Chapter 26 - Decision

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.

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