Chapter 46

Jiang Shiyu had been thinking about this problem the whole day. Although he didn't want to use many big principles, Zheng Chenxi's tears still shocked him a little. There were indeed people here who truly loved the stage. They practiced hard every day just for a second of light on the stage, and they didn't care about other advertising shoots, magazine activities, and voting rankings.

But this kind of people don't have much of a storyline, so they're never ranked very high.

This is not his fault. Even if Jiang Shiyu was not on the list, there would still be Li Shiyu and Wang Shiyu occupying the debut ranking.

He didn't need to feel guilty about any of this.

But then he thought again, perhaps without those who came here for fame, this stage would become more pure.

Will it?

He himself doesn't know.

Zhu Xing always said that Jiang Shiyu liked to get stuck in a rut. He didn't think so before, but now he suddenly felt that what Zhu Xing said made some sense. He was so confused about the inner struggle he was going through that he even wanted to laugh when he spoke it out.

This is the position voted for him by the fans, so he should just enjoy it with his head held high. Why should he be sad about a box that has never been opened?

He understands the principles, but he needs recognition and support from others.

That night, Jiang Shiyu returned to the dormitory very early for the first time. He curled up on the bed, tapping on the screen of his second-hand smartphone. After typing, he started deleting and reducing. Zhu Xing was getting impatient waiting on the other side of the screen, and after receiving his message, he felt a blackout in front of his eyes.

Yizhi Xiaoyu: So that’s it, I feel a little guilty now

Chasing stars:???

Star Chaser: What the hell are you doing? Did you get hurt today? You're the one with a broken brain? Even at this point, you're still trying to have a heart-to-heart talk with me? Why don't you just let the Guanyin Bodhisattva on the Jade Table come down and take over?

Chasing stars: A virgin heart is a disease

A little Yu: But...

Chasing Stars: No buts. If you want to say buts again, just go and post a certain book. If I don’t call you stupid in the comments, I’ll kill you.

A little Yu: You said it, so I’ll send it.

Xiaoyu Momo: Help! Our company is having an event where the top performers can win a grand prize. This performance is judged by others, so it's an event that requires both ability and popularity. I think I'm pretty good and popular, so I'm ranked pretty high. However, I know I'm not as talented as some of the people who ranked lower, nor am I as dedicated as them. I feel really guilty about this. How can I deal with this?

After he finished posting, he went to take a shower. When he came out, Zhu Xing had already thoughtfully helped him capture the popular comments.

The first floor speaks out directly: I am not satisfied even though I am already in the top few. Haven’t I completely eliminated all the saint syndrome in this world?

The second floor was not to be outdone: What are you talking about? If you want to give up your place to them, I want you too.

The third post is more rational: You said that it is necessary to combine strength and popularity. People who are not ranked higher than you naturally have worse overall scores than you. Strength alone is not enough. There is nothing to feel guilty about.

The fourth floor started to talk about this and that: What kind of company is this? Their method of creating accounts is so annoying. Doesn’t your company know that people don’t like steamed buns now? Let’s change the topic.

Jiang Shiyu: ...Well, he really doesn't need to add unnecessary burden to himself.

Netizens are still nice to hear.

What he didn't know was that this post was constantly being pushed forward by big data, and was finally transferred to a chat room in a private group.

[Share link. If you put this IP and this description into context, someone who doesn't know would think it's our Crown Princess having a change of heart, finally realizing she's unworthy.]

If the Crown Princess had this kind of awareness, she wouldn't be called the Crown Princess anymore. He looks like the type who would say, "I'll just sit here, so what?"

[There's a company this crazy about our IP? ? Which company wouldn't prioritize talent over popularity? They'd be incredible.]

[Off topic: The address this person brought is really close to where they're recording. Aren't the areas within a few dozen miles all suburbs?]

Is this person a "gzry"? Do they also have a voting system? What are they competing for? Who gets the most flak from fans?

[Then I can understand why he doesn't want to be number one. If the more you get scolded, the higher your popularity will be, then this blessing should be given to your colleagues, hahahahahahaha]

The discussion about this post in the chat room was lively for a while, but soon returned to silence, leaving only Xiaoyu Momo's screenshot, which was still being judged by people who clicked in.

Jiang Shiyu didn't know all this. If he knew that the Internet had left traces to this extent, he would never have posted that message even if Zhu Xing was beaten to death. He even forgot to turn off the location.

It's a pity that he is not in the private group, and he didn't expect that his fans are more Conan than Sherlock Holmes and can turn his vest upside down.

*

A pre-match poster shoot was arranged before the third performance. After two consecutive studio shoots, the program team finally decided to take them out for location shooting.

The program crew was quite attentive this time.

Not far from their building is a beach, and at this time you can just see "blue tears", a kind of plankton that glows at night, dotted on the waves, and the whole beach is immersed in a world of blue.

It’s a very dreamy scene, and with the swings and lighthouse on the beach, you can create an atmospheric movie with just a casual shot.

Jiang Shiyu was originally in the crowd, but he was so engrossed in collecting shells, picking and choosing on the beach, that he gradually fell behind the group. Zheng Yan also brought a small lantern and had just lit the candle when he looked up and found that Jiang Shiyu had not caught up with him.

He looked at the small figure squatting on the ground behind him, and the corners of his mouth rose unconsciously. He was about to call Jiang Shiyu's name, but the little ball looked up and saw him first, and ran towards him excitedly.

"Zheng Yanye, look!" Jiang Shiyu carefully spread out his palm, "These two shells can be put together to form a heart shape!"

"I searched for a long time before I found two such beautiful shells."

It was indeed very beautiful. Zheng Yan also looked at what he held in his hand. Two flawless white shells lay quietly in Jiang Shiyu's hand, forming a heart.

“That’s amazing.”

Jiang Shiyu chuckled, then noticed that they were already some distance away from the main group ahead. He pulled Zheng Yan and started running forward: "Let's catch up with them quickly, there are still Blue Tears to be seen later."

Jiang Shiyu dragged him along the coast, the sea breeze hitting his face, and he could smell the scent of the people around him. Jiang Shiyu didn't know when he was infected with the scent of the sea, and it came to Zheng Yanye's heart with his movements.

The cameraman not far away raised his camera at some point and recorded the time they were running.

The salty, wet boy held the treasure he had been searching for in one hand, and in the other hand he was holding the corner of his companion's clothes. Jiang Shiyu didn't look at the road when he ran, and turned his head to talk to him from time to time. He stumbled and almost fell, but fortunately Zheng Yan was quick to support him.

Finally, they arrived at the Blue Tears' territory. They stopped and started along the way, and before they knew it, it had been nearly thirty minutes before they reached their destination. Before the Blue Tears erupted, everyone was sitting on the shore in groups of three or four, chatting.

There were some rocks scattered along the coast. Jiang Shiyu immediately fell in love with the flat stone in the middle. It had a great view of the sea and his view would not be blocked by the people in the front row.

He pulled Zheng Yan and went to climb the rocks.

By the time they sat down on the rocks, dots of blue light had begun to emerge from the farthest shoreline. This plankton bloom was incredibly fast. Jiang Shiyu had just noticed the color over there, and before he could pull Zheng Yan to look too, the ground beneath them instantly transformed into a flowing blue Milky Way, so beautiful that it seemed unreal.

The edge of the boundless sea never thought it could be so bright and dazzling. Everyone's eyes were filled with reflections and admiration for this blue.

In this quiet yet dazzling blue, Zheng Yan also quietly looked at the person next to him. Jiang Shiyu's eyes were wide open, his mouth slightly open, immersed in this natural beauty.

They sat on the rocks and watched the sea, the whisper of the currents, the wonder of the creatures, the traces of reflection in the eyes of their lovers, and looked towards their beloved.

The moment the blue tears disappeared, Zheng Yanye and Jiang Shiyu's eyes collided and entangled in the air.

They looked at each other at the same time, and loved each other on the rocks above their heads.*

"Very good. Hold on and don't move." The camera teacher's excited horn interrupted the heating atmosphere between them.

Jiang Shiyu suddenly pulled himself out of this atmosphere and patted his face, which was so hot.

He had no doubt that if the camera teacher had not suddenly interrupted, in that situation, the possibility of him being able to resist kissing Zheng Yanye would be zero.

He had never been so grateful to the camera teacher.

The shutter sounds continued, and the cameraman circled them 360 degrees: "I want this kind of brushed feeling. The first and second should be Gemini."

"Once this set is released, I wonder how many more fans you'll gain!"

“It’s so handsome!”

"He's really handsome." Feng Zhuo hadn't known when he'd moved closer to the viewfinder and commented seriously, "He suits me perfectly."

"What are you doing here?" Zheng Yan also looked at the monkey who suddenly appeared. Every time he came, he would ruin the chance for him and Jiang Shiyu to be alone, and he knew how to destroy this family.

The person who was labeled as a vandal had no idea what was happening. After looking at a few more of their photos, he smiled strangely before realizing what he was doing.

"PD asked me to take you guys over there for a group photo. He said that the photo of you two took so long, and since you two have been there for so long, it's time for you to have enough time."

How could he possibly stay long enough? Zheng Yan also thought that the time he and Jiang Shiyu spent together was never too much.

But everyone was already at the beach, so they couldn't delay any longer. Jiang Shiyu had had enough of the sea breeze, so he helped Zheng Yan jump down, even gesturing at him from under the rocks: "Hurry up and jump down!" His eyes widened with laughter.

A group of people were noisily making their way to another beach. PD waved at them as soon as he saw them: "Hurry up and stand still! It's almost time!"

They hurriedly found an open space, but before they could strike their pose, they heard a loud noise behind them, and a beautiful firework dropped in response.

Jiang Shiyu had only halfway completed his small branch gesture when he leaned against Zheng Yanye's shoulder, tilting his head and smiling softly. The person next to him also took off his usual icy mask and smiled gently at the camera.

Under the broken stars, everyone's face was shining with happiness.

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The next chapter will be a formal confession ()

*Tanigawa Shuntaro "Two Billion Light Years of Loneliness"