When that news was released, Lin Qingye was just about to go on stage and didn’t have his phone with him, so naturally, he didn’t know about this matter.

Until the music festival was coming to an end, there were several interactive segments where the microphone was passed to a fan in the audience, and she asked about the news with Ji Xia.

Lin Qingye didn’t immediately react, and behind him, Guan Chi and the other three exchanged glances, not understanding the situation.

Meanwhile, the fans below had already started buzzing with this question, all wanting to know an explanation.

Lin Qingye picked up the microphone: “Which video?”

A fan held up her phone high to show him the news, and Lin Qingye walked to the edge of the stage, crouching down to take the phone from the fan’s hand.

The sudden close proximity triggered more screams from the fans.

Of course, nothing compared to his next sentence—”Don’t spread rumors, ok? I have a girl I like, this kind of news is too misleading.”

Casual yet drawing out a flirtatious air from his slender eye corners.

In an instant, the audience below fell silent for a second, then erupted into a new round of screams.

The video recording of this segment was quickly shared, liked, and reposted once released. Earlier in the evening, the gossip about him and Ji Xia at the hotel had just come out, and everyone was waiting to see his response.

So this video quickly overpowered the previous gossip photos.

To be precise, no one cared about those two hotel photos anymore. Attention was completely captured by the “girl I like,” he mentioned.

“Ah, damn!! Is it the Locust Girl?!!!!”

“He! Really! Still! Likes! Her!!!! What kind of devoted handsome guy is this! He’s still pursuing that girl he’s liked since he was 16???”

“My heart is racing, damn, I want to soul-swap with that girl.”

“???? My female fan status suddenly doesn’t feel so special anymore???”

“Damn, damn, damn, this guy doesn’t follow the usual path. When others get famous, they try hard to secure their fanbase and don’t dare to date, but he directly makes his pursuit progress public???”

“As a female fan, I’m crying that I’ve been rejected while also screaming about how devoted brother is…”

…

Previously, there had been many speculations about Lin Qingye’s crush, the “Locust Girl,” and the story of Lin Qingye loving her from age 16 to 26 without success had deeply touched people’s hearts.

No one thought his statement was announcing a relationship; they unanimously believed it was just about his pursuit.

Of course, many young, irrational fans couldn’t accept this and hoped Lin Qingye wouldn’t date.

But Lin Qingye had been in the public eye since winning the Golden Melody Award at 18, attracted millions of fans by participating in a show at 23, and now, at 26, his earlier fans had grown up and become quite rational.

Although many were girlfriend fans or wife fans, they knew that Lin Qingye had never cultivated that kind of image.

Even his verified Weibo account, created by the award show organizers after he won the Golden Melody Award, had never been properly maintained. Besides posts about the “I Come for Music” show and the release of the “Murmuring” album, there were no other original Weibo posts.

Even those few remaining posts were probably posted by the company; he had never posted a single word.

But even so, his fan count had now accumulated to 40 million.

Wang Qi’s previous prediction wasn’t wrong; he was a rare evergreen tree in the industry.

For fans, they were initially attracted to him because there had never been this type of person in the entertainment circle. They found him curious and were attracted by his unrestrained freedom.

Now, to demand that he be restricted from dating like those idols in the entertainment industry who rely on the fan economy to enhance their commercial value was unreasonable and too selfish.

From winning the Golden Melody Award with “Locust,” to getting the championship in “I Come for Music,” to “Murmuring” breaking records in downloads, comments, purchases, and playbacks.

Lin Qingye had never been positioned as an idol, but as a singer.

And although he had always been controversial, those who disliked him did so because his conduct was too flamboyant, but the reputation of his works was generally quite good.

The music festival ended.

Ji Yan hadn’t expected Lin Qingye to directly say those words at the music festival. All along, he had been very careful and cautious about matters concerning Xu Zhinan, not wanting her to be attacked by public opinion.

Ji Yan put the bass into its case and asked, “Captain, are you planning to go public with your relationship?”

“Yes, preparing for it, step by step,” Lin Qingye said.

Constantly hiding and dodging wasn’t a solution either.

His popularity was growing higher and higher now, making it impossible to appear in public with Xu Zhinan.

Not to mention wanting to go out for a meal or travel with Xu Zhinan on some holidays.

Their dating had become like an underground affair that couldn’t see the light of day.

Originally, Lin Qingye had wanted to wait for a more mature timing before considering going public, but recently, Zhao Qian was planning to take an annual leave with her husband to make up for their previously missed honeymoon trip. Lin Qingye learned about this when Xu Zhinan called.

The little girl was quite excited, discussing with her friend about which places were fun and where the scenery was especially beautiful.

Lin Qingye felt guilty towards her.

Other girls could show off their relationships, but his little girl had to stay at home all day, and even when going out, she had to be carefully disguised.

However, this matter still needed to progress step by step, first letting everyone clearly understand and accept the fact that he would date. This music festival had given him an opportunity.

He had also previously discussed this idea with Lin Guancheng and had notified the media not to dig up information about Xu Zhinan.

The four of them were chatting while packing up their instruments.

Lin Qingye’s phone vibrated. It was a message from the former bar owner.

His fingers paused, and he frowned.

[I just saw your video online, and I don’t know if the girl you’re pursuing is the one I’ve seen before, but I thought I should let you know, she’s at my bar right now, probably with a group of friends.]

The bar owner had also heard some deeper gossip during casual talks with the Locust Band.

Like the bottle of water Xu Zhinan had once splashed in Lin Qingye’s face.

Just hearing that, he knew this was definitely a case where Lin Qingye hadn’t treated the girl well and got dumped, and now he was eagerly pursuing her again.

Do you want me to keep an eye on her? There are several men around her.]

The owner sent another message, being very thoughtful.

Shi Si asked beside him, “Should we go get some late-night snacks?”

“You guys go ahead.”

Lin Qingye lowered his head, replying to the message: Good.

“I’m heading back first.”

“Where to?” Shi Si asked.

“Yan City.”

Shi Si was stunned: “Huh? Now?”

“Yes, something came up.”

“Wait, what time is it now? How late will it be if you fly back now? What’s so urgent?”

“Catching someone,” Lin Qingye sneered. “The moment I’m not around, she can’t stay put.”

The three: “…”

These people never stopped once they started playing. Li Yan was particularly in sync with them, getting more energetic as they played, and within a few minutes, she had become familiar with those people.

Xu Zhinan watched her from the side, forbidding her to drink alcohol, just like a guardian.

The bar now had a new band, a rock band.

Though not as eye-catching as the former Locust Band, the bar owner’s eye for bands was indeed good, and this was still a band with its distinctive style.

Xu Zhinan watched the stage for a while, and when she took out her phone to check the time, she discovered that Lin Qingye had just called her.

Xu Zhinan called him back, but it showed his phone was off.

Had his battery died?

Xu Zhinan frowned slightly, checked the time, and figured the music festival must have ended by now. Perhaps he had gone out for late-night snacks with Guan Chi and the others.

She thought again about the news she had seen earlier.

Though she didn’t believe Lin Qingye and that Ji Xia had any real connection, seeing such gossip about her boyfriend still made her feel uncomfortable.

She didn’t want to click in and see those comments again.

Xu Zhinan turned off the screen again and rested her chin on her hand, watching them play.

It was already very late. The other two female tattoo artists from her shop had already left together. Xu Zhinan was actually ready to go home too, but Li Yan was in high spirits, and she couldn’t leave her 17-year-old apprentice alone here.

So she sat to the side, propping up her head and watching them play games, occasionally eating some fruit.

After a while, Xu Zhinan stood up: “I’m going to the restroom.”

Li Yan didn’t even look up: “Okay.”

“Don’t mess around, and no drinking.”

“I know, I know.”

Beside them, Lu Xihe also smiled and said: “Don’t worry, I still have that basic awareness. I’ll keep an eye on her; nothing will happen.”

With Lu Xihe’s assurance, Xu Zhinan felt at ease and took her bag down to the first floor to use the restroom.

She had tied her hair in a high ponytail today, with black at the roots and very eye-catching blue in the tied-up strands. Her skin was fair, almost glowing under the lights.

All the way, countless gazes followed her.

Xu Zhinan used the toilet and came out to wash her hands.

Staying in such an environment for too long easily gave her a headache. Just now in the private room, several people were still smoking, and Xu Zhinan didn’t want to go back immediately.

She stayed in the restroom for a while, then turned and left through the side door.

The early winter night wind carried a coolness that made her feel much more comfortable, blowing away the lingering smoke smell on her body.

She was wearing shoes with some height today, and her calves were a bit sore.

She sat down on the steps by the side door and massaged her calves.

Few people used the bar’s side door. Outside was a very narrow alley, and walking further into this alley would lead to Lin Qingye’s former studio, which was why Xu Zhinan had walked through this rarely known side door a few times.

However, now that the company had all sorts of equipment, he rarely went to the studio anymore.

She sat on the steps, enjoying the breeze, when her phone rang—it was Lin Qingye calling.

“Hello?” Xu Zhinan answered.

“Still at the bar?”

“Yes,” she responded, then realized she hadn’t mentioned where she’d gone. “How did you know?”

Lin Qingye scoffed lightly: “Sneaking out to play while I’m away?”

“…”

How did his words make it sound like that?

“I didn’t sneak out. I told you before,” Xu Zhinan explained in a soft voice. “It’s the tattoo artist gathering that Brother Lu mentioned to me last month.”

“A gathering at that kind of place,” he said, his tone displeased.

“I only found out about the location when I was notified in the evening. I originally wanted to tell you,” Xu Zhinan paused, “…but then I saw that news online and forgot to mention it.”

“Which one?”

“Well…” she blinked her black lashes, unable to help mumbling, “your gossip.”

“Ji Xia?”

He even called that girl by name.

Xu Zhinan puffed her cheeks, unhappy: “Mm-hmm.”

“I have no relationship with her. She seems to be from Chuan Qi Entertainment too. I’ll ask Uncle Wang tomorrow about what kind of mess she created.”

“…”

Lin Qingye: “Still at the bar?”

“Yes.”

“I’m almost there. Are you done over there?”

Xu Zhinan was stunned: “Huh?”

He didn’t repeat himself.

“Aren’t you at the music festival?”

Lin Qingye laughed softly: “Well, if I don’t come back, my wife might run away.”

His laughter vibrated deeply through the phone, making Xu Zhinan’s ears tingle as she listened.

Catching two particular words in his sentence, her ears grew hot: “What are you saying?”

But the corners of her lips quickly curled up.

After hanging up, Xu Zhinan returned to the private room.

“Li Yan, are you going home?” she asked.

“Master, I want to play a bit longer. These guys aren’t taking it easy on me. I’ve lost several rounds already. I have to win back, or I won’t be able to sleep when I get home,” Li Yan said, looking up at her and noticing Xu Zhinan standing outside without taking a seat. “Master, do you have something to do?”

“Yes, but I’m worried about leaving you alone here.”

Since Li Yan was in the mood to play, Xu Zhinan coaxed her like a child: “You can come to the next gathering to play. It’s so late, you should go home.”

But Lu Xihe spoke up: “Let it be. It’s rare for her to play. Let her enjoy herself. She hasn’t been drinking anyway, nothing will happen. When it’s over, I’ll take her home. It’s on my way.”

Li Yan indeed still wanted to play. Used to a night owl lifestyle, she wasn’t tired at all and looked at Xu Zhinan expectantly.

Having known Lu Xihe for so many years, she definitely trusted him.

After hesitating for a while, she finally agreed: “Then I’ll trouble you, Brother Lu.”

Lu Xihe waved his hand: “No trouble, no trouble. If you have something to do, go ahead and leave.”

Xu Zhinan reminded Li Yan again to send her a voice message after reaching home, then turned and went downstairs.

Thinking for a moment, she took out her phone and sent Lin Qingye a message: I’ll wait for you at the side door. There are many people outside, be careful.

He replied quickly.

[Qingye-ge: Okay.]

Xu Zhinan had originally planned to wait for Li Yan to get in the car home before leaving with Lin Qingye. Now that the task of sending Li Yan home had been handed over to Lu Xihe, she had some time.

Lin Qingye hadn’t arrived yet, so she waited at the deserted side door, sitting on the steps.

With nothing to do, and having heard his explanation about Ji Xia, Xu Zhinan clicked on Weibo again and saw that the top trending topic had already changed.

Next to it was a red “explosion” symbol.

#Lin Qingye Responds#

Her fingers paused, and she quickly clicked on it, seeing that video.

The denial of the earlier paparazzi gossip was swift—it had barely fermented for a few hours before he clarified.

Then there was Lin Qingye’s smiling statement, “Don’t spread rumors, ok? I have a girl I like.”

Xu Zhinan’s heart beat a little faster.

Just as she was about to watch the video again, a man’s voice came from behind: “Hello.”

Xu Zhinan turned her head. Since she was sitting, she had to look up at the person. Not knowing where this man had appeared from, she blinked: “Do we know each other?”

“I noticed you inside just now and saw you come here, so I came to check,” the man smiled kindly. “Can we get to know each other?”

Xu Zhinan understood his intentions.

She smiled apologetically at him: “I’m waiting for my boyfriend to pick me up.”

With these words, the man understood and didn’t persist. He said “sorry” and turned to leave.

Once again, only Xu Zhinan remained at the side door.

She gathered her hair, looked around again, and worried that someone else might come and discover Lin Qingye later.

After checking inside for a while to ensure it was safe, she turned her head and suddenly saw a pair of long legs in front of her, tall and straight.

Xu Zhinan paused, sitting on the steps and slowly raising her gaze.

In the dim yellow street light of the narrow alley, Lin Qingye stood before her.

Xu Zhinan didn’t react immediately, just looked up at him, blinking.

It suddenly reminded her of the first time she met Lin Qingye. She had accidentally gotten drunk and was sitting on the bathroom steps, and then Lin Qingye appeared.

A car was parked at the end of the dim alley.

“…”

Xu Zhinan swallowed emptily.

She didn’t know if he had seen what happened earlier. Although she had only rejected someone, she still felt strangely guilty.

After they stared at each other for a moment, Lin Qingye laughed softly: “So you’re in high demand, huh?”

“…”

He continued lazily: “I have to catch you myself and take you home.”

“…”

Lin Qingye extended his hand to her.

Xu Zhinan was pulled up by him and couldn’t help saying: “You’re even more sought after.”

“Then why didn’t you come catch me? Instead, you’re playing until midnight while I’m not home.”

“…”

Xu Zhinan couldn’t counter him.

Lin Qingye smiled and asked: “Did you drink?”

“No.”

“Really?”

“Yes.”

“Let me check.” As he said this, he held her hand with one hand and bent down, kissing her lips, prying open her teeth and lightly sweeping inside.

Behind them, the noisy sounds of people and music from the bar could still be heard, while the alley was quiet and dim. The car blocked the alley entrance, obstructing the view.

But they were still outside after all. Xu Zhinan was worried about being discovered and shrank back a bit, only to be pulled back again.

Lin Qingye’s presence sealed around her completely.

After what seemed like a long time, he finally let go.

Xu Zhinan’s breathing was unsteady, her lips moist, red lips and white teeth appearing especially bright in this light. Lin Qingye couldn’t resist and bent down to kiss her again.

“Very good, indeed you didn’t drink.”

Xu Zhinan pinched him: “Aren’t you afraid of being discovered?”

He smiled lazily: “Give me a little more time. In the future, we won’t be afraid of being discovered. I can accompany you wherever you want to go.”

Xu Zhinan remembered the video she had just seen and felt a stirring in her heart: “You want to…?”

“Yes, having such a beautiful girlfriend and always hiding her is a waste,” he said roguishly, lifting her chin. “Got to show off a bit.”

They didn’t stay at the side door of the bar for long and quickly got into the car.

They drove to the Lija Building.

In the elevator, Xu Zhinan asked: “How did you know I was there?”

Lin Qingye joked: “I have informants.”

She immediately realized who it might be, remembering someone she bumped into when she entered: “The bar owner?”

“Yes.”

“You still keep in touch?”

“Not much with me, but Guan Chi and the others still often meet with the bar owner. He probably saw that video and thought I was still pursuing you, so he came to inform me.”

With a “ding,” the elevator opened.

Lin Qingye suddenly pulled her hand and pinned her against the wall.

He touched her ear, then her nose, his palm moving down to cradle her neck, so slender and fragile, easily encompassed by one of his hands.

Calculating the total separation time, it hadn’t even been two days.

But perhaps because they normally lived together and saw each other every day, when they occasionally couldn’t see each other, it felt uncomfortable.

Usually, when Lin Qingye pinned her like this and started getting handsy, Xu Zhinan would push him away. But today she didn’t, appearing docile, even rubbing her cheek against his palm.

Lin Qingye laughed deeply, staying close to her with their breaths intermingling: “Did you miss me?”

Xu Zhinan obediently replied: “Yes.”

And nodded.

His heart softened, and he couldn’t help teasing: “Then do you want to kiss me?”

Asking shamelessly.

Xu Zhinan looked up at him in the dim room. The man had a prominent nose bridge, his features sharp when not smiling, but appearing passionate when he did smile.

Her gaze moved down to his lips, her actions submissively following his words as she couldn’t help but tilt her chin up to kiss him.

Lin Qingye truly didn’t take the initiative, only supporting her chin.

After the kiss, he pushed his luck, his leg pressing between hers as he asked hoarsely: “Then, do you want this?”