Chapter 97 - Cyber Cafe

While Xiu was pursing her lips at Darren's remark, Nora had burst out laughing. Xiu slapped the back of Nora's head and said, "What are you talking about, McSpicy?"

Darren stared at her face with his full attention this time. Her words confirmed Darren's thoughts. She didn't forget last night but she was willing to pretend she did. Sigh! This realization was a bit disappointing.

"Nothing, Sweets," replied Darren and turned to talk to Nora about the exhibition at her hotel that his company was sponsoring. 

But our Nora didn't forget to give him a thumbs-up as she said, "Neighbor, you really know how to talk. I'm impressed." Darren pressed his lips together and said nothing in reply.

Xiu looked at his nonchalant behavior and felt irked. Why wasn't he saying anything? Did he really expect her to bring up that kiss? With a sigh, Xiu sat beside Jackson and started instructing him about how to play. "Go left. No, stop, stop. Let's wait for a second... Now, fire. Oh, use the hand grenade. Yeah!"

Her excitement was infectious, and Darren couldn't help himself from looking her way. Seeing her enthusiasm, he was reminded of someone...

*Flashback*

-Seven Years Ago-

Inside a tinted glass cabin, three boys were wearing headphones as their hands were flying over the keyboard while their eyes didn't even move slightly away from the high-tech computer screens. The scene on the screen was a survival battlefield.

"Fire! Fire!" One of them shouted and got up with a victorious grin. He patted the shoulder of the one beside him and said, "As always, our Daz is the best at 'The Sniper Call'. I just knew it!" 

Darren pulled off his headphone and said, "Didi, stop overreacting. And besides, how can you bring me to the cyber cafe?"

The boy on his other side held his shoulder and said, "Darren, you're gonna leave next week. We just wanted to spend some time together before you go back."

Darren turned his chair and said, "Jin Ge, I have no problem with spending time with you both. But you guys know that I can't be in public places. And especially somewhere like a cyber cafe where my chances of being recognized are super high."

Dylan patted his back and said, "For your sake, I chose this private cabin for us. Who will recognize you here?" He took a brief pause and added, "And if we didn't come out today, then Jin Ge wouldn't be able to join us."

Darren looked at Zhou Jinhai who also nodded and said, "I'm gonna get super busy from tomorrow."

Darren frowned at him and stated, "But isn't it your college graduation ceremony tomorrow?"

"Right and after the graduation, Jin Ge is supposed to take over Zhou Corporation's Entertainment business," said Dylan indifferently but realizing what he said, he lifted his eyes to look carefully at Darren's face to find any changes in his expression but there were none.

"I don't want to but mom and dad are pressurizing me into this," said Zhou Jinhai with his own eyes fixed at Darren. He sounded like he was trying to clear something up. "I really have no interest in taking over the family business but they still want to train me like this."

Darren's face was impassive as he looked at both Dylan and Zhou Jinhai strangely. "Why do I feel like you're guilty about something Jin Ge?"

Zhou Jinhai bit his lips and said, "Shouldn't I be?"

Darren smiled at him, "Jin Ge, you're the eldest son of Zhou Family. Isn't it obvious that you'd have to take over the business at some point? Why are you even explaining this to me? I have nothing to do with this."

Darren's reply clearly drew a boundary that Zhou Jinhai didn't dare to cross and swallowed whatever he had in mind. Seeing how the tension in the room had increased, Dylan tried to placate the situation. "Jin Ge, my Goddess Xiu is also signed under your company. Please, take care of her."

Darren didn't pay attention to them as he was busy on his cellphone. That's why he didn't even care about what Dylan was talking about.

"Didi, I don't get why you're so crazy about Goddess Xiu. Isn't she just like any other actress?" Zhou Jinhai teased Dylan who wasn't happy about it at all.

"Let me warn you Jin Ge, don't say a word about my Goddess Xiu. She is the only person who makes me believe in humanity and innocence. Her heart is as beautiful as her face." Dylan was speaking with a dreamy sigh as he was lost in daydreaming.

Zhou Jinhai hit his arm and said, "Don't be fooled by that. Every actor has made an image before the media. Hers is of innocence. Don't take it that seriously." 

Dylan got him in a headlock and said, "Jin Ge, I advise you to learn about my Goddess Xiu before joining the company. You might not survive otherwise. Hmph!"

"I think we should leave now," said Darren and only now noticed the strange mood between Dylan and Zhou Jinhai. But he didn't ask the reason since both of them were always butting heads over something.

Dylan turned to the door and said, "I'll bring the car from the parking."

"Me too," Zhou Jinhai also left and Darren was left behind as he shook his head at his friends. They really had a lot to argue about.

Darren put on cap and dark glasses before leaving the room. As he walked out of the room, he saw a dainty figure wearing a cap and a hood over it, running towards him. Before he could even make sense of anything, he was pushed back into the room.

"You!" 

Darren wanted to say something but a fair slender hand went up to his mouth and forced him to swallow his words as he heard a very soft feminine voice, "Stay quiet. They'll find me otherwise."

That managed to shut him up as he was left trying to figure out what was going on? Were there thugs after this girl or loan sharks? Both ideas weren't appealing.

*Flashback To Be Continued*