Chapter 7 Although we decided to go out for dinner, but...

Although they had decided to go out for a meal, Zhao Zhinian was still struggling to choose the specific location.

Of course, it wasn't because of myself, but because of Zhou Zekai.

Although she's a host and occasionally stands in the spotlight, she doesn't actually have much popularity. The Weibo account her company opened for her only has a couple of thousand fake followers that the company bought to make the account look better. The company also requires her to update her work status and post more about her daily life, but her Weibo posts are just for her own amusement.

Correspondingly, Zhou Zekai boasts an astonishing number of fans and a massive level of interaction, his popularity rivaling that of celebrities. Zhou Zekai isn't the type of esports player who actively promotes himself; many of his Weibo posts are clearly advertisements or posts made on behalf of his esports team, yet he still garners considerable interaction.

Wang Jiexi's reminder was not without reason. Although she and Zhou Zekai have no relationship now, the fact that they ate together is still a big deal if fans find out, especially for her, a young host who has just started out and is only just getting into the e-sports industry. If she is boycotted, her career development may be ruined.

Moreover, she has been thinking about their relationship these past few days: Zhou Zekai was just a vague shadow to her in high school. After so many years, is Zhou Zekai's lingering affection just love or obsession? Can they really see their own hearts clearly after such a brief reunion?

Of course, Zhao Zhinian admitted that she was somewhat moved, but she knew clearly that she was more shy because a man of the opposite sex had expressed his love so directly, especially since Zhou Zekai's skills were so seamless that she didn't even have time to react before she was already dizzy.

While Zhao Zhinian was struggling with her decision, she looked for a suitable restaurant. Just as she was about to ask Zhou Zekai what he wanted to eat, he handed her the phone again: "Let's go here."

Zhao Zhinian glanced at the restaurant on the secretary's list. It was a high-end restaurant that required reservations, and it looked very private. "Have you made a reservation?"

“The manager ordered it,” Zhou Zekai replied.

Zhao Zhinian suddenly felt a bit conflicted. The Samsara Manager was really dedicated. Not only did he arrange tickets for Gao Yingjie's meet-and-greet for Zhou Zekai, but he also chose a place for them to eat.

It feels like the children are interacting, but the parents are worried and are hiding behind the scenes giving advice.

Suddenly, an inappropriate phrase popped into Zhao Zhinian's mind: "A mother worries when her son travels a thousand miles."

"Braised pork belly and pickled bamboo shoots with pork." Zhou Zekai carefully added, flipping to the picture of the signature dish. His expectant expression seemed to be campaigning for the restaurant, urgently needing Zhao Zhinian's affirmation and approval of his choice.

During their previous conversation, Zhao Zhinian mentioned her food preferences. Zhou Zekai's thoughtful act of quietly noting it down was endearing, but considering that the restaurant was booked by the manager, Zhao Zhinian suddenly had the idea of ​​"bullying the child when the parents aren't around."

So Zhao Zhinian pretended to be hesitant: "I don't think I want to eat braised pork or pickled bamboo shoots today."

Zhou Zekai was surprised that Zhao Zhinian would suddenly say she didn't want to eat. Yesterday, when the manager asked him about Zhao Zhinian's preferences, he was a little smug, thinking that he had the foresight to know. He paused for two seconds and immediately said, "You choose!"

"I'm fine with going anywhere." Zhou Zekai said firmly, with the determination to die a heroic death, completely ignoring the things his manager had specifically told him during the phone call, as if he didn't care at all about the consequences if his fans found out.

Zhao Zhinian didn't expect that Zhou Zekai would take her casual remark seriously and even let her choose any new restaurant. She felt a little guilty for being treated so sincerely, but only a little.

"Just kidding, I just wanted to eat it!" Zhao Zhinian winked playfully. "It's too dangerous for you to go out with that face."

Zhou Zekai has been praised for his good looks countless times since childhood. In the e-sports circle, his appearance is even more outstanding, and he is repeatedly emphasized and praised. However, this is the first time that a girl he likes has teased him like this, which makes him blush with embarrassment.

Amidst his shyness, Zhou Zekai was also somewhat delighted, because ever since Zhao Zhinian confessed her feelings to him in high school, she had maintained a reserved and polite attitude towards him. Even after their reunion, although she sometimes showed shyness, he always felt a sense of distance. Her playful, joking demeanor now reminded him of the girl from high school who would say to him, "Thanks, Kai-ge!"

The restaurant wasn't too far, so Zhou Zekai hailed a ride-hailing car. When the driver arrived, Zhao Zhinian couldn't help but tease him, "Did the manager book this for you too?"

Zhou Zekai belatedly realized that his "date" was indeed orchestrated by his manager and Jiang Botao, and that it was quite a grand affair. He looked somewhat embarrassed and only after giving the last four digits of his phone number in the car did he quietly retort, "I arranged it."

The evening rush hour on the weekend was quite congested, with cars moving in and out of traffic. The driver wasn't very talkative, and the two people in the back seat were even quieter in front of strangers. Zhou Zekai, on the other hand, stared at her quite calmly, while Zhao Zhinian felt slightly embarrassed and turned her head away, focusing on the street scene outside the window.

They arrived at the restaurant quickly. It was indeed very private. After giving the name of the person who made the reservation, the waiter respectfully led them to a quiet private room. The room was small but elegantly and warmly decorated. Soft lighting created just the right atmosphere. A white candle was fixed on an exquisite silver candlestick, while the red rose in the center of the table was particularly eye-catching.

Zhao Zhinian's eyelids twitched. Could this also be the work of the Samsara Manager?

After the waiter confirmed the menu, he left, leaving only the two of them in the private room.

The candlelight flickered, making the red roses appear exceptionally vibrant, and the atmosphere suddenly became somewhat ambiguous. Zhou Zekai seemed a little nervous, his fingers unconsciously stroking the rim of his water glass.

Zhao Zhinian was a little worried. Given Zhou Zekai's decisive personality, would he be planning something tonight?

Fortunately, the food arrived quickly, which greatly eased the awkwardness of the two staring at each other. Zhou Zekai naturally placed a piece of richly colored braised pork on Zhao Zhinian's plate: "Zhinian, you eat."

Zhao Zhinian was surprised by his sudden intimate address and didn't know how to react, so she buried her head in her food and said, "Mmm...delicious."

Seeing that she really liked it, Zhou Zekai smiled and ladled out another small bowl of pickled bamboo shoots and pork soup for her.

He seemed to enjoy the process of feeding her, but he didn't eat much himself. He spent most of the time watching Zhao Zhinian eat or picking food for her.

Zhao Zhinian realized that she had been eating the whole time and felt a little embarrassed, so she put a piece of food on his plate as a courtesy: "Zhou Zekai, you eat too."

Zhou Zekai stared at the food in his bowl for a moment, then lowered his head and began to eat very seriously.

The silence was awkward, so Zhao Zhinian took the initiative to speak about what happened today: "Zhou Zekai, your sudden appearance today startled me. I guess your manager was also very nervous. Of course, I'm still happy that you came, but there are too many fans at these e-sports events. Maybe you should try not to come in the future."

"I want to see you." Zhou Zekai said, sounding a little aggrieved. "The summer break... is only two months long."

He only has two months of relatively free time. Once the new season starts, his time and energy will be filled with training and matches, which is why he seems so eager.

Zhao Zhinian was once again rendered speechless by his direct question, and could only shift her attention to continue eating.

After a while, Zhou Zekai suddenly spoke again: "You used to... call me Zhou Zekai."

Before? Zhao Zhinian belatedly realized that Zhou Zekai's "before" went back to high school. In high school, she often went to Zhou Zekai to ask him questions, and to show her intimacy, she called him "Brother Kai" along with the other boys in the class.

Years later, the terms that I could easily use when I was a teenager have become somewhat difficult to say when I am in my twenties.

"High school," Zhou Zekai added softly, afraid she wouldn't understand.

Zhao Zhinian forced a smile and explained, "Back then, I was just following along with them and making random noises."

Zhou Zekai's goal of getting Zhao Zhinian to change how she addressed him was not achieved. He remained silent, his eyes filled with a mixture of grievance and expectation as he stared at Zhao Zhinian expectantly.

Zhao Zhinian felt flustered under his gaze. Thinking of his direct approach earlier, she secretly made up her mind to have a good talk with Zhou Zekai before he took his next step. Since the topic had just come up to high school, she could at least explain what happened back then.

She paused for a few seconds, then smiled lightly, trying to sound calm: "In high school... my mother passed away from illness. At that time... I wasn't feeling well at home, so my father decided to take me to a different environment."

“My mother has actually been unwell for a long time, but she kept it from me. By the time I found out, it was already too late, so I have always regretted it.”

"Actually... at that time, a lot of things were piling up, and my mind was in a mess. So..."

So at that time, she didn't have the energy, or perhaps the courage, to deal with his sudden confession. She might even have... been so surprised and flustered that she chose the clumsiest way to respond.

She didn't say what she was going to say next, but Zhou Zekai seemed to understand.

Zhou Zekai looked at her, his eyes no longer showing the tension or shyness of before, but rather a sense of understanding and tenderness.

"Hmm." He nodded, without asking further questions or offering any comfort, simply saying softly, "I know."

These words were like a warm breeze, gently caressing Zhao Zhinian's heart. He felt no pity, no curiosity, but simply accepted her past quietly, saying he knew.

At that moment, Zhao Zhinian suddenly felt that the years of time and distance that had separated them, as well as her unease and embarrassment just now, seemed to have been quietly smoothed out by those words.

“I’ve explained the past. Now, let’s talk about the present…” Zhao Zhinian took a deep breath: “Zhou Zekai, I still don’t feel safe.”

"Although we've known each other for many years, I don't think we understand each other well enough."

"And... thanks to you, I have the opportunity to get more e-sports hosting opportunities. I've only just started learning and just started playing Glory." Zhao Zhinian's thoughts were a bit scattered, but Zhou Zekai didn't interrupt her and just listened quietly.

"I'm just a newbie in Glory right now, while you're a Glory pro."

"Do you... understand what I mean?"

“Hmm.” Zhou Zekai nodded, then paused and added, “Glory… can take you along.”

"The host...will be an obedient audience member."

"I can wait for you."

As if to reassure her, Zhou Zekai smiled and said, "Take it slow...at your own pace."

A note from the author:

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