Long Zhan understood that competitive people are the most likely to get stuck in their own thoughts. Using words to correct them was futile, so he couldn't be bothered to intervene in the conversation between the two.
He continued sipping his drink leisurely, his gaze occasionally drifting toward the entrance, hoping for the appearance of a familiar silhouette.
"Hey, buddy, this isn't even the same thing," Brian said, cutting into the escalating discussion. His knack for reading the room wasn't lacking, and he could tell that Clay was trapped in his self-made logic. Persuading him further would be pointless.
With a helpless smile, Brian added, "I'm not great with big philosophical arguments, and I'm not the best at expressing myself. But based on my experience here, I can tell you that no one likes someone who always wants to go solo.
"I know this might be hard for you to accept, but we've been through battlefields together, as brothers. I hope we can also pass the selection for SEAL Team Six together in the future."
Clay froze at those words, his expression darkening.
If anyone else had said that to him, Clay wouldn't have cared. But Brian was different.
People who preferred the lone wolf mentality were often toxic to a team, making it incredibly difficult to form genuine friendships. Clay, however, had been fortunate to meet "Good Guy Brian," the only person he'd truly confided in since enlisting.
Brian wasn't just a friend; he was Clay's sworn brother.
Because Clay deeply valued their friendship, Brian's words carried immense weight, making it impossible for him to ignore them.
Clay's mood shifted significantly, and the atmosphere among the three grew tense.
Long Zhan wasn't one to preach to others. Even though Clay had become his swimming partner, Long Zhan detested stifling atmospheres.
Raising his glass boldly, he said, "We're here to drink, relax, and have fun. Let's set everything else aside for now. Come on, let's toast—to all three of us passing the Green Team selection!"
"Cheers!"
"To future Tier One operators!"
Taking the cue, Brian and Clay raised their glasses, relieved to have a reason to break the awkwardness.
*Clink.*
The three glasses met.
With the drinks downed in one gulp, the heavy tension lifted, and the trio returned to their usual camaraderie. They ordered another round and started playing bar games—darts, pool, dice, mini soccer…
The bar offered plenty of entertainment, and time flew by as they chatted and played. Before they knew it, the clock had ticked past 9 PM.
As the three prepared to head back to the base, Long Zhan was feeling a bit regretful.
Just then, a tall, familiar silhouette he had been waiting for stepped confidently through the bar's doors and took a seat at the counter.
She was still wearing a sultry camisole, though now in a different color.
"Obsessed with camisoles? Bold move," Long Zhan thought. Having visited the bar so many times, he was thrilled to see her again. Without hesitation, he picked up his drink and stood, heading toward the counter.
"Hey, Long, where are you off to? It's time to go," Brian called out, puzzled.
"Shh, look!"
Long Zhan motioned for silence, pointing toward the woman in the camisole. Flashing a confident grin, he said, "Get ready to do my laundry, you two."
"Oh, sure. I'll wait. I'll give you a minute before you come crawling back," Brian teased.
Clay adjusted his hair smugly, raising his chin. "Hurry up, then. I'm already prepared to take your place."
"No chance," Long Zhan retorted, smirking before striding off toward the counter.
"Well, well, who do we have here? A fallen angel? A lost fairy? How could the world possibly produce someone as beautiful as you?"
Hearing the familiar, exaggerated compliment in that rich, resonant voice, Stella, who had her back to Long Zhan, couldn't help but laugh.
Long Zhan's voice was simply too distinctive.
"No one's ever complimented me like that before. I'm flattered," Stella said, turning to face Long Zhan. Her relaxed smile was radiant as she extended her hand. "Stella. This is our second meeting."
"You can call me Long," he said, shaking her hand with a warm smile. "It might be your second time seeing me, but I've seen you countless times—maybe a hundred, maybe a thousand, or even more."
"Oh my god, that's impossible," Stella said, her lips parting slightly in surprise. "I've been so busy preparing my students for exams lately. I barely had any free time until tonight."
"Aristotle once said that seeing someone doesn't have to be face-to-face—it can happen on a higher, spiritual level. Ever since we last met, your ethereal beauty has been etched into my mind, appearing before me every minute. If we're counting like that, it's been thousands of times."
Long Zhan's gaze was locked on Stella as he spoke, his eyes burning with an intensity that was hard to resist.
Stella's heart raced under the heat of his gaze. Taking a sip of her drink, she tried to deflect the conversation. "Did Aristotle really say that?"
"Of course he did. You can look it up," Long Zhan replied without missing a beat, lying with a straight face. "If he didn't, I'll cover your drinks tonight. If he did, I'll still cover them."
"Whether I win or lose, you're paying? Isn't that a bad deal for you?" Stella asked, laughing.
"Not at all," Long Zhan said, shaking his head seriously before flashing a sly smile. "For someone as stunning as you, I wouldn't mind losing a bit more."
"You're too much," Stella said, laughing uncontrollably. Her heart felt as if it was filled with sweetness from Long Zhan's charming words.
"You mentioned you're a teacher?" Long Zhan asked, knowing when to dial back the teasing and shift to a more genuine tone.
"A graduate teaching assistant at Hudson State University," Stella replied without hesitation, clearly letting her guard down around Long Zhan.
"Wow, Hudson's pretty far from here. Isn't it late for you to head back?"
"Yeah," Stella said, nodding. She frowned slightly and pursed her lips. "I can't stay long. Once I finish this drink, I need to leave. I have a class to teach in the morning. Just thinking about it gives me a headache."
"I could give you a ride. The beachside night view in Bay City is stunning. I'm on a motorcycle—perfect for nighttime sightseeing. Want to give it a try?" Long Zhan dangled his motorcycle keys with a grin.
"It's a long way. Do you really think I'd let you give me a ride?" Stella asked, her eyes glinting with amusement.
"Why not? Feminism?" Long Zhan teased.
"More or less. I don't want to owe you anything, and I don't want to waste your time. I know someone like you has more valuable things to do," Stella said, hinting at something deeper.
"I think the core of feminism is living freely and doing what you want—like accepting a ride from a man who admires you. My time might be precious, but giving you a ride is worth it," Long Zhan said, standing up and pulling out his wallet. He placed $50 on the counter.
Before Stella could respond, Long Zhan extended his hand and invited her with a smile. "Miss Stella, the beautiful lady of the night, shall we? I'll be your escort this evening."