Chapter 41

Chapter 41

Because of the impressive results Encounter Yu had achieved, every employee at Muyi Entertainment felt a shared sense of joy. Their company wasn’t huge, but it wasn’t small either. Their artists weren’t exactly A-list, but they weren’t nobodies either. Then along came Zhao Yu, who practically cemented their foothold in the industry overnight—recently, even contract negotiations had become noticeably smoother.

Han Shuang looked at the girl sitting cross-legged on the sofa sipping coffee, and remembered the first time she’d met her years ago. She’d thought back then that this girl would make it big—her eye for talent was truly impeccable.

After she’d finished smiling to herself, she gave some advice. “You’re in the middle of a popularity surge right now, and your fans are at their most passionate. Even if your data surpasses Huo Xi and Shen Junyi, don’t get too full of yourself. Stay grounded, stay humble, and keep a level head.”

Zhao Yu swirled her coffee cup. “You’re smiling so brightly I can’t sense any sincerity in that warning.”

Han Shuang had indeed been glowing with satisfaction lately. She shook her head with a laugh before turning serious. “I’m being real with you. Your current popularity is like a fountain—it can’t keep spraying forever. After this initial surge, things will stabilize, and the hype will gradually cool down. Those two are still top-tier idols. When that time comes, you’ll have to accept the drop.”

Zhao Yu shrugged with a grin. “I’ve already accepted the落差 of coming back to China. I can handle this.”

Han Shuang nodded approvingly. “You’ve got a good mindset. That puts me at ease.” She pulled a document out of her drawer and tentatively handed it over. “Your popularity is high right now, and you’ve got plenty of opportunities. But domestic stages are limited—to maintain visibility, you’ll still need variety shows and dramas. Director He’s new series is in the works, and he specifically wants you as the female lead. It’s a rare esports-themed project. Want to take a look?”

Zhao Yu tipped her head back to finish her coffee, hopped off the sofa, put on her cap, and waved her hand. “Not for now. I’m not interested in acting at the moment. I’ll think about it when the mood strikes.”

Han Shuang looked helpless. “And when exactly will that mood strike?”

Zhao Yu turned back and threw her a gesture. “Who knows? Maybe one day when I’m in a good mood, I’ll suddenly be interested.”

Han Shuang: “…………”

The last music festival of the year fell on National Day.

Zhao Yu was once again the closing act. Perhaps because it was the year’s final show, even more Yu Mei Ren showed up than before. The pink glow illuminated the entire venue, reflecting off the round moon in the sky like a natural stage backdrop.

While Zhao Yu was performing “Encounter Yu,” she was surprised to find that the fans in the crowd all knew the choreography.

But the crowd was packed and tight—they were trying to dance, sing, and wave their glow sticks all at once, which looked like a chaotic mess from afar.

Midway through the performance, Zhao Yu burst out laughing on stage, dancing while laughing. When the song ended, she caught her breath and asked, “Were you guys just doing the ‘Encounter Yu’ dance?”

The fans below shouted excitedly: “YES!”

Zhao Yu: “Tsk. If it weren’t for those signature moves, I wouldn’t have even recognized it.”

Fans: “AHHHHHHHHHHHHH THAT’S TOO MEAN!!!”

A fan in the front row screamed with all her might: “WE PRACTICED FOR SO LONG!!!”

Zhao Yu paused to listen, then gave them a doting smile. “Alright, alright. You guys actually did amazing.”

Fans: “AHHHHHHHHH YOU’RE AMAZING TOO!”

The girl on stage brushed her fingers across her forehead, flicked away the sweat, unbuttoned her shirt with one hand, tossed it aside, and revealed a black camisole underneath. “Okay, enough mutual flattery. Time for the last song of the night.”

The fans’ voices cracked from screaming.

The final song was a slow ballad—a rare moment when Zhao Yu wasn’t bouncing around. She stood quietly at the mic and sang through the entire track. As the last note faded, she smiled and waved at the audience. “Goodbye, everyone.”

Lin Zhinan stood at the side of the stage holding her jacket. Zhao Yu had only taken a couple of steps when the crowd suddenly erupted in a synchronized chant: “ZHAO YU! CONCERT! ZHAO YU! CONCERT! ZHAO YU! CONCERT!”

She turned back in surprise, the pink glow reflecting off a sea of eager, passionate faces.

She smiled and flashed them an OK sign.

The screams nearly tore the night apart.

……

After the music festival circuit wrapped up, the endorsements she’d signed earlier entered the advertising phase. As the year-end approached, commercial events multiplied.

There was Singles’ Day, the Annual Music Awards, the Yigu Music Festival… Although the music festival season was over, commercial stages followed one after another, and the Yu Mei Ren were overjoyed—it was like New Year’s every day.

Tell me, whose idol has as many stages as ours?!

Other idols were busy filming, doing variety shows, or going into seclusion. Only our idol poured her heart into traveling to various events, dancing for us!

With our daughter treating us so well, how could we not work hard?!

Did you send flowers? Vote on charts? Stream the videos? Play the album? The annual Pop Music Gala is coming—do you see that Golden Album Award waving at us?!

What Huo Xi? What Shen Junyi? We’re not afraid!!!

The Yu Mei Ren were fired up, and Encounter Yu’s sales kept surging.

After the album’s release, Zhao Yu often performed new songs from Encounter Yu at commercial events. Her live performances always hit harder than the MVs—the visceral impact of her stage presence was something a video couldn’t capture.

Fans had already seen plenty of her older songs, but now with new material, they scrambled to catch the latest live shows.

Competition for tickets to these commercial events became fierce.

Unlike music festivals, commercial events featured high-profile stars and had limited tickets. Fans from different camps were formidable, and the Yu Mei Ren went all out to grab tickets.

Huo Xi’s fans had thought that with Shen Junyi in seclusion, they’d have no one to compete with for fan support. But after attending a few events, they realized—what the hell, why did the red sea get replaced by a pink one?!

Was this some kind of pink conspiracy???

Yu Mei Ren: No, no, not at all. We just want our sister to see her own pink sea. We’re definitely not trying to compete with your top-tier fandom! Please spare us!

Because online haters kept accusing Zhao Yu of riding the coattails of top idols, the Yu Mei Ren avoided the term “top idol” like the plague. Whenever neutral commenters said Zhao Yu had reached top-tier status, fans would hurriedly say “no thanks, not interested.”

The Xi Guang sisters (Huo Xi’s fans) held their heads high: Our only rival is the Red Sea. Everyone else—irrelevant!

Yu Mei Ren: Yes, yes, you two gold-and-red should keep fighting—please don’t pay us any attention!

Despite the fanbases’ subtle digs, the artists themselves were perfectly cordial when they met.

Huo Xi was naturally aloof but never acted arrogant in person—cool and gentle, with a good reputation in the industry. Zhao Yu had run into him backstage a few times, and their exchanges were always polite.

After one commercial event, both teams happened to end up in the same elevator. Huo Xi’s agent, Brother Bao, was rather pleased to see Zhao Yu breaking the deadlock between the two top idols. Over the past few months, Zhao Yu had siphoned off a lot of resources and buzz that would’ve gone to Shen Junyi, and Brother Bao couldn’t have been happier.

As soon as he stepped into the elevator, he said cheerfully, “I heard Xiao Yu’s Encounter Yu got nominated for this year’s Golden Album Award? I’m sure you’ll win—no doubt about it.”

Han Shuang smiled. “I’ll take your kind words.”

The Golden Album Award was an annual, highly prestigious honor, usually won by accomplished singers. Among idol-turned-traffic stars, only Huo Xi and Shen Junyi had ever won it—and both had won twice.

Back when those two rivals were going head-to-head on every front, a popular saying in fan circles was: “If you haven’t won a Golden Album Award, how dare you call yourself a top idol?”

To be fair, Encounter Yu had already achieved fantastic results, more than enough to prove Zhao Yu’s popularity and talent. Winning or not didn’t really matter. But people always end up wanting more, aiming higher.

After worrying about sales, Han Shuang and Lin Zhinan turned their attention to the upcoming Pop Music Gala.

Lin Zhinan nagged Zhao Yu every day: “The most important thing is to stay calm! You have to keep your cool, even if you don’t win—don’t take it to heart!”

Zhao Yu rolled her eyes at her in exasperation.

The Pop Music Gala arrived in winter.

One of the worst parts of being a female celebrity was having to walk the red carpet in gowns during freezing winter weather. Zhao Yu had recently landed a luxury endorsement, and for this red carpet, both her gown and jewelry were sponsored by the brand’s latest collection.

Zhao Yu’s usual style emphasized sexiness and boldness, but this time she broke the mold and went for sweetness. A light pink, airy gown with a full skirt covered in petals. She’d dyed her hair back to black, which made her skin look even paler. Her thick, dark hair tumbled in loose waves behind her.

The moment she stepped out of the car, she was hit by a barrage of flashing cameras and biting cold. Zhao Yu shivered immediately, gathered her skirt, and trotted quickly across the red carpet.

The rapid clicks of cameras filled the air. A photographer called out, “Zhao Yu, look this way!”

She turned her head, a strand of black hair brushing her cheek, and flashed a brilliant smile at the lens.

That turned-back smile was captured. When the media posted it online, it was instantly shared wildly by netizens watching the gala’s red carpet coverage:

– Holy crap, that look back was incredible! Her eyes hold a galaxy!
– Is this a Disney princess on the run?
– This shot looks like something out of a fairy tale. A princess in a gown, lifting her skirt and running, and at some moment she glances back and smiles at you, effortlessly stealing your heart.
– God! Look at this girl! How can she be so salty yet so sweet?!
……

Red carpet looks always drew attention, and Zhao Yu’s “Princess’s Glance Back” unsurprisingly became the best look of the night.

When she reached the signing wall, the host handed her a pen and microphone with a smile. After she signed, the host said cheerfully, “Welcome, Zhao Yu, to our Pop Music Gala! As you all know, Zhao Yu’s debut personal album Encounter Yu has been nominated for our Golden Album Award. So tonight, do you have confidence in winning?”

Zhao Yu waved her hand. “Competing against a few senior artists is pretty tough. I can’t be blindly confident.” She flicked her hair and winked at the camera. “Win or lose, at least I look beautiful tonight.”

She was so composed, but the Yu Mei Ren watching the livestream were far more nervous than she was.

If Encounter Yu could win the Golden Album Award, then the next time anyone mocked an idol for riding top idols’ coattails, they’d have solid receipts to hit back with!

The fans prayed silently as the red carpet ended and the awards ceremony began, with one award after another announced. When it came time for the Golden Album Award, the cameras panned to the nominated artists.

Zhao Yu was idly twirling a strand of her own hair. When she saw herself on the big screen, she sat up straight, smiled, and waved.

The host dragged out the suspense, raising the audience’s anticipation to a fever pitch, before finally revealing the winner: “The recipient of this year’s Pop Music Gala Golden Album Award is—Encounter Yu! Congratulations to Zhao Yu!”

The split screen disappeared, leaving only her image on display.

The girl on screen raised an eyebrow in surprise, then broke into a poised, radiant smile. She gathered her skirt and walked up to the stage.

When the weighty golden trophy was placed in her hands, the Yu Mei Ren watching on their screens nearly screamed themselves unconscious.

Zhao Yu hefted the trophy a couple times.

The host asked with a smile, “How are you feeling right now?”

Zhao Yu said, “It’s a bit heavy.”

She’d won plenty of awards before, but this was the heaviest one yet.

Backstage after the ceremony, Lin Zhinan tackle-hugged her. “Let me touch the trophy! Rounding up, that means I won too! We’re celebrating tonight—absolutely celebrating!”

Han Shuang had already prepared two PR plans—one for winning and one for not—and now the internet was flooded with discussions about Zhao Yu’s win. The hashtag “#ZhaoYuGoldenAlbumAward” soared up the trending charts. Netizens commented: This whole year has been this girl’s home turf, huh?

Huo Xi had been busy with film shoots, and Shen Junyi had been in seclusion for half a year. When fan accounts compiled this year’s various data rankings, Zhao Yu unsurprisingly topped the list.

Han Shuang booked Zhao Yu’s favorite hotpot restaurant. The whole team came, filling a private room to the brim with joyful energy.

Halfway through the meal, Zhao Yu’s phone rang.

She pulled it out, her pupils focusing for a moment, then rose and stepped outside.

It was late, and the VIP area was quiet. As soon as she answered, a cheerful voice came through the line: “You won—congratulations.”

This was the first contact they’d had since Shen Junyi went into seclusion.

Zhao Yu had always believed that time was the best healer, and that given enough time, he would find his way out.

She smiled, pressing her lips together, and leaned back against the wall. “Thanks. You’re in seclusion but still following the news?”

Shen Junyi said, “I’m just staying home, not hiding in some deep mountain forest. You know I’m an internet addict, right?”

Zhao Yu: “Didn’t know.”

Shen Junyi: “Well, now you do.” He paused, then asked cheerfully, “So, how does it feel to win?”

Zhao Yu stood with her back against the wall, head down, idly kicking at the baseboard. “You’ve won it too. However you felt—that’s how I feel.”

Shen Junyi: “I felt pretty calm at the time, because I thought no one else deserved that award but me.”

Zhao Yu made a spitting sound.

They bantered back and forth for a while, then Zhao Yu asked, “Isn’t your seclusion long enough? When are you coming back? If you stay away any longer, I’ll have taken all your resources.”

Shen Junyi laughed. “Soon. I’ve accepted Mango TV’s New Year’s Eve invitation.”

Zhao Yu said, “I got that too.”

He stretched lazily over the phone, his voice relaxed. “Then I’ll see you on New Year’s Eve.”

A waiter walked by with a fruit platter, and upon spotting Zhao Yu, broke into an excited grin. Zhao Yu smiled and waved at her, and said into the phone, “Alright. See you on New Year’s Eve.”

……

Mango TV was often called the “Traffic Station” for its annual habit of inviting the hottest celebrities—a show of considerable spending power. As December rolled in, Mango TV and its streaming platforms started heavily promoting this year’s New Year’s Eve lineup, competing fiercely for viewership.

Every time viewers turned on their TVs or opened a video app, they were met with Mango TV’s enthusiastic promotional announcements:

—December 31st, 7:30 PM! Pinduoduo Mango TV New Year’s Eve Concert! A New Year’s Carnival! Waiting for you! Huo Xi, Shen Junyi, and Zhao Yu gather at Mango TV! The three top idols share the stage for the first time! An unmissable spectacle!

The term “three top idols” had officially entered the public’s vocabulary.

And the audience accepted it naturally, without any sense of impropriety.

Gotta hand it to Mango TV—they knew how to sell it.

The Yu Mei Ren happily declared: See? We’re not the ones claiming that. If anyone has a problem, take it up with Mango TV!