Chapter 25: Passing Home Three Times Without Entering

Pan Jun’s calculations were shrewd, his intentions crystal clear.

Yet he put it so nicely, under the banner of considering everyone.

What nervous? What not handling it appropriately…

Among this batch of guests, the youngest, Ren Shiyu, has been in the industry for almost twenty years, while the oldest, Ma Du, would probably be a grandfather at his age if he were an ordinary person. Who exactly is the unstable one here?

Li Tingzhou knew what he meant, and knew he was trying to latch onto powerful connections.

Having navigated the entertainment industry for so many years, Pan Jun had developed a conditioned reflex: upon seeing a powerful relationship chain, he felt compelled to approach it, to pull on it, to try and make it his own.

For this, he could seamlessly give Li Tingzhou a lot of special care.

For example, the top-tier microphones used by the main guests; Li Tingzhou enjoyed the same treatment even as a guest singer. For example, the photography and editing always found the moments that most highlighted Mengmeng’s charm and preserved every single one of those shots in the final cut. For example, because of that earlier welcome banquet incident, Zhuang Yifan and a certain guest singer were subtly receiving cold treatment from the production team…

Many things beyond the negotiations of Liu Lusi and Zhou Ling were authorized by Pan Jun.

When he wanted to curry favor with someone, it could be both subtle and blatant.

It was subtle because his position gave Pan Jun the operational space to move freely, he could do it silently. It was blatant because, whatever he did for someone, he would definitely make sure that person knew it clearly.

Just like right now.

Wang Chao, understanding the signal, had made up an excuse to leave them the space to talk.

The staff around, seeing the associate director chatting with Mengmeng, also tactfully kept others from approaching.

Pan Jun even specifically patted his empty, flat-fitting suit trouser pocket to prove he wasn’t carrying a phone, or any device capable of recording.

Li Tingzhou looked at him, as if looking at many faces of similar people.

“Teacher Mengmeng, my sincerity is absolute, I’m at your complete disposal!”

There were no requests Mengmeng dared not make, no things he could not accomplish.

Having reached Pan Jun’s level, he rarely showed such sycophantic, fawning expressions anymore. Li Tingzhou found it a little hard to watch, shifting his gaze to the stage being constructed: “Doesn’t Director Pan know what song Sister Shiyu chose for the third public performance? Do you think singing that song in front of the leaders is appropriate?”

Pan Jun chuckled: “The song isn’t important, the person singing it is.”

At this point, going any further would mean spilling everything.

Li Tingzhou cut off the topic: “Then it’s up to your ability.”

Deep Blue TV was a provincial satellite network. In terms of administrative rank, the station director was on par with the Executive Deputy Mayor of G City. And when leaders of this level initiated inspection activities, schedules were usually planned down to the minute.

From Pan Jun’s perspective, he indeed had some room to maneuver.

As long as the leaders’ arrival coincided with First Sister and Mengmeng’s group performance, and after their performance ended they happened to catch the leaders’ questions, then everything would fall into place naturally…

Even for this one-in-ten-thousand chance, Pan Jun was going to give it a try.

Since the welcome banquet for “Sing My Heart Tonight” Season 7, he didn’t just read entertainment news; he also paid attention to social news. Which groups the leaders of G Province and G City had visited or inspected—Pan Jun could now casually list off three or five items.

He might be past the age to take the civil service exam, but his heart yearning for advancement never died!

Now, Pan Jun looked at Li Tingzhou like he was looking at a little dragon cub glowing all over with golden light. He wished he could replace Heartbreak’s assistant and personally carry Young Master Li’s bag, hold his umbrella, and chauffeur him to and from work…

What was the big deal about rearranging the performance order for the third public performance?

Just imagine, if he were a leader, he wouldn’t enjoy inspecting cultural projects in the sweltering heat and talking to a bunch of older men. Seeing some fresh, handsome, and beautiful faces would be much better, and the news footage would be pleasing to the eye too!

Both are performing on stage; you’re a singer, they’re cultural workers.

That’s the difference.

~

By the time Li Tingzhou returned backstage, Mao Maoyu, Wang Chao, and the others had already finished distributing the bubble tea.

“It wasn’t this hot when we came to G City last week.”

Mao Maoyu was practically glued to the air conditioning vent, his arms spread open, hugging the unit: “The only advantage of this venue is that there are lots of rest rooms, so we don’t have to squeeze into the waiting room with others.”

“I really don’t want to go back to Zhuang Yifan. He’s like a ghost.”

“What’s up? Got some gossip?”

Wang Chao pursed his lips: “The gossip is just the same well-known stuff. He’s clearly a neat freak, but he still won’t turn on the AC, and he complains the newly installed floor-standing air cooler isn’t quiet enough. His agent basically treats him like an ancestor, spoiling him rotten in everything. Don’t I need AC or a fan too? Might as well just let the heat kill me so he can sing solo.”

Because of a family matter, Dai Jier took the same flight over as Liu Lusi.

He arrived just in time to hear Ancient Style King bitterly spilling his guts about Zhuang Yifan.

“Wait, was there a recap before this?”

Mao Maoyu stopped him: “Let Brother Chao continue, I’ll fill him in later.”

And so Wang Chao went on: Zhuang Yifan was even more excessive than he appeared on camera. He only interacted with his partner because of the cameras; the moment the cameras were off, he would ignore every bit of the other’s feedback.

In short, it was ignoring, complete and utter ignoring.

“No wonder you didn’t even bother arguing with him last week.”

“He’s completely unresponsive, so what’s the point of arguing?”

Wang Chao didn’t dare complain about it on the show. Early in the recording, he’d secretly revealed a hint of his feelings in his fan group, and after the production team seized on it for a wave of promotion, netizens nearly christened him “Wang the Green Tea.”

Even though the tears on the spot were partly acting, the grievance was genuinely real.

Now he could only vent a little in front of a few peers…

“This isn’t just earning hard-earned money anymore, it’s earning tragic-life money!”

So the brothers switched to a slightly lighter topic: “You guys are going to the Fragrant Lemon Music Festival in V City in late July, right?”

Li Tingzhou nodded: “Yeah.”

Not only going, Heartbreak was also going to sing a new song there.

Wang Chao nodded: “Good, then someone to keep me company. When the time comes, taking leave from the production team won’t be so worrying.” He had calculated the schedule in advance; the V City music festival seemed to conflict with the later Battle of the Singing Kings (Top 4 competition).

Dai Jier said gloomily: “You might not necessarily need to ask for leave.”

What if Zhuang Yifan gets eliminated?

Wang Chao instantly fell silent.

Aaaaahhhhh, this seems even more tragic…

~

The third public performance of “Sing My Heart Tonight” Season 7 still followed past seasons’ tradition, using a call-to-action elimination format.

Summoning the audience, eliminating the singers.

Although it wasn’t survival purely by headcount, the votes from the live audience also accounted for a considerable weight in the total vote pool. Plus, starting this episode, the raid format was introduced. The situation regarding the two raid singers would be kept strictly confidential by the production team until the day of the dress rehearsal.

In summary—

Singers with low popularity and poor reception would be replaced by raid singers.

The total number would still remain at seven until the next public performance.

Often at this point, it was time for the main guests to show their magic: privately finding connections to help with promotion, or directly posting on Weibo to rally their fans. As long as they could come, and could vote upon coming, it was one more insurance for advancement.

Of course, it was only the first day, so everyone was still being reserved.

The guests weren’t in a hurry, but the various fan groups were already frantic.

First Sister’s latest update’s comment section was completely overrun, all asking when she’d start the call-to-action. Even the comments under Li Tingzhou’s photo with Qiaoqiao were spammed by this, showing great concern.

At this time, First Sister could barely still focus on work, and she was fully cooperative with Li Tingzhou.

Her song choice was specifically aimed at heating up the venue; there was no need to consider so-called high-brow artistic merit. It was all about being intense and unrestrained, so she chose “A Woman’s Heart.” The original Cantonese version is called “Ask,” originally sung by Diamond’s former First Sister, now the boss’s wife. It’s a love song with a touch of melancholy but an ultimately proud attitude.

Seemingly simple, it actually demands extremely high breath control, rhythm, and pitch precision.

As netizens say: This song is a frequent KTV guest for voice-cracking and breath-running-out.

Li Tingzhou had also completed the adaptation communication the moment she confirmed the song choice: It needed to be passionate enough but not noisy; it needed to be universally appealing and approachable without being too vulgar; it needed to ramp up the rhythm, but the rhythmic advantage couldn’t be too overwhelming, because the original lyrics are simple and catchy, with no further room for optimization, otherwise the flesh would be light and the bones heavy…

Everything was progressing smoothly, and Mao Maoyu and Dai Jier had also started rehearsing.

Until Pan Jun privately talked to Ren Shiyu about the leaders’ upcoming inspection.

“How is this okay?”

First Sister reacted quite intensely!

It wasn’t that she was unwilling to shoulder the “heavy responsibility.”

Like Li Tingzhou, Ren Shiyu’s first reaction was also that the song choice was inappropriate: “In the eyes of some leaders, wouldn’t ‘A Woman’s Heart’ be considered licentious lyrics and sensual music?”

Even Pan Jun was stumped by the question: It’s been how many years since the Reform and Opening-up…

Pan Jun really wanted to hint at it, but for a moment he didn’t know where to start.

He could only do his best to reassure her: “No problem. Summer is peak tourist season in G City. To some extent, this public performance is also driving tourism and consumption. As for the song choice, that’s the public’s choice. We’re just catering to their preferences, prioritizing the needs of tourists and audience members. The leaders will surely be tolerant and encouraging.”

Ren Shiyu was stunned by what she heard: Are you seriously spouting pretentious jargon right now, Pan?

“Anyway, that’s the gist. I’ve also communicated with Mengmeng’s side, and he supports you taking the lead. You have a good image, have worked diligently for so many years without neglecting charity work, and are a young singer born and raised in G City. Nothing inappropriate about it.”

First Sister thought to herself: Mengmeng would never say it like that.

But she still agreed to take on this task.

Once Pan Jun left, she immediately ran to the workshop: “Mengmeng, did you know—”

Li Tingzhou cut her off: “I know. It’s fine, Sis, just sing with confidence.”

The group worked with taut nerves until evening. When Ren Shiyu was about to invite everyone to dinner, Li Tingzhou received a phone call: “It’s me. No need. Don’t come. I’ll come down myself.”

He answered while gesturing to his assistant for makeup remover supplies.

The assistant carefully followed, not daring to say much.

The accompanying cameraman, reading the room perfectly, turned off his equipment directly.

After about three to five minutes, Li Tingzhou came back. He looked apologetically at his First Sister and bandmates: “Sorry, something urgent came up, I can’t eat with you. You go ahead, I’ll treat next time.”

Ren Shiyu could only be understanding: “You go, just send a message if anything comes up.”

Mao Maoyu and Dai Jier took over the social duty: “Don’t worry, we got this.”

Before leaving, Li Tingzhou didn’t forget to tell Liu Lusi to keep an extra eye on Mao Maoyu and Dai Jier, to go straight back to the hotel after dinner and not wander around outside.

He rarely said things like that; Liu Lusi looked at him with new curiosity.

“I’ll keep an eye on them.”

After removing his makeup, Li Tingzhou’s face just looked more delicate and fresh. His bangs were still a little damp; he used his fingers like a comb, slicking them back casually. The stylist found another shirt for him as well. Once he was mostly tidied up, he said goodbye to Liu Lusi and entered the elevator alone.

At the B3 level, right by the elevator entrance, Cao Zhiping had gotten out of the car and was waiting.

As soon as he saw Li Tingzhou, he smiled and greeted him: “The leader has been waiting for a while. His mood hasn’t been great during this inspection period. Tingzhou, please be understanding.”

Li Tingzhou only mumbled a reply: “Thank you, Chief Cao.”

“Don’t be so formal with me.”

Only when they got closer did they realize they were driving a private car. Cao Zhiping took the front passenger seat first; Li Tingzhou had no choice but to sit in the back. The AC in the car was on full blast. There was no extra car freshener, just a very clean, normal scent.

The partition went up. Li Songyi closed his laptop.

“You’re getting more and more impressive now, passing your home three times without entering.”

Li Tingzhou was like a stunned goose being choked, only turning his head to look out the window.

“I’m very busy.”

“How busy? Busy enough to leave work at 7 to have dinner with a girl and then drive her home at 8?”

This was all information one could find just by casually searching keywords like “Li Tingzhou” or “Mengmeng.” Li Songyi wouldn’t have his secretary waste their talent collecting tabloid gossip.

This conversation was basically impossible to continue.

Li Tingzhou took out his phone to reply to Xi He’s message, telling her to eat on time.

The moment he turned off the screen, Li Songyi’s hand clamped down on his shoulder, exerting imperceptible force: “I understand your desire to help your girlfriend, but her father is a ticking time bomb. Fraud, bad credit, who knows when it might explode…”

Li Tingzhou immediately slumped his shoulder, trying to dodge.

But Li Songyi was too familiar with this habit of his, still gripping him tightly.

“Tingzhou, knowingly staying exposed to danger is not how a smart person acts. The girl you’ve set your sights on is very good, but no amount of good can outweigh that one hindrance. Draining your emotional goodwill to solve problems won’t last long.”

Li Songyi might as well have said outright: You and Xi He are bound to break up sooner or later.

“Then we’ll date for now.”

“Even knowing it won’t end well?”

The heart-fire Li Tingzhou had been suppressing since getting in the car finally erupted. He shook off his brother’s hand: “Whether it ends well or not, we’ll know at the end. Whether it’s good or not is for me to decide. I hate it most when you act like this!”

“Zhiping, cancel the reservation. We’re eating at home.”

Li Songyi didn’t indulge him. He forcefully clamped down on his younger brother’s wrist and immediately ordered the driver to turn around.

~

[Rebuilt Public Opinion Observation Room | First Sister Group Dinner Missing Mengmeng]

————

[Blurry on-set photo]x4

The green-haired one is Maoyu, the big-headed tall skinny one is Dai Jier. Walking with First Sister is Heartbreak’s agent, Sister Lusi. Behind them are the assistant + Zhou Ling, and there’s some chubby guy I don’t recognize.

Only Mengmeng is missing.

Does anyone know Sister-in-Law Meng’s schedule, did she go to G City?

1L: No, Sister-in-law Station has already clarified. Sister-in-law Meng has performances both Tuesday and Wednesday.

3L: Mengmeng fans can rest assured, Sister-in-law Meng is not there.

4L: That chubby guy is the associate director from Night Heart Seven (facepalm emoji)

9L: Sister-in-law Meng didn’t come to G City either. Why isn’t Mengmeng there? Isn’t this a Heartbreak group dinner? Why is the associate director there too? What does him having a private meal with a guest mean?

14L: Means they’re close.

Cold fact, Fat Director is from Whale.

19L: First Sister’s fans explained it in a post in our group. Night Heart Seven is kinda like a fusion project between Whale and Tide. This chubby guy is Whale’s Director of the Night Heart Seven Office (I’m making that up, but that’s basically the gist). Of course, he can have dinner with First Sister; they’re from the same family, after all.

25L: So why wasn’t Mengmeng there? Did he have some personal schedule?

…

92L: Two pages of discussion and still no answer. Couldn’t it just be he had personal matters?

99L: What personal matters could Mengmeng have?

102L: Suddenly laughing, Mengmeng didn’t just pop out of a rock. He has parents and family. Couldn’t he just have gone home?

108L: Mengmeng should be considered a J City native, right? He has his own home in J City.

114L: What a novel way of putting it. Do you guys think Mengmeng is an orphan…

117L: It’s mainly that he’s never mentioned it, his privacy is well-protected. He seems like a very well-bred, well-educated person. Went abroad to study alone at 13 or 14, studied overseas for many years before coming back. With such strong self-reliance, it’s a little hard to imagine his family situation.

121L: Anyone who studies abroad and doesn’t major in STEM, default is strong family background.

124L: A man’s family background is like his height. If he were 180cm tall, he’d have shown it off in every way imaginable by now.

129L: Your Meng has become mysterious too.

132L: Wanted to say this a long time ago, pity our group hasn’t dug into him much. The earliest intel was just his two years at the Affiliated High School, and he didn’t even finish there before going abroad, showing his astonishing talent…

138L: Mengmeng has really been handsome since he was little. What about his old classmates?

142L: No way someone as handsome as this one Meng grew up quietly.

158L: Any elementary school classmates of Mengmeng want to speak up? You’re all around the same age this year, even if you’re still studying, your Master’s should be done by now. No one remembers Mengmeng?

162L: I only know a Concertmaster from the J City Philharmonic Orchestra posted about Mengmeng on Little Red Book.

164L: That’s Mengmeng’s junior from the Affiliated High School. I remember a hot post about it in the group.

179L: Fine, Mengmeng just isn’t popular enough.

189L: Still not popular? Here in my third-tier city, Mengmeng’s ads are even in the supermarkets. His milk sells really well. It’s expensive, but everyone wants to give it a try. The taste is exactly as he described—not sweet.

193L: My eyes played tricks, my heart skipped a beat. What’s this “Mengmeng Milk” about (hot emoji)