Chapter 83: 083

Chapter 83

"..."

A few meters away, Liu Yue held up her camera and gave her a thumbs up.

Jiang Juyou's face remained neutral, but inside, she was starting to go crazy.

Among the four girls in their dorm, she was closest to Liu Yue. Over their four years of college, the two had often covered for each other - Liu Yue rushing off to chase celebrities abroad, while Jiang Juyou hurried to part-time jobs.

After four years of this "partnership in crime," they each essentially held the other's lifeline. Yet their relationship wasn't quite like traditional best friends who shared everything.

It was complicated.

Returning from abroad, Jiang Juyou brought snacks and gifts for the small group of fans waiting at the scene. She took two bags off the cart to give to them, encouraging everyone to enjoy together.

She introduced to the fans, "This is Jiang Tang from our company."

"We know!"

"We've all been watching the show!"

"Nice to meet you!"

There were over a dozen young fans present, plus Jiang Tang and Jiang Juyou. Everyone seemed a bit unnatural today, and the reason was the person holding the big camera in front. Usually when they came to greet her at the airport, they just took photos with their phones, mainly chatting with Jiang Juyou.

Seeing someone with a camera at these greetings wasn't strange - those who frequently attended in-person events had surely seen it before. But today's photographer was different.

Anyone who used the internet knew about the site-opening gift that had recently taken the web by storm. Since Jiang Juyou only had this one fan site, the person holding the camera could be none other than that wealthy sister.

It was nerve-wracking to see such a rich person for the first time.

Jiang Juyou felt awkward because even though they knew each other well, they had to pretend to be strangers at this moment. She didn't know who exactly this fan site was meant to torment.

"After the third public performance the day after tomorrow, aren't you going abroad with everyone?" She was referring to the trainees' overseas tour, which would begin after the third public performance, possibly involving multiple flights back and forth.

Jiang Juyou nodded, "I might go to a few shows."

While she spoke with the fans, Jiang Tang was quietly discussing something with the assistant while pushing the luggage cart. Up front, Liu Yue checked the time after taking a few photos, and gave Jiang Juyou a hand signal when she looked up, indicating she had to leave.

Jiang Juyou nodded, then turned her attention back to listen to what the fans were saying.

Liu Yue's actions seemed like a sudden impulse - likely once her enthusiasm waned, the fan site might close. Jiang Juyou didn't think much of it. But as soon as they got in the car, Jiang Tang, who had been glued to her phone, suddenly got excited.

"Hey, hey, look at this!" She tapped Jiang Juyou several times and handed her the phone.

Feeling unwell and exhausted, Jiang Juyou lowered the hand from her forehead and glanced at the phone. She saw the preview image Liu Yue had posted on Weibo.

In the photo, wisps of hair fell around Jiang Juyou's ears, with the rest pulled back into a low bun. She wore her standard winter outfit - a turtleneck base layer with a long coat, paired with various jeans and boots.

The only slight difference today was that she wore glasses - silver frames with black edges that somewhat subdued the emotion in her eyes.

To Jiang Juyou, it was just an ordinary photo, but Jiang Tang exclaimed, "This one's taken really well!"

The long strands by her ears that weren't tied back rested on her shoulders, becoming slightly disheveled as Jiang Juyou turned her head.

She had her head slightly tilted, brows furrowed, with a hint of impatience in her eyes. Light from the side highlighted the contours of her nose bridge.

"@TodayIsJuyou'sGeneralStore: #JiangJuyou# Like, repost, and comment for a chance to win one of 100 milk tea drinks."

"..."

Jiang Juyou demonstrated a frown in person.

The comment section was indeed lively, likely thanks in large part to the giveaway.

"It's a shame Hangover Cure didn't become an actress in the entertainment industry. She's got great qualities - so tall but with a small frame, born to be a star."

"I've noticed Jiang Juyou really loves to frown. What should I do? It makes me want her to scold me even more."

"Money really does wonders for a person. Looking at Jiang Juyou's old graduation photos, she was dark and plain. Now she's transformed into this wealthy divorcée fighting her husband in court - rich, beautiful, and classy."

"I especially loved her look with the small-framed glasses before. So soft and delicate, like a dodder flower."

"I can't even imagine how amazing it would feel to be scolded by Jiang Juyou in person."

"You Poison Wine sisters have some unique interests."

"This is a Weibo comment section, not a deserted island!"

Jiang Tang was still savoring the comments section with gusto. "Hey! There's one here that wants you to scold them!"

Jiang Juyou: "..."

Already not feeling well, now she felt even worse.

Jiang Juyou, who had never experienced motion sickness before, now felt carsick. Jiang Tang's excited exclamations beside her were like the chanting of the Tang Monk, making Jiang Juyou's limbs curl up and her head throb painfully.

Indeed, people should maintain some distance between each other.

Jiang Juyou took a deep breath and turned to stare at her. "If you keep this up, I'll read your comment section in front of you every day from now on."

The previously chattering Jiang Tang immediately fell silent. She even blocked the fan site account right in front of Jiang Juyou, showing her sincerity.

"I'm going to sleep for a bit. Keep it down." Only then did Jiang Juyou lie back down and close her eyes, arms crossed, exuding big sister energy.

The actual big sister didn't dare make a sound, afraid of waking her and getting scolded again. Jiang Tang quietly put on her headphones and turned to the side to continue playing on her phone.

Jiang Juyou hadn't been feeling well since before boarding the plane, and it got worse after returning home. After entering her room, she used her last bit of energy to shower and blow-dry her hair, then collapsed on the bed and fell into a deep sleep. She didn't wake up until the heat roused her that night, finally pushing off the covers to get up.

She had forgotten to close the curtains when she went to sleep, and now the moon outside was like a bright white light, showering her room with ample affection. Jiang Juyou sat on the edge of the bed for a while, supporting her swaying head, taking several deep breaths before standing up.

When she opened the door, it was pitch black outside, with only a bit of light coming from the two bedrooms. Jiang Juyou held her head as she turned the knob of the opposite door and went in. "Sis... I have a fever."

Jiang Tang, who had been enjoying the quiet of the night with a face mask on, was startled by the sudden door opening. "Ah! You scared me to death!" Her voice completely drowned out Jiang Juyou's words, so she hadn't heard clearly and asked, "What's wrong?" as she jumped off the bed.

Jiang Juyou stood there dazed, touching her forehead and saying, "I have a fever..."

Hearing this, Jiang Tang moved closer and touched her forehead to feel the temperature. "Oh my god, you're burning up!"

Usually when Jiang Liuxing complained about having a fever, you could barely feel any difference in temperature. But with Jiang Juyou, as soon as Jiang Tang touched her, she could feel the heat - like the lid of a pot that had just finished boiling.

Jiang Liuxing, who was in the other room, also heard the commotion outside and came out to look. She walked over to the doorway, still clutching a bag of chips. "...Who has a fever?"

Jiang Tang raised Jiang Juyou's arm in response.

"Have you taken her temperature?" Jiang Liuxing asked before turning to put away her snack and wash her hands. She also went to the living room cabinet to find the medicine box.

Jiang Juyou, who usually presented a strong career woman image, was now leaning on her sister's shoulder. Even though Jiang Tang was shorter than her and it wasn't comfortable, she still clung to her sister.

Jiang Liuxing brought over the medicine box and took out a thermometer. The three of them busied themselves in the living room.

"What medicine reduces fever again?" Jiang Tang asked Jiang Liuxing.

Chen Wu looked at him, but his anxiety wasn't relieved at all. Instead, it got worse.

The stage for the third public performance had been set two months ago, and they had finished all the practice. There wasn't much to worry about, except for the unexpected situation with Gao Xiayu.

He was under too much pressure and lost his voice.

Today was the start of the dress rehearsal, and tomorrow was the actual performance, but he still hadn't recovered.

All the burden fell on Chen Wu's shoulders. This time, he had to lead all the practice for the third public performance. Initially, he did well, but ever since he learned about his grandmother's worsening condition, he couldn't stabilize his emotions anymore.

Chen Wu looked up, tears that had gathered without him noticing slid from the corner of his eye. The tears flowed down his cheeks, hanging on his earlobe until another drop slid down, falling together onto the clothes on his shoulder. His voice was muffled, "...No, I have to debut."

He bit his lower lip, using his arm to block the light from his vision, holding back his sobs, "I must debut."

Watching him like this, Gao Xiayu's eyes also turned red. He patted Chen Wu and squeezed his shoulder.

These things hidden behind the scenes, as long as they don't speak about them, the public won't know. Even fans can't glimpse a bit of it.

They won't know that Jiang Juyou has been producing albums since the company was first established, and has flown back and forth between domestic and international destinations nearly a hundred times. They also won't know that those amazing peripherals and photo cards were all Jiang Juyou's ideas.

Fans won't know how much the group members cherish each other, not only facing the pressure of the competition but also the pain of impending separation. They also won't know how many injuries the trainees have suffered, what kind of pressure they're under.

All the hardships are blocked by the camera, leaving only the shining moments.

The public belatedly learned about Jiang Juyou's hospitalization on the day of the third public performance. During this time, Random Entertainment didn't say whether the performance would be canceled or if Jiang Juyou would come.

As the audience entered the venue, they couldn't help but look towards where the judges' seats were supposed to be. Previously, that area was always full of lighting equipment, hard to ignore, but this time it was empty.

"Title: Gossip Discussion/No judges' seats at the venue, the Hangover Cure might still be in danger."

"Wuwuwuwu so sad, Random Entertainment still hasn't said anything, so annoying, their PR department might as well be dead. There are no judges' seats at the venue, nothing at all wuwuwuwu!"

"[Image]"

Comments:

"Ah-- Could it be that she's really still in danger?"

"Huh? What? What happened to the Hangover Cure?"

"All the posts in our group have been deleted. I really don't understand why they had to be removed."

"Reply: The hangover medicine caused a fever and hospitalization. The fever was extremely severe, and she lost consciousness. Some sisters said she's now in the ICU. Those posts are all gone now, all deleted."

This post, too, was deleted before the thread could even build up.

The fans sitting at the venue also lacked their usual energy, occasionally glancing towards where the judges' seats used to be.

"I hope she's alright..."

"Without Jiang Juyou, the soul of this performance is gone."

"Sigh..."

The live stream comments were also constantly discussing Jiang Juyou, explaining to fans with slow internet connections. Everyone prayed together for Jiang Juyou's quick recovery.

Just as everyone's minds were wandering, the signal for the performance to begin flashed across the big screen—

The lights in the venue came on, and the opening animation started playing.

The live stream was showing Moonle getting doused with water when suddenly an eruption of screams and cheers burst from the scene.

"Huh?"

"What's happening? What's going on?"

"What's all the commotion at the venue?"

"Who came out?"

"The trainees should be coming on stage."

"Damn! I wish I could see. I should've gone to the venue!"

"For them to be screaming like that, someone must be on the mic!"

"Why is this animation so long?"

Just as they were saying this, the opening animation ended, and the camera cut to the live scene—

The camera panned across the fan seats, making a full circle before everyone finally saw the reason for the screams at the venue.

Jiang Juyou was wearing a white haute couture gown, with a floor-length skirt. The hem was a mix of tulle and white silk, and both her arms had upright white satin bows. The high-end craftsmanship in a fairy-like style accentuated her unique cool and aloof temperament.

Jiang Juyou, who always presented herself with a serious and formal appearance, was trying this style for the first time. Her delicate makeup paired with long curled hair made all the fans at the venue scream.

She held the microphone in her hand, along with cue cards, and smiled at the camera.

"Ahhhhhhh! My beautiful wife!"

"Thank goodness she's okay! Thank goodness!"

"Who understands, family? I just regret that the talent scouts in the industry didn't do their job properly and let Jiang Juyou slip away!"

"Damn! Husband turned into wife!"

Jiang Juyou's fever that day was quite severe. When she got to the hospital, she was barely conscious, but after two days of injections, she recovered immediately. The speed of her recovery even amazed the doctors, but it was tough on those two.

They got infected and are now in the hospital on IVs, so Jiang Juyou came out directly to fill in.

"Welcome, all Moonle, to the third unknown realm. For the next three hours, we will stay here, explore, and search for signs of life."

Jiang Juyou held the microphone, showing no signs of a newcomer's nervousness. She smiled at the camera after every sentence, and the big screen followed with close-ups of Jiang Juyou.

"Wow—"

"I'm going crazy! Jiang Juyou, you bad woman! It's not enough that you have my money, now you want my heart too? Take it! Take it all!"

"So beautiful, so beautiful, wuwuwu, for the first time I don't want to care about those people behind."

"The comments are killing me. Last week: My baby~ This week: Those people behind."

"Damn, Jiang Juyou has stolen my heart!"

"I told you the boss being too pretty would cause problems! Ha! You bunch of lustful women!"

"I hope they weld this look onto her, it's very good for my eyes!"

"Can those people behind move aside? They're in the way of the frame, making it inconvenient for me to take screenshots."

"Let's not debut the trainees first, let's debut Jiang Juyou first. I could buy ten thousand of her photo cards!"

Moonle: A brief emotional affair, don't call me out.