Jin Yang was the final act of the night, the unmistakable climax of "Music Fest Tonight."
As expected of an A-list superstar, his presence turned the aftermath of the show into a slow, suffocating ritual of greetings and farewells. Artists, producers, sponsors, and staff lined up to pay their respects, eager for a word, a smile, or even a fleeting acknowledgment.
By the time Jin Yang finally escaped the building, more than an hour had passed.
Elena Zhang was long gone.
After thanking the key personnel of the show, she had left without lingering, without joining the crowd that inevitably gathered around him.
Inside the van, Jin Yang lounged in the backseat, large gold-plated headphones covering his ears. His fingers drummed in the air, feet tapping lightly to a rhythm only he could hear. Lin Dong sat beside him, face lit by the glow of his phone, scrolling furiously.
Suddenly, Lin Dong's expression changed.
