Shen Xingsui would swear that he had never felt this embarrassed in his entire life.

The sensation was absolutely bizarre. If, a long time ago, before he met Teacher Fu in reality, he had learned that Teacher Fu was following him online, he would've been over the moon. But if the scenario shifted, and this online idol became a friend in real life, only to discover his fanatic side...

The magnitude of his mortification was evident.

Ahh...

He was screaming internally.

What should he do now?

Shen Xingsui was about to lose his mind. Why on earth did Teacher Fu remember him after two years? How did he pick him out of thousands of fan comments? Did this man have some kind of magic, or perhaps a supernatural ability?

Typically, avid fans are always monitoring celebrities' moves. Not only keeping tabs on new followings, but even unfollowings are detected instantly. Especially for a top-tier celebrity like Fu Yindi. Thus, soon enough, fans noticed the discrepancy:

"It seems Brother Fu has followed someone new."

"Official Mrs. Fu Yindi?!"

"Holy cow, are they making it official?"

"My poor heart!"

Many of the newer fans felt a jolt upon seeing the name, hardly believing until they clicked to see it was a fan account. And not just any fan, but a superfan, with a level 109 super-topic ranking. Going through his posts, they found comments and likes dating back to 2003!

That was downright shocking.

Back in '03, most hadn't even heard of Fu Yindi.

Older fans started to reminisce:

"Oh, it's the 'Mrs.'!"

"Such nostalgia! I remember when I first joined the fandom about four years ago, she was the admin of the super-topic."

"I participated in a voting event she organized."

"She's super nice. The group chat was so lively back then."

"I've been a fan longer! Tears of an old fan here."

"It's the 'Mrs.'? Alright then, ladies, stand down."

Celebrities usually follow their peers in the entertainment industry. When they follow someone outside of this circle, it draws attention. Many even face backlash from hardcore fans. But today, when Fu Yindi followed a commoner, who neither had remarkable works nor immense fame, it caught the eye of countless fans, but surprisingly in harmony.

It felt as if one of their own had been spotlighted.

Indeed, Fu Yindi's fans, vast in number and fiercely loyal, would interrogate anyone who dared woo their idol, ensuring they were worthy of him. However, if that person was... one of their own, then it was a different story altogether.

Some raised their doubts:

"Why did the 'Mrs.' disappear for two years?"

"The most recent post is from two years ago."

"If Brother Fu wanted to follow her, he could have done so back then."

"Why now, just when we were about to forget?"

This query hit the nail on the head, utterly astute.

The more perceptive fans began to speculate:

"'Mrs.', did you successfully win him over?"

"Haha, did she transition to offline interactions these past two years?"

"If someone else got close to Brother Fu, I'd be sad. But if it's the 'Mrs.', my feelings are quite mixed."

"Haha, a fan made it. Round it up, and it feels like I made it too!"

While everyone was buzzing with gossip, Shen Xingsui was even more distressed. Fu Yindi's follow had thrust him into the limelight, and with that came impending issues. He was at constant risk of being exposed!

The fans were peaceful now because they didn't know. What if they found out the man behind the account was him? Would they still be kind? And the worst part? Only Fu Yindi knows of his embarrassment, but if he's exposed, the whole world will know. Maximum shame!

"What to do..."

Shen Xingsui was nearing madness, debating whether to delete his posts or deactivate his account.

But how could he give up on this account? If anything had borne witness to his youthful years, it was this account. It held so many cherished memories. Everything else from his past was irretrievable, except this account...

Lying on his bed, Shen Xingsui was tossing and turning, plucking petals from a flower, murmuring, "Deactivate, don't deactivate..."

Shen Xingchen entered and was met with this strange sight.

"Hey! Are you possessed?" Shen Xingchen swaggered in, "Need a purification spell?"

Snapping back, Shen Xingsui hastily put away the flower, "Not possessed, just... admiring the flower."

Shen Xingchen glanced at the scattered petals, then said, "Mom asked me to get you. She's distributing equipment downstairs!"

Equipment?

Shen Xingsui's attention was diverted. He nodded absentmindedly and went downstairs. Winter had fully set in. The house was warm from the underfloor heating, and the kettle seemed to be brewing some floral tea. Its aroma greeted him as he reached the hallway. With the cozy yellow lights and plush carpet, they moved towards the living room sofa.

Xu Enzhen greeted with a smile, "There you are, come try these on."

Moving closer, Shen Xingsui saw gloves and a scarf in Xu Enzhen's hands, along with knitting needles and yarn nearby. She must have crafted them herself, and they were now complete.

Shen Xingchen leaned in, asking, "Which one is mine?"

Xu Enzhen pointed to the black set on the table, "This one. Take it yourself."

Shen Xingchen, quite pleased, tried it on and commented, "Mom, I've grown quite a bit this year. Did you knit this based on my old measurements?"

Xu Enzhen teased him, "It's just a scarf. As long as it fits, it's fine."

She wrapped the warm yellow scarf around him, knotting it securely.

Shen Xingsui felt an immediate warmth around his neck. The yarn, whatever it was made of, felt incredibly soft against his skin, providing utmost comfort without any irritation.

Xu Enzhen squinted with a smile, "How is it? Does it fit?"

Shen Xingsui nodded gently, "It's perfect."

On the warm yellow scarf, at its two ends, were embroidered little star symbols — two tiny stars orbiting a crescent moon, with the other half being a circular sun. The two icons blended beautifully, showcasing the meticulous design.

"Don't force yourself, Suisui," Xu Enzhen expressed her concern, fearing her son might hide his true feelings. "If there's anything uncomfortable, I can adjust it."

Shen Xingsui quickly shook his head, "No, no. It's perfect."

His voice grew softer, a hint of shyness evident, yet wanting to express his gratitude. He lowered his gaze and whispered, "I love it. Thank you, Mom."

His genuine voice was tender.

Xu Enzhen's heart almost melted. Unlike his siblings, who had grown accustomed to such gifts, Shen Xingsui cherished every little thing as if it were a treasure. It pained her and made her wish she could give him even more.

Her eyes softened even further, "You're welcome. It makes me happy to make these for you all."

Shen Xingchen, eavesdropping, chimed in, "Mom, can you make some adjustments to mine too? I think my star isn't big enough. Can you make it bigger?"

Xu Enzhen rolled her eyes, "If you want changes, do it yourself. I'm not your personal tailor."

"..."

So much for her enjoying the process!

Soon after, Wu Ma from afar called out, "Young master, madam, dinner is ready."

As Shen Xingchen rushed to eat, Shen Xingsui began to remove his gloves and scarf. Xu Enzhen, puzzled, asked, "Is it uncomfortable?"

"No," Shen Xingsui shook his head gently. "I just don't want to accidentally stain them while eating."

Xu Enzhen's heart fluttered upon hearing this.

Some people, without explicitly showing their care, always exhibit their cherish and respect in their actions.

"It's alright, Suisui," Xu Enzhen approached and took his slightly cold hand, leading him to the dining table. "Even if it gets stained or lost, I can always knit you another. Don't worry about these things. This won't be the last one. There will be many more in the future. I promise."

Shen Xingsui's grip tightened subconsciously. A gentle smile graced his lips, and his heart felt lighter.

It's wonderful to be in the Shen family; they're so kind-hearted.

From a distance, Shen Xingchen commented, "I have a bunch of these in my closet. Mom, you knitted too many last year."

Xu Enzhen gave him a stern look and retorted, "Rest assured, if you're as careless this year and lose one every week, I won't indulge you." Turning to Shen Xingsui with a gentle tone, she added, "Xingsui, you don't need to be so reserved. If you lose or soil it, just tell me."

Shen Xingchen: ?

He protested loudly, "Mom, this is child abuse!"

Xu Enzhen silenced him with a steamed bun, "This is what you get for being forgetful. Maybe you should freeze."

Dramatically, Shen Xingchen mimed wiping away tears, brandishing a kitchen knife in jest, "I'll show you the pain of losing a loved one!"

A twitch played at the corner of Xu Enzhen's mouth.

Shen Xingsui laughed heartily, finding his older brother amusing, the family's very own jester.

During dinner, both Shen Yong and Shen Minglang returned, trying on the scarves and hats Xu Enzhen knitted, all fitting perfectly. Despite the Shen family's immense wealth, their home decorations and everyday items weren't luxury brands. Even the fruit basket on the table was crafted by Xu Enzhen in her spare time.

It felt like home.

At dinner, Shen Yong whispered, "I'll wrap up my work early this year so I can come home for the New Year celebrations."

Shen Minglang nodded, "I'll try to speed up the cases I'm working on as well."

Xu Enzhen agreed wholeheartedly. The household's ambiance had shifted noticeably since Shen Xingsui returned, reuniting more often, much to her delight.

However, Shen Xingchen remarked, "We might not be home in the evening."

All eyes at the table turned to him.

Shrugging, Shen Xingchen explained, "Our group has a New Year's Eve performance. We'll try to return as soon as we finish."

Xu Enzhen then looked at Shen Xingsui expectantly.

Hesitating, Shen Xingsui said, "I haven't heard anything from Wang sister. I think I'm free."

Relieved, Xu Enzhen responded, "Good, it's best to relax at home on New Year's Eve. Why venture out?"

Shen Xingsui smiled and nodded.

But just when things seem to be going smoothly, the unexpected often occurs.

After his submitted piece was finalized, the progress on Fu Jinxiao's song was rapid. The song was promoted as the theme for the New Year blockbuster "Quest for Dao", coinciding with the release of another movie, "Mountains and Rivers". Both films were naturally compared.

"One is a historical tragic romance, the other an inspiring tale of revenge and cultivation. Different genres altogether."

"But 'Quest for Dao' has a great pace."

"I dozed off while watching 'Shanhe'."

"Also, the theme song for 'Wendao' is absolutely captivating."

Finally, the crux of the matter that everyone was concerned about was brought up.

Both 'Shanhe' and 'Wendao' had compositions and lyrics by Shen Xingsui and An Ran. These two, crafting music for two blockbuster films released at the same time, were naturally put into comparison.

"When the theme for 'Wendao' was released, I got goosebumps."

"It's so good, even my younger sister in elementary school asked me about it."

"Xingsui is legendary."

"Honestly, compared to 'Wendao', the theme of 'Shanhe' sounds like some internet trend from the past."

At that moment, an anonymous netizen leaked that 'Shanhe' originally invited Shen Xingsui for the music, but later, due to Jian Zhi's involvement, they chose fame and profits over quality, sidelining Shen's composition in favor of An Ran. This revelation caused a massive stir online.

"Hahaha, does 'Shanhe' regret it now?"

"Only after ditching those amateurs did Xingsui get the chance to collaborate with Fu."

"'Wendao' is simply mesmerizing."

"Do you know it's topping charts on major music platforms?"

"I hope more and more people recognize Xingsui's talent."

Due to the song's immense popularity, Shen Xingsui received a very prestigious invitation just days before the New Year.

Wang Meican asked, "Do you know which show Fu is attending this New Year's?"

Without hesitation, Shen Xingsui replied, "The Spring Festival Gala. I'm aware."

"Yes. There's a segment where a teacher needs someone to play the piano. The rest of the performers will be in the background, so you might not be visible, and there may not even be a single shot of you on screen," Wang Meican explained, "The original pianist can't make it, so we need someone skilled and composed. I recommended you. Do you think you can handle it?"

Shen Xingsui, after a brief moment of hesitation, firmly nodded, "I'll give it a try!"

Wang Meican smiled, having faith that he wouldn't disappoint.

...

In no time, it was New Year's Eve.

A day of family reunions, while most families celebrated together, backstage of the performances was bustling. From early morning rehearsals to last-minute preparations, there was hardly a moment to catch a breath.

Shen Xingsui and Shen Xingchen were performing in separate studios, but they were relatively close.

As Shen Xingsui was merely assisting, he didn't have a designated makeup room and had to wait in the corridor.

Passing by, Wang Meican commented, "Xingsui, you're still waiting? Come with me, I'll find you a spot."

For some reason, Shen Xingsui felt an ominous premonition, but he obediently followed, feeling somewhat anxious.

Finally, they arrived at the door of a room.

Shen Xingsui looked up, noticing a gold plaque on the door, reading 【Fu Jinxiao's Exclusive Makeup Room】. He felt his head buzz, and instinctively wanted to flee. Unfortunately, his manager behind him seemed oblivious and even kindly opened the door for him, addressing the people inside, "Jinxiao, it's too crowded outside. Xingsui couldn't find a spot for makeup. Can he use this room?"

The makeup artists, stylists, and assistants inside all turned to look at the door.

Seated in front of the mirror was Fu Jinxiao, dressed in a burgundy suit tonight. He looked impeccably handsome with his stylish appearance. The rich hue of his suit radiated an air of luxury. Long legs elegantly crossed, surrounded by a team helping with his grooming and makeup, he looked every bit the princely figure. Hearing the voices, he glanced at the door's reflection in the mirror.

Shen Xingsui only dared to steal a glance at his idol, feeling his heart racing.

However, Fu Jinxiao gave him a quick look, a smile forming on his lips: "Ah, it's Xingsui."

Being addressed by name, Shen Xingsui felt an unexpected bout of nervousness.

Fu Jinxiao's smile deepened, "Of course, come on in."

At this moment, Shen Xingsui was stuck between a rock and a hard place. Running away wasn't an option. If he tried to flee now, he was sure the vengeful Fu Jinxiao would make him regret it.

Shen Xingsui obediently took a seat on another chair, "Hello, Teacher Fu."

"Happy New Year," Fu Jinxiao responded, his voice deep and magnetic, "You're being too formal, considering it's me, Teacher Shen."

Teacher?

Shen Xingsui blinked, wondering if Fu Jinxiao was teasing him.

Was it because he had been avoiding him since the day of that accident? This man sure held grudges...

A makeup artist approached, "What look would you like, Teacher Shen?"

Shen Xingsui snapped back to reality, "Anything, anything is fine."

The makeup artist chuckled, "You're so adorable, Teacher Shen. No wonder you're so likable."

Shen Xingsui felt a bit uneasy. He wasn't good at making small talk, especially with strangers, and always felt a bit awkward around women.

Fu Jinxiao glanced at the makeup artist, speaking leisurely, "You already have a boyfriend. Try to hold back a bit."

She retorted, "I could break up."

Fu Jinxiao arched an eyebrow, "I'd advise against it. Because...even if you did, you'd stand no chance."

The makeup artist was left speechless.

How could he be so wicked?

Listening to their banter, Shen Xingsui was amused, but he didn't dare join in, fearing he'd become the next target of teasing.

Soon, the grand evening gala began. This was his first time attending such a large-scale event, and it was an eye-opener. He saw many celebrities backstage, many of whom he'd only seen on TV before. Each one was a renowned figure in the entertainment industry, people he'd never dreamed of meeting.

And these individuals, they typically wouldn't converse casually with the younger generation. However, whenever they encountered Fu JinXiao, they would pause and exchange pleasantries with a smile:

"JinXiao, it's been a while."

"How have you been? It feels like forever since we last met at that event."

"Let's catch up over dinner soon."

"My goodness, you've become even more handsome. When will you settle down...?"

Following from behind, Shen XingSui observed Fu JinXiao engaging effortlessly with industry giants. For someone socially anxious like him, witnessing his idol navigate through the crowd with such ease and grace was nothing short of witnessing a god.

Engaged in a conversation, Fu JinXiao, as if sensing someone watching, turned his gaze to meet Shen's.

Then, with a sly smile, he gestured for Shen XingSui, "Come here."

Feeling like he was called upon by a teacher, Shen XingSui obediently approached, bowing politely, "Master Fu."

Fu JinXiao extended his arm, pulling Shen into a side embrace. With an intimate gesture, he introduced the dignified woman beside him, "This is Teacher Cai, I believe you've heard of her."

An esteemed and renowned figure within the industry.

Shen XingSui bowed even more deeply, somewhat starstruck, "Teacher Cai, I've seen your performances. I'm Shen XingSui, it's an honor to meet you."

Teacher Cai smiled and shook his hand, "The future is indeed in the hands of the young. It's a pleasure."

To an onlooker, Shen XingSui's fortune in this moment was palpable. While in other spheres, the affluent Shen family might wield influence, within the entertainment world, Fu JinXiao's stature and network were so vast it bordered on intimidating, making many eager to associate with him.

Being personally introduced by him today was undeniably a huge blessing.

Yet, the very person at the center of it all remained oblivious, engrossed in his idol worship. This caused Teacher Cai to remark with a smile to Fu JinXiao, "It's rare for you to introduce someone. This young man seems..."

Fu JinXiao, ever the gentleman, replied with a corner of his lips curled up, "He's a dear friend of mine. I apologize for any inconvenience."