Chapter 49: Celebration

After returning to the company, Lin Xiyue immediately found her mother and told her about today’s encounter with Lin Ziyu.

From beginning to end, Xu Wei’s expression shifted from surprise to worry, and finally to a joyful, beaming smile — her emotional journey mirroring Lin Xiyue’s own.

At this point, Xu Wei’s feelings toward her adopted daughter were probably just pure resentment toward the injustice Lin Ziyu had caused.

The best way to get revenge now was to push Lin Xiyue to an even higher level than Lin Ziyu, and to do it while literally standing on Lin Ziyu’s head — only then would Lin Ziyu regret having betrayed Lin Entertainment silently back then.

Moreover, before Lin Cheng’s death, he had told Xu Wei to take good care of Xiyue.

For parents, wishing their children to succeed is the greatest desire. If Lin Xiyue could climb to the very top in the field her father and mother loved, it would also fulfill one of her father’s last wishes.

“You did really well this time, Xiyue, but don’t put too much pressure on yourself because of this, okay?”

Xu Wei held her daughter’s small hands, gently advising her. After all these years, she had managed to let go a little.

Revenge was important, but if it meant her daughter would live consumed by hatred, wasting her youth on it, she would rather give up.

“I know, Mom. Don’t worry about me — I’ve got a strong mind~”

Lin Xiyue patted her chest, feeling warm inside.

She knew her mother would never forgive Lin Ziyu, but even so, Xu Wei would always put her daughter’s emotions first. As a mother, Xu Wei had always been exemplary.

And Lin Xiyue wasn’t exaggerating — after enduring three consecutive life-and-death separations in her previous life, her mental resilience had grown enormously.

Now, as long as she could stay with her loved ones and family, nothing could bring her down.

“Here I come—!”

At that moment, the office door opened, and Bai Lulu entered carrying big bags. A wave of delicious food aroma filled the room.

“The service at this hotel is pretty good, and they even deliver~”

Earlier, Bai Lulu had asked the staff to pack the dishes and deliver them to Lin Entertainment — the food had just arrived.

“This meal is on Piggy Music — free food is always worth taking. Let’s celebrate Xiyue getting the theme song rights~”

“Well… eating and drinking in the CEO’s office during work hours — isn’t that a bit inappropriate?”

Lin Xiyue hesitated, glancing at her mother. Xu Wei shrugged, and Lin Xiyue immediately smiled.

“I’ll go get Jinnian!”

So that afternoon, the four of them gathered in the CEO’s office and feasted. Xu Wei even found some fruit wine — the meal became a perfect combination of eating and drinking.

“Congratulations, Xiyue and Jinnian, on landing that major gig—”

“Congratulations, Xiyue—”

They clinked their glasses. Lin Xiyue only sipped lightly, but a faint blush appeared on her cheeks.

Being reunited with loved ones and family, celebrating over wine against the backdrop of career success — this was something she could never have dreamed of in her previous life’s final moments.

The wine doesn’t intoxicate; one intoxicates oneself…

****************

A day later, a medium-sized piece of news appeared on all major websites and media outlets — Miss Lin Ziyu announced that due to health issues, she would suspend all public activities for a week.

Lin Xiyue, of course, knew the real reason: she had probably been triggered by losing the theme song rights to Fleet of Youth.

This was even one of the few setbacks in Lin Ziyu’s career. Looking back, her path had always been smooth sailing.

She seemed born to be an idol, destined to be a superstar. Some media even called her the next queen of pop.

“Everyone has some talent. Let’s see what happens~”

Lin Xiyue snorted, then began discussing the upcoming fan meet with Xia Jinnian.

For an artist, fan numbers were important, but fan engagement and loyalty were equally crucial.

If a fanbase was filled with inactive or fake fans, a high number would only invite ridicule.

This fan meet would serve as a test of their fans’ quality.

******************

The day of the meet arrived. Lin Entertainment had rented an exhibition center in Guangnan City for fan events for its artists.

Lin Xiyue realized that the “fan meet” was similar to the small-scale conventions she had visited before — only the various anime-themed booths were replaced with celebrity booths.

Since Lin Xiyue and Xia Jinnian debuted as a duo, sharing a booth made perfect sense.

“Selling these signed photos — could it cause misunderstandings?”

Sitting at the booth, waiting for the event to start, Xia Jinnian nervously eyed the freshly printed signed photos.

In the photo, Lin Xiyue hugged Xia Jinnian from behind and smiled at the camera. Xia Jinnian looked slightly surprised, with a faint blush and stunned expression.

This wasn’t the originally planned pose — it was a spontaneous move by Lin Xiyue during a break, captured by the photographer.

Lin Xiyue was particularly pleased. The photo’s subtle yuri vibes were just right.

To ordinary people, it looked like normal interactions between duo partners; to yuri fans, it was “shipping candy.”

Moreover, prior rumors about them being in a romantic relationship — though discredited after Wu Li’s exposure — had still been widely accepted by some fans.

Fan-made stories in various subforums had already become numerous, and Lin Xiyue herself occasionally peeked at them.

She wanted to strengthen this public image — it could attract more traffic without significant risk of negative attention.

After all, close interactions between two pretty girls didn’t automatically imply romance to outsiders.

“Relax, we have nothing to hide. Or… do you have other ideas, Jinnian?”

Lin Xiyue grinned. Xia Jinnian stuck out her tongue.

“You talk too much. If you actually turn me gay one day, don’t regret it.”

“Is that even possible?!”