By the time the concert ended, it was past five in the afternoon. The concert had lasted more than four hours from start to finish.
The fans slowly filed out in an orderly manner, all making sure to take the rubbish beneath their seats with them before leaving. The remaining dust and streamers scattered across the floor were left for the cleaners.
Gu Zhiyue exchanged a few words with Luo Yunhe before ending the video call. Gu Shuoyan stretched. "Come on, let's take you to your second brother's dressing room."
The three followed He Ran straight from backstage to Gu Shen Ci's lounge, where Gu Shen Ci was sitting at the dressing table while a stylist tidied his hair.
Gu Shen Ci raised an eyebrow when he saw them arrive. "You're here! Sit down for a bit. I'm taking the staff out for a meal later. Come along too."
Zhao Wanling nodded. "All right."
Gu Zhiyue asked curiously, "Second Brother, you just spent over four hours singing onstage, and now you're going out for a meal. Can your body handle it?"
Gu Shen Ci waved a hand. "Don't worry. A few hours is nothing for your second brother."
He Ran explained, "Yesterday was the Mid-Autumn Festival, but nobody could go home to celebrate because of the concert. So Shen Ci said he'd take everyone out for a meal after today's concert to celebrate the festival together."
"Oh, so does that mean I get to tag along for another free meal?"
Gu Shen Ci went into the changing room and changed into a casual white outfit. He sent a message in the work group chat telling everyone to hurry up and change and gather their things, then rest for an hour before heading to the restaurant.
Gu Shuoyan was scrolling through his phone when he suddenly sat up straight and thrust it in front of Gu Zhiyue. "Little brother, you've gone viral!"
Gu Zhiyue looked at the new topic and comments on the screen, the corners of his mouth twitching uncontrollably.
Gu Shen Ci leaned over. "What's going on? Let me see. Oh, entertainment's twin stars. That's a pretty good name."
Gu Zhiyue swiped across the screen. "Wasn't this while we were watching the concert earlier? Someone filmed it there?!"
"Yeah! You know, it really does look good. That's my fans for you. Their photography skills are incredible."
Zhao Wanling leaned over and asked, "Let me have a look too. It really does look good. That's my son for you-handsome from any angle."
Gu Zhiyue clicked his tongue. "It's been less than ten minutes, and there are already tens of thousands of likes and comments."
Gu Shuoyan brushed back the hair over his forehead. "That's because you haven't seen what Second Brother's fans can do yet. If you worked in entertainment like him, forget ten minutes-you'd get more likes and comments than this in ten seconds."
Gu Shen Ci looked a little speechless. "Ten seconds isn't even enough to type anything. All right, you must be tired after coming all this way for the concert. Get some rest before we head out for the meal."
Gu Shen Ci used this lounge whenever he was having his styling done, resting, or not working out on location.
A large bed stood in the corner against the wall, just big enough for three people to sleep in, with opaque curtains surrounding it.
Gu Shen Ci swung his arms back and forth. "Little brother, sleepy? Want to take a nap with your second brother?"
Gu Zhiyue shook his head. "Second Brother, I'm not sleepy. Go get some sleep. I think you need it more."
Zhao Wanling tenderly raised a hand and gently stroked the top of Gu Shen Ci's head. "Go get some sleep. It wouldn't be good if you had no energy for the meal later."
Gu Shen Ci nodded and chuckled. "All right, I'll sleep for a bit. There are snacks in that cupboard over there. Help yourselves if you want anything."
"Okay."
Gu Zhiyue continued watching the video and reading the comments beneath it. He had to admit, these fans really lived up to the name. With all those flashing colored lights at the concert, they had still been able to tell that he and his second brother looked alike. True fans indeed.
[Their eyes and brows look so alike! Confirmed-they're biological brothers.]
[The younger brother is really good-looking too, but I still prefer the older brother's cool, aloof vibe.]
[Has nobody noticed that everyone in Gu Shen Ci's family is gorgeous? A handsome dad, a beautiful mom, and two younger brothers-one cool and handsome, the other cute and handsome. The oldest brother is the only one we haven't seen.]
[I heard the oldest brother works away from home and rarely comes back.]
[The Gu Family is full of hidden talents! There's even an oil painting hanging in my grandpa's study by someone called Zhao Wanling! Isn't that our mother-in-law's name? (Shy kitty.jpg)]
[Holy crap! Guys! I know him! He's in my class. His name's Gu Zhiyue.]
[What? What? He's still in school?]
[Same thought as the person above.]
@Sixth Floor [Is he good-looking? Is he stuck-up?]
Reply to the person above [All I can say is that he looks better in person than in photos. And he's not stuck-up. He actually smiles a lot, and his eyes light up when he smiles. It's really pretty.]
[I'm jealous. Can someone give me an admission letter? I want to be your classmate.]
[Person above, if you go to school, how will you watch our idol's concerts? Or buy his new albums?]
[Good point. I'll just keep things as they are.]
As Gu Zhiyue read the comments, the smile never left his lips. This was too much fun!
Xiao Jiu popped up again. [Host, I've leveled up! I can choose an avatar now, so you'll be able to see me.]
Gu Zhiyue's eyes widened slightly, then shifted. [Then hurry up and pick one. It feels so strange talking to thin air all the time.]
[Host, there are three avatars. You choose. There's a panda, a little fairy, and finally one in a black suit with a bow tie.]
Gu Zhiyue didn't hesitate. [The panda! Pandas are so cute. That one.]
[Host, I'll be right back!]
After leaving those words, Xiao Jiu fell silent again. Gu Zhiyue set down his phone, leaned his head against the backrest, and closed his eyes for a short rest.
The lounge grew quiet. Behind the bed curtains by the wall, Gu Shen Ci had already fallen asleep. The other three were resting with their eyes closed on the sofa. Everyone else had left the lounge, leaving only the four of them.
Three minutes later, Xiao Jiu returned. [Host, I'm back!]
Gu Zhiyue opened his eyes at the voice. [Oh! Pretty cute, though I thought you'd look like a panda. I didn't expect a little figurine in a panda onesie.]
[Not bad. Pretty cute. Finally, I don't have to talk to thin air anymore.]
[Once I level up again later, I'll even be able to taste human food.]
[Whoa! That advanced?]
An hour and a half later, He Ran knocked and came in. "Everyone's ready. We need to head to the restaurant."
Zhao Wanling took some wet wipes from her bag and handed them to the other two. "Shen Ci's still asleep. I'll wake him."
He Ran said, "I'll wake him. You get ready."
He Ran walked to the bed, gently lifted the curtain, and stepped inside. After a few soft calls, Gu Shen Ci woke up.
"Everything ready? All right, I'll wash my face, then we can all head out."
Gu Zhiyue asked curiously, "How many people are there in the company? Is everyone going?"
"There are about forty or fifty people in the company. Everyone comes along whenever we have a company meal, except those who have something else on and can't attend."
Gu Shen Ci came out of the bathroom. "If everyone's ready, let's go. I'll ride with my little brother and the others. You take the company bus. Xiao Ran, look after everyone."
"Okay, Shen Ci."
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