Chapter 11: The Movie Emperor’s Little Idol 10
In the van, Qin Ning hesitantly glanced at Bai Liang from time to time. It had already been 3 days ever since the night Bai Liang disappeared without any news. He only said that she didn't need to worry about it, but how couldn't she?
For idols, dating scandals were one of the worst kinds of scandals. She already asked the other members' help to find out where Bai Liang went but they also didn't get any result.
Thanks to Bai Liang's effort in recent variety shows, EFEX's popularity was on a steady rise and all of them were thankful for that. She didn't want him to ruin it with his own hands. Not only her, but as the group leader, Zhan Sheng was also worried. Ever since that night, he noticed Bai Liang always slipped out a smile whenever he was on his phone. Although it was fleeting, it was undoubtedly the face of someone in love.
Like right now.
Zhan Sheng and Qin Ning looked at each other from the rearview mirror, and he tacitly leaned to peek.
[My Emperor]
Seeing the name of the contact, Zhan Sheng wasn't sure what to make of it. But before he could read their chat, Bai Liang locked his phone. "What are you doing, Sheng-ge?"
"Nothing, nothing!" Zhan Sheng waved his hands in a fluster. "I was just curious since you're laughing. I thought you were watching a funny video or something."
"If you're still worried about that night, I told you it's fine." Bai Liang put away his phone. "I won't do anything that will compromise our group. I can't tell you because it's a matter of the other party's privacy. Am I really that untrustworthy?"
"I understand, I won't peek again. Don't be mad," Zhan Sheng apologized.
"Our leader always loses his spine against Xiao Yan." Chang Liu tutted.
Xu Rong was also helpless. "Xiao Yan never caused trouble for us. Let's just believe in him, alright? Why don't we review our schedule for today?"
Qin Ning took the cue and spoke up, "Right. Today you'll be going to participate in a variety game show as a team. Xiao Yan, because you have a dinner party tonight, don't strain yourself too much, okay?"
"I'll be careful." Bai Liang nodded.
"You'll be going against another team. Since this is a boy group special, the other team is naturally also a boy group." Qin Ning turned serious. "They're Jupiter."
Bai Liang noticed everyone's expression turned sour and skimmed through Su Yan's memory as to why.
Xue Liang: [Jupiter debuted the same year as EFEX and has been one of the top-ranked idol groups in their generation. They often clashed but Jupiter always won since they are under a large company.]
"Let's win." Zhan Sheng pumped his fist. "Their company can't intervene with the game. We can win against them fair and square."
"I'm also itching to slap them in their face," Chang Liu cracked his knuckles. "Although this is outside the stage, I'll be happy to beat them at anything at this point."
Xu Rong sighed. "Just don't hurt yourself, alright?"
"How will the game be like?" Bai Liang asked.
"We don't get much detail, but it's going to be physical," Qin Ning answered. "Since we'll be shooting indoors, it shouldn't be that strenuous."
They soon arrived at the studio and headed to their waiting room. They politely greeted the staff and artists who would help them with their hair and makeup.
Bai Liang had just finished changing into the uniformed blue jersey when his phone vibrated. Seeing that it was a call from his stalker, he headed out to accept it.
"Your timing is as terrifying as always." he walked to an empty corner. "I'd believe it if you said Ning-jie is your spy."
"I only need my heart to know what you are doing," Han Yi-Shen proudly said. "I'll head there as soon as I finish today's shoot."
"Be careful not to have any NG."
"The last time I had NG was before my acting career."
"Don't jinx yourself."
"Even if I do, my little charm will counter it." Han Yi-Shen wasn't worried the slightest bit. "Good luck, baby. Don't get hurt."
"I won't."
"Don't jinx yourself," Han Yi-Shen returned Bai Liang's words with a chuckle. "If you get hurt, I'll make all the program crews lose their jobs and Chenhua Entertainment bankrupt."
"Is that a threat or an encouragement?" Bai Liang was amused.
"If you want those, I can make it happen without you getting hurt."
"I'm not a fiend like you." Bai Liang saw Zhan Sheng coming towards him and sighed in regret. "I have to go."
Han Yi-Shen felt they had only talked for a short second and was reluctant to hang up. "Alright. Remember my threat. See you later, baby."
Hearing him admit that it was a threat, Bai Liang laughed. "Later, Shen-ge."
He disconnected the call, knowing Han Yi-Shen wouldn't do it himself if he let it be. Phones were truly convenient. He could talk to his lover however far apart they were. In his world, when his master needed to go somewhere and he couldn't accompany him, he could only be patient until he returned to talk to him again.
"Xiao Yan, who were you talking to?" Zhan Sheng hesitantly asked.
"A relative," Bai Liang lightly answered.
Although Su Yan's parents were already dead and he was an only child, he still had cousins and the like. Zhan Sheng also knew this and didn't question him further. "Come on. It's about to start."
Bai Liang nodded. They stopped by their waiting room for him to give his phone to Qin Ning before joining Chang Liu and Xu Rong on standby behind the stage. When they got there, he saw there was another team of four in red jerseys, none other than Jupiter.
"Let's get along today, EFEX." Jupiter's leader, Xavi, offered his hand with a condescending smile.
"Likewise." As their leader, Zhan Sheng could only shake Xavi's hand, forcing a gritted smile. Bai Liang could almost see the electric sparks clashing from their eyes.
The show started as scheduled, and the first to be called out was EFEX. Bai Liang followed the others out to see the stage was quite spacious, as big as his sect's secondary training ground, enough to accommodate 50 to 70 people. Watching across the stage were the live audiences, roughly counted as 200 people or so.
It was then he noticed the man wearing a black cap sitting at the very edge of the topmost row. He was briefly surprised and could only suppress his smile. Stopping at the assigned spot, he followed the others to give their group greetings.
The pair of hosts praised them for their good looks and joked around with each of the members for a while to release their tension.
"Su Yan, I watched the newest episode of «Haunted List» right at its release," the male host said. "I thought you couldn't be any cuter, but when you just appeared earlier, I know I couldn't be any more wrong. You can call me ge too."
"This uncle. How can you be a big brother with your age?" The female host slapped her partner's arm before immediately changing her tone to Bai Liang. "But of course, you can call me jie."
"You're also a shameless aunty," the male host retorted.
"I'm still in my early thirties." The female host flicked her hair. "How about it, Xiao Yan? I can still be your big sister, right?"
Bai Liang gestured at the rest of the EFEX members next to him. "If uncle and aunty want to be my big brother and sister, you will need to ask my big brothers' permission first, then our manager, and our agent."
The two hosts laughed, saying they might as well audition to be new members of EFEX. Zhan Sheng also added it would be easier for them to enter their official fanbase and join Su Yan's other fans.
Soon after, the host continued to the next part and cued Jupiter's entrance. When they appeared, many of the audience immediately cheered for them, easily proving that more than half of them were Jupiter's fans.
Bai Liang didn't particularly care but saw that it wasn't the case for Zhan Sheng and the rest. Well, it wasn't like he couldn't understand their jealousy and frustration. He didn't plan to look lame either.
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone