Chapter 25: As Long As He Stands There, I Love Him

Such a classic line.

For a moment, it stirred quite a reaction in the trending plaza—though not a positive one.

“Phew, for a second I thought it was my patriarchal parents talking…”

“Sounds just like my lovesick bestie.”

“Or my malicious mother-in-law.”

No wonder the online crowd couldn’t understand Fang Siqian’s so-called apology.

After all, which celebrity would, two days after a scandal, release a half-hearted apology video and even affectionately refer to the sponsor as—the villain?

It was enough to make anyone see stars.

But clearly, Fang Siqian’s audience wasn’t them, and his goal had been achieved.

“I’m telling you all, don’t be so harsh on my idol.”

“You don’t even know what a good person he is. Of course, your own idols have never shielded you from the rain.”

“You can’t wake someone pretending to sleep. True fans will protect our gentle idol.”

“…”

Inside the Top Star fandom chat group.

The icon was a silver-blue hexagram.

[Little Lucky Butterfly]: yUe! Shielding from the rain, always the umbrella story, but Star Baby even picked up my shoe for me!!!

Attached: A goofy Strawberry Bear hanging on the wall.jpg

[Daytime Milk Candy]: That’s enough, we’re just online friends, you’re crossing a line :-)

[Fallen Turd Xiangzi]: Jingjing, I have six things to say:……

[Jingjing]: Go ahead.

[Fallen Turd Xiangzi]: First, I’m not just talking to you, this is for everyone.

[Fallen Turd Xiangzi]: Second, now’s not the time for drama, let’s keep things civil in the group chat and not draw more hate to Star Baby—even though he’s already hated enough, heh.

[Fallen Turd Xiangzi]: Third, keep an eye on Fang Siqian. I have a bad feeling about him.

[Fallen Turd Xiangzi]: Fourth, we might not see Star Baby for a long time. I hope those who haven’t jumped ship can hold on a little longer…

Fallen Turd Xiangzi was the group’s main admin, always organizing events, yet now her words cast a heavy gloom.

[Fallen Turd Xiangzi]: Fifth, about character.

[Group Chat]: …

[Fallen Turd Xiangzi]: Sixth, as for that nonsense about “only true fans have been sheltered by an umbrella”—what utter rubbish. Shen Jixing has never done anything for me. The fact that he simply stands there is enough for me to love him.

…

“Variety show?!”

In a spacious, bright office, a man in a sharp suit slapped the table: “You actually accepted a variety show on your own?!”

What on earth was this kid thinking now?

Zhou Yili lounged lazily across from him, long legs stretched out, sipping cola through a straw with deliberate slowness.

A lingering side effect from eating salty radish cubes all morning.

Little Mo held the cola bottle for him, nodding solemnly, “Yep, and he told me to sign the contract as fast as possible. Not even Fast & Furious could keep up with me, hehe.”

“Hehe my foot!” The manager rapped him on the head with a rolled-up paper. “Do you even know what contract you signed?”

Little Mo clutched his head, a little aggrieved, “Bro said to sign it.”

The paper tube swung toward Zhou Yili, but the manager still hesitated, wary of his status.

Zhou Yili kept the straw between his lips, lazy and unbothered, “Knock away.”

The manager gave him a token tap.

“It’s not that you can’t do variety shows, but with your temperament, it’s a PR disaster.”

Zhou Yili said nothing.

He reached for the paper tube. “Meeting’s over. Let me return the favor.”

The manager could only laugh and cry.

Zhou Yili was actually easygoing. He wasn’t arrogant; when he first debuted, he was dazzling and carefree, like a lazy little sloth.

It felt like anyone could pat his head.

But it wasn’t long before he became wrapped in a cold shell, now keeping everyone at arm’s length, his sharp tongue sparing no one.

The manager dreaded the backlash.

“Why can’t you just focus on your music and good looks? Isn’t that enough?”

With just his talent and face, he could reach any height.

Zhou Yili lowered his eyes, the tip of his sharp canine pressing against the straw. “No.”

“I have a reason I must go.”

He wanted to figure out what had really happened to Shen Jixing.

Who had bullied him back then, why he’d lied, why he’d abandoned him, and now, why he could seek him out with such nonchalance, playing ambiguous games.

Did Zhou Yili look like someone who enjoyed being humiliated?

If Shen Jixing wouldn’t talk, then he’d find out for himself.

“Even if this show does nothing for your career?” the manager pressed.

Zhou Yili stood up, setting the cola bottle on the table.

“My career is mine. I don’t need help.”

The manager was speechless, then tried, “Even if you’re not suited to this format?”

Zhou Yili laughed softly, “Then let the format adapt to me.”

“…”

He casually pulled his phone from his pocket and sent a message to his pinned contact.

[ZZZZZZZ]: I’m hungry.

A reply came two seconds later.

[S]: ?

Shen Jixing, though cool and aloof, was always well-mannered and disciplined.

If this had been sent to Zhou Yili, he’d have replied:

If you’re hungry, go find something disgusting to eat yourself. Why are you bothering me?

Zhou Yili stared at the question mark, a wry smile on his lips.

[ZZZZZZZ]: What do you want for dinner?

There was a quiet pause on the other end.

This wasn’t the first time Zhou Yili had asked. Once he’d learned Shen Jixing didn’t eat takeout, the fridge was suddenly stocked with ingredients, and sometimes Aunt Zhang would deliver new dishes.

Shen Jixing guessed it was the latter.

[S]: Lemon shrimp balls, pan-seared salmon, stir-fried asparagus, purple sweet potato with white fungus soup, rose milk custard…

He hadn’t finished typing ‘Thanks, Aunt Zhang’ when—

[ZZZZZZZ]: Sure, cook it for me tonight.

[S]: …

Shen Jixing rubbed his brow, a headache brewing.

This little lion couldn’t go a day without causing trouble.

He simply put away his phone, rolled up his white sleeves, and headed calmly into the kitchen.

…

Zhou Yili forwarded the menu to Aunt Zhang.

[Kitchen Goddess Aunt Zhang]: O98k

[ZZZZZZZ]: Try not to go too wild.

He put his phone away, ready to leave the company, when the manager called out behind him.

“Are you sure about this?”

The manager looked uneasy, like a parent sending his child off to their first day of school. “What if things don’t go the way you hope?”

Was it worth gambling your future for an answer?

The last time Zhou Yili saw that worried look on his manager’s face was in the hospital, head bleeding, staring out at the white ash trees.

His manager had watched him enter the industry, seemed to sense something, but never knew quite what.

Zhou Yili shrugged indifferently.

“Then so be it.”

His long fingers spun his car keys, and he smiled carelessly, “I’m stubborn, that’s all. If it comes to it, I’ll just get battered again.”

He waved lazily as he left the conference room.

The manager didn’t look away until Zhou Yili had disappeared.

Perhaps he’d been wrong all along, he thought.

Zhou Yili had never really changed.

He was still that boy who never lacked courage, always forging ahead without looking back.