The next morning, Gu Fei drove Lin Qingyan there, and the car stopped near the entrance of the recording venue.
The boy in the passenger seat was asleep, his head tilted to one side, his eyes still a little red and swollen, with faint dark circles under his eyes. He looked very tired, having not slept well last night.
Gu Fei leaned forward slightly and unbuckled his seatbelt. Lin Qingyan opened his eyes groggily, his bloodshot eyes filled with confusion. "Hmm...are we there yet?"
"We've arrived." Gu Fei raised his hand and rubbed his head, saying seriously, "Eat well and sleep well when you get back. As for other things, tell me when you've thought them through."
"Hmm..." Lin Qingyan lowered her eyes and whispered, "I will."
"Yan Yan." Gu Fei looked earnestly into his eyes, his deep, magnetic voice gentle, "You need to know that no matter what, Brother Fei will always stand by your side."
After all, this is something that is hard for ordinary people to accept. Gu Fei knew that Lin Qingyan could not calm down and deal with this matter overnight. The child needed time to think it through.
Gu Fei respected his choice.
Watching the man drive away and gradually disappear from sight, Lin Qingyan closed his eyes, took a few deep breaths, and then turned around and walked inside. As soon as he entered, he saw Lu Yuqi standing under a big tree with his hands in his pockets, kicking the fallen leaves on the ground with a bored expression.
Lin Qingyan was somewhat surprised. He quickly walked over and asked, "Yuqi, what are you doing here?"
"Just passing by." Young Master Lu maintained his cool demeanor, refusing to admit he'd been waiting there on purpose. He stared suspiciously at Lin Qingyan's face. "Have you been crying?"
Although it was a question, the tone was very confident.
Lin Qingyan hesitated, unsure how to answer. Lu Yuqi looked at him, his eyes holding a hint of something unreadable, and his words carried a deeper meaning, "Where did you go with Gu Fei? Did he make you cry?"
"No!" Lin Qingyan hurriedly shook her head in denial.
I just felt there was something wrong with this "bullying".
"That's good." Lu Yuqi put his hands in his pockets, turned around and walked inside.
He couldn't find Lin Qingyan last night. After asking around, he finally learned from a staff member that Lin Qingyan had gone out to meet a big shot. As for who that big shot was, it was obvious.
Tsk... Gu Fei, you're really something.
Lin Qingyan hurriedly caught up with Young Master Lu. The other man raised his arm and put it on Lin Qingyan's shoulder, then casually touched his hair, a playful smile playing on his lips. "Let's see when you've been sold out by Gu Fei and are now helping him count the money."
"Master Gu is not short of money." Gu Fei is the richest man in the entire South City, Lin Qingyan thought to himself. Then he pushed away Lu Yuqi's arm that was on his shoulder and said seriously, "Yuqi, we have to keep our distance."
Lu Yuqi: "???"
Lin Qingyan explained, "Actually, there's something I haven't told you. Brother Fei said I shouldn't get too close to you."
Lu Yuqi: "..."
Damn Gu Fei, you're so ungrateful.
Young Master Lu was furious. He had risked his life to bring Gu Fei and Lin Qingyan together, and now Gu Fei not only didn't thank him, but was also wary of him.
But... wouldn't Gu Fei be jealous? After all, many netizens are shipping him and Lin Qingyan as a couple. Thinking of this, Lu Yuqi suddenly curled his lips. How interesting.
Lin Qingyan was preoccupied. After hesitating for a moment, she asked Lu Yuqi, "What were An Nanyi and Liu Yang's reactions to me not sleeping in the dormitory last night?"
Lu Yuqi: "He didn't say anything."
Ever since Lu Yuqi and Liu Yang got into a fight, their relationship has become completely strained. Although they still live under the same roof, they don't communicate with each other.
This is for the best. Lin Qingyan will have some peace and quiet. At least An Nanyi will no longer deliberately approach him like before, and will not pretend to care about him. They can live in peace.
After a night, Lin Qingyan had calmed down a lot. He was not usually an emotional person, but the sudden discovery of the truth last night was too much of a blow, which caused his emotions to collapse.
Living in the same dormitory, it was inevitable that Lin Qingyan would run into An Nanyi. He was able to face it calmly, at least on the surface. He hid his own feelings very well, and even Lu Yuqi did not notice anything amiss.
Training days were busy, so busy that Lin Qingyan would fall asleep as soon as he finished showering. Time passed by day by day in this busyness, so he had an excuse to keep avoiding the matter of recognizing his relatives.
After the second round of performances, Lin Qingyan continued to perform steadily. When the second rankings were announced, his votes had surpassed Lu Yuqi's by several thousand votes. It wasn't a lot, but those few thousand votes were enough for him to successfully reach the top position.
Lu Yuqi, who came in second place, didn't think it was a big deal. He would definitely be dissatisfied if it were someone else, but he felt there was nothing wrong with losing to Lin Qingyan. "Congratulations on first place."
Lin Qingyan felt embarrassed. In terms of overall strength, Lu Yuqi was definitely better than him. In his previous life, Lu Yuqi had always been number one. "I was just lucky. You will definitely surpass me again next time."
Young Master Lu glanced at him. "Of course."
Lin Qingyan couldn't help but laugh.
"What are you chatting about, you seem to be having a great time?" An Jing appeared behind the two of them without them noticing. Lin Qingyan hurriedly turned around and greeted him somewhat awkwardly. Lu Yuqi also said "Hello, Teacher An" in a very perfunctory manner.
"Yan Yan, congratulations on winning first place." An Jing gently patted Lin Qingyan's shoulder, his handsome face beaming with a warm smile. Looking at the man's current appearance, a complex emotion flashed in the boy's eyes. He lowered his eyes slightly and said obediently, "Thank you, Teacher An."
Lin Qingyan suddenly remembered the day he was sick with a fever. An Jing carried him to the hospital. He was delirious with fever at the time and said to An Jing, "I wish I had a brother like you."
He had forgotten An Jing's reaction.
But he knew that what he said at the time was absolutely from the bottom of his heart. An Jing was indeed a good older brother, and he had once envied An Nanyi. He just never expected that An Jing was originally his own older brother.
But the younger brother his older brother doted on... wasn't him.
An Jing didn't notice Lin Qingyan's odd behavior and turned her gaze to Lu Yuqi beside him. These two had such a good relationship, how come one was well-behaved and likable, while the other always had a sour face and was incredibly arrogant?
Perhaps An Jing's gaze was too obvious, for Lu Yuqi glared at him unhappily, his tone clearly conveying dissatisfaction, "Why are you looking at me?"
Tsk...rebellious teenagers really deserve a beating.
"It's nothing." An Jing narrowed his eyes slightly, patted the rebellious boy's shoulder with a half-smile, "I just think second place is pretty good too. Keep up the good work and stay calm."
Lu Yuqi: "..."
"Then I won't disturb your conversation."
Lin Qingyan's gaze involuntarily followed An Jing, who walked to An Nanyi's side. They weren't far apart, and Lin Qingyan could vaguely hear their conversation.
Annan reluctantly called out "elder brother".
"Nan Nan got sixth place, that's an improvement."
"What? Are you still angry with your older brother?"
"No……"
Lin Qingyan withdrew his gaze, secretly clenching his fists. His gentle, peach-blossom eyes drooped, concealing his disappointment. He smiled self-deprecatingly to himself.
Sure enough, An Nanyi and An Jing have a good relationship, don't they?
They were the real brothers, while he himself was just a complete outsider.
——
After the second performance, training became less hectic, and there were a few days to relax. The content of the talent show was not just about endless practice and performances.
The day after the rankings were announced, the show held a red carpet event that all trainees had to participate in and prepare their own red carpet dresses.
When Lin Qingyan heard the news, he was doing math problems in his dormitory. He immediately stopped writing, feeling a bit troubled. He didn't have any formal clothes at all; his suitcase only contained a few sets of everyday clothes.
Looking at An Nanyi and Liu Yang on the other side, their bed was covered with clothes, and the two of them were happily choosing which outfit to wear. Lin Qingyan withdrew her gaze and turned her attention to Lu Yuqi, who was lying on the bed next door playing mobile games.
"Yuqi, did you bring any clothes?"
"I have a set for you to wear." Lu Yuqi's gaze didn't leave the screen. He wasn't interested in walking a red carpet; games were much more fun.
"You should wear it. I'll go ask someone else."
Lin Qingyan got out of bed, put on his shoes, and went to other dorm rooms. He was quite popular here and had made some friends. The other dorm rooms were very lively, with everyone excitedly looking for clothes.
"Yan Yan, don't just stand at the door, come in quickly."
"Yan Yan, have you decided what to wear tonight?"
"Not yet." Lin Qingyan walked in, scratching the back of her neck somewhat embarrassed. "I came here to ask if anyone has any spare clothes they could lend me."
"Sure, no problem."
"I brought several sets with me, take a look and see which one you like."
"Thanks."
As everyone was picking out clothes, several uncles and aunts suddenly came in from outside. Before Lin Qingyan could react, she saw the other contestants excitedly run over and hug them.
"Dad, what brings you here so suddenly?!"
"Am I dreaming, Mom? I miss you so much!"
It's probably arranged by the production team; if nothing unexpected happens, the contestants' families have all come.
Watching their harmonious scene, Lin Qingyan felt somewhat uneasy and put down the clothes in his hand. He left the dormitory, feeling a little uneasy, and walked dejectedly back to his own dormitory.
Before he even stepped inside, he heard a voice coming from within. It was An Nanyi's voice: "Mom, what brings you here? I missed you so much!"
"Oh, my good son."
"Nan Nan looks thinner than before, and it breaks her mother's heart..."
...
Lin Qingyan stood there, not having the courage to take another step inside.
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