Chapter 74: At the New Album Launch Event

Kyoto City, Jiang Yan’s apartment.

Manager Zhou Hong sat in silence, her face set in a stern expression. The young assistant, Zhang Nan, stood off to the side, trembling nervously.

Jiang Yan carried over a cup of tea and handed it to her. “Hong, why are you so angry? Nothing really happened, did it?”

Zhou Hong snorted coldly but reached out to accept the tea. “By the time something does happen, it’ll be too late!” She took a sip and picked up her phone. “You snuck out tonight just to meet him?” On her phone was the photo of Su Chen that had been leaked online.

Jiang Yan hurried to smooth things over with a smile. “Snuck out? That sounds so harsh! I went out with Zhang Nan; she was keeping an eye on me. What are you worried about?” As she spoke, she shot a quick glance at Zhang Nan.

Zhang Nan gave her a resentful look but didn’t dare say a word.

“Zhang Nan!” Zhou Hong’s voice snapped.

The assistant trembled. “Is this how you watch over your boss? Is this your idea of responsibility?” Zhang Nan stammered, unable to answer.

Jiang Yan waved it off. “Alright, alright, I get it. Next time, I won’t take Zhang Nan with me.”

“Hm?” Zhou Hong was about to nod in approval but suddenly caught something off about that statement. “There’ll be a next time?”

“No, no, I misspoke. I meant there won’t be a next time.” Zhou Hong’s expression eased a little at last.

She studied the photo again, and after a long pause, spoke softly, “It’s not that I want to keep you under lock and key, but you’re a public figure. You must always be mindful of your image. Su Chen… Su Chen is just an ordinary person. If this blows up, it won’t be good for him either, will it? Even if you don’t think of yourself, you should think of him.”

Her tone grew earnest, almost pleading. “You’re at the prime age to advance your career. Don’t ruin yourself over something so fleeting. Su Chen may be handsome, but you need to weigh your options carefully. After all, he’s just a regular guy!”

Sensing the conversation veering off course, Jiang Yan quickly steered it back. “Alright, I understand. So, what should I do about this? It looks like things online are escalating again.”

Zhou Hong glanced at her coolly. “Didn’t you handle the last scandal well? Why are you coming to me now?”

Jiang Yan caught her breath, not daring to reveal that Su Chen had helped her last time—otherwise, it would never end.

As she hesitated, Zhou Hong continued, “It’s fine. Last time the PR went smoothly, and the effect is still lingering, so this time will be easier. We just don’t respond. In a couple of days, the buzz will fade, and they’ll move on. Remember: do not respond, no matter what!”

Jiang Yan nodded in agreement.

While rumors swirled online once more, the man at the center of it all, Su Chen, was already fast asleep.

The next morning, after washing up, Su Chen set out for the hotel Jiang Yan had sent him the address for. The launch for Jiang Yan’s new album was scheduled for nine o’clock. The hotel was a little distance from Su Chen’s place, so to be safe, he hailed a taxi. Along the way, he took in the city streets and the everyday scenes of Kyoto.

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Kyoto Tianlun Mingdu Hotel.

At the press conference venue, everything was ready. Reporters had received their tags and were seated according to their assigned spots. The grand hall glimmered with opulence; behind the stage, embedded in the wall, was an enormous display screen.

The screen showed a giant portrait of Jiang Yan, flanked by stylized artistic designs:

“2023.10”
“Jiang Yan New Album Launch”
“Love Eternal, Walking With You!”

Backstage, Zhou Hong was giving Jiang Yan last-minute instructions. “Remember, when the reporters ask questions, don’t answer anything about Su Chen. Just say it’s a misunderstanding—keep it vague. If someone presses for details, move on to the next question.”

Jiang Yan listened and nodded, signaling she understood.

As Zhou Hong finished, something occurred to her. “Right, tell Su Chen not to show up these days. His photo is out there now, and I expect journalists will be looking for him soon.”

“Ah!” Jiang Yan gasped before she could finish.

Zhou Hong’s heart tightened. “What is it?”

Jiang Yan looked flustered. “Su Chen might be coming over soon!”

“He’s coming?” Zhou Hong’s voice shot up several octaves.

“Hurry! Call him and tell him not to show up!”

Jiang Yan, panicked, grabbed her phone, her fingers trembling as she dialed. No answer! The call wouldn’t connect!

Once, twice, three times...

“What do we do?” Jiang Yan asked anxiously, frustration clouding her face. She couldn’t believe she’d forgotten something so important.

Zhou Hong pondered, frowning. Then, with sudden resolve, she ordered, “We’ll go ahead as planned. Send him a message and tell him not to come!”

“Whether he sees it or not, that’s up to fate now.”

There was nothing left to do but hope.

Ten minutes later, the press conference began. The company’s PR team presented each segment as scheduled. Jiang Yan sat at the table, distracted, glancing at her phone from time to time.

Zhou Hong, seated beside her, squeezed her hand gently under the table, signaling her to stay calm.

Finally, it was time for the Q&A.

The first reporter wasted no time, cutting straight to the heart of the matter. “Ms. Jiang Yan, how do you explain the rumors about you that exploded online last night?”

“It’s just a misunderstanding,” Jiang Yan replied.

The reporter was about to follow up, but Jiang Yan quickly interjected, “Please focus on the new album, and refrain from irrelevant questions. Thank you, everyone!”

The reporter had no choice but to back off. Most of the journalists present were media partners, so generally they wouldn’t push too far.

“Ms. Jiang Yan, what kind of songs are featured in your new album?” The second reporter was tactful, steering the conversation firmly back on track.

Jiang Yan felt a wave of relief. “The new album is mainly in Cantonese, a blend of Cantonese and Mandarin. Most of my previous songs were in Mandarin, so this is a challenge for myself.”

The answer sparked a stir in the audience. Cantonese! She’d never sung in that language before! Was this the final step toward becoming a superstar?

“Oh? Did you study Cantonese specifically?”

“No, many of my friends in the industry are from Hong Kong and Guangdong, so I learned mostly by following them.”

“Have you ever been to Hong Kong or Guangdong?”

“Not yet, but I plan to visit in the future—it’s part of my plans.”

The rest of the questions were mostly routine, and Jiang Yan answered smoothly.

“The last question, Ms. Jiang Yan: can you reveal the name of your new album?”

Jiang Yan felt another surge of relief—it was almost over! Soon, she would be free from the stage.

She was just about to reply, when suddenly the doors at the back of the hall swung open.

The reporters in the rear instinctively glanced toward the entrance—and their expressions froze.

“Su… Su Chen?”

The voice wasn’t loud, but in that moment, it rang out clear as a bell in the hall.

Jiang Yan felt her mind explode.

It was over!