《Singer》


 CH 1

    Translator: Lynn


    On Friday, Jian Jie remained home alone, still in his teenage years and studying architecture at Hengde University, one of China¡¯s top-ranked universities. He was just starting his junior year. Currently, his brother was his only close relative. Since his brother¡¯s marriage, he had moved to a spacious house with four bedrooms and two living rooms. Housekeeping staff came weekly, and Jian Jie himself was diligent in keeping the house clean.


    In the sweltering mid-July heat, with the sun blazing, Jian Jie opened the thick curtains in all the rooms and turned on the lights to create an evening-like ambiance.


    While engrossed in sketching the building¡¯s exterior in his study, accompanied by soft cello music playing on the stereo, Jian Jie didn¡¯t hear the knock on the door. His Labrador, Amu, played with a toy by his feet, but upon hearing the noise, it ran into the living room, barking at the door.


    ¡°Jiejie,¡± someone called his nickname from outside, and Jian Jie recognized the voice of his elder brother, Jian Bin. Hastily setting down his pencil, he Vint to open the door.


    ¡°It¡¯s such a beautiful day, and you¡¯re still cooped up at home. It¡¯s the weekend, go out and spend time with your friends,¡± Jian Bin said, unable to help himself from advising his younger brother, who seemed bored during the summer vacation.


    Jian Bin had recently turned 30 and worked as an executive in a large company. He was eleven years older than Jian Jie and had taken care of him like an elder since their parents passed away many years ago. Jian Bin cherished his brother greatly, and Jian Jie was generally obedient. His academic performance had always been excellent, which made Jian Bin proud. However, Jian Jie¡¯s introverted nature concerned Jian Bin. He hoped his younger brother would go out more and make friends.


    Upon hearing his brother¡¯s words, Jian Jie shyly smiled and replied, ¡°I Went out in the morning.¡±


    ¡°Take the dog for a walk,¡± Jian Bin shook his head helplessly. ¡°I came here to tell you that I¡¯m leaving for Hong Kong in two days. The company is expanding its business there, and they¡¯re sending me as a supervisor. You¡¯d better stay at my place for a while. Your sister-in-law won¡¯t be there initially, but she can take care of you at home. It¡¯s summer vacation, so you don¡¯t have to live near the university anymore. What do you think?¡±


    Jian Jie pondered for a moment, but ultimately declined, saying, ¡°I want to stay here. Brother Xiao Qi introduced me to a job, but your place is too far from there.¡± Mentioning this matter angered Jian Bin further. He snapped, ¡°I heard what Xiao Qi said. If you have any serious issues, why don¡¯t you call your brother instead?!¡± Jian Bin felt jealous that his younger brother sought help from Li Xiaoqi instead of him. He complained, ¡°Let me know if you need a part-time job, and I¡¯ll find one for you. Ever since you started learning guitar from Li Xiaoqi, you rarely call me. If I had known, I wouldn¡¯t have allowed him to be your teacher.¡±


    ¡°I have called, but my brother is usually busy,¡± Jian Jie earnestly explained.


    Realizing he had been unjust, Jian Bin swiftly changed the topic and said, ¡°I¡¯ve also been to the bar that Xiao Qi suggested you visit. It¡¯s quiet and decent. I know the owner, Vincent, quite well. So if you like it, there¡¯s no problem. Going out more can be a good thing. Just make sure you don¡¯t drink there; you might encounter some unsavory characters. Hey, if you¡¯re not happy with what you¡¯re doing, don¡¯t force yourself. Don¡¯t feel bad or wronged in your heart. You need to tell your brother.¡±


    On one hand, Jian Bin wanted his younger brother to socialize more, but on the other hand, he treated him like a child, fearing something might happen to him outside. He rambled on for a while, expressing his concerns. However, Jian Jie patiently agreed with his brother¡¯s advice one by one.


    Jian Jie¡¯s decision to work was not due to financial need. His parents¡¯ inheritance had been passed on to him by Jian Bin, and he received a generous monthly allowance. Moreover, Jian Jie was frugal and never spent money carelessly, so his life was comfortable. However, he enjoyed the feeling of independence and had worked part-time in the past. Unfortunately, his introverted nature prevented him from finding a suitable job. This time, Li Xiaoqi had introduced him to a job at a bar owned by a friend, where he would play the piano for two hours every Friday and Saturday night. Jian Jie had been to the bar several times and loved the job. Having learned piano since childhood, followed by the cello and currently learning guitar from Li Xiaoqi, it was evident that he had a genuine passion for music.


    Jian Bin assured his younger brother that he wouldn¡¯t object as long as Jian Jie enjoyed the job. After a lengthy admonishment, he inquired about Jian Jie¡¯s recent living conditions and finally left after four o¡¯clock.


    Once Jian Bin departed, Jian Jie realized it was getting late and began preparing for his night shift. He was familiar with the routine, as he had been to the bar before. The boss had mentioned that casual attire was acceptable while playing the piano, so there was no need for special clothing. Jian Jie organized his backpack and packed his wallet, mobile phone, keys, music scores, and other necessities. After washing his face and changing into a clean shirt, he headed out.


    The part-time bar, Freezing Point, was conveniently located close to Jian Jie¡¯s home, just a 20-minute bus ride away. Although his brother had wanted to buy him a car, Jian Jie declined, as he didn¡¯t frequently leave the vicinity and felt it unnecessary.


    When we arrived at the bar, it was only 4:40, and Jian Jie had some time before work started at 5:30. He headed to the staff room to store his bag in the cabinet and then retrieved the sheet music before making his way to the lobby to prepare.


    As Jian Jie entered the lobby, he caught the attention of his boss, Vincent, who greeted him with a smile. ¡°Little Jie, you¡¯re early once again,¡± said Vincent, a kind-hearted man in his forties with a bald head. Being a skilled chef, Vincent¡¯s Bar was known for its excellent Western cuisine.


    Jian Jie politely returned the greeting to Vincent, saying, ¡°Hello, Uncle Vin. I wanted to come early to tune the piano.¡±


    Vincent chuckled and replied, ¡°You¡¯re quite dedicated, kid. Go ahead and do that. I¡¯ll go check on things in the kitchen.¡±


    Sitting in front of the piano, Jian Jie set aside the sheet music and began tuning it. Although the piano at the bar wasn¡¯t as good as the one his brother had bought him for home, Jian Jie wasn¡¯t overly particular when he was away. After a brief adjustment, customers started to arrive even before the designated time, prompting him to begin playing. Vincent¡¯s bar had a relaxed atmosphere, attracting guests primarily for dinner, so Jian Jie¡¯s repertoire consisted of soothing, well-known songs that didn¡¯t pose many difficulties.


    To onlookers, there was a neat and handsome boy seated at the black piano, dressed in a student¡¯s attire. His slender fingers danced across the black and white keys, producing beautiful notes that seemed to flow effortlessly from his fingertips. It was a sight that evoked a sense of beauty in those who witnessed it. Many of the young girls entering the bar couldn¡¯t help but steal glances at Jian Jie, with the bolder ones even fixating their gaze on him.


    Jian Jie remained focused on playing the piano, fully immersed in the world of music, and would take a break after completing each song.


    Just as half past six approached, a waiter arrived to call Jian Jie for dinner. Vincent had placed a specific order, ensuring that Jian Jie was served a delicious meal consisting of a small tomato beef roll, a plate of seafood pasta, and a glass of freshly squeezed kiwi fruit juice.


    While Jian Jie was enjoying his meal in the staff room, Vincent hurriedly approached him and, with an anxious tone, said, ¡°Xiao Jie, I heard from Xiao Qi that you¡¯re a good singer. Please save me.¡±


    Jian Jie looked up suspiciously and asked, ¡°Uncle Vin, what¡¯s wrong?¡±


    With a gloomy expression, Vincent explained, ¡°The band that was supposed to perform tonight hasn¡¯t arrived, and I can¡¯t reach anyone when I call. Other singers I contacted either have prior commitments or need at least three hours to get here. I¡¯m not sure if they¡¯ll even make it. Xiao Jie, please help me out. Just wait a while, and I¡¯ll get back to you.¡±


    Uncertain and lacking confidence, Jian Jie replied, ¡°Uncle Vin, I have sung before, but I only know a few songs. Will it be a mess if I do it?¡±


    Vincent, however, couldn¡¯t afford to worry about those details. As long as the venue wasn¡¯t empty, he quickly responded, ¡°Alright, just choose songs you¡¯re comfortable with. It¡¯s live night today, and it would be a shame to disappoint the audience. Come with me and check out the musical instruments.¡± He hurriedly took Jian Jie to the band¡¯s lounge, where various instruments were piled up in a corner, including keyboards, drums, a few guitars, and miscellaneous items.


    Jian Jie approached the guitars, tried them out, and selected one. He said, ¡°Uncle Vin, I only know how to play the guitar, so I¡¯ll use this.¡± He picked a rhythm guitar suitable for accompaniment and chords.


    Since Vincent wasn¡¯t knowledgeable about music, he advised, ¡°Okay, you¡¯re familiar with the style of my bar. Just sing some songs that aren¡¯t too loud. Get ready, take a break, and come out after 7:30. I¡¯ll give you a generous tip envelope in the evening after your performance.¡±


    Jian Jie shyly smiled and responded, ¡°Uncle Vin, you¡¯re too kind. I¡¯m not sure if I can do it. I¡¯m afraid I¡¯ll embarrass you.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t be nervous,¡± Vincent reassured him with a hearty laugh, patting Jian Jie on the shoulder. ¡°Just sing as you always do. Xiao Qi spoke highly of you, so you can¡¯t be that bad. It¡¯s just one night, and it¡¯s not a big event. Just be confident.¡±


    Jian Jie nodded in agreement.


    Alone in the room, he began contemplating the pop songs he knew. Jian Jie was quite familiar with numerous songs, as he had a strong passion for singing and a good musical sense. After listening to a song only a couple of times, he could easily hum along. Whenever Li Xiaoqi taught him music, he would often marvel at the inherent differences in people¡¯s talents.


    Please let me know if there are typos/mistakes in the chapter.


    Support me on ko-fi for faster releases ^^

 CH 2

    Translator: Lynn


    As darkness fell, the bar started filling up with more customers. Groups of people came and went, while Jian Jie glanced at the lively hall and stepped onto the small stage, guitar in hand.


    Under the blue lights, Jian Jie sat on a regular black high chair, casually strumming the guitar strings. After a slow melody, he approached the microphone and began singing a heartfelt love song in a gentle, mid-bass voice that was clear and pleasing to the ear.


    Initially, only Wen Sen, the boss, paid attention to Jian Jie¡¯s singing, while most of the bar¡¯s guests chatted among themselves. However, when Jian Jie reached the chorus, ¡°Let¡¯s be strangers, in a strange city; let¡¯s live separately, in a different world. We¡¯re still, we¡¯re still, let¡¯s be strangers, we¡¯re still strangers¡­¡± his clean and resonant voice effortlessly captivated the listeners, drawing the attention of numerous guests. Several tables stopped their conversations and focused intently on his performance.


    Observing everyone¡¯s reactions, some acquaintances who were also musicians approached Wen Sen and inquired, ¡°Hey, Lao Wen, why did you switch to an unplugged set today? This singer is really good, and he¡¯s a fresh face!¡± Seeing the positive response, Wen Sen laughed and replied, ¡°This kid is a friend¡¯s younger sibling, still in their teens, and they came to perform with me. Lao Guan, please forgive me.¡± He continued, ¡°The voice is good, and he¡¯s good-looking. I think the girls who come tonight will be thrilled!¡±


    While the conversations and laughter filled the air, Jian Jie finished singing two songs and took a break, sipping water. At that moment, a young man approached him and said, ¡°Brother, my girlfriend loved your singing. Can you perform a song for her and dedicate it to her?¡± Jian Jie calmly looked up at the boy and asked, ¡°Can¡¯t Take My Eyes Off You, is that alright?¡±


    ¡°Huh?¡± The boy was momentarily taken aback before realizing it was the name of the song. He quickly responded, ¡°Yes, as long as it¡¯s a love song.¡± As he spoke, he handed Jian Jie a hundred yuan.


    It was then that Jian Jie realized he was expected to be paid for song requests. He took the money in a daze and announced into the microphone, ¡°Can¡¯t Take My Eyes Off You, I¡¯ll dedicate it to this gentleman¡¯s girlfriend.¡± After the sentence, Jian Jie fell silent and began singing directly, ¡°You¡¯re just too good to be true, can¡¯t take my eyes off you. You¡¯d be like heaven to touch, I wanna hold you so much¡­ Oh, I love you baby, and if it¡¯s quite alright, I need you baby to warm the lonely nights¡­¡±


    Jian Jie¡¯s rendition of this classic love song was filled with emotion, and his gentle vocals felt like a whispered confession in the world of lovers. The atmosphere turned sweet, and the boy who requested the song took the opportunity to shower his girlfriend with sweet words.


    Following that, one after another, people approached Jian Jie to request songs, creating a lively scene. As it approached half-past eight, the replacement band finally arrived. This band was arranged with the help of Li Xiaoqi, who personally brought the young musicians. Li Xiaoqi, now a performance manager at a small company, was well-versed in this field.


    As the band took over the stage, Li Xiaoqi approached Wen Sen backstage with a smile and asked, ¡°Lao Wen, Xiao Jie didn¡¯t disappoint you today, did he? I came in and heard him sing quite well, so there¡¯s nothing to be ashamed of.¡± Li Xiaoqi was aware of Jian Jie¡¯s talent, despite him not being a major artist. Still, since Jian Jie was his referral, Li Xiaoqi humbly downplayed his involvement.


    Upon hearing this, Wen Sen smiled and replied, ¡°He did great, even better than expected. When have you ever seen someone you introduced make a mistake? The response from the guests was fantastic. Xiao Jie was a huge help today. Here, take the red envelope we agreed upon for Xiao Jie.¡± Wen Sen pulled out an envelope containing a thousand dollars and handed it to Jian Jie.


    Jian Jie hesitated to accept it and hurriedly said, ¡°It¡¯s enough for me to help you, Uncle Wen. This isn¡¯t necessary.¡±


    Li Xiaoqi chimed in, ¡°Uncle Wen is sincere, so just take it. Otherwise, he won¡¯t feel at ease with his temperament.¡±


    Uncomfortable with the situation, Jian Jie ceased refusing and took the envelope. Politely, he said, ¡°Thank you, Uncle Vin.¡±


    ¡°Thank you, you¡¯re too polite, kid,¡± Wen Sen replied with a smile. ¡°You¡¯ve been working hard all night. I know you¡¯re not into clubbing, so just go back and rest early.¡±


    Jian Jie nodded, and Li Xiaoqi said to Wen Sen, ¡°This band is also new, so you can follow the usual routine later. I¡¯ll take Jian Jie home.¡± Wen Sen agreed and didn¡¯t keep them any longer.


    After leaving the bar, Li Xiaoqi asked Jian Jie, ¡°Are you heading straight home, or is there somewhere else you want to go?¡±


    ¡°En, Brother Xiaoqi, just take me home.¡±


    Li Xiaoqi drove Jian Jie back to his residential community. During the ride, Li Xiaoqi shared his thoughts on Jian Jie¡¯s recent performance. He said, ¡°When I entered the bar, I heard you singing ¡®Always.¡¯ The song lacked variation and seemed a bit monotonous. Pay more attention to adding changes and avoid repeating certain passages too much. That¡¯s one way to enhance your singing.¡±


    Jian Jie listened attentively and replied, ¡°I understand.¡±


    Suddenly, Li Xiaoqi asked, ¡°Xiao Jie, have you considered what I mentioned to you last time? I believe you have great potential to become a professional singer. It¡¯s a shame if you don¡¯t pursue it. If you decide to become a singer, Brother Xiaoqi will support you wholeheartedly.¡± Li Xiaoqi himself lacked the talent to be a singer but held onto the dream through Jian Jie. He believed that Jian Jie¡¯s exceptional qualities made him a perfect candidate. Li Xiaoqi had previously suggested this to Jian Jie, but he had been hesitant.


    Jian Jie pondered for a moment and responded, ¡°I really enjoy singing, but can I really do it? Besides, my brother would never agree. He always says that the entertainment industry is messy, and he won¡¯t support me in pursuing that path.¡±


    ¡°Your brother has prejudices! Can we claim that society isn¡¯t chaotic? Shadiness and unspoken rules exist everywhere; it¡¯s all about how you handle them. I won¡¯t say the industry is completely clean, but it¡¯s no worse than any other field. I want you to be a professional singer because you have the talent for it. The key is to make good music, not necessarily becoming an idol or seeking fame,¡± argued Li Xiaoqi, knowing Jian Jie¡¯s natural affinity for music. Ever since Jian Jie learned singing and songwriting from Li Xiaoqi, he had developed a deep love for expressing himself through music. However, Jian Jie still lacked confidence in pursuing a professional singing career. He replied, ¡°I¡¯ll think about it, Brother Xiaoqi.¡±


    Li Xiaoqi chuckled, ¡°I can already picture your brother getting angry enough to kill me. That Jian Bin loves you so much; he wants to keep you protected. By the way, I visited Leiting Records today. They¡¯ve already accepted two of your songs, ¡®Restart¡¯ and ¡®Paradise.¡¯ It¡¯s remarkable that both songs got chosen for the first time. The payment will be settled at the end of the month and will be directly sent to your bank account.¡± Leiting Records was a prominent record company. Some time ago, Li Xiaoqi submitted a few of Jian Jie¡¯s songs to evaluate his creative level. Unexpectedly, two of the songs were selected, which was quite impressive.


    Jian Jie couldn¡¯t help but feel delighted and said, ¡°Thank you, Brother Xiaoqi.¡±


    When they arrived at Jian Jie¡¯s home, Li Xiaoqi didn¡¯t go upstairs and bid farewell after dropping him off.


    Upon entering his house, Jian Jie received a warm welcome from Amu, his dog, who wagged its tail and circled around him. Seeing the adorable sight of Amu sticking out its tongue, Jian Jie couldn¡¯t help but laugh. He first fed Amu and then grabbed a change of clothes before heading for a shower.


    After refreshing himself, Jian Jie sat on the sofa, sipping juice, when his phone buzzed and displayed his brother¡¯s name on the caller ID. Jian Jie answered the call and asked, ¡°Brother, what¡¯s up?¡±


    ¡°Just checking if you¡¯re home. Are you working tonight?¡± Jian Bin¡¯s work had just ended, and he remembered that Jian Jie had a shift that night, so he called to inquire about it.


    Jian Jie replied, ¡°Yes, I¡¯m home. Brother, I want to discuss something with you.¡±


    ¡°What is it?¡±


    ¡°I want to be a singer and release a music album. Can I?¡± Jian Jie¡¯s voice was hopeful.


    Jian Bin was taken aback and responded, ¡°What? Are you influenced by that Li Xiaoqi? Jiejie, don¡¯t listen to him. Look at those celebrities who seem perfect on the surface; who knows what¡¯s really going on behind the scenes? Those big stars are always surrounded by people. Can you handle that?¡±


    Jian Jie¡¯s voice turned low as he said, ¡°Brother, I want to be a singer and release music, not become a celebrity. I genuinely love singing¡­¡±


    Hearing his younger brother¡¯s distressed tone, Jian Bin¡¯s heart softened instantly, and he quickly said, ¡°Jiejie, don¡¯t be sad. I didn¡¯t mean that. If you truly enjoy it, then it¡¯s not impossible.¡±


    ¡°Does that mean you agree?¡± Jian Jie couldn¡¯t contain his happiness.


    Embarrassed, Jian Bin asked, ¡°What did Xiao Qi tell you?¡±


    ¡°Brother Xiaoqi noticed my passion for singing and offered to help me become a singer. However, he also suggested waiting until after I finish university before considering it as a career path,¡± Jian Jie explained.


    Jian Bin found Li Xiaoqi¡¯s suggestion considerate and said, ¡°Yes, you should focus on your studies first. Singing can be a hobby for now, and you can continue learning from Xiaoqi. After you graduate in two years, I¡¯ll help you find a suitable company and finance your album release.¡±


    ¡°No need to spend money. Even if I can¡¯t release an album, I can still sing anywhere,¡± Jian Jie replied with an open mindset.


    Jian Bin immediately retorted, ¡°How much will it cost? If you¡¯re passionate about it, your brother will definitely support you.¡±


    Knowing his brother¡¯s stubbornness, Jian Jie could only respond with a reluctant ¡°Mm.¡± However, deep down, he thought that if no company wanted to release his album, it must be because he wasn¡¯t strong enough. Therefore, he didn¡¯t see the point in asking his brother to spend money on it.


    Please let me know if there are typos/mistakes in the chapter.


    Support me on ko-fi for faster releases ^^

 CH 3

    Translator: Lynn


    After discussing his life goals with his brother, Jian Jie felt a newfound clarity in his heart and a sense of purpose. Despite having ambitious ideals, his day-to-day life remained largely unchanged. He spent most of his time at home or took leisurely walks in the park, occasionally meeting up with friends. However, his involvement at the bar had increased. Besides his regular piano performances, Vincent had requested him to sing every other week. Jian Jie had gained popularity at the bar, attracting regular fans who would specifically come to see him.


    August had arrived, and the weather remained hot. Early in the morning, Jian Jie dressed in a tracksuit and took Amu for a jog in the park as part of his morning exercise routine. He hadn¡¯t been much of an exercise enthusiast before, but Li Xiaoqi had taught him that physical exercise could improve lung capacity, benefiting his singing. Jian Jie had been running every morning for over a year now, and he could feel the positive impact on his overall fitness.


    It was a little past six in the morning, and the weather was pleasant, neither too hot nor too cold. The park was already bustling with middle-aged and elderly people practicing square dancing. The loud music blared with tunes like ¡°Yo Yo Yo, check it out¡± and ¡°Move times, beat times.¡± Jian Jie preferred to find a secluded spot away from the crowd.


    He jogged around the park perimeter a few times, breaking a light sweat. After wiping his face with a towel and stretching his arms, he stood in a quiet grove and began practicing his singing. Diligently, he performed the repetitive vocal exercises with focused determination, while Amu played nearby. After a substantial practice session, as he was about to resume his jog, Jian Jie noticed a bearded man with unkempt hair squatting about ten meters away, observing him.


    The man had a cheerful expression as he looked at Jian Jie. When their eyes met, the scruffy man smiled and raised his head, saying, ¡°I often see you singing here. Are you from the Anping Conservatory of Music?¡± The Anping Conservatory of Music was one of the country¡¯s most prestigious music schools.


    Jian Jie was surprised that someone had discovered his hiding place. The man¡¯s tone indicated that this wasn¡¯t their first encounter, which made him feel a bit embarrassed. He quickly denied, ¡°No, I¡¯m not. I¡¯m sorry, sir. I should be going.¡± Jian Jie then pulled Amu, intending to leave.


    However, the scruffy man laughed behind him and exclaimed loudly, ¡°Hey, handsome lad, why are you in such a hurry? I¡¯m quite accomplished in music. I want to teach you because you seem to have a deep passion for singing. You won¡¯t find anyone better to learn from!¡±


    Jian Jie couldn¡¯t help but stop and glanced back at the man several times. Although the man didn¡¯t appear to be very old, perhaps under 30, there was a hint of artistic charm despite his disheveled appearance. Intrigued, Jian Jie asked the man skeptically, ¡°Hello, do you have any suggestions for improvement?¡±


    ¡°Where do you not need improvement? The question should be, what doesn¡¯t need improvement!¡± The scruffy man maintained a smile on his face, but his words were rather blunt.


    Jian Jie had always excelled in his performances. He was the darling of his teachers and the apple of his brother¡¯s eye. Even if his singing wasn¡¯t flawless, he had never received criticism like this. Although he felt a tinge of anger, he managed to maintain his composure and asked politely, ¡°Then, may I ask for your advice?¡±


    The scruffy man chuckled and suggested, ¡°Well, why don¡¯t we find a place to sit down and talk? There¡¯s a tea restaurant nearby. Let¡¯s go there.¡± He spoke as if he was granting Jian Jie a great favor. Jian Jie hesitated, unsure whether it was a good idea.


    Jian Jie wasn¡¯t naive, and despite not being well-versed in the ways of the world, he could sense that this person wasn¡¯t trustworthy. Proposing to go to a restaurant seemed like a ploy to get a free meal. Jian Jie immediately declined, ¡°That¡¯s very kind of you, but I should return home. I¡¯ll seek your advice another time.¡±


    Wearing a pitiful expression, the scruffy man replied, ¡°Oh, young man, you¡¯re so wary! Well, I haven¡¯t eaten all day, but I genuinely understand music. There won¡¯t be another flagship store like mine after we pass this park! Or how about this, treat me to a fried dough stick and a bowl of soy milk? It won¡¯t cost you much. Don¡¯t be so stingy.¡± Jian Jie had never encountered such a brazen person before, and it was no wonder they were begging so persistently. Jian Jie thought to himself that it wouldn¡¯t hurt to invite someone to a meal, and a scammer was a scammer. He agreed, saying, ¡°Alright, let¡¯s go to the tea restaurant.¡±


    The scruffy man gleefully accepted the invitation, and together they made their way to the tea restaurant. Jian Jie tied Amu to a nearby lamppost, asking the restaurant staff to keep an eye on her, and entered the ground-floor dining area with the scruffy man. The man was quite impolite, ordering clay pot rice, two plates of shrimp dumplings, and four egg tarts. He drank the coffee provided by the restaurant and ate without any semblance of manners. He resembled a famished ghost who hadn¡¯t eaten for days.


    Jian Jie hadn¡¯t eaten breakfast either, so he ordered porridge and a beef bun. He sat next to the scruffy man, eating slowly. The man¡¯s audacious eating habits and his rather disheveled appearance attracted the attention of nearby patrons, making Jian Jie feel uneasy. However, the man seemed completely unfazed by the attention.


    After satisfying his hunger, Long Zichen, the unkempt man, leaned back in his seat and introduced himself with a smile. ¡°I haven¡¯t told you my name yet. It¡¯s Long Zichen. I used to work in the music industry, but I recently parted ways with my boss and decided to pursue a solo career. I live near the park, and I¡¯ve seen you singing here a few times. You have a knack for it. So, what do you do? How old are you?¡±


    Jian Jie, still a student, replied, ¡°I¡¯m still studying, and I¡¯m nineteen years old.¡±


    Impressed, Long Zichen exclaimed, ¡°Not bad at all! You¡¯re still a student, and you¡¯re not even from a conservatory?¡±


    Jian Jie modestly responded, ¡°Well, singing is just a hobby.¡±


    Long Zichen grinned, displaying his white teeth. ¡°You know, the first time I saw you, I thought you were a star in the making. I¡¯ve listened to you for a while, and I believe your voice is excellent. With some training, you could definitely start posting videos. How about it? Are you interested in making music with me?¡±


    Jian Jie was taken aback by the sudden change in topic. He hesitated for a moment and then replied, ¡°I¡¯m sorry, but for now, I want to focus on finishing my studies. I¡¯m not ready to think about these things.¡± Although he had aspirations of becoming a singer, he wasn¡¯t willing to follow someone as unreliable as Long Zichen. Jian Jie continued, ¡°Have you finished eating? I¡¯ll go and settle the bill.¡±


    As they left the tea restaurant, Long Zichen persisted in trying to convince Jian Jie. ¡°Hey, don¡¯t judge me based on how I look right now. I¡¯m not in a good state today!¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Mr. Long, but I really want to prioritize finishing college, so I can¡¯t make any promises,¡± Jian Jie firmly responded.


    Regardless of Long Zichen¡¯s rascal-like persistence, Jian Jie made it clear that he couldn¡¯t be swayed. Eventually, Long Zichen gave up and handed Jian Jie his business card. ¡°Okay, I have things to do later, so here¡¯s my business card. If you change your mind, feel free to contact me.¡± Jian Jie accepted the card, which simply had ¡°Long Zichen¡± written in a flowing script, along with a mobile phone number at the bottom. Jian Jie nodded to Long Zichen and headed home with Amu.


    Soon, Jian Jie forgot about the encounter. That evening, he attended a performance by the Chinese National Orchestra at the Anping Grand Theater. The concert, titled ¡°A Tribute to the Master ¨C Debussy¡¯s Night,¡± was the last show of their tour. Jian Jie¡¯s friend had given him a ticket, and he thoroughly enjoyed the night at the theater.


    September arrived, and school resumed, keeping Jian Jie busy. Although his studies came easily to him, taking up most of his time, he still dedicated his spare moments to music. On Tuesday afternoons, he learned guitar and singing from Li Xiaoqi. During the rest of his free time, he practiced at home alone and occasionally tried his hand at songwriting. He didn¡¯t neglect his part-time job on weekends either. The experience of singing in public was incomparable to practicing alone. It allowed him to directly receive the audience¡¯s reactions, including cheers and joy¡ªemotions he could never experience while singing in an empty room. Jian Jie cherished this feeling.


    Please let me know if there are typos/mistakes in the chapter.


    Support me on ko-fi for faster releases ^^

 CH 4

    Translator: Lynn


    It hadn¡¯t been long since the school year started when Jian Jie¡¯s school announced their upcoming cultural and art festival. The festival aimed to welcome the freshmen and provide a sense of warmth and happiness, allowing students who had endured the grueling training of their final year of high school to experience the joys of university life. The class cadres, particularly the members of the literature and art committee, were highly enthusiastic. They even devised a four-dimensional script, incorporating songs, dances, sketches, and occasional soundtracks. Additionally, the entire class was expected to participate in the performance.


    The plot was simple: a princess from a certain kingdom was kidnapped by an evil dragon. To rescue her, the protagonists had to collect seven dragon balls and summon a real dragon to defeat the evil one. A high school prince, a narcissistic warrior, and a naturally poor boy coincidentally embarked on this quest together. In the end, it was the lucky poor boy who collected all the dragon balls, defeated the dragon, and won the heart of the princess.


    Although the story was clich¨¦d, it was a parody filled with popular songs and amusing dances. Based on the campus rehearsals, the performance appeared to be of high quality. The literature and art committee invested significant effort, and all 30 students in the class were expected to participate. Even those without artistic talents could perform as trees or animals. Everyone had a role.


    Due to his impressive personal image, Jian Jie was honored with the role of the second prince, as recommended unanimously by all the girls. When he wasn¡¯t attending classes, he dedicated his time to rehearsing with his classmates in the large classroom. The class monitor showcased exceptional organizational skills and even secured sponsorships from local businesses. Jian Jie didn¡¯t need to spend money on drinks, clothing, or sound equipment; advertisements would suffice during the performance.


    Jian Jie had limited experience in solo performances, and his acting was somewhat stiff. However, he excelled in delivering his lines accurately, taking his role seriously. Thankfully, the literature and art committee didn¡¯t have high expectations for him. Witnessing Jian Jie¡¯s nervousness, one committee member reassured him, saying, ¡°Don¡¯t worry, as long as you remember your lines, it¡¯s great. Besides, Jian Jie, you truly look like a prince in that costume. You¡¯re perfect for the role. The girls will adore you. I have high hopes for you!¡±


    Jian Jie sighed helplessly, muttering, ¡°So I¡¯m just a pretty face.¡±


    The committee member responded seriously, ¡°That¡¯s what will attract the audience! Being a pretty face isn¡¯t a bad thing. Just look at Shui Xiaoren. He couldn¡¯t be a pretty face even if he wanted to.¡±


    ¡°F*ck, Ou Peng, can¡¯t you pronounce my name correctly? I can tell!¡± Shui Xiaoren, who was called out, became angry. ¡°I¡¯ve been assigned the role of a monster and made to move chairs and fetch water. Do you have any respect?¡±


    Ou Peng, a member of the literature and art committee, didn¡¯t take Shui Xiaoren¡¯s anger seriously and continued to complain, ¡°It¡¯s a waste that a big guy like you isn¡¯t playing an elite monster. Do you really think you look like a prince? Fine, fine, I won¡¯t waste any more time with you. Rehearsal ends here for today. The performance is on Friday. Everyone, give it your all. Tomorrow morning, we¡¯ll continue with the second act.¡± Ou Peng called out to the crowd once again. With the afternoon rehearsal concluded, the students who had gathered dispersed, and Jian Jie went to retrieve his backpack. Shui Xiaoren approached him and handed him a bottle of mango juice, ¡°I¡¯ve kept it for you.¡±


    ¡°Thank you.¡± Jian Jie accepted the juice with a wide smile, his eyes forming crescent shapes.


    Now, let¡¯s formally introduce Xiashui Xiaoren, who is an important figure in this story and also happens to be Jian Jie¡¯s childhood friend. They live near each other, and their parents used to have a close relationship. Since their age difference is minimal, they have been playing together since kindergarten. Shui Xiaoren had gifted Jian Jie the tickets for the symphony concert he attended some time ago.


    The two friends walked out of the classroom together. Shui Xiaoren took a big sip of mineral water as they walked and said, ¡°Why are you being so formal with me? Are you hungry now? I don¡¯t have anyone at home today, so let¡¯s go out to eat together.¡± Jian Jie was surprised and asked, ¡°Why aren¡¯t you with your girlfriend today?¡±


    Shui Xiaoren replied, ¡°We broke up.¡±


    ¡°What? Weren¡¯t things going well yesterday?¡±


    Shui Xiaoren looked dismissive and said, ¡°Things change and develop quickly! It was good during the day yesterday, but we broke up in the evening.¡±


    ¡°Why did you break up suddenly? You changed girlfriends so quickly. I remember you had only been with her for a short time.¡±


    Shui Xiaoren shrugged and said, ¡°We¡¯ve been together since last semester, okay? I had to do an internship during summer vacation, so I couldn¡¯t go out with her. Now that I¡¯m back from school, she got angry with me and we ended things. Last night, while I was playing games and focused, I didn¡¯t answer her call, and that was the end of it.¡±


    Jian Jie was speechless. There was no sign of a breakup in Shui Xiaoren¡¯s demeanor. It was hard for someone as serious-minded as Jian Jie to accept.


    Shui Xiaoren acted as if nothing happened and laughed, saying, ¡°Why the surprised expression? Did I scare you, innocent little boy?¡±


    ¡°Just an innocent little guy who hasn¡¯t experienced a proper relationship¡ªdaring to lecture me?¡± Shui Xiaoren sneered. ¡°I think you could become a monk if you shaved your head. You don¡¯t understand the ways of the world.¡±


    Jian Jie¡¯s face turned red, and he angrily said, ¡°Don¡¯t talk nonsense. When I meet someone I genuinely like, I will treat them well, unlike you!¡±


    Shui Xiaoren burst into laughter and said, ¡°Let¡¯s see when you can meet your goddess! Make sure to let me know first when it happens. I want to witness the moment when my brother loses his mind.¡± Shui Xiaoren once again received Jian Jie¡¯s disdain.


    The two continued their conversation and went to a small restaurant outside the school gate to eat. Since they had classes in the evening, they weren¡¯t ready to go home. During the meal, Jian Jie mentioned that he had been working at a bar since summer vacation. Shui Xiaoren was shocked and said, ¡°Your brother made you work at a bar? I¡¯ve heard that the world is quite chaotic now, and men need to be careful. You¡¯re not being taken advantage of there, are you?¡±


    Jian Jie couldn¡¯t help but roll his eyes at Shui Xiaoren and said, ¡°It¡¯s a peaceful bar. Nothing like that happens.¡±


    Shui Xiaoren insisted, ¡°I¡¯m not afraid! You don¡¯t understand how chaotic the world is now. So many innocent boys lose their innocence in bars! It¡¯s bad enough if they lose it to girls, but it¡¯s even worse if they lose it to creepy men. What should we do?¡±


    Shui Xiaoren acted as if he was afraid the world wasn¡¯t chaotic enough. ¡°No, since your brother is away on a business trip, I have to go and take care of you on his behalf.¡±


    Jian Jie felt like he was going to lose his mind and said, ¡°Everything you¡¯re saying is nonsense, and I¡¯m not a girl.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s different when the lights are off,¡± Shui Xiaoren patted Jian Jie¡¯s shoulder with a serious expression. ¡°Brother Shui is here to protect you.¡±


    ¡°¡­I wish you would disappear,¡± Jian Jie decided to ignore Shui Xiaoren.


    On Friday¡¯s art performance, the program from Jian Jie¡¯s class received the most laughter, making it a success. Jian Jie wore a borrowed tuxedo, resembling a prince from a British historical drama. Many girls surrounded him to take pictures, leaving Shui Xiaoren, dressed as a monster, feeling a bit unbalanced.


    In the evening, Shui Xiaoren actually followed Jian Jie to the Freezing Point Bar. Despite his lively personality, Shui Xiaoren was actually a well-behaved boy and had never been to such an entertainment place before. The owner, Vincent, heard that Shui Xiaoren was Jian Jie¡¯s childhood friend, so he generously offered free drinks for the night, ensuring Shui Xiaoren had a good time. Shui Xiaoren wasn¡¯t clueless either. He sat at the bar, enjoying a low-alcohol drink, listening to Jian Jie sing and occasionally making funny faces at him.


    ¡°Why are you singing all these soft songs?¡± After listening to a few love songs, Shui Xiaoren expressed his dislike for the soft tunes and suggested while Jian Jie took a break, ¡°Come on, sing something more upbeat.¡±


    Jian Jie thought for a moment and said, ¡°You often listen to that song, but I can¡¯t sing it too loudly.¡± He adjusted the tone and began singing again, ¡°¡­Victorious again, never stop walking; working together, yes, the destination of all the vows¡­Celebrate this day, this day¡­¡± It was the theme song of the 2006 World Cup with a catchy rhythm that was popular among fans. It was frequently played on sports stations. However, Jian Jie deliberately slowed down the tempo, adding a different flavor to it.


    Shui Xiaoren was delighted and said with a smile after it ended, ¡°Jiejie, I think you sing better than the original singer.¡±


    Jian Jie also laughed and said, ¡°I think it¡¯s only fair to charge you for the song¡ª100 yuan, thank you.¡±


    ¡°Wow, you¡¯ve changed,¡± Shui Xiaoren pretended to be shocked. ¡°No matter what, I have to give you the family discount.¡±


    At that moment, a young man suddenly appeared behind them and said with a smile, ¡°Young man, if you¡¯re willing to perform with me, I¡¯m willing to pay a million.¡±


    Please let me know if there are typos/mistakes in the chapter.


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 CH 5

    Translator: Lynn


    ¡°Hey, buddy, who does he think he is?¡± Shui Xiaoren felt indignant upon hearing someone¡¯s arrogance and mockingly glanced at the young man.


    The young man appeared to be in his twenties, dressed in a suit and leather shoes, exuding an elite aura. He grinned and said to Shui Xiaoren, ¡°I met your friend. I¡¯m a music producer. I gave your friend my business card, hoping to collaborate with him, but he never contacted me. It seems like fate has brought us together again today.¡±


    Jian Jie finally recognized him and exclaimed, ¡°You¡¯re Mr. Long from that day? I apologize for not recognizing you due to your changed appearance.¡±


    ¡°No worries,¡± Long Zichen chuckled. ¡°I decided to dress more professionally today. After all, we¡¯re here to discuss business. I didn¡¯t expect to hear you sing live here. If the business doesn¡¯t work out, at least I won¡¯t be losing out.¡±


    ¡°I appreciate your interest, but I¡¯m sorry, I can¡¯t chat with you right now,¡± Jian Jie awkwardly explained. ¡°I still have work to do.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s alright. What time will you be done?¡± Long Zichen asked.


    ¡°It¡¯ll be around eight o¡¯clock.¡±


    With a nonchalant smile, Long Zichen replied, ¡°Then let¡¯s continue our conversation later. Don¡¯t leave early. By the way, I don¡¯t know your name yet.¡±


    ¡°My name is Jian Jie, Jian (¼ò) from simple, and Jie (½Ü) from outstanding man,¡± Jian Jie introduced.


    ¡°Okay, see you later.¡± After saying that, Long Zichen smiled at Shui Xiaoren again and headed towards the bar¡¯s private room.


    ¡°Is he a talent scout? Why does he act so high and mighty?¡± Shui Xiaoren scoffed.


    ¡°Perhaps. I can¡¯t talk to you anymore,¡± Jian Jie said, thinking about Long Zichen¡¯s peculiar behavior. He felt that the man had a genuine passion for music, but his temperament was indeed odd. Jian Jie quickly pushed those thoughts aside, plucked the strings, and resumed singing.


    After over an hour of discussion, they finally reached an agreement on the collaboration plan. Long Zichen escorted them out of the bar, and as they parted ways, he checked his phone. It was already 7:50. Long Zichen returned to the bar and found a corner seat, where he could observe the stage. Jian Jie was still there, singing a gentle love song. The bright lights illuminated him, creating an ethereal beauty.


    The more Long Zichen looked at Jian Jie¡¯s appearance and listened to his singing, the more satisfied he became. He thought to himself, this young man would be wasting his talent if he didn¡¯t pursue a career in singing! Ever since the first time Long Zichen saw Jian Jie practicing singing in the park, he had this idea. Now, witnessing Jian Jie play and sing with such skill and control, his fingers gliding smoothly over the strings, and his natural and powerful stage presence, Long Zichen even had the urge to snatch him up. With such exceptional talent, he was confident he could groom Jian Jie into a top-tier singer.


    As a budding music producer, Long Zichen had only worked with a few lesser-known singers and orchestras before. He had yet to encounter a singer who truly amazed him. However, this time, he felt like he had stumbled upon a real gem.


    At eight o¡¯clock, a band took over the stage from Jian Jie. Observing the lead singer¡¯s appearance and listening to their lackluster performance, Long Zichen inwardly cursed, ¡°It¡¯s painful to the eyes,¡± and quickly rose to catch up to Jian Jie.


    Jian Jie and Shui Xiaoren walked back to the lounge together. Jian Jie carefully placed his guitar inside a case. Since the second week, he had been bringing his own guitar to the lounge. He owned several guitars at home, which he used freely and comfortably. He packed his backpack again, preparing to leave. Shui Xiaoren asked him, ¡°Jiejie, what will you say to that persistent scout?¡±


    Jian Jie pondered for a moment and replied, ¡°I¡¯ve considered becoming a singer, but both my brother and Xiao Qi want me to finish college first, so it¡¯s currently not possible. I¡¯ll explain it to Mr. Long later.¡±


    ¡°Singing won¡¯t hinder your studies,¡± Long Zichen interjected, leaning against the lounge door with a smile. He continued persuading Jian Jie, ¡°I want to train you to become a powerful singer, not the kind of idol artist who earns a lot of money in a year or two and then fades away. I won¡¯t rush you to release an album right away. You can continue studying and receiving training for the next two years, and we¡¯ll release the album when you¡¯re fully prepared. If we do it, we¡¯ll make a big splash.¡±


    Despite Long Zichen¡¯s continued arrogance, Shui Xiaoren couldn¡¯t help but ask, ¡°Which company do you belong to? Your words sound good, but can you guarantee that you¡¯ll deliver on them?¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re quite cautious,¡± Long Zichen replied with a smile. He took out a business card and handed it to Shui Xiaoren.


    Unlike the personal business card Long Zichen gave Jian Jie last time, this one had impressive titles printed on it. Shui Xiaoren noticed that Long Zichen¡¯s position was listed as ¡°Music Director of Xinghuo Music Culture Development Co., Ltd.¡± and remarked, ¡°I¡¯ve never heard of ¡®Xinghuo Music.¡¯ It¡¯s not as well-known as Haichuan, Xingyi, or Leiting, which have produced many singers. If you want to become a singer, wouldn¡¯t it be better to join a major company?¡± Haichuan, Baiyi, and Thunder were the three major record companies in Huaguo.


    Long Zichen cleared his throat and explained, ¡°Big companies have the advantage of abundant resources, but small companies have their own benefits. Can Xiaojie work as hard as I do if he joins those big companies? Most likely, he¡¯ll just become a stepping stone for other singers. But if he comes to our company, it¡¯s different. I¡¯ll ensure that Xiaojie receives the best treatment.¡±


    Long Zichen¡¯s use of ¡°Xiaojie¡± made Shui Xiaoren feel uneasy, but he held back his discomfort. Seeing the musician¡¯s sincere invitation, Jian Jie felt hesitant to decline again. He said, ¡°Thank you for taking me seriously. Your proposal sounds good. Let¡¯s arrange a visit to your company and see how it goes.¡±


    ¡°Okay, that¡¯s settled,¡± Long Zichen happily responded with a grin. ¡°I¡¯m busy on weekends, so you can come whenever you¡¯re free. Just give me a call before you come. Do you have my phone number?¡±


    ¡°Yes, I have your business card. I¡¯ll call you after discussing it with my family,¡± Jian Jie confirmed.


    Long Zichen was pleased and affectionately said to Jian Jie, ¡°Deal. If I don¡¯t hear from you guys, I¡¯ll wait here.¡± After exchanging a few more words, Long Zichen noticed that Jian Jie had finished packing his belongings and suggested, ¡°You two are heading home now, right? We¡¯re on the way. I¡¯ll give you a ride.¡±


    ¡°There¡¯s no need to trouble you, Mr. Long,¡± Jian Jie quickly declined, but Long Zichen was in a good mood after such a positive encounter and insisted. Jian Jie and Shui Xiaoren reluctantly accepted the offer and hopped into the car.


    The next day, Jian Jie discussed the matter with his brother over the phone. Jian Bin strongly disagreed and expressed his concerns, ¡°You don¡¯t know that person. What if he¡¯s a fraud? Besides, if you want to pursue this path, you should join a major record company. His company is small, what kind of future can it offer?¡±


    ¡°I think Mr. Long is sincere,¡± Jian Jie responded, feeling a bit dejected without his brother¡¯s support. ¡°Brother, I don¡¯t aspire to much fame. Wouldn¡¯t it be more liberating in a small company? Brother, I just want to take a look. Please?¡±


    Jian Jie always sought Jian Bin¡¯s opinion before making decisions, which made Jian Bin appreciate his younger brother even more. Unable to resist his younger brother¡¯s earnest plea, Jian Bin softened his tone and said, ¡°If you want to check it out, then go. But you can¡¯t go alone. I¡¯ll ask Xiao Qi to accompany you and assess the situation. If you seriously consider signing a contract with them, you need to get Xiao Qi¡¯s approval first.¡±


    ¡°Thank you, brother,¡± Jian Jie¡¯s tone lightened.


    After hanging up the phone, Jian Bin couldn¡¯t help but feel distressed. Why did Jian Jie want to become a star? Wouldn¡¯t it be better for him to excel in college and pursue a career as an architect after graduation? However, Jian Bin couldn¡¯t bear to see his younger brother¡¯s aspirations crushed, so he resigned himself to fate and thought, ¡°Which child doesn¡¯t have dreams? If Jian Jie wants to sing, let him sing. After all, it¡¯s not something he¡¯ll do for a lifetime.¡±


    At that moment, Jian Bin failed to grasp the depth of his younger brother¡¯s determination. On the other hand, Jian Jie was filled with indescribable joy upon receiving his brother¡¯s support.


    Please let me know if there are typos/mistakes in the chapter.


    Support me on ko-fi for faster releases ^^

 CH 6

    Translator: Lynn


    It was past four o¡¯clock in the afternoon, and the September weather remained scorching hot. Jian Jie rode his bicycle down the tree-lined street towards Long Zichen¡¯s company. Li Xiaoqi had some prior commitments and would join them later in the day.


    After approximately ten minutes of cycling, they arrived at No. 14 Chunfeng Road, the location of the former soap factory. Although the factory had shut down in the 1990s and the buildings had been repurposed, people still referred to it as the soap factory. Long Zichen¡¯s newly established music company had rented this place as its base.


    Before reaching the entrance gate, Jian Jie spotted Long Zichen squatting on the steps, completely unassuming. He was dressed in a T-shirt, jeans, and a baseball cap, with cream, smudged all over his face from the ice cream cone he held in his hand. It was quite unusual for Jian Jie to encounter such a disheveled adult, and he found it rather unbelievable.


    Upon seeing Jian Jie approaching on his bicycle, Long Zichen excitedly stood up, waved his hands, and shouted, ¡°Xiaojie, over here!¡± Despite the short distance between them, his enthusiasm resembled that of someone welcoming another person at the airport.


    Jian Jie rode up to him, stopped his bicycle, and shyly smiled at Long Zichen, saying, ¡°Mr. Long, you really didn¡¯t have to trouble yourself to come and pick me up.¡±


    ¡°I couldn¡¯t resist, and I was bored inside anyway, so I thought I might as well come and pick you up,¡± Long Zichen replied with a bright smile. ¡°I figured you might be too shy to ask someone for a ride. Come on, come inside. It¡¯s hot out here, and I¡¯ll show you around.¡±


    Jian Jie pushed his bicycle alongside Long Zichen as they entered the premises. Inside the courtyard, Long Zichen kindly helped Jian Jie park the bicycle in the shed. He then pointed around and introduced, ¡°The three-story building in front is the office area. It¡¯s decent after some simple renovations. Behind it, we have two two-story buildings, which serve as dormitories for our artists and employees. Do you see those bungalows being renovated in the north? Once they¡¯re ready, they¡¯ll be the training facilities for our artists¡ªclassrooms, vocal music, and dance. They¡¯re not fully furnished yet, but they should be ready to use in two weeks.¡± Long Zichen grinned proudly and added, ¡°Well, even though our company is small, we have all the necessary facilities. Everything we need!¡±


    Jian Jie followed Long Zichen¡¯s guidance and looked around. The buildings didn¡¯t stand out much, with old brick structures and peeling exterior paint, appearing rather worn-out. Fortunately, Jian Jie wasn¡¯t particular about appearances, so he simply nodded, thinking that the facilities inside would suffice.


    Long Zichen¡¯s enthusiasm continued as he said, ¡°Come on, let¡¯s head upstairs where the air conditioner is, and I¡¯ll introduce you to the people in our company.¡± The two walked towards the office building, and Long Zichen continued his introductions, ¡°Our company¡¯s boss, the big money guy, is named Yuan Chao. We¡¯ve been childhood friends. He has a good temperament, and you can call him ¡®Brother Chao¡¯ to make him happy when you meet him. As for the second person in the company, that¡¯s me. I¡¯m the music director. In the future, you¡¯ll be hearing a lot from me about music. Remember, Chaozi is okay, but he tends to be a bit clueless about music. Don¡¯t listen to his opinions on music¡­¡± Long Zichen chattered away, conveying the idea that their company was the best, with Long Zichen as the core, and everyone else in the company wholeheartedly implementing his directives and policies.


    Jian Jie listened attentively, observing Long Zichen¡¯s animated smile and finding him truly fascinating.


    As they entered the first-floor lobby, a young man with long hair approached them, wearing a black leather jacket and skinny jeans. He appeared to be around 27 or 28 years old. He glanced at Jian Jie and cheerfully exclaimed to Long Zichen, ¡°Hey, Dachen, is this the talented newbie you were talking about? Gotta admit he looks pretty reliable. How¡¯s his singing?¡±


    ¡°Hey, please be more tactful. I¡¯m a sensitive kid, and scaring people away will cost you!¡± Long Zichen disliked the approach and swiftly pulled away the long-haired young man¡¯s hand from Jian Jie¡¯s shoulder. Then, he pointed at him and introduced Jian Jie, ¡°This rascal here is our boss and benefactor that I mentioned earlier. Chaozi, meet Xiaojie. His singing skills are beyond words. I¡¯ll show you later, so don¡¯t intimidate him.¡±


    ¡°Hello, Mr. Yuan,¡± Jian Jie politely greeted, but Yuan Chao found it amusing and burst into laughter.


    ¡°My goodness, my brother here is something. Besides hotels and KTVs, nobody calls me ¡®Mr.¡¯!¡± Yuan Chao exclaimed happily, winking at Jian Jie. ¡°Keep up the good work, and it¡¯s not bad to be called ¡®boss¡¯ too. I¡¯ve always wanted to experience that feeling.¡±


    Jian Jie, still adjusting to the company of such lively individuals, felt a bit lost. He looked at Long Zichen, seeking help with his innocent eyes. Long Zichen, being a person of strong principles, felt compelled to scold Yuan Chao indignantly, ¡°Stop bullying the kid! Hurry up and gather those guys to welcome our guests and prepare the contract while you¡¯re at it. Xiaojie came here on my invitation, so don¡¯t drive him away.¡±


    ¡°Haha, look at you, guarding him like a mother hen protecting her chicks,¡± Yuan Chao laughed. ¡°This is the first time I¡¯ve seen you care so much about singers. I truly believe in Xiaojie¡¯s talent. I¡¯ll head upstairs and prepare. You and Dachen can take your time and feel at ease.¡±


    Yuan Chao waved his hand, smiled, and turned to go upstairs. Long Zichen felt a little embarrassed and apologized to Jian Jie, saying, ¡°I hope that didn¡¯t scare you. It¡¯s just our way of getting close physically. All my friends are like this. But don¡¯t worry, when it comes to serious business, you¡¯ll find us quite reliable, and won¡¯t let you down.¡±


    Jian Jie replied with a smile, ¡°I wasn¡¯t scared. Mr. Long and your friends have a great sense of humor. I believe working with you will be a lot of fun.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s right, this kid has good taste,¡± Long Zichen laughed heartily. ¡°Let¡¯s continue talking while we walk. Allow me to give you a brief introduction to our company.¡±


    As they ascended to the third floor, Long Zichen provided Jian Jie with some details about Xinghuo Music Company, including its size, positioning, and main business scope.


    In the current landscape, the recording industry has been greatly affected by internet downloads, resulting in a sluggish market. Some even pessimistically believe that traditional records are dead. Unless an artist is exceptionally popular, most albums can only be sold at a loss. In the past, selling 500,000 albums could secure a spot on the charts, but now, selling 50,000 albums is considered a success. However, albums themselves don¡¯t generate much profit. The real money comes from fame, which leads to commercial performances, endorsements, concerts, and tours. These avenues are the true revenue drivers.


    Although Long Zichen¡¯s company is just starting out, it has already signed over a dozen artists, two dance performance groups, and more than 20 trainees. Among these individuals, only those who excel will have the opportunity to release an album. Even having a memorable single can lead to numerous commercial performances and other opportunities. Some artists may also explore avenues in hosting, acting, comedy, and more. Long Zichen¡¯s company aims to ensure profitability through the performances of these artists, along with the internet and mobile phone CRBT business. However, their ultimate goal is to discover one or two queen-level singers who can make a name for themselves.


    Jian Jie is precisely the kind of singer Long Zichen believes can be the backbone of the company. With his exceptional voice, striking appearance, and a little bit of grooming, he is sure to shine. Long Zichen firmly believed in his own vision.


    Please let me know if there are typos/mistakes in the chapter.


    Support me on ko-fi for faster releases ^^

 CH 7

    Translator: Lynn


    Long Zichen, who was quite outgoing, didn¡¯t hesitate to share some inside information and gossip about their company with Jian Jie. He didn¡¯t exaggerate the company¡¯s strength, but instead provided an honest account of what they had to offer. Despite having only met a few times, Long Zichen had a favorable impression of Jian Jie and appreciated his calm temperament, so he didn¡¯t feel the need to deceive him.


    Jian Jie listened attentively as Long Zichen introduced Xinghuo Music. He felt satisfied with what he heard. Although the company was small, it seemed well-established and not too crude. What mattered most to him was that he believed Long Zichen would be a great mentor, and he didn¡¯t foresee any barriers to working with him. Being only nineteen years old, Jian Jie possessed a pure and simple mindset. He was focused on creating meaningful music and wasn¡¯t concerned about money, fame, or fortune. Jian Jie believed that his aspirations would be fulfilled in this company, and that was enough for him.


    As they reached the third floor, Long Zichen mentioned that he would introduce some important figures in the company to Jian Jie. They entered Yuan Chao¡¯s office, where Yuan Chao and two others were already waiting. To the left of Yuan Chao, sitting on the sofa, was a sharp and capable woman in her mid-thirties. On the other side of the sofa sat a middle-aged man dressed casually. Upon seeing Jian Jie and the others enter, the man smiled and remarked, ¡°Finally, you brought him here. Let me see¡­ he¡¯s quite handsome. With this appearance, he¡¯s already an A+.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s right, can I think otherwise? His voice is even better, and I¡¯ll demonstrate it with my hands later,¡± Long Zichen proudly compared Jian Jie to his thumb, then introduced the individuals, saying, ¡°This handsome uncle is our vice president and marketing director at Spark, you can call him Brother Chai. And this beautiful and charming big sister is our head of the artist department, senior manager Miss Xiaohui.¡±


    ¡°Why am I the uncle while Xiaohui is the big sister?¡± Chai Xuyang pretended to be upset.


    Tang Xiaohui couldn¡¯t help but laugh and scold Long Zichen, saying, ¡°Look at your flattering tongue.¡±


    Jian Jie followed Long Zichen¡¯s lead and greeted Tang Xiaohui and Chai Xuyang, while also acknowledging Yuan Chao once again. Yuan Chao sighed, saying, ¡°You¡¯re really polite. From now on, we¡¯ll get along just fine.¡±


    ¡°Everyone seems friendly and welcoming. That¡¯s good,¡± Tang Xiaohui commented. ¡°How old are you? I have a form here that you can fill out to update your profile.¡±


    Long Zichen quickly explained to Jian Jie, ¡°Everyone needs to fill out this information. We need a comprehensive understanding of the artist to tailor our packaging and promotion accordingly.¡± Jian Jie nodded, picked up a pen, and began filling in the profile. Long Zichen leaned over the table, peering at Jian Jie¡¯s writing, and explained anything he didn¡¯t understand.


    Upon seeing this, Yuan Chao couldn¡¯t help but sneer, ¡°Dachen, are you trying to become an assistant? Brother Chai, Sister Xiaohui, how do you think Dachen appears right now?¡±


    Chai Xuyang pondered, then said, ¡°Like a eunuch?¡±


    ¡°He looks more like a nanny to me,¡± Tang Xiaohui added, unable to contain her laughter. ¡°Seems like Xiaochen is trying to steal our manager and assistant¡¯s jobs.¡±


    Yuan Chao laughed, saying, ¡°I knew it. This is the first time I¡¯ve seen him so active. Oh, Dachen, if you want to be Xiaojie¡¯s assistant, just say the word. Brother here will fulfill your wish.¡± Jian Jie felt a bit awkward hearing them joke at his expense. Long Zichen quickly reassured him, saying, ¡°You focus on filling out your form. Don¡¯t mind them.¡± He rolled his eyes at Yuan Chao and the others, disdainfully adding, ¡°My appearance fee is quite high, around a million every few minutes. Can you afford that? But if it¡¯s to be Xiaojie¡¯s assistant, then I might consider it. After all, my eagerness for talent and affection allows me to sacrifice my heart.¡±


    ¡°I really want to give you a good beating for your Chinese teacher,¡± Chai Xuyang mused, feeling out of touch with the young people¡¯s banter.


    Amidst the jokes, Jian Jie finished filling out the form. Tang Xiaohui took it and examined it closely. Chai Xuyang said to Jian Jie, ¡°If you¡¯re still satisfied with our company, you can start training with our trainees first and then sign the contract after considering it. Here¡¯s a contract for you to review. Xiaochen worked on it after discussing it with us. Take it home, have a look, and we can discuss it if you¡¯re not satisfied.¡±


    Long Zichen nodded in agreement, saying, ¡°I mentioned it on the phone before. I negotiated this contract with them, and it¡¯s absolutely fair and reasonable. Take it home and let your family have a look.¡±


    ¡°I have a friend who¡¯s more familiar with these things. My family is worried about me, so he¡¯ll come later to help me review it. Is that okay?¡± Jian Jie asked.


    Long Zichen immediately smiled generously and replied, ¡°Of course, it¡¯s natural for your family to be concerned. They¡¯re welcome to visit and investigate.¡±


    Chai Xuyang and Tang Xiaohui¡¯s primary goal today was to meet the so-called ¡°Genius Boy¡± that Long Zichen had mentioned. Now that their objective was fulfilled, they didn¡¯t want to delay any further. They briefly explained the situation to Jian Jie, then stood up to leave. Long Zichen offered to stay, guiding Jian Jie to his own office.


    Long Zichen¡¯s excitement got the better of him as he rushed into his office, pushing the door open. The office walls were adorned with a few posters, and on one side, there were various musical instruments, including electric guitars, basses, and keyboards. The shelves on the other side were filled with records. Long Zichen motioned for Jian Jie to take a seat on the sofa and hurriedly went to a small cabinet to retrieve scented tea, which he brewed and placed in front of Jian Jie.


    ¡°Since you aspire to be a singer, you must take good care of your voice. In the future, pay attention to your diet. Avoid spicy and stimulating foods, and consume fewer carbonated drinks,¡± Long Zichen advised. ¡°It may seem troublesome, but it¡¯s beneficial for your overall health.¡±


    ¡°Okay,¡± Jian Jie replied.


    Today, Long Zichen was in high spirits and couldn¡¯t stop talking. He rushed to the record rack against the wall, picked out a few albums, and returned to Jian Jie, excitedly laying them out. He said, ¡°Have you heard these singers¡¯ albums? Lu Lin and Zhou Jiayuan are top singer-songwriters in our country. These albums are of exceptional quality. And this one, Ding Jiangyu, though relatively new, has an extraordinary voice and a good background. All his albums are high-quality. I think you¡¯ll enjoy the songs he selected, so take them home and give them a listen.¡±


    Jian Jie nodded, carefully examining the albums of the mentioned artists before putting them in his backpack. He earnestly thanked Long Zichen, saying, ¡°Thank you, Mr. Long, for lending me these albums. I will listen to them attentively.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re quite serious, kid,¡± Long Zichen chuckled. ¡°But I like your earnestness. Being polite will never harm you.¡±


    Jian Jie felt a bit conflicted and asked Long Zichen, ¡°Mr. Long, aren¡¯t you much older than me?¡± Long Zichen always referred to him as a child, and Jian Jie found it a bit awkward.


    But Long Zichen laughed, patting Jian Jie on the shoulder, and said in a playful manner, ¡°Why are you so concerned about a kid like me? I¡¯m already twenty-eight years old, almost ten years older than you. It¡¯s not appropriate for me to call you a kid!¡±


    ¡°Twenty-eight¡­ not that old¡­¡±


    ¡°Come on, give me a chance to act older!¡±


    Jian Jie couldn¡¯t help but give in. Long Zichen then made an appointment for Jian Jie to come for auditions and training in a few days. He said, ¡°Don¡¯t be put off by our recording equipment here; it¡¯s not the most professional. You¡¯ll audition first, and record a few songs to practice your feelings. Later on, if you receive a good song, I¡¯ll take you to a professional recording studio to record it.¡±


    Jian Jie had never been in a recording studio before, so he couldn¡¯t help but feel excited. Upon hearing that he needed to collect songs, he thought about the dozen or so songs he had composed. He cautiously asked, ¡°Mr. Long, I¡¯ve also dabbled in songwriting. Can I show you the songs I¡¯ve written?¡±


    ¡°You can write songs too?¡± Long Zichen¡¯s eyes lit up. ¡°Show them to me quickly. It would be fantastic if you can write songs.¡±


    Jian Jie took out his staff book from his bag, and Long Zichen eagerly flipped through it. After just a few pages, his face was filled with surprise. He hummed along to the melodies, tapping his fingers to the beat, getting carried away. After a while, he exclaimed


    , ¡°Ah, this is amazing! I thought it would be mediocre, but I didn¡¯t expect it to be so mature! Oh, with a little tweaking, a few of these songs can be used! I particularly like this song, ¡®Paradise,¡¯ and this one, ¡®Dream.¡¯ Oh, and ¡®Restart¡¯ is also excellent. Xiaojie, you have great potential to become a singer-songwriter!¡± Long Zichen was completely ecstatic, pulling Jian Jie along, dancing and celebrating. ¡°You¡¯ve truly surprised me! Let¡¯s rehearse in the next two days, and we can start recording songs soon! I¡¯ll send a few songs to the music company, and I¡¯ll also inquire about the copyright situation. I sent a message a few days ago mentioning that ¡®Paradise¡¯ and ¡®Restart¡¯ were selected¡­¡±


    ¡°Which company?¡± Long Zichen interrupted.


    ¡°Thunder.¡±


    ¡°Did they purchase the rights to your song?¡±


    Jian Jie was unaware of this and replied sheepishly, ¡°I¡¯m not sure. I asked my friend to handle it.¡±


    ¡°I think I¡¯ll visit Thunder tomorrow and try to reclaim the copyright. It would be convenient for us to use it in the future. But don¡¯t worry, even if we can¡¯t get it back, you can write a few more high-quality songs,¡± Long Zichen reassured him with a smile.


    ¡°Okay,¡± Jian Jie smiled and nodded.


    Please let me know if there are typos/mistakes in the chapter.


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 CH 8

    Translator: Lynn


    Around six o¡¯clock, Li Xiaoqi finally arrived, and Long Zichen greeted him with a lack of enthusiasm, serving tea and water, concerned about Jian Jie¡¯s family¡¯s satisfaction.


    ¡°Brother Xiaoqi, Mr. Long is doing well here,¡± Jian Jie started with a compliment before handing the contract to Li Xiaoqi. ¡°This is the contract Mr. Long just gave me.¡± Li Xiaoqi accepted the contract but didn¡¯t examine it closely. He smiled and said to Long Zichen, ¡°Since Xiaojie¡¯s brother asked me to look after him, I¡¯ll speak my mind. Director Lin Yumin from Leiting Records has been interested in Xiaojie¡¯s songs for a while, and he wanted me to bring Xiaojie for an audition. I hesitated a lot, but to my surprise, Xiaojie wanted to come to you. I¡¯m really regretting it now.¡±


    Long Zichen smiled and flattered, ¡°Yes, yes, you¡¯re right. We can¡¯t compare to Leiting Records, but Mr. Li must be aware of the strict contracts they offer to newcomers, right? Take Ding Jiangyu, their top artist, for example. Besides singing, he¡¯s involved in acting, hosting, and endorsements. I don¡¯t think Xiaojie is suitable for that kind of environment. Take a look at the contract we¡¯ve prepared for Xiaojie. It¡¯s the most flexible and artist-friendly. We truly prioritize music.¡±


    Li Xiaoqi pondered for a moment, internally agreeing with Long Zichen. He glanced at Jian Jie, who was looking at him expectantly and sighed before taking the contract. ¡°Mr. Long is indeed sincere. I believe Xiaojie will receive preferential treatment from you. I¡¯ll take a closer look at the contract and give you an answer tomorrow.¡±


    ¡°Okay, thank you for your consideration,¡± Long Zichen said, laughing joyfully.


    After Li Xiaoqi left with the contract, Long Zichen breathed a sigh of relief. He then told Jian Jie, ¡°I still have something to discuss with you, so Mr. Li can go about his work. I promise to deliver it to his door later.¡±


    Li Xiaoqi nodded and left. Once he was gone, Long Zichen smiled at Jian Jie, saying, ¡°I can see how much your family cares about you. If they find out you¡¯re not being treated well here, they¡¯ll come after me. My future looks uncertain.¡±


    Jian Jie felt a bit embarrassed and explained, ¡°I¡¯ve been living with my brother since I was a child, so he¡¯s naturally more concerned about my affairs. But he¡¯s not unreasonable, and he¡¯ll support my decisions. Don¡¯t worry, Mr. Long.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s fine, don¡¯t take it seriously. I was just teasing you,¡± Long Zichen reassured him. Then he asked, ¡°By the way, where are your parents if your brother takes care of you?¡±


    ¡°They passed away a long time ago,¡± Jian Jie replied.


    Long Zichen scratched his head apologetically and said, ¡°I apologize for bringing up your past. I didn¡¯t mean to make you sad.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s alright, it¡¯s been a long time,¡± Jian Jie replied with a gentle smile.


    After a moment of thought, Long Zichen nervously asked, ¡°If they interview you on a show in the future, they might ask about your family. Would you be okay with discussing that?¡±


    Jian Jie felt a bit uncomfortable and softly asked, ¡°Can I avoid talking about my family? I don¡¯t like discussing those things.¡±


    Long Zichen immediately agreed and said, ¡°Of course, if you¡¯re not comfortable, we won¡¯t discuss it. I¡¯ll make sure to communicate with them and ensure your privacy is respected during interviews.¡±


    ¡°Thank you, Mr. Long,¡± Jian Jie sincerely expressed his gratitude. ¡°I haven¡¯t even signed the contract yet, but you¡¯re already looking out for me. I¡¯m really grateful.¡±


    Long Zichen playfully covered his face and said, ¡°Oh, don¡¯t be so serious. It¡¯s embarrassing for me. Since you¡¯re thanking me so sincerely, how about treating me to a meal?¡±


    It was dinner time, and Jian Jie couldn¡¯t keep up with the sudden change of topic. However, he replied with a pleasant attitude, ¡°Sure, I¡¯ll treat you to dinner. Where would you like to go, Mr. Long?¡±


    ¡°Hehe, you¡¯re so agreeable. I feel a bit guilty,¡± Long Zichen grinned mischievously. ¡°Let¡¯s have dinner at your place and get to know each other better. There are a few things I¡¯d like to discuss with you.¡± Long Zichen had spent most of his savings on the company and was currently tight on money, but he didn¡¯t mind squeezing the honest Jian Jie. He didn¡¯t feel burdened at all.


    Jian Jie hesitated for a moment and explained, ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Mr. Long, but I live alone, separate from my brother. Besides, I don¡¯t know how to cook. Let¡¯s eat out.¡±


    ¡°Oh, it¡¯s not a problem!¡± Long Zichen proudly declared. ¡°I¡¯m actually pretty good at cooking. If you don¡¯t have much food at home, we can just buy some. Eating at home is cleaner and healthier. I¡¯ve noticed that you eat out a lot, and it¡¯s not good for your health¡­¡±


    Long Zichen rambled on, and Jian Jie couldn¡¯t object anymore. He replied, ¡°It¡¯s up to you then. I don¡¯t mind the trouble.¡±


    ¡°No trouble at all, I insist,¡± Long Zichen said. ¡°It¡¯s just a matter of minutes~¡±


    Long Zichen gathered his things, bid farewell to Yuan Chao, and they both went downstairs. They got into his old SUV, a domestic car that had experienced its fair share of ups and downs. Long Zichen drove Jian Jie to a supermarket near their community. Jian Jie¡¯s brother and sister-in-law occasionally shopped there, so they had some basic pantry items. After inquiring, Long Zichen bought macaroni, vegetables, fruits, beef, and salad dressing. He planned to make tomato minced meat pasta, stir-fried garlic beans, and a fruit salad¡ªa healthy and simple meal for the evening.


    Jian Jie observed as Long Zichen skillfully picked out vegetables at the supermarket, marveling at his ability. Curiosity got the best of him, and he asked, ¡°Do you cook often, Mr. Long?¡±


    Long Zichen chuckled and replied, ¡°I used to cook a lot when I was studying abroad. The food there didn¡¯t suit my taste, so I had to learn to cook. But since I came back, I¡¯ve become lazy and prefer eating out.¡±


    Jian Jie couldn¡¯t help but comment, ¡°So you eat out frequently, but you just advised me to eat at home. I thought you enjoyed cooking.¡±


    Long Zichen coughed a few times and put on a serious face, pretending to scold Jian Jie, ¡°Hey, young one, don¡¯t challenge your elders. Remember, whatever I say, your response should always be, ¡®Yes, you are absolutely right!¡¯ Got it?¡±


    Jian Jie teased, ¡°Is it too unreliable to rely on music alone?¡±


    Quickly switching to flattery, Long Zichen blinked innocently and exclaimed, ¡°Oh, what happened just now? Did I say something? I can¡¯t seem to remember. Am I possessed by an alien?¡±


    Jian Jie was left speechless once again. He realized he was no match for Long Zichen¡¯s wit and charm.


    After purchasing groceries and arriving at Jian Jie¡¯s house, Long Zichen couldn¡¯t help but exclaim, ¡°You live alone in such a spacious house!¡±


    Jian Jie nodded while busy dealing with his dog, Amu, who had eagerly rushed over. Amu hadn¡¯t seen his master all day and was overjoyed, wagging his tail and circling around Jian Jie. Long Zichen attempted to playfully approach Amu, but the dog growled fiercely.


    Long Zichen helplessly shrugged his shoulders and said, ¡°I see, it must be territorial. It ignores my charm!¡±


    Jian Jie corrected him, ¡°Actually, Amu is a female¡­¡±


    ¡°Well, where¡¯s the kitchen? I¡¯ll start cooking,¡± Long Zichen decided to ignore their previous dialogue.


    Jian Jie couldn¡¯t help but laugh and pointed towards the kitchen, saying, ¡°The kitchen is over there.¡± He led Long Zichen to the kitchen, where Long Zichen opened the cupboards, found the necessary cooking ingredients, and put on an apron. He then said to Jian Jie, ¡°Why don¡¯t you go outside and watch TV for a while? I¡¯ll handle everything.¡±


    ¡°Let me help,¡± Jian Jie insisted, feeling guilty for making his guest do all the work while he just waited to eat.


    Long Zichen waved his hands with a disgusted expression and said, ¡°Young Master Jian, what could you possibly do for me? I¡¯m afraid you¡¯ll end up cutting the vegetables if I ask you to. Just wait outside and relax.¡±


    ¡°Alright, thank you for your hard work,¡± Jian Jie replied obediently. He felt a little ashamed that he couldn¡¯t contribute much, considering his lack of cooking skills.


    Jian Jie tidied up the living room for a while, and within thirty minutes, Long Zichen cheerfully called out from the kitchen, ¡°Dinner is ready, Xiao Jiejie, come and serve the meal.¡±


    Jian Jie entered the kitchen and saw two plates of pasta, a plate of stir-fried beans, and a large bowl of fruit salad on the table. The dishes looked visually appealing, confirming that Long Zichen¡¯s cooking skills were not just a boast.


    ¡°It looks beautiful. It seems that Mr. Long truly knows how to cook,¡± Jian Jie commented.


    Long Zichen responded proudly, ¡°Of course, not only does it look good, but the taste is also exceptional. Most people can¡¯t appreciate it. You¡¯re the first one to taste my cooking. Consider yourself lucky.¡±


    Jian Jie was a bit skeptical due to Long Zichen¡¯s unreliable demeanor, but after taking a bite of the pasta, his eyes lit up. ¡°It¡¯s delicious,¡± he exclaimed.


    ¡°I knew it,¡± Long Zichen exclaimed happily, raising his arms triumphantly. ¡°Delicious, delicious! If it¡¯s good, you should eat more and remember it for next time.¡±


    Jian Jie tasted the beans and found them crisp and refreshing. They suited his palate well, prompting him to compliment, ¡°Mr. Long, your culinary skills are impressive. I would have never guessed you were such a great cook.¡±


    Seeing Jian Jie¡¯s genuine appreciation, Long Zichen felt delighted and assured him, ¡°This is just the simplest dish. If you like it, I can cook a grand feast for you next time¡ªred wine steak, cola chicken wings, those are my specialties.¡±


    ¡°Okay, I¡¯ll be looking forward to your grand feast,¡± Jian Jie replied with a smile, his eyes turning into crescents.


    Long Zichen was captivated by Jian Jie¡¯s gentle and innocent smile, and he found himself momentarily stunned. It took him a while to regain his composure, and he muttered to himself, ¡°I never realized Xiaojie¡¯s smile was so enchanting. It has a strange effect on me. From now on, I¡¯ll have to be careful not to drive people crazy with my smiles, especially female fans!¡±


    Please let me know if there are typos/mistakes in the chapter.


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 CH 9

    Translator: Lynn


    After finishing their meal, Long Zichen insisted on washing the dishes and refused to let Jian Jie do anything. They continued chatting for a long time, during which Long Zichen learned that besides playing the guitar, Jian Jie had also been learning the piano and cello since a young age. Jian Jie then took Long Zichen to a specially decorated room in his house where he practiced music. He first played his favorite cello piece, ¡°Humor,¡± and then showcased his piano skills by playing ¡°Swan.¡±


    Jian Jie sat in front of the pure white piano, his slender fingers gracefully dancing across the keys, displaying a focused and tranquil expression. While his performance may not have reached the level of a professional musician, his handsome appearance and elegant temperament added a lot of charm. Long Zichen, watching from the side, was captivated by the sight.


    When Jian Jie finished playing, Long Zichen enthusiastically shook his shoulder and exclaimed, ¡°Little Jiejie, you¡¯re so stylish! You¡¯re a superstar! You can write, sing, and excel in so many musical instruments. How did I get so lucky to meet such a talented individual!¡±


    Jian Jie, unaccustomed to such direct praise and enthusiasm, could only humbly respond with a few words and a smile. They locked eyes with each other, and though Jian Jie found it challenging to praise himself, he couldn¡¯t deny that it was a happy experience to have someone appreciate his hobbies and praise his hard work.


    Long Zichen was completely ecstatic, running around the room with joy, exploring various instruments, discussing the latest trends in rock and ballads, and engaging in lively conversations until it was almost eight o¡¯clock, the start time of the Uranus superstar concert. Reluctantly bidding farewell to Jian Jie, Long Zichen prepared to return to his own place. He felt fortunate to have found someone who appreciated him and was willing to listen to his nonsense. Deep down, he wished he could stay at Jian Jie¡¯s house overnight, but he knew that such a thing would only be possible after they got to know each other better.


    Jian Jie, on the other hand, didn¡¯t feel bored at all. As an introverted and passive individual, he wasn¡¯t skilled at conversation, but he didn¡¯t reject having a lively and cheerful friend. With Long Zichen¡¯s presence, the evening had been filled with joy and entertainment. It was truly a delightful experience to have someone appreciate his hobbies and praise the efforts he had put into his work.


    After seeing Long Zichen off, Jian Jie took Amu for a walk in the neighborhood and returned home to take a shower. Around 9:30, he received a call from Li Xiaoqi.


    Having carefully examined the contract and sought advice from acquaintances in the industry, Li Xiaoqi had gained a good understanding of the music company Jian Jie was about to sign with. The company had been established for less than three months, and several influential managers were well-known in the industry. The company¡¯s owner was the second son of Chenghai Group, a prominent food and beverage production company with assets in the tens of billions. Despite his young age of 20, the second son of Chenghai chose to pursue his passion for music rather than inherit the family business. He had formed a band, released an album, and recently started his own music company. With such wealthy backing, the company¡¯s financial stability was assured. After gathering information, Li Xiaoqi believed there should be no major issues, so he called Jian Jie to discuss the contract.


    ¡°Xiaojie, I¡¯ve reviewed the contract. Given the current market conditions, it offers quite favorable terms. Two albums in three years is a reasonable requirement. The


    royalties offered to you are 25%, which is higher than average, and the performance fees are set at 60%, which is typically reserved for famous singers. However, they do want to acquire the copyright of your original works. I¡¯ll negotiate this further with them. But honestly, in our country, copyright royalties for your works don¡¯t usually amount to much. Overall, I find most of the terms quite reasonable. If you have no objections, I¡¯ll go over and talk to them tomorrow morning. Once everything is settled, you can sign the contract with them after school,¡± explained Li Xiaoqi.


    Jian Jie, who wasn¡¯t well-versed in royalties, replied, ¡°Brother Xiao Qi, please go ahead. If you think it¡¯s appropriate, I have no objections.¡±


    They discussed the ownership of the works and other details for a while, eventually reaching a favorable agreement where Spark would buy out the copyright for several years at a more advantageous price.


    Throughout the negotiation, Long Zichen observed from the sidelines, occasionally interjecting when there was an opportunity. He did his best to persuade the company to agree to all of Li Xiaoqi¡¯s demands, eager to finalize the contract as soon as possible, afraid that any disagreement could jeopardize a future partnership. As the negotiations neared a positive conclusion and Li Xiaoqi mentioned going to school to pick up Jian Jie for the contract signing, Long Zichen eagerly volunteered. He stood up and walked out, saying, ¡°I¡¯ll go, I¡¯ll pick up Xiaojie. It just so happens that I have time. Just wait here.¡± Without waiting for a response, he left the room.


    Li Xiaoqi stared at Long Zichen¡¯s hurried departure, feeling uncertain, and asked, ¡°Mr. Long appears quite young. Is he really the music director of your company? Will he also be producing Jian Jie¡¯s album in the future?¡±


    Tang Xiaohui, representing Xinghuo and handling the artist department, understood Li Xiaoqi¡¯s concerns. She smiled and reassured him, ¡°You don¡¯t have to worry about Director Long¡¯s professionalism. He graduated from the Royal Academy of Music and is a true expert in his field. Despite his youth, he has years of experience in music production. He may be lively, but young people are enthusiastic and easy to get along with. You don¡¯t have to worry about any issues arising with Jian Jie under his guidance.¡±


    Li Xiaoqi nodded and said, ¡°Jian Jie is a simple child with an introverted personality. He¡¯ll need the company¡¯s support in the future. If he has any shortcomings, you can discipline him. We are not unreasonable guardians.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry, we¡¯ll take full responsibility when you entrust your child to us,¡± Tang Xiaohui assured him.


    Li Xiaoqi and Tang Xiaohui maintained a polite demeanor, while Long Zichen hurriedly made his way to Hengde University. At the university gate, he called Jian Jie, who quickly answered the phone. Jian Jie¡¯s gentle voice came through, ¡°Hello, Mr. Long, what can I do for you?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m here to pick you up and go to the company to sign the contract. Do you have any classes right now?¡± Long Zichen asked with a smile, holding the phone.


    Jian Jie was surprised, ¡°You¡¯re here. I don¡¯t have any classes, I¡¯m just borrowing books from the library. I¡¯ll come out right away. Please wait a moment.¡±


    ¡°No rush at all,¡± Long Zichen replied cheerfully. After hanging up the phone, he couldn¡¯t help but think that Jian Jie¡¯s voice sounded lovely even over the phone. He truly deserved the attention he had received as a promising talent.


    After about ten minutes, Jian Jie hurriedly arrived, accompanied by Shui Xiaoren. Jian Jie apologized to Long Zichen, ¡°I¡¯m sorry for making you come here yourself.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re welcome. Besides, the fuel money company will reimburse me,¡± Long Zichen smiled brightly. He then greeted Shui Xiaoren, ¡°Student Shui is here too. Are you planning to come with Jian Jie?¡±


    Shui Xiaoren admitted openly, ¡°Yes, Mr. Long, can you take me along? I don¡¯t want to miss such a significant event as a singer, and I¡¯d also like to visit your company.¡±


    Jian Jie interjected, ¡°Mr. Long if it¡¯s troublesome, forget it.¡±


    Long Zichen proudly opened the car door, saying, ¡°No trouble at all. Let¡¯s all get in the car together.¡±


    As a newcomer, Jian Jie didn¡¯t have a signing ceremony. The process was straightforward, involving copying his ID card and signing the contracts. Once the task was completed, Li Xiaoqi smiled and said, ¡°From now on, I¡¯ll rely on all of you to take care of Xiaojie. I¡¯ve reserved a table at Yunqing Building, and I would be honored if Ms. Tang and Mr. Long could join me. There¡¯s no room for error, especially in this industry. There are countless young, beautiful, talented, and hardworking individuals. Why should Xiaojie be left behind? This is just the beginning, and there will be more meals and entertainment. Xiaojie isn¡¯t experienced in these matters, so it¡¯s natural for me to help him. We can¡¯t let him lose out due to these trivial things.¡±


    Tang Xiaohui and the others couldn¡¯t refuse, but Li Xiaoqi also called in other supervisors and over a dozen employees from the company, inviting them all to have dinner at Yunqing Building. This was one of the advantages of a small company¡ªfewer employees made it easier for them to develop close relationships. With good rapport, they could become like a family.


    Li Xiaoqi was generous and booked the largest private room in the hotel. The meal was lively, with mostly young people from the company. Various pranks and shows kept everyone entertained. As Jian Jie had just met most of them, Long Zichen took the lead, introducing each person in the room to Jian Jie and having him toast with them. Long Zichen told Jian Jie, ¡°They are all your future colleagues. Some may change careers after a while, while others may work with you for over a decade. Regardless, without their hard work alongside you, you won¡¯t be able to accomplish anything. Even if you become popular in the future, don¡¯t put on airs in front of your colleagues or think of yourself as superior. I have no respect for such individuals.¡± Long Zichen¡¯s serious tone was rare, and Jian Jie nodded earnestly, saying, ¡°I will remember that, Mr. Long.¡±


    Jian Jie¡¯s sincere response made Long Zichen smile. ¡°Did I come across as cool just now? I know you¡¯re a good boy, and in the future, if anything happens, tell me first. Don¡¯t think I¡¯m bothering you. I¡¯ll keep talking even if you find me annoying!¡± Long Zichen rarely spoke this way to newcomers in the company because he had pinned his greatest hope on Jian Jie.


    After dinner, Li Xiaoqi took everyone to an entertainment center for karaoke. At nine o¡¯clock, Jian Jie felt it was getting late, so he left early after talking with Li Xiaoqi and Yuan Chao. Long Zichen also wanted to accompany him and offered to give him a ride back home.


    During the journey, Long Zichen explained in detail the kind of work Jian Jie would have in the future and what he should focus on. Jian Jie listened attentively, realizing that being a singer involved much more than just having a good voice. There were many other responsibilities to fulfill.


    Please let me know if there are typos/mistakes in the chapter.


    Support me on ko-fi for faster releases ^^

 CH 10

    Translator: Lynn


    On Saturday morning, the sun rose warm and radiant. After finishing his outdoor exercise, Jian Jie noticed a familiar car parked downstairs. As he approached, he saw Long Zichen¡¯s smiling face through the car window.


    ¡°Xiao Jiejie, back from training. Do you remember what important task we have today?¡± Long Zichen greeted Jian Jie with a smile, opening the car door and stepping out. Today, he wore a black polo shirt and dark khaki pants, giving off a stable appearance, though his true nature showed through his movements. Jian Jie was puzzled and asked, ¡°Mr. Long, is that really you?¡±


    ¡°Yes, I¡¯m here to pick you up for training at the company. Don¡¯t you remember? I mentioned it a few days ago. You¡¯re not forgetful at such a young age, are you?¡± Long Zichen teased.


    Jian Jie then recalled the training schedule. A few days after signing the contract, the company arranged for him to train alongside other newly signed artists. Long Zichen had informed him of the schedule a few days ago. However, it was still early, and Jian Jie had planned to go after his exercise routine. He told Long Zichen, ¡°Doesn¡¯t it start at 8:30? It¡¯s still early now, and I was planning to go there later after exercising. Mr. Long, you don¡¯t need to specially come to pick me up. I know the way.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not worried about you forgetting. I¡¯m already on my way, so I thought I¡¯d come and pick you up. It¡¯s your first training session, and I want to accompany you to avoid any potential awkwardness,¡± Long Zichen explained. His main concern was that Jian Jie might be taken advantage of due to his innocence. There were many cunning individuals in the entertainment industry, and Jian Jie, being naive, might be an easy target. By accompanying him, Long Zichen hoped to deter any potential troublemakers.


    Jian Jie didn¡¯t fully understand the situation but thanked Long Zichen for his gesture. He then asked, ¡°Have you eaten breakfast yet?¡±


    Long Zichen chuckled, ¡°Of course, I haven¡¯t eaten yet!¡±


    Jian Jie kindly invited him, saying, ¡°Why don¡¯t we have breakfast together?¡±


    ¡°I was waiting for you to say that! Let¡¯s go have breakfast!¡± Long Zichen shamelessly accepted the invitation. He didn¡¯t feel guilty about taking advantage of the situation. When it came to someone he liked, he tended to exploit and tease them more. Moreover, seeing Jian Jie¡¯s well-off family background, he felt comfortable being more carefree around him.


    After Jian Jie freshened up at home, showered, and changed clothes, they went to a porridge shop for breakfast. Jian Jie¡¯s appetite had increased due to his recent growth, so the two of them enjoyed ten baskets of steamed buns and two large bowls of pumpkin and millet porridge. Naturally, Long Zichen took care of most of the steamed buns.


    With their bellies full, Long Zichen was in a good mood. He hummed along to the music playing in the car, occasionally hitting a high note, and exclaimed, ¡°Not bad, not bad at all! We¡¯re not far behind the Iron Lung!¡±


    Jian Jie couldn¡¯t help but laugh and nodded. He asked, ¡°Your image is also great. Why did you choose to be a music producer instead of becoming a singer? I¡¯ve been curious about that.¡±


    Long Zichen pretended to be serious and replied with a touch of sadness, ¡°Ah, when I was young and naive, I played around for a while and even formed a group, but it didn¡¯t work


    out. The past is in the past. How many times have I failed? In 2018, I even wanted to make a debut, but it¡¯s all water under the bridge. My voice isn¡¯t particularly distinctive, and my creations are average. If I can push you to the forefront, then I¡¯ll have fulfilled my purpose.¡±


    Jian Jie felt a sense of pressure, paused for a moment, and calmly stated, ¡°Although I don¡¯t know if I can fulfill your wish, I will do my best not to let you down.¡±


    ¡°Okay, let¡¯s work hard together.¡± Long Zichen was overjoyed upon hearing Jian Jie¡¯s determination.


    When they arrived at the company, Long Zichen took Jian Jie directly to the vocal music classroom where their training was scheduled. The front row of the classroom was equipped with microphones, speakers, and various musical instruments, while rows of tables and chairs filled the rest of the space. Many other newcomers had already gathered in the classroom. Upon seeing Long Zichen enter, most of them stood up and greeted him as ¡°Brother Chen.¡±


    Long Zichen instantly switched into his glamorous and cool mode, nodding in their direction, but not giving much attention to anyone. He instructed Jian Jie, ¡°Find a seat. Today¡¯s first class is vocal training. The teacher is my senior, so please behave well. I¡¯ll check on you later. If you don¡¯t perform well, just wait and see.¡±


    Jian Jie followed his instructions and sat at the back of the classroom. Long Zichen said, ¡°I¡¯ll get to work then,¡± and walked out of the classroom with confidence, leaving Jian Jie alone, and attracting the attention of others.


    While Xinghuo Music was a relatively new record company with a modest scale, it possessed strong financial resources and had clear plans, indicating significant potential for growth. Shortly after its establishment, the company managed to attract numerous young individuals aspiring to enter the entertainment industry. Out of hundreds of applicants, the company carefully selected a dozen promising newcomers to sign contracts and initiated its first artist training class. The training program spanned six months and was scheduled on weekends and holidays to accommodate the students among the newcomers. As the training had only just begun two weeks ago, Jian Jie was able to keep up with the curriculum.


    Considering the company¡¯s abundant resources, it was unrealistic for all the newcomers to debut simultaneously. Naturally, there was competition among them, and only the top performers would have the opportunity to release their albums earlier. Others who did not make the cut initially could still sign contracts after undergoing multiple rounds of elimination and displaying significant effort. Jian Jie, however, was an exception as he joined directly without going through the selection process, indicating the music director¡¯s favoritism towards him. Consequently, he drew the attention of the other newcomers.


    Aware of the probing gaze around him, Jian Jie, accustomed to being in the limelight since his childhood, calmly took out a pen and notebook, preparing to take notes during the class. Nonetheless, his silence didn¡¯t prevent others from approaching him. At that moment, a familiar young man casually sat beside Jian Jie. The boy, around sixteen or seventeen years old and of average height at approximately 1.65 meters, possessed a soft, pretty, and cute appearance that aligned with the preferences of many young fans nowadays. He looked at Jian Jie with a cute smile and inquired, ¡°Are you a new artist who just signed up with the company? I haven¡¯t seen you before. My name is Tong Liangliang. What¡¯s yours?¡± Jian Jie responded, ¡°My name is Jian Jie. We signed the contract just this week.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s great! We¡¯re now part of the same family,¡± Tong Liangliang exclaimed cheerfully. ¡°You can call me Xiaoliang, Brother Jian Jie. My family is from the countryside, far away from Anping. I just arrived in Anping, and I don¡¯t have any friends here. You remind me of my brother, but you¡¯re much prettier. When I saw you, I felt a sense of familiarity.¡±


    Tong Liangliang¡¯s words made Jian Jie feel a bit embarrassed. He wasn¡¯t particularly skilled at interacting with overly familiar people, so he simply smiled politely in response. However, Tong Liangliang interpreted Jian Jie¡¯s lack of refusal as encouragement and bombarded him with a series of questions. He enthusiastically discussed how fun Anping was and asked about Jian Jie¡¯s occupation. Jian Jie, maintaining a friendly demeanor, answered Tong Liangliang¡¯s inquiries mostly with basic information. When the conversation veered towards privacy, he politely smiled and changed the subject. Despite his amiable nature, Jian Jie possessed principles and the ability to discern when someone was being manipulative.


    After a while, the vocal teacher entered the classroom and announced the beginning of the class, saving Jian Jie from Tong Liangliang¡¯s incessant chatter. As soon as Tong Liangliang noticed the teacher¡¯s arrival, he quickly engaged in conversation with Jian Jie and promptly made his way to the front row, fixating his gaze on the female teacher standing before him.


    With the classroom finally quieting down, Jian Jie let out a sigh of relief and redirected his attention to the front, ready to attentively listen to the first class.


    Please let me know if there are typos/mistakes in the chapter.


    Support me on ko-fi for faster releases ^^

 CH 11

    Translator: Lynn


    Jian Jie glanced at the curriculum schedule and discovered that the vocal music teacher¡¯s name was Qian Yumin, but he lacked further information about her. Qian Yumin was a renowned artist and vocal teacher in the industry, having lent her voice to numerous film and television works. She rarely took on newcomers as students, but it was solely due to Long Zichen¡¯s influence that she joined Xinghuo Music as a vocal teacher.


    Qian Yumin was of average height and appearance, and her marriage and motherhood had caused her to gain some weight. However, her singing skills were indisputable, and her voice possessed explosive power, which contrasted with her serene demeanor. Her lectures were infused with passion, and she never grew weary while discussing topics such as vocalization and breathing for an entire hour.


    Jian Jie attentively listened to the lecture, simultaneously observing the projected content and taking notes. Suddenly, the teacher announced, ¡°Everyone, take a 20-minute break and return to practice the songs I assigned last time. We¡¯ll sing them together when we reconvene.¡± With that, Qian Yumin packed up her belongings and left the classroom.


    Upon hearing about the upcoming singing assessment, Jian Jie felt momentarily stunned. He hadn¡¯t prepared at all and was unaware of which songs the teacher had assigned. Anxiously, he turned to a nearby young man and asked, ¡°Excuse me, have you written down the songs the teacher assigned?¡±


    ¡°No, I didn¡¯t remember many of them,¡± the young man replied.


    Jian Jie was about to ask someone else when Tong Liangliang dashed over from the front row, enthusiastically saying, ¡°Brother Jian Jie, do you not know which songs the teacher gave us on the first day of class? I memorized a few, but I didn¡¯t write them all down. I¡¯m sorry.¡±


    Tong Liangliang pulled out a small notebook, opened it, and placed it in front of Jian Jie. ¡°Here¡¯s what I wrote down.¡±


    Jian Jie quickly skimmed through the notebook and discovered that he recognized several of the songs. Joyfully, he thanked Tong Liangliang, saying, ¡°This is great. Thank you, Xiaoliang. I was worried.¡±


    Tong Liangliang responded, ¡°No problem. But I only have the lyrics for the song I want to sing. Would you like to read them?¡±


    ¡°Oh, it¡¯s alright. Thank you. I¡¯ll be singing ¡®Riding on the Wings of Singing.¡¯ I just heard it, and I probably remember the lyrics,¡± Jian Jie replied. He noticed that most of the songs assigned by the teacher were famous foreign songs, with a few excerpts from operas. Having heard them all before, he was more familiar with ¡°Riding on the Wings of Singing¡± as he had practiced its piano performance and knew the lyrics. Hence, he chose this song.


    Upon hearing Jian Jie¡¯s response, Tong Liangliang nodded and pouted, complaining, ¡°Brother Jian Jie, you¡¯re amazing! I haven¡¯t heard these songs before, and I only learned them two days ago. I don¡¯t remember much now. I¡¯ll go outside and practice again. I¡¯m really scared that I won¡¯t be able to sing anything when it¡¯s my turn in front of the teacher.¡±


    ¡°Alright then,¡± Jian Jie replied.


    ¡°Well, Brother Jian Jie, do your best,¡± Tong Liangliang sweetly smiled, clenched his fists, and made a cheering gesture before bounding out of the classroom.


    Jian Jie picked up his pen, recollected the song, and hastily transcribed it into his notebook. He quickly skimmed through the sheet music, and the lyrics were fairly well-written. However, the main challenge was adapting the song to suit his own voice. His vocal range wasn¡¯t broad enough to smoothly handle a song primarily composed for a soprano without dropping the key. Unfortunately, time was running out, and Jian Jie could only skim through the adaptation briefly before Qian Yumin returned to the classroom. Accompanying her were Long Zichen, Chai Xuyang, and Tang Xiaohui.


    Their entrance created a stir among the newcomers, but the three of them responded differently to the greetings. Chai Xuyang and Tang Xiaohui at least smiled and greeted the newcomers, while Long Zichen remained indifferent and took a seat in the front row without looking around. His large sunglasses accentuated his aloofness. The newcomers were unaware that the three individuals were company executives, and their presence sparked a desire among the newcomers to perform well. Everyone wanted to impress and strive for an early debut. Once the classroom settled down, Qian Yumin began calling individuals to the stage to sing one by one.


    The front of the classroom had playback equipment and various musical instruments, offering flexibility in the choice of singing style. However, the songs provided by Qian Yumin were all art songs, which were relatively unfamiliar to those without a music background. It was a challenging task to master them within a week, let alone memorize the scores and perform them individually. Consequently, most newcomers sang using the teacher¡¯s equipment to play the accompanying music. Only one person chose to sing while playing the guitar, which produced a favorable effect.


    Although Jian Jie wasn¡¯t acquainted with many of the newcomers, he listened attentively to each person¡¯s performance. Tong Liangliang was the second-to-last person to take the stage, performing ¡°Homesickness¡± composed by the famous Ma Sicong. It was an adagio tenor bel canto song. Surprisingly, Tong Liangliang showcased an incredibly wide vocal range, easily reaching D3. To put it into perspective, in the songs we¡¯re familiar with, the highest note in ¡°Love To Die¡± is approximately D3.


    Tong Liangliang¡¯s exceptional voice stood out among all the newcomers, prompting even Qian Yumin to smile. Chai Xuyang and Tang Xiaohui also showed their satisfaction by nodding and exchanging a few words. The only person who remained unimpressed was Director Long Zichen, who maintained his expressionless demeanor, seemingly unaffected by anyone¡¯s performance.


    In truth, some of the previous newcomers displayed good singing skills, including a girl who chose the same song as Jian Jie. However, her singing felt somewhat rehearsed, lacking any standout elements. While listening to her performance, Jian Jie quickly revised the score he had memorized, formulating ideas on how he should approach his own rendition.


    After approximately forty minutes, all thirteen newcomers completed their performances, and finally, Qian Yumin called out Jian Jie¡¯s name. Carrying his notebook, Jian Jie stepped forward, catching Qian Yumin¡¯s glance towards Long Zichen, who continued to maintain his cool facade. Qian Yumin smiled and addressed Jian Jie, saying, ¡°You joined the class today, right? Did you have time to prepare for a performance beforehand? If you didn¡¯t get the chance, it¡¯s fine to sing a good song. I¡¯m eager to hear your singing.¡±


    Knowing that he hadn¡¯t prepared extensively, Jian Jie didn¡¯t want to make it too remarkable. He replied, ¡°Mr. Qian, I watched the video after class and downloaded the track you provided. But I¡¯m not fully prepared, I apologize. If you don¡¯t mind, I can sing it right now.¡±


    Qian Yumin nodded, saying, ¡°That¡¯s okay, go ahead and sing.¡±


    ¡°Alright. The song I¡¯ve chosen is ¡®Riding on the Wings of Singing.¡¯ Also, I¡¯d like to use the piano for accompaniment. Is that alright?¡±


    ¡°Of course,¡± Qian Yumin replied.


    Jian Jie turned to the page in his notebook with the score and placed it on the piano¡¯s music stand. He then seated himself in front of the piano, taking a moment to collect his thoughts before playing the song¡¯s gentle and lyrical melody. His singing followed suit.


    ¡°Ride on the wings of singing, my dear, please follow me to the banks of the Ganges, the most beautiful place¡­¡± The tune of the song was soothing, with poetic lyrics by the German poet Heine, evoking a beautiful artistic conception. Jian Jie incorporated elements of soul music into his singing, delivering a sincere and natural performance. With the crisp piano accompaniment, it created a serene and tender ambiance.


    After listening to Jian Jie¡¯s singing, Long Zichen couldn¡¯t contain his excitement any longer. His eyes sparkled beneath the shade of his sunglasses. He eagerly nudged Chai Xuyang with his elbow and whispered, ¡°Old Chai, look at this! I didn¡¯t ask him to prepare anything, yet he completely adapted the song in such a short time. This guy is truly a born singer!¡±


    ¡°His singing is truly exceptional,¡± Chai Xuyang agreed, nodding appreciatively. ¡°He possesses a star quality. I understand why you value this young man.¡±


    Please let me know if there are typos/mistakes in the chapter.


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 CH 12

    Translator: Lynn


    Bonus chapter! Since these chapters are short


    ¡°I can¡¯t believe you just made those preparations,¡± Qian Yumin said with a smile after listening to Jian Jie¡¯s singing. ¡°The adaptation is quite innovative, but there¡¯s room for more surprises in the treatment of the ending.¡± Qian Yumin immediately demonstrated, using jazz singing, how to reinterpret the last sentence of the first paragraph: ¡°Jade Lotus is waiting there, waiting for her little sister.¡±


    The small change instantly gave the ending a lingering aftertaste. Jian Jie¡¯s eyes brightened, and he imitated and sang it again. He thanked Qian Yumin and said, ¡°Thank you, Teacher Qian, for your guidance.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re a quick learner. You can practice it further when you go back,¡± Qian Yumin replied.


    After expressing his gratitude, Jian Jie returned to his seat. At that moment, Tang Xiaohui stood up and made an announcement to everyone: ¡°I didn¡¯t greet everyone earlier because I wanted to see if you were self-motivated if you would take this performance seriously, and if you treated it as more than just a formality. I¡¯m pleased to announce that the company will produce a single for the winner of this vocal performance. The results will be announced next week, so the other newcomers will have to work harder.¡± With that, Tang Xiaohui concluded the morning session.


    As Long Zichen and the others left, the classroom suddenly became lively. No one expected the company to select newcomers for a single so quickly, and the selection process took them by surprise. Many people felt regretful, wishing they had prepared better.


    Jian Jie, however, didn¡¯t pay too much attention to it. He didn¡¯t want to dive into the music industry so hastily. The morning session revealed how much he lacked and reignited his thirst for knowledge.


    While packing up his belongings and preparing to go home, Tong Liangliang ran over, his face filled with admiration. ¡°Brother Jian Jie, you¡¯re amazing! You can play the piano, and you look so handsome! Your singing is fantastic too. The teacher praised you.¡±


    ¡°You sing even better, and Teacher Qian applauded you,¡± Jian Jie replied.


    ¡°Really? I didn¡¯t even notice,¡± Tong Liangliang scratched his head, feeling a little embarrassed. ¡°Brother Jian Jie, since you don¡¯t live in the company, are you going home now?¡±


    ¡°Yeah.¡±


    ¡°Then when will you take me to your place to hang out? I¡¯m heading to the cafeteria for lunch. See you in the afternoon!¡±


    Jian Jie pondered for a moment and said, ¡°Thank you for helping me earlier. I¡¯ll treat you to lunch.¡±


    Tong Liangliang quickly declined, saying, ¡°My help was nothing, I don¡¯t need anything.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s fine. Besides, I¡¯ll be eating alone,¡± Jian Jie smiled. ¡°There¡¯s a food street not far from here. Let¡¯s go together.¡±


    Finally, Tong Liangliang agreed. The food street was only a ten-minute walk away. They arrived and, after discussing with Tong Liangliang, Jian Jie took him to a grilled fish shop. They ordered a grilled fish in honey sauce, accompanied by some vegetables. They also ordered pasta and drinks, enough for two people.


    While waiting for their food, Jian Jie¡¯s phone suddenly rang. He was surprised to see that it was Long Zichen calling. After answering, he heard Long Zichen¡¯s loud voice on the other end of the line. ¡°Xiao Jiejie, why did you leave without waiting for me? I wanted to go back with you! Are you home now?¡±


    After experiencing Long Zichen¡¯s cool demeanor in the morning, hearing


    such a familiar complaint made Jian Jie feel a bit uncomfortable. He paused for a moment before replying, ¡°I don¡¯t plan to go back at noon. I¡¯m having lunch with a friend.¡±


    ¡°And your good friend named Shui? You didn¡¯t even invite me to secretly enjoy delicious food!¡± Long Zichen pretended to cry. ¡°The boxed lunch is so tasteless, not even a drop of oil in the cabbage and roasted pork! Xiao Jiejie, I¡¯m starving. I want to eat something delicious too.¡±


    ¡°No, I¡¯m with a friend I just met at the company¡­¡± Long Zichen asked who it was, and Jian Jie replied, ¡°It¡¯s Tong Liangliang. If you don¡¯t mind, I can tell him to join us.¡±


    Tong Liangliang was surprised but quickly waved his hands and said, ¡°It¡¯s alright. Let Mr. Long join us. The more, the merrier!¡±


    ¡°Okay, thank you.¡± Jian Jie moved the phone away from his mouth and apologized to Tong Liangliang, ¡°Mr. Long, the music director of our company, wants to join us. Do you mind?¡±


    Tong Liangliang was taken aback but quickly responded, ¡°No problem at all! Let Mr. Long come along. It¡¯ll be crowded and lively.¡±


    ¡°Alright, thank you.¡± Jian Jie put the phone back to his ear and explained the situation to Long Zichen, providing the name and address of the restaurant. Long Zichen immediately exclaimed that he would arrive quickly and pleaded with Jian Jie to save some food for him.


    After ending the call, Tong Liangliang asked curiously, ¡°Brother Jian Jie, do you have a good relationship with Director Long?¡±


    ¡°I haven¡¯t known Mr. Long for long, but he invited me to come to Xinghuo Company, so we¡¯ve become somewhat familiar,¡± Jian Jie explained briefly.


    ¡°Oh,¡± Tong Liangliang expressed his disbelief, but then he shifted the conversation to talk about his hometown and shared some interesting stories about the countryside. Although Jian Jie had never been to the countryside, he found the stories quite fascinating.


    Soon, the waiter arrived with a large plate of grilled fish, drinks, and other food. Tong Liangliang exclaimed in surprise, ¡°I thought it would be like kebabs, but the grilled fish looks like this!¡±


    Just as Tong Liangliang finished speaking, Long Zichen¡¯s indifferent voice came from nearby, ¡°I¡¯m late. Have you already eaten?¡± He walked over, still wearing his black sunglasses, and without waiting for anyone¡¯s response, he pulled out a chair and sat beside Jian Jie.


    ¡°Ah, hello Director Long!¡± Tong Liangliang was the first to stand up, greeting Long Zichen with surprise.


    ¡°Take a seat,¡± Long Zichen said with an air of superiority, nodding slightly at Tong Liangliang. However, underneath his sunglasses, his eyes quickly scanned the table. Seeing that the fish was still intact, he finally felt relieved. If they had started eating without him, he would have been very displeased.


    Observing Long Zichen sitting there with sunglasses on, Jian Jie couldn¡¯t help but feel speechless. He suppressed his laughter and said, ¡°Mr. Long, now that you¡¯re here, let¡¯s order two more dishes.¡± He handed the menu to Long Zichen and said, ¡°Take a look and choose what you¡¯d like to eat.¡±


    Long Zichen felt a sense of satisfaction and directly called Jian Jie by his name. However, he maintained his indifferent demeanor and nodded slightly while taking the menu. After browsing for a while, he ordered a dish of roasted pork with bamboo shoots, trying to gauge Jian Jie¡¯s preferences and another stir-fried vegetable with mushrooms. After placing the order, he still held onto his arrogance and said, ¡°Well, these two dishes will do. This isn¡¯t a high-end restaurant, you know. I usually don¡¯t frequent places like this.¡± Jian Jie became even more speechless, and the waiter, unable to contain themselves, rolled their eyes a few times, thinking, ¡°What an arrogant person!¡±


    During the meal, Long Zichen finally decided to remove his sunglasses because they were obstructing his vision and making it difficult to pick up food. However, his sharp-tongued remarks were upgraded along with it. Tong Liangliang would often ask Jian Jie various questions in a roundabout way or use a positive attitude to flirt with him, which irritated Long Zichen. He frowned and let out a cold snort, ¡°As an artist, don¡¯t you understand the importance of maintaining an image? I wonder why there are still people who eat so recklessly and consume so much fat and protein! The vegetables are untouched. Do you think your round face is aesthetically pleasing to the public, or do you think a spherical shape is also considered a good figure?¡± He said it out of boredom, not because Tong Liangliang had irritated him too much. He didn¡¯t feel sorry for the few pieces of meat.


    Tong Liangliang was stunned, and the chopsticks that were reaching out for the braised pork abruptly halted. He looked at the delicious grilled fish and meat with a grievous expression. In the end, like a brave warrior, he resolutely said to Long Zichen and Jian Jie, ¡°Director Long, Brother Jian Jie, um, I¡¯m full. I¡¯ll head back now. Thank you, Brother Jian Jie, for inviting me to enjoy this delicious grilled fish. See you in the afternoon.¡±


    Jian Jie felt a little embarrassed and hurriedly asked Tong Liangliang to stay, but with Long Zichen¡¯s formidable presence, how could Tong Liangliang stay? He bid his polite farewells and left in a hurry.


    As soon as Tong Liangliang left, Long Zichen seemed to switch channels suddenly, transforming from the gloomy and dark drama to the previously lighthearted and humorous one. Leaning back in his chair, he revealed a mischievous smile and said to Jian Jie, ¡°Alright, how long have you known that guy? They act like they¡¯re blood brothers. It¡¯s so nauseating.¡±


    Jian Jie felt like his expression at that moment must have been comical. Long Zichen¡¯s ability to change moods at will was evident today. He twitched the corner of his mouth and finally couldn¡¯t hold back, making a rare remark, ¡°Mr. Long, have you recently learned face-changing techniques from Sichuan opera? Your style changes throughout the day are quite overwhelming.¡±


    Long Zichen pretended to be angry, saying, ¡°How can you speak like that!¡± But he couldn¡¯t contain his laughter and continued, ¡°I can¡¯t help it. Someone in the company has to maintain a stern face. Naturally, this glorious and arduous task falls upon someone with an outstanding and domineering personality like me. After all, the newcomers need to be tested. If I¡¯m always jovial with them, it¡¯ll cause trouble in the long run. Let the artists experience the warmth of home in the company. Sister Xiaohui and the others can handle the warm and friendly aspects. Now, I¡¯m responsible for ensuring that newcomers truly understand the harshness of the entertainment industry. So, have you been impressed by my arrogance this morning? Do you think I¡¯m extra cool?¡±


    Please let me know if there are typos/mistakes in the chapter.


    Support me on ko-fi for faster releases ^^

 CH 13

    Translator: Lynn


    ¡°¡­¡±


    Long Zichen posed for a while, but the silence remained as the only response. Frustrated, he faked a couple of coughs and said angrily, ¡°Really, it¡¯s so embarrassing! Forget it, I¡¯m generous enough to not care about you, kid.¡± He waved his hand magnanimously and added, ¡°Now that the person who was in the way has left, let¡¯s enjoy our meal.¡±


    Since meeting Long Zichen, Jian Jie¡¯s perception of the world had been repeatedly refreshed, leaving him feeling somewhat melancholic. He wondered if this mood swing was a common trait among people in the arts and literary circles. Would he eventually become like this too? The future seemed rather daunting.


    Soon, Long Zichen devoured all the food on the table. Jian Jie couldn¡¯t help but wonder if he had been deprived of proper meals for years, given his eagerness to devour every dish. After wiping his mouth, Long Zichen expressed his satisfaction, ¡°These small sesame seed cakes are truly delicious. They¡¯re crispy and soft, much better than the ones sold outside.¡± Despite devouring eight of them in one go, no one would believe him if he criticized their taste.


    Jian Jie suggested, ¡°Then why not buy a few more to take home and enjoy?¡±


    Long Zichen¡¯s eyes lit up immediately, and he exclaimed, ¡°Oh, that would be embarrassing, haha! It¡¯s a great idea to get a few more. Just don¡¯t spend too much money, haha¡­¡±


    Jian Jie called the waiter over and ordered more than a dozen packs of small sesame seed cakes to go. Pleased with how obedient Jian Jie was, Long Zichen patted him on the shoulder and said approvingly, ¡°Very good, you have potential, and you¡¯ve earned my goodwill. I have something for you when we return. Once the afternoon class is over, come to my office. I have a surprise for you.¡±


    ¡°No need, Mr. Long. I can¡¯t accept your gift,¡± Jian Jie quickly declined.


    ¡°I insist. I can¡¯t keep track of how many times I¡¯ve treated you, after all,¡± Long Zichen said with a smile. ¡°If you end up tossing and turning in bed due to the pain, resorting to smoking and drinking while cursing me at night, that wouldn¡¯t be good. So, consider it gone.¡±


    Jian Jie felt embarrassed and tried to explain, ¡°Mr. Long, why would you think such things? I don¡¯t¨C¡°


    ¡°Just kidding,¡± Long Zichen interrupted, still smiling. ¡°I just couldn¡¯t help but imagine a scene where you¡¯re smoking and drinking¡­ Well, it would definitely make for a thrilling plot.¡±


    ¡°¡­Mr. Long, I think it¡¯s about time. Let¡¯s head back now. We still have classes in the afternoon.¡± Faced with Long Zichen¡¯s ever-changing rhythm, Jian Jie felt he could only choose to ignore it and respond in kind. Adaptation was key.


    The afternoon class was a physical training session focused on improving the newcomers¡¯ expressions, gestures, and body language. It aimed to enhance their personal image and temperament.


    Jian Jie never expected to encounter such a challenge during the class. He struggled to perform the required facial expressions and movements, whether it was smiling charmingly or waving gracefully. The more he practiced, the worse he became. In the end, he resembled a stiff robot, leaving the teacher despairing.


    ¡°Well, you should try to figure it out on your own for now,¡± the teacher said with a smile before quickly walking away. He decided to regain his confidence as an educator by attending to other students.


    Jian Jie stared blankly at the teacher¡¯s sudden departure, feeling a tinge of melancholy


    in his eyes. He realized for the first time how difficult it could be to smile genuinely.


    After struggling until the end of the class, as soon as the teacher stepped out of the classroom, Long Zichen called out, ¡°Is class over? Come on, hurry up! If you don¡¯t come, I¡¯ll come to your place.¡±


    Jian Jie grabbed his backpack and headed toward Long Zichen¡¯s office.


    ¡°Ha-ha, come in. Let me show you something you might like,¡± Long Zichen said as he took out a black guitar case from behind the desk. He opened it and placed it on the coffee table. Jian Jie saw a wooden guitar with a beautiful golden-yellow surface, and the neck and body were ink-black. Even someone like him, who knew little about guitars, could tell it wasn¡¯t an ordinary instrument.


    Long Zichen introduced, ¡°This is a folk guitar, and I think it suits you very well. Wooden guitars require great skill to play because even the slightest mistake is noticeable. You should practice and refine your skills on it.¡± Long Zichen then explained, ¡°I bought this wooden guitar after earning money for the first time in my life, but I ended up using it only a few times. Back then, I was a newcomer just like you, touring with a group and barely making a thousand dollars. I couldn¡¯t afford to keep it. This guitar cost me 25,000 at the time and wasn¡¯t even available in China. It¡¯s not suitable for a singing and dancing troupe like ours. Now, it¡¯s great to find a new owner for it.¡±


    How could Jian Jie possibly accept such an expensive gift? He waved his hands hurriedly, saying, ¡°No, Mr. Long, this is way too valuable. I really can¡¯t accept it. Just come to my place for dinner whenever you want in the future; you don¡¯t need to give me anything.¡±


    ¡°Oh, don¡¯t be so polite! Let me leave this guitar here; otherwise, it¡¯ll just gather dust, and I have no intention of selling it. It¡¯s meant for you to make the best use of it. Write some more great songs and shine!¡± Long Zichen packed the guitar and stuffed it into Jian Jie¡¯s arms. ¡°I am sincere, and I¡¯ll be upset if you don¡¯t accept it.¡±


    Feeling helpless, Jian Jie held the guitar case, not knowing what to do. He finally suggested, ¡°Okay, let¡¯s go back together. You¡¯ve been very kind, but this gift wasn¡¯t what I asked for. Come to my place, and I¡¯ll teach you how to practice. Of course, before that, we¡¯ll buy some groceries. You know the deal¡ªJian Jie pays, and Long Zichen takes care of the cooking. It¡¯s fair and reasonable, not taking advantage of an honest kid.¡±


    ¡°Seeing you not achieving anything made me want to help and give you something valuable. Don¡¯t feel sorry about it,¡± Long Zichen said until they bought the vegetables and returned home, still trying to convince Jian Jie.


    Long Zichen, wearing an apron, exclaimed from the kitchen¡¯s doorstep, ¡°Hey, why are you moving so slowly? Do you want us to use dozens of spoons of salt in our dishes? We¡¯ll die from that!¡±


    Jian Jie blinked, unsure how the conversation had shifted to being ¡°salted to death.¡± Wisely, he avoided mentioning the gift again. He resolved that since Long Zichen valued him so much, he would work hard on his guitar skills and write even more excellent songs.


    For dinner that day, Long Zichen prepared his best Coca-Cola chicken wings. The main course was tomato and shrimp risotto, accompanied by potato soup. Every dish was delicious, leaving Jian Jie amazed once again. ¡°Mr. Long, you¡¯re incredible! You know so many dishes, and they all taste fantastic.¡±


    Long Zichen replied proudly, ¡°Of course, it doesn¡¯t matter who I am. Just tell me what you want to eat, and I¡¯ll figure it out. Sometimes I wonder if I was a chef in my past life. If I hadn¡¯t pursued music, I might have become a chef at X Dongfang!¡±


    Blushing, Jian Jie said, ¡°¡­Well, maybe you¡¯d be a renowned chef by now.¡±


    ¡°¡­Decisiveness led me to become a music director; I¡¯m glad I didn¡¯t have the brain to become a chef,¡± Long Zichen remarked, expressing his gratitude for his career path.


    After dinner, Long Zichen spent some time practicing the guitar with Jian Jie, only to realize that Jian Jie didn¡¯t actually need much guidance. He quickly got the hang of the new guitar, changing chords smoothly, and producing a flawless sound. Long Zichen couldn¡¯t help but feel a mix of annoyance and delight. He thought, ¡°Genius is so vexing, but at least this genius is mine!¡±


    Please let me know if there are typos/mistakes in the chapter.


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 CH 14

    Translator: Lynn


    Doing nothing all day, time seems to stand still, while a busy and fulfilling life always flies by quickly.


    Jian Jie dedicates himself to intense studying at school every day. When he returns home, he spends his time practicing guitar, vocal music, and composing songs. His hard work stems from his passion for music, so he never feels the strain. Under the influence of Long Zichen, he explores various genres of music, including country, jazz, rock, and disco. Immersed in the works of many masters, inspiration flows endlessly. During this period, his creativity blossoms like a spring, resulting in seven or eight complete songs.


    Jian Jie eagerly shows all his compositions to Long Zichen, seeking his advice. Naturally, Long Zichen is delighted. He not only helps Jian Jie refine and perfect his works but also assists him in registering the copyright for the completed songs at the Sound Composer Association.


    The newcomer training course is still ongoing. On a weekend after the training session, Tong Liangliang approaches Jian Jie with a sincere expression, seeking his help. ¡°Brother Jian Jie, I saw the song you wrote when I showed it to Director Long. You are so talented and creative. Can you write a song for me? The company couldn¡¯t find a suitable one, and they plan to release a single for Chen Hang and Tao Qianrui first. I feel really sad. Brother Jian Jie, please help me.¡±


    Over the past few weeks, the company selected three promising newcomers based on their vocal performances: Tong Liangliang, Chen Hang, and Tao Qianrui. Initially, the company intended to form a boy group with the three of them. However, after the auditions, it became apparent that Tong Liangliang¡¯s image and voice were quite different from the other two. Consequently, the decision was made to exclude Tong Liangliang and proceed with Chen Hang and Tao Qianrui for the single release.


    Jian Jie was unaware of Tong Liangliang¡¯s situation, as he was excluded due to the lack of a suitable song. Witnessing the tears in the young boy¡¯s eyes and his sorrowful expression, Jian Jie¡¯s heart softened. He realized that writing a suitable song for Tong Liangliang wouldn¡¯t be difficult, so he reassured him, saying, ¡°Don¡¯t cry, I promise I¡¯ll do my best.¡± Tong Liangliang joyfully pulled Jian Jie¡¯s arm and exclaimed, ¡°Brother Jian Jie, let me treat you to a drink! There¡¯s a milk tea shop nearby, and I¡¯ll buy you some milk tea and ice cream!¡±


    Jian Jie accepted the offer without hesitation and followed Tong Liangliang to the mentioned milk tea shop.


    Little did Jian Jie know that as he conversed with Tong Liangliang, two individuals stood by the window of a third-floor office, callously observing and commenting on them. The three-story building wasn¡¯t very tall, so their conversation could be heard clearly from below. These two individuals were none other than General Manager Yuan Chao and Director Long.


    Yuan Chao gazed out the window, displaying an expression of interest, saying, ¡°This is perfect! Look at their pitiful eyes. Our little brother Jian Jie has fallen for it! It¡¯s amusingly cute!¡±


    Long Zichen, on the other hand, wore a dissatisfied expression and remarked, ¡°Hmph! A cup of milk tea in exchange for a song? I want to make that deal too!¡± He was displeased seeing Tong Liangliang cling to Jian Jie as if his treasure had been taken advantage of. Silently, he added ¡°Tong Liangliang¡± to his personal blacklist, determined to make this person deeply understand the meaning of ¡°vengeance¡± and the shady nature of the days to come.


    A few days later, Tong Liangliang happily approached Long Zichen with the song that Jian Jie had tailored for him. Although Tong Liangliang couldn¡¯t read sheet music, he had an excellent musical sense and learned the song by listening to Jian Jie sings it a few times. With caution, he said to Long Zichen, ¡°Hi, Director Long. I found a great song that suits me perfectly. Will the company still consider releasing a single for me?¡± Long Zichen raised his eyebrows, feigning ignorance, and asked, ¡°Oh, and where did you find this song?¡±


    Tong Liangliang truthfully replied, ¡°Well, it was written by Jian Jie from our company. Director Long knows him. He¡¯s incredibly talented, and his compositions are amazing.¡± Tong Liangliang didn¡¯t forget to praise Jian Jie.


    Upon hearing this, Long Zichen couldn¡¯t help but feel a little better. Crossing his arms, he raised his eyebrows and said, ¡°Then sing it for me.¡±


    Nodding, Tong Liangliang clenched his fists and began to sing, ¡°You¡¯ve lost everything, everything you hold dear, shedding tears that cannot be regained¡­ I don¡¯t know how to console you because I know you¡¯ll face it with strength¡­ No matter how fierce the storm, there will always be a day when the haze dissipates, and I¡¯ll be here by your side, facing it with you¡­¡±


    The song featured heartfelt and gentle verses, akin to a sincere confession between close friends. When the chorus arrived, several consecutive powerful and rhythmic high notes, reaching C3, conveyed boundless faith. Tong Liangliang¡¯s singing was satisfactory, and Long Zichen had to admit that the song truly suited him. However, he couldn¡¯t attribute it all to his ¡°little Jiejie¡± alone!


    Long Zichen inwardly sighed and inquired, ¡°What¡¯s the title of this song?¡±


    ¡°Nervously, Tong Liangliang replied, ¡°It¡¯s called ¡®Hope.¡¯ ¡± Long Zichen¡¯s expression gave no indication, making Tong Liangliang even more anxious.


    After a moment of silence, Long Zichen said to Tong Liangliang, ¡°You can go now. The company will inform you of the decision in two days.¡± In truth, Long Zichen already had a plan in mind, but he didn¡¯t want to give a definitive answer at the moment. He intended to keep Tong Liangliang hanging for a few more days. The thought of seeking revenge was truly unsettling.


    After nervously waiting for two days, Tong Liangliang finally received an audition notice from the company. However, after the vocal audition, he received two pieces of good news and one bad news. The good news was that the company decided to release a single for Tong Liangliang, but he had to sing it as a duet with Jian Jie.


    When Jian Jie received the notification, he was taken aback. ¡°Well, this isn¡¯t good. I didn¡¯t receive a ranking in the vocal class, and I only wrote songs for Xiao Liang. I didn¡¯t intend to sing. I don¡¯t want to steal his opportunity.¡±


    It was Long Zichen himself who informed Jian Jie about this matter. He shrugged his shoulders and innocently said, ¡°It was Tong Liangliang¡¯s suggestion. His voice lacks emotional depth when he sings the verses, so he proposed to sing with you.¡± Of course, Long Zichen¡¯s ¡°helpful reminder¡± played a crucial role in this, but let¡¯s not dwell on that.


    Long Zichen continued to persuade Jian Jie, saying, ¡°It¡¯s just singing a song together. I don¡¯t want you to form a group. You two have great chemistry. Of course, if you don¡¯t want to, I won¡¯t force it. After all, our company will be focusing on Chen Hang and Tao Qianrui for now, so we can delay the release of Tong Liangliang¡¯s single for a little while.¡±


    Jian Jie panicked and didn¡¯t want to hinder Tong Liangliang¡¯s acting career. He quickly responded, ¡°Then, let me give it a try.¡±


    Long Zichen immediately displayed a mischievous smile and said, ¡°Great! Once the weekend is over, let¡¯s rehearse at the company first. The audition is almost complete, and then I¡¯ll take both of you to a professional recording studio. It sounds simple, doesn¡¯t it?¡±


    After a week, Jian Jie realized how wrong he had been. He finally understood that recording was an agonizing process. In this world, he had encountered something that terrified him even more than physical training¡­


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 CH 15

    Translator: Lynn


    Jian Jie used to believe that recording a song involved merely recording the soundtrack, but now she realizes the extensive preparations required.


    The company initially devised three or four different arrangement plans in various styles for the song ¡°Hope,¡± and Long Zichen made the final selection. The choice of musical instruments, vocal passages, and the sequence of Jian Jie and Tong Liangliang¡¯s parts underwent extensive discussions before being finalized.


    Professional musicians were also invited by the company to record the accompaniment. Since the song¡¯s beginning is relatively low, Long Zichen wished to record a solo cello version for the prelude. With Jian Jie¡¯s versatile talents, he took charge of playing the cello and piano parts, which saved a lot of trouble. It¡¯s worth mentioning that this decision was not driven by stinginess; regardless of the work Jian Jie undertook, including songwriting, Long Zichen always compensated him adequately. They both knew that the company was not inclined to be miserly and intended to take advantage of this fact.


    After the accompaniment was recorded, Long Zichen took Jian Jie and Tong Liangliang to the company¡¯s modest recording studio to familiarize themselves with the accompaniment and practice singing. It was during this time that Long Zichen began to reveal his iron-willed and ruthless side, demanding a variety of techniques, auditions, different pauses, and varied singing styles.


    Jian Jie managed well during the singing practice. Accustomed to being serious, he followed Long Zichen¡¯s instructions meticulously, continuously improving his singing skills. However, Tong Liangliang struggled more. Being younger, he lacked the same level of patience and couldn¡¯t help but quietly complain to the company staff during breaks, ¡°This is just practice, not an actual recording. We don¡¯t need to go through these drills so many times. It¡¯s really exhausting!¡±


    As soon as Tong Liangliang finished speaking, the Great Demon King Long Zichen¡¯s anger erupted instantly. He furiously exclaimed, ¡°Oh, practice is unimportant, is it? Fine, when we¡¯re in the recording studio, I¡¯ll let you forget the lyrics and practice for more than ten hours. After all, renting the recording studio only costs a few hundred yuan. It won¡¯t matter if it gets wasted for an hour!¡±


    Tong Liangliang was startled and hastily apologized, ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Director Long. I won¡¯t do it again. I¡¯ll practice diligently!¡±


    ¡°Hmph, just make sure you understand,¡± sneered Long Zichen.


    Meanwhile, Jian Jie went out with a staff member and purchased plenty of drinks to quench everyone¡¯s thirst. He returned just in time to diffuse the situation. Sensing something was amiss, he swiftly grabbed a bottle of drink and handed it to Long Zichen, saying, ¡°Mr. Long, have a drink.¡±


    When Long Zichen saw that it was his favorite fruit juice with the flavors of tomato, strawberry, and hawthorn, his anger dissipated instantly. He happily unscrewed the lid, completely ignoring Tong Liangliang.


    Finally, after two days of intense practice, Long Zichen felt satisfied. During that time, Jian Jie felt as though he was about to reach a higher state.


    However, their ordeal was far from over. On the weekend, Long Zichen generously took Jian Jie and Tong Liangliang to the finest local recording studio, Cedar Studio, and rented it for the entire day. This studio was renowned, ranking among the top ten in the country. Renting it for a day cost 7,000 yuan, and reservations needed to be made a month in advance. The equipment there was state-of-the-art, and each recording room was spacious and


    lavishly decorated, resembling a small stage. Five microphones were set up in the recording room, along with instruments such as piano, guitar, and bass. Professional musicians were also present to provide live accompaniment services.


    After arriving at the recording studio past nine o¡¯clock, Long Zichen and his team began tuning and rehearsing. Despite their prior intense practice, it still took nearly an hour to get ready.


    Once prepared, Jian Jie and Tong Liangliang put on their headphones and positioned themselves in front of their respective microphones. The lyrics and sheet music were placed on the music stands before them. This marked the first time in Jian Jie¡¯s life that he formally entered a recording studio to record songs, and he couldn¡¯t help but feel a little excited. Through the thick glass wall, he caught a glimpse of Long Zichen, who had also donned monitoring headphones and was sitting in the control room on the other side of the glass observation window, appearing extremely focused.


    After a brief discussion with the sound engineer, Long Zichen instructed Jian Jie and Tong Liangliang to start recording the song ¡°Hope.¡± The cello¡¯s sound slowly filled the headphones, accompanied by the piano, and Jian Jie began singing the verse. He sang the first section solo, while Tong Liangliang joined in the second section, singing alternately with Jian Jie. Together, they reached the high treble part of the first chorus, which Jian Jie completed. After that, Tong Liangliang took on several consecutive high C trebles.


    Surprisingly, the recording was completed in one take, and instead of interrupting, Long Zichen praised them, ¡°Very good.¡± This rare praise filled Tong Liangliang, who had endured oppression for years, with joy, and even Jian Jie felt elated.


    Long Zichen then asked the sound engineer to play back the recording for Jian Jie and Tong Liangliang to listen carefully for any flaws before making a second recording.


    However, the happiness was short-lived as Long Zichen became increasingly picky during the second recording. He frequently paused after a line, pointing out tightness or urgency in the singing and demanding redo after redo. Even the sound engineer, who had endured most of the requests, sympathized with the two boys. It was rare to encounter such a demanding producer!


    After repeated singing and listening for over two hours, Long Zichen finally expressed satisfaction. He said, ¡°Okay, I can finally listen to it. Come here.¡± The next step involved post-production: adjusting the singers¡¯ vocals, recording additional chords, adjusting the sound mix, and integrating all the recorded parts. These tasks didn¡¯t involve Jian Jie and Tong Liangliang.


    They both joined Long Zichen in the control room to listen to the recording¡¯s effects. Then unexpectedly, Long Zichen asked Tong Liangliang to leave. Despite looking at Jian Jie, Tong Liangliang didn¡¯t dare to voice any dissatisfaction and politely excused himself, bidding Jian Jie goodbye. Alone, Jian Jie looked at Long Zichen with confusion, asking, ¡°What¡¯s the matter, Mr. Long?¡±


    Long Zichen responded, ¡°I didn¡¯t expect your recording to be finished so quickly. If I had known, I wouldn¡¯t have rented the studio for the entire day. Now it¡¯s just the afternoon; it seems like a waste! Should we ask for a refund?¡±


    The sound engineer immediately apologized, explaining that once the order was refunded, they couldn¡¯t receive other guests due to their schedule being arranged in advance. Refunds were not allowed. Long Zichen seemed distressed by this, and in an attempt not to waste time, he suggested that Jian Jie record some more songs.


    Initially, Jian Jie thought he wasn¡¯t prepared for additional songs, but Long Zichen had already planned it all. He had been secretly taking Jian Jie to practice the songs he wrote in the company¡¯s recording studio every week, recording his self-play and self-singing, and preparing the accompaniments in advance.


    Thinking it was just a fortunate opportunity, Jian Jie praised Long Zichen for his dedication to work and agreed to record more songs. He didn¡¯t realize the underlying implications of Long Zichen¡¯s actions.


    Proud of his foresight, Long Zichen replied with a hint of arrogance, ¡°That¡¯s right, I¡¯ve always been serious about my work. I am always well-prepared. Don¡¯t worship me too much!¡± Unaware of the manipulative nature of this situation, Jian Jie didn¡¯t harbor any suspicions and felt grateful for the opportunity.


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 CH 16

    Translator: Lynn


    Before they realized it, it was already noon, and Long Zichen instructed his accompanying staff to go out and buy boxed lunches. After Jian Jie and the staff quickly filled their stomachs, the recording work resumed without interruption.


    The first song they recorded was ¡°Dream.¡± It had a gentle melody in a folk style, not focusing on showcasing technical skills but rather on its profound and hopeful lyrics about human peace. Long Zichen particularly favored this song. Nowadays, such humanistic songs were not very common, so it could be refreshing for the public, accustomed to love-themed songs, to experience a change in taste.


    Long Zichen aimed for a simple and unadorned aesthetic in the composition. He decided to use only piano accompaniment and added some drums to enhance the atmosphere. Guitar, bass, and other instruments were discarded.


    After a brief rehearsal, Jian Jie sang into the microphone once again:


    ¡°¡­There is no killing, no war. I hope all people can live in peace and happiness. You may call me a dreamer, but I know I won¡¯t be alone. I hope that one day, you can join me and let us share this world together¡­¡±


    After the initial recording, Long Zichen listened attentively to the effect several times and then suggested a few additional lines. The song was completed in just over thirty minutes.


    The next few songs went smoothly, and by 6 pm, they had recorded six songs. The song production took over an hour, and darkness had already fallen.


    Long Zichen was elated to have accomplished so much work in one day. Waving the CD he had made, he excitedly said to Jian Jie, ¡°It¡¯s been a long time since I had such a great time. This is the kind of rhythm I want! Xiaojiejie, today is an amazing day!¡±


    Jian Jie couldn¡¯t help but release a long sigh of relief and replied with a slight smile, ¡°I¡¯ve been feeling nervous all this time, and I haven¡¯t seen you so satisfied in a long time, Mr. Long.¡±


    Innocently, Long Zichen asked, ¡°I hope I wasn¡¯t too strict and didn¡¯t scare you, right? Xiaojie, you need to differentiate between public and private matters. Don¡¯t blame me!¡±


    Jian Jie smiled gently and replied, ¡°Of course not, you were right to be strict.¡± Then he suggested, ¡°Mr. Long, everyone has been busy because of me, so let me treat you all to dinner. It¡¯s the least I can do.¡±


    Long Zichen¡¯s assistant, Zhou Jia, a young man in his mid-twenties who had been in the industry for five or six years, quickly interjected, ¡°What are you talking about, Xiaojian? You can¡¯t spend money on us.¡±


    Other staff members echoed Zhou Jia¡¯s sentiment, saying that Jian Jie shouldn¡¯t spend money. At that moment, Long Zichen made a final decision, ¡°Why are you all so polite today? Can¡¯t bear to see this cute kid spend money, huh? Alright, I¡¯ll treat you all to hot pot. I don¡¯t want you to call me stingy behind my back.¡± Long Zichen received his salary at the beginning of the month and instantly transformed into a confident and generous person.


    ¡°Brother Chen is domineering today!¡± ¡°Brother Chen is mighty!¡± ¡°Boss Long is the best!¡± The staff cheered when they learned that Long Zichen would be treating them while heading outside the recording studio.


    As they reached the gate, another group of people was entering. The person at the front wore sunglasses and although dressed casually, exuded a superstar aura.


    Seeing this group, Long Zichen greeted them with a smile, ¡°Ding Jiangyu, Teacher Dongping, you¡¯re here to record songs too.¡± Although Jian Jie didn¡¯t know these two individuals, he joined the staff in calling out, ¡°Hello Ding Jiangyu, Hello Teacher Dongping.¡±


    The person with sunglasses was the legendary heavenly king, Ding Jiangyu. Alongside him was Liu Dongping, a renowned music producer who Long Zichen respectfully referred to as Teacher Dongping. Hearing Long Zichen¡¯s words, Ding Jiangyu and Liu Dongping stopped, and the three of them exchanged polite words.


    Ding Jiangyu, despite his status as a heavenly king, remained low-key and humble. With many years of experience in the industry and a reputation for being well-behaved, he was highly regarded in the circle. Long Zichen had interacted with Ding Jiangyu before and was familiar with him. Ding Jiangyu kindly said to Long Zichen, ¡°I¡¯m here today to record a new album.¡± Then he turned to Jian Jie and asked, ¡°Are you also bringing a newcomer to record songs?¡±


    ¡°Yes,¡± Long Zichen replied with excitement. ¡°The young talent I¡¯ve been nurturing is named Jian Jie. His singing skills are not bad, although he can¡¯t compare to Ding Jiangyu. Today, I brought him here to try recording a few songs.¡± Long Zichen¡¯s humility was evident. No matter how big the company was, they wouldn¡¯t treat a recording studio, worth thousands of dollars a day, like a vegetable market where they could freely browse. Bringing Jian Jie here meant there was more to it than just having fun.


    Certainly, Ding Jiangyu also understood the situation. After pondering for a moment, he turned to Liu Dongping and asked, ¡°Dongping, if I recall correctly, among the selected songs this time, there were two songwriters named Jian Jie, right?¡± Upon receiving Liu Dongping¡¯s confirmation, Ding Jiangyu continued, ¡°Yes, I also heard from Lao Lin that one of the songwriters is a young artist, possibly a newcomer in your team?¡± Long Zichen couldn¡¯t help but chuckle and said, ¡°What a coincidence, it¡¯s ¡®Paradise¡¯! It¡¯s the same as ¡®Start Again.¡¯ This memorable song was written by a newcomer on my team. Kids are full of ideas, you know. Even if they haven¡¯t mastered singing yet, they aspire to create. I jokingly call him ¡®Singer What.¡¯ The most important thing is not just about singing skills; even if you sing alphabet songs, you can become popular.¡±


    Ding Jiangyu¡¯s weakness was his inability to write songs, so praising Jian Jie¡¯s songwriting skills in front of him was not a wise move. However, Long Zichen was careful enough not to overlook Ding Jiangyu¡¯s singing abilities and complimented him both openly and secretly. Long Zichen hoped to create a good impression of himself and Jian Jie in front of Ding Jiangyu. After all, a single word from Ding Jiangyu held more weight than any amount of publicity.


    As expected, no matter how humble someone may be, they still enjoy flattery. Ding Jiangyu seemed to appreciate the compliment and smiled, saying, ¡°If you compare it to the alphabet song, it would be an injustice to me! Alright, you must be busy. Contact me when you have the time.¡±


    Jian Jie, feeling foolish, said to Long Zichen, ¡°Mr. Long, if you didn¡¯t tell me earlier, I would have thought you didn¡¯t want me to write songs. I will focus on singing in the future and stop being half-hearted.¡±


    Long Zichen bent down with a smile and said, ¡°I was just being polite to Ding Tianwang. You took it seriously! Don¡¯t think for a moment that I don¡¯t want you to write songs. I want you to write more songs like ¡®Dream¡¯ and ¡®Hope¡¯.¡±


    Jian Jie realized that Long Zichen was probably being modest in front of others, and he finally felt relieved. He had been quite conflicted before.


    As it was getting late, the group found a nearby hot pot restaurant for dinner. However, Jian Jie couldn¡¯t handle spicy food. Despite ordering the mandarin duck hot pot with a non-spicy soup base, the broth became spicy after a while. Jian Jie blushed after a few mouthfuls, and Long Zichen quickly fetched a glass of water to filter out the chili oil for him.


    ¡°Brother Chen is so considerate. When I¡¯m looking for a husband in the future, I¡¯ll search for someone like Brother Chen,¡± one of the female colleagues remarked, clearly of marriageable age.


    ¡°I¡¯m about to get married. Have you forgotten how Boss Long scolded Tong Liangliang two days ago? Boss Long doesn¡¯t treat everyone the same,¡± another colleague firmly maintained his reason and didn¡¯t forget Long Zichen¡¯s past harshness.


    Long Zichen raised an eyebrow and said, ¡°Are you itching for trouble? Who wants our Xiaojie to be so good? I love him too.¡±


    Everyone broke out in a cold sweat, thinking to themselves, ¡°We¡¯re sorry!¡±


    Jian Jie, embarrassed by Long Zichen¡¯s words, knew that Long Zichen treated him differently from other newcomers in the company. The favoritism was


    so apparent that anyone could see it. Some newcomers felt aggrieved, and others secretly waited for Jian Jie to fail, hoping to prove that Long Zichen had no vision. Jian Jie couldn¡¯t say anything in response; he could only work hard to justify Director Long¡¯s trust in him.


    After that day, Long Zichen became busy with the post-production of the song ¡°Hope.¡± The company had negotiated with a film and television company to use this song as the theme song for a youth inspirational TV series. If the TV series became popular, it would provide great exposure for the song and its creators.


    Amidst the busyness, Long Zichen received an unexpected call from Liu Dongping. Liu Dongping informed him that there was a song in Ding Jiangyu¡¯s new album that they wanted to produce as a duet. Liu Dongping had met the newcomer, brought by Long Zichen, a few days ago and had a positive impression. He wanted to invite the newcomer to audition for the duet version.


    Long Zichen enthusiastically agreed over the phone but couldn¡¯t help but think to himself, ¡°This is so unbelievable! We only met briefly that day. Can it leave such a lasting impression? Does Ding Jiangyu really have conflicts with Lei Ting?¡±


    Long Zichen immediately shared the news with Jian Jie. Whether it was true or not, they couldn¡¯t miss this opportunity.


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 CH 17

    Translator: Lynn


    When Long Zichen received the call, Jian Jie was in his physical education class at school. This semester, he had chosen basketball as an elective and had just finished running a few laps on the court when his phone started ringing.


    He answered the call, and Long Zichen¡¯s cheerful voice came through the other end, ¡°Xiaojie, I have good news for you. The singer we met last time, Ding Jiangyu, has a duet song, and I want to invite you to audition for it. It¡¯s just a chance to practice, and you don¡¯t have class on Friday afternoon, so I¡¯ll pick you up then.¡±


    ¡°Sure, that works,¡± Jian Jie replied, agreeing to Long Zichen¡¯s arrangement. However, he was curious about the song they would be singing, so he asked, ¡°Mr. Long, do you know which song we¡¯ll be singing together? Can you send it to me in advance for practice?¡±


    ¡°I already asked, and we¡¯ll be singing the song ¡®Start Again¡¯ that you wrote. Don¡¯t be too nervous; after all, we¡¯re not competing against them directly, and success doesn¡¯t solely depend on talent. It¡¯s okay if you don¡¯t get selected,¡± assured Long Zichen, understanding Jian Jie¡¯s serious nature.


    Jian Jie appreciated Long Zichen¡¯s reassurance and agreed. After ending the call, his classmate Shui Xiaoren asked him, ¡°Was that the music producer from your company?¡±


    ¡°Yes, Mr. Long just informed me about the audition with a singer on Friday,¡± Jian Jie replied.


    ¡°You¡¯re doing well in that company. I can tell you¡¯ve been in a good mood lately,¡± Shui Xiaoren said with a mischievous smile. Then he asked, ¡°Are there many beautiful girls in the music company? Have you met anyone particularly stunning?¡±


    Jian Jie thought about the artists in the company, nodded, and replied, ¡°Well, they¡¯re all pretty, but I¡¯m not very familiar with them.¡±


    ¡°I knew it!¡± Shui Xiaoren shook his head with a sigh and teased, ¡°You know what they say about being near the water tower, right? Before they become victims of unspoken rules, you should take advantage of your position, my boy! Don¡¯t miss this opportunity! If you don¡¯t mind, take me along to help you out!¡± Shui Xiaoren put on a righteous face for his friend.


    Jian Jie firmly refused, saying, ¡°I don¡¯t want to get caught up in trouble because of you. What if all the girls in the company blacklist me? You¡¯re the one causing all the trouble!¡±


    As a child, Jian Jie had been a gentle and adorable girl, and everyone thought she was cute. Shui Xiaoren used her beauty to attract the attention of older and younger girls. He would cheat on candy and food during kindergarten and elementary school and deceive girls into going on dates as they got older. It was really mischievous.


    When the embarrassing past was brought up, Shui Xiaoren didn¡¯t panic and said disdainfully, ¡°When you cried, didn¡¯t I give you all the candy? You made me go back and get in trouble with my brother and mother. Who¡¯s the crybaby now? I have every right to despise you!¡±


    ¡°¡­I¡¯ll complain to my aunt tonight. I¡¯ll tell her how you¡¯ve been bullying me again!¡± Jian Jie smiled and played her trump card, causing Shui Xiaoren to immediately kneel down.


    ¡°Alright, I know my mother loves you. By the way, she¡¯s been nagging for days, saying that you haven¡¯t visited our house recently because you want to become a star and forget about us.¡±


    ¡°I didn¡¯t forget. I¡¯ve been practicing singing at home lately, so I¡¯m planning to visit my aunt and uncle tonight. I also miss the meals my aunt prepares,¡± Jian Jie explained with a smile.


    After making a phone call in advance, Jian Jie went to Shui Xiaoren¡¯s house for dinner in the evening. After the meal, Aunt Shui asked him to sing some old songs. When she learned that Jian Jie was going to Ding Jiangyu¡¯s place to record songs, Aunt Shui became excited. She had been watching a TV series starring Ding Jiangyu and was captivated by his performance. Aunt Shui grabbed Jian Jie¡¯s arm and said earnestly, ¡°Jie Jie, when you see him, ask me who the leader he played in ¡®Decisive Battle¡¯ ended up with!¡±


    ¡°Okay,¡± Jian Jie agreed, laughing at Aunt Shui¡¯s enthusiasm.


    ¡°Mom, do you really want Jian Jie to become an adult and lose his innocence?¡± Shui Xiaoren couldn¡¯t help but complain, only to receive a thunderous blow from Aunt Shui.


    ¡°Damn boy, I¡¯ll slap you to death!¡±


    With Aunt Shui¡¯s fervent hope on their backs, Jian Jie accompanied Long Zichen to Leiting Company on Friday. In reality, it would have been enough for the agent to handle this matter, but Long Zichen made it clear that he wanted to take Tang Xiaohui¡¯s role, so he insisted on taking Jian Jie himself. Tang Xiaohui had no choice but to agree and let Long Zichen proceed.


    Leiting Company was located in a commercial building near the city center, so naturally, it was more grand than Xinghuo. On the way there, Long Zichen jokingly remarked, ¡°After seeing the grandeur of Leiting, don¡¯t underestimate our company for being too modest, otherwise I¡¯ll be sad.¡±


    ¡°How could I belittle it?¡± Jian Jie felt completely misunderstood.


    Long Zichen shrugged. ¡°I¡¯m just worried that your talent might get poached by someone.¡±


    ¡°¡­Don¡¯t worry about it.¡±


    Upon arriving at Leiting, Ding Jiangyu was rehearsing a new song in the recording studio. When he saw Long Zichen and Jian Jie enter, he asked them to sit down and had his assistant pour them two cups of tea. Ding Jiangyu smiled and said, ¡°There was no need for Longda¡¯s producer to personally bring your newcomer for a sound test.¡±


    ¡°I wouldn¡¯t dare to disregard what Ding Jiangyu said. The newcomer in my family is introverted, and it¡¯s his first time here. I wanted to make sure everything goes smoothly,¡± Long Zichen explained.


    After exchanging pleasantries, Ding Jiangyu got to the point and said, ¡°Today, I invited you here so that your newcomer can record the song ¡®Start Again.¡¯ Coincidentally, this song was written by your newcomer, so he should be familiar with it. The song is about revisiting the past, and Dongping suggested finding a younger singer to perform it with me, creating a contrast that represents the changes in life.¡± The assistant handed the sheet music to Jian Jie, and Ding Jiangyu continued, ¡°I¡¯ve tried a few newcomers before, but I wasn¡¯t satisfied. Then I thought of the newcomer from your family. The song is excellently written, but I don¡¯t know if it suits my voice. Let¡¯s give it a try. You can sing the fourth verse for me, the part about going upstream.¡± He directed his words to Jian Jie.


    ¡°Stand over there and sing,¡± Long Zichen pointed out an open spot to Jian Jie. Jian Jie nodded and stood up.


    Since he had written the song himself, both the melody and lyrics were naturally very familiar to him, and he could sing it without reading the score. Although the song was about reminiscing about the past, the rhythm was upbeat and lively, so it shouldn¡¯t be sung with too much sentimentality. Having practiced it many times before, Jian Jie sang without much hesitation:


    ¡°Go upstream, where the flowing river finds its source. Start again, the blooming flowers become buds¡­ Tomorrow has been gone for too long, I traverse through time, and remain in the best years¡­¡±


    Jian Jie¡¯s young voice was delicate and sincere, and Ding Jiangyu¡¯s eyes lit up as soon as he heard a few lines. After Jian Jie finished singing, he couldn¡¯t help but applaud and said joyfully, ¡°As expected of the songwriter, the emotional expression was spot on. Xiaolong, you truly have a talented newcomer. Now, please sing the rest for me.¡±


    Jian Jie sang the entire song as per Ding Jiangyu¡¯s request, and afterward, Ding Jiangyu fell into contemplation. After a moment of silence, Long Zichen couldn¡¯t help but ask, ¡°Ding Jiangyu, do we still need to audition again, or should I take our newcomer back and wait for the news?¡±


    ¡°No need to wait. I don¡¯t need to search any further when we have such a talented newcomer from your family,¡± Ding Jiangyu confidently replied.


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 CH 18

    Translator: Lynn


    Under normal circumstances, it takes a few days to receive the result after an audition. If there is no follow-up, it usually means there is no hope. However, this time everything went so smoothly, and they received a positive response directly. Long Zichen couldn¡¯t contain his joy and repeatedly praised Ding Jiangyu, saying, ¡°Ding Jiangyu, you¡¯re truly decisive. It¡¯s settled then, it¡¯s really unexpected!¡±


    ¡°Only you would say that!¡± Ding Jiangyu laughed in response. ¡°Your newcomer is very talented, but I have some business to attend to in the next couple of days, so I won¡¯t be able to record for a while. It will take about one or two weeks. When can your newcomer come over again? I don¡¯t want to disrupt your schedule.¡±


    Long Zichen quickly replied, ¡°Cooperating with the Heavenly King is an opportunity that can¡¯t be missed. It¡¯s no problem for us to make a few more trips. Just let us know when there¡¯s a rehearsal or recording.¡±


    ¡°Alright, that¡¯s settled.¡±


    After leaving Ding Jiangyu¡¯s office, Long Zichen couldn¡¯t wipe the smile off his face. He warmly greeted everyone along the way, whether he knew them or not. He introduced Jian Jie to people he met, often whispering some gossip about those famous individuals to Jian Jie.


    Once they left Leiting Company, Long Zichen¡¯s excitement surged again. He danced around and exclaimed, ¡°Little Jiejie, you made me shine today. I heard that Ding Jiangyu interviewed at least 20 newcomers from Leiting this time, and in the end, you snagged this opportunity away from them. Haha, it feels so good to steal the chorus from them!¡±


    Initially, Jian Jie didn¡¯t fully grasp the significance of this achievement, but seeing Long Zichen so elated, he couldn¡¯t help but show a soft smile. ¡°Well, I¡¯ll do my best to sing well.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯ve been working hard, and I can see it,¡± Long Zichen proudly remarked, as if he himself was the exceptional one.


    There was still some time left, so Long Zichen dropped Jian Jie off at home. On the way, he shared his expertise in dealing with people and situations, encouraging Jian Jie to learn from him.


    Jian Jie was well aware of his shortcomings in socializing, but changing that aspect of himself would take time. It troubled him greatly.


    The next day, Jian Jie went to the company as usual for artist training. In the morning, they had solfeggio and ear training, which happened to be one of his favorite subjects. The course focused on musical notation and training students¡¯ listening abilities. During class, the teacher played various types of music for the students to identify pitch, rhythm, and chords. Jian Jie found it fascinating.


    In the afternoon, there was an acting class, which remained a nightmare for Jian Jie. Although they were at a music company, the acting class didn¡¯t focus on film and television performances. Instead, it taught them how to handle media and perform on TV shows. Every time they simulated a variety show scene, Jian Jie would simply sit in his seat, observing others talking and laughing, eventually losing interest. As a result, he had been reprimanded countless times by the teacher.


    However, on that day, the company arranged for him and Tong Liangliang to do a photo shoot for the single¡¯s cover and promotional photos, allowing him to escape from the acting class. Jian Jie considered himself fortunate.


    But when it came time for the photo shoot, Jian Jie realized that simply standing there and taking a few photos wouldn¡¯t be enough. His lack of expressiveness became a trap once again. The photographer kept urging him, ¡°Smile more sweetly! Your smile should be as captivating as a fruitcake!¡± But how does one achieve a smile that resembles a fruitcake?


    Despite Jian Jie¡¯s struggle, Tong Liangliang¡¯s performance in front of the camera was exemplary, earning her high praise from the photographer. In the end, the photographer had no choice but to select a few of Jian Jie¡¯s more natural shots as well.


    Accompanied by their assistant Zhou Jia, they thanked the photographer and the staff before heading back to the company. Feeling apologetic, Jian Jie bought drinks for Zhou Jia and Tong Liangliang and said, ¡°Brother Zhou, Xiao Liang, I¡¯m sorry for causing the delay today.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s alright, Brother Jian Jie. You¡¯ve wasted even more of your time when we sang together, but you never complained,¡± Tong Liangliang reassured him, glad that Jian Jie wasn¡¯t someone who held grudges. Otherwise, he would¡¯ve felt even more inferior.


    Zhou Jia also spoke in a comforting tone, ¡°Don¡¯t worry about it. It¡¯s your first time, and you¡¯ll get used to it with more photoshoots.¡±


    ¡°What if it¡¯s always like this¡­¡± Jian Jie expressed his worries.


    ¡°¡­Well, you need to have confidence in yourself!¡± Zhou Jia, a supportive assistant full of positive energy, comforted Jian Jie. ¡°It¡¯s alright if you¡¯re not familiar with these things. You¡¯re talented, good-looking, and you sing exceptionally well. You come across as sincere. Many female colleagues in our company admire you. When they heard that I became your assistant, several of them were envious.¡±


    Tong Liangliang chimed in, ¡°That¡¯s right! I¡¯ve heard some colleagues in the company praise you, saying that you¡¯re handsome and good-natured. If they had to compare, they would say Brother Jianjie is as delightful as a fruitcake.¡± Tong Liangliang had always relied on his cute appearance to get along well with his older sisters, so he had some authority in judging such matters.


    Jian Jie felt shy and responded uncomfortably, ¡°Everyone is very kind.¡±


    Zhou Jia chuckled, ¡°Look at you blushing. Have you never been in a relationship before?¡± He continued teasing, ¡°No wonder Brother Chen told me to take good care of you. If someone kidnaps you, I bet Brother Chen would send me flying into outer space!¡±


    Jian Jie laughed.


    It was a bit unfair to tease someone for not having been in a relationship before. In truth, Jian Jie did want a girlfriend, but he had never met anyone he truly liked. Occasionally, he would fantasize about what his future girlfriend might look like. He imagined someone with a traditional beauty, someone who was both beautiful and generous, gentle and virtuous. Perhaps his standards were too high?


    Regardless, Jian Jie wasn¡¯t in a rush. He was the kind of innocent boy who hoped to marry his first love and spend a lifetime together. He was still young, and at the moment, his focus was on his singing career. He wanted to establish himself in the industry before starting a family.


    Later that evening, while on the phone with his older brother, Jian Jie couldn¡¯t help but complain about the day¡¯s events. ¡°Brother, today the company took me and my colleagues for a photoshoot. I just couldn¡¯t make a good expression, and the photographer scolded me relentlessly.¡±


    ¡°What happened?¡± Brother Jian became upset upon hearing that his younger brother had been scolded. ¡°Shouldn¡¯t it be as simple as going there and taking a photo? What kind of mean photographer is this? Doesn¡¯t your company care about it?¡±


    Brother Jian bombarded Jian Jie with questions, causing Jian Jie to quickly use comforting words to calm his irritable elder brother. ¡°Don¡¯t get angry, brother. The photographer is famous, so naturally, the expectations are high. It¡¯s nothing serious if the photos don¡¯t turn out well. Everyone in our company takes good care of me, and as a newcomer, they¡¯ve assigned me a personal assistant.¡±


    Brother Jian didn¡¯t take it too seriously. ¡°I¡¯ve seen other celebrities with an entourage. Your company assigned you an assistant? How about I hire two more assistants for you? I mentioned it to Xiao Qi earlier, and if you want it, I can ask him to find them for you.¡±


    ¡°We¡¯re still in training at the company, and there aren¡¯t any activities planned yet. We don¡¯t need so many people,¡± Jian Jie quickly declined, adding proudly, ¡°Our company director took me to a high-end recording studio, where I recorded a few songs. I even sang a duet with a colleague who is also a newcomer to our company. I wrote these songs myself.¡±


    Hearing that his younger brother was having a good time, Brother Jian¡¯s mood brightened. ¡°That¡¯s great! If you ever face any grievances, just let me know. I¡¯ll handle things here, and I¡¯ll definitely visit your company sometimes.¡±


    ¡°Yeah,¡± Jian Jie replied happily. ¡°Brother, come back soon.¡± It was the first time they had been separated for such a long time, and Jian Jie missed his brother dearly.


    A week later, on Friday night, a TV series featuring Jian Jie and Tong Liangliang¡¯s duet as the theme song


    began airing on satellite TV. The company had previously reached an agreement with a film and television company to use clips from the TV series to create a music video for the song. The release of the TV series also coincided with the song¡¯s promotion on major music programs and radio stations. If the theme song became widely popular, it would naturally boost the success of the TV series, which pleased both the music and film and television companies.


    On Saturday, the company received another call from Ding Jiangyu¡¯s assistant, inviting Jian Jie to come and record songs in the afternoon. Jian Jie seemed to have become the most watched newcomer in the company. This naturally caused some resentment among others. However, even though he received favoritism from the music director and had more luck than others, it wasn¡¯t as if everyone couldn¡¯t recognize his talent. Jian Jie consistently performed well in training classes, showcasing his strong singing skills, exceptional image and temperament, and his ability to create his own music. While other newcomers were still waiting for the company to select songs for them, Jian Jie had a simpler path¡ªhe relied on his own talents. This led some individuals to approach him, seeking his assistance in writing songs for them. Jian Jie, being gentle-natured, couldn¡¯t refuse others, but he found himself troubled by the increasing number of requests.


    Anticipating such a situation, Long Zichen promptly issued a directive: all of Jian Jie¡¯s works would be selected solely by Jian Jie himself. Other works would be allocated by the company, and no one was allowed to ask Jian Jie to write songs for them under any circumstances. Those who defied this rule did so at their own risk!


    And so, peace was restored to the company once again.


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 CH 19

    Translator: Lynn


    It was the weekend when Jian Jie received a notification to go to Cedar Recording Studio to record a chorus song with King Ding Jiangyu. Accompanied by his assistant Zhou Jia, Jian Jie participated in the recording session. Ding Jiangyu was polite and courteous, but he also had high standards for his work. If a note didn¡¯t meet his requirements, he would sing it again and again until he was satisfied. His dedication was truly admirable. Singing with Ding Jiangyu, Jian Jie felt for the first time that he was being overshadowed by someone. It seemed that he posed no threat to Ding Jiangyu in terms of singing, let alone being an equal partner. This realization left Jian Jie feeling a bit frustrated.


    He had been naive before.


    The recording of a single song took over three hours, and Jian Jie¡¯s contribution didn¡¯t actually account for the majority of the time. Ding Jiangyu had higher demands for himself, and he re-sang parts of the song far more times than Jian Jie did.


    After the recording session, Jian Jie sincerely thanked Ding Jiangyu, saying, ¡°Thank you so much, Ding Tianwang1Ding Jiangyu¡¯s nickname in the industry, for giving me the opportunity to sing with you. I¡¯ve learned a lot from this experience. Thank you.¡±


    Ding Jiangyu was momentarily stunned by the genuine gratitude in front of him. After working in the industry for so many years, it was rare to encounter such a pure and polite junior. Ding Jiangyu encouraged Jian Jie with a smile, saying, ¡°I meet countless newcomers every year, but Xiao Jian, you are special and excellent. You have talent and a willingness to learn. With some good luck, I believe you will succeed. I¡¯m already looking forward to working with you again.¡±


    Many years later, Ding Jiangyu wrote in his autobiography, ¡°The first time we met, he was just a shy boy standing behind the producer. He didn¡¯t know how to express himself, but he wrote great songs. At that time, I thought to myself, this newcomer might soon become someone who works behind the scenes! (laughs)¡­ His performance was remarkable when we collaborated for the first time, but he thanked me sincerely afterward. How long had it been since I had seen such a talented, humble, and polite newcomer? Usually, talented people are arrogant, and honest people are mediocre. To be able to write songs, sing well, be talented, and humble enough, his success is only a matter of time.¡±


    However, Jian Jie was still an unknown newcomer, working hard to advance in his career. Along the journey, there would always be various trials and obstacles, including the necessary test called ¡°unspoken rules.¡±


    In the entertainment industry, there wasn¡¯t a single artist who didn¡¯t encounter unspoken rules, with the difference lying in the degree. Dining with wealthy businessmen, taking commercial performances and endorsements, and posing for photos with the relatives of influential figures¡ªthese were considered the least and most unavoidable unspoken rules. As for the ones involving compromising personal boundaries¡­ In a society governed by the rule of law, we place importance on evidence and refrain from discussing things we haven¡¯t witnessed firsthand.


    As a newcomer, Jian Jie often encountered unfair treatment, such as being deceived by the company or facing difficulties when participating in programs. These were examples of the unspoken rules in the industry. Of course, Jian Jie didn¡¯t let them hold him back, but such incidents still occurred from time to time. However, at this moment, he was experiencing the unspoken rules for the first time since entering the industry. The instigator or source of this was their perpetually unreliable and careless boss, Yuan Chao.


    Yuan Chao, a rich second-generation classmate, enjoyed engaging in questionable activities despite his tall, wealthy, and handsome image. He often lurked in every corner of the company, and no one knew what he was planning.


    This weekend, after Jian Jie and Tong Liangliang finished recording a radio program and returned to the company, they were resting in the public artist lounge when Yuan Chao suddenly appeared. He stood at the door, looking around, and once he confirmed that no one else was present, he waved his hand at Jian Jie with a smile and said in a low voice, ¡°Xiao Jie, come to my office.¡± After speaking, he quickly ran back to his office.


    Jian Jie was a bit confused. He hadn¡¯t interacted much with Yuan Chao, so he left the lounge and made his way to Yuan Chao¡¯s office in a daze.


    ¡°Mr. Yuan, hello.¡± The office door was tightly locked, so Jian Jie knocked on it.


    In response, the door quickly opened, and Yuan Chao pulled Jian Jie inside, muttering, ¡°Hurry, come in. Don¡¯t let anyone see you!¡±


    ¡°What do you want from me?¡± Jian Jie was so startled that he didn¡¯t know what to say. When he looked up, he saw a sweet-looking girl, around fifteen or sixteen years old, sitting on the sofa in the room. She was wearing a pure white knitted check sweater and a pale pink skirt, dressed in a very innocent and preppy style. Upon seeing Jian Jie enter, the girl stood up shyly and looked at him with a bashful expression.


    Yuan Chao chuckled and said, ¡°Don¡¯t be afraid. I just want to introduce you to my cousin. Xiao Jie, come here. This is my cute and well-behaved little cousin, Sun Qianqian. You can call her Qianqian. She also loves singing and is currently in her third year of high school.¡± After hearing Jian Jie¡¯s singing at his place, Yuan Chao¡¯s cousin became envious. She wanted to see him in person since she had always listened to him the most. Naturally, as a kind cousin, Yuan Chao wanted to fulfill his little cousin¡¯s wish and brought her to the company to meet Jian Jie. Of course, such encounters had to be kept away from Jian Jie¡¯s super nanny, Da Chen, otherwise, he would definitely be scolded for ¡°not distinguishing between public and private¡± and ¡°bringing troublesome kids¡± and so on.


    After Yuan Chao finished speaking, Jian Jie took a moment to understand what was happening. Sun Qianqian, with pink cheeks, greeted Jian Jie in a stuttering manner, ¡°Hello! I listened to your CD, ¡®Hope,¡¯ at my cousin¡¯s place. It¡¯s really great. My cousin told me that you arranged the lyrics and music all by yourself. I think you¡¯re so talented at such a young age.¡±


    ¡°Did I scare him? Oh no, my cousin used him and then abandoned him, saying he was the best when he was a child!¡± Yuan Chao pretended to cry, and it worked¡ªSun Qianqian¡¯s arms turned outward!


    It was the first time Jian Jie had encountered such a situation, and he blushed heavily, saying with confusion, ¡°Thank you, that was the first song I recorded. I¡¯m glad you liked it.¡±


    Seeing Jian Jie and his cousin blushing, Yuan Chao found it amusing. He thought that the two of them must be quite attached to him here, so he said, ¡°Qianqian, didn¡¯t you say you wanted to give the song you wrote to Xiaojie? Look, I¡¯m going for a walk now. Since you both love music so much, why not discuss it?¡± Yuan Chao turned around and opened the door to go outside, but he didn¡¯t go far. Instead, he eavesdropped on the conversation at the door in a wretched manner.


    After Yuan Chao left, Sun Qianqian took out a large notebook from her bag and handed it to Jian Jie with a blushing face, saying, ¡°This is a song I wrote. I also love music and I¡¯m learning to compose, but I¡¯m not good at writing.¡±


    Jian Jie took the notebook and carefully flipped through its pages. There were about five or six pieces, but they were all quite incomplete, with some having only two or three bars. The melody and lyrics were still immature but not terrible, especially considering that the author was still a high school student. Jian Jie said, ¡°There are a few. This one and this one¡ªthese two are really good. With some modifications, we can change the chorus part a bit and add a few richer chords. There are a few lines in the lyrics that are difficult to pronounce, but overall, it will be a very good piece after the modifications.¡±


    ¡°When I tried singing them myself, I also felt they were too plain, and the lyrics were difficult to sing. I tried making changes a few times, but I still wasn¡¯t satisfied,¡± Sun Qianqian said, forgetting to be shy as she talked about the problems that had been bothering her.


    ¡°If you don¡¯t mind, I can give it a try and modify them for you,¡± Jian Jie offered.


    Sun Qianqian happily agreed, saying, ¡°Okay, thank you so much! The melody of ¡®Hope¡¯ has so many ups and downs, yet it all comes together harmoniously. I admire your creativity when I listen to it. How did you come up with it?¡±


    ¡°Well, I thought of the feeling of a gentle stream suddenly transforming into a waterfall,¡± Jian Jie explained his thoughts during the creation process. Surprisingly, this artistic expression resonated with Sun Qianqian, and the two young music enthusiasts began to enthusiastically discuss their creations.


    Outside the room, Yuan Chao was relieved to hear their conversation. What pure and lovely young people! Young people truly should face the sun and pursue their dreams!


    As he was feeling emotional, he suddenly felt a cold and chilling presence behind him. Then, Long Zichen¡¯s terrifying and icy voice pierced his ears, ¡°President Yuan, I heard that when I first joined the company, you took Xiaojie to your office. Can you explain what happened?¡±


    Long Zichen emphasized the last few words with gritted teeth, clearly displaying his anger. Yuan Chao couldn¡¯t help but shiver, slowly turning around. He yelled angrily, while his heart bled, ¡°Wasn¡¯t this guy supposed to be recording an album for newcomers? Why did he come back so early? And who betrayed me?¡±


    For a moment, several staff members sneezed simultaneously.


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 CH 20

    Translator: Lynn


    Upon Long Zichen¡¯s return to the company, several staff members immediately informed him, one after another, ¡°The boss has taken Jian Jie to his office in a mysterious manner!¡± Alarm bells rang in Long Zichen¡¯s mind. He knew all too well about Yuan Chao¡¯s character. It was one thing to take a beautiful colleague somewhere to ¡°chat,¡± but what could he possibly want with Xiaojie? Long Zichen was furious that someone dared to have ill intentions toward Jian Jie.


    ¡°Dachen, you came back so quickly today. Did the recording go well? Hahaha¡­¡± Yuan Chao quickly averted his gaze.


    Long Zichen wasn¡¯t fooled and continued to glare ominously at Yuan Chao, who was nervously smiling, and said coldly, ¡°Oh, I came back too soon, did I ruin your plans? Why are you lingering by the office door? And why is the door closed so tightly? What exactly are you up to?¡±


    ¡°Ahaha!¡± Yuan Chao scratched his head in embarrassment, feeling guilty for bringing his relatives to the company to meet celebrities. ¡°Well, you know my cousin Qianqian. She listened to Xiaojie¡¯s song and was extremely impressed. That¡¯s why I brought her to meet him. It¡¯s good for young people to connect.¡±


    Hearing Yuan Chao¡¯s explanation, Long Zichen¡¯s expression grew even darker, thinking that he was in the room. He lowered his voice and said fiercely, ¡°Didn¡¯t I tell you not to bring people to the company to meet celebrities? Do you understand what it means to lead by example?¡±


    ¡°I was wrong!¡± Yuan Chao burst into tears. ¡°My cousin is so cute, how could I reject her? I promise there won¡¯t be a next time!¡± Yuan Chao cried inwardly, ¡°Dachen is so terrifying, who will save me?¡±


    At that moment, the office door suddenly opened. Jian Jie stood there, glanced at Long Zichen, then at Yuan Chao, and said curiously, ¡°I overheard someone talking, so Mr. Long, you¡¯re back. Why are you standing at the door instead of coming in?¡±


    ¡°Xiaojie is also here. I just got back, so I have something to discuss with Mr. Yuan,¡± Long Zichen couldn¡¯t help but feel relieved when he saw Jian Jie. He smiled and asked Jian Jie, ¡°Was the recording session challenging?¡±


    ¡°I just spoke a bit and answered some questions from the radio host. I don¡¯t know if my responses were good or not,¡± Jian Jie honestly replied.


    Long Zichen nodded and said, ¡°When I arrived, the audio-visual ear training class in the vocal music classroom had just begun. You can still attend for an hour.¡±


    He knew that Jian Jie enjoyed this class the most, and he simply wanted to dismiss Jian Jie and give Yuan Chao a good lesson. As expected, Jian Jie became energized upon hearing this and said happily, ¡°Then I¡¯ll go to class.¡±


    ¡°Well, let¡¯s go,¡± Long Zichen said, pleased that his plan had succeeded.


    At that moment, Sun Qianqian, who had been sitting in the office, approached the door, saw Long Zichen, and sweetly said, ¡°Brother Chen.¡±


    ¡°Qianqian, come and join us. Would you like me to give you a tour?¡± Long Zichen wasn¡¯t angry with Sun Qianqian; he couldn¡¯t possibly show his displeasure to the adorable young girl.


    Jian Jie, who was standing beside them, thought for a moment and asked Long Zichen, ¡°By the way, Mr. Long, Mr. Yuan, Qianqian is also very interested in music, and she plans to apply to Anping Conservatory of Music. Can I take her to sit in on the training class?¡±


    Young people always make friends quickly. Jian Jie and Sun Qianqian looked at Long Zichen and Yuan Chao expectantly. Naturally, Yuan Chao couldn¡¯t disagree, but he didn¡¯t dare to make the decision himself. He said, ¡°You should ask Dachen. He¡¯s in charge of music.¡±


    ¡°Go and listen,¡± Long Zichen forced a smile. His mood was truly complicated.


    Jian Jie and Sun Qianqian didn¡¯t notice anything strange about Long Zichen. They happily thanked him and went downstairs together to attend the class. As they walked side by side, attracting everyone¡¯s attention, particularly because Sun Qianqian¡¯s appearance was comparable to that of a star, everyone was curious about the girl next to Jian Jie. Who was this pure beauty?


    Despite the ongoing music in the classroom, Jian Jie and Sun Qianqian quietly entered and found seats in the back row. Jian Jie softly explained the class content to Sun Qianqian, and they both enjoyed the music with great interest. They whispered a few words to each other.


    As soon as the class ended, Tong Liangliang rushed over, blushing, and asked Jian Jie shyly, ¡°Brother Jian Jie, is that classmate your friend?¡±


    Sun Qianqian blinked and introduced herself, ¡°Hello, my name is Sun Qianqian.¡±


    ¡°Hello, Qianqian, I¡¯m Tong Liangliang!¡± Tong Liangliang replied excitedly, ¡°Brother Jian Jie and I are good friends. We even sang a song together.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ve heard it before, it¡¯s really nice,¡± Sun Qianqian smiled at Tong Liangliang. Then she turned to Jian Jie and said, ¡°Thank you for bringing me to the class. I know it must have been inconvenient for you. I won¡¯t bother you anymore. I¡¯ll go find my cousin.¡±


    ¡°Okay,¡± Jian Jie also smiled.


    After Sun Qianqian left, Tong Liangliang bombarded Jian Jie with questions, ¡°Brother Jian Jie, is the girl we just met your girlfriend? She¡¯s so beautiful, just like a big star!¡±


    Jian Jie blushed and responded, ¡°No, she¡¯s Mr. Yuan¡¯s cousin. She really loves music, so I brought her here to check out the class.¡±


    ¡°Oh,¡± Tong Liangliang instantly felt disappointed, ¡°Mr. Yuan¡¯s family must be very wealthy. I don¡¯t stand a chance¡­¡±


    Jian Jie couldn¡¯t help but laugh, ¡°Are you in puppy love? Maybe she doesn¡¯t care about family background.¡±


    ¡°But my family is so poor, I dropped out of school after junior high. She seems well-educated, and her family probably wouldn¡¯t approve of someone like me,¡± Tong Liangliang lamented. Oh, why does fate play such tricks on people?


    Indeed, young love is always poetic. Jian Jie stifled his laughter and advised Tong Liangliang, ¡°Then focus on singing and building your career.¡±


    ¡°Yeah!¡± Tong Liangliang clenched his fists and regained his determination. ¡°I¡¯ll work hard! Brother Jian Jie, I¡¯m going to the dance studio to practice!¡±


    Seeing Tong Liangliang filled with enthusiasm as he headed to dance training, Jian Jie couldn¡¯t help but feel joyous.


    While he was in a happy mood, little did he know that Long Zichen was feeling extremely bored on the other side.


    Long Zichen returned to his office from Yuan Chao and couldn¡¯t shake off his unease. It was their first meeting, yet Jian Jie called Sun Qianqian so affectionately, while he, after such a long time, was still addressed as ¡°Mr. Long.¡± This bothered Long Zichen. After holding back his anger for a while, he figured it was about time for Jian Jie¡¯s class to end, so he made a phone call.


    ¡°Is the class over?¡± Long Zichen unconsciously softened his tone upon answering the phone, not wanting to startle anyone.


    Jian Jie replied, ¡°Just finished. What¡¯s the matter, Mr. Long?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s nothing. By the way, Xiaojie, I have a question for you. We¡¯re so familiar with each other, why do you always call me ¡®Mr. Long¡¯?¡± Long Zichen couldn¡¯t help but complain.


    Jian Jie was momentarily puzzled but then said after thinking, ¡°I guess it comes naturally. Aren¡¯t you happy with that?¡±


    ¡°No, no, no, I¡¯m not unhappy. I was just curious,¡± Long Zichen felt embarrassed, regretting why he asked such a foolish question. He then asked, ¡°Are you still with Qianqian?¡±


    ¡°No, she said she was going to find Mr. Yuan. She¡¯s already left.¡±


    Long Zichen suddenly felt elated, as if the dark clouds had dispersed, and the weather became exceptionally clear. He turned his head and thought of something, immediately saying to Jian Jie, ¡°You know, I¡¯ve been quite busy lately, and you have your own work. We hardly have a chance to talk despite being in the same company. Zhou Jia told me that you¡¯ve been doing great. So, how about next Wednesday afternoon? You have a class, and afterward, I¡¯ll take you out for some leisure time. Just relax, and we won¡¯t go anywhere troublesome.¡± Long Zichen was slightly apprehensive, afraid that Jian Jie would think he was going on a date with the cute girl.


    It had been a while since Jian Jie had gone out, so he replied, ¡°Okay. But, well, Mr. Long, I¡¯m afraid of heights. I¡¯m fine with climbing mountains or going to amusement parks, but nothing too high.¡±


    ¡°It definitely won¡¯t be high,¡± Long Zichen said cheerfully. ¡°You should head home early. I have to work overtime and finish a few tasks. How pitiful!¡±


    ¡°Mr. Long, you¡¯ve worked hard. Take care of yourself,¡± Jian Jie¡¯s comforting words immediately lifted Long Zichen¡¯s spirits. He thought to himself, ¡°Huh, what¡¯s a little beauty? Xiaojie is still the closest to me! Besides, puppy love is the most annoying thing; it must be nipped in the bud!¡±


    On the topic of puppy love, Long Zichen, and Brother Jian coincidentally reached a consensus, though Brother Jian may have a different opinion about who Jian Jie is closest to.


    Please let me know if there are typos/mistakes in the chapter.


    Support me on ko-fi for faster releases ^^

 CH 21

    Translator: Lynn


    During this period, the company was extremely busy, as they had to release albums for two new artists and a boy group, in addition to handling the established artists¡¯ album production. Jian Jie, however, wasn¡¯t scheduled for debut yet, so his current job was relatively easy. He accompanied Tong Liangliang to a radio music program, primarily promoting the song ¡°Hope¡± and Tong Liangliang¡¯s upcoming album. The company wanted to maintain Jian Jie¡¯s air of mystery, so he wouldn¡¯t participate in other announcements for Tong Liangliang to avoid overexposure. With more than a month until the release of Ding Jiangyu¡¯s album, Jian Jie could still enjoy some leisure time.


    On the other hand, Long Zichen was much busier and sadder. As the music director, he was responsible for all aspects of album production and was running around like a spinning top. In the company¡¯s recording room and studio, his anxious and frenzied scolding could often be heard. Because of this, Long Zichen had earned the nicknames ¡°Dragon Zombie¡± (inhuman), ¡°Dementor¡± (his scolding could drain one¡¯s soul), and even ¡°Charizard¡± due to his intimidating presence. Whenever Long Zichen appeared, people would retreat, fearing his powerful scolding skills.


    Jian Jie was one of the few who remained immune to Long Zichen¡¯s outbursts. Knowing how hard Long Zichen had been working, Jian Jie often brought drinks and snacks for him and the staff. Just his presence alone could instantly transform Long Zichen¡¯s anger into a smile. Thus, Jian Jie was like a little angel, worshipped by everyone, and they hoped he would visit more often to calm Long Zichen¡¯s temper.


    Although Long Zichen was busy every day, he managed to carve out an afternoon on Wednesday to relax with Jian Jie. Jian Jie kindly informed him that his afternoon class was with Deng Lun, so skipping it wouldn¡¯t be a problem. They had lunch together, and afterwards, Long Zichen drove Jian Jie to the outskirts of the city.


    ¡°Mr. Long, where are we going?¡± Jian Jie asked curiously. He wasn¡¯t aware of any entertainment venues in the outskirts.


    Long Zichen had been mysterious since earlier, and he smiled, saying, ¡°You¡¯ll know when we get there! It¡¯s a place full of fairy tales.¡±


    Could it be a children¡¯s playground? Jian Jie felt a bit embarrassed and refrained from asking further questions.


    ¡°There¡¯s juice in the cup holder, drink it if you get thirsty,¡± Long Zichen said, complaining a bit about work, ¡°I¡¯m really working like a dog right now. It¡¯s so pitiful. Once we¡¯re done with this issue, the new artists¡¯ albums will have some results, and the company will be on the right track. Then I won¡¯t have to work so hard anymore. But those newcomers, their singing is worse than tone-deaf! They start crying after saying a few words. It makes me want to cry even more! In any group, there will always be a few members responsible for showing their faces. Why did I end up with all of them?¡± Long Zichen grew more agitated as he talked about these things.


    Jian Jie knew the skill level of the newcomers. If they were true audiophiles, they wouldn¡¯t have been signed by a music company. He smiled and said, ¡°You¡¯re being too demanding. I think Chen Hang, Tao Qianrui, and Xiao Liang are all talented. Fang Fei is also very good.¡± Fang Fei was a female singer the company was focusing on training, and the upcoming newcomers had nothing to criticize when it came to their singing abilities. The only problem was that they encountered Long Zichen as their producer, leading to their fate of being pushed to their limits.


    ¡°Oh, so you know them well. Do you have a good relationship with Fang Fei?¡± Long Zichen asked repeatedly, clearly shifting his focus.


    ¡°We¡¯re all in the same company, so we¡¯re acquainted,¡± Jian Jie said. Jian Jie didn¡¯t mention that Fang Fei had asked him to sing with her, but after Long Zichen issued the ban, the matter was dropped. As for Fang Fei¡¯s obvious affection, the oblivious Jian Jie didn¡¯t sense it at all.


    Long Zichen simply responded with an ¡°Oh¡± and casually asked, ¡°Have you been in contact with Qianqian these days?¡±


    ¡°No, why do you ask?¡±


    ¡°Oh, just curious. Haha, the weather is really nice today!¡±


    Seeing that Jian Jie didn¡¯t seem interested in composing any love songs with a beautiful girl, Long Zichen felt relieved. He didn¡¯t delve into the reasons for his desire to protect and monopolize Jian Jie (what?), and one couldn¡¯t help but feel sorry for a certain older male youth who only focused on his music career and had never been attracted to anyone, let alone in a relationship.


    After a bit of banter, Long Zichen looked ahead and said happily, ¡°We¡¯ve arrived!¡± He stopped the car, and Jian Jie looked up to see the words ¡°Anping Children¡¯s Welfare Institute¡± on the gate.


    Seeing Jian Jie¡¯s surprise, Long Zichen chuckled and said, ¡°They¡¯re all children, and isn¡¯t childhood full of fairy tale colors? Didn¡¯t you think I, who am noble and kind, would bring you here? Do you think my image has suddenly grown taller? Or maybe they want to sing me a heroic hymn!¡±


    ¡°Well, not exactly¡­¡± Jian Jie¡¯s initial surprise was completely dispelled by Long Zichen¡¯s joke, and he continued, ¡°But I really didn¡¯t expect Mr. Long to bring me here as a volunteer?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll take you to see the blossoms of our country and experience innocence and fun. By the way, come and meet my mother,¡± Long Zichen replied in a playful tone. As he spoke, he opened the trunk and took out two large bags¡ªone filled with stationery, notebooks, and pens, and the other containing small toys. Jian Jie stepped forward to help, and Long Zichen handed him the bag of toys, saying, ¡°Take this one, it¡¯s lighter.¡±


    Jian Jie nodded, his mind still lingering on Long Zichen¡¯s earlier comment. Long Zichen mentioned seeing his mother here. Could it be that he grew up as an orphan in this orphanage? In an instant, countless tragic scenarios played out in Jian Jie¡¯s mind¡ªa wealthy abandoned child burdened with a painful past. Jian Jie couldn¡¯t help but look at Long Zichen with sympathetic eyes. Just as Long Zichen turned his head to speak, he noticed Jian Jie¡¯s gaze, immediately understanding what was going through his mind. Long Zichen smiled and said, ¡°What kind of look is that! I know what you¡¯re thinking. Put away those sympathetic eyes! I¡¯m here to see my own mother¡ªshe¡¯s the director here.¡±


    ¡°Oh, I see!¡± Jian Jie smiled awkwardly. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Mr. Long.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s alright.¡± Long Zichen continued to smile and sighed, ¡°Kids these days have quite the imagination.¡± No matter how much his mysterious demeanor led to misunderstandings, it was all part of his charm.


    Jian Jie followed Long Zichen through the orphanage gate. The security guard warmly greeted Long Zichen, clearly familiar with him. Jian Jie looked around. The children¡¯s welfare home was quite spacious, not much different from a regular school. Since the children were in class at the moment, the yard was empty.


    Long Zichen led Jian Jie to the director¡¯s office with ease. The office door was unlocked, so they entered directly. Placing the gifts on the table, Long Zichen said to Jian Jie, ¡°How does it feel being here?¡±


    ¡°It feels similar to the school I used to attend. It¡¯s beautiful, with lush greenery and a clean and tidy environment,¡± Jian Jie answered honestly.


    ¡°It does look great now. When I was a child, this place was dilapidated. The classrooms had no lights or desks, and three children would often squeeze onto a single bench. Thanks to my capable and well-managed mother, Ms. Guanfen, who worked tirelessly to transform this place into what it is today,¡± Long Zichen proudly praised his mother. Then he turned to Jian Jie and said, ¡°I brought you here today mainly for you to see and connect. After all, you¡¯re going to become a public figure in the future, and it¡¯s best to establish a positive image. I also hope that if you have the opportunity, you can engage in charitable activities. Don¡¯t worry about what others say about showmanship or hypocrisy. Doing something good is always the right thing to do.¡±


    Please let me know if there are typos/mistakes in the chapter.


    Support me on ko-fi for faster releases ^^

 CH 22

    Translator: Lynn


    ¡°Mr. Long, you have such a kind heart. I didn¡¯t pay much attention to these things before. I only knew how to write a few empty songs at home. But now, if you take me to do something for those in need, I am more than willing to engage in charity work,¡± Jian Jie said, a flicker of excitement evident in his eyes. He realized that he had been too self-absorbed in his own world and now felt a strong desire to contribute to society.


    ¡°Very good,¡± Long Zichen replied, his smile reflecting his happiness. ¡°I¡¯m afraid you might think I¡¯m long-winded, always talking too much.¡±


    ¡°How could that be? I know that you genuinely care about me, and I am truly grateful to you,¡± Jian Jie expressed his heartfelt thanks to Long Zichen. He had always been someone who viewed the world with kindness, firmly believing that goodness prevailed.


    As they discussed their future charitable endeavors, the office door swung open, revealing a middle-aged woman with gray hair entering. It was none other than Long Zichen¡¯s mother, Ms. Guan Fen, the director of Anping Children¡¯s Welfare Institute. Ms. Guan, who was fifty-one years old, had a plump figure and a round, kindly face. Having just returned from inspecting the teaching building, she spotted Long Zichen and couldn¡¯t help but smile. ¡°You mischievous boy, why did you come here today? And who is this young man?¡± Ms. Guan smiled again, looking at Jian Jie with curiosity, and asked Long Zichen.


    ¡°Oh, Ms. Guan is finally back!¡± Long Zichen exclaimed, rushing over to hold his mother¡¯s hand. With a smile, he introduced, ¡°This young man¡¯s name is Xiaojie, and he¡¯s a singer I recently discovered. He¡¯s talented in writing and singing, and he¡¯s incredibly charming. Since he¡¯s been busy lately, I brought him here to experience the noble motherly love you offer!¡±


    ¡°Hello, Auntie,¡± Jian Jie stood up and respectfully greeted Ms. Guan.


    Ms. Guan was delighted to see the polite and handsome young man before her and repeated, ¡°Alright.¡± She gestured for Long Zichen to step aside and walked toward Jian Jie, smiling. ¡°Then I¡¯ll call you Xiaojie as well. How old are you? Are you still in school? It¡¯s the first time this rascal has brought a friend here. He usually causes trouble for the people at your company, doesn¡¯t he?¡±


    ¡°Hey, Mom, why expose me like that when we meet!¡± Long Zichen feigned annoyance.


    Jian Jie suppressed a smile and answered sincerely, ¡°I¡¯m nineteen years old, Auntie, and I¡¯m a junior at Hengde University. Mr. Long is very dedicated to his work and has high standards. Moreover, he has always taken care of me, and I¡¯m truly grateful to him.¡±


    Long Zichen gave Jian Jie an approving look and gave a thumbs up. ¡°Well said. I haven¡¯t invested in you in vain.¡±


    ¡°Really?¡± Ms. Guan pretended to be surprised. ¡°This kid has been mischievous since he was a child, and he has never done anything serious. Now he suddenly became useful?¡±


    Jian Jie smiled and nodded, leaving Long Zichen speechless. ¡°My dear mother, please maintain a good image. Don¡¯t make Xiaojie stop admiring me!¡±


    ¡°Well, it¡¯s not¡­¡±


    Jian Jie playfully shattered Long Zichen¡¯s fa?ade, causing Ms. Guan to burst into laughter. Long Zichen theatrically clutched his chest and lamented, ¡°Oh, Xiaojie, how could you be so ruthless and cold? My heart hurts!¡±


    Long Zichen and Jian Jie sang together, bringing joy to Ms. Guan. After some lighthearted banter, Long Zichen informed his mother that Jian Jie wanted to support several orphans, an idea they had just discussed.


    Upon hearing Long Zichen¡¯s words, Ms. Guan scolded him, ¡°It¡¯s fine to bring Xiaojie here to play, but don¡¯t pressure other children into donating money.¡±


    ¡°Mr. Long only mentioned it. It¡¯s something I want to do,¡± Jian Jie explained. ¡°Now that I¡¯m earning a living through work, my daily expenses aren¡¯t too high. It¡¯s better to put the extra money to good use. I also plan to volunteer at Auntie¡¯s place in my free time.¡±


    ¡°In that case, you¡¯re welcome here,¡± Ms. Guan said joyfully. ¡°Our orphanage is in need of teachers. If you¡¯re available, come and substitute for us.¡±


    ¡°Okay.¡±


    As they conversed, the bell rang outside, and some younger elementary school students gathered by the window, observing the scene and discussing in hushed voices. ¡°Why are there two men in the director¡¯s office?¡± ¡°I know! That¡¯s the director¡¯s son!¡± They chattered, filled with curiosity. Ms. Guan stood up and approached the window, causing the children to scatter, squealing with excitement.


    Jian Jie found it amusing. ¡°Children are so adorable.¡±


    ¡°They¡¯re also quite noisy. Especially the students in the lower grades, they can¡¯t keep quiet in class,¡± Ms. Guan added, smiling. ¡°Later on, I¡¯ll arrange a music class for you to teach them nursery rhymes.¡±


    ¡°Okay.¡±


    ¡°Hey, let me tell you, you two seem to get along well. Are you planning to become friends by the end of the year?¡± Long Zichen, who had been overlooked, spoke up unwilling to be left out. ¡°Mom, I know you appreciate obedient students, so don¡¯t ignore your dear son like this.¡±


    Ms. Guan sighed. ¡°People used to say that I would have a daughter, but I ended up with you, a scrawny monkey. If I had known how skinny you¡¯d turn out, I would have traded you with Old Wang¡¯s daughter next door.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m so hurt!¡± Long Zichen wailed, tears streaming down his face.


    In the next class, Ms. Guan arranged for Jian Jie to teach a music class for the second graders, and Long Zichen joined in. The music classroom still housed a pedal organ that closely resembled a piano, but it was quite challenging to play. Jian Jie couldn¡¯t control the boisterous children, and after the class ended, he felt more exhausted than running five kilometers.


    ¡°Haha, raising children is no easy task,¡± Long Zichen taunted.


    ¡°It¡¯s certainly not easy,¡± Jian Jie agreed, feeling the weight of the responsibility.


    ¡°Want to come substitute regularly?¡±


    ¡°¡­Well, maybe once a month at most?¡± Jian Jie eagerly asked.


    Seeing the innocent and pitiful expression on Jian Jie¡¯s delicate face, Long Zichen couldn¡¯t help but find it amusing. ¡°Okay. It doesn¡¯t have to be teaching children; you can do other tasks as well.¡±


    ¡°That would be great!¡± Jian Jie felt that teaching should be left to the professionals.


    After spending some time with Ms. Guan, they bid farewell to the orphanage. On the way back, Long Zichen asked Jian Jie with a smile, ¡°Was it tiring for your first time doing something like this?¡±


    ¡°It was tiring, but I felt at ease and happy,¡± Jian Jie replied.


    ¡°It was quite tiring, but I felt a sense of tranquility and happiness,¡± Long Zichen responded.


    If Brother Jian were aware of these developments, he would be deeply grateful to Long Zichen for providing Jian Jie with opportunities outside of his home, despite the less pleasant outcome for Brother Jian.


    Half a month swiftly passed, and November arrived with gradually cooling weather. The Xinghuo company was bustling with energy. Being the grand opening, it was only natural that significant moves were in the works. Over the past two months, newcomers such as Chen Hang and Tao Qianrui¡¯s group ¡°HR,¡± Tong Liangliang, and Fang Fei had all officially released their debut albums. Additionally, a few lesser-known newcomers were preparing to release singles to test the waters. Meanwhile, several contracted artists were busy working on their new albums, and their presence could be seen in prominent announcements.


    At this moment, the Heavenly King of the music industry, Ding Jiangyu, made a powerful comeback with his eleventh album since his debut. The moment the album was released, its lead title track quickly soared to the top of major music charts. True to his status as a king, Ding Jiangyu¡¯s music had an extraordinary impact from the moment of its release. Jian Jie also received a notification during this time to shoot the music video for ¡°Restart¡± alongside Ding Jiangyu. ¡°Restart¡± would serve as a key promotional track for the second wave of Ding Jiangyu¡¯s album.


    Please let me know if there are typos/mistakes in the chapter.


    Support me on ko-fi for faster releases ^^

 CH 23

    Translator: Lynn


    This is Jian Jie¡¯s first time shooting a music video. A music video is commonly known as an MV and can also be referred to as a music movie.


    The plot of the ¡°Restart¡± MV is not complicated, and there are only a few characters involved. It primarily depicts the story of a middle-aged protagonist returning to his alma mater and reminiscing about his innocent first love during his youth. The filming took place at a university, and Jian Jie¡¯s role as the protagonist¡¯s younger self was quite significant. Most of the scenes in the MV revolved around Jian Jie and a female artist who portrayed his first love.


    This arrangement can be seen as Ding Jiangyu¡¯s support for Jian Jie. With Ding Jiangyu¡¯s stature, he doesn¡¯t need to collaborate with other singers to gain popularity. Even if he doesn¡¯t make an appearance in the MV, it would still garner attention. However, if Ding Jiangyu doesn¡¯t like the artist he¡¯s collaborating with, he wouldn¡¯t invite them to appear on screen or make them go through the effort of shooting only to be excluded from the final cut. Ding Jiangyu has always been accommodating and has never put newcomers in such awkward situations. Moreover, he is very optimistic about Jian Jie and is willing to support the younger generation, showing his goodwill.


    The people at Jian Jie¡¯s company aren¡¯t oblivious to these dynamics. As soon as they received the MV script and saw the substantial role Jian Jie had, they immediately understood Ding Tianwang¡¯s intentions. They promptly asked Jian Jie to express his gratitude to Ding Jiangyu, and both Long Zichen and Tang Xiaohui also made calls to thank Ding Jiangyu for taking care of the newcomer.


    On the day of the shoot, Jian Jie arrived at Thunder Company early with assistant Zhou Jia. Regardless of the profession, juniors are expected to work harder and arrive earlier than their seniors. In the film industry, new actors are usually the first to arrive. If you consistently arrive later than the established stars, expect to face criticism from everyone.


    Zhou Jia also brought drinks and food for the Thunder staff, aiming to foster good relationships. Inappropriately put, it¡¯s like the saying, ¡°Hell is easy to endure, but little devils are hard to handle.¡± Sometimes, unknowingly offending a crew member could result in them playing small tricks on you. Even if they can¡¯t harm you, they can still make your experience on set unpleasant. If costume designers, makeup artists, and lighting crew dislike you on a film, be prepared for your image to suffer. Of course, it¡¯s impossible to please everyone, but the company tries to avoid such situations as much as possible.


    After exchanging simple greetings, Jian Jie was taken to Thunder¡¯s public dressing room by the staff to have his makeup done. Since he is still young and has good skin, a little powder is sufficient. The makeup artist repeatedly praised Jian Jie¡¯s youthful and delicate appearance, which made him feel embarrassed.


    Not long after, Ding Jiangyu also arrived. Naturally, Ding Jiangyu had his own dedicated dressing room. Jian Jie went there to greet him and then patiently waited in the artist lounge.


    It wasn¡¯t until Ding Jiangyu finished his makeup and came to the lounge to chat with Jian Jie about records that the female artist arrived late. Upon her arrival, she repeatedly apologized to Ding Jiangyu and the staff present. Ding Jiangyu didn¡¯t even bother lifting an eyelid, clearly disinterested in engaging with her. The female artist chuckled for a while before hurrying to get her makeup done and change into her outfit.


    This newcomer was likely forced by her company, and she seemed to think she would become famous just by landing a few advertisements. Ding Jiangyu couldn¡¯t be bothered to pay attention to her. He teased Jian Jie, saying, ¡°I heard from your producer that you¡¯re not good at acting, so I guess they were either being polite or telling the truth?¡±


    ¡°¡­Well, it¡¯s the truth,¡± Jian Jie replied, feeling embarrassed. ¡°When I was in the company¡¯s acting class, I was always criticized for having stiff expressions, so I¡¯ve always dreaded taking acting classes. I¡¯m excited and worried at the same time for shooting your MV. The company even arranged for a teacher to train me for a long time.¡±


    Ding Jiangyu couldn¡¯t help but laugh. ¡°Seeing how confident you are when you sing, I never would have guessed that you¡¯re afraid of acting classes.¡±


    ¡°I used to watch TV and think acting was easy, but now I know it¡¯s not. I truly envy superstars like Ding Tianwang who can excel in every aspect. Oh, by the way,¡± Jian Jie suddenly remembered his promise to his aunt and hastily asked, ¡°Mr. Ding, who did you end up with in the TV series ¡®Decisive Battle¡¯? My aunt is a big fan of yours, so let me ask you this.¡±


    ¡°In that case, please thank your auntie for her support!¡± Ding Jiangyu blushed and then smiled, ¡°I have signed a non-disclosure agreement with the crew, so I can¡¯t spoil it.¡±


    ¡°Really?¡± Jian Jie expressed disappointment.


    ¡°But since it¡¯s you who asked, I¡¯ll make an exception.¡± Ding Jiangyu pretended to be mysterious, ¡°In the final episode, there¡¯s a scene where my character appears alone in front of a fallen comrade¡¯s tombstone¡­ You catch my drift, right?¡±


    ¡°I understand!¡± Aunt Shui might not be pleased to hear the news, but Jian Jie secretly hoped they would make a good couple.


    After chatting a bit more, the female artist had already changed her clothes, and they headed downstairs to the car to rush to the shooting location. Ding Jiangyu asked Jian Jie to ride in his chauffeured car. It would be impolite to refuse such kindness, so Zhou Jia accompanied Jian Jie to Ding Jiangyu¡¯s car.


    Considering Jian Jie¡¯s current position and status, it¡¯s not possible for the MV production company to provide him with a luxury car. However, when he saw Ding Jiangyu¡¯s extravagant car, he couldn¡¯t help but be amazed. The car was exceptionally spacious, with a plush sofa, a kitchen, and even a bathroom. Ding Jiangyu calmly mentioned that this wasn¡¯t even his most luxurious car.


    Upon arriving at the university campus and the pre-selected shooting location, the crew began setting up cameras, reflectors, and other equipment while adjusting the lighting. Shooting couldn¡¯t start immediately after the actors were ready. This is the case for music videos, and if it were a TV drama or film, the preparation time would be even longer. This is why the saying ¡°a lifetime of filming and three lifetimes of waiting¡± applies to situations like these.


    While they were waiting, many students gathered around. Upon seeing Ding Jiangyu, the king of heaven, many girls screamed and approached him for autographs. Some excitedly asked if he was shooting a movie.


    Ding Jiangyu patiently explained to everyone and fulfilled a few fans¡¯ autograph requests. At this point, the assistants and staff took on the role of the ¡°villains¡± and sternly told the fans to step back and not interfere with the filming process. Ding Jiangyu helplessly smiled at the crowd, apologizing and requesting their cooperation. The fans were stunned by his smile, and they understood the situation, obediently stepping aside to watch the filming process. Thankfully, the MV shooting didn¡¯t require on-set silence, so a little noise from the surroundings was tolerable.


    Naturally, very few people recognized Jian Jie, and he didn¡¯t feel neglected. He positioned himself in the background and observed the scene. The female artist, who was also overlooked, tried striking up a conversation with Jian Jie. While watching the commotion, she enviously remarked, ¡°Heavenly King is different!¡± She then asked Jian Jie if he was also a newcomer and how many MVs he had filmed.


    ¡°This is my first one,¡± Jian Jie replied.


    ¡°This is my third MV, all in collaboration with Ding Tianwang. My first MV was with Diva Ji Langqing.¡± The female artist couldn¡¯t help showing off, boasting about her experiences. She then asked Jian Jie for his phone number, suggesting they keep in touch and discuss acting matters with each other.


    At that moment, all the preparations for the scene were complete. The music for ¡°Restart¡± played, signifying the start of filming. Jian Jie didn¡¯t bother leaving his contact information for the female artist.


    Compared to Ding Jiangyu and the female artist, Jian Jie¡¯s acting skills were naturally the least developed. Fortunately, his role in the MV mainly required him to smile and portray a sunny and handsome image. He had practiced numerous times at the company, so his performance was satisfactory.


    Various locations on the school campus, such as the boulevards, library, and classrooms, were selected for the MV scenes. The three actors repeatedly walked around these places, smiling, pondering, and pretending to be adorable. At the end of the day, Jian Jie finally finished his filming work, feeling like his face was frozen from laughing. As soon as filming ended, the female artist hurriedly left, apparently preoccupied with something. She seemed more anxious than the heavenly king himself. Zhou Jia accompanied Jian Jie and the crew to express their gratitude.


    Ding Jiangyu insisted on sending Jian Jie back to the company. Unable to refuse, Jian Jie once again got into Ding Jiangyu¡¯s luxury car. Ding Jiangyu said to Jian Jie, ¡°You¡¯ve worked hard today, but I have another favor to ask. Next Sunday morning, I¡¯ll be recording a program called ¡®Super Star Interview Show.¡¯ It¡¯s mainly for promoting my new album. Since we¡¯re collaborating, I¡¯d like to invite you as a guest to fill the scene. Do you have any other plans for that day?¡±


    Jian Jie rarely watched entertainment programs and was unfamiliar with this celebrity interview show. However, Zhou Jia was well aware of its popularity. ¡°Super Star Interview Show¡± was the highest-rated talk show in China, and it only invited non-big-name entertainers once a week. Even though the Xinghuo artists weren¡¯t at the level of big names, being Ding Jiangyu¡¯s accompanying guest was a great opportunity. Zhou Jia was worried that Jian Jie might foolishly decline the offer, so he quickly gave him a subtle signal to accept.


    Although Jian Jie didn¡¯t understand the show¡¯s popularity, he couldn¡¯t refuse Ding Jiangyu¡¯s request for help. He glanced at Zhou Jia with an amused expression and nodded, saying, ¡°Okay, Mr. Ding, I usually don¡¯t have any plans on weekends other than attending classes at the company. I think I should have time then.¡±


    ¡°Great,¡± Ding Jiangyu said with a smile. ¡°We¡¯ll need to review the script and rehearse in advance. My assistant, Xiao Yin, will inform you of the details.¡±


    ¡°Okay,¡± Jian Jie agreed.


    At that moment, Zhou Jia was already cheering internally and couldn¡¯t wait to share the good news with Boss Long, who cared deeply about Jian Jie. When Boss Long was happy, everything would be peaceful, and they wouldn¡¯t have to worry about Long Zichen¡¯s anger for several days.


    Please let me know if there are typos/mistakes in the chapter.


    Support me on ko-fi for faster releases ^^

 CH 24

    Translator: Lynn


    Zhou Jia was still too naive. After Director Long received the call to deliver the good news, he didn¡¯t show any joy. Instead, he fell silent for a long time before repeatedly questioning, ¡°Ding Tianwang has never been so friendly to a newcomer. Why is he suddenly so kind to you? What did he and Xiaojie talk about and do today? Tell me everything.¡±


    At the time, Long Zichen was in the recording studio working on songs for other artists, accompanied by Yuan Chao, who had nothing else to do. Irritated by the question, Yuan Chao complained, ¡°Why are you making it sound like some scandal? Seriously, don¡¯t you have any trust?¡±


    Long Zichen glared at Yuan Chao, who continued listening attentively to Zhou Jia¡¯s detailed report of everything that happened from morning till the end of filming.


    ¡°In the future, if any random person asks for Jian Jie¡¯s phone number, you should step in and stop them,¡± Long Zichen instructed Zhou Jia. ¡°For now, take Xiaojie to rest. I¡¯ll join you later. Ask Xiaojie to wait for me at the company, and I¡¯ll drive him home.¡±


    After hanging up, Long Zichen grumbled, ¡°That nanny car¡­ Seriously, we have one too!¡±


    ¡°What¡¯s the matter?¡± Yuan Chao gossiped. ¡°What happened to Xiaojie?¡±


    Long Zichen contemplated for a moment before saying, ¡°Ah, I see. Chaozi, why do you think Ding Jiangyu is suddenly so enthusiastic? He kept letting Xiaojie ride in his nanny car and purposely sent him back to our company. And he invited Xiaojie as his guest on the ¡®Super Star Interview Show,¡¯ and Zhou Jia kept praising Xiaojie¡¯s talent all day¡­ Do you think there¡¯s something going on?¡±


    ¡°He must have taken a liking to Xiaojie. Our Xiaojie is so innocent and fresh, he¡¯s definitely Uncle Weird¡¯s favorite!¡± Yuan Chao said with a serious face, jokingly trying to provoke Long Zichen.


    ¡°Ah, that must be it!¡± Long Zichen clapped his hands, convinced by the idea. The more he thought about it, the more it made sense. His Xiaojie had rosy lips, pearly white teeth, an invincible youthful beauty, and good looks. Who wouldn¡¯t like him? Ding Jiangyu had been in the industry for so many years, rumored to have relationships with female and even male artists. Could he actually swing that way?


    ¡°No, I have to go back to the company and have a serious talk with Xiaojie! You can handle the recording of the next few songs, Chaozi. As long as they¡¯re not terrible, I¡¯ll take care of the post-production later.¡± After making this decision, Long Zichen hurriedly left, leaving Yuan Chao feeling lost and silently sighing at the sky. ¡°Dachen, are you really behaving like a jealous lover? Poor Yuan, it seems like my future is getting darker.¡±


    Long Zichen rushed back to the company and the first thing he said upon finding Jian Jie was, ¡°I¡¯ve heard enough. Don¡¯t go on any talk shows!¡± He then tried to assert his authority, saying, ¡°It¡¯s too early to reveal yourself. Your album hasn¡¯t even been planned yet. It¡¯s not beneficial to promote it this early.¡±


    ¡°Well, that wouldn¡¯t be good,¡± Jian Jie said, feeling embarrassed. ¡°Brother Jiang Yu has been very kind to me, and it¡¯s the first time he¡¯s asked for my help. How could I refuse? I¡¯ve already promised him. Mr. Long, I¡¯m really sorry. Can you please be a little understanding?¡±


    Brother Jiang Yu? Wasn¡¯t he still Mr. Ding yesterday? Long Zichen suddenly felt like he was going to vomit blood.


    In reality, it was Ding Jiangyu who suggested the change, stating that it would be odd for them to still address each other formally during the show. Calling each other ¡°Brother Jiang Yu¡± indicated a good relationship. That¡¯s how the industry worked. Even if they were strangers offstage, they used affectionate terms for each other onstage to convey a sense of friendship. There shouldn¡¯t be any misunderstandings or distance.


    Long Zichen understood this, but for a moment, he seemed to forget everything and felt a fire burning in his chest. He couldn¡¯t tell Jian Jie, ¡°Oh, it seems like Brother Jiang Yu might be interested in you!¡± Such thoughts were fleeting, and he couldn¡¯t let them ruin the mood. So he had to suppress his anger and put on a forced smile as he asked, ¡°Are you getting along well with Ding Tianwang?¡±


    ¡°Well, Brother Jiang Yu is very kind. He even gave me a limited edition album of his latest release.¡± Jian Jie happily took out a large gift box album with exquisite packaging from his bag. Limited edition albums typically came with posters, photos, and MVs, and were relatively expensive. Usually, only loyal fans would purchase them. This one also had Ding Jiangyu¡¯s signature and personal dedication. Jian Jie planned to give it to Aunt Shui, who would be delighted.


    Seeing Jian Jie¡¯s joyful expression as he held Ding Jiangyu¡¯s album, Long Zichen suddenly felt a pang of panic, and an unknown fire ignited within him. He couldn¡¯t tell Jian Jie, ¡°Oh, it seems like Brother Jiang Yu might be interested in you!¡± These thoughts were fleeting and couldn¡¯t be revealed to spoil the mood. So he grew angrier and angrier, struggling to control his temper.


    However, he couldn¡¯t vent his anger on Jian Jie. He had to bear it repeatedly, maintaining a reasonable demeanor as he said, ¡°Since you¡¯ve already agreed, let¡¯s go ahead with it. But we need to focus on making your new album. We¡¯ll take advantage of the buzz after the show and release it then. Once the fans¡¯ anticipation period passes, the promotional effect will diminish. Recording a song might seem difficult, but it¡¯s necessary.¡±


    ¡°I will put in my best effort and won¡¯t complain,¡± Jian Jie promised.


    ¡°Well, it¡¯s getting late. Let¡¯s go back together.¡±


    Jian Jie got into Long Zichen¡¯s car and quickly realized that something was different about him today.


    It was unusual for Long Zichen to be downcast, and even he felt that he was acting strangely. He remained silent and seemed lost in thought throughout the journey. Even though Jian Jie wasn¡¯t particularly perceptive, he could sense that something was amiss. He cautiously asked, ¡°Mr. Long, are you in a bad mood today?¡±


    ¡°Not good, very bad!¡± Long Zichen suddenly erupted, unable to hold back his thoughts any longer. He pouted in a sullen manner. ¡°You¡¯ve only known Ding Jiangyu for a few days, and yet you¡¯ve started calling him ¡®Brother Jiang Yu¡¯. What about us? I¡¯m still ¡®Mr. Long¡¯.¡±


    Jian Jie felt a bit dazed. This wasn¡¯t the first time Mr. Long had brought up this issue. He still cared about it? It was rare to see Mr. Long lose his temper, but the fact that it was over something like this made Jian Jie feel conflicted. He tentatively suggested, ¡°If you¡¯re still bothered by this, since we¡¯ve been using surnames all along, how about I call you ¡®Brother Chen¡¯ from now on? Is that okay?¡±


    ¡°¡­Okay,¡± Long Zichen reluctantly agreed. Although he still felt it lacked intimacy, he decided to leave it at that for now. Anything else would seem inappropriate. Ah Chen? Xiaochen? Chenchen? Oh, it¡¯s so embarrassing! Dachen? It¡¯s too late for that. Let¡¯s just go with Brother Chen for everyone.


    In reality, Long Zichen also wanted to remind Jian Jie not to get too close to Ding Jiangyu in the future. After all, Ding Jiangyu had a lot of connections, and the media would write about anything nowadays. Once you¡¯re labeled, no matter how hard you work in the future, people will still ignore it. Long Zichen couldn¡¯t bear a single stain on his Xiaojie¡¯s reputation, as he was destined to become a superstar.


    However, knowing Jian Jie¡¯s serious and earnest nature, Long Zichen was afraid that expressing his concerns would dampen his enthusiasm and make him feel restricted in the entertainment industry. It wouldn¡¯t be good if he started having thoughts of giving up. After careful consideration, Long Zichen had no choice but to bear it, enduring the internal struggle.


    Ah, the hardships of being a successful aspiring music producer! Long Zichen had already made up his mind that as long as he was by Jian Jie¡¯s side, he would ensure that he never suffered the slightest injustice. There may be better singers in the world who can create and perform better, but those people are ¡°others,¡± whereas Xiaojie is unique.


    Please let me know if there are typos/mistakes in the chapter.


    Support me on ko-fi for faster releases ^^

 CH 25

    Translator: Lynn


    That night, a post appeared on a popular forum titled: ¡°Exciting News! Ding Jiangyu Came to Shoot the MV at Our School!¡± The author, a student who witnessed the filming process, provided a detailed account and even included high-quality photos taken with their mobile phone as evidence for fellow fans.


    In reality, this post was a well-executed plan by Lei Ting¡¯s network planning department. Since the college students who were present might not necessarily share their experience online, they needed a little push. Lei Ting¡¯s clever guidance prompted netizens to discuss Ding Jiangyu while paying attention to which single from his new album the MV was for, effectively promoting the album.


    Netizens quickly deduced that the MV being filmed was for the new single ¡°Start Over,¡± as many had already purchased the record. Since Ding Jiangyu was not the only person in the photos, some observant netizens noticed a handsome young man photographed alongside him. Curiosity piqued, everyone started asking about this new and attractive artist and speculating about the MV¡¯s storyline. The most common theory revolved around a forbidden love between a teacher and a student, while the female artist who occasionally appeared in the photos was largely ignored.


    The post gained traction and was quickly shared on various platforms. Spark Company, naturally, took notice. Several senior executives made a swift decision even before Long Zichen proposed it: to expedite the production of Jian Jie¡¯s new album.


    The first task at hand was song collection and selection. This process could be time-consuming and challenging for others, as exceptional songs might be difficult to come by. However, Jian Jie¡¯s singing and composing abilities provided a vast pool of over 40 songs. All that was needed was a thorough discussion to decide which tracks would make it onto the album.


    The song selection meetings for Jian Jie¡¯s debut album took place several times at the company, with department heads in attendance. After listening to song demos, they provided opinions from market and stylistic perspectives and voted on which songs to include. Jian Jie cherished every song he had written, so he sat quietly in the conference room, attentively listening to everyone¡¯s input. This time, Long Zichen adopted an authoritative stance. If he disliked something even a little, he would engage in verbal debates with the others until he emerged victorious. Of course, most discussions ended in his favor.


    In the end, ten songs were selected. The subsequent arrangements were relatively straightforward. Whenever Long Zichen had free time, he would sit down with Jian Jie¡¯s songs and conceive the arrangements. Some songs even had accompanying tapes prepared in advance, as they were bound to be used in the future.


    As a result, Jian Jie found himself spending most of his time in the recording studio, with Long Zichen dragging him to Cedar Records for recording sessions whenever possible. They enlisted the best musicians for the soundtracks, with some songs featuring orchestras for a grandiose effect. Naturally, the costs were substantial, with fees reaching tens of thousands of yuan per song.


    Long Zichen paid no mind to the expenses. He had already made arrangements to bring in a renowned foreign sound mixer for the final mixing stage. Flying in from afar, it was normal for them to demand appearance fees exceeding 100,000 yuan. After enduring a prolonged period of financial blows, Mr. Yuan was on the verge of tears. The production costs for Jian Jie¡¯s album had already reached millions. Long Zichen¡¯s actions were truly merciless!


    The exorbitant expenses incurred during Jian Jie¡¯s album production sparked anger in many people. Moreover, with the recent success of ¡°Start Over¡± as the second wave of Ding Jiangyu¡¯s chart-topping title track, Jian Jie gained further attention as a chorus singer and songwriter. Inquiries about him skyrocketed, leading to numerous interview requests and press briefings from Xinghuo. In light of the upcoming ¡°Super Star Interview Show¡± and its significance, even though Jian Jie would only accompany Ding Jiangyu, the company decided to grant him his TV debut. Interviews and announcements were scheduled following the talk show. At a time when it was difficult for most newcomers to secure television appearances, Jian Jie had a lucky start, which naturally fueled rumors among some people.


    On that day, Yuan Chao approached Long Zichen with an uncertain expression on his face. However, Long Zichen was preoccupied, working on rearranging the accompaniment for one of Jian Jie¡¯s songs. Annoyed, he quipped, ¡°Did your hemorrhoids flare up again? You look constipated. What¡¯s the matter?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t have hemorrhoids!¡± Yuan Chao snapped, furious at the malicious rumors. He couldn¡¯t contain his emotions and blurted out, ¡°It¡¯s about you and Xiaojie! In the past couple of days, rumors have been running wild in the company, claiming something happened between you two, which is why you¡¯re so protective of him.¡±


    Long Zichen was taken aback. ¡°What, what, what? Can you explain clearly?¡±


    ¡°Do you have to be so clueless


    ? I¡¯ve never seen you this dense before.¡± Yuan Chao felt exasperated. ¡°Do you understand the implications of protecting someone like this? Just tell me, is there something going on between you and Xiaojie? Tell me the truth. What are your intentions towards him? He¡¯s still young and naive. I genuinely think you two are incompatible.¡±


    While Yuan Chao continued to persuade Long Zichen to ¡°return from the wrong path,¡± Long Zichen couldn¡¯t hear anything. He stood there with a bewildered expression on his face, lost in his own thoughts.


    ¡°Hey, Dachen, say something! Show me that you genuinely care for Xiaojie. If your feelings are genuine, I won¡¯t object. After all, it¡¯s just two men, and we¡¯ve seen stranger things before.¡± Long Zichen remained unresponsive, leaving Yuan Chao increasingly anxious.


    Yuan Chao was still eager to offer suggestions and persuade Long Zichen about pursuing Jian Jie, but Long Zichen turned his face and said, ¡°There¡¯s nothing wrong with it, don¡¯t meddle! Hurry up and refute the rumors for me. Whoever dares to spread gossip and tarnish Xiaojie¡¯s reputation will be kicked out. If I can¡¯t do that, I¡¯ll suddenly find a lot of time to discuss your past love life with your girlfriend!¡±


    Yuan Chao¡¯s face darkened. This so-called friend who knew everything was truly irritating! He was currently deeply infatuated with a girl and passionately pursuing her. How could Da Chen ruin things for him at a time like this? Yuan Chao couldn¡¯t help but burst into tears. ¡°I can¡¯t do it for you. I¡¯ve changed my mind!¡±


    ¡°Let¡¯s see how you behave,¡± Long Zichen snorted coldly and left with his head held high.


    Watching Long Zichen¡¯s confident departure, Yuan Chao silently complained, ¡°He¡¯s just pretending. It¡¯s clear how nervous he gets when he meets Xiaojie every day. No one will believe him if he claims there¡¯s nothing going on!¡±


    Thinking about doing something that would upset others, Yuan Chao once again felt dejected. Hmph, since he¡¯s being bullied, he decided he would tease Xiaojie later!


    Back in his office, as soon as Long Zichen closed the door, he couldn¡¯t hold back any longer and wore a mournful expression. What the hell was happening! His mind was in disarray, and he had only acted tough earlier because he was afraid that Yuan Chao¡¯s loose lips might accidentally reveal the truth, which could have a negative impact on Jian Jie.


    Now, Long Zichen felt overwhelmed with chaotic thoughts, and he wanted to scream: Is this love, damn it? But was it really? He was genuinely confused.


    They say to cherish talent, but this felt different. The first time he saw Jian Jie, he was instantly drawn to him and wanted to treat him well, to protect him from any harm, and especially to prevent him from getting involved with someone else. He had always believed it was love at first sight, but could it truly be?


    Long Zichen was distressed, confused, and torn. He had never liked anyone before in his life. Please forgive him for not considering those aspects earlier. It truly wasn¡¯t his intention to have low emotional intelligence.


    After some contemplation, Long Zichen had a sudden idea: Why not search online? After all, people always say ¡°You¡¯ll know when you search for it.¡± Long Zichen quickly turned on his computer, typed ¡°What is it like to fall in love with someone,¡± and pressed Enter. Various explanations and answers appeared, nearly blinding his eyes.


    ¡°Do you miss them even if you haven¡¯t seen them for a minute? Do you feel jealous when you see them with others? You just want to be kind to them, be captivated by them, and miss them¡­¡±


    Long Zichen fell silent. These were written by young, romantic authors. Did every single point have to hit so close to home? It was truly embarrassing to admit. Long Zichen held his face in his hands and thought, Well, it seems there¡¯s nothing wrong with liking Xiaojie. Xiaojie is gentle, cute, and so amazing. It¡¯s only natural to like him! It can only be said that someone¡¯s focus is completely off.


    Jian Jie was still in class. Thinking about him, Long Zichen suddenly felt bashful. After chuckling to himself for a while, he couldn¡¯t help but worry again: Xiaojie never mentioned what type of person he likes, but he definitely wouldn¡¯t like someone like him! It didn¡¯t matter if he was a man, but he was nearly the same age as Jian Jie, had no money, no house, only a beat-up car, and his personality was like this¡­ He had no competitive edge at all!


    Long Zichen sank into a deep self-disgust.


    Please let me know if there are typos/mistakes in the chapter.


    Support me on ko-fi for faster releases ^^

 CH 26

    Translator: Lynn


    Jian Jie was still enjoying his carefree campus life. Lately, he had been busy with singing practice and training, causing him to miss many classes. Whenever the roll was called, Shui Xiaoren would answer for him and share his notes. When Jian Jie returned to class, he would catch up on the missed lessons by reading books and reviewing notes.


    Unable to tolerate it any longer, Shui Xiaoren complained, ¡°Didn¡¯t you say you wouldn¡¯t be too busy in your first year? Why are you releasing a record now? Look at how thin you¡¯ve become from being busy.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s not that dramatic. Actually, my job is quite easy. The company hasn¡¯t even arranged any performances for me. I¡¯ve been focused on recording a song recently, so I¡¯m a little busy,¡± Jian Jie explained. ¡°As for looking thinner, it¡¯s because I¡¯ve been learning to dance, and it has made me more physically fit. I just feel a bit stressed. As I mentioned before, our music director has shown more favor towards me, and people naturally start gossiping. So, I also want to achieve something to prove myself.¡±


    Shui Xiaoren frowned. ¡°Someone is bullying you? Who would bully someone with such a good temperament like you? Why don¡¯t I go to your company with you tomorrow? I¡¯ve played basketball for many years, and I¡¯m in good shape. I can handle a thin guy.¡±


    Jian Jie smiled and said, ¡°It¡¯s fine, they¡¯re just talking behind my back. I won¡¯t let it bother me.¡±


    ¡°Alright then, just take care of yourself. Don¡¯t let anyone bully you. Don¡¯t worry too much and don¡¯t work too hard.¡±


    ¡°Okay.¡±


    After class, while Jian Jie was reading a book, several girls from other classes suddenly entered the classroom. A few of them stood near the front and chatted with some girls from Jian Jie¡¯s class. Then, led by an outgoing girl, they gathered around Jian Jie¡¯s desk.


    ¡°Student Jian Jie, I have a question for you. Ding Jiangyu recently released a song called ¡®Restart,¡¯ and it was sung with a boy named ¡®Jian Jie.¡¯ Is that you?¡± one girl asked intently.


    ¡°I also watched the music video for that song, and the boy in it looks like you. Is it really you?¡± another girl with starry eyes asked excitedly.


    Jian Jie was momentarily stunned but then nodded and replied, ¡°Yes, that¡¯s me.¡±


    ¡°Wow!¡± The girls couldn¡¯t help but scream. ¡°Student Jian Jie, are you going to be a star?¡± Their worshipful voices drowned out the room.


    Jian Jie had never experienced this situation before. Ding Tianwang seemed to handle it effortlessly, but now that it was his turn, he didn¡¯t know what to do. He allowed the girls to take out their phones and take pictures, while the boys nearby looked on with envy.


    Sensing the situation was getting out of hand, Shui Xiaoren rushed over to block the girls¡¯ cameras and said sternly, ¡°Alright, alright. Each person can take one photo, but let¡¯s not drag it on. Class is about to start!¡±


    Several girls exchanged glances, wearing ambiguous expressions, and whispered among themselves. ¡°Loyal dog!¡±


    Shui Xiaoren¡¯s hearing was sharp, and he immediately became angrier upon hearing himself being referred to as a dog. ¡°Are you cursing at me?¡± How could someone explain this? Fortunately, the class bell rang, prompting the girls to disperse quickly, distancing themselves from the perceived troublemaker.


    ¡°I genuinely believe now that you¡¯re going to be a star,¡± Shui Xiaoren shrugged and joked, ¡°When you become famous in the future, based on our relationship, I can use your name to deceive little girls, right?¡±


    ¡°Absolutely not¡­¡±


    ¡°How stingy!¡±


    After the class ended, several excited girls ran over to Jian Jie, discussing various topics. Most of them were curious about whether he would become a star. Jian Jie had become somewhat of a celebrity within the department, attracting attention wherever he went. In fact, there were quite a few people who liked him.


    At that moment, a boy who was unaware of the situation approached Shui Xiaoren and asked, ¡°What¡¯s happening with the girls today? Why are they so enthusiastic? Is Jian Jie finally going to take away all the girls, just like you did, and leave none for the rest of us?¡±


    ¡°No way, it¡¯s all because my brother is as outstanding and charming as me,¡± Shui Xiaoren sighed and patted the boy. ¡°Don¡¯t be discouraged, you¡¯ll have a chance in your next life.¡±


    In response, the boy cast him a contemptuous look and squinted, saying, ¡°Why do I feel like there are two words carved on your face? Let me take a closer look¡­ Oh, it says ¡®ow¡¯ on the left and ¡®to suffer¡¯ on the right.¡±


    ¡°You missed it,¡± Jian Jie chimed in with a smile after the girls left. ¡°The word ¡®shameless¡¯ is clearly engraved on his forehead.¡±


    ¡°I know you¡¯re just jealous of my good looks. I don¡¯t blame you,¡± Shui Xiaoren waved his hand generously, earning a bunch of disdainful looks in return.


    The girls at school were initially excited when they found out that a fellow classmate was going to be a star, but gradually they got used to it. After all, they were all adults, and only a small number of them were fanatical about chasing stars.


    In the afternoon, Jian Jie wasn¡¯t bothered by anyone, and he didn¡¯t receive any calls from Director Long, which was rare. Jian Jie attentively listened to the classes for the rest of the afternoon. After school, as Jian Jie was about to head home, Long Zichen, who hadn¡¯t settled down for a while, couldn¡¯t resist calling.


    Jian Jie pressed the answer button and asked calmly as usual, ¡°Brother Chen, are we recording a song tonight?¡±


    On the other end, upon hearing Jian Jie¡¯s soft voice, Long Zichen immediately blushed. He cursed himself and then stuttered, ¡°No, it¡¯s not for recording. Well, since you¡¯ve been working hard lately, let me treat you to a nice meal. I also sent you the program schedule and general question list for the ¡®Interview Show.¡¯ We can discuss it while we¡¯re together and then go to rehearsal later.¡± Long Zichen felt a little guilty about asking Jian Jie out, as if he were spoiling a child. He wanted to open up a bit more.


    Hearing that they would review the script, Jian Jie naturally wouldn¡¯t refuse and agreed immediately, ¡°Sure, I¡¯ll let you treat me. Brother Chen, you¡¯re too kind. It¡¯s only fair after all the hard work you¡¯ve put in.¡±


    ¡°Why are you being so polite to me?¡± Long Zichen said happily upon hearing Jian Jie¡¯s agreement. ¡°Are you still at school? I¡¯m at the gate.¡± He had arrived at the school gate an hour ago and couldn¡¯t wait any longer to see Jian Jie.


    Jian Jie and Shui Xiaoren went to the school gate together. Long Zichen stood in front of the car and warmly greeted Shui Xiaoren. Shui Xiaoren also politely thanked Long Zichen, saying, ¡°Thank you, Mr. Long, for taking care of Jiejie. I heard that you¡¯re discussing the show, so I won¡¯t bother you.¡±


    ¡°Okay, okay.¡± Long Zichen watched Shui Xiaoren leave with a smile and then casually asked Jian Jie, ¡°You have a really good relationship with your friend. Has he mentioned having a girlfriend?¡±


    ¡°He just broke up with a girl a while ago, but I haven¡¯t seen him with anyone recently.¡±


    ¡°Oh,¡± Long Zichen silently wrote the word ¡°Dangerous¡± in bright red behind Shui Xiaoren¡¯s name in his mental notebook.


    They got into the car, and Long Zichen said to Jian Jie, ¡°You¡¯ve been singing all the time, straining your voice. How about I take you to have some health soup? They also have delicious desserts there.¡±


    ¡°Okay,¡± Jian Jie had no objections.


    Long Zichen glanced at Jian Jie from the corner of his eye and saw his white and smooth face with a hint of stubble, a high nose bridge, and lips that were neither thick nor thin. His heart started racing again. Long Zichen felt so embarrassed today. His heart had been pounding since he left the company. He inwardly lamented, ¡°Xiaojie is so adorable. How did I not realize it before? I always valued talent, but now I see that it¡¯s not everything!¡±


    Next, he had to find out Jian Jie¡¯s likes and dislikes, correct his flaws decisively, and do what he liked. He needed to create conditions for things Jian Jie couldn¡¯t do. This was the main reason he asked Jian Jie to come out tonight.


    Although Long Zichen had already decided not to disturb Jian Jie, he couldn¡¯t help but want to become someone Jian Jie liked. Xiaojie was going to become a superstar with a bright future. It was enough for him to do his best to support Jian Jie and not bring any disgrace to him. The thought of Jian Jie¡¯s reputation being tarnished due to a same-sex scandal made Long Zichen feel like killing himself. So, he decided to silently support Jian Jie. Moreover, Jian Jie must also like girls, so why complicate matters because of his own feelings?


    In the past, when he watched TV and saw the person he liked being with someone else, Long Zichen would scold the character for being foolish. But now that he was in that situation himself, he found that making this decision wasn¡¯t as difficult as he had imagined.


    Please let me know if there are typos/mistakes in the chapter.


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 CH 27

    Translator: Lynn


    It was late autumn, and the sun had almost set after school. Long Zichen drove Jian Jie to a restaurant specializing in diet therapy and health preservation, which he found through an online recommendation. He heard that they served dishes beneficial for the body and voice, so he made a reservation in advance to try it out with Jian Jie.


    The restaurant had an upscale ambiance, and after they were seated, Long Zichen ordered some signature dishes and desserts. Jian Jie teasingly remarked, ¡°Brother Chen, you seem to be getting rich lately. Did you hit the jackpot?¡±


    Long Zichen felt a bit underestimated and cleared his throat to rectify the situation seriously, ¡°Recently, the sales of new artists¡¯ records have been good, and with various commercial performances, the company is making profits. As a partner in the company, I receive dividends! From now on, I won¡¯t spend money recklessly; I¡¯ll work hard to save it¡­¡±


    Jian Jie smiled and joked, ¡°Sounds like you¡¯re getting ready to start a career and start a family.¡±


    ¡°I really want to, but I don¡¯t have a house or money, so who would fall in love with me?¡± Long Zichen tentatively asked Jian Jie, ¡°Have you had a girlfriend yet?¡±


    Jian Jie shyly nodded, ¡°No, not yet.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s because your standards are too high. With your qualities, many people should be interested in you.¡± Long Zichen asked seemingly nonchalantly, ¡°Have you thought about what kind of person you like?¡± He eagerly waited for Jian Jie¡¯s answer.


    Pondering for a moment, Jian Jie replied, ¡°I want someone who is gentle, considerate, beautiful, and generous, someone who can understand me.¡±


    Long Zichen¡¯s heart sank. The first quality was something he lacked. As for the others, it depended on how they were interpreted. The future felt bleak.


    ¡°Is my criteria too high?¡± Seeing Long Zichen¡¯s silence, Jian Jie thought he had some objections.


    Long Zichen quickly reassured him, ¡°Your criteria are perfectly fine. With your qualities, it¡¯s only natural to have such expectations.¡± Inwardly, Long Zichen thought, it would be better if Jian Jie¡¯s standards were so high that nobody could meet them. He continued to advise, ¡°In the show business circle, there¡¯s no shortage of beauties, but many of them are just good-looking without brains. You, on the other hand, are not just about appearance. You have a great personality and talent. You deserve someone who is both intelligent and beautiful, and appreciates your talent.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not as good as Brother Chen says,¡± Jian Jie blushed, feeling touched by Long Zichen¡¯s words.


    ¡°I¡¯m just speaking the truth.¡±


    At that moment, the waiter brought the dishes. Long Zichen enthusiastically recommended Jian Jie to taste them, saying, ¡°These dishes are good for the voice. Try whichever you like, and I¡¯ll make it for you later.¡±


    Jian Jie tried the yam and chicken soup and the glutinous rice and wolfberry porridge ordered by Long Zichen. Finally, he expressed his opinion, ¡°They have a medicinal taste, and the flavors are a bit unusual. Actually, the honey lotus root juice that Brother Chen made for me last time was really delicious.¡±


    ¡°If you like that, it¡¯s easy!¡± Jian Jie¡¯s fondness for the dishes he made thrilled Long Zichen. He said excitedly, ¡°Tomorrow I¡¯ll get the ingredients to make it for you!¡±


    Jian Jie responded with a smile, appreciating Long Zichen¡¯s enthusiasm. Long Zichen¡¯s caring nature made Jian Jie feel thankful. He had already experienced some of the hidden complexities in the entertainment industry and felt grateful for Long Zichen¡¯s protection and support. He wondered what his future would have been like if Long Zichen hadn¡¯t been there for him. Giving up on his dreams might have been an easier path, but he knew he could count on Long Zichen to stand by him.


    After dinner, they reviewed the schedule for the ¡°Interview Show.¡± This would be Jian Jie¡¯s first appearance on the show, and he wanted to prepare well for it. The show was a reality talk show with a host who asked sharp and humorous questions, often leaving the guests at a loss for words. While the show seemed improvised, everything was thoroughly rehearsed beforehand to ensure a captivating program.


    Jian Jie accompanied Ding Jiangyu on the show, and his appearance was unpaid, yet he still had to cover his own expenses. There were not many scenes featuring him, and it all depended on the host and Ding Jiangyu¡¯s willingness to share the spotlight. Nevertheless, for a newcomer like Jian Jie, this opportunity was valuable, and many would jump at the chance, even if it meant paying for it.


    Despite the clothing sponsorship offered by the company, Long Zichen didn¡¯t think it was up to par, and he wanted to buy Jian Jie a high-end brand outfit. He planned to coax some money from Yuan Chao and save some himself to afford it.


    ¡°The public can be quite judgmental, and even though we usually don¡¯t care about such things, we should dress up for the show. It wouldn¡¯t be nice to become a subject of ridicule, right? We can go to the men¡¯s clothing store tomorrow at noon and get you a new outfit, preferably the latest collection. Do you have a high-end watch? If not, we can use Yuan Chao¡¯s. He has plenty of them anyway.¡±


    Jian Jie understood that the company provided a clothing budget for artists, especially newcomers like them, who couldn¡¯t afford branded clothing with that limited amount. He couldn¡¯t let Long Zichen spend his own money on it, so he suggested, ¡°It¡¯s just one show; maybe we can borrow instead of buying. My sister-in-law should be able to help with this. I¡¯ll ask her for assistance.¡±


    Long Zichen¡¯s eyes brightened, ¡°Yes, and the more expensive the brand, the better! Let¡¯s dazzle everyone with the price alone!¡±


    Jian Jie thought about it for a moment and said with concern, ¡°¡­but if it¡¯s too flashy, people might make fun of us.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry, Xiaojie, you look good in anything you wear!¡± Long Zichen couldn¡¯t stop showering Jian Jie with compliments.


    Upon leaving the restaurant, Jian Jie immediately called his sister-in-law, Jiang Xinya, to seek her help. She happily agreed, promising to find the best brand and call back after finalizing the deal. She also invited Jian Jie to visit and see her niece, Xiaoyue, who is in kindergarten.


    After the call, Long Zichen was in high spirits, exclaiming, ¡°Big problem solved! Xiaojie, when you return to the show, you must outshine Ding Jiangyu and show him the wrong he¡¯s done by having you on the show!¡±


    Curious about the apparent hostility towards Ding Jiangyu, Jian Jie asked, ¡°Is there some issue between you and Brother Jiang Yu?¡±


    ¡°We treat all the top artists as rivals! We aim high and compete fiercely. We need to defeat all the top singers!¡± Long Zichen raised his fist dramatically, adopting a competitive attitude towards famous singers.


    Feeling inspired, Jian Jie vowed to give his best, fueled by the desire to surpass these renowned artists. Seeing Jian Jie¡¯s determination, Long Zichen couldn¡¯t help but think that simple-minded individuals were easy to influence and raise. He decided to protect Jian Jie vigilantly, ensuring he wouldn¡¯t fall victim to any unsavory schemes. Long Zichen jokingly thought about becoming a mosquito and following Jian Jie around the clock if he could change into seventy-two forms, but alas, that wasn¡¯t possible.


    Please let me know if there are typos/mistakes in the chapter.


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 CH 28

    Translator: Lynn


    In the men¡¯s clothing store, a tall young man stood before a smooth and bright full-length mirror. He had short, crisp hair, and his well-defined eyes held a soft charm. His white and tender face resembled freshly peeled duck egg whites. He tried on the latest autumn clothes from the store¡ªa navy blue military coat with gold-plated double-breasted buttons, paired with slim trousers of the same color. The outfit looked no less impressive than the one worn by the model on the poster.


    As Director Long Zichen proudly observed, it was evident that the handsome guy being praised was our classmate Jian Jie.


    Jiang Xinya had helped Jian Jie contact the brand, and upon hearing that Jian Jie was preparing for popular shows like ¡°Super Star Interview Show,¡± the supervisor eagerly offered the latest men¡¯s clothing of the season. Thus, Jian Jie and Long Zichen went to one of their stores to make their selection.


    While trying on the outfit, a shopping guide lady provided timely advice, ¡°This outfit truly complements your demeanor.¡±


    Long Zichen couldn¡¯t resist expressing his approval, ¡°Yes, indeed! This one stands out the most. Let¡¯s go with this. Honestly, Xiaojie looks good in anything he wears!¡±


    ¡°¡­Brother Chen, let¡¯s save the compliments for later. There are many people around, and they might feel nauseated,¡± Jian Jie teased Long Zichen, pretending to be concerned.


    Long Zichen nodded seriously, ¡°Alright, I¡¯ll praise you later~~¡±


    Unbeknownst to them, the shopping guide couldn¡¯t help but wonder what these two men were up to, lingering around the store for so long.


    With their clothing chosen, they happily returned to the company for rehearsal.


    Early on Sunday morning, Ding Jiangyu and his staff picked up Jian Jie in a luxury car and headed to the TV station for the recording of ¡°Interview Show.¡± Long Zichen wanted to accompany Jian Jie, but given his position as a manager, it would be inappropriate. Besides, he had plenty of work to do, so he reluctantly watched Jian Jie sit in Ding Jiangyu¡¯s car with envy. The employees of the company wisely avoided this scene, knowing they didn¡¯t want to face Long Zichen¡¯s wrath today.


    Now, back to Jian Jie.


    Ding Jiangyu, as a senior, displayed great kindness towards newcomers. Normally, newcomers often faced various difficulties while attending announcements. The process could take hours of document checking and preparation. However, with Ding Jiangyu¡¯s stature, the staff dare not delay their time. In fact, they were happy to welcome him and his guests. Having stars of their status on the show ensured high ratings, and it was crucial to maintain a good relationship with them.


    Thanks to Ding Jiangyu¡¯s influence, Jian Jie and his entourage entered the studio effortlessly. The ¡°Interview Show¡± was recorded in the TV station¡¯s grandest studio, No. 1. Half of the studio, in front of the camera lens, was extravagantly decorated with bright red sofas and luxurious sets. Five cameras were positioned to capture every angle, while the program producers, live band, and other staff stayed in the back half.


    As Jian Jie had accompanied Ding Jiangyu in rehearsals before, he was familiar with the routine. Today, his role was to be Luye, and he took his part seriously.


    The show began with the host introducing the guests for this episode. As a newcomer, Jian Jie sang another single with Ding Jiangyu and had written two of his hit songs. The host engaged in a pleasant chat with him for a while. Then, the focus shifted to Ding Jiangyu, delving into his past scandals, the album¡¯s creation process, and everything related to him. Jian Jie only needed to sit and listen with a smile. He felt content without having to say much. The camera would occasionally pan to him, capturing moments of him laughing due to the amicable interactions between the host and the guests.


    In the latter half of the show, Ding Jiangyu deliberately praised Jian Jie as the most promising newcomer of the near future, allowing the host to ask him a few questions. Being supported by the ¡°King of Heaven,¡± Jian Jie gladly went along with the discussion. The host inquired about his recent work arrangements, and Jian Jie revealed that he was working on a new album, subtly promoting it.


    During the last recording of the program, Ding Jiangyu and Jian Jie performed the single ¡°Start Over¡± live. They also showcased their musical talents, with Ding Jiangyu playing the specially prepared white piano by the program group, and Jian Jie accompanying him on the folk guitar gifted by Long Zichen. Their harmonious singing was fresh and moving, creating a beautiful and enchanting scene. The host and all the staff couldn¡¯t help but stand up and applaud after the performance. When the segment was aired, it received exceptionally high ratings of 25%, which was ten percentage points higher than the average, delighting the TV station and the program group.


    The over one-hour recording session concluded quickly. Apart from the stunning performance at the end, Jian Jie¡¯s overall performance was considered quite satisfactory. Nevertheless, his appealing image as a singer was enough to attract attention, as photographers were eager to capture more shots of him. In this industry, appearance plays a significant role in judgments.


    The ¡°Interview Show¡± featuring Jian Jie will be broadcast at 10 o¡¯clock next Friday night, and everyone is eager to see its impact.


    After leaving the TV station, Ding Jiangyu invited Liu Dongping, Mr. Xiaoguang, Jian Jie, and Lei Ting¡¯s staff to dinner to express gratitude for their assistance in promoting him. Jian Jie was accompanied by his assistant Zhou Jia. However, while they were still dining, Long Zichen¡¯s phone calls kept pouring in, as Jian Jie had accidentally left his phone off during the recording, and he had forgotten to turn it back on. Long Zichen, growing increasingly anxious, kept trying to reach him, fearing the worst scenarios, including Jian Jie being coerced by the ¡°King of Heaven¡± Ding Jiangyu. In his mind, he was playing out dramatic scenes where he had to save Jian Jie from peril.


    Finally, Ding Jiangyu, feeling amused and under pressure, handed the phone to Jian Jie, telling him that it was his producer calling.


    Jian Jie was puzzled by Long Zichen calling Ding Jiangyu instead of him. Upon answering the call, he heard Long Zichen¡¯s worried voice, bombarding him with numerous questions and concerns about why his phone was off and how he couldn¡¯t reach him for so long.


    Apologizing, Jian Jie explained, ¡°I turned off my phone during the recording and forgot to turn it back on. Sorry, Brother Chen.¡± He quickly switched on his phone and saw multiple missed call notifications from Long Zichen.


    Worried that it might be something important, Jian Jie inquired, ¡°Is there something urgent?¡±


    Feeling somewhat embarrassed, Long Zichen scratched his head and said, ¡°Oh, it¡¯s nothing serious. I just went to buy honey loquat water. When will you be back?¡±


    ¡°Ding Jiangyu invited us to dinner. I¡¯ll be back soon.¡± Although he wanted to return quickly, it would be impolite to leave the dinner early.


    Long Zichen replied, ¡°Then I¡¯ll keep it for you. Come back soon.¡±


    ¡°Okay.¡±


    After hanging up the phone, Ding Jiangyu smiled and commented, ¡°Your producer really cares about newcomers and never lets his guard down.¡±


    Jian Jie nodded, ¡°Yes, Brother Chen is very attentive to newcomers.¡±


    Meanwhile, Jian Jie¡¯s assistant, Zhou Jia, who was quietly eating, couldn¡¯t help but think, ¡°Such special treatment is only for you! Everyone pretends not to be envious, but secretly, we all wish we were in your place.¡±


    Please let me know if there are typos/mistakes in the chapter.


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 CH 29

    Translator: Lynn


    ¡°The Interview Show¡± is scheduled to be broadcast next Friday, but the company has not arranged any appearances or announcements for Jian Jie during this period. Compared to other newcomers who have already planned their album releases, Jian Jie has the lowest workload.


    For example, Tong Liangliang, whose debut album features the title song ¡°Angel¡± composed by Jian Jie, has received significant promotional support from the company. They have positioned him as a ¡°Future Male Star,¡± and the album has garnered 50,000 pre-orders and first-week sales. Tong Liangliang has quickly become one of the most prominent newcomers in the entertainment industry.


    In the month leading up to his album release, Tong Liangliang was frequently booked for various program appearances. Music shows were prioritized, followed by talk shows and game shows. The goal was to increase exposure and let the audience know about the album¡¯s release. Many fans make purchases based on their fondness for the artist rather than the specific music genre or vocal talent. Tong Liangliang¡¯s fan base primarily consists of students who are more likely to engage in impulsive consumption. Hence, increasing exposure becomes crucial.


    However, arranging appearances for Jian Jie proved challenging. Without a released album, it¡¯s difficult to secure spots on music shows. Moreover, Jian Jie¡¯s reserved and less talkative nature makes him less suited for variety shows. Long Zichen, not wanting Jian Jie to be overshadowed by other artists, opposed the idea of participating in game shows. This disagreement resulted in a heated argument between Tang Xiaohui, the artist director in charge of announcements, and Long Zichen.


    ¡°This doesn¡¯t work, that doesn¡¯t work. Do you think good appearances are just readily available? It¡¯s not easy for the company to secure these opportunities for Jian Jie, especially as a rookie. Can we even get him on a show of the same level as ¡®Interview Show¡¯?¡± Tang Xiaohui vented her frustration, secretly glad that Long Zichen wasn¡¯t an artist, or managing him would be a nightmare.


    ¡°Jian Jie deserves better than those mediocre programs. I don¡¯t want him to be treated as an afterthought,¡± Long Zichen retorted. He felt that the current offers Jian Jie received were low-rated or overly entertaining shows, which he considered beneath Jian Jie¡¯s standards.


    As Tang Xiaohui and Long Zichen quarreled, Jian Jie could only watch from the sidelines, occasionally offering words of persuasion that had little effect.


    In truth, Jian Jie didn¡¯t have a strong desire to participate in entertainment programs either. He had heard Tong Liangliang complain about repetitive questions and being overshadowed as a newcomer. Running from one appearance to another was not a pleasant experience.


    Jian Jie didn¡¯t prioritize popularity; he just wanted to focus on making music that he enjoyed. From his perspective, the current situation was satisfactory. However, without job opportunities, there would be no income for him or profit for the company. It was difficult to reach an agreement. While artists usually had some say in accepting or rejecting the company¡¯s arrangements, dealing with Long Zichen proved challenging. He was stubborn and unwavering, like an insurmountable mountain in front of Jian Jie, fiercely protective and unwilling to let him face any grievances. Thus, the company members found themselves defeated by Long Zichen¡¯s resolve, making it difficult to proceed.


    No amount of arguing seemed to yield any results. At this point, Long Zichen leaned back in his chair, playing the role of a master strategist, and declared, ¡°I propose implementing a ¡®hunger sales¡¯ packaging strategy for Jian Jie. We¡¯ll take the high-end route and decline any low-quality offers!¡±


    What did he mean by ¡°hunger sales¡±? Well, it¡¯s like creating a sales strategy of limited editions, emphasizing exclusivity and creating a sense of urgency. The idea was to make Jian Jie appear on only a few select shows. If fans wanted to see him, they would have to buy his album and attend his concerts. Long Zichen thought it was a brilliant suggestion and almost applauded his own cleverness.


    However, others saw through his intentions, and the people in the conference room looked at Long Zichen contemptuously, thinking, ¡°Does he want to overwork Jian Jie?¡±


    Tang Xiaohui, frustrated yet amazed, lashed out, ¡°Hunger sales? Are you out of your mind? Since you¡¯re so against those variety shows that don¡¯t suit Jian Jie¡¯s image, let¡¯s not use them. For now, let Jian Jie focus on making his album. After its release, he can genuinely appear on music shows and establish fan clubs! Long Zichen, if you keep talking nonsense, I¡¯ll have Yongqiang deal with Jian Jie!¡± Yongqiang, another senior manager known for his tough attitude, could schedule artists¡¯ engagements up until the next year. Long Zichen had experienced Yongqiang¡¯s assertiveness before and knew the consequences, so he reluctantly agreed.


    ¡°Miss Xiaohui, you¡¯ve turned into an evil capitalist now. Has the entertainment industry corrupted your kind nature?¡± Long Zichen turned to Jian Jie and reassured him, ¡°Don¡¯t worry, Xiaojie. I¡¯ll protect you!¡±


    Jian Jie made the decision to remain silent and not express his opinion.


    Tang Xiaohui scolded angrily, ¡°Shut up! If you keep talking, I¡¯ll show you what true cruelty is!¡±


    ¡°A true massacre!¡± Tang Xiaohui believed that Jian Jie had the potential to become a top-tier singer. His talent was undeniable, but his personality wasn¡¯t suited for comprehensive development in film and television. Excessive commercialization might hinder his potential. Tang Xiaohui saw no issue with focusing solely on music. Even if the sales weren¡¯t outstanding, receiving academic recognition and building a good reputation could still establish the company¡¯s brand. That¡¯s why Tang Xiaohui was willing to turn a blind eye.


    With the company¡¯s senior management deliberately indulging them, Jian Jie and Long Zichen focused on preparing their new album. They spent their days recording songs, often creating multiple versions of a single track. It was wonderful for Jian Jie to hear his music evolve and take on different styles.


    Finally, on Friday night, the ¡°Interview Show¡± in which Jian Jie participated was officially broadcast.


    That day, Long Zichen had dinner at Jian Jie¡¯s house again. He hesitated to leave and insisted on staying until ten o¡¯clock to watch the show¡¯s premiere with Jian Jie. Unable to refuse Long Zichen¡¯s eager request, Jian Jie agreed since there were spare rooms and beds available.


    Long Zichen was thrilled and hurriedly cleaned up the guest room, humming a tune as he did so.


    Once he finished packing, Jian Jie had already showered and changed into cotton pajamas. Jian Jie¡¯s fair skin appeared even rosier after the bath, resembling a pink peach. With the room¡¯s heating on, he casually buttoned up a few buttons of his pajamas, revealing his collarbone, which distracted Long Zichen, who kept stealing glances. But he could only look and feel a sense of melancholy.


    Long Zichen rushed to take a shower, and then the two sat on the sofa to watch TV. It was also Jian Jie¡¯s first time seeing himself on television. He felt like he had been sitting there blankly, hardly speaking more than ten sentences. Why did he appear so foolish? It made him feel a bit embarrassed.


    Beside him, Long Zichen had fully engaged in his critique mode. Whenever Ding Jiangyu appeared on camera, he would curl his lips and criticize everything from his hairstyle to his shoes. He even took a jab at the host for not interviewing Jian Jie more. His feigned grievances amused Jian Jie. But as soon as Jian Jie appeared on screen, Long Zichen transformed into a different person. His eyes lit up, and he repeatedly praised Jian Jie, exclaiming how talented and exceptional he was.


    Watching the final part where Jian Jie and Ding Jiangyu sang together, Long Zichen became even more excited. ¡°It¡¯s an incredible scene! The singing is on point, and very captivating. If only they removed the piano player, it would be even more perfect!¡± Long Zichen couldn¡¯t help but feel that the beautiful picture was spoiled by the piano player.


    Jian Jie laughed and said, ¡°Without Ding Tianwang, they wouldn¡¯t have allowed me to perform.¡±


    ¡°Hmph, once you become a ratings guarantee, those producers will kneel down and beg for your exclusive interviews!¡± Long Zichen indulged in his dark thoughts once again.


    Kindly, Jian Jie said, ¡°They¡¯re all good people, Brother Chen. You¡¯re exaggerating too much. There¡¯s really no need for that¡­¡±


    ¡°Well, I was just letting my imagination run wild!¡±


    Unbeknownst to them, while the show was being broadcast, Jian Jie¡¯s online search volume skyrocketed, reaching tens of millions of hits. The traffic on Jian Jie¡¯s artist page on the company¡¯s website almost caused it to crash due to the overwhelming number of visitors.


    People discovered Jian Jie through the show, with some being drawn to his appearance, wondering when such a newcomer with an outstanding image had emerged. Others were captivated by his singing and believed him to be a talented artist who could both sing and write songs. Regardless of the reason, Jian Jie¡¯s popularity skyrocketed at an unimaginable speed. While the company expected the show to generate buzz after the broadcast, they hadn¡¯t anticipated such an astonishing impact.


    Please let me know if there are typos/mistakes in the chapter.


    Support me on ko-fi for faster releases ^^

 CH 30

    Translator: Lynn


    After watching the show, it was already eleven o¡¯clock. Normally, Jian Jie would have already gone to bed at this time, and he was now feeling so sleepy that he could hardly keep his eyes open. He said to Long Zichen, who had been in an oddly excited state, ¡°Brother Chen, the show is over. I¡¯m going to bed. Are you going to rest now?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll go to bed too. I have to get up early for work tomorrow. I usually go to bed early to be healthy!¡± Compared to staying up until two or three in the morning, going to bed at twelve seemed very early to Long Zichen. He didn¡¯t want to pretend to have a lot in common with Jian Jie, but he was determined to keep pace with him in all aspects.


    Jian Jie, feeling drowsy, nodded and said, ¡°Okay, good night then.¡±


    ¡°Good night, have sweet dreams!¡± Long Zichen wished him.


    ¡°You too.¡± Jian Jie opened the door to the master bedroom, suddenly feeling a little strange in his heart.


    Except for Shui Xiaoren, there were very few outsiders staying in his place. How long had it been since he said goodnight to relatives? It was after his eldest brother and sister-in-law Xinya got married. Although his eldest brother didn¡¯t want him to move out at all, and sister Xinya didn¡¯t mind, he felt it would be awkward to live with them. Besides, there was no spare room at home, so he decided to move back to live alone.


    At first, it was lonely, but he gradually got used to it. He always wanted to live independently, and he couldn¡¯t rely on his brother forever. He never thought he would become such good friends with someone like Long Zichen. Their temperaments were completely opposite, but they got along well. Long Zichen was lively and funny, and though he had his mood swings, he was considerate and supportive of Jian Jie. Jian Jie felt happy working with Long Zichen.


    Feeling content, Jian Jie went to bed and soon fell asleep. He didn¡¯t know that Long Zichen had been staring longingly at his door for a while before reluctantly heading back to the guest room.


    In his dream, Jian Jie recalled his childhood home with a green wall decorated with beautiful animal patterns. In the living room, his mother and father were playing the piano together, and his brother was bouncing around. As a little boy, he tried to climb up the piano bench with his short arms and legs stretched out. His mother lifted him up and placed his chubby little white hands on the black and white keys. He gleefully struck them, not in tune at all, but his father and mother smiled brightly.


    In the early morning, Jian Jie woke up. The room was still dark, and he couldn¡¯t tell the time. He lay there for a while, then turned on the desk lamp. The alarm clock by the bed showed that it was just five o¡¯clock.


    He got up, put on his long johns and pajamas, and opened the door to wash. As he entered the living room, he heard someone humming softly in the kitchen, accompanied by the sound of vegetables being cut. It was only then that Jian Jie remembered he wasn¡¯t alone at home last night.


    ¡°Brother Chen, you¡¯re up so early too.¡±


    Long Zichen was cutting purple potatoes and yams, which he bought at the supermarket yesterday. Rice was soaking in the pot, and he planned to make purple potato and yam porridge later. When he heard Jian Jie¡¯s greeting, Long Zichen smiled and said, ¡°I woke up early. I¡¯m making purple potato and yam porridge. Do you want to do some morning exercises later?¡±


    ¡°Sure.¡±


    ¡°Great, let¡¯s exercise together for a while. I set the rice cooker¡¯s timer, so we can have breakfast when we get back. I bought sliced bread and bacon yesterday. I¡¯ll heat it up when we return, and I¡¯ll fry an egg. Can we have this for breakfast today? Unless you¡¯d like something else.¡± Long Zichen thought that he might suffer from insomnia at night, but surprisingly, he fell asleep with a smile on his face, wasting his emotions without an outlet. Now, he was up early in the morning and cooking. He told himself that at this stage, he could only implement the ¡°grasp the heart first and grasp the stomach¡± policy.


    Jian Jie possessed basic emotional intelligence and didn¡¯t want to be picky. He replied with a smile, ¡°That¡¯s fine. Brother Chen can make anything delicious.¡±


    Long Zichen was overjoyed.


    After Jian Jie freshened up, they took Amu to the park for morning exercises. It was extremely cold outside, and the brisk morning wind made them all feel refreshed.


    After jogging for a few laps, Jian Jie went to the usual spot to practice singing, while Long Zichen held Amu¡¯s leash, enjoying the feeling of being the master for a while, but the sassy Amu ended up leading him around in a panic.


    After their morning exercise, while they were having breakfast, Long Zichen¡¯s phone rang. It was Tang Xiaohui calling.


    As soon as the phone connected, Tang Xiaohui bombarded Long Zichen with questions, ¡°Has Xiaochen woken up? Did you watch Xiaojie¡¯s show yesterday?¡±


    ¡°What¡¯s the matter? Is something wrong?¡± Long Zichen asked, sensing the urgency in her voice.


    ¡°I¡¯m about to explode here. I¡¯ve been calling Xiaojie early in the morning to inquire about various invitations. Last night, the number of hits on his homepage skyrocketed, and the company¡¯s website crashed. If you want to get up, hurry up and come to the company. I called Xiaojie to tell him to come over quickly. The company has an emergency meeting.¡± Tang Xiaohui didn¡¯t expect the response to be so overwhelming, but she was happy about it and saw it as a test of the company¡¯s emergency mechanisms. She believed there would be more situations like this in the future.


    Long Zichen took a bite of his bread, chewed it, and replied, ¡°Don¡¯t call anymore. Xiaojie and I are having breakfast, and we¡¯ll come to the company after we eat.¡±


    Tang Xiaohui was left speechless by their early breakfast together.


    After hanging up the phone, Long Zichen casually shared the news with Jian Jie, ¡°Miss Xiaohui called. Yesterday¡¯s show received a very good response.¡±


    ¡°Oh,¡± Jian Jie replied, not fully grasping the implications of the news.


    Long Zichen understood better and advised, ¡°Be mentally prepared for fame. With popularity come both benefits and challenges. Stay focused on your original intentions, and I believe you can handle it.¡±


    At that moment, Jian Jie was still unsure about the concept of fame, but he would soon learn what it truly meant to be ¡°popular¡± and the price that came with it. Every star had to walk this path, and though Jian Jie had taken fewer detours than others, he was not completely exempt from it.


    Before 8 o¡¯clock, Jian Jie and Long Zichen arrived at the company and were immediately summoned to an emergency meeting. Due to Jian Jie¡¯s unexpected success on the show, the company decided to analyze the development of the newcomers and plan their next steps.


    Several other newcomers were present, and Chai Xuyang, the manager, presented various statistics: Tong Liangliang¡¯s record sales had reached 250,000 so far, and the company decided to produce a second album for him immediately. The HR combination of Chen Hang and Tao Qianrui, who took the singing and dancing route, sold 170,000 records and had good sales for their peripheral products. They were receiving invitations for idol dramas, suggesting a possibility for diversified development. The only female newcomer, Fang Fei, had sold 100,000 albums so far.


    After discussing the others, Chai Xuyang inquired about the progress of Jian Jie¡¯s album, asking Long Zichen, ¡°Xiaochen, is Xiaojie¡¯s album almost ready? Can we release it next week? After yesterday¡¯s response, we need to capitalize on the momentum and release the album as soon as possible.¡±


    ¡°The post-production is almost done, and there¡¯s absolutely no problem with releasing it next week,¡± Long Zichen replied.


    Chai Xuyang nodded and continued, ¡°That¡¯s good. Xiaojie, after you release the album, I want you to pair up with Feifei for promotions. You¡¯re a little lacking in eloquence, and Feifei has performed very well in several promotions. The two of you together will make it less stressful. Xiaochen, I apologize for putting this on you, but why don¡¯t you create a duet song for Xiaojie and Feifei? A collaboration between schoolmates will be very popular.¡±


    Jian Jie had no objections and didn¡¯t understand Chai Xuyang¡¯s intention to create a scandal. Unaware of the potential rumors, Jian Jie agreed to the idea. On the other hand, Long Zichen was not pleased and questioned Chai Xuyang, ¡°Brother Chai, you¡¯re going too far. Does Xiaojie need to rely on gossip for success?¡±


    Chai Xuyang defended his approach, stating, ¡°Given the online connections between Xiaojie and Ding Tianwang, gossip with a girl will be better than rumors of him being associated with the king. Also, it¡¯s a good way to generate publicity. And don¡¯t tell me about your ¡®hunger sales¡¯ nonsense!¡±


    Although Long Zichen was unsatisfied, he knew that Chai Xuyang¡¯s approach was effective. Gossip with a female companion was less likely to turn into a scandal, and it was a tried and tested method for hype.


    After the meeting, Long Zichen rushed to Jian Jie, feeling remorseful, ¡°Xiao Jie, I¡¯m sorry. I couldn¡¯t persuade Brother Chai.¡±


    Jian Jie reassured him, ¡°It¡¯s okay, Brother Chen. We¡¯re just on the show together. No matter what others say, it¡¯s not true anyway.¡±


    ¡°But if we keep appearing together, the rumors might become true¡­¡± Long Zichen¡¯s tone turned sad.


    Jian Jie pondered for a moment and mentioned, ¡°I heard Xiao Liang mention once that Fang Fei and Tao Qianrui seem to be in love. Does the company allow that?¡± He quickly added, ¡°I¡¯m sorry for talking about their personal matters.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry, I can¡¯t do anything about it,¡± Long Zichen replied with emotion, wishing he could pair everyone up, as long as they didn¡¯t compete with him for Jian Jie.


    Please let me know if there are typos/mistakes in the chapter.


    Support me on ko-fi for faster releases ^^

 CH 31

    Translator: Lynn


    This year¡¯s winter seemed exceptionally cold, with two snowfalls occurring in January alone.


    At this time, it had been over a month since Jian Jie¡¯s first album, ¡°First Heartbeat,¡± was released. The album featured a total of eleven songs, mainly folk and pop. Six beautiful ballads like ¡°Dream,¡± and two sentimental lyrical-rock songs, ¡°Accident¡± and ¡°Runaway,¡± comprised the folk songs. Additionally, to cater to the mainstream market, there were three popular love songs, including the title track ¡°The First Heartbeat,¡± which was a duet with Fang Fei.


    The choice of this love song as the album¡¯s title was due to Jian Jie¡¯s fanbase, primarily consisting of students and young women, making it a popular choice among his female fans. Jian Jie loved all of his works, so he had no objections to whichever name was chosen.


    ¡°The First Heartbeat¡± album made a huge impact on the Chinese music world upon its release. Music critics praised it as the most outstanding folk album since Lu Lin¡¯s ¡°Time.¡± The six folk songs were deemed beautiful, simple, and harmonious, exuding a modern fashion sense. Jian Jie was hailed as the best newcomer of the year.


    The album also received enthusiastic responses from fans. Songs like ¡°First Heartbeat¡± and ¡°Escape¡± remained highly demanded on major radio stations, with fans praising ¡°Escape¡± as a heart-wrenching song.


    With such momentum, the album easily sold 500,000 copies within a month of its release, breaking the sales record set by Ding Jiangyu, a newcomer, and making Jian Jie the hottest newcomer in the industry.


    Jian Jie¡¯s success meant that the company no longer had to struggle to get him announcements. Program groups from various TV stations eagerly invited him to participate in their shows. Renowned magazines also wanted him to grace their covers or do exclusive interviews. This was the entertainment industry¡¯s way¡ªpopularity brings in high ratings for shows, and people only pay attention when popular stars are involved. Naturally, programs and publications would praise the most popular artists, and once someone lost their popularity, they would be treated differently.


    Jian Jie became the center of attention in the company, the top star. With his school on winter vacation, he had more time to promote the album. Whenever he attended an event, the company sent a makeup artist and costume designer to accompany him, and several staff members would accompany him in a nanny car to the events.


    Seeing the arrival of Li Xiaoqi, Jian Jie¡¯s exclusive agent, made Long Zichen feel a sense of crisis. Although Li Xiaoqi was an amiable uncle-like figure, Long Zichen was bothered by the prospect of another person taking care of Jian Jie.


    Long Zichen, who had suffered from the ¡°everyone wants to compete for Jian Jie¡± syndrome, was relieved when he learned that Li Xiaoqi was married. He tried to establish a good relationship with Li Xiaoqi to gain insights into various situations.


    However, Uncle Li Xiaoqi didn¡¯t take Long Zichen seriously, treating him as a producer who was a bit nervous but took good care of Jian Jie.


    Despite not having experience with big-name artists before, Li Xiaoqi¡¯s years of experience in the industry proved helpful. With his guidance, Jian Jie¡¯s work in the entertainment industry became more smooth and organized. He no longer needed Long Zichen¡¯s intervention in company matters, which left Long Zichen feeling somewhat empty and lonely.


    Li Xiaoqi was supportive of the arrangement between Jian Jie and Fang Fei, as they made a great on-screen pair. Both of them denied any romantic involvement, but the hosts enjoyed teasing them, leading to funny reactions from Jian Jie.


    On the internet, fans seemed to enjoy the pairing of the ¡°golden boy and the jade girl,¡± and Long Zichen was irritated to see opposing comments about Jian Jie on fan websites and forums. He would often leave defensive comments and found himself embroiled in arguments with other fans.


    On a snowy day after Jian Jie and Fang Fei finished recording a music program together, they came out of the TV station building to see a white landscape outside. Even though Jian Jie was dressed in a thick cotton windbreaker and a plaid scarf, he couldn¡¯t help but shiver in the cold wind.


    He, Fang Fei, and his assistant Zhou Jia quickly boarded the company¡¯s nanny car. Zhou Jia had prepared some hot cocoa in a thermos cup, taking advantage of the car¡¯s heater to keep it warm. He handed the cups to both Jian Jie and Fang Fei to drink. After a tiring hour of recording, dealing with the host, and singing while playing the guitar, they needed something to recharge.


    ¡°Thank you, Brother Zhou,¡± Jian Jie and Fang Fei expressed their gratitude as they took the cups.


    ¡°No problem,¡± Zhou Jia replied, ¡°Xiaojie, you have another rehearsal at the company this afternoon and prepare for next week¡¯s fan meeting.¡±


    ¡°Yeah,¡± Jian nodded.


    Fang Fei, listening to their schedule, couldn¡¯t help but envy Jian Jie. She had to run two radio announcements in the afternoon despite her album¡¯s success. It was not as easy for her as it was for Jian Jie. However, she felt content because her partnership with Jian Jie had opened up opportunities for her, like appearing on today¡¯s music show.


    Jian Jie smiled and responded, ¡°I have my limitations too. I can¡¯t handle a show all by myself, so I envy you as well.¡±


    Fang Fei playfully complimented him, saying, ¡°Brother Xiaojie, you¡¯re so adorable. Girls really adore you.¡±


    Jian Jie seemed a bit puzzled by the way girls adored him. He didn¡¯t fully comprehend their psychology and was uncertain about how to respond when fans expressed their passionate love for him. Many stars would respond with ¡°I love you too,¡± but he felt a bit embarrassed doing so. Instead, he usually thanked them sincerely for liking his music.


    Upon returning to the company, the doorman informed Jian Jie that Assistant Wang wanted to see him in the vocal music classroom. Apparently, Director Long was in a bad mood again. The doorman mentioned that Assistant Wang, who was Long Zichen¡¯s new assistant, couldn¡¯t handle Long Zichen¡¯s anger just yet.


    Jian Jie acknowledged the message and headed directly to Long Zichen¡¯s location without going back to the lounge. He didn¡¯t want to keep everyone waiting anxiously. Jian Jie felt a strong sense of responsibility, similar to that of a firefighter.


    Please let me know if there are typos/mistakes in the chapter.


    Support me on ko-fi for faster releases ^^

 CH 32

    Translator: Lynn


    From a distance, Jian Jie could hear Long Zichen¡¯s angry scolding from inside the vocal music classroom:


    ¡°I know that there are always a couple of worthless people in every group. Go look in the mirror and see if you¡¯re even qualified to be one! The interviewer didn¡¯t show up, how could you be so foolish? The best ones have already been chosen!¡±


    This wasn¡¯t the first time they had encountered such a situation. Jian Jie waited outside for a while until Long Zichen finished venting his frustration before pushing open the door and entering the room with a smile, greeting everyone, ¡°Brother Chen, are you busy? I hope I¡¯m not disturbing.¡±


    ¡°Hello, Brother Xiaojie,¡± the newcomers greeted Jian Jie warmly. In the industry, being a likable person is often more important than talent. Jian Jie, being the popular figure he is, naturally earned respect from the newcomers, who referred to him as ¡°Brother¡± despite him being younger than them.


    The anger on Long Zichen¡¯s face had yet to subside when he asked Jian Jie with a sullen expression, ¡°You¡¯re back. How did the recording go?¡±


    ¡°It went well. The host asked me to sing two more new songs today,¡± Jian Jie replied, noticing the expectant gazes of the newcomers. He took out his wallet and handed two one-hundred-yuan bills to one of the younger newcomers, saying, ¡°Go and buy some milk tea for everyone from the nearby shop. If there¡¯s any money left, get some snacks too. You¡¯ve all been practicing for a long time. Take a break, Brother Chen, is that okay with you?¡±


    Long Zichen glanced at the inexperienced newcomers and nodded, ¡°Alright, you guys take a break and think about what I just said.¡±


    Grateful for Jian Jie¡¯s thoughtfulness, the newcomers thanked him as the young boy quickly took the money and called a couple of others to join him for the shopping trip. They knew it was a rare chance to get some fresh air, and they wanted to make the most of it before Jian Jie left.


    Jian Jie took a seat in front of the classroom while Long Zichen noticed his tired expression and suggested, ¡°If you¡¯re tired, you can rest in my office instead of sitting here.¡±


    ¡°I woke up a bit early this morning, so I¡¯m not very sleepy now,¡± Jian Jie replied, leaning back on the chair. He observed the newcomers chattering in groups of twos and threes and asked Long Zichen, ¡°Did you bring any good newcomers this time, Brother Chen?¡±


    ¡°It depends on what you mean by ¡®good.¡¯ Compared to you, they¡¯re nearly tone-deaf,¡± Long Zichen remarked with a mocking tone.


    ¡°Brother Chen, you¡¯re too biased¡­¡± Jian Jie chuckled helplessly. ¡°I also want to hear some criticism.¡±


    ¡°What¡¯s there to criticize? Has someone said something about you?¡± Long Zichen¡¯s protective instincts immediately kicked in. After punishing so many who dared to speak ill of Jian Jie, he couldn¡¯t help but worry that someone had been disrespectful.


    Jian Jie quickly clarified, ¡°No, I just want to know what flaws there are in my music. Brother Chen, you always praise me, and it¡¯s turning into ¡®excessive praise¡¯!¡± He had been hearing nothing but compliments from Long Zichen, and while he appreciated the encouragement, he also wanted to know his areas of improvement.


    Long Zichen, however, didn¡¯t accept the lesson humbly. He responded, ¡°Being humble is good as a person, but in music, be yourself. Don¡¯t care about what others think; just express your true thoughts. I know you¡¯ve been facing a creative block lately, but it¡¯s normal. Don¡¯t worry too much about others; otherwise, you¡¯ll lose yourself in the end.¡±


    Jian Jie nodded thoughtfully. During this period, he felt like he had been pressuring himself to create music, and as a result, he hadn¡¯t been able to write a satisfactory piece for over two weeks. Maybe he should try to be more authentic in his work.


    ¡°Okay, Brother Chen, I¡¯ll think about it,¡± Jian Jie said.


    ¡°Have you been feeling a lot of pressure lately?¡± Long Zichen asked, looking at Jian Jie with concern. ¡°You haven¡¯t been putting on weight every day, and we have the fan club next week, so you¡¯ll be even busier and more tired. How about taking a day off tomorrow and going to the hot springs? A hot spring resort sent Chaozi a few invitations. He¡¯s planning to have fun with his girlfriend. Why don¡¯t we all go together and relax? Soaking in the hot springs is really comfortable!¡± Long Zichen suggested, not planning to take advantage of the situation to peep at Jian Jie naked or anything, but genuinely wanting to help him relax. He didn¡¯t think much about it at all!


    Long Zichen¡¯s hopeful expression made the newcomers behind him shiver, and even the hot milk tea couldn¡¯t keep them warm. They sincerely admired Jian Jie for being unfazed by Long Zichen¡¯s intensity and for being dedicated to maintaining world peace despite facing zombie dragons. Sacrificing one of them would benefit thousands of people¡­


    Unaware of the sympathetic admiration he was receiving, Jian Jie happily agreed to Long Zichen¡¯s suggestion, ¡°I¡¯ve never been to a hot spring before, only seen them on TV.¡±


    ¡°Then it¡¯s a perfect time to experience it. It¡¯s settled!¡± Long Zichen, having fulfilled his wish, felt a glimmer of happiness.


    But Jian Jie inquired again, ¡°Brother Chen, do you have any extra coupons? Ah Ren has never been to a hot spring, so I¡¯m not sure if he¡¯d like to join us.¡±


    ¡°Oh, what a coincidence, I only had four coupons. Why don¡¯t I invite him for the next visit? Chaozi is planning to propose to his girlfriend, so we should keep it intimate to avoid making her feel embarrassed,¡± Long Zichen replied with genuine sincerity. He was already quite smitten with Shui Xiaoren.


    ¡°Never mind then,¡± Jian Jie replied, distracted by the news of Yuan Chao¡¯s proposal. ¡°President Yuan is proposing? I can hardly believe it.¡±


    ¡°I can¡¯t believe someone is willing to marry that guy,¡± Long Zichen sighed, shaking his head. ¡°Another good girl is about to be ruined.¡±


    Meanwhile, Yuan Chao, holding the proposal ring with a smirk, sneezed a few times happily, thinking, ¡°Jing Jing must be thinking of me!¡± Jing Jing is, of course, his girlfriend.


    Two days later, Yuan Chao, along with his girlfriend, Jian Jie, and Long Zichen, set off for the hot spring resort together.


    Yuan Chao¡¯s girlfriend, Ye Jing, was a dignified and beautiful woman, perfectly complementing Yuan Chao. Jian Jie didn¡¯t know Ye Jing, but Long Zichen knew her well. Ye Jing was the successor of Zhongtian Technology, a renowned brand of internet products like personal computers and mobile phones in China. At a young age, Ye Jing had already taken on the position of vice president in the company, and she was leagues ahead of Yuan Chao in terms of success and status.


    Zhongtian Technology was about to launch their latest music phone, and their music phones were always popular among young people. Endorsing their products would be an excellent promotional opportunity. Although Jian Jie had received many endorsement invitations, he hadn¡¯t accepted any so far, as none of the brands seemed suitable. The company was very cautious in protecting Jian Jie¡¯s image, preferring to avoid any endorsements that didn¡¯t align with his image.


    Being a reputable brand, Zhongtian naturally had an excellent reputation and product quality. Their mobile phone products also fit well with Jian Jie¡¯s image and temperament. Long Zichen intended to pitch Jian Jie to Ye Jing, carrying Jian Jie¡¯s album and giving one to her as well.


    Yuan Chao playfully got angry and accused, ¡°Dachen, you¡¯re too sneaky! You¡¯re using Xiaojie as bait to snatch my Jingjing away!¡± He then rushed towards Ye Jing, burying his face in her chest and pretending to cry, ¡°Jingjing, Dachen is a bad guy! Don¡¯t let him deceive you.¡± He whispered and rubbed his face on her chest, not hiding the fact that he was trying to be affectionate.


    Everyone was used to Yuan Chao¡¯s occasional antics, and Ye Jing calmly pushed his head away, smiling as she said to Long Zichen, ¡°Thank you for the album. I¡¯ve actually listened to Jian Jie¡¯s song ¡®First Heartbeat,¡¯ and it sounds amazing.¡±


    It was clear that Ye Jing¡¯s words hinted at considering Jian Jie as their spokesperson. Although Jian Jie might not have fully grasped the implication, he simply replied with a ¡°Thank you.¡± However, Long Zichen was thrilled. His effort to persuade Yuan Chao to join them in the hot spring resort had paid off. After all, the four invitation coupons cost a considerable sum of money.


    Please let me know if there are typos/mistakes in the chapter.


    Support me on ko-fi for faster releases ^^

 CH 33

    Translator: Lynn


    Long Zichen¡¯s decision to take a roundabout approach was driven by the fact that he knew someone who had received an endorsement but was hesitant to bring it up to Yuan Chao. Given the criticism Yuan Chao faced due to his relationship with Ye Jing, he wanted to avoid any business connections with her family, as it might give the impression that he pursued Ye Jing for personal gain. Yuan Chao¡¯s current infatuation made him unreliable in handling such matters, so Long Zichen had to make some sacrifices. His connection with Jian Jie seemed like a fortunate coincidence.


    Jian Jie and Yuan Chao were blissfully unaware of these complexities and were enjoying themselves. It was the first time Jian Jie had visited a hot spring resort since he used to travel with his elder brother, but their outings together had become less frequent due to his brother¡¯s increasing workload.


    The resort, spanning over 100,000 square meters, was surrounded by mountains and sea, offering breathtaking scenery. With a fresh snowfall, everything was draped in a silver-white blanket. After checking in, they took a tour in a sightseeing car before heading to their villa suites. Long Zichen had booked two villa suites for two people and planned a two-day, one-night itinerary for the four of them. They would indulge in an indoor couple¡¯s bath and spa in the afternoon, followed by evening entertainment, a medicinal bath the next day, and finally, return to their daily lives feeling content.


    Over lunch at the resort¡¯s restaurant, Yuan Chao was affectionately wrapped up with Ye Jing in their own little world. Before they left, he slyly winked at Long Zichen and whispered, ¡°Brother, enjoy yourselves, but don¡¯t stare too much. Haha!¡±


    Concerned about Jian Jie¡¯s presence, Long Zichen had to suppress his anger and secretly thought of giving Yuan Chao a piece of his mind later. He then turned to Jian Jie, realizing that there would be great benefits in the future, and smiled brightly, ¡°Let¡¯s not bother with him and just enjoy our hot springs together.¡±


    ¡°Sure,¡± Jian Jie agreed with a smile.


    At the hot spring center, they were guided to a reserved couple¡¯s bath to maintain privacy as Jian Jie was a public figure. The couple¡¯s bath was a separate closed room of around one to two hundred square meters with a transparent roof, creating a warm and bright atmosphere.


    Before getting into the hot spring, they had to rinse their bodies. Without realizing that someone was behind him and about to turn green with envy, Jian Jie undressed in the locker room without any hesitation and prepared to take a shower. With his broad shoulders, narrow hips, and well-toned body from sports, he had an enviable figure.


    This sight caught Long Zichen off guard, and his blood rushed to his head. He felt dizzy, unable to move his eyes away from Jian Jie¡¯s body. It was unusual for him because he had bathed in public areas before, but today seemed different. His gaze kept shifting between Jian Jie¡¯s legs, comparing himself subconsciously. His imagination ran wild, and the more he thought about it, the thirstier he felt.


    ¡°Brother Chen, are you okay?¡± Jian Jie noticed that Long Zichen was staring at him without undressing for a long time.


    Long Zichen snapped out of his daze and quickly undressed. Seeing Jian Jie¡¯s pure and tender body and then looking at his own, he couldn¡¯t help but feel frustrated for lacking pectoral muscles and a proper posterior.


    Suppressing his excitement, Long Zichen joined Jian Jie in the shower. Watching crystal droplets of water slide down Jian Jie¡¯s body through the steam made his heartstrings almost snap again. It was like having a delicious cake in front of him, but he was only allowed to look and not touch. The torture was cruel, making him feel even more restless.


    ¡°I shouldn¡¯t have looked!¡± Long Zichen thought to himself, happy yet melancholic.


    Even Jian Jie sensed that something was off with Long Zichen today. He kept looking at him with strange eyes. Could Brother Chen be jealous of my figure? Jian Jie could only speculate.


    Under the shower, Long Zichen¡¯s burning eyes remained fixated on Jian Jie¡¯s body, making him uncomfortable. Jian Jie quickly wrapped himself up in a bathrobe, and Long Zichen sighed, looking away reluctantly.


    ¡°Why does Brother Chen keep staring at me?¡± Jian Jie asked, feeling a bit embarrassed.


    ¡°I can¡¯t help but admire your great figure!¡± Long Zichen responded candidly, appearing entirely innocent. Despite his internal turmoil, he maintained a calm facade. Jian Jie was puzzled by his response.


    The two of them put on their slippers and stepped outside. The water was clear like the blue sky, adorned with bright flower petals. Beside the bath were drinks and a row of red candles, creating a romantic atmosphere for couples.


    ¡°Why is this place so beautiful?¡± Jian Jie expressed his surprise, unaware of the ulterior motives behind the setup.


    Long Zichen playfully opened his eyes wide and teased, ¡°They probably know you¡¯re a big star, so they arranged all this to please you. Look how popular you are! When you become a superstar in the future, you¡¯ll be picked up by a private plane wherever you go. The red carpet will be rolled out to your door, and you¡¯ll live in a presidential suite with thousands of fans outside. Red wine will be poured for you¡ªthat¡¯s the style! So you have to work hard!¡±


    Jian Jie blushed with embarrassment and replied with a bitter expression, ¡°But I prefer drinking fruit juice. Isn¡¯t that more down-to-earth? Let¡¯s forget about opening bottles and pouring thousands.¡±


    Long Zichen exaggeratedly exclaimed, ¡°Wow, you¡¯re too extravagant!¡±


    Amidst laughter, they sprinkled some hot spring water on their bodies before getting into the pool. The water temperature was pleasantly warm, soothing their pores and making them feel incredibly comfortable. However, Jian Jie remained in his bathrobe, and Long Zichen regretted his intense gaze from earlier. He was concerned that Jian Jie might have noticed his reaction but also hoped that Jian Jie could understand his intentions¡ªa conflicted state of mind.


    Jian Jie playfully extended his hands and feet in the water, smiling widely. He said, ¡°This feels amazing, Brother Chen. Thank you for bringing me here to enjoy this.¡±


    Long Zichen was captivated by his smile and couldn¡¯t help but glance at Jian Jie¡¯s delicate calves and feet. He swallowed hard and responded, ¡°No need to thank me. I¡¯m the one who should be grateful. You¡¯re so busy, yet you came out to play with me. I¡¯m the one who¡¯s happy!¡±


    At that moment, Jian Jie suddenly felt something tickling his feet and exclaimed, ¡°What¡¯s touching my feet?¡±


    Upon closer inspection, Long Zichen smiled and said, ¡°It¡¯s fine. They¡¯re just a few small fish nibbling on the dead skin on your feet. Don¡¯t be scared.¡±


    Jian Jie noticed the little fish and laughed at his own momentary fright, saying, ¡°I got startled. I thought something was in the pond. It¡¯s amusing how these little fish eat dead skin. It¡¯s a fun experience.¡± He happily stretched his feet out, allowing the fish to swim around, tickling him, and adding to the fun.


    Long Zichen couldn¡¯t help feeling a bit envious. How dare those fish touch Xiaojie? It was too much! He moved closer to Jian Jie, pretending to casually touch his calf with his foot, and said in jest, ¡°Give me a couple of those fish to play with. They¡¯re biased and ignoring me because you¡¯re too handsome.¡±


    ¡°Are you sure it¡¯s not because of your athlete¡¯s foot?¡± Jian Jie teased.


    Long Zichen pretended to be offended and said, ¡°Xiaojie, you¡¯re slandering me. My feet may stink a little, but I don¡¯t have athlete¡¯s foot!¡± He looked wronged, like a cute little creature that could charm anyone.


    After soaking for about 20 or 30 minutes, they got out of the pool to drink some water before soaking again. Eventually, they washed up and put on clean bathrobes to head to the spa.


    While they were enjoying an essential oil massage, a waiter came to inform them that Yuan Chao wanted to speak with them. Long Zichen grinned mischievously, excited about the opportunity to witness Yuan Chao seeking their help. After all, Yuan Chao deserved a taste of his own medicine for his earlier teasing.


    The annual Children¡¯s Day party is here again, and the kindergarten is filled with children wearing red cheeks and beauty marks on their brows. Among them are four-year-old Jian Jie and five-year-old Shui Xiaoren. The teachers say, ¡°Let¡¯s invite the children from Class Two to perform the dance ¡®Flying Butterflies¡¯!¡± Baby Jian Jie and Baby Shui Xiaoren, with little wings on their backs, step onto the stage with their classmates. They stretch their arms, wiggle their bottoms, and spin around¡ªbut oh no! Their wings fall off! Baby Jian Jie stops and stares at the fallen wings, while Baby Shui Xiaoren also pauses and peers at them. Throughout the show, they both stand there, fixated on the pair of wings¡­


    Please let me know if there are typos/mistakes in the chapter.


    Support me on ko-fi for faster releases ^^

 CH 34

    Translator: Lynn


    Long Zichen stared at Yuan Chao with a mocking expression and said, ¡°Oh, so the great Young Master Yuan, who was having a good time, has now come to us losers, huh?¡±


    ¡°Hahaha, my friend, that doesn¡¯t matter!¡± Yuan Chao chuckled heartily, and then blushed shyly, ¡°Well, Jingjing is currently at the spa, so I came to see you guys. Dachen, I¡¯ve made up my mind¡ªI¡¯m going to propose to Jingjing tonight. I need your and Xiaojie¡¯s help to design a romantic, beautiful, and touching marriage proposal ceremony. I hope she¡¯ll be moved to marry me immediately!¡± He stared at Long Zichen with a sincere and eager look.


    Although Long Zichen was itching to take revenge on Yuan Chao, he couldn¡¯t ignore his lifelong happiness. He rolled his eyes playfully and set some conditions, ¡°I can help you, and I¡¯ll do it for free, but you do realize how much my Xiaojie¡¯s appearance fee is, right? It¡¯s 400,000 yuan, and don¡¯t think that¡¯s expensive¡ªit¡¯s the discounted price for friends!¡±


    ¡°Is there a boss price?¡± Yuan Chao asked pitifully.


    ¡°Alright, let¡¯s round it up, and for you, that will be 999 yuan¡ªafter all, you¡¯re the boss,¡± Long Zichen replied with a mischievous grin.


    ¡°¡­You¡¯re really exploiting me here! Help me come up with a good idea, and I promise you¡¯ll get another MV for your Xiaojie later!¡± Yuan Chao exclaimed.


    ¡°That¡¯s a deal.¡± Long Zichen smiled slyly.


    As Jian Jie enjoyed a relaxing massage, Long Zichen returned with a proud expression.


    Jian Jie asked, ¡°Is something wrong with Mr. Yuan?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ve already arranged for both of us to propose to him. Your task is quite challenging. Chaozi¡¯s lifelong happiness depends on you!¡± Long Zichen replied.


    Having never experienced a marriage proposal scene before, Jian Jie was quite intrigued. He sat up and made a sincere promise, ¡°I¡¯ll complete the task!¡± His innocent demeanor melted Long Zichen¡¯s heart.


    After finishing her spa, Ye Jing noticed that Yuan Chao was missing. She calmly headed to the resting area, where she sat down and had a drink. Shortly after, a waiter handed her a powder blue card with the following message: ¡°My most elegant, beautiful, and gentle little Kiss, please come to the resort¡¯s bar, where your most handsome, kind, and loyal super brother is waiting for you~~¡± The card had several hearts drawn at the end.


    Ye Jing chuckled and shook her head helplessly before picking up the card and walking towards the bar Yuan Chao mentioned.


    The bar was dimly lit, but as Ye Jing arrived, soft music began to play. Yuan Chao was singing softly, with Jian Jie playing the piano to accompany him, and the band behind them providing the instrumental background.


    ¡°I can¡¯t believe you¡¯re here with me. I can¡¯t believe you¡¯re right in front of my eyes. Your smile captivated my gaze, your voice stirred my heart, and I can¡¯t calm down¡­ The sweet moment begins now.¡±


    They sang Jian Jie¡¯s song ¡°The First Heartbeat,¡± and several spotlights focused on Yuan Chao. He held flowers, sang, and walked towards Ye Jing.


    ¡°Jingjing, I was enchanted by your presence when we first met. You¡¯re beautiful and strong, my dream lover. I know I¡¯m not mature enough, but from now on, every day, I¡¯ll make sure you¡¯re happy. I¡¯ll laugh with you when you¡¯re happy and make you laugh when you¡¯re sad. I won¡¯t let you face any troubles. So, marry me!¡±


    Yuan Chao knelt on one knee, presenting the ring to Ye Jing. The bar was filled with the graceful melody of ¡°Dream Wedding,¡± and numerous white sparklers bloomed around them.


    Although Ye Jing had seen Yuan Chao¡¯s proposal arrangement, her eyes couldn¡¯t help but turn red. She hadn¡¯t cried in twenty years. Being intelligent and capable, she found it challenging to trust others easily. However, with this man, she felt an unmatched comfort and didn¡¯t need to worry about anything. He might not be the ideal marriage partner, but he was definitely the one who loved her the most.


    Ye Jing never hesitated when it came to making decisions. She accepted the ring and nodded, ¡°I¡¯m willing.¡±


    ¡°Ah, Jingjing, I love you!¡± Yuan Chao rushed to hug Ye Jing, his heart brimming with joy. He excitedly called out, ¡°Dachen, Xiaojie, come and see, Jingjing agreed!¡± He wanted to share his happiness with his best friends.


    Ye Jing couldn¡¯t help rolling her eyes. Was he trying to make people watch the excitement? But for the sake of today¡¯s happiness, she forgave these rascals.


    The behind-the-scenes heroes, Long Zichen and Jian Jie had already left the bar. They didn¡¯t want to disturb the couple¡¯s private moment. Inspired by the proposal, they both felt uplifted. The sun had set by now, and they strolled aimlessly along the resort¡¯s path. The surrounding green trees and artificial hills were dusted with white snow, and neither of them spoke, still relishing the exciting scene they had witnessed.


    They found a small pavilion and settled down. Long Zichen couldn¡¯t help but exclaim, ¡°I never expected Chaozi to find such a stunning beauty. Hey, it¡¯s quite surprising.¡±


    Jian Jie was taken aback, ¡°Does Brother Chen also have someone he likes?¡± he asked with a tinge of surprise. He never thought that Long Zichen would have romantic feelings for someone, especially since Long Zichen had never confided in him about it. As close friends, Jian Jie felt a little uneasy in his heart, as if he had been kept in the dark, which left him feeling unhappy.


    While still captivated by the touching scene of Yuan Chao¡¯s proposal, Long Zichen¡¯s heart was brimming with emotions. He yearned to hold hands and embrace the person he cared about, to be close and intimate. Despite their closeness, he and Xiaojie had to suppress their feelings, and the internal conflict was deeply uncomfortable.


    There are moments when people lose control of their emotions and do things they can hardly believe they would. And even though they may later regret it, in that moment, they seem to have forgotten all their fears and inhibitions.


    As Long Zichen looked into Jian Jie¡¯s innocent and bright eyes, he suddenly felt an overwhelming urge to express his feelings. Why did he always cower and shy away? Why not try to be brave for once? Perhaps Xiaojie also felt something for him. With this thought, Long Zichen gathered his courage and held Jian Jie¡¯s hand, stammering, ¡°Xiaojie, there¡¯s something I¡¯ve wanted to tell you for a long time, but I was afraid that you would be upset with me, so I never dared to say it.¡±


    Jian Jie was puzzled, waiting anxiously to hear some shocking secret, when suddenly Long Zichen¡¯s face turned red and he blurted out loudly, ¡°Xiaojie, I like you. I don¡¯t even know when it started. I think about you every day and yearn to be with you. Xiaojie, will you give me a chance? I promise to always treat you well.¡±


    Jian Jie¡¯s eyes widened, and he was already too stunned to react. Long Zichen¡¯s confession seemed to have lost its original meaning, and his mind was now a jumble of confusion, unable to comprehend what Long Zichen¡¯s words truly meant.


    ¡°Does Brother Chen like me?¡± Jian Jie was struck by immense shock, and it took a while before he withdrew his hand, as if he had been electrocuted. He stood up and retreated to the side, speaking in panic, ¡°Brother Chen, we, we¡¯re both men! Do you mean you like men?¡±


    Seeing Jian Jie avoiding him, Long Zichen felt a sudden pang in his heart. He replied sadly, ¡°Yes, I know. I¡¯ve never liked anyone before, but I genuinely like you.¡±


    Jian Jie was deeply upset. He had always thought that Long Zichen¡¯s care and attention were due to their close friendship, but it turned out that Long Zichen liked him romantically? He had never encountered such a situation before, especially with someone he respected like an older brother. He could only stammer, ¡°But, I don¡¯t like men, Brother Chen.¡±


    ¡°Understood. I¡¯m sorry, Xiaojie. You don¡¯t need to be afraid; I won¡¯t do anything to you.¡± Seeing the fear in Jian Jie¡¯s eyes, Long Zichen regretted his confession. He felt helpless, sitting there and gazing deeply at Jian Jie. ¡°I was too selfish. I didn¡¯t want you to suffer. It¡¯s okay if you don¡¯t feel the same way; can we still be friends?¡±


    Jian Jie turned his head away, giving an indifferent response. He no longer dared to look at Long Zichen and had the urge to run away as far as possible.


    Seeing Jian Jie¡¯s thoughts, Long Zichen¡¯s heart tightened. He said dejectedly, ¡°Go back and rest first. I¡¯ll stay here for a while.¡±


    Jian Jie nodded, feeling uneasy seeing Long Zichen so downhearted, but he genuinely couldn¡¯t accept romantic feelings for a man. He felt scared at the moment.


    Jian Jie pursed his lips and left the pavilion in silence. Long Zichen watched his departure, feeling regret and sadness engulfing him.


    ¡°In the future, we may not even be friends,¡± Long Zichen thought, feeling immense sorrow. He wished he could turn back time, for he would never have chosen to confess if it meant being hated by Xiaojie now.


    Please let me know if there are typos/mistakes in the chapter.


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 CH 35

    Translator: Lynn


    Jian Jie rushed back to the room, his emotions in turmoil. Love was unfamiliar territory for him, and he had always believed it to be a connection between a man and a woman. The idea of two men having romantic feelings scared him. Sitting on the sofa, he felt distressed about what to do. Long Zichen had confessed to him, and he didn¡¯t want to lose such a wonderful friend.


    He tried to make sense of his thoughts, but the doorbell interrupted him. Expecting Long Zichen, Jian Jie was uncertain how to face him, feeling disturbed. However, it turned out to be a hotel waiter delivering his favorite food. Jian Jie realized that Long Zichen had ordered the meal for him, which made him feel a bit sad. Long Zichen was so good to him, but he found it strange and awkward to be in a relationship with him; it was hard to accept.


    Quietly finishing the meal, Jian Jie waited until 9 o¡¯clock, but Long Zichen still hadn¡¯t returned. He hesitated to send a text message but was unsure of what to say. He didn¡¯t know how to comfort Long Zichen, fearing that his words might worsen the situation. But before he could do anything, Long Zichen sent a text: ¡°You can rest after eating; I probably won¡¯t be back tonight.¡±


    Jian Jie was lost in thought for a moment, then turned off his phone, and went to take a shower before going to sleep. He was tired and emotionally drained.


    Meanwhile, Long Zichen didn¡¯t receive a response from Jian Jie and felt increasingly frustrated. He thought Xiaojie didn¡¯t want to talk to him.


    On the other side, Ye Jing and the drowsy Yuan Chao were sitting opposite Long Zichen at the bar. They had dinner and were relaxed. Yuan Chao teased Long Zichen, recalling how he had previously denied his feelings for Jian Jie and now had been rejected. He found it amusing.


    Long Zichen glared at Yuan Chao resentfully, but Yuan Chao was unfazed. He laughed, saying, ¡°You had a lapse in judgment, right? Although you¡¯re envious of my happiness, don¡¯t worry about it. You had an impulsive confession! You¡¯re not as handsome or charming as I am. Moreover, you¡¯re a man, and you¡¯re much older than Xiaojie. It¡¯s natural for him to say no!¡±


    Long Zichen felt defeated and desperate. He wanted to cry, but he had to admit that Yuan Chao was right. How could he expect Xiaojie to accept him? He regretted his impulsivity and now couldn¡¯t even be friends.


    Long Zichen said, ¡°I can¡¯t take it anymore. Go to sleep, and please don¡¯t flaunt your affection in front of me!¡± Then he added, ¡°Also, don¡¯t go around talking about this. It could tarnish Xiaojie¡¯s reputation.¡±


    Yuan Chao patted Long Zichen in an old-fashioned manner, saying, ¡°You¡¯re so devoted. Learn from me and put more effort into it. Xiaojie has a good temper, and he might accept you if you soften his heart.¡±


    Ye Jing also encouraged Long Zichen, ¡°I heard from Chao about you and Jian Jie. I can see that you¡¯re sincere. What Chao said is actually reasonable. I hope you get your wish.¡±


    Long Zichen forced a smile, saying, ¡°Thank you for being with me until now. Go rest; I¡¯ll sit here for a while.¡±


    As they left, Long Zichen sat until midnight before returning to the guest room. Upon entering, he found Jian Jie sleeping soundly on the bed. He stood there, gazing at Jian Jie¡¯s adorable sleeping face, feeling a pang of sorrow.


    He thought, ¡°You¡¯re really ruthless, rejecting me without any room for negotiation, and sleeping so peacefully!¡± But he couldn¡¯t deny that the young man in front of him was beautiful and adorable. He deserved all the happiness in the world. Even though Jian Jie didn¡¯t feel the same way about him, there was nothing he could do about it.


    Feeling tired, Long Zichen booked a couple¡¯s luxury suite initially, hoping to have a close connection with Xiaojie. However, he realized that Jian Jie might be scared upon seeing him beside him tomorrow, so he decided to sleep on the sofa instead. He felt like he had shot himself in the foot.


    He covered himself with a blanket and lay there facing Jian Jie, staring at him until the early hours of the morning, unable to fall asleep. The scene of Jian Jie¡¯s rejection replayed in his mind, and he feared that Jian Jie would avoid him like a snake the next day. His heart was filled with sadness, but he was unwilling to give up. As Yuan Chao had suggested, he wanted to win Jian Jie over with his genuine feelings.


    However, reality had more blows in store for him.


    The following day, Jian Jie woke up and saw Long Zichen sleeping awkwardly on the opposite sofa. He felt a pang of guilt, guessing that Long Zichen chose the sofa to avoid any discomfort due to him. He got dressed quietly and went downstairs to have breakfast, receiving a call from his elder brother.


    ¡°Jiejie, are you busy today?¡± His elder brother sounded happy on the other end of the line.


    ¡°I¡¯m on vacation today, not busy. Is there something you need, big brother?¡± Jian Jie replied.


    ¡°Just got the notice last night. I didn¡¯t want to disturb you while you were asleep. I¡¯m coming back today. I¡¯ve already bought a plane ticket and will be landing in Anping in about an hour. Let¡¯s have a gathering at home,¡± his elder brother said.


    Jian Jie was overjoyed to hear his brother was coming back, ¡°Great! I¡¯ll pick you up at the airport.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s wonderful.¡± His brother was equally excited. ¡°But you¡¯re a big star now; won¡¯t it be inconvenient? The airport might get crowded with fans.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry, I¡¯m not that famous yet. If I wear a scarf to cover up, no one will recognize me.¡±


    ¡°Alright then. I¡¯ll bring you a gift as well.¡±


    Jian Jie arranged to meet his brother at the airport, feeling happy about the upcoming reunion. Even the previous troubles seemed to fade away. He quickly had a light breakfast and went back to the guest room. Seeing Long Zichen still asleep, he left a note for him on the coffee table, informing him about his plans. Then he called a taxi and headed straight to the airport, looking forward to seeing his elder brother after several months of separation.


    When Long Zichen woke up, the room was empty, and he found Jian Jie¡¯s farewell letter. He felt a wave of sadness: did Xiaojie not want to see him at all?


    In truth, Jian Jie was indeed avoiding Long Zichen. He had a smooth life and had never experienced such a situation before. Not knowing how to handle it, he chose to escape, feeling guilty about it. He sincerely hoped that things would return to how they were before and that he and Long Zichen could still be good friends without anyone feeling sad.


    Please let me know if there are typos/mistakes in the chapter.


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 CH 36

    Translator: Lynn


    In the bustling airport lobby, Jian Jie stood quietly at the first-floor exit, awaiting his elder brother¡¯s arrival. He was dressed in a dark blue long down jacket, a chalk-white plaid scarf, and matching woolen gloves, looking like a distinguished student. As he wasn¡¯t wearing makeup outside of shows, he appeared more natural.


    Two girls noticed him and approached excitedly, asking if he was Jian Jie, expressing their admiration for him. Jian Jie confirmed his identity, and the girls were overjoyed, praising him for being even more handsome in person. They had bought his album and requested his autograph, to which Jian Jie happily obliged. Taking pictures together, more fans recognized him, and the crowd grew.


    Amidst the fan excitement, Jian Jie¡¯s brother called his name from outside the crowd, smiling warmly. Apologizing to the fans, Jian Jie informed them that he had to leave to meet his brother. His brother thanked the fans for their support and promised to meet them again.


    Jian Jie and his brother, Jian Bin, walked side by side towards the airport exit. Jian Jie asked happily why his brother was back earlier than expected.


    ¡°I was worried about you! It¡¯s been a while, and you look thinner,¡± his brother said, concerned. ¡°Is singing exhausting? I see you on TV all the time, even on three channels in a day. Your company treats you too harshly!¡±


    Jian Jie reassured him, ¡°The programs were pre-recorded, and my company takes good care of me. They limit my appearances and rarely schedule commercial performances. With Brother Xiaoqi¡¯s help, everything is smoother now.¡±


    ¡°Why are you still so thin then?¡±


    ¡°You¡¯ll only be satisfied when I become a chubby brother!¡± Jian Jie joked, knowing his brother¡¯s parental concern for weight.


    Their assistant, Xiao Liu, arrived to pick them up. He praised Jian Jie for becoming a big star and informed him that the company¡¯s vice president had bought a thousand copies of his album and distributed them to everyone. Jian Jie¡¯s song ¡°Dream¡± had become the company¡¯s theme song.


    Jian Jie playfully accused his brother of using his position for personal gain, to which Jian Bin proudly replied that they must listen to his positive and uplifting song. He even invited Jian Jie to perform at the company¡¯s annual meeting with a family discount.


    ¡°I can¡¯t accept payment from my brother. I¡¯ll talk to the company and see if I can perform for free,¡± Jian Jie responded with a smile.


    Jian Bin nodded in approval, adding, ¡°You can¡¯t let the company suffer; they need to contribute their share.¡±


    Xiao Liu joined the conversation, expressing happiness about having a celebrity brother. He mentioned that his sister was a big fan and asked for Jian Jie¡¯s autograph, which he gladly provided. Jian Bin beamed with pride, seeing how much his younger brother was adored by others.


    They drove straight to Jian Bin¡¯s house, where Jiang Xinya was at work, and Jian Bin¡¯s daughter Jian Jiayue was at kindergarten, leaving only Sister Xu, the nanny, at home. After dropping them off, Xiao Liu returned to the company. Sister Xu offered to pack Jian Bin¡¯s luggage, but he insisted on doing it himself. After some time, he took out a square box from the suitcase and handed it to Jian Jie. ¡°I bought you a gift, see if you like it,¡± he said with a smile.


    Curious, Jian Jie opened the gift box and found a silver-blue wireless microphone inside. The microphone had a unique design, with the words ¡°Jianjie is the best¡± written in silver and white handwriting on the side. Jian Jie was surprised and asked, ¡°It¡¯s such a beautiful microphone, why does it have my name on it?¡±


    ¡°I heard people say that big stars must have custom-made microphones, so I had this one made for you,¡± explained Brother Jian. He admitted that he didn¡¯t fully understand such things, but he had heard that singers spent a lot of money to order such stylish microphones from foreign companies for vanity.


    Jian Jie took the microphone and examined it closely, unable to hide his excitement. He knew the value of such a microphone and thanked his brother warmly. He also mentioned that the company¡¯s microphones were already professional, and the director had even promised to order an exclusive microphone for him if his next album sold well. However, when Long Zichen¡¯s name was mentioned, Jian Jie paused, feeling a lump in his heart.


    Unaware of Jian Jie¡¯s inner turmoil, Jian Bin was thrilled that his gift was well-received. He cheerfully said, ¡°Your company is yours to command. Use this microphone wherever you go, especially on TV.¡±


    ¡°Of course, I¡¯ll take what my brother gave me everywhere,¡± Jian Jie replied. Despite seeming absent-minded and having low emotional intelligence, he knew how to make his brother happy, as evident from Jian Bin¡¯s sense of pride.


    Jian Bin also had gifts for his wife and daughter, and after showing them, Sister Xu started packing everything. After a while, Jian Bin asked Jian Jie again, ¡°The Chinese New Year is just over two weeks away. Does a celebrity company like yours have a holiday for the New Year? I assume celebrities have to attend many parties during that time, making their schedules even busier?¡±


    ¡°Yeah, there are numerous performances during the Chinese New Year period, including commercial shows and platter concerts. People at the company say it¡¯s the prime time to make money. Brother Xiao Qi is also helping me negotiate some gigs,¡± Jian Jie explained.


    However, Jian Bin didn¡¯t take the money-making aspect too seriously. ¡°If it¡¯s just for the money, I don¡¯t think you should go to these evening parties. During the Chinese New Year, you should rest at home and take care of your well-being. Making money can wait; it doesn¡¯t have to be rushed,¡± he advised.


    Jian Jie scratched his head, conflicted. Spending time with family during the Chinese New Year was important, and he didn¡¯t fancy rushing around in the freezing cold either. But rejecting gigs meant his agent wouldn¡¯t earn a commission, affecting his income after the holiday. He confessed, ¡°Actually, the company doesn¡¯t force singers to participate in commercial performances, but if I turn down the shows, Brother Xiao Qi and the team won¡¯t get their commissions. It would really hurt their income after the Chinese New Year.¡±


    Jian Bin was delighted by his kind-hearted and lovable younger brother. He laughed and reassured him, ¡°If Xiao Qi was just after money, he wouldn¡¯t be your agent! Don¡¯t worry, I¡¯ll talk to him and invite him to a meal to discuss the matter. We won¡¯t turn down gigs that are good for your career, but we¡¯ll avoid purely profitable performances. Also, I¡¯ve asked Xiao Liu to get the latest smartphones for the staff who work with you, as a thank you for their care.¡±


    ¡°Then I¡¯ll listen to my brother. You can spend the money again. I¡¯ve earned quite a bit in the past two months, and it¡¯s all saved on this card. Let me entrust it to you,¡± Jian Jie said, handing over a bank card containing all his income from that period.


    Jian Bin initially wanted to refuse, but he knew that Jian Jie wasn¡¯t knowledgeable about managing money, so he accepted it. ¡°Alright, I¡¯ll get you a supplementary card later and keep some money in it for you to withdraw when needed. Additionally, I¡¯ll invest some of it, which is usually more profitable than keeping it in the bank,¡± he explained.


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry, brother. I¡¯m not good with finances either,¡± Jian Jie said nonchalantly. He never fretted about money since there was always enough to spend, and Jian Bin never held back on his pocket money.


    With determination, Jian Bin called Li Xiaoqi immediately, informing him of Jian Jie¡¯s holiday plans during the Spring Festival and inviting him over for dinner. Li Xiaoqi understood the significance of family time and assured that he wouldn¡¯t arrange any commercial performances for Jian Jie, except for a few important recordings, to let Jian Jie have a relaxed time.


    Jian Jie happily enjoyed his extended vacation, preparing for the New Year. When Long Zichen received the news, he felt disheartened and frustrated. He had planned to make a good impression during the Chinese New Year and hoped Jian Jie would feel the warmth of being with ¡°family¡± to soften his heart towards him. Unfortunately, Jian Jie¡¯s real family returned, and he was denied the opportunity to prove himself. It seemed that they wouldn¡¯t meet again anytime soon.


    Please let me know if there are typos/mistakes in the chapter.


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 CH 37

    Translator: Lynn


    Long Zichen found himself incredibly bored over the past couple of days.


    Firstly, being rejected after confessing his feelings was already hard enough, but what hit him even more was that Xiaojie had left without saying goodbye early in the morning. It shattered his heart completely. When he returned, Yuan Chao teased him all the way, claiming that he must have done something terrible to scare Xiaojie away. Regret gnawed at him, wishing he could turn back time to make amends. He even thought about stealing a piece of incense to change fate. But if he were to talk about the wretched things he had done, he couldn¡¯t deny that he did something¡­


    That morning, he woke up and found someone had left his room with only a small note behind. Feeling desolate, he unconsciously crawled into Jian Jie¡¯s recently vacated bed, seeking solace for his wounded soul. As he remembered the beautiful scenery of Jian Jie at the hot spring, desire stirred within him, making him feel ashamed. He had never been in love before, and even his sexual fantasies had never been directed at anyone specific. Being an innocent older virgin felt like a true tragedy.


    When he thought he¡¯d see Xiaojie again upon his return to the company, it gave him some comfort that he might be able to say a word to him. However, in the afternoon, Li Xiaoqi came to the company and asked for a long vacation for Jian Jie. It meant Long Zichen wouldn¡¯t see Xiaojie again during the New Year! The news hit him like a bolt from the blue, and Long Zichen froze, thinking that Xiaojie was avoiding him. Filled with sadness, he couldn¡¯t help but call Jian Jie.


    Jian Jie had gone back to pack his belongings and was taking Amu to his elder brother¡¯s house for the Chinese New Year. When he saw Long Zichen¡¯s call, he nervously answered, and Long Zichen stuttered on the other end, asking, ¡°Xiaojie, did you take leave and not come to the company for the New Year because of me? Are you avoiding me?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s not like that,¡± Jian Jie clarified, ¡°My brother is back, and he thinks I¡¯ve been working too hard. He wants me to rest at home for a while. It really has nothing to do with you, Brother Chen.¡±


    Long Zichen felt a little relieved, ¡°That¡¯s good. I was afraid you hated me and didn¡¯t want to see me again. Spend the New Year at home, and come back to the company when you have time. Do you¡­ still consider me a friend?¡±


    Jian Jie replied with a gentle ¡°hmm¡±: ¡°Brother Chen, you¡¯ve always been very kind to me, and I¡¯ve always respected you.¡±


    This was good news, right? Long Zichen¡¯s heart felt slightly less heavy, realizing that Jian Jie had a forgiving nature, and perhaps they could still remain friends. He was not so despondent anymore.


    After ending the call, Long Zichen sat in his office for a while, not in the mood for anything else. He locked himself in, playing Jian Jie¡¯s album on the stereo, and when the song ¡°Escape¡± started playing, he couldn¡¯t hold back and shouted the lyrics loudly. He howled, ¡°You don¡¯t know how long I¡¯ve been longing for you, why can¡¯t you love me? Why are you so cruel to me? I¡¯m on the verge of collapse, but I can¡¯t give up¡­ How do I escape, how can I escape from you¡­¡± The walls of his office were adorned with several posters of Jian Jie, and he continued venting his feelings, feeling a bit better after the release.


    It¡¯s unfortunate that it¡¯s causing distress to those around. One of the saddest things at the office is when a colleague plays the same song on repeat and sings along loudly. The office¡¯s sound insulation isn¡¯t great, and everyone spends the afternoon guessing whether the director is heartbroken or if his girlfriend is seriously ill with leukemia.


    After Jian Jie¡¯s departure, the director boss entered a period of frenzy again. This time, all the company employees agreed to keep their distance. They thought they had safely navigated through this time, but the next day, something happened that made Long Zichen even angrier.


    An entertainment magazine called ¡°Eggplant Weekly¡± specializes in gossip news in the entertainment industry. They are famous for sensationalizing facts and exposing celebrities¡¯ privacy. In their latest issue, they published a piece about Jian Jie going to the airport to pick up his brother, but the headline was extremely exaggerated: ¡°The Popular Idol Behaves Lovingly With Same-Sex Friend at the Airport.¡± The magazine included several photos of Jian Jie at the airport and dedicated two full pages to concocting a romantic tale. Due to his mature appearance, Brother Jian was depicted as a rich and infatuated businessman, while Jian Jie was portrayed as a young boy kept by him. The article claimed that Brother Jian generously funded and supported Jian Jie¡¯s career, which is why he had a successful career in the entertainment industry. They even dragged Ding Jiangyu into the story, creating a love triangle for added spice.


    The reporter was undeniably talented in creative writing. He had a knack for storytelling, even when there were no concrete visuals to work with. The article quickly spread across major internet forums, where people fanned the flames and threw stones at Jian Jie, questioning the authenticity of the relationship. Fans rushed to the company¡¯s official website and Jian Jie¡¯s official Weibo, demanding the truth. Many reporters also contacted the company to inquire about the situation.


    The company¡¯s draft statement revealed that the ¡°rich businessman¡± mentioned was Jian Jie¡¯s dear brother, Jian Bin. Long Zichen had been to Jian Jie¡¯s house several times and had seen photos of Jian Bin. However, despite the clarification, rumors like this were hard to quell. Jian Jie had never mentioned his family situation on any show before, so suddenly revealing an elder brother seemed unreliable to some. Many were more inclined to believe that it was a fabricated cover-up created by the record company.


    After discussing the matter, the company decided to inform Jian Jie of the situation and ask him to publicly confirm his identity and relationship with Brother Jian. Such rumors needed to be addressed publicly to dispel any doubts.


    Long Zichen took the initiative to inform Jian Jie about the situation and suggested talking to him about it more. Given his commanding aura, nobody dared to argue with him, allowing him to temporarily take over Li Xiaoqi¡¯s job. They had gotten used to it, anyway.


    When he called Jian Jie, he found him playing with his little niece. Jian Jie was amused and not bothered at all by the news about the airport incident.


    ¡°Why didn¡¯t that magazine verify the news before publishing it? How could they make such a big mistake!¡± Jian Jie said, dismissing the matter lightly.


    Long Zichen was somewhat disappointed that Jian Jie wasn¡¯t upset. He had hoped to be there as a supportive confidant brother. However, seeing Jian Jie happy, he couldn¡¯t help but feel happy too, despite the contradiction. He explained, ¡°This writing style is meant to grab people¡¯s attention and boost magazine sales. They¡¯re not interested in just reporting that you picked up your brother. Just send me a few photos of you and your brother, and we¡¯ll handle the rest.¡±


    Jian Jie learned from this experience and quickly found a photo album, taking some photos of him and his elder brother with his phone and sending them to Long Zichen.


    Upon receiving the photos, Long Zichen was overwhelmed by how cute little Jian Jie looked in some of them. He couldn¡¯t help but feel a tinge of jealousy toward Brother Jian, the water droplet, and the kindergarten teacher. Picking one of the pictures, Long Zichen logged on to Jian Jie¡¯s Weibo, posted the photo along with clarifications, and saved the rest of the pictures on his phone.


    Please let me know if there are typos/mistakes in the chapter.


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 CH 38

    Translator: Lynn


    Usually, celebrities have their official website accounts and Weibo managed by dedicated personnel, and the artists at Spark Company are no exception. Jian Jie doesn¡¯t spend much time on the Internet, so his Weibo is handled by colleagues from the company¡¯s network department. Given his reserved and introverted nature, his Weibo mostly sticks to official announcements and rarely delves into private matters. Despite this low-key approach, true fans still pay attention to get insights into their idol¡¯s daily schedule. In the afternoon when his scandals were spreading everywhere, his official Weibo surprisingly took a cute turn, instantly sparking enthusiastic responses and retweets from fans.


    He addressed the recent rumors in a lighthearted manner, stating, ¡°About the rumors from the past two days, I need to point out a mistake. In fact, my ¡®rich businessman¡¯ brother had me in his clutches when I was underage.¡± The Weibo post was accompanied by an adorable childhood picture of Jian Jie at around six or seven years old, with his elder brother Jane playfully posing with him. Little Jian Jie was not the least bit scared, and he hid behind his mother with a giggling smile.


    The photo clearly showed that the brother in the picture was the same person as the ¡°rich businessman¡± from the previous airport photo. This heartwarming family photo put an end to any doubts about whether Jian Jie and his brother were really related, and it debunked the scandal as completely unfounded. The fans loved the cute response and rallied behind Jian Jie. They exclaimed, ¡°Jane¡¯s mother is so beautiful; she could definitely join the entertainment industry with such good-looking genes in the family! Being a fan is truly a profession!¡± The company¡¯s Internet Department played a significant role in crafting the Weibo post.


    Long Zichen sat in his office, checking the fans¡¯ comments on his phone, and he was satisfied with the positive reactions. He then switched to his computer and logged in with several of his own accounts, posting more supportive comments on various forums as a devoted fan of Jian Jie. Although there were dedicated colleagues handling such tasks, Long Zichen still felt the urge to actively participate. His alter ego, ¡°the love of my life, Jane Xiaodai,¡± was quite popular among Jian Jie¡¯s fans.


    Feeling engrossed in his role, Long Zichen happily continued to engage with the fans, but his mood quickly changed when he saw that Ding Jiangyu had also reposted Jian Jie¡¯s Weibo with a provocative comment:


    ¡°Seeing such a cute little Jian Jie, I finally understand why there are so many strange uncles in the world. Come on, little friend Jian Jie, let the uncle pinch your little face!¡±


    Fans erupted again, and Long Zichen couldn¡¯t help but feel furious. In his mental notebook, Ding Jiangyu¡¯s name was marked with countless red crosses, and he cursed him for having no toilet paper countless times. Unbeknownst to him, Ding Jiangyu and Jian Jie had exchanged several teasing text messages with each other, which was why Long Zichen found himself venting his frustrations.


    This incident led to ¡°Eggplant Weekly¡± selling well, and Jian Jie received even more attention. Such is the way of celebrities and gossip paparazzi. Popular paparazzi always follow closely and find numerous news pieces, while third-rate celebrities rarely attract much attention unless someone deliberately stalks them.


    As for fame, Jian Jie doesn¡¯t have much ambition. While he appreciates having more fans who like and support him, he doesn¡¯t force it. His true passion lies in the music itself. These days, he spends his time at home with his family, and a melody seems to linger in his mind¡ªwarm and soothing. He decides to write down the melody, intending to show it to Long Zichen as he used to, but then he realizes that their relationship isn¡¯t as close as before. Life doesn¡¯t always follow the plans we make.


    Luckily, Jian Jie had other friends in the music industry, one of whom was Yuan Chao¡¯s cousin, Sun Qianqian. Despite being young, Sun Qianqian possessed considerable musical talent. They often exchanged music-related questions, and one day, as Jian Jie was working on a new song, Sun Qianqian messaged him. They chatted about their creations and shared their music clips online, delighting in each other¡¯s work.


    Soon after, Sun Qianqian invited Jian Jie to her home the following day. She mentioned that a talented foreign musician, a friend of her uncle¡¯s, had recently visited and wanted to introduce Jian Jie to him. Eager to connect and collaborate with musicians from different countries, Jian Jie gladly accepted the invitation.


    Brother Jian, upon hearing that a girl had asked Jian Jie out, inquired about the situation at length. He had intended to personally accompany Jian Jie to Sun Qianqian¡¯s home, but her family sent a car to pick him up instead, causing Brother Jian to reluctantly give up the idea.


    The car took Jian Jie to a renowned mansion complex in Anping, and when he arrived at Sun Qianqian¡¯s house, he couldn¡¯t help but be taken aback by the elegant three-story garden villa. It was the kind of house one might only see on TV! He had never expected Sun Qianqian¡¯s family to be so wealthy. As he got out of the car, uniformed men and women lined up at the door to welcome him, which added to the pressure Jian Jie felt.


    Sun Qianqian herself rushed to greet Jian Jie at the gate, wearing a loose milky white cotton coat that made her look pure and lovely. Excited to see Jian Jie, she warmly welcomed him and led him into her home.


    As they walked through the garden and entered the villa, Jian Jie couldn¡¯t help but comment, ¡°Your house is so big¡­¡±


    ¡°Are you scared?¡± Sun Qianqian asked with a soft smile.


    ¡°Just a little¡­¡±


    ¡°You won¡¯t stop being friends with me because of this, will you?¡±


    Jian Jie quickly denied it, saying, ¡°Of course not.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s good,¡± Sun Qianqian smiled, ¡°My family is out busy, so don¡¯t feel restrained. I¡¯ll take you upstairs to find my uncle and Jason. Jason is my uncle¡¯s friend and a musician. They are currently practicing with the band in the piano room.¡±


    Sun Qianqian¡¯s piano room was about the size of Jian Jie¡¯s entire house, fully equipped with audio equipment and musical instruments. Her uncle, Sun Haozhi, appeared to be in his early twenties and was still studying abroad. He had formed a band after returning, and they were quite famous locally. Jason was a well-known music producer who had made many singers successful. He was fascinated by Chinese culture and was excited to accompany Sun Haozhi back to China for the Spring Festival.


    Sun Qianqian introduced Jian Jie to them proudly, mentioning that Jian Jie had released an album and was now a famous singer in China.


    Sun Qianqian¡¯s family had strict values, and it was rare for her to bring a male friend home, making it a novel experience for her uncle, Sun Haozhi. He chatted with Jian Jie amiably. As for Jason, the foreign friend, he sat on the sofa with a nonchalant air, wearing big sunglasses indoors. When Sun Qianqian and Jian Jie entered, he casually waved at them, oozing style. Jian Jie couldn¡¯t help but think of another music producer who always wore sunglasses indoors and couldn¡¯t resist smiling. He thought to himself, ¡°Is wearing big sunglasses a mandatory outfit for music producers? Especially indoors?¡±


    Please let me know if there are typos/mistakes in the chapter.


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 CH 39

    Translator: Lynn


    Due to their shared interests, Jian Jie quickly forged a strong bond with Sun Haozhi and his band members. Within minutes, they were singing their original songs to each other. The music of Sun Haozhi Band leaned towards pop and light rock, which resonated well with Jian Jie¡¯s style. After performing a soulful ballad, Jian Jie enthusiastically presented a bright and rhythmic song he had recently created titled ¡°Time Machine.¡± The song continued the theme of time travel, acting as a sequel to ¡°Start Again.¡±


    Upon hearing Jian Jie¡¯s song for the first time, Sun Haozhi and his band members were impressed, giving him enthusiastic praise, ¡°It¡¯s an exceptional piece of work! So many vocal variations in one song, it¡¯s amazing! And you¡¯re only nineteen!¡±


    Modestly, Jian Jie replied, ¡°Your live singing is also impactful. I¡¯d love to learn from you. The last part of my song isn¡¯t smooth yet.¡±


    Unexpectedly, Jason interjected coldly in English, ¡°Keep only the last sentence, delete the first five sentences.¡±


    Realizing what he meant, Jian Jie was taken aback. He complied by removing the part Jason suggested, and then sang the first and second verses a cappella, inquiring back in English, ¡°Should I remove all of this? It still feels a bit awkward.¡±


    Sun Haozhi hastily intervened, reassuring Jian Jie, ¡°Jason is straightforward, don¡¯t mind him. Just do what feels right.¡±


    Though spoken in Chinese, Jason couldn¡¯t understand it, but he didn¡¯t think Sun Haozhi was complimenting him. He glared at him and then continued instructing Jian Jie, ¡°Why keep the boring parts? Preserve the music that truly moves people!¡± He walked over to the piano and effortlessly played a variation for the last verse of Jian Jie¡¯s song. After deleting a few lines and altering three beats, it immediately flowed much smoother.


    Jian Jie was thrilled, exclaiming, ¡°It¡¯s incredible!¡± He promptly took out a music score and pen from his bag, passionately revising the song. Lost in his own world, he played the piano, utterly oblivious to his surroundings. Luckily, everyone in the room shared a deep love for music and understood Jian Jie¡¯s immersion. They exchanged smiles and allowed him to continue undisturbed.


    Meanwhile, Sun Qianqian stood behind Jian Jie, closely observing his creative process, her big and beautiful eyes sparkling like a kitten. Jason, too, watched with keen interest, but there was always a mocking smile lingering on his lips as if he looked down on the situation.


    Finally, Jian Jie completed the entire song revision, revealing a joyful smile as he thanked Jason, ¡°Thank you so much for your guidance. Would you mind if I credit you as a co-composer?¡±


    ¡°No need, such a minor suggestion doesn¡¯t qualify as composition,¡± Jason raised an eyebrow. ¡°I¡¯m very interested in hearing your other works. I heard you¡¯ve released an album, so sing me a few songs right here at the bar.¡±


    ¡°Sure,¡± Jian Jie replied, not minding Jason¡¯s less-than-friendly tone. He was accustomed to dealing with all sorts of unreasonable demands from producers and had come to believe that music producers were probably a bit eccentric, so he didn¡¯t take offense.


    In album order, he started with ¡°The First Heartbeat¡± and then explained the lyrics to Jason. After listening, Jason smirked, ¡°Love songs for the lovelorn. Let¡¯s move on to something else.¡±


    Jian Jie smiled awkwardly and continued with ¡°Escape¡± and ¡°Accident.¡± Jason gave him a slight smile and said, ¡°It¡¯s quite intriguing. Do you have other styles?¡±


    Sun Qianqian brought a drink for Jian Jie, who moistened his throat and then sang ¡°Farewell¡± and ¡°Dream.¡± Finally, Jason¡¯s smile widened, ¡°Now that¡¯s above standard work.¡±


    Unsure of Jason¡¯s criteria for judgment, Jian Jie simply smiled back. Sun Haozhi chimed in, ¡°Don¡¯t be scared by Jason¡¯s demeanor; he genuinely appreciates you. He hasn¡¯t been this patient to listen to someone sing in a long time!¡±


    ¡°There¡¯s too much insipid music out there; I don¡¯t have time to waste on that rubbish,¡± Jason proclaimed, revealing his domineering attitude.


    Sun Haozhi suggested, ¡°Isn¡¯t there a supporting role in the music movie you¡¯re planning? You seem so interested in Jian Jie, are you considering inviting him to play it?¡±


    Jian Jie looked at Jason in surprise, and Jason shrugged, ¡°You¡¯ve guessed it right, it¡¯s that predictable. I¡¯m working on a biographical film about music, and there¡¯s a character in it that I originally wanted to cast a young singer from Asia. However, after seeing you, I think you fit the role in terms of image and temperament. It¡¯s almost tailor-made for you. How about it? Are you interested in joining?¡±


    Sun Haozhi chimed in again, ¡°Jason¡¯s movie is a big production, and the starring actor is Kurt Glares. Biographical films have always been awards contenders. We won¡¯t talk about artistry or the box office, but your participation would undoubtedly benefit you. If Jason didn¡¯t dislike me for being too old and ugly, I¡¯d have wanted to participate too!¡± Sun Haozhi lobbied for Jason in an exaggerated manner.


    Feeling grateful, Jian Jie replied, ¡°Thank you very much for the invitation, but I¡¯ve never studied acting. My acting has always been criticized by the company¡¯s acting teacher. I¡¯m afraid I won¡¯t meet your requirements.¡± Surprisingly, Jason favored Jian Jie despite his acting flaws, appreciating his genuine honesty.


    ¡°You can portray this role authentically,¡± Jason smiled, ¡°Filming can be a very interesting experience, and the soundtrack we¡¯ve hired is handled by a master.¡±


    Jian Jie was a little hesitant, and Jason continued to persuade him, ¡°Young people must be bold and take risks! If you¡¯re unsure, give me your agent¡¯s contact information, and I¡¯ll arrange for someone from our team in China to speak with them about the collaboration and see how your company responds.¡±


    Encouraged by Jason¡¯s words, Jian Jie agreed and provided Jason with Li Xiaoqi¡¯s contact details. Sun Qianqian was thrilled for him and prepared a sumptuous lunch in celebration.


    Unexpectedly, around noon, Sun Qianqian¡¯s entire family showed up at once. Her grandfather, aunt, and cousin all appeared, observing Jian Jie like a hawk. They seemed to be investigating him as a potential boyfriend for Sun Qianqian, which made both Jian Jie and Sun Qianqian feel extremely embarrassed.


    Meanwhile, Long Zichen had received the news that Jian Jie went to Sun Qianqian¡¯s house and it seemed like they were on a date! Long Zichen felt downcast. Despite trying to convince himself that he should sincerely wish Jian Jie well if he found someone he liked, he realized that it was easier said than done. How did those love saints on TV, who tolerated their loved ones marrying others and gave in silently, manage to do so? He needed advice!


    Long Zichen also realized that he might not have the chance to possess such noble moral sentiments in his life, so resorting to stalking seemed to be his last desperate option. He persuaded Yuan Chao to accompany him to Sun Qianqian¡¯s house. He wanted to show his presence and disrupt the situation!


    However, upon arriving at Sun Qianqian¡¯s house, he was taken aback to find that his competition was not only a lovely girl but also a foreigner trying to poach talent from their country! Was this some kind of divine test sent to punish him?


    Please let me know if there are typos/mistakes in the chapter.


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 CH 40

    Translator: Lynn


    On a winter afternoon, just after dinner, Sun Qianqian led Jian Jie and Jason to the rooftop garden for a tea break, enjoying the warm sun and engaging in conversation. The garden was adorned with lush greenery and blooming flowers. Jian Jie sat comfortably on a milky white armchair, sipping scented tea while listening to Jason talking about the foreign music industry.


    As Long Zichen hurried to the rooftop, this was the scene that greeted him. Jian Jie¡¯s face displayed a gentle smile, basking in the bright sunlight, resembling a pure white magnolia flower¡ªinnocent and serene. Unknowingly, Long Zichen held his breath, captivated by Jian Jie¡¯s presence, and walked toward him, entranced.


    Jian Jie had been facing away from the entrance of the garden, but upon hearing Yuan Chao and Sun Qianqian¡¯s voices, he turned around and locked eyes with Long Zichen. Blushing inexplicably, he asked, ¡°Brother Chen, when did you arrive?¡±


    ¡°Just a moment ago.¡± Long Zichen snapped out of his trance, feeling slightly embarrassed, and offered a timid explanation, ¡°I came with Chaozi, what a coincidence, you¡¯re here too, haha¡­¡±


    Yuan Chao, who stood behind him, couldn¡¯t help but complain silently. He never wanted to admit that the clueless person in front of him was his friend known for his sharp tongue. Would anyone believe such a ¡°coincidence¡±?


    Jian Jie didn¡¯t think too much about it and continued, ¡°Qianqian invited me to her house to hang out and introduced me to Mr. Jason Price. Mr. Price is a remarkable musician, and he offered valuable insights into a song I recently composed.¡±


    Jian Jie introduced Long Zichen to Jason, and Jason glanced at Long Zichen with his pale blue eyes, saying, ¡°So you¡¯re Jane¡¯s producer.¡±


    Hearing Jian Jie¡¯s high praise for Jason, Long Zichen¡¯s heart felt sour, but he restrained himself from reacting emotionally. Jason greeted Long Zichen with a perfunctory ¡°Nice to meet you¡± before turning his attention back to Jian Jie, asking, ¡°You guys seemed to be having a good chat. What were you discussing?¡±


    Jian Jie explained, ¡°Mr. Press invited me to participate in a music biographical film he¡¯s planning to shoot, but as Brother Chen knows, my acting skills are not great, so I¡¯m a bit hesitant. Just now, Mr. Press invited me to participate in the Crystal Music Awards with him. He wants me to do a chorus performance with a singer from his label.¡±


    Long Zichen was taken aback, thinking to himself, ¡°This foreigner is so eager to invest in the music industry! Money can really make movies happen!¡± Despite feeling sour inside, Long Zichen would never belittle Jian Jie¡¯s music career. He encouraged Jian Jie to agree, saying, ¡°The Crystal Award is a significant music award with global influence. You must participate! The award ceremony will be held in mid-February, just after the Chinese New Year, and you will be available then.¡±


    After some contemplation, Jian Jie nodded and thanked Jason, saying, ¡°Thank you, Mr. Price, for the invitation.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m counting on you to promote the movie as well,¡± Jason smiled faintly. ¡°Sun mentioned that you¡¯re a big idol in China, and I hope to leverage your popularity to boost the box office in Asia. Of course, I genuinely admire your music as well.¡±


    Surprised by Jason¡¯s change in attitude, Jian Jie commented, ¡°I didn¡¯t expect you to like my music.¡±


    ¡°I always know what I like and what I don¡¯t,¡± Jason replied, spreading his hands.


    Long Zichen observed their interaction silently. He felt happy that Jian Jie gained recognition from a world-class musician, but couldn¡¯t help feeling a bit frustrated. He couldn¡¯t match Jason Press in terms of financial resources or connections. Jason¡¯s family business was a global giant in the recording industry, capable of effortlessly elevating Jian Jie to international stardom, which was something Long Zichen could never achieve in his life.


    After negotiating with Jason for a few days, Jian Jie bid farewell to Jason and Sun Qianqian. While Sun Qianqian was about to arrange for a car to take Jian Jie home, Long Zichen volunteered to give him a ride, and Jian Jie accepted the offer. Yuan Chao watched with a hint of sadness as his friends left him behind, and Long Zichen drove away with Jian Jie.


    This was the first time the two of them were alone together after parting ways at the hot spring villa. Jian Jie felt somewhat embarrassed and didn¡¯t know what to say. Thankfully, Long Zichen initiated the conversation as if nothing happened, easing the tension.


    ¡°Qianqian¡¯s introduction to Jason Press today was a great help to you. I¡¯ll thank you properly later,¡± Long Zichen said, not really caring about the social aspect, but he wanted to remind Jian Jie that he had reason to be jealous. Nevertheless, Long Zichen could manage both business and personal affairs well, and it wouldn¡¯t hurt for Jian Jie to gain the favor of the Sun family¡¯s eldest daughter. He continued, ¡°I¡¯ll inform Brother Chai about Jason Press¡¯s invitation when we get back to the company. The company will definitely hold a meeting to plan it. It¡¯s a big event. As for the movie, I think you might be interested in it. I read the news about their company planning a biographical film about the musical master Hein Freeman. The director and actors are all internationally renowned. It¡¯s a profound art film. Of course, it will depend on your wishes. If you¡¯re not interested in acting, then forget about it.¡±


    Curious about the movie, Jian Jie replied with a smile, ¡°It sounds intriguing, as Brother Chen described it. I don¡¯t dislike acting in movies, but I don¡¯t think I have the acting ability. I¡¯m afraid I might cause trouble for others.¡±


    ¡°During the casting, there will be auditions, and they won¡¯t choose you if they don¡¯t find you suitable. If you¡¯re selected, it means they believe in your abilities. Little Jie, have confidence in yourself. You won¡¯t know if it works or not until you try!¡± Long Zichen encouraged Jian Jie.


    Encouraged, Jian Jie nodded and said, ¡°Alright, I¡¯ll listen to Brother Chen.¡± Jian Jie¡¯s self-motivation was easily ignited.


    Long Zichen smiled in response.


    Following Jian Jie¡¯s instructions, Long Zichen drove him to his elder brother¡¯s house. At the doorstep, Long Zichen reluctantly said, ¡°Come to the company tomorrow, and we can sit down and discuss this matter together. Also, show me the song you recently wrote. Don¡¯t let me down just because you rejected me. I might act embarrassed, but in a few minutes, I¡¯ll be back to my usual self. Let¡¯s go back to how things were before.¡±


    Seeing Long Zichen¡¯s earnestness to reconcile and his relaxed demeanor, Jian Jie felt that it would be inappropriate for him to continue worrying about the issue. So he nodded and replied, ¡°I¡¯ll go to the company tomorrow and discuss the new song with you, Brother Chen. See you tomorrow!¡±


    ¡°Sure, see you tomorrow.¡± Long Zichen watched Jian Jie go upstairs, his eyes filled with admiration for the young man. He knew that Jian Jie would step toward success step by step, and a beautiful blueprint seemed to unfold before Long Zichen¡¯s eyes. Jian Jie would not only be the king of China but also a global superstar adored by millions. Even though he understood that this radiant superstar would never belong to him, Long Zichen still felt a tinge of sadness.


    Please let me know if there are typos/mistakes in the chapter.


    Support me on ko-fi for faster releases ^^

 CH 41

    Translator: Lynn


    Upon reaching home, Jian Jie excitedly informed his brother about the invitation he received from a foreign musician to attend a large-scale music award ceremony abroad after the Spring Festival. Unexpectedly, his brother was displeased, feeling that Jian Jie¡¯s company was being inconsiderate by sending him to work overseas or far away the following year. Worried about his brother¡¯s reaction, Jian Jie quickly explained the situation. Eventually, his brother understood the potential benefits this opportunity could bring to Jian Jie¡¯s music career, and he had a change of heart. They made a decision to go together as a family, treating it like an enjoyable trip abroad. While Jian Jie¡¯s company had not yet confirmed the details, his brother was already taking the initiative to apply for a visa and book flights, displaying great enthusiasm for the journey ahead.


    When Jian Jie arrived home, he excitedly informed his brother that he had received an invitation from a foreign musician and would be attending a major music awards ceremony abroad after the Spring Festival. However, his brother was not pleased and felt that Jian Jie¡¯s company was being inconsiderate by sending him to work overseas in the upcoming year. Worried that his brother might take action against the company, Jian Jie quickly explained the situation. Eventually, his brother understood the potential benefits this opportunity could bring to Jian Jie¡¯s music career and decided that the entire family should accompany him to the award ceremony, treating it as a family trip abroad. Even though Jian Jie¡¯s company has not yet confirmed the details, his brother is already taking the initiative to apply for a visa and book flights, displaying great enthusiasm.


    The following morning, Zhou Jia arrived to pick up Jian Jie for work and informed him that Jason¡¯s assistant from China had visited the company in person, indicating their high regard for the collaboration with Jian Jie. Zhou Jia smiled as he drove and said, ¡°Xiao Jie, everyone misses you so much when you¡¯re not at the company, especially Xiao Wang. Boss Long is upset, and no one can console him. He¡¯s in a tough spot.¡±


    Jian Jie couldn¡¯t help but smile and asked, ¡°Is Brother Chen really that intimidating?¡±


    ¡°Of course, you wouldn¡¯t notice it. Boss Long remains composed when you¡¯re around. Since you¡¯ve been away for a while, you don¡¯t know that he¡¯s been in a particularly gloomy mood lately. He plays your sad songs in the office every day. It¡¯s become a running joke around here, wondering if he¡¯s lost his love, haha¡­¡± Zhou Jia intended to tease, but he revealed an unexpected truth.


    Jian Jie was taken aback. Long Zichen acted no differently in front of him yesterday, and he didn¡¯t witness any unusual behavior during this period. Jian Jie thought the matter would resolve itself, but he didn¡¯t expect Long Zichen to feel so down. It was hard to imagine that someone as lively and cheerful as Long Zichen could be depressed. He realized that he had underestimated the place he held in Long Zichen¡¯s heart.


    ¡°Brother Chen, have you been feeling down lately?¡± Jian Jie asked hesitantly.


    ¡°Yeah, everyone¡¯s puzzled about it. He¡¯s just been really down,¡± Zhou Jia confirmed. ¡°He¡¯s zoning out during meetings, hardly talks anymore, and sometimes locks himself in the office, or it¡¯s even scarier when he¡¯s critiquing people in the recording studio.¡±


    Jian Jie¡¯s emotions were tangled. He didn¡¯t want anyone to be sad because of him, especially not Brother Chen, who had always been so kind to him. If possible, he¡¯d do anything to make Long Zichen happy. However, Long Zichen¡¯s strong affection for him left him feeling conflicted.


    As Jian Jie arrived at the company, Li Xiaoqi had already reached an agreement with Jason¡¯s assistant. Jian Jie would go to the United States next year to participate in the audition and makeup work for the movie ¡°Life of the Opera,¡± and the whole plan must be kept confidential. Additionally, Jason¡¯s band, Silver Moonlight, would perform their champion single ¡°December¡± at the Crystal Music Awards Ceremony, and Jian Jie needed to cooperate with rehearsals, promotions, and other tasks.


    With everything arranged, Li Xiaoqi had taken care of all the details. Jian Jie only needed to sign some documents, shake hands with Jason¡¯s assistant, and express gratitude. He didn¡¯t have much to do upon arrival. However, feeling a sense of indecision, he finally decided to meet with Long Zichen. He had been wanting to show Long Zichen the song he had recently written.


    Long Zichen was busy instructing newcomers in the rehearsal room when he realized that Jian Jie had come to the company. Expecting that Jian Jie might have some work to finish first, he was pleasantly surprised when he turned around and saw Jian Jie already there. Quickly excusing himself from the newcomers¡¯ practice, Long Zichen took Jian Jie back to his office since the rehearsal room was too noisy for a proper conversation.


    With just the two of them in the office, Long Zichen asked, ¡°Did everything finish up so quickly?¡±


    Jian Jie nodded, ¡°Brother Xiaoqi had everything arranged, and I didn¡¯t have any other commitments, so I just came over.¡± Handing the scorebook to Long Zichen, he said, ¡°Brother Chen, could you take a look at the song I wrote recently? I¡¯d appreciate your feedback.¡±


    ¡°Of course! I¡¯ll work on arranging the music, and it¡¯ll be perfect for our next album,¡± Long Zichen replied with enthusiasm. He then asked, ¡°Have you decided when you¡¯ll be heading to America?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll be taking the flight on the 7th,¡± Jian Jie replied.


    ¡°On the second day of the Lunar New Year? You can¡¯t be alone in a foreign country, right? How many people is the company sending with you?¡± Long Zichen expressed concern, secretly hoping to join the group. However, Jian Jie¡¯s response left him flabbergasted, ¡°Brother Xiaoqi and Brother Zhou are going with me, and my brother, sister-in-law, and niece are coming too. It¡¯s going to be a family celebration in a foreign country.¡±


    Long Zichen couldn¡¯t believe it. Jian Jie¡¯s brother was coming along, as well as his entire family. He couldn¡¯t help but think, ¡°You¡¯ve got to be kidding me! Is your brother going to be watching my every move?¡±


    Trying to maintain composure, Long Zichen forced a smile, ¡°That¡¯s great to hear. I¡¯ll be relieved knowing your brother will be there with you. Just be careful when you¡¯re abroad, especially since you¡¯re not yet twenty-one. No alcohol for you at the events, and be cautious not to get caught in any unfavorable situations by the media. And, of course, stay away from bars, motels, and the red light district. Don¡¯t let your curiosity lead you astray¡­¡±


    Jian Jie felt a bit embarrassed, feeling like he was being treated like a child. He responded, ¡°Brother Chen, don¡¯t worry. I won¡¯t go to those places out of curiosity, and my brother would never allow it.¡±


    ¡°Alright, I¡¯ll see you off on that day. I¡¯m looking forward to meeting your brother,¡± Long Zichen thought to himself, wondering what kind of protective brother Jian Jie had. He couldn¡¯t help but imagine the consequences if he were to do anything improper in Jian Jie¡¯s brother¡¯s presence.


    However, on the day of departure, Long Zichen didn¡¯t show up at the company, and nobody answered his phone. This left Jian Jie feeling uneasy. Long Zichen had never missed an appointment with him before, and not being able to reach him raised concerns that something might have happened. Still, the plane wouldn¡¯t wait for them, so Jian Jie¡¯s colleagues advised him that Long Zichen might be facing a delay due to some unforeseen circumstance. They suggested heading to the airport first and then trying to contact him again later. Reluctantly, Jian Jie agreed.


    Accompanying Jian Jie on this trip were five people sent by the company. Apart from Li Xiaoqi and Zhou Jia, there were two assistants and a makeup artist. With numerous boxes of luggage filled with Jian Jie¡¯s clothes and accessories, it was clear that he traveled with a bit of extravagance. As Xinghuo¡¯s cash cow, he had become accustomed to having a bunch of people around him at all times. However, going abroad made it impractical to bring the entire entourage and all their equipment. It was also the first time the company arranged for an artist to perform overseas, so they faced some challenges in preparation.


    Due to the confidentiality of the itinerary, the company hadn¡¯t publicized Jian Jie¡¯s departure abroad, resulting in a smaller number of fans at the airport to see him off. After swiftly checking in and handling their luggage, the group proceeded to the departure hall to meet up with Jian Jie¡¯s family. Before boarding the plane, Jian Jie attempted to call Long Zichen once more, but again, no response. Encouraged by his elder brother, he eventually boarded the plane, but a sense of worry lingered in his heart.


    To his dismay, his worries would soon prove to be justified.


    Please let me know if there are typos/mistakes in the chapter.


    Support me on ko-fi for faster releases ^^

 CH 42

    Translator: Lynn


    Long Zichen couldn¡¯t shake off the feeling that he might be cursed. Could it be that person on the forum who cursed him to get hit by a car when he goes out? Otherwise, how else could he explain his current misfortune?


    Last night, he had been home alone, enjoying some wine and watching Jian Jie¡¯s new song. Yet, he woke up today in the hospital, in excruciating pain, with his left hand and leg wrapped in plaster like a mummy. Long Zichen struggled to recall the few fragments of memories from last night: he vaguely remembered leaning on the balcony window, gazing at the night sky, stars, and moon. Then, he seemed to have accidentally dropped Xiaojie¡¯s notebook and reached out to retrieve it¡­


    Thankfully, he lived on the second floor, but he couldn¡¯t fathom why a house under 50 square meters lacked protective railings on the balcony! Filled with sorrow and anger, he couldn¡¯t help but think he rented that place specifically for the small balcony. Realizing Xiaojie had probably flown to the other side of the ocean by now, his regret deepened for not seeing him off. He was determined to seek compensation from the old landlord for his mental distress and lost wages ¨C even if it meant bankrupting the old man!


    A ¡°slap¡± sound interrupted his thoughts as an insulated bucket was placed on the cabinet next to his bed. He looked up to see his mother¡¯s smiling face, and with a forced cheerfulness, he moaned, ¡°Mommy, you¡¯re here! I¡¯m so glad¡­ Ow~~~¡±


    His mother, Guan Fen, was visibly worried and furious at the same time. She had rushed to the hospital after receiving a call from the landlord, who claimed Long Zichen had jumped off the building. Although she knew her son well and couldn¡¯t imagine him doing something like that, she couldn¡¯t fathom how he ended up so injured. Guan Fen scolded, ¡°Tell me what happened! Why are you in such a state? Don¡¯t you live on the second floor? Why are you climbing around like this?¡±


    Long Zichen sighed, ¡°I was just having a drink, and I accidentally fell from the balcony. I didn¡¯t intend to jump off the building¡­¡±


    Guan Fen shook her head and sighed, ¡°You should be more careful! People your age shouldn¡¯t be climbing recklessly. I was scared, thinking you might have jumped off the building because of a broken heart, like people were saying.¡±


    Alarmed, Long Zichen asked, ¡°Do people really say that? I hope it¡¯s not all over social media, like ¡®Young man jumps off building due to heartache¡¯! Mom, if reporters show up, please shield me from them!¡±


    Guan Fen was a mixture of anger and amusement as she said, ¡°With your fame, who wouldn¡¯t pay attention to you? Don¡¯t worry about your belongings! I called your company and informed them about your injury and hospitalization. They¡¯ll probably send someone over soon. Now, would you like me to get you something to eat?¡±


    ¡°My stomach hurts; I don¡¯t want to eat,¡± replied Long Zichen. Worried that Jian Jie might have been informed about his hospitalization, he urgently asked Guan Fen to use her phone to call the company. He wanted to tell them not to inform Jian Jie to avoid causing him any concerns before the big award ceremony. Long Zichen requested, ¡°Mom, there¡¯s something important I need to tell them. Can you call the company and tell them not to inform Xiaojie? Please, don¡¯t mention it at all. Promise me!¡±


    Guan Fen made the call and handed him the phone, assuring him, ¡°You¡¯re busy with your call.¡±


    Long Zichen spoke to Xiao Wang on the other end of the line, ¡°Xiao Wang, it¡¯s me. Did you tell Xiaojie about my hospitalization? Don¡¯t tell him anything; do you hear me? And don¡¯t come back here, I don¡¯t want him to worry.¡±


    Xiao Wang, startled by Long Zichen¡¯s voice, immediately agreed to keep it from Jian Jie and reassured him, ¡°Okay, Brother Chen, we won¡¯t say anything. But everyone wants to visit you. Are you sure you didn¡¯t jump off the building on purpose?¡±


    ¡°I didn¡¯t fall on purpose, and I didn¡¯t jump off a building!¡± Long Zichen responded in frustration and hung up the phone. He wanted to contact Jian Jie, but his mother¡¯s phone was a simple one that only allowed calls and texts. He couldn¡¯t access the internet or make international calls. He sighed and criticized Guan Fen, ¡°Mom, your phone is almost an antique; it¡¯s useless! You should get a smartphone.¡±


    Unfazed, Guan Fen took back the phone and said, ¡°I won¡¯t stay long once your company comes. I¡¯ll head back to the orphanage; there¡¯s a lot of work to do there. I¡¯ve bought clothes for you and hired a nurse who will come later. If you need anything, just call him. I¡¯ll be back tonight.¡±


    Long Zichen was annoyed by his mother¡¯s refusal to rest, ¡°My own son is in this condition, and you won¡¯t even take a break! So heartless!¡± Suddenly remembering something, he asked, ¡°By the way, Mom, did I bring a big songbook when you brought me to the hospital yesterday? It¡¯s a song written by one of our company¡¯s singers. Don¡¯t lose it.¡±


    Guan Fen retrieved a staff book from the bedside cabinet with ¡°Jian Jie¡± written on the cover and asked, ¡°Is this the one? It belongs to Xiao Jie.¡±


    ¡°Yes,¡± replied Long Zichen happily, relieved that it wasn¡¯t lost. However, he was embarrassed by the large dark red blood stain on the cover and decided to make a new copy later.


    Upon seeing Long Zichen¡¯s joyous expression, Guan Fen couldn¡¯t help but smile helplessly.


    A while later, Yuan Chao arrived with a group of people from the company to visit Long Zichen. With Long Zichen¡¯s mother present, everyone put on a show of concern, bringing flowers and fruit baskets, and sincerely wishing him a speedy recovery. However, once Guan Fen left, their curiosity got the better of them, and they were eager to know how Long Zichen ended up in such a state.


    ¡°Dachen, you¡¯re a real daredevil, jumping off a building!¡± Yuan Chao burst into laughter, ¡°From which floor did you jump, and you still managed to survive? Next time you jump, give me a call¡ªI¡¯ve never seen someone jump off a building before!¡±


    The room stifled laughter, while Long Zichen, weakened by his injury, could only shoot daggers with his eyes and replied angrily, ¡°Don¡¯t worry, I¡¯ll make sure to drag you along when I jump next time!¡±


    After some lighthearted banter, Long Zichen asked Xiao Wang to retrieve his mobile phone from home and then promptly drove his colleagues back to the company. He couldn¡¯t bear the thought of being the center of everyone¡¯s amusement. Yuan Chao was the only one left, relishing the opportunity to continue teasing Long Zichen.


    ¡°Did you jump off the building because Xiaojie eloped with that foreign producer due to heartbreak?¡± Yuan Chao asked, baiting Long Zichen after everyone else had left.


    Long Zichen couldn¡¯t muster any more anger and retorted, ¡°Get lost!¡±


    ¡°I can¡¯t die just yet; I want to witness you jumping off a building again!¡± Yuan Chao jokingly replied.


    Long Zichen decided to ignore Yuan Chao, and as soon as Xiao Wang returned with his phone, he couldn¡¯t wait to call Jian Jie.


    Jian Jie had arrived in the United States at 8 o¡¯clock in the morning after a long plane journey. He was exhausted and decided to rest in his hotel room along with the rest of the group. After waking up from a nap, Jian Jie received a call from Long Zichen.


    ¡°Brother Chen, is everything alright? Did something happen yesterday?¡± Jian Jie asked, concerned.


    ¡°What could go wrong? Haha, I had a party with some old classmates yesterday, and I had a bit too much to drink. I completely forgot to see you off. I¡¯m sorry,¡± Long Zichen said with a cheerful tone, seemingly oblivious to the previous incident. Yuan Chao, standing nearby, silently grumbled about Long Zichen¡¯s foolish grin.


    ¡°Oh,¡± Jian Jie couldn¡¯t help but feel a little disappointed. Throughout the long flight, he worried incessantly and tried calling the company as soon as he landed in the United States, but received no response. Now, hearing Long Zichen casually claim he had just been drinking, Jian Jie felt a mix of emotions and couldn¡¯t shake off the lingering unease.


    Later on, Long Zichen engaged in a lengthy conversation with Jian Jie. He had so much to talk about, but Jian Jie wasn¡¯t feeling well, having slept poorly. His responses were brief, ¡°I see,¡± and he hung up the phone.


    Unaware of Jian Jie¡¯s mood, Long Zichen noticed that his usual gentle and smiling voice sounded a bit cold and puzzled. After pondering for a while, he turned to Yuan Chao and asked, ¡°Why did Xiaojie sound unhappy? Did something happen to him?¡±


    ¡°Maybe he¡¯s upset that the company didn¡¯t get him a first-class ticket? The cost for five people would be over 300,000 yuan, but business class is also pretty good!¡± Yuan Chao speculated, unintentionally misleading Long Zichen.


    Long Zichen scowled, ¡°I told you not to be so stingy. What if Xiaojie thinks I¡¯m being stingy and starts to ignore me!¡±


    Please let me know if there are typos/mistakes in the chapter.


    Support me on ko-fi for faster releases ^^

 CH 43

    Translator: Lynn


    After a morning of rest, Brother Jian took everyone to a well-known local restaurant for a lavish meal. Then, they strolled through the famous commercial avenue, where Brother Jian generously bought expensive souvenirs for everyone. The two young assistants were completely taken in by Brother Jian¡¯s charm, exclaiming how he was a true gentleman and a perfect marriage partner. However, they couldn¡¯t help but feel sad that he was already taken. As for how many times they teased Brother Jian and praised Long Zichen behind their backs, we¡¯ll leave that aside for now.


    The group had a fun-filled day, and the next morning, Jian was taken by Jason to meet the members of the Silver Moonlight band. During these days, he familiarized himself with some of Silver Moonlight¡¯s hit singles. Today¡¯s meeting was mainly to get to know each other, discuss the chorus arrangements, and start formal rehearsals the following day.


    In the afternoon, Jason personally accompanied Jian Jie and his assistant to Sunlight Films, a subsidiary of the Press Group, for an audition. The movie ¡°Life of an Opera¡± was one of the major productions of Sunlight Films that year. The entire company attached great importance to it, and even the supporting roles had been auditioned several times. Jian Jie was auditioning for a supporting role that would appear later in the film. He would play a student of the protagonist, opera master Hayne Freeman, in Freeman¡¯s later years. This young and talented opera singer would stay with Freeman until the end of his life, and their relationship would be very close.


    Jian Jie received a simple introduction to the role and a scene clip. Jason advised him, ¡°Just act as usual. Our director likes to cast non-professional actors for his films. He made two award-winning films, and neither of the leads were real actors. You just need to be natural, as realism is more important than acting skills.¡±


    Jian nodded, feeling very nervous. He was so preoccupied with how he would perform during the audition that he even forgot to thank Jason. However, Jason didn¡¯t mind. To him, Asians seemed small, and Jian Jie was still a young child in his eyes. People were always more understanding and forgiving towards children.


    After a while, Jian Jie was ushered into the audition room, which was just an ordinary office space. There were only three people in the room: the director, the assistant director, and an assistant. A camera was set up next to the desk.


    The film had hired the renowned art director, Paul Cook, to direct. Paul was a man of few words, with a beard, unruly curly hair, and plain clothing, making him look like a blue-collar worker.


    Upon Jian¡¯s entrance, he greeted both the director and the assistant director. Paul simply nodded, while the assistant director warmly invited Jian Jie to sit on the sofa and asked him some questions, such as his age and whether he played any musical instruments. Then, with a smile, he said, ¡°I heard from Jason that Jian is a famous singer in Huaguo. This character has several scenes that require singing. I wonder if you could sing a part for us right here?¡±


    ¡°Of course,¡± Jian Jie replied, relieved that he only needed to sing. He asked, ¡°Which song would you like me to perform?¡±


    The assistant director flipped through the script in front of him and said, ¡°It¡¯s ¡®Although I Love You This Way¡¯ from Hein Freeman¡¯s musical ¡®Once Upon a Time¡¯. Can you sing that?¡±


    ¡°Sure,¡± Jian Jie agreed. For today¡¯s audition, he had listened to all of Hein Freeman¡¯s works. ¡®The Past¡¯ was Freeman¡¯s later masterpiece, and ¡®Although I Love You This Way¡¯ was the most popular excerpt among them, which Jian Jie had heard several times.


    Taking the lyrics handed over by the assistant, Jian Jie stood up and began to sing. As soon as he opened his mouth, he forgot his earlier embarrassment. His emotional voice drew people into the atmosphere of the song, making them feel the sorrow of unrequited love.


    At the end of the song, the assistant director applauded, nodded, and said with a smile, ¡°You truly are a professional singer, it was perfect.¡± He stood up and shook hands with Jian Jie, adding, ¡°I¡¯ll let you know in a few days. Thank you for coming for the audition today.¡±


    ¡°Okay, thank you for your time,¡± Jian Jie replied. As he left the room, he noticed that the director Paul remained expressionless, leaving him uncertain about his performance. He thought to himself that the audition was quick, but since he wasn¡¯t asked to do more, it probably meant he wasn¡¯t the right fit for the role. Jian Jie scratched his head and went outside to find Jason and his assistant.


    Jason was charmingly entertaining a group of female employees when he noticed Jian Jie coming out. He asked about the audition, and after listening to Jian Jie¡¯s description, he shrugged and said with a smile, ¡°I may be the producer, but I can¡¯t influence Paul¡¯s decision. He¡¯s a renowned director, and the fact that he interviewed you already gives me a face. But don¡¯t worry, even if you¡¯re not selected, our collaboration remains the same.¡±


    ¡°Okay, thank you, Jason,¡± Jian Jie replied. He hadn¡¯t been too hopeful about the audition from the beginning, so he felt at peace with the outcome. The next day, he started intense rehearsals.


    Before the rehearsal began, Jian Jie took the time to do an exclusive interview with a domestic TV station, as arranged by the company, to announce his guest performance at the Crystal Music Awards. The news quickly spread across China and generated widespread attention. Jian Jie¡¯s fans were thrilled, praising their idol as young, talented, and full of promise. Some even hoped he would become the next Asian Heavenly King and showered him with endless praises.


    Of course, there were also detractors, who mocked Jian Jie for performing at the awards ceremony without receiving an award. They questioned his boasting and criticized his actions. Meanwhile, a certain patient, stuck in the hospital, vented all his energy online, sparking numerous controversies. Fortunately, Jian Jie rarely used the internet, let alone searched for news about himself, so he remained unaware of these troubles. His main focus was on his upcoming performance at the awards ceremony.


    The performer, Silver Moonlight, is a young pop-rock band with three members who happen to be cousins. The lead singer, Chris, possesses an idol-like appearance and enjoys immense popularity among young fans. Despite their successful records, they have yet to gain recognition from mainstream musicians. At the Crystal Awards this year, they only received technical awards, such as the best album packaging, which did not do much to encourage their music.


    Despite this, the band remains optimistic and doesn¡¯t mind being labeled as an idol group. They understand that their looks may help sell records, and they harbor no ill feelings toward Jian Jie gaining their glory. They treat him as a newcomer and believe that not all companies behave similarly.


    During rehearsals together, the band realizes that the Asian singer is quite skilled and easy to get along with, which leaves them satisfied. They appreciate his professionalism, as it aligns with their own approach.


    Jian Jie also enjoys working with this band full of youthful energy. However, he has been in a low mood lately. Whenever Long Zichen calls with his usual cheerfulness, Jian Jie feels a bit annoyed, realizing he shouldn¡¯t be so irritable over trivial matters. He knows Long Zichen has always been kind to him, and he regrets reacting this way. Thankfully, while working and being with the band, he manages to forget these troubles.


    On the 12th, the Crystal Awards take place at the local sports center. Jian Jie and the others can¡¯t attend the event, so they watch the live broadcast on TV from their hotel.


    In the fifth song of the evening, Jian Jie appears on the elevator platform in a stunning white dress, alongside Chris, who wears an equally impressive black dress adorned with rivets. Their dresses, featuring sequins and rhinestones, perfectly combine delicate and wild elements, exuding a mix of angelic and devilish vibes.


    They perform the powerful melody of ¡°December¡± but unexpectedly blend it with another lyrical song, ¡°Time Flies,¡± by Jian Jie and Chris, alternating between singing parts. This impromptu version impresses the live audience and fans worldwide, leaving an indelible memory in their hearts.


    Meanwhile, thousands of miles away, someone lying alone on a hospital bed watches the live broadcast on a computer and can¡¯t hold back tears of joy. Witnessing his beloved Jian Jie shine on a world-class stage like the brightest star fills his heart with happiness and excitement. He longs to speak with Jian Jie right away but hesitates due to the recent coldness between them. He doesn¡¯t know how to mend their relationship.


    Jian Jie is extremely busy with multiple interviews scheduled for him from various local and domestic sources in the United States. After the interviews, he rushes to take off his makeup and change into a simpler suit for a dinner party. Surrounded by unfamiliar faces, he feels lost among the tall, handsome men and beautiful women.


    The happy state lasts until late at night, but Jian Jie can¡¯t fall asleep. The memory of the cheering audience still excites him. After much thought, he decides to share this joy with Long Zichen and sends him a message, despite their recent distance.


    Please let me know if there are typos/mistakes in the chapter.


    Support me on ko-fi for faster releases ^^

 CH 44

    Translator: Lynn


    As soon as Jian Jie sent the message, Long Zichen immediately called.


    ¡°Xiaojie, it¡¯s late there. Haven¡¯t you rested yet?¡± Long Zichen¡¯s voice on the other end of the phone was filled with excitement. ¡°I watched the live broadcast, and your performance was amazing. You looked handsome and outstanding.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re being too generous with your praise,¡± Jian Jie chuckled.


    Hearing Jian Jie¡¯s infectious laughter, Long Zichen felt almost intoxicated and asked sweetly, ¡°Have you decided when you¡¯ll come back?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll take the plane tomorrow night,¡± Jian Jie replied. ¡°I have two more interviews tomorrow morning, and once they¡¯re done, I¡¯ll head back.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s a shame. I won¡¯t be able to pick you up,¡± Long Zichen expressed regret. ¡°I¡¯ve been lying in the hospital, practically rotting my bones!¡±


    Jian Jie was taken aback, ¡°Brother Chen, you¡¯re in the hospital now? Why didn¡¯t anyone inform me?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s just a small accident. I fell at home and broke a bone. Nothing serious. I didn¡¯t tell you because I didn¡¯t want you to worry,¡± Long Zichen brushed it off, avoiding any mention of falling from upstairs and being misunderstood as an attempted suicide by jumping off the building. He didn¡¯t want to embarrass himself further.


    Jian Jie assumed that Long Zichen had a minor injury in the past few days and said helplessly, ¡°Brother Chen, can¡¯t you be more careful at home? It¡¯s cold outside. Please take better care of yourself. I¡¯ll visit you at the hospital when I arrive in Anping the day after tomorrow.¡±


    ¡°No, don¡¯t come to the hospital. I don¡¯t want the media to create stories like ¡®Idol Visits Hospital¡¯. I need to consider your career as well,¡± Long Zichen replied. He really wanted to see Jian Jie, but he didn¡¯t want to put his career at risk. Being an idol star means being cautious about public appearances in certain places.


    Surprisingly, Jian Jie, who is usually talkative, insisted, ¡°It¡¯s okay. If I can¡¯t visit my friends and family in the hospital, then what¡¯s the point of being a celebrity? Brother Chen, I will visit you the day after tomorrow. Is there anything special you need here?¡±


    Long Zichen was deeply moved and almost speechless. His Xiaojie was so caring and considerate! Moreover, he hasn¡¯t seen Jian Jie in many days, and the thought of him visiting was too tempting for Long Zichen to resist. After a moment of thought, he said, ¡°Then please be careful when you come here. Also, take some photos for me in that white dress and bring them back. That¡¯s all I want.¡± He also playfully suggested that Jian Jie could post some high-definition pictures of himself in the beautiful dress on the forum, making other fans envious and jealous.


    Surprisingly, all Long Zichen wanted was the photos of Jian Jie in the white dress, causing Jian Jie to blush slightly. ¡°Well, I haven¡¯t returned the dress yet, I¡¯ll take pictures tomorrow,¡± he responded.


    ¡°Okay. It¡¯s getting late, you should go to bed and rest. You have work tomorrow, so make sure you don¡¯t have dark circles,¡± Long Zichen said, feeling satisfied to have spoken to Jian Jie and knowing that he promised to visit.


    ¡°Yeah,¡± Jian Jie hung up the phone and the dissatisfaction he felt before vanished. He planned to take some photos the next day, and he already bought many souvenirs for his colleagues, but he wanted to find a special gift for Long Zichen, something unique.


    On the other side, Long Zichen held his phone, grinning at himself, which puzzled Ms. Guan Fen who was nearby. ¡°Why are you laughing like that? What did you tell Xiaojie?¡± she asked.


    ¡°It¡¯s nothing. He said he¡¯ll be back in China in two days, and he¡¯s coming to see me!¡± Long Zichen replied, feeling triumphant.


    ¡°Oh, do you like him a lot?¡± Ms. Guan Fen asked directly.


    Long Zichen panicked, ¡°Mom, don¡¯t talk nonsense. No, I¡¯ll treat him like my favorite student!¡±


    ¡°I didn¡¯t specify what kind of ¡®like¡¯ I meant. Why are you so anxious?¡± Ms. Guan Fen glanced at Long Zichen. Long Zichen pouted, regretting that he had spoken too quickly. Ms. Guan Fen continued to muse on her thoughts, sighing inwardly.


    The next day came quickly, and Jian Jie woke up early in the morning to do his makeup and styling. He had two interviews to attend and it was already noon by the time he finished. After lunch, he asked Zhou Jia to dress up and went to an art photography salon to take some photos. When Zhou Jia learned that the request came from their Director Long, she almost burst out laughing. It was evident that it was true love!


    However, Jian Jie was still worried about what gift to buy for Long Zichen. While passing by a shop window, he noticed a set of cute ornaments inside. It featured a rock band composed of cartoon cats. Several kittens were dressed in punk style, playing different instruments, looking like superstars. The lead singer, a little yellow cat, bore a striking resemblance to Long Zichen with its sunglasses. Jian Jie smiled and bought this set of toys, intending to place it at home. He also went to an optical shop to pick up a pair of sunglasses, planning to give them to Long Zichen since he wore sunglasses every day.


    The most joyful thing was finally being able to return home. After spending some time abroad, Jian Jie was really craving authentic Chinese food. To avoid any hassles, he and his family decided to take an earlier flight back.


    This time, the fans got wind of Jian Jie¡¯s return in advance, and his official fan club organized a group of two to three hundred people to pick him up at the airport, showing their unwavering support. Holding banners and lights, the fans had been waiting at the airport since morning.


    As soon as Jian Jie stepped off the plane, he heard about the gathering. To avoid chaos, the airport had sent security guards to escort him. They guided him through a dedicated passage, shielded from the crowd. However, when the fans caught sight of Jian Jie, they couldn¡¯t contain their excitement. They screamed his name in unison and reached out to shake hands with him. Jian Jie, knowing that he couldn¡¯t stay long, waved to them and called out, ¡°It¡¯s cold, everyone, please go back!¡±


    With the fans showing so much love, Jian Jie and his team quickly made their way to the company-provided van, feeling like they were in the middle of a battlefield. It was the first time the two assistants had experienced such a scene, and they were astonished. ¡°Xiaojie is so popular! I¡¯ve never seen so many fans gather like this,¡± one of the assistants exclaimed.


    ¡°It¡¯s heartwarming, but also overwhelming. They waited so long, and we can only have a brief encounter with them. I wish I could talk to all of them,¡± Jian Jie expressed his mixed feelings. ¡°Next time, I¡¯ll ask everyone not to pick me up like this.¡±


    ¡°Alright, the company can make an announcement on your behalf on the Internet,¡± Li Xiaoqi suggested.


    ¡°I¡¯ll go online myself and talk to them directly. I need to persuade the fans not to send me such expensive gifts anymore, just some small cards will be enough,¡± Jian Jie said, recalling the diamond bracelet someone had given him. He couldn¡¯t accept such a lavish gift, but he appreciated the good intentions behind it. He often gave the gifts he received to the children at the orphanage since he couldn¡¯t use them all.


    Li Xiaoqi agreed with Jian Jie¡¯s idea, believing that guiding the fans to do charity work in his name would enhance his image as a star.


    Back at the company, several senior executives, including Chai Xuyang and Tang Xiaohui, came to welcome Jian Jie, emphasizing how important he was to the company. Now, Jian Jie was not only the first brother of Xinghuo Entertainment but also one of the hottest newcomers in the entire country, deserving special attention.


    Jian Jie gave small gifts to everyone and participated in a meeting about him. When he suggested visiting Long Zichen in the hospital, Li Xiaoqi opposed it for the same reason as earlier. However, everyone knew about the strong bond between Jian Jie and Long Zichen, making it hard to deter him from going to the hospital.


    Jian Jie changed into casual attire and wore a hat, making him look like an ordinary college student. Xiao Wang drove him to the hospital, and on the way, they stopped by a restaurant to pick up a few dishes that Long Zichen liked. Since it was lunchtime, Jian Jie decided to bring an extra meal for Long Zichen.


    Xiao Wang chuckled and said, ¡°Brother Chen will be so happy to see you later. He regretted not being able to see you off when you left, and he mentioned it to me several times. He was worried that you might be upset.¡±


    ¡°He was hospitalized the day I left the country?¡± Jian Jie was taken aback. ¡°He only told me two days ago that he broke a bone. It¡¯s been a week already?¡±


    ¡°Yes, it was the night before you went abroad. Brother Chen didn¡¯t want us to tell you because he thought you might worry while you were away,¡± Xiao Wang explained with a sigh. ¡°Brother Chen really cares about you, Brother Xiaojie.¡±


    Jian Jie fell silent, feeling both surprised and conflicted. He couldn¡¯t quite determine whether it was guilt or a mix of emotions he was experiencing. Long Zichen¡¯s actions, words, and overall demeanor kept replaying in his mind. Despite Long Zichen¡¯s imperfections, his sincere care and affection for Jian Jie were undeniable, something he couldn¡¯t ignore.


    Please let me know if there are typos/mistakes in the chapter.


    Support me on ko-fi for faster releases ^^

 CH 45

    Translator: Lynn


    In the hospital room, Long Zichen was feeling a bit bored, passing the time by using music arrangement software to create simple accompaniments for the new songs written by Jian Jie. His mind, however, was completely preoccupied with thoughts of Xiaojie¡¯s return. Long Zichen envisioned taking a few days off once Xiaojie arrived, and they would discuss the second album after a well-deserved rest. His mind kept circling around various matters related to Jian Jie, filling his thoughts with joy and excitement.


    As Long Zichen was happily immersed in his thoughts, the door of the ward gently opened, and there stood Xiaojie, the person he had been longing for, with a bright smile. The monotonous room suddenly came to life as if the sun had lit up the entire space. Long Zichen¡¯s eyes sparkled with delight upon seeing Jian Jie.


    ¡°Xiaojie, you¡¯re back!¡± Long Zichen exclaimed joyfully.


    Upon noticing that Long Zichen was covered in gauze on his hands, feet, and head, Jian Jie was taken aback. It seemed that his injuries were far from minor. ¡°Brother Chen, you¡¯re hurt so badly! How did this happen?¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry, it¡¯s nothing serious. Why did you come here so quickly? Did you just get off the plane?¡± Long Zichen¡¯s spirits lifted even more upon seeing Jian Jie. If his limbs weren¡¯t immobilized, he might have jumped out of bed with excitement.


    Xiao Wang, though often ignored, spoke up for Jian Jie dutifully, ¡°Brother Xiao Jie came straight to see Brother Chen as soon as he returned to the company.¡±


    Long Zichen beamed at Jian Jie, ¡°Sit down and rest. Mom is getting some food. There are fruits and drinks over there. Help yourself.¡± Long Zichen wished he could get up and serve Jian Jie himself.


    Jian Jie nodded and placed the food he bought for Long Zichen on the bedside table. ¡°Should I call Auntie to come back? We also bought some food. It should be enough. Can you eat spicy food with your broken bone? I got you some sour and spicy boiled fish. I hope you can have it.¡±


    ¡°I can eat anything! I¡¯ve been eating boxed lunches and that bean sprout and pig¡¯s trotters soup every day. I almost feel sick.¡± Long Zichen grumbled, looking pitifully at Jian Jie, trying to evoke sympathy. ¡°My mom is so busy; she only comes to see me once a day. She doesn¡¯t even bother to cook for me or care about her own son¡¯s well-being.¡±


    Guan Fen happened to return from buying a box lunch at that moment and scolded her unscrupulous son. ¡°What nonsense are you talking about? The restaurant was closed today, so there¡¯s no soup for you!¡± Then, she turned to Jian Jie and Xiao Wang with a warm smile and said, ¡°Xiaojie, Xiao Wang, I heard from Xiaochen that you recently went abroad. Did you just come back?¡±


    ¡°Hello, Auntie. I just returned to China this morning. I came to see Brother Chen. Is he feeling any better? When will he be discharged from the hospital?¡± For some reason, Jian Jie couldn¡¯t shake off the feeling that Long Zichen¡¯s mother was looking at him strangely.


    Long Zichen immediately chimed in, adopting an extremely sorrowful tone, ¡°I still have to stay in the hospital for another week. It¡¯s so boring! Anyway, I¡¯m trying my best to gain some sympathy here. Xiaojie, you should stay for a while longer. It¡¯ll make me feel much better seeing you around.¡±


    Guan Fen didn¡¯t hold back her criticism, ¡°It¡¯s your own doing. Even after you¡¯re discharged, you¡¯ll stay with me. If you heal faster, you can go out and about.¡±


    ¡°Hmph, Mom, you always talk about me,¡± Long Zichen pretended to be annoyed and continued their playful banter. In front of Jian Jie, he couldn¡¯t resist the urge to interact and be heard, but he also worried that he might come off as too noisy.


    Jian Jie had something on his mind, but he decided to keep it to himself for the time being. Instead, he set up a small dining table for Long Zichen, placed the dishes and chopsticks, and prepared the meal.


    Long Zichen, not seeing Jian Jie¡¯s actions, quickly shouted, ¡°Xiao Wang, you¡¯re being useless again! How can you make Xiaojie work for me?¡±


    Innocent Xiao Wang thought Jian Jie had done it voluntarily, so why was Long Zichen blaming him? Thankfully, Jian Jie came to his defense immediately, ¡°It¡¯s not a big deal. I can handle it. I heard that Xiao Wang commutes between the hospital and the company every day. That¡¯s hard enough, and you¡¯re always scolding him.¡±


    Guan Fen also playfully scolded Long Zichen, ¡°Exactly! You always complain, even though you¡¯re sick now, you can¡¯t just keep nitpicking at others. Your temper is bad; maybe it¡¯s better if nobody cares about you.¡±


    ¡°Oh, okay, I¡¯ll stop complaining. Are you happy now?¡± Long Zichen grumbled, feeling even more pitiful as he saw that even Xiaojie wasn¡¯t taking his side.


    After sharing a meal with Jian Jie and the others, Guan Fen prepared to head back to the orphanage. The round trip to the hospital takes over two hours, and she can¡¯t spare much more time away from the children. She felt guilty and pulled Jian Jie aside under the pretext of taking out the trash to have a few private words:


    ¡°Xiaojie, I have a favor to ask. If you have any free time, please come and visit Xiaochen. Being sick and injured can be quite depressing, and I hope someone can accompany him. I can¡¯t leave the orphanage much. His father passed away early, and I had to leave him alone at home when he was young, which I¡¯ve always regretted. I see that Xiaochen holds you in high regard, and he¡¯s in a better mood when you¡¯re around. If you¡¯re busy, at least talk to him on the phone. When you were overseas, he always seemed so happy after talking to you.¡±


    When Long Zichen¡¯s mother made such a request, Jian Jie was taken aback and quickly agreed, ¡°Auntie, please don¡¯t say that. I will definitely come every day. Brother Chen has always taken care of me like this. I actually wanted to discuss something with you and Brother Chen. Once Brother Chen is discharged from the hospital, it would be best for him to come live with me. I have a spare room in my house. Even if I can¡¯t be at home all day, I¡¯ll arrange someone to take care of him.¡±


    ¡°That sounds like a lot of trouble for you, isn¡¯t it?¡± Guan Fen felt uneasy, ¡°Xiaochen¡¯s rented house is too small, and my place isn¡¯t very quiet. It¡¯s not right for us to stay at your place and cause more inconvenience.¡±


    ¡°No, it¡¯s really no trouble. I live alone in my house,¡± Jian Jie reassured her.


    ¡°Well, let¡¯s go inside and ask Xiaochen about it and see what he thinks,¡± Guan Fen said, eyeing Jian Jie thoughtfully. He was young, kind, and had a gentle and cute demeanor. It was no wonder her son had fallen for him. Anyone who saw that gentle smile would undoubtedly love it too. Guan Fen had always had a good relationship with Long Zichen and treated him as both her son and friend. Since he was young, she had respected her son¡¯s wishes, so whoever he liked, she couldn¡¯t object.


    After discussing the matter with Long Zichen, he couldn¡¯t be happier about the idea. He was excited and eager to be discharged from the hospital immediately and move into Jian Jie¡¯s house. The thought of living with Jian Jie made him feel overjoyed, and he even felt thankful for the accident. If he had known that getting a broken leg would result in such treatment from Jane, he would have jumped down the stairs even earlier. If he knew that his mother had pulled at Jane¡¯s heartstrings on his behalf, he¡¯d be even more grateful.


    Seeing Long Zichen¡¯s happy expression, Jian Jie couldn¡¯t help but feel a mix of emotions. He didn¡¯t know if he should be happy or not about the situation.


    After Guan Fen left and Xiao Wang was sent back to the company by Long Zichen, only Jian Jie and Long Zichen remained in the ward. Jian Jie had been given two days off by the company, so he planned to spend the afternoon with Long Zichen and return to the hospital with Xiao Wang in the evening. He took an apple and wanted to peel it for Long Zichen, but there was no paring knife available. Struggling with a fruit knife, Jian Jie almost peeled off most of the flesh in the process.


    Long Zichen lay on the bed, laughing non-stop, ¡°Xiaojie, you truly are a young master. You can¡¯t even peel an apple properly.¡±


    ¡°¡­I¡¯m not good at using this kind of knife. Let me cut another one,¡± Jian Jie said, looking at the incomplete apple in his hand with a sense of helplessness.


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry about it, this much is enough for me.¡± Long Zichen took the apple, which was now mostly core, and happily nibbled on the remaining flesh. A contented smile adorned his face as he gazed at Jian Jie. Despite spending a whole week confined to bed due to the fracture, he seemed to have forgotten all his usual anxieties and boredom. In this moment, his heart felt peaceful and brimming with happiness.


    Feeling a bit uncomfortable under Long Zichen¡¯s intense gaze, Jian Jie tried to divert the conversation: ¡°Auntie mentioned hiring a nurse, but why isn¡¯t anyone here?¡±


    ¡°We¡¯re short on nurses. They all work part-time and come every two or three hours,¡± Long Zichen explained.


    Jian Jie nodded, considering that he might be able to help by hiring a full-time nurse with a bit more money: ¡°In that case, just give me a call if you need anything.¡±


    ¡°Okay.¡±


    Jian Jie took out the sunglasses he had planned to give to Long Zichen. Seeing them, Long Zichen¡¯s face lit up with joy. He commented that Jian Jie was spending too much money on him, but Jian Jie only smiled without responding. Ignoring the bandage on his head, Long Zichen put on the sunglasses and tried them on, then blushed slightly and said, ¡°My hair has been shaved off. Do I look ugly now?¡±


    ¡°No, Brother Chen, you look as handsome as ever.¡±


    Long Zichen blushed a little more, finding his Xiaojie utterly lovable. The ward fell quiet once more as people often felt a bit drowsy after lunch. They lazily stayed in the room, occasionally exchanging a few words without the need to force conversation.


    An hour flew by, and Brother Jian called to ask if Jian Jie had finished work. Jian Jie hesitated for a moment and then told his elder brother, ¡°One of our company colleagues got injured and is hospitalized. I¡¯m at the hospital.¡±


    ¡°Which colleague is it? Come back home after a while.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s our music director. I¡¯ll go back after having dinner in the evening.¡±


    Long Zichen eavesdropped on Jian Jie¡¯s phone conversation and couldn¡¯t contain his joy when he heard that Jian Jie planned to stay until the evening.


    Brother Jian knew that Jian Jie¡¯s music director was the one who discovered his career and had a close friendship with him. After a moment¡¯s thought, he said, ¡°What kind of injury did he get? Since he¡¯s your music director, I should visit him too.¡± He asked for the hospital¡¯s address and said he would come later.


    After hanging up the phone, Jian Jie told Long Zichen, ¡°My elder brother said he wants to see you too, is that okay?¡±


    ¡°Of course, your elder brother is too polite.¡± At this moment, Long Zichen¡¯s heart raced, and although he hadn¡¯t done anything harmful to his younger brother yet, he couldn¡¯t help feeling guilty. Seeing his parents¡¯ affectionate interactions made him feel even more remorseful.


    Please let me know if there are typos/mistakes in the chapter.


    Support me on ko-fi for faster releases ^^

 CH 46

    Translator: Lynn


    Approximately thirty minutes later, a busy nurse arrived to adjust Long Zichen¡¯s position and took away the used tableware for cleaning. Long Zichen, who had been holding it in for a while, discreetly used the urinal under the covers but shyly asked Jian Jie to step out beforehand.


    Shortly after, Brother Jian arrived at the ward, carrying flowers and fruit baskets. Jian Jie helped his brother arrange the flowers, and Long Zichen graciously said to Brother Jian, ¡°You¡¯re too kind. You don¡¯t need to bring anything.¡±


    ¡°I heard from Xiao Qi that Mr. Long has always taken good care of my family, Jiejie, and I want to thank you very much,¡± Brother Jian replied with a smile. ¡°It¡¯s just a small gesture, and Jiejie never causes any trouble.¡±


    ¡°How could it be troublesome? Xiaojie is exceptional and follows the company¡¯s arrangements. He¡¯s currently the best-selling singer in our company. He even participated in the Crystal Awards ceremony recently. How many newcomers can achieve such success in their first year of debut!¡± Long Zichen praised Jian Jie enthusiastically, knowing that praising him was the safest way to talk to Brother Jian.


    Indeed, his tactic worked like a charm. Brother Jian started modestly, but after a few sentences, he switched to big brother mode and joined Long Zichen in boasting about his younger brother. With Long Zichen¡¯s calculated flattery, Brother Jian recounted various cute behaviors of Jian Jie from his childhood. Although they were things typical of children that age, the two of them chatted with great interest. Meanwhile, Jian Jie propped his forehead, completely tuning out the two people in front of him.


    Jian Bin felt like he had found a kindred spirit, and it was a rare occasion for him to have such a delightful conversation with someone of his age. Eventually, he left after chatting for a long time. Jian Jie wanted to stay until Xiao Wang arrived, but Long Zichen insisted on sending him home, saying, ¡°There¡¯s nothing to worry about with me. You¡¯ll be bored staying here. Go home with your elder brother and rest well.¡±


    ¡°Then I¡¯ll come to see you tomorrow,¡± Jian Jie agreed, ¡°Do you want anything to eat? Snacks, fruit? I¡¯ll bring them tomorrow.¡±


    ¡°I still want to eat today¡¯s boiled fish! It¡¯ll be fine if you come after mealtime,¡± Long Zichen pondered for a moment. ¡°Also, see if you can find anyone selling lemons now. I want lemons and grapefruit.¡±


    ¡°Okay, I¡¯ll check if there¡¯s anything available. See you tomorrow,¡± Jian Jie bid farewell to Long Zichen.


    ¡°Yeah, see you tomorrow, Xiaojie, Brother Jian,¡± Long Zichen watched Jian Jie and his brother leave the ward, feeling a bit dazed.


    After leaving the hospital, Jian Jie wore a hat and a scarf to avoid unnecessary attention and crowds due to recognition.


    Jian Bin found it amusing and remarked, ¡°Look at all the trouble that comes with being a star. Why do so many people still want to become one?¡±


    ¡°But it¡¯s also very interesting,¡± Jian Jie argued with his brother, unconvinced. ¡°Traveling to different places to sing and perform is fascinating. I get to meet many excellent musicians too.¡±


    ¡°Okay, as long as you¡¯re happy,¡± Jian Bin changed the subject with a smile. ¡°The music director of your company seems quite interesting, but he appears unreliable. Can he really make good music?¡±


    Several people had asked this question before, and Jian Jie couldn¡¯t help but laugh. ¡°Actually, Brother Chen is very strict with the company¡¯s singers and is highly professional in music. He produced all my albums.¡±


    ¡°It seems like he is indeed taking good care of you,¡± Jian Bin said, sounding a bit envious. He didn¡¯t know much about music, but seeing his brother¡¯s happy expression when talking about Long Zichen made him feel a little left out.


    With a guilty conscience, Jian Jie replied with a nonchalant ¡°hmm¡±. He still hadn¡¯t figured out how to tell his elder brother about his relationship with Long Zichen.


    They made their way to Shui Xiaoren¡¯s house again, delivering gifts to Shui Xiaoren¡¯s family, and brought Amu back with them. When Shui Xiaoren saw Jian Jie, he exaggeratedly patted him on the shoulder and laughed, ¡°You¡¯ve made it big! Singing abroad and becoming an international superstar!¡±


    ¡°Do you want my autograph?¡± Jian Jie joked with him.


    Shui Xiaoren shook his finger playfully, ¡°Autograph? I have plenty of photos with the international superstar Jian Jie. They¡¯re enough to scare little girls. Don¡¯t forget, I also have a picture of you in a dress~~¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s as if you¡¯ve never worn one yourself!¡± Jian Jie teased, ¡°I also have a photo of your naked buttocks!¡±


    ¡°Hahaha, we¡¯re so close, of course, we have to take care of each other. It¡¯s not right to take photos!¡± Shui Xiaoren laughed, trying to act endearing.


    ¡°Don¡¯t even think about stealing my photos anytime soon. My brother has already scanned all of them into the computer!¡± Jian Jie retorted with a grin.


    ¡°Brother Bin is so heartless¡­¡± Shui Xiaoren said with a mock look of sadness.


    After spending some time at Shui Xiaoren¡¯s house, they returned home. Jian Jie packed up his belongings and planned to move back to his place the next day. With school about to start, it would be more convenient for him to commute between the company and the hospital from his own home.


    Late at night, just before going to bed, Long Zichen called Jian Jie. In reality, he had nothing particular to discuss, but he just wanted to hear Jian Jie¡¯s voice.


    Under the quilt, Jian Jie held his phone and asked, ¡°Brother Chen, are you still awake?¡±


    ¡°As soon as you left in the afternoon, I lay down and fell asleep. I¡¯m not sleepy now. How about you? Are you going to sleep?¡± Long Zichen asked sweetly. He had been in a great mood all day.


    ¡°I haven¡¯t slept yet. What¡¯s up, Brother Chen?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s okay, I just wanted to check if you were asleep.¡± Long Zichen was just searching for something to talk about.


    ¡°I¡¯ll be fine tomorrow. I¡¯ll come to the hospital early to see you. Brother Chen, is there anything you need when you come here later? We can buy it together tomorrow,¡± Jian Jie offered.


    ¡°No need to worry about it. Just let Xiao Wang buy whatever is necessary,¡± Long Zichen replied, grinning when he mentioned the idea of living together. ¡°I used to feel like you were angry with me. I was really worried, but now that you¡¯re letting me live in your house, I¡¯m so happy!¡±


    Jian Jie paused and softly said, ¡°I was wrong before. Are you angry with me, Brother Chen?¡±


    ¡°How could I be angry with you? I¡¯m glad that you¡¯re still willing to talk to me. And even if you do get angry with me, I¡¯d still be happy. You don¡¯t treat me like a stranger. You wouldn¡¯t get angry with someone you don¡¯t know well!¡± Long Zichen¡¯s perspective on things was quite unique.


    Jian Jie couldn¡¯t help but smile helplessly as he held the phone, not knowing what to say. He could feel that Long Zichen cared for him deeply, and this affection didn¡¯t make him uncomfortable. So, Jian Jie had already made a decision, but he didn¡¯t feel the need to explain it to Long Zichen.


    The next day, their diligent assistant, Xiao Wang, drove Jian Jie to the hospital. They went to the supermarket to buy lemons, but grapefruits were not available, so they settled for a box of honey grapefruit drinks. They also purchased salted plums, tangerine peels, and other snacks to pass the time when they got bored.


    Jian Jie spent the whole day with Long Zichen at the hospital. They discussed the new album and future plans, but regardless of the topic, Long Zichen remained in high spirits, like an enthusiastic schoolboy going on a field trip. Jian Jie gazed at him with affection and kindness, feeling genuinely happy in his presence. Being with Long Zichen was always an enjoyable experience.


    However, the following day, Jian Jie¡¯s schedule became hectic. With school starting soon, the company arranged numerous press events and interviews for him. His album sales were excellent, and it had yet to be taken off the shelves. The company aimed to capitalize on the success and boost sales further. Jian Jie had a busy time ahead, and he would only visit Long Zichen¡¯s place late at night, often returning home to rest after a short stay. Naturally, Long Zichen was reluctant to see him leave and complained about the company¡¯s relentless demands, conveniently forgetting how he had once oppressed new artists himself.


    But soon, his mood changed as he got discharged from the hospital and moved into Jian Jie¡¯s house.


    Please let me know if there are typos/mistakes in the chapter.


    Support me on ko-fi for faster releases ^^

 CH 47

    Translator: Lynn


    On the day Long Zichen was discharged from the hospital, many of his colleagues from the company visited to congratulate him and helped with the move to Jian Jie¡¯s house. Everyone knew that Long Zichen was going to recover at Jian Jie¡¯s place, and they couldn¡¯t help but think that the director must have persuaded and enticed him. They felt sorry for Brother Xiao Jie. However, Long Zichen paid no mind to these speculations; he was simply elated. Although Jian Jie couldn¡¯t personally come due to work commitments, it was understandable as work always took priority. Besides, he would get to live under the same roof as Jian Jie for the next month or two, and that short period brought him immense joy.


    Jian Jie had recently secured an endorsement contract for Ye Jing¡¯s upcoming smartphone, and the two-year deal amounted to three million in endorsement fees. He had to travel to different locations for TV commercial shoots, which made it impossible for him to pick up Long Zichen in person.


    The mobile advertisement featured a new song called ¡°Diamond¡± by Jian Jie, which hadn¡¯t been released yet. However, the manufacturer, Zhongtian Technology, had specific requirements for the lyrics, leading to significant changes. In addition to the advertisement, Zhongtian Technology was sponsoring the music video (MV) for the song. The mobile phone itself would also be featured in the MV. For this, they invited well-known foreign advertising directors, and the total production cost was nearly 10 million, a significant investment.


    The filming lasted four days, with the first three days spent shooting at various locations and the final day back in the studio. Jian Jie¡¯s performance in the advertisement was flawless, and at his current level, he didn¡¯t need the company to rehearse for him in advance. Apart from the TV commercial, they also took some still photos for outdoor advertising and publicity purposes.


    By the time all the work concluded, it was quite late, and the assistant escorted Jian Jie home directly.


    Upon entering the house, Amu was the first to greet him, and after giving it a few rubs, Jian Jie noticed Long Zichen sitting in the wheelchair, stretching his arms and legs, trying his best to move towards him.


    ¡°Brother Chen, be careful,¡± Jian Jie hurried over to assist, worried he might fall. Despite the new carpet on the floor, it wouldn¡¯t be pleasant to fall.


    ¡°It¡¯s okay,¡± Long Zichen smiled, ¡°Xiaojie, you¡¯re back. Did the commercial shoot go well?¡± Although they had phone calls every night, it wasn¡¯t the same as having the real person in front of him.


    Jian Jie pushed Long Zichen to the living room sofa and sat down, saying, ¡°It went well. They gave me a few mobile phones. I can only use this brand for the next two years. Brother Chen, do you want one?¡± As the spokesperson, Jian Jie was required to exclusively use Zhongtian Technology¡¯s mobile phones for the next two years. They had provided him with six different styles and colors. Currently, he was using their latest smart music phone.


    Long Zichen immediately said, ¡°Then I¡¯ll use the same one as you!¡±


    ¡°Oh, I used the blue one. This one is only available in pink. Do you want it?¡± Jian Jie took out several Zhongtian mobile phones from the suitcase and placed them on the coffee table.


    Long Zichen hesitated for a moment; the pink phone would be too eye-catching for a man to carry. However, he didn¡¯t want to give this phone to some female colleague either. In the end, he decided, ¡°I want it!¡± choosing the pink phone.


    ¡°Should we send another one to your aunt?¡± Jian Jie asked.


    Long Zichen quickly waved his hand, ¡°She won¡¯t be able to use it properly. Keep one as a spare, and you can figure out what to do with the rest.¡±


    Jian Jie nodded, putting away the items and taking all the luggage back to the room. Long Zichen followed him like a shadow, pushing the wheelchair. Jian Jie couldn¡¯t help but smile and said, ¡°Brother Chen, don¡¯t run around. You can use the computer in the living room while I take a shower after packing up. We can talk later. Did you wash up? Do you need my help?¡±


    When the nurse was still around, Long Zichen had taken a bath, so he hesitated at Jian Jie¡¯s tempting offer. However, he was afraid that Jian Jie might dislike it if he saw something inappropriate, so he regretfully shook his head and replied, ¡°No, I¡¯ve already washed up. You go ahead and tidy up. I¡¯ll be in the living room. I¡¯ll come back later!¡±


    For Jian Jie, this was his first endorsement and commercial shoot, and naturally, his fans were thrilled and considered it a significant milestone. They were genuinely happy for every achievement and success he attained. On this point, Long Zichen had much in common with the fans. Lately, he was in high spirits, even if he stumbled upon some alleged scandals; he couldn¡¯t be bothered to argue. Secretly, he felt proud, thinking, ¡°Xiaojie will be sleeping in the same house as me tonight. You wild models, go ahead and envy!¡±


    Of course, life wasn¡¯t perfect at the moment. They chatted for a while in the living room at night, but in the end, they slept in separate rooms. Jian Jie carried Long Zichen to his bed, and they retired to their respective rooms. Still, just knowing that Jian Jie was sleeping next door brought Long Zichen immense happiness. This joy could last at least a month, and he had nothing to complain about!


    During the day, Jian Jie couldn¡¯t stay home for long. The company had reduced the number of announcements for him recently, but he still had to attend school. However, he always rushed back to have lunch with Long Zichen and never went out at night. Being with Long Zichen made Jian Jie truly happy. Long Zichen¡¯s vibrant smile and cheerful demeanor brought endless energy. Little did he know that Long Zichen was facing some troubles of his own.


    Every time Jian Jie looked at Long Zichen with tenderness, the buried hope in his heart would resurface. He couldn¡¯t help but wonder if Long Zichen was starting to have feelings for him. But he also knew that Jian Jie¡¯s kindness extended to everyone, and he feared that if he confessed his love, it might ruin their current closeness. He cherished the time spent with Jian Jie more than anything else.


    Finally, one day, when Sun Qianqian called Jian Jie and invited him to a concert, Jian Jie hesitated for a moment before agreeing. This made Long Zichen uncomfortable, and he couldn¡¯t help but ask, ¡°What concert are you guys going to?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s a musical, ¡®Once Upon a Time¡¯ by Hein Freeman,¡± Jian Jie replied with enthusiasm. ¡°There¡¯s been no news about the audition, so I guess it didn¡¯t work out, but this musical is really great, and I want to see it.¡±


    ¡°Oh, when are you going?¡± Long Zichen turned his head to look out the window, trying to hide the emotions on his face.


    However, Jian Jie noticed that Long Zichen seemed upset and asked curiously, ¡°Brother Chen, are you feeling unhappy?¡±


    ¡°No, no,¡± Long Zichen denied vehemently, though his eyes were already welling up with tears, and his heart felt heavy. ¡°Qianqian is a wonderful girl, very gentle and beautiful¡­ you, you two are a great match¡­ I¡¯m just a little jealous, that¡¯s all.¡±


    Jian Jie was taken aback for a moment, and then suddenly understood what Long Zichen was trying to say. He turned to face Long Zichen directly, their eyes locking. Long Zichen blushed and stammered, ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Xiaojie. I shouldn¡¯t have said those things¡­ I have no right to express such feelings. I didn¡¯t mean to, please don¡¯t be angry.¡± Tears filled his eyes, and he tried hard not to cry, but the emotions overwhelmed him.


    Jian Jie had never expected to see Long Zichen cry. His heart filled with both surprise and tenderness. He quickly handed Long Zichen a tissue to wipe his eyes, and at the same time, he put an arm around him to comfort him, saying, ¡°Brother Chen, I don¡¯t have feelings for Qianqian. She¡¯s like a little sister to me, and we¡¯re just friends.¡±


    ¡°I know, I understand¡­¡± Long Zichen covered his face with the tissue, trying to regain composure. ¡°It¡¯s okay, Xiaojie. I¡¯m just feeling sad¡­ I know that I can¡¯t be a woman¡­¡±


    Jian Jie¡¯s heart melted at Long Zichen¡¯s vulnerability. ¡°Brother Chen, I¡¯ve been thinking about it for a while now, and maybe I also have feelings for men. I think I have feelings for you.¡±


    ¡°Ah, what did you say?¡± Long Zichen raised his head and looked at Jian Jie in disbelief. He couldn¡¯t believe what he just heard.


    Feeling embarrassed by Long Zichen¡¯s intense stare, Jian Jie blushed and hesitated to repeat her words. ¡°Brother Chen, back in the hot spring, when you asked me that question¡­ If you still want to, I mean, if you want to be together in the future¡­¡±


    The shock of Jian Jie¡¯s confession left Long Zichen feeling a bit lightheaded, but his heart was overwhelmed with joy. He wiped away his tears with a grin and said, ¡°I can¡¯t believe it! Are you serious? Because if you are, I¡¯m incredibly happy!¡±


    Please let me know if there are typos/mistakes in the chapter.


    Support me on ko-fi for faster releases ^^

 CH 48

    Translator: Lynn


    Under normal circumstances, after two people confess their love to each other, one would expect passion, desire, and a night filled with joy. So why did Jian Jie leave the room after putting Long Zichen to bed like usual? Long Zichen looked at Jian Jie¡¯s back in confusion. Even though his physical condition wasn¡¯t at its best for a love scene, he thought at least they would share a passionate kiss. He felt a sense of emptiness and disbelief at the lack of such a moment.


    Trying to reassure himself, Long Zichen lay on the bed, clutching the quilt, and laughed at the situation. He couldn¡¯t believe his luck and happiness, almost feeling like he should buy a lottery ticket the next day.


    On the other hand, Jian Jie wasn¡¯t as calm as Long Zichen assumed. As he lay on his bed, he felt his face burning with happiness and worry. Confessing to Long Zichen was one thing, but how would he ever explain this to his elder brother?


    Before he could figure out a plan, Brother Jian arrived. He brought wild old turtles and a pot of soup stewed at home, intending to give some to Jian Jie and check up on how he was doing.


    When Brother Jian arrived, he was surprised to find the director of Jian Jie¡¯s company there, dressed in pajamas with a chicken coop on his head, eating pineapple as if he was accustomed to living with Jian Jie. Long Zichen was taken aback and accidentally choked on the pineapple. Trying to speak, he greeted Brother Jian, ¡°Brother Jian, you¡¯re here. Jian Jie hasn¡¯t finished school yet. Do you need to find him?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m here to see him. We made some soft-shelled turtle soup at home, so I thought I¡¯d bring him some to try,¡± Brother Jian replied, trying to suppress any strange feelings he had. He then asked Long Zichen, ¡°When did Mr. Long leave the hospital?¡±


    Trying to avoid any suspicion, Long Zichen quickly placed the glass basin on the coffee table and cautiously replied, ¡°It¡¯s only been a few days since I was discharged. The place I rented is too small, and with the wheelchair, it¡¯s inconvenient to recuperate. Jian Jie kindly offered me to stay here. It¡¯s really nice of him.¡±


    ¡°We¡¯re all colleagues, and we should take care of each other,¡± Jian Bin nodded, asking the key question, ¡°Does Mr. Long have any relatives here?¡±


    Long Zichen explained, ¡°I don¡¯t have any siblings, and my father passed away early. My mother is the only one at home. She is the director of the Children¡¯s Welfare Institute and keeps quite busy. Sometimes she might come over.¡±


    ¡°Xiaojie doesn¡¯t know how to cook and take care of others. Did you neglect Mr. Long?¡± Brother Jian¡¯s words were cleverly designed to be a trap. He wanted to know if Long Zichen needed any assistance due to his injury, and he used his brother as a pretext to offer help.


    Thankfully, Long Zichen didn¡¯t fall into the trap and answered honestly, ¡°I didn¡¯t neglect anything. There are nurses here to take care of everything, and they just left. Xiaojie doesn¡¯t need to worry about anything.¡±


    Brother Jian felt relieved and continued to chat with Long Zichen calmly. When Jian Jie returned home around six o¡¯clock, he brought some delicious food from outside. Upon seeing his elder brother, he was surprised, ¡°Brother, why are you here?¡±


    ¡°I can¡¯t come to see you?¡± Brother Jian pretended to be annoyed, ¡°Didn¡¯t you have dinner? What kind of meal did you buy? I brought some soft-shelled turtle soup. I¡¯ll go reheat it. You didn¡¯t tell me that Mr. Long is also living here.¡±


    Jian Jie felt a bit guilty and glanced at Long Zichen before replying to his elder brother, ¡°It¡¯s not a big deal. Brother Chen is recovering from an injury, so he¡¯s staying here for the time being. I have a spare room, so he¡¯s welcome to stay.¡±


    Jian Jie and his brother went to the kitchen, and his elder brother poured the soup from the thermos into a bowl and heated it in the microwave. He gave Jian Jie a meaningful look, feeling it was a bit reckless to bring someone home without prior notice, but he refrained from saying anything in front of Long Zichen.


    Jian Jie innocently asked, ¡°Brother, what¡¯s wrong?¡±


    ¡°What can I do? Are you handling everything well lately? Balancing work and studies can be tough.¡± Jian Bin asked about Jian Jie¡¯s recent situation, chatted for a few minutes, and when the soup was ready, he brought it out. He said, ¡°Alright, let¡¯s eat. I¡¯ll head back now.¡± Brother Jian wiped his hands and went to the door to put on his shoes.


    ¡°Isn¡¯t elder brother staying to eat? I bought a lot, enough for all of us.¡± Jian Jie insisted.


    Long Zichen also joined in, ¡°Xiaojie just got back. Brother Jian, please don¡¯t rush.¡±


    ¡°No, your sister Xinya is waiting for me to have dinner. You enjoy the meal, I¡¯ll come back another day.¡± Jian Bin waved his hand. Although he had some worries about Jian Jie, he couldn¡¯t quite pinpoint what felt off during the meeting with Director Long. Nevertheless, he had already decided to visit his brother from time to time.


    Long Zichen had no idea that Brother Jian had labeled him as ¡°dangerous.¡± Once Brother Jian left, Long Zichen let out a sigh of relief and said with a smile, ¡°Seeing your brother made a chill run down my spine.¡±


    ¡°Why are you so afraid of my brother? He won¡¯t do anything to you.¡± Jian Jie chuckled at Long Zichen¡¯s reaction.


    ¡°That¡¯s not necessarily true!¡± Long Zichen shook his head in an exaggerated manner, ¡°If your brother finds out that I¡¯ve taken away his precious brother, he might break my leg.¡±


    Jian Jie giggled at the thought of such a scenario. However, he wanted to defend his brother and said, ¡°Brother Chen, don¡¯t worry. My brother is kind and rarely loses his temper. He listens to reason, so I¡¯ll talk to him when the time is right.¡± He hesitated for a moment, feeling a bit embarrassed.


    ¡°It¡¯s alright, no need to worry. You can talk to your brother whenever you feel comfortable,¡± Long Zichen replied with understanding. Although he felt a tinge of jealousy hearing Jian Jie praise his brother so much, he didn¡¯t want to put Jian Jie in an awkward position. Jian Jie had been reluctant to confess their relationship to his family, and Long Zichen respected that decision. He added, ¡°But I have already told my mother the truth. Are you mad at me?¡±


    Jian Jie was surprised and pondered for a moment before asking, ¡°Did you already inform her when you were in the hospital last time?¡±


    ¡°Yes,¡± Long Zichen replied honestly.


    Jian Jie blushed, understanding why Long Zichen¡¯s mother encouraged him to visit often. ¡°Did she blame you?¡±


    ¡°No, my mother is actually supportive. She likes you a lot and never objected,¡± Long Zichen said, delighted at his mother¡¯s response.


    ¡°Oh, this can¡¯t be¡­¡± Jian Jie felt embarrassed, but he hoped that his brother would also like Long Zichen. He had never kept anything from his brother, but this time, confessing his feelings felt a bit shy. He admired Long Zichen as a wonderful person, and he wanted his elder brother to see that too.


    In the midst of these sweet dilemmas, they spent the entire month of March. By mid-April, Long Zichen¡¯s bone injury had healed well enough for the plaster cast to be removed. However, he still needed to rest and avoid strenuous activities. But Long Zichen, being impatient, decided to return to work at the company. Besides, Jian Jie¡¯s new album was on the agenda, and he couldn¡¯t trust anyone else with producing Jian Jie¡¯s music. He wanted to oversee the project himself.


    Please let me know if there are typos/mistakes in the chapter.


    Support me on ko-fi for faster releases ^^

 CH 49

    Translator: Lynn


    The joyful days without Director Long slipped by swiftly, while the artists and colleagues within the company found themselves back in the whirlwind of work. Despite a certain person¡¯s temporary disability, their sharp-tongued skills remained as potent as ever, and they continued to sparkle and shine even from the confines of a wheelchair. Truly, they were a paragon of dedication among their peers. Thankfully, most of this individual¡¯s attention was directed towards Jian Jie; otherwise, many others might have been in for a hard time.


    The process of selecting songs for Jian Jie¡¯s new album came to a close. Numerous song selection meetings were held, and after careful deliberation, the final decision was made to include eleven tracks from among dozens of Jian Jie¡¯s musical compositions. These chosen songs, aside from featuring the popular and emotive style that Jian Jie excelled in, also incorporated electronic and dance music elements. The album¡¯s musical spectrum became more diverse, with several tracks exuding a sense of enjoyment. A notable example is the album¡¯s title track, ¡°The Martian,¡± a spirited and charming uptempo song that compels listeners to dance along. The lyrics are playful and describe an elusive lover who exhibits behavior akin to that of a Martian.


    Upon reading the lyrics, Long Zichen couldn¡¯t help but turn to Jian Jie and ask in a hushed tone, ¡°Is this¡­about me?¡±


    Jian Jie wordlessly averted her gaze, her attention shifting to the view outside the window.


    Ah, Long Zichen thought he already had his answer. Yet, a perplexity lingered: Did he truly possess so many idiosyncrasies? Nevertheless, he found certain lines appealing: ¡°Your eyes could shoot lasers, your voice slaying foes¡­ You¡¯re so unique, hailing from a different realm¡­ They dread you, steer clear, yet I adore everything about you¡­¡± The sentiment was a tad peculiar, but he decided to interpret it as Jian Jie¡¯s confession! With this decision, Long Zichen felt a surge of delight.


    As for why this particular song was composed, Jian Jie found it hard to pinpoint an exact reason. Naturally, it was inspired by Long Zichen and his occasional peculiarities. Long Zichen would engage in silly antics, acting on his enthusiasm and impulsiveness. For instance, while at home, amid their individual tasks, Jian Jie reading a book and Long Zichen maneuvering his wheelchair, he would cheerily interject: ¡°Xiaojie, you look so captivating when you¡¯re engrossed in your reading! Well, since we¡¯re a couple, can we share a kiss?¡±


    This audacious proposition often caused Jian Jie to blush, but Long Zichen¡¯s determination was unyielding, pressing on until he achieved his objective. However, his request wasn¡¯t demanding¡ªJian Jie would comply by planting a kiss on his forehead, leaving him gleefully floating away. Long Zichen¡¯s childlike behavior often amused Jian Jie, as they shared these light-hearted moments. Their interactions were sincere and guileless, a love as pure as the clear April sky, untainted by any impurities.


    Yet, this innocence didn¡¯t imply that their relationship solely thrived on emotional connection. Youthful bodies are susceptible to desires, and while Jian Jie might be somewhat naive in this realm, he wasn¡¯t completely oblivious. However, he wasn¡¯t entirely forthcoming about such matters, his stance sometimes reserved.


    Early on, Long Zichen recognized that he couldn¡¯t solely rely on Jian Jie for his personal growth and had to make diligent efforts on his own. He had even ventured into watching a few male-male romance films, discreetly purchasing some items online and discreetly stashing them away in his room. Everything was meticulously prepared, awaiting his restored health to fully indulge in his plans. However, his present state of being a third-class disabled person unfortunately lacked the vigor needed for such endeavors. Long Zichen wiped his saliva, oblivious to the saying about biting off more than one can chew.


    On a sunny weekend, Brother Jian paid another visit, only to discover that his little brother¡¯s colleague was still residing at their place. Despite nearly being back in shape, the colleague seemed to have taken root there, casting a rather uncomfortable feeling over Jian Bin. Putting on a polite smile, Jian Bin inquired of Long Zichen, ¡°How¡¯s Mr. Long¡¯s recovery progressing? Has the hospital given a timeline for full recuperation after removing the plaster cast?¡±


    Long Zichen was taken aback by Jian Bin¡¯s sudden presence and managed a hurried response, ¡°He¡¯s on the mend, the hospital suggested that he won¡¯t need the wheelchair within two weeks.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s good to hear,¡± Brother Jian acknowledged before turning to Jian Jie, ¡°I used the money you gave me last time to make an investment for you. Let¡¯s discuss the details in the study. Apologies for taking up your time, Mr. Long.¡±


    It was apparent that Brother Jian wished to have a private conversation with Jian Jie, prompting Long Zichen to interject in an amicable tone, ¡°No worries, Brother Jian. You go ahead and discuss matters. I¡¯ll just watch some TV for a while.¡±


    Following his elder brother to the study, Jian Jie shut the door behind them, and Jian Bin immediately broached the topic, ¡°When is your colleague planning to leave my place? His recovery should be underway. It¡¯s somewhat inappropriate for him to linger here all the time.¡±


    Jian Jie murmured, ¡°Brother Chen is still recuperating, and it¡¯s more convenient for him to stay here. Having one more person around isn¡¯t much trouble.¡±


    Jian Bin let out a sigh, ¡°Don¡¯t misunderstand big brother. It¡¯s good to maintain friendly relations with colleagues, but you need to establish boundaries. Something about this person strikes me as odd. He¡¯s socially adept but his intentions remain uncertain. You know how things are these days, everyone has their own motives, and losing some money might be tolerable. But what if you encounter a psychopath? I¡¯m concerned you might be taken advantage of.¡± Jian Bin¡¯s affection for Jian Jie was akin to that of a parent for their child, given that his own parents were no longer present. His greatest fear was seeing Jian Jie make a misstep.


    Jian Jie felt flustered, avoiding eye contact with his elder brother out of trepidation. The notion of individuals like the one described by Jian Bin felt unsettling to Jian Jie. He was resolute about sharing his feelings with his brother.


    ¡°Brother, actually, Mr. Long and I are together now,¡± Jian Jie uttered in a hushed tone, head bowed.


    ¡°Huh?¡± Jian Bin¡¯s reaction was slow to materialize, ¡°What?¡±


    ¡°I, I really care about Mr. Long, and we¡¯re in a relationship¡­¡± Jian Jie attempted to steady his voice as he reiterated. Despite the deep respect he held for his elder brother from childhood, having always obeyed his decisions, he needed to stand strong for the person he loved. He aimed to sway his brother¡¯s perspective. He didn¡¯t wish to lie, nor did he want Long Zichen to be unfairly judged.


    ¡°Do you even comprehend what you¡¯re saying?¡± Jian Bin¡¯s anger surged forth unexpectedly. He couldn¡¯t fathom that his typically obedient brother could make such an audacious choice. His frustration escalated, failing to envision such a scenario. He paced the study in an irate manner, his agitation palpable. Abruptly, he spun around and demanded indignantly, ¡°Did he manipulate you into this? You¡¯ve never shown interest in men before. I shouldn¡¯t have allowed you to become a singer, or else this wouldn¡¯t have happened! You¡¯ll come back home with me tonight. You won¡¯t see him again, and you¡¯ll quit your singing career!¡±


    Jian Bin¡¯s fury unfurled like a tempest. He denied both Jian Jie¡¯s love and his aspirations. Gazing at his elder brother with timidity, Jian Jie suppressed his sorrow and protested, ¡°Brother, I genuinely love singing¡­ Although Brother Chen is a man, he treats me exceptionally well. Once you get to know him better, you¡¯ll see that he is a kind person.¡±


    ¡°No matter who he is, he¡¯s still a man! How could two men be together like this? I can¡¯t tolerate it! You¡¯re coming home with me!¡±


    Jian Bin seized Jian Jie¡¯s arm, intending to lead him out, while Jian Jie dissolved into tears. He sobbed, ¡°Brother, even though we¡¯re both men, does that really matter? Please¡­¡±


    ¡°You¡¯ve made your decision!¡± Jian Bin¡¯s anger was palpable, causing his voice to quiver, ¡°You still dare to reason with me? Very well, if you won¡¯t learn from my guidance, I¡¯ll never agree!¡±


    Their quarrel disregarded their volume, with Long Zichen clearly overhearing their heated exchange from outside the door. Consumed by anxiety, he wrestled with the urge to intervene, mindful of the possibility of further enraging Jian Jie¡¯s brother. However, when he caught wind of Jian Jie¡¯s sobs, his restraint crumbled. Employing his shoulder, he forced the door open and sped in with the wheelchair.


    ¡°Brother Jian, please don¡¯t blame Xiaojie. It¡¯s all my fault. I led Xiaojie astray, so don¡¯t hold him responsible¡­¡± Long Zichen attempted to approach Jian Jie, ready to offer a consoling touch, but Brother Jian intervened, placing himself between them.


    ¡°Keep away from my brother!¡± Brother Jian¡¯s glare was fixed on Long Zichen. In his mind, Xiaojie was good-natured. Even if there were any shortcomings in his behavior, it must have been due to the influence of his misguided companions. Brother Jian directed his anger towards Long Zichen, asserting with anger, ¡°I know it¡¯s entirely your fault! You might not be young anymore, and I don¡¯t care if you want to deceive boys, but stay away from my brother! He¡¯s young and naive, and you managed to ensnare him with a few kind words. Do you think there¡¯s no one in our family to keep you in check? Get rid of these thoughts as soon as possible! Let me make this clear ¨C as long as I¡¯m around, I won¡¯t let my brother be with you!¡±


    Jian Jie¡¯s sobbing grew even more intense. Choosing between his elder brother, his closest relative, and the person he cherished was an agonizing dilemma.


    Long Zichen¡¯s heart ached to witness Jian Jie¡¯s tears. He didn¡¯t want to see Jian Jie sad and distressed. Therefore, suppressing his own anguish, he softly urged, ¡°Xiaojie, don¡¯t cry. Your brother is only doing this because he cares about you. If you think it¡¯s for the best, you can go back with him.¡±


    Through teary eyes, Jian Jie looked up, his voice quivering, ¡°What will you do then?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll move out tomorrow, and I¡¯ll find a solution,¡± Long Zichen managed a strained smile.


    ¡°Don¡¯t even think about anything sneaky!¡± Jian Bin shot Long Zichen an intense glare. ¡°Stay away from my brother!¡± With that, he pulled Jian Jie away.


    Long Zichen hastily advised, ¡°Wear a hat, sunglasses, and a mask. Don¡¯t get caught!¡± If the red-eyed distress of a famous idol like Jian Jie were captured by a reporter, who knows how the story would be spun in the news.


    Though infuriated, Jian Bin hadn¡¯t lost his sense to protect Jian Jie¡¯s reputation. After a brief search, he took the sunglasses and mask from Long Zichen and placed them on Jian Jie with a heavy heart.


    ¡°Xiaojie, don¡¯t be too downhearted. Don¡¯t cry too much,¡± Long Zichen consoled them as they left. ¡°Alright, listen to your brother¡¯s advice. It¡¯ll be alright.¡±


    Jian Jie looked back at Long Zichen and said, ¡°Brother Chen, take care of your injuries.¡±


    The door closed with a resounding thud. Unable to hold back any longer, Long Zichen slumped in his wheelchair, deflated.


    How long would it be until he could see Jian Jie again? Long Zichen repeated Jian Jie¡¯s name in his mind, his heart aching terribly. Overwhelmed with emotions, he finally gave in to his tears, letting them flow in hushed sobs.


    Please let me know if there are typos/mistakes in the chapter.


    Support me on ko-fi for faster releases ^^

 CH 50

    Translator: Lynn


    During the drive, Jian Bin had a heavy foot on the gas pedal, his anger still simmering from his earlier exchange with Long Zichen. However, catching sight of his younger brother¡¯s woeful countenance through the rearview mirror melted his heart, making him reluctant to chastise Jian Jie any further. What was wrong with his brother? With a change of heart, Jian Bin swallowed the rest of his scathing words.


    Jian Jie, hidden beneath a hat and sunglasses, sat in the backseat, head bowed and eyes red from sorrow and despair. He remained silent, and the two brothers shared an uneasy silence until they reached Jian Bin¡¯s home.


    Jiang Xinya was at home playing with little Jiayue when Jian Bin returned, his face still clouded with anger, followed by a dispirited Jian Jie.


    ¡°What¡¯s got you so upset? What happened to Xiaojie?¡± Jiang Xinya rushed over to greet them. ¡°Weren¡¯t you fine when you left?¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t ask. Jiejie will be staying here for a while. Please tidy up his room,¡± Jian Bin retorted, his mood evidently still sour.


    Observing Jian Bin¡¯s foul mood, Jiang Xinya wisely refrained from probing further. With a smile, she said, ¡°Alright, Jiejie, sit down with your brother. I¡¯ll go and prepare the room.¡±


    Seething, Jian Bin took a seat on the sofa, arms crossed tightly, his silence speaking volumes. Meanwhile, Jian Jie stood immobilized, head down, and words caught in his throat. The room was thick with tension, save for the unaffected presence of little Jiayue. She was elated to see her father and uncle return and bounded over joyfully, exclaiming, ¡°Daddy¡¯s back! Xiao Uncle is here too!¡±


    Jian Jiayue beamed at Jian Jie, wrapping her tiny arms around his leg. Jian Jie mustered a smile and inquired, ¡°Are you happy that Uncle¡¯s here, Jiayue?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m super happy that Uncle¡¯s here!¡± Jian Jiayue¡¯s innocent enthusiasm was endearing. Peering at Jian Jie, she asked curiously, ¡°Uncle, were you crying? Your eyes are all red! Whoever made you sad, tell Dad, and he¡¯ll teach them a lesson!¡±


    ¡°No one made your uncle sad. Jiayue¡¯s dad is really strong. Who would dare make your uncle unhappy?¡± As Jian Jie responded, he cast a cautious glance at his elder brother. But Jian Bin remained stern, his demeanor aloof. Jian Jie maintained his downward gaze, struggling to understand why his brother seemed like an entirely different person in this situation ¨C so unreasonable and unyielding. He didn¡¯t want to aggravate his elder brother, and he still desired to follow his lead as he always had. However, the thought of Long Zichen made it impossible for him to make that decision any longer.


    Soon, Jiang Xinya finished tidying the room. Since Jian Jie only stayed over during Chinese New Year, a minor sprucing up was enough. Emerging from the room, she noticed Jian Jie standing hesitantly in the living room and urged, ¡°Jiejie, why are you standing there? Come sit on the sofa. I¡¯ll get you a drink.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t trouble yourself, Sister Xinya. Is the room prepared? I¡¯d like to go and spend some time there,¡± Jian Jie requested, feeling uneasy and yearning for solitude. His immediate plan was to secretly contact Long Zichen later.


    Unexpectedly, Jian Bin¡¯s expression darkened as he sternly uttered, ¡°Leave your phone here.¡±


    ¡°Brother!¡± Jian Jie¡¯s eyes welled up with tears, ¡°You can¡¯t do this!¡±


    ¡°Why? So you can keep in touch?¡± Jian Bin¡¯s anger was palpable. ¡°Cut it off immediately! Hand over your phone, or I¡¯ll go buy a signal jammer right now!¡±


    ¡°Brother, you¡¯re being unreasonable!¡± Heartbroken, Jian Jie fled to his room and locked the door behind him.


    Little Jiayue, frightened by the exchange, repeatedly asked Jiang Xinya, ¡°Mom, why are Dad and Uncle so mad?¡±


    As she comforted the child, Jiang Xinya couldn¡¯t help but address Jian Bin, ¡°Is there any need to act this way? You¡¯ve always cherished Jiejie the most. Why lose your temper like this today? See, you¡¯ve scared Jiayue.¡±


    Jian Bin had been seething for a while before he angrily retorted, ¡°Look at the mess he¡¯s gotten himself into, falling in love with a man! If you don¡¯t intervene, he¡¯ll bring that person back here to live with him! If we tolerate this, will he really spend his entire life with a man?¡±


    ¡°I never saw any indications of this in Jiejie before,¡± Jiang Xinya responded, surprised by the revelation. She continued her persuasion, ¡°We should handle this situation with care. Don¡¯t exert excessive control over the kids. Remember those two male students who committed suicide together in college? Rumor had it that they were in a relationship, and due to family opposition, they took their lives. Let¡¯s not push Xiaojie into a dire situation. It would be too late for regrets.¡±


    Jian Bin also vaguely recalled that incident, which left him feeling unsettled. Although he wished to prevent Jian Jie from taking a misguided path, he was even more afraid of an unforeseen tragedy. Yet, he couldn¡¯t let his guard down and soften his stance with Jian Jie. After contemplating, he conveyed his position to Jiang Xinya, ¡°Regardless, I will staunchly oppose this to the end. You can try to reason with Jiejie but know that my stance won¡¯t change. The sooner he comes to his senses, the better.¡±


    Reluctantly, Jiang Xinya accepted the unwelcome task, even though she felt it might not be the most suitable approach.


    Initially, Jian Bin had intended to barge in and reprimand Jian Jie, but he opted for a more measured approach, deciding to let Jian Jie remain here and slowly reason with him.


    Jian Jie remained secluded in his room, deflecting any attempts to engage him, claiming fatigue and sleepiness as reasons for not coming out. Concerned about his brother¡¯s well-being, Jian Bin instructed Jiayue to knock on the door every 20 to 30 minutes, finding relief in the responses he received from inside.


    Observing this, Jiang Xinya felt quite helpless. She pondered, ¡°Why endure such agony when you¡¯re so distressed? If Jian Jie genuinely leans toward the same sex, trying to force him to change his preferences and like women will only lead to his unhappiness in the future.¡± Drawing from her knowledge and interactions in this area, Jiang Xinya believed that the best approach was to convince Jian Bin to consider a different perspective.


    Unaware that his allies had already revealed his plans, Jian Bin remained in the dark.


    Thinking his elder brother had gone out, Jian Jie assumed that Jian Bin must have left to procure a mobile phone signal jammer. This further fueled his discomfort, prompting him to clandestinely call Long Zichen.


    The call was answered, and Long Zichen¡¯s voice was tinged with concern, ¡°Xiaojie, are you okay now? How¡¯s your brother?¡±


    ¡°My brother wants to take my phone away. I won¡¯t hand it over. He went to buy a jammer,¡± Jian Jie lamented, ¡°I won¡¯t be able to reach you when he returns.¡±


    Long Zichen was momentarily speechless at Jian Bin¡¯s drastic measures. Nevertheless, he sought to console Jian Jie, saying, ¡°Don¡¯t be disheartened. It¡¯s alright if you can¡¯t make calls for now. Just follow your brother¡¯s directives for the moment, and we¡¯ll come up with a solution. He can¡¯t monitor you around the clock; there will be opportunities.¡±


    ¡°True. I¡¯m just upset that my brother is being so stern, constantly furious, and refusing to listen to me at all,¡± Jian Jie expressed dissatisfaction with his brother for the first time.


    Long Zichen sighed empathetically, ¡°Your brother¡¯s reaction is not uncommon. Such matters aren¡¯t easy for anyone to accept.¡±


    ¡°But your mother didn¡¯t object.¡±


    ¡°My mother is a unique individual. She probably wouldn¡¯t bat an eye even if I decided to become a woman,¡± Long Zichen managed a lighthearted remark.


    Jian Jie was amused by his comment. As he thought about his elder brother, a sigh escaped him, ¡°It would be wonderful if my brother were as open-minded as that.¡±


    They lapsed into silence for a moment, but Long Zichen swiftly lifted Jian Jie¡¯s spirits, saying, ¡°It¡¯s alright, parents tend to object when they learn of such matters. Your brother might need some time to come to terms with it. I¡¯ll make an effort to present my best side to him, to show him that I¡¯m kind, charming, loyal, and dependable. After all, entrusting his younger brother to someone like me should ease his concerns. Maybe my charm will work its magic, and he might come around when he¡¯s in a good mood.¡±


    Jian Jie, who was feeling down just moments ago, found himself cheered up by Long Zichen¡¯s jokes and newfound perspective.


    After discussing at length, Long Zichen suddenly addressed Jian Jie as ¡°Xiaojie,¡± but his words trailed off, as if something was holding him back.


    Sensing Long Zichen¡¯s unspoken thoughts, Jian Jie softly reassured him, ¡°Brother Chen, don¡¯t worry. Even if my older brother continues to disagree, I won¡¯t leave you.¡±


    Hearing this assurance from Xiaojie, Long Zichen felt a surge of excitement, as if a glimmer of light had pierced through the darkness. He had dreaded the possibility that Xiaojie might break up with him under the pressure of his brother¡¯s opposition. He knew he couldn¡¯t demand Xiaojie¡¯s unwavering commitment, so hearing that Xiaojie was determined to stay with him was like a soothing balm. Long Zichen responded with genuine warmth, ¡°Xiaojie, I¡¯m so happy. As long as you¡¯re willing to be with me, I¡¯ll face any challenge head-on.¡±


    While Jian Jie and Long Zichen conversed, Jian Bin was outside, having opted against buying a signal jammer. Instead, he had contacted Li Xiaoqi to discuss Jian Jie.


    They arranged to meet at a local coffee shop¡¯s private room. On the phone, Jian Bin had only mentioned that he wanted to talk, without divulging details, so Li Xiaoqi arrived somewhat puzzled.


    ¡°Binzi, why the urgency to see me?¡± Li Xiaoqi inquired with curiosity.


    Jian Bin contained his frustration and posed a question, ¡°Xiao Qi, do Jiejie and the music director from his company have a close relationship?¡±


    ¡°They¡¯re quite friendly. Director Long has been showing special attention to Xiaojie. What¡¯s going on?¡±


    Jian Bin clenched his teeth and responded, ¡°Today, Xiaojie told me that they¡¯re in a relationship.¡±


    ¡°Ah!¡± Li Xiaoqi exclaimed in surprise, ¡°Really? You couldn¡¯t tell from their usual interactions!¡± Li Xiaoqi was also troubled by this revelation. Reflecting on the situation, he realized that Long Zichen had been overly attentive to Xiaojie. He blamed himself, feeling that he hadn¡¯t been perceptive enough about Xiaojie. He expressed his guilt to Jian Bin, saying, ¡°I¡¯m at fault here, I never even considered that possibility. I thought it was a positive thing that the company¡¯s music director valued Xiaojie.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t blame yourself, no one could have anticipated this,¡± Jian Bin replied. In terms of assigning blame, he believed he should shoulder the largest portion. It was the man named Long who had initially encouraged Jian Jie to become a singer, and Jian Bin should never have agreed. This man must have had ulterior motives from the beginning! Jian Bin fumed, ¡°I came to discuss this matter with you today. I want Jiejie to stop singing. You can visit his company and explain that Xiaojie¡¯s health isn¡¯t in the best condition recently. He should focus on his studies for now, and we¡¯ll see about the future.¡±


    Li Xiaoqi felt somewhat embarrassed, ¡°Well, Xiaojie is currently preparing for his second album. He has already recorded several songs, and the company has invested a lot of effort. Asking him to stop singing abruptly would incur significant losses.¡±


    Jian Bin wasn¡¯t heartless. Hearing that Jian Jie¡¯s withdrawal would lead to substantial losses for the company, he reconsidered, ¡°Let¡¯s not rush things. Forget about that guy for now. After all, the company has invested so much. I can understand their effort in nurturing Jiejie. Doesn¡¯t his contract include the release of two albums? Let him complete this album¡¯s recording, and then you can announce his departure from the entertainment industry. I don¡¯t want him to have any further involvement with anyone surnamed Long.¡±


    ¡°Leaving the entertainment industry? Will Xiaojie agree to that?¡± Li Xiaoqi still had reservations. He didn¡¯t want such a talented musician like Jian Jie to leave the scene due to this situation. Tentatively, he suggested, ¡°Alternatively, he could change companies. Xiaojie is so gifted in music; it would be a shame to quit altogether.¡±


    ¡°We¡¯ll discuss that later. For now, I want him to distance himself from this matter completely,¡± Jian Bin stated firmly.


    Seeing that Jian Bin¡¯s stance wouldn¡¯t be swayed easily, Li Xiaoqi had no choice but to agree, ¡°Alright, I¡¯ll return and discuss this with the company.¡±


    Meanwhile, Jian Jie¡¯s mood was beginning to lift, unaware that his brother had already made such a significant decision on his behalf.


    Given the age gap between Jian Bin and his younger brother, he was accustomed to being the elder, guiding his younger sibling¡¯s decisions. He didn¡¯t perceive anything amiss in his actions; he believed he was acting in his younger brother¡¯s best interests. Despite the immediate sadness his brother was experiencing, Jian Bin assumed his sibling would appreciate his intentions as he grew older and gained more experience. However, he never considered that sometimes obstacles and challenges could make the flower of love bloom even more delicately. Particularly, first love tends to be the most unforgettable. The more they tried to keep them apart, the stronger their bond could become in the end.


    Please let me know if there are typos/mistakes in the chapter.


    Support me on ko-fi for faster releases ^^

 CH 51

    Translator: Lynn


    Upon returning home, Jian Bin inquired from Jiang Xinya about Jian Jie¡¯s situation. Learning that his brother had secluded himself in his room and hadn¡¯t emerged, he couldn¡¯t help but feel a twinge of irritation. It was the first time his younger brother had been upset with him, and it was all because of some inexplicable man. How could he not find that infuriating? Still, he was determined to communicate his decision to his sibling. Holding his emotions in check, he rapped on the door and announced loudly, ¡°Jiejie, open the door. I need to talk to you.¡±


    After a brief pause, the door creaked open. Jian Jie stood at the entrance, avoiding eye contact, as if he wished to avoid speaking with his brother. He asked awkwardly, ¡°What¡¯s the matter?¡±


    ¡°Come inside, let¡¯s talk,¡± Jian Bin instructed. He entered the room, shut the door behind him, and addressed Jian Jie directly, ¡°I¡¯ve already told you that I don¡¯t intend for you to pursue a career in the entertainment industry. However, I heard from Xiao Qi that you¡¯re currently recording a new album. He mentioned that if you were to quit midway, it would harm the company. Xiao Qi has always boasted about your incredible talent to me, suggesting it¡¯s a waste for you not to be a singer. Well, I¡¯m not entirely rigid in my thinking. You can continue working at the company, recording songs and albums. However, the producer must be replaced, and you cannot have any further contact with that individual surnamed Long. If you¡¯re unwilling to comply, then you won¡¯t be allowed to go to the company.¡± As for the plan to have Jian Jie leave the industry after finishing this album, that could be discussed later. Jian Bin believed it would be unwise to rush his brother into a decision he may not be ready for. Such strategic thinking was typical of Jian Bin.


    Jian Jie simply responded with an ¡°Oh,¡± his reaction not overtly dramatic. In truth, he felt a sense of relief. Learning from his older brother that he could still continue working at the company was a positive development. It implied the situation wasn¡¯t as dire as he had feared. This also meant he could maintain a connection with Long Zichen by going to the company and finding ways to see him.


    Jian Bin carried on, ¡°From now on, whenever you have recording sessions, Xiaoqi will personally pick you up, and he¡¯ll oversee your activities at the company. Don¡¯t even think about evading his watchful eye. I¡¯ll speak to Xiaoshui at school and ask him to keep an eye on you as well.¡± Given the sensitivity of Jian Jie¡¯s situation, it was inappropriate to involve outsiders. Thus, Jian Bin relied on close friends and family for support.


    Jian Jie found his brother¡¯s actions excessive and questioned, ¡°Brother, are you treating me like a prisoner?¡±


    Jian Bin, feeling a surge of frustration, was typically one to seek compromise rather than confrontation. To witness his usually obedient brother challenge him like this ignited his anger. The stern side of Jian Bin emerged, ¡°If you¡¯re ready to break things off with that guy, then you can go ahead and live your life as you see fit. Otherwise, you¡¯ll follow my instructions for now.¡±


    Jian Jie¡¯s own stubborn streak flared up. He pressed his lips together and shot an angry gaze at his brother, clearly signaling his refusal to comply with that request.


    Jian Bin, despite his usual preference for gentleness, felt his own anger rise. His previously obedient brother seemed to have picked up some bad habits from others. Transforming into a stern figure, he asserted, ¡°Should you decide to cut ties with that individual, you can proceed as you please. However, until then, you¡¯ll follow my instructions!¡±


    As the tension escalated, Jiang Xinya, who had been observing from the living room, intervened swiftly to mediate, ¡°Why return with such anxiety? We¡¯re a family, what grudges could there possibly be? Why not discuss matters instead? Jiayue¡¯s father, please sit in the living room for a moment. Dinner will be ready soon. Xiaojie, don¡¯t hold onto this anger with your brother. Go wash up and join us for dinner.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not feeling hungry yet, so I¡¯ll pass on dinner. Sister Xinya, please go ahead and eat,¡± Jian Jie¡¯s tone softened slightly in the presence of Jiang Xinya. While he wasn¡¯t particularly concerned about his sister-in-law, he found it difficult to share a table with his elder brother, especially considering his current state of mind.


    Jian Bin assumed that Jian Jie¡¯s refusal to eat was an attempt to exert pressure on him, which prompted him to snap irritably, ¡°You¡¯re resorting to a hunger strike now, huh?¡±


    Recognizing the deteriorating situation, Jiang Xinya quickly intervened, gently nudging Jian Bin away and soothingly addressing Jian Jie, ¡°Eat only if you¡¯re hungry, Xiaojie. I¡¯ll save some food for you, and when you¡¯re ready, I¡¯ll warm it up for you. I can even eat it for you if you¡¯d like.¡± She then turned to Jian Bin, her tone conciliatory, ¡°It¡¯s not uncommon for someone to lose their appetite when they¡¯re upset, so please, let¡¯s not get angry about this.¡±


    Jiang Xinya sighed inwardly. She recognized Jian Bin¡¯s penchant for traditional masculinity and his occasional domineering nature, but this particular encounter with his younger brother had transformed him into a highly volatile powder keg, and it had exploded rather dramatically. Both parties were now furious: the angrier Jian Bin became, the more resistant Jian Jie became, and even in less contentious times, Jian Jie exhibited a newfound rebellious streak. Jiang Xinya found herself playing the role of mediator in this volatile dynamic.


    After the confrontation with his brother, Jian Jie retreated to his room, sprawling across the bed. The more he contemplated the situation, the more his anger grew. Never before had his brother been so harsh with him, and in that moment, Jian Jie vowed to never engage with him again.


    Despite his frustration, he begrudgingly had dinner and noticed the clock had struck past seven. Jian Bin excused himself to the study to review some materials. Meanwhile, Jiang Xinya brought food to Jian Jie¡¯s room and urged him gently, ¡°Xiao Jie, don¡¯t let anger ruin your appetite. Come and have something.¡±


    Jian Jie sat up, his expression still marked by a sense of injustice, ¡°Sister Xinya, you don¡¯t understand. I¡¯m upset because my brother is being so overbearing!¡±


    ¡°Your brother cares for you deeply, but today¡¯s frustration got the better of him. You know his temper, right? When he¡¯s angry, he can be quite unyielding. He might come to regret this later,¡± Jiang Xinya whispered reassuringly. ¡°Xiao Jie, don¡¯t dwell on this too much. Share your concerns with Sister Xinya, and I promise to help you.¡±


    Jian Jie¡¯s eyes brightened, a glimmer of hope emerging. He spoke a bit shyly, intentionally toning down his enthusiasm as he discussed Long Zichen. In a few carefully chosen words, he described the situation and emphasized Long Zichen¡¯s positive qualities. ¡°Brother Chen is actually a good person. He treats me very well. But my brother is being so stubborn, refusing to hear me out¡­ Sister Xinya, I need your help.¡±


    Jiang Xinya was perceptive. She could discern the depth of Jian Jie¡¯s emotions from his expressions. Given his introverted and sincere nature, once he formed a romantic attachment, he was likely to remain steadfast, making it difficult to sway his feelings easily. Moreover, Jian Bin¡¯s heavy-handed interference would likely lead to irreversible consequences. Resolved to aid Jian Jie, Jiang Xinya nodded warmly and assured, ¡°I¡¯m not as inflexible as your brother. Let me arrange to meet this Mr. Long. Your brother¡¯s outburst probably startled him. I¡¯ll reach out and offer my support.¡±


    ¡°No need for Sister Xinya, Brother Chen is quite reasonable. He advised me not to argue with my brother,¡± Jian Jie¡¯s spirits lifted a bit. He found solace in the fact that there were people willing to stand by him, recognizing that not everyone considered his feelings to be abnormal. This reassured him and reignited a sense of hope.


    After conversing with Jiang Xinya for a while, Jian Jie¡¯s stomach rumbled, prompting him to quickly devour his dinner. He needed to conserve his energy for the forthcoming mental battle with his formidable brother. Unfortunately, the nighttime phone restriction enforced by Brother Jian put a damper on his resolve.


    The next day arrived swiftly, and true to his word, Li Xiaoqi arrived early to chauffeur Jian Jie to the company. Throughout the ride, Jian Jie maintained a silent but intense glare at Li Xiaoqi, his eyes like fiery darts that seemed to bore into Li Xiaoqi¡¯s back.


    ¡°Don¡¯t give me that look. I know you¡¯re mad at me, but I gave your brother my word. If I pay any attention to you, he might actually hunt me down!¡± Li Xiaoqi defended himself, his tone carrying genuine innocence. He had no intention of being a relationship saboteur, but the sheer force of Jian Bin¡¯s domineering nature had left him feeling rather helpless.


    ¡°Does Brother Xiao Qi also think that Brother Chen and I shouldn¡¯t be together?¡± Jian Jie¡¯s tone carried a tinge of sadness. ¡°Brother Xiao Qi and Brother Chen are close, and Brother Chen has always been good to me. It doesn¡¯t seem like Brother Xiao Qi would see it the way my brother does.¡±


    It was a valid point. Indeed, Li Xiaoqi held a favorable view of Long Zichen. Given his position as Jian Bin¡¯s friend and Jian Jie¡¯s current manager, he naturally took extra care in planning for Jian Jie¡¯s future. This favoritism wasn¡¯t exactly a secret within the company. Moreover, from a character standpoint, Long Zichen had shown impeccable professionalism as the music director. Li Xiaoqi couldn¡¯t recall any instance where Long Zichen had acted inappropriately with any artist¡ªa rarity in the industry. Barring a bit of nervousness, Long Zichen seemed almost flawless.


    However, Li Xiaoqi was grappling with a dilemma. ¡°But, he¡¯s still a man. You¡¯re a public figure, and such a scandal could tarnish your reputation,¡± he confessed, his expression a mix of reluctance and concern.


    ¡°Even so, I can¡¯t change who I am. I¡¯m not attracted to women,¡± Jian Jie sighed in dejection. While he felt a pang of guilt, his lack of interest in women was an honest truth.


    Li Xiaoqi wrestled with inner conflict. He recognized that forcing someone¡¯s feelings was counterproductive, but he was also burdened by the pressure as a friend. Ultimately, he resolved resolutely, his voice carrying a sense of determination, ¡°Fine, Director Long is a good person, and your brother has overstepped this time. Here¡¯s the plan: I¡¯ll help you keep this a secret. I won¡¯t go against your brother¡¯s wishes and report anything. But you need to be cautious outside, not revealing anything, especially not to your brother.¡±


    ¡°Brother Xiao Qi, you¡¯re not objecting? You¡¯re the best!¡± Jian Jie¡¯s elation was palpable as he expressed his gratitude. To him, everyone in his corner was a good person, except for his brother. Seeing Jian Jie¡¯s joy, Li Xiaoqi couldn¡¯t help but chuckle.


    In the span of just a day, the defensive wall Jian Bin had meticulously constructed was already crumbling from within. His teammates were becoming more brazen in their betrayal. Shui Xiaoren, a key ally, was now beyond his reach. Earlier that morning, Jian Bin had enlisted Shui Xiaoren¡¯s help to monitor Jian Jie¡¯s phone calls. After a brief conversation, Shui Xiaoren¡¯s support for Jian Jie evaporated, though he remained supportive of his friend¡¯s romantic choices, even if they were unconventional.


    Amidst the broad-minded attitudes of those around him, it was only Brother Jian who remained obstinate. Jian Jie and Li Xiaoqi hadn¡¯t been at the company for long, yet Brother Jian had already placed a call to check on the situation. Naturally, Li Xiaoqi chose his words carefully, highlighting Jian Jie¡¯s obedience. When Jian Bin requested to speak with Jian Jie, the response he received was a heavy-hearted hum: ¡°I don¡¯t want to talk to him!¡± Hearing his brother¡¯s voice, Jian Bin felt reassured that his younger brother hadn¡¯t run off recklessly. However, little did he know that Long Zichen was currently with Jian Jie, which would likely enrage him if he found out.


    After ending the call, Li Xiaoqi glanced at Long Zichen, somewhat embarrassed. ¡°I¡¯ll step out and discuss the producer change with them. You two can chat for a bit.¡± Li Xiaoqi¡¯s exit was tactful, complete with the closure of the door behind him. The room they were in was designated as Jian Jie¡¯s personal lounge, and with Li Xiaoqi¡¯s instructions, his assistant would ensure their privacy.


    Although just a day had passed, seeing Long Zichen again felt like a world apart. Jian Jie¡¯s eyes glistened as he approached Long Zichen, his words full of empathy, ¡°Brother Chen, you¡¯ve been treated unfairly.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry, it¡¯s okay. You know me, I have a thick skin, a little setback won¡¯t faze me!¡± Long Zichen comforted Jian Jie with a joyful smile. He had forgotten all about the sense of loss and despair he had felt earlier; in Jian Jie¡¯s presence, negativity simply dissipated. His primary concern was how Jian Jie had fared the previous day. ¡°Your brother didn¡¯t scold you again yesterday, did he? Did you have a proper meal tonight? I tried calling you later, but couldn¡¯t get through. You didn¡¯t feel unwell, did you?¡±


    Jian Jie¡¯s tone carried annoyance, ¡°My brother activated a signal jammer last night. It¡¯s really underhanded. My phone had zero signal. He didn¡¯t talk to me about anything, but I couldn¡¯t care less about him.¡± After a moment¡¯s pause, he recounted his interaction with Jiang Xinya, ¡°But my sister-in-law is genuinely kind. She said she¡¯s on our side and willing to help. With her around, the situation doesn¡¯t feel as uncomfortable.¡±


    ¡°Your sister-in-law sounds wonderful!¡± Long Zichen chimed in, his tone upbeat. ¡°And look, even Brother Xiao Qi is lending us a hand. So don¡¯t be disheartened; there are so many people on our side. Convincing your brother might take time, but it¡¯s not impossible. If we fail, we can always resort to the thrilling option of ¡®Underground Love¡¯. You know what they say, ¡®Forbidden fruit tastes the sweetest¡¯. It could be quite a thrilling adventure!¡± Long Zichen¡¯s formal demeanor melted away with these lighthearted words.


    Jian Jie was soon caught up in Long Zichen¡¯s optimistic outlook, his lips curving into a happy smile as he quipped, ¡°Brother Chen, are you proposing to be my secret lover?¡±


    ¡°The title of ¡®little lover¡¯ has been taken; I¡¯m more like the ¡®side piece¡¯. The one who¡¯s married and visits secretly. So, it¡¯s more like the ¡®outer room¡¯,¡± Long Zichen joined in on the absurd conversation. They discussed it in earnest, momentarily forgetting their troubles as they playfully leaned against each other, discussing their plans and future encounters. At present, Long Zichen was still reliant on a wheelchair, limiting his mobility and confining their meetings to the company premises. However, this arrangement wasn¡¯t satisfying to either of them. Long Zichen¡¯s impatience was palpable as he made a vow, ¡°I¡¯ll diligently undergo my rehabilitation, and soon I¡¯ll be able to come to your school. We need to be careful about the media, though, as they might misconstrue things.¡±


    ¡°Brother Chen, get well soon. When you¡¯re better, we can rent a place together. If my brother is after me, we¡¯ll just take off in a hurry,¡± Jian Jie playfully suggested, though it sounded like he had resigned himself to the idea of running away with Long Zichen.


    The thought of eloping with Jian Jie ignited an unexpected surge of emotion in Long Zichen. He yearned for a brighter future with him, yet his current wheelchair-bound state dampened his spirits. Long Zichen was resolute: he had to regain his mobility as soon as possible; otherwise, all the calcium tablets in the world wouldn¡¯t help him seize the life he envisioned.


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 CH 52

    Translator: Lynn


    Jian Jie and Long Zichen found themselves enveloped in the unwavering support of their close-knit circle, and this infusion of encouragement brightened their outlook on life. The only lingering shadow over this newfound radiance was the figure of a certain antagonistic brother, whose presence they would gladly omit.


    Brother Jian¡¯s fierce exterior proved to be quite the fa?ade. While he had initially maintained an air of anger toward Jian Jie, it became evident that much of it was mere posturing. It was impossible for him to perpetually harbor resentment toward his younger sibling. After witnessing Jian Jie¡¯s repeated attempts to avoid him, coupled with Jiang Xinya¡¯s patient explanations about same-sex relationships, Jian Bin¡¯s heart began to thaw. His younger brother¡¯s steadfast rejection and his own sense of being wronged made it a challenge to fully embrace the idea of his brother being involved with a considerably older man, one who consistently donned a carefree smile and appeared somewhat unreliable.


    Had Long Zichen known that his age was the primary factor in Brother Jian¡¯s rejection, he might have been moved to tears. Despite the uphill battle he faced, Long Zichen found solace in his current state. Immersed in his role as the producer for Jian Jie¡¯s forthcoming album, their daily interactions at the company had become indispensable. Engaging in deep conversations about the world and the stolen moments of affection when no one was looking ¨C the small touches, the stolen kisses ¨C all contributed to his profound happiness. Even in the face of Jian Bin¡¯s disapproval, Long Zichen persevered with unwavering reasonability. This dedication only intensified Jian Jie¡¯s affection for him, leading him to prioritize fulfilling Long Zichen¡¯s wishes. Moreover, Long Zichen¡¯s desires were entirely reasonable, void of any peculiar demands. Jian Jie had witnessed Shui Xiaoren¡¯s previous relationships, characterized by incessant demands and petulant behavior over minor inconveniences. Long Zichen, however, was a stark contrast.


    Long Zichen embodied a vitality and optimism that came hand in hand with his good health. His age granted him a measured perspective, and he approached their relationship with thoughtful consideration, ensuring that Jian Jie never endured a moment of unwarranted distress. Even Long Zichen¡¯s occasional displays of silliness endeared him further to Jian Jie, who found such quirks charming. What Jian Jie had yet to realize was that this sentiment perfectly encapsulated the phrase ¡°beauty is in the eye of the beholder.¡±


    Jian Jie¡¯s emotional journey had been a roller coaster of highs and lows lately. In the presence of his elder brother, he maintained an air of discontent, employing various juvenile antics to voice his grievances. He adamantly upheld his right to freely choose love, adopting the demeanor of a lovesick youth.


    Upon entering the recording room, however, Jian Jie¡¯s mood swiftly transformed. The melodic scales and playful half-tones seamlessly morphed into diverse styles through various arrangements, unveiling a truly captivating auditory experience.


    The company¡¯s blueprint was to unveil this album in June, perfectly coinciding with the onset of summer vacation. This strategic timing would afford Jian Jie ample opportunities to engage in promotional endeavors and a gamut of publicity commitments. Xinghuo, his management company, had even orchestrated a plan for Jian Jie to embark on album promotion in neighboring countries, aiming to bolster his popularity across Asia.


    And at this time, Long Zichen could finally no longer use a wheelchair. After getting rid of that burden, he was going crazy with joy. Long Zichen made up his mind that he would be cautious in everything in the future, it would cost money and suffer, and he never wanted to experience it again in his life.


    Upon his physical recovery, Long Zichen found his thoughts dwelling more persistently on certain matters, particularly regarding a somewhat devious plan to entice Jian Jie into his embrace. Like Jian Jie, he too was a first-time participant in such matters. Lacking any prior experience, his fertile imagination conjured up images of an idyllic and unique scenario, one that would befit this significant moment in their lives. His apprehension extended to the fear that Jian Jie might not be pleased with the outcome in the future, a concern that tugged at his thoughts.


    His primary stipulation was that the rendezvous must be far from the company premises. Aware of Jian Jie¡¯s bashful nature, he knew the slightest interruption could send him into seclusion, and having the proverbial ¡°pause button¡± activated midway was a scenario he aimed to avoid. External hotels were also out of the question; being a public figure, rumors of him sharing a room with a man could have grave implications. Factor in Jian Jie¡¯s commitment to school, punctuated by his elder brother¡¯s vigilance in ensuring timely pickups, and it became evident that their tryst must be conducted under tight discretion.


    During Long Zichen¡¯s prolonged preoccupation with these thoughts, a serendipitous opportunity arose for Jian Jie: an overseas prospect initiated by Jason, who had remained out of contact for some time.


    Nearly three months had elapsed since the overseas audition, and Jian Jie had all but given up on any prospects associated with it. Unexpectedly, Jason contacted him with news of his successful audition, revealing that the director and producer had taken note of his performance. They expressed the desire for him to formally join the cast as a supporting actor in the production. Jason extended his apologies for the delay in reaching out, attributing it to familial feuds that had temporarily stalled the film¡¯s production. As a conciliatory gesture, he inquired, ¡°Jian, would you still be interested in coming?¡±


    Jian Jie didn¡¯t commit immediately. Film shoots were far more time-intensive than commercials or music videos, and agreeing would invariably disrupt his new album¡¯s recording schedule. After deliberation with his management company, a consensus was reached. The worst-case scenario entailed a delay in the album¡¯s release. It was unanimously agreed that such a prestigious invitation to participate in a major international production was a rare opportunity.


    Long Zichen ardently championed Jian Jie¡¯s involvement in Jason¡¯s film, driven not only by its potential to enhance Jian Jie¡¯s acting repertoire but also by his own desire to accompany him. The prospect of an absence of ten to twelve months posed a culinary challenge ¨C Long Zichen would have to master the art of cooking raw rice from scratch. While abroad, Jian Jie would be relatively unknown to foreign journalists, offering a respite from the restrained publicity climate of China.


    Failing to resist the anticipation in Long Zichen¡¯s hopeful gaze, Jian Jie eventually acquiesced to the film role. The company formalized an agreement with Jason¡¯s Hua Guo assistant. Jian Jie¡¯s shooting schedule was provisionally set for 15 days, with a film remuneration of 1.5 million.


    Concern creased Long Zichen¡¯s brow as he voiced his worries, ¡°Won¡¯t your brother object? He¡¯s even opposed to your presence at the company¡¯s recording sessions. Can he accept your absence for over ten days abroad?¡±


    Jian Jie, at the dawn of his rebellious phase, contemplated the query and stated earnestly, ¡°Then, let¡¯s just not tell him!¡±


    A chuckle escaped Long Zichen¡¯s lips, ¡°Planning on leaving a note that we eloped?¡± The notion wasn¡¯t foreign to him, as he had often indulged in such daydreams: a crimson sun sinking beyond the horizon, him and Jian Jie riding on horseback, united in a nomadic journey across the globe, a picture of beauty and romance.


    To his surprise, Jian Jie nodded, ¡°Fine, let¡¯s just say I¡¯ve run away from home and have no intention of returning. Let my brother taste regret if he can¡¯t locate me!¡±


    ¡°Xiaojie, you¡¯ve picked up some bad habits,¡± Long Zichen mused, shaking his head with a resigned smile.


    As expected, Jian Jie enlisted Li Xiaoqi¡¯s help in concealing his plans from his brother. He dispatched his assistant to retrieve his passport from home for visa application and readied an assortment of clothes at the company. The day prior to his departure, in his brother¡¯s absence, he left a taunting note on the study desk:


    ¡°Brother, I¡¯ve grown weary. I¡¯m leaving. Don¡¯t bother searching for me.¡±


    Upon his return home that evening, Jian Bin¡¯s countenance darkened at the sight of the note. An internal monologue ensued: ¡°Weary, huh? I had no inkling you were having nightly heart-to-hearts with that guy on the phone! I played the ignorant elder, and you dared to stage a runaway act! Outrageous!¡±


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 CH 53

    Translator: Lynn


    Clutching the note, Brother Jian gritted his teeth in contemplation, but before he could enact any response, Li Xiaoqi¡¯s apologetic call had already come through.


    ¡°Li Xiaoqi, you dare call here, knowing everything yet having the audacity to call! Jiejie left a note about running away from home. How long have you both been deceiving me?¡± Jian Bin¡¯s voice was rife with bitterness.


    Li Xiaoqi was laden with guilt for a moment. However, since he was also accompanying Jian Jie abroad, for the time being, Jian Bin¡¯s wrath wouldn¡¯t extend to him, and it might subside upon his return. With resolve, he responded with a placating tone, ¡°Binzi, I take full responsibility. I apologize for keeping this from you. But, you see, they genuinely care for each other. No matter how much we intervene, it won¡¯t change. Rather than thwarting them, it¡¯s better to support them. I¡¯m acquainted with Director Long at the company, and he truly is a fine young man. He and Xiaojie have a solid bond. Binzi, we can¡¯t decide for him indefinitely; people have to live life on their terms.¡±


    Holding the phone, Jian Bin was silent for a moment, then sighed despondently, ¡°Is everyone so quick to accept this? Can¡¯t they give me some adjustment time? That brat, he knows just how to defy my authority, acting like such a rebellious kid! Rascal! Not even giving me a proper explanation, where did he go gallivanting with that Long?¡±


    Jian Bin¡¯s resignation suggested a relinquishment of his opposition. Li Xiaoqi was momentarily taken aback, responding with a smile, ¡°Xiaojie is headed to the United States for a film shoot. He¡¯ll be back in ten to twenty days, so don¡¯t worry. I¡¯m accompanying him, and the company has provided assistants. The conditions for the cast and crew are excellent, far better than what we have domestically.¡±


    Since the film crew covered round-trip airfare and lodging, and considering Jian Jie¡¯s newcomer status, the entourage had to be lean, involving only a manager and an assistant.


    ¡°Going abroad.¡± The notion of Jian Jie venturing so far away and staying there for over two weeks sparked inevitable concern from Jian Bin. ¡°I¡¯m unfamiliar with that place. Keep a close watch over Jiejie. Are you at the airport now? Tell him to call me before he boards if he isn¡¯t in a rush. Dammit, I¡¯ll scold him!¡±


    ¡°He¡¯s still at the waiting lounge. There¡¯s some time before boarding, so I¡¯ll tell him to call you.¡± Li Xiaoqi agreed, ending the call and then addressing Jian Jie, ¡°Your brother wants you to call him. I think he¡¯s starting to come to terms with it. If you apologize and say something kind, you might be able to smooth things over.¡±


    ¡°Really, my brother is starting to accept it?¡± Anxious, Jian Jie swiftly retrieved his phone and dialed his brother¡¯s number. After the call connected, he stammered, ¡°Brother¡­¡±


    ¡°Good thing you still remember I¡¯m your brother,¡± came Brother Jian¡¯s curt and discontented voice.


    ¡°Is brother mad at me?¡± Regret for his prank mingled with Jian Jie¡¯s words as he coyly continued, ¡°My dearest brother is always my dearest brother.¡±


    Jian Bin snorted, saying, ¡°So now you know how to butter me up? But where were these sweet words when you were sulking and running away from home? Planning to live with that kid and never come back, huh?¡±


    ¡°Who¡¯s that big brother anyway, trying to stop me from singing and not giving a damn about my thoughts,¡± muttered Jian Jie. ¡°He¡¯s always scrutinizing me. I just wanted a breather. Brother Chen is a nice guy. Brother, stop scolding people all the time, it¡¯s prejudiced.¡±


    ¡°Stubborn brat,¡± Jian Bin retorted helplessly. ¡°That guy appears so smooth-talking, not at all like someone serious. And he¡¯s trying to whisk you away. Shouldn¡¯t I be upset? Did he give you some kind of potion that makes you defend him so staunchly? I¡¯ve been there for you all these years, and yet I pale in comparison to a kid who suddenly appeared out of nowhere, right?¡±


    Jian Bin¡¯s incessant queries weighed heavily on Jian Jie¡¯s conscience: ¡°Brother, I¡¯m sorry, please don¡¯t be angry. I promise I won¡¯t clash with you like this anymore.¡±


    ¡°Hmph, I can¡¯t be bothered with you. Take care of yourself overseas. When you¡¯re back, have that guy come over for dinner. I want to see how skilled he is at winning my brother over.¡±


    Jian Jie was taken aback and then thrilled: ¡°Brother, does this mean you¡¯re genuinely okay with us being together?¡±


    ¡°I never said I fully approve. We¡¯ll see how things play out with your behavior,¡± Jian Bin remained stubborn.


    As Jian Jie ended the call, Long Zichen, who had been eavesdropping nearby, hastily inquired, ¡°What did your brother say? Does he really not object?¡±


    ¡°It seems that way. He even invited you over for dinner,¡± Jian Jie responded cheerfully.


    Long Zichen was overjoyed, throwing caution to the wind even in a public space. He raised his hands and gave a few triumphant cheers, exclaiming, ¡°Your brother is awesome! I was prepared for a long battle, and now he agrees?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not sure how my brother came around,¡± Jian Jie admitted, both surprised by his brother¡¯s shift and amused by Long Zichen¡¯s ecstatic reaction.


    Fortunately, Li Xiaoqi beside them had already noticed the oddity. Long Zichen, who was typically an uninvolved producer when it came to other singers at the company, had somehow managed to secure Jian Jie¡¯s assistant¡¯s overseas slot and tagged along. He called it ¡°researching foreign music culture.¡±


    What won¡¯t he do? Or rather, what can¡¯t he do? In this VIP lounge, everyone perceives themselves as celebrities and superstars, so they hardly pay heed to others. Thus, the commotion went largely unnoticed.


    Even as he boarded the plane, Long Zichen remained in a daze, finding it hard to believe that his life could be this wonderful. The business class only had individual seats, and he leaned over the narrow aisle, asking Jian Jie with a touch of nervousness, ¡°It all feels so surreal. Could this be some kind of trap your brother has set up? Is there something waiting for us?¡±


    ¡°Brother Chen, what kind of person do you think my brother is?¡± Jian Jie chuckled. ¡°My brother isn¡¯t capable of such things. He¡¯s been consistently straightforward.¡±


    Long Zichen sighed, ¡°And that¡¯s precisely what worries me. Your brother must be hesitant about me because of you. I felt my soul leave my body just sitting at the same table with him during that meal.¡±


    ¡°In that case, I can tell my brother you have other commitments and can¡¯t make it.¡±


    ¡°Well, that might work. Your brother wasn¡¯t exactly thrilled about me, to begin with. If I skip the dinner, I¡¯ll probably be completely blacklisted.¡± Long Zichen looked dejected, struggling to find a way to please his potential brother-in-law.


    Jian Jie softly reassured him, ¡°With me around, my brother isn¡¯t a mob boss. Brother Chen, don¡¯t overthink it.¡±


    Long Zichen was naturally an optimist. With Jian Jie¡¯s comfort, he quickly pushed aside his concerns and began to excitedly contemplate the entertainment and life he was about to experience in the next ten days. Assuming the assistant¡¯s role this time, he could stay by Jian Jie¡¯s side throughout. He even researched famous landmarks in New York, where the filming was taking place, hoping to explore the city with Xiao Jie during their downtime.


    Upon landing at Newtown International Airport, the crew sent a car to collect Jian Jie and his entourage, transporting them directly to the three-star hotel where the cast and crew were lodged. Per the contract, Jian Jie¡¯s party was granted one suite and one standard room. The suite, a result of Jian Jie¡¯s status as a Huaguo star, featured a living area and balcony but still had only one bedroom. To avoid fueling any gossip about celebrities sharing quarters with their assistants, Long Zichen, much to his disappointment, was resigned to sharing a room with Li Xiaoqi.


    Please let me know if there are typos/mistakes in the chapter.


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 CH 54

    Translator: Lynn


    Following a brief rest at the hotel arranged by the film crew, Jian Jie officially joined the production of ¡°Life of Opera¡± in the afternoon.


    As a newcomer to the set, Jian Jie wasn¡¯t welcomed with any formal ceremony. Filming had already commenced before his arrival. He exchanged greetings with the director and his fellow actors, underwent the usual routine of being handed a script by the assistant director, and proceeded to the makeup and costume departments.


    The movie was a substantial production. Despite being in a supporting role, Jian Jie¡¯s character required several different looks, each tailored to specific scenes. Given the modern setting of the film, the makeup and attire weren¡¯t overly intricate. Jian Jie¡¯s naturally good skin only necessitated a light touch of powder. He tried on multiple costumes for the movie, adjusting any ill-fitting ones with the help of the costumer.


    Although there was no scene for Jian Jie to film that afternoon, he removed his makeup and still found his way to a quiet corner of the set to review the script and observe his fellow actors¡¯ performances. Even though the director hadn¡¯t made this a requirement and Jian Jie had no intention of transitioning into a professional film actor, he recognized the importance of taking his role seriously. Being an amateur, he needed to absorb as much as possible.


    With no personal assistant accompanying Jian Jie on this trip, Long Zichen naturally assumed the role, carrying a sizable bag and trailing behind Jian Jie. He diligently handed items and water whenever needed. As an assistant, he wore a shirt and jeans to blend in, giving him the appearance of a staff member. However, this led others to frequently enlist his help in carrying things, a situation that left Long Zichen somewhat disheartened.


    Jian Jie was engrossed in studying the script, and Long Zichen didn¡¯t want to disrupt him. So, he observed the tasks other actors¡¯ assistants carried out and took notes, planning to have everything ready for Jian Jie the next day. The crew here provided a generous spread of fruits, drinks, and snacks, accessible on the set¡¯s sidelines for everyone¡¯s convenience. Long Zichen periodically gathered a box of fruit, slicing it up for Jian Jie to enjoy.


    All the scenes filmed that day were indoors, unaffected by external factors, and the day¡¯s shooting plan concluded by six in the evening. Jian Jie had stayed on set throughout. Director Paul, noticing his dedication to observing others¡¯ performances, called him over to discuss the production for a while. He also briefed Jian Jie on the schedule for the following day, encouraging early preparation.


    In the evening, the crew ordered Thai cuisine for dinner, yet Long Zichen didn¡¯t particularly favor its strong flavors. Considering Jian Jie¡¯s preference for milder tastes, he decided to take Jian Jie back to the hotel directly. After dropping off their bags, Long Zichen suggested taking Jian Jie to a Western restaurant he¡¯d discovered online. This establishment was reportedly an Italian restaurant run by a Chinese individual, catering to Chinese tastes. Figuring they could start with this somewhat inauthentic eatery if they wanted to try Western cuisine in a foreign country. Li Xiaoqi, on the other hand, pragmatically suggested dining at the hotel, expressing his reluctance to venture out at his age. He humorously added that if Jian Jie and the others could bring back some delicious supper for him, he wouldn¡¯t feel like a light bulb.


    Long Zichen¡¯s eyes brimmed with tears as he thanked Li Xiaoqi wholeheartedly, assuring him that dinner was entirely up to him.


    May in New York City was already quite warm. Jian Jie changed into a blue and white striped T-shirt and casual pants, following Long Zichen outside. Being less recognized in this unfamiliar environment and with his filming schedule discreet, Jian Jie wasn¡¯t worried about paparazzi.


    Newtown, being an international hub, was aglow with bright lights at night, almost resembling daytime. The streets thrived with pedestrians and vehicles, and the myriad advertising lights lining the streets were a captivating burst of colors. Intentionally, Jian Jie and Long Zichen hopped onto a double-decker sightseeing bus, winding through the towering skyscrapers.


    Seated together, Long Zichen gazed at the scenery beside Jian Jie, his emotions stirred. ¡°This is the first time we¡¯ve gone out shopping together since you became a star. It¡¯s not easy to do so in China. How about we travel abroad during your summer break?¡± Long Zichen¡¯s eyes shone with anticipation.


    Jian Jie nodded in agreement. ¡°Sure.¡±


    Long Zichen beamed with happiness, already daydreaming about their next shared living arrangement. They say that traveling together is a litmus test for the compatibility of a couple living together. It exposes various flaws over time. However, from Long Zichen¡¯s perspective, Jian Jie was laid-back and adaptable. He saw no hurdles in their coexistence and couldn¡¯t really identify any shortcomings.


    At the restaurant, they enjoyed a lavish meal. Aware that Jian Jie couldn¡¯t handle alcohol well, he stuck to non-alcoholic beverages. On the contrary, Long Zichen was quite pleased, downing a few glasses of white wine. Upon returning to their lodging, he made use of the alcohol¡¯s influence to hold onto Jian Jie, unwilling to let go. Despite his alcohol tolerance being higher, he exaggerated it a bit in order to make the most of the moment. Jian Jie believed Long Zichen was genuinely inebriated, guiding him cautiously all the way to prevent him from stumbling. Their proximity and physical closeness on the way back left Long Zichen secretly delighted.


    Back in the hotel, noticing Long Zichen¡¯s apparent slumber, Jian Jie, concerned about waking Li Xiaoqi, guided him to his own room. The ploy worked, as Long Zichen lingered on the sofa for a while, fumbling in his pocket for something. Determined to seize the opportunity tonight, he knew he had to treat this seriously.


    Having set up the situation with Long Zichen, Jian Jie sent Li Xiaoqi to sample the dessert he had prepared. Upon Li Xiaoqi¡¯s return, Long Zichen feigned just waking up, his expression puzzled as he asked, ¡°What time is it? Did I sleep through the whole night with you?¡±


    ¡°Brother Chen is finally awake, and it¡¯s not even eight o¡¯clock yet,¡± Jian Jie responded with a chuckle.


    Long Zichen simulated surprise, letting out a casual ¡°Oh¡± before making a move to stand up. Polite in his demeanor, he began to rise, only to abruptly feign weakness and settle back onto the sofa, sighing, ¡°Well, I¡¯m feeling quite sluggish.¡± He gazed at Jian Jie, seeking pity.


    Jian Jie, empathetic as ever, promptly offered, ¡°Brother Chen, you can stay here and rest. Don¡¯t move if you¡¯re still feeling the effects of the drinks. I¡¯ll get you a change of clothes.¡±


    ¡°Thank you for your trouble,¡± Long Zichen politely replied. The moment Jian Jie left the room, he discarded his pretense and let out a triumphant cheer. Jian Jie hadn¡¯t gone far, but even from a short distance, he heard Long Zichen¡¯s exultant outburst. Knowing that Long Zichen was pleased about spending the night here, Jian Jie couldn¡¯t help but laugh.


    When Jian Jie returned, Long Zichen had already activated the stereo, serenading the room with an old love song in a foreign language. The soothing melody created an atmosphere of relaxation. Long Zichen inquired, ¡°Would it be alright if I sing? Will it disturb you if I write something later?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s fine. I¡¯ll take a shower and read the script before going to bed. I enjoy listening to music and reading,¡± Jian Jie assured.


    ¡°Great, then you go ahead and shower. I¡¯ll follow after you.¡±


    Jian Jie collected his clothes and headed to the bathroom. After a while, the sound of running water echoed through the door, sparking Long Zichen¡¯s anticipation. His excitement trembled within him as he thought about the plan he had meticulously crafted. Yet, apprehension accompanied his excitement.


    Once Jian Jie finished bathing, Long Zichen hurried in, closing the door behind him. He started washing himself, despite not needing to, due to the plan he had in mind. His backwashing was especially thorough, driven by the idea that it might lead to what he hoped for. Though he really wanted to be proactive, he figured that Jian Jie might not be comfortable with that approach. Lying back passively might be a safer option. He pretended to wash diligently, considering that since Jian Jie valued cleanliness so much, he might perceive himself as being ¡®dirty¡¯ afterward.


    Emerging from the shower, Long Zichen found Jian Jie dressed in soft cotton pajamas, leaning against the sofa and engrossed in a script. Her freshly washed hair was slightly unkempt, with a few strands falling haphazardly. Long Zichen found it utterly endearing. With a joyful grin, he grabbed a magazine and perused it half-heartedly. Avoiding any noise that might disturb Jian Jie, he hardly paid attention to the magazine¡¯s contents. His focus remained fixed on Jian Jie, waiting for the right moment to make his move.


    An hour passed, and Jian Jie remained immersed in the script. Long Zichen tried various tactics, from offering water to making conversation, yet nothing could divert his attention. Was that stack of paper truly that captivating? Long Zichen pursed his lips, his gaze on Jian Jie devoid of resentment.


    Please let me know if there are typos/mistakes in the chapter.


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 CH 55

    Translator: Lynn


    Enveloped in music and surrounded by beauty, such a splendid night ¨C should it really go to waste? Long Zichen pondered, recalling those nights back in China when he couldn¡¯t help but complain. However, he hesitated to interrupt Jian Jie¡¯s work, feeling a deep sense of distress.


    Another half-hour passed while he waited. Suddenly, Jian Jie set the script aside. Long Zichen¡¯s eyes lit up with anticipation. As Jian Jie stood up to head to the bathroom, Long Zichen quickly seized the opportunity, seizing Jian Jie¡¯s vacated seat. Clutching the script, he meticulously examined it over and over, his attention focused on any potential intimate or kissing scenes.


    The moment Jian Jie returned, Long Zichen inquired eagerly, ¡°You don¡¯t have any kissing scenes, right?¡±


    ¡°Probably not. My character doesn¡¯t share that kind of close relationship in the movie,¡± Jian Jie responded as he sat down next to Long Zichen.


    ¡°Great,¡± Long Zichen replied with a cheerful grin. Without delay, he leaned over and rested his head on Jian Jie¡¯s shoulder, abruptly adopting a serious expression. His suggestion was delivered with an air of innocence as if he were petitioning for global harmony: ¡°I overheard on set today that Director Paul enjoys altering the script during filming. What if we practiced a few intimate scenes just in case?¡±


    He looked at Jian Jie expectantly, his gaze pure and candid, as though his plea were for the greater good. Jian Jie blushed at his antics but recognized his playful spirit, so he nodded in agreement.


    ¡°Before filming a kissing scene, many actors will brush their teeth or chew gum out of respect,¡± Long Zichen grinned, mischief evident. ¡°I¡¯ve brushed mine several times¡ªpardon me, I¡¯m coming, Xiaojie!¡± he exclaimed, enthusiastically moving in closer.


    Climbing onto the sofa, Long Zichen straddled Jian Jie¡¯s legs, his arms encircling Jian Jie¡¯s neck. Their bodies pressed together, their lips met, and their breaths mingled. Their separation was delayed, as Long Zichen kissed Jian Jie with abandon, his heart racing. Determined not to let the night conclude uneventfully, he tentatively extended the tip of his tongue to make contact with Jian Jie¡¯s teeth, aiming for a more adventurous move.


    Jian Jie felt a flicker of surprise, sensing that Long Zichen was unusually fervent tonight, even more so than usual. His cheeks warmed as he struggled to find his breath. However, being in a relationship, any level of intimacy between them felt natural. Though bashful, he didn¡¯t resist.


    Engulfed by profound affection, the two kissed fervently, seconds blending into minutes. Though it seemed like an extended period, in reality, only a few minutes had passed before Long Zichen finally lifted his head. They separated slightly, both breathing heavily, their smiles deep and genuine.


    At this moment, they saw only each other. With a gentle smile, Jian Jie¡¯s presence seemed to invigorate Long Zichen once more. He lowered his head to shower kisses on Jian Jie¡¯s face, from his forehead to his chin, reminiscent of a family member who adored Jian Jie the most.


    ¡°Brother Chen, what¡¯s going on?¡± Long Zichen¡¯s sudden kiss left Jian Jie baffled, but it wasn¡¯t an unwelcome sensation.


    As Long Zichen lifted his head, his eyes brimming with longing, he gazed at Jian Jie with anticipation. After a couple of deep breaths, he anxiously broached, ¡°Xiaojie, I was thinking¡­ could we take it a step further? It can be really wonderful!¡±


    After a moment of initial bewilderment, realization dawned on Jian Jie about Long Zichen¡¯s intentions, and his face ignited with a fervent blush. ¡°Well, I¡¯m okay with that, but I¡¯m not sure what to do¡­¡± His words were hushed, yet in Long Zichen¡¯s ears, they seemed to resonate like celestial music, igniting a tremor of excitement within him.


    ¡°I¡¯ve looked up some information; let¡¯s explore this together!¡± Long Zichen excitedly took Jian Jie¡¯s hand and led him to the bedroom. ¡°Shall we lie down and give it a try?¡±


    Unable to deny Long Zichen¡¯s buoyant enthusiasm, Jian Jie dutifully followed him into the bedroom. The suite was impressively opulent, adorned in a vintage style, and boasted a king-sized bed. Long Zichen prompted Jian Jie to sit by the bedside, strolled over to switch on a wall lamp, and then turned off the overhead light with a deft movement. Fearing the brightness might discomfort Jian Jie, he opted for softer illumination. In an instant, the room was bathed in gentle radiance, kindling an ambiance of intimacy.


    Sitting there, Jian Jie¡¯s demeanor was contemplative. Foreseeing what lay ahead, he felt a mixture of reluctance and apprehension to look directly at Long Zichen. Paradoxically, this composed appearance of Jian Jie only fueled Long Zichen¡¯s uncertainty. Overwhelmed by emotion, he moved closer and pushed Jian Jie onto the bed, initiating a tender sequence of kisses. His lips wandered across the fair expanse of Jian Jie¡¯s chest, lightly brushed against his abdomen, and trailed down his lean legs. Just as they neared his chest, Jian Jie gently halted Long Zichen¡¯s advances.


    Concern laced Long Zichen¡¯s hoarse voice as he inquired, ¡°Don¡¯t you like it?¡± Anxious that Jian Jie might not be comfortable with such an intimate gesture, his chest tightened in anticipation.


    Propping himself up on his elbows, Jian Jie averted his gaze and responded in hushed tones, ¡°Lying here, it feels somewhat odd, a bit awkward¡­¡± Though he couldn¡¯t entirely articulate the reason, he intuitively felt the current posture to be unnerving. The abruptness of the situation had left him disconcerted.


    Long Zichen, gaping for a moment, suddenly grasped the issue at hand. Despite Jian Jie¡¯s gentle disposition, he was still a young man who had never experienced a same-sex relationship. Lying in such a way and letting someone else ¡°take charge¡± created discord with the ingrained gender dynamics he was familiar with. It was something he wouldn¡¯t immediately feel at ease with.


    Prepared for such hurdles, Long Zichen swiftly proposed, ¡°Xiaojie, could we perhaps try a different position?¡±


    Guiding Jian Jie to lie down beside him, he rolled over so that Jian Jie was positioned on top, ¡°Does this feel better? You can take the lead, and I¡¯ll follow.¡±


    With a quick motion, Long Zichen discarded his pajamas, eagerly examining Jian Jie from head to toe before outstretching his arms once again, feigning vulnerability. Fearing Jian Jie might not be ready for physical intimacy with someone of the same sex, Long Zichen wondered how long their relationship could endure without that compatibility. He no longer held faith in purely platonic affection; it seemed unrealistic to him.


    Observing from above, Jian Jie¡¯s gaze settled upon Long Zichen, who lay before him, his vulnerable and slender form exposed, evoking a softness that was unprecedented. Although Jian Jie felt a tinge of embarrassment, a swell of compassion also surged within him. He remained silent, as Long Zichen had already initiated the embrace, pulling their heated bodies together.


    The tender touch kindled a sensation of joy as Long Zichen¡¯s fervent caresses roused emotions in the young man¡¯s body. As these sensations mounted, Jian Jie noted the shift within himself, his cheeks flushed.


    A desire to retreat welled up, but Long Zichen abruptly clasped him, entreating, ¡°Little Jie, stay, I¡¯ll guide you.¡± With that, Long Zichen took charge of the situation, his touch rhythmically engaging with the transformed part of Jian Jie.


    Soon, Jian Jie¡¯s limbs turned weak, and he rested his head on Long Zichen¡¯s face, his breaths coming in ragged gasps. With Long Zichen¡¯s scorching breath in his ears, emotions surged within him as well. Long Zichen was also caught in the throes of emotion, his own ardor manifesting physically. Temporarily setting aside his own sensations, he devoted himself to ensuring that Jian Jie would find pleasure in this experience.


    Meanwhile, Long Zichen perceived the touch on his sensitive area, not his own but Jian Jie¡¯s, even though it remained unmoving. Yet, it was enough to elicit gasps from him, his control teetering.


    ¡°Xiaojie, if it¡¯s uncomfortable for you, we can stop,¡± he whispered, rubbing his cheek affectionately against Jian Jie¡¯s, adjusting Jian Jie¡¯s undergarments slightly, and syncing their motions. He felt content that Jian Jie was open to such closeness, and he couldn¡¯t fathom letting Jian Jie take on all the roles.


    As they comforted each other, the intensity surged for Jian Jie. This was his first encounter with such passion, and its allure intoxicated him, momentarily obliterating the outside world from his mind. Eventually, a crescendo was reached, and the culmination of built-up pleasure was released in a rush. Overwhelmed, Jian Jie lay upon Long Zichen, eyelids half-lowered, relishing the aftermath. Similarly, Long Zichen reveled in the moment¡¯s euphoria. Regaining some strength, he turned his head, peppering kisses on Jian Jie¡¯s face and neck.


    ¡°Bath, Brother Chen,¡± Jian Jie softly proposed.


    Long Zichen was taken aback. He wrapped his arms around Jian Jie, reluctant to part, and initiated a playful charm offensive, advocating for more: ¡°Xiaojie, this isn¡¯t enough! Just once more, I haven¡¯t truly savored it yet! Let¡¯s experiment with a different approach, they say it¡¯s even more enjoyable!¡±


    It was almost ten o¡¯clock, bedtime for Jian Jie. Yet, after their recent experience, he was disinclined to turn Long Zichen away. He consented, and Long Zichen eagerly fetched some paper towels, lubricant, and condoms from the bedside drawer. He returned to Jian Jie¡¯s side with great anticipation.


    Jian Jie, perplexed, questioned, ¡°What¡¯s all this for, Brother Chen?¡± The tools were foreign to him.


    Long Zichen, a bit sheepish, decided to set aside his discomfort for the sake of their shared path. Clearing his throat, he leaned in to explain in hushed tones, a blush creeping over Jian Jie¡¯s cheeks as he listened.


    ¡°In that case, Brother Chen, won¡¯t it be uncomfortable for you?¡± Jian Jie inquired, his voice barely above a whisper.


    Long Zichen, fueled by fervor, brushed off concerns about minor discomfort. He peppered kisses on Jian Jie¡¯s face, assuring him, ¡°It¡¯s alright. Preparedness should negate any discomfort. The lubricant I got is effective. I¡¯ll help you put on the condom again.¡± Long Zichen instructed Jian Jie to sit at the head of the bed, kneeling before him to guide the restorative encounter. The sight of Jian Jie¡¯s tender innocence stirred a primal urge within Long Zichen, and he was resolute in his intent.


    Jian Jie was taken aback by Long Zichen¡¯s bold actions. The direct stimulation of his sensitive area through the hot, moist mouth left Jian Jie momentarily speechless. The urge to push Long Zichen away surged within him, but his efforts were met with unwavering persistence. Long Zichen was determined to make this an unforgettable first experience for Jian Jie, employing every tactic to ensure his success, though it remained uncertain if he had any actual skill in this matter. He proceeded, maintaining a continuous, albeit patternless rhythm with his mouth, while his hands busied themselves.


    Applying a lubricant to his fingers, Long Zichen prepared himself, though his inexperience led to a slow and deliberate process. Frustration gripped him, and he regretted his lack of preparation. He could hardly wait any longer; a sensation had built up. Rising with a smile, he addressed Jian JiJie, saying, We¡¯re almost there, let¡¯s give it a try!¡±


    Hurriedly assisting Jian Jie with the protection, Long Zichen positioned himself on the bed with legs spread and a cheerful expression, invitingly stating, ¡°Little Jie, go ahead.¡±


    However, his laughter quickly subsided. As Jian Jie entered, Long Zichen experienced firsthand the reality of the idiom ¡°blossoming back.¡± Despite the discomfort, he bore it without complaint, urging Jian Jie to continue. The lingering pain was preferable to the thought of prolonging the process.


    Jian Jie was fraught with tension, perceiving Long Zichen¡¯s discomfort. The sweat that coated them both was evidence enough. Slowly, he inserted the majority of his organ into Long Zichen¡¯s body. The sensation of complete union was marvelous, fostering a shared consciousness where each movement sent tremors reverberating through their bodies.


    Tears lingering in his eyes, Long Zichen encouraged Jian Jie to quicken the pace. Overwhelmed by impulse, Jian Jie followed instinct, relentlessly assaulting the firm barrier again and again. Like swirling waters, they rocked together, producing a symphony of moans. Finally, they converged like a river meeting the sea, their unity now unbreakable.


    Time seemed to stretch on, and eventually, they slumped, facing each other in an embrace. Fatigue and contentment weighed heavily on them.


    Amidst this blissful reverie, Long Zichen¡¯s solemn voice pierced the silence, inquiring repeatedly, ¡°Xiaojie, how do you feel? Are you comfortable? Is there anything you dislike?¡±


    Inexperience led Long Zichen to approach this like a formal meeting, unintentionally killing the mood.


    Awkwardly, Jian Jie replied, ¡°It¡¯s fine. I don¡¯t dislike anything. I¡¯m going to shower.¡± He hastily retreated to the bathroom, his cheeks flushed with embarrassment.


    Long Zichen couldn¡¯t help but laugh at himself. His earlier inquiries now seemed rather foolish. A sense of longing overcame him; he wished Jian Jie had invited him for a shower together if nothing else. Reflecting, he realized sleep had abandoned him, and he rose clumsily from the bed, making his way to the bathroom, hoping for a chance at intimacy.


    Please let me know if there are typos/mistakes in the chapter.


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 CH 56

    Translator: Lynn


    At the break of dawn, Jian Jie stirred from a pleasant dream. The room was shrouded in darkness, thanks to the heavy curtains that thwarted the morning light. Grabbing the bedside watch, he scrutinized the time¡ªbarely five o¡¯clock. It was far too early to rise, so Jian Jie allowed himself to drift back into slumber. Long Zichen lay beside him, his head still nestled against Jian Jie¡¯s shoulder. Turning his head, Jian Jie¡¯s gaze fell upon Long Zichen¡¯s sleepy countenance. It was a rare sight to witness Long Zichen so serenely tranquil. Normally exuding boundless energy, now his eyes were shut tight, mouth slightly ajar, occasionally releasing quiet breaths that exuded an endearing childlike charm.


    Recollections of their intimate moments from the previous night swirled within Jian Jie, a mingling of embarrassment and a subtle sense of fulfillment. The world seemed distinct from the day before¡ªa new threshold crossed, propelling him into adulthood. Lost in his musings, a contented smile tugged at Jian Jie¡¯s lips. Time slipped by unheeded, an hour evaporating without his notice.


    Long Zichen roused from slumber, groggily peering through half-opened eyes at Jian Jie, his voice faints with sleepiness, ¡°What time is it? Are you getting up?¡±


    ¡°Go back to sleep. It¡¯s only six o¡¯clock. You can catch a few more winks,¡± Jian Jie replied in a hushed tone. Shooting a movie adhered strictly to an eight-hour work schedule here, and there was no rush to be on set before nine in the morning.


    Long Zichen seemed to grasp Jian Jie¡¯s words, mumbling a few incoherent syllables before settling back into his dreams, eyelids surrendering to gravity. Last night¡¯s excitement had kept him awake until the early hours, and now fatigue reclaimed him with ease.


    Amused by the sight, Jian Jie slipped off the bed with care, heading to the bathroom for his morning routine. Staring at his reflection in the mirror, he felt a genuine sense of maturation and self-assured adulthood. A light-hearted melody danced through his mind. After emerging from the bathroom, his eyes fell upon Long Zichen, still cocooned in sleep. Jian Jie changed his attire before making his way to the dining area for breakfast. After his meal, he prepared an extra serving, packed it, and returned to Long Zichen.


    By now, Long Zichen had roused from sleep. The absence of Jian Jie¡¯s presence beside him was enough to dispel any remnants of drowsiness. Springing from bed in haste, the sudden movement tugged at his back wound, forcing a wince. He quickly donned his pajamas, though now attired in such a way, venturing outside was impractical. His outerwear lay in another room, and Long Zichen was keen to avoid causing any undue disturbance.


    Fortuitously, Jian Jie reentered the room, bearing a tray of food. Long Zichen¡¯s flustered state eased as he feigned a touch of helplessness, ¡°Xiaojie, you didn¡¯t wake me up. I wanted to give you a good morning kiss!¡±


    ¡°Brother Chen, you were sleeping so deeply, so I went ahead and had breakfast on my own. I brought some back for you too. Go wash up and eat,¡± Jian Jie cheerfully announced, placing the plate on the dining table.


    Long Zichen nodded, ¡°You¡¯re heading for your shoot in the morning. I¡¯ll freshen up for you; it won¡¯t take long.¡± After this declaration, he leaned in for a sweet kiss before heading off to the bathroom, a satisfied grin on his face.


    Jian Jie could only smile in fond exasperation. He had grown accustomed to Long Zichen¡¯s playful nature, and truth be told, he found it rather endearing. Of course, this perception was entirely his own; anyone from their company wouldn¡¯t even dream of using the term ¡°endearing¡± for Long Zichen.


    When Long Zichen emerged for breakfast, Jian Jie assessed his condition and concluded that he shouldn¡¯t venture outside in his current state. Hence, he suggested that Long Zichen rest in the room. Long Zichen had the strong urge to claim he was perfectly fine and capable of working a full day, but his aching lower back was a stern reminder of what he had engaged in last night. His gait had suffered the consequences, and he reluctantly acknowledged that his walking posture revealed more than he cared to share. Thus, Long Zichen begrudgingly acceded to remaining in the room.


    Jian Jie donned his backpack and knocked on Li Xiaoqi¡¯s door. He couldn¡¯t proceed to work alone today, thus he sought Li Xiaoqi¡¯s assistance.


    Li Xiaoqi, ever the conscientious early riser, was unsurprisingly awake. Long Zichen¡¯s absence during the night left little to the imagination, yet he didn¡¯t dare probe too deeply, suspecting that Jian Jie might bear the brunt of the repercussions. A sentiment he believed Jian Bin shared. Thus, Li Xiaoqi ventured cautiously, his tone measured, ¡°Is Director Long unwell? Should I go check on him?¡±


    ¡°No need,¡± Jian Jie replied, his discomfort at fibbing evident. ¡°It¡¯s nothing serious. Brother Chen is just resting now; he said he¡¯ll be back to his usual self after some rest.¡±


    ¡°Alright then, it¡¯s almost time. Let¡¯s head to the set,¡± Li Xiaoqi replied with a suppressed chuckle. Long Zichen¡¯s stock in Li Xiaoqi¡¯s eyes had risen appreciably. Beneath the seemingly capricious exterior, there existed a sincerity towards Jian Jie that couldn¡¯t be denied. No pretense. If it had been Jian Jie lying in bed today, the consequences would have been far more severe, and the explanation to Jian Bin considerably harder.


    The day¡¯s shoot involved two scenes for Jian Jie. Upon arriving on set, he delved into the realm of makeup and wardrobe changes. As anticipated, Long Zichen¡¯s prediction had been accurate¡ªDirector Paul was prone to script changes. A fresh script was delivered by an assistant, detailing sudden alterations to the day¡¯s scenes.


    These two segments were disjointed and stood in stark contrast to Jian Jie¡¯s initial perception. One scene involved a poignant bedside vigil, while the subsequent scene demanded a vibrant on-stage performance in an auditorium. The disparity posed a challenge, requiring Jian Jie to swiftly shift his emotional register. It was moments like these that one had to marvel at the talents of seasoned actors¡ªcapable of transitioning seamlessly from tears to jubilance at the flick of a switch. Their prowess was truly commendable.


    In the initial shots, Jian frequently encountered ¡°No Good¡± (NG), necessitating multiple retakes for almost every scene. Such occurrences were par for the course in the world of filming, especially considering it was his debut on screen. Therefore, this performance was well within the realm of normalcy. Thankfully, Director Paul wasn¡¯t one to chastise actors, and Jian Jie¡¯s patience was abundant; he diligently repeated the scenes time and again. Yet, within his heart, dissatisfaction brewed. His competitive spirit had ignited, gradually improving his delivery.


    During work hours, Jian Jie managed to compartmentalize his thoughts about Long Zichen. Upon concluding a scene and as the lights were readjusted, he darted to a corner and dialed Long Zichen¡¯s number.


    At that moment, Long Zichen reclined on his bed, his phone stationed beside his pillow, poised for Jian Jie¡¯s anticipated call. Observing Jian Jie¡¯s name on the screen, he promptly accepted the call, his voice cheerful. ¡°How¡¯s the filming going today? I wish I could have been there on your debut day; I¡¯m eager to witness it firsthand.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s been a bit challenging. I¡¯m not performing well; I keep encountering NGs,¡± Jian Jie replied in a hushed tone. ¡°Brother Chen, are you feeling better? If you¡¯re still uncomfortable, remember to take your medication.¡±


    Even with his thick skin, Long Zichen felt his cheeks flush, yet he couldn¡¯t resist teasing Jian Jie. ¡°I¡¯ve taken the anti-inflammatory medication, but it¡¯s for external use. I can¡¯t apply it myself. I¡¯ll have to wait for Xiaojie to return and lend a hand. Is that alright?¡±


    ¡°Sure, I¡¯ll help you when I get back,¡± Jian Jie readily agreed, blissfully unaware of the true implication behind ¡°external use.¡±


    On the other end of the line, Long Zichen sported a contented grin. He was certain that Jian Jie wouldn¡¯t fathom the true connotation underlying those words, so he chuckled to himself for a while. Jian Jie, somewhat puzzled, received no clarification. Long Zichen playfully bantered a bit more before encouraging Jian Jie to hang up and return to work. He aimed to avoid any potential scolding from Li Xiaoqi upon his return.


    The morning rolled by swiftly, and the crew¡¯s midday meal proved satisfactory. It consisted of two substantial bread slices accompanied by jam, a pair of succulent chicken wings, a few strips of bacon and ham, a petite serving of salad, and a beverage. The only drawbacks were the toughness of the bread and the slightly peculiar taste of the bacon, which Jian Jie found unaccustomed. As he leisurely consumed his salad, he was taken aback to see Long Zichen hurriedly approaching, bearing several bags in hand.


    ¡°I was concerned that you might not enjoy the crew¡¯s meal, so I went to a Chinese restaurant and prepared a few dishes. There¡¯s Kung Pao chicken, shredded pork with celery, braised eggplant in oil, and hot and sour cabbage¡­¡± Long Zichen explained, revealing the contents of the bag as he laid out the lunchboxes before Jian Jie. ¡°I heard that this Chinese food is quite authentic; you should give it a try. Brother Li, help yourself too. I got plenty and made extra portions of rice.¡±


    ¡°Consider me covered,¡± Li Xiaoqi responded with a grin. Being from the southern region, he had a penchant for rice and found bread less appealing. Long Zichen earned a few extra points in Li Xiaoqi¡¯s estimation: he was so considerate as to worry about Jian Jie¡¯s lunch and even cooked for him due to his unwell state. It was quite a virtuous act, and Li Xiaoqi kept this in mind, intending to mention it to Jian Bin in a favorable light.


    Feeling a sense of empathy, Jian Jie suggested to Long Zichen, ¡°Brother Chen, you don¡¯t have to trouble yourself to come over if you¡¯re not feeling well. The crew¡¯s lunch is sufficient.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m alright, really. I¡¯d rather not be alone in the hotel. How about I come here and watch you perform?¡± Long Zichen responded, mixing in some feigned awkwardness. It was an opportune moment to garner sympathy from Jian Jie, ensuring he didn¡¯t spend the entire day bedridden.


    ¡°Okay, just remember to head back if you start feeling uncomfortable.¡±


    ¡°Got it.¡±


    While conversing, Long Zichen served rice to Jian Jie and Li Xiaoqi. He supplemented Jian Jie¡¯s meal with vegetables and appropriated the half-eaten salad and bacon, determined not to waste food. Given his injury, he abstained from consuming the tough bread.


    Long Zichen leaned in and whispered something to Jian Jie, sparking a flurry of animated dialogue between them. Li Xiaoqi, seated beside them, silently partook of his meal, choosing not to pay heed to the interactions between the young couple. As long as their exchanges remained within boundaries and avoided drawing attention, he saw no reason to interfere.


    During the afternoon shoot, Long Zichen observed the proceedings from the sidelines. Comparing Jian Jie¡¯s current performance to several months prior, it was evident that he had grown more into his superstar persona. His acting skills had witnessed a significant advancement, evoking immense pride in Long Zichen¡¯s heart. Jian Jie was simply outstanding in whatever he undertook. Yet, there was one aspect that irked him: the actress sharing scenes with Jian Jie seemed to deliberately rest her head on his shoulders while laughing.


    Looking at her youthful appearance, the deep crow¡¯s feet etched at the corners of her eyes when she smiled were noticeable enough for a meal¡¯s worth of cooking. After the afternoon shoot, the actress even extended an invitation to Jian Jie for drinks. Seriously, Jian Jie was underage in the United States. Swiftly intervening, Long Zichen escorted Jian Jie back to the hotel.


    ¡°Xiaojie, I¡¯ve heard from other assistants that Katie has a tendency to gossip with her co-stars, so be cautious not to get entangled in her web,¡± Long Zichen advised Jian Jie during their stroll. Katie, the former actress, had garnered quite the reputation for being a gossip mill, with an extensive list of ex-boyfriends.


    Jian Jie didn¡¯t let the actress¡¯s reputation trouble him and simply nodded, ¡°I¡¯ll keep that in mind.¡±


    Li Xiaoqi couldn¡¯t help but snicker to himself. It hadn¡¯t occurred to him before, but it was clear now that Director Long appeared perpetually jealous. It explained his constant teasing of Fang Fei; anyone suspected of sparking rumors with Jian Jie would evidently find themselves in his crosshairs.


    As night fell, Long Zichen found himself wanting to avoid any possible scandal, inclining him to return to his own room to sleep. However, lying alone in his bed, he found sleep elusive. The joy and sweetness shared with Jian Jie the previous night contrasted starkly with his current loneliness and insomnia. Quieting his restlessness, he crept out of bed, knocked on Jian Jie¡¯s door, and softly inquired, ¡°Xiao Jie, are you awake?¡±


    ¡°No, Brother Chen, come in, and let¡¯s chat,¡± Jian Jie responded, seemingly attuned to Long Zichen¡¯s sentiments, ushering him in without seeking the reason for his visit.


    Long Zichen shut the door behind him, quickly embracing Jian Jie with a pitiful look in his eyes, ¡°That bed over there isn¡¯t very comfortable. Can I sleep here with you?¡±


    Despite Long Zichen¡¯s concern about stirring up controversy for Jian Jie, he was hardly able to hold onto reason. Following their intimacy from the previous night, he couldn¡¯t bear being apart from Jian Jie even for a moment.


    Jian Jie didn¡¯t overthink it and readily agreed, ¡°Of course.¡±


    In the stillness of the night, Long Zichen lay in bed, arms securely around Jian Jie, and expressed his anxieties in a hushed tone, ¡°Sometimes I¡¯m genuinely afraid. We can¡¯t be sure we¡¯ll keep this hidden forever. What if our relationship becomes public?¡±


    ¡°Brother Chen, don¡¯t worry. It¡¯s okay to reveal it; my brother is on board with us,¡± Jian Jie responded nonchalantly, showcasing the bliss of ignorance. Fearless and unburdened by concern, he was the last person to be troubled by rumors.


    Long Zichen was in shock, ¡°Xiaojie, are you trying to give me a heart attack? Aside from family members, not even our colleagues at work should know! If word gets out, it could destroy your career!¡±


    ¡°Being a celebrity is fine, but I also enjoy being behind the scenes. With Brother Chen, I could become a producer in the future. If we can¡¯t keep it under wraps, we could just relocate abroad, living anonymously. We wouldn¡¯t even need to use our real names,¡± Jian Jie joked. He genuinely didn¡¯t place much importance on his celebrity status and was beginning to feel the challenges it brought. Being an ordinary individual didn¡¯t seem all that bad.


    Long Zichen was almost beside himself, exclaiming, ¡°Ancestors save me, don¡¯t scare me like that! What¡¯s with the fear of public opinion? At that point, the criticism would be so overwhelming it might drown us. I don¡¯t want anyone pointing fingers and gossiping about you. Just promise me you¡¯ll keep it a secret, and you better not tell any reporter about our relationship.¡± He playfully threatened Jian Jie, yet his heart swelled with warmth. He couldn¡¯t help but imagine the prospect of living abroad with Jian Jie, free and unburdened.


    Strolling without worry, cherishing each moment. Moreover, Jian Jie¡¯s willingness to acknowledge their relationship publicly demonstrated his sincerity and willingness to commit. However, he didn¡¯t dare to trivialize Jian Jie¡¯s career; the young man aspired to be a superstar with a bright future. Long Zichen would respect and support that.


    Please let me know if there are typos/mistakes in the chapter.


    Support me on ko-fi for faster releases ^^

 CH 57

    Translator: Lynn


    The initial two days of filming proved quite manageable. The director displayed thoughtfulness towards Jian Jie, a fresh addition to the crew, and refrained from overloading him with numerous scenes. This allowed for a gradual adaptation process. However, it wasn¡¯t long before Jian Jie found himself immersed in a whirlwind of activity. With his album¡¯s imminent release, he had to accelerate the shooting pace to return to China promptly. Often faced with more than a dozen scenes in a single day, he dedicated his nights to memorizing lines and delving into his roles. There was scarcely a moment of respite. Adding to this demanding schedule, despite his extended leave, Jian Jie adamantly refused to compromise on his education, meticulously studying his emailed coursework and notes every night.


    Observing Jian Jie¡¯s weight loss as a result of his strenuous endeavors tugged at Long Zichen¡¯s heartstrings. Gone were the days of sleeping in; he now arose early to lay out clothes, fetch breakfast, and even pre-squeeze toothpaste for Jian Jie. Long Zichen envisioned these gestures as a means for Jian Jie to steal some well-deserved rest. On set, Jian Jie showed no signs of fatigue, yet Long Zichen believed his role as a caretaker was well-placed. Li Xiaoqi found himself experiencing a pang of guilt each time he witnessed these actions. He couldn¡¯t help but think that Director Long was deserving of the Best Assistant accolade.


    Busy days always seem to fly by, and the ten-day filming stint concluded all too swiftly. Despite his brief tenure on set, Jian Jie extended his gratitude to the director, co-stars, and the rest of the crew, individually expressing his appreciation. Director Paul found himself quite content with Jian Jie¡¯s performance. While he might lack seasoned acting skills, Jian Jie¡¯s merit lay in his adept embodiment of his roles and his unflagging work ethic. Talent might not always be a prerequisite, but diligence is, as the fear of hardship can thwart the most promising talent. The director¡¯s confidence in Jian Jie was reinforced by his dedication. The young actor reassured the crew that he would be available as needed for the movie¡¯s promotional activities once it¡¯s released. Participation in the promotional circuit was voluntary, aligning with each actor¡¯s personal preference. With this being Jian Jie¡¯s debut film, his investment and commitment were palpable.


    As soon as the filming concluded, the trio, including Jian Jie, would board an evening flight back to China. Despite the album being only half recorded, there was still a substantial amount of work remaining.


    Given the hectic schedule, Long Zichen had been unable to venture out for leisure activities. He had thoroughly researched numerous landmarks online, but ended up visiting the New York City Opera House for its photographic potential. A tinge of resentment colored his sentiments as he packed his bags in the hotel, criticizing the company for their hasty departure. He lashed out, calling them remorseless capitalists. He was acutely aware that upon their return, Jian Jie¡¯s schedule would intensify further, particularly with the impending album release. Numerous promotional events would demand their time, leaving them with scarce moments together.


    Witnessing Long Zichen¡¯s desire to explore, Jian Jie proposed, ¡°Since we don¡¯t have anything planned for the afternoon, why don¡¯t we go out for a walk?¡± Considering Long Zichen¡¯s diligent efforts in taking care of him recently, it seemed only fair to fulfill such a simple request.


    Long Zichen¡¯s heart swelled with pride upon hearing these words, as his beloved Xiaojie showcased his gentle and self-reliant nature. He truly possessed the qualities of an exceptional lover. However, Long Zichen didn¡¯t desire to occupy the rare moments of reprieve with whirlwind excursions to bustling tourist destinations. Swiftly, he leaped over and enfolded Jian Jie in his embrace, his voice brimming with elation, ¡°Little Jie, you¡¯re so thoughtful~~~ I just want to say, you¡¯ve been deprived of good sleep for days. You should rest at the hotel. You¡¯ll have ample opportunities to explore in the future.¡±


    ¡°Brother Chen, I¡¯m fine as long as I¡¯m not bored.¡± Jian Jie often found Long Zichen¡¯s current demeanor utterly endearing, unable to resist patting his head gently. As their gazes intertwined, they dissolved into laughter, a simple and unexplainable joy taking hold.


    Drawing close, Long Zichen placed a tender kiss on Jian Jie¡¯s forehead, playfully saying, ¡°Take a nap for a while. You woke up so early in the morning. I¡¯ll wake you when it¡¯s time.¡±


    ¡°Brother Chen, you woke up early too. Let¡¯s nap together. Li Xiaoqi will call us when it¡¯s time,¡± Jian Jie suggested, his grip tightening around Long Zichen¡¯s hand.


    Long Zichen found it impossible to decline, and since their packing was nearly complete, he smiled and embraced Jian Jie, surrendering to the prospect of a shared rest. Both were spirited souls at heart, burdened by few concerns, and laughter never eluded them. They slumbered until four o¡¯clock, stirred from their dreams by Li Xiaoqi¡¯s phone call, urging them to prepare and proceed to the airport for departure.


    In lighthearted spirits, they hastily dressed and readied their suitcases for the final time, resembling two children eagerly preparing for a day of play, their delight palpable.


    Upon reaching the airport, another ten-hour flight lay ahead. The plane soared through clouds, over vast oceans, finally returning them to the comfort of home.


    Due to the classified nature of their travel itinerary, fan encounters at the airport were curtailed. They were shuttled directly to the company for a meeting. Within the meeting, Long Zichen fervently advocated for postponing the new album¡¯s release until July. His reasoning was two-fold: to allow Jian Jie to recuperate and preserve his vocal quality, as well as to ensure the album¡¯s top-tier quality. The philosophy of meticulous and unhurried craftsmanship underscored his approach, an assurance that Xiaojie¡¯s album would emerge as a premium creation. The company displayed a commendable degree of compassion, ultimately granting approval to Long Zichen¡¯s proposition.


    As Long Zichen attended the company meeting, his assertiveness prevailing, he was suddenly jolted by a piece of news: Jian Jie had just received a call from Brother Jian, inviting both him and Long Zichen for dinner at their home that evening.


    Long Zichen¡¯s heart quivered with unease, leading him to take a seat on Jian Jie¡¯s lap within the office, seeking solace in his embrace, ¡°This is happening too soon. I¡¯m meeting my future brother-in-law this quickly; I¡¯m utterly unprepared! Oh no, your brother must have heard rumors that I took advantage of you and is probably plotting my demise!¡±


    Jian Jie found Long Zichen¡¯s words quite amusing, offering a comforting pat while sporting a grin, ¡°Before I left for my trip, I did mention that we should have a meal together. Brother Chen, don¡¯t worry. My brother is reasonable. Since I¡¯ve extended the invitation, he won¡¯t cause a scene. Besides, we¡¯ll be seeing each other frequently in the future; we can¡¯t hide this forever.¡±


    ¡°Right, absolutely. After all, even an unsightly daughter-in-law has to meet her uncle, let alone all of us,¡± Long Zichen sighed, diverting his attention to inquiring about Jian Jie¡¯s brother¡¯s preferences, all in a bid to endear himself to his soon-to-be brother-in-law.


    Gifts were already in place. Jian Jie and Long Zichen brought a few bottles of wine from abroad for Brother Jian, cosmetics for Jiang Xinya, and a combination toy for Xiao Jiayue. None of these items were extravagant; otherwise, Brother Jian might chide them for frivolous spending.


    Upon reaching the neighborhood where Brother Jian resided, Long Zichen parked the car, ventured into a supermarket for some vegetables, all set to make a triumphant return to impress his brother-in-law. Given that Jian Jie currently couldn¡¯t accompany Long Zichen for vegetable shopping due to his disguise, he sat in the back seat, adorned with sunglasses and a mask. The goal was to prevent any commotion or unwarranted attention should he be spotted without any edible provisions. After a wait of less than half an hour, Long Zichen emerged, two hefty bags in tow, his expression gleeful. He showcased his haul to Jian Jie, exclaiming, ¡°I¡¯ve scored a victory! Beef that Brother-in-law adores, meats and chicken wings that the kids love, beauty products for Sister-in-law, soups, and even the vegetarian dishes adored by our littlest one. I¡¯ll be showcasing my culinary prowess later. Our brother-in-law is in for a treat!¡±


    Jian Jie couldn¡¯t help but smile, admiring Long Zichen¡¯s demeanor. He found him utterly endearing, reminiscent of an innocent child. His eldest brother was bound to warm up to him.


    Having made a prior call, Brother Jian was ready and waiting at home. Jiang Xinya had gone to retrieve the children from kindergarten, leaving Jian Bin as the sole occupant.


    The instant Long Zichen crossed the threshold, his entire demeanor transformed. A warm smile graced his features as he respectfully greeted Brother Jian. His quiet, composed manners could easily deceive anyone familiar with his playful nature.


    Brother Jian¡¯s demeanor exhibited a noticeable improvement this time. Though his expression retained a hint of dissatisfaction, he eventually nodded and greeted, ¡°Well, take a seat.¡±


    Long Zichen felt a surge of contentment upon receiving this response. Hastening to add, ¡°Brother, Xiaojie and I have brought some food along. Don¡¯t bother about it; I¡¯ll head to the kitchen to whip up a few dishes. You folks can chat for now.¡±


    ¡°Just stash it in the fridge. We¡¯ll prepare it once Jiejie¡¯s sister-in-law is back,¡± Jian Bin¡¯s words carried a slightly rigid tone. It made sense not to impose cooking duties on the guests, and he was somewhat unaccustomed to conversing affably with the person who had won his brother¡¯s affection.


    Long Zichen, however, was determined to present himself in the best light before his brother-in-law. He wouldn¡¯t let go of such an opportunity and politely insisted, ¡°No trouble at all. I¡¯ll prepare it in advance. We can eat when Sister Xinya returns.¡± With that, he made his way to the kitchen, losing no time in getting busy. Yet, he was equally keen on eavesdropping on the living room discussion while chopping vegetables.


    The rhythmic ¡°dong dong¡± of knife hitting board emanated from the kitchen, and an extended silence engulfed the living room. Observing this, Jian Jie intervened with a cheerful tone, ¡°Brother, no need to worry. Brother Chen learned cooking abroad and is quite skilled.¡±


    A sidelong glance from Brother Jian was the only response. Aware of his brother¡¯s inner turmoil, Jian Jie retrieved the gifts he had brought along and spoke up in Long Zichen¡¯s favor, attributing the purchases to him. He recounted Long Zichen¡¯s self-care habits abroad as well, the narrative often highlighting Long Zichen¡¯s attentive nature. Brother Jian listened, only to discover a significant issue: ¡°So, you two share a room and sleep together?¡±


    Jian Jie blushed, responding with a playful pout, ¡°We¡¯re a couple now. Although we haven¡¯t moved in together, brother and sister Xinya had Jiayue even lived together before they were officially wed¡­¡±


    ¡°You little rascal!¡± Jian Bin¡¯s embarrassment ignited anger, and he shot a fierce glare at Jian Jie. In the adjacent kitchen, Long Zichen stifled a chuckle, inwardly applauding Jian Jie¡¯s quick-witted response: his little Jie¡¯s wit was truly impressive!


    Please let me know if there are typos/mistakes in the chapter.


    Support me on ko-fi for faster releases ^^

 CH 58

    Translator: Lynn


    When considering why Big Brother Jian had initially resisted marriage, a substantial part of the reason was his concern for his underage brother. Similar to many single parents who are hesitant to remarry, Jian Bin worried that entering a new marriage would introduce additional family members and potentially cause discomfort to his younger brother. It was only after Jiang Xinya unexpectedly became pregnant that the pressure of her father-in-law¡¯s expectations made holding a wedding inevitable, prompting Jian Bin to reconsider his stance. Upon their return home as a married couple, Jian Jie insisted on moving out to live on his own, a decision that left Jian Bin constantly burdened with guilt. But now, taunted by his younger brother¡¯s jabs about getting on the train first and paying the fare later, Brother Jian¡¯s patience was wearing thin, an impending storm brewing within him.


    At that very moment, Jiang Xinya arrived from the kindergarten with little Jiayue, diffusing the tension that had been building up. She greeted Jian Jie with a warm smile and inquired, ¡°Weren¡¯t you planning to bring Mr. Long along for dinner? Why haven¡¯t we seen him?¡±


    ¡°Brother Chen is in the kitchen cooking,¡± Jian Jie responded.


    ¡°You can¡¯t let the guests cook for themselves,¡± Jiang Xinya reproached Jian Bin, swiftly changing her shoes and heading to the kitchen to assist.


    Brother Jian, feeling wronged, glared at Jian Jie with a somber expression. Jian Jie, in turn, played along, refraining from clarifying for his elder brother and instead chuckling from the sidelines.


    ¡°Hmph, I¡¯ve been taken advantage of for nothing. I¡¯m your own brother, yet you treat an outsider better than me,¡± Brother Jian grumbled, his longstanding discontent now surfacing.


    In the living room, while playfully interacting with Xiao Jiayue, Jian Jie also poked fun at his brother: ¡°Brother, why are you still dwelling on this? If you feel that you¡¯re at a loss, just consider Brother Chen your younger brother from now on. You¡¯ve got two younger brothers now; it¡¯s only fair to even things out.¡±


    Brother Jian snorted, his irritation palpable: He had no interest in accepting the younger brother who had been gained for free!


    Meanwhile, in the kitchen, Jiang Xinya and Long Zichen engaged in a cheerful conversation. Witnessing Long Zichen¡¯s culinary prowess, she realized he was quite adept in the kitchen, giving them common ground for discussion. Long Zichen, resolute in not allowing Jiang Xinya to wrest his spatula from him, had her focus on washing the water spinach and peppers while he busily fried chicken wings and chicken parts. As they worked, their dialogue invariably circled back to the two Jane siblings in the living room, providing ample conversational material.


    Jiang Xinya grinned and remarked, ¡°I¡¯ve never seen Xiao Jie defy his brother like this. Xiao Jie, you¡¯re daring to go against your brother for the sake of Xiaochen.¡±


    Upon hearing Jiang Xinya¡¯s words, Long Zichen¡¯s heart leaped with joy. He extolled Jian Jie with a sweetness akin to tasting honey, while subtly praising Jiang Xinya: ¡°I never anticipated it either. Thanks to Sister Xinya¡¯s assistance, Xiaojie and his brother were able to reconcile so quickly. It¡¯s all thanks to your agreement. In the future, I promise to treat Xiaojie well and spare him any suffering. Sister Xinya, rest assured.¡±


    ¡°You radiate care in every way,¡± Jiang Xinya reciprocated the smile. ¡°Seeing the two of you living together so harmoniously and considerately, it¡¯s evident you¡¯re leading a contented life. Xiaojie¡¯s brother can feel at ease.¡±


    ¡°Absolutely, we¡¯re doing well,¡± Long Zichen affirmed earnestly.


    As Jian Jie and his brother engaged in conversation for about 20 to 30 minutes in the living room, the meal was prepared, and Jian Jie went to assist in serving it. The family gathered around the dining table, where Jiang Xinya praised Long Zichen, playfully saying, ¡°I hardly did anything for this meal; Xiaochen did all the cooking. Just look at those fried chicken wings¡ªgolden and crisp, even better than mine.¡±


    Long Zichen modestly feigned shyness, replying, ¡°I haven¡¯t tasted it yet, Sister Xinya. Please give it a try. If you enjoy it, Xiaojie and I will return next time, and I¡¯ll cook it once more.¡±


    Observing his brother¡¯s lingering protests, Jian Jie remained quiet at the table until he decided to intervene, picking up a chopstick to place some egg and beef in his brother¡¯s bowl. ¡°You like beef the most, so I got it for you.¡±


    Despite the dish being prepared by the guy named Long, the gesture from his younger brother prompted Brother Jian to eat it out of respect. Seeing that his brother still remembered his preferences, Brother Jian felt a surge of pride. After a few bites, finding the taste agreeable, Jian Bin¡¯s attitude toward Long Zichen seemed to have shifted. After a moment¡¯s thought, Jian Bin inquired, ¡°So, Mr. Long, does your family know about your relationship?¡±


    Jian Jie¡¯s brother initiated the conversation with him directly! Long Zichen was flattered, promptly responding, ¡°My father passed away early, and it¡¯s just my mother at home. She¡¯s been aware for quite a while now, and she and Xiaojie have met. She has no objections to our relationship.¡±


    ¡°I see. When will you invite your mother to join us for a meal?¡± Jian Jie almost choked on his food, utterly taken aback. ¡°Brother, why would you want to meet my mom? You can eat, but don¡¯t drag my mom into this. It¡¯s unrelated to her.¡±


    ¡°You brat, do I seem like the type to stir up trouble?¡± Jian Bin was taken aback by his own kid¡¯s suspicion. ¡°I merely want everyone to get acquainted. After all, we¡¯ll be family in the future, and they¡¯ll likely visit during the New Year holidays. It¡¯s not as complicated as you think!¡±


    ¡°My apologies, brother. You¡¯re absolutely right. It¡¯s all my fault,¡± Jian Jie quickly praised his brother, evoking laughter from everyone around the table. Long Zichen was nearly overflowing with joy. The word ¡°family¡± held a profound beauty¡ªit was official, they were now a family.


    After their dinner with Jian Jie¡¯s family, they returned to their home. The house was regularly cleaned, so despite being unoccupied for more than ten days, it remained impeccably tidy. On the way home, Long Zichen was brimming with excitement. The moment they stepped into the house, he wrapped his arms around Jian Jie and exclaimed joyfully, ¡°Your brother even acknowledged us as a family, Xiaojie. You can¡¯t escape now! You¡¯re stuck with me!¡±


    ¡°Where would I go?¡± Jian Jie chuckled.


    Long Zichen exaggerated his laughter, then nuzzled his head into Jian Jie¡¯s neck and playfully teased, ¡°No matter where you go, you won¡¯t escape my grasp, my little beauty. Just follow me obediently!¡± He tugged Jian Jie along, bouncing around the living room, spinning in happiness. A somewhat resigned Jian Jie followed along, wearing a helpless expression.


    Lately, Director Long had been in an unusually good mood, evident to anyone with a discerning eye in the Xinghuo company. He hadn¡¯t cursed anyone for an entire week. If he wasn¡¯t seen constantly by Jian Jie¡¯s side, many would question if Director Long had undergone a personality transformation.


    Even Yuan Chao noticed this change: ¡°Oh, Dachen, you seem different after your trip abroad. You¡¯re positively glowing, obviously basking in the glow of love. Tell me, did you and Xiaojie become an item?¡± Yuan Chao probed with curiosity.


    ¡°Don¡¯t be so nosy, come on. Let¡¯s think about how you¡¯re going to conquer Ye Jing from your family!¡± Long Zichen raised his head and boasted about his success with Jian Jie, sidestepping any discussion about his engagement with Yuan Chao. He was eager to shift the topic.


    Currently, Jian Jie was trying on stage costumes in the fitting room. This period had been incredibly hectic for everyone, with long hours of overtime, all to complete his new album set to release on June 30th. The music video for the lead track had already been filmed, and now preparations were underway for the intensive promotional period that lay ahead.


    Emerging from the fitting room in a shiny coat, Jian Jie spotted Long Zichen chatting with Sister Ke, the dressmaker, who was seated there. Long Zichen¡¯s comment on his current appearance made him burst into laughter, ¡°With this outfit, I look like a cowboy from a nightclub.¡±


    ¡°Well, this is for ¡®Starlight Arena,¡¯ right?¡± Jian Jie justified, ¡°Sister Ke said I should dress more glamorously.¡± He felt a bit awkward as this style was unfamiliar, and he rarely sported it. ¡°Starlight Arena¡± was a popular music variety show that featured singing duels. Every week, several singers were invited to compete, with guest judges and fans voting to determine each episode¡¯s winner. Jian Jie¡¯s company had chosen the first show of his new album for this program due to its high ratings potential. While becoming the main challenger wasn¡¯t crucial, the primary aim was to generate effective publicity.


    Sister Ke chimed in with a smile, ¡°Don¡¯t mind him. The stage for the show is immense, and it will look spectacular once the lights are on. The dancers behind you will also be wearing the same color, which will instantly create a harmonious atmosphere on stage.¡±


    ¡°If I was wrong, forgive me.¡± Long Zichen pleaded, swiftly transitioning to showering Jian Jie with endless praise, ¡°Honestly, our Xiaojie looks great in anything. He could even wear a newspaper and still outshine those folks. And that Baiyijia¡¯s so-called ¡®best newcomer¡¯ with his alternative appearance, sharp tongue, and monkey-like cheeks¡ªhow dare he compare himself to Xiaojie? Xiaojie, turn around and show him who¡¯s boss!¡±


    The said newcomer from Baiyi Records was Jiang Hanfei, who debuted alongside Jian Jie. While their musical styles and presentation were quite similar, Jian Jie¡¯s sales and reputation overshadowed Jiang Hanfei¡¯s. The two once shared a stage, during which Jian Jie outperformed Jiang Hanfei in a live performance. Thanks to media influence, fans of the two artists seemed to harbor deep-seated animosity from that point forward, readily attacking each other whenever an opportunity arose. In reality, their encounters were fairly polite, devoid of actual enmity. Jiang Hanfei hosted the previous episode of ¡°Starlight Arena,¡± and with Jian Jie¡¯s upcoming participation confirmed, their fans once again engaged in heated online debates. Long Zichen had recently come across some unsavory content online, claiming that Jian Jie¡¯s record sales rested solely on his looks, suggesting his songwriting and singing were subpar compared to Jiang Hanfei¡¯s. In response, Long Zichen had sought out Jian Jie, determined to confront this issue. Since he had the real deal right in his hands, why not have Xiaojie put that guy in his place?


    Unaware of Long Zichen¡¯s agitation, Jian Jie responded with a nod, somewhat bewildered, ¡°I¡¯ll do my best.¡±


    However, such programs weren¡¯t only about popularity and singing ability. The TV station also depended on Baiyi¡¯s superstar power to boost ratings, ultimately awarding the championship to Jiang Hanfei. Jian Jie didn¡¯t overthink it; it was just a show, and Jiang Hanfei¡¯s vocal prowess was undeniable. To make it up to Jian Jie, ¡°Starlight Arena¡± arranged for two other Spark singers to participate in the next few episodes. Long Zichen, though, was infuriated, ranting and raving, even swearing that no artist from their company would ever appear on that TV station again. Since other artists in the company rarely made it onto such high-rated shows, Jian Jie was urged to pacify Long Zichen swiftly and keep him from further wreaking havoc.


    Despite this incident, Jian Jie¡¯s new album was unaffected and officially released on the 30th. The title track, ¡°Alien,¡± had an energetic and lively melody coupled with playful lyrics, making it instantly catchy for listeners. It quickly soared to the top of major music charts. In just a week, the new album and pre-sales had garnered 600,000 copies in sales, leaving the company¡¯s executives grinning ear to ear. However, due to his promotional commitments, Jian Jie hadn¡¯t been in Anping City for an entire month, causing Long Zichen, who remained alone in their empty home, to feel particularly resentful.


    Please let me know if there are typos/mistakes in the chapter.


    Support me on ko-fi for faster releases ^^

 CH 59

    Translator: Lynn


    ¡°What¡¯s your ideal type of girl?¡±


    Jian Jie seemed to have been posed this question on the eleventh episode, and the answers were practically etched in his memory. ¡°Cheerful, lively, filial, and understanding of my work,¡± Jian Jie responded with a smile to the host. But as he thought about Long Zichen¡¯s ¡°enthusiastic¡± phone call from the previous night, he felt that these descriptions weren¡¯t quite adequate. Yet, he struggled to pinpoint a precise adjective to describe Long Zichen; he was brimming with vitality and had the ability to bestow the utmost joy.


    Over these 30-odd days of not seeing each other, Long Zichen hadn¡¯t voiced any complaints to Jian Jie. He had resorted to sending a barrage of text messages instead. As soon as Jian Jie finished recording the show and powered on his phone, his inbox was flooded with Long Zichen¡¯s affectionate messages. But finally, after wrapping up promotions in several major cities, today marked the end, and he could head back to Anping for a break. With the last show recording done by 8 PM, Jian Jie had no plans to stay the night. He promptly instructed his assistant to book a 9:40 PM flight and was soon on his way back to Anping City.


    It was midnight when he arrived home. Jian Jie gently opened the door, greeted by a pitch-black living room. By now, Long Zichen must have already fallen asleep. Setting down his suitcase, he intended to freshen up with a shower before spending the night in the guest room.


    However, just then, the bedroom lights flicked on, revealing a shirtless Long Zichen at the doorway, clad only in shorts and slippers, still in a daze. The two locked eyes, and Jian Jie couldn¡¯t help but smile. Long Zichen, on the other hand, dashed over, exclaiming with delight, ¡°Darling, weren¡¯t you supposed to come back tomorrow afternoon? It¡¯s so early!¡± He hurriedly wrapped his arms around Jian Jie, grinning broadly. ¡°I knew I woke up for a reason! My beloved is back!¡±


    Long Zichen¡¯s antics amused Jian Jie, and he patted him affectionately, saying, ¡°I¡¯ve just stepped off the plane and I¡¯m all sweaty. I need to shower first. You should go back to sleep. Can you sleep with the air conditioner on? And why are you barely wearing anything?¡± At times, Jian Jie felt like the more mature one. Long Zichen was perfectly normal outside and at work, but his IQ seemed to take a dive once he was home. Nevertheless, it was endearing.


    Jian Jie grabbed his clothes and headed for the bathroom, only to find Long Zichen trailing after him happily. Unable to dissuade him, Jian Jie reminded him, ¡°Brother Chen, I¡¯m about to take a bath. You should go to bed.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ve been eagerly waiting for you to come back. I can¡¯t possibly sleep now. We haven¡¯t seen each other for thirty-four days¡­¡± Long Zichen leaned against the doorframe, his voice laced with a tinge of resentment. Suddenly, a mischievous glint sparkled in his eyes, and he smirked at Jian Jie, ¡°Let me give you a back rub. You bathe alone every day, so you must miss out on a back rub, right? I¡¯ll make you feel brand new!¡±


    Even a simpleton could discern Long Zichen¡¯s underlying intentions at this moment, but Jian Jie was far from foolish. After such a prolonged separation, he too had been yearning for Long Zichen. Thus, he offered a smile and remarked, ¡°Brother Chen doesn¡¯t seem sleepy.¡± Then, after a brief pause, he added, ¡°The company has granted me a week off, and I¡¯m starting tomorrow. No need to wake up early¡­¡±


    Oh, was his sweetheart implying he could spend the night? Long Zichen¡¯s eyes brightened. ¡°Then I¡¯ll request leave for tomorrow as well!¡±


    With a mutual understanding of the impending course of events, there was no shyness between them. They promptly shed their clothes and intertwined within the confines of the bathroom. The pent-up fervor of a month could no longer be repressed, especially in Long Zichen¡¯s case, who was exuding an extraordinary level of eagerness. He kissed Jian Jie fervently and caressed his lover¡¯s body, as though he sought to compensate for a month¡¯s worth of longing.


    Separated by a slight gap, their young forms came together, and Long Zichen, panting, complained to Jian Jie, ¡°I¡¯ve been sleeping alone all these days, and I can¡¯t get a proper rest.¡±


    Jian Jie¡¯s thoughts were perpetually intertwined with Long Zichen¡¯s, and he murmured softly, ¡°I¡¯ve missed Brother Chen greatly too.¡±


    Upon hearing this, Long Zichen grinned widely, revealing his bright white teeth. He lowered himself again, taking Jian Jie¡¯s erection into his mouth. The sensation was intensely stimulating, leaving Jian Jie¡¯s entire body tingling. He stroked Long Zichen¡¯s hair as he wrestled to restrain the burgeoning desire within him.


    ¡°Brother Chen, that¡¯s enough,¡± Jian Jie eventually uttered, his voice strained, fearful he wouldn¡¯t be able to contain himself.


    Even amidst this ambiguous ambiance, Jian Jie felt a touch of helplessness. He accepted the lubricant from Long Zichen, asserting, ¡°Brother Chen, turn around; let me handle it.¡±


    ¡°In truth, I can manage on my own,¡± Long Zichen uttered before obediently pivoting around. He braced his hands against the smooth tiles, arched his back, and awaited Jian Jie¡¯s penetration.


    The foreplay didn¡¯t extend for long, as Long Zichen¡¯s impatience got the better of him. His nether regions were becoming unbearably rigid, while Jian Jie, on the contrary, was proceeding with his customary ease. Long Zichen¡¯s legs quivered, and he let out an impatient moan, urging Jian Jie, ¡°Xiaojie, I can¡¯t hold back anymore¡ªdon¡¯t tease me, come in quickly!¡±


    The bathroom¡¯s temperature was noticeably high, and with a quiet murmur, Jian Jie wiped his brow before gradually entering Long Zichen¡¯s body. The sensation of their intimate connection was truly extraordinary. The quivering of their bodies, each friction, seemed to evoke innumerable pleasurable sensations, converging into a rushing torrent that perpetually stimulated their senses. In this moment, the veneer of decorum slipped away from Jian Jie, overtaken by raw instinct. He, like any other man, succumbed to the primal urge to possess his partner. Their union was fierce, as though it would never wane.


    They indulged in a passionate tryst within the confines of the bathroom, forsaking any thought of drying off their bodies. Afterward, they embraced, kissed, and transitioned to the bedroom where their embrace was renewed.


    Initially, Long Zichen was quite delighted. He perceived that his Xiaojie was brimming with happiness, having initiated their intimacy today. He fervently implored Jian Jie that they must engage in a marathon of 300 rounds, an effort to make up for the past month¡¯s separation. Jian Jie obediently nodded and they continued in this vein until the early hours, ceaselessly alternating positions.


    Ultimately, Long Zichen, confronted with the consequences of his own ambitious goal, found himself surrendering to fatigue. He abandoned all pretense of preserving the thrill, burying his head into the pillow and clutching the bedsheet as he endured Jian Jie¡¯s advances. In a hoarse voice, he begged for respite, ¡°Little Jie, let¡¯s call it a day for now. I really can¡¯t¡­¡±


    Observing Long Zichen, spent and powerless, Jian Jie comprehended the situation. Overwhelmed by embarrassment, he ceased his actions, took a deep breath, and addressed Long Zichen, ¡°Brother Chen, can you hold on a bit longer?¡± Such matters can¡¯t proceed with the same relentless pace as flowing water.


    Long Zichen, his cheeks streaked with tears, nodded, resolving to never underestimate his dear Xiaojie again. Although their fervent exchanges were exhilarating, the rapid pace threatened to wear out its novelty soon. Oh, the woes¡­


    ¡°It¡¯s alright, and I¡¯m at fault too; I was carried away.¡± Long Zichen strained to lift himself, pressing a weary kiss on Jian Jie¡¯s lips before settling back down. With a solemn expression, he added, ¡°If we keep up this intensity, we¡¯ll need to schedule another session after some time. We need to aim for sustainable development. If things go explosively, there¡¯s no point. We have to plan ahead, aiming to continue until we¡¯re fifty-five years old¡­ retire in style¡­¡± Long Zichen continued sharing his heartfelt sentiments, keen on enjoying his dear Jie for many more years.


    Jian Jie mumbled an affirmation, enveloped by a sense of warmth and serenity. Long Zichen initially conversed with him in hushed tones, but soon his words faded away. Exhaustion overtook them both, binding them together as they drifted into sleep.


    Jian Jie took a seven-day leave, during which Long Zichen remained by his side. The scorching August weather confined them mostly indoors, venturing out only to visit Brother Jian and Long Zichen¡¯s mother. For the most part, they sought refuge in the coolness of their air-conditioned home, occasionally taking Amu out for an evening stroll. During this time, many community residents gathered in shaded areas, mostly oblivious to the fact that the young man in a T-shirt and shorts before them was the singer featured in the recent ubiquitous mobile phone advertisements on TV.


    The week of vacation passed swiftly, and they both returned to work. The initial intense phase of promoting the album had waned. Now, Jian Jie only needed to record occasional programs and fulfill commercial commitments. Striving for improved security, he contemplated the idea of moving to a better community, thus requiring a bigger house. This idea was sparked when he overheard some gossip from Tong Liangliang. At only 20 years old, few paid attention to his relationship status. However, considering the long-term nature of the entertainment industry, he understood that if he remained unmarried at 30, he would likely be hounded by reporters seeking gossip. He aimed to prepare ahead. While he wasn¡¯t afraid to disclose his status to the media, he didn¡¯t want Long Zichen and his family to be perennially besieged.


    He and Li Xiaoqi disclosed their housing plans and resolved to work harder in the upcoming period. The company and Li Xiaoqi welcomed Jian Jie¡¯s motivation, assisting him in arranging various engagements. Due to his soaring popularity, his fee for commercial performances had reached 500,000, with no shortage of potential opportunities. However, performance companies with insufficient budgets were declining his offers. Yet, properties with two bedrooms and two living rooms in slightly upscale communities cost over 10 million yuan. Even selling his current residence wouldn¡¯t suffice. Jian Jie had to continue to strive. He hadn¡¯t revealed this plan to Long Zichen. Although Long Zichen earned an annual salary and dividends of over 100,000 yuan, as they were both in the entertainment industry, the cost of maintaining social connections was substantial. Since they moved in together, they had mostly relied on Long Zichen¡¯s income for daily expenses. In Long Zichen¡¯s own words, ¡°Xiaojie saves all the big money he earns, and usually spends the small money I earn.¡±


    Thus, Long Zichen didn¡¯t have much saved. The 10,000 yuan deposit had scarcely grown. If Long Zichen knew about the house purchase plan, he would likely forego eating and drinking to save money. Jian Jie wished to avoid putting undue pressure on him. Buying a house was a positive goal, but it wasn¡¯t worth living a strained existence for it.


    Even though Jian Jie hadn¡¯t mentioned anything, Long Zichen wasn¡¯t oblivious. Witnessing Jian Jie¡¯s sudden involvement in commercial performances, he sensed something amiss. Could his baby be facing financial constraints? Anxious to understand, he persistently questioned Jian Jie. Not one to hide anything, Jian Jie quickly revealed the truth to Long Zichen.


    Long Zichen now felt deeply concerned. He couldn¡¯t bear to see his beloved working so hard to buy a house while he remained idle. Gritting his teeth, he sold his collection of guitars and old records online and took on album production work for several singers. Having already produced Jian Jie¡¯s two best-selling albums, and with several other singers from the company gaining fame, Long Zichen was ascending in his career. Invitations from other companies were also flowing in. To avoid being idle and to increase his savings, he actively worked to secure more deposits.


    Long Zichen pooled resources, even requesting some financial assistance from his mother, ultimately gathering over 1.5 million yuan. Given the estimated worth of Jian Jie¡¯s current four-bedroom apartment, combined with his album dividends, commercial performance earnings, and recent endorsements, he was confident that by the end of the following year, they would have enough to purchase a well-appointed three-bedroom unit in an upscale community without needing a loan.


    Determined to ensure a future where they could live together without worries, Long Zichen resolved to economize on expenses. To Jian Jie¡¯s amusement, Long Zichen was becoming more and more like a meticulous homemaker. Dining out became a thing of the past. Long Zichen refrained from supermarket visits for groceries and instead eagerly engaged with vendors at the local market in the early mornings, haggling for the best deals. Even his home chores were carried out with boundless energy, radiating vitality. Although their household now comprised just the two of them, Jian Jie no longer experienced the emptiness he once did.


    Please let me know if there are typos/mistakes in the chapter.


    Support me on ko-fi for faster releases ^^

 CH 60

    Translator: Lynn


    While they were diligently working on the process of moving to their new home, another exciting event unfolded. At the upcoming Chinese Pop Music Awards scheduled for the end of August, Jian Jie, as a fledgling artist with less than a year since his debut, found himself nominated in several prominent categories. He was shortlisted for the Best Newcomer and Best Singer-Songwriter awards. His debut album ¡°The First Heartbeat¡± was selected as a contender for the Best Album award. Moreover, his single ¡°Dream¡± was nominated for both the Best Song and Best Songwriting categories. Collaborations like ¡°Restart¡± with Ding Tianwang and ¡°Hope¡± with Tong Liangliang were also in the running for the Best Duet Song award.


    The Chinese Pop Music Awards¡¯ laureates are determined by the Chinese Musicians Association. This award stands out for its emphasis on musical professionalism, making it one of the most influential music accolades in the Chinese-speaking realm. For Jian Jie, a rookie in the industry for just a year, securing nominations in multiple categories already signifies a considerable recognition. Unfortunately, his second album missed the selection deadline, so he will have to wait until next year¡¯s event to participate.


    The news brought elation to Jian Jie¡¯s team, particularly evoking immense joy in Long Zichen. Excluding non-musical factors, Jian Jie stands a good chance of clinching the Best Newcomer award. His main rival, Jiang Hanfei, lags far behind. In the category of Best Singer-Songwriter, Jian Jie¡¯s competitiveness is still growing, given that veteran singer-songwriter Lu Lin only released a new album after four years. This makes him a strong contender for the award. The Best Album category, however, boasts a fiercer competition. Heavyweights like Ding Jiangyu and Ji Langqing have also released albums, dimming Jian Jie¡¯s prospects. Even the single awards feature formidable contenders. Earning the title of Best Newcomer is already a remarkable achievement. Considering that only five or six nominees are selected per category out of the many artists who release records annually, Jian Jie¡¯s nomination stands out among Spark Company¡¯s roster.


    Long Zichen hastened the company¡¯s senior management, urging them to get actively involved to avert any potential shady situations that could potentially snatch the award from Jian Jie. The preparations for the awards ceremony, such as outfit choices and performance planning, added to his anxiety. He was practically frothing with concern, while Jian Jie, the one at the center of it all, attempted to reassure him not to worry. He conveyed that winning an award is an honor, but even if they don¡¯t secure it, it¡¯s okay. Ultimately, the decision rests with others, and what matters most is their focus on creating music.


    Seeing how composed Jian Jie was, Long Zichen¡¯s impatience began to subside. He started to think: Well, as long as Xiaojie is happy, why create unnecessary trouble? Aren¡¯t these just a collection of glass trophies given out annually?


    This perspective shift brought a sense of calm back to Long Zichen. As a result, they focused on the preparations for the awards ceremony. Both Jian Jie and Tong Liangliang, along with the production team behind Jian Jie¡¯s debut album, were nominated by their company and invited by the organizing committee. Awards like the Best Album are attributed to the entire team, often with the producer stepping up to accept it. At this point, Jian Jie suggested to Long Zichen, ¡°Brother Chen, let¡¯s walk the red carpet together later.¡±


    Long Zichen found himself in uncharted territory when it came to participating in a grand music award event, let alone walking down the illustrious red carpet. When Jian Jie proposed they walk the red carpet together, a surge of nervousness coursed through him. Part of him wanted to agree, yet a hint of shyness held him back. He equivocated, saying, ¡°All these stars with stars, you should pair up with Tong Liangliang. That way, it¡¯ll look great for the fans.¡±


    ¡°I checked with Sister Xiaohui, and she said it¡¯s fine,¡± Jian Jie replied with a smile. ¡°Xiaoliang wants to accompany the female singer who co-hosts the music show with him. If Brother Chen isn¡¯t up for it, I can go alone.¡±


    ¡°Oh, well then, I¡¯ll accompany you,¡± Long Zichen swiftly responded. In truth, he was eager. In a little while, he sought out a personal trainer to guide him on the intricacies of walking the red carpet. To him, this preparation was a hundred times more crucial than it was to Jian Jie.


    On this occasion, the clothing sponsorship secured by Jian Jie¡¯s widely recognized idol status came from a major brand. They received several sets of the latest men¡¯s attire, giving a refreshed look to Jian Jie and his team. Opting for a cohesive look, Jian Jie and Long Zichen selected two sets of black outfits from the same collection. As he faced the mirror in the fitting room, Long Zichen couldn¡¯t help but exclaim, ¡°We¡¯re like a pair of grooms!¡± Their similar heights made them a perfectly matched couple in terms of appearance.


    Jian Jie was also brimming with happiness. He understood that Long Zichen truly desired to accompany him, especially during such a momentous event. There was no reason to deny his partner the pleasure of making him happy.


    Their decision materialized into reality as they walked the red carpet together. Amidst a sea of flashing camera lights and the resounding cheers of fans, they strolled along the red carpet. Long Zichen was vibrating with excitement, his gaze periodically drifting towards Jian Jie. Observing his lover smile and occasionally pause for photographs at the reporters¡¯ request, projecting elegance and composure, Long Zichen felt his eyes moisten. He marveled at how his Xiaojie was truly a natural-born superstar.


    Once they reached the end of the red carpet, the host directed a few questions at Jian Jie, all of which he answered gracefully. Subsequently, they proceeded into the venue and took their seats at the spots arranged by the organizers. Long Zichen let out a sigh of relief and confessed, ¡°I was so nervous; I almost thought I wouldn¡¯t be able to step onto the carpet. I was worried I¡¯d embarrass you.¡±


    ¡°Well, there¡¯s no reason to feel embarrassed. Brother Chen looks so dashing today. We should take a few extra photos as mementos,¡± Jian Jie reassured him.


    Both men and women appreciate kind words, and Long Zichen¡¯s face lit up with a wide grin. He almost wished he could cross the distance to plant a kiss on his beloved. Yet, he restrained himself, worried about drawing too much attention from the surrounding celebrities.


    The awards ceremony commenced after a lively medley of songs during the opening segment. The initial awards presented were of a technical nature, such as Best Album Inside Page and Best Record Packaging. Following these were the most anticipated awards for Jian Jie and his fellow artists ¨C the Best Newcomer award. Presenting the award were last year¡¯s Best Newcomer, Yu Jiayi, and the King of Heaven, Ding Jiangyu. They exchanged a few light-hearted jokes. Ding Jiangyu humorously remarked that he was, in fact, a newcomer as well, a newcomer who had debuted ten years ago, eliciting laughter from the audience. The video profiles of the nominated singers were then played on the large screen. Observing Jian Jie¡¯s image, Long Zichen¡¯s nerves reached a fever pitch, causing him to grip the armrest tightly, barely daring to move. Sensing his anxiety, Jian Jie reassuringly placed a hand on his, offering a smile.


    As the short film on the screen concluded, Ding Jiangyu and Yu Jiayi unveiled the winner¡¯s name from the envelope. Yu Jiayi chuckled immediately, saying, ¡°Oh, Ding Tianwang¡¯s buddy, it seems you really value this award.¡±


    ¡°Yes, I¡¯m presenting the Newcomer Award because of him,¡± Ding Jiangyu retorted, wearing an air of prestige. In unison, they announced Jian Jie¡¯s name: ¡°The winner of the Best Newcomer award is¡­ Jian Jie.¡±


    Excitement overwhelmed Long Zichen, causing him to cheer as he leaped from his seat, enveloping a smiling Jian Jie in a triumphant hug. Jian Jie, in turn, stood up, shared embraces with several colleagues around him, and quickly crossed the aisle to ascend the stage.


    Warmly embracing Ding Jiangyu, Jian Jie received the award from Yu Jiayi. Ding Jiangyu jestingly remarked, ¡°You know, I¡¯m quite envious of you right now. This award can only be claimed once in a lifetime. Back in the day, that fellow Lu Lin snatched the Best Newcomer award from me, and I still curse him for not having toilet paper when he goes to the bathroom.¡± Laughter filled the room, and the television broadcast captured Lu Lin¡¯s helpless expression.


    Jian Jie chimed in with a jest of his own: ¡°Brother Jiang Yu, a newcomer of merely ten years. I hope the organizing committee will consider your request and present you with a ¡®veteran newcomer¡¯ award.¡±


    ¡°Is Xiaojie implying that I¡¯m ancient?¡± Both award presenters chuckled, allowing the spotlight to return to the winner.


    Standing before the microphone amidst a sea of luminaries, Jian Jie couldn¡¯t help but feel a tinge of nervousness. Although his award speech had been prepared well in advance and consisted mostly of clich¨¦s, they were obligatory. Clutching the trophy, he smiled and directed his words toward the camera: ¡°This is my first time receiving a music award, and I¡¯m thrilled beyond words. I extend my heartfelt gratitude to the Music Artists Association and the organizing committee for this recognition, and I thank the television station for broadcasting this event. I am also indebted to my company, Xinghuo Music, and my boss, Mr. Yuan, as well as my colleagues, including Sister Xiaohui, Brother Xiaoqi, Brother Zhou, and my bandmates, for their unflagging support. A special thanks to Brother Chen, my producer, for introducing me to this industry; I wouldn¡¯t be standing here without you. My family has been unwavering in their support, and last but certainly not least, my fans ¨C your unwavering support inspires me to keep striving for excellence. I promise to continue working diligently, endeavoring to deliver you the very best music.¡±


    Amidst the applause of the audience, shouts of Jian Jie¡¯s name echoed from his fans seated on the far side of the stands. A collective chorus of ¡°We love you forever¡± resounded, yet Long Zichen couldn¡¯t bring himself to say it aloud. Instead, within the confines of his heart, he fervently whispered, ¡°I love you too.¡± How fortunate I am to have found you! Observing Jian Jie¡¯s radiant presence on stage and hearing his acknowledgment during the thank-you speech, Long Zichen¡¯s emotions welled up, and he couldn¡¯t hold back his tears.


    Post-receiving the award, Jian Jie headed backstage to change into his performance attire, preparing for the next song. Despite delivering a joyous tune, Long Zichen found himself crying uncontrollably throughout the performance. His excitement was profound, a sentiment only the person directly involved could truly comprehend.


    Upon Jian Jie¡¯s return to his seat after the performance, a wave of congratulations swept over him from all sides. After a while, he noticed Long Zichen¡¯s reddened eyes, clearly indicating he had shed tears. Jian Jie realized Long Zichen was expressing his happiness for him. Leaning in close, he whispered in Long Zichen¡¯s ear, ¡°If Brother Chen likes it, I¡¯ll do my utmost to win the Best Male Singer Award for you in the future.¡±


    Long Zichen¡¯s nose tingled with emotion, his relief and joy were palpable. Nodding, he replied softly, ¡°Then we¡¯ll both give it our all. But remember, you should stay happy too.¡±


    That evening, Jian Jie finally secured the Best Newcomer and Best Choral Song awards, and the two gleaming trophies found a home in the company¡¯s expansive conference room, serving as motivation for other artists.


    Three years later, after claiming the Best Male Singer Award, Jian Jie graduated from university and continued to nurture his singing career. He and Long Zichen had fulfilled their dream of moving into a new house. Jian Jie¡¯s concert had been a smashing success, and Long Zichen was still the butt of Jian Bin¡¯s jokes. However, the two happily celebrated holidays together, sharing cherished moments. Shui Xiaoren had embarked on a career in design after graduation and had recently been subjected to an endless series of blind dates, much to their vexation. Yuan Chao had tied the knot with Ye Jing, focusing on building a family. Spark Records had evolved from a modest venture into a massive record company with hundreds of artists, and their new office building spanned ten floors. Yet, amidst this success, Jian Jie remained their star performer.


    With an inherent passion for music and singing, Jian Jie was a natural-born musician. The hues of life, like the warm morning sun and heartfelt smiles, could be transformed into beautiful melodies by his skilled touch. Undoubtedly, his greatest muse was his beloved Long Zichen. He composed numerous emotive songs, often prodded about his love life, yet he maintained a steadfast silence. Long Zichen had stressed the importance of their relationship¡¯s secrecy for the sake of his acting career, and to protect their loved ones from undue attention. Jian Jie shared this sentiment and opted to keep their romance concealed.


    Throughout the year, he and Long Zichen embarked on overseas journeys two or three times, spending a month away from the prying eyes of the world. During these interludes, they reveled in a private realm shared only by the two of them. As time passed, Jian Jie¡¯s TV appearances became less frequent, yet he remained dedicated to releasing albums every one to two years. When the day arrived when he was no longer adored by fans, he intended to halt album releases and step back, possibly joining Shui Xiaoren as an architectural designer with his qualifications. Regardless of his path, Long Zichen pledged unwavering support, as long as Jian Jie¡¯s happiness remained paramount.


    Please let me know if there are typos/mistakes in the chapter.


    Support me on ko-fi for faster releases ^^