More than a month had passed, and the fervor surrounding Zhou Shu’s official retirement announcement had finally begun to dissipate.
The "anti-fans" who had cheered his departure grew weary and moved on, while the "sasaeng fans," once loud and grief-stricken, gradually fell silent. People’s memories and passions are always diluted by time and the arrival of new sensations.
Consequently, the Film Emperor Zhou Shu no longer occupied the top of the trending searches, and the phones of his management agency and Zhu Lili finally had a chance to breathe.
In the wake of extreme passion and cold indifference, a perfectly measured warmth remained. This warmth came from Zhou Shu’s original fanbase, as well as from "passerby fans" drawn in by his retirement and the announcement of his marriage. They admired and supported his choices, offering sincere blessings. Of course, for his dedicated fans, the prevailing sentiment was one of profound reluctance to let go.
Zhou Shu’s fans were incredibly loyal. Most had followed him since his debut film and supported every project up until his final work before retirement, *Rouge Drunk*, ensuring every one of them was a box-office success. His manager had once remarked that Zhou Shu was a miraculous artist; those who liked or disliked him were polarized at two extremes, but once someone fell for him, they almost never left. Like a diving enthusiast who falls in love with the ocean, they would not easily depart.
Although the topic’s heat had died down, Zhou Shu still received messages from fans from time to time. He didn't check his private messages often, but one day, when Jin Yan mentioned it, he logged on out of a whim. He hadn't expected a warm current to surge through the vast ocean of his heart.
[Tree-Ge, I’ve liked you silently since your very first movie. All these years, I never fought for a spot at a fan meeting or bought much merchandise, but I always followed your updates and wished you a happy birthday every year. I know I haven't done enough as a fan, but I’m willing to stand up and proudly tell everyone that the Film Emperor Zhou Shu is my idol. Tree-Ge, I wish you all the best. May you and your spouse be happy and fulfilled. I hope we meet one day.]
[Hello, Zhou Shu. This is the first time I’ve ever sent a private message to a celebrity. I’ve never done this before. Partly because I’m a laid-back person, and partly because I figured you’d never see it, so it felt silly. But I had to send this today—Zhou Shu is a pure Alpha! You really didn't let us Alphas down!]
[Tree-Ge! I cried for two nights after seeing your official announcement! I cry whenever I think about it, and I can't stop... This industry is too malicious toward you; our hearts ache for you! Wuwu... The fans in our group are heartbroken. We had no idea the last fan meeting was actually the last time we'd see you. Tree-Ge, I beg you, if you see this, give us one more chance to see your light! (Submitting a petition signed in blood by a thousand people...)]
[Is it true? Is it really true? You really have an Omega? And you’re already married??? My roommate and I read your post and pictures over a dozen times before we dared to believe our eyes. To think that in just a few months, we’ve silently lost the most handsome Alpha in the entertainment industry... But your Omega is so beautiful! Honestly, he looks so Alpha too! Only Tree-Ge could handle such a handsome younger brother! It’s another divine romance we can only envy~ Finally, Tree-Ge and the handsome brother must be happy! Wishing you a hundred years of harmony and may you have little monkeys soon!!!]
...
Seeing the last message, Jin Yan leaned over and collapsed into Zhou Shu’s arms.
"Ge, did you see that?"
"Hmm? See what?" Zhou Shu shifted his body to make Jin Yan more comfortable.
Unexpectedly, the corners of Jin Yan’s lips curled up. He suddenly reached out, pulled Zhou Shu into his embrace, and whispered with a light laugh against his ear, "Your fans want me to give you little monkeys."
Zhou Shu’s composure broke, and he let out a low laugh. "If you can give birth... it’s not impossible." He leaned in to give Jin Yan’s lip a light, playful nip, murmuring indistinctly, "Have as many as you want; we can afford to raise them anyway."
"Ah, what a pity, I can't give birth," Jin Yan feigned a sigh, though his voice carried a lingering tease. "But Gege can..."
That breathy whisper brushed against his ear, tugging too hard at his heartstrings. Zhou Shu’s whole body trembled, and the breathing between them grew heavy.
Since Zhou Shu’s reproductive cavity had begun to regrow, the two of them hadn't gone all the way. Jin Yan was afraid of hurting him, being careful at every turn and constantly resisting temptation. It had been over a month now...
Ever since that night when the waves and the rain had merged, Zhou Shu often found himself thinking back to it. It had to be said that Jin Yan was an absolutely gentle Enigma. Though he loved to tease with sweet words, his actions were those of a complete gentleman. Jin Yan could read every subtle expression of Zhou Shu’s, attending to every nuance of his emotions.
Beyond psychological emotions, there were physiological ones as well.
Zhou Shu didn't know if Enigmas were naturally gifted, but even though it was Jin Yan's first time, he was able to provide an experience of total abandon and pleasure. Thus, the waves were constantly issuing invitations like salt-crusted snow, but unfortunately, the rain was hesitant to fall.
It was truly incredible that a certain Enigma who had already tasted the forbidden fruit could be more restrained than a certain Alpha who had done the same.
Tonight, the atmosphere was thick, and the waves were restless again.
"Yan-yan..."
That incredibly soft, breathy call made Jin Yan melt instantly. He naturally understood his brother’s tone, so he cast all caution aside and kissed him with abandon.
Amidst the entanglement of lips and teeth were several soft moans. Jin Yan felt as though a flame was trying to leap toward the clouds.
"Don't..." Jin Yan caught Zhou Shu’s hand, gritting his teeth as he endured, coaxing him softly, "We can't, Ge... I’m afraid your reproductive cavity hasn't fully healed yet."
"My stomach hasn't hurt at all lately." As he spoke, their lips remained close, as if using this proximity to soothe his own shyness.
Jin Yan’s breath hitched, suddenly feeling an extraordinary change in his own body.
But he couldn't...
They hadn't gone back to the hospital for a follow-up exam yet. He couldn't allow any uncertainty regarding Zhou Shu’s health.
However, this wave was simply too alluring. He easily stirred up the winds and surges of the sea, urging the heavy rain to fall. The raindrops, itching with unbearable desire, could only let out a soft sigh and use other methods to respond to the ocean's passion.
Thus, the waves enjoyed a night of peaceful sleep.
When Zhou Shu woke up again, it was already the next morning.
It was Sunday, and the pet hospital happened to have no appointments. They had arranged to meet Zhu Lili and Gou Feifei at Xianyue Pavilion for morning tea.
Zhu Lili talked with Zhou Shu about his future plans, and they reached a mutual agreement to hold a farewell event before he officially left the industry. They planned to invite only genuine fans, using a lottery system through private messages and the comment section to give away tickets.
When Zhu Lili presented the idea to the management agency, they were very supportive. They even offered to help Zhou Shu with venue planning and promotion. Zhou Shu expressed his gratitude and accepted their help with the planning, but he didn't want any promotion. In fact, he preferred it to be kept secret, serving as a surprise for the fans.
To avoid causing another internet crash, Zhou Shu personally sent private messages to the selected fans once the winners were decided. As expected, the lucky fans who were chosen spent the entire night howling with joy.
Zhou Shu mentioned that the scale was very small and the number of winners was limited, so this was the best he could do, and he hoped for their understanding. The fans were moved to tears of gratitude, happily taking their screenshots to the "Zhou Shu Studio" to claim their electronic tickets, turning all their reluctance into anticipation.
And it was double the anticipation—because Zhou Shu had scheduled the farewell event on his own birthday.
Jin Yan said this was perhaps a romance unique to water signs.
In the blink of an eye, February 28th arrived. The venue was packed, everyone arriving as scheduled to attend this grand "birthday party." Since the date had been announced, no one wanted to call it a "farewell" anymore.
The agency had intended to organize this meeting as a "concert," albeit a small-scale one. Only a thousand people had been selected in the lottery, so the venue felt more like a large-scale fan meeting. They were gathered in an auditorium with the audience spread out; everyone was very close to the stage.
Seeing their idol within arm's reach, some fans began to wipe away tears as soon as they sat down. They felt fortunate to have followed Zhou Shu, to have found such a fan-doting idol who was usually low-key and silent, yet provided a universe-level warmth upon announcing his retirement.
Jin Yan was also hidden among the fans, fully disguised, sitting in a corner of the front row.
When the house lights dimmed and the spotlight on stage flared to life, the fans couldn't help but scream. Jin Yan’s heart beat in sync with the drumroll. It was as if the person standing in the center of the stage wasn't his familiar childhood brother, but a distant, dazzling superstar.
Zhou Shu sang a familiar, upbeat song. When it ended, he slowly walked to the front and sat down on the edge of the stage.
At this moment, no one could control their hearts, and no one thought the person next to them was being too crazy. They only wanted to etch this "Birthday Concert" of the Film Emperor into their memories.
After sitting down, Zhou Shu adjusted his clothes and picked up the microphone, speaking softly.
"Good evening, everyone. I am Zhou Shu."
Thunderous applause erupted from below, accompanied by endless whistles and cheers.
Zhou Shu smiled, mocking himself. "I’m clearly an actor, yet the agency helped me turn this farewell into a concert."
At that, the crowd shouted back.
"That's because you sing better than those professional singers!"
The audience began to echo the sentiment, their laughter and cheers blending together.
"Only you guys, my true fans, would think so." Zhou Shu shook his head with a smile, pulling his legs back to sit casually. "What do you want to hear next?"
"*Rouge Drunk*—" A thousand voices shouted in unison.
Zhou Shu let out a "pfft" of laughter. "That won't do. If I sing it now, I won't have a finale song later."
That playful, relaxed smile left the fans stunned. They had never seen their Film Emperor show such a smile before. For a moment, they couldn't control their emotions, and their eyes began to well up again.
Zhou Shu felt helpless, unsure of how to comfort them. He settled for a few "straight Alpha" remarks before continuing with the next song.
The entire farewell event was scheduled for about two hours. In the three years Zhou Shu had spent in the entertainment industry, this was the first time he had faced his work with such ease. He chatted and laughed with everyone as if they were friends, while the fans below were already a sea of tears.
It was only during this farewell event that they realized the idol they had loved for so long was actually so approachable and gentle as water, completely different from the "iceberg" persona portrayed in the media.
When Zhou Shu finished the penultimate song, the crowd was already shouting for an "encore."
At that moment, Zhou Shu’s gaze fell upon the first row of the audience to his right, locking eyes with Jin Yan across the stage for a fleeting second. In that instant, Jin Yan’s heart skipped several beats, as if an electric current had surged through his body.
Zhou Shu then withdrew his gaze, looking down with a gentle smile.
Some people followed Zhou Shu’s gaze to that corner. Sharp-eyed fans noticed something was up and began to secretly pinch themselves to keep from fainting.
Just as a small-scale commotion was about to break out, Zhou Shu spoke. "I have always been a willful actor. As an artist, I truly haven't played a dutiful role."
"No—!"
"Don't say that!"
"Tree-Ge, we will love you forever!"
Hearing the cries from below, Zhou Shu’s heart softened further. "Even toward you all, I’ve been indifferent. It wasn't until I received many private messages after announcing my retirement that I made this temporary decision. Since you didn't get much 'fan service' during these three years of following me, let’s celebrate my birthday together as we say goodbye."
As he finished, the sound of sobbing became continuous. Even the corners of Jin Yan’s eyes grew red.
"In short, thank you for your companionship over these three years. We will definitely meet again in the future, it’s just..." Zhou Shu paused and smiled. "That place probably won't be on a screen or a stage."
"I’ve said enough, and I’ve pretty much laid my heart bare. You already know the last song. If you know the lyrics, let’s sing it together."
The fans began to protest, crying out "Don't go" and "Keep singing"...
Zhou Shu’s heart ached terribly, but he understood clearly that every story must have an ending.
"A rendition of *Rouge Drunk*, for everyone." Zhou Shu looked up, his gaze landing on the corner of the front row. With tenderness hidden in his eyes, he said softly, "And for you, Jin Yan."
***
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