Chapter 17

Yan Zhao left the study without saying a word and closed the door behind him.

Shen Yuanting smiled helplessly, propped his chin with one hand, and opened the file on his computer.

A video popped up, and the person in the video was none other than Yan Zhao. The progress bar had reached the end, freezing the scene at the moment he was holding the ring in his mouth.

Yan Zhao is a celebrity, destined to showcase most of his beauty to his fans and audience.

Shen Yuanting tapped his finger slowly on the desktop, then closed the video and dragged the file into an encrypted folder.

After that, he made a call to his secretary.

…

Mu’s group latest concert was held in Haicheng. In order to familiarize themselves with the venue and participate in rehearsals, Yan Zhao flew there a few days in advance.

The company arranged adjoining hotel rooms for them. Even if they stayed in the hotel all day, during rehearsals, everyone was avoiding eye contact, and the atmosphere between Yan Zhao and Ning Yunfan could be described as quite awkward—especially from Ning Yunfan’s perspective. After all, just two days after winning an endorsement, he was publicly embarrassed by the other party, which was quite a blow to his pride.

The people from Salt Soda had already issued a strict order: as long as Zhao Zhao was still in the group, they should quietly support Yan Zhao and refrain from mocking the other party on Weibo and other public platforms, to avoid causing public resentment.

However, Ning Yunfan wasn’t the only one affected by Yan Zhao’s actions. When something went wrong, those haters would come over and mock him, even though Clouds tried hard to comfort him, he couldn’t stand it and even had some complaints about Han Yuxuan, asking why he didn’t provide him with better resources.

Ning Yunfan was venting his frustration, but Yan Zhao didn’t have time for him. He was busy going backstage every day, discussing stage effects with the director and stage guide. It had been years since he last organized a concert in his past life, and he had almost no experience. Proper preparation was the right path to take.

The director was also a bit puzzled. In the past, Ning Yunfan was the most steadfast one. How come after not seeing him for a month, Ning Yunfan seemed depressed all day, while Yan Zhao had become the diligent and inquisitive one? However, the entertainment industry is like a big vat of dye—some people become better and better as they progress, while others, once they stray, find it hard to come back.

On the day of the concert, there was a huge crowd outside the venue, with fans bringing their support items, full of excitement and joy!

Backstage, Yan Zhao had just come out of the dressing room and saw Xiao Dou and Zhong Ling huddled behind the scenes.

Xiao Dou: “There’s more red over there.”

Zhong Ling: “Those are all group tickets. You should look over here. See that stubborn touch of red next to the white…”

Xiao Dou: “Oh, the way we’re discussing this, it’s like a big red and white song competition next door in J country.”

Zhong Ling stroked her chin. “I should have worn a red dress too.”

Yan Zhao walked over and patted the shoulders of the two. “No discussing divisive topics within the team here.”

The Mu group consisted of four people with four different support colors. Yan Zhao’s color was red, Ning Yunfan’s was white, Qiu Chengtian’s was yellow, and Fang Xingyu’s was green.

The popularity of team members varied, but in order to maintain team harmony, the organizers balanced the popularity when selling tickets. However, from the distribution of individual tickets, it was still possible to analyze who the top member of the group was.

For example, at present, red and white were clearly more popular than the other two colors.

Yan Zhao has also been thinking recently. After Xingren’s contract expires, should he graduate and leave the group? He’s used to mixing in the circle alone, and dealing with teammates every day is actually quite annoying… Moreover, within the group, Ning Yunfan and Qiu Chengtian are considered his enemies, while Fang Xingyu is just a regular colleague. Besides being a dedicated fan of Mu, he doesn’t have much else to worry about.

However, the most important thing is to complete the work he has already undertaken and then discuss future arrangements.

At the appointed time, the concert starts on time.

On the stage, lights chase after the radiant performers, while below the stage, a four-colored ocean churns. In the best seats in the field of vision, unlike the high-pitched screams of female fans, the rough shouts of male fans are also quite eye-catching.

“Zhao Zhao, you’re the best!”

“Ahhhh!!! Zhao Zhao looked at me, he looked at me!!!”

“Yan Zhao! Yan Zhao! Yan Zhao!”

In the group, Zuo Tian is the “light master”, holding up boards and shining lights every day. He has both patience and muscles, and doesn’t feel tired even holding up a large LED light board. His friend next to him even shouts until his voice breaks. Since he learned that the ticket in his hand was given to him by Yan Zhao, he was so moved that he stopped playing mobile games and instead uses Photoshop to edit pictures of Yan Zhao every day. He even learned a skill, and last time someone even offered to pay him to help edit a picture.

As the song comes to an end, the fans’ screams almost seem to overturn the roof of the venue.

During a the gap, Zuo Tian turns to the young man next to him, who is wearing a suit and glasses, and asks, “Brother, which fans are you from?”

Secretary Li: “……”

He turned his head, glanced at the big shot next to him wearing a black mask, then turned back and stuttered, “I’m from Yan Zhao’s.”

Zuo Tian’s roar overshadowed the other fans, and he clearly heard this name.

“Wow, then we’re all part of the same family!” Zuo Tian exclaimed in surprise, grabbing Secretary Li’s hand. “I didn’t expect to run into another male fan of Zhao Zhao today. It’s all fate!”

Who’s in the same family with you?! Let go of my hand!

Secretary Li felt bitter. President Shen suddenly asked him to grab tickets for Mu’s concert and even booked all the surrounding seats. People from the secretary’s office all came to listen to the concert, and those who didn’t know might have thought it was a company team-building benefit.

He didn’t expect that President Shen, who is usually reserved and aloof, is actually a passionate idol fan, and he’s a fan of a male idol group at that. My gosh, this world is too crazy!

He wonder who President Shen is a fan of…

Secretary Li looked towards the stage. The four artists each have their own style, but the most dazzling is still the center position.

“Why didn’t you bring any light sticks with you?” Zuo Tian, feeling disappointed, handed him a handful of light sticks. “Here, dance for the idol!”

“………” Secretary Li reluctantly joined in the support, swaying back and forth. And a hand with distinct knuckles reached over and took one from the bunch of red light sticks. Secretary Li stared straight ahead, pretending not to have seen President Shen’s earlier actions.

Of course, Shen Yuanting wouldn’t join in with the cheering. He held the light stick between his fingers and quietly watched the young man on the stage with him.

When Yan Zhao was with him, perhaps because he was afraid of him, he always seemed a little restrained. Sometimes when their relationship seemed to progress, the next day it would regress back to its original state.

However, on stage, Yan Zhao’s nature as a performer was completely unleashed.

Shen Yuanting felt that Yan Zhao was like a large puzzle, needing him to collect the pieces and fit them together in order to see the whole picture clearly. And during the process of piecing the puzzle together, he became more and more interested in this picture.

When it was time for the encore, it seemed like the earphone monitor had malfunctioned, but Yan Zhao didn’t hesitate at all and directly took it off. He listened to the fans’ cheers and sang confidently, completely unafraid of singing off-key or missing a beat.

How could the king who conquered the stage not be proud?

After the concert, all four of them were exhausted, and they didn’t care about their expressions or posture management. They just sat in their chairs and began to relax. Only when they were so tired that they couldn’t think, could the surging undercurrent in the air finally calm down.

After removing his makeup and changing into casual clothes, Yan Zhao asked Xiao Dou and Zhong Ling to leave.

Xiao Dou handed him a bag, saying, “Yan Ge, your phone is ringing.”

Yan Zhao let out an “ah” and took out the phone from the bag. The caller ID showed: Wang Zai’s dad.

Yan Zhao’s voice was a little tired, and he sounded a bit hoarse as he said, “Shen Yuanting, what’s up? I’ve just finished singing——”

“I know,” Wang Zai’s dad said. “I just finished listening to it too.”

Yan Zhao stood still for a moment, subconsciously looking around. Unlike the bright stage, the backstage was very messy, with staff coming and going, all with weary expressions.

Shen Yuanting was nowhere to be seen.

“Where are you?” he asked, taking a few steps forward.

“The staff-only passageway,” Shen Yuanting said. “I didn’t bring anyone else, so you can come.”

Inside the passageway, the ceiling light was shining brightly. A man leaned against the wall, his profile as strong as a Greek sculpture.

Seeing Yan Zhao, he started walking, and the two of them headed towards each other.

Yan Zhao had already put on a baseball cap, and the mask was clenched in his hand. He asked, “How did you come here?”

“I was curious,” Shen Yuanting said. “I wanted to see what you looked like on stage.”

—Why was he so straightforward?

Yan Zhao smiled, “So, are you satisfied with my performance?”

“What do you think?” Shen Yuanting asked, handing a red glow stick to him.

Yan Zhao couldn’t help but laugh even more happily. He was about to ask Shen Yuanting which hotel he was staying at when he heard Zhong Ling shout, “Teacher Ning Yunfan, your hair is messy!”

Zhong Ling was Yan Zhao’s assistant, and she had no jurisdiction over Ning Yunfan’s hairstyle, whether it resembled a bird’s nest or a chicken coop. Her shout was just a reminder for Yan Zhao.

Yan Zhao looked towards the entrance, where Ning Yunfan was pushing his way in, ignoring Xiao Dou’s obstruction. Ning Yunfan’s expression was displeased, her mouth downturned. He was about to say something but the gloom on his face suddenly vanished, replaced by a hint of embarrassment and unease… and shyness?!

Yan Zhao: “…………..”

Even he could tell with just a little thought that the shyness couldn’t possibly be directed at himself.

What’s wrong with you, protagonist? Don’t you have Han Yuxuan? Why do you keep staring at Shen Yuanting?

Ning Yunfan greeted them, “Yan Ge. Senior Shen Yuanting.”

When Ning Yunfan was studying at Jincheng No. 1 Middle School, the affiliated junior high school and high school were connected, with only an iron gate separating them. When Ning Yunfan was in junior high school, Shen Yuanting was in high school.

Heh, Senior Shen Yuanting, Yan Zhao was a year older than Ning Yunfan, so why didn’t the protagonist Ning Yunfan call him Senior Yan? Yan Zhao looked coldly at Shen Yuanting, as if he were looking at a moon emitting a holy light.

All the amusement disappeared from Shen Yuanting’s face, and he calmly said, “Long time no see. Say hello to your mother for me.”

Ning Yunfan smiled, “Sure, my mom asked about you last time, saying you haven’t visited our home in a long time.”

Shen Yuanting said, “I’m very busy.”

Ning Yunfan: “Hmm, is work very hard? Do successful people like you work late into the night every day?”

Rubbing his thumb and forefinger impatiently, Shen Yuanting handed the light stick to Yan Zhao: “It’s okay, he will help me make coffee.”

Holding the light stick, Yan Zhao corrected, “It’s made by the coffee machine.”

Shen Yuanting: “You made it.”

Yan Zhao: “……… Okay, okay, I made it!”

Ning Yunfan maintained a smile: “You guys… seem to be getting along better.”

Shen Yuanting: “Yes.”

Yan Zhao played with the light stick and glanced at Ning Yunfan without responding.

Seeing that Ning Yunfan wanted to say something else, Shen Yuanting said, “It’s getting late, Yan Zhao and I are leaving,” and directly interrupted Ning Yunfan’s topic.

Yan Zhao’s gaze passed over his teammate who was biting his lips and said, “Zhong Ling, Xiao Dou, let’s go!”

They had only taken a few steps when they heard Ning Yunfan shout from behind, “Thank you for coming to the concert!”

Is it ever going to end?! Yan Zhao gritted his teeth, about to turn around and say something to Ning Yunfan, but his hand was suddenly grabbed by Shen Yuanting and lifted up, the red light stick moving with it.

Shen Yuanting didn’t even look back: “No need to thank me, I’m his fan.”

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Tl note: The author has changed/revised some of the content in chapters 1,2,12 and 14. And I have revised the chapters, so you can read them again. There are quite a lot of changes. This change also has filled several plot holes from the previous chapter.

Happy reading everyone (⁠≧⁠▽⁠≦⁠)