Maybe he watches your live streams?

"You are such social butterfly," Wenming sarcastically said as he watched Zhao Huang walk away. Zhifeng chose not to respond and instead skimmed through his phone notifications. Wenming continued on, "Why did you even approach him when I was the one to talk to him at the end?"

Zhifeng turned off his phone and placed it back in his pocket. With a simple shrug, he replied, "I just helped him get rid of a crowd. I didn't think you two would chat... Besides, didn't you say you hated guys like him?" The last part was followed with a questioning raise of his right eyebrow.

Wenming smiled sheepishly at his freshman friend. He almost forgot about his earlier comments while they were in the auditorium.

"Well, okay... maybe I was wrong," the male awkwardly admitted while scratching the back of his head. "I usually hate guys like him but... he seems nice. He kept looking at you, though." It was Wenming's turn to raise an eyebrow. "Are you sure that you don't know him?"

Zhifeng nods, only wanting to brush the matter off. With how big the campus was, Zhifeng doubted that he and that senior would even cross paths again. "Positive. Never met him before. I've only stayed in Yunnan for most of my life and you're the only one I should know in this city."

Wenming hums, "That's true... he seems like a local. But he does look like he recognizes you, though. Maybe he watches your live streams?"

There is a minute silence as Zhifeng pondered on Wenming's words. That was... highly unlikely, right?

"... I doubt it. He doesn't really seem like someone who watches that kind of thing." Not that he was being biased but can someone with such a good physique and healthy glow even be an internet addicted youth? Besides, Zhifeng wasn't even a popular live streamer to begin with.

"Well, who knows? You can't really judge someone by their appearance."

Zhifeng resisted the urge to scoff at his friend. Who was Wenming to say that, when Zhifeng knew how much the former liked to judge based on looks? "... Right." Zhifeng thought that now was a good time to change the topic. It felt odd to even talk about another guy that they hardly even knew. "Aren't we going to eat? Let's go before all the places are filled up."

"Oh, right!" Wenming looked as if he only just remembered their initial plan. "Come on, There's this noodle shop just a street away from campus. You like seafood, right? They make good stir-fried shrimp lo mien."

Zhifeng nodded, his mouth already watering at the mention of food.

"Sounds good. I'm already hungry so lead the way."

···

[ Incoming call— Zhao Jian ]

Zhao Huang had just found his way onto one of the rooftops of the university buildings when his phone rang. Staring at the caller ID, Huang hesitated on whether or not to take the call. In the end, however, the tall male's slightly calloused fingers eventually swiped the screen to answer his cousin's call.

"Xiao Huang," the E-sports player hears Zhao Jian's voice from the other end. There was a brief pause as Jian waited for Zhao Huang to answer. However, it was obvious that Huang had no intention to speak. With a sigh, Jian continued on, "... Yiyi told me about what happened. How are you doing? Do you need anything? Just say it and I, your Big Brother Jian, will help you. You know, our family's lawyers can come up with—"

"... No need." Huang expressionlessly cut off the older Zhao cousin's words. "Brother, I am fine. I can do it by myself. There's no need for you to worry about me."

"... How can I not? I can't believe that manager of yours didn't even try to defend you. It wasn't even you in that video."

"Well, everyone else believes it is."

Zhao Jian sighs, "Don't tell me you've given up already. But fine, if you don't plan on doing anything about that incident, then you can finish your degree and come work for our company. You know that grandfather's always been asking about you. Maybe it's about time for you to return?"

"Brother, who said I wasn't doing anything? Like I told you, I'll handle it. It's just a season. I still have a couple years left in me. Just... give me time. And please tell Sister Yi to not worry anymore."

"Even if I say that, Xinyi will still worry," Zhao Jian says with another sigh. "You two have been close ever since the both of you debuted. If she was in the country, she would have probably already rushed over to Celestials' team base and fought with the management."

"There's no need for that. My contract was about to expire in a year anyway. Just think of it as an early escape."

"Did you already plan to leave before?"

"Well, I can't stay there forever. It was about time I prepared for my future plans."

"... I see." Zhao Huang knew that his cousin did not fully understand the world of competitive gaming. Even if he had a retired E-Sports player for a fiancée. So it won't be a surprise if Zhao Jian had no clue about what Huang planned to do next. He could only show his support. "Then if you need anything, just tell Yiyi and I. We'll help you to the best of our abilities."

"Thank you, Brother Jian. I'll keep that in mind."

"Well, I have to go now. I have to meet with a few investors for lunch. I just wanted to check up on you. Let's talk again soon."

"Alright, bye."

Zhao Huang sighed and pocketed his phone after the call ended. It was true that he had planned to leave Celestials after his contract expired. However, he had not planned it to be this year. There was still a lot to do in order to execute his future plans. Unfortunately, Li Wei could no longer handle the fact that Zhao Huang continued to be in the team and pitted against him. It was Huang's own fault for not being careful enough.

Since it already came to this, Zhao Huang can only move forward.