The training for the new album lasted nearly three weeks, and the performances have shown promising initial results. However, they still need to work overtime to improve. The three girls had spent almost half a year preparing for the rehearsal of their debut song.
After their debut, however, as time passed and their schedules became packed with announcements, it became increasingly difficult for them to find time to practice singing and dancing. If the basic skills are neglected, regression is inevitable. How well idols maintain their status in the future ultimately depends on their determination and original intentions.
Gemini’s new album this time can be regarded as the company’s recognition of their popularity over the past year. Since they are signed artists, their worth is ultimately tied to news value and profit contribution. The company, unwilling to do pointless work, bases next year’s plans and arrangements on the results of their popularity.
Bian Li has been busy with training recently, and her weekly eating show has been temporarily suspended. She truly couldn’t carve out an extra hour to live stream, so she had to put it on hold for now.
This absence has left some fans crying out in longing. Some big influencers on Weibo discovered her videos on Raccoon Live and began recommending them to their own fans.
It turns out these recommendations were quite effective. Whenever Bian Li encountered company seniors, they would often pull her aside to chat and, incidentally, ask about her thoughts on being an up-and-coming idol eating broadcaster.
She’s been asked so many questions that her response time has slowed. This continued until lunchtime.
Yi Qian Entertainment is one of the industries under the Shen conglomerate. As the largest agency in the entertainment industry, its resources and influence are unmatched. Naturally, the number of employees is substantial, and the company is generous with bonuses. They even provide a buffet restaurant for employees, which is so impressive it could almost double as a tourist attraction in the city.
These perks for staff extend to the artists as well. To some extent, artists are also considered employees.
Because the food is good, many artists eat at the buffet restaurant at noon, and the three girls were no exception.
Bian Li swiped her captain’s artist card but didn’t dare take too many of her favorite foods. She was about to return, so she simply picked some light meals and sat down with her sisters.
The restaurant was lively, filled with employees, debuted celebrities, and yet-to-debut trainees. On the big screen at the entrance, the works of Yi Qian’s major artists played in a loop.
The company’s cohesion was undeniable. Despite the inevitable open and secret struggles, daily interactions were filled with warmth and enthusiasm.
Bian Li’s popularity in the company was particularly high. On her way in, carrying her plate, she couldn’t avoid the enthusiastic greetings from friends, some even inviting her to join them for a meal live stream.
As the youngest in the group, Ruan Xiangyi and Ying Xuelai doted on her like a little sister, while fans outside the team adored her as if she were their daughter—a true darling of the heavens.
Within the company, Bian Li floated between sisterhoods, earning her the title of Yi Qian’s “sister killer”.
Bian Li nearly choked when Ruan Xiangyi summed her up like that.
“Sister, you’re making me sound like a guy.”
Ruan Xiangyi glanced at her. “If you insist on projecting a male perspective onto yourself, I can’t stop you.”
“….”
“But you’re mistaken. I said ‘sister killer’, and I wasn’t wrong. Isn’t there an actual ‘girl killer’ in the company? Right behind you.”
Bian Li instinctively looked back, only to see a bustling crowd.
“What…” She muttered, turning back.
Ying Xuelai glanced over and clarified, “It’s on the big screen.”
Bian Li followed her gaze and saw He Yunxing’s striking face prominently displayed on the TV screen.
She stared for a moment, then turned to the others. “I get the ‘girl killer’ thing, but why is it someone in the company?”
Ruan Xiangyi smirked meaningfully. “Obviously because girls throw themselves at him. He’s so popular that just being seen near him creates a buzz. A lot of the trainees who haven’t debuted yet love waiting for him in the corridors.”
“How can that be? Doesn’t his manager care?”
“He doesn’t need his manager to care. He doesn’t bother with them, let alone entertain their advances. But, honestly, his ‘sexually cold’ vibe doesn’t surprise me.”
Cold…
Bian Li lowered her gaze thoughtfully.
“Ruan Ruan, you’re not involved. How do you know so much?” Bian Li poked at a piece of broccoli, her focus entirely on it. Sweet foods were still her favorite. Once her singing stage was over, she’d definitely indulge in some sweet and sour pork ribs.
“That’s just company gossip,” Ruan Xiangyi shrugged. “You hear it; you don’t take it too seriously.”
“So you gave me a nickname like ‘sister killer’?” Bian Li scoffed.
“Why not? It suits you perfectly.”
“But all I want is to be my sisters’ little cotton-padded jacket.” Bian Li laughed, then swiftly tossed the broccoli onto Ruan Xiangyi’s plate.
Ruan Xiangyi stared at her in silence for two seconds before declaring, “If you’re bold enough, don’t take it. But if you do, you’d better eat it.”
“It looks so full; I like it,” Bian Li replied with a grin.
The table was filled with lively chatter. Bian Li was still bickering with Ruan Xiangyi when someone suddenly sat down beside her.
Sensing an unfamiliar presence, Bian Li instinctively turned to look. The newcomer smiled at her, a dazzling curve gracing his lips.
“…Brother Ning?” After a moment, she recognized him.
“It’s only been a short time, and you don’t recognize me?” Ning Xuechu replied, settling into his seat with casual ease.
Bian Li’s eyelids twitched as she glanced at the newcomer. Sure enough, He Yunxing and He Xuyi followed closely behind him.
There were six seats at the table. Ruan Xiangyi and Ying Xuelai sat opposite each other, with Bian Li next to Ying Xuelai, leaving one seat unoccupied across from her.
He Xuyi took a long stride and settled in next to Ruan Xiangyi, directly across from Bian Li.
He Yunxing, showing no interest in competing for seats, calmly took the spot beside He Xuyi, exuding an air of relaxed indifference.
After exchanging pleasantries, an odd tension fell over the table. Despite the lively chatter surrounding them, their group seemed to exist within a strangely insulated bubble of silence.
Bian Li, unbothered by the shift, focused on her plate, poking absently at her salad with a fork, moving pieces around without actually eating much.
“Fei Fei, why are you eating so much vegetarian food? Can you really stomach that much grass?” Ning Xuechu’s expression twisted slightly as he eyed the greens on her plate with evident disdain.
Bian Li looked up and replied earnestly, “I can’t, but I have to. I’m about to get back to my normal routine, so I’m losing weight.”
She paused and glanced curiously at the trays of the three boys. Unlike her, they were eating hearty meals.
“I saw you enjoying yourself so much on your live broadcasts, and now here you are, nibbling on grass. I don’t get you girls,” Ning Xuechu said, shaking his head in exasperation.
Bian Li blinked, a little surprised to learn he had watched her live streams. But the surprise quickly faded, replaced by her determination to defend her choices.
For once, she was unyielding. “Brother Ning, you don’t understand. Losing weight now is so I can enjoy my favorites later—milk tea jelly, strawberry candy, pudding cake, coconut milk jelly… None of them will be left out!”
Her spirited response, almost like a poetic recital, left Ning Xuechu momentarily speechless.
Ruan Xiangyi seized the opportunity to jump in, narrowing her eyes at him. “Ning Xuechu, I’ve put up with you long enough! What’s the point of always picking on Fei Fei?”
The two had a long-standing rivalry from their time on variety shows, and today’s outburst was merely the culmination of suppressed animosity.
Ning Xuechu, on the verge of snapping back, caught He Xuyi’s icy gaze from across the table and instantly swallowed his retort.
“Your Brother Ning is being falsely accused. I didn’t mean it that way… Boss, don’t you think so?” he asked, desperately looking to He Yunxing for support, as though clutching at his last lifeline.
But He Yunxing remained detached, his posture casual as he ate unhurriedly. His half-lidded eyes and indifferent demeanor seemed to suggest he hadn’t even heard the exchange.
With no ally to save him, Ning Xuechu had no choice but to retreat into silence.
Bian Li smiled unexpectedly. “Brother Ning, you should eat. Your food is getting cold.”
Her soft words, seemingly kind, made Ning Xuechu glance at her gratefully. Yet before he could express his thanks, she deftly avoided his gaze, rising from her seat.
“You all keep eating. I’m going to get some purple potato puree,” she announced.
Unlike the creamy mashed potatoes the buffet was known for, Bian Li had a preference for the earthy sweetness of purple potato puree. She always made sure to take an extra portion when she could.
As she passed the dessert station on her way to the light food area, her steps faltered in front of a self-service ice cream machine. Its shiny pink exterior and whimsical cartoon decorations practically screamed her name, pulling her in like a siren’s call.
She stood there, staring longingly at the machine, visibly torn.
“Just eat it if you want to,” came a calm, clear voice from behind her.
Startled, Bian Li turned her head slightly, only to see He Yunxing approaching, his steps unhurried until he stood beside her.
“Actually… I don’t really want it,” Bian Li coughed lightly, as though trying to convince herself.
She hastily came up with an excuse. Unlike the buffet’s self-service setup, the ice cream machine required an employee card. Since she hadn’t brought her own and had been using Ruan Xiangyi’s card earlier, it wasn’t even an option for her to indulge.
He Yunxing, towering above her, raised an eyebrow as if to say he wasn’t buying her story. His sharp gaze softened slightly, and he asked, “Really don’t want it?”
Bian Li nodded hesitantly, then quickly stepped aside to make room for him. “Senior, if you want it, go ahead. I won’t stop you.”
He Yunxing didn’t respond immediately. Instead, he merely said, “Wait.”
“Huh?”
Bian Li was momentarily stunned as He Yunxing, without hesitation, swiped his card across the machine with a crisp “beep—” sound.
The sound echoed faintly, as if it tugged gently at her heartstrings for no discernible reason.
Half of He Yunxing’s profile was outlined by soft lighting, tracing a smooth and stunning arc. Yet, the sight of such a tall, striking figure standing in front of the pink ice cream machine felt oddly incongruous.
Unbothered by the mismatch, He Yunxing moved with his usual unhurried grace. His slender, jade-like hand picked up a cone, smooth and shell-like, and carefully positioned it under the dispenser.
Moments later, the ice cream swirled into perfect formation. He turned to face her, his expression as casual as ever.
He Yunxing extended the small cone toward her. The ice cream perched on top was pristine and snowy white, faintly emitting a fresh, creamy aroma.
Bian Li’s gaze naturally drifted downward, landing on the hand holding the cone. His long, slender fingers were distinct at the joints, his thin wrist bones subtly prominent, with sharp, clean lines that carried an understated elegance.
Then, his voice, calm and scattered, broke the silence.
“Take it and eat it.”
