SGSHE101

Jing Heguang’s words left Luan Xing’an stunned.

Did Brother Jing mean…he was okay with going public just like that?

In Luan Xing’an’s mind, since brother Jing was a top-tier celebrity, their relationship naturally couldn’t be exposed so early.

As for when it would be revealed, that depended on the trajectory of their respective careers.

Yet, it turned out brother Jing had no intention of hiding it at all!

“Aren’t you afraid of losing fans?” Luan Xing’an asked.

Jing Heguang said earnestly, “I’ve had so many scandals in the past that the girlfriend-type fans stopped stanning me ages ago. Besides, compared to fans, holding onto my boyfriend is obviously more important!”

“You’re the one who will walk through the rest of my life with me. As for the fans, I just need to do right by them, I’m under no obligation to stay single forever just because others like me.”

What Jing Heguang didn’t mention was that he had already publicly thrown ‘fan service’ to their CP shipper several times.

Career was important, certainly, but Luan Xing’an was Jing Heguang’s career, whether viewed through the lens of the system mission to reform the ‘scum gong’,or through Jing Heguang’s own plans for the future.

Luan Xing’an thought: I must be the chosen one to have met someone as wonderful as brother Jing.

Luan Xing’an forgot all the embarrassment and worry he’d felt just moments ago. Now, he felt completely secure.

He used to be afraid that someone might snatch Jing Heguang away…

But looking at it now, with brother Jing liking him so much, there was no way anyone could steal him away!

He needed to make sure he was prepared, though. He has to fortify his position so solidly that anyone else would give up hope entirely.

Luan Xing’an hugged Jing Heguang and planted a kiss on him, then, restraining his inner excitement, tentatively asked, “But will your parents agree? I’m a man, too.”

“Same-sex marriage is legal now,” Jing Heguang said. “Besides, I already told them I’m off the single market, I’ve found a boyfriend.”

Luan Xing’an: ???

Luan Xing’an was shocked: “Brother Jing, when did you tell them? Don’t tell me your parents already know it’s me?”

Jing Heguang: “The first day.”

“The first day we got together?”

“You really are smart. Come here, give me a kiss!”

Luan Xing’an: …

“I even danced back then!!!” A dance as childish as something a little kid would do!

Luan Xing’an was freaking out.

He recalled his performance on the show and kicked himself for never considering that brother Jing’s parents might actually watch it!

However, on second thought, he hadn’t even realized he liked brother Jing back when he participated in the show.

Come to think of it, he only understood that his special feelings for brother Jing were actually love thanks to Qu Liuguang. However, Qu Liuguang certainly wouldn’t be getting any thanks, a man from the Qu family had actually tried to seduce brother Jing, Luan Xing’an held a grudge.

Luan Xing’an sorted out his thoughts and decided the most important thing right now was to nail his upcoming performance and leave a good impression on Jing Heguang’s parents!

Luan Xing’an perked up: “The recording isn’t until the day after tomorrow, so we can still squeeze in a few rehearsals. Brother Jing, let’s head back!”

Jing Heguang looked at his sweet little brother, who was suddenly full of manic energy: ???

Had he lost his status?

But then again, Luan Xing’an only cared about his parents’ opinion because he liked him.

Even though he understood the situation perfectly, Jing Heguang grabbed his sweet little brother and acted jealous with full confidence: “I can’t move. I need a kiss to get some energy.”

Amused, Luan Xing’an hugged him and planted a kiss on each of his cheeks.

Afterward, Luan Xing’an said, “Now it’s symmetrical!”

Jing Heguang often complained that kissing just one side made things asymmetrical. His OCD, or rather, his excuse to trick Luan Xing’an into kissing him a couple more times had turned into a habit.

Jing Heguang’s eyes crinkled into crescents as he spun a further tall tale: “The left side is lighter than the right.”

Luan Xing’an was full of energy and sharp-witted at that moment, he cleverly planted a quick peck on Jing Heguang’s lips.

That would surely leave brother Jing speechless!

Jing Heguang finally regained his ability to walk and followed Luan Xing’an back to the first floor.

Luan Xing’an’s mind was indeed sharp today. As they walked, he realized something was amiss.

It seemed…he’d been sweet-talked by brother Jing again?

All that talk about weight was just one of brother Jing’s ploys.

But brother Jing’s ploys were sweet, and he wanted to keep falling for them.

***

From the first official rehearsal to the last, Luan Xing’an’s performance improved rapidly.

Emotions can drive one’s state of mind and influence performance.

Luan Xing’an wanted to make a good impression on Jing Heguang’s parents, which gave him motivation.

Knowing Jing Heguang’s calm acceptance of the future and feeling that burning love even more clearly gave him confidence.

With both factors combined, there was no way his performance would suffer.

The only issue was that Jing Heguang was becoming increasingly…insatiable.

He kept feeling like…his well-behaved little brother was trying to seduce him!

But on the show, even if he went to stay with Luan Xing’an, there was nothing he could actually do.

After all, filming was continuous, and no leave was allowed.

Jing Heguang could only fantasize. He knew the importance of the situation and where his priorities lay.

And so, the days passed, both swiftly and slowly.

Luan Xing’an completed the mentor collaboration segment in top form and, full of energy, prepared for the live broadcast of the grand finale.

As for Jing Heguang, he was even busier.

He was the host for the live finale night and had to oversee the entire event. While others only rehearsed for short intervals, he had to be present for the whole process.

***

The night of the live finale.

The thousand seats in the auditorium were packed to capacity. Qu Wenyuan’s parents sat in the front row, wearing glowing blue star-shaped headbands.

With these prominent figures appearing right in front of Luan Xing’an’s fanbase, the crowd naturally turned their attention to the VIPs before the show even began.

Luan Xing’an’s fans puffed out their chests with pride, feeling distinct from other fandoms. After all, they had the backing of such powerful figures, their little brother’s future was secure!

Qu Wenyuan sat beside his mother, while Qu Jialiang occupied the seat directly in front of him.

Qu Wenyuan tapped Qu Jialiang on the shoulder.

“Hey, big brother, give me that star headband you brought.”

Qu Jialiang raised an eyebrow.

Qu Wenyuan continued, “I saw it. You aren’t wearing it anyway, so you might as well give it to me!”

Qu Jialiang had always been mature for his age, and after taking over the family business from their father in recent years, he had become even more composed.

In Qu Wenyuan’s thought, his brother had the appearance of a thirty-year-old but the steady, serious demeanor of a fifty-year-old.

Qu Jialiang glanced at him, showing absolutely no brotherly indulgence: “If you didn’t bring one yourself, you’re not getting mine.”

Qu Wenyuan was speechless. “Isn’t it a waste if you don’t wear it?”

Qu Jialiang simply turned his head away.

Then, Qu Wenyuan heard his brother’s voice drift back from the seat in front.

“Who says I’m not wearing it? I’m just waiting until later.”

Qu Wenyuan: …

His brother wasn’t like this before. Back in the day, he had treated him so well.

At 7:50 PM, Jing Heguang and Chu Chu took the stage as hosts.

A stunningly handsome man and a beautiful woman, they drew thunderous cheers and screams from the crowd the moment they appeared.

Jing Heguang: “Welcome, everyone, to the Voice of Heaven.”

Chu Chu: “Tonight is the live broadcast of the grand finale…”

The two worked in tandem, with Jing Heguang taking the lead and guiding Chu Chu through the hosting duties.

Without further ado, they got straight to the main event: the group performance of the theme song.

The theme song featured a chorus of forty contestants, for the finale, all forty had reunited to sing the song together.

The ten finalists were the most popular among the forty contestants, yet the remaining thirty had their own admirers as well. Seeing all forty of them appear together was a moment that captivated everyone.

Watching young girls tear up while singing along to the theme song, the director felt a huge weight lift from his shoulders.

The more people who cried, the greater the show’s success.

He had succeeded in making a great many viewers fall in love with these young, up-and-coming singers!

The moment of reflection was fleeting, quickly giving way to the intense focus required for the task at hand.

The trainees’ solo performances began with the contestant who had ranked last, tenth place, and proceeded in reverse order of their standings.

Some were nervous, others felt lost, yet everyone gave it their all, savoring this final moment on stage.

One by one, they performed…

After a slight initial dip, the live broadcast’s viewership ratings climbed steadily, eventually reaching an astonishing figure.

Then, it was the buzz-cut guy’s turn.

He performed another original song of his own: Living Simply.

No matter what the future held, he was determined to live earnestly and simply, and to keep chasing his dreams.

It was a sentiment that was simple, yet profound.

He hadn’t signed with an agency yet. While many were interested, their visions didn’t align.

This song, written shortly before the live finale, reflected his state of mind.

As the song ended, thunderous applause erupted from the audience. They loved it.

Waving his hand, he walked off stage with a relaxed air and patted Luan Xing’an on the shoulder as he headed backstage.

The nine trainees who had already performed, along with the other thirty, gathered around Luan Xing’an.

“Just little brother Xing’an left now.”

“Good luck. Don’t be nervous!”

“Go for it!”

Luan Xing’an took a couple of deep breaths. “I’ll do my best.” After all, he was a man whose performance would be watched by his partner’s parents, he had to stay composed.

As Jing Heguang announced his name, Luan Xing’an walked onto the stage and took his place in the center.

Above him, a sea of ​​deep blue starlight shimmered.

He adjusted the microphone and lifted his head.

The area below the stage was dark, yet he could see countless glowing signs and his own name, it looked just like another sea of ​​stars.

Amidst that sea of ​​stars, he could faintly make out bright, shining eyes gazing at him with eager anticipation.

— So many people liked him.

Luan Xing’an realized this truth, deeply and once again.

He touched the microphone, feeling that the song he had chosen for the night was absolutely perfect.

It was a song of gratitude.

Gratitude for the morning dew, for the sunlight, and for every single existence.

Gratitude for greatness that one might never even witness firsthand.

Gratitude for everyone who loved him.

There would certainly be bad times, but beauty never truly vanished.

Unlike previous performances where he focused on the spectacle, tonight Luan Xing’an simply wanted to sing for…them, and for ‘him’.

Luan Xing’an softly sang the final line:

“I love you, and so life becomes a song.”

As the soft melody faded into silence, the warmth evoked by the song lingered on.

Across a vast section of the crowd, glow sticks waved like ocean waves.

“We love you too!!!”

“Luan Xing’an!”

“Xingbao, Xingbao!! Mom loves you!”

Mother Qu, having just shouted ‘I love you’ at the top of her lungs: !!!

What to do when there are so many other mom fans?

Father Qu, who hadn’t shouted earlier, held his light-up sign high and made a late but powerful move: “Dad loves you too!!”

Qu Wenyuan’s ‘big brother loves you’ came a beat too late, lost amidst the chorus of countless ‘XX loves you’ shouts.

Luan Xing’an thanked them for a long while, even after the host, Jing Heguang, had stepped onto the stage, the fans below were still shouting.

Jing Heguang walked over to Luan Xing’an, and Luan Xing’an turned his head to look at him.

Then, Luan Xing’an pressed his lips together and opened his arms toward Jing Heguang.

Jing Heguang was momentarily stunned, but his body reacted faster than his mind, and he stepped in to embrace him.

Off-stage, the CP fans went wild.

What kind of scene was this???

Every day, they felt like they were witnessing the real deal!!!

What they didn’t know was…

Luan Xing’an whispered into Jing Heguang’s ear: “I love you.”

After saying this, Luan Xing’an let go and smiled, turning to walk toward the back of the stage.

Jing Heguang: !!!

There are days when he really wishes he weren’t the host!

He cursed his luck, why did he have to take on the hosting gig?

Last time, his sweet little brother planted a kiss on him and ran off. Now, it was happening all over again…

Who could possibly handle this?!

Seeing Luan Xing’an step back and start to turn away, Jing Heguang hesitated for only a second.

He decisively took a step forward and reached out to grab Luan Xing’an’s hand.

Their eyes met.

Luan Xing’an looked puzzled: ?

Was there something else?

Jing Heguang raised his microphone: “I want to say…I love you, too.”

Carried by the high-quality sound system, his voice reached the ears of everyone present and everyone watching the live stream.