“Do you have any plans yet?”
Lin Luan looked at Shen Yu in her formal attire, a little puzzled as he asked, “Like… a debut plan or something? I see you’re wearing an idol’s stage outfit—is that from the company you’re joining?”
“This… this is…” The smile on Shen Yu’s face instantly collapsed, replaced by a trace of embarrassment.
“This is actually… a cosplay outfit I wore to a comic convention before…”
So it’s just a cosplay costume.
Shen Yu took a deep breath, deciding to confess honestly.
After all, if she wanted Lin Luan to be her manager, he had to understand her real situation first.
“Actually, I haven’t signed with any company yet.” Shen Yu lifted her head. “I’ve decided to officially enter the music industry, but I plan to start from the basics. I’ve… I’ve recently become a virtual streamer.”
“Virtual streamer?” Lin Luan was momentarily stunned.
“Yeah, a VTB, Virtual YouTuber.” Shen Yu explained, walking to her computer and skillfully opening her streaming software and model loading interface.
A two-dimensional avatar appeared on the screen, bearing a close resemblance to her, with long pale blue hair and starry eyes.
“I use this avatar to stream on the platform, mainly playing the piano, sometimes singing, and chatting with the audience.”
She manipulated the model, and the virtual image swayed slightly with her movements.
“I want to use this method to gain some experience and my first batch of fans. It’s also the lowest cost way to test how the market reacts to my music.”
Shen Yu said, her tone carrying a touch of embarrassment. “Once I’ve got a stable audience base, I’ll consider releasing original songs, or maybe even try for live performance opportunities.”
She closed the interface and turned to look at Lin Luan again.
“So, Lu’an, what I need right now isn’t a super manager who can immediately put me on a top stage. Starting from streaming is pretty good.”
“It’s a good plan.” Lin Luan nodded. “Have you thought about a memorable catchphrase or symbol for the audience?”
“Catchphrase?”
“For example, something that makes the audience remember you at a glance—it could be a signature opening move or a special catchphrase.”
Lin Luan raised his hand and made a V-sign.
“Ciallo~(く·w<)~☆”
Shen Yu froze for a moment.
“Ahem, ahem.” Lin Luan realized he was getting a bit abstract. “Actually, there are other options too…”
“Like Hai Domo~ or Ya-ho~—those kinds of greetings. When people hear them, they’ll instantly think of you.”
“I never really thought about it…”
Shen Yu tilted her head, thinking. “I just feel like those common slogans don’t really suit me.”
Looking at the piano behind her, Lin Luan suddenly had an idea. “Your core is the piano, right? Why not incorporate that element?”
He walked over to the piano, lightly pressed a finger on the keys, and played a crisp, ascending scale, pausing at the highest note.
“Hear that?” Lin Luan turned to Shen Yu. “An ascending scale, like pushing open a door, or unlocking something.”
Shen Yu’s eyes lit up.
Lin Luan continued, “Then pair that scale with a simple, powerful opening line. Don’t make it too complicated, but make it unforgettable.”
The two fell into thought. The room was filled only with the sound of cicadas outside and Shen Yu unconsciously tapping on the table.
“I’ve got it.” Shen Yu suddenly lifted her head, her eyes shining. “My virtual avatar is called ‘Xingyu’—so…”
She stood up, walked to the piano, imitated Lin Luan’s movements, played that rising scale, and, as the final note faded, softly said:
“Looking forward to meeting you beneath the meteor shower… I’m Xingyu.”
***
After finishing, Shen Yu turned and gave a gentle smile.
“What do you think?”
“It suits you well.” Lin Luan smiled warmly.
Taken out of context, a line like that might feel a bit awkward, but if it’s woven into a scene at the right moment—like when background music swells, or as the emotional climax—it could be unexpectedly effective.
Suddenly, a phone started ringing—it was Lin Luan’s.
He fumbled for a bit, pulled his phone out of his pocket.
[Su Jin]
His heart skipped a beat. He glanced at Shen Yu, gestured for her to wait a moment, and walked to the balcony to answer the call.
“Hello?”
By rights, Lin Luan should be addressing Su Jin as ‘Miss Su Jin’, but with Shen Yu present, he couldn’t mention her name. There was a second of silence on the other end, then Su Jin’s voice came through:
“Lin Luan? Song Li said you went to handle your hospital discharge? Are you… how’s your injury? Did the doctor allow you to leave the hospital?”
Su Jin clearly didn’t care whether Lin Luan used any honorifics for her.
“The doctor said my recovery’s been good, so I can recuperate at home now.” Lin Luan explained, “I was just about to tell you…”
“Recuperate at home?” Su Jin’s voice rose a notch. “Then where exactly are you recuperating? What if your wound gets infected? Don’t you dare cause trouble for me!”
Her last words sounded much less forceful, like she was trying to cover up her concern by acting fierce.
Lin Luan listened to her awkward care, inwardly thinking, What’s this woman up to now? He replied, “I’m at home, it’s very safe… As for the hospital bills, you really shouldn’t have…”
“Don’t worry about the money!” Su Jin cut him off immediately, a hint of displeasure in her tone.
“You… you’re my person. If something happened to you, people would say I, Su Jin, can’t even take care of my own.”
‘My person’—Su Jin’s voice clearly softened as she said those three words.
Shen Yu watched Lin Luan’s silhouette on the balcony, her expression clouded. She couldn’t hear the conversation, but she knew—on the other end was definitely that vixen.
“Sorry for making you worry.” Lin Luan said softly, “I’ll check in with you later…”
“You’re at home, right?” Su Jin’s voice grew gentle. “I’ll bring you some medicine later. Since you said you need to rest, don’t move around.”
That was obviously just an excuse, but she sounded especially serious.
“This isn’t out of concern for you! I’m just afraid that if anything happens to you, I’ll have to find another fake boyfriend, and that’s such a hassle!”
“Uh… thank you, I’ll be at home.”
“Then I’ll bring the medicine over soon!”
Before Lin Luan could respond, she hung up in a rush.
Lin Luan stared at the call screen, lost in thought.
This woman… did she take the wrong medicine lately?
“Who was that on the phone?”
Behind him, Shen Yu spoke up. He turned to see her smiling at him.
“Oh, that… just a friend.” Lin Luan covered up, “Since I went missing for a while, she was a bit worried about me.”
Oh.
“I see…” Shen Yu’s gentle smile remained as she narrowed her eyes. “If you have things to do, go ahead and take care of them.”
Lin Luan thought for a moment. He really did need to get home quickly—if Su Jin came looking and he wasn’t there, that would be a disaster.
“Alright, then I’ll get going.” Lin Luan got up and headed for the door.
“Mhm.”
Shen Yu stood and walked him to the door.
Lin Luan opened the door to Shen Yu’s place, ready to leave.
“See you next time, Shen Yu.” He instinctively said his goodbyes.
“Okay, see you next time.” Shen Yu smiled, “Mr. Ma-na-ger.”
Lin Luan was momentarily stunned.
“Oh, oh… sure.”