After the Top Idol Omega and I Started Living Together - Chapter 26

Chapter 26

The time returned to this morning.

The sun just rose above the earth, and the morning light glowed faintly.

It was not yet time for work. The Vinyl Music building stood very quietly. The elevator moved slowly and leisurely, carrying a few people upstairs. However, Chen Annie’s deputy general manager’s office had already opened its door.

Several large floor-to-ceiling windows let in all the outside light into the room, enveloping a single figure.

Sheng Jingyu sat quietly on the sofa in the reception area. She closed her eyes to rest slightly. Her body leaned straight and relaxed against the chair back. The morning light carried a clean and clear quality, falling silently and beautifully on her brow.

A passing sparrow cast the shadow of one wing. It seemed reluctant to disturb this beautiful scene and lingered outside the window.

Its round little head swayed left and right. But it didn’t watch for long before a sound of the door being pushed open scared it away.

“Click, click.”

High heels struck the ceramic tile floor, making a clear and distinct sound.

Sheng Jingyu heard the sound and slowly raised her eyes. She saw Chen Annie walking in with something in her hand.

It was unclear if Sheng Jingyu had just been resting. Her raised eyes looked clear and distinct.

She showed no trace of grogginess from waking up. She raised her hand to Chen Annie, who had just returned, and asked, “Did you find out?”

Chen Annie nodded. “I found out. Thank you for coming early in the morning to keep an eye on things.”

She skillfully brewed a cup of coffee for Sheng Jingyu first. Then she sat on the single sofa next to Sheng Jingyu and continued reporting, “This person really stays calm. They only started acting when the time was almost up. I don’t know if they’re bold because of their skill or because they saw your little friend has no backing and no one to watch out for her, so they bullied her freely.”

Chen Annie spoke very bluntly, with a hint of teasing in her tone.

Sheng Jingyu sipped the coffee lightly. Perhaps the rising steam was too heavy, as her thick eyelashes suddenly lowered.

The air grew unusually quiet. The more Chen Annie knew Sheng Jingyu, the more she understood how terrifying this person was when she remained calm.

She keenly sensed Sheng Jingyu’s displeasure. Then she changed the topic and said, “But their plan today is doomed to fail. Such shallow and low-end tactics are much easier to defend against.”

Sheng Jingyu put down the coffee cup in her hand. She glanced at Chen Annie sitting beside her and asked, “A big figure like you finally makes an appearance, and you only plan to play defense?”

Chen Annie grew wary. “What trap are you setting for me now?”

Sheng Jingyu gestured slowly and unhurriedly. “I’m just thinking, if it were me facing such a thing in the past, would you only stop at preventing it?”

Her words carried a strong hint.

Chen Annie instantly realized Sheng Jingyu wanted to give Lu Zhao the same treatment she enjoyed.

But what kind of person was Sheng Jingyu?

She debuted at sixteen. Her first album achieved sales over a hundred million. She swept the best newcomer awards at major ceremonies. Since her debut, her music copyrights alone brought Vinyl Music tens of billions in revenue.

In her thirteen years since debuting, Sheng Jingyu had no scandals of her own. But Chen Annie had indeed handled many malicious attacks and ill intentions from all sides for her, even dealing with conflicts between companies.

But those years were what Sheng Jingyu deserved.

Over these years, Chen Annie rose from an ordinary manager to a top manager, then became the deputy general manager of Vinyl Music. She always believed her meticulous efforts matched Sheng Jingyu’s superstar strength.

But how could an idol with two years of debut and no impact compare to her superstar’s treatment?

They weren’t even in the same world.

Yet somehow, she entered this world.

Sheng Jingyu personally brought her in.

Chen Annie looked at Sheng Jingyu, who was usually distant from others. Her eyes held complex emotions, even finding it unbelievable. “Ah Yu, you never cared so much about anyone before. Weren’t you always cautious with words and sparing with opinions?”

Her words seemed like a reminder. Sheng Jingyu paused slightly.

Outsiders often saw things clearly, while those involved could always give rational and objective explanations.

Sheng Jingyu gestured calmly, even with composure. “She’s not just anyone. She’s my student.”

“Just a student?” Chen Annie countered.

She didn’t think things were as rational and simple as Sheng Jingyu said. Recalling the information she found about Lu Zhao, she muttered meaningfully, “Ah Yu, I remember she’s an Alp…”

A bird flew past the window frame, flashing a cold light in Chen Annie’s view.

Sheng Jingyu raised her gaze slightly. She looked at Chen Annie calmly and coldly.

The office suddenly fell silent, so quiet it sent a chill through the heart.

Chen Annie realized her earlier words had clearly crossed a line.

Vinyl Music belonged to Sheng Jingyu’s family. Chen Annie, in truth, was just a senior employee. Over a decade of friendship only blurred that boundary.

If Sheng Jingyu wanted her to do something, she had little room to resist.

Chen Annie pursed her lips. She felt a faint displeasure toward her superstar boss.

Noticing the other’s emotions, Sheng Jingyu softened her gaze slightly.

She sighed lightly and explained to Chen Annie, “I just need her to sing well on stage. She shouldn’t worry about the rest.”

And she shouldn’t have had to deal with those extra things in the first place.

Sheng Jingyu silently added this in her heart. She recalled Lu Zhao’s bright yet broken eyes from that day.

Her heart ached.

Sheng Jingyu’s explanation was sincere. Chen Annie’s mood softened.

Her mind always worked quickly. She asked directly, “You want me to protect her?”

Chen Annie’s expression grew serious. She reminded Sheng Jingyu again, “Ah Yu, I have to remind you, she’s not our company’s artist. The company tripping her up is her own agency.”

Sheng Jingyu had her own ideas, but Chen Annie had her responsibilities. “I’m a businesswoman. I don’t do losing deals.”

Sheng Jingyu looked at Chen Annie’s persistence. She didn’t back down at all. She had anticipated this. “That’s why I need you to personally handle this matter.”

“Go listen to her sing. Then decide.”

Sheng Jingyu’s gaze was firm. Her silver-gray pupils seemed to see the future.

Saying this, her attitude softened slowly. Her brows showed a rare gentleness, like melting snow. “Consider it my three visits to the thatched cottage to beg you, Annie Sister.”

Over the years, Chen Annie never won when she disagreed with Sheng Jingyu.

This time was no exception.

She saw Sheng Jingyu show such an attitude toward her. Her heart softened, and she agreed, “Fine, I’ll go myself this time.”

The time came to the present.

The sound engineer heard Chen Annie’s words. Not knowing if it was a guilty conscience, his heart tightened. But he nodded cooperatively and answered, “Deputy Manager Chen has sharp eyes. We usually don’t touch this equipment after it’s set.”

Chen Annie looked at the man full of flaws in front of her. She nodded meaningfully. “If it gets moved by mistake, it could cause an accident.”

“Yes, so we must be careful,” the sound engineer echoed. He nervously wiped his sweaty palms, only for them to sweat again immediately.

He stood there, silently praying Chen Annie and Li Qinqin would leave quickly.

But how could he get his wish?

Not far below, a beam of light suddenly lit up the stage. Lu Zhao held the microphone and began singing.

Her ethereal and lingering voice amplified, passing through the room’s glass, gracefully reaching the sound booth.

Li Qinqin’s expression froze. She couldn’t help but exclaim, “Wow, this girl’s voice is amazing.”

She turned to Chen Annie beside her and asked, “Annie, if I’m not mistaken, this is your family’s Jingyun’s song, right?”

Chen Annie was stunned. She couldn’t help but shift her attention to the glass wall.

The voice was steady. Both the Cantonese pronunciation and the pitch were perfect. Several challenging high-note transitions were handled smoothly and clearly, without any strain.

“Yes,” Chen Annie paused, hardly believing it.

She originally had no high expectations for Lu Zhao. Coming in person was just to avoid rejecting Sheng Jingyu’s face. Plus, hearing her performance would give her evidence to persuade Sheng Jingyu later.

Chen Annie always thought Sheng Jingyu’s choice to support Lu Zhao was just a whim or an interest in this Alpha.

Over the years, she had managed many newcomers. Two years was too long a preparation period. She had never seen an artist go from a rough stone to a shining gem.

But she never expected the person who sang off-key and broke notes in videos would sing so perfectly now. She even infused her emotions, captivating the audience.

What terrifying empathy.

After a long pause, Chen Annie seemed to come to her senses. She echoed Li Qinqin’s earlier words, as if affirming something. “It’s our family’s Jingyun’s…”

The clean glass reflected specks of starlight.

After watching many performances that were a joke, the audience below was drawn to Lu Zhao’s singing. They unconsciously waved the glow sticks distributed by the program team.

The accompaniment in her earpiece fell clearly into Lu Zhao’s ears. She held the microphone, unaware of everything happening backstage.

She lowered her head slightly, fully immersed in the music. Her long lashes caught the falling light, delicately outlining her refined features.

The executive director had a keen eye. As the song reached its climax, he signaled to give Lu Zhao more flattering lighting.

The light suddenly fell like golden dust, dazzling and brilliant. Lu Zhao stood in this brilliance. Her gifted voice extended the tune at the climax.

She shone fiercely, radiant and dazzling.

Like a blazing sun rising in everyone’s eyes in this dark world.

Breaking through the void.

Capturing all hearts.

“Ah Zhao…” Chenchen sat beside Sheng Jingyu, softly calling Lu Zhao’s name. She looked up in a daze, watching the person on stage who shone brighter than ever before. “It’s so beautiful…”

The originally slightly mournful tune gained a layer of sorrow under Lu Zhao’s interpretation, like struggling forward yet still unable to attain.

This wasn’t just a momentum driven by skill. The unique Alpha charm in her erupted greatly with the music, rushing toward everyone in the audience through her singing.

Sheng Jingyu was among them.

It was like a sea breeze brushing past, sharp yet gentle, lifting her long hair.

Sheng Jingyu looked up unwaveringly at Lu Zhao on stage. The dazzling light deeply captivated her gaze.

Thump, thump…

Sheng Jingyu felt like she saw her sun.