Chapter Sixty-One: Journey to Yanjing

After Chang Yan left Galaxy Entertainment, she was brimming with excitement. The following day, she resigned from her company, much to the astonishment of her colleagues. It had been a good job, and there was no sign beforehand; how could she decide so suddenly to quit?

But Chang Yan didn’t bother explaining anything about dreams or passions. She simply left them with a cool silhouette, for she had much to do and no time for pointless arguments.

She resigned in the morning, and by afternoon, she was at Galaxy Entertainment, completing her onboarding. She was led to an office that had already been prepared; as the manager of a brand-new department, the company provided her and her team with new offices, a spacious workspace, and a large conference room, all fully equipped.

“Yes, time to get to work.” Chang Yan circled her office, pumped her fist in encouragement, and quickly started tackling her tasks. As the supervisor of a new department, her first job was to recruit staff and get operations running. The company had made it clear: she would have to hire everyone herself; they wouldn’t send anyone her way. The pressure was immense.

So, she could only start with her acquaintances.

“Are you serious?” He Yanlin looked at her best friend with amusement. “You want me to quit my job and join you in this endeavor?”

“Yes,” Chang Yan replied with a grin. “Xiao Xuan has already joined. As for Mei Mei, I know she likes Lei Jing, so if it were Lei Jing’s fan club, she’d probably join, but she wouldn’t join Lin Qihua’s. That leaves you. Come help me, won’t you?”

“Give me a reason.” He Yanlin didn’t refuse outright. She thought of the boy who had moved her again and again, realizing she was just as much a fan. But to give up her job for this seemed a bit much.

“Well,” Chang Yan stirred her drink confidently, “we never dared invite you before because we knew work meant so much to you. You struggled to establish yourself in Beijing, climbed to your current position, your salary is high, and your family relies on you. Even if you wanted to do this, your rational side would stop you, and of course, we wouldn’t dare drag you into it.”

“But now things are different.” Chang Yan continued to persuade her. “Being a fan isn’t just about spending time and money anymore; now, it’s a real job. I promise your salary won’t be lower than it is now. As long as our budget is reasonable, we can spend freely, and our work is all related to the artist we love. How many people wish for such an opportunity? Aren’t you always annoyed by your boss’s endless pestering? Go back, toss your resignation letter in his face, tell him you’re done. What can he do? I know you’re better than me at organizing and planning, and I’m willing to let you take the lead. As long as we do this well, any conditions you want are fine.”

He Yanlin recalled the grievances she’d suffered at her company. To keep her job, she had to avoid her boss’s harassment, endlessly frustrated yet forced to endure. Her heart stirred. “Are you telling the truth?”

“Yes,” Chang Yan nodded firmly. “I’ve already completed the onboarding. I’m in charge of a brand-new department. All staff will be selected from fans. Our sole job is to support our idol; we’re not responsible for anything else in the company. Apart from the three major executives, we only answer to our idol. Do you think I’d lie to you about something like this? I know you’re as much a loyal fan of Lin Qihua as I am, but you haven’t been able to follow your heart like me. Now, the chance is right before you. Together, we’ll cut through gold, meet challenges head-on.”

“Alright.” He Yanlin was not one to hesitate. She finally made her decision. “Let’s do it. I trust you won’t let me down, and I believe our idol won’t disappoint us either. I’ll do as you said—go back and slap my resignation letter on my boss’s desk. I can’t wait to see his face. Ha! A little mischievous, aren’t I?”

Having won over He Yanlin, Chang Yan was elated and pushed forward with renewed vigor. Next, she turned her attention to the internet. The group Lin Qihua added her to had over a hundred loyal fans, each having followed him since his debut. This was Chang Yan’s primary target.

Opening the group chat, she saw Night Wanderer had already given a brief account of their recent meeting with Lin Qihua, inviting everyone to join in supporting their idol.

The most active was a young girl, expressing her frustration with animated gestures. A dozen “stomping feet and beating chest” emojis flooded the chat, revealing her mood. “Ahhh, why can’t I join? I’m Lin Qihua’s number one superfan!”

“Oh, come now, you’re so young,” Night Wanderer replied, amused. “You’re just starting middle school. Even if we agreed, would your family be comfortable? You’re not in Beijing, and could you leave your studies behind to come here? Listen to your uncle, focus on your studies, and you’ll have your chance in the future.”

“That’s right, Yaya,” Chang Yan quickly sent a smiling emoji to comfort her. “Your main task now is to study and grow up fast. Someday, this fan club might depend on you.”

Yaya remained sulky.

“Alright,” Chang Yan continued to console her. “At most, I promise you this: once the department is up and running, we’ll start organizing fan clubs in various regions. You can participate as an external member, helping with your area’s organization and management. When Lin Qihua visits your region, you’ll play a key role in organizing those events. And study hard—if you get into Beijing in a few years, you can officially join us.”

“Okay,” Yaya reluctantly accepted.

“Brothers and sisters, on behalf of our idol, Lin Qihua, I sincerely invite you to join the creation of this special fan club. Come to Beijing and truly combine your passion with your work—why not? Even if you can’t come for various reasons, I hope you’ll take responsibility for organizing and managing your local fan clubs. You’ll still be part of the company’s department, and even if you’re not in Beijing, you can still support our idol.”

“I’ll come,” an unexpected message appeared. Chang Yan saw it was a girl named Swallowtail, a group admin and one of the first members. She rarely spoke, but now she stepped forward, true to her reputation as a die-hard Lin Qihua fan.

“I’ll come too.”

“So will I. To work with my idol, combining career and fandom—what’s not to love?”

With Swallowtail’s appearance, several usually silent members emerged, and nearly fifteen agreed to head to Beijing. Many others, unable to relocate, pledged to organize and lead fan clubs in their own cities.

After registering all their contacts, Chang Yan finally breathed a sigh of relief. The framework for her department was taking shape; now it was time to get to work. She was filled with anticipation for the future.

Jiangjin University.

Ma Xiaoqian quietly packed her belongings.

Shen Mengxue burst in without knocking, full of energy. “Xiaoqian, what’s going on?”

“What’s wrong?” Ma Xiaoqian turned to see her friend’s disheveled look and couldn’t help but ask, “Why are you in such a hurry?”

“Ugh,” Shen Mengxue pressed her forehead, exasperated. “It’s not me; something happened to you. Everyone’s saying you gave up your chance at a doctorate. Didn’t the professor already decide to accept you? After all your hard work, how could you suddenly decide not to continue?”

“So that’s what this is about?” Ma Xiaoqian kept packing her suitcase, smiling with her back to Shen Mengxue. “It’s simple—I just don’t want to study anymore. I’m tired.”

“Yeah right,” Shen Mengxue circled Ma Xiaoqian suspiciously. “Hmm, something’s off. I smell hormones in the air.”

“Stop talking nonsense.” Ma Xiaoqian pretended to strike her, but seeing her dodge, she added, “Seriously, I just can’t keep studying. It’s lost its meaning. I’d rather find a job.”

“No meaning? The bookworm Xiaoqian, who spends eight hours a day in the library, finds studying meaningless? Are you kidding me?” Shen Mengxue exclaimed. “Is it your family urging you to find a job?”

“No, it’s my own decision. They said I’m old enough—if I want to work, I should work. If I do a PhD, I’ll end up like an old spinster.”

“See? I told you, it’s hormones,” Shen Mengxue teased, wrapping an arm around Ma Xiaoqian’s petite waist. “Come on, be honest—what’s the real reason?”

“Ha ha,” Ma Xiaoqian couldn’t stand the tickling, struggled to break free, and pleaded, “Really, I’ve already decided to work.”

“Where?”

Shen Mengxue saw she wasn’t lying and asked seriously.

“Beijing.” Ma Xiaoqian bit her lip, spoke the words, and in her mind, a boy’s figure appeared. He must be there too, busy with his comeback.

“Oh…” Shen Mengxue looked at Ma Xiaoqian’s expression and suddenly understood. “So, you’re going to find your beloved? I knew the air was thick with hormones—now I know its name is longing.”

“Beloved? Longing? What nonsense!” Ma Xiaoqian blushed. “I’m just going to work in Beijing.”

“Yeah right, nobody believes that. You’re giving up a confirmed doctorate to rush to Beijing for work. Oh, and Lin Qihua is about to make his comeback—is it to cheer him on? Which company?”

“Galaxy Entertainment.” Ma Xiaoqian, known as Swallowtail in the group, felt a surge of impulse when Chang Yan was recruiting. Deep inside, a voice told her: go to Beijing, go to where Lin Qihua will fight his battles, stay by his side. Even if they couldn’t be together every day, even if she’d just be a small clerk, as long as she could see him often, as long as she could do her part for him, she’d be satisfied.

I wish to stand with you, two stars shining side by side; though not always together, under the vast sky, we share the same heavens.