ATIS Chapter 21 pt 2

Leyuan Shopping Center.

The venue for the autograph session is in the inner area, and only fans with tickets can enter. Due to a previous incident of malicious attacks by anti-fans, everyone entering the venue must undergo thorough security checks, and any suspicious items must be temporarily confiscated outside.

Fans without tickets still lingered outside the mall, unwilling to leave. A long queue formed at the entrance for security checks. Qin Yihan and Mu Jiehan left most of their belongings at the hotel, chatting while waiting.

As for the matter regarding Qin Lu, Qin Yihan had honestly briefed Mu Jiehan. In reality, there wasn’t much to say; it could be simplified to them being listed under the same household registration.

However, when Mu Jiehan heard that Qin Lu was Qin Yihan's biological brother, for a moment, she couldn't figure out if she was envious or relieved.

To be frank, among the 108 speculations that flashed through Mu Jiehan's mind at that moment, what she least wanted was for the idol she just picked to collapse on the spot—

... Fortunately, that didn't happen.

After Mu Jiehan digested this explosive piece of information, she couldn't help but excitedly ask Qin Yihan many questions she wanted to know.

However, Qin Yihan, who looked quite innocent, still showed restraint. Regarding information like Qin Lu's school, which could be easily found through a search, she answered straightforwardly. But when it came to more private matters, like Qin Lu's preferences and what he did in his free time, Qin Yihan evaded them with vague responses.

Although Mu Jiehan seemed like a nice person, Qin Yihan had always believed in the wisdom of her mother, Mrs. Qin: it's better to be reserved when meeting real-life friends for the first time, especially those met online. Moreover, even though Qin Yihan thought her brother was annoying, he was still her real brother. If he really managed to debut, it was better to have less private information for others to know.

However, Qin Yihan still believed that her brother might be eliminated in the first round.

The security check was very thorough. The scanner scanned Qin Yihan from head to toe several times, and her bag was also opened for inspection. After confirming its safety, she was checked against her ID and ticket before being allowed to enter.

Most people might’ve been unhappy with such a large-scale setup for a fan meeting, but fans of 4SEVEN didn’t mind at all—

This was still related to the recent highly impactful malicious incident that almost shocked everyone in the entertainment industry. Angry fans nearly overturned the company's official account, and even now, it remained a heartbreaking event that the entire 4SEVEN fan circle avoided mentioning.

Precisely because of this incident, the security was now so stringent, yet fans had no objections. They even wished it could be stricter.

Upon entering the venue, Qin Yihan's gaze first fell on the long white table in the center. The members were still waiting backstage, but the corresponding five nameplates were already placed on the table in advance, making it convenient for fans to queue up early.

This was a tradition for 4SEVEN's autograph sessions. Each member's nameplate had a long queue in front of it, and fans could choose which queue to join based on their (member) preferences. The autograph session was expected to last a total of two hours, during which fans could only strive to queue up for as many members as possible within the limited two hours.

This is also a direct expression of popularity. If, in a concert, you gauge by the number of light signs, then in a live autograph session, the member who had the longest line of fans in front of them naturally had higher popularity.

Although this wasn’t entirely accurate because fans received tickets based on random draws, proportionally, even with some deviation, the difference wouldn’t be too significant.

The size of Lu Xi's fanbase could be seen in an instant. After confirming Lu Xi's position, Qin Yihan resignedly walked towards the already forming line.

In order to have a chance at drawing an autograph session ticket, she bought more than three hundred mini PDs. Today, she only brought one for Lu Xi's signature. She also held a cute deer antler headband representing Lu Xi, intending to give it as a gift.

After Mu Jiehan went to the restroom, she positioned herself behind Qin Yihan.

There were about sixty people in front of Qin Yihan. She looked at the giant poster occupying the wall behind the long white table and felt an unreal sense of happiness.

On the poster, Lu Xi, who recently dyed his hair back to black, had a bright smile, and his blue and white baseball uniform was youthful and dazzling.

"Oh, oh, oh, Chen Ge is here!"

The tall, sturdy, slightly chubby bodyguard entered from the side door. As expected, Lu Xi was the first to walk out from behind him.

"Ah ah ah ah ah ah, Lu Xi!"

"Lu Xi, wu wu wu."

The atmosphere in the venue instantly heated up. Qin Yihan couldn't get a single word out; she just felt her heart pounding, and her nervous mind went blank. The members bowed and greeted the fans while walking to the long table, making a group introduction they had done thousands of times before. Group fans (1) were moved to tears with excitement.

Qin Yihan watched the members in a daze as they casually greeted and interacted with the fans before they sat down to officially sign and have a brief chat.

Actually, before coming, Qin Yihan had fantasized many times about what she would do and say when she saw Lu Xi. She even hoped to personally put the headband on him. However, when she was actually there, Qin Yihan found that her brain couldn't think, and her nervous hands were shaking involuntarily.

Oh my. It's actually Lu Xi in person, so close to her.

No longer seeing through a screen, without the exaggerated color correction and filters she saw in some fan-edited videos on a certain barrage video site, the flawless and untouchable paper man (2) had fallen to the ground.

She suddenly realized that the other person was just an ordinary human who also needed to breathe and eat. Without the fan filters and halo, perhaps he was just someone she could pass by without much notice.

Of course, Lu Xi was not ordinary or mundane. That face, looking like a game model in reality, could never be ordinary in this lifetime. But Qin Yihan just felt... he was gradually returning to reality from that distant place beyond the screen and posters, and was someone she could talk to, maybe even become friends with.

She couldn't quite articulate what she was thinking.

Having daydreamed about all sorts of things, when it was Qin Yihan's turn, she couldn't come to her senses.

"Is it for me?"

Hearing the familiar yet strangely melodic voice, Qin Yihan realized that she was standing just half a meter away from Lu Xi. The other party was smiling and looking at her, with a slender and fair finger pointing at the headband in her hand.

Qin Yihan was felt nervous and dizzy.

Subconsciously locking eyes with Lu Xi, she internally screamed, "Lu Xi locked eyes with me," and then nodded stiffly, "Ah... yes."

Qin Yihan awkwardly handed the headband to Lu Xi, expecting him to put it away. Instead, she saw him curiously look at the incredibly cute headband she had carefully chosen, then very naturally put it on.

He chuckled and blinked, "Does it suit me?"

Qin Yihan: "..."

No one could hold her back.

She. Was. Going. To. Ascend!

She rapidly shook her head, intermittently and sincerely saying, "Super cute!"

Lucy supported his chin and smiled. Strands of his long-lost black hair scattered across his forehead.

As Qin Yihan looked at him, she felt that his eyes didn't reflect as much happiness as they seemed.

She almost instantly snapped out of the beautiful fantasy she had been immersed in. It might sound strange, but although Qin Yihan had never met Lucy before, she was confident that he was the ‘stranger’ she knew the best.

She was familiar with every expression of Lucy—happy, joyful, calm, regretful, even sad.

Qin Yihan watched Lucy grow from a 16-year-old debutant to the mature person he was now. From the somewhat naive laughter of carefree happiness to the restrained and controlled smile today. From being ignored to becoming the center of attention, every important and unimportant, ordinary and brilliant episode in his life, Qin Yihan had repeatedly watched them over and over.

Those insightful interviews that encouraged her during moments of confusion, the documentaries that spurred her to strive hard during setbacks, were not just embellishments in her life to pass the time. They were companions that had accompanied her through countless days and nights.

The person in front of her, who concealed his emotions so well, had countless times given her great strength.

Suddenly, Qin Yihan stopped trembling.

She looked at Lucy, who was signing her mini PD with his head down, and gathered the courage to say a sentence.

---

The grouping was done quickly, and after following the instructions of the producer Cui Zhihao, the trainees reseated themselves in their groups.

"There are a total of six singles, with quite distinct styles. Later, you can choose according to your preferences," Cui Zhihao said with a smile, "although liking a song doesn't guarantee you'll get it."

The trainees sighed and expressed their frustration. They felt that Teacher Cui Zhihao was too capable of hitting people (3).

Cui Zhihao continued, "Groups that choose the same song will automatically become opponents."

"Oh, oh, oh, I'll be keeping an eye on Liao Junchen's team later. I definitely won't choose what song they choose!"

"Hahaha, if you lose the game and you are the only one left, then you have no choice."

"It shouldn't be that unlucky... It depends on what game the order of song selection is based on."

So, everyone turned their gaze to a certain producer who liked to play tricks and urged him to speak clearly with their eyes.

Cui Zhihao cleared his throat, with a rare mischievous smile, "Let me make it clear first, the rules are set by the program, not me."

The trainees immediately became alert. Could it be some strange request?

Then, Cui Zhihao straightforwardly said, "The way to determine the order of song selection is... wooden man."

For a moment, the trainees suspected that they had misheard and looked at the serious Producer Cui Zhihao with suspicion.

"What? This is nothing like what I thought."

"For such a serious program, is the order decided so carelessly???"

"This is nothing like what I imagined..."

In fact, this was the "casual" rule planned by the program team. After all, despite being a competition program with a cruel elimination system, it was still a talent show, and entertainment spirit had to be present.

Producer Cui Zhihao winked and said, "You have two minutes to decide on the representative for your group. Although the game is very simple, I suggest you decide carefully."

Each group immediately began internal discussions.

Liao Junchen looked expressionlessly at his team members and said simply, "Who wants to go?"

"I can't," the little curly haired boy was the first to refuse, showing self-awareness, "I easily burst into laughter. I naturally love to laugh, and I can't control it."

Toeisup shook his head vigorously on the side, "I, I'm afraid of losing."

Fan Xi, who raised his hand and bravely wanted to participate, was tacitly ignored by everyone; he didn't seem particularly reliable. After Jin Yooeun complained about him for a while, the two began to quarrel again, regardless of the setting.

Liao Junchen massaged his temples, feeling a headache coming on. Looking around, the only person who looked somewhat reliable was Qin Lu, who was sitting with his knees hugged, smiling with bent eyes.

How about he do it himself, Liao Junchen thought expressionlessly.

Han Suyan thought he didn't have a hundred percent chance of winning and, due to his OCD compulsiveness, didn't want to participate.

Just as Liao Junchen was planning to do it himself, Qin Lu spoke up.

"I'll do it."

Liao Junchen immediately settled down. He pressed the mole at the corner of his eye and succinctly agreed, "Okay."

Su Qinglan looked at Qin Lu with suspicion.

Five minutes later.

The trainees formed a circle, watching the successive wheel battle in the center.

The handsome and peaceful black-haired trainee remained still like a mountain, calmly smiling and waving his hand after Producer Cui Zhihao announced his victory.

"Next."

Another trainee walked up aggressively.

Translator’s notes

(1)   Aka OT5 stans

(2)   Im not entirely sure what this means, but the implication is that Lu Xi felt ‘fake’ before, like paper ig

(3)   Too good at demoralizing them lol

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