novelraw Chapter 352 - 324: Being Hit On
Chapter 352 - 324: Being Hit On
Backstage Dressing RoomWhen Qiao Yuxian arrived, Wei Jiye’s makeup artist was doing makeup for Qiao Weizhou.
Qiao Weizhou was looking at the lyrics.
Wei Jiye stood beside Qiao Weizhou, watching him.
Qiao Yuxian first asked Qiao Weizhou, "Alright?"
"Sis." Qiao Weizhou smiled when he saw her, "The song is fine. Brother Ye had me practice it, and I just sang it once for him. He said it’s okay."
"Are you nervous?" Qiao Yuxian asked.
"Not really." Qiao Weizhou said, "I’m more excited."
"A newcomer stepping in, replacing a popular singer on stage." Qiao Yuxian said, "It’s possible that many people will criticize you, saying you used connections to replace his performance."
Even though that singer is hospitalized due to illness.
But in case someone tries to spread the narrative that his hospital visit was just a cover, and the real purpose was to get Qiao Weizhou on stage to give the newcomer an opportunity, then Qiao Weizhou might be heavily criticized.
Especially since that singer’s fans are all waiting for him to perform.
After waiting for so long, they didn’t get to see him. If the fans are also swayed by this narrative, it would be more troublesome.
Qiao Weizhou tilted his head, letting the makeup artist do his eyebrows, without speaking.
Qiao Yuxian looked at him and said, "If you don’t want to perform, just skip it. Let Wei Jiye sing one more song."
Wei Jiye’s program is the finale, singing the last two songs back to back is no problem.
For a performer of Wei Jiye’s stature, who rarely appears on screen to perform, an extra performance is a bonus for the audience.
No one would dare criticize him.
"That’s doable." Wei Jiye said.
Qiao Weizhou glanced at Wei Jiye, then looked at Qiao Yuxian and said, "Sis, Brother Ye’s throat isn’t feeling great, I can handle it."
Qiao Yuxian looked at Wei Jiye.
Wei Jiye said, "I’m fine."
"You’re like the backbone of the company, if anything happens, all platforms will crash tonight." Qiao Yuxian said.
Wei Jiye didn’t respond.
"Sis. I didn’t replace anyone, I’m performing on stage today with a clear conscience." Qiao Weizhou said, "Besides, I have you to thank for my opportunity today. Even if I debut as Brother Ye planned, once your identity is revealed and our relationship exposed, there will still be people calling me a nepotism case. I’m not afraid, I’ve benefited from your light, and this is what I should bear."
Qiao Yuxian’s eyes slightly twitched, she looked at Qiao Weizhou.
Qiao Weizhou chuckled and said, "If people criticize me, I will prove myself with my own strength. I will show that my skills are worthy of my sister being the founder of Xi Mei Media. I’ll make them shut up."
"Sis, I’ve grown up." Qiao Weizhou tugged on her sleeve and said, "You don’t have to shield me from everything, I can do it myself."
Qiao Yuxian’s fingers slightly moved, and after a moment, she pulled her sleeve back from his hand and said, "Who’s all grown up and still pulling on sleeves? Get your makeup done and prepare yourself."
Qiao Weizhou laughed and said, "Okay."
Qiao Yuxian and Wei Jiye walked a little further away, she looked at Qiao Weizhou and said, "Is he really alright?"
"Yeah." Wei Jiye said, "I told you before, among this group of trainees selected this time, Qiao Weizhou’s ability is among the top."
During the selection, Qiao Weizhou’s performance wasn’t outstanding.
Because seeing Qiao Yuxian made him too nervous, his voice was shaky and out of tune.
But once he became a trainee, he received training and guidance from Wei Jiye.
Qiao Weizhou has improved tremendously and is very capable.
Wei Jiye has been arranging for his debut.
Tonight was also a last-minute decision.
Wei Jiye contacted some already debuted singers, but the hospitalized one is too famous and too popular. No one dared to replace him.
Finally, Wei Jiye casually mentioned it to Qiao Weizhou.
It was just a mention, without intention for him to perform, as it wasn’t the best opportunity.
But Qiao Weizhou readily took it on, so Wei Jiye contacted Qiao Yuxian for her opinion.
"What he said makes sense too." Wei Jiye said, "I’ll make some adjustments to his debut plan accordingly."
"Stay on top of the PR." Qiao Yuxian said.
"Yeah." Wei Jiye nodded.
"Once the hospitalized one is feeling better, have him post on Weibo, preferably with photos from the hospital, reassuring his fans about his safety." Qiao Yuxian said.
"Got it."
Qiao Yuxian thought for a moment and said, "Are there any high-quality shows or events he can participate in once he’s well? Or any large galas or similar events. His fans have waited so long just to see him, once he’s better, double the compensation for his fans."
"Okay." Wei Jiye said, "Once we’re done here, I’ll go back and arrange it."
"Once arranged, mention it during PR too." Qiao Yuxian said, "While calming the fans, it also proves that Qiao Weizhou truly stepped in last minute."
"Sure."
Qiao Yuxian and Wei Jiye discussed some strategies for potential follow-up issues.
After that, the two of them stayed with Qiao Weizhou.
Since Qiao Weizhou hadn’t rehearsed before, the stage assistant director came over to briefly talk about the stage positions and lighting, among other things.
When Qiao Weizhou went to the waiting area.
Qiao Yuxian also went to the backstage.
She didn’t give a lot of advice, just told Qiao Weizhou not to be nervous and let him go.
Wei Jiye also needed to head to the waiting area but stayed to chat with Qiao Yuxian for a bit longer.
"Still worried?" Wei Jiye asked.
Over the past few months, Qiao Yuxian would occasionally inquire about Qiao Weizhou’s situation.
Wei Jiye knew she might complain about him, but she really cared about her younger brother.
"I’m hardly older than him, but he still feels like a little kid who hasn’t grown up." Qiao Yuxian said, then chuckled, "Maybe the impression of him being aimless is too strong."
"He’s grown up, knows to work hard and restrain himself." Wei Jiye said.
"Wish him good luck tonight." Qiao Yuxian said, "You go to the waiting area, I’ll be fine here."
"Alright."
Wei Jiye left, and Qiao Yuxian adjusted her position.
She wanted to find a spot with a better view of the stage.
As she was finding an angle, a voice suddenly came from behind.
"Hello."
Qiao Yuxian didn’t pay much attention, thinking someone was talking to someone else. But when the person called again, louder this time, she turned to look.
A man stood behind her, looking at her.
Wearing vintage-style long clothing, very tall, with a delicate appearance.
It was Yixing City’s artist and actor, Qin Xia.
Qiao Yuxian remembered him.
He debuted under Qin Xia’s guidance, Ji Xiaoxiao’s first drama was shot with him, at wrap-up it even trended, and Ji Xiaoxiao was scolded by his fans terribly.
"Do you need something?" Qiao Yuxian asked.
"Are you staff here?" Yixing City asked with a smile.
"Is there something you need?" Qiao Yuxian asked again.
"Nothing much." Yixing City said, "Just felt you look like a very important friend of mine, so I wanted to get to know you."
The pick-up was too obvious.
The approach was somewhat old-fashioned.
Qiao Yuxian gave a polite smile but didn’t say anything.
Yixing City then said, "After work, could we find a place to sit and chat? I haven’t seen my friend in a long time, seeing you feels like seeing her."
"Sorry." Qiao Yuxian politely said, "My husband is waiting for me, I need to go find him later."
Yixing City looked visibly startled, seeming sad when mentioning his friend earlier. His eyes instinctively glanced at her left hand. Upon seeing the ring, he said, "Sorry for bothering you."
"No problem." With these three words, Qiao Yuxian turned her head slightly to her left side.
There were many people backstage, all busy with their own affairs.
Qiao Yuxian felt someone had been watching them from the left side.
But looking over, she didn’t find anything unusual.
"What’s wrong?" Yixing City asked.
Qiao Yuxian initially wanted to check, but Qiao Weizhou’s performance was starting.
She then looked back at the stage and said, "It’s nothing."
Yixing City saw she kept her gaze on the stage, glanced at the person on stage, then at Qiao Yuxian, and turned to leave...