Chapter Fifty-Six: The Starlight Sniper

Chapter Fifty-Six: Star Sniper

Zhang Le and Yang Xiner were preparing together for the New Year’s Eve Gala on Yanjing Satellite TV, and Yang Xiner, in particular, was taking this event very seriously. After winning the Most Popular Female Singer at the Golden Melody Awards, her musical career was about to reach a new peak.

But now that she had established her own studio, she no longer had the powerful backing of a major company. Everything required even more effort.

This gala was an opportunity; she wanted to show her fans a different side of herself with songs of various styles. Coupled with the influence of the Golden Melody Awards, even if she couldn’t stand shoulder to shoulder with the top superstars, her current popularity and exposure would further solidify her position in the music industry.

Although Zhang Le wasn’t as diligent as Yang Xiner, he wasn’t slacking either. With an appearance fee of four hundred thousand, he had to put in some work to make it worthwhile.

Zhang Le wasn’t greedy, but that didn’t mean he didn’t care about money. He came from a humble background, and four hundred thousand was still a considerable sum, especially when it was so easy to earn. While he no longer lacked for daily needs, there were still relatives back home to consider.

The Golden Melody Awards had ended, but its influence was only just beginning.

As the biggest winners of this year’s Golden Melody Awards, Zhang Le and Yang Xiner once again became the focus of media coverage.

Darlings of the media, they were the envy of countless people in the industry.

In the entertainment world, popularity means income, and popularity requires exposure. The Golden Melody Awards was undoubtedly a platform to increase exposure, but this year, it seemed almost exclusively the domain of Zhang Le and Yang Xiner.

From the red carpet to the awards ceremony, the two nearly monopolized the spotlight. On the red carpet, their matching outfits and public display of affection instantly drew all media attention to them.

With such a sensational topic as a couple walking the red carpet together, no matter how meticulously others dressed, it was all in vain. And at the ceremony, they took home six trophies, including the highly coveted Best Composer and Most Popular Female Singer.

They were the talk of the town, dominating headlines. If the media didn’t report on them, who else would they cover?

For many celebrities attending the Golden Melody Awards, it was a frustrating experience, especially for those who had won awards or gone to great lengths to attract viewership.

Star Snipers!

Someone online gave Zhang Le and Yang Xiner this nickname. The meaning was clear: wherever the two of them appeared, even the most prominent stars would be outshone, as almost all media attention would be drawn to them.

And this was only the beginning.

Zhang Le’s awards and talent in music were no longer just the subject of praise, but had become something more substantial.

Yanjing Satellite TV’s New Year’s Eve Gala was heavily promoted. Both Zhang Le and Yang Xiner would perform: each would sing a new solo, and they would also perform a new duet.

Three new songs—given the quality of Zhang Le’s previous work—were eagerly anticipated by countless fans. Tickets for the gala quickly soared to new heights.

The gala was held at Yanjing Stadium, which accommodated fifty thousand people, and was now packed to the rafters.

“Nervous?” Yang Xiner asked Zhang Le with a smile backstage.

“Not now, but when I get on stage, who knows,” Zhang Le replied with a grin. He’d performed at a few commercial events before, but never before such a massive crowd.

Every star dreams of stepping onto a bigger stage, but Zhang Le, though fond of film, had never aspired to be a superstar. That was true in his previous life, and it remained so now.

Previously, he’d played the male lead in Yang Xiner’s music video purely because he was short on cash and there were no suitable candidates.

However, after making their relationship public, everything began to move in unpredictable directions.

He’d participated in a celebrity reality show and now accepted the role of the second male lead in a blockbuster film. Even commercial performances no longer seemed as objectionable as before.

“So, you get nervous too?” Yang Xiner teased. “Aren’t you always confident?”

“Confidence and nervousness aren’t mutually exclusive,” Zhang Le laughed. “I’m just worried I might not sing well and embarrass you.”

“Relax, I’m here,” Yang Xiner reassured him. “If you feel afraid or nervous on stage, just don’t look at the audience.”

“Don’t worry, I can handle it,” Zhang Le smiled.

At that moment, a staff member arrived to usher them onstage.

Yanjing Satellite TV had invested heavily in this event, inviting many big names. Although Zhang Le and Yang Xiner were in the spotlight, their foundation still fell short of the top superstars, so their segment wasn’t slated for the finale. Placing them too early would also waste their current popularity.

Thus, their appearance was scheduled for the middle of the show.

With fifty thousand seats filled, the atmosphere was electrifying. The live TV broadcast also achieved the highest ratings for the time slot.

The lead host for the evening was Ning Jing, whom Zhang Le knew as the host of "An Evening with Ning Jing."

After a brief introduction, Zhang Le and Yang Xiner walked hand in hand onto the stage, as a fresh and lively melody began to play.

“We’d like to share a song called ‘Dimples’ with everyone,” Yang Xiner announced with a smile.

“I’m still searching for a shoulder to lean on and an embrace…” Zhang Le began to sing. After two lines, Yang Xiner joined in: “Happiness begins to show, and fate brings us closer together…”

When they came onstage, they were holding hands. As they sang, Zhang Le gently put his arm around Yang Xiner’s shoulders, and she leaned against his chest, embodying the words “lean close” and “rely on” to perfection.

Their faces radiated sweetness; happiness was written all over them.

“Dimples and long lashes, you are my most beautiful support!” Yang Xiner sang, gazing up at Zhang Le. At that moment, the camera zoomed in on them—their not-so-obvious dimples now seemed especially charming and captivating.

Whether it was their display of affection or the song itself, the audience was swept up in their happiness. Glow sticks waved in time to the melody, and many couples in the crowd couldn’t help but lean into each other, drawn into the atmosphere created by Zhang Le and Yang Xiner.

Zhang Le was indeed a master of love songs. This duet was bound to become a must-sing for couples at karaoke.

“A lifetime of gentle warmth, I’ll love you forever.”

It wasn’t earth-shattering romantic talk—almost simple, even—but at that moment, it moved countless people.

After the duet, Zhang Le left the stage to Yang Xiner.

“Who wrote ‘Dimples’? I don’t need to say, do I? The next song I’ll perform was also written by him. He is my boyfriend, Zhang Le. He just left the stage, but he’ll be back later to sing another new song he wrote,” Yang Xiner said to the audience. “This song, ‘Existence,’ is dedicated to all of us who are feeling lost.”

(Alright, I admit I’m personally very fond of the song ‘Existence,’ which is why it appears in all three of my novels. If you don’t like it, please don’t be upset.)