Chapter Sixty-One: The Show Premieres

"Is it convenient for you to take a call?"

Chen Siyang was taking photos with everyone when she received a text from Liu Yu.

Liu Yu held a matriarchal status at Tianhe Entertainment, so Chen Siyang did not dare be negligent; she slipped away from the crowd.

Only after walking to the back of the tent did Chen Siyang take the initiative to call Liu Yu.

"Yu-jie!"

"Yangyang, are you getting used to things?"

"I'm doing fine."

"Alright, turn off your audio equipment—I want to talk to you about something."

Chen Siyang fumbled for a moment before switching off the device on her body.

"I'm ready, Yu-jie."

Liu Yu’s tone softened, almost playfully, "Have you met any boys you like?"

Chen Siyang hesitated, not answering immediately. Her current position in the company was still that of an idol, albeit an obscure one. Tianhe Entertainment didn’t forbid idols from dating—rather, they permitted it as long as it was reported.

Of course, Chen Siyang was a special case; the company allowed it. Still, she pondered how best to reply.

"Let me be frank," Liu Yu continued, "If you meet someone suitable and feel good about him, the company supports it. We can arrange follow-up resources for you both—it’s good for you, good for him. It becomes a subsidized romance, with income to boot. If not, we won’t force it. You’ve been with Tianhe for half a year now; it's time to consider your own career..."

Chen Siyang listened to Liu Yu's words. They weren't complicated: if she had someone, resources would flow; if not, she’d need to plan her work carefully.

It was a question of choice.

Chen Siyang recalled Tang Zhichu’s song. The first time, she was swept away—who wouldn’t be, with words like 'the beauty of broken strings'? The second time, she calmed down; from her perspective, wasn’t it just praise followed by a gentle hint to stop?

Even if it was tactful, the meaning was clear.

She had vaguely understood before—Tang Zhichu’s insistence that dreams come first.

Perhaps, these were the very choices Liu Yu was presenting.

Chen Siyang glanced back at the bonfire—the flames rose even higher than the people gathered around. She answered, "Yu-jie, I haven’t met anyone."

The phone was silent for a few seconds; then Liu Yu spoke, "Alright, I understand. I personally handled your contract with Tianhe. To me, you youngsters are like my own children. Since you’ve decided, let’s drop the role you took."

Chen Siyang was startled, a little shocked, "Ah? Yu-jie, you mean—"

Liu Yu laughed, "What are you thinking? I want you to drop that minor role because it would waste your time. Don’t worry, I’ll arrange your next resource. Focus on filming the romance show, and aim for a good conclusion."

Hearing Liu Yu’s reassurance, Chen Siyang finally relaxed, "Got it, thank you, Yu-jie."

After hanging up, Chen Siyang took a deep breath, thinking it was no wonder Tianhe Entertainment kept growing stronger.

On the other side, Liu Yu pondered for a moment after ending the call.

If Chen Siyang and Tang Zhichu became a couple, that would be excellent—at least the immediate benefits would increase. If not, there were several exploitable hot topics, and Tang Zhichu’s song had given Chen Siyang an opportunity for her career.

But it couldn’t be handled so simply; otherwise, it would be hard to explain things to Li Hongzhou.

So Liu Yu dialed a number she’d recently saved.

"Yu-jie?" Su Qingzhu’s voice came through the line.

Liu Yu was more than a decade older than Su Qingzhu, with much more seniority in the industry, so the honorific was well deserved.

"President Su, sorry to bother you."

"Hey, go ahead, what’s up?"

"I wanted to ask, is Tang Zhichu’s contract signed with your DY?"

The moment Liu Yu asked, Su Qingzhu became alert. She’d already been wary, and now here was someone coming straight to her.

"Tang Zhichu? I’m not sure; it must have been handled by one of my team. The contract is naturally with us."

"Oh, alright, just checking. Don’t overthink it, President Su."

After hanging up, Liu Yu couldn’t help but laugh—she hadn’t been this amused in a while.

Meanwhile, Su Qingzhu sat at her computer, rubbing her temples.

Regardless of the caller’s intentions, Su Qingzhu wasn’t willing to gamble. She’d already valued Tang Zhichu, and now that Tang Zhichu could compose songs, she valued her even more.

Su Qingzhu felt increasingly that she needed to keep Tang Zhichu close; letting her go would be too risky.

So, Su Qingzhu drafted a message to Li Hongzhou: "Director Li, sorry, I’ve done my best. You know our platform’s principles—we don’t force people. Tang Zhichu has her own ideas, but rest assured, we’ll fully support the publicity."

After sending the message, Su Qingzhu turned off her phone.

……

On the last day of April, a drizzle began to fall. Yuzhou, known as the City of Fog, looked as if it were shrouded in a veil.

It was the second day after returning from the team-building trip, and everyone had half a day off. Yesterday was spent shooting a slew of commercial ads; tomorrow would be the final day of filming for the seventh season of "Heartbeat Moment."

Stepping out of the taxi, Tang Zhichu felt a weight lifted from her shoulders.

Waking up inside the romance program, under the gaze of cameras, she had been cautious for so long—at last, it was coming to an end.

Opening her front door, Tang Zhichu was surprised to see several pairs of shoes.

She also caught the aroma of braised smoked meat.

"Zhichu’s home!"

Her eldest uncle Tao Jianshe and Tang Maode were sitting on the sofa watching TV. Seeing Tang Zhichu enter, Tao Jianshe got up to greet her.

"Uncle, why didn’t you let me know beforehand? I could’ve brought some food and wine," Tang Zhichu said with a smile.

In the kitchen, her aunt poked her head out, "What food? What wine? Xiaojun brings groceries every day."

Tang Maode, still on the sofa, interjected, "Let him bring it. It’s only a matter of time before he’s family, so what’s there to worry about?"

Her aunt brandished her spatula at Tang Maode and retreated into the kitchen, where she shooed Wang Jun out.

Wang Jun unfastened his apron while grinning, "You’re back, Xiaochu. Are you done filming?"

Tang Zhichu shook her head, "Almost, almost."

After lunch, Tang Zhichu immediately retreated to her room, closing the door behind her.

Everyone assumed she had something to attend to, until Tang Maode, remote in hand, spent a few moments navigating to Penguin Video.

He selected a variety show, muttering, "Acting like a girl."

Only then did everyone realize—the romance program Tang Zhichu participated in was airing today!

Tang Xiujun hurriedly wiped her hands on her apron, "Forget tidying up, let's watch!"

Tao Jianshe was delighted, finally understanding why Tang Zhichu had dashed to her room—she didn’t want to be involved in this part.

The show went online at noon; it was now twelve-thirty.

Tao Jianshe glanced at Tang Maode, thinking that though father and son argued constantly, they still remembered this important day.

On the sofa, the family sat together.

Tang Maode pressed play; after nearly two minutes of chaotic advertisements, the episode finally began.