HEIFEIGU -Chapter 115

The band members, who had been crying and hugging each other, suddenly stopped.

The drummer’s mascara was fragile; sweat mixed with tears ran down her face in black streaks as she looked at Zhu Qian.

“Do… you know me?” After a year of absence, Zhu Qian wasn’t sure how much influence he had left.

“Yes! We know you!” The panda-eyed drummer immediately responded excitedly. “I’m your fan!”

“Great. Then we can talk about collaboration.”

The audience below erupted into cheers.

Chen Mengyu stood on stage, barely able to believe it.

Really… a miracle?!

Song Chu was nudged twice by Xie Jixing and had a bouquet shoved into his arms.

“Hurry up.” Xie Jixing thought this was his senior’s only chance to get a girlfriend in his life.

Sending flowers?

Song Chu used to think this was the most meaningless gesture.

Flowers were neither practical nor long-lasting—completely low cost-effectiveness.

But now, he seemed to understand the meaning of giving flowers.

Holding a large bouquet of sunflowers, he stood below the stage and handed them to Chen Mengyu. “Your performance today was a success. Congratulations.”

“Thank you.” The previous interaction had been very flirtatious, but that was during the performance.

In a calm setting, this direct eye contact made Chen Mengyu a little shy.

She accepted the bouquet, standing awkwardly at the edge of the stage. Song Chu reached out his hand from below, “Do you want to come down?”

Song Chu’s hand was beautifully shaped. Even though Chen Mengyu knew she should be reserved, she still took it.

Protected by Song Chu, she jumped down from the stage.

‘Clink.’

The crisp sound of a glass hitting the floor.

Jiang Tutu, who had been sitting in her seat, ignored by everyone, threw down her cup.

Just now, everyone had been focused on Chen Mengyu on stage—even Gao Xingchuan, who usually only looked at himself, had been watching intently.

Jiang Tutu silently wished over and over that this lousy band would just disband.

But now, a twist of fate—someone actually wanted to save them.

Why?!

She couldn’t understand why what others wanted seemed so easy to get, while she always failed.

Everyone stared at her in surprise—no one asked her anything, no one comforted her, not even Gao Xingchuan spoke.

Jiang Tutu felt the whole world was laughing at her.

She didn’t want to perform anymore. Grabbing her water cup, she hurled it at the nearest camera.

Then she got up and left the scene.

【Ah?!】

【Crazy! Why hit me?】

【This makes no sense.】

【Wait, who upset her?】

The audience was confused. The people on site were confused. Gao Xingchuan instinctively wanted to follow, but calmed himself and stayed put.

The band’s lead singer shrugged and led the members in seeing the audience out.

Once the venue quieted down, Zhu Qian and Chen Mengyu began discussing business.

“I’ve just returned to the country, and the company is newly established. I don’t have the ability to make you stars yet,” Zhu Qian got straight to the point. “So I won’t be signing a management contract with you.”

“But I can offer you employment contracts. You’ll join the company as employees. In addition to monthly salaries, you’ll get free dorms, practice rooms, recording studios, and full social insurance from day one.”

“Later, the company will create a group with me and a virtual idol, covering multiple musical styles, including some anime-oriented ones.”

“Your playing skills are mature, the lead singer’s voice is distinctive. It’s a pity to disband. Why not join us to handle album tracks? You can rehearse on your own after finishing daily work.”

“Of course, if there are music festivals or conventions, the company will recommend you. The income from those performances won’t be deducted by the company.”

“You can think it over. If you’re willing, Chen Mengyu can contact me.”

The development was somewhat unexpected.

【I thought they were going to package them as idols. This twist is huge.】

【All that talk earlier, but it was just bluffing.】

【Am I the only one who thinks this is really great?】

This audience member wasn’t alone. Chen Mengyu barely thought about it and immediately raised her hand.

“I’m willing. I just want to ask—what about copyright for songs we write ourselves during this time?”

For any original musician, this is a crucial issue.

“All copyrights belong to you,” Zhu Qian naturally understood their concerns. “If you produce enough quality tracks, you can record and mix them in our studio. The company will help release digital albums.”

“Then I have no problem!” Chen Mengyu immediately agreed.

Free use of the studio, copyrights retained, albums released, and a monthly salary—what was there to consider?

“Boss Zhu, when can we start? I can’t wait to have social insurance.”

“I-I-I, me too,” the lead singer raised her hand. “Just having social insurance is enough to convince my parents!”

“I’ll definitely join,” the panda-eyed drummer scratched her head. “Boss Zhu, I’m your fan. Can I get your autograph later?”

Only the keyboardist kept her head down and didn’t speak.

“Then let’s wrap up for today,” Chen Mengyu kindly gave her some time.

The keyboardist suddenly looked up and asked Zhu Qian, “Can I… work and study for the civil service exam at the same time?”

Such a simple, honest question! It was so far removed from typical entertainment industry concerns that Zhu Qian was stunned.

“Of course… I guess.” He helplessly looked at Xie Jixing.

Xie Jixing leaned over and whispered schemingly, “You get his social insurance and salary, then study properly.”

The keyboardist froze. She thought her request was bold, but it had actually been approved.

These two stars were surprisingly down-to-earth.

“Okay, then I’ll join too.”

One person.

Xie Jixing smiled sweetly, “Then, I wish you success soon.”

Done.

After the meeting, a trending topic quietly appeared: #Mom, I found a job on a dating show that even gives social insurance!#

【I’m really jealous. In today’s society, where college graduates often face unemployment, this job makes me drool.】

【I looked into it.

The boss is handsome, young, highly skilled, and wealthy. Most importantly, he’s a decent guy—no sexual harassment.

Dorms included, 15 minutes walk to work, no crowded public transport.

No punch-in, no stress over the last shared bike being broken.

No interaction with clients or parties, no 24/7 standby.

What kind of god-tier job is this? My jealous eyes are red (throws water cup at camera).】

【! Already a meme?】

【Try it (throws water cup at camera).】

【Just getting social insurance, five insurances and one fund, beats 80% of jobs grads can find.】

【Watching today’s show, I feel moved. If Summer Star only had Zhu Qian and Xie Jixing, would the outcome be different?】

【Prophet?! Zhu Qian really started a new group. Just released.】

【I saw it too. Very novel, amazing.】

Many netizens traced back and found Zhu Qian’s account.

Very short content, just one line:

Zhu Qian: Silence all around, I sneak into your heart.

Below it was a polished promotional poster.

Black background, blue sound waves rippling from the center in layers…

Two boys leaned back-to-back, their profiles pressed against the ripples.

One was Zhu Qian, the other just a silhouette.

Between them was written the name of their duo: “JiQian”.

The font was slightly slanted, elegant and artistic, giving a strong atmospheric vibe.

At the very bottom of the poster, a line read: “JiQian duo’s first single has been released on all major music platforms.”

This mysterious duo was officially announced just like that.

The last post Zhu Qian had shared was the disbandment notice of Summer Star.

And now, out of nowhere, he launched a new duo called JiQian—one of the members didn’t even seem to be human.

When Summer Star had just debuted, Zhu Qian had been the member with the largest fanbase.

Thanks to his creative talent, these fans were extremely loyal—die-hard supporters.

Even after he went abroad for a year, disappearing completely from the entertainment industry and the internet, these fans never abandoned him.

But his “resurrected” style of posting updates was still a bit overwhelming for some.

【Please, big brother, next time can you give us a heads-up? My heart can’t take these surprises.】

【Calm waters normally, but when he acts, it’s a big deal every time.】

【I knew he acted like a ghost on the dating reality show, only appearing when necessary—it turns out he was busy with this.】

【Has anyone listened to the new single? How is it? How is it? (jumps up and down in curiosity)】

【EMMMMM… listened, hard to evaluate.】

【I remember he used to do psychedelic rock, has he been possessed?!】

【Whoa, this is so addictive!】

【Let me try to describe his new style: underworld.】

【LOL, the comment above is spot on.】

【He even added an erhu!】

【The suona hit, and I got goosebumps.】

【Even more precise: both underworld and addictive.】

【By the way, who is the other boy’s voice? It’s amazing, ethereal and catchy, I’m in love.】

【I checked the production credits: human voice sampling plus synthesizer, credited as: Ji.】

While the discussion about the music style was ongoing, Zhu Qian posted yet another update.

Zhu Qian: The best gift of my life. 【Image X1】

The picture showed a very large rectangular black gift box, tied with a deep blue satin ribbon, looking very high-quality.

【Erratic… sporadic updates…】

【A harp? So big… but harps aren’t that long, are they?】

【A musical instrument can’t really be called the best gift of his life.】

【Bold claim. The size and shape of this box… maybe it contains a person.】