Chapter 51: 5.1 Billion “For her, what’s wrong with being a scheming man…
The show begins.
On the stage, the Jiyue Band played and sang their own composition, a song they had sung countless times and were already very proficient in.
Under the stage, only half of the audience members were present, but the cheers were several times louder than before. Everyone gathered in front of the stage, frantically turning on their phones to record, fearing that they would miss Ling Yao's interactive look if they were a second late, and they kept chattering and sighing.
"Oh my god! Didn't Ling Yao say before that he wanted to go for the power route? To avoid being accused of pandering to fans and to avoid rumors spread by people with ulterior motives, he refused to make eye contact with the audience as they left the stage. What's going on tonight?"
"He's so handsome! The rivet bracelet is so charming! He plays the drums so casually! Help, help!"
"Why is he looking at the audience so often?! Who is he looking at? Those peach blossom eyes are so affectionate! Can he look at me too?"
"Now I understand why he doesn't want to be an idol. Just thinking about how seductive his gaze is makes me breathless, let alone looking into his eyes!"
"Ahhhh! He's looking over here!"
…
For a moment, flashes of light were flashing everywhere, and those who didn't know would think it was a superstar walking on the red carpet.
In fact, Ling Yao's eyes were mostly focused on Xin Jingli in the front VIP area.
Before going on stage, Xin Jingli said that this performance would be a test for the band. If the audience response was enthusiastic and she could see a splash, then the 50 million dream-building fund would be given to the Jiyue Band.
Ling Yao told the team members about this matter. Everyone remained skeptical. After all, it was 50 million. Just giving it away casually? It was too much.
But they were willing to believe in Ling Yao, so they put 200% of their effort into the performance. After all, no one wanted the band to do well more than Ling Yao, and he had sacrificed too much for the band.
A long time ago, the band accidentally offended the East City tycoon Zhang Shidao. Since then, every time they performed, the other party would hire people to film them and then make a fuss about it, especially targeting Ling Yao.
Ling Yao was just looking towards the audience, so Zhang Shidao deliberately chose a wrong angle to say that Ling Yao was selecting fans. He also randomly edited the time when Ling Yao entered the hotel and asked internet trolls to make it a hot search, saying that Ling Yao was sleeping with fans.
Even though Ling Yao denied it and produced evidence, everyone only read the rumors and not the clarification, and the reputation of the Jiyue band plummeted.
Originally, Ling Yao was not opposed to interacting with fans and was even very enthusiastic about it. After all, they all came to listen to his songs. However, this kind of thing happened too frequently, and several female fans were implicated by him, subjected to cyberbullying, had their information dug out, and were subjected to all kinds of abuse. He felt very guilty.
In order to protect them, Ling Yao drew a clear line with his fans on Weibo, hoping that everyone would focus on their works and that he would no longer interact with his fans in future performances.
This operation caused the number of fans to drop sharply, which was not much to begin with, and now it has become even worse.
And tonight, Ling Yao's abnormal behavior pushed the atmosphere of the live house to a climax. Perhaps it was because the live video uploaded by fans attracted a lot of audiences. The performance hall was crowded with people, shoulders pressed against shoulders.
Looking at the handsome boy on the stage, Xin Jingli curled up the corners of his mouth.
Ling Yao does have what it takes to be an idol. When he plays the drums, the muscles in his arms flow smoothly, and the veins on the back of his hands bulge out, clearly visible under the jumping spotlight.
Perhaps in order to let her see the band's potential, Ling Yao's gaze fell on her from time to time, and his affectionate eyes made Xin Jingli very happy.
It feels like a customized idol, chosen among thousands of cheers. It's special treatment, and Xin Jingli couldn't help but raise his eyebrows.
Next to him, seeing the whole process of Xin Jingli and Ling Yao flirting with each other, Xu Zhanyan clenched his fists, digging his nails into his palms in regret.
He shouldn't have brought Xin Jingli here. What would he do if she really fell in love with Ling Yao?
Xu Zhanyan turned his head and looked at Xin Jingli's smiling expression, and he pursed his lips.
He had just asked Xin Jingli why she wanted to invest in them. She said that they seemed to be in a miserable situation and wanted to help, that was all.
Xu Zhanyan felt heavy in his chest. His fate with Xin Jingli also started when she extended a helping hand to him.
He liked her like this, always willing to help others without asking for anything in return. He was like this, his mother was like this, and now Ling Yao was like this too.
It was precisely because she was kind and generous that he liked her so much.
But...if there is a love rival.
Xu Zhanyan lowered his eyes and looked at Xin Jingli's hands on the table.
The girl's hands were white and slender, and her fingertips tapped on the table one by one following the syllables, as if tapping on his heart, full of temptation.
Xu Zhanyan hesitated, raised his hand, and slowly stretched it towards that hand.
Xu Zhanyan's hands have distinct joints, and his skin shows traces of life from washing clothes and cooking, which makes him look more masculine than his innocent face.
After approaching Xin Jingli's hand, Xu Zhanyan's hand stopped in mid-air and froze.
I dare not cover it.
He wasn't sure whether Xin Jingli would allow him to cross the line like this.
Seeing her smiling profile flashing with joy in the changing lights, she seemed very satisfied with the performance on the stage, with a smile on her lips. Xu Zhanyan held his breath and wanted to take his hand back, but refused.
He wanted to hold her hand, hold her in his arms, kiss her forehead, tell her that when he grew up, he would definitely be her support, and beg her not to go with anyone else.
To hold? Not to hold?
This decision turned into two little men, pulling at each other in Xu Zhanyan's mind. He could not hear any cheers or music, only the game in his heart.
She might get angry if you pull her hand.
If you don't hold...
He might regret not being brave enough and regret not telling her many things.
As if he had made a great decision, Xu Zhanyan exhaled heavily, stared at Xin Jingli's hand, and stretched out his hand.
It was only 0.1 seconds late. The moment he grabbed her, the drums stopped beating and applause broke out from the audience. Xin Jingli raised her hand to applaud, without noticing Xu Zhanyan's empty hands or his lonely eyes.
A cold wind blew through his palm, and Xu Zhanyan was incredulous.
Just a little bit more, I finally mustered up the courage, could it be that they are not destined to be together?
He curled his fingers and lowered his eyelashes. The girls' cheers in his ears made him frown.
Xin Jingli put his hands to his mouth and cheered towards the stage, even shouting for the next song like the crowd around him.
Xu Zhanyan thought that Xin Jingli didn't like to hear these things and didn't like to join in the fun.
Turns out, she likes it.
So does she like the performance, or does she like... the people on the stage?
Xu Zhanyan turned around and looked at Ling Yao on the stage. His eyes instantly changed from gentle to sharp, hostile and cold.
He didn't deny that he was really jealous to the point of going crazy. He was so jealous that he half-closed his eyes, gritted his teeth, and twitched the corners of his mouth.
Why? He was the one who knew Xin Jingli first, and Xin Jingli had never been so enthusiastic towards him, never applauded him, so why did he react so strongly to Ling Yao?
If her kindness and generosity attracted too many men and threatened his position in her heart, he would not mind being a man with despicable means.
In love, how can you win without using tricks?
Xu Zhanyan picked up the phone and opened Jin Jingfang's dialog box.
In fact, Xin Jingli does admire Ling Yao. His voice, appearance and other qualities are all suitable for being in the entertainment industry, but it is just admiration.
Ling Yao's performance was very successful. Not long after it started, the audience took a video and sent it out, which immediately attracted many people to come. When the song ended, the crowd in the audience was bustling and shouting Ling Yao's name.
If she invests in the Jiyue Band, won't she be able to make money just by lying down when the system leaves?
Making money, who wouldn’t be happy?
The emotions were getting aroused, and with the intervals between songs, everyone was shouting, so Xin Jingli simply joined in, simply out of sheer enthusiasm.
On the stage, Ling Yao kept an eye on Xin Jingli's movements and also saw Xu Zhanyan next to Xin Jingli.
Ling Yao knew Xu Zhanyan, Yi Yi's friend, and had met her several times.
Men understand men. Xu Zhanyan's eyes look at Xin Jingli strangely, so he must be interested in her.
And now, Xin Jingli cheered for him, and Xu Zhanyan was also staring at him. The jealousy in his eyes that rushed to his face made Ling Yao very happy.
How to say it?
The person a brother likes also likes him. Although he says it politely, there is no lack of comparison in his heart.
It feels great that my charm is recognized.
He twirled his drumsticks and smiled at Xu Zhanyan.
Everything seemed calm on the surface, but only Xu Zhanyan could see that Ling Yao was being arrogant.
[After the performance, find a chance to take Xin Jingli away.] Xu Zhanyan typed this message to Jin Jingfang.
Every time the band performs, they will have a small celebration party. Xu Zhanyan originally wanted to take Xin Jingli with him, but now it seems that it is not possible. Xin Jingli and Ling Yao cannot have too much contact.
They are already flirting with each other just during the performance. If Xin Jingli and Ling Yao go out for a drink, they may not do anything when they are drunk.
The image of Xin Jingli and Ling Yao hugging each other appeared in Xu Zhanyan's mind. His chest exploded with jealousy, and his back teeth were almost broken.
At the same time, the system's voice rang in Xin Jingli's mind: [Detected a change in Ling Yao's favorability towards the host. Favorability increased to 65, converting 5 enhancement points. The current host has a total of 5 enhancement points available.]
Xin Jingli: I’m used to it, it’s nothing.
She took it as expected. After all, 65 favorability was not high. He could only be regarded as a kind passerby who said a few words. Once it was raised to 85 and became a love relationship, it would not drop. He would also actively respond as their feelings warmed up, and she would feel safe.
Before she could finish this thought, a system prompt rang in her mind: [Detected a change in Ling Yao's favorability towards the host, rising from 65 to 85, converting 20 enhancement points. Currently, the host has a total of 25 available enhancement points.]
Xin Jingli:...Ah?
No, it's only been over an hour since they met, and Ling Yao has already... fallen in love with her? Why?
Because when Ling Yao and Xu Zhanyan looked at each other, Ling Yao's favorability happened to become 65. He accidentally glanced at Xin Jingli with his peripheral vision, just a simple glance, without any other information.
But in Xu Zhanyan's view, this look was Ling Yao's blatant provocation to him, and Ling Yao was telling him: Xin Jingli is definitely mine.
After all, we've had barbecue together and met a few times. If we're not close buddies, we're at least friends. How could we be so ruthless and tear each other apart?
Then let’s break up. For Xin Jingli, what are you afraid of?
Xu Zhanyan frowned, clenched his fists, raised his thumb and stroked it across his neck, telling Ling Yao: If you mess around, you'll be dead.
The perfect error message inadvertently aroused Ling Yao's desire to win.
He knew Xu Zhanyan, who was the most handsome boy in the school and had many admirers. He could walk through a sea of flowers without getting a single leaf on him. He originally thought that Xu Zhanyan would not fall in love, but he did not expect that he had a special liking for this girl.
This girl...
Ling Yao's gaze fell back on Xin Jingli.
He admitted that she was indeed attractive.
She is beautiful and has graceful manners. Now he only knows her superficially, but it was so easy for him to win over Xu Zhanyan. She must have some extraordinary qualities that he has not discovered.
Curiosity brings about feelings. Ling Yao had never been in love before, but in an instant, he began to imagine the scene of holding hands with Xin Jingli, her snuggling in his arms and acting coquettishly, pounding his chest with a red face, and speaking in a coquettish voice.
Beautiful and dreamy.
He had never been nervous in all the years he had been on stage, but when this scene flashed through his mind, his heart beat faster, his cheeks became hot, and his palms began to sweat.
He blinked in disbelief, his peach blossom eyes carrying a deep affection filter, and the audience cheered again when they saw it.
In his sight, he could only see Xin Jingli. She was standing in the crowd, with the corners of her mouth slightly raised. The changing lights were reflected in her pupils, sparkling. She looked at him without any scheming, which made his breathing disordered.
Ling Yao didn't believe in love at first sight, but tonight, he began to believe it.
Also, he didn't believe that someone would turn against another friend for love, but at this moment, he believed it.
Because from the moment his heartbeat started to speed up, he felt particularly annoyed with Xu Zhanyan who was next to Xin Jingli. He wanted him to disappear, the farther the better, and it would be best if he disappeared from her side forever.
He even began to think about what means he could use to get rid of Xu Zhanyan. He didn't mind becoming a scheming man.
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