TTIG Chapter 79.1

Two years later.

 

Flying back to Jiangzhou from London, the dozen-hour flight gave Fang Yinnian a splitting headache.

 

Walking out of the airport, he heard deafening screams in the distance: “Brother’s coming out!” “Ahhh—”

 

Some celebrity’s fans picking them up at the airport?

 

Fang Yinnian soon heard a familiar name.

 

“Zhouzhou!” “Husband ahhh!” “Tao Yizhou I love you!”

 

Airport security surrounded a man quickly leaving through the VIP international flight passage.

 

Tao Yizhou wore obviously branded luxury clothing with sunglasses and mask. Passing fan groups, he suddenly removed his sunglasses, smiling and blowing fans a kiss.

 

“Thank you all for picking me up—love you.”

 

Fans became even more excited, screaming until their voices were hoarse.

 

Watching this scene, Fang Yinnian smiled slightly and deliberately slowed his pace.

 

Since learning Tao Yizhou was a pretty vase packaged by company marketing, every time he saw news about this person, it felt so fake. Sheng Yao’s marketing was indeed capable, molding Tao Yizhou into a gentle, melancholy, brilliantly talented creative genius—a music prince.

 

Actually just gilded exterior with rotten interior.

 

Fans were completely mesmerized. Fang Yinnian somewhat pitied Tao Yizhou’s fans—if their idol collapsed someday, how heartbroken would they be?

 

Fang Yinnian casually pulled chocolate from his pocket and put it in his mouth.

 

He waited in a corner for over ten minutes until the screaming outside subsided, then put his mask back on, pulled his cap very low, and walked quickly forward.

 

Two barriers at the international flight arrival area separated pickup fans on both sides, leaving a passenger corridor.

 

Today was Paris Fashion Week’s end—many celebrities would return from Paris. The international flight corridor was full of pickup fans from various fandoms holding flags, banners, fans, and other support items.

 

Due to numerous returning celebrities, airport security was very strict. Pickup fans were orderly though, obediently standing in two rows waiting for their desired people.

 

Of course no fans were waiting for him. Fang Yinnian kept his head down, walking quickly through the corridor.

 

Only after he left did some whispers emerge from fan groups—

 

“Who was that person just now? Hat, mask, sunglasses—covered so thoroughly.”

 

“Didn’t see clearly, but tall and slim with good build!”

 

“Could be another celebrity too?”

 

“Maybe just some little brother who traveled abroad.”

 

Fans discussed quietly. Then the crowd erupted in more screams: “Sister Xin’s out!” “Sister Xin is so beautiful ahhh~”

 

The screams gradually fell behind.

 

Fang Yinnian quickly reached the parking lot where a fluorescent green sports car was already waiting. He got in, removed sunglasses and mask, meeting a pair of narrow, gentle eyes.

 

“Little junior brother, long time no see.” Xu Feng had driven to pick him up and affectionately ruffled his hair upon seeing him. “Yo, grown up a bit—even more handsome!”

 

Fang Yinnian smiled: “How’s Teacher’s health?”

 

Xu Feng: “Great. He’s cooking at home today, says he wants to welcome you back. He’s so happy you returned—never expected you to graduate from Lausanne Academy in just two years.”

 

Fang Yinnian said: “I completed credits early.”

 

Lausanne Academy’s master’s program normally took three years to complete, but he passed all exams in just two years, graduating ahead of schedule.

 

Besides talent, it was inseparable from hard work and effort.

 

These two years, to quickly complete all courses, he only slept five hours daily and never went home during holidays, always staying at school to study. Except for occasionally seeing Yu Can abroad, he hadn’t met any other relatives or friends… including Mo Xun.

 

Thinking of that name, Fang Yinnian’s heart ached. He rushed to complete all courses in two years and graduate early to return because Mo Xun and the others’ contracts would expire this year.

 

Xu Feng steadily drove the sports car onto the airport highway, casually turning on the sound system. Intense rock music filled the car—Fang Yinnian heard a familiar voice, very clear tone with unique proud coldness and explosive high notes that made listeners feel exhilarated.

 

Xu Feng smiled: “Recognize it?”

 

“Of course.” Fang Yinnian recognized the voice from almost the first line. “Tang Che—his vocals have improved greatly.”

 

“Yeah. Shortly after you left, Black Sky band’s lead singer was arrested for drugs. To stabilize the rock market, Sheng Yao formed a new band with Tang Che as lead vocalist.”

 

Fang Yinnian’s lips curved: “That’s good—Tang Che always wanted to form a rock band. His dream came true.”

 

Xu Feng said: “Domestic entertainment has changed a lot these two and a half years. Your former teammates are all doing well. Especially Mo Xun—his TV dramas hit three consecutive successes. Period detective drama ‘Qingzhou Mystery Files’ actually won the annual championship, becoming last year’s biggest dark horse.”

 

“Later he acted in two more criminal investigation dramas with excellent results. He’s currently filming a movie—also suspense genre apparently. His actor transformation was very successful. I heard directors who’ve worked with him in the industry all like him very much.”

 

Fang Yinnian remained calm: “He indeed has great acting talent.”

 

Of course Fang Yinnian knew Mo Xun’s recent situation. After all, Mo Xun was his boyfriend—he’d been constantly following Mo Xun’s new drama developments from abroad, seriously watching every show Mo Xun appeared in.

 

They’d maintained an underground relationship. Despite the distance and Mo Xun being busy filming while Fang Yinnian focused on studies, they hadn’t met in two years, mostly communicating through messages and occasionally video chatting when particularly safe, to relieve lovesickness.

 

Fang Yinnian’s white phone with only one contact was full of Mo Xun’s various drama stills—their little secret.

 

He didn’t want others to know.

 

Fang Yinnian smoothly changed topics: “How are Junwen and Xiao Fei?”

 

Xu Feng smiled: “Tan Junwen was dragged into modern romance dramas—his first two shows got terrible reviews, but he later seriously focused on acting and improved considerably. Oh right, I’m producing the OST for his campus drama ‘Midsummer’ from last year—it’ll probably air during summer vacation.”

 

“Xiao Fei is now the host of Nanxing TV’s most popular variety show ‘Always Smiling.’ He has deep cooperation with Nanxing TV, and the station leaders all like him very much.”

 

Fang Yinnian said with relief: “Looks like they’re all developing well after going solo.”

 

Xu Feng carefully observed the expression on Fang Yinnian’s face, joking: “If you hadn’t left back then, you’d definitely be more popular than those four now.” Speaking of this, he couldn’t help but sigh: “Teacher and I have always been curious about why you left—what was the real reason? Can you tell me privately?”

 

Fang Yinnian smiled slightly: “There’s no need to dwell on the past. Didn’t I come back?”

 

Xu Feng said helplessly: “Fine, then what are your plans next?”

 

Fang Yinnian: “I’ll settle down first and then talk.”

 

The two chatted along the way, and the car soon arrived at Teacher Yu Ziluo’s villa.

 

Yu Can had graduated and returned to China last year. After returning, she joined a symphony orchestra as principal violinist and wasn’t currently in Jiangzhou. Only Teacher Yu was home. Upon seeing Fang Yinnian, Yu Ziluo immediately put down his kitchen knife and walked over to give him a big hug: “Yinnian, welcome back!”

 

Fang Yinnian also excitedly hugged him back: “Teacher, long time no see.”

 

Yu Ziluo smiled as he looked him over: “After two years, your temperament is completely different.”

 

The young man before him was much more mature than in his memory.

 

His smile still had curved eyes and gentle warmth, but all the youthful inexperience had faded away, his gaze carrying more determination.

 

He wore simple casual pants and a white T-shirt—clean and fresh, his face showing calm confidence and composure settled by time. Standing there smiling, he was truly eye-catching.

 

His little apprentice had grown up.

 

After these two years of study and tempering, Fang Yinnian’s temperament had settled. He was no longer that little boy who would look at him eagerly saying “Teacher, please help me revise my song.”

 

Yu Ziluo reached out, gently ruffling Fang Yinnian’s hair, suppressing his heartache: “It’s good you’re back… sigh… it’s good you’re back.”

 

Fang Yinnian said: “Is Teacher cooking? Do you need my help?”

 

Yu Ziluo quickly waved his hands, turning toward the kitchen: “No need for your help. You sat on a plane for over ten hours—you must be exhausted. Go rest in the living room and chat with your senior brother. The food will be ready soon.”

 

Fang Yinnian and Xu Feng had to go chat in the living room.

 

Shortly after, Yu Ziluo set a table of dishes in the dining room and called them to eat. The welcome dinner for Fang Yinnian was sumptuous—six dishes and one soup.

 

The three sat around the dining table, eating and chatting.

 

Yu Ziluo asked: “Yinnian, what are your plans next? Will you make a comeback?”

 

Fang Yinnian said: “No rush. I’ll first set up my studio, then find a manager.”

 

Xu Feng looked at him in surprise: “You want to open your own studio and not sign with a company?”

 

Fang Yinnian said: “That’s right.”

 

Teacher Yu encouraged: “Many artists open their own studios. When Shiqi left Sheng Yao, she opened her own studio. You can ask her for advice.”

 

“Don’t worry, Teacher. I already asked Sister Shiqi about the specific process.”

 

Xu Feng stretched lazily: “Opening your own studio and being your own boss is pretty good too. No one can force you to do anything in the future. Like me—when I’m tired I just lie flat and travel. Life is much more relaxed and comfortable.”

 

Fang Yinnian smiled: “I think so too. I was too tired at Sheng Yao before and had no freedom. I’ll work for myself from now on—as long as I earn enough to spend.”

 

Actually, this was what he and Mo Xun had discussed privately.

 

Mo Xun’s contract with Sheng Yao officially expired on August 18th. With Fang Yinnian returning to China in late June as a free agent, he could prepare the studio setup in advance.

 

When Mo Xun left Sheng Yao, he could directly join his studio.

 

***

 

That night, Fang Yinnian stayed at his teacher’s house.

 

Lying in bed, Fang Yinnian tossed and turned unable to sleep, so he simply took out the phone he used to privately contact Mo Xun and messaged: “Off work yet?”

 

Mo Xun didn’t reply—his phone was probably turned off.

 

Fang Yinnian had to wait patiently.

 

Mo Xun was recently filming intensively on set, very busy, with too many staff and industry actors around. Their communication could only use this secretive method. When he went to set to film, he’d turn off and hide the phone with a password set—no one could open it.

 

Every time they contacted privately it was sneaky, like having an “affair.”

 

Thinking of this, Fang Yinnian couldn’t help blushing—he never would have believed he’d actually be with a man, secretly playing at underground romance.

 

Such bold and crazy behavior.

 

But the joy he felt every time he received Mo Xun’s messages clearly told him how much he cared about Mo Xun.

 

After two years apart, bone-deep longing made Fang Yinnian’s heart feel like being scratched by cats. He wanted nothing more than to immediately fly to the film set to see Mo Xun and hug him tightly.

 

But he couldn’t.

 

Their plan couldn’t have flaws at the crucial moment. Before Mo Xun officially left Sheng Yao, he absolutely couldn’t meet with Mo Xun.

 

At 10 PM, after Mo Xun returned to his hotel and hid under covers to turn on his phone, seeing the message, he immediately replied: “I just got off work and back to the hotel. Did you return to China?”

 

Fang Yinnian said: “Yes, arrived in Jiangzhou this afternoon.”

 

Mo Xun sent a photo: “Let me show you my stills from today.”

 

This time he played a detective—the tall man wore a dark blue police uniform, holding a gun with blood on his face and sharp eyes, so handsome it was impossible to look away.

 

Hiding under covers looking at his photo, Fang Yinnian’s heart raced wildly.

 

After two years apart, Mo Xun had also changed a lot.

 

The once cheerful, handsome boy was now a mature, steady man.

 

Fang Yinnian silently pressed “save photo,” moving this picture to a separate “Mo Xun Stills” album.

 

“Where are you staying tonight?” Mo Xun asked with concern.

 

“Staying at Teacher Yu’s house. Senior brother picked me up at the airport.”

 

“Rest for a few days first, adjust your time zone and schedule. Don’t get too tired.”

 

“I know.”

 

“This movie might wrap in August. President Zhou keeps pressuring me to renew my contract—I keep stalling. When I go back to the company to terminate, I’ll come find you.”

 

“Alright.”

 

“Thanks for handling the studio matters first.”

 

“No problem.” Fang Yinnian typed: “What should we call our studio?”

 

“Do you have any good ideas?”

 

“Since we want to sign everyone in, using anyone’s name for the studio wouldn’t be appropriate. Calling it FTM might not get Sheng Yao to transfer the group name to us.” Fang Yinnian touched his chin, thinking seriously: “How about we just establish a small management company? A company that only signs us five artists.”

 

“I was thinking the same thing. I already contacted Brother Xu—we’ll have him as our general manager and find a few trustworthy assistant managers.”

 

“Mm, for the company name… how about Sound Wave Entertainment?”

 

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 (advanced chapters available on kofi)