Chapter 23 The Protagonist Uke and Four Suitors XXIII

Chapter 23: The Protagonist Uke and the Four Suitors (Part Twenty-Three)

"Hmph, little fan, you're late! You missed the highlight of the awards ceremony!"

Jian Fang was furious. His little fan didn't consider him a top priority and was this late.

By the time Shu Xian arrived at the entrance, the award ceremony was already over, and only the performances remained.

"Sorry, sorry, the traffic was really terrible."

He had gotten off the bus, ridden a shared bike, and then run a long distance to get there.

"Since only the performances are left, wanna go watch them together?"

Shu Xian flashed the two tickets in his hand.

"I'm not going. My aloof persona doesn't watch performances."

His little fan was so clueless. Wasn't it obvious he was still mad?

"That's easy to fix."

There were many merchandise stalls outside the venue. Shu Xian bought a lot of 'Valve Band' merchandise.

In a hidden corner, he helped Jian Fang put on a mask and a merchandise jacket. The colorful outfit completely disguised his identity.

"How is it? No one can tell who you are now."

"Hmm, not bad."

Jian Fang nodded.

"Then let's go. 'Valve Band' should be coming out soon."

Shu Xian grabbed his hand and pushed through the crowd.

Most celebrities had left after the awards, leaving mostly fans behind.

Everyone stood up with the music, swaying together.

Shu Xian was so happy; he loved this atmosphere. He raised Jian Fang's hand along with his own.

"Jump! Get hyped!"

Jian Fang's hand grew warm in his grip. In the dim venue, the colorful stage lights fell on Shu Xian's face.

At this moment, he was so captivating.

"Little fan."

"What?"

Shu Xian saw his lips moving but couldn't hear his voice.

"Little fan, I like you."

Shu Xian didn't bother asking what he said. He continued holding his hand up, getting into the music.

Slowly, Jian Fang was infected by his enthusiasm.

He also sang along with the music, his body moving to the beat.

This Jian Fang was the real, genuine Jian Fang.

"Host, replace Li Wu to accompany Jian Fang for his birthday."

"Okay."

Shu Xian immediately had an idea.

Their tickets were VIP front row, granting them the privilege to interact with 'Valve Band'.

Shu Xian waved, and security escorted him on stage.

"Hello, fan. Do you have a wish?"

The lead singer of 'Valve Band' held the microphone and asked.

"I have a friend whose birthday it is. I want to sing 'Happy Birthday' to him with you all."

"I hope he can always be himself, just like your songs."

"Great! What's his name?"

"His name is Fang Fang, the 'Fang' from 'unrestrained'."

Shu Xian winked at Jian Fang in the audience.

"Alright! Let's all sing 'Happy Birthday' for Fang Fang~"

Jian Fang looked at Shu Xian on stage. It felt like something in his heart was about to break through the soil.

He gazed fervently at Shu Xian, the one who could see his true self at a glance.

"Happy birthday to you~"

"Happy birthday to you~"

Shu Xian sang while looking at him.

Excited? Touched?

Jian Fang's eyes reddened. His little fan understood him so well.

"Thank you."

"Don't mention it. We're good friends."

"Mm, good friends."

Jian Fang nodded.

Then let's start as good friends.

"So, do I still need to do any more tasks regarding Jian Fang?"

Shu Xian asked 006 in his mind.

"Originally, yes. But not anymore."

"That good? Why's that?"

Has the main system grown a conscience?

"Because he's already into you."

"Wow, for real? I didn't get that vibe at all."

Shu Xian glanced at Jian Fang sitting beside him.

After the program let out, the two of them went to the beach to catch some air. He really didn't pick up on Jian Fang liking him.

"So, I don't need to do anything about Fu Yichen either?"

"Nope, he's into you too. He's with Ms. Chen right now getting advice."

Nice.

Shu Xian was totally clueless about these crushes.

"So now it's just those two left?"

Gu Tingyuan and Yu Jingxing.

"Just one left, host."

"What? Who likes me?"

It couldn't be Gu Tingyuan, could it?

"It's Gu Tingyuan, host."

Wow, I always thought he was just running his mouth, but he actually likes me?

No wonder he was so mean before, and later, when Shu Xian kept sassing him, he never got mad.

So that's why.

But he still didn't get it. He fell for him just like that?

He didn't feel it at all!

Looks like I really need to find someone to talk this over with.

"What about Yu Jingxing's task?"

"Host, just be patient and wait."

006 figured Yu Jingxing would come find Shu Xian himself for sure.

After being a system for so many years, he could still see that Yu Jingxing was kinda into Shu Xian.

Although he wasn't head over heels yet, 006 was sure Yu Jingxing would fall for him too.

"Let's go home, I'm sleepy."

"Okay, I'll take you home."

"Mhm."

Shu Xian fell asleep as soon as he got in the car and slept the whole way, only waking when Jian Fang shook him awake.

Before getting out of the car, Jian Fang asked:

"Shu Xian, do you have a boyfriend?"

"Uh... no."

Jian Fang's question jolted Shu Xian fully awake. Don't confess now, of all times.

He didn't know how to reject someone.

"Mhm, it's nothing then."

"But, if you ever want to start dating, could you let me know?"

"Ah... uh, okay."

Why tell you? So you can feel sad?

"Mhm, go back and get some good rest."

"Okay."

Relieved that it wasn't a confession, Shu Xian didn't want to think about it anymore.

He dragged his tired body upstairs to sleep.

He slept like a log all night.

Today is pretty leisurely, huh? Nothing to do.

"Buzz."

Shu Xian looked down at his phone. It was an unknown number, not in his contacts.

"Hello, is this Shu Xian?"

A familiar female voice.

"Yes, speaking. Who is this?"

"It's me, Auntie Chen, Fu Yichen's mom."

"Uh, hello, Auntie. What's the matter?"

"Would you let Auntie take you out for tea?"

Shu Xian hesitated and didn't speak.

"Fu Yichen won't be there. Just the two of us, okay?"

"Auntie really likes your character and enjoys making friends with young people. Is that okay?"

Auntie Chen's enthusiasm left Shu Xian momentarily unable to find the words to refuse.

"Mhm... alright then."

It wasn't until after hanging up the phone that Shu Xian started to regret his decision.

Ugh, why did he say yes?!

He had already completed Fu Yichen's tasks, so why even go?

Honestly, next time he should just refuse outright if he doesn't want to do something.

In the end, Shu Xian puttered around until it was almost time to leave.

Using the address Ms. Chen had sent, he found the café.

"Xian Xian, right here."

Shu Xian looked over and confirmed she was alone.

Ms. Chen waved him over.

"Hi, Auntie Chen."

"Sweetie, what'll you have to drink?"

"Oh, just lemon tea is fine."

...

Shu Xian thought all their conversation topics would all be about Fu Yichen.

Instead, they started with celebrity gossip and wound up talking about international affairs.

Once Shu Xian got into the conversation, he was on a roll. He and Ms. Chen felt like they had met too late.

"You know, I think that Fu Yichen isn't worthy of you at all."

Ms. Chen said from the bottom of her heart.

"I think so too. I feel like I should find someone cute who knows how to act spoiled. What do you think?"

"Um..."

Ms. Chen really didn't want to burst his bubble. Shu Xian seemed to still not understand his own position.

"Well, cute and spoiled is good too—like a little milk top."

"What little milk top? It's a little milk bottom!"

Shu Xian corrected her.

"Alright, alright, then a little milk bottom it is."

"Hmph, now that's a good friend."

"Alright, alright."

Ms. Chen went along with him.

"Want to go eat hotpot at noon?"

Shu Xian suggested.

"Sure, sure! You have no idea, Fu Yichen doesn't like spicy food at all. Every time at home, only his dad and I eat it. He's such a killjoy."

"Ah well, he's just too used to being disciplined in the military. He's not picky about food—he just thinks it's fine as long as he's full."

"In other words, he's actually quite easy to take care of."

"Yeah, I guess you're right."

Ms. Chen was secretly thrilled. Xian Xian was speaking up for Fu Yichen.

"How spicy can you eat?"

Shu Xian asked.

"As spicy as it gets!"

"Aww, Ms. Chen, I really feel like we met too late."

"I can never order it really spicy when I'm with other people."

"Sniff, me too, Xian Xian."

They were just too compatible.

Ms. Chen liked almost all the dishes Shu Xian enjoyed.

They were eating happily when they were interrupted by a ringtone.

"It's Fu Yichen calling."

Ms. Chen picked up the phone and showed it to Shu Xian. "Should I answer?"

"Answer it."

They were just friends, and Fu Yichen was her son—she'd better answer it.