Amateur talent show? Top mentors are my students.

Jiang Yanbai had one hand in his pocket and the other hand raised in mid-air with his fingers spread, waving it in He Xu's direction.

"Long time no see, Xiao Xu."

The voice was lower than He Xu remembered, probably from smoking in recent years.

But that languid temperature remained unchanged.

He Xu stood there, staring at that face, and remained silent for several seconds.

Then he took a deep breath, pulled the rolled-up flowchart from under his arm, and threw it at the man.

He is very strong.

The flowchart flipped in mid-air and was caught by the person with one hand.

"What the hell are you doing here?" He Xu's voice was filled with disbelief and annoyance. "Weren't you in America?"

Jiang Yanbai twirled the flowchart in his hand, then tucked it under his arm and slowly walked towards He Xu.

He walked up to He Xu, stopped, looked down at him with a condescending, irritating tenderness.

He Xu also looked up and glared at him.

Jiang Yanbai.

It's been three years since we last met.

The last time we met was when He Xu had just injured his throat.

Jiang Yanbai flew back from the United States, stayed in the hospital for three days, and was then dragged and pulled onto a flight back to Los Angeles by his agent.

Before leaving, he stood at the door of the ward for a long time, and finally only said, "Wait for me to come back."

He Xu initially thought he was just being polite.

After all, Jiang Yanbai's schedule was already booked until the end of the following year, with a global tour, Hollywood soundtracks, and brand endorsements. His schedule was so tight that even adjusting to the time difference was a luxury.

He Xu lay in the hospital bed, his voice so hoarse he could barely speak, and could only type: "Don't wait for me, you go about your business."

Jiang Yanbai glanced at his phone screen but didn't reply to the message.

Then he left.

Over the course of three years, He Xu occasionally saw news about him – his new album topped the Billboard charts, his starring film was nominated for a Golden Globe Award, and he signed a high-priced endorsement deal with an international brand.

Each time, there's a distance of the Pacific Ocean between them.

He Xu never contacted him on his own initiative.

He never thought Jiang Yanbai would remember him.

After all, that person is never short of new people, new things, and new excitement around him.

He Xu thought he had long been forgotten in the contacts of some old phone, gathering dust.

But reality seems to be different.

"Of course I came to check on you," Jiang Yanbai said. "I heard Xiaoxu hurt his ear, so I came back."

He raised his hand and reached towards He Xu's left ear, the movement natural.

He Xu leaned back and dodged the hand.

"Don't touch me."

Jiang Yanbai's hand hovered in mid-air, but he wasn't embarrassed. He simply withdrew it naturally and put it back in his pocket.

"Still as temperamental as ever," he said, a familiar smile playing on his lips. "But I like you just the way you are."

The corridor was silent for three seconds.

The three little ones stood still, their expressions gradually shifting from excitement to terror.

Jiang Yang was the first to come to his senses. His mouth formed an "O" shape, and he pointed at Jiang Yanbai, his voice trembling: "You, you—you're Jiang Yanbai?!"

Jiang Yanbai turned her head to look at him, and the corner of her mouth curved slightly: "Hmm."

"Jiang Yanbai?! That Jiang Yanbai?!" Jiang Yang's voice rose eight octaves. "The one who acted in 'Deep Blue'?! The one who sang 'Allnight'?!"

"If you're talking about that movie and that song—yes, it's me."

Jiang Yang froze on the spot.

Yang Sheng stood next to him, his expression calmer than Jiang Yang's, but his pupils were also slightly dilated.

Of course he knew who Jiang Yanbai was.

Jiang Yanbai, River, is of mixed Chinese and American descent. He debuted at the age of twenty, first playing supporting roles in Hollywood, and later received nominations at several international film festivals for an independent film before returning to China to develop his career.

She is a multi-talented artist who sings, dances, and acts, and her album sales and box office performance are among the best.

Seven years after their debut, their popularity has never waned.

A few years ago, he went to the United States to develop his career, and his exposure in the Chinese entertainment industry decreased. However, his status in the industry is undeniable, and no one dares to underestimate him.

But why would a star of this caliber appear in the backstage corridor of "Absolute Debut"?

And why—speak to Teacher He in that tone?

Song Yingwen stood at the back, his gaze shifting back and forth between He Xu and Jiang Yanbai twice: "Teacher He, do you two know each other?"

Before He Xu could speak, Jiang Yanbai had already answered for him.

"I know him." He turned his head to look at He Xu, the corners of his mouth widening even more. "Not just know him—I'm his best friend. Right, Xiao Xu?"

"...Don't call me Xiao Xu." He Xu said expressionlessly.

"Okay, Xiao Xu."

He Xu took a deep breath, and that familiar feeling that made him want to punch someone returned.

Jiang Yanbai is just like that—always wearing a smile that says, "I know you don't like me being like this, but I'm going to do it anyway," making people want to get angry but unable to find a reason to.

"You guys go ahead and do your things." He Xu turned to the three kids, his tone returning to its usual calm. "Take a shower, change your clothes, eat—it's up to you, just don't stand around here."

Jiang Yang was about to say something when Yang Sheng grabbed his arm.

"Let's go, let's go," Yang Sheng said in a low voice. "Teacher He has something to take care of."

Jiang Yang was pulled by him to the other end of the corridor, but he still couldn't help but look back several times.

After Jiang Yanbai and the other two left, he pretended to peek out, as if to confirm.

Then suddenly he opened his arms to He Xu and pulled him into his arms.

His movements were so practiced, as if he had done them a hundred times.

He Xu stiffened for a moment when he was hugged by him.

Jiang Yanbai was half a head taller than him, and his chin rested just on top of He Xu's head. When he tightened his arms, he carried a faint scent of cologne.

He Xu was very familiar with that taste.

It's been three years, and it's still the same brand.

"...Let go." He Xu's voice came muffledly from Jiang Yanbai's chest. "You're squeezing me."

Jiang Yanbai didn't let go immediately; he tightened his grip again before slowly releasing it.

He took a half step back, still with his hands on He Xu's shoulders, and carefully looked him over from head to toe, finally fixing his gaze on He Xu's left ear.

"You've lost weight," he said, his tone carrying an overly natural intimacy that seemed excessive to outsiders. "You're noticeably thinner than before. How about your ears? How's the recovery?"

He Xu tilted his head and pointed his left ear at him: "...It's almost over. It's still in the recovery period, and the high-frequency bands are still growing back."

Jiang Yanbai frowned slightly, but quickly relaxed: "Are you free later?"

He Xu glanced at his phone: "...Yes."

"Alright, come with me." Jiang Yanbai removed his hand from He Xu's shoulder and instead naturally put his arm around He Xu's back. "I've booked a restaurant outside, a private room, so no one will take pictures."

Footsteps came from the other end of the corridor.

Not heavy, but clear enough—two pairs of leather shoes stepping on the floor.

He Xu turned his head and saw Shen Yiheng and Han Yu walking out of the corner of the corridor side by side.

The two had clearly just come from the lounge; Shen Yiheng was still wearing his silver suit, and Han Yu was wearing his dark gray jacket.

Neither of them walked fast, but their eyes were fixed precisely on the scene in the middle of the corridor.

Jiang Yanbai's hand was still on He Xu's back.