INTERNET CAFÉ – NIGHT

(The café is dimly lit, with the glow of computer screens illuminating the room. A few people are scattered around, playing games. HAN SHEN, 19, quiet and reserved, enters the café. His eyes are wide with excitement. He spots his cousin, CHEN, at the counter.)

CHEN

(looking up)

Hey, Han Shen! Here to game for a bit?

HAN SHEN

(nods, distracted)

Yeah... Just for a while. Is there a free seat?

CHEN

Yeah, take the corner one. Oh, and... guess who's here tonight?

HAN SHEN

(looking around curiously)

Who?

CHEN

(pointing to a booth in the back)

Zhou Yi. The captain of Team X, you know, the e-sport's legend.

(Han Shen’s eyes widen. He follows Chen's gaze and spots ZHOU YI, 25, intensely focused on the game. Zhou Yi is tall, serious, with a commanding presence.)

HAN SHEN

(stunned, whispers)

Zhou Yi... here?

CHEN

(grinning)

Yep, training for the upcoming competition. Don’t go fanboying on him, though. He’s intense.

HAN SHEN

(nervously)

Yeah... I won’t.

(Han Shen moves toward his seat, still sneaking glances at Zhou Yi and his team. He logs onto his computer, trying to focus on his game, but can’t resist looking back sometimes.)

INT. INTERNET CAFÉ – LATER

(Han Shen watches Zhou Yi play with awe, noting his precision and skill. He hesitates for a moment, then slowly walks toward Zhou Yi's table, gathering his courage.)

HAN SHEN

(quietly, almost to himself)

I can’t believe it... Zhou Yi.

(As Han Shen gets closer, ZHOU YI suddenly looks up from his screen, his sharp eyes meeting Han Shen's. Zhou Yi’s intense aura makes Han Shen freeze in place.)

ZHOU YI

(firmly)

Can I help you?

HAN SHEN

(stammering)

Uh... sorry... I just—I'm a big fan of yours. I’ve followed your matches since... since forever.

ZHOU YI

(curtly)

I see. You’re here to game or watch?

HAN SHEN

(awkward)

Game. I-I mean, both. I just... wanted to say... you're an inspiration.

(Zhou Yi nods, but his expression doesn’t soften. He quickly returns his focus to the game.)

ZHOU YI

You should focus on your own game, then.

HAN SHEN

(stiffly)

Right... sorry.

(Han Shen turns and quickly walks away, feeling a bit embarrassed. He sits back at his station, looking down at his keyboard.)

CHEN

(coming over)

What happened? You talked to him?

HAN SHEN

(sighs)

Yeah. He’s... just really focused. Probably doesn’t like distractions.

CHEN

(smiling)

That’s Zhou Yi for you. But hey, at least you got to meet him.

(Han Shen sits in silence for a moment, staring at his screen.)

HAN SHEN

(muttering to himself)

He’s still amazing, though.

(As the night ends, Han Shen steps outside the café. He looks back inside through the window, watching Zhou Yi and his team for a final moment. Determined, Han Shen clenches his fists.)

HAN SHEN

(to himself)

One day... I’ll be on that level.

INT. INTERNET CAFÉ – NIGHT

(Han Shen is at his usual spot in the café, once again staring at his computer screen. He’s trying to concentrate on coding, but his mind keeps drifting back to his brief interaction with Zhou Yi the previous night. His cousin Chen approaches.)

CHEN

(leaning on Han Shen’s chair)

Still thinking about Zhou Yi, huh?

HAN SHEN

(startled)

What? No. I mean, yeah, a little. He’s just… really something, you know?

CHEN

(grinning)

Obsessed much?

HAN SHEN

(defensive)

It’s not like that. I just admire him. He’s a legend in e-sports. I’m a nobody compared to him.

CHEN

(sighs)

You’ve gotta stop selling yourself short, Shen. You’re crazy good at coding and gaming. You could go pro, too, if you wanted.

HAN SHEN

(shrugs)

Maybe… I don’t know. He was pretty cold last time I tried talking to him. He probably doesn’t even remember me.

(Chen rolls his eyes.)

CHEN

You’ll never know unless you try again. Besides, he's here again tonight. You could actually ask him about coding or strategies or something.

(Han Shen looks up, his eyes widening slightly.)

HAN SHEN

(unsure)

He’s here again?

CHEN

(nods)

Yep, in the back with his team.

(Han Shen hesitates, glancing toward the back of the café. Sure enough, Zhou Yi is sitting with his team, focused on another practice match.)

HAN SHEN

(murmuring to himself)

Maybe this time I’ll try again…

INT. INTERNET CAFÉ – LATER

(Han Shen gathers his courage and approaches Zhou Yi’s table. Zhou Yi is mid-game, his intense focus once again intimidating. Han Shen watches silently for a moment before taking a deep breath.)

HAN SHEN

(nervously)

Hey… Zhou Yi, right?

(Zhou Yi briefly glances up, recognizing Han Shen from their last interaction. He nods, but his eyes quickly return to the screen.)

ZHOU YI

(tersely)

Yeah. You need something?

HAN SHEN

(stammering)

Uh, not really. I just… I wanted to say I really admire your gameplay and your leadership. I’ve been coding for a while and gaming too, but nowhere near your level.

(Zhou Yi pauses, then looks up more attentively this time. He studies Han Shen for a moment before replying.)

ZHOU YI

(measured)

You’re into coding?

HAN SHEN

(nods)

Yeah, I’ve been doing it since I was a kid. It’s kind of my passion. Gaming too, but coding is where I’m strongest.

(For the first time, Zhou Yi’s expression softens a little, his interest piqued.)

ZHOU YI

(slightly intrigued)

What kind of coding?

HAN SHEN

(explaining, more confidently)

Mostly backend systems, game development, some cybersecurity stuff. I’ve been competing in programming contests, but I’ve never gone pro or anything.

ZHOU YI

(thoughtfully)

Cybersecurity? Interesting. It’s not far off from what we do here. Have you ever considered joining a team?

HAN SHEN

(startled)

Me? Join a team? No, I mean… I’m not that good. Not for e-sports anyway.

ZHOU YI

(calmly)

Everyone starts somewhere.

(Han Shen looks at Zhou Yi, feeling a mixture of awe and hope. Just as he's about to reply, one of Zhou Yi’s teammates, LIANG, calls out.)

LIANG

(cheerfully)

Zhou! We’re up for the next match. Let’s go!

(Zhou Yi stands, but before leaving, he turns to Han Shen one last time.)

ZHOU YI

(seriously)

Think about it. We’re always looking for new talent. Especially if you’re serious about coding and gaming.

(Han Shen is left speechless as Zhou Yi walks away with his team, the words lingering in his mind.)

INT. HAN SHEN’S APARTMENT – LATE NIGHT

(Back at home, Han Shen is lying on his bed, staring at the ceiling, replaying the conversation in his head.)

HAN SHEN

(whispers to himself)

Did Zhou Yi just suggest I join a team?

(He sits up, his mind racing. His laptop sits open beside him, half-finished code on the screen. He looks at it for a moment, then grabs his phone.)

HAN SHEN

(typing a message to Chen)

"Zhou Yi asked me if I want to join a team. Can you believe it?"

(He sends the message, then flops back onto the bed, a small smile creeping onto his face. His phone buzzes almost immediately with a reply.)

CHEN

(texting back)

"No way! That’s huge! What are you gonna do?"

(Han Shen stares at the screen, unsure. His heart races with excitement, but also fear.)

HAN SHEN

(murmuring)

I have no idea...

EXT. INTERNET CAFÉ – NIGHT (FLASHBACK)

(A brief flashback to the moment when Zhou Yi told him, "Everyone starts somewhere." The words echo in Han Shen's mind.)

INT. HAN SHEN’S APARTMENT – NIGHT

(Han Shen stands up from his bed, determination growing in his eyes. He walks back to his desk, pulls up his chair, and starts typing furiously on his laptop.)

HAN SHEN

(to himself)

I’m going to prove myself. I’m not just a fan. I can do this

HAN SHEN’S APARTMENT – NIGHT

(Han Shen sits at his desk, coding intensely. Lines of code scroll across his screen as his mind races with Zhou Yi’s words from the previous night: "We’re always looking for new talent." He pauses for a moment, glancing at his phone, unsure of what his next step should be.)

HAN SHEN

(to himself)

Should I really… go for it?

(His phone buzzes. It’s a message from CHEN.)

CHEN

(texting)

"Hey! Heard Zhou Yi’s team is competing in an open online match tomorrow. You should join in!"

HAN SHEN

(reading, surprised)

An open match? With Zhou Yi's team?

(Han Shen’s heart races. He quickly pulls up the details of the event on his laptop. It’s a mixed online match where professional teams allow newcomers to participate.)

HAN SHEN

(typing back)

"I don’t know… Do you really think I’m ready for something like this?"

CHEN

(replying)

"Of course! What have you got to lose? Besides, you’ll get a chance to prove yourself. Zhou Yi might even be watching."

HAN SHEN

(sighs, murmuring)

Zhou Yi…

(Han Shen sits there for a moment, staring at the screen. After a long pause, he takes a deep breath and clicks the "Register" button.)

HAN SHEN

(firmly)

I’m in.

INTERNET CAFÉ – DAY

(Han Shen enters the café the next day, carrying his gaming gear. He’s nervous but determined. As he walks in, he spots Chen at the counter.)

CHEN

(grinning)

There he is! Ready for your big debut?

HAN SHEN

(shrugging)

I guess. I’m still not sure if I’m doing the right thing.

CHEN

(seriously)

You are. This is your chance, Shen. You’re not just another player. You’re talented. Trust me.

HAN SHEN

(slightly more confident)

I’ll try. But if Zhou Yi’s watching, I can’t mess up.

CHEN

(laughing)

Zhou Yi doesn’t strike me as the type to expect perfection right away. Just focus, and do what you do best.

 INTERNET CAFÉ – LATER

(The café is buzzing with excitement as the match is about to begin. Han Shen sits at his station, plugging in his headset and setting up his gear. His fingers hover over the keyboard as the match lobby fills up.)

ANNOUNCER (V.O.)

Welcome to the Open Challenge! Today’s match will feature top-tier e-sports teams alongside newcomers. Good luck to all participants!

(Han Shen looks around nervously, then takes a deep breath. He adjusts his headset and focuses on the screen.)

 ZHOU YI’S TEAM HQ – SAME TIME

(Meanwhile, ZHOU YI and his team are gathered in their practice room. Zhou Yi is watching the list of participants, his eyes scanning the new names.)

LIANG

(excited)

We’ve got a lot of fresh blood in today’s match. Think any of them are worth watching?

ZHOU YI

(coolly)

Maybe. Let’s see how they perform.

(Zhou Yi’s gaze stops on a name: "Solo Sniper". His expression changes slightly.)

ZHOU YI

(softly)

Solo Sniper… that’s Han Shen’s handle.

LIANG

(raising an eyebrow)

Wait, you know this guy?

ZHOU YI

(nods)

We’ve met. He’s a coder and a gamer. Let’s see if he can hold his own.

(Zhou Yi sits back, his interest piqued.)

INTERNET CAFÉ – MATCH START

(The match begins, and Han Shen immediately dives into the game. His reflexes are sharp, and his decision-making is precise. As the game progresses, Han Shen starts to make a name for himself among the other players.)

CHEN

(whispering excitedly to another player)

Look at him go! He’s killing it out there!

(Han Shen pulls off a few impressive plays, showcasing his strategic thinking and quick reflexes. His teammates, impressed, start following his lead.)

ZHOU YI’S TEAM HQ

(Zhou Yi watches Han Shen's gameplay closely. He leans forward, impressed by Han Shen's tactical approach.)

ZHOU YI

(murmuring)

He’s better than I thought.

LIANG

(cheerfully)

Looks like you’ve got an eye for talent after all, Zhou. He’s not just a coder.

ZHOU YI

(seriously)

Not yet. Let’s see how he handles pressure.

INTERNET CAFÉ – LATER IN THE MATCH

(As the game reaches its final stages, the tension increases. Han Shen and his team are neck and neck with another group, and the pressure is on.)

HAN SHEN

(muttering to himself)

Focus. Stay calm.

(Han Shen makes a bold move, breaking through the enemy’s defense. The play is risky, but he trusts his instincts. His teammates follow his lead, and the risky strategy pays off. They manage to turn the tide of the game.)

TEAMMATE

(excited)

Nice move, Solo Sniper! You just won us the game!

(Han Shen breathes a sigh of relief as the match ends, victorious. He removes his headset, his heart pounding. The café erupts into cheers.)

ZHOU YI’S TEAM HQ – SAME TIME

(Zhou Yi watches the final moments of the game unfold on his screen. He leans back, a small smile tugging at the corner of his mouth.)

ZHOU YI

(softly)

Not bad, Han Shen. Not bad at all.

(Liang nudges Zhou Yi, grinning.)

LIANG

So, what do you think? Should we keep an eye on him?

ZHOU YI

(seriously)

Yeah. He’s got potential. Let’s see if he’s serious about it.

INTERNET CAFÉ – AFTER THE MATCH

(Han Shen is still in shock from the victory. He looks around as Chen approaches, grinning ear to ear.)

CHEN

(laughing)

You did it, man! That was incredible!

HAN SHEN

(still stunned)

I… I won?

CHEN

You didn’t just win—you led that team! If Zhou Yi saw that, he’s gotta be impressed!

(As they’re talking, Han Shen’s phone buzzes. He glances at it and sees an incoming message from an unknown number.)

MESSAGE

"Good game. Let’s talk. – Zhou Yi"

(Han Shen stares at the message, his heart racing.)

HAN SHEN

(to himself)

Zhou Yi… he was watching?

(Chen leans over, reading the message.)

CHEN

(cheering)

See? I told you! This is your shot, Han Shen!

(Han Shen looks at the message again, his mind swirling with excitement and nerves.)

HAN SHEN

(smiling, determined)

I guess it is.