At the end of May, Z City welcomed the early summer. The rainy season hadn’t arrived yet, but the continuous drizzle had already set the stage for the season’s arrival.
Outside, the heat was muggy and stifling, rising from the ground like steam. Inside, the air conditioner was running on low, sending a slow breeze that barely dispersed the humidity. The floor was covered in a thin layer of condensation, and as staff members walked back and forth, they left a trail of damp footprints in their wake.
Bian Li had already made two trips across the room and nearly slipped both times.
The third time it happened, even Da Xiong couldn’t stand it anymore. He stepped forward, grabbed her collar gently, and led her toward the studio.
“Hey… you’re making me lose face…” Bian Li muttered under her breath, but just as she spoke, she slipped again.
The surrounding staff, watching the scene unfold, chuckled in amusement as Da Xiong carried her like a little chick.
“I thought you matured over the new year. I was just praising you to others a few days ago, and now you’re protesting? Is it not because you’re a walking hazard?” Da Xiong said, his tone laced with disbelief.
If you observed the industry long enough, whether in entertainment, idol, or supermodel circles, you’d notice a pattern—artists naturally accumulate a certain depth over time. This transformation varied from person to person, but one thing was constant: the refinement that came with experience was unmatched by rookies.
Da Xiong had been in the business for a while. When he first took on Gemini, all three members had their own brand of flamboyance. Especially Bian Li—when she debuted, she was still somewhat childish, a trait obvious not just to insiders but even to the public.
With her playful nature and infectious energy, she was the little sister everyone adored. But in this industry, staying that way meant inevitable pitfalls.
Still, just as Da Xiong was considering whether he needed to give her a harsh wake-up call, the girl started to mature.
She had become noticeably steadier. While she still held onto her bright personality, there was now a quiet composure in her gaze. The shift in her demeanor made it clear—she had the potential to stand at the top one day.
Da Xiong had been so proud, boasting to everyone at the company that he had successfully nurtured a small sapling into a strong tree.
But now…
It seemed that this little sapling was still young and, frankly, thin-skinned.
Then again, no matter how much she matured, she was still a girl in her early twenties.
At the moment, Bian Li had already given up struggling and was whispering, “You really don’t have to carry me…”
“And what, let you fall again?” Da Xiong scoffed. “Besides, do you think I want to? If people outside see this, they’ll think I’m taking advantage of you. If your fans run wild with it, even I can’t clean up the mess.”
As he spoke, he sighed, launching into another one of his rants.
“The last time you and He Yunxing ended up on the hot search, my Weibo got bombarded. Brother Li was so pissed he ignored me for a whole week. He was convinced I had ulterior motives for getting close to you.”
Bian Li frowned slightly, unconvinced. “…Don’t make it sound like you were looking out for me. The real problem here is that Brother Li ignored you. That’s what stung, isn’t it?”
Brother Li had been traveling the world with Ace, hopping from one scenic location to another, living a carefree, enviable life.
Da Xiong’s expression stiffened. His face, usually so straightforward, twitched twice. “Don’t remind me, I had finally forgotten about it…” He sighed before his eyes sharpened. “Now, tell me—what’s going on between you and He Yunxing? Every time I ask, you stay silent. Do you even still see me as your agent, huh?”
The higher-ups had handled things behind the scenes back then, but in the end, they let the matter fade out. And since He Yunxing had left the country, Da Xiong had no way to get firsthand information.
Turning a corner, they reached the entrance to the studio.
Realizing that Da Xiong was about to start digging into the past again, Bian Li quickly broke free and darted inside.
It had been nearly half a year since that incident, yet he still hadn’t let it go. He must have been holding onto his curiosity all this time, waiting for a chance to pry the truth out of her.
She’d be an idiot if she actually told him anything.
Bian Li waved him off. “Okay, I’m heading in. Come pick us up later.”
Da Xiong nodded, then reminded her, “Interact properly, pay more attention to the fans, talk more. Don’t just stand in the back laughing all the time, got it?”
“Got it, got it,” Bian Li replied casually, halfway through the studio door.
But Da Xiong wasn’t done. His tone immediately switched to business mode, nagging like an overprotective parent. “Tell your two sisters to behave, read the prompt boards more, and stick to the process. The TV assistants will help, but I can’t go in, so I’ll wait outside.”
“Oh, come on. Do you still not trust me?” Bian Li waved him off completely and disappeared inside, leaving only a small gap in the door.
Onstage, Ruan Xiangyi and Ying Xuelai were already waiting. With some time left before everything officially started, Bian Li decided to goof off and sprawled across a lounge chair backstage.
Gemini had gathered today for their annual birthday fan meeting.
On the surface, it was to celebrate the members’ birthdays. But beyond that, it was a way to spend time with fans ahead of time—creating a sense of occasion and strengthening their bond.
This was commonly known as a fan-specific benefit.
Ever since their debut, Gemini had held this event once before, and it had been a huge success. This year, the company had even added new interactive segments.
Participation was exclusive—only 300 lucky fans were chosen from their official membership club. In the end, it all came down to luck.
The three members of Gemini had birthdays clustered around the end of May and early June.
True to their group name, all three of them were Geminis. The name represented their twin-like bond, their reliance on each other. That was the inspiration behind it when the company had first put them together.
Even though today was a birthday event, Bian Li’s actual birthday was tomorrow. She had originally wanted to celebrate with her family, but her packed schedule meant there was no time this year.
Not that it really mattered.
With her friends and fans by her side, she wasn’t unhappy.
The moment Bian Li stepped into the venue and shut the door behind her, a wave of cheers erupted.
Turning around, she was met with the sight of the audience seats—already completely filled. A sea of fans waved excitedly in her direction.
At some point while she had been outside, the staff had ushered everyone in and arranged them in place.
The cheers and screams had yet to die down. If anything, they were growing louder with every passing second.
Some people in the crowd half-bent forward, stood up, blushing as they shouted hoarsely, “Ahhh, look at me! Fei Fei!”
Bian Li laughed, raised her voice, and called out, “Hey!” before running onto the stage.
Her response made the audience even more enthusiastic. The noise filled the venue, making it feel as if the entire place was about to take off.
These fans were the lucky ones, randomly selected by the system. Getting to meet their idols up close like this—who wouldn’t be excited?
On the side of the stage, the host stood waiting.
She was a senior from Yi Qian Entertainment’s radio hosting department—experienced and well-versed in handling crowds. The company was paying special attention to Gemini and had personally sent her to host this event.
The female host glanced at the rowdy audience and joked, “It looks like our Fei Fei is quite the charmer.”
“But let’s settle down for a bit. The energy is great, but how else are we supposed to surprise our Gemini members if it’s this lively already?”
As soon as she finished speaking, the entire crowd fell silent in an instant, as if they had planned it beforehand. They sat neatly in their seats, disciplined and well-trained.
The host was visibly surprised. She turned to Ruan Xiangyi and remarked, “Gemini fans are really obedient.”
Ruan Xiangyi smiled, took the microphone, and naturally reached out toward Bian Li, gesturing for her to sit next to her. She then said, “Of course, our fans are the best, right?”
The audience instantly responded in unison with a military-style shout, “Yes!”
Bian Li made her way to Ruan Xiangyi’s side and took a seat.
“Alright, now that everyone’s here, let’s officially start today’s birthday fan meeting.” After the warm-up session, the host picked up the script and transitioned smoothly into the event schedule.
Even though the number of attendees today was strictly controlled, the event was being broadcast live for all fans as a special treat.
In the past six months, Gemini had been on a meteoric rise. Their popularity had exploded, bringing them into the public eye more than ever.
Ying Xuelai’s idol drama, which had wrapped filming before New Year’s, had become a breakout hit the moment it aired. After that, film and TV offers flooded in, with producers extending invitations to Gemini members.
On top of that, thanks to their growing influence and the company’s strategic efforts, they had landed numerous GG endorsements and fashion magazine features.
These past six months had been a whirlwind of success, launching them into a new level of fame and marking the busiest period of their careers.
Today’s fan meeting was one of the rare moments when they could slow down and relax.
Surrounded by the love of her fans once again, Bian Li couldn’t help but unwind.
The event was packed with interactive segments—gift exchanges through a lucky draw, and even big perks like live hugs.
To build the atmosphere, they kicked things off with a talk session, as per tradition.
The female host was clearly interested in Bian Li and directed multiple questions her way. Bian Li, being straightforward, answered them candidly.
“Over the past six months, we’ve seen a lot of changes in you. Fans say you’ve grown a lot, too. Can you share your thoughts on these changes?”
Bian Li chuckled. “To be honest, I don’t know how to describe it. But everyone grows, right? I believe I’ll keep growing, so I hope you all will wait for me. I’ll definitely become even better.”
It wasn’t just her temperament that had changed—her appearance had, too.
At the time of her debut, she still had that adorable baby fat, her rosy cheeks soft with gentle curves, full of youthful collagen.
Now, she was like a budding flower stretching toward the sun, her presence taking on a more refined elegance.
The baby fat had faded, revealing a softness that was both delicate and captivating. Her features had become even more striking.
Bian Li had transformed from a plump, juicy peach into a fragrant peony in full bloom. Every part of her was lively and mesmerizing.
With an angelic face and a devilish figure—yet retaining that innocent clarity in her eyes—it was no wonder people found her particularly enchanting.
Even top-tier media outlets in China had praised her as a beauty who perfectly balanced both girlish charm and mature femininity.
**Meanwhile—Across the Ocean**
Alaska, United States.
At two in the morning, the presidential suite was still brightly lit, far from silent.
Ning Xuechu, gripping his phone, slammed open the bedroom door with excessive force. His voice was full of excitement.
“Boss! Did you see the live broadcast?!!”
He Yunxing was half-leaning against the headboard, his long fingers lightly holding his phone, gaze lowered as he scrolled through something.
Hearing Ning Xuechu’s loud intrusion, he lazily lifted his eyelids. His voice was low and indifferent.
“Get out.”
Ning Xuechu wasn’t the least bit deterred. If He Yunxing actually listened, now that would be a shock.
With just a few quick strides, he reached the bed and shoved his phone right in front of He Yunxing’s face, blocking his view without hesitation.
“You have to see this! Fei Fei is hugging fans on the livestream—one on the left, one on the right—hahahaha!”
He Yunxing pushed his hand away with an expressionless face. His voice was cold and clipped, carrying an unmistakable hint of displeasure.
“So noisy.”
Ning Xuechu had been with him for years—he knew He Yunxing’s little mood shifts better than anyone.
At this moment, how could he not notice the subtle irritation hiding beneath that casual indifference?
Ning Xuechu’s eyes lit up. “Oh my, are you jealous?”
The more he spoke, the more pleased he became. “Brother He, how do you feel right now? I don’t know if those fans are happy or not—touching Fei Fei’s little face, then holding her little hands. So happy.”
He Yunxing stayed silent.
Ning Xuechu craned his neck to sneak a look. He Yunxing’s thin lips were pressed into a straight line, his profile taut with restraint. His eyes were lowered, and an air of suppressed tension hung around him like a storm waiting to break.
Ning Xuechu reached out to pat He Yunxing’s shoulder—only to have his hand slapped away in disgust.
“Okay, okay, the fans hugging her are all female. Why are you still so mad?”
His gaze then drifted to He Yunxing’s phone screen. It was still on the live broadcast of the Gemini fan meeting.
And not just any angle—the one that locked onto Bian Li directly, capturing her every move.
Good guy, He Yunxing wasn’t missing a single second. He really wanted to “share” all the fan benefits, huh?
Originally, Ning Xuechu had just been teasing him, but He Yunxing remained motionless, his posture unchanged. His gaze stayed fixed on Bian Li as she interacted with fans, hugging them one by one.
“Wait, why are you even angrier when I mentioned female fans?” Ning Xuechu frowned, puzzled. He waved a hand in front of He Yunxing’s face. “Boss, I swear, you’ve got the potential to be a full-blown shrew.”
The moment he said it, he noticed something—He Yunxing’s mood had dropped even lower.
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