Chapter Eight: A Figure Under the Moonlight

Dusk gradually faded as night blanketed the earth, one by one the amber streetlights flickered on, welcoming the swiftly approaching moonlight.

The weather today was fairly pleasant. Lin Shouxia took a deep breath of fresh air just as he stepped out of the company building. He glanced back at the office lights upstairs, then headed straight out.

The man slipped his hands into the pockets on either side of his coat, his face clouded with worry.

The company had agreed to his request—something that should have made him happy—but it also added immense pressure.

After the meeting ended, Choi Seungmin had called him into the director’s office for a private conversation.

“I know your ambition. I also understand you don’t want to be remembered only as ‘Zhi En’s junior brother’ when others mention you.”

“We will help you,” Choi Seungmin said as he tossed a stack of tailored plans onto the desk in front of him.

“These are the original plans.”

The man then took out a relatively blank plan sheet and spread it before Lin Shouxia, speaking slowly, “This will be your future plan.”

“How full you can fill it, how much you can erase from the old one, depends entirely on your own performance. Our entertainment company needs to make money,” Choi Seungmin smiled, sly as an old fox who had gotten what he wanted.

Lin Shouxia wanted to tear off the label that clung to him, refusing to be anyone’s accessory. Loen also wished to dilute that label. Their cooperation should have been a perfect match.

But... the entertainment company needed to make money.

According to the original plan arranged for the artist, Lin Shouxia’s debut would have been smooth sailing, with Lee Zhi En’s name drawing massive attention.

Now that plan was canceled. After all, Loen was still Loen—it could provide decent resources to its artists, but Choi Seungmin wanted this newcomer to fight for himself.

Becoming an outstanding artist was no easy feat. Luck mattered, but skill mattered just as much. Choi Seungmin always prioritized the company’s interests.

Since Lin Shouxia wanted to prove his strength, he would have to let his achievements speak for themselves and earn those engagements originally prepared for him.

Just thinking about his conversation with the director gave Lin Shouxia a splitting headache. The weight of worry pressed down on him, leaving him gasping for breath.

“What did you say you wanted to eat earlier?”

“Matcha nut pie!”

“And what about him? Does he have any favorite food?”

As Lin Shouxia left the company, Yoo Ji-min had just finished a call with Lin Yinglu and was heading to the dessert shop her good friend had mentioned.

Although it was only their first meeting, Yoo Ji-min could see something different in the man from what Lin Yinglu had described.

He wasn’t the cold, aloof handsome guy lost in the music world as Loen’s press release had painted.

Nor was he the foolish big brother who pretended he could sing, as Lin Yinglu had complained.

That man... was very much like Yoo Ji-min two years ago, both in spirit and in how he reacted to pressure.

For her, it felt like a chance to redeem her past self. She didn’t want to miss it.

“Ah, Ji-min, are you my friend or his?” Lin Yinglu teased.

“You called me and asked what to do,” Yoo Ji-min patiently explained, sensing her friend’s jealous streak.

“Fine, then I won’t interfere. You handle it yourself. After all, he’s your brother, not mine.”

Yoo Ji-min was skilled at reading people.

Though Lin Yinglu often complained about Lin Shouxia, if anything happened to her silly brother, she’d be the first to rush forward as his sister.

“Please, you handle it. I’m worried he might resist me,” Lin Yinglu quickly backed down. For her, the safety of her brother was more important than jealousy.

She wasn’t quite sure what was going on in his mind, but with Yoo Ji-min’s meticulous help, she could see things she might miss.

“You two really are siblings,” Yoo Ji-min said, half amused, half exasperated.

Despite the constant bickering, when it mattered most, they would stand wholeheartedly by each other.

“If he wasn’t my own brother, I wouldn’t be this worried.”

“Alright, alright, just tell me what he likes to eat.”

“He likes mint-flavored things,” Lin Yinglu said after a moment of hesitation. Her brother had been away a long time; she was beginning to forget his preferences.

“Maybe I’m not a good enough sister,” she sighed, lowering her head.

Lin Shouxia always remembered her likes and, back home, would even shell nuts for her. She, however, lived carefreely, rarely considering his feelings.

“I won’t argue with you anymore.” Yoo Ji-min noticed the dessert shop, lowered her cap, ended the call, and went straight inside.

Though the distance from the dorm to Hongdae was considerable, Yoo Ji-min, influenced by Lin Yinglu, had developed a fondness for the desserts and cakes here.

Eating cake required great courage for idols like them who had to strictly control their figures.

But aespa had no comeback scheduled recently, and aside from the group variety show, no plans for other recordings.

The once strict diet could now be relaxed a little.

Yoo Ji-min’s eyes scanned the shop; seeing no sign of the man, she focused on a chocolate cake. After a complex internal struggle, she carried her cake back to her seat.

“Here is your sweet milk,” the server’s voice pulled Yoo Ji-min back to reality.

She looked up and saw a man in a brown short jacket thanking the staff nearby.

“Oh, who might you be?” The server lingered by the man after setting down the food, showing no intent to leave.

“Uh, is there something you need?” Lin Shouxia felt embarrassed. It seemed everyone in the shop was looking at him.

“Are you Lin Shouxia?”

“Uh...” The man rubbed his head, realizing trouble had found him. He had nearly forgotten his celebrity identity and had swaggered out casually on this outing.

Was it still possible to run away now?

“Is that right...” Despite wanting to retreat, he forced an awkward yet polite smile.

“Could you sign an autograph for me?”

“Uh... I don’t think it’s...”

“Not convenient?”

Just as he was about to refuse, a girl suddenly dashed out, firmly grasped his wrist, and after saying no, pulled him through the shop’s door.

The man looked up, left only with the silhouette of the girl.

Under the gentle moonlight, the streetlamp cast a long shadow.

“Your nuna sent me to find you. Come with me.”