If there was no [something] at the beginning

Jingting.

After much consideration, Jiang Songhe decided to go to the police station to report the crime himself.

He stayed at the company until after 10 p.m., during which time he received countless calls from investors questioning him. He could only reply that there were no problems with the project at present, and the data was actually rising due to the controversy, in order to stabilize the situation.

Although he spoke calmly, he was actually quite agitated and anxious. He was even more worried that Jiang Songyun, who was alone in Maner, would soon be affected by the cyberbullying.

What you fear most is what happens.

A staff member from the publicity team who was handling Jiang Songyun's personal account came over and said that after checking "Account and Security," they found a device with a Maner IP address that had logged in around 3 PM yesterday.

Jiang Songhe's heart skipped a beat.

At that time, the video and audio recordings had not yet been released, and at most there were some harmless and awkward smears and harassment online. If it were to be posted again recently, Jiang Songyun would not only know about the leaked information, but would also be subjected to meaningful criticism, insults, and torment.

Although Jiang Songhe believed that seeing and hearing were the truth, she always thought that her brother's words and actions had other hidden reasons. However, given the current situation of Yunhe and Ciyi being at odds, it was impossible to dig out the truth directly from Li Qinghai's mouth without real evidence.

He needs to get the original video and audio recordings first, and listen to them completely, before he can make any further plans.

Jiang Songhe glanced at the time: Jingting 22:30, Maner 15:30. They couldn't wait any longer.

Jiang Songyun usually practices until 8 pm, and after practice, she may get her phone and go online.

Jiang Songhe immediately rejected the staff's suggestion to urgently close the comment section, because that would be too abnormal from both Jiang Songyun's and netizens' perspectives. So he requested that only one-click protection be enabled and that the bound mobile phone number be temporarily changed to his own private number.

Before setting off, Jiang Songhe gave instructions that if Jiang Songyun inquired about the account being kicked out in the artist group, whether it was due to technical reasons or an accidental activation when switching accounts, they should only say that it would be resolved as soon as possible, and not say anything else, and wait for him to respond.

After taking the seal and relevant documents downstairs and starting the car, Jiang Songhe went home to put down his suitcase and retrieve his household registration book before heading to the police station.

Police stations and hospitals are actually the places Jiang Songhe least wants to go.

Despite his physical discomfort, Jiang Songhe cooperated with the police to complete all the procedures. At 3:00 AM in Jingting and 8:00 PM in Maner, he finally sat back in the car, exhausted.

He just sat there, not wanting to go home, because he couldn't bear to be in the same room as his parents' portraits. He even began to doubt whether it was the right thing to have led his younger brother down the path of acting.

If my brother hadn't entered the entertainment industry, would he have been able to live a carefree and happy life, just like the longevity lock symbolizes? If my brother knew, could he handle things alone in Manr? Would he lose the chance to win the championship that he had fought so hard for?

Man... Star Show... Will Jonathan also be implicated...?

What if, from the beginning, they hadn't been so presumptuous as to try to affirm Jonathan's talent through collaboration?

-

"He asked me to endorse his brother, and I played games with him for inspiration. Our relationship was based on mutual exploitation."

"I admit, he is a bit special, but only because he is easier to use. Once we get the results of 'Night of Dawn,' I will probably get tired of it quickly, just like before, and lose interest in it."

“The entertainment industry in China is very conservative, and homosexuality is a taboo subject. Even if he is considering his brother’s future development, he will not say much about it.”

...

Jonah recalled the insincere words he said in the movie theater a month ago in order to facilitate the cooperation between TANG and Yunhe. The source of the feeling of being "monitored and seen through" and "having ulterior motives" just now gradually surfaced.

He thought his journey to Jingting to pursue his love would be private enough, but in his oblivion, he overlooked the fact that although Tang Fan was in Man'er, he could still spy on him from across the ocean.

Wasin, Jiang Songhe, and Tang Fan could all be contacted at any time.

Since "Yan Ge Xing" has already been released, and Jiang Songhe ultimately did not use "Sacrifice at Dawn," those insincere words lost their original motivation and should not continue to be Tang Fan's perception of Jiang Songhe.

Tang Fan's response to the Porcelain Kingdom's entertainment industry was likely due to his listening to Wasin's report and learning of his close relationship with Jiang Songhe in Jingting. He mistakenly believed that the suggestion to develop in the Porcelain District was just him being deluded by his gaming addiction.

Jonah was eager to know whether Tang Fan had recounted those insincere words to Jiang Songhe, filled with words like "prey," "game," and "exploitation." He was even more eager to reach a consensus and clarify that Jiang Songhe was a different kind of person.

He loves him.

Love—the thought of this word evoked a tender, sincere, and passionate feeling that spread through Jonah's veins. He had uttered this word in a moment of passion, and even in his sober state, the thought still stirred a powerful emotion within him.

The confusion of the transition period suddenly cleared up, and what he had been pondering and struggling to obtain was something he had already obtained long ago.

At the same time, the sufficient reasons that Tang Fan wanted him to give were also easily resolved.

With his loved one by his side, Janus will create a second, a third, and many more works that are no less than "The Night of Dawn." Janus's value will only increase, not decrease.

Jonah was thrilled and about to speak when he was interrupted by an invitation handed to him.

"There's a Moët & Chandon themed party tonight, I'm going to show my face."

Moët & Chandon, a premium whisky brand, aimed to expand its reach to younger consumers and launched a new line this year, initially intending to sign Janus as its spokesperson. Despite several offers of this lucrative deal being made by Tang Fan, Jonas repeatedly and directly declined.

Endorsing a brand is one thing, being a spokesperson is a completely different matter. Jonathan Xi doesn't drink alcohol and doesn't want to damage his reputation or have his fans buy into a false image, so he has consistently refused.

Tang Fan had always agreed with Jonathan's reasoning, but he didn't know what it meant to ask him to go to this obviously awkward place now, so he didn't rashly reach out to accept.

Jonathan cleared his throat symbolically: "I don't drink, you know that."

"Then let's go have some fun." Seeing that Jonathan didn't accept, Tang Fan put the invitation on the table and pushed it forward. "You've moved the party for 'Night of Dawn' six months in advance. There will be many industry professionals and mainstream media in attendance. Go ahead, it'll help build momentum."

"It's time for you to return to a more appropriate identity and atmosphere, so as not to lose your mind and continue to indulge in wishful thinking."

Tang Fan's expression turned cold. Jonathan finally accepted the invitation and wanted to ask for clarification, but Tang Fan turned his leather chair around, silently conveying his pressure.

Jonathan felt it was not the right time to say anything more, so he got up and left the office.

...

Rambo Venom, like a bolt of lightning, trailing a silver streak, sped along the red carpet at the Lower City party site before screeching to a stop at the main entrance.

With the clipped wings raised, Jonathan stepped off the car amidst flashing lights and shouts, stood up, and displayed his charismatic idol-like demeanor. He posed for a photo, walked onto the red carpet, tossed the car keys to the doorman, and then entered the venue's entrance hall.

He took a deep breath, the cold wind carrying the city's murky smell seeping into his lungs, and he smiled brightly; the performance began.

"Janus, long time no see."

Suddenly, a breath of ambiguous alcohol fumes hit her ear, and an arm wrapped around Jonathan's strong waist as if no one else was around.

Jonathan's smile remained unchanged, and he did not shy away from the situation. Instead, he opened one arm and wrapped it around the man's neck like two brothers, pulling him closer and speaking in ventriloquism.

"F*ck off, Ryan."

-

Manr, about a year ago.

In a corner of the Strange Blue Bar, Ryan and Jonathan, both wearing blue feather masks and dressed in exquisite attire, sat facing each other in a huge birdcage booth.

Every now and then, scantily clad sailors would come to the table and inquire eagerly. Jonathan found it amusing and was quite appreciative of the sailors' flirtatious displays. He would beckon with his finger, and a sailor would hand him a long chain attached to his collar. He would take it out of curiosity, and the sailor would then sit on his lap.

“Take me, handsome~” The sailor rubbed against him, his wrist twisting the long chain around and around until it was as short as it could be. Then, he took Jonathan’s hand and stroked his cheek, about to kiss him.

Jonathan's index finger deftly twisted around the sailor's wrist, lifting his chin to turn the passionate kiss around.

“Hey buddy, do you know the guy called Ryan, an actor? We just attended a serious charity banquet together.” Jonathan turned his head and asked Ryan earnestly, his hand supporting him under the table. The sailor immediately stood up, understanding the situation.

Ryan glanced at the sailor who had been returned, and the sailor glanced at him back. He chuckled dryly but didn't answer. He picked up his glass and drank, but didn't drink for a long time.

Jonathan squinted at the suspicious white mark around Ryan's left ring finger, raised an eyebrow, then took off one earring, beckoned with his finger to the sailor to lower his head, and a sparkling diamond landed on the sailor's earlobe.

“Don’t mind, honey, I’m just not in the mood.” Jonathan patted the sailor’s shapely buttocks as a service evaluation. “Take the diamond, you earned it.”

The sailor left in high spirits, and Ryan also removed his wine glass from his face.

Upon seeing this, Jonathan laughed out loud, propped his chin on one hand, pointed at the person opposite him and drew circles with the other, saying, "Seems like you forgot you're wearing a mask."

Ryan awkwardly adjusted his mask, fiddling with the feathered tail, then channeled his acting prowess, unleashing a deep, charming voice: "You're not that into the sailor type? Then I have a better option."

The taut, stringy subwoofer sounded into Jonathan's ears, filtered, filtered, leaving only the croaking.

Did he eat a frog at the banquet?

After all, the other party was a well-known actor with numerous awards, and now that he had signed with TANG and become her colleague, Jonathan suppressed the smile that was creeping up his face from his own inner grumbling, blinked, and asked, "What option?"

“Try me.” The deep-voiced man chirped confidently, raising his glass expectantly to Jonathan.

Jonathan doesn't drink, doesn't want to drink, and has no interest in trying. He clearly remembers ordering a glass of water. When Ryan went to the restroom and came back, there were two glasses of clear liquid with tiny bubbles at the bottom on the table.

The words that person had spoken in my dreams years ago flashed into my mind as if by some strange twist of fate: "You shouldn't go with strangers, and you shouldn't eat anything given to you by strangers, especially medicine."

So Jonathan became wary and noticed that Ryan seemed even more suspicious.

“Well…” Jonathan remained noncommittal, swirling the glass around his neck as tiny bubbles rose. Looking up at Ryan, he saw a blatant fire burning within him.

Something's not right.

Jonathan's eyes flashed, and he solemnly pulled out his phone. Turning on the screen, he exclaimed, "Wow, it's been six hours since the banquet! Excuse me, I have to piss..."

Ryan was clearly taken aback by Jonathan's rude remarks, and watched as his idol, dressed in an elegant silver-threaded suit, put down his phone and hurriedly headed towards the restroom.

...

When Jonathan returned, everything inside the birdcage seemed unchanged: the water glass was in its original place, the phone was in its original place, and Ryan, who was holding the glass, was in his original place as well.

Ryan: "So...what do you think?"

Jonathan didn't touch his glass. Instead, he checked his phone to confirm his guess. After a short while, a mocking smile appeared on his lips. He drawled, "I think—"

He lifted his long eyelashes, suddenly leaned over, and whispered in Ryan's ear by pinching the back of his neck with one hand, while his other hand snaked into Ryan's inner pocket. After a while, he pulled out a small packet of powder with two fingers and hid it in his own suit breast pocket.

"I'm not interested in a cheating scumbag."