Chapter 176 - The Ending Theme

The person, who was actually an agent but often mistaken for an assistant because of her youthful appearance, paused for a moment and then asked back, “Who are you, and what do you need them for?”

This was a very normal question, and Chu Qianqian immediately replied, “I’m ONE’s agent. I’m looking for them, but I can’t reach them by phone.”

“Oh.” The “little girl” let out a thoughtful sigh, motioned toward the small path behind her, and said, “I just saw them over there. They were chatting away happily with Yan Chi.”

As expected, they had gone to see Yan Chi. This news was within Chu Qianqian’s expectations, and she let out a breath of relief. Quickly, she offered a grateful smile and said, “Thank you! You’re so kind.”

The “little girl” was amused by Chu Qianqian’s form of address and her eyes carried a hint of laughter as she replied, “Don’t call me a little girl. I’m actually a few years older than you.”

After saying that, she didn’t wait for Chu Qianqian’s reaction, simply waved her hand, and walked away.

A few years older? Chu Qianqian turned around and followed the direction the woman had gone. She then saw Qi Yue, who had been sitting alone, stand up immediately to greet the woman whom Chu Qianqian had mistakenly thought was just another staff member.

If she’s a few years older, she’s probably not an assistant. So, could the woman Chu Qianqian had just asked for directions be Qi Yue’s agent?

It was unclear what Qi Yue and the woman discussed, but after exchanging a few words, Qi Yue looked toward Chu Qianqian. With her crescent-shaped eyes, she smiled warmly-a smile that was strikingly different from the graceful vibe she was known for.

Should she wave, or just smile back? Chu Qianqian hadn’t even come to a decision when her body acted on its own. The corners of her lips lifted uncontrollably, and although her right hand hesitated for a moment, it eventually raised to give a small wave as a greeting.

Qi Yue’s smile deepened upon seeing Chu Qianqian’s gesture. However, mindful of the people around them, she didn’t wave back but instead gave a slight nod in acknowledgment.

Even such a subtle response was enough to make Chu Qianqian feel over the moon.

Lowering her head, Chu Qianqian worked to steady her slightly accelerated heartbeat. She wasn’t sure if Qi Yue’s warmth toward her was because she was ONE’s agent, but no matter the reason, after today, she found herself believing the rumors about Qi Yue being “approachable.”

Before becoming an agent, Chu Qianqian had never imagined that she’d one day meet a celebrity she admired up close. And now, that same celebrity not only stood nearby but even acknowledged her presence with a gesture. This was something far beyond anything she had ever dreamed of. She realized that this might be the first time she truly appreciated the perks of her profession.

When Chu Qianqian finally found Qingyi and Chu Ziyu, they were indeed deep in conversation with Yan Chi, just as Qi Yue’s agent had mentioned. Qingyi, who was naturally talkative and a die-hard fan of his idol, was excitedly chatting away. Even Chu Ziyu, usually reserved and quiet, had been drawn into the conversation, speaking more than usual, with a slightly animated expression on his face.

Chu Qianqian recalled that the last time Qingyi and Chu Ziyu had met Yan Chi was during the competition. Restricted by the rules, they hadn’t been able to chat much with him. Now, finally getting the chance they had hoped for, she decided-after some consideration-not to play the bad guy and let them enjoy the moment a little longer.

Standing to the side, Chu Qianqian wasn’t intentionally eavesdropping, but she still managed to pick up a few details. For instance, it seemed like Ling Xiao, the show they were discussing, might have two ending theme songs. The first one was meant to mark the end of the protagonist’s youth, serving as a narrative break in the story.

“The company is currently considering letting the two of you create the first ending theme song,” Yan Chi said in an almost indifferent tone, as if it were a trivial matter. Yet, his words left everyone present-including Chu Qianqian-completely stunned.

Qingyi was the first to react, but instead of focusing on himself, he turned his attention to Yan Chi, looking worried. “But Director Zhang just said earlier that all the songs for Ling Xiao were given to you, Yan-Ge. Wouldn’t the company’s arrangement affect you?”

Hearing how Qingyi referred to Yan Chi, Chu Qianqian suddenly realized that, at some point, Qingyi had shifted from calling him “senior” to “Yan-Ge.” She couldn’t help but tug at the corner of her mouth, finding it both amusing and exasperating. Only someone like Qingyi, who was so naturally friendly, could pull off establishing a connection this quickly.

Yan Chi also seemed slightly caught off guard that Qingyi’s concern was entirely centered on him. The smile on his face deepened, and there was a hint of pride in his voice as he replied, “It doesn’t count as breaking my agreement. I’m still handling the theme song, the second ending song, and all the insert songs. I’m just leaving one ending theme song for you two.”

“Of course, if you can’t even handle one song, the company will naturally take back this opportunity.”

The challenge in Yan Chi’s tone was clear-it was a deliberate provocation. And such tactics almost always worked on the younger generation. Chu Ziyu raised his brow, placed a hand on Qingyi to stop him from speaking further, and replied, “Of course. We won’t let you down, Yan-Ge.”

And with that, the topic came to a close.

Noticing the time, Chu Qianqian realized she had been hiding off to the side for half an hour already. However, the three on the other side seemed to have no intention of wrapping up their conversation. She shifted her weight to relieve the numbness in her legs, took a deep breath, and deliberately stepped on a brittle dry branch in front of her, letting it snap loudly to grab their attention.

Then, she calmly stepped out from the shadows. Under Yan Chi’s scrutinizing gaze, she greeted him politely. “Hello, Mr. Yan. I’m Chu Qianqian, Qingyi and Chu Ziyu’s agent.”

“Oh, it’s you. I remember you.” Yan Chi’s expression showed recognition. Seeing that the agent had arrived, he understood that the discussion for today needed to come to a close. Looking at Qingyi and Chu Ziyu, his gaze softened, holding the warm tone of a senior addressing promising juniors.

“Well, let’s call it a day for now. If there’s anything further, we’ll meet at the company. Or, you can also call me directly,” he said as he pulled a business card from his pocket. “This card has my private number. Feel free to reach out if you need any help.”

For artists, keeping private and work numbers separate was a strict norm. Sharing a private number symbolized a mutual acknowledgment of trust and friendship.

When the card was handed over, Qingyi’s eyes widened in disbelief, shining with excitement. He accepted it quickly, clutching it like a prized treasure. For a moment, he looked so ecstatic that it was as if there were pink flowers blooming all around him-completely beside himself with joy.

Chu Ziyu sighed, raising a hand to rub his forehead. He couldn’t bear to look at Qingyi’s overly goofy expression. Someone this silly surely couldn’t belong to the same team as him, could they?

Chu Qianqian gave Qingyi a light pat on the shoulder, signaling him to pull himself together, then turned to Yan Chi with an apologetic smile. “I hope you don’t mind, Mr. Yan. Qingyi has always seen you as his idol.”

Yan Chi had already picked up on that during their earlier conversation, but it didn’t bother him. In fact, Qingyi’s fanboy tendencies struck him as quite endearing. To put it bluntly, now that Yan Chi had joined Kunhuang Entertainment, Qingyi’s identity as the younger brother of President Mu Han was no secret. Earning the favor of the boss’s little brother wasn’t just a harmless stroke of luck-it could solidify Yan Chi’s footing within the company.