Shen Ning was still a bit dazed.
Although Chuyao had indeed said before that when they had nothing better to do, she would drag Shen Ning along to hold a concert and become the world’s greatest idols, making everyone who heard her voice raise their hands and burst into tears.
But was this a time for “having nothing better to do”? There was still such a massive Serpent outside.
“Forget about it for now. We go on stage tomorrow, so come practice singing.”
Xu Chuyao said this as she pulled the girl into the practice room and waved to the staff members who were already prepared.
“Teacher Mo, can this musical intro start a bit more softly? I want that summer lemon vibe—tart, yet with a sweet aftertaste. Yes, exactly like that.”
The sound engineer, who had not even begun making adjustments, exchanged a look with the person next to him, both staring in bewilderment.
The Big-chested Woman was putting on a performance.
But no one dared to speak.
This was the Council City Broadcasting Center, located in the city’s inner ring, about 10 miles from the Council Spire. It was the site of the largest television station in the entire Human World.
Its special political status meant it possessed the world’s most elite studios, recording booths, and equipment. Aside from the finest musicians, every other top-tier resource was available here.
As for the musicians—they had also been urgently mobilized.
Not long ago, expedited flights had brought them here from all over the world; some were even still “on their way through the sky.”
No one knew the specific identity of the young girl before them; they only knew that everything here had been brought about by one word from her.
Thinking of this, Teacher Zhou Yin hurriedly plucked a string.
*Ting — *
‘Does she really want a soft start?’ his old friend asked with a look.
The sound engineer pursed his lips and pretended not to see.
Was he joking? The Big-chested Woman had spoken. Was he tired of living if he did not use a soft start?
***
‘How have things been lately?’
‘Not great. The department is being reorganized every day, and the leaders are being investigated one after another.’
‘Same here. Work is impossible to carry out.’
‘I really want to go back to the Special Team.’
‘Me too… Zhong Ming, You Jia, and Xiao Yu all want to as well.’
Shi Lei exited the private chat and opened the work group.
[Department Director Li: @Everyone, tomorrow morning at 8:00 AM, everyone must be at their posts to ensure equipment and network stability. At 9:00 AM sharp, we will watch an instructional video. No being late, and no leaves of absence.]
More studying.
More meetings.
“Why is there another meeting…”
“No leaves of absence allowed this time?”
Complaints rose one after another.
Shi Lei only sighed.
Was complaining useful?
Over the past few months, every department had been on edge because of the Supreme Society’s internal traitors. There was constant questioning and investigations every day, leaving no time for actual work.
Although he always passed the background checks, without any achievements, promotion was out of the question.
“Are leaves of absence really not allowed? Not even for a period?”
Just as the words were spoken, Director Li walked in.
The atmosphere instantly turned silent.
“Never mind a period; even if you are on maternity leave, you have to be here for me tomorrow!”
After saying that, he looked toward the crowd. “Which one is Shi Lei?”
“Reporting, Director, that is me.”
***
A few minutes later, in the office.
Director Li handed over a plane ticket with an amiable smile. “The flight to Council City takes off in 1 hour.”
Shi Lei looked bewildered. “Director, this is…?”
“Arranged by the higher-ups. You are representing our unit to go and study on-site. Perform well.”
Shi Lei looked at the ticket—
Destination: Council City.
The city with the most unique status in the entire world.
“Director, this study session is…”
“You will know when you get there.”
***
Outside the recording studio.
“Xu Chuyao, I don’t really know how to sing. Is it really okay to go on stage like this?”
“Oh, it’s a small occasion. Just sing whatever.”
***
On this day, Shen Ning indeed practiced many songs.
They were all provided by Xu Chuyao.
“It was you who let me see a flower bloom in the dry desert,
It was you who made me want to write a love song for you every day~”
Looking at the lyrics written by the other girl’s own hand, Shen Ning felt a sweetness in her heart.
“Will you really write one for me every day?”
“This is a song from the Spirit Age, I didn’t write it,” Xu Chuyao said with a giggle. “How could I know how to write songs, you silly girl?”
“…”
The girl silently sat behind the drum kit, sulking.
***
The next day, early in the morning.
Shen Ning changed into her idol outfit, tied her hair into a beautiful ponytail, and was pulled backstage by Xu Chuyao.
She took a look outside—and froze.
“Xu Chuyao, this venue… is huge.”
“There are so many people outside…”
“Is this what you called a small occasion?”
“Of course not.”
Xu Chuyao smiled very happily.
“This is the best venue in the world. It can hold tens of thousands of people.”
It was not the largest, but it was definitely the one with the highest prestige. Usually, it was only used for high-level meetings and important policy announcements.
Holding a concert here—it was unprecedented.
And the audience was a gathering of elites.
“This concert is being broadcast globally.”
“The whole world will see it,” Xu Chuyao whispered in her ear.
Shen Ning was completely stunned.
“No… I don’t really know how to sing. Can we cancel it…”
“Of course not.”
Xu Chuyao added with a smile, “And I’ve invited everyone we know. The Teacher, our old teammates from the Special Team…”
“And Betty. I let her book out the Box Room on the west side.”
“Even—”
She blinked.
“The people in the Crystal Stone World have come to see you, too.”
Shen Ning was completely petrified.