Chapter 002 Choice
After the performance, Lin Chiran was driving aimlessly on the road. Suddenly, he didn’t know what to do. The last scene was still in his mind.
The fans' expressions changed from confusion to disbelief, and finally to sadness or anger.
He may not be able to fully understand the feelings of the people who have supported SLANT for many years when they heard the news, but the regret and loss in his heart are not false.
Before I knew it, I arrived at the riverside and got off the car to relax. There were many people gathered in the square not far away. There is a music college nearby, and students often come here to perform, with many passers-by watching.
Lin Chiran pulled his baseball cap down out of habit and thought about leaving.
Just as he turned around, the sound of a piano was brought to his ears by the wind. The gentle yet somewhat firm melody stopped him in his tracks, and he walked towards the direction where the sound came from.
As the distance got closer, the sound became clearer and clearer. A clean and pure male voice entered Lin Chiran's ears. Curious about the owner of the voice, he looked up from afar.
The performance was held in an open space in the square. There were not many equipment and people, just a piano, a sound system, and the eye-catching singer.
The short light blond hair is very dazzling in the sunset, and the wheat-colored skin has a sunny breath. The singer is a mixed-race handsome man, wearing a simple white shirt and black trousers, with the top buttons casually loose and the collar slightly open. The atmosphere around him reveals the leisurely comfort of the evening.
The blond boy played the piano as accompaniment and sang the lyrics without a trace of panic. The slender fingers played wonderful melodies, and the clear voice told the lyrics like a story.
After listening to the song quietly, the audience applauded the performers. The boy seemed a little embarrassed and continued singing to thank the audience.
Lin Chiran stood not far away and listened silently until it got darker. The boy said goodbye to the loyal listeners who had stopped for a long time with a hearty smile.
Seeing the satisfied look on his face when he left, and the love that naturally overflowed from the audience for the music and the performers, the repressed emotions that had been pent up in my heart for a long time also dissipated a little, and the questions that had been difficult to decide since SLANT decided to end the activities gradually revealed their answers.
*
Inside the apartment, it was pitch black outside.
Lin Chiran sat by the window with dripping hair, quietly looking at the collection wall not far in front of him.
Just looking at the interior decoration and furniture of this apartment, it is simple and casual, with very few traces of life, and it is difficult to understand the owner of the house.
But this collection wall is completely different. At a glance you can feel how much thought went into its arrangement.
The collection cabinet is filled with discs, magazines, trophies, posters, photos, etc., which are arranged in different categories. In the corners are piled up peripheral souvenirs that are full of age. Some are of Lin Chiran and SLANT members, some are faces that the public is still familiar with, and some have long since left the stage with the times. Perhaps there will be fewer and fewer people like Lin Chiran who still remember them.
In the middle is an old developed photo, which has turned slightly yellow at the corners over the years.
This is a photo of a little boy and a young man. The smile captured in the photo is very pure. The boy's eyes are shining with joy, and he is holding a CD in his hand at the side.
It seems to be Lin Chiran as a child, with a small mole on the upper edge of his right cheekbone. His face looks tender and soft due to his age, unlike the sharp lines he has now. The beautiful light brown pupils and the iconic small mole make people feel delicate and sharp and unable to take their eyes away.
The nostalgic gaze lingered on the photo, I don’t know whether he was looking at the photo or recalling something through the photo.
It took a long time for him to come back to his senses. Lin Chiran took out his mobile phone and answered the question.
*
At the same time, many buildings are still brightly lit.
Due to the breaking news that SLANT suddenly announced his graduation, Shenghuang Entertainment and various media outlets to which SLANT belongs are working overtime in a frenzy.
The media speculated on the reasons for the sudden announcement of graduation. Some said that the relationship between members was poor and the team broke up, while others said that members were dissatisfied with the treatment such as profit distribution and wanted to disband. Just a few hours after the end of the concert, all kinds of speculations and opinions swept the Internet.
The outside world is full of rumors, and Shenghuang Entertainment is also holding continuous meetings to discuss the next countermeasures.
Fang Yao, SLANT's agent, terminated his contract with member Chen Zhou and a large number of team members and switched jobs. This happened very suddenly, like a poisonous snake that had been lurking for a long time, waiting for an opportunity to move, and was not noticed until it was completely exposed to the sun.
The sudden departure of members and a large number of team members, as well as the recent poaching activities that are still ongoing in secret, have seriously disrupted the operational plan.
After comprehensive consideration, it was difficult to satisfy the expected results of continuing the activities, so the final decision was to let SLANT, a name that once reached the top, be shelved and graduate, and the members will continue to develop solo.
Now, the most headache-inducing thing is the subsequent development plan.
Ning Sheng and Qi Puxin had already determined the development direction early on, but there was no news from Lin Chiran yet.
The person in charge of this issue has been contacted many times, but Lin Chiran seems to be still thinking about something and has not given a clear answer until now.
As a popular and eye-catching idol artist, it is necessary to make plans early to maintain exposure so that you can smoothly transition after graduating from group activities. If you are silent for a period of time, you will easily be forgotten by the public.
Just when the person in charge wanted to urge him again, he finally received a message and agreed to discuss it in detail tomorrow. Lin Chiran hoped that the company would seriously consider his idea.
*
The next day.
Lin Chiran arrived at the company on time and took the elevator to the conference room on the sixth floor.
Passing a certain floor, a familiar figure walked into the elevator holding a thick stack of documents. It was SLANT's executive agent, Wu Wen.
Wu Wen is responsible for daily schedules and affairs arrangements, and his work ability is very reliable. After SLANT graduates, these staff members will be transferred to other positions in the near future.
"Do you need help?" Lin Chiran saw that the folders in his arms had piled up into a small mountain, and reached out to help hold up both sides.
Taking advantage of this gap, Wu Wen quickly pushed up his glasses that were about to slide down his nose and said, "Thank you, Brother Lin. Are you going to the meeting on the sixth floor?"
Lin Chiran nodded, and suddenly thought of something, "Have you decided on your transfer?"
Wu Wen smiled bitterly: "Not yet, I'll just do some odd jobs first." Thinking of his current embarrassing situation, he sighed slightly.
Before Lin Chiran could continue speaking, the elevator reached the sixth floor.
"Brother Lin, I won't bother you for now. If there is a chance in the future, I will ask you to take care of me." After saying that, Wu Wen walked into the meeting room holding the documents.
Lin Chiran looked at his back thoughtfully.
*
Half an hour ago.
The planning department is sorting out alternative plans. Most idols will choose to develop in film and television or music after graduation.
Qi Puxin was interested in acting and decided to continue his development as an actor, while Ning Sheng chose the music direction and transformed himself into a singer.
Having handled many idol transformation plans, he believed that the plans he had prepared were quite complete, but Lin Chi Ran was an exception.
*
Inside the meeting room.
Rubbing the silver ring on his right knuckle, Lin Chiran thought for a moment and said, "I hope to be an idol producer."
"Idol producer?" The person in charge repeated, flipping through the thick documents on the table without realizing it.
"Wait, producer?" Everyone stopped flipping through the pages and looked at them in surprise.
Lin Chiran knew that this choice was probably not what the planning department expected, but he had made up his mind and did not waver at all.
"Any questions?" He seemed to have no idea what a bombshell the information contained in what he just blurted out was in the eyes of everyone.
"This..." The other party looked a little embarrassed. He couldn't help but feel that it was a fantasy when he heard it suddenly, but he was told to seriously consider Lin Chiran's wishes, so he spoke tactfully.
"Chi Ran, once you move behind the scenes, it will be hard to maintain your current popularity. Besides, the work of a producer is very hard, and it is not as glamorous as that of an artist."
The person in charge smiled bitterly, saying that only the people behind the scenes know the hard work behind the scenes. It is not as glamorous as in front of the stage. Can idols who are used to living under the spotlight really accept it?
"Maybe think about it more seriously?"
The atmosphere was a little awkward for a moment, and Lin Chiran lowered his head and remained silent.
It may be too much to say, but sooner or later someone will say this, the person in charge shook his head secretly.
After a long while, Lin Chi Ran finally spoke: "Actually, I have always had this idea. No matter what the result is, I will not regret it." After a pause, "It is not a spur of the moment idea. I also understand the difficulty. Now I just want to do this thing."
Lin Chiran's eyes were determined. He had his reasons for doing this, but it was not the time to confess yet.
Fame and fortune have never been the reason for him to persist for so many years.
If SLANT had not come to this point today, he might have continued to be a perfect idol, but the beautiful glass cover has been broken, and having taken root in the shackles, he also wants to look outside and find the answers he is looking for.
The person in charge sensed his serious attitude and wondered, "Do you have any ideas about being a producer? The idol market has become solidified now, and producers have less say. You've been in this industry for so many years, you should be able to understand this."
"Because I understand this, I want to do something different." Lin Chiran said seriously, "It's useless if I don't change from the beginning. Even the former SLANT can't do anything about it."
"After being an idol for so many years, I thought things would turn around sooner or later, but instead, I'm increasingly out of control." His tone seemed to carry some self-mockery.
Retracting his revealed emotions, Lin Chiran looked towards a corner of the room and said, "Please consider this matter seriously. I am very grateful for the company's training and care over the years. I hope we can continue to cooperate."
The person in charge of agency contracts understood the implication of his words. Lin Chiran's contract was about to expire, and due to recent turmoil, the renewal had been postponed. If we force him, he will probably leave immediately after the contract expires, as the loss will be too great.
He said goodbye to the planning department and asked them to leave first, leaving Lin Chiran alone.
"Don't be anxious. We need to discuss this matter again. If it's reasonable, it's fine." He first gave Lin Chiran a reassurance and arranged for him to wait in another meeting room. Then he kept calling and summoned relevant personnel to a meeting.
The meeting will not end in a short time, so Lin Chiran will go to have lunch first.
The company has a small canteen that is suitable for the dietary standards of artists. The food is light and low in oil, but the taste is average. There are not many people at lunch time and the canteen is empty.
Sitting down by the window, Lin Chiran subconsciously observed his surroundings. After his debut, he often had to deal with all kinds of people, and slowly developed the habit.
A boy who looked like a trainee walked towards the food counter. He was wearing a simple T-shirt and slightly faded jeans. He wore a pair of black-framed glasses and had a gentle and elegant temperament.
He first took a meal, sat down not far away and ate it, then took out a lunch box from his bag and packed another portion.
Not paying attention to this episode, Lin Chiran got up and left after lunch.
Just as he walked a short distance, he was stopped by a voice behind him.
"Is it Senior Lin Chiran?" The baby-faced boy with light brown curly hair was very excited, his face slightly flushed.
He was wearing a shirt that was too fancy, but surprisingly suitable for him and full of energy. Next to him was a tall, black-haired boy with a cold temperament.
Lin Chiran looked at the two of them: "What's the matter?"
The baby-faced boy has a pair of droopy eyes that make people feel pity for him. He blinks like a dog: "I have liked you for a long time. You have always been my idol." He smiles brightly, and the dimples on both sides are faintly visible.
"Thank you for your interest, do you need an autograph?"
"Really?" His eyes sparkled.
"certainly."
"Thank you so much!" said the baby-faced boy as he looked everywhere for a pen and notebook. If he missed it, there would be no next time.
Seeing the pen and notebook handed over by the black-haired boy, he felt relieved: "Qifeng, you really saved me from the dire situation."
Ji Qifeng held his forehead with his hand. He was used to An Juesui's nonsense, so he didn't complain about him.
Lin Chi Ran found it very interesting: "I'll give you a TO sign, what's your name?"
"I forgot to introduce myself. Hello, senior. My name is An Juesui, An as in peace, Jue as in awareness, and Sui as in years. The one next to me is my friend Ji Qifeng, Ji as in age, Qi as in habitat, and Feng as in wind and rain. We are both trainees."
An Juesui spoke very quickly, as if he was afraid that he would regret it. He finished speaking in one breath and his face turned red.
Ji Qifeng finally couldn't help but speak: "Speak slower." The person won't run away.
Lin Chiran couldn't help laughing while watching their interaction and signed his name readily.
It was not until the practice time that An Juesui was dragged away by Ji Qifeng. He looked back every few steps reluctantly.
Not long after, Lin Chiran also received the contact.
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