My daily life is getting weird because I am caught between being in a band and being an idol.

Chaoyang spoke these words in a cool, detached manner, without any affectation.

After the interview, Asahi led the Pastel* members out of the studio and into the van for their return trip. As the car started moving, Asahi relaxed in her seat, seemingly finally shedding the cold, imposing aura she had felt in the studio. The atmosphere inside the van lightened considerably, and the girls gradually became more lively, starting to chat about their interview experience.

"Editor! What's going on?!"

Aine became dissatisfied. Although she wasn't actually that obsessed with being an idol, being clearly targeted made her very unhappy.

"...Well, there's no way around it. These idol magazines are actually quite similar to gossip magazines, but luckily the producer is completely caught up in their rhythm. He's truly a producer..."

Qian Sheng smoothed things over, while also making sure to praise Chaoyang.

"However, the producer lost his temper in the end, so it was better not to take action... The other party was probably happier, after all, it was a place that could attract attention... But thankfully, it ended peacefully. But everyone should remember that there will be more similar jobs in the future, and we won't be working together all the time, so we need to be more careful. The entertainment industry is a place where a single word can lead to utter ruin."

Having been a child star since childhood, it's only natural that Qian Sheng would start summarizing and generalizing for everyone.

Meanwhile, Chaoyang and Xiangzi, sitting in the front row, were whispering to each other.

"...Sigh, I've already checked. Although this magazine has liked to cover these kinds of borderline topics before, there hasn't been a case where an artist got flamed because of an overly controversial topic. That editor probably won't go too far, but it's definitely better to give them a little pressure, otherwise they might take advantage of it."

Then Xiangzi stopped talking.

To avoid others thinking that she and Chaoyang were very close.

"Oh my god~ I thought they were going to fight! The producer is really something else~~"

"Don't talk about this kind of topic with a happy expression."

Xiangzi couldn't stand sitting in the back eating, so he frowned and spoke up.

"Oh, speaking of which, who's the girl sitting next to the producer?"

"Hina-chan, Ms. Toyokawa works at the agency, and she's also a junior from our school, don't you remember?"

Yamato Maya immediately began introducing the Japanese dishes.

"Huh? So there's someone like that at our school~ I never noticed before. She seemed like a slightly more aloof and withdrawn Chisato-chan."

"Then she's basically no longer Chisato-chan..."

Maruyama Aya muttered a helpless complaint under her breath.

At this moment, Qian Sheng also smiled wryly and spoke.

"If possible... I hope Hina-chan won't use me as a benchmark..."

Xiangzi simply closed his eyes, appearing too lazy to participate in the chat with Pastel* in the back.

Just then, Ai Yin, who was sitting behind Chao Yang, reached across the seat and poked Chao Yang's shoulder.

"Thanks so much, producer! I heard what you and the editor said. That was really cool!"

. .

Name: Aiyin.

Charisma: 77.

Monthly revenue growth: 15.

Favorability: 50/100.

Evaluation: Returned to China after failing to complete her studies abroad. She has a short attention span and lacks focus, but she's a well-rounded individual, learning most things quickly. However, Aine prefers to stay in her comfort zone and tends to run away under pressure. She likes to be in the spotlight. Overall, she's a gentle and kind girl, willing to help others, and the life of the party in the team. One of the Maruyama Aya sisters.

. .

"Hmm? Aine, are you and Aya sisters?"

"what?"

Aine was at a loss for words.

Is the producer asking if we're as close as sisters?

"Yes! Aine is like my little sister~"

Maruyama Aya didn't think much of it and just nodded happily. She did have a good relationship with Aine in the team. Whenever Hina unconsciously tortured herself, Aine would come over to comfort and stop her. Moreover, the two were the closest in skill level in the team.

In terms of talent, Aya Maruyama is definitely not as gifted as Aine, but in terms of perseverance and hard work, Aine is far inferior to Aya Maruyama.

If possible, Chaoyang would like the two of them to complement each other.

"Yes, I also really like Senior Aya. She's cute and has a small face."

Aine immediately returned the compliment by praising Maruyama Aya, which was genuine; she really liked Maruyama Aya, since their tastes were similar.

"Huh? Is there?~~"

"Xiao Cai, you can't hide your smile."

Chisato smiled and reminded Maruyama Aya to pay attention to her image.

"But why did the producer suddenly ask this?"

"Nothing...just curious."

So they weren't sisters after all. The system information was wrong too.

. .

"I'm sorry to trouble you with my precious day off."

Back at the firm, I sat down at my desk. There were still a few employees working there, but their main role was to be on duty to answer phone inquiries and handle business collaborations.

"...Don't say things that could be misunderstood. I'm just doing my job. Student part-time jobs are usually done on weekends."

Xiangzi simply continued working with a stern face. After a while, she seemed nervous, carrying a folder, and walked up to Chaoyang. She then opened it and began her report.

"Excuse me, President."

"First of all, the venue rental procedures have been completed. On the day of the concert, the equipment inspection will be handled by a professional team to ensure that the sound and lighting effects meet the expected standards."

Then he turned to another page of the document and quickly added to it.

"In addition, a venue safety management plan has been formulated, and a security company has been arranged to be responsible for maintaining order in the audience area, including contingency plans for dealing with emergencies. Next is the publicity section."

Xiangzi paused for a moment, then quickly flipped through a few pages of documents, his eyes never leaving the folder.

"For online promotion, we have contacted several high-traffic social media bloggers and accounts that follow idol performance information to ensure that concert information can reach a sufficient number of fans. In addition, the design of concert merchandise is nearing completion, including banners, badges, posters, etc., which are expected to be sold by a dedicated person on the day of the concert."

"The overall process is basically complete now, and only the rehearsal is left. Would it be convenient for you to contact the students from Chuxing Academy to come and rehearse together? Also, there is the other independent band that you invited on your own initiative."

"Ah... Come to think of it, I had almost forgotten about this."

Chaoyang pictured Youyouzi's proud and arrogant image.

"I know, I'll let you know... By the way, would it be convenient for us to have lunch together?"

Xiangzi lowered his head slightly, his face displaying polite demeanor, but his tone was unforgiving as he politely declined Chaoyang's invitation.

"Thank you for your kind offer, President."

She answered in a calm tone, her gaze fixed on the folder in her hands, never meeting the gaze of the rising sun.

"However, I still have some work to finish as soon as possible. Perhaps we can talk about it another time."

Her voice, though gentle, carried an air of detachment and indifference, like an invisible barrier keeping their relationship within the bounds of business. After speaking, Xiangzi gave a polite slight bow, then returned directly to his desk to continue working on his documents.

This guy is so stubborn! We made some progress before, but we've been stuck here for ages. Ha... The last time I felt any affection for her was because her dad came and caused trouble... Now we've cut ties, what else can I do...? Maybe I should deliberately create trouble for her and put her in a crisis. Like, forex trading is so profitable, I'll make her rich, lend her money to trade forex, and then let her trade to the point of suicide? Then I'll come to her rescue? ... Forget it, firstly, that's too cruel, secondly, Xiangzi probably wouldn't have fallen for it in the first place, and even if everything goes smoothly, if I cover her losses, she might leverage and still not be able to hold on.

"..."

Just then, as if sensing something in the darkness, Xiangzi suddenly raised his head and looked towards the rising sun.

Chaoyang immediately noticed her gaze, and was startled. Like a thief caught in the act, he quickly lowered his head and pretended to be engrossed in his work, typing on the keyboard.

Xiangzi frowned slightly.

"...I really don't have time at noon...but if you're free in the evening, we can have dinner together...but the only condition is that we split the cost."

Xiangzi suddenly spoke, but then turned his attention back to the documents in his hands and continued to handle the matter.

Chapter 121 At least have some meat before you leave?

Chaoyang was a little surprised that Xiangzi had suddenly changed his tune, but he was mostly happy.

However, in front of Xiangzi, Chaoyang deliberately kept his emotions hidden in order to maintain his image.

But actually, my mind was completely focused on thinking about having dinner with Xiangzi after get off work.

This girl... always insists on splitting the bill when we go out to eat, still the same old stubborn person who refuses to owe anyone a favor. I guess it's only because she's poor, otherwise she'd be treating me instead. So, we can't go to a fancy restaurant tonight... around 1000 yen, I guess... but we can't go to McDonald's for our last date like yesterday with Chihiro... That would be reasonable if I were a high school student like her... And I wouldn't even want to look at Sukiya, Matsuya, or Yoshinoya...

Lost in thought, they didn't realize it was lunchtime, and the employees gradually left the office to go eat.

Chaoyang didn't feel hungry, so he casually walked out of the company, bought a bag of nutritional jelly to eat, ate it briefly by the trash can outside the convenience store, rested for a bit, and then immediately returned to the office. Not long after, he suddenly felt a dull ache in his stomach, went to the restroom, and locked the stall door, sitting on the toilet.

"Hey, do you think that high school student might end up as the club president's wife?"

"Hmm? Oh, you mean Toyokawa? That's unlikely. Toyokawa keeps her distance from everyone, clearly not interested in that kind of thing. Of course, she could also be pretending... But I heard that Miss Pastel*Shirahawa seems to have the best chance. I heard she's been on several dates with the boss in private... Maybe she's already..."

"Huh? But I heard that Fujita Kotone, the one most likely to become the president's wife, has been receiving a lot of attention. Although Toyokawa and Shirasagi are also quite good, they both inherently reject others, only maintaining a polite and smiling facade. It feels like the president is just using them as tools, right? After all, they're quite capable..."

"They're all high school students... That's great, I want to be a high school girl too..."

"Look at your pathetic salary, how little you make? You might as well go to a brothel tonight and find some cosplay girls... Oh, by the way, I'm a little short on cash this month, lend me ten thousand."

As the sun rose freely in the toilet stall, it heard its subordinates outside discussing potential wives, and immediately clenched its anus.

Although it was somewhat vulgar and impolite, that's just human nature, and Chaoyang didn't want to argue with them about it.

Hmm, from now on, write a sign on the toilet door: No gossiping about the boss while urinating.

After it became quiet outside, Chaoyang flushed the toilet and came out of the bathroom.

However, it's really not good to keep spreading rumors like this. It's one thing for rumors to circulate internally, but...

While straightening his sleeves, he pondered the conversation he had just overheard. While such private employee chatter might not have an immediate impact, it was hard to guarantee that it wouldn't cause greater turmoil in the long run. Especially the rumors about his relationships with the artists in his agency; if they spread outside, they would not only affect the artists' reputations but could also put the company at a disadvantage in terms of public opinion.

He frowned, pondering what means to use to restrain him.

. .

It was 6 p.m., and dusk was falling. All the staff in the firm had left.

"Xiangzi is almost done."

Chaoyang took a sip of tea while sitting down. Seeing that Xiangzi was still determined to continue fighting, Chaoyang had no choice but to speak up and remind him.

"Leave me some money, I'm running out of money to pay salaries."

He jokingly and subtly discouraged Xiangzi from continuing to work.

Xiangzi sighed, saved his current work progress, and then closed his laptop.

"Then why not save the money you usually spend on dates and treats for women?"

Xiangzi responded to Chaoyang's teasing with this lukewarm comment.

"Don't talk nonsense. First of all, I haven't gone on many dates. Secondly, even when I did go on dates, I didn't spend much money... By the way, does our firm work like this? The income isn't much, but the workload is quite heavy."

"...Right now, I have a lot of miscellaneous and record-keeping work on hand, starting with the content of the morning meeting, to coordinating business matters with partner companies, as well as the overall scheduling and arrangement of the concert. And thanks to you for joining the performance team without my permission, all the arrangements have to be modified accordingly."

"This is really tough... I'll go ask the dispatch company to send a few temporary workers to help."

"Are we sending people who know nothing here just to serve tea and water to everyone? Nobody has time to teach those temporary workers right now. I don't trust anyone else with these tasks either, so maintaining the current pace is just right."

Although Chaoyang saw Xiangzi looking normal, he sounded extremely tired just from listening to him.

He patted her on the shoulder and said in a gentle tone.

"I'm sorry for making you do these tasks that aren't assigned to anyone. I'll give you extra pay. And from now on, just put the more repetitive tasks on my desk. I consider myself quite capable these days."

He finished speaking and continued to smile.

Xiangzi initially remained silent.

"..."

But seeing that Chaoyang was still looking at her with warm eyes, she finally spoke up.

"This is more efficient."

The tone was devoid of emotion.

"Ha... Well, I'll respect your wishes then, but don't force yourself."

"...Compared to this, you can probably take your hand away."

Xiangzi pointed to the hand on his shoulder, and Chaoyang then remembered that he hadn't moved it yet, having just naturally placed it there.