Chapter 65 part 1
#AwayStage#
#TangYue PlanetFragments#
#OurYouth#
#MyYouthIsBack#
#PleaseDontEndLikeThat#
That night, Weibo was under a bombardment of activity. The official accounts for Chengkong Media and Away both reposted the high-definition replay.
Many fans, who were now major supporters of other stars, couldn’t help but join the reposting squad, lamenting how quickly time had passed—Away had been around for eight years.
— This water stage really didn’t look easy to perform on, but they completed it so well.
— Aside from Yao Lixin, didn’t the other three not dance for five years?! Why are they still this good!!
— Who else is bawling in front of their screen!!
— The funniest thing is that the most popular memes on all major platforms right now are Tang Mian and Yao Xuanyu cheering. It’s killing me.
— How does Tang Yue look so beautiful even when he cries! The single was truly superb; his heavenly voice really isn’t just hype.
— How is it over already? I want to watch more! The final closing scene was so good; I’m dying of envy for the fans on the boat.
— So when is Tang Yue’s new song coming out!! Did he cry and forget about it?
Tang Yue had indeed cried until his eyes stung. Even after reaching the rest area, he was still wiping away tears.
Yao Lixin and Liu Xichao had been pulled away for interviews. Jiang Shulu had just brought Tang Mian back and was confirming the departure time with the staff.
Tang Mian handed Tang Yue a wet wipe.
Tang Yue hadn’t changed out of his stage costume yet. The outfit looked sparkling on stage, but standing this close, the brightness combined with his stage makeup made it impossible to look away.
It was Tang Mian’s first time seeing what Tang Yue looked like in stage mode. He said, “Baba looks so good today.”
The little boy still had glowing rings on his arms and tried to slide one onto Tang Yue’s wrist. “Baba, don’t cry. Here, play with this ring.”
The child’s voice was tender and soft. Tang Yue let out a wu sound and hugged Tang Mian, rubbing his chin against the little boy’s shoulder.
Tang Mian patted Tang Yue’s hair. “Is Baba happy?”
Tang Yue gave a muffled “Mhm.”
Tang Mian: “Do you have to cry when you’re happy too?”
Tang Yue still had the scent of cosmetics on him. Tang Mian sniffed a little and added, “Are you going to get my clothes wet with tears?”
This sounded like a remark born of experience. Jiang Shulu, who was walking over, heard this and asked, “Was Xiao Yue like this before?”
Tang Yue: “I was not!”
Tang Mian: “One time Xiao Yue cried so hard he woke me up.”
Tang Yue didn’t even remember that, but his son apparently possessed a superior memory and described the scene to Jiang Shulu with vivid detail.
It was nothing more than a thunderstorm. Tang Yue had been halfway through writing a song when he suddenly started crying. Tang Mian had been asleep, tucked tightly in his father’s arms.
Tang Yue hadn’t cried out loud; his breathing had just been a bit heavy.
He hadn’t realized his tears were falling onto the side of the child’s neck, accidentally waking the sleeping little guy.
Tang Yue felt a bit embarrassed. He picked up Tang Mian and retorted, “I didn’t!”
Tang Mian: “What is Baba shy for? Shulu Baba isn’t an outsider.”
Jiang Shulu hadn’t changed out of his performance outfit either.
The group’s stage costumes looked uniform at first glance, but the details were different. Some had patterns on the cuffs, others had different emblems on the chest.
Jiang Shulu sat down next to Tang Yue and asked, “How about we go to the place where you and Xiao Mie used to live tomorrow?”
Tang Yue: “Don’t you have business back in S City first?”
Liang Yi had originally arranged for someone to pack up the things at Tang Yue’s house, but Tang Yue preferred to tidy up himself, so he had refused.
He thought he would make a trip there after the variety show ended.
Jiang Shulu: “I’ll go with you.”
Tang Yue nodded.
Tang Mian: “Does Shulu Baba want to see the photos in Xiao Yue’s room?”
He really had a knack for bringing up awkward topics. Tang Yue: “Stop talking!”
Tang Mian shook his head back and forth. “Baba is being fierce to me.”
Tang Yue: “I am not.”
Even his cheeks had glitter on them. Tang Mian reached out to poke one, smiling. “Baba is sparkling.”
Tang Yue: “Everyone is sparkling.”
Tang Mian: “No, Baba is different. In Xiao Mie’s heart, you are the brightest, brightest, brightest star.”
The emotions Tang Yue had finally calmed suddenly surged again, and he moved to kiss Tang Mian.
The production team later recorded individual interviews. By the time they officially wrapped up, Tang Mian had fallen asleep, so they sent the child back to the hotel.
The four members, having changed their clothes, wandered around the city for a while longer.
Liu Xichao: “My flight is at five.”
Yao Lixin: “That early? You have a schedule?”
Liu Xichao gave a confirmation sound. “I still have a commercial to shoot.”
He looked at Tang Yue. “Xiao Yue, what about you and the Captain?”
Jiang Shulu: “Ours is after seven. I’m going to visit the place he’s lived for the past few years first.”
Liu Xichao said “Oh,” then asked, “Going for a spot check?”
Jiang Shulu: “No.”
Tang Yue: “It’s not like I can’t handle a check.”
Yao Lixin: “Xiao Yue is throwing shade at Liu Xichao.”
Liu Xichao: “What?”
Tang Yue: “Er-ge, how can you be like this! I didn’t!”
It was already the early hours of the morning. There were hardly any people on the streets; even the fans had dispersed.
Liu Xichao: “How about we go to that noodle shop we went to five years ago? I checked, the shop is still open.”
Yao Lixin: “You called us out just for this, didn’t you?”
Liu Xichao: “Given our age, I can’t help but reminisce about our youth.”
Five years ago, they held a concert in this city. Afterward, they snuck out to eat at an old-brand noodle shop and even left a photo on the wall.
Five years later, the five of them hadn’t been scattered to the ends of the earth. They reunited once again at the late-night noodle shop in the narrow alley.
The owner was still hale and hearty and actually recognized them.
He said he had just sent off a wave of customers who were discussing them and taking lots of photos of the wall.
Tang Yue looked at the group photo on the wall. Back then, he had been pushed to the front by Liu Xichao and hadn’t recovered his senses when the photo was taken.
As a result, the flash was too strong, and Tang Yue’s eyes were closed in the picture. It was a bit funny.
The three people behind him were all laughing.
Yao Lixin: “I want the braised combo platter.”
He looked at Tang Yue, who was sitting next to Jiang Shulu, remembering that last time, this guy had sat next to him.
He cracked a joke: “Xiao Yue, how about some braised intestines?”
Tang Yue answered instantly: “No!”
Liu Xichao: “Are you seriously going to switch his pork chop for intestines again on purpose? Are you that cheap?”
Yao Lixin: “Xiao Yue is so cute; what’s wrong with teasing him a little? Look at the Captain, he used to tease him plenty back in the day too.”
Tang Yue looked at Jiang Shulu.
Just then, the pork chop noodles arrived. Jiang Shulu pushed the bowl in front of Tang Yue. “Did I tease you?”
Tang Yue couldn’t recall for a moment.
Jiang Shulu: “See, Tang Yue doesn’t think so either.”
Liu Xichao snapped a photo, clicking his tongue. “Xiao Yue, I told you, people like him have eight hundred schemes in their hearts. You be careful.”
Yao Lixin: “Your own boyfriend has eight hundred schemes; don’t judge others by yourself.”
Tang Yue: “Do you have schemes?”
Jiang Shulu: “Those eight hundred schemes are all yours.”
Yao Lixin: “We’re eating here, don’t provoke me. I haven’t seen my wife in five days.”
Liu Xichao: “You’re going back tomorrow. I can’t stand this daily diet of dog food.”
Tang Yue: “Does this count as dog food?”
Jiang Shulu: “Their self-proclaimed term.”
Yao Lixin: “Why are you cursing people?”
Liu Xichao: “Let’s take another photo later. Hopefully, we can come eat together next time too.”
The internet was still lively in the early morning. All major entertainment forums were discussing the finale format of this variety show.
Even though this kind of stage couldn’t compare to a formal program stage, it still demonstrated Chengkong Entertainment’s superb camera work.
Fans even pulled an all-nighter to produce a comparison video, discovering that even if the members were out of practice, there were no mistakes.
Recommended Reads
