In the afternoon, the staff were busily setting the scene in the small community garden. The four leads sat around a table that had been set up to the side. Despite the lush green grass beneath them, not a single insect buzzed around.
"Time really flies. It’s already the twenty-third in the blink of an eye," Yuan Yuan sighed, propping her chin on one hand as she looked at her phone. "Big Brother, you’re truly a hit. *Friday Morning* has already surpassed five million views."
Zhang Jin’an, who was currently explaining the next scene to Jiang Siyang and Ge Xianxu, looked up upon hearing this. "You watched it too?"
Jiang Siyang and Ge Xianxu also turned their gaze toward Yuan Yuan.
"I didn't watch it the day it aired, but my social feed was full of screenshots from the show, so I couldn't help myself," Yuan Yuan said with a smile. "My mom originally tuned in for you—she’s a loyal fan and watches your dramas every day. But as she watched, she ended up being won over by Jiang Siyang." Everyone laughed at this. Yuan Yuan looked at Jiang Siyang and continued, "She even screenshotted your photo and sent it to me, asking if I knew you."
Ge Xianxu asked curiously, "So how did you answer?"
"I said I knew him, of course. I told her, 'Jiang Siyang is my colleague in my current production.' She was thrilled and followed up with a bunch of questions, like what Siyang was like in high school or middle school. How was I supposed to know any of that?"
"Your mother probably considers Siyang a candidate for a son-in-law, doesn't she?" Zhang Jin’an teased.
Yuan Yuan shook her head, laughing.
"If only that were the case. Later, she asked me if Siyang had a girlfriend. When I said no, my mom said thoughtfully..." Yuan Yuan paused, raising her voice slightly to imitate her mother, "'If I were a dozen years younger, I’d definitely be his girlfriend.'"
Ge Xianxu was delighted. "So she's not an 'Auntie Fan,' she's a 'Girlfriend Fan'!"
Zhang Jin’an patted Jiang Siyang’s shoulder. "Congratulations, Siyang. You’ve gained another 'Girlfriend-Mom Fan.'"
Jiang Siyang smiled and said, "Please thank your mother for me."
"But Yuan Yuan," Ge Xianxu asked, "doesn't your mother pressure you to date or get married?"
Yuan Yuan brushed her long hair back. "She does. she talks about it often, but I can't date right now."
"Why not?" Ge Xianxu asked.
"Idols are different from actors. Especially for an idol on the rise, dating is considered an 'idol disqualification.' You'd be torn to shreds by criticism," Zhang Jin’an answered on Yuan Yuan’s behalf.
Yuan Yuan cupped her hands toward Zhang Jin’an in a respectful gesture. "As expected of a fandom expert. You understand it perfectly."
Zhang Jin’an waved it off. "You flatter me."
Jiang Siyang and Ge Xianxu, however, didn't quite understand the distinction and looked at each other.
"What's the difference between an idol and an actor?" Ge Xianxu asked. Her head had stopped tilting, but her ponytail still swayed slightly.
"It doesn't matter much if an actor dates, because actors rely on the general public and ratings. People watch the work, not just the person. But idols are different; people become fans because of the 'person.' That’s why many idols create specific personas," Yuan Yuan explained patiently. "In short, eighty percent of our buzz, exposure, and album sales come from fans. If someone has been debuted for five or six years before dating, fans can be understanding. But for someone like me, who hasn't even been out for a year, dating is equivalent to using the fans' money to support a man. If I were a fan, I wouldn't be happy about it either. Not to mention, I’m the sub-leader of our group. If I were to drag down the other members because of my actions, that would be unacceptable."
"But I’ve heard that many idols are dating in secret," Ge Xianxu noted.
"There are, but with the internet being so developed now, it’ll be dug up sooner or later," Yuan Yuan said. "I believe a healthy fandom should be co-created by the fans and the idol. Fans understand the idol's hard work and don't intrude too much, while the idol knows the fans' expectations and works even harder."
Zhang Jin’an felt that Yuan Yuan was exactly right.
In today's society, following celebrities has become a very common phenomenon. A healthy attitude toward stardom should involve working hard alongside one's idol; in the end, they stand on a grander stage, and you find your own direction in life. You exist under the same sky, not interfering with one another, each moving toward your own dreams. It shouldn't involve following their cars to their homes, nor should it involve spewing vitriol and starting fights everywhere because you dislike another celebrity. That benefits no one. What do you gain? A higher proficiency in profanity? Your idol gains nothing; they might even wake up to find that the hard-earned public favor they built has vanished because of you, and they might even resent you for it.
As a celebrity, to maintain a good relationship with the public and one's own image, one cannot simply let the fans take the lead or let PR handle everything while hiding away like a coward. As a public figure, one needs to have the right attitude—not doing things that harm the interests of others, and guiding fans to do the same.
Unfortunately, such a simple and clear principle of mutual support and respect was still lost on many people.
"Speaking of which, I really want to ask you, Big Brother," Yuan Yuan said, propping her chin on both hands as she looked at Zhang Jin’an. "I think your fans have the best conduct in the entire industry. When they see you, they just stand at a distance. I’ve never seen news about you being mobbed at an airport. How do you do it?"
As Yuan Yuan finished, Jiang Siyang and Ge Xianxu looked at Zhang Jin’an like two parrots following suit.
In truth, Jiang Siyang was also very curious about this. He had noticed during the variety show recording that Zhang Jin’an’s fans were exceptionally well-behaved. They would greet him from two or three meters away, and even when the crowd grew, they would simply form a large, respectful circle.
"I didn't really do anything; it's mostly their own self-discipline. I just told them that airport pickups infringe on an artist's privacy, and if they see me filming a drama or a variety show on the street, they shouldn't crowd around because it causes trouble for others. They took it all to heart," Zhang Jin’an replied.
"Sigh... I'm so envious," Yuan Yuan said, slumped over the table, her spirit flagging. "When will I ever have that kind of influence and organizational power?"
Jiang Siyang saw Zhang Jin’an smile.
Then, Jiang Siyang heard him say, "You’ve only just debuted. The future is long."
He was clearly a veteran who could have spoken to them with an air of superiority, yet he didn't. His tone was so ordinary, even slightly comforting, making it very pleasant to listen to.
The dappled light filtered through the green shade, scattering across his hair, his profile, and his plaid shirt. Everything about him seemed so steady and gentle.
Jiang Siyang had always believed in the saying, "He who touches vermilion becomes red, and he who touches ink becomes black." People are drawn to those like themselves. If you are a radical element, your pursuers will surely be another group of madmen; but if you are a gentle believer, your followers will surely yearn for the moon's afterglow.
So, it wasn't that Zhang Jin’an had done nothing. He had etched his upbringing and character into his very bones, wordlessly teaching his fans what was right and what was wrong.
This was Zhang Jin’an’s unique charm.
At least, that was what Jiang Siyang felt.
Jiang Siyang watched as Yuan Yuan sat up straight. "Anyway, let's not talk about that. There are only two days left until Big Brother’s birthday. How are you planning to spend it?"
Zhang Jin’an smiled. "I’ll be on set that day."
Yuan Yuan slapped the table, her excitement piqued. "On set?! That’s great! We can all spend it with you! Big Brother, do you have any plans for a group dinner that night?"
Zhang Jin’an shrugged. "That depends on the production. It’s not up to me. We might not even eat dinner until eight o'clock."
"It’s fine. I’ll definitely work hard during filming so we can finish early," Yuan Yuan promised.
Zhang Jin’an laughed. "Looking at how excited you are, one would think it was your birthday."
"Oh, please. By the time my birthday rolls around, filming will be long over," Yuan Yuan said. "After all, the chance to have a birthday during a shoot is rare, and it might not be this same group of people next time. Since the opportunity is rare, of course I have to be a bit excited."
Ge Xianxu nodded. "True. We might not all cross paths again next time."
Jiang Siyang said with a hint of regret, "It’s a pity I have to record the variety show that day."
Zhang Jin’an glanced at Jiang Siyang but said nothing.
Although Jiang Siyang had mentioned this to him before, hearing it again still left Zhang Jin’an with an indescribable sense of disappointment. As Yuan Yuan said, they were gathered together now, but there was no guarantee for the next time.
Each of them had their own careers and work. Would he still be with Jiang Siyang on his next birthday? He wasn't sure.
"Oh, right! You have to record *Friday Morning*. That really is a pity; it seems you’ll be the only one missing," Yuan Yuan gave Jiang Siyang an encouraging look. "Siyang, you have my sympathies. You must stay strong."
Ge Xianxu added, "We’ll definitely take photos of the cake for you when the time comes."
Jiang Siyang nodded. "That would be great. Thanks in advance."
Yuan Yuan grinned. "Don't mention it. After all, you're my mom's dream idol. It's only right that I look out for you."
Jiang Siyang: "...'Dream idol' is really unnecessary."
"Hahahaha..."
...
After discussing the script for a while longer, filming commenced. Perhaps because they had spent so much time together, the group’s chemistry had improved, and the shoot went smoothly—finishing ten minutes ahead of schedule.
Director Tang Shang was very pleased. He said with a smile that if everyone performed this well on Zhang Jin’an’s birthday, there would definitely be a group dinner and a huge cake.
Everyone cheered, overjoyed. The evening shoot also went smoothly, wrapping up around nine o'clock. The twenty-fourth followed the same pattern, and this momentum continued right up until the arrival of the twenty-fifth.
***
Glossary
