Chapter 108 - Why Not?

"The victory party is just on the seaport area. Hehe, looking at the sea during the night is actually relaxing." Clark started after taking a peek at the invitation card that Sofia was holding.

"That's true. This is a great place to go! Hehe," Joey enthusiastically stated.

The audience of the gym had already left when they took a step out of their booth. But, the staff and some participants remained for the interview.

Jing Jing listened to the members of the Chronos squad talking about the victory party. She maintained a slow pace behind them to give the group a sense of privacy in their discussion.

Just as the group was about to take a step towards the parking area, Sofia turned her head and looked in her direction. Both of them shared a friendly smile.

"Sister Jing, thank you for today!" Sofia said with a hint of sincerity in her tone. 

The lady expressing her gratitude all of a sudden completely startled Jing Jing. She did not expect Sofia to thank her for she did not really do the majority of their alliance. In the end, it was still the Chronos squad who played well during the tournament. It should be her who must thank the group instead!

"Thank you also! Thank you for giving me your contact and initiating to work with my company," Jing Jing slightly bowed her head and showed her gratitude to the group.

"The matter of publicity and other media concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me. You have my phone number saved on your phone, right?" Sofia inquired.

"Yes, of course! I will contact you right away when there is an important development on the Chronos squad official page," Jing Jing replied.

"Hehe, by the way, Sister Jing, do you have arrangements for tonight?" Sofia asked Jing Jing politely. She also held the invitation letter for the victory party in her hand. Her index finger tracing the edges of the letter.

"No, I have no plans for tonight. But, I'll monitor the hype on the internet. Since we just created the Chronos squad official page, the admins may need to publish many contents from your gameplays earlier," Jing Jing replied maintaining eye contact with her.

"Oh, just leave those to the admins of the page. You have done enough. Might as well come with us in attending this victory party!" Sofia offered.

"I don't think that's a good idea. I am part of the rival press company that the tournament organizers contracted. It's best to avoid conflict!" Jing Jing respectfully declined. She knew the protocol about private parties. The media personalities like her needed a formal invite for them to join.

"Oh, okay. Then, we will go ahead to prepare for this party. But if you change your mind, just send me a message. This time, you'll just be part of us," Sofia initiated. 

It may be a victory party but in this kind of business, Sofia was well aware that this dinner won't be about them being the champion of the tournament.

Usually, participants of the tournament had their squad backing by gaming clubs. Thus, the organizer won't arrange a victory party for the champion team.

The victory party was for the company behind the tournament. Those staff who worked hard for the preparation of the event. The success of their preparation was the one that would be highlighted in the dinner and not the players.

"We are just attendees in this party, sister Jing. Might as well grab great food! I heard that the venue specialized great dessert!" Sofia added with a small laugh. Then she turned around and her members followed her lead.

Jing Jing nodded her head and stared at the retreating figure of the group. 

"This young lady sounded so knowledgable. And the way she talked was so hard to contradict," Jing Jing murmured.

When the group reached the stop area for a private vehicle, a 7 seater car stopped near the group. The driver in the car quickly got out and opened the door of the car.

Jing Jing halted her steps and watched as the five teenagers went inside the car until the vehicle left.

When she decided to walk towards her car, the phone in her pocket vibrated hinting at her for a new message. She instantly fished out the device and looked at the screen.

The message was from Sofia sending her the venue of the victory party.

Victory Party

Seaside Function Hall, Rrad Hotel, District 7

8:30 PM

"Hehe, this girl..." Jing Jing mumbled before she placed her phone back in her pocket. "8:30 huh? It looks like I need to hurry!"

Jing Jing does not really plan on going out that evening. She was supposed to dine at a fine restaurant with Drake. But with their relationship tragically ended, she felt not in the mood to go to a party.

However, for her to received this text message from Sofia, she quickly understood that the lady wished her to join them.

This is one character that Jing Jing possessed. She usually does not like attending parties regardless of what mood she is, unless it would be connected with her work. 

Jing Jing may treat the message of Sofia as just a casual second invite to the party. But in fact, the lady had actually known her attitude in her last life. 

At the same time, all members of the Chronos squad had victorious expressions on their faces. They sat in the car with high spirits despite the exhaustion that they felt. As they talked about their gameplays and congratulated one another, everyone shared jubilant laughter, including the old man driving the car. 

This was the only moment that they have gained privacy, hence, they expressed most of their emotions right away.

"Who are you texting?" Stephen suddenly asked after noticing that Sofia had become busy with her phone.

"It was the big sister Jing Jing. I sent her the location of the party," Sofia answered and showed Stephen the screen of her phone with the one message sent for Jing Jing.

"Ohh, but she said that she would not go?" Stephen curiously asked.

"Nah, that's just like her. But if you give her the details of the party, she will actually attend it," Sofia easily answered.

Stephen did not think too much of her response. But if he would have listened to Sofia's words directly, he would actually know that there was a sense of familiarity with it. She had just casually described Jing Jing's character to him!

"Okay," Stephen nodded before leaning his head to the window of the car.

"Uhmm, what should we wear to this party? Should I pick a suit? Coz, I don't have that kind of outfit in my place!" Joey mentioned.

"Nahh, this is a victory party arranged by the tournament organizers. As long as we choose a decent outfit, no one will really complain about it," Sofia responded.

"Ok. Then, I'll stick with a polo and jeans. How about you, bro?" Joey glanced at Stephen and Clark.

"I'll also wear a polo and jeans," Stephen replied.

On the other hand, Clark hesitated for a bit. He seemed to have difficulty deciding what he would be wearing at the party. he was torn between wearing a formal suit as he was also from a respected family. Therefore, he had to protect his image. Or if he would just use a casual outfit as Joey and Stephen had expressed.

"Ohoho, rich kid problems only!" Joey playfully told Clark after he noticed the reluctance in the boy's expression.

"Tsk! Rich kids have so many outfits to the point that it becomes troublesome in choosing which outfit to wear! Hehe," Stephen patted Clark's head.

"Anything you wear Clark would look descent on you!" Claire said.

"Yiiieeee... what are you two? Is this some sort of a scenario that is getting a crush and being the crush of your crush thingy? What's going on!" Joey pried and teased Clark further. In the background, Stephen was also clapping his hand as if cheering for the idea of the two to become a couple.

In an instant, a deep tint of pink appeared on Claire and Clark's faces. Their heads felt light and for some reason, these two shared the same amount of restraint.

"I am just telling the truth," Claire softly grumbled. Her lips formed into a cute pout.

"Right, right! You are just telling the truth! Hehe, you are so handsome, bro! Ayiiee!" Joey continued while messing with Clark's hair. Their tiredness suddenly disappeared as the discussion had gone further.

"Well, getting a relationship on this occasion is just perfect," Sofia supported. Although her mindset was focused on the game the old soul within her did not forget that it was Valentine's Day!

"Ahaha, stop it!" Clark lightly smacked the hands Joey and shyly looked at Sofia. When he saw that Sofia did not have a playful expression on her face, he felt a sense of encouragement from her.

"Well. Claire deserved to be courted. If she agrees, why not?" a genuine smile bloomed on Clark's face as he took a courage to look at Claire in the eye.

"Tsk! Why not?" Claire repeated and even winked at him!