Chapter 8: Idol

On the private jet, the five members of Dream Chasing Boys 505, including Luo Xingjin, were all feeling uneasy. They had just finished recording a variety show and were immediately brought onto this super-luxurious plane. Their respective managers were confused, calling to ask, only to be told that it was an arrangement made by the Polar Bear Company.

Polar Bear was the platform for their talent show, and after Dream Chasing Boys 505 debuted, they were jointly managed by Polar Bear and their original management company. Originally, their schedule was packed. After the variety show, they had several interviews lined up, but all of that was pushed back. The manager from Polar Bear told them that the announcement they were rushing to attend was the most important one, something no one else could even dream of getting.

What kind of extraordinary event could make the Polar Bear Company, one of the most influential names in the industry, take such notice? The leader, Yan Hongfang, and his manager confirmed the answer: attending a fan meeting and performing a few numbers.

Member Shen Zeyang found it odd. “But there hasn’t been any announcement in the fan club? The performance details, costumes, and stage setup weren’t confirmed in advance. Now they’re giving us an emergency notice, and we have no idea what kind of event this fan meeting will be. How can this be?”

Luo Xingjin, Li Deyuan, and Xia Gaofei were equally puzzled, and their assistants had no idea what was going on. The manager on the other end of the phone was vague, only saying they’d understand once they arrived. They were told to perform well and, most importantly, to keep everything confidential—if someone else got wind of it, they’d regret it.

The members: ???

Yan Hongfang: “I don’t think it’s as simple as a fan meeting. Look at the plane we’re on. It’s a hundred times more luxurious than first class.”

“Uh, maybe it’s the kind of big shot who’s really rich…”

Li Deyuan, the youngest, made mysterious gestures and lowered his voice. “The kind of big shot that Polar Bear has to pamper, someone who wants to pull strings with us…”

The others shivered and felt uneasy. Luo Xingjin shrugged. “I don’t think so. Didn’t they prepare a normal costume and makeup for us? Plus, Sister Xu told us to give it our best effort and perform at our highest level.”

“I guess it is a big shot, but not in the way you think. It’s someone who wants to support us, invest in our resources. Sister Xu said we definitely can’t let anyone steal this chance.”

Regardless of whether that was true, the explanation did make the members feel a little more at ease. After getting off the plane, they were taken in luxury cars, drawing attention all the way. They were eventually driven into the underground garage of a landmark building and taken straight to the top floor by elevator.

When they arrived, there were already a group of people in suits moving things and rearranging the entire restaurant. This place originally didn’t have a stage, so one had to be built on-site.

Someone approached Yan Hongfang, showing him the stage design and layout plans, asking if there were any adjustments needed to ensure the best performance tonight.

Compared to other idols, Dream Chasing Boys 505 really knew music. The members went through the design plans, and after a moment of silence, they all realized how exceptional the equipment was.

They had never used sound systems and microphones this high-end before… The accessories they had chosen weren’t just expensive—they were extremely expensive, and there were no flaws whatsoever.

Today, they understood: the problem wasn’t with the equipment, but with them.

This top-tier, professional setup, worth tens of millions, was all for tonight? And in this venue, it was totally overkill—it should have been used in a stadium full of thousands!

They said nothing more and focused on performing well. This might be the only chance they had to use such incredible equipment.

Because time was tight, the five members had to change clothes and do their makeup, so they only had time for a quick rehearsal. Fortunately, these were their own songs, and they were pretty familiar with them. While they were practicing, their assistants came to inform them that the guests for dinner had arrived, and they needed to head to the entrance to greet them.

The members: …So the fan meeting was fake, right? There’s no way idols wait at the door for fans!

But at this point, no one was concerned about their feelings. Dream Chasing Boys 505 was initially standing in their usual formation, but the leader, looking like the head of a secret group, suddenly said, “Luo Xingjin, step to the front.”

Luo Xingjin: ?

What was going on? He was the fourth member to debut, he should be standing off to the side!

The person in black wasn’t concerned with their usual rankings, and the manager who had rushed over urged Luo Xingjin to go up quickly. Luo Xingjin, still confused, hesitated but stepped forward. He had just barely stood in place when he heard an extremely excited scream.

“Ahhhhhhhhhh!”

Fan girls’ eyes can be sharp. Even from over ten meters away, Xu Wenwen immediately recognized that the person standing in front was Luo Xingjin. Just earlier, Su Shiyi had told her that she had invited the real Luo Xingjin, not a high-quality replica. Xu Wenwen hadn’t believed it, thinking their group was in another city for activities.

But the next second, she was proven wrong—it was really Luo Xingjin!

Xu Wenwen, a delicate girl who nearly missed a scholarship because of poor physical fitness test results, ran in high heels with the speed of a sprinter, leaving even Bolt behind. She dashed forward like a gust of wind, leaving the three people behind her wide-eyed.

Su Shiyi was stunned, her mouth nearly hanging open. “If she doesn’t win the 100m race at school this year, I won’t accept it.”

Wu Feifei clicked her tongue and shook her head. “That’s too small-scale. If you hang a photo of Luo Xingjin around her neck with a fishing rod, I swear she’ll be running in the Olympics soon.”

Although the others were also excited to meet a celebrity, they could still control their emotions and walked calmly behind. Xu Wenwen, however, had already reached Luo Xingjin and almost tripped from rushing so fast. When Luo Xingjin caught her to steady her, she couldn’t help but feel regretful. She hated herself for reacting too slowly—she should have fallen into his arms instead!

Once she confirmed that this was indeed her fan, Luo Xingjin relaxed a bit. He smiled at Xu Wenwen, “Hi, please come in. We’re going to sing for you today.”

“We?” Xu Wenwen thought of something and almost screamed again. “Did the other members of your group come too?”

“Yes, they’re right there.”

Xu Wenwen craned her neck and saw the other four members of Dream Chasing Boys 505 waving at her.

Xu Wenwen: !

Someone, bring her an oxygen tank!

Tears unexpectedly fell from her eyes. She suddenly remembered her makeup and hurriedly wiped her eyes, telling herself not to cry—she definitely couldn’t embarrass herself in front of her idol!

Xu Wenwen was incredibly happy, but still managed to stay composed enough to keep a distance of a meter from Luo Xingjin. She nervously asked if she could shake his hand.

Luo Xingjin subtly glanced at his manager, who quickly nodded, almost giving him double vision, and even mouthed, “Hug! Photo!”

Luo Xingjin, who was usually reminded to stay away from fans: …

“Of course,” he replied with his professional smile, his eyes almost dazzling Xu Wenwen, making her feel dizzy. “Do you want to take a picture? You look beautiful today.”

Ahhhhhhh!

Xu Wenwen’s inner voice screamed like a groundhog, and Su Shiyi and the others were catching up. Although Xu Wenwen was a little reluctant to lose the chance to take a solo picture with her idol, she still enthusiastically invited her roommates to join for a group photo.

“No need, you go first,” Su Shiyi said, already calling for their assistant. “Kevin, is there someone here who can take pictures? Help Wenwen with a few shots.”

“Don’t worry, I’ve already arranged a photographer.”

Kevin snapped his fingers, and like magic, six photographers holding DSLR cameras suddenly appeared from the corners, each standing in a different position.

“Miss Xu, feel free to pick any angle you like. We’ll take care of the post-production selection and editing.”

The scene was so impressive that not only Xu Wenwen had never seen it, but even Luo Xingjin was surprised. He thought it was a red carpet event. Their manager, Sister Xu, was incredibly efficient, quickly ushering the unrelated people away and selecting a beautiful backdrop for the photo. She even had the other four team members line up, preparing for a group photo.

#Hello,We’reDreamChasingBoys505,YourPart-timePhotoMascots.

#ExperiencingWhatIt’sLikeToWorkAtDisney.

Xu Wenwen was so happy she felt like she might bubble over, and Su Shiyi was also enjoying the feeling of taking a photo with the big stars. She have to admit, these idols were really good-looking. Standing this close, they looked even slimmer, more refined, and their skin was so pale, almost glowing—much better than what you’d see on your phone.

How should she put it? Just earlier today, she was disgusted by that scumbag Zhao Nian, but now, looking at these young, handsome idols, it really served as a good eye-cleaning experience.

And they each had beautiful voices and sweet mouths. When it came time for the photo, they were happy to hug if you wanted, and those like Lin Jiayan, who weren’t used to being so close to strangers, they were very considerate, maintaining a gentlemanly demeanor the whole time. Su Shiyi was worried they might feel awkward, but the boys acted so naturally, chatting and laughing with the four of them. Their charm was off the charts, and she even felt like she might become a fan herself.

Su Shiyi: I wasn’t into fan culture before… but now, I’m converted!

Originally, Su Shiyi had planned to hire a singer, similar to a music restaurant performer, who would sing while they ate. But these were big stars, and since Xu Wenwen was their fan, this approach didn’t seem quite right.

“Let them finish their performance first, then we’ll eat together,” Su Shiyi asked Kevin, “Is the restaurant prepared with enough food?”

“Don’t worry, the restaurant can supply plenty of food.” And if it’s not enough, they’ll go buy more.

A great secretary doesn’t focus on what can be done right now, but on what needs to be done based on the boss’s requirements. — Kevin’s Success Manual

Dream Chasing Boys 505 prepared three songs, all popular boy band-style songs. Xu Wenwen was cheering like crazy from the audience, her enthusiasm matching a hundred fans. Although there were only four spectators, she made it feel like a concert for thousands, bringing the other three, who weren’t originally into fan culture, into the excitement.

The five idols on stage were almost exhausted, breathing heavily. They were singing live, with no backing tracks, and the accompaniment was pure instrumental. No one dared suggest changing the version, especially with Sister Xu keeping an eye on them.

Most of them had solid basic skills, but Xia Gaofei, who broke his voice while singing, felt really embarrassed, especially since he was the only one who made a mistake.

After they bowed and left the stage, Sister Xu came up to greet them. They had never seen her this happy before, her eyebrows were practically flying.

“Secretary Kevin said Miss Su wants to hear some calmer songs. Everyone can go eat first, then take turns performing solo on stage. He has great connections at the Gu Group, and with so many companies under the Gu family, some big-name endorsements are about to expire. The opportunity to raise our commercial value is right in front of us. You all understand what I mean, right?”

The five of them were excited, rubbing their hands together, eager to decide what songs to sing. But at this moment, Sister Xu gave Xia Gaofei a look, filled with a bit of regret.

“Xiao Xia, your condition doesn’t seem great today. You should rest and not perform for now.”