Being able to eat enough, having a place to sleep, and occasionally earning some extra money—he was already very satisfied.
At this moment, standing before these young masters and mistresses, being picked and chosen like merchandise, he finally felt a deep humiliation, as though his dignity was being trampled upon.
Stars, idols—under the power of capital, they are all reduced to the lowest of playthings.
Feng Cheng couldn’t help but feel a sense of sorrow at another’s misfortune, hoping Aning wouldn’t fall for this trap.
Zhu Shou glared at Feng Cheng, "Why haven’t you toasted Young Master Huang yet?"
Feng Cheng stood still, not moving.
Xu Si, on the other hand, was much more perceptive. He approached, eyeing the beverage options on the table; they were all fruit juices, and he paused for a moment.
Yan Lu snorted coldly, casting a glance at Huang Xi. "Toasting?"
Huang Xi, like a cat with its fur on end, snapped at Zhu Shou, "What’s wrong with you? I’m underage—why would I drink alcohol? Do you want my uncle to cut off my allowance?"
Zhu Shou quickly waved his hand, "Apologies, Young Master Huang, I wasn’t thinking it through."
Liu Runxi sighed softly and glanced at Shen You’an. She was nestled on the sofa, head down, playing on her phone, seemingly indifferent to the scene unfolding before her.
In truth, her entire aura clashed with the atmosphere of the club.
Shen You’an paused for a moment, raising her eyes to glance at him.
The boy before her seemed like a Tang Monk who had mistakenly wandered into the Silk Cave. Oddly enough, this thought suddenly popped into her mind.
Shen You’an handed him a pair of Bluetooth earphones. "Don’t let decadent sounds pollute your ears."
After a brief pause, she added, "Wait for me a little longer."
Liu Runxi gave her a deep look, his lips curving faintly as he fitted the earphones over his ears.
Instantly, the soothing sound of piano music filled his ears, dispersing the irritation in his chest.
Xu Si’s eyes darted slyly. "Young Master Huang wants to meet Rong Xianning? I doubt Rong Xianning would have the fortune to show up."
Huang Xi frowned and glanced at him, "What do you mean?"
Xu Si leaned closer, looking conspiratorial as he prepared to say something. Huang Xi scoffed, "Why are you being so sneaky? Speak up—these are all my friends. Who can’t listen?"
Xu Si, slightly embarrassed, coughed lightly before saying, "Young Master Huang, Rong Xianning has latched onto Deep Sea Group’s higher-ups. He absolutely wouldn’t come to a gathering . On the other hand, if it were a gathering hosted by Deep Sea Group’s people, he’d come running without a second thought. To put it bluntly, he doesn’t care about you at all."
Feng Cheng glared furiously at him, "Xu Si, don’t slander Aning like that! When has he ever had anything to do with Deep Sea Group’s executives?"
Xu Si sneered, "His parents are debt dodgers. Remember the way that scandal blew up? Yet overnight, every negative headline about him disappeared. Can you really claim he didn’t negotiate something with Deep Sea Group’s higher-ups?"
"Bullshit! You’re spewing lies! Aning would never be that kind of person. Besides, his agency has already clarified that Aning’s parents are not debt dodgers. Yet you dare spread rumors here!"
"Oh, I’m so scared! What now—will Deep Sea Group blacklist me? Jin City Group isn’t a pushover either, am I right, Young Master Huang?"
Just as Huang Xi was about to nod, Yan Lu smacked him on the head. "Use your brain! Believe every word you hear, and you’ll get taken advantage of sooner or later."
Xu Si looked at Yan Lu with a hint of grievance. "Miss, you don’t believe what I’m saying either?"
Yan Lu snorted coldly, "Gossiping about others behind their backs—what kind of person are you?"
She waved her hand dismissively, "Everyone, leave now. Hurry up."
She regretted coming here; Huang Xi was useless, and these so-called young men—stripped of their show’s filters—had all been exploited to the point of absurdity, their personas alternating between cunning and naïve stupidity. It was truly an eyesore.
From now on, she wouldn’t even bother watching this show about young idols.
Idols belong behind the camera—once they step into the light, their demise isn’t far away. ᴛʜɪs ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀ ɪs ᴜᴘᴅᴀᴛᴇ ʙʏ novel·fire·net
Right then, the door to the private room was pushed open. The newcomer braced a hand against the doorframe, panting as they bent over.
Feng Cheng’s face turned pale with shock, "Aning? Why are you here?"
Zhu Shou’s face showed a sinister smile, as though his ploy had succeeded.
Inside the room, everyone simultaneously turned to look toward the door.
Gao Yuyue tugged on Shen You’an’s sleeve excitedly, "We finally get to see him in person!"
Shen You’an pulled back her sleeve and looked up.
The boy steadied his breathing and slowly straightened his back.
Separated by a single door, yet worlds apart.
The boy stood in the shadows, the dim hallway light tracing his tall silhouette.
Shen You’an raised an eyebrow.
After a few months, it seemed he had grown taller.