Chapter 23 Jiang Botao had just finished organizing today's training...
Jiang Botao had just finished organizing today's training materials when he received this seemingly random message from his captain. He was taken aback. What did it mean? Had his "Weekly translator's" skills deteriorated significantly over the past off-season?
Before he could ponder for long, the answer to the riddle popped up in their small group chat: Zhao Zhinian invited him to dinner as a token of her gratitude.
Look at Zhao Zhinian's invitation, and then look at Zhou Zekai's instructions.
Oh, I see. No, I knew it.
Jiang Botao suddenly realized, a knowing smile curving his lips. Fine, then he's "too busy."
After thinking for a moment, he quickly came up with the perfect excuse for being "too busy": "Unfortunately, I had arranged to play badminton with Du Ming that day, and the venue was already booked. Du Ming has been talking about it for days, and I really can't stand him up. Let's do it next time. Anyway, there will be plenty of opportunities to go to Beijing for competitions in the future, and we can make plans then."
Zhao Zhinian believed him and felt a little guilty, thinking that her invitation was too sudden: "It's okay, Vice Captain Jiang! It was my fault for making the invitation so hastily. I'll definitely make it up to you when you come to Beijing!"
"Okay, I'll remember that!" Jiang Botao readily agreed. "Enjoy your meal with the captain!"
During a break in training the next day, seeing Zhou Zekai's upright face, Jiang Botao remembered the excuse he had made up the day before and asked Du Ming with a smile, "When are you free? Want to play badminton?"
Du Ming perked up at the news. Although his badminton skills were mediocre, he had plenty of "poor students with lots of stationery." He was just about to show off his newly bought racket when the vice-captain delivered it to him: "Great, vice-captain! I'm free anytime!"
"I'll reimburse the venue fee." Although he had already expressed his gratitude to Jiang Botao yesterday, Zhou Zekai still readily agreed when Jiang brought it up again.
Du Ming paused for a moment, then turned to look at the captain who was focused on the game: "Huh? Captain, are you going too?" Zhou Zekai wasn't particularly interested in badminton; he usually just exercised at the manager's request. If you really think about it, they could both be considered homebodies. If they had free time, they preferred to experience the joy of playing Glory rather than going to the sports field to work up a sweat.
Zhou Zekai shook his head: "I'm not going. I have something to do that day."
Du Ming was even more confused. The captain wasn't going, and was even offering to reimburse himself? Although the captain was always generous to them, this was still a bit beyond his comprehension. He scratched his head and looked at Jiang Botao.
Jiang Botao patted Du Ming on the shoulder and explained seriously, "The captain is just being considerate of how hard we train, this is a special reward. Right, captain?"
Zhou Zekai: "...Hmm."
Although Du Ming felt the reason was still a bit far-fetched, the captain wasn't short of money, but playing for free was always a good thing: "Thank you, Captain! Vice Captain, when should we meet? I'll ask around and see who else wants to go."
Hearing Du Ming happily invite the other teammates, Zhou Zekai silently controlled his character to complete a precise sniper shot, and the enemy on the screen fell to the ground.
Some of the "hard work" is indeed worth rewarding.
Zhao Zhinian didn't bring much luggage back to Shanghai this time, only a backpack. After all, her main purpose in coming back was to pack her luggage, and she would most likely have to take it back with her.
That morning, Zhou Zekai began confirming his arrival time with Zhao Zhinian. His overly obvious anticipation drew sidelong glances from his teammates. Jiang Botao subtly changed the subject for him, and before he left, he specifically reminded him: "Becoming a long-distance relationship without confirming it is still a bit risky."
Zhou Zekai responded softly.
He naturally understood what Jiang Botao was saying.
Zhao Zhinian had only just entered the Glory circle. He was the champion of the previous season. The two were equals in their relationship, but the distance in the worldly sense always existed. He did not want Zhao Zhinian's career to be judged by the "worldly" eyes from the beginning, and he did not want to become the most conspicuous label on Zhao Zhinian, even if the label was not necessarily negative.
Zhao Zhinian should be remembered for who she is, not for being anyone's appendage, even if that person is herself.
He hopes that when people mention Zhao Zhinian, they will first think of her brilliance as a distinguished host and professional commentator, rather than the jokes and scandals that constantly link her to the name "Zhou Zekai".
Temporary exposure may bring popularity, but it can also easily lead to unfounded speculation and slander, thus obscuring her talent and hard work that should be seen.
Moreover, the lives of professional players are destined to be filled with separation and reunion, with training and competitions taking up almost all of their energy.
After the new season started, he couldn't help but reflect on himself. He also felt uneasy. If he started rashly in this state, would it be an unfair betrayal to her who was fully committed to the game?
Zhao Zhinian specifically told him not to come in, repeatedly emphasizing that she didn't have any luggage, so Zhou Zekai should find a safe place downstairs and just tell her the taxi's license plate number. Although he felt that picking her up like this seemed insincere, he was afraid of causing her trouble, and with his manager's repeated instructions, Zhou Zekai still chose to obediently listen: even though he arrived very early, he just stayed quietly in the taxi waiting for her to come out.
The two met around 5 p.m.
The summer sun was still dazzling, and the scorching heat lingered. Sitting in the car, Zhao Zhinian couldn't help but exclaim, "Air conditioning is truly the greatest invention!" Zhou Zekai smiled and responded, but she didn't dare to turn her head to look at Zhou Zekai's face.
After not seeing each other for several weeks, Zhao Zhinian felt a faint sense of awkwardness.
They didn't meet very often. When they were on screen, they could chat freely. But when they were face to face, it was as if they had accidentally torn through a thin veil, which made them feel a little awkward, especially after she became clearer about her own vague feelings.
But they still needed to tell the driver their destination. Zhao Zhinian hadn't eaten much at noon, and coupled with the long journey, her stomach was already empty. She turned to Zhou Zekai for his opinion, and the two decided to go straight to eat. She recommended a local restaurant near her home: "It's a place I've eaten at since I was a child. Thinking about moving to Beijing permanently, what I miss most is this taste. It's delicious and inexpensive, I think... you'll definitely like it."
Zhou Zekai nodded. What she said was certainly good.
It wasn't lunchtime yet, and the restaurant was nearly empty. Zhao Zhinian, a regular customer, quickly ordered the food, and the two chose a small private room. The interior decoration had a vintage feel, with slightly faded and curled edges on the wallpaper, and the wooden tables and chairs also showed signs of years of use, but everything was kept clean and tidy, which was reassuring.
"Let me tell you, the training room at Yizhan is just amazing..." Zhou Zekai wasn't a talkative person to begin with, but to dispel the slight awkwardness from before, Zhao Zhinian took the initiative to start chatting about her experiences in Beijing as soon as she sat down. From the inhumanly luxurious setup of the Yizhan Club to the enthusiasm of her new colleague Lin Shuang, to Lou Guanning's thoughtfulness and the cheerfulness of Wen Kebei and the others, she became more and more relaxed as she spoke, gradually regaining the feeling of having a free and easy conversation that she had when they were talking through the screen.
Zhou Zekai remained a man of few words, but he was an excellent listener. He listened quietly, occasionally moving her favorite dishes gently in front of her or placing a few bites on her plate. His gaze remained tenderly fixed on her radiant face, as if simply watching her speak freely was a pleasure in itself.
The conversation somehow drifted back to something that had been the subject of jokes in the group chat before. Zhao Zhinian brought up Gao Yingjie's repeated apologies, which made her feel a little guilty.
"Did I cause you any trouble?" she asked softly.
Zhou Zekai simply shook his head slightly, his tone calm, but his gaze lingered on her smiling eyes. When her eyes were curved, she did indeed look like a puppy: "What they said is not wrong."
Having eaten and drunk their fill, Zhao Zhinian couldn't find a reason to refuse Zhou Zekai's offer to take her home, especially since her house was so close by. So the two strolled home along the familiar streets. The late summer evening breeze was gentle, and the streetlights lit up one by one, casting their shadows long and overlapping behind them.
However, the closer Zhou Zekai got to Zhao Zhinian's apartment building, the more silent he became.
She noticed the unusual silence, turned her head, and used a joke to cover up her unease: "Was I too busy talking and disturbed you a little?"
Zhou Zekai immediately shook his head. He stopped and turned to face her. The streetlights shone down on him, outlining his unusually serious profile, even with a sense of solemnity. This sudden face-to-face confrontation left Zhao Zhinian looking at him with a slightly bewildered expression.
“No.” He looked at her, his gaze focused and deep.
An attack must be timed carefully, a principle Zhou Zekai understood well. But the impending separation acted like a catalyst, subtly amplifying the unease in his heart. "Take it slow" was his promise to Zhao Zhinian, but now... after much deliberation, he finally decided to secure his feelings: "I like you."
Without any build-up, the sudden confession made Zhao Zhinian's cheeks burn instantly. She had never expected that Zhou Zekai, who had previously said "take it slow," would suddenly reveal his true feelings at this moment.
Didn't we agree to give her time so we could each focus on our careers?
She opened her mouth, her mind blank, unable to focus on the person in front of her. Her other senses, however, became heightened; the sounds of children playing in the distance and the rustling of leaves in the wind pierced her ears with unusual clarity. Her thoughts were a jumbled mess. Was her resolve firm enough? Should she say yes? Now, having just become a commentator for Glory, she stammered, "I..."
"I'm just telling you," Zhou Zekai interrupted her, his tone calm but firm, "No need to respond."
"Huh?" Zhao Zhinian was completely dumbfounded. Who confesses their love like that?
Seeing her flustered and helpless state, Zhou Zekai's gaze softened, and he explained, "The new season is about to start, and you need to focus on training. I'm afraid..." He didn't finish his sentence, but the lingering words clearly conveyed the unease of impending separation. He simply looked at Zhao Zhinian, as if making a promise, or perhaps a foreshadowing, his voice low and clear, "Next time... I'll confess again."
Seeing his earnest yet slightly "cheating" expression, Zhao Zhinian was both amused and exasperated. This guy was so cunning! He unilaterally declared his liking her, then unilaterally declared he didn't need a response, and even hinted at a next time!
His resolute and selfless demeanor made me, who had been hesitant and indecisive, seem like a "bad guy" who was always looking before he could act.
She took a deep breath, as if making up her mind, and instead of responding directly to the confession, she reached out and grabbed Zhou Zekai's wrist.
"Come with me."
Although Zhou Zekai was puzzled, he obediently let her pull him along, feeling the warmth on his wrist, and followed her into the apartment building, took the elevator, and finally stopped in front of Zhao Zhinian's door.
Zhao Zhinian released his wrist, squatted down, and retrieved a spare key from under the flowerpot mat by the door. She stood up, carefully wiped the key clean, took Zhou Zekai's hand, and gently placed the key in his palm.
“This is my mother’s key. My father hasn’t come back because of work, and I live alone. I’m always afraid that if I lose the key, I won’t be able to get in or go home, so I hid it here.” She looked up at his surprised eyes, her voice soft but full of trust, “Now I’m going to Beijing, and this house will be empty again. Can you… keep it for me and wait for me to come back?”
This key was the last safety net she left for herself as a single woman.
From losing her mother and fleeing to a foreign country with her father, to her eventual return alone... this home holds so many of her emotional attachments. Even knowing it's empty, she stubbornly stays here, clinging to this last vestige of hope.
She's always been a slow starter in relationships, unable to define things clearly, but at this moment, she wants to entrust this last reliance to him. She wants to give herself a reason to come back, and for the two of them, an opportunity to end their long-distance relationship.
This small key, lying quietly in Zhou Zekai's hand, carries more weight than any words.
It wasn't a direct response of "I like you too," but rather a deeper level of entrustment and trust. By handing him the key to her "home," she meant opening up her most private and secure space to him.
Zhou Zekai gripped the key tightly, his fingertips feeling the coolness of the metal and the lingering warmth of her skin. He looked up at Zhao Zhinian, his eyes swirling with emotions, which finally settled into a solemn nod.
"Yes," he replied firmly. "I will keep it safe until you come back."
Perhaps neither of them was resolute enough; one offered his sincerity in the most clumsy way, and the other responded with the most roundabout actions. They were both still exploring, still testing the waters, hastily learning how to manage this fluttering heart and unease in the countdown to parting.
The road ahead is indeed long, and the storms ahead may be unpredictable. But at least for now, on this gentle summer night, they have both chosen to give each other a definite promise.
After the keys were handed over, the two stood in front of the closed door, and the atmosphere became subtly awkward.
Zhao Zhinian looked at the door, then at Zhou Zekai, struggling internally: We're at the door, should I invite him in for a seat? For a drink of water? A man and a woman alone together... wouldn't that be too abrupt? Her fingers unconsciously curled into fists.
As perceptive as Zhou Zekai was, he instantly noticed her hesitation. He actually really wanted to go inside and see the place where she grew up. He looked down at the key in his hand, which had just been given an important task, then looked up at her, tentatively asking in a soft voice, "I... want to try?" He wanted to use this seemingly reasonable action to ease her embarrassment and also to create an opportunity for himself to step into her world.
Zhao Zhinian understood instantly, her face flushed. It wasn't really appropriate to let Zhou Zekai leave directly. She nodded, "Okay, give it a try. It's been a long time since I used it."
Zhou Zekai stepped forward and carefully inserted the key into the lock. The metal made a slight clicking sound. He applied a little force with his wrist and turned the key clockwise; with a click, the lock opened.
He didn't push the door open; instead, he stepped aside, gesturing for Zhao Zhinian to go first. Zhao Zhinian walked in and turned on the lights, instantly filling the cozy living room with warm yellow light.
"Sit wherever you like, I'll get you some water." She took off her shoes, took the backpack that Zhou Zekai had carried for her, and headed towards the kitchen.
Zhou Zekai then stepped inside, his gaze sweeping around with a hint of curiosity. The living room was neat and cozy; clearly, even when alone, Zhao Zhinian was trying her best to maintain the original appearance of her "home."
A family photo hung on the wall, showing Zhao Zhinian as a young girl with a bright smile. Next to it were several artistic photos of her from junior and senior high school, with her hair in a ponytail or down, her eyes crinkling into crescents—a familiar look in Zhou Zekai's memory. His gaze lingered on these vintage images for a moment, a faint smile unconsciously appearing on his lips.
When Zhao Zhinian returned with the water, she saw Zhou Zekai looking at photos and felt a little embarrassed: "These are all photos from a long time ago."
"It looks good." Zhou Zekai took the water and said briefly, but his gaze remained gentle.
The two sat down on the sofa, and a silence fell over them. Zhao Zhinian felt it was a bit strange for them to just sit there, so she suggested, "How about... we play some Glory? I've had a quest stuck on for ages, could you help me with it?"
“Okay.” Zhou Zekai nodded. This was his area of expertise and comfort, and also the most familiar bridge between them.
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