Chapter 57: Fan A
“Phew.”
In the bustling corridor filled with staff, Yan Huan let the USB drive gifted by Bai Yi bounce in his palm.
His once bulging pants pocket, originally holding Bluetooth earphones, was now deflated—who knows where the earphones had vanished to?
The sound from the outside stage pierced sharply through, halting his steps momentarily.
“Everyone welcome the famous dancer, Christina!!”
Yan Huan glanced at the promotional posters lining the corridor, noticing “Bai Yi” written just behind “Christina.”
He really needed to hurry.
“Meow-chan.”
He quickened his pace towards a certain direction backstage, his expression calm as he silently called out.
“Meow~”
On his shoulder, darkness seemed to awaken a pair of emerald eyes.
Upon closer inspection, it was a fluffy black cat wearing a yellow scarf.
It softly mewed, signaling, “All set.”
Without looking back, Yan Huan suddenly tossed the USB drive to it.
“Meow!”
Meow-chan opened its mouth and caught the USB in its jaws.
The tail behind it swayed back and forth, tapping against Yan Huan’s shoulder.
Yan Huan came to a stop beside one of the rooms, leaning against the wall and stealing a glance at the various equipment inside.
A sign hung on the door:
“Media Room, Staff Only.”
Inside, a staff member held a walkie-talkie, speaking up,
“BGM is ready, over.”
“Received. The next guest doesn’t need BGM; you can take a break.”
The staff member, holding a cup of coffee, glanced at the guest list beside them, spotting “Bai Yi.” They took a sip.
“Got it.”
Leaning by the door, Yan Huan noticed the cat on his shoulder had completely vanished. Hearing the voices from inside, he gently knocked on the door.
“Knock knock.”
“Who’s there?”
The staff member quickly turned to face the door, spotting a handsome boy holding a phone.
He looked at the phone, calling out to the staff inside,
“Media teacher, I’m the assistant for the guest, Shihara Nana. We’d like to change the background music for her performance.”
“Change the background music?”
The staff member frowned, setting the coffee down and said,
“Why didn’t you say so before the rehearsal? Everything is already arranged; how can we change it now? No way, tell your artist it can’t be done.”
Yan Huan simply smiled, pulling out his phone as he said,
“We’ve already discussed this with the leaders of the Golden Lion Group. How about I call him, and you can discuss it once he answers?”
The staff member paused, scratching the back of their head, reluctantly standing up to head towards the door.
Behind them, the unfinished coffee and keys remained on the table.
Impatiently eyeing Yan Huan, they said,
“Telling the leaders of Golden Lion won’t help unless you get them to call the event lead. Only with approval can I proceed; otherwise, I can’t take that responsibility.”
“Just answer the phone first.”
“Alright, but I’ll tell you now, I’ll say the same thing.”
The staff member emphasized this as their body moved out the door.
It was just at that moment—an illusory black cat appeared out of nowhere on the doorknob, its tail wrapped around the lock.
“Bang!!”
The next second, the media room’s security door slammed shut!
“Damn!!”
The responsible staff member blinked in shock, their face changing as they turned back to open the door.
“Click click!!”
The door was locked already.
“What’s going on?!”
Their face changed again as they turned to Yan Huan.
Just as they were about to say something, Yan Huan gave a look of utter innocence.
“Hey now, pal, I’ve been outside the whole time—how is this my fault?”
The words left the staff member a bit dumbfounded.
Right, this guy hadn’t been inside the media room at all, and the moment they stepped outside, the door shut!
There was no wind here; how did the door just shut by itself and lock?!
But now wasn’t the time to ponder that.
The audio inside had to be played at the timing predetermined for the rehearsal. Fortunately, the next guest, Bai Yi, needed no BGM at all.
He had to unlock the door and play the corresponding BGM before Bai Yi’s segment ended; otherwise, it’d be a serious stage incident.
Cold sweat broke out on the staff member’s forehead. They turned to face Yan Huan, glaring at him and scolding,
“It’s all your fault!! There are cameras in the corridor! If anything happens, you and your artist can just wait for the consequences!”
This was indeed Yan Huan’s fault, so he didn’t argue back.
He merely smiled and said,
“Okay.”
That single word seemed to choke the staff member up, making them catch their breath several times before recovering.
Without another word, they dashed off to find someone else with the key to the media room.
Yan Huan, watching their retreating figure, maintained his smile while staring at the locked media room.
“…”
Inside the room, the illusory black cat, with the USB drive in its mouth, shook its tail as it approached the computer, valiantly trying to align the USB port with the slot.
Insert.
“Ding-dong~”
“Meow?”
Meow-chan tilted its head, glancing at the computer screen reading “Device Connected,” then leaped up onto the table.
Its emerald eyes reflected the glow of the computer screen as it used its paw to click the mouse and opened the USB drive.
Dragging a file out, it set it to the side.
Then it meowed once more, leaped off the table, and pulled out the USB drive with its mouth.
In the next instant, Meow-chan, still gripping the USB drive, appeared right back on Yan Huan’s shoulder at the door.
“Meow~”
Yan Huan scratched its chubby little head with a smile, saying,
“Meow-chan, being able to appear within a fifteen-meter radius of me is such a lifesaver.”
“Meow~”
Listening to Yan Huan’s praise, Meow-chan lifted its head, seemingly wanting to wash away all the accusations of its “uselessness.”
Yan Huan lowered his head slightly, checking the time on his phone.
He might actually be timing the guests’ performances even more tightly than the staff on site.
Christina’s dance was nearing its end, which meant Bai Yi would be up in just a few minutes.
Thinking of this, he moved towards the stage while opening Plane, sending a message to Bai Yi:
“Bai Yi, do you have Bluetooth earphones connected to your phone? If not, there’s a pair on the front table that’s mine; you can borrow them.”
As Yan Huan approached the stage, Meow-chan vanished again, appearing in the backstage corridor just a wall away from him.
Leaning against the wall, Yan Huan was just behind Bai Yi, who was clutching her heart.
The stage lights illuminated Yan Huan’s phone, highlighting his handsome features.
On the other side of the wall, Bai Yi’s phone lit up at his message, becoming the only source of light in that dimly lit corridor.
She observed Yan Huan’s earphones, feeling utterly exhausted as she leaned against the wall beside her.
It was as though she was leaning back to back with Yan Huan on the other side of the wall.
Yet neither was aware.
Only the black cat weaving through the two sides witnessed the moment, letting out a silent meow.
“Meow~”
In the darkness, it observed as Bai Yi retrieved Yan Huan’s earphones and then turned its head, slipping through the impermeable wall, returning to the light where Yan Huan waited.
“Now, please welcome the most popular idol of Linyi Gate’s new generation!!
“Miss Bai Yi!!”
The powerful voice on stage rang out.
“Meow~”
“Miss Bai Yi, you can go on stage!!”
With the cat’s meow and the staff calling from behind the curtains, it all came together.
Under the lights, Yan Huan closed his phone with a smile.
In the darkness, Bai Yi lifted her head, her face pale.
In the next second, both stepped away from the wall, moving in opposite directions.
One towards the spotlight on the stage.
The other into the dimly lit backstage corridor.
“Vroom.”
Their worlds seemed to gradually pull apart, as if they were parallel lines eternally never to meet, separated by thick barriers.
On the brightly lit stage, that stunning girl appeared as if a blade were at her throat.
Every audience member’s gaze was like a black hole, filled with darkest night.
In the busy, shadowy backstage, that dashing boy moved with nimbleness.
In the dark, his phone suddenly illuminated.
He tapped the screen, finally resting on “Plane.”
Bai Yi.
Dial the voice call.
“Beep~”
“Beep~”
That glowing phone screen in the darkness resembled a flickering flame, like the sun, like a white hole.
It felt like a muffled whirlpool, like a sharp blade.
When the call rang, it sounded like the doorbell of a world beyond it.
“Ding ding~”
On stage, Bai Yi, sweaty and wide-eyed, momentarily froze.
Her trembling finger raised to her ear, covering it.
Why was she getting a phone call?
Not quite sure.
But it was definitely better than her current situation, right?
As her finger touched her earphones and she picked up the call,
The two worlds were finally no longer separated by a wall, finally connected.
“Yan Yan Huan.”
The microphone was off, and with an dazed look, Bai Yi didn’t even realize what she was doing, accepting the call on stage.
But she was so desperate; she felt she might die up there if she continued at this rate.
So anything would do, even if it was unexpected, even if it broke the rules, she clung to the phone like a drowning person grasping a straw.
She had no other choice.
“Shh, Bai Yi.”
On the other end of the line, the boy’s voice was soothing.
Under the noise-cancelling earphones, it felt like the entire world contained only his voice,
“Don’t forget, you’re on stage right now.”
“…”
Bai Yi froze for a moment, not speaking again, almost as though she became aware in hindsight, taking the microphone handed to her by the host.
Seeing this, the host thought the situation had finally normalized, letting out a sigh of relief.
But it was clear she rejoiced too soon.
In her ear, Yan Huan’s voice continued,
“Actually, Bai Yi, I didn’t give you the Bluetooth earphones just to ease your nerves. I also prepared a surprise for you.”
A surprise?
What surprise?
Backstage, Yan Huan watched various staff members making calls, bustling around in front of the media room, and smiled slightly.
In a completely empty media room, an illusory black cat hovered like a deity.
It sat before the screen, lifted its paw, and finally pressed the left mouse button.
“Vroom!”
Suddenly, the entire main venue fell silent, leaving only the static from the sound system.
Then, an abrupt percussion began to thunder.
“Boom boom boom boom!”
Onstage, the host, who was just about to ask a question, froze.
Eyes wide open, she glanced over at Bai Yi, whose pupils had also constricted, sensing her legs weakening.
What’s going on?!
This was nothing like the rehearsal, sister?!
Down in the audience, Jiang Xiong quizzically looked at Zuo Jiangqin beside him.
With a cold face, Zuo Jiangqin stood up, about to explode when Jiang Xiong grabbed her hand.
The director gripping the walkie-talkie also changed expression, shouting into the media room’s intercom.
However, within the media room, it was mercifully empty, only the security door tightly shut as anxious voices echoed outside.
“Yan Huan, are you crazy?!”
Bai Yi recognized it; this was the intro to her new song.
With a burst of explosive beats paired with the synthetic electronic sound, it felt like a gale had erupted.
Audience members who had been looking down or playing on their phones all turned to face the stage as the music began.
The moment those glances landed, Bai Yi nearly freaked out and run off the stage.
Biting her lip, she didn’t turn on the microphone; her lips trembled fiercely. Just when she was about to speak, Yan Huan’s voice, filled with mirth, rang in her ears again:
“Hmm, though I didn’t want to say this, it feels a bit like ‘pushing a duck onto the shelf,’ but given the circumstances, Bai Yi, you have to seize the chance to sing your new song seriously in front of everyone, or let my antics turn into a total stage fiasco!”
“Don’t you know I’m responsible for this?!”
“I’ll take responsibility.”
Bai Yi’s eyes widened, for on the other end, Yan Huan’s tone was resolute.
“I know what I’m doing—though, admittedly, it is a bit sudden, please don’t misunderstand.
“This isn’t an impulsive act, nor a passionate fan forcing you on stage.
“It’s simply because, Bai Yi, you really want to sing.
“It’s simply because, Bai Yi, your new song is genuinely beautiful.”
A few brief seconds passed, and the enticing intro had already hit its midpoint.
Listening to Yan Huan’s voice through the earphones, Bai Yi’s grip on the microphone tightened, tighter still.
“Don’t worry about forgetting the lyrics, don’t worry about being nervous; I’ll stay on the line next to you and will read back the lyrics you’ve written.
“So, you make the final call, Bai Yi.”
Your own call.
Bai Yi felt her grip on the microphone quiver ever so slightly; in the next moment, she powered on the microphone.
It was as if she had made some kind of resolve, causing the host beside her, whose face had grown ever paler, to feel like dying.
“Everyone!”
Bai Yi gritted her teeth and shut her eyes.
In that moment before entering the chorus, she held the microphone and addressed the audience below,
“I’m Bai Yi, here today as a guest for the Linyi Game Exhibition! I hope you all enjoy the song I’ve written for you!!”
The audience didn’t quite grasp the song’s significance, with many hearing of Bai Yi for the first time.
But music is a language; as rhythm and melody resonated, it felt as if they knew that stunning girl on stage already.
“Oh oh oh oh oh!!”
In the backstage, Yan Huan, listening to Bai Yi’s words, smiled slightly as he held his phone, softly murmuring,
“And also, when you said you didn’t want me to see you as an idol, I can’t agree with that.
“Being able to write such an excellent song, sincerely apologizing for the darkness within, and now bravely taking the stage.
“With that, don’t you think you deserve to be someone I admire?”
Bai Yi’s eyes were welling up as the audience’s hands began to rise in response to her song.
The warmth emanating from their curious, eager gazes overpowered the critical eye of her mother’s earlier scrutiny, transforming into interest and genuine adoration.
That wave of support, alongside Yan Huan’s voice in her ears, fueled an overwhelming warmth within her.
Certainly, her mother was still watching over her.
But you—
Surely you were watching me too!
So whatever it took, she had to finish this song!
“Alright, Bai Yi, we’re starting! One! Two! Three!”
The highly dynamic and captivating intro seized the audience’s attention, just as it had grabbed Yan Huan’s earlier.
As the actual song came close, Bai Yi inhaled sharply, beginning to sing alongside Yan Huan through the earphone,
【Don’t some phrases, upon hearing, just pull you to tears?】
【Always feeling foolish, always struggle to express?】
【Wanting to be your own idol, afraid of being bound?】
Having not warmed up or prepared beforehand, she tripped a little as the song began—just warming up.
But she clung fiercely to the microphone like a sailor firmly gripping the mast in a tempest, unperturbed by the swirling winds.
“Madness. Truly madness.”
Zuo Jiangqin’s expression soured, her grip on the nearby chair turning white.
While, Jiang Xiong merely gazed at Bai Yi on stage, watching as she transformed from a marionette into a force brimming with life.
The air buzzed with exuberance, full of vitality.
Meanwhile, several staff members with walkie-talkies approached, looking just as grim as they lowered their heads.
“Miss Zuo, Mr. Jiang, we just communicated with Bai Yi’s manager. She claims she wasn’t informed about this arrangement; we came to ask for your opinion.”
Upon seeing the Golden Lion Group insignia on their apparel, Zuo Jiangqin’s face paled, defensively smiling as she attempted an explanation.
“That’s not what we…”
Yet Jiang Xiong, with his refined demeanor, firmly pressed Zuo Jiangqin back into her seat.
Then, removing his glasses, he addressed the staff.
“Sorry to bother your work. This was indeed our request for Bai Yi to change it last minute; if it contradicts any agreements, we will compensate.”
Zuo Jiangqin frowned, about to retort.
But as she felt Jiang Xiong’s strong grip on her shoulder, she reluctantly shut her mouth.
The staff looked troubled, but unsure what to say as they observed the atmosphere rapidly intensifying around them.
The music was incredibly dynamic and appealing, perfectly aligning with the youthful themes of the entire Game Exhibition.
Stunning melodies filled the air, with catchy electronic sounds, complemented by the gorgeous girl onstage, whose voice was bursting with vitality—igniting the entire venue.
Even cosplayers taking pictures nearby or those occupied with other events swiftly gravitated towards the song.
Numerous phones and glowing support sticks were raised, quickly filling the crowd behind.
The staff opened their mouths to speak but glanced again at Jiang Xiong, eventually stating,
“Let’s discuss after it finishes; for now, let’s see how it goes!”
“Got it, thanks.”
Jiang Xiong put his glasses back on and waved goodbye.
“What are you doing? Compensation? We’re compensating for what? Surely this is Bai Yi’s doing!”
“What’s done is done; what’s the use of dwelling on it?”
Jiang Xiong sighed, watching Bai Yi on stage and remarked,
“Honestly, if the song was dreadful and her performance poor, I would probably be just as furious as you right now.
“Yet, look around—look at Bai Yi up there.
“Everyone loves her song; just look at her energy and sincerity; I’ve never seen this at any event.
“Jiangqin, be honest with yourself: is this really what you call a careless Bai Yi?”
Zuo Jiangqin hesitated momentarily but still frowned.
“No matter what, it shouldn’t be this way! You could have consulted me!”
“Didn’t Bai Yi consult you? Didn’t she tell you she wanted to sing?”
“I…”
Seeing Zuo Jiangqin at a loss for words, Jiang Xiong couldn’t help but smile wryly, glancing back at the stage and saying lightly,
“As much as the process was indeed a little thoughtless, the result, in the end, isn’t too shabby, is it?
“Education is essential; the lesson, however, can fade away. Now that this has already happened, we should be standing with her—understand, Jiangqin?”
Zuo Jiangqin’s expression was still displeased but could not muster a rebuttal. She could only glare at the stage.
Observing that glowing girl, seemingly glowing under the spotlight, she noted how Bai Yi had transitioned from her initial nervousness, her stumbles of words, eagerly embracing her performance.
This was ultimately her favorite passion, where she had invested her heart and soul, longing for acknowledgment.
Songwriting, arranging, and lyrics.
All were fruits of her day and night efforts. How could she not know them? How could she not be fluent in them?
Thus, after merely a brief adjustment, she truly sank into a state of oblivion.
She merely wanted to sing because she felt pent up inside.
She merely wanted to sing because she truly loved it.
Even without undergoing professional training, her innate talent drove her to a place unattainable for others.
Tilting her head slightly, her voice couldn’t help but shoot up to its exuberant heights.
Just a small movement of her lips, and melodious ornamentations flowed effortlessly.
When the second chorus wrapped up, the entire main venue had turned into a buzzing crowd, everyone favoring the rhythm as they reached out.
In the next instant, an electric guitar interlude pitched in, swelling the atmosphere after the chorus crescendo.
Like an erupting volcano or darkening skies before dawn.
Bai Yi breathed heavily, as she was fully immersed in herself, barely managing to hear her watch ticking away, and losing track of Yan Huan’s voice altogether.
Curious, she tilted her head to listen to her left earphones, only to belatedly notice that, amid her fervent performance, Yan Huan had discreetly hung up the call at some point.
“Haha.”
It was as though the feeling of safety that had accompanied her was suddenly stripped away, igniting her yearning to draw nearer to him once more.
Thus, she gasped, instinctively scanning the crowd for Yan Huan’s figure.
But the sea of faces blurred together, leaving her clueless about where that dashing boy was positioned.
Yet in this moment, his voice still echoed in her mind.
Yet in this moment, his visage lingered in her thoughts.
Seeing the bright eyes gazing up at her from the crowd felt effortless upon her heart.
She placed a hand over her chest, almost electric as the guitar interlude played while her head lowered, suddenly exclaiming,
“This song was created for a fan I’ve known for a long time.”
“Oh oh oh oh?!!”
The crowd erupted, as they were always intrigued by such gossip.
The entire Game Exhibition morphed into an atmosphere reminiscent of a concert, sizzling with heat.
“I once felt very jealous of him, envious of his excellence, envious of his charm.
“Yet little did I anticipate that it was precisely this person I loathed and envied who would give me clarity and strength.”
Bai Yi flicked her hair back, akin to the muse, igniting gasps from the crowd below.
“He claims to be my fan, but really, who’s to say I’m not a fan of his?
“So, in gratitude and apology, no matter what, this song is dedicated to him!
“Thanks a million! Thank you for everything you’ve done for me!!
“It’s almost time for the finale; this song is called ‘Fan A!’ I hope you hear it!!”
With her beautiful figure gracefully grasping the microphone and her voice soaring like a lark.
She didn’t mention his name specifically, but it felt as if everyone felt that surge of emotion flowing through the song.
As the last chorus unfolded, the final climax—with the electric guitar’s interruption—dipped, then heightened once more.
Bai Yi, under the thrall of the trembling host’s gaze, began to circulate the stage, waving amid the embrace of the pushing crowd, every soul feeling what they wished through the music.
【Fan A, is there not some surge of emotions that leaves you fearing for nothing in the end?】
Watching Bai Yi on stage, Sakura Kyoko momentarily lost her train of thought, pondering something.
Next to her, You Anli Na screamed with wild enthusiasm, grabbing nearby random strangers as she shouted,
“She’s from our school!! Wuwuwu!! That’s amazing!!”
Ai Xili tried to act like she didn’t know this person but ended up being used as a handkerchief by You Anli Na.
Well, she was feeling even more desperate.
【Fan A, is there not a sense of yearning, only to find it fleeting in the end?】
On the edge of the venue, sitting down, eyeing the stage was Ya Qiao Mu, his glasses discarded as he struggled to focus on the performance.
But the tears blurred his vision, making it impossible to see through, only hearing Shijiao Ai’s cruel smile echoing in his mind.
So, he lowered his head, tears streaming down his face.
【Fan A, is it not both innocence and confusion, fearing the future fading into obscurity?】
Spencer lay in an ambulance inside the venue, tightly clutching a black bag.
Nearby, a multitude of security and medical staff from the Golden Lion Group hovered around her, preparing to take her out.
An Le, deeply concerned for her, happened to turn back and gaze at that direction as the sweet song echoed.
She bit her lip, flushed, staring at her phone filled with chat logs with Little Huan for a long time, unable to speak.
【Fan A, since you cannot meet others’ expectations, you can only become your true self.】
And there on stage, Bai Yi returned to the center, the melody peaked and completely ignited the entire exhibition.
Accompanied by roaring applause, the music took the climax to its zenith, bursting forth like fireworks that were fated to fizzle out.
The entire venue fell completely silent, conquered by Bai Yi’s vibrant, energetic voice.
In the void of sound, that stunning girl’s bright, star-like eyes scanned all the faces in the audience, finally landing in one direction.
Then, she slightly rotated the microphone in her left hand, placing it by her side and posed her right hand like a pistol, pointing forward.
As the song wrapped up, under the attention of every person present, she loudly exclaimed,
“Thank you, Fan A!!”
Following the direction of her finger’s pointed gesture, that heartfelt emotion embedded within her echoed through.
It traversed through the guests seated, who began to clap.
It coursed through the elated glow sticks being waved, and the mass of hands raised high.
It flowed amid their loud cheers, weaving through the heated atmosphere.
Ultimately, it reflected back on the shimmering entrance filled with bright light, where a green-eyed cat sat poised, watching the breathless girl on stage.
A black cat with emerald pupils calmly sat at the entrance, gazing at the gorgeous girl, panting.
It soon tilted its head, adorably allowing a little mewl to escape,
“Meow~”
“Meow-chan.”
The next second, a cheerful voice rang from the brightly lit entrance, causing the cute illusory black cat to turn around.
After a quick dash, it lightheartedly leaped.
It carried the sincerest emotion conveyed by that girl and hopped onto the shoulder of that boy who remained unseen.
It nuzzled against his cheek, transmitting the girl’s feelings to him.
Therefore, the boy seemed to have heard the girl’s call from the stage, slightly turning his handsome profile towards the direction of the performance.
On that stage far away, that shining girl was bursting with youth and vitality.
Witnessing this moment, the boy couldn’t help but smile softly, as if murmuring to himself,
“Fan A, huh.”
The next second, he vanished into the sunlit venue entrance.
“Oh oh oh oh oh oh oh!!”
“Bai Yi!! Bai Yi!!”
After the tail finale, the entire venue erupted in soaring cheers and applause.
