Chapter 55: Was the Show Axed?

Xu Ze looked westward, then finally managed to find an empty bench and sat down to play with his phone.

He had already rehearsed privately with the directors yesterday, so there was no need for him to join them in today's rehearsal. Still, the director asked him to come and observe, so he could familiarize himself further with the process, and especially reminded him not to reveal his song in front of anyone ahead of time.

Xu Ze scrolled through his phone and noticed that in the group chat with Xu Yan and Miao Miao, Xu Yan had sent several messages. When he opened the chat, he couldn't help but laugh.

Xu Yan's messages were: "Xu Ze, are you there?" But she'd sent each word separately, and after each word, she attached a selfie. Altogether, it read: "Xu (selfie) Ze (selfie) Are (selfie) You (selfie) There (selfie)?"

Each selfie was more revealing than the last. Xu Ze was a bit nervous someone might see his screen—anyone unaware might think he was looking at something inappropriate.

He replied, "Boss, please stop with the photos, I’m scared."

Xu Yan responded, "See? Usually, you take forever to reply when I ask if you’re around, but as soon as I send selfies, you show up instantly. @Miao Miao, did you see that? All men are like this, even Xu Ze is no exception!"

Xu Ze pressed his forehead, "I’m at rehearsal today, just happened to have nothing to do, so I saw your messages."

Right then, Miao Miao popped up, "Is this the rehearsal for the children’s music competition?"

"Yes," Xu Ze replied.

Xu Yan asked, "Can you tell us the name of your new song?"

"No," he answered.

Xu Yan, "So stingy. Miao Miao, want to go to the bar tonight? Let’s see what Xu Ze sings."

Miao Miao agreed, "Sure."

...

Half an hour later.

A little girl who had just finished her rehearsal stepped off the stage, saw Xu Ze still sitting there, and walked over to ask in a childlike voice, "Big brother, why aren’t you rehearsing?"

The girl had big eyes, like a porcelain doll, appearing only five or six years old. Yet she was here to compete.

Xu Ze smiled and answered, "Because big brother doesn’t need to rehearse."

He glanced around, then lowered his head and asked, "Little sister, where are your parents?"

"Oh, my mom went to the bathroom."

"I see." Xu Ze rummaged in his pocket, then pulled out a lollipop and handed it to her. "Here, uncle has a treat for you."

The girl took the lollipop and politely said, "Thank you, uncle."

At that moment, a male celebrity nearby overheard that Xu Ze didn’t need to rehearse, and scoffed to his companion, "So Xu Ze doesn’t need to rehearse? Why did the organizers invite him then?"

"Could he have offended someone at the station, and they canceled his segment at the last minute?"

"I think something must have happened. Otherwise, for such a big show, there’s no way he wouldn’t rehearse. I heard a lot of officials will be here tonight."

"This is going to be interesting. The buzz online is so hot, but the main character might not even get on stage."

Their voices were loud enough for Xu Ze to hear, but he paid them no mind. Just clowns, not worth wasting breath.

Suddenly, the crowd stirred. Many student parents exclaimed, "Zhang Yingjing!"

"Wow, Zhang Yingjing is so beautiful—she looks even better than on TV!"

Eyes sparkled among the parents, especially some of the men who were visibly excited.

Zhang Yingjing wore an exceptionally glamorous black evening dress as she walked through the crowd. People instinctively made way for her, her presence undeniable.

The male celebrity who had just ridiculed Xu Ze also brightened upon seeing her. He had met Zhang Yingjing at a previous event, so as she passed by, he tried to act gentlemanly and greeted her, "Hello, Zhang Yingjing, do you remember me? Last time we..."

Before he could finish, Zhang Yingjing walked right past him without the slightest pause.

His face fell, ignored in front of so many people.

Then his eyes widened—he saw Zhang Yingjing stop in front of Xu Ze. She seemed to be speaking with him, both smiling and chatting.

Why?

The more he looked at Xu Ze, the more displeased he felt.

He shifted his anger onto Xu Ze.

"Hmph," he sneered, "Xu Ze’s segment is canceled, so he’s smiling now, but when we’re on stage he’ll be crying."

Meanwhile, Zhang Yingjing sized up Xu Ze and said with a smile, "I never thought a simple shirt would look so handsome on you."

Xu Ze picked up the little girl beside him and said, "Come on, say hello to Sister Zhang Yingjing."

The girl, munching on her lollipop, obediently greeted, "Hello, Sister Zhang Yingjing."

Zhang Yingjing patted the girl’s head and asked curiously, "Is she your sister?"

"I wish I had such a cute sister. She's just a student in the competition; her mom went to the restroom."

"Oh, I see."

Then, Zhang Yingjing produced a small black tie out of nowhere and handed it to Xu Ze with a smile, "Here, your shirt needs a tie—put it on."

Xu Ze took it and was about to set the little girl down, but she clung to him, pleading, "No, no—I want uncle to hold me."

Xu Ze: "..."

He never realized he was so popular with children.

Zhang Yingjing covered her mouth, laughing, and took the tie back from Xu Ze, "Forget it, I'll do it for you."

She stepped closer to Xu Ze and slipped the tie around his collar. Because Xu Ze was tall, she had to move even nearer.

At that moment, everyone around was dumbstruck.

What were they witnessing?

The ever-scandal-free Zhang Yingjing was tying Xu Ze’s tie, standing so close they were almost touching.

Now, Xu Ze was the envy of every man present.

"It’s done!" Zhang Yingjing looked at her handiwork with satisfaction, then straightened Xu Ze’s collar.

Xu Ze felt it—it was just right, neither too tight nor too loose. He smiled, "Thank you."

Zhang Yingjing waved her hand, "I have to go, my rehearsal is next."

"Alright," he replied.

After Zhang Yingjing left, the little girl's mother returned. Seeing Xu Ze, her eyes lit up, and she ended up taking a photo with him and her daughter in her arms.

That photo would later become the girl's most cherished memory.

...

At that moment, Zheng Xiyi, dressed in a low-cut evening gown, approached surrounded by her assistant and makeup artist. Having just finished her rehearsal, she noticed Xu Ze sitting alone in the corner.

She felt a touch of satisfaction—no matter how popular he was lately, he still didn’t have anyone to help him.

Xu Ze’s background was far inferior to hers.

Zheng Xiyi straightened her posture and walked over.

With a bright smile, she greeted, "Hello, Xu Ze. It’s nice to finally meet you in person."