On Friday night, the manager of the Maple Moon Team drove them to the restaurant entrance.
Song Xueyang asked, “Brother Kun, are you really not coming in for a drink with us?”
“If I drink, who’s going to drive you back?” The manager pretended to glare at them, then quickly laughed, “You guys go bond as a team, I won’t join in the fun. Drink less, and call me when you’re almost done.”
Song Xueyang chuckled, “Don’t worry, I’ll keep an eye on them, they won’t drink much. Brother Kun, drive safely.”
Haixing didn’t believe a word of it. Seeing that Song Xueyang didn’t drive, he knew it was going to be another night of drinking till they drop. He rubbed his stomach, regretting not having a snack before coming, thinking only about the feast.
Song Xueyang playfully patted his head, “What? Chickening out before we even start?”
Haixing, who never admitted defeat, surprisingly stayed silent. Song Xueyang was the best drinker he had ever seen.
The year Maple Moon Team first made it to the top eight, after the playoffs, the captain of the Xiaolang Team, Guan He, invited everyone for a meal. Although they won the match, the team members who were tricked by Song Xueyang planned to drink this old fox under the table. In the end, Song Xueyang single-handedly drank down eight teams.
Haixing was out cold early that night. It’s said that when the top eight teams were sprawled on the ground, Song Xueyang was still smiling and pouring drinks. The only one spared was Guan He, because, as the fox explained, he needed him to pay the bill.
Since then, Haixing had one more thing to admit defeat to—drinking with Song Xueyang.
This restaurant was quite famous in the circle, with a rustic and simple design. Most importantly, it had excellent privacy measures. Customers had to make reservations with real names, so there was no worry about reporters sneaking in.
They entered, with Zhou Ning carrying the pre-ordered birthday cake. The first-floor lobby was spacious. Although the restaurant was usually bustling, today it was surprisingly quiet, making people hesitant to speak loudly.
The lobby manager greeted them with a standard smile, “Welcome, do you have a reservation?”
Song Xueyang showed his membership card. The manager checked the computer and said, “Here’s the thing, our restaurant is booked for a private event tonight. After discussing with the customer, they agreed to leave a room for you on the first floor, but they hope you and your friends won’t go upstairs. Is that okay?”
“Booked the whole place?”
Booking this restaurant was not only expensive but also reserved for VIP clients. Those who could book it were usually big shots.
Haixing curiously asked, “Who is it?”
“Sorry, I can’t disclose that information,” the manager replied.
“No problem, the first floor is fine. We’re just curious about who could book such a big place.”
Song Xueyang wanted to probe further when suddenly a “Welcome” was heard from behind, along with the sound of the sliding electric door.
They instinctively turned around, and upon seeing the newcomer, they were momentarily stunned.
A tall man walked in, wearing a light blue turtleneck sweater casually paired with a light gray suit jacket. He looked like someone who had just stepped off a fashion runway, with a tall and well-proportioned figure and a calm and reserved demeanor.
As soon as he entered, he took off his sunglasses, his fluffy hair slightly lifted, revealing a pair of eyes as clear as ink. Those eyes gazed forward, captivating like a sky full of stars.
Song Xueyang maintained a calm expression, but a hint of amazement flashed in his curved eyes.
Haixing dumbly raised his hand, “Shen, Shen…”
He stammered twice but couldn’t get the last word out, so he simply closed his mouth.
Shen Huai didn’t expect to run into Song Xueyang here. Although the Maple Moon Club was indeed in Shanghai, meeting on the same day at the same place felt like a twist of fate.
He wasn’t the type to initiate conversation, and seeing Song Xueyang unexpectedly left him unsure of what to say. His gaze lightly swept over them, and he walked silently to the front desk.
The atmosphere in the lobby instantly became tense, with everyone’s eyes on this exquisitely handsome man, who seemed completely unaware, moving with natural elegance.
The lobby manager’s voice trembled slightly, “Hello, are you a guest of Miss Liu?”
Shen Huai responded with a faint “Hmm,” his gaze drifting to the left, landing on the birthday cake beside him. The cake had no name on it, just a somewhat comical red fox sitting on top.
He glanced at the smiling fox, then looked up at Song Xueyang.
Hmm, it really does resemble him.
“Second floor, Tianfu Home.”
Shen Huai nodded and was about to go upstairs when someone grabbed his sleeve. He turned his head, and Haixing quickly let go.
“Can, can you give me an autograph?” Haixing, rarely so polite, even used honorifics. He grabbed a notepad from the front desk and handed it to Shen Huai, then felt it was too shabby and couldn’t help blushing.
The lobby manager’s face changed slightly. Customers booked the whole place to avoid dealing with others. If it weren’t for these guests booking earlier and Miss Liu agreeing to let them stay on the first floor, they wouldn’t have been let in. This kid pulling on someone’s clothes and asking for an autograph could get them in trouble if Shen Huai got upset and complained.
She quickly put on a professional smile, “Sorry, we don’t lend out the front desk notepads.”
Haixing found this unreasonable but still asked, “Do you have any other paper you can give me?”
The manager stiffly replied, “No, we don’t.”
Song Xueyang, perceptive as always, knew Haixing was being rude, so he pulled him back by the shoulder.
“Sorry, Mr. Shen,” Song Xueyang noticed Shen Huai frown slightly, “he got a bit excited seeing his idol and was a bit abrupt. If it’s convenient, could you sign for him?”
This was Shen Huai’s first face-to-face conversation with Song Xueyang. Without the filter of a machine, his gentle voice, like him, always carried a hint of a smile, like the lazy sunlight at noon spilling into the living room, relaxing one’s tense nerves.
He didn’t speak for a long time, and Haixing realized asking for an autograph in this setting might be inappropriate, so he lowered his head and apologized, “Never mind, I’m sorry…”
Before he could finish, Shen Huai turned to the counter, “Could you provide some paper and a pen?”
The manager was stunned, then quickly handed him a pen and notepad.
Song Xueyang watched as Shen Huai’s lowered eyelashes hid his cool eyes, his long, fair fingers swiftly leaving an artistic signature on the paper. The scene was more beautiful than the signature itself, as if even the movements were meticulously designed.
After signing, Shen Huai handed the notepad back and went upstairs. Everyone’s eyes followed him until he disappeared at the staircase, leaving the lobby in silence.
After a while, the sound of exhaling broke the quiet.
Fan Jingming was the first to speak, “He’s really not just handsome.”
Zhou Ning agreed, “Even more handsome than online.”
Haixing excitedly hugged the notepad, “Thanks, Captain!”
But the latter was still staring at the staircase without responding.
“Captain?” Fan Jingming nudged him, winking, “Did you get bent?”
“No way,” Song Xueyang replied calmly, retracting his gaze.
Zhou Ning teased, “Then why are you still staring after he’s gone?”
Song Xueyang, already composed, said, “I was just wondering why he knew it was my birthday after seeing the cake.”
Everyone: “…”
That’s a good question! They all saw it. After Shen Huai’s gaze landed on the cake, he accurately looked up and found Song Xueyang. Not to mention the cake was in Zhou Ning’s hands, and more importantly, it had no name, just a fire fox!
This wasn’t something a complete stranger could guess.
Zhou Ning pondered, “Could he also know your nickname is Fox?”
“Impossible,” Haixing shook his head repeatedly, “Shen Huai has never paid attention to people in the gaming circle. When he was on a variety show, he couldn’t even play Tetris. Uncle Shen also mentioned in an interview that Shen Huai either reads or sleeps in his free time. Besides, he doesn’t seem like the type to follow e-sports, right?”
Everyone nodded. Indeed, Shen Huai gave off a somewhat aloof vibe, not like someone with passionate hobbies.
Song Xueyang concluded the topic, “Maybe it’s because I’m quite handsome?”
The rest shook their heads like rattles.
Sorry, when it comes to looks, our Maple Moon Team never admits defeat to anyone.
They were led by a waiter into the private room “Xiaoxiang Waterside Pavilion.” Haixing was still excited, “Awesome! I actually got Shen Huai’s autograph!”
Song Xueyang opened a bottle of wine, “Why do you want an autograph? You’re not even his fan.”
“But Sister Nana likes him,” Haixing mumbled.
He was referring to Sister Nana, the captain of the War God Team, the only female captain among the top eight teams, highly respected in the circle.
Zhou Ning blinked and teased, “Didn’t expect our Star to be a warm guy asking for an autograph for his crush.”
Haixing’s face turned red immediately, “Don’t talk nonsense! I respect Sister Nana!”
Zhou Ning chuckled, “Alright, alright, my bad. Next time I see Captain Hu, I’ll definitely tell her how much our Star ‘respects’ her.”
Haixing mumbled something under his breath.
This little episode was soon forgotten as the dishes gradually filled the table. They drank until they were half-drunk, opened the birthday cake, and Haixing put a birthday hat on Song Xueyang, taking a photo with the cake’s candlelight and casually posting it on Weibo.
V Maple Moon – Wishing Star: Congrats to the captain for getting a year older [Yay]!
Those with special notifications set up had their phones ringing. Zhou Ning glanced at it, “Star, you and the captain haven’t been online today, and now you posted this on Weibo. Cang Yu might get suspicious.”
Haixing was enlightened, “I didn’t think of that! Cang Yu shouldn’t see it, right? He doesn’t even have Weibo…”
Zhou Ning sighed, “Not having a verified Weibo doesn’t mean he doesn’t have one.”
Haixing panicked, “I’ll delete it right away!”
“No worries,” Song Xueyang waved his hand, “Even if you didn’t post it, he’d still be suspicious.”
“Why?” Haixing, who thought he acted well, was puzzled.
Song Xueyang leaned back in his chair, his long arm resting on the back, looking lazy, “If he wasn’t suspicious, he wouldn’t have invited us to play in the arena.”
“What? Why didn’t you tell me earlier?”
Thinking about his later outburst and getting six kills, Haixing felt his face burning.
Song Xueyang’s lips curled slightly, “Only after suspecting will he be more convinced.”
Haixing: “…”
You strategists are all sly foxes!
Although he felt a bit sorry for Cang Yu, he still really wanted to team up with him.
Song Xueyang turned the bottle towards Haixing, “Punish yourself with a drink. By the end of the month, Cang Yu will be our teammate.”
Without a word, Haixing poured a drink and gulped it down.
They chatted and ate until 11 PM before leaving the private room.
Song Xueyang dragged the completely drunk Haixing, while Zhou Ning and Fan Jingming staggered, supporting each other.
Song Xueyang knocked on the counter, “Miss, the bill, please.”
He was handsome and charming, with a gentle and harmless smile. Under his curved eyes was a beautiful tear mole, exuding a gentlemanly and elegant aura. The lady at the counter couldn’t help but take a few more glances.
The lady checked for a moment, “Sir, your bill has already been settled by someone.”
“Settled?”
Song Xueyang was slightly taken aback, slowly looking upstairs, but the drunken ramblings of Haixing behind him brought him back to reality.
“Who settled it?”
“I just started my shift, so I’m not sure…”
Haixing suddenly vomited, and Song Xueyang didn’t ask further, apologizing as he helped Haixing out.
Zhou Ning and Fan Jingming, though not as bad, were also swaying and dazed.
The team manager waiting outside saw this and twitched his mouth, “Captain Song, did you get them drunk again?”
Song Xueyang innocently pointed at himself, “They were trying to get me drunk.”
Of course, they were, overestimating themselves.
The van was parked at the entrance. Song Xueyang let the relatively sober Fan Jingming get in first, then tossed Haixing in, finally helping Zhou Ning in and closing the door, sitting in the second row himself.
Haixing lay on Fan Jingming’s lap, reaching out and grabbing randomly, “Why am I on a boat?”
“This isn’t a boat,” Zhou Ning grabbed his flailing hand.
“But I feel like I’m floating!”
“Yes, yes, you’re floating,” Fan Jingming laughed, “You’re floating, you’re swaying, like a rootless weed…”
The familiar melody instantly got them excited. The car hadn’t even started, and the three in the back were already howling like wolves, making the manager frown.
Just then, the restaurant door opened again, and someone walked out. Suddenly, a group of reporters with cameras rushed out from the quiet night, the sound of footsteps getting closer, and the flashing lights made it hard to keep their eyes open.
The scene came so suddenly, like six big guys jumping out of the bushes and throwing skills at you, instantly grabbing their attention.
The person surrounded by reporters started running, and just as Song Xueyang was wondering what was happening, the car door beside him was suddenly pulled open. In the cold wind, a figure quickly jumped in and sat beside him, closing the door with a “bang.”
“Drive,” Shen Huai said.
The singing in the car stopped abruptly, and the few drunk people were like frightened little chicks.
Song Xueyang pressed his back against the car door, looking at him in shock.
The team manager, seeing the person clearly in the rearview mirror, twisted his neck so hard it made a creaking sound.
Despite the reporters outside banging on the car door, everyone inside remained motionless.
Shen Huai’s face finally showed a different expression, urging, “If you don’t drive, I’m going to throw up.”
The van, which had been moving like a snail, suddenly roared to life and sped off.