My daily life is getting weird because I am caught between being in a band and being an idol.

She subconsciously bit her lower lip, her gaze sweeping over the obviously relaxed atmosphere between Maruyama Aya and Asahi. A vague sense of crisis made her unable to continue standing in the shadows.

"Ah~ Sensato-chan!"

Upon seeing Chisato, a joyful smile immediately appeared on Maruyama Aya's face. She quickly ran up to him, completely unaware of the subtle change in the atmosphere.

"You rushed over right after finishing work? That's great! In that case, let's all go for a walk together!"

Chisato frowned slightly, watching Maruyama Aya approach. Her gaze darted back and forth between Aya and Asahi, and her tone carried a hint of unfriendly displeasure: "...Aya... I didn't expect you to invite the producer."

Maruyama Aya was taken aback when she heard this, then scratched her head shyly.

"Ah... um... hehehe, I always feel that I'd rather go to a festival with friends than go alone..."

Her tone was full of innocence and joy.

However, Qian Sheng's expression grew colder, and his tone became sharper.

"...Xiao Cai...you're playing with your idol career. In this situation, acting alongside the producer without even a disguise...are you...are you trying to be clever?"

This sudden reprimand completely flustered Maruyama Aya. Her expression instantly turned bewildered, and she even began to stammer.

"Huh? Sen, Sensei-chan, what are you saying... Um, I'm sorry... But..."

Maruyama Aya had actually considered the issue of disguising herself, but unlike Chisato, she has never been recognized by fans even when walking on the street without sunglasses or a hat.

So she gradually gave up on this concern. However, when faced with Qian Sheng's questioning, she couldn't find the right words to explain.

Asahi stood aside, watching Maruyama Aya's anxious and helpless appearance, and then looked at Chisato's slightly pursed lips. He understood that Chisato had not completely lost her rationality, but was just venting her complex emotions on Maruyama Aya to some extent.

So he reached out and gently patted Maruyama Aya's shoulder, his tone gentle yet firm.

"Xiao Cai, you can go back first. I checked, and the crowd on the road below has mostly dispersed, so don't worry. Also, Qian Sheng isn't angry with you, he's just... a little tired."

Upon hearing what Asahi said, Maruyama Aya paused for a moment, opened her mouth as if she wanted to say something, but in the end she lowered her head and whispered.

"...Okay, I understand."

She glanced at Chisato, then stole a look at the rising sun, before finally leaving the shrine with a heavy heart, turning back every few steps.

I feel a little regretful that the day is ending like this; I still want to play with the producer... and Chisato-chan...

As Maruyama Aya's figure completely disappeared into the night, the atmosphere inside the shrine immediately became quiet.

Qian Sheng had so many questions for Chao Yang; she felt she could ask them for three days and three nights straight... But in the end, they all boiled down to one sentence.

"...Producer...what exactly do you...take me...and us for...?"

Chaoyang put his hands behind his back and scratched his face somewhat embarrassedly.

"Hehe... This? It's a little embarrassing, are you sure you want to ask?"

Qian Sheng gripped her arm tightly with one hand, and involuntarily turned her head to look in another direction, remembering what Chaoyang had done to her that day.

"...Let me ask you another question...I want to know, what do I really mean to you?"

"Hmm... That's easy... I want to be with you, Qian Sheng, forever."

Qian Sheng was not happy when he heard this.

He simply frowned, looked at the night sky, and then spoke.

"...Producer...I can sense that your words aren't false...but they're not entirely true either...or rather, they're a concealed truth. I've actually been observing your feelings towards other idols lately. Perhaps because I've been acting since I was young, I can distinguish between truth and falsehood...I haven't sensed any falsehood in your feelings..."

Chaoyang said with a smile.

"Treat others with sincerity, there shouldn't be any problem, right?"

Qian Sheng shook his head.

"The problem is too big... From the moment I started following you and Xiaocai until I appeared just now, I've finally come to a conclusion... Producer, you can like everyone without any guilt or remorse... Whether it's Ms. Fujita... or Ms. Toyokawa from the agency... or even me... So I... I want to be with you..."

Before Qian Sheng could finish speaking, she suddenly felt the rising sun slowly approaching. She instinctively took a half step back, but quickly stopped. Looking into his resolute yet complex gaze, it was as if all her struggles vanished in that instant.

When Chaoyang pulled her into his arms, Qiansheng froze. She was completely paralyzed, forced to let him hold her tightly. The steady beating of his heart contrasted sharply with her own rapid heartbeat.

Why... why am I completely powerless to resist... I should have made up my mind... I should have stayed away from this man...

Qian Sheng lowered his eyes, as if two voices were arguing within him.

He... is a beast of insatiable greed... definitely not someone you can entrust your life to... But... but why... do I not want to leave?

A tear slid down silently, without Qian Sheng even noticing.

At this point, a system notification sound appeared.

. .

Name: Shirahiro Chisato.

Charisma: 80.

Monthly revenue growth: ¥100,000.

Favorability: 95/100.

system hint:

The host has achieved a 95% affinity level with the target character for the first time, unlocking a special reward: a love token ring! (Chihiro is 100% fond of the ring!)

. .

Chaoyang knew the time had come.

It's time for me to step up.

"I'm sorry, Chisato..."

Chaoyang's voice rang softly in her ear, tinged with apology.

"But your chance to escape is gone. I will never let you leave my side again."

Qian Sheng stared at him blankly, her eyes filled with complex emotions, but her body made no struggle at all.

Just then, Chaoyang took out the diamond ring that shimmered with a soft yellow light from his pocket.

Although small, this ring's exquisite design and warm luster make it impossible to look away at first glance.

He slowly raised Qian Sheng's left hand and gently slipped the diamond ring onto her ring finger.

Qian Sheng's gaze was fixed on the ring on his hand, his pupils trembled slightly, and a huge wave surged in the depths of his heart.

"..."

Qian Sheng was reluctant to admit it, but Chao Yang's aesthetic sense and taste in choosing things made her very happy.

"Whenever we're together, we'll know what the other person likes... right? Now, here's a limited-time quiz question for Chisato-chan, so please tell me what I like right now."

As if drawn by some invisible force, Qian Sheng finally opened his lips slightly, his voice weak but tinged with uncertainty.

"......I......?"

As soon as she finished speaking, Qian Sheng felt her heart pounding as if it were about to burst out of her chest. She didn't even dare to look at Chao Yang's expression.

Chaoyang smiled with relief and nodded gently.

Qian Sheng was stunned. A thin blush quickly spread across her cheeks, and she seemed to be locked in place by some invisible emotion, unable to break free.

"And as a reward..."

After speaking, Chaoyang slowly approached Qiansheng.

. .

"It's so slow..."

Maruyama Aya didn't completely obey and go back immediately. Although she didn't know what Chisato and Asahi were up to, she planned to wait for them.

While waiting, I felt uneasy.

As she thought about these things, Maruyama Aya's heart inexplicably began to race. She felt a tightness in her chest, as if something was pressing down on it, and an indescribable sense of unease quietly rose within her.

"...I guess I should go back and take a look..."

After hesitating for a while, she finally made up her mind, muttered to herself, and was about to step back to the shrine when a familiar sound of footsteps came from the shrine steps.

"Just as the producer said, Xiao Cai, you didn't leave."

Upon hearing this, Maruyama Aya paused, then looked up abruptly to find Asahi and Chisato walking out together. Asahi wore a helpless smile, while Chisato's expression was calm, though her eyes held a complex and unfathomable look.

"Hey?!"

Maruyama Aya panicked when Asahi's words exposed her mistake and hurriedly waved her hands in an attempt to explain.

"Well, actually... I was just a little worried... so..."

At this moment, Chisato stepped forward, took Maruyama Aya's hand, and said gently.

"...I'm sorry, Xiao Cai, I went a bit too far just now, so the producer scolded me and it took a while... Besides, I didn't have the right to say anything to you..."

Chapter 166, here we go! (Pastel*)

"Huh? What's that?"

Inside the office, past noon when the sun was at its strongest, warm sunlight streamed through the blinds onto the desk facing the rising sun. The sounds of keyboards clicking and documents turning on other workstations created a background symphony.

At this moment, Xiangzi is standing in front of Chaoyang, giving a report.

Hearing Chaoyang's puzzled expression, Xiangzi took out a piece of paper and began to read it aloud without any expression.

"Each week, two idol groups are invited to participate in real-life interviews and interactive Q&A sessions. The most popular group of the week is ultimately decided by audience vote. The show is known for its authenticity and entertainment, and it especially focuses on giving new idols exposure opportunities. It is one of the fastest-growing online variety shows in terms of popularity."

After listening to Xiangzi's explanation, Chaoyang roughly understood what kind of program it was.

Then they checked other details.

"They invited Pastel*?"

"Correct."

Xiangzi's reply remained brief.

I have a feeling that Xiangzi is focusing his energy on other things... He wasn't usually this quiet and withdrawn... Oh well, it's work time now, I should think about work first.

Chaoyang took the document and quickly flipped through it, a thoughtful expression on his face.

"You can never have too much exposure..."

Chaoyang said, bowing his head, then raised his head to add.

"However, these kinds of competitive variety shows probably have pre-written scripts, right? What if the other side has powerful backers and a large, influential group? Wouldn't that just make me, PasPale, a mere background character?"

Xiangzi answered expressionlessly.

"That's none of my business."

Her aloofness made Chaoyang stare at her for a few seconds.

Have you started to become distant again lately?

"I've always been this way; you just had your own unrealistic expectations. That concludes the report."

After speaking, she gracefully bowed slightly and walked back to her workstation.

"Ha... There are quite a few problem children... Let's take them one at a time."

He tapped his two fingers on the document Xiangzi had given him, and made his decision in his heart.

Let them choose for themselves, just like always.

After a while.

Chaoyang estimated that Pastel* and the other four should have already finished school and arrived at the practice room, so he picked up his folder and prepared to leave work.

. .

practice room.

"good morning everyone!"

Maruyama Aya entered the practice room and greeted everyone inside with great enthusiasm, but apart from the instructor who was playing on his phone, there was no one else there.

"Huh? Am I the only one here today? Lately, it feels like I haven't had many opportunities to meet everyone on time."

"Ah, it's Maruyama-kun. Good morning."

Upon seeing someone arrive, the teacher in the practice room greeted them, put away his phone, and then spoke.

“I’ve already contacted the others and they’ll be a little late. After all, Pastel* isn’t a newcomer anymore; everyone has a lot more personal work now. It might sound strange, but it’s actually a good thing that they can’t come on time. As long as they can finish their projects when they have time, it’s not a problem.”