TF01 72

When Haozi’s band took the stage, the cheers from the crowd were loud. It was clear that even though they weren’t a professional band, they already had a solid reputation. Ying Ming and the others were seated in the front row, and with just a glance down, Haozi could see them. Every now and then, their eyes would meet and he would smile. They played four songs in a row, and the screaming never let up.

Shi Yi nudged Ying Ming with his elbow. “Weren’t you in the band too?”

“I was just tagging along. A formal competition like this doesn’t really have a spot for me.”

Ying Ming smiled and raised an eyebrow. Events like this had a strong pull. He was genuinely happy for Haozi and the others.

Compared to the acting industry, the music world felt more emotionally charged.

A lot of people got into it purely out of passion, only to receive little in return. And by the time that passion faded, they drifted apart. Ten years later, when they looked back, all that remained was a piece of youthful memory.

The fact that Haozi’s group had made it this far was thanks not only to that emotional drive, but also to the support they gave one another. Even though they each had lives of their own, the moment they stood on stage, they were one.

Four songs and an encore. Even after Haozi bowed and left the stage, the crowd still didn’t seem satisfied.

Kou Jing and the others made their way backstage as soon as the performance ended. It was an open-air venue, so the “backstage” was really just the space behind the large LED screen. Haozi and the band were dripping with sweat. When they saw Ying Ming and the rest circling around, they came forward without hesitation and pulled them in for a hug.

“Congrats. You were great up there.”

Ying Ming gave his praise, and Kou Jing added from the side, “You looked awesome.” Wang Yiqi and Shi Yi didn’t say much, but they both nodded. There was no denying it had been a good performance. The crowd’s reaction said it all.

Once the congratulations were passed around, one of the band members finally noticed the unfamiliar face standing at the back.

He paused. “Who’s this?”

It was his first time seeing Wang Mengqi.

Wang Yiqi made no move to introduce him. It was Kou Jing who offered the explanation from the side.

“This is Wang Yiqi’s younger brother, Wang Mengqi.”

Younger brother?

Haozi looked surprised. He hadn’t heard anything before about Young Master Wang having a younger brother.

And to be honest, they didn’t look anything alike.

Shi Yi saw Haozi’s reaction and could guess his thoughts matched his own. From any angle, the Wang brothers didn’t look related. There was hardly any interaction between them either. Wang Mengqi had clearly come with Wang Yiqi, but the latter hadn’t made any effort to look after him.

While the group was chatting and joking, a voice suddenly interrupted from behind.

“Ying Ming.”

There was no real surprise in his tone. It felt more like running into someone familiar on the street. But the faces of those standing across from Ying Ming changed at once. Wang Yiqi even pulled a sharp frown.

“Mao Yu? You’re not dead yet?”

Haozi exchanged a glance with the other band members and motioned for them to go rest first. They picked up their instruments and quietly stepped away. The backstage area, which had been lively just moments ago, fell into a sudden silence.

Seeing how Kou Jing and the others tensed at the name, Shi Yi found himself growing curious about this man called Mao Yu.

He looked decent, appearance-wise.

Not conventionally handsome, but there was something weathered and careless in his features. A kind of charm that came from real-world experience. Hands in his pockets, dressed in a fitted, slightly rock-styled outfit, he had a lean build and sharp lines that caught the eye even through the clothes.

Ying Ming turned and saw Mao Yu without any sign of surprise. Kou Jing had already warned him earlier, so he had been expecting this encounter. Just not so soon. Clearly, Mao Yu had come here on purpose.

He gave a slight nod. “What do you want?”

Mao Yu froze. Whatever he had planned to say got stuck in his throat the moment those three words landed. He couldn’t get anything out.

The tension hung in the air. What filled the space wasn’t just awkwardness. It was something colder, harder to define. Ying Ming waited a moment. When nothing came, he simply pulled out a cigarette and lit it.

“If there’s nothing, we’re leaving.”

He gave a casual wave, signaling Kou Jing and the others up ahead to walk around Mao Yu and keep moving.

Just as they were about to pass him, Mao Yu suddenly reached out to grab Ying Ming. But Shi Yi, standing right next to him, was quicker. He pulled Ying Ming a step back, and Mao Yu’s hand caught nothing but air. Mao Yu frowned and shot Shi Yi a look, but Shi Yi only glanced at him, uninterested.

Even without anyone explaining who this guy was or what history he had with Ying Ming, the way Kou Jing and the others reacted made it clear that this wasn’t someone anyone wanted to deal with.

Mao Yu narrowed his eyes, as if he wanted to speak but held back. In the end, he looked away. Kou Jing and Wang Yiqi’s hostility didn’t seem to bother him. The only one he was watching was Ying Ming, who stood off to the side, his face calm and unreadable.

“Ying Ming. Let’s talk somewhere.”

Ying Ming looked up. “Talk about what?”

Compared to the others, Ying Ming seemed almost indifferent. He took a few drags from his cigarette. “If you’ve got something to say, just say it.”

“I’ve been back since last month. I’ve been trying to get in touch, but couldn’t find you. I heard Haozi had a competition today and figured you’d show up. I wanted to explain what happened back then.”

Shi Yi had more or less expected this, but hearing Mao Yu say the word “back then” still rubbed him the wrong way. He glanced over at Kou Jing, suddenly tempted to ask what the hell kind of history was buried here.

This time, Wang Yiqi spoke first.

“You disappeared like a coward, took the money and ran. And now you’ve got the nerve to show your face? Mao Yu, I always knew you were scum, but watching you right now, I’m starting to think I actually gave you too much credit.”

His words were blunt, loaded with contempt. That line about running off with the money made Mao Yu’s expression harden.

“Wang Yiqi, watch your mouth.”

The so-called movie star grinned.

“Or what? You planning to threaten me?”

If he wanted, he could make a call right now and have Mao Yu locked up. That money Mao Yu had taken wasn’t some small amount. Ying Ming hadn’t pursued it all this time not because he couldn’t, but because he didn’t want to waste the energy dealing with something that disgusting.

In the end, it was Kou Jing who stepped in to interrupt.

“Mao Yu, this isn’t the time or place. Whatever you have to say, talk to Ying Ming privately another day. There are too many people around right now. We can’t just stand here.”

Haozi nodded beside him. “They’re about to announce the results. Let’s go back out.”

Ying Ming walked with Shi Yi, the two of them side by side, following behind Wang Yiqi and the others. Mao Yu called his name again, but this time, no one looked back.

The final results were calculated based on audience votes and the judges’ scores. It took a bit of time to tally everything. The first group ended up being eliminated. Haozi’s band, as expected, had the highest score. The host called them back on stage to say a few words.

Since the event was being broadcast live by media outlets, the camera inevitably panned to Ying Ming and Wang Yiqi for a few seconds.

Kou Jing leaned over and whispered, “Mingzi, you and Wang Yiqi want to head out first? I saw some reporters by the entrance.”

Neither Wang Yiqi nor Ying Ming seemed to care.

“We’re already here. What’s the big deal? It’s not like we’ve got anything to hide.”

But Ying Ming glanced over at Shi Yi, remembering he wasn’t part of the industry.

“Are you going to be all right?”

Shi Yi raised an eyebrow. “You think a few tabloid rats care if I skip a day of work?”

These two were used to attention. He, being an outsider, had even less reason to care.

Besides, he’d already warned those paparazzi: any unauthorized photos of him published without consent would result in a lawyer’s letter. As a businessman, there was nothing easier. He didn’t keep a team of lawyers just to draft contracts.

The event lasted over four hours. By the time the crowd dispersed, it was already close to two in the afternoon. The finals were scheduled for next week. Someone from the organizers came over to speak with Haozi’s band about signing a contract, but since it was still early, the discussion didn’t get into anything detailed.

While they waited for Haozi, Kou Jing booked a private room. The instruments were all packed into their car. On a day like this, celebrating properly was the only logical move.

But then Wang Mengqi got a phone call and said he had to leave. Before Kou Jing could ask him to stay, Wang Yiqi unexpectedly said he would leave as well.

“What’s this? A whole new you today?”

Ever since Ying Ming had met Wang Yiqi, the man had been the type who thrived on chaos. Wherever things were lively, he was always right in the middle. For him to back out of an event like this was completely out of character. Even Shi Yi was surprised.

“The sun must be setting in the south.”

Strangely enough, Wang Yiqi didn’t shoot back a snarky reply. He just looked toward where Wang Mengqi was walking off, turned back, lifted a hand in a lazy goodbye, and said he’d host the next gathering. Then he left without even waiting for Haozi to return.

Ying Ming and Shi Yi had come in one car, so of course they left together. Kou Jing rode with Haozi and the others. They called a few more people to join. From four in the afternoon, the celebration rolled on until well past two in the morning.

The entire band was wiped out. By the end of it, the only two people still standing and conscious enough to pay the bill were Ying Ming and Shi Yi.

Kou Jing had brought it on himself. He insisted on going shot for shot with Haozi, and the two of them ended up crashing out together.

“What a damn mess…”

Ying Ming frowned at the table full of bodies, feeling a headache coming on.

Shi Yi sat back with an amused expression, not lifting a finger, while Ying Ming went around asking the bar owner to help call cars and get everyone home. They propped people up one by one and sent them off in cabs. Thankfully, the place belonged to someone they knew, so there was enough goodwill to get everything handled smoothly. If it had just been the two of them, they might as well have camped out there for the night.

Once everyone was taken care of, Ying Ming turned back and saw Shi Yi still sitting there like some pampered young master, looking completely untouched by the chaos. He frowned.

“You’ve really got it easy, huh.”

“This kind of thing was never my job in the first place. What if I broke someone’s arm or leg trying to help? Who’s going to take the blame for that?”

Shi Yi showed no hint of guilt. He grinned, completely at ease.

From childhood to now, he’d only ever been the one others looked after. Taking care of someone else? That was never in the cards. If it were Ying Ming, maybe. But these other guys? If he laid hands on them, someone was going to the hospital.

Everyone got drunk sometimes, but no one actually wanted to deal with drunk people.

Ying Ming hadn’t expected him to do anything anyway. He just shook his head and let out a breath. Pulling out a cigarette, he clamped it between his lips and reached for his lighter, only for Shi Yi to take the cigarette right out of his mouth.

“No more. You’ve had enough today.”

Between morning and now, he had already gone through seven or eight.

Ying Ming paused. “Since when did my smokes become a limited edition?”

“Just now.”

Shi Yi didn’t even bother responding to the look on his face. He tossed the cigarette straight into the trash.

The valet pulled the car around to where they were standing. This time, Shi Yi didn’t let Ying Ming fight for the driver’s seat. They weren’t familiar with the area. It was Kou Jing who had picked the restaurant. After pulling out of the lot, they drove in a few loops before finally getting their bearings.

Ying Ming reached over and turned on the radio. It was late-night programming, half call-in therapy, half sleep-inducing ambient music. The mood was slow and drowsy, and it made him want to pass out.

Shi Yi glanced at him. “If you’re tired, go ahead and sleep. I’ll wake you when we get there.”

Ying Ming leaned against the window, his vision starting to blur. Shi Yi reached back, pulled the coat over him, and handed it forward. Ying Ming grabbed it after a bit of fumbling, muttered something vague at the so-called Young Master Shi, then slipped straight into sleep.

Somewhere in the haze before he drifted off, one final thought flickered through his head.

The last time he fell asleep at this hour, he was still a student.