HWMTOTBM Chapter 6

After breakfast, Xu Yu sat on the balcony with his guitar, becoming daze for half an hour.

It was just a dream.

Just a dream.

Just a dream.

Xu Yu strummed the guitar lightly.

The weather seemed gloomier than yesterday; it was ten o’clock and still no sun. Huh, there’s an ant here. Where is it going? A bird flew by, but he could not recognize it. The wind was becoming stronger.

What song should he sing for the show?

Just a dream.

Just a dream.

Just a dream.

Xu Yu picked up his cup and took a sip of warm water.

The ant was gone; perhaps it had climbed into one of the many potted plants on the balcony or gone downstairs.

Xu Yu blew his bangs out of his eyes and took out his phone.

He opened the photo album and deleted the eighteen-second video he saved yesterday. The awkwardness and embarrassment that had plagued him all morning eased slightly with this action.

Xu Yu took another sip of water.

Yun Jie sent a message in the morning informing him that the show “My Song, Your Song,” for which she had signed him up, had already begun recording. He would appear in the second episode, which would air in three weeks on Jian City TV, and Yun Jie asked him to choose a song within the next few days so she could submit the title.

Xu Yu had prepared two songs but could not decide which one to perform. He played both on the balcony and suddenly had an idea.

He picked up his phone and made a call.

“Hello.” The other person answered after a long time.

“Were you sleeping?” Xu Yu asked.

Zheng Xue replied, “Yeah, it’s only eleven. What’s up?”

“I’m participating in a show in a few weeks and can’t decide on a song. I wanted you to listen.”

“Sure.” Zheng Xue asked, “Are you free today? Want to come over?”

“Alright.”

“Okay, come in the afternoon. Don’t come now; I need to sleep a bit more.”

Xu Yu laughed and said, “Alright.”

Zheng Xue was Xu Yu’s classmate from middle and high school. Because of certain events, they transferred schools together and remained in the same class until graduation. Later, Xu Yu enrolled in a music academy in a neighboring province, while Zheng Xue attended a nearby university.

They often met for basketball and meals and returned to Lin City together after graduation.

Zheng Xue now owns and runs a successful bar in Lin City. He explained that he had a successful career but lacked a partner. For many years, whenever Xu Yu was unsure, he would consult Zheng Xue, and Zheng Xue would do the same, prioritizing Xu Yu whenever he faced uncertainty.

They had not seen each other in a long time. The last time was because Zheng Xue had found a boyfriend, a third-year college student. After confirming their relationship, the three of them shared a meal together.

However, they broke up some time ago. Zheng Xue said their values were incompatible.

At 2 PM, the sun finally showed its face, and the sky no longer looked like it was going to rain.

When Xu Yu arrived at Zheng Xue’s house, he rang the doorbell and waited a minute for someone to open it.

The house was completely dark, and Zheng Xue’s hair was a tangled mess.

“You’re here,” Zheng Xue squinted and made way for Xu Yu while taking the bag from his hand. “Did you bring me food?”

Xu Yu: “Yes.”

Zheng Xue: “Just in time, I was wondering what to order.”

Zheng Xue turned on the lights and kicked a pair of shoes towards Xu Yu, then went to wash his face.

The house was as messy as ever. Xu Yu went to the living room and moved a few pieces of clothing off the sofa to make room to sit.

Zheng Xue came out quickly. Before he even reached Xu Yu, he asked, “What show are you participating in?”

Xu Yu said, “My Song, Your Song.”

“Oh, that one,” Zheng Xue sat on the floor in front of the coffee table and opened the takeout box. “That show is pretty popular, isn’t it? It’s the second season, right?”

Xu Yu nodded: “Yes, the second season. I’m in the second episode.”

Zheng Xue unwrapped his chopsticks: “But I’ve heard that show has a lot of behind-the-scenes dealings. Be careful.”

Xu Yu: “I’ll just sing my songs.”

Zheng Xue smiled; this was typical Xu Yu.

Zheng Xue ate quickly and finished most of it in a few bites.

Before drinking his soup, Zheng Xue asked Xu Yu, “Where’s the song? Let me hear it.”

Xu Yu took out his phone and played two recorded songs.

“Oh, these two? I recognize them,” Zheng Xue said as he listened. “But won’t singing your own songs put you at a disadvantage?”

Xu Yu said, “I want to sing them.”

Zheng Xue nodded: “They both sound good. Weren’t you planning to release them on a music platform?”

Xu Yu suddenly remembered: “Oh, right.”

“It’s a long story.” Xu Yu paused the song.

Zheng Xue immediately put down the food he had picked up: “That long, huh?”

Xu Yu chuckled: “Actually, it’s not that long. I terminated my contract with the company.”

Zheng Xue was shocked: “What?”

Xu Yu: “So, the music platform release will take a while; it won’t happen soon.”

“What?” Zheng Xue was still surprised: “Why did you suddenly terminate the contract? Did something happen?”

Xu Yu shook his head. “Zhou Jie, using the company to create fake relationships for publicity, kept wanting to meet with me privately; when I refused, he threatened to complain that I was not cooperating.

Zheng Xue looked disgusted. “He is still causing problems? Creating fake relationships to the point of harassment and threatening to complain? What is this, kindergarten? Ridiculous.”

Xu Yu shrugged. “I’ve been dealing with the contract termination recently, it just got settled yesterday.”

Zheng Xue continued eating. “Well, it’s for the best. That company never suited you anyway. Look at the people they promote. They made such big promises back then.” Zheng Xue suddenly looked up, “Did you have to pay a penalty? How much?”

Xu Yu: “Some, I borrowed money from my brother.”

Zheng Xue’s sympathetic expression immediately turned to envy.

Xu Yu was someone he could never compete against.

Zheng Xue nodded, “That is good. You will have a bright future on your own, with your talent, it is just a matter of time.” Zheng Xue then asked, “Is your brother still in Australia?”

Xu Yu suddenly smiled at Zheng Xue, “Yes.”

Zheng Xue: “What’s with that look? Can’t I ask?”

Xu Yu raised his brow slightly. “Did I say anything?”

Zheng Xue used to have a crush on Xu Weichi. Later, he claimed he gave up because he realized it would not get him anywhere.

At the time, Xu Yu posed two soul-searching questions.

First, “How did you know my brother is gay?”

Second, “Are you certain you are a top?”

Zheng Xue had no decision-making issues. After hearing it twice, he helped Xu Yu make the decision directly.

“By the way, if you’re free tonight, come to the bar. There’s an event tonight,” Zheng Xue pointed at Xu Yu’s phone. “How about singing the other song for my customers tonight?”

Xu Yu nodded. “Sure.”

With the decision made, Xu Yu sent the song to Yun Jie.

Yun Jie sent an update on her progress as well.

As they chatted on WeChat, Yun Jie suddenly sent a photo.

Xu Yu opened it and saw that it was Su Yuanjiu.

He sent a question mark back.

Yun Jie quickly retracted the photo: “Sorry, sent to the wrong person. No problem.”

Xu Yu instinctively swallowed and stared at the retraction for a few seconds before putting his phone away.

He asked Zheng Xue, who was playing a game: “Do you know Su Yuanjiu?”

“Who? The name sounds familiar,” before Xu Yu could continue, Zheng Xue interrupted, “Oh, JSS? Is that Xie Nan’s cousin?”

Xu Yu: “Who’s Xie Nan?”

Zheng Xue concentrated on his phone: “A, uh, an internet celebrity, I believe. He makes those tech review videos.”

Xu Yu thought of the video he watched yesterday. “Yes, that’s him.”

Zheng Xue: “Xie Nan has a lot of followers; I’m one of them. He often reviews cameras, drones, watches, cars, and other high-end stuff.”

Xu Yu, not very interested, simply acknowledged him with a hum.

“Why do you ask?” Zheng Xue then asked. “Why suddenly mention him?”

Images from yesterday flashed through Xu Yu’s mind. He cleared his throat and said, “I went to JSS for an interview yesterday, for next season’s advertisement.”

Zheng Xue looked up and exclaimed, “Really? That’s impressive, JSS!”

Then he continued playing his game.

Xu Yu hummed in agreement. He glanced at Zheng Xue’s phone, then at the floor and the table, and asked. “Have you seen the video Xie Nan made of Su Yuanjiu?”

“Ah, I died, I lost!” The sound of failure came from Zheng Xue’s phone. He closed the game and leaned back against the sofa.

“Are you talking about that vlog?” Zheng Xue paused for a moment before laughing. “To be honest, I watched it twice. His coffee brewing was really impressive.”

Xu Yu inquired, “Why did Xie Nan record a video of his cousin?”

“Here’s what happened,” Zheng Xue explained to Xu Yu. “One day, Xie Nan made a video about luxury cars. He borrowed Su Yuanjiu’s car for the video, and then the viewers kept asking him to make a video about Su Yuanjiu. So many people requested it that Xie Nan finally did it.”

Zheng Xue laughed again. “Xie Nan’s filming skills are quite good, but it was his first time making a daily life vlog, filming someone cooking. At first, he had no idea what he was doing, but it unexpectedly became popular overnight, and Su Yuanjiu went viral, which was quite interesting.”

Xu Yu asked, “Do you know about the ‘Ten Seconds of Staring’ with Su Yuanjiu?”

Zheng Xue suddenly sat up straight. “Of course! I watched it! It was amazing! I watched it three times! I almost fainted from laughter.”

Xu Yu gave a long “ah” sound and nodded.

“Su Yuanjiu now has a lot of ships (couples) in fan fiction; you know about the Kapow network, which only edits ship videos, right?” Zheng Xue asked. “I even sent you a few of their videos.”

Xu Yu nodded. “I know.”

“Su Yuanjiu is now the big top (gong) on Kapow network. People love editing videos of him. No matter who he is paired with, even if that person was dominating before, they always end up being the bottom (shou). No one can top Su Yuanjiu on Kapow network.”

Xu Yu’s mouth formed an “O” shape. “Oh.”

Zheng Xue counted with his fingers. “The vlog Xie Nan made with Su Yuanjiu, the livestream in which Su Yuanjiu appeared, several of Su Yuanjiu’s interview clips, the press conference he attended, and other bits; fans keep editing and re-editing these clips, and they never get tired of it.”

Xu Yu produced another “oh” sound.

Zheng Xue burst out laughing: “Come to think of it, you and Su Yuanjiu have quite the connection.”

Xu Yu asked, “Why?”

Zheng Xue laughed: “Although you don’t have as many videos on Ka Po network, in all of them you’re the bottom. Maybe when you get famous, you’ll become the big bottom on Ka Po network. No one can top Su Yuanjiu, and no one will let you top, haha.”

Xu Yu: “…That doesn’t even rhyme.”

Zheng Xue laughed even louder. “Why are you concerned about the rhyme?”

Xu Yu: “…”

Zheng Xue finally calmed down and took a sip of water. “But why did you suddenly bring him up? Do you like him?”

Xu Yu immediately looked up. “No, no way!”

Zheng Xue was startled. “Why such a big reaction?”