A Letter from Keanu Reeves

Chen Wan hesitated over whether to play the Ghost King card. He Shengyuan lowered his voice and said, “Ah Wan, show some of the determination you had at the hearing.”

Chen Wan’s hand paused slightly. He turned his head and met He Shengyuan’s smiling gaze.

Chen Wan also smiled calmly. “Mr. He was there too?”

“I was in the gallery,” He Shengyuan exhaled a puff of smoke. “I recognized you the moment you walked in.”

Chen Wan at the hearing had been composed and collected, completely different from how he was today. It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say he seemed like a different person.

Chen Wan turned back to his cards. “Is that so?”

“Was it for that project in Shenzhen?” He Shengyuan asked. That project had some connection to him. “Aren’t you afraid of offending Luo Qiansheng?”

Chen Wan did not deny it. After all, nothing ventured, nothing gained. He simply said, “I’ve already offended him. Being afraid is pointless now.”

Something about his response amused He Shengyuan, who burst into laughter. Chen Wan was puzzled. He Shengyuan patted his shoulder. “No need to be afraid.”

Chen Wan: “Hmm?”

He Shengyuan looked at him and said, “Looking forward to working with you.”

Chen Wan was sharp enough to catch the meaning and responded with a smile, “Then I’ll count on Mr. He’s guidance.”

They were speaking in hushed tones, and Zhao Shengge assumed they were simply strategizing about the game. After waiting a while, he coolly but politely reminded them, “Are you playing this card or not?”

Chen Wan truly summoned the determination he had displayed at the hearing. He went all in. The Ghost King card was played. Even if it meant a flush, he couldn’t let his future business partner lose two rounds in a row.

But Zhao Shengge seemed intent on complete annihilation tonight. He played the exact same trump card as in the previous round.

The second round was over.

Despite losing, He Shengyuan wasn’t angry. Instead, he poured Chen Wan a drink. Chen Wan smiled helplessly—he had lost twice without letting the other man win even once, which made him feel a little guilty. Accepting the drink, he poured one for He Shengyuan in return. “Sorry, Mr. He, I wasn’t skilled enough.”

He Shengyuan remarked, “You’re too honest.”

After two consecutive losses, the atmosphere became somewhat delicate.

However, even though Zhao Shengge had won twice in a row, he didn’t seem particularly pleased. He was always like this—his emotions rarely showed on his face.

After playing his hand, someone offered him a cigarette in congratulations, but he declined and instead took a sip of the drink beside him.

The young man sitting next to him had topped off his glass earlier. Seeing that Zhao Shengge hadn’t refused his drink before, the boy took the opportunity to strike up a conversation. Zhao Shengge, eyes down, was checking his phone. Whether he was actually listening was unclear.

Meanwhile, He Shengyuan was analyzing the previous round with Chen Wan, determined to pinpoint exactly where they had fallen into Zhao Shengge’s trap.

After reviewing the game from multiple angles, they realized that there wasn’t a single moment that could be pinpointed—Zhao Shengge had been setting the stage for his victory from the very beginning.

Zhao Shengge suddenly asked, “Final round?” His deep, steady gaze swept between Chen Wan and He Shengyuan. “Are you playing together?”

Chen Wan looked at He Shengyuan—he wasn’t in a position to make that decision.

He Shengyuan, unwilling to back down, waved his hand decisively. “Chen Wan will play in my stead.”

Chen Wan agreed. “Alright.”

Zhao Shengge, however, said, “Then I’ll switch players on my side too.”

“Fine by me,” He Shengyuan responded readily. “Mr. Zhao, do as you like.”

Zhao Shengge lifted his chin slightly, gesturing to the young man beside him. “You play.”

The guests exchanged subtle glances, and the room grew lively and slightly noisy. It was unclear whether it was raining outside.

Chen Wan continued shuffling the cards, pausing only briefly to glance up. Out of the corner of his eye, he noticed the young man’s flushed face, startled and honored. “I—I don’t know how to play, Mr. Zhao. I’m not good at this…”

Zhao Shengge, still looking down at his phone and replying to messages, said casually, “It’s fine. You can lose.”

His tone was even, unconcerned. To outsiders, it might have sounded indulgent.

Chen Wan focused on shuffling, suddenly feeling thirsty. He reached for the glass beside him.

Condensation on the glass moistened his warm fingertips. The berry-colored liquid flowed down his throat, leaving a slight burning sensation—cold, yet instantly sobering.

Sober enough that he immediately reminded himself to regulate his thoughts and behavior. No more visible mistakes like in the past two rounds. That was unprofessional.

Even now, he was being unprofessional.

His mind drifted back to that night playing poker on the open sea. Zhao Shengge had called his name and said, “Chen Wan, if I play, I play to win.”

But now, Zhao Shengge was saying, “It’s fine. You can lose.”

The third round began quickly.

The young man played first. Though he had claimed not to know how, he couldn’t be completely clueless—his words had been more of an act of coyness and feigned weakness.

Chen Wan couldn’t tell whether Zhao Shengge wanted to win or lose this round. Ever since he assigned the young man to play, he hadn’t looked at the cards or even inquired about the game’s progress. He was either replying to messages or speaking with his secretary.

So much for seeking his guidance.

But soon, the young man realized that winning or losing wasn’t up to him—because Chen Wan was strong.

He played seriously, but they weren’t in the same league.

The young man looked up in disbelief. It was hard to imagine that the elegant, refined man across from him could play so ruthlessly. Most of the points Zhao Shengge had accumulated in the previous two rounds had already been consumed in this one.

Fortunately, there were only three rounds in total. The game ended before the young man suffered a complete defeat.

Despite Zhao Shengge’s consecutive wins in the first two rounds, the final score between the two sides was nearly even. The spectators all agreed that Mr. Zhao and Mr. He were well-matched, a perfect balance. If they joined forces, they would be an unstoppable team—a promising sign for future collaboration.

The poor young man, unable to grasp the thoughts of those above him, watched Chen Wan with a look of curiosity. Chen Wan simply returned a polite smile.

He Shengyuan thoroughly enjoyed the third round. Though he knew Zhao Shengge had deliberately put a weak player in the game to give him face, watching Chen Wan play was still thrilling.

For the next round, He Shengyuan wanted to play against Shen Zongnian, inviting Chen Wan to observe.

After three rounds, Chen Wan finally left the table.

Stepping out of the side hall, he glanced around but didn’t see Zhao Shengge. It wasn’t until he walked to the window that he realized—it had indeed started to rain at some point.

Xiaotan Mountain wasn’t tall, but its dense foliage amplified the sound of rustling leaves. The rain fell in straight, luminous lines, vanishing into the sea below.

The girl who had originally been assigned to sit beside Chen Wan poured him a drink. He glanced at his watch and asked, “What time do you all get off work?”

The girl, finding him gentle, answered honestly, “There’s no set time.”

Chen Wan understood—this meant that the people here could be taken away at the guests’ discretion. Zhao Shengge and the boy beside him were already nowhere to be seen.

Chen Wan told the girl, “You can head back now. I don’t need anything here.”

The girl was momentarily stunned and whispered, “Mr. Chen, did I do something wrong—”

“No,” Chen Wan said immediately. “I don’t need anything else, don’t overthink it.”

The girl relaxed and left.

Chen Wan picked out a glass of wine for himself. Zhuo Zhixuan strolled over slowly and asked if he was okay.

Chen Wan was puzzled.

Zhuo Zhixuan hesitated, as if struggling to find the right words. Chen Wan thought something had gone wrong at the banquet. But after a long pause, Zhuo Zhixuan finally muttered, “He’s not usually like this…”

“?”

Zhuo Zhixuan cursed under his breath, “I have no idea what kind of madness got into him tonight.”

“……” Chen Wan understood now and couldn’t help but chuckle. “What are you even thinking?”

Zhuo Zhixuan’s face was written with, It’s okay, you don’t have to pretend to be fine.

“……”

Chen Wan sighed. “I’m really fine, don’t—”

Zhuo Zhixuan didn’t believe him. He mulled over how to explain it. People like them, who spent their days mingling outside, weren’t exactly clean-cut, but still, he said, “You know how Tan Youming and I fool around outside. I won’t lie to you with any comforting nonsense, but Shen Zongnian and Zhao Shengge aren’t—”

“……”

The more he spoke, the more absurd it became. Chen Wan finally couldn’t take it anymore and cut him off. “Ah Xuan.”

Chen Wan looked at him and said calmly, “He is free, and so am I.”

There was nothing between them. If anything, they weren’t even friends.

“I don’t know how to explain it to you, but I still think—there’s no need for you to pity me.”

Unrequited love that had never been acted upon meant that, in the realm of emotions, both sides remained equal. Zhao Shengge had the freedom to seek pleasure, and he had the freedom to stop dreaming.

As long as it was a one-person game, he would always hold the initiative. He could stop at any time.

Zhuo Zhixuan saw that he was far too composed to be someone trapped in years of unrequited love. He could only sarcastically call him a genius at secret crushes, then added, “Don’t drink anymore tonight. Monica mentioned last time that your medication shouldn’t mix with too much alcohol—it’ll irritate your nerves.”

Chen Wan agreed and set down his wine glass. Then, he went to the restroom.

The space was warm-toned, faintly scented with perfume, making his head feel a little hazy. He turned on the faucet, intending to splash his face with water.

A soft click—the door to one of the stalls opened.

He suddenly met a pair of deep, calm black eyes.

Chen Wan instantly sobered up.

“Mr. Zhao.”

“Hello.”

Zhao Shengge glanced at him and walked over to stand beside him at the sink. He turned on the tap, pressed the soap dispenser, washed his hands, and dried them.

Chen Wan lowered his gaze and saw the man’s well-defined hands. He couldn’t help but think of the pair of legs beneath the tablecloth earlier—though he knew those legs couldn’t have been Zhao Shengge’s.

“What’s wrong?”

Zhao Shengge asked.

“Nothing…”

Chen Wan’s face showed no trace of guilt as he smiled and said, “I thought you had already left.”

Zhao Shengge tossed the paper towel into the trash bin and lifted his head, looking at him through the mirror. “Were you looking for me?”

Chen Wan froze for a moment before quickly responding, “No.”

“……”

Zhao Shengge had probably stepped out for some air. Seeing that he wasn’t in a hurry to leave, Chen Wan wouldn’t let the conversation drop. “Mr. Zhao had quite the lucky streak tonight.”

“Thanks, but—” Zhao Shengge adjusted his sleeve and lazily lifted his gaze, his tone neutral as he commented, “You’ve gotten worse.”

Chen Wan was surprised by his bluntness and laughed. “That time, I was just riding on your luck.”

Perhaps because they hadn’t seen each other in a while, that night on the high seas—where they sat across from each other, dominating the poker table—felt like a distant memory.

Zhao Shengge adjusted his watch, which had shifted when he washed his hands. Through the mirror, he lifted his chin slightly and looked at Chen Wan. “You could try borrowing some of Mr. He’s luck.”

His tone and expression were both casual, as if he were merely making a passing joke without any deeper meaning.

But his eyes remained fixed on Chen Wan, unwavering.

“……”