From Apocalypse To Entertainment Circle (BL) Chapter 16: I am an idol

Lan Qisheng swiftly caught the frail body of the teenager. The boy's angelic face bore traces of dried tears, with his eyes closed and lips moist and crimson. Lan Qisheng couldn't tear his eyes away from Sian. The boy's pale complexion made him look like a lifeless corpse, with beads of sweat glistening on his forehead. It was only now that Lan Qisheng realized the teenager showed clear signs of illness. His hand darted to check Sian's forehead—it was burning hot. Although Sian's face showed no unnatural redness, his body temperature was dangerously high, far beyond a simple fever.

"Wu Hao! Get over here and check him!" Lan Qisheng shouted anxiously. Fear gripped his heart as he glanced around the dense forest. With no dical supplies at hand, even a high fever could turn deadly.

Wu Hao flinched at the sound of his na but remained frozen. It wasn't until his commander barked his na a second ti, more forcefully, that he sprang into action and moved hesitantly toward the pair.

Was it his fault that he was still reeling from the scene he'd witnessed monts ago? Forgive him—his small, human brain was struggling to process the absurdity unfolding before his eyes. After all, he was a re mortal.

It wasn't just poor Wu Hao who was bewildered and questioning the fabric of reality. Everyone present wore an expression of disbelief, as though doubting the world they lived in.

First among them was Kim Hyun, whose face carried a complex mixture of emotions. He had been the one to say it would be better if Sian didn't drag them down. Yet now, the boy had been the one to save them.

The four mbers of Lan Qisheng's team also stared at the fragile figure cradled in their commander's arms. Ever since entering the forest, the boy had acted with a calmness they found unnerving. They had initially suspected him of being either a skilled assassin or a spy. But their commander's trust in the boy had silenced their doubts. Now, the very boy they had mistrusted and quietly opposed had turned out to be their savior.

---

"Holy hell, what just happened in front of ?"

"I'm not sure if this is real life or so fantasy movie anymore."

"Did Sian just... control those wild wolves with nothing but a leaf?"

"Shut up! Stop reminding us; I'm on the verge of losing my sanity!"

"I don't know what's real or fake anymore."

"Who is this Sian, anyway?"

---

The group made their way into the cave and quickly built a fire near the entrance. They fashioned makeshift beds by laying their jackets on the ground and using their bags as pillows.

Marco sat curled up in a corner, shunned by everyone else. They hadn't been blind; so had witnessed how he had used Aaron Wang as a human shield to save himself. Those who hadn't seen it had pieced things together after Sian's earlier outburst. From this mont on, Marco would be ignored entirely. Even if he were to et a grueso end, no one would pity him. Frankly, he deserved worse for what he will do in the future. What exactly had he done? Well, that secret would unravel with ti.

anwhile, Aaron Wang and Michael Cheng approached Lan Qisheng, who was gently pressing a damp cloth to Sian's feverish forehead. Aaron asked, his voice tinged with worry, "How is he? Has the fever gone down?"

Lan Qisheng glanced up and answered softly, "It's better—it's gone down a bit."

After ordering Wu Hao to examine Sian earlier, they found no injuries apart from the fever and his unconscious state. Without proper dical equipnt, Wu Hao could only crush so dicinal herbs and place them on Sian's forehead, hoping for the best.

For the first ti, Lan Qisheng felt utterly useless.

Even Ben Wang, Tong Xiao, Liang Zhu, and Kim Hyun ca over, concern etched on their faces. These people had initially ford a good impression of Sian, and now that he had saved them, they considered him a dear friend. Only three others in the group remained aloof, just as they had been since they entered the forest. As for Marco, he didn't dare co close. Even if he wanted to, Lan Qisheng would have killed him before he took a single step. Lan Qisheng, hardly controlling himself, to not strangle Marco for being the reason Sian had lost control of his emotions and actions.

---

Sian stirred, feeling a warm hand gently brushing his forehead. The touch was so comforting, so tender, that it reminded him of his mother. She used to wake him up for school by patting his head in this very way. He longed for that warmth and that loving touch. When the hand began to pull away, Sian panicked. He didn't want to lose it—not even in a dream. Desperately, he reached out and grasped the hand, pulling it back to his forehead. The hand stayed, obediently following his silent plea, and the furrow in his brow eased slightly.

"Mom... don't leave . Please, don't go. I'm scared," Sian mumbled faintly in his sleep, tears sliding down his cheeks.

Lan Qisheng, who had been asuring Sian's temperature, was montarily stunned when the boy grabbed his hand. At first, he thought Sian was awake, but a glance at his face confird he was still deep in slumber. The teenager's brows were knit tightly together as if trapped in a nightmare. Lan Qisheng wanted to shake him awake, but the boy's trembling words and tearful plea left him frozen. Had Sian lost his mother at a young age, or was he simply yearning for her presence? The way Sian clung to his hand—like it was his lifeline—spoke volus. Once again, Lan Qisheng felt his heart ache for this boy he had known for barely a day.

How had Sian managed to evoke such deep emotions in him so quickly?

If soone had told Lan Qisheng he'd fall in love at first sight—hard and fast—he would have laughed in their face or punched them. But now... he had fallen.

Lan Qisheng let his hand rest on Sian's head and leaned back against the wall, staying awake to keep watch over him.

No one else in the group could sleep either. Anxiety weighed heavily on them, each wondering if they would survive this nightmare. Only Sian lay fast asleep, oblivious to the world around him.

Zhao Ling glanced at him and felt a pang of envy. Even he wished he could lose consciousness, just for a while, to escape this tornt.

---

Sian woke with a sharp pain in his chest. His breathing hitched, and he clutched at his heart.

Lan Qisheng, who was beside him, imdiately held him steady, patting his back. "Breathe, Sian. Deep breaths. In... out. Slowly. Follow my voice."

Gradually, the pain subsided, and Sian's breathing steadied. Fluttering his long lashes, he opened his eyes to find several faces staring down at him, their expressions a mix of worry and curiosity.

What's with them? What's going on?

That was his first thought before the mories ca flooding back—controlling the wolves, nearly killing soone...

"Shit," Sian cursed inwardly.

Before he could gather his thoughts, the awkward silence was broken.

"Are you okay?" Kim Hyun asked.

"Sian, are you hurting anywhere?" Aaron chid in.

"Do you want so water?" Tong Xiao offered eagerly.

Realizing how parched he was, Sian nodded without thinking. Tong Xiao moved to fetch a water bottle, but Lan Qisheng intercepted it, his piercing gaze making Tong Xiao freeze in place. Without a word, Lan Qisheng opened the bottle himself and handed it to Sian.

After taking a few sips, Sian's throat felt less dry, and his mood lifted slightly. He decided to act as if nothing had happened, but that hope was short-lived.

"Hey, kid," Zhao Ling began, excitent evident in his tone. "What did you do to those wolves back there? Spill it!"

Sian: "..."

Liang Zhu also spoke, "Kid, do you have so kind of magic? How did you communicate with the wolves? Can you control other animals too?"

Sian sighed, then sat up straight, his gaze sweeping over everyone—eyes betraying their curiosity. Even Lan Qisheng, who sat beside Sian with a composed and serious expression, was subtly pricking his ears to catch Sian's answer.

Sian replied calmly, "I didn't. I don't have any magic. All I did was generate certain sounds and sound frequencies capable of suppressing so of the wolves' animalistic instincts. Essentially, I made them accept as part of their group to so extent—I didn't completely control them."

Of course, they wouldn't understand even if he explained further. In his original world, where blood and death lurked at every corner, humans had learned to cooperate with the remaining animals to survive the apocalypse. After observing this world's level of developnt, Sian quickly realized it lagged behind his own in terms of technology and other advancents. Not that his world had flying cars or anything, but it was still slightly ahead of this one.

Sian didn't elaborate further and didn't bother asking any questions either.

Suddenly, Zhao Ling laughed, "Kid, you've got a real talent! So, what are you? So kind of animal trainer or sothing?"

Sian glanced at the grin on that silly soldier's face, then opened his mouth to reply.

"No, I'm an idol."

The air froze.

"Pfft—" Ban Wang choked on the water he was drinking.

Ren Yi dropped the firewood he had been carrying to add to the fire.

Kim Hyun's mouth fell open into a perfect "O" as he stared at Sian sitting in front of him.

...

Everyone was in shock. So had their mouths agape; others were dropping whatever they were holding. Even Lan Qisheng's usually impassive face stiffened as he stared at Sian.

Sian hadn't expected his identity to elicit such a reaction...