1 at internet cafe

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.

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