Chapter Sixty-Two: The Little Princess’s Invitation

As soon as Zhou Miao walked into the classroom, he sensed something was off. The classmates, who had long since grown used to his presence, were staring at him again, grinning mischievously as if sharing some inside joke.

With a darkened face, Zhou Miao sat in his seat. The girl in front turned around, eyes alight with anticipation. “Brother Miao, can you do that thing again? You know, that—woo~” She flared her nostrils and mimed playing a flute with her hands, as infuriating as she could possibly be.

Zhou Miao shot her a fierce glare, then opened his book and propped it up high to hide his face. So annoying!

Ever since that episode of “Science China” aired, a gif of him playing two flutes with his nose had spread everywhere as a meme. Now, in the eyes of internet users, his image had completely shifted from a talented idol singer to a comedic entertainer. Girls used to be unable to sit still when they saw him, but now they couldn’t stop laughing.

His most recent Weibo post had racked up over 200,000 comments—all from netizens flocking to mock him.

“Can you tell us what you were thinking back then, and why you looked so smug after you finished?”

“If you’re not on ‘Happy Comedians’ next season, I’m not watching!”

“Hahaha! This episode of ‘Science China’ was brutal. Brother Miao was publicly executed. I could feel his embarrassment through the screen.”

“Brother Miao, could you please not be so adorable?”

Alas, his lifelong reputation had been destroyed by his own hands. He was plagued with a headache, sorrow, and even an urge to retire from the spotlight.

At noon, Zhou Miao left the school and got into his nanny van. Yang Xiaoya, always quick on the uptake, handed him a cup of iced watermelon juice.

Spotting Gu Zhiyin in the car as well, Zhou Miao asked curiously, “Why are you here today? Is something up?”

Gu Zhiyin was not only his agent but also Lin Ke’er’s, and recently had been busy securing opportunities for Lin Ke’er. For her to show up now meant she definitely had business with him.

“There are a few things to report. This year’s Golden Melody Awards have been postponed to late September. The nominees were announced yesterday. You’re up for Best Newcomer, ‘Chinese Language’ and ‘Fragrant Rice’ are nominated for Best Lyrics, and ‘Huo Yuanjia’ is up for Best Composition and Best Arrangement.”

Gu Zhiyin hesitated for a moment before continuing, “But President Qiu received word that you’re likely to win only Best Newcomer, and nothing else.”

Zhou Miao raised an eyebrow. “What do you mean? Is someone trying to mess with me?”

Gu Zhiyin nodded gravely. “You’ve been in the limelight too much lately. Many people want to put you in your place. The artists who debuted with you are struggling to breathe under your shadow.”

A faint smile tugged at Zhou Miao’s lips. “And what does Sister Qiu suggest?”

“President Qiu recommends you skip this year’s Golden Melody Awards. Your album ‘Listen’ has done exceptionally well in both reviews and sales. She’ll pull some strings, and next year you’ll sweep the awards.”

Tapping his finger lightly on his knee, Zhou Miao thought for a moment before shaking his head. “No. If I don’t go, they’ll think I’m scared. Book me a ticket—I’ll be there at the end of the month.”

Seeing that Zhou Miao had made up his mind, Gu Zhiyin didn’t press further. She knew her young charge’s temperament—once he decided on something, nothing could change his mind.

“There’s one more thing. Have you seen what’s trending lately? Zhao Jingya, the little heiress of Tongfu Jewelry Group, is about to debut as a star.”

Zhou Miao took a sip of watermelon juice. “I saw. A business tycoon’s daughter coming to experience the entertainment industry. What does that have to do with me?”

“She wants you to appear with her on a variety show and stir up a fake romance for publicity,” Gu Zhiyin said, her expression helpless.

Zhou Miao tilted his head in confusion. “Does she have a terminal case of ‘princess syndrome’? She wants me to help her manufacture a fake romance? Does she think that highly of herself?”

“She’s willing to pay you an extra ten million,” Gu Zhiyin replied, her expression odd.

Zhou Miao fell silent, stirring the watermelon pulp with his straw.

Ten million… Just one episode, and he’d earn ten million. This was a business worth considering.

“I’ll do the variety show, but forget the fake romance. Also, I’ll pick the show. Tell her that.”

Gu Zhiyin nodded and made a note on her files.

Yang Xiaoya, who had been quietly taking in the drama, couldn’t help but ask, “Bro, that heiress is actually pretty good-looking. Why don’t you want to create a fake romance with her?”

“I have a girlfriend. She’d get jealous,” Zhou Miao replied calmly.

But to Yang Xiaoya and Gu Zhiyin, his words were like thunder on a clear day. Both women stared wide-eyed at him. Had they heard him right?

Zhou Miao was currently at the peak of his popularity. The heiress had come to him precisely because he was the hottest male star of the moment.

Previously, those ambiguous photos with Hu San had already upset many female fans, but since their relationship hadn’t been confirmed, they held back. If it became widely known that Zhou Miao was in a relationship, however, his fanbase would erupt.

“Is it that little Hu San?” Gu Zhiyin asked.

Zhou Miao nodded. “Yes. Inform Sister Qiu. I don’t think we can keep it under wraps much longer. Tell the PR department to be ready so we’re not caught off guard when it breaks.”

Gu Zhiyin nodded helplessly. What was done was done; all they could do was prepare. There was no way they could ask Zhou Miao to break up with Hu San.

In other entertainment companies, artists had to get company approval before dating—it was often written into their contracts. But Zhou Miao’s status at Rainbow Entertainment was beyond compare. The fact that he was even informing them was a courtesy.

Despite her shock, Gu Zhiyin couldn’t help but marvel at Hu San’s luck.

She’d been in the entertainment industry for years and had met all sorts of artists. No matter how glamorous or innocent they appeared on camera, most were anything but behind the scenes. It was rare to find a male artist as self-disciplined as Zhou Miao.

That afternoon, Gu Zhiyin returned to the company to report everything to Zuo Qiu, who felt a headache coming on.

“All right, I understand. I’ll have the PR department ready, and I’ll take care of the media. I’ll make sure they stop hounding Zhou Miao every day.”

Gu Zhiyin nodded. “For the Golden Melody Awards, should we arrange a female companion for Zhou Miao that night?”

Zuo Qiu considered it. “I’ll go with him myself. He’s so unruly, I’m worried he’ll cause a scandal if he gets upset.”

News of Zhou Miao’s multiple Golden Melody Award nominations was already all over the internet, and his fans were preparing to celebrate. The artists nominated alongside him weren’t in the same league, either in work or popularity.

Amid this buzz, Zhou Miao and Zuo Qiu arrived at the awards ceremony.