkening, slammed his glass on the table and poured himself a drink. “Ignorance,” he muttered, whether directed at Lin Mao or Jian Yanzhi. He drained the glass in one gulp.

 

“Whoa!”

 

The crowd erupted in cheers, thrilled to see the usually abstemious He Yuan actually drinking.

 

“Shen Yuan, are you alright?” Jian Yanzhi blinked at him.

 

He Yuan glanced at her, his thumb absently rubbing the glass in his hand. When he spoke, his voice was slightly husky. “What do you think?”

 

Jian Yanzhi paused. “If you can’t drink, then don’t.”

 

The gaudy lights in the private room had dimmed, replaced by a soft, cool blue glow that cast an unfamiliar allure across He Yuan’s face. Jian Yanzhi’s heart skipped a beat. She cleared her throat and averted her gaze.

 

He Yuan smirked. “Worry about yourself first. Don’t go meddling in other people’s affairs.”

 

He tapped the table and raised an eyebrow at Lin Mao. “Carry on.”

 

Lin Mao, determined to drink his captain under the table, roared, “Bring it on!”

 

Before they knew it, the night had grown late. Lin Mao’s initial bravado had dissolved into a motionless sprawl across the table.

 

As the party broke up, a Base vehicle arrived to pick them up. Hang Wenjie and Lao Yao clumsily hauled Lin Mao away, while Jian Yanzhi gripped Jian Boyi’s arm to keep him from wandering off. He Yuan, remarkably unaffected, trailed behind them silently, as if nothing had happened.