Deeply in Love [Showbiz] - Chapter 7

Chapter 7

Eight o’clock, half an hour before the Starlight Gala begins.

The red carpet has been laid out, and the media outlets are all in position. Fans gathered outside the venue are buzzing with excitement, waving support banners and light boards, craning their necks in anticipation of their idols’ arrival.

Among them, lake-blue light boards are the most numerous—the exclusive support color of N.A.E.

Starting from eight, the gala is being live-streamed across the platform “Starlight Video.” Fans who couldn’t make it to the scene are glued to their screens, chatting away in the bullet comments. The venue’s central giant screen displays these real-time interactions; everyone knows the biggest star tonight is Bai Lian, so the comments are a non-stop cascade of her name.

“Waiting for my Lianlian! Lianlian Lianlian Lianlian!”

“I sprinted 100 meters back to my dorm just for this stream ugh, glad I made it!”

“Sisters at the venue, please produce more beautiful photos, sobbing, shedding tears of envy here.”

“When is Lianlian coming out? And my little Yue-yue, Mama loves you!”

“I’m different from you guys—I want all three of them.”

The Starlight Gala is actually an awards ceremony to reveal the “Idol of the Year.” Bai Lian, Lu Yi, and Wu Yueming have all entered the final round of nominations. As for who will take the crown, the result is already practically decided in everyone’s hearts.

It is a ceremony without suspense; most actresses aren’t here for the awards, but for the red carpet exposure.

As for Nan Zhiyao, she was eliminated early on during the voting phase.

Backstage.

Nan Zhiyao finished changing into her long gown. Shen Jiaye had just ended a phone call. “Everything’s communicated. According to your request, I got you a seat diagonally behind Bai Lian. What are you thinking? Everyone else wants to be closer to the front, but you want to go to the back.”

In a gala where everyone wants to stand out, and given that the Nan family is a sponsor, Nan Zhiyao could have had any prime seat she wanted or stayed on the red carpet for as long as she liked.

But what did Nan Zhiyao ask for? She said she didn’t want a front-row seat and wouldn’t walk the red carpet.

She just wanted to quietly be a little fangirl for Bai Lian and let Bai Lian charm her to death.

Shen Jiaye was truly exasperated.

What happened to the “stunning entrance” they talked about?

“That angle is perfect for taking photos of Bai Lian’s side profile.” Nan Zhiyao was watching the live stream on her phone, her slender neck looking like a swan’s, her exquisite collarbones exposed.

Hair and makeup: perfect. Gown: a match made in heaven.

Was something missing?

Shen Jiaye studied her for a while before letting out a startled cry: “Yaoyao! You didn’t take any accessories! You forgot accessories again!”

Since her school days, Nan Zhiyao had a strange habit: she loved collecting beautiful small items like earrings and necklaces but never wore them. It was the same after entering the entertainment industry—she was very casual about it. Unless the organizers arranged them for her, she preferred to go without, looking fresh and clean.

She relied on her good looks to be willful, and she managed to hold her own every time.

Nan Zhiyao was reading the bullet comments with great interest. When she wanted to join the discussion, the system reminded her she had to register.

Tsk, how troublesome.

“I’m not walking the carpet anyway, no need to be so formal,” Nan Zhiyao said while quickly registering an account. For her ID, she casually filled in: “Won’t Stop Until I Sleep With Bai Lian,” nodding with satisfaction.

Shen Jiaye was practically fuming at her lack of ambition.

Wearing a sky-high priced diamond gown and being this “chill” was a total waste of her face! Shen Jiaye’s heart was bleeding; Sister, how can you not know how to use your face to gain fans? You’re literally beautiful but unaware.

“Excuse me, excuse me! Sorry to bother you!” The makeup artist who had just left came running back, placing a velvet box on the counter in front of Nan Zhiyao. “The guest in Room 112, where I went before yours, asked me to bring this over. I just realized I had it on me, I am so sorry!”

Room 112 was the exclusive dressing room for N.A.E.

Nan Zhiyao stopped trying to figure out how to top up her account and opened the familiar-looking box.

A pair of vintage-style pearl hoop earrings encrusted with diamonds, and a delicate silver collarbone chain that sparkled with fine light.

They perfectly matched Nan Zhiyao’s gown.

Nan Zhiyao: !!!

She had a vague idea who it was, but how did Bai Lian know she wouldn’t bring accessories?

“Holy crap, who’s this thoughtful? Is it your Bai Lian?” Shen Jiaye felt like she was being force-fed public displays of affection; it was almost sickeningly sweet.

A new message appeared on Nan Zhiyao’s phone.

Bai Lian: Are they suitable?

Suitable. They couldn’t be more suitable. The earrings and necklace Bai Lian chose looked as if they were custom-made for her. Even Shen Jiaye couldn’t help but admire: “So beautiful.”

Nan Zhiyao couldn’t stop her mouth from curving upward. She had Shen Jiaye take a photo of her to send back.

Nan Zhiyao: [Image]

Nan Zhiyao: I love them so much!

There was no reply from Bai Lian; she was likely busy preparing.

Shen Jiaye watched with wide eyes as Nan Zhiyao topped up her newly registered account with 20,000 yuan without even blinking. She asked in horror, “What are you doing?”

“Sending gifts, obviously!” Nan Zhiyao said blissfully. “When Bai Lian walks the red carpet later, I have to make sure she has ‘face.’ This is the basic quality of a fan.”

Shen Jiaye: “…”

Bai Lian’s appearance was not at the start, but towards the end. The organizers and the streaming platform arranged it this way on purpose; Bai Lian was the highlight, and if she appeared too early, the viewership would drop.

Nan Zhiyao didn’t have that worry. She lifted her skirt, hunched her back, and snuck through the aisle to quietly sit in her seat.

Two rows in front of her was the prime “Center” position. Bai Lian’s seat was currently empty, flanked by the names of her two teammates. Behind Bai Lian’s seat was a sticker with the name: Jiang Yingjia.

Nan Zhiyao took an extra look but didn’t see Geng Pan; she was likely with Jiang Yingjia getting ready.

By now, the display format of the bullet comments on the big screen had changed to a scrolling mode in the bottom left corner, displaying everyone’s ID. The messages were flying by too fast to keep up with.

Cucumber without Melons: Got my stool ready and waiting. Actresses, please throw your beautiful photos at me!

Spicy Chicken: Ahhhh I see the name! Our Lulu is coming soon! Lianlian must be close too!

Pitch Black: I’m just waiting for Lianlian. Sisters at the scene, take more pictures for me!!!!

Won’t Stop Until I Sleep With Bai Lian: Rest easy sisters! I will complete the mission!!

Spicy Chicken: The ID above is quite a show, you’ve caught my attention. …

Oh My God Why Is This: Our Princess Jiang is coming out too, ugh, she looks so beautiful today, I’m dead. …

Three actresses had already passed. Nan Zhiyao heard the host announce Jiang Yingjia’s name.

She looked at the stage. Tsk, proud as a peacock, her chin is practically pointing at the sky.

Jiang Yingjia had a very classical face and was a professionally trained actress; she was undoubtedly a beauty. Chuangyi had always heavily promoted her. Ever since Nan Zhiyao signed with Chuangyi, the two had ignored each other. Mainly, Jiang Yingjia didn’t care to acknowledge Nan Zhiyao, viewing her as a background-less person who got famous through “hype”—a low-class amateur.

Nan Zhiyao found Jiang Yingjia hilarious; she looked down on “hype” on one hand, but on the other, she worked herself to the bone treating Nan Zhiyao as a rival, wishing she could be the one associated with Bai Lian.

As Jiang Yingjia smiled and greeted everyone, fans on the big screen started showering her with gifts. Roses and star-wands were popping up all over the screen. The organizers had announced that the virtual gifts received by artists during their red carpet walk would be converted into cash for the artists later.

So, what are you waiting for, friends! It’s time to pay up!

Nan Zhiyao, however, didn’t look at the big screen. She kept her head down, staring at her phone. She couldn’t control her hand—she was itching to shower Bai Lian with gifts, just waiting for her beloved to appear.

She wasn’t waiting alone; behind her were millions of Lianlian fans. Nan Zhiyao checked the prices: the most expensive gift was a “Luxury Yacht” at 10,000 coins (1,000 RMB). The second most expensive was a “Rocket” at 500 RMB.

Not bad.

Lu Yi and Wu Yueming walked out together. On the left, Lu Yi wore a blue-green, cinched-waist gown with her hair in a bun. On the right, Wu Yueming wore a cool leather dress, looking very “biker.”

Nan Zhiyao remembered Bai Lian telling her she wanted to tell her teammates about the marriage.

Then they’re ‘our people.’ Let’s arrange it.

Her fingers tapped non-stop on the screen. Suddenly, rockets started flying across the big screen accompanied by special effects. The sender’s ID was magnified several times, clearly displaying:

“Won’t Stop Until I Sleep With Bai Lian sent Rocket x1”

“Won’t Stop Until I Sleep With Bai Lian sent Rocket x2”

“Won’t Stop Until I Sleep With Bai Lian sent Rocket x20”

The commotion was so obvious that even the host laughed. “It seems this fan is very… excited, sending so many gifts at once.”

Lu Yi laughed, “Is this fan friend at the venue? Don’t waste your money! Your ID is very excellent.”

Wu Yueming added playfully, “I’m telling you, even twenty rockets won’t bribe us to help you sleep with Bai Lian.”

The audience burst into laughter.

Nan Zhiyao also covered her mouth and giggled. Her eyes swept to the other end of the red carpet, and she instantly lit up.

Bai Lian was here!

She didn’t care about anything else and subconsciously opened her camera to aim at Bai Lian, who was waiting in the wings.

A deep wine-red, deep-V slit mermaid gown. Bai Lian’s skin was cold-white, and her expression was calm. Under the spotlights, she was like a glowing lightbulb—it was impossible to look anywhere else. A cold, abstinent beauty; even without expression or words, every inch of her radiated allure.

Her slender arms were adorned with white velvet gloves reaching up to her elbows. Nan Zhiyao zoomed in and out on her phone, her eyes wide with excitement.

She clearly saw a slight bulge on the ring finger of Bai Lian’s left hand, even though it was covered by the glove.

Ahhhhhhh!!

Bai Lian… she didn’t take off the wedding ring.

Fortunately, the glove hid it, so others didn’t notice. But Nan Zhiyao only needed one look to know what was covered beneath.

Is my idol so busy she forgot? Nan Zhiyao’s heart throbbed. She had no idea the big screen had already scanned the interior and projected her “auntie smile” while she frantically pressed the shutter button onto the screen.

The fan bullet comments took a sharp turn:

Pitch Black: If I’m not mistaken, was that just… her? The one who’s always leaching off Bai Lian’s hype??

Cucumber without Melons: Holy crap, why is she there too! Is she going to leach off our Lianlian again!

Circles: Wait sisters… that expression, those movements… I feel like I’m looking at myself licking the screen?

Spicy Chicken: Don’t hit me, but I actually think she’s a bit cute? What’s going on?

Oh I’m Going: Upstairs +1, as long as you like Bai Lian, we are sisters.

Absolutely Don’t Believe Showbiz: Don’t be fooled, she just wants hype. Tell her to get out. …

By now, the host had started the introduction, and Bai Lian stepped gracefully into the center of the red carpet. All lights converged on her—long black curls, red lips, red gown. All fans erupted into screams.

Nan Zhiyao wasn’t sure if it was an illusion, but she felt Bai Lian’s gaze sweep toward the interior, right toward her.

Her hand trembled—

And the big screen filled with announcements.

“Won’t Stop Until I Sleep With Bai Lian has sent 99 Luxury Yachts!”

As the announcement echoed, the entire venue went silent.

Nan Zhiyao, who had her head down at the time, was completely unaware. In the center of the giant screen, the person in the white gown looked like a princess, focusing intently on her phone, her slender index finger still tapping the screen non-stop.

The announcements didn’t stop because she didn’t stop. It kept ringing out: “Won’t Stop Until I Sleep With Bai Lian has sent 99 Luxury Yachts!”

Silence. The whole venue fell silent again. Even the bullet comments were completely buried under luxury yachts.

As if sensing something, Nan Zhiyao suddenly looked up and saw her own startled face on the big screen. And on the high-definition screen, her phone screen was clearly visible, showing her ID in plain sight.

“Won’t Stop Until I Sleep With Bai Lian”

Nan Zhiyao heard Shen Jiaye’s voice hissing through gritted teeth in her ear: “Have you lost your mind!!!”

Oh ho.

…It’s over.

Nan Zhiyao had only this one thought. This was even more embarrassing than failing to log out of her alt account before the car accident.

When Bai Lian’s gaze looked over, Nan Zhiyao was somehow able to capture a hint of a smile in her chaotic state.

“So… does our Bai Lian have anything to say to this…” The host reacted first, a flash of awkwardness passing over his face. “This enthusiastic fan friend?”

Don’t say it, don’t say it, I beg you! Let me live! Nan Zhiyao roared in her heart.

Bai Lian took the microphone with her left hand, her gaze accurately finding Nan Zhiyao’s position. Staring directly into those pitch-black eyes, she spoke in a low voice:

“You can stop now.”

There was a smile in her voice, and the curve of her eyes was particularly alluring.

Nan Zhiyao felt she was finished.

“You can stop now.”

Stop… Cease… Stop!

Others debut at the “C-position,” but Nan Zhiyao felt like she could—

Ascend to heaven from the C-position, spinning and jumping without ever stopping.

Support Deeply in Love [Showbiz]