Chapter 41 - Departure

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.

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