Chapter 49: A Shocking Call
In July, Xiang Yang officially signs a contract with the prestigious agency known as “Universe.” The announcement of this collaboration sparks a subtle yet notable commotion within the industry.
Xiang Yang's agent is renowned for her exceptional capabilities. Moreover, the company is prepared to make significant investments. The team designated to work with Xiang Yang is also exceptionally proficient. Xiang Yang retreats into seclusion for intensive training. In September, her latest song is unveiled. Coupled with the company's comprehensive and diverse promotional strategies, the song experiences a remarkable surge in its click-through rate on the day of its release.
Not long after the new song is released, Xiang Yang's schedule increases, and her exposure continues to rise.
At the end of the year, a costume TV series is released. The agent negotiates for her to get the rights to sing the theme song. This high-quality costume fantasy drama is widely anticipated by fans because it has many big-name actors.
So, a few days prior to the premiere, the official debuts the music video for the theme song. The cinematography is exquisite and captivating. The actors' performances are impeccable. Combined with the breathtaking special effects, the profound lyrics, and the remarkable vocal delivery, the music video garners an exceptionally high number of views within just one hour of its release.
Many fans comment that they are looking forward to the TV series airing. Many people praise the song for its beauty.
After the music video is released, the number of fans following Xiang Yang's public Weibo account continues to grow.
The agent sets out a route to make her popular. It's to use the theme songs, ending songs, or insert songs of TV series starring big-name actors to quickly raise her popularity. It has to be said that this is a very effective method.
Until the beginning of spring, Xiang Yang's name has appeared on the trending list several times. At the end of the year, she won Best New Singer, Best Potential Artist, and other awards.
Some people say that she has achieved such success in a short period of time because her starting point is higher than that of ordinary singers, so her rapid rise to fame is no surprise.
At the end of the second year after signing with “Universe,” Xiang Yang releases her first album.
In her third year, she continuously releases new songs, all of which are highly acclaimed.
The number of fans following Xiang Yang's Weibo account easily exceeds 10 million. Xiang Yang feels that this is all thanks to the three TV series that have dominated the ratings.
But as her popularity rises, Xiang Yang feels increasingly strained.
After the car door closes, the agent, Qin Hui, says to her, “There's a variety show that wants to invite you to participate. I haven't officially agreed to it, but I suggest you go.”
Xiang Yang closes her eyes to rest and asks, “Huihui Jie, which show?”
Qin Hui mentions the show. “This show has been running for over ten years. It has a huge audience, and there's no harm in participating.”
Xiang Yang naturally understands. It's just that she's exhausted from her continuous schedule, but she still agrees. “Okay. Let me know ahead of time once you've finalized the schedule.”
“Okay. Rest for a while. I'll call you when we get to the airport.”
“Yeah.” Xiang Yang closes her eyes and falls asleep within a few minutes.
She doesn't know how long it's been when her agent wakes her up. “Xiang Yang, your phone.”
Xiang Yang drowsily opens her eyes and looks at her. “What?”
“Your phone, it's been ringing many times. It must be urgent.”
Xiang Yang answers the phone. Upon glancing at the caller ID, she discerns that it is Fan Xiaoyu contacting her.
Xiang Yang picks up the phone. “What's wrong? Did something happen?”
Fan Xiaoyu asks, “Didn't you see the news?”
“What news?”
“Fu's Group employees went on a group tour when the bus flipped over. Some of the employees on the bus are currently injured, and some are dead, but it is unclear.”
Xiang Yang subconsciously frowns. “How could this happen?”
“I don't know. The news came out, but it was blocked within a few minutes. I called Class Monitor, but his phone was off.”
A bad feeling arises in her heart. Before Xiang Yang can even speak, Fan Xiaoyu says in a low voice with a trembling tone, “Xiang Yang, aren't you and Fu Guanxian childhood sweethearts? Why don't you contact him and ask him about the situation?”
Xiang Yang calms down. “No, he's abroad. He probably doesn't know the details either. I'll call him and ask.”
“Okay, call him quickly.”
After hanging up the phone, seeing that she's busy making another call, the agent quickly asks, “What's wrong?”
“My friend may have had an accident.”
Qin Hui looks at her with an ambiguous expression.
Xiang Yang calls Kong Yiyue, but her phone is off. She calls Fu Jinting, but his phone is also off. Xiang Yang is helpless. She has no choice but to turn to Jiang Manxin. “Mom, something happened to the Fu family?”
Jiang Manxin also just learned about this from Xiang Yi. She asks, “You know too?”
“Mom, did the bus really flip?”
“Yes, but the situation is still unclear.”
“Mom, can you help me confirm? Was there someone named Xing Zhaoyan on that bus? How is he? Is he injured?”
“Xing Zhaoyan?”
“Yes, Mom, please. Let me know as soon as you find out.”
“Your dad is currently there. I'll ask him.”
“Okay!”
Xiang Yang holds her phone tightly, anxiously waiting for the results.
Qin Hui, with her arms crossed, sits aside and carefully observes her. After a while, Xiang Yang is unable to ignore it.
“Huihui Jie, what's with that look?”
Qin Hui drops her arms, leans a little closer to her, and asks, “Xing Zhaoyan?”
“Huh?”
“That high school classmate of yours, the guy from the university next door?”
Hearing her tone, Xiang Yang naturally senses something is amiss. She pulls at the corner of her lips and says, “Huihui Jie, did he offend you?”
“Not really.” Qin Hui leans back in her seat, straightens her posture, and says slowly, “He consistently initiates contact with you. How could I be unaware? However, Xiang Yang, you are currently experiencing a surge in popularity. If you are involved with someone, do you intend to disclose it or maintain secrecy? Have you contemplated this?”
Xiang Yang looks at her expressionlessly.
Qin Hui continues, “Allow me to analyze the pros and cons for you. I am not opposed to you dating someone. Given the nature of your profession, which involves frequent travel to various destinations, maintaining secrecy in your relationship would prove challenging. Concealing your involvement with him would necessitate clandestine meetings each time you rendezvous. Should the paparazzi catch wind of your relationship, regardless of your response, it would undoubtedly tarnish your reputation. On the other hand, opting for a public acknowledgment of your relationship would only invite further scrutiny and intrusion. In the unfortunate event of a subsequent breakup, the media would undoubtedly fabricate numerous narratives and chronicle the highs and lows of your love affair.”
“Xiang Yang, I hope you think it through.”
Xiang Yang is silent.
Whether she's thought it through or not, she doesn't know.
She only knows that she has become accustomed to Xing Zhaoyan's presence in her life. When her work is not going well, she can confide in him. He will offer suggestions and patiently comfort her as she wishes.
She seems to have also become accustomed to him saying goodnight to her every night.
Xiang Yang thought, if something happened to him, she would be heartbroken, she wouldn't be able to bear it.
“Huihui Jie, I understand what you're saying. I will think it through.”
Qin Hui looks at her and asks, “Where is he now?”
“Qinglin City.”
Just as she feared! Qin Hui asks, “Do you need half a day off? The event starts at 9:30 tomorrow morning. If you can make it, I'll go with you at 7 a.m. tomorrow and tell you the specific process after it's confirmed.”
“Thank you, Huihui Jie.”
Qin Hui continues. “Xiao Ai has already gone to Qinglin City first. After you get there, I'll have her follow you. Call me if anything happens. Remember, don't get caught by paparazzi.”
“I know.”
The plane is delayed for half an hour before taking off. Before boarding, Xiang Yang still hasn't received a call from Jiang Manxin. She calls Xiang Yi, but the assistant picks up and says the details are still unclear.
Xiang Yang becomes even more anxious.
The plane lands, and assistant Xiao Ai meets up with Xiang Yang and the others. Qin Hui has to rush to meet with the advertiser to discuss tomorrow's event. So, she warns Xiao Ai. “Stay close to your Xiang Yang Jie, don't cause any trouble.”
Xiao Ai pats her chest and promises. “Huihui Jie, you can rest assured. I will take good care of Xiang Yang Jie.”
Before Qin Hui leaves, her face is full of worry.
Xiang Yang gets in the car. Xiao Ai follows and immediately asks, “Sister Xiang Yang, what's wrong with Huihui Jie? I saw that her face was really bad.”
“It's nothing.” Xiang Yang says. Then she takes off her sunglasses and mask and calls Fan Xiaoyu.
"Do you have any news?"
"No. What about you, Xiang Yang?"
“I'll ask again.”
Xiang Yang remembers to call Xing Zhaoyan. His phone is off.
Why are all their phones off! It's not normal!
Xiang Yang calls Jiang Manxin. It takes a long time before Jiang Manxin answers.
“Mom, how is it?”
“I found out. He's there.”
“What?”
“He's in the hospital now. Xiaoyang, you…”
“Which hospital!”
“The hospital under the Fu family… Wait, Xiaoyang…”
Xiang Yang is in a panic. She realizes that she accidentally hung up the phone, but she no longer has the heart to call back. She immediately tells the driver, “Turn around. Go to the hospital on West Street.”
The driver turns the car around at the intersection ahead.
Xiao Ai is still confused. “Sister, what's going on? Are you feeling unwell? Why are we going to the hospital?”
“Seeing a friend.”
“Ah? What friend?”
Xiang Yang presses her lips together, her face slightly pale. Seeing this, Xiao Ai immediately shuts up.
The car arrives at the hospital entrance. Xiao Ai gets out of the car and looks left and right. Finding no one is waiting there, she quickly says, “Sister, you can get out.”
Xiang Yang puts on her sunglasses and mask. She gets out of the car, silently walking into the hospital.
Before getting out of the car, Xiao Ai heard her say she's going to see Xing Zhaoyan. She pauses for a moment, then seems to understand.
Xiao Ai helps her pick up her phone a few times. There are calls several times, and the caller is always Xing Zhaoyan. Although Xiao Ai knows they are not a couple, it seems like they're not far from that.
Didn't she see Sister Xiang Yang so worried about him? How could he be an ordinary friend?
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