Chapter 54
"Yo, Xiaohuan, come in, come in." Zuo Jiangqin had powdered her face so heavily that the difference between her face and neck was stark, especially under the backlight.
"Sorry to trouble you, Aunt."
"It's no trouble at all. I actually got the ticket just for you."
Zuo Jiangqin smiled and pulled Yan Huan into the room.
Yan Huan glanced at her overly warm smile and the hand pulling him inside, feeling a twinge of suspicion.
'Isn't she being a little too enthusiastic?'
Zuo Jiangqin even personally brought over a chair for him. Yan Huan thanked her, sat down, and looked toward Bai Yi, who was seated in front of the makeup mirror.
"Yiyi."
At her mother’s call, the girl in front of the mirror finally turned around.
To Yan Huan’s surprise, there were no signs of recent tears on her face.
It seemed she'd collected herself and even managed a composed smile, though a trace of fatigue still lingered in her eyes.
Her black hair flowed loosely, and a delicate angel wing hair ornament adorned her right ear.
Tiny crystals embellished the accessory, perfectly complementing her flawless, ethereal makeup.
She wore an idol-style dress, a shimmering blend of white and platinum that sparkled under the lights.
Just like the media claimed—Bai Yi was breathtakingly beautiful.
"President Yan."
She tucked her hair behind her ear and took a deep breath.
Suppressing her fatigue and sorrow, she mustered her full idol energy and greeted Yan Huan.
Yan Huan looked at her forced calm smile, the ticking clock echoing in his ears like drops of water—
*Di di. Da da.*
He didn’t let it show on his face and simply smiled.
"Just call me Yan Huan."
Zuo Jiangqin brought over another chair and sat down beside them, nodding.
"That’s right. You young people shouldn’t be so formal—relax."
Yan Huan glanced at Zuo Jiangqin and gave a slight smile, but didn’t respond.
Zuo Jiangqin, however, looked him over with interest, then suddenly asked,
"Xiaohuan, Aunt has something to ask you."
"Go ahead, Aunt."
"Um, didn’t Ye International visit your and Yiyi’s school last week to establish a scholarship? That wasn’t just a rumor, was it?"
Yan Huan nodded and replied,
"It’s true, Aunt. I heard the Ye International scholarship even covers miscellaneous fees beyond tuition. There are quite a few benefits, including holiday internships."
Zuo Jiangqin smiled at his words, though truthfully, she didn’t fully understand or care about the scholarship’s details.
She gave Yan Huan a sidelong glance, gathered her thoughts, and asked,
"Oh, I see. Aunt just wanted to ask—what’s your relationship with Ye Lan from Ye International? The school principal’s secretary mentioned she came to see you last week?"
Upon hearing that, Yan Huan suddenly understood why she was being so welcoming.
His expression barely changed, but from behind him, Bai Yi suddenly spoke up.
"Mom!"
Zuo Jiangqin shot Bai Yi a glare, then turned back to Yan Huan with a bright smile.
"So, Yiyi’s uncle—Aunt’s remarried partner—used to be President Ye’s junior. He recently returned to work in Linmen, so Aunt was just curious."
"It’s fine, Aunt. Aunt Ye did come to the school last week to see me. I spent the weekend at her place."
"Ah, I see."
Though Yan Huan hadn’t said much, Zuo Jiangqin clearly sensed his relationship with Ye Lan wasn’t ordinary.
Yan Huan also suspected her questions had more to do with her remarried partner than genuine interest.
"That President Ye is still single, right? I heard her ex-husband treated her and the child terribly. If there’s a chance, Aunt might introduce someone suitable to her."
Yan Huan looked at Zuo Jiangqin, but said nothing—just kept smiling.
"Mom!"
But behind him, Bai Yi suddenly let out a low cry, as if she couldn’t take any more.
Zuo Jiangqin frowned, glanced back at Bai Yi, then smiled again at Yan Huan. She stood up and said,
"It’s fine, Xiaohuan. Stay in touch with Aunt and Yiyi. You’re the same age—I won’t meddle. I’ll go check the preparations. Yiyi, keep an eye on the time."
She waved at Yan Huan, finding him more charming the longer she looked.
As she left, she gently patted his shoulder and exited the room, clearly satisfied.
*Ka-da~*
The door closed, leaving only the two of them in the room, along with the steady ticking of the clock.
*Di di. Da da.*
Yan Huan turned to look at Bai Yi, who was forcing a smile. She pointed at the door and gave an apologetic grin.
"My mom's a bit... like that, President Yan."
"Just call me Yan Huan."
"Ah—Yan... Yan Huan."
Yan Huan nodded and let out a small sigh, saying to Bai Yi,
"I’m not great at dealing with adults, but I had to bite the bullet for my idol. This is actually my first time backstage—feels pretty novel."
"Idol, huh..."
Bai Yi’s cheeks flushed slightly, but she lifted her chin just a bit, clearly enjoying the compliment.
Yan Huan looked at her and suddenly asked,
"So Bai Yi, are you singing today?"
.
At those words, Bai Yi opened her mouth, but the glow from his praise slowly faded from her eyes.
She pressed her lips together and gave him a reluctant smile.
"Well... not today."
Yan Huan blinked and asked,
"Is it because the stage doesn’t allow it? I mean, it’s a gaming and otaku culture expo after all."
"Not really. Gold Lion Group doesn't restrict what guests perform, as long as we submit it in advance. It's just... how do I put it—artists have many paths to take, but we often have to choose one."
Bai Yi’s smile dimmed slightly as she continued,
"My mother chose one of those paths for me—probably the one others prefer."
She tossed her hair, and when she looked at Yan Huan again, her fading smile brightened deliberately, becoming dazzling again.
"Most of the time, fans don’t care who you really are. They just want the version of the idol they’ve imagined."
"As long as you’re good-looking and fit their ideal persona, that’s usually enough."
Looking at her radiant smile, Yan Huan became even more certain—it was a mask, a smile shown just for him.
'Why?'
The next second, Bai Yi turned around, picked up a USB drive, and handed it to Yan Huan.
"As for singing... maybe I’ll do it again someday, just as a hobby."
"On music platforms, fans ask about everything except the music—when’s the next movie, why I acted a certain way on a variety show..."
As she spoke, she looked up at Yan Huan and smiled gently.
"You’re the first person who ever said you liked my singing and looked forward to new songs."
"So, to not disappoint you, I recorded my new songs and instrumentals on this USB, along with lossless versions of my older tracks."
"Let’s call it my first album—even if it’s only a few songs."
Let’s answer that earlier question: 'Why?'
Because Bai Yi truly cherished Yan Huan as one of her few real fans.
So even after fighting with her mother and crying in secret, she could adjust her expression in an instant.
Even when her mother embarrassed herself in front of Yan Huan, she swallowed her frustration and anger.
But upon seeing the USB in her hand, a flicker of surprise crossed Yan Huan’s face—hidden beneath his Perfect Expression Control.
Everything made perfect sense.
But only he and Meow-chan knew:
He wasn’t really Bai Yi’s fan. He wasn’t a fan at all.
It was all a lie—a story he made up to deal with the modifier.
.
Yan Huan looked up at Bai Yi’s smiling face and the USB she held out.
After a brief silence, he still reached out and took it.
Thanks to Perfect Expression Control, his performance was flawless. He beamed at Bai Yi and said,
"This—this is so precious! I’ll treasure it!"
(*) Note: "Perfect Expression Control" refers to a system ability that allows the character to control facial expressions perfectly, often used in fiction involving supernatural or game-like elements.
"No need to be so formal about it."
Bai Yi waved her hand, her eyes settling on Yan Huan in front of her. She pressed her lips together, gaze dropping to her skirt as she avoided looking at him again.
Her fingers fidgeted, nervously tugging at each other. Then, she suddenly opened her mouth and said,
"Um, Yan Huan—"
"What's up?"
"Actually... um, I wanted to apologize. I'm sorry."
Yan Huan looked slightly surprised. Bai Yi's face reflected in his eyes, but the expression on his face was one of confusion as he asked,
"Apologize?"
"It's just..."
Bai Yi slowly lifted her gaze to meet his, her words heavy with hesitation.
"Actually, I've always been really jealous of you."
"Jealous of me? Why?"
"You auditioned for Yaban Entertainment and passed on your first try, right? Plus, you've always had great grades and a good reputation at school."
She lowered her head once more. The smile on her face was faint, but still beautiful.
"To be honest, you're good-looking, smart, hardworking, kind, and sincere... My mom constantly compared me to you, hoping I'd learn from your example."
"But really, what kid wants to hear their mom praise someone else every day instead of them? Over time, I became extremely jealous of you... and really disliked you."
"But none of that was your fault. You never did anything wrong. I was just too small-minded. That's why... I want to apologize."
"I'm sorry, Yan Huan."
Yan Huan blinked and asked,
"So that's what it is. But why apologize? As the saying goes, 'A gentleman judges actions, not intentions.' Even if you felt that way, Bai Yi, you didn’t act on it. No need to apologize, right?"
"I—"
'I didn’t—'
'Do nothing at all.'
'The paint on your desk, the pebbles thrown at you, secretly following you—'
'All of it, every little thing, was done by me. You just didn’t know.'
'But all of that was only possible because of the pocket watch... How could I admit that? That would expose the existence of No Concern.'
(*) No Concern: Possibly refers to a hidden organization or supernatural element in the story.
The words caught in her throat, choking her.
In the end, she could only say awkwardly,
"Well, anyway... I just wanted to apologize."
Yan Huan actually knew what she was apologizing for. He was aware that those things were done by Bai Yi using the modifier.
He was genuinely surprised. If he had the modifier, forget apologizing—he’d just be proud if he didn’t steal someone’s beef!
But Bai Yi had actually apologized.
Looking at the girl in front of him, it felt like he was truly seeing her for the first time. He gave a helpless smile.
"Alright."
"When I realized the person I was jealous of turned out to be a fan of mine, I felt a little smug. But thinking about it... I'm probably not even worthy of being your idol, Yan Huan."
Hearing his words, Bai Yi finally looked relieved. She smiled at the boy in front of her and reached out her hand.
"So, from now on, don’t see me as an idol anymore. Just see me as a normal classmate—or maybe... a friend?"
"."
After a moment of silence, Yan Huan gave a faint smile. He didn’t say anything, just extended his hand and shook hers.
After that, Bai Yi finally felt like a heavy weight had been lifted from her heart.
The smile she gave Yan Huan could no longer hide the exhaustion and pain inside her. She let out a deep breath.
Seeing this, Yan Huan asked,
"Tired, Bai Yi?"
"Ah, a little, I guess? I'm about to go on stage. I’ve rehearsed a bunch of times already, so it should be fine. Just have to answer a few easy questions from the host, and there are a few plants in the audience to interact with me."
(*) Plants: People placed in the audience to ask pre-arranged questions or provide support.
"That’s all?"
"That’s all. But I don’t know why—I keep feeling nervous every time I go on stage lately. The stares from the executives, the audience, and... my mom..."
By the time she finished the sentence, the smile on her face had completely faded.
But since she was looking at Yan Huan, she forced a smile again.
"I really wish I could find a place where no one could ever find me... and just hide there forever."
"."
As she kept talking, Bai Yi's expression brightened a little.
"I feel like I’ve been venting too much to you—sorry! Oh, right, can you listen to the new song I just recorded?"
"Huh?"
Yan Huan held up the USB he had in his hand. Bai Yi looked confused at first, then realized—he didn’t have a laptop. How was he supposed to listen to a USB on his phone?!
"Sorry, sorry! I forgot I gave you a USB. No worries, I’ve got a backup on Plane. I’ll send it to you."
(*) Plane: Possibly a file-sharing app or platform in the story’s universe.
She quickly picked up her phone, sent a file to Yan Huan, and looked at him with anticipation.
Yan Huan raised an eyebrow when he saw the file named simply "A."
He took out two Bluetooth earpieces, put them on, and tapped the play button.
*click*
As the music began, Yan Huan listened for a few seconds, then looked up at Bai Yi, who was smiling expectantly.
"."
Several quiet minutes passed in the lounge. When the nearly four-minute song ended, Yan Huan finally removed the earpieces.
Bai Yi pressed her lips together, growing increasingly nervous.
Just as she was about to ask what he thought, Yan Huan quietly placed the earpieces back in their case and suddenly asked,
"Bai Yi, during rehearsal earlier, how long did the interaction segments take?"
'Huh?'
'Why—'
'Why didn’t he say anything about the song?'
'Was it... bad?'
Looking at Yan Huan, Bai Yi’s breathing became uneven. It was as if she suddenly heard a high-pitched ringing in her ears.
Then it wasn’t just ringing—it was her mother, Zuo Jiangqin’s, constant criticisms.
"That trashy little song of yours? Forget it!"
"Why can’t you just obey me and do what I say?"
"Persona! Maintain your persona!"
(*) Persona: A public image or character that someone, especially a celebrity, is expected to maintain.
Those cutting words echoed like blades in her mind, first chaotic, then rhythmic.
They became the ticking of a clock, like falling water droplets.
*Di di... da da.*
Bai Yi's eyes dimmed. Her mind went blank. Even replying to Yan Huan felt out of her control.
"A-a-about seven and a half minutes, I think."
"Got it."
Yan Huan nodded, just about to say something when the door swung open to reveal Ji Lin.
"Yiyi, are you ready? We’re heading backstage soon for your appearance."
"Y-yeah, I’m ready."
Bai Yi snapped out of it. Her mind, trapped in that endless ticking, was now foggy, and her face had turned pale.
She took a deep breath, stood up, and looked at Yan Huan.
"Then, Yan Huan, I’ll go to work now?"
"You don’t look so well."
Bai Yi quickly shook her head and said,
"No, it’s just the air conditioning—it’s a bit cold. I-I’ll go now."
"Okay."
Yan Huan watched Bai Yi’s back as she left the room. Once the door closed, the expression on his face slowly turned blank.
He pulled out his phone and opened An Le’s newly added Plane folder.
After a brief hesitation, he tapped into An Le’s friend circle.
There were only a few sparse updates in her profile, and beneath them was her personal signature:
"One person’s ramblings."
Yan Huan began scrolling slowly down her post history.
"Xiaohuan is at school too! He’s become so handsome and outstanding. I feel kind of inferior after wasting so many years. I wonder if he’s already forgotten me? Or even if he remembers, maybe he wouldn’t dare admit he knows me now?"
"Got accepted into Yuanyue Academy! Mom and Dad are so happy. But I heard all the students there are rich and amazing—someone like me might have a hard time making friends, hehe~"
(*) Yuanyue Academy: Possibly a prestigious school in the story's universe.
"Saw a pregnant woman get her money stolen today. Don’t know what came over me, but when the thief ran by, I grabbed him and wouldn’t let go. Almost got stabbed. Thankfully, others helped subdue him. Thinking back now, I’m really scared. If I had died, I’d feel so sorry to Mom and Dad... And, I still want to see Xiaohuan."
"Got falsely accused of stealing by classmates in Longguo, but I really didn’t do it. No one stood up for me. That really hurt."
(*) Longguo: Likely a fictional country or region in the story.
"Mom and Dad had to work on my birthday this year, so I spent it alone. To save money, I decided not to buy a cake~"
*A quiet sigh echoed in the room, filled with stillness and solitude.*
Looking at the updates on his phone, Yan Huan lowered his eyes and said nothing.
Just then, a black cat suddenly appeared on his shoulder and meowed.
"When An Le added you on Plane, she probably forgot her friend circle still had a lot of things written about you, meow~"
(*) Note: "Plane" likely refers to a fictional or stylized messaging app in this story.
Yan Huan stared at the last photo on the phone—a selfie of her spending her birthday alone in a cramped apartment in Longguo, without even a cake.
In the photo, she wore a paper crown usually reserved for birthdays, her face lit up with a silly but deeply content smile.
Just seeing her smile, Yan Huan suddenly locked the screen.
He took a deep breath, leaned back against the chair, and muttered,
"She's always been like this... careless and scatterbrained."
"Meow~"
"Meow-chan, maybe all along, I’ve only seen what I wanted to see?"
"Meow?"
"Ever since I was targeted by the modifier, I think I started seeing the hosts as the modifier itself."
Yan Huan lowered his head and looked at the USB drive Bai Yi had given him. A handwritten label was stuck on it.
"To Yan Huan~"
"Bai Yi"
Yan Huan slowly tightened his grip around the USB drive and continued,
"So I treated them like enemies who might destroy my life."
"That's why, when An Le became the host of that modifier, I felt more lost than ever."
"But, Meow-chan, maybe the way I saw them was just my own wishful thinking."
"Before the modifier chose them as hosts, they were just people—living their lives in this world, just like me."
Yan Huan looked at Meow-chan beside him, who had raised its tail. He smiled and said,
"Bai Yi was pushed to a dead end by her mother. After we were separated, An Le was also alone. Even Ye Shiyu—as Bai Yi’s mom just said—has a father who treats her terribly."
"To them, the modifier is a tool that tempts and destroys. But if we take away the beauty filter of the modifier, are they really that evil? That’s something I need to find out for myself."
Meow-chan blinked and looked at Yan Huan.
"What about Spencer?"
*A pause lingered in the air, heavy with unspoken thoughts.*
Yan Huan also blinked. After a moment of silence, he said,
"Spencer is an exception."
"Meow?"
Meow-chan’s long black tail brushed against Yan Huan’s neck, and in the next second, Yan Huan finally let out a long breath.
He opened his phone, pulled up the Plane chat window, and took the initiative to message An Le.
First, he sent over a kitty smile emoji.
"Did you find Spencer?"
There was a brief pause on the other end before the reply came quickly.
"We’ve already found her, Xiaohuan! We plan to watch a bit of the performance at the Main Venue and then leave. Spencer seems a little unwell."
Unwell?
That bull-strong Spencer could feel unwell?
"That’s good. Our student council will probably be team-building until evening. Be careful on the way back. See you at school tomorrow."
Then, Yan Huan typed another message.
"From now on, your friend circle won’t just be one person’s ramblings anymore."
"!!"
Only then did An Le realize that Yan Huan had seen all those embarrassing posts she’d made over the years.
There was no reply for a while. Given her personality, she was probably dying of embarrassment right now.
Looking at those friend circle posts, deleting them didn’t feel right, but leaving them up wasn’t great either—
'So cute, An Le.'
Closing the phone, Yan Huan held the USB drive and rubbed his shoulder as he stood up.
"Meow~"
Meow-chan softly meowed from his shoulder, looking at him curiously and asking,
"Bai Yi is about to go on stage. What should we do now, meow? Go meet up with Yinggong Tong, Yaqiao Mu, and the others?"
"No."
"Meow?"
Yan Huan gave a slight smile. His handsome face seemed to have shaken off the confusion and fatigue from earlier. His eyes met Meow-chan’s with restored confidence.
"We’re going to deal with the modifier now. But maybe, we’ll do more than just that."
Meow-chan didn’t understand, but still chose to trust Yan Huan.
At that moment, the handsome boy's hand was already on the doorknob of the lounge.
"Just because... she apologized to me."
In the next second, the door swung open easily, revealing the corridor outside—now especially busy as the event was about to begin.
"Make way, make way!"
"Where’s the leader of Group B?!"
"Lighting crew, over here!"
"Media teacher, you’re in charge of the sound system. Not much to do—you can handle it alone, right?"
"Everyone! Keep track of time!! Follow the rehearsal order!!"
Yan Huan closed the door behind him, leaving the noise behind. With Meow-chan on his shoulder, he stepped into a corridor where only one sound echoed.
It was the rhythmic ticking of a clock, like the drip of water.
*Di di. Da da.*
*Di di. Da da.*
[End of Chapter]