Chapter 36: Finally, a Picture Together Part 2

Though not as exaggerated as Pan Jun, Vice President Zhou, in his handover state, was becoming visibly more polite towards Mengmeng. For a simple matter like arranging a meal, either Ren Shiyu herself would send a WeChat message, or their assistants would relay it. Why would Zhou Ling personally need to confirm flight times and express such care?

Li Tingzhou kept his eyes straight on the road ahead. “Alright, we’ll talk when I get there.”

The call ended. Cui Lin, who had wisely stayed silent, cleared his throat and said, his meaning ambiguous, “Everyone really likes you, especially the First Sister.” Otherwise, why would her agent be so attentive to you?

“Mmm, lots of people like you too.”

Was that what Cui Lin wanted to hear?

He just wanted to confirm about the First Sister. Alright, even though she was ten years older than Mengmeng.

Perhaps Cui Lin’s gaze was too direct. After driving through two more intersections, Li Tingzhou suddenly caught his meaning. While waiting for a red light, he turned his head and glared at Cui Lin. “Stop your wild thoughts!”

Under that glare, Cui Lin’s heart skipped a beat. He gasped sharply.

There were still over 90 seconds on the red light.

Cui Lin leaned closer and apologized amiably, “Sorry. My brain wasn’t under my control just now. It only thought for a few seconds. Really, I didn’t think much.”

Think, he did. Was there any real difference between a few seconds more or less?

Li Tingzhou didn’t want to meet his eyes. “What if I randomly speculated about your relationship with your female colleagues? How would you feel?”

“There’s nothing between me and them!”

Who asked you to answer that?

Li Tingzhou witnessed his self-centeredness once again. He decided not to speak to Cui Lin for the rest of the drive, letting him reflect on his own behavior.

At the same time, Li Tingzhou also deeply realized that not every big star could be like Ren Shiyu. Reaching the top of the industry, perpetually standing in that lonely position at the peak, yet still maintaining her approachability, humility, and empathy—such qualities were truly rare.

As for Young Master Cui, it wasn’t that he didn’t sense the cold shoulder.

But everything had its priority. Cui Lin first savored the memory of Mengmeng’s glare in detail, then replayed his own answer. He truly didn’t see what he’d answered wrong. He’d apologized and clarified. He could only console himself: they were entering a 4-lane road now; Mengmeng was a bit busy, probably couldn’t spare attention for chatting.

Who knew this “busyness” would last until the destination. The car stopped in the parking lot next to the studio.

Li Tingzhou got out first and told the front desk assistant to prepare drinks.

Mao Maoyu had just finished feeding the fish and wanted to come out for a smoke and some fresh air. Seeing Mengmeng striding over with a tall guy following behind, he instinctively fell into step beside him, muttering quietly, “Who’s that? Ah, how did he get in? Who are you—”

Going down to the basement level, Cui Lin discovered a whole new world. He took off his hat too.

“I’m Cui Lin.”

Mao Maoyu looked at Mengmeng’s expression again and asked in a low voice loud enough for everyone to hear, “Just let him in like this?”

Cui Lin stepped forward, squeezing next to Mengmeng. “Aren’t you going to introduce me?”

The assistant timely brought over some iced water, and they all finally sat down around the sofa.

“This is Cui Lin.”

“This is Mao Maoyu, and Dai Jier. The three of us are the on-stage members, the 2.5 to 3rd generation of Heartbreak, the ones you’re familiar with.”

Cui Lin hadn’t forgotten his fan status and shook their hands with considerable seriousness.

His stance was right on point. Mao Maoyu was immediately soothed.

Dai Jier smiled without saying a word, his gaze darting back and forth between Cui Lin and Mengmeng.

“That commercial song earlier caused everyone a lot of trouble, I apologize again. Blame it on me being too conservative and conflicted, always getting hung up on the lyrics.” As he spoke, emotion welled up in Cui Lin again. “I saw that when others visited Heartbreak, they always posted a little teaser or preview. Can’t we do that?”

Seeing him act so proper in front of a crowd, Li Tingzhou couldn’t be bothered to expose him.

“How do you want to post it?”

Cui Lin saw that expression again—the one that made his heart stop. His Adam’s apple bobbed quickly. He answered honestly, “Can I just post a group photo?”

“Sure, Brother Jier, don’t we have a Polaroid camera?”

Dai Jier understood instantly. “Right, there are still a few sheets of film left inside!”

“Just take a few photos. You can use them as a prize draw for your fans.” Li Tingzhou had even figured out the fan-pleasing strategy for him. If nothing else, Heartbreakers and Mengmeng fans loved this kind of thing.

After the Polaroid was brought over, Dai Jier expertly operated it.

“You two stand in front of the fish tank. The lighting is best here.”

Cui Lin’s heart was pounding. He casually draped an arm over Mengmeng’s shoulder. He could almost smell the fragrance of the other’s hair. Cui Lin had never been so grateful for his overly sensitive sense of smell and touch!

“Teacher Cui Lin, tilt your head to the left, otherwise the photo will be a bit overexposed.”

Cui Lin pretended he couldn’t tell left from right, successfully pressing his head against Mengmeng’s.

Waiting for an adjustment that never came, Dai Jier had no choice but to adjust his own angle.

Just like that, they took three consecutive photos.

Using up the last pack of film.

Mao Maoyu crowded around Dai Jier, waiting to see the developed pictures. The faint, pleasant scent still lingered in Cui Lin’s nostrils. He instinctively followed, but the words that came out turned back into his slightly annoying rich-boy demeanor. “Is the film that expensive? How are three photos enough for a fan giveaway…”

This time, Li Tingzhou was genuinely annoyed!

He reached out and swatted Cui Lin’s forearm. Unfortunately, it was all muscle. “That Polaroid was a gift from an old Heartbreak fan. The model’s been discontinued for ages. The old film packs are using up one by one. Don’t push your luck.”

Cui Lin stared blankly at his own forearm. His ears and cheeks slowly began to cook.

When his assistant came to pick him up, he insisted on checking in with Qiaoqiao.

Li Tingzhou, sleepy from the sun, answered absentmindedly. “Hurry up and go. Remember to do the Polaroid giveaway. You didn’t take a red-eye flight all the way here to leave with nothing, after all.”

On the way to the airport, Little Wang watched his boss still fiddling with the photos.

“Actually, our studio rarely does Polaroid giveaways. It’s usually an occasional bonus for magazine cover shoots. But this is fine, kind of like early promotion.”

Cui Lin picked through them, putting only two into a kraft paper envelope.

The remaining one, he looked at from every angle, and finally slipped it into his wallet.

Little Wang’s two eyes witnessed the entire crime. “Is that a good idea?”

“Haven’t I drawn two as prizes?”

His implication was clear: giving away two was already enough.

[When to Criminalize Lip-syncing and Fake Playing | Another Encounter on Red Book, and Another]

————

[Mengmeng Cat Head and Mengmeng Photo] x1

I’ve truly grown tired of saying the word “jealous”!

The blogger first recognized Vinegar and asked if he could take a photo. Vinegar declined because of various considerations, saying it wasn’t convenient to be photographed. If it were me, I’d be so embarrassed I’d be digging a castle out of the floor with my toes by now. But the blogger, blessed by the eagle god’s vision, spotted Mengmeng behind him and immediately asked for a photo with Mengmeng instead…

As friends who frequently encounter Mengmeng know, as long as you don’t force yourself into his arms for a hug or forcibly try to give him gifts, he almost never refuses a fan’s request for a photo.

(Loudly Crying emoji) (Loudly Crying emoji) (Loudly Crying emoji)

Why can’t something like this happen to me, just once?

1L: Wild Mengmeng appearing anytime, anywhere.

5L: Small head, small face—a thin, luminous Mengmeng.

9L: I’m curious, how did Mengmeng and CL even get connected?

14L: CL has two major covers exclusively for the September issue, including a commercial with B Magazine and the Old G Brand. He followed Mengmeng before, probably for that. Your Meng did similar work back in his student days. He has an exclusive album on NetEase Cloud called “STEP”, which translates to “Above the Clouds”. It was a whole set of music he wrote specifically for an early spring runway show for G Brand.

29L: Who understands? Listening to STEP on my commute makes me feel like a supermodel.

33L: Back then, Mengmeng wasn’t Mengmeng yet; he was TingZ.lee.

37L: That’s why I’ve always felt Mengmeng is super suave. No matter how many mournful breakup songs he writes, they can’t shake the first impression STEP gave me.

47L: That blogger wrote another post reminiscing in detail…

51L: Tears of envy flowing from the corner of my mouth.

55L: J City, an old reservation-only restaurant. Cui Lin opened the door, turned his head to talk to Mengmeng. While Mengmeng was taking the photo, Cui Lin was even holding his hat for him. I’m a bit confused now.

70L: @CrispyShark, want your brother to play with Band guy? Say the word.

89L: No matter what, Mengmeng is always open and honest, never hides things from fans.

93L: Whether you want to or not, they’re already playing. Even Vinegar took the initiative to fly to J City. What’s more subtle is that Mengmeng is flying to G City in the afternoon to record Night Heart Seven.

98L: Followed. Let’s see what other details she can recall.

107L: She said the restaurant is on a beautiful Begonia Flower Path outside. Though the flowers aren’t blooming, there are lots and lots of crabapples. She picked a few, to forever commemorate this day.

119L: Crabapples aren’t even ripe this season.

123L: Ripe or not, I’ll know when I taste them!