Chapter 58#
World 2: I Want to Be a Fish in Your Pond#
Yun Siyu’s right hand was ruined, and with it, his career.
Capital abandoned him as quickly as possible. The rising star became a “nobody” in just a few short weeks.
Fortunately, D University expressed great concern and sympathy for his plight, promising to let him graduate smoothly. As long as he obtained his diploma, he could still work in interior design or advertising, even if he couldn’t paint.
The once-glorious Yun Siyu returned to school in disgrace. Since his right hand was in a cast and daily life was inconvenient, Yan Boxing brought him back to his own dormitory.
His roommate Ye Rongzheng had gone off somewhere, and Mu Feiyan was participating in a celebrity talent show and hadn’t been at school recently, so Yan Boxing hadn’t informed them.
“Is this really okay?”
Yun Siyu, his right arm in a cast, stood timidly at the door, his haggard face full of apprehension.
Before entering the dormitory, he had learned from a familiar classmate that the day he visited Yan Boxing, he had accidentally touched Mu Feiyan’s guitar. After he left, Mu Feiyan had smashed the guitar to pieces and thrown it in the trash.
Since the guitar was very expensive, many music-loving students had rummaged through the trash hoping to repair it.
With so many people searching, the story spread. Now, everyone knew that Mu Feiyan hated Yun Siyu so much that he threw away anything Yun touched.
Ye Rongzheng also detested Yun Siyu, issuing a strict order to his circle of wealthy friends that anyone who dared to buy Yun Siyu’s paintings was no brother of his. This rumor also spread fiercely in private.
Many were curious about what Yun Siyu had done to offend two big shots simultaneously.
Seeing Yan Boxing carrying bedding and pillows to move Yun Siyu into the dormitory, someone had run up to ask Yun Siyu about it.
“I know he likes Qin Qing, but I didn’t expect him to hate me from the start. Why?” Yun Siyu murmured distractedly.
Yan Boxing knew exactly who the “he” referred to.
His heart felt sour and heavy, terribly stifled, but Yan Boxing didn’t expose Mu Feiyan’s cold and ruthless nature. Instead, he turned on his computer, found the first episode of “Star of Tomorrow,” and played it for Yun Siyu.
“He’s like that to everyone, not just you. Look.” Yan Boxing turned the screen toward Yun Siyu.
Yun Siyu looked closely.
“Star of Tomorrow” was a talent variety show selecting the nine best boys from 101 contestants to form a boy band. Mu Feiyan was currently participating in the recording.
He walked into the dormitory, opened his expensive suitcases, and placed his electric guitar, bass, saxophone, and other instruments on the rack one by one.
Then he took out several pieces of paper and wrote with a flourish: [I have mysophobia. Please do not touch my instruments. Thank you.]
He pasted these notes on his instruments, then turned to the young boys sitting in the room and solemnly explained his condition.
He didn’t treat the others with the arrogant attitude he had shown Yun Siyu. It wasn’t because of the cameras, but because Qin Qing might see his every move online.
He had said that for Qin Qing, he would learn equality and respect. Although he wasn’t used to it yet, he would change slowly.
He was extremely handsome, with deep eyes, a high nose, and sharply defined features. Standing there, his aura was powerful. No one doubted his mysophobia was an act; someone like him seemed born to be above others.
The trainees in the dormitory quickly got used to Mu Feiyan’s cold arrogance and aloofness. But some found him extremely irritating. One trainee with dyed yellow hair and apparent connections took advantage of Mu Feiyan’s absence to laughingly take down an instrument and play with it.
The instruments were expensive. The classical guitar Yellow Hair held was worth hundreds of thousands.
Mu Feiyan happened to return and saw this, his face darkening. Yellow Hair ignored his expression and continued playing, strumming loudly to show off.
Finished, he looked up at Mu Feiyan and grinned hippily, “This classical guitar has great tone. Lend it to me for a few days?”
In front of seven or eight cameras, Mu Feiyan stood silently for a long time. His handsome face was shrouded in gloom, and a sudden, chilling aura silenced the frolicking trainees.
Some people in this world can instill fear simply by narrowing their sharp eyes.
“Of all the trainees, I detest you the most. Do you know why?” Mu Feiyan asked calmly.
Yellow Hair’s face darkened, and he immediately stood up, chin raised, posturing like a fighting cock.
Mu Feiyan didn’t retreat; instead, he stepped forward, looking down at Yellow Hair coldly. He was over 190 centimeters tall, while Yellow Hair was just over 1.7 meters. Even with lifts, the contrast was brutal.
Mu Feiyan looked down, his amber eyes overflowing with intense malice.
Yellow Hair’s face stiffened, and his legs involuntarily moved back, fear creeping in.
Mu Feiyan stepped back too, fanning the air in front of his nose, and said with extreme disgust, “Because you emit a foul stench constantly. Have you ever smelled a septic tank? Your soul is fouler than that.”
Yellow Hair wasn’t bad-looking and had strong backing. He already had many fans, so his arrogance rivaled Mu Feiyan’s.
To be spoken to like this in front of cameras was a great humiliation. His nostrils flared in anger, he panted heavily, then rushed forward with clenched fists.
Fortunately, the crew immediately pulled him back, warning him that fighting in the dormitory meant immediate expulsion. He reluctantly stopped.
The other trainees gathered around, soothing him and urging Mu Feiyan to apologize.
Mu Feiyan ignored them. He picked up the guitar Yellow Hair had thrown down, smashed it against the floor a few times, then walked out and threw the ruined instrument into a large trash can.
A camera followed him closely, zooming in on his chilling face.
He was already devastatingly handsome, and with such intense malevolence and coolness, he looked like a demon from the abyss, possessing a fatal attraction.
A dense stream of bullet comments flashed across the screen, all frantic screams from restless fans.
[Brother is so handsome!]
[Brother kills me!]
[Brother is so fierce! But I love it!]
[Brother, wreck me!]
Such unprincipled adoration filled the screen.
After smashing the expensive guitar, Mu Feiyan walked slowly down the corridor. Windows passed by, casting beams of light on him. Dust motes danced in the light, like fireflies in summer or sparks in winter.
Mu Feiyan watched the shining dust, and for some reason, his cool face showed sorrow.
Then, he looked at the nearest camera, a shallow layer of tears shimmering in his deep eyes.
Was he crying? Was he feeling wronged? After all, he had stated he had mysophobia, yet someone deliberately touched his instruments. This was bullying!
Fans were feeling distressed when they heard his hoarse, sincere repentance: “I’m sorry. It seems I still haven’t learned the respect and tolerance you want.”
He gazed quietly at the camera, as if seeing the person he most desired through the small lens.
“I’m sorry. Please give me a little more time, okay?” He blinked, and the tears in his eyes shattered.
Initially, some comments condemned his extreme behavior, but seeing the shattered tears, they fell silent. Seconds later, a wave of confessions and comfort flooded the screen. When a seemingly invincible man revealed such fragility, even the coldest heart would melt.
Who wouldn’t want to hug him, touch his sorrowful face, and kiss his tear-filled eyes?
Viewers poured in, captured by this man’s devilish charm.
Yan Boxing pointed at Mu Feiyan on the screen. “Look, he’s like this everywhere. He’s not just targeting you.”
Yun Siyu shook his head, his face pale as paper.
The audience said Mu Feiyan was apologizing to his fans, but Yun Siyu knew he wasn’t. Mu Feiyan didn’t care about anyone except Qin Qing. He was apologizing to Qin Qing.
That day outside the police station, Qin Qing had said he wanted Mu Feiyan to learn equality, respect, understanding, and tolerance. Mu Feiyan had listened. Such an arrogant, unruly person was actually changing himself bit by bit for Qin Qing.
Yun Siyu covered his mouth, his eyes filling with hot, sour tears.
He liked Mu Feiyan, and still did. He always felt Mu Feiyan should like him, not Qin Qing.
It shouldn’t be! Fate didn’t arrange it this way!
Yun Siyu thought with extreme certainty, yet couldn’t find the source of this confidence.
Amidst his wild thoughts, the program reached the performance segment. Because of Mu Feiyan’s unsociability, to prank him or dampen his spirit, the producers arranged for him to appear first.
The first performance was a solo, to showcase each contestant’s strength.
Mu Feiyan walked onto the stage carrying a bass, standing under the single spotlight.
He seemed born to be admired. No matter how bright the spotlight, it couldn’t outshine his unparalleled beauty. He adjusted the mic stand casually, hugged the bass, and strummed lazily.
A reggae-style English song titled “I’d Rather.” The initial melody was slow and bouncy, like walking by the sea in a salty breeze, a bit tired, a bit lazy. Then, rapid drumbeats began to strike everyone’s heart.
“…if you don’t love me, I’d rather die, never have a choice, I’d rather die…”
Such cliché lyrics, yet Mu Feiyan shouted them with all his might from his throat, his chest, his soul—hysterical, desperate, struggling, with a bravery that disregarded the world.
Light and shadow danced wildly behind him, brightness and darkness alternating. Countless spotlights converged on him in a brilliant blaze at the climax, then vanished as the last line ended abruptly.
The stage went dark, swallowing Mu Feiyan’s figure, as if his life had been extinguished with the light.
When the lights came back on, Mu Feiyan looked up slightly, revealing red, tear-filled eyes.
He had cried in the darkness.
He cried, perhaps for the song, or perhaps for the person who never loved him.
Yun Siyu knew it was for that person.
For Qin Qing.
The screen filled with fans’ screams and infatuation. The sweating Mu Feiyan, the Mu Feiyan craving love, the cold yet fragile Mu Feiyan—he possessed a maddening magic.
His thin black shirt was soaked with sweat, clinging to his lean, powerful body. He was still panting, the sound incredibly sexy. His wet lashes drooped, and his deep eyes focused on the yellow diamond necklace at his chest.
He held the yellow diamond, kissed it, and his pale lips curved into an intoxicatingly gentle smile.
That necklace was also a gift from Qin Qing.
Was Mu Feiyan performing for the audience? No. He was performing only for Qin Qing.
Yun Siyu’s heart was torn by jealousy, but it wasn’t over.
Even appearing first, Mu Feiyan took first place by a landslide. A top-tier performance garnered him millions of fans. He wasn’t there to compete; he was there to dominate. Compared to the green trainees, he already had the presence of a superstar.
He was wild, arrogant, and temperamental, but the more he was, the more fans adored him.
After the performance, the show conducted a solo interview.
The host asked why he joined the show. He thought for a moment and answered, “Since I was young, my parents tried to control my life, which I resented. I once asked my mother what profession she’d hate most for me to choose. She said if I became a star, she’d go crazy. So from then on, my dream was to be a star.”
The host laughed, “It seems you’re a rebellious child.”
Mu Feiyan shook his head. “But now, my thinking has changed.”
“Oh? What is it for now?”
“There is a very important person who told me his eyes can only see stars, not dust. For him to see me, I must become a superstar. Then, no matter where he goes, he won’t be able to escape my billboards, and my image will fill every corner of his life.”
Mu Feiyan looked straight at the camera and said slowly but firmly, “For him, I must be draped in starlight, shining brightly.”
Yes, that was his reason. Not for glory, not for money, nor to break free or realize ideals.
Just for that one person, for a fleeting gaze.
The interview sparked heated online discussion. No one wanted to believe that a top-tier handsome, wealthy man like Mu Feiyan could be ignored, even demeaned as dust.
How excellent must the person he was crazy for be?
[They’d have to be a celestial being to be worthy, right?]
A fan’s comment flashed before Yun Siyu’s eyes, reminding him of Qin Qing’s suffocatingly beautiful face. A celestial being? Perhaps a monster was more appropriate. Just because he was good-looking? So Mu Feiyan’s love was that superficial!
Anger surged, and Yun Siyu slammed the laptop shut.
At the same time, 996 also slammed the laptop shut.
“Hmph, I didn’t expect the plot to collapse like this. The second male lead actually became a star. Lucky break for you.” It grumbled, though secretly delighted.
At least this part of the plot hadn’t collapsed; maybe it could still earn some points.
Qin Qing poked 996’s chubby butt. “Move. I want to watch the behind-the-scenes.”
“Behind-the-scenes are for VIPs only.” 996 obediently opened the computer.
“I’m not short of money now.” Qin Qing scanned the code and paid for VIP, a faint smile on his lips that made 996 grind its teeth.
That money was swindled from the protagonist shou! The protagonist shou was miserable now!
The video jumped to the behind-the-scenes footage, mostly daily trivia and rehearsals. With his devastatingly handsome face alone, Mu Feiyan won the love of every camera. He had the most screen time, but the worst popularity.
His roommates barely spoke to him, and no one wanted to partner with him for the next week’s performance.
Next week was a team battle, groups of three to five. If Mu Feiyan was left alone, he’d have to face a group by himself.
“Don’t worry, don’t worry. The second male lead’s skills are insane. The script says he becomes a global sensation as soon as he debuts!” 996 said triumphantly, crossing its legs.
Qin Qing gazed earnestly at Mu Feiyan on the screen, a gratified smile on his lips.
If love doesn’t make people better but makes them degenerate, what’s the point of being together?
“He is a natural-born superstar,” Qin Qing sighed with satisfaction.
Just then, there was a knock on the door.
Qin Qing poked 996’s butt. “Go check.”
996 slapped Qin Qing’s face with its thick tail, then jumped off the desk with a mischievous grin and ran to the door. It hopped up, climbed the shoe cabinet, stepped on the handle, and peered through the peephole.
“Meow, it’s a mixed-race woman who looks a lot like Mu Feiyan!”
Qin Qing paused, then understood. “It’s Mu Feiyan’s mother.”
He walked over, opened the door, and smiled at the visitor.
“Hello, are you Mr. Qin Qing? I am Mu Feiyan’s mother. You can call me Nina.” The woman extended her hand, introducing herself elegantly.
Qin Qing shook her hand, guessing her purpose. “Hello, I am Qin Qing. I assume you’re here to ask me to persuade Mu Feiyan to quit the competition?”
The woman was slightly stunned, then smiled faintly. “Mr. Qin, you are smarter than I imagined. That relieves me.”
Minutes later, Qin Qing and the woman sat on the balcony, watching the sunset over steaming lemon tea.
“Mr. Qin, if you can persuade Feiyan to withdraw and return to England with me to inherit the title, I can help you extradite Liu Chengli back to China.”
With a single sentence, the woman shattered Qin Qing’s lazy expression.
Liu Chengli was the culprit who had swindled hundreds of millions from the original owner’s father, leading to his family’s ruin and death. Catching Liu Chengli and extraditing him meant Qin Qing could avenge the family, recover the funds, and live a completely different life.
“As long as you nod, you will regain everything you lost. Your father would be very happy,” the woman tempted in a low voice.
“Liu Chengli is hiding in England, and the Delsey family has extraordinary influence there. We can catch the man Interpol can’t, and you only need to do me a small favor. That’s not excessive, is it?”
Qin Qing looked at her steadily, saying nothing.
Just then, his phone on the table rang. The screen lit up with three words—Mu Feiyan.
The woman’s eyes lit up. Suppressing her urgency, she said, “Please answer. Let my son come back. I know you can do it.”
996 looked at the woman’s aggressive face, then at Qin Qing’s trembling eyes, panic growing in its heart.
The plot was just back on track, and now a spoiler arrives! If everything went by the script, the protagonist shou should have handled Mu Feiyan’s mother, using his kindness to win her over and support her son’s dream.
But now it was Qin Qing. What would he choose?
Avenging the original owner’s family was karma Qin Qing had to repay, right? He valued karma. He would agree, wouldn’t he?
In the silence, the call ended.
The woman’s eyes flashed, and she continued, “My people have controlled Liu Chengli and frozen his assets. Just nod, and the man and money are yours. Why hesitate?”
Silence again.
The deep autumn wind brushed Qin Qing’s hair, making his pale face look cold and solemn. His dark eyes stared into the distance.
What would he do?
Send away someone he didn’t particularly like to bring back the man who killed his father? The choice seemed obvious.
Confident, the woman watched Qin Qing leisurely.
Then, Qin Qing picked up the phone and dialed back.
Every day after training, trainees were allowed to retrieve their phones to call family or friends for half an hour.
Mu Feiyan had called Qin Qing immediately, but there was no answer. The staff took his phone, comforting him, “You can try again tomorrow.”
Mu Feiyan sat in the chair, head bowed, hunched over in exhaustion. His hair hid his pained expression in shadow.
Even with such effort, Qin Qing still wouldn’t look at him? Then he had to try harder…
His thoughts were interrupted by the phone ringing rapidly.
“Quick, answer it! Your friend called back!” the staff shouted.
Mu Feiyan looked up, his eyes lighting up with surprise. He snatched the phone, nearly dropping it in his haste.
Fumbling, he finally gripped the slippery device, swiped answer, and suppressing his panting, called out deeply, “Qin Qing?”
“It’s me. Listen, your mother is here. She wants me to persuade you to return to England, and she offered a condition I cannot refuse. She will help me extradite Liu Chengli back to China. Liu Chengli is the murderer who killed my father.”
Qin Qing gave him no time to think, confessing everything immediately.
“Tell me, how should I choose?” he asked softly.
Mu Feiyan’s breath hitched. The call was like a bomb exploding in his ear.
Moments ago, he was thinking of working harder.
Moments ago, he said he wanted to be draped in starlight.
But all of that was to be buried.
“I understand.” Mu Feiyan’s voice was deep and hoarse, like gravel in a cold sea wind.
“Don’t choose. Let me choose. I choose to withdraw.” He said firmly.
Qin Qing’s phone was on speaker, and Nina smiled with relief.
996 glared at Qin Qing in disbelief and roared, “How could you do this? How could you kill the second male lead’s dream! You said Yun Siyu was bad, but you’re worse than him!”