novelraw Chapter 1616 - 1614: Girls’ Night Talk (Curled Up on the Computer for Warmth)
Chapter 1616 - 1614: Girls’ Night Talk (Curled Up on the Computer for Warmth)
After that, everyone held a barbecue dinner on the beach together, and then returned to the room satisfied. After a bit of playful fighting, it was time to turn off the lights and go to sleep.
Of course, no one would really obediently go to sleep.
"It feels just like a school trip."
Lying on the tatami, Haruka exclaimed excitedly. Due to a lack of funds, 765 only rented two rooms this time: one was Fang Zheng’s single room, and the other was a group room, which basically meant a large tatami room. When it was time to sleep, everyone put down their bedding and slept directly on the tatami. So everyone simply slept on the floor in the room.
It indeed felt very much like a school trip.
"Yes, it feels like my whole body is relaxed..."
Chihaya also let out a breath and closed her eyes.
"After all, everyone has been busy with work all these days."
"I really wonder what we will become at this time next year..."
Looking at the bright moon outside the window, Haruka mused quietly.
"Yeah..."
Upon hearing this, Iori couldn’t help but share her thoughts. Thinking back, just two months ago they were still worried about whether they had any work. But now, they have gradually started to feel the busyness of being idols — though not to the extent of being national idols, at least there are more and more work opportunities, more appearances, tighter schedules... What will the situation be like next year? Will everyone still be together at that time?
"I never expected that man to be quite capable."
Hearing Iori’s words, Haruka gave a wry smile. She didn’t need to guess who Iori was talking about, since there were only two men in 765, and Iori wouldn’t gossip like this about the president.
"Iori, it’s not good to talk like that."
At this, Kikuchi Makoto couldn’t help but interject.
"Mr. Fang Zheng has been busy for us all the time."
Although Fang Zheng’s main focus is on the three members of STARS, he hasn’t neglected the rest of their work. After all, Fang Zheng can teleport, but the others don’t have that ability, so Fang Zheng basically goes around to check everyone’s work. Although this world is relatively less sordid compared to others, it doesn’t mean there’s none. Fang Zheng is well aware of how annoying the petty issues in the entertainment circle are.
He’s read plenty of urban novels, and if this were an urban idol novel, the more common occurrences would be Haruka being targeted by a second-generation heir, threatening her with TV exposure to comply, or they might put her on ice if she doesn’t listen.
Or a small star trying to use their fame to entice Meixi into developing a close relationship.
Or some rivals deliberately trying to frame Chihaya to achieve their own goals.
Or Takane being hit on by thugs at the TV station entrance, then the media takes pictures and fabricates gossip.
These kinds of situations are enough to give Fang Zheng a headache.
This is still relatively good—if it switches to scenarios from certain other scripts, it gets even more troublesome. Generally, artists have producers by their side, so even if something happens, there’s somewhat of a shield. But 765 only has Fang Zheng and Ritsuko as producers. So many times, the girls are without a producer while working.
If that were put into those scripts, it would be easiest to cause trouble; if some people have bad intentions, they could make a move when the girls are alone, lead them to a warehouse—this way and that way, that way and this way—and if they take photos and videos as a gag order, no one would know.
Therefore, Fang Zheng almost tours all the sets from morning till night, watching them complete their work before leaving.
These young girls notice and remember this, and they are quite grateful to Fang Zheng. After all, they are all girls, and just teenagers, working alone in unfamiliar places naturally leads to some anxiety. Additionally, if a producer or director or anyone else wants to talk to them about work-related matters, they wouldn’t know what to say.
For example, should they accept another invitation to appear on a show? If they accept, it might conflict with their schedule later; if they don’t, it would seem off... Honestly, for these young girls, such matters are indeed somewhat difficult.
So Fang Zheng’s presence somewhat eases them, at least knowing Fang Zheng is there looking out for them, they won’t become nervous and anxious because of it.
"Yeah, sometimes I even worry if he’ll wear himself out..."
Xuebu, lying beside Kikuchi Makoto, spoke timidly. She’s currently the most grateful to Fang Zheng at the office, as Xuebu suffers from severe fear of men. Though she has managed to overcome some of it, she’s still not good at dealing with strangers. If it weren’t for Fang Zheng accompanying her each time, she might have long been stuck in anxiety unable to break free.
Of course, now Xuebu is gradually growing up, though fear of dogs remains a problem, she’s started trying to interact with strangers.
"But thinking about it, it seems we don’t know much about the producer."
When girls gather to chat, they always stray off topic, and naturally, the conversation has shifted now.
"True, we don’t even know where Mr. Fang Zheng is from..."
"Hasn’t Miss Sora mentioned anything?"
"No..."
At this point, the girls felt a bit helpless. If Fang Zheng’s attitude was considered mild, then Sora’s attitude seemed somewhat indifferent. Of course, she’s serious about work, but Sora always keeps a certain distance from the other girls, and they noticed this too.
This also relates to Sora’s personality; she’s not the type to actively make friends. Strictly speaking, Touma and Yukina can barely count as her friends, not even close friends. Sora’s close friends currently are Gui Kotonoha, Latifa, and Isuzu.
After all, she’s not great at interacting with people; unlike Xuebu who fears interaction, Sora simply lacks interest.
"But honestly, Miss Sora and Mr. Fang Zheng are probably dating."
Haruka brought this topic up again for a simple reason; just before going to sleep, Sora nonchalantly said "I’m going to find my brother," then hugged her pillow and left, leaving everyone there taken aback. Honestly, such blatant behavior... It was the first time they encountered it.
"Maybe they’re just siblings with a close relationship?"
Yayoi Takatsuki chimed in.
"My brothers and sisters often sleep together!"
"How old are they...?"
Hearing this, Iori couldn’t help but comment. Yayoi was only 13 herself, and her siblings were even younger, so it made sense for them to sleep together.
But considering Fang Zheng and Sora’s ages... Clearly, that’s not the situation here.
"I think they might just have a good relationship."
Upon hearing this, Xuebu couldn’t help but retort. For some reason, the speculation about Fang Zheng and Sora dating made Xuebu feel uncomfortable, like finding out the doll she liked was borrowed from someone else and wasn’t hers...
"Actually, I think Miss Sora is quite suitable to be an idol."
Chihaya changed the subject, as she wasn’t interested in matters between men and women, so she didn’t care whether Fang Zheng and Sora were really dating or not.
"That’s true, but it’s a pity Miss Sora seems not to be interested."
Haruka also felt a bit regretful at this point. Sora’s conditions were certainly enough. Silver-white long hair, a beautiful face, and that unique aura—it seemed very suitable for becoming an idol. Because of this, when Sora first joined the office, the girls initially thought she was also a 765 signed artist; later they found out she was actually a staff member...
"Actually, not being an idol is also quite good; if Miss Sora became one, she probably wouldn’t be able to date Mr. Fang Zheng."
"Yes...I wonder when we might meet..."
"I just want to sing well right now..."
The girls chatted about ideals, reality, and the future, and as they talked, they gradually fell into a deep sleep.
The next day, after a fun day, the girls returned to the office and resumed work.
Meanwhile, Fang Zheng and Ritsuko continued to immerse themselves in busy work.
The work ahead was somewhat challenging for the two of them.
That was... the hosting of 765’s first large-scale LIVE concert!
From the time Fang Zheng took the position till now, almost three months had passed. During these three months, Komachi Ryuuguu and STARS’ weekly rankings improved, but they stopped around the fifteenth place.
Fang Zheng and Ritsuko discussed several times, concluding that the reason was simply a lack of exposure.
In contrast, Yukina’s rankings were always at the top, almost every week she was in the top three. Besides her own efforts and talent, Ogata Office’s efforts couldn’t be ignored. As an established office with big-name stars like Morikawa Yuki, the exposure was naturally high. You could say the TV broadcast Yukina’s songs daily, with occasional variety shows and concert broadcasts, boosting her popularity significantly.
However, 765, a small office with no money or influence, was another matter entirely.
To thoroughly increase exposure, a large-scale official concert was necessary. For this, Fang Zheng became quite busy.
Although he held a LIVE during SchoolDays in this world, that LIVE was only a mini-concert and not at all formal. Honestly, it was just a bit more formal than performing at a bar. But now, commercial concerts vastly differed from mini LIVEs, requiring coordination in various aspects, and consideration for sponsors and media—which were issues not encountered during the mini LIVE.
Even with Fang Zheng’s preparation, unexpected situations always arise.
"Do you really have to go?"
Fang Zheng frowned as he looked at Ritsuko in front of him.
"You know, the large concert is in two days. Honestly, for the sake of insurance, I haven’t arranged any out-of-town work for them lately..."
"I understand, but this is a very rare opportunity for Komachi Ryuuguu."
Ritsuko was also quite helpless. Initially, she agreed with Fang Zheng to arrange work within the city for the week before the concert, avoiding distant travels. This was partly to give the girls more training time, and partly as a precaution. Fang Zheng even planned to gather everyone the day before the concert for management—a method often used by Chinese people.
But Ritsuko received an invitation for an out-of-town program, completely disrupting Fang Zheng’s plans.
"...Alright, Komachi Ryuuguu is your group; your decision matters."
Faced with Ritsuko’s words, Fang Zheng paused for a moment and finally nodded. In Fang Zheng’s view, a mere out-of-town program could be turned down; once the 765 girls gained fame through this concert, future programs would be plentiful. Throwing away a watermelon for a sesame seed wasn’t wise.
But since Komachi Ryuuguu was Ritsuko’s group, Fang Zheng expressed his opinion but didn’t have the decision power. Since Ritsuko insisted, Fang Zheng could only go along with her.
The unfortunate thing was that problems don’t come alone.
The worries Fang Zheng had still occurred.
"Komachi Ryuuguu isn’t here yet? Can they make it on time?"
Fang Zheng tapped his fingers on the table as he held his phone, feeling anxious. On the other end, Ritsuko’s voice was also anxious and tense.
"It’s delayed due to the typhoon; we’re trying hard, but we don’t know how long it’ll take..."
"If it’s not possible, just drive back directly."
Fang Zheng didn’t expect such an issue. They had everything ready except for the eastern wind, which never came, but a typhoon arrived instead.
"Understood, I’ll adjust the program quickest, putting Komachi Ryuuguu as the finale; it’s up to you now."
"Okay, really sorry..."
Ritsuko also regretted it, but Fang Zheng didn’t blame. After all, who could predict a sudden typhoon causing flight delays? Misfortune was blamed on bad luck; it’s not like he could defeat the typhoon... Hmm? Maybe he actually could?
"It’s alright."
After a brief conversation, Fang Zheng hung up the phone, feeling helpless. At this moment, Sora approached.
"What do we do now, brother?"
"There’s no other way."
Facing Sora’s question, Fang Zheng shook his head.
"Prepare soldiers for a thousand days, use them for a moment; now is the time those girls must hold on."
As he spoke, Fang Zheng stood up.
Now, it’s time for the Red Ponytail to activate.