Chapter Eighty-Seven: Eliminated, You Take the Fall

On the other side, after the recording ended, everyone returned to the dormitory. The entire Wildfire Alliance lived together in a small villa. Shen Jianxin pulled Tang Zhichu along to organize a welcome party; everyone enjoyed themselves until dawn before finally heading to their rooms.

At one o’clock, Tang Zhichu quietly pushed open the door to his room. Seeing no one outside, he went downstairs. The first floor was still messy—everyone had gone straight to bed after the festivities. Tang Zhichu rolled up his sleeves, intending to tidy up a bit, but noticing the time, he grabbed some snacks and stepped outside.

From snippets of conversation with Zhou Yun during the day, Tang Zhichu had a rough idea of where she lived. The manor was quiet at night, with few people around. Occasionally, a production crew car passed by the brightly lit avenue, its headlights sweeping over groups sitting on the lawn chatting.

Tang Zhichu arrived behind a small building, took out his phone, and sent a message.

"Are you asleep?"

Upstairs, Zhou Yun suddenly lifted her head, realizing she had dozed off while lying on her bed. What was that sound just now? After a moment’s confusion, she realized it must have been her phone’s chime.

She picked it up and found it was a message from Tang Zhichu, sent proactively. A smile appeared on Zhou Yun’s face. As for worries, they rarely linger overnight for her—sometimes not even through one sleep. Of course, truly troubling matters could withstand several nights of sleep. Zhou Yun considered this her superpower; it allowed her to take risks, sure she could handle the aftermath.

"Asleep, but now awake. Did you finish recording? Was it okay? No one bullied you for being a newcomer, right?"

Downstairs, Tang Zhichu frowned at the message. It seemed there was nothing much after all—should he just go back to sleep? But since he was already here, he replied, "Which direction does your window face?"

Zhou Yun saw the message and let out a soft "eh," then got up. She pushed open the window and leaned out. Living on the third floor, she could just make out the tall figure below to her left.

"Hey..." Zhou Yun called out softly, then patted her head and sent another message.

Seeing the message, Tang Zhichu finally looked up. In the faint light, he spotted Zhou Yun and raised the bag in his hand, waving to her.

Zhou Yun disappeared from the window. Moments later, still in her daytime outfit but with an added long coat, she appeared before Tang Zhichu.

"What are you up to?" Zhou Yun asked curiously.

"Why are you smiling?"

"When did I smile?"

Tang Zhichu handed her the snacks. "Here, midnight snack."

Zhou Yun took them, still watching Tang Zhichu.

He glanced at the location of her room, then said, "Let's go upstairs—it's late."

"That's it?"

"Well... want to take a walk?"

"Let’s go!"

In the middle of the vast lawn, a stone path wound through the grass. The two walked side by side. The sound of leaves brushing against each other came from afar, followed by a breeze.

Tang Zhichu had come to see Zhou Yun—to check on her. She had seemed fine during the day, but he hadn’t paid close attention. Yun Miao was an industry insider and had started buying gummy bears for comfort. Would Zhou Yun, forced into rivalry by the production team, be attacked by Chen Siyang’s fans or criticized by CP fans? Tang Zhichu felt uneasy, so he came over.

Of course, he didn’t think Zhou Yun was that fragile; it was just something neither could avoid. Ever since Tang Zhichu joined the music show through Zhou Yun, their paths had become intertwined, and so he simply signed her under his studio. Lan Jie’s involvement was unexpected—he hadn’t managed to stop her.

As for Zhou Yun, the future would be what it would be, and Tang Zhichu believed that if he kept running away, it would be too cowardly.

Upon reflection, he realized that a dating show wasn’t the best way to enter the industry. It was a dating show, after all; the production team hoped the male guests would spark something with the beautiful female guests. Was that something self-discipline could prevent?

"Xiao Yun!"

"Yeah?"

"Nothing, just calling you."

"Boring!"

"Why are you smiling again?"

"Where did I smile!"

Annoyed, Zhou Yun kicked Tang Zhichu.

Tang Zhichu simply changed direction, heading onto the grass, and Zhou Yun followed.

"It was scary at first—a bunch of industry veterans staring at me, I was so nervous."

"Really? I couldn’t even get in, but you could watch during the stage recording. What’s so scary? They’re just people. You’re a bit introverted, so you need time to adapt. Be cautious for now, and once you’re used to it, put them in their place..." Zhou Yun said softly.

Tang Zhichu widened his eyes. "Me? Putting them in their place? You know perfectly well who these people are."

"Does it matter? Didn’t they get where they are bit by bit? You’re young—not even twenty-five. When you reach their age, you’ll be even stronger. Maybe not musically, but you’ll handle things just as well. Think about how you bullied me on the show—that’s your strength," Zhou Yun said earnestly.

Tang Zhichu suddenly laughed—she really knew how to comfort someone. Zhou Yun was a fiercely independent girl; anything most girls cared about, she could digest and counterattack. Tang Zhichu felt he really had nothing to comfort her about—she hardly looked like she needed it. Rather than comfort her, it was better to just have fun together.

"Xiao Yun, from what angle do you think a song for a Three Kingdoms game should be written?"

"What do you mean?"

Tang Zhichu stopped, looking at her.

After a moment, Zhou Yun covered her mouth. "Wait... did you get a project your first time on the show?"

"Yeah."

After her surprise, Zhou Yun moved closer, laughing. "Not bad, Old Tang. Looks like the dating show really restricted your talents."

Tang Zhichu extended his hand, comparing their heights. "Shorty, I’m being serious."

Zhou Yun punched him, then pulled him down to sit on the grass.

"You mean the promotional song for that Three Kingdoms game, right?"

"Yeah."

"Go with traditional style—look through books about the Three Kingdoms, find words from there, and ask Teacher Shen for advice. He’s your sponsor and wants you to win most of all..."

Tang Zhichu nodded, accepting Zhou Yun’s suggestion.

After sitting for a while, Tang Zhichu stood. "Alright, I’ll do as you say. If I get eliminated, you take the blame!"

Zhou Yun instinctively wanted to retort, but held back, replying gently, "Alright, if you get eliminated, I’ll take the blame."

Tang Zhichu paused, then reached out to Zhou Yun.

Her hand was cool and delicate, and Tang Zhichu pulled her up.

"Let’s head back. Early to bed, early to rise."

In the dim light, Zhou Yun smiled again. She thought, even if eliminated, it would be fine—they could go back and build their careers together!

After sending Zhou Yun back, Tang Zhichu returned to his own dormitory.

He tidied up the first floor a bit before heading upstairs.

He didn’t sleep right away but opened his music production software. He had brought some equipment, so it was easy enough to start making a demo.