Chapter 4: In Short

Jian Yanzhi hadn’t yet told Lu Xue that DSG’s headquarters were right across the street. She feared Lu Xue would rush over in a frenzy the moment she heard, compromising Yan Zhi’s dignity.

 

She’d already embarrassed herself in front of He Yuan at the hotel, so this time she needed to maintain her composure. She couldn’t let her idol think she was some kind of crazy fan.

 

More importantly, she had to find an opportunity to play a game with He Yuan. She’d watched him carry entire matches on her computer screen countless times. Now that he was practically her neighbor, she absolutely had to experience it firsthand.

 

The next day at noon, the Jian family’s lunch was ready.

 

The table was filled with dishes prepared by Jian Heshu. No one else in the family could cook anything presentable enough to serve.

 

“Call your brother back for lunch,” Guan Min said casually from her seat at the table.

 

“Later. They’re probably still asleep,” Jian Yanzhi replied, picking up her chopsticks and taking a bite of meat.

 

“It’s already noon. How can they still be asleep?” Guan Min glanced at her watch. “How do you even know they’re still asleep?”

 

Jian Yanzhi choked on her food. *Wasn’t it obvious?* She’d stayed up past 2 AM watching Shen Yuan’s game stream last night. Of course they wouldn’t be awake yet.

 

“Uh… my brother said so. He said they went to bed late last night.”

 

A little after three in the afternoon, Jian Yanzhi stood furtively by the window and called Jian Boyi.

 

“Are you awake?”

 

“Yeah, what’s up?”

 

“Is everyone awake?”

 

“Yeah, everyone’s awake… What do you want?”

 

Jian Yanzhi abruptly hung up. Turning to her father, who was pouring himself a glass of water in the kitchen, she called out, “Dad, can you ladle me some soup?”

 

“Hmm? Still hungry? Looks like my soup was a real hit today.”

 

“Mmm-hmm, a huge hit! It’s amazing! Hurry, hurry, hurry!”

 

Jian Yanzhi grabbed the insulated container and dashed out of the house. Guan Min was sitting in the living room, watching TV.

 

“Yan Yan, where are you going?” Guan Min called out.

 

“Taking food to my brother!” Jian Yanzhi’s voice faded as the door slammed shut behind her.

 

Jian Heshu emerged from the kitchen, staring incredulously at his wife. “Yan Yan is personally delivering food? When did those two get so close?”

 

Guan Min glanced suspiciously out the window. “More importantly, why is she wearing full makeup and heels just to go across the street?”

 

By the time Jian Yanzhi reached the gate of the villa opposite, her nervousness was a hundred times worse than before going onstage to accept an award.

 

Jian Yanzhi repeatedly told herself to keep her composure and act like the star she was.

 

After taking several deep breaths, she finally rang the doorbell.

 

A man opened the door, yawning and looking half-asleep. Jian Yanzhi recognized him immediately: Lao Yao, the jungler for DSG.

 

“Hi,” Jian Yanzhi greeted him, standing rigidly with a perfect eight-tooth smile.

 

“…”

 

“Is Jian Boyi here?”

 

Lao Yao snapped awake instantly. “You…”

 

“I’m looking for him. Could you call him for me?”

 

“J-Jian Boyi? You’re here for Jian Boyi?!” Lao Yao stared as if struck by lightning, his eyes wide and unblinking.

 

Jian Yanzhi nodded, lifting the thermos in her hand slightly. “I brought him some soup.”

 

“…Wait here.”

 

Lao Yao stumbled back inside, his voice dropping to a frantic whisper as he ran. “Holy shit, Jian Boyi! Someone’s here! Fucking hell! Isn’t that the actress?!”

 

Inside, the other four team members were engrossed in their game.

 

“Keep it down,” He Yuan’s calm yet slightly annoyed voice cut through the commotion. “You’re hurting my eardrums.”

 

“No way!” Lao Yao exclaimed, knocking over a drink on the coffee table. He flailed his arms wildly, too flustered to care about the spill. “It’s her, you know, that actress from the historical dramas! The one Mao Mao used to watch all the time! What’s her name? Jian Yanzhi!”

 

“Bullshit,” Lin Mao sneered, his face twisted with contempt. “My Yan Zhi coming to see Ninth Brother? What kind of joke is that? Pathetic.”

 

“I swear I’m telling the truth! Go see for yourself!” Lao Yao insisted.

 

Lin Mao continued to sneer, his expression screaming, “You’re such a fucking moron.”

 

Suddenly, Jian Boyi, who had been silent until now, calmly asked, “What does she want?”

 

Relieved that someone was finally listening, Lao Yao blurted out, “She said she’s here to see you! And she brought you food!”

 

Jian Boyi, having just finished his game, stretched languidly and stood up. “The sun must be rising in the west. She actually bothered to come all the way here to bring me food?”

 

Across the room, He Yuan’s hand froze momentarily on his mouse. Jian Yanzhi… He glanced up at Jian Boyi. *Same surname?*

 

Ignoring his teammates’ stunned stares, Jian Boyi strode to the door and opened it.

 

“Brother, busy?” A head peeked through the crack, revealing a palm-sized face, porcelain skin, and those “most soulful eyes” the media raved about.

 

*Bang!* Lin Mao leaped to his feet.

 

“What brings you here?” Jian Boyi cleared his throat.

 

Jian Yanzhi glanced at him. “Mom asked me to bring you some food. What? Am I not allowed to visit?”

 

Jian Boyi made room for her. “No, no, no! I’m honored to have you. Come on in.”

 

*Good, you know what’s good for you.*

 

Jian Yanzhi entered with restrained dignity.

 

Five massive computer screens dominated the living room, but an even more captivating figure sat hunched over one of them. Lips pursed in concentration, his fingers danced across the keyboard at breakneck speed.

 

“Ha! I told you it was Jian Yanzhi, Mao Mao! Now do you believe me?” Lao Yao declared triumphantly.

 

“I… I… Oh, for fuck’s sake…” Lin Mao’s face flushed crimson as he suddenly bolted upstairs.

 

A few minutes later, a man in a business suit descended the stairs with impeccable composure.

 

“…”

 

“…………”

 

“Are you fucking insane?!” Lao Yao gaped in disbelief.

 

Ignoring him, Lin Mao sheepishly sidled behind He Yuan. The boy had always instinctively sought refuge behind He Yuan when overwhelmed.

 

“Hello, everyone. My name is Jian Yanzhi, and I’m Jian Boyi’s younger sister—his *biological* sister,” she announced with earnest formality.

 

“Jian Boyi…” Lao Yao punched Jian Boyi hard on the shoulder. “You son of a bitch! You have a celebrity sister, and no one ever knew?”

 

Lin Mao quietly raised his hand. “If Miss Jian is his sister, then his whole family must be celebrities.”

 

“Jian Boyi, you sly bastard! No wonder you live right across the street—you’re loaded!”

 

“Exactly!” Lin Mao grumbled, still smarting from his unrequited infatuation with Jian Yanzhi. How could her own brother not even react to his displays of devotion?

 

“Damn, our team’s crawling with rich kids. How’s a poor bastard like me supposed to compete?”

 

Jian Boyi yawned, ignoring their teasing. “My parents never approved of my gaming, so I kept it quiet. Hey, you guys have to keep this a secret, okay? I want to prove myself first—I don’t want to embarrass them.”

 

“Nonsense, Brother,” Jian Yanzhi said. “You’re already in DSG! That’s something to be proud of.”

 

Jian Boyi gave her an odd look. She was acting strangely today—not just being unusually docile, but also showering him with compliments. What was up with her?

 

“Alright, enough chatter. Everyone, sit down.” He Yuan, who had been silent until now, removed his headphones. Leaning back with one hand supporting his head, he casually tapped a few keys with the other before finally looking up at the unexpected addition to the gaming house.

 

Jian Yanzhi locked eyes with He Yuan, barely daring to breathe.

 

After a moment, He Yuan’s lips curled into a faint smile as he calmly asked, “Miss Jian, is your butt alright?”

 

“……”

 

“???”

 

All eyes shifted from Jian Yanzhi to He Yuan. Did the Eldest know her?

 

Wait a minute… was that question a little strange?

 

“W-what about my butt?” Jian Yanzhi’s perfect smile cracked slightly.

 

“You fell yesterday, didn’t you? I heard the *thud*,” He Yuan paused, “it was quite loud.”

 

Jian Yanzhi forced a dry laugh. “Thank you for your concern. I’m… fine.”

 

*Damn it! How could he recognize me even though I was bundled up so tightly?! What kind of eyes does this guy have?!*

 

“Oh, good to hear.” He Yuan stood up, a hint of amusement in his voice. “I was worried I might have accidentally injured you. Our support would hold a grudge and refuse to coordinate properly with me.”

 

“Impossible!” Jian Boyi strode over and slung an arm around He Yuan’s shoulders. “Eldest, my loyalty to you is unwavering. Besides, my sister’s tough as nails—you can run her over whenever you want!”

 

Jian Yanzhi maintained her smile.

 

“Still, when exactly did this happen?” Jian Boyi turned to Jian Yanzhi. “You seem perfectly fine now, though.”

 

“Ah! So you were the limping guy from yesterday!” Lin Mao exclaimed in sudden realization, rushing to Jian Yanzhi’s side. He eyed her up and down, fussing, “Eldest, you’re so careless! Miss Jian, are you alright? Should I take you to the hospital?”

 

Jian Yanzhi shook her head. “No need, I’m fine.”

 

Lao Yao watched the scene with a mocking smirk. “Tsk, tsk, a die-hard fanboy is more attentive than her own brother.”

 

Lin Mao blushed crimson.

 

Jian Yanzhi gave him a grateful nod. Having followed the team closely, she knew a little about each member, including Lin Mao’s secret admiration for her.

 

“Don’t make me sound heartless,” Jian Boyi muttered, rubbing his nose. He stepped forward and snatched the thermos of soup Jian Yanzhi had brought. “Perfect timing. I’m a little hungry. I’ll take it.”

 

He headed toward the kitchen.

 

“I want some too!” Lao Yao trailed after him. “Soup made by a beauty like her? I can’t miss that.”

 

“Aren’t you getting ahead of yourself?” Jian Boyi replied calmly. “She can’t cook. The last time she tried, she nearly burned down the kitchen. I guarantee this was made by my dad.”

 

“…”

 

Jian Yanzhi watched Jian Boyi’s retreating back as he opened the thermos. It took every ounce of willpower she possessed to suppress the urge to beat him senseless.

 

“Wenjie, if you keep idling, you’re going to drop in rank,” He Yuan said to Hang Wenjie, who was lounging in his seat, watching the others bicker.

 

Hang Wenjie was DSG’s top laner, and his signature champion was Prince.

 

Hang Wenjie sighed in exasperation. “My teammates are trash. I can’t carry them.”

 

He Yuan scoffed. “Fine, keep throwing. Just don’t come crying to me about being broke when your salary gets docked for failing to meet this month’s quota.”

 

Hang Wenjie pouted, looking aggrieved. “Eldest, I really am broke.”

 

“Then sell that new sports car in your driveway. I’m tired of its gaudy color anyway.”

 

Hang Wenjie tensed up. “No way! That car cost me most of my savings!”

 

“So?” He Yuan raised an eyebrow.

 

“Three kills, ten deaths, six assists? You’re clearly not very good with this champion. And why are you still playing Akali? Are you stubbornly trying to add her to your champion pool despite your failures?”

 

As soon as Jian Yanzhi finished speaking, everyone except Jian Boyi and Lao Yao, who were happily eating in the kitchen, turned to stare at her in surprise.

 

Jian Yanzhi glanced at Hang Wenjie’s computer screen, seeing nothing particularly unusual. “Hmm, this game doesn’t look like your teammates are the problem. It seems like *you’re* the one…”

 

She trailed off, blinked, and suddenly realized she’d said too much. She glanced sideways at He Yuan, who was wearing an amused smile. “W-what?”

 

He Yuan’s lips curled into a slight smile. “I didn’t expect a little girl who plays Honor of Kings to know about our team.”

 

***

 

Author’s Note: Shen Yuan, please clarify—is it her loud voice or her big mouth?