Chapter 99 Smile
"Five, ten." Jiang Hechu read Wu Wen's mouth shape and repeated it to everyone: "Fifty?"
Ji Qifeng was stunned for a moment, then repeated, "Fifty?"
"What fifty?" Jingxing looked confused and followed a few people out of the studio.
Shen Xun was also very surprised to hear this number. As he pushed open the door, he explained to Jing Xing: "It's probably the first day's sales..."
"What?!" Jing Xing was shocked: "Fifty on the first day?"
When Wu Wen heard what they said, he quickly stepped forward and excitedly confirmed, "That's right, 500,000 on the first day!"
"Oh, five hundred thousand! I was so scared! I thought it was fifty..." Jing Xing's thoughts were very strange. He suddenly realized what he was saying, opened his eyes wide and repeated again: "Five hundred thousand?!"
Jiang Hechu complained: "Are you essentially a parrot? Five hundred thousand, that's right." He waved his cell phone.
On the screen was today's new record sales chart. Wax&Wane's names were at the top of the list, firmly occupying the top spot with first-day sales of 500,000.
Jing Xing simply stood there, rubbed his eyes, counted the zeros on the list many times, and muttered to himself: "It really is half a million..."
Jiang Hechu's eyes revealed helplessness: "Jingxing, didn't you look at the sales charts many times today? Why are you still so surprised?"
"Five hundred thousand! That's five hundred thousand!! It's higher than the sales of the debut single in the first week!" Jing Xing quickly took a screenshot, fearing that the number would change: "And I didn't have the energy to look at my phone this afternoon... By the way, Brother Wu, how is An Juesui?"
"I just got home, and I'm fine." Wu Wen found the message Lin Chiran sent: "Also, Brother Lin said he has something to talk to everyone tonight, and he's waiting for us to get back."
After hearing this, they finally felt relieved. They had been worried about An Juesui's condition since they separated, and it would be best if he was fine.
However, Ji Qifeng and Jiang Hechu both had subtle expressions, probably still having concerns, but they didn't say anything. After all, they would be able to go back in the evening, and everything would be clear if they talked face to face.
"Brother Wu, why are the sales of this single so high?" When Jingxing heard that An Juesui was fine, all his attention shifted to the sales of the single.
Wu Wen smiled and praised: "This is the result you deserve. From the release of the debut single to now, Wax & Wane have accumulated quite a lot of fans. This number is very reasonable."
In fact, the number of 500,000 is a bit higher than they expected, which must be related to the expansion of the audience through various activities of the members during this period and allowing more people to know and understand Wax&Wane.
Whether you know them from music, radio, television, magazines, or any other field, you will be moved by the sincerity and unique charm of Wax&Wane members, which attracts people to get to know them better, which naturally includes supporting their record works.
That is why the second order achieved such an ideal result.
Based on the first day, we can roughly estimate the first week’s sales. Looking at the estimated numbers, everyone couldn’t hide their excitement. This is an achievement that only top-notch idol groups can achieve, and even when placed in the first-day sales rankings of the entire year, it is extremely eye-catching.
Wu Wen was filled with satisfaction. Looking at this string of numbers, he felt that he was witnessing a group that could lead the times rising step by step and heading towards the highest stage.
With great excitement, the members completed the next work. Even the staff they met at various work locations cast envious glances at them and congratulated the Wax&Wane team.
As the night fell and all the activities for the day were completed, the members finally returned to their current residence.
As soon as they looked at the door, they saw a light on in the living room. Perhaps An Juesui or the producer was waiting for them. But before he got close, he heard the two of them talking about something, and An Juesui's tone was extremely reluctant.
"Brother Lin, you said you would respect our ideas!" An Juesui raised his voice unconsciously.
"I will respect your ideas, but that doesn't mean I will do everything the way you want." Lin Chi Ran didn't say anything about his attitude, but just stated a fact: "You are not suitable in your current state."
An Juesui's voice was squeezed in his throat, and he spoke with difficulty: "I know my condition..."
"If you really know the answer, you should have a good rest." Lin Chiran said calmly: "Wait until you feel better and then continue..." As he spoke, he saw the members and Wu Wen walking in.
An Juesui had his back to the door and hadn't noticed the crowd yet. He lowered his head and murmured in a trembling voice, "But I don't want to lose to this kind of thing. There are still many people waiting for me..."
Everyone looked at the two people in the center of the living room, their hearts full of confusion.
Wu Wen asked tentatively: "Brother Lin, An Juesui, what are you doing...?"
An Juesui paused when he heard the voice behind him, wiped his eyes quickly, turned around and smiled reluctantly: "You guys are back."
As an idol who always faces everyone with a smile, An Juesui felt for the first time that maintaining a smile would be such a difficult thing. But if he couldn't even do this, let alone continue to perform on stage.
Emotions are the easiest to conceal, but also the hardest to conceal. The forced smile, red eyes, and trembling voice were all telling everyone present that An Juesui's expression was not sincere, but an attempt to hide something.
Ji Qifeng, who had known him for more than ten years, immediately noticed the problem. An Juesui's condition might not be simply described as being in good health. He hurriedly asked, "Are you sick?"
An Juesui’s smile froze and he avoided Ji Qifeng’s gaze: “How could that be, Qifeng, you’re overthinking, I’m fine…” He wanted to turn around and go back to the room.
Lin Chiran was silent for a moment, then uttered four words: "Panic attack."
An Juesui, who was already standing in front of the door, paused.
Hearing this, everyone had different expressions.
Although Jiang Hechu had a premonition, he still felt complicated when he actually heard these words. This is a problem that many artists encounter. In the high-pressure entertainment industry, it is not even a new topic, but it keeps destroying people's spirits.
When Jiang Hechu was a trainee in Country B, one of his classmates suffered from panic disorder and was under tremendous mental pressure and pain. Eventually, he was forced to give up and leave the industry because of the illness.
Wu Wen also realized this and confirmed with the producer again about the severity of An Juesui's condition. At the same time, he also vaguely realized what they were talking about just now.
"The doctor suggested that he rest for a while. I think so too." Lin Chiran looked at An Juesui who was standing at the door and was reluctant to go in.
Wu Wen hesitated: "Rest...Does it mean reducing his activities during this period?"
Lin Chiran nodded and said something that surprised everyone: "The activity will be suspended for a while."
Even the few members who didn't know much about panic attacks suddenly realized the seriousness of the matter when they heard this, and subconsciously looked to the other side.
An Juesui stood in front of the door in silence for a long time, and finally just said "I don't want to" and locked himself in the room.
Seeing his reaction, everyone was extremely worried, but they didn't know what to do.
For Wax&Wane, which is in a period of rapid growth, the sudden suspension of activities by a member would definitely have a significant impact, but no one in the team wanted An Juesui to work while sick. Given his current condition, only a thorough rest can help him get better as soon as possible.
According to the description and advice Lin Chiran got from the doctor, this was not the first time An Juesui had a panic attack. He even woke up from his sleep recently. This was by no means a good sign. Bad memories from the past, the pressure brought by idol activities, and An Juesui's own high demands would all become factors that aggravate his condition.
Lin Chiran once again told everyone what he had just said to An Juesui. Everyone looked to one side of the room, but An Juesui still didn't move.
Ji Qifeng glanced at the people standing in the middle of the living room, and hurried to An Juesui's room. He wanted to go in, but found that the door was locked from the inside, so he had to keep knocking on the door: "Everyone is very worried about you."
There was no response, so Ji Qifeng continued to knock: "I know you want to be on the stage the most. It's not your fault, but we don't want to see you get hurt again. Open the door, let's talk, okay?"
After knocking for a long time, An Juesui finally opened the door: "Qifeng, leave me alone."
All along, Ji Qifeng had seen An Juesui as a man who was enthusiastic and sincere towards others, a little noisy but very careful, and someone who never thought of giving up even when facing hurt. The only thing he had never seen was him being as fragile as he is now.
Soft brown curls covered An Juesui's eyes, making it impossible to see his expression, but every syllable told of his inner struggle and pain. Feeling An Juesui's extremely depressed mood, Ji Qifeng couldn't convince himself to do nothing and just watch.
He said softly: "I will just accompany you and not say anything else, okay?"
An Juesui finally turned slightly and let Ji Qifeng in.
Ji Qifeng turned around and met everyone's concerned gazes. He nodded slightly, entered the room and closed the door gently.
Not long after, faint sobbing sounds were heard from the crack in the door, and gradually the sound became louder and louder. All the grievances and sadness were vented at this moment.
As an idol, An Juesui has always aimed to bring happiness to others, sharing his smile with everyone but keeping his tears to himself.
He did not shed tears when he was misunderstood; he did not shed tears when he was hurt; he did not shed tears when the pain turned into a nightmare and continued to haunt him; but when he realized that he might lose the qualification to stand on that stage, he could not stop crying.
How could his efforts, his passion, and all he had devoted to this goal end for such a reason? However, the traces left by fear were deeper and more difficult to ignore than those left by happiness.
He was afraid. He was afraid that one day he would fall on the stage and never get up again. He was even more afraid that if he left for a while, he would not even have the chance to stand up again.
I wanted to get rid of this fear, but my consciousness was like a rope, constantly wrapped around my neck, making it difficult to even breathe. Helpless was not the word that should be used to describe him, but now he had to admit that this was how he felt.
Tears soaked the fabric. It took An Juesui a long time to calm down. He forced himself to think more rationally about what answer he should give.
Outside the door, everyone was still waiting for him.
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