Chapter 32

Act V: Avenue Q (4)

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If Xiang Cai said that he was not curious regarding Wang Qingyun’s sexuality, he would be lying.

However, in front of Wang Qingyun, he was too timid and humble. Obviously, they were so what familiar, but he didn’t dare to ask questions.

He was afraid that he would offend Wang Qingyun and that the great god would think that he was a bad-intentioned ‘stalker’ [T/N: English in RAWs], which was a downright derogatory term. In the two-dimensional world, it could be extended to excessive attention on idols. So, a voyeur who inquired about the sexual information of the three-dimensional, human, idols.

Xiang Cai was startled when he heard the word from Qi Ji's mouth for the first time. He wondered, was he a voyeur? Or was his unreasonable concern wrong?

But Xiang Cai really wanted to know everything about Wang Qingyun.

He not only wanted to know his sexuality, but also Wang Qingyun's life, work, family, and studies. He wanted to know what he looked like, what his name was, he wanted to know ... what kind of person the real Wang Qingyun was.

He hoped that one day, he would be able to meet Wang Qingyun face to face, introduce himself honestly, and say hello, becoming true "friends" with the great god.

... As for what happened after that, Xiang Cai hadn’t thought about it.

Maybe, at that time, he would have bolder, more shameful, and even more indescribable "wishes".

...

How could Tan Yiming know that the words he spoke so casually would make Xiang Cai think so much?

Since entering the troupe, Tan Yiming had participated in many live features and song festivals. He had long been used to dealing with fans.

In the recent period of time, as he became increasingly busy in the three-dimensional world, he was usually not online and had not been active for a long time. He wanted to participate in this song festival to compensate his fans, challenging himself with this role of being a shou to leave an unforgettable memory for everyone. Ending on a high note.

——After the Spring Festival, he would formally submit an application for retirement.

In the community, it was common for newcomers and seniors to come and go. Even if he retired, he would still be good friends with the second son, Gu Yan, and all the other post-production directors. However, when he thought of leaving this society that he loved so much, he still had deep regrets.

Regarding his intention to resign, he had only confided to a few close friends around him.

The second son asked him, could he reconsider? He could be like Gu Yan, and stay in the group to chat and joke as a veteran without dubbing.

Tan Yiming said no more. "It’s inconvenient," he replied. "I'm taking some commercial dubbing jobs now. Although I'm in the United States, I think that it’s better to separate work and hobbies."

The second son expressed understanding.

"Bless you, Old Yun." The second son joked, "You are too mysterious. We have known each other for so long, but I know nothing about your three-dimensional life other than, 'male, and living.' However, it doesn’t matter, I believe in my ears: when your dubbing is released, I will definitely know it is you I hear. "

Although she was far away across the ocean, and although she didn’t know anything about Wang Qingyun's three-dimensional life at all, it did not prevent them from becoming good friends. After all, after so many years of contact and relying on Wang Qingyun's punctual, rigorous, and responsible work ethics, she could imagine that he must be a very good person three-dimensionally.

She only wanted to be friends with him, not fall in love with him so why should she pay too much attention to him other than online?

"That's right," said the second son, "Have you told the child about your decision to retire?"

"Which child—you mean guess?" Tan Yiming was silent for a while, and then added with a bitter smile, "I haven't told him yet, I'm afraid he’ll be angry."

... He was even more afraid of him being sad.

After all, Tan Yiming had heard Cai Cai’s cries before.

That kind of pain, that kind of helplessness, that kind of heartbreaking ... pulling at his heart, making him anxious, wanting to fly over to be with him.

"That's not right," The second son said disapprovingly. "If he is the last person in the world to know, then he will be angry."

Guess thought that his chronic fan behavior for Wang Qingyun was well hidden, but he didn’t know that all the people in the community could see through it so clearly. Who asked his Weibo to be so obvious, squatting on Wang Qingyun's Super Topic and surfing it every day, saying hello three times a day as if promoting ‘fanboy’ on his Weibo page.

At the Spring Festival song meeting, letting guess and Wang Qingyun to perform the duet was decided after private discussion. After all, this may be the only chance for this little fan to work with his idol.

Tan Yiming said helplessly: "I don’t know how to tell him without disappointing him."

In recent times, he has doubled his time with guess, which was actually a kind of advance withdrawal compensation.

"Tell him as soon as possible, don't delay it." The second son said angrily, "Look at your character, others say you are gentle, but I think you are obviously cutting meat with a slow knife!”

"... Wait until the song is over." Tan Yiming whispered, "I want to give the little swan a good dream."

It would be better to say goodbye, after he wakes up from this dream.

...

The song festival was scheduled to start promptly at nine o'clock. 

Xiang Cai sat stiffly in the vocal classroom. He was the only one in the empty room.

The school's office computer didn't have YY, so he downloaded it temporarily. After he clumsily installed it, the song festival had long started.

[T/N: YY = live broadcast platform.]

Fortunately, he only missed the opening statement. As soon as he entered the room, the administrator changed the color of his avatar.

[T/N: The color represents the role each participant has.]

He thought that there would not be too many people online on the 30th, New Year’s Eve, but when he entered the room, there was already more than 5,000 people and this number continued to increase.

Xiang Cai saw the online population with horror, and felt cold sweat.

Fortunately, he had Wang Qingyun to accompany him when he was most nervous.

He and Wang Qingyun singled out a small room and practiced their song together twice.

This small room was encrypted and anchored under the large room. Outsiders could only see who was in this room, but they could not hear them.

It was a strange feeling—Xiang Cai was a little bit shy, complacent and gloating to himself, that he had monopolized Qingyun in front of everyone on the online world....even if it was only just for a few moments.

The song was practiced twice, and under Wang Qingyun's patient guidance, Xiang Cai’s voice finally became smoother and more natural.

"Actually, you can be more confident in yourself," Wang Qingyun’s encouraging voice came through the radio waves. "You sing very well, and you show the character's recklessness and persistence accurately."

Xiang Cai pursed his mouth, secretly rejoicing.

"It was not that good ..." He was humble and proud, waving his two wings like a swan, "I hope fans will like me at the time."

"Whether other fans like it or not, I don't know." Wang Qingyun coaxed him, "But at least I, a fan of yours, like you very much."

"... !!!" With a bang, Xiang Cai, the white swan, almost transformed into a red swan.

He- he- he- he- he heard it right?

He heard Wang Qingyun admit that he was his fan, and he heard Wang Qingyun admit that he liked him!!!!!

Xiang Cai felt his world was spinning, one minute he was floating in the clouds, and the next minute he was sinking into the depths of the ocean floor.

How could there be such a wonderful person as Qingyun in this world?

So gentle, so warm, he was the most attractive piece of candy in the world. Xiang Cai just listened to him and felt very sweet in his heart.

The teenager's sugar jar couldn't hold it in, and so he held it tightly with his hands in fear of it breaking. After rejoicing briefly, he thought a little timidly—can someone like me really have this?

Is it okay?

It must be okay.

...

Guess and Wang Qingyun’s program was placed third last.

This Spring Festival song event was unexpectedly successful. Listeners came and went, but the number had always been around an astonishing height.

Soon, the hosts of the event introduced Tan Yiming and Xiang Cai to the fans.

Their show was finally about to begin--

"Hello everyone, I'm guess," Xiang Cai greeted everyone in a soft voice. "I’m a newcomer in the cover group."

Although he was a newcomer, he had already contributed theme songs and episodes to two radio dramas. His voice had a strong sense of youth, clear like a stream.

He was still worried that he was too cold after speaking behind the microphone. He didn’t anticipate that right after his greeting, countless flowers came up to welcome him.

He saw a lot of familiar ids. Every time he sang a song, those loyal ids would grab the post and forward it, very enthusiastically.

The tension in Xiang Cai’s heart eased a little. It seemed that he was still very popular.

The hosts were two famous CVs in the community, one male and one female who cooperated in tacit understanding.

"It seems that our little swan classmate is very nervous!" The hostess said. "I see someone on the screen asking, why is he called little swan? Because he often sends swan emojis."

Male host: "It seems that everyone is very interested in his swan emojis. After the song event is over, we will post these emojis on Weibo, and everyone can download it for themselves."

Hostess: "Well, our little swan classmate is too nervous, we will not tease him. Guess, what show will you bring to everyone today?"

"That ... I wish you all a happy Spring Festival. My partner and I are bringing to you the song—“If I Was Gay"... Ahhhhhh, No!! I am not gay, it's you are gay, this song is called “If You Were Gay!" Xiang Cai mouth-fumbled and said the wrong thing.

As a result, his clumsiness caused both the hosts to laugh, and the screen was also brushed with hahaha’s.

Xiang Cai was ashamed and embarrassed. He didn't expect to make a mistake as soon as he appeared.

In order to preserve the element of surprise for the audience, this song "If You Were Gay" disguised the name of the second singer on the program list. Wang Qingyun specially registered with a different avatar, disguised as a newcomer to the community.

This trick really deceived all the audience. If it went well, maybe when Wang Qingyun's pseudo-acoustic performance was over, the fans wouldn’t be able to detect who he was!

... However, all this was disrupted by Xiang Cai inadvertently.

Anxious, Xiang Cai stared at the dazzling fans' messages on the public screen, and suddenly, there was a feeling of wanting to escape.

As if he knew what Xiang Cai was thinking, Wang Qingyun's private chat jumped out at this critical moment.

Yiming Qingyun: Guess, don't be afraid.

Yiming Qingyun: They can laugh when they want to laugh.

Yiming Qingyun: I am here.

Looking at these extremely short sentences on the screen, Xiang Cai’s panic eased, and he finally calmed down.

That's right! What was he so afraid of? This song has been practiced so many times, he even looped the tune of this song in his sleep!

Never mind, he could close his eyes and ignore the words on the screen—focus on his singing just like this!

The courage gathered in the young boy’s heart. He listened to the brisk tunes coming from the accompaniment, and a playful smile appeared on the corner of his lips erasing all nervousness.

"If you were gay

That'd be okay

I mean 'cause, hey

I'd like you anyway

Because you see

If it were me

I would feel free to say that I was gay (but I'm not gay)! "

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The author has something to say: He is gay, he is not gay, so what does it matter?

[T/N: My favorite part is when he says (but I’m not gay), it’s, like, so suspicious haha.]

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