CHAPTER 12: ESPORTS DANIEL WU

The wall clock ticked rhythmically, its pendulum swaying slowly back and forth.

Shu Jia glanced out the window. Raindrops splattered against the glass, blurring everything into a misty haze. But the rain had eased up a lot — it looked like it would stop soon.

Because of the rain, she had given her staff the day off, so only she and Xiao Du were in the shop.

Xiao Du sat at a small table by the window, flipping through the flyers they’d made for the Qixi Festival promotions, chatting idly with her.

Shu Jia switched on the soft orange paper lantern and leaned against the counter absentmindedly, scrolling through her messages.

“Jia Jia.” Xiao Du set down the flyer and looked up at her, “Who’s that person you said is coming to see you this afternoon? Is it that guy everyone’s been gossiping about lately?”

Shu Jia hesitated for two seconds, then lowered her voice, “Not telling you. You don’t know him anyway.”

As far as she knew, Xiao Du had never set foot in the esports scene and didn’t seem interested in LOL either. So she probably didn’t know who Zhou Dang was.

But her answer only made Xiao Du even more curious.
“Ohhh? So you do have something going on with someone?”

Shu Jia froze, instinctively denying it, “No, no! Not at all! We’re not even friends. Stop imagining things.”

“Then why are you bringing him to the shop?” Xiao Du teased, grinning mischievously. “I’ve known you for so long, and this is the first time I’ve ever seen you invite someone over and even make food for him.”

Shu Jia wanted to explain, but after thinking about it, she realized she couldn’t really put it into words either… so she just stayed silent.

Xiao Du, however, wouldn’t let it go.
“Look at you! Dressed up like some goddess today. Honestly, you could just turn on a livestream right now and rake in followers.”

Shu Jia sighed, grabbed two cups, and walked over to the water dispenser, filling them with hot water.

“Drink.” Shu Jia handed one to her, “Maybe drinking will shut you up.”

Xiao Du accepted the cup, but her eyes still swept Shu Jia up and down, clicking her tongue exaggeratedly.

Shu Jia was wearing a flowy chiffon dress, her delicate collarbones and shoulders exposed, with a faint fragrance lingering in her long hair.

It was obvious she had put in the effort to dress up.

Xiao Du took a sip of water, her smile widening.
“Weibo’s been full of rumors about you dating some big esports star. They even say he’s the captain of that so-called ‘male model team.’ Damn, Jia, you’re impressive.”

Shu Jia nearly choked, coughing violently.
“What esports star? My god, where do you even hear this crap…! There’s nothing going on. We’re not… dating, not even close.”

“Yeah right.” Xiao Du leaned in, eyes full of gossip.
“You’re just one step away from trending on Weibo! I heard this guy’s like the god of the esports scene — crazy good looks, crazy popularity, and totally cold and aloof. And somehow you bagged him?”

“There’s really nothing!” Shu Jia felt helpless. “I’m begging you, stop believing rumors.”

“Then tell me what’s going on,” Xiao Du insisted, “Come on, share some experience tips.”

“There’s nothing to share,” Shu Jia muttered, “He just helped me out with a little thing, that’s all. It’s not what you think…”

Xiao Du raised an eyebrow and smirked, “Then what about that Weibo post you made two nights ago? What was it called again… ‘I like—’”

“Enough!” Shu Jia interrupted instantly, “Stop. I surrender, okay?”

Xiao Du laughed so hard she nearly fell over.
“Ha! So you do like him. Want me to help you wingman this afternoon?”

“No.” Shu Jia refused without hesitation.
“Just… don’t do anything weird later. And definitely don’t say anything to him.”

Xiao Du shrugged innocently, but who knew if she was actually listening. She lowered her head and started playing on her phone.

Meanwhile, Shu Jia was left completely flustered by just a few sentences.

She sprawled over the counter, boredly scrolling through her phone, until she finally received a message from Zhou Dang:

— I’m here.

When she stepped out of the shop, the rain had lightened even more, though puddles still covered the street.

Picking up her umbrella, Shu Jia walked toward the place where they had agreed to meet.

The light drizzle occasionally fell against her bare shoulders, making goosebumps prickle across her skin.

She lifted her skirt carefully, afraid the pale fabric would get stained by splashing mud.

After walking a bit further, she finally spotted Zhou Dang’s figure ahead — a tall silhouette clad in a black jacket.

He was standing under a tree at the intersection, holding an umbrella.

Just standing there quietly, as if he didn’t belong to this noisy world at all.

He often gave off this vibe — quiet, detached, like nothing around him really mattered.

Shu Jia stopped a short distance away, looking at him through the veil of falling rain, separated by a few dozen meters.

Her heart pounded like a drum.

She wanted to keep watching him… but at the same time, it pained her to see him getting wet.

Taking a slow, steady breath, she softly called his name.

Back in the shop, Xiao Du secretly crouched behind the counter, peeking at Zhou Dang, silently amazed.

Holy crap… that face. No wonder people hype him up so much. That’s the kind of face that shuts down all arguments on sight.

LPL’s most handsome face.
The hottest ADC.
The so-called “Esports Daniel Wu”…

Shu Jia grabbed the soft, dry towel she’d prepared and turned around, only to nearly bump into Xiao Du, startling her.

“What are you doing?” Shu Jia lowered her voice, “Can you not be so creepy and stop spying on him?”

Xiao Du’s expression was pure infatuation.
“Shu Jia… I think I’m gonna fight you for this man.”

Shu Jia ignored her and walked straight past, heading toward Zhou Dang.

“Hey, hey, hey—” Xiao Du grabbed her arm, speaking seriously this time,
“Next time you guys play League, invite me, okay? I’ve decided. I’m joining the scene.”

Shu Jia rolled her eyes and shook her off wordlessly.

“Here, wipe yourself off.” Shu Jia handed him the towel and said softly, “You’re soaked.”

His short, messy black hair was already damp, droplets clinging to his bangs.

His shoulders were wet too, and when he took off his jacket, his white T-shirt had gone slightly transparent where the water had soaked through, faintly revealing the outline of his body beneath the lights — an effortless kind of understated sensuality.

Worried he might catch a cold, Shu Jia suggested gently,
“I’ll make you some ginger tea to warm up, okay?”

“I don’t want it.” Zhou Dang was drying his hair as he refused.

He looked up at her, eyes slightly narrowed — maybe from nearsightedness — and said casually,
“I don’t like ginger tea.”

Under the harsh white lights, his complexion looked pale, with faint shadows under his eyes. He seemed exhausted.

Actually, he’d always looked like this — skin on the paler side, lips a little pale too, as if he hadn’t rested properly in a long time.

Shu Jia felt a twinge of worry.
“What time did you sleep last night?”

The moment the question slipped out, she realized it might’ve sounded too intimate, so she stammered to explain,
“I mean… um… it’s just… your face looks kinda pale.”

His eyes and brows carried a trace of weariness as he replied casually,
“After five this morning.”

Hearing him say that, she instantly felt guilty…

His rest time was so precious. If she hadn’t asked him out, he could’ve had a proper sleep today.

She fell silent.

Seeing her quiet, Zhou Dang simply handed something over. “Yours.”

Shu Jia looked down. A small white star-shaped earring rested in his palm.

She froze, her heart suddenly softening.

“Thank you,” Shu Jia whispered, reaching out to take it.

Her fingertips brushed against his hand.

She jerked back, the warmth of his palm shooting through her like a faint electric current.

He was staring at her.

Clear, dark glass-like eyes, lined with lashes like a little forest.

“Sit for a bit.”

Nervous, Shu Jia’s gaze darted everywhere. Her words came out uneven, her cheeks burning red.

Before he could say anything more, she hurriedly ran off.

Only when she reached the bread-baking area in the back did she stop, leaning against the wall, patting her chest.

Her heart was racing like crazy.

Before she could recover, Xiao Du came out of the kitchen carrying a tray with a steaming cup of lemon honey tea.

“What are you doing?” Shu Jia asked.

“So dirty.” Xiao Du didn’t even look at her.

“I’m going to deliver warmth to our male god.”