Chapter 29

[Have you noticed? Nyan seems a little different lately!]

[I think so too! Her eyes aren't so cold anymore, and sometimes when she smiles, it feels like the whole world lights up!]

[Yes, yes, yes! I saw him in person at the airport last time and he seemed so gentle. I love him like this too!]

How can this baby be so cute? Did something good happen to him? I feel so relaxed!

On An Hyuk-su's personal Weibo super-chat, titled "Only An in Dreams," fans are excitedly discussing the visible changes in their idol. His daily follower growth remains astonishing, and many new fans are drawn to his natural gentleness, which is gradually shedding his cold exterior.

Yes, ever since that birthday night, when he and Feng Ling truly and unreservedly gave themselves to each other, a certain hard core seemed to melt and reshape. He was still the top idol on stage, with his powerful aura, singing and dancing skills, but off camera, those eyes, always distant and slightly gloomy, had indeed become increasingly softer, like a frozen lake touched by a spring breeze, shimmering with delicate, warm light. Even the other members of BOW began to occasionally tease him, "Nyan, are you in a good mood lately? You're making me cringe."

In the dressing room, Sister Liangliang sat in a chair next to An Hesu. While the makeup artist was out getting something, she observed him with interest. She looked in the mirror at the young man, whose expression had lost some of the sternness and instead had a more composed and contented air. A knowing smile crossed her lips.

"You two...are doing well?" Her tone was casual, yet with a keen insight into everything.

An Hesu looked back at her in the mirror, without avoiding the gaze. The corners of his mouth naturally raised a shallow but real arc, and he nodded: "Yeah."

"That's great," Sister Jingjing agreed, but then changed the subject, her tone becoming more serious. "But what are your plans next? While I don't object to you dating, and the company will give you enough space, don't rush into an official announcement! You're still young and your relationship is stable. A few more years of secret romance will be the best protection for you, her, and the team."

"I know, sister." An Hesu restrained his smile, his eyes became solemn and earnest, "I didn't think so soon. So, next, give me more challenging work. I must gain a firm foothold in the circle faster and have a truly unshakable place." He needed more powerful strength and a more stable position to build the most solid fortress for his and Feng Ling's future.

Seeing the burning fighting spirit and clear plan in his eyes, Sister Liangliang nodded with satisfaction. "Alright! Just saying that will do the trick. The company's resources are already tilted towards you, and we want to support you. Then I'm going to start making drastic arrangements. The intensity will be very high. Can you handle it?"

"No problem." Anhesu answered decisively without any hesitation.

"Okay!" Sister Jingjing happily stood up and patted his shoulder. As she reached the door, she suddenly turned back and added with a playful smile, "Oh, by the way, you've been exuding that... 'little wolfdog' vibe lately that's really good! Your fans are really into it, keep it up!"

***

For the next two years, Ankhsu worked like a clockwork machine, toiling away in a frenzy of work. Commercial performances piled up, high-end advertising endorsements were plentiful, he began landing stunning cameos in big-budget films, and popular variety shows were constantly courting him. His presence stretched across a wide range of fields, accumulating both his work and national recognition at an astonishing rate.

BOW has become a phenomenal boy band in the Chinese entertainment industry, a household name. Their fan base is growing exponentially, and the fierce competition among fans of each group to secure resources and boost their "brothers"' popularity is a constant, volatile affair. Calls for solo careers are incessant among fans, and the loudest voice is naturally from Ahn Hyuk-su, who has always held the top spot in popularity. He has completely established his own, a remarkably stable market and a vast fan base.

The more love, the more hate. The harsh criticism never ceased, and his opponents went to great lengths to dig up dirt on him, fabricate scandals, and dethrone him. Unfortunately, his pre-debut life was as clean as a sheet of paper, and his post-debut behavior was always cautious and appropriate. All the attacks were like punching cotton, unable to stir up any substantial waves.

However, the tree wants to be still but the wind does not stop.

That day, a relatively unknown social media outlet suddenly released a blurry, low-resolution candid photo. The background appeared to be the underground parking lot of an upscale apartment building. The lighting was dim, but the tall figure in casual attire and a baseball cap was still recognizable as Ankhsu. His arm, protectively wrapped around a woman's shoulders, was intimate as they walked quickly toward a car, their heads bowed. The woman was plainly dressed, her face blurred by the blur and angle, clearly someone outside the entertainment industry.

[Breaking News! Top star Nyan's suspected relationship exposed, secretly meeting with a mysterious woman in his apartment!]

This news was like a nuclear bomb, instantly shaking the entertainment industry.

The fan circle exploded.

[This is fake! This must be photoshopped! My brother can't be in a relationship!]

[Who is this woman? She's obviously trying to cash in on the hype!]

[Even if it's true... as long as he's happy, I'll... bless him (crying)]

[I'm no longer a fan! Where's your career ambition? You're a liar!]

[Take Nyan away without making an appointment! Wait for the official announcement!]

Public opinion quickly split, with some swearing to defend him to the death, some heartbrokenly quitting, and some taking a wait-and-see approach. A bloody storm against Ankhsu was about to erupt.

However, to everyone's surprise, the photo and related topics went viral online for just a few days before being instantly wiped out by an invisible hand, vanishing without a trace. The social media account that posted the photo quickly deleted the post and publicly issued a sincere apology, admitting to violating others' privacy and that the photo's content was malicious speculation.

A crisis that seemed imminent was so quickly and thoroughly resolved. This demonstrates the company's strong public relations capabilities and the power of capital behind it.

Later, Feng Ling heard through various sources that the self-media outlet had received "advice" from a prominent figure before publishing the report, but they still proceeded, seriously underestimating the speed and determination of the Ankhsu team. After this incident, the industry unspoken consensus reached a tacit understanding: the cost of touching Ankhsu would be far greater than imagined.

But some people noticed that throughout the whole process, Ankhsu and his studio, apart from the routine "paying attention to the artist's works", did not make any clear denial about the authenticity of the photo or the identity of the mysterious woman from beginning to end.

Why doesn't he deny it?

【Could it be... true? 】

[As long as he hasn't personally admitted it or officially announced it, I'll just ignore it! Nyan is still ours!]

With mixed feelings, fans chose to continue believing, or rather, chose to continue staying in the dream they had woven.

And in another country far away, a man who had just finished dance class was reading the news on his phone. His fingertips paused for a long time on the photo on the screen, which, even though blurry, conveyed an intimate atmosphere. Complex emotions flashed in his deep eyes, and finally, his breath stopped.

Qiqi looked at Ankhsu's protective arms in the photo, and the soft side profile lines that were completely different from before, which could be clearly felt even in the blur, and she already understood.

The girl who once needed his encouragement and relied on him, now... seems to be really gone. Should he wish her happiness?