As evening fell outside Yuanyue Academy, a handso young man walked with a backpack slung casually over his shoulder.
Beside him appeared a sleek black cat visible only to him. ow-chan, her erald eyes gleaming, occasionally glanced back at a figure trailing them from a distance—a figure obscured by a fisherman’s hat, sunglasses, and a mask. The figure had been following Yan Huan ever since he left the school grounds.
“ow~”
ow-chan leaped gracefully onto Yan Huan’s shoulder. Balancing like liquid, she strolled across his right shoulder to his left before leaning forward to peer at his face.
Her soft fur brushed against his neck, and her tail lightly curled over his Adam’s apple.
“She’s still following you, ow,” ow-chan said.
“I know,” Yan Huan replied in his mind, his expression calm. “If she wants to act like a stalker, let her.”
His outward deanor was composed as he walked toward the bus stop. Inside, however, his mind churned, piecing together the earlier events in the classroom.
“I have a general idea of her Modifier’s effects. I’ve seen enough material to understand the various ways these things can work.”
No Point of Interest was a unique Modifier, allowing Bai Yi to effectively render herself unnoticed. It was less overtly powerful than Ye Shiyu’s abilities but more versatile. Yan Huan had a grasp on its capabilities, though he suspected there might be additional features he wasn’t yet aware of.
“The effect is primarily centered on herself. Unlike so other Modifiers, it doesn’t impose anything on others directly. I just need to pretend I don’t notice her, and she can’t do much.”
The challenge wasn’t understanding her Modifier; it was understanding Bai Yi herself.
“She’s still an enigma. I don’t know much about her personality, habits, or why she holds such a grudge against ,” Yan Huan admitted.
ow-chan tilted her head to glance at Bai Yi, who was still trailing behind them.
“So, were you planning to pull the sa trick you used on Ye Shiyu? Guilt-trip her into stopping?”
Yan Huan shook his head.
“Not exactly. I just wanted to gauge her response.”
He explained, “When soone is confronted with the consequences of their actions, their reaction reveals a lot about their character. So people feel remorse, so are indifferent, and others… might even find it thrilling.”
As they reached the bus stop, Yan Huan checked his phone for the next arrival ti.
“With different people, you need different approaches. The sa applies to dealing with Modifier holders.”
ow-chan nodded sagely, though her thoughts were anything but.
I have no idea what he’s talking about, but it sounds super impressive! He’s the boss—I’ll just follow his lead!
Yan Huan smirked faintly, aware of ow-chan’s misplaced confidence.
“Yeah, sure. You totally got it.”
Opening his browser, he began searching for information on Bai Yi.
Before he could type her na into the search bar, suggested terms popped up automatically:
"Bai Yi movie"
"Why is Bai Yi's acting so bad?"
"Bai Yi
compilation"
"Is Bai Yi male or female?"
Yan Huan clicked on the first result, pulling up Bai Yi’s profile.
At the top of the page was a photo of her in a JK uniform, her air-bangs perfectly styled. Her eyes seed to lock onto his through the screen, brimming with the innocence and allure of youthful charm.
For a mont, it was like that fleeting exchange of glances with the prettiest girl in class—the kind that left you stumbling over yourself. But instead of shyly looking away, the image held the mont in ti.
Bai Yi: Linn teen actress, erging idol, and singer.
“Discovered at age 11 by Linn Yasaka Entertainnt during a talent search, Bai Yi began her career as a child star. Two years later, her debut on the variety show Youth! won over audiences with her fresh, lively appeal, earning her the title ‘The Idol Who Embodies Youth.’”
Yan Huan paused.
Yasaka Entertainnt…
His expression shifted briefly, his mind flashing back to less-than-fond mories.
The profile continued:
Filmography:
“Bai Yi starred in her first feature film, Falling in Love After Dusk, a romantic drama about two girls from parallel worlds. Bai Yi portrayed both the introverted Ang, who cos from a troubled family, and the rebellious Aning, whose family life is idyllic. The two et across overlapping tilines, forging a tender yet bittersweet bond.”
Box Office and Reception:
“The film was released in the Dongzhou region outside of Dragon Country to lukewarm reviews. Critiques highlighted Bai Yi’s portrayal of Aning, with one outlet calling it a ‘disastrous performance.’ However, the film later received a nomination at the Rainbow Film Festival in the West.”
Rainbow Film Festival… Ah, right. That’s the one where last year’s winner was about a black samurai in Sakura Country avenging his lord. He confessed his ‘undying love’ to his male master while bleeding out. Wild stuff.
Scrolling further, Yan Huan skimd over her participation in variety shows and other events. Toward the bottom, her attempts at music composition were briefly ntioned.
Discography:
Songs like Youth in Crisis and Starless Moonlight were her first forays into songwriting, blending upbeat lodies with contemporary lyrics.
Closing the profile, Yan Huan leaned against the bus stop railing, processing what he’d read.
His potential connections to Bai Yi boiled down to two points:
Yasaka Entertainnt: A thread from his past he’d rather not revisit.
Yuanyue Academy: Though they technically shared the sa school, she barely attended.
Yan Huan had tried becoming a child star once. Yasaka had lured him in with promises of a stipend during training, offering enough to cover his tuition and living expenses.
He had no particular interest in acting but figured it was an easy way to make ends et.
And indeed, everything went surprisingly well—until it didn’t.
The problem? Yasaka’s president had a reputation for preying on young boys.
From the mont Yan Huan set foot in the studio, the president’s predatory gaze made his skin crawl. No amount of money was worth enduring that.
So, without hesitation, Yan Huan walked away, cutting all ties.
“Beep, beep, beep!”
The bus’s arrival broke Yan Huan’s train of thought.
He stepped aboard, scanning for an empty seat. Behind him, Bai Yi hesitated montarily before slipping into the bus unnoticed, her disguise still intact.
Alright, Yan Huan thought, settling into his seat. Let’s see how far this ga goes.
"Jinghe-Yuanyue Stop, we've arrived."
The automated bus announcent pulled Yan Huan from his thoughts. He glanced out the window, his expression still clouded with questions.
Could it really have sothing to do with Yasaka Entertainnt? But what could I have done to offend her there?
Surely an 11-year-old wasn’t already shipping cursed CPs back then… right?
Shaking off the bizarre thought, he reached for his earbuds, pulling them from their case. Slipping them on, he opened his music app and searched for “Bai Yi.”
Perfect. Licensed tracks.
“Passengers, please board in an orderly manner~”
"ow~"
With a soft purr, ow-chan leapt lightly onto the bus ahead of him. Yan Huan queued up a song titled Starless Moonlight and followed.
The bus was mostly empty, so Yan Huan settled into a window seat near the back.
“Lonely night, stars twinkling…”
“A thousand stories, winking bright~”
“Stardust falls, moon takes the sky…”
“Each shines alone, why compare the light?”
The clean, lodious voice paired with soft guitar strums filled his ears.
Not bad, Yan Huan mused, glancing at his phone. Sounds like she’s had formal vocal training.
On the screen, the credits caught his eye.
Lyrics: Bai Yi
Composition: Bai Yi
Arrangent: Bai Yi
As he absorbed the music, a heavily disguised figure boarded the bus, glancing in his direction before moving to the very back row. Bai Yi sat silently, her presence deliberately subdued.
Staring again.
Yan Huan didn’t acknowledge her, letting his gaze wander to the scenery outside the window. His hand brushed ow-chan, who was perched on his lap like an emperor surveying her kingdom.
“ow~”
Yan Huan chuckled softly and slipped one of his earbuds over her twitching ear.
The feline squird in protest, the sensation of the sound driving her to paw at her ear and let out an indignant, "ow!"
“Ding… ding…”
The soft beeping of a phone broke the silence, stirring Bai Yi from her near-dozing state.
She had barely slept the night before, and the long ride from Jinghe District to the southern part of Linn was exhausting. The adrenaline from her dramatic escape was wearing thin.
Glancing at her phone, she saw the notification was a series of ssages:
Sister Yi Nuo:
“Bai Yi, the police called
just now.”
“Your mom is looking for you everywhere.”
The words made Bai Yi sit up straighter, her heart skipping a beat. She quickly typed back:
“Don’t worry about it, Sister Yi Nuo. Just tell her you don’t know where I am.”
The typing indicator flashed on Yi Nuo’s side.
“Of course I won’t rat you out. But you can’t keep running forever. You and your mom need to sort this out.”
“Where are you now?”
I’m… I’m following him.
Bai Yi hesitated before composing a casual reply. However, before she could hit send, the bus slowed to a stop, and Yan Huan stood, slinging his bag over his shoulder.
Ti to move.
Quickly locking her phone, she followed him off the bus.
The bustling South District was alive with neon lights, chatter, and the scent of street food. The youthful chaos of the streets enveloped Yan Huan as he moved with purpose, his figure blending effortlessly with the energy of the night.
Bai Yi trailed behind, her inconspicuous attire making her stand out awkwardly in the vibrant crowd. Her disguised appearance drew curious glances from passersby, leaving her flustered and uncomfortable.
Her fingers tightened around the elegant pocket watch she carried.
He works here?
Yan Huan entered a bar nad Nursery Rhy, the door swinging open to reveal a warm, inviting interior filled with patrons. Bai Yi lingered at the entrance, her presence out of place amidst the easy camaraderie of the bar’s patrons.
As she debated her next move, her phone buzzed again. This ti, it was an incoming call.
Plane Call: Sister Yi Nuo
Without hesitation, she answered.
“Sister Yi Nuo, I—”
“Bai Yi, where the hell are you?!”
The voice on the other end wasn’t Yi Nuo’s. It was Zuo Jiangqin.
Bai Yi froze, her body going rigid as disbelief washed over her.
“Mom?”
“Do you even know how worried I’ve been? Running off like that overnight! What were you thinking?!”
Her mother’s voice was tinged with genuine concern, but it grated against Bai Yi’s raw emotions. She bit her lip, conflicted.
“I’ll co ho later. You don’t have to look for ,” she said finally, her tone curt.
“What do you an, ‘don’t look for ’?! If I hadn’t been searching, I wouldn’t have found out you’re still in contact with that Yi Nuo woman!”
Zuo Jiangqin’s tone turned sharp.
“She’s nothing but a bad influence—a tattooed delinquent! I told you to cut ties with her, but you didn’t listen! You’re throwing your future away!”
The ntion of Yi Nuo and her mother’s accusations stoked the fire of Bai Yi’s anger.
“Why is everything my fault?!” Bai Yi yelled into the phone. “Why is it always soone else’s fault? Have you ever stopped to think you might be wrong?!”
“? Wrong?!”
Zuo Jiangqin’s voice rose in incredulity.
“I raised you, fed you, clothed you! What else could you possibly want from ?!”
“You—”
Bai Yi’s retort caught in her throat as she realized the attention her raised voice had attracted. Nearby pedestrians were starting to stare, and her face flushed with embarrassnt.
Gripping the phone tightly, she ducked into a quieter side street.
The brief silence only fueled Zuo Jiangqin’s frustration. Her anger, built up over an exhausting 24 hours of searching, erupted.
“You’re unbelievable! Skipping classes, shirking responsibilities, half-assing everything you do! Do you know how hard it is for
to watch you throw everything away? I try to guide you, and this is the thanks I get? What more do you want from —worship?!”
“I don’t need anything from you!” Bai Yi shot back, her voice trembling. “You never ask
what I want. You decide everything for ! School, events, my life—it’s all you! If you’ve already decided it all, then why bother with ?!”
Her voice cracked, echoing down the empty alleyway.
"Do you think all this is for my benefit?" Zuo Jiangqin's voice crackled through the phone, rising with fury. "These opportunities you take for granted are what people beg for! Do you know how much Guan Shu has done for you—how many favors he’s called in? You think the entertainnt industry is a walk in the park?"
anwhile, in the second-floor room of a tattoo shop, a group of police officers stood around a colorful-haired woman with lip piercings. She sighed along with them, exasperated.
They had all advised Zuo Jiangqin repeatedly to calm down and focus on coaxing her daughter back ho first. But the mont Zuo Jiangqin heard the slightest sound of resistance from Bai Yi, her temper flared, fueled by the stress of the search.
On the phone, Zuo Jiangqin’s tirade continued relentlessly.
"You think you’re better than this? Fine! Look at your school’s so-called star, Yan Huan. He has no parents, no support, and still works part-ti to pay for his own life!
"If you hate this industry so much, if you hate my arrangents so much, then prove yourself elsewhere! Do sothing worthwhile!
"Your studies have been a ss since day one. And those songs you’re so proud of? How many people even care about them? Good music needs marketing, exposure—do you think anyone notices your half-baked attempts? You complain about everything, but what have you done to deserve better?"
On the other end, Bai Yi struggled to breathe beneath her mask. Her mother’s cutting words reverberated in her mind, dismissing every choice she had ever made.
When her mother reached the subject of her songs, sothing snapped.
The words of anger she wanted to hurl back at her mother died in her throat, replaced by a strangled sob. Her tears spilled over, running down her face beneath the tinted lenses of her sunglasses.
"Zuo Jiangqin," she choked out, her voice trembling with raw emotion, "I… I hate you so much."
With a sudden burst of frustration, she flung her phone against the wall.
“Bang!”
The phone hit hard, its glass screen cracking upon impact before clattering to the floor. Even in its broken state, the faint echo of Zuo Jiangqin’s voice could still be heard.
"...Can you hear ...?"
Then silence.
Bai Yi slumped against the wall, her body trembling. Tears rolled unchecked down her cheeks, soaking into her mask. Slowly, she slid down until she was sitting on the ground, her arms wrapped tightly around her knees.
Finally, she broke down entirely, sobbing uncontrollably.
“Why… Why can’t I ever make her happy?”
She knew her flaws—her lack of dedication in academics, the challenges of the entertainnt industry. She knew success didn’t co easily.
But did that an her dreams were invalid? Was it wrong to hope her mother might one day say, Your song is beautiful?
All she ever wanted was acknowledgnt. Instead, all she received was dismissal.
“Wahhh… Wahh…”
“Click.”
The faint sound of a door opening startled Bai Yi. She hastily looked up, her tear-filled eyes blurred behind the lenses of her sunglasses.
A young man in bartender attire stood in the doorway, holding a garbage bag in one hand. He froze for a mont, clearly not expecting to find soone crying outside.
Then, with a familiar voice, he said,
“Miss, this is the trash area. You really shouldn’t sit here.”
Excuse ?! Bai Yi thought, utterly baffled. I’m having a breakdown here, and that’s your first concern?!
Blinking through her tears, she tilted her head slightly to get a clearer view of the speaker.
The angle shifted just enough for her to spot his face—his familiar, smiling face.
Yan Huan?!
Yan Huan tossed the garbage bag into the nearby bin before looking back at her. Seeing her tense, as if ready to flee, he spoke again.
"Want to co inside and rest for a bit?"
Bai Yi sniffled, shaking her head faintly. She raised a hand to adjust her sunglasses, mumbling awkwardly,
"My phone’s broken… I can’t pay."
“No worries. Just sitting doesn’t cost anything.”
He smiled warmly as he bent down to pick up her shattered phone. Holding it out to her, he added,
“There’s still space inside. You can leave if it gets too crowded.”
Bai Yi hesitated, her emotions too tangled to process what was happening.
Yan Huan didn’t wait for an answer. He placed the broken phone in her hands and started walking ahead.
“Follow .”
"...Okay."
Inside the Nursery Rhy, Yan Huan led Bai Yi through the back entrance. This side of the bar was quieter, with just a couple of small tables usually reserved for the owner, Tong Yingying.
He gestured for Bai Yi to sit while he fetched a glass of warm water. Setting it down in front of her with a straw, he said,
“Miss, this is the South District. Wandering down side streets alone isn’t exactly safe. You should be more careful.”
Bai Yi stared at the water, her hands fiddling with the straw. She didn’t take a sip but instead looked up at Yan Huan.
The closer she got, the more she understood why her mother had always compared them. His face, his poise, his deanor—it was no wonder the station executives had taken notice of him.
And yet, that only made the pain in her chest worse.
Her mother’s words had cut deep, slicing apart everything she cared about. Even the one thing she cherished most—her music—was ridiculed.
As she struggled with her thoughts, a soft chi sounded from the main bar area.
“Ding ding.”
Yan Huan glanced toward the source before turning back to Bai Yi.
“Rest here for a bit. Leave whenever you’re ready, but be careful on your way out.”
He turned to leave, but Bai Yi suddenly called out, her voice hoarse.
“Wait… You… You’re really handso. Hasn’t a talent scout ever approached you about becoming a celebrity?”
Yan Huan paused, surprised by the question. Smiling faintly, he replied,
“Actually, yeah.”
“Then why didn’t you do it?”
He opened his mouth to answer but was interrupted by another impatient chi from the bar. Turning back to her briefly, he studied her slouched posture and downcast face. She looked utterly defeated.
Before he could respond, the door behind him opened.
Standing there was Tong Yingying, her fiery red hair tied back. In her hand was a small bell, the sound of which had been summoning Yan Huan.
Her sharp eyes swept over Bai Yi, lingering on her tear-streaked face and masked appearance. For a mont, her expression teetered between Should I kill her? and Should I kill myself?
“Sister Tong?” Yan Huan asked cautiously.
Tong Yingying didn’t answer him. Instead, she plopped down across from Bai Yi, waving him off with the bell.
“You’ve got work to do. Let
handle this.”
Turning her gaze to Bai Yi, she casually pulled out a pack of cigarettes and said,
“Leave this to . I’ll take care of everything.”
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