Chapter 182: Double Eleven Gala

Chapter 182: The Double Eleven Gala

"You can't sing unless you're livestreaming?"

This was truly the first time Su Qingcen had heard such a claim.

Meng Fan nodded earnestly. "It's true. Look, I nearly botched the livestream today; if I weren't streaming, the psychological pressure would be even greater. I’d end up cracking notes or singing off-key, and that would surely ruin your concert!"

To be honest, the prospect of performing on stage with his idol was a massive temptation for Meng Fan. Yet, after a moment’s consideration, he chose to decline.

First and foremost, he genuinely feared he would derail Su Qingcen’s concert.

Take Bai Zhi’s concert today—the live audience was small, with the focus primarily on the online stream. Meng Fan understood a bit about livestreaming; while trolls and contrarians were everywhere, the viewers weren't ticket-holders, so they weren't overly demanding. If a disaster happened, they’d just treat it as a spectacle.

But Su Qingcen’s concert was a ticketed event. The audience's mindset was entirely different: "I paid for this, I’m not here to watch a circus." Furthermore, Meng Fan was a fan of hers; he knew exactly how it felt when someone ruined an idol’s concert. They might not drag the person off stage and beat them, but they would certainly harbor hostility.

Secondly, to be frank, Meng Fan didn't love singing that much. Even though he sounded quite good now and occasionally enjoyed the process of creating beautiful music, he wasn't particularly passionate about it.

Thirdly, without a livestream, he couldn't earn experience points for the [Livestream Master] achievement.

As for the [Concert Killer] quest, it was one thing to be a spectator in the crowd and stir up some fun, but to go on stage and disrupt the flow—or even influence the entire concert as a guest—Meng Fan felt it was unnecessary.

If Su Qingcen’s concert were being livestreamed and she invited him, he would have done it for the experience points, at most restraining himself from causing any chaos.

"Really?"

Su Qingcen wasn't displeased, but she was certainly disappointed.

Inviting Meng Fan was twofold: she felt he wanted to enter the industry and wanted to help him, whether for his own sake or for Meng Caiwei’s; and his singing was genuinely unique and talented, making him a suitable guest.

Her company hadn't objected to the request, knowing Meng Fan was a fan of hers—a world-record-holding level of fan—with a charmingly eccentric persona that played well to the public.

Meng Fan nodded. "The psychological pressure... it’s hard to explain, even to myself."

Su Qingcen didn't press the issue. Despite her regret, she smiled and said, "Alright then. If you ever overcome this hurdle, let me know, and I’ll invite you again. Oh, by the way, you’ll still come to the concert, won't you?"

Meng Fan laughed. "If you aren't worried that I’ll make you break character and laugh, then of course I’d love to go!"

Su Qingcen spread her hands, echoing Bai Zhi’s words: "So what if I laugh? Isn't it fun?"

Come to think of it, Meng Fan had twice derailed the atmosphere at concerts, but the results were never bad; instead, they added a layer of charm. It had been the same at Su Qingcen’s last concert, and even though the feedback for this one hadn't arrived yet, it was bound to be a success.

The concert ended around ten-thirty. The audience offered thunderous applause, leaving the venue with reluctance but in perfect order.

Meng Fan had messaged Wu Tong and the others. While Wu Tong had met Su Qingcen and Bai Zhi before, the other girls hadn't, and they were dying for a close-up encounter, autographs, and photos—the ultimate post-concert experience.

"Little Jiu Jiu."

When Bai Zhi saw the staff bringing Qin Jiu and the others backstage, she opened her arms for a hug and took her hand. "It’s been at least three months since we last saw each other!"

Qin Jiu pulled a long face. "Three months is three months. You didn't miss me that much anyway. You’ve been in Hangzhou for days; you didn't even invite me to dinner, let alone the concert."

Bai Zhi hugged Qin Jiu’s arm. "I was planning to take you to dinner after the concert. You know how I get—if I have something on my mind, I’d be distracted during dinner, and that wouldn't be fair to you. As for the concert, I knew Little Fan would get you a ticket."

"You have things on your mind, but I’m holding a grudge!"

Qin Jiu rolled her eyes at Bai Zhi, then couldn't help but burst into laughter.

Wei Zhixue and the other two were curious and surprised; they hadn't expected Qin Jiu to know Bai Zhi, let alone be so close.

Wu Tong quickly pieced it together: Qin Jiu was a student of Liang Qing and had studied under her since she was young. She must have known Liang Qing’s daughter, Meng Caiwei, who was of a similar age. Since Meng Caiwei and Bai Zhi were college roommates and best friends, the connection made sense.

By extension, Qin Jiu and Meng Caiwei must be very close.

After the pleasantries, Qin Jiu introduced the girls, followed by photos and autographs.

Su Qingcen had noticed Qin Jiu standing next to Wu Tong while on stage. She hadn't known who she was, only that she was stunning and elegant. She knew she was connected to Meng Fan, but hadn't expected the link to Bai Zhi as well.

The staff nearby, watching the group photo session, couldn't help but be dazzled by Wu Tong and Qin Jiu, feeling that in terms of pure beauty, these two fans were no less striking than the stars themselves.

The other three girls were also quite pretty, but standing next to those four women, they were at a disadvantage.

There was a celebration dinner after the concert. It was a chance to relax, as the livestream had been a confirmed success, and the staff had been working hard from the initial planning to the rehearsals.

Qin Jiu and the others left, but Meng Fan stayed behind; there was no room for him in their car anyway.

This was Meng Fan’s first time at such a dinner. At first, he found it interesting, but his enthusiasm waned as the music industry veterans began their aggressive drinking games. Though Meng Fan could hold his liquor, he was no match for their seasoned tactics, and he was soon forced to down quite a bit.

Taking advantage of a bathroom break, he pulled his cap low and prepared to slip away.

"Hmm?"

Just as he was about to leave, Meng Fan overheard the band members talking, and he froze in his tracks.

Double Eleven Gala, livestream!

The words hit his ears like a boss monster spawning in a dungeon!

A Double Eleven Gala livestream, broadcast via satellite TV—just imagine how many people would be watching that!

One more chapter when I wake up, no more pulling all-nighters.

(End of chapter)