Part 2
While Bai Sinian was still immersed in the excitement of his “collab video” with his idol, Bian Rui had already pushed the cart to the checkout. Bai Sinian hurried over to scan the code and pay.
Moments later, Bai Sinian’s backpack was stuffed full of reference books, the heavy load nearly breaking his back.
After leaving the Book City, the two planned to walk to the subway station. Suddenly, a woman in her twenties wearing glasses and carrying a shoulder bag popped up. Her phone was aimed right at Bian Rui and Bai Sinian, apparently recording a video.
Bai Sinian was instantly alert and pulled Bian Rui behind him. Before he could ask what she was doing, the woman spoke rapidly and excitedly, “You’re the lead singer of ‘Dazzling Star,’ right? Right! Oh my god! I’m seeing you in person! You’re even more handsome than in the videos! Your body is so good, do you have a girlfriend?!”
Bian Rui watched coldly from the side, while Bai Sinian gave an awkward laugh, not knowing what to say. It was their first time encountering a fan in real life, and they hadn’t prepared a response.
If they admitted he was the “Dazzling Star” lead singer, they weren’t that famous yet. How should they handle a fan interview? What if they said something wrong?
If they denied it, they didn’t know how much this fan knew or how fanatical she was. What if she posted online saying they lied to her?
While Bai Sinian was weighing his options, a distorted, magnetic female voice came from the phone: “Film his legs. Wow, he has leg hair. I heard men with thick body hair have a high libido and are great in bed!”
Bai Sinian: …
Excuse me? How could they talk about this right in front of someone? How was this different from sexual harassment??
And she was actually video calling a friend to film Bian Rui. He felt inexplicably violated. Before Bai Sinian could figure out the situation, Bian Rui took two steps forward, aggressive and imposing: “If you’re that desperate for a man, why don’t you go find one to marry?”
Every word was cutting. Yet, the woman opposite maintained a confused smile. “Marry you, I want to marry you!”
Bai Sinian hadn’t expected people like this existed. He was dumbfounded. Any girl with a sense of shame would have turned black in the face by now!
Bian Rui showed a look of disgust. “Do you think you’re worthy?”
“Ahhh, he’s just saying whatever, don’t take it seriously! Sorry, we have to catch a train, bye!” Bai Sinian, terrified, grabbed Bian Rui and ran.
Although what the two girls said was wrong, Bian Rui’s mouth was venomous too. What if she really was a fan?!
Professional big stars, when facing such comments, would either smile indifferently or crack a joke to smooth it over. Who just straight-up insults people?!
Bai Sinian decided that starting now, he had to teach Bian Rui how to talk.
Bian Rui was dragged into the subway station by Bai Sinian. They hurriedly swiped their cards and got on the train. The subway wasn’t crowded at this time, and they stood by the door, panting.
“Bian Rui, you can’t talk like that…”
“Then how should I talk? Did you hear the filth they were spewing?” The disgusted expression on Bian Rui’s face made Bai Sinian swallow his next words. It was indeed nasty, and indeed infuriating.
Bai Sinian: “Exactly! Young girls speaking so explicitly right to someone’s face!”
Bian Rui was still angry, so now wasn’t the time to lecture him on PR. Bai Sinian immediately sided with him against the common enemy, complaining together.
The two figures reflected in the subway’s glass doors made Bai Sinian feel as if a lifetime had passed. The world outside the window reversed at light speed, as if only he and Bian Rui remained in the world, riding a train bound for the future.
In the future, compilation videos of Bian Rui roasting people would be the direct cause of his cancellation. Many fans felt that after spending money to chart his songs and support their concerts, being treated like that by their idol provided zero emotional value, leading them to leave the fandom and turn against him.
Bai Sinian thought he definitely needed to come up with a plan later.
Bian Rui was the type who responded to softness but not hardness; direct lecturing might backfire.
The subway arrived at the station. Bian Rui lowered his head slightly as he stepped off. “What are you thinking about?” He turned his head to look at Bai Sinian, his eyes softening.
“I was just thinking, what do we do if we encounter this situation in the future?”
“Anyone who comes gets roasted,” Bian Rui said casually.
Truly your style, Bai Sinian thought.
Bai Sinian said faintly, “If only everyone could be as cooperative as you were when signing autographs just now.”
Bian Rui glanced at him. “That was because it was you.”
Bai Sinian: !!!
What did the idol mean by that!
Sure enough, a second later, Bian Rui added, “If they just asked for a signature normally like you did, I wouldn’t roast them.”
With a hint of disappointment, Bai Sinian smiled. “True, they went too far.”
“Stop thinking about it. Go back and study.”
Bian Rui smiled. “We can compete to see who solves more problems. Loser buys dinner.”
Bai Sinian: “Deal!”
For the next few days, the two met up at the community library during the day. There was a small study room that could hold forty people. It was quiet and had free air conditioning—a treasure trove for summer studying.
During the break, Shen Bei flew abroad to be with his parents again, Cui Yeyi went traveling with his family, and Fan Hongyi was sent to cram school by his parents. Everyone was busy with their own lives, occasionally sharing fresh experiences in the group chat.
Bai Sinian and Bian Rui competed daily on answering speed and accuracy. The loser bought lunch, and the two of them ate through almost every small restaurant in the vicinity.
In his past life, Bai Sinian never would have dreamed he’d be eating alone with his idol every day. He would wake up laughing from dreams like that.
One day, Bai Sinian and Bian Rui were sitting in the study room, heads buried in test papers opposite each other. Suddenly, his phone vibrated incessantly. He flipped it over to see a call from Cui Yeyi.
Thinking it couldn’t be urgent, Bai Sinian muted it and set it aside, planning to deal with it after studying.
When they went to lunch, Bai Sinian remembered to call Cui Yeyi back.
“Hello? What’s up?”
Cui Yeyi’s voice was loud. Even without speakerphone, Bian Rui across the table heard it. “Holy crap, did you see the trending topic?! Is that person Fan Hongyi?!”
Trending topic? Fan Hongyi?
Bai Sinian’s heart skipped a beat. Did he get into trouble again?!
“What trending topic?” Bai Sinian asked, trying to keep his voice steady.
Cui Yeyi was concise: “It says he sexually harassed a woman on the bus!”
“What!”
Bai Sinian felt his brain buzz. He hung up immediately to check his phone, but Bian Rui had already pulled up the video with over a thousand likes and shoved it in front of him.
The video had subtitles added. A girl was filming Fan Hongyi aggressively, questioning why he touched her butt. Fan Hongyi was shielding his face with his hand, forced to retreat step by step by her advance.
Bian Rui watched Bai Sinian’s shocked face, took back the phone, and watched it carefully again himself.
The claypot chicken rice they ordered arrived, but no one picked up their chopsticks. It was extremely quiet.
After a long time, Bian Rui asked with his head still lowered, “Do you think a video with just over a thousand likes can get on the trending list?”
“It’s highly likely someone paid to boost it.” Bai Sinian’s expression was grave.
But what should they do now?
After much consideration, Bai Sinian decided to finish eating first, then go find Fan Hongyi.
Fan Hongyi lived in a relatively remote suburb because his parents often had to teach in a neighboring city, so living there was more convenient. The scenery near the complex was pleasant and beautiful, and most importantly, it was very quiet.
Bai Sinian and Bian Rui visited his home. Fan Hongyi probably didn’t know about the incident yet. He opened the door shirtless, wearing only basketball shorts, looking surprised. “Why are you guys here?”
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