2 Sparks of Connection

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

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