Chapter 91: The Self-Cultivation of a Fan
During breakfast this morning, Tang Yinlang stepped out to take a call. When he returned, his expression was dark enough to drip water.
“Shihuan is coming over today.” Tang Yinlang spoke, his voice cold and flat without a single ripple of emotion.
He didn’t want Liu Shihuan to come. Once Liu Shihuan arrived, Lin Xia and the White Dumpling’s attention would definitely be diverted to him. At that point, what kind of chopped liver would he be? He had already seen the fanboy attributes of Lin Xia and the White Dumpling.
“Awooo!” So awesome, Brother Shihuan is coming!
“Really?!” Lin Xia completely ignored Tang Yinlang’s unhappy expression and asked with surprise and excitement.
“Mn.” Tang Yinlang replied faintly. Watching Lin Xia and the White Dumpling’s reactions, he felt even more melancholy. The guy isn’t even here yet, and it’s already like this. When he actually arrives, will there be any place left for me?
“What time will he arrive roughly? When should we go pick him up?” Lin Xia asked excitedly, his hands and feet not knowing where to settle.
“…No need to pick him up. He said he’ll come by himself.” Tang Yinlang sighed secretly in his heart. So tired.
“Really no need to pick him up?” Lin Xia didn’t believe it and asked again. After getting Tang Yinlang’s confirmation, he asked again, “What does Shihuan like to eat? So I can prepare!”
“…” Tang Yinlang didn’t want to speak at all, but facing Lin Xia’s sparkling eyes, he couldn’t resist. “He likes to eat chicken.”
Hmph, Fox Liu loves eating chicken the most.
“There are still two free-range chickens left at home. Shall we slaughter both?” Lin Xia narrowed his eyes, setting his sights on the two remaining chickens bought from the last market trip.
“…As long as you’re happy.” Tang Yinlang smiled bitterly and finished his porridge in a few gulps.
Forget it, I better go to work. I can’t listen anymore; it stings my heart.
“Awooo!” An An also likes eating chicken, just like Brother Shihuan. What a coincidence! The White Dumpling wagged his tail, happy that he shared a common trait with Liu Shihuan.
“He is your Cousin-Uncle.” Tang Yinlang, heart weary, corrected the White Dumpling’s form of address for Liu Shihuan.
Wait, calling him Brother is fine too. That way Liu Shihuan is a generation younger than me!
“Awooo!” Oppa means Brother! The White Dumpling glanced at Tang Yinlang, educating him on why he called him Brother Shihuan.
“…Right. I’m done eating. I’m going to work.” Tang Yinlang decided to distance himself from Liu Shihuan’s fans. His heart was shattered into pieces.
However, he was only joking. He still had to wash the dishes and then drive Lin Xia and the White Dumpling to the pet shop.
Liu Shihuan hadn’t arrived yet, and they still had to work. Tang Yinlang thought that after breakfast, Lin Xia and the White Dumpling would go straight to the shop, however…
“Awooo!” Daddy, bring An An’s little suit!
“Okay, I need to change clothes too!” Lin Xia scooped up the White Dumpling and rushed upstairs thump thump thump.
“…” Tang Yinlang had already forgotten how many times he had been speechless. Looking at the bowls and cups on the table, then at the backs disappearing up the stairs, he felt an inexplicable sadness, like he had been abandoned.
Silently washing the dishes, Tang Yinlang came out of the kitchen and sat on the sofa, browsing news while waiting. More than ten minutes later, Lin Xia and the White Dumpling came down. The White Dumpling was wearing a blue sweater and pants, looking particularly spirited. Lin Xia had also changed into a blue jacket. Paired with his handsome features, he somehow gave off the vibe of returning to his student days.
When he smiled, he was gentle and shy, just like the boy from the class next door. The boy next door who would pass by the window every day, making your heart flutter, yet never belonging to you. Only a wall separated you, yet you could never enter his world.
Glancing at himself, seeing his all-black attire, Tang Yinlang felt he looked as old as a retired old man. If not for his good looks holding it together, who knows how ugly it would be. Standing next to Lin Xia like this, would others think Lin Xia was his younger brother?
I’ll find time to change my image, Tang Yinlang resolved secretly.
“How is it? Does this outfit look good?” Lin Xia and the White Dumpling had spent over ten minutes picking before settling on this set. They couldn’t dress too seriously, nor too casually; this set was just right.
“Good looking…” So good looking it’s hard to look away. Pity, it’s not for me… Tang Yinlang felt stifled, as if something was blocking his chest. Uncomfortable.
“That’s good!” Lin Xia was very satisfied with Tang Yinlang’s answer, his eyes full of smiles. “Let’s go!”
Tang Yinlang, having finished being the nanny, now acted as the driver, tirelessly driving Lin Xia and the White Dumpling to the pet shop. After Lin Xia and the White Dumpling got out of the car, he wanted to say something, looking like he hesitated to speak.
“Hm?” Lin Xia wondered what he wanted to say.
“Nothing, I’m going to work now.” Tang Yinlang finally shook his head and said.
“Goodbye, drive safely!” “Awooo!”
“Mn.” Tang Yinlang nodded, closed the car door, and drove away.
After Tang Yinlang drove off, Lin Xia and the White Dumpling entered the shop together. Meng Zheng had already arrived; he was feeding the cats and dogs in the pet shop.
“Good morning!” Meng Zheng greeted them.
“Morning!” “Awooo!” Lin Xia and the White Dumpling responded.
“Hehe, Brother Lin, did you watch The Rap of China last night? It was especially good!” Meng Zheng planned to forcefully recommend it.
“I watched it. It was brilliant,” Lin Xia said with a smile.
“Which contestant left the deepest impression on you?” Meng Zheng looked at Lin Xia expectantly, hoping it was the one he was thinking of.
“Wang Jiaming.” Lin Xia smiled. Wang Jiaming was trending; how could he not leave a deep impression? Even if he didn’t know Wang Jiaming personally, watching the show would have made him memorable.
A red afro, non-mainstream dress sense, yet possessing considerable skill—how could one not take notice?
“Exactly, he’s the one I wanted to talk about! He was simply explosive. No one had high hopes for him, but he turned the tables!” Meng Zheng spoke excitedly. Many people liked to judge a book by its cover, but one cannot judge a person by their appearance. The face-slapping was so satisfying!
“You want to change idols?” Seeing him excited as if he were the person involved, Lin Xia thought he had a new idol.
“How could that be! My idol is only Liu Shihuan!” Meng Zheng jumped up as if someone stepped on his tail, hurriedly explaining. “I just admire Wang Jiaming. Plus, Wang Jiaming is also from Jiang City; it really brings us honor.”
Can’t let him get the wrong idea. His idol could only be Liu Shihuan. His love for Liu Shihuan was so pure it couldn’t tolerate a grain of sand. So as soon as Lin Xia spoke, he jumped up to clarify his stance.
“Do you know who Molly’s owner is?” Lin Xia smiled slightly and asked. Meng Zheng had only returned after Wang Jiaming went to the competition, so he didn’t know Wang Jiaming knew Lin Xia and the others.
“Isn’t it Teacher Luo?” Meng Zheng knew who Molly’s owner was, but what did that have to do with Wang Jiaming?
“Teacher Luo’s younger brother’s friend is Wang Jiaming. And Wang Jiaming is also Ziyu’s cousin.” Lin Xia casually dropped this news.
Meng Zheng didn’t react for a moment, still sorting through the relationships. Once he figured it out, an earth-shattering shout rang through the pet shop.
“WHAT?!”
“I was actually the one who recommended Wang Jiaming to participate in The Rap of China…” Lin Xia was calm, as if this matter was as ordinary as breathing.
“…Oh my god!” Meng Zheng was stunned. Someone famous appeared, and it was someone in his circle!
“Brother Lin, I-I… I’m so excited. C-can I ask him for an autograph…” Meng Zheng was incoherent with excitement.
“Don’t know when he’ll be back yet.” Lin Xia laughed, successfully seeing Meng Zheng’s stunned look. If Wang Jiaming became famous, then his pet shop would be a place frequented by a celebrity!
Meng Zheng took a while to recover. Suddenly, his eyes gleamed, and he leaned close to Lin Xia with a hehe laugh.
“Brother Lin, if Wang Jiaming becomes famous, does that mean he’ll know people in the entertainment industry?”
“Very likely. Why do you ask?” Lin Xia guessed what scheme he was hatching.
“Hehe, do you think he might meet Liu Shihuan…” Meng Zheng chuckled, rubbing his hands, looking quite embarrassed.
“So that’s what you’re thinking…” Lin Xia realized Meng Zheng’s intention. Meng Zheng wanted to get closer to Liu Shihuan through Wang Jiaming, and it would be even better if he could get to know him. Thinking of this, Lin Xia gave Meng Zheng a look. Young man, good strategy!
“Then why don’t you enter the entertainment industry yourself?” Lin Xia didn’t quite understand. Since Meng Zheng liked Liu Shihuan so much, he could just join the industry. Even if he didn’t act or sing, he could try being an assistant or manager. He could surely find a relevant job in the circle. That way, maybe he’d have a chance to meet his idol.
Unexpectedly, upon hearing this, Meng Zheng immediately clutched his chest and said coyly, “I’m so good-looking, what if I get hit by the ‘casting couch’ (unspoken rules)?”
“…” Lin Xia felt nothing inside but the urge to vomit.
“Just kidding. I have thought about it. But I haven’t graduated yet. Once I graduate, I’ll go try.” Meng Zheng switched to being serious instantly, speaking sincerely.
“Young people with ideas have a future!” Lin Xia patted his shoulder, somewhat admiring Meng Zheng. He had only asked casually; he didn’t expect Meng Zheng to really have such thoughts. Meng Zheng was truly a die-hard fan of Liu Shihuan.
When Liu Shihuan arrived, he definitely had to let him know about this true fan, Meng Zheng. If Meng Zheng found out Liu Shihuan came to Jiang City and Lin Xia didn’t tell him, Meng Zheng would hate him to death.
“Brother Lin, I’ll go work now!” Receiving Lin Xia’s encouragement, Meng Zheng felt his whole body filling with motivation.
“Mn mn.” Lin Xia waved his hand; he needed to work too.
Lin Xia put the White Dumpling down, but the White Dumpling ran to the sofa and sat there obediently, showing no intention of playing on the floor.
“Why are you lying on the sofa?” Lin Xia asked the White Dumpling, puzzled.
“Awooo!” An An doesn’t want to dirty his clothes! The White Dumpling twisted his body, finding the most comfortable position.
“No need for that. Why not just take the clothes off?” Lin Xia couldn’t help laughing. The White Dumpling actually wanted to play, but he was taking great pains not to dirty the outfit.
“Awooo!” Daddy is right! The White Dumpling immediately got up and let Lin Xia help him take off the clothes. Once the clothes were off, the White Dumpling stretched, then happily jumped to the floor and ran around.
After running a lap, the White Dumpling asked Lin Xia to get his little wooden horse from the cupboard; he wanted to rock on the horse.
Lin Xia brought the wooden horse out and placed it near the stairs to the second floor. The White Dumpling rocked back and forth on it, never getting tired.
“Awooo!” Daddy, look, isn’t An An cool (lavish/stylish)! The White Dumpling grinned brilliantly, revealing sharp little tiger teeth.
“Very cool!” Someone answered him, but it wasn’t Lin Xia’s voice.
Author’s note: Tang Yinlang: “Do you want me or him (Liu Shihuan)?” Lin Xia: “That is truly a difficult decision…”
Goodnight~
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