Chapter 80
Today was destined to be a busy and exhausting day. Even without a concert that would go on until late into the night, big holidays were always peak times for the fire department to respond to calls.UtiHTtHtjEcbvkuHeNcvxzfeHyOHiu
ktAytqYqszfLfrTSo Ren Yi canceled today’s training, letting everyone sleep in and rest up.KLQpbKApyAhrYsMNSTsNOVRjGuhCIX
sJPJPlXiLepcZKBAround lunchtime, a call came in about a kitchen fire, and Gao Ge led the team to handle it.fOiMGBHpVnCiIykyxwnCYVjOTQLxfv
yghdzJYpskrnkGlIn the afternoon, Ren Yi called a meeting with the second and third teams to assign tasks and clarify roles. Then they set out for Honglin Stadium.KoMmnkctalZRHUZgpsviXXbSwpdFCd
nYWHjeZKGrWlCWGThe concert was set to officially start at 8 PM, with people starting to enter around 6. Aside from the main entrance, two extra gates were opened to relieve the crowd pressure. VIPs entered directly from the underground parking lot.rrgNOWInVswtdypSHdJEmDfgJiEtMd
qacFkLPVJFQxnpxThe brigade had sent Wang Meng’s Luoxiangkou squad to join them. Luoxiangkou was the nearest squad to theirs, and they often worked together on assignments.MdkwfrSCikKXFRqERSFAcxcpKsadBo
tOkGlgTnQrERJqXRen Yi and Wang Meng stood outside the stadium, watching the staff busying themselves back and forth. It was only 2 PM, but a line had already formed outside, mostly young girls.yNkccGhDDUAqAjTzyNfPVJAfabxosd
jYZZMZNkTkWKeZLWang Meng pulled out a cigarette and offered it to Ren Yi, who waved it off.urINjTpnnSUnoxchiIKQzHqljottWe
bsjDvuBtFtbhIka“I heard the front row tickets have been resold for over 200,000 yuan?” Wang Meng took a puff. “That’s insane.”fmFJkWXgCkoiIxgMgDywlbhFZNatCP
uMNJlvuvGrrmzwT“Yeah, it’s nuts.”jUFPFFFLMiCSOZNTtVRziKrVAcKKkk
MyQvkbrERoYXpjq“I don’t care about these things. Ever since I became a firefighter, I feel uncomfortable when there are too many people,” Wang Meng shook his head. “If I had the energy, I’d rather be at home listening to music.”mkUiMZjzuwtybGMdsfViBrsPDxqOql
WMObhZhnjaVIoGIRen Yi chuckled. “Think about it: tickets are that expensive, but we get great seats for free. We really scored big.”ppSgyNBlRnUkJYbtkSwLPYjnnwytCM
yHaYZCSZCnLfJSS“Haha, true.” Wang Meng glanced at Ren Yi, then suddenly said, “Huh?”ksmRbzFDmXUERqLWMNgsQZvnCjhSeU
eVxaoSNaqSVRubJ“What?”aGrYBNhVtjKoKwSdnmTrMeaSyhfRPu
CoexGVtNwXUVjLX“Did you put gel in your hair?”BDqeNeJauRUiSzjiNAvZiiAdhkgPdU
OJEqOJKlHTutGeeRen Yi denied it, “No, I didn’t.”QRYQEPyLUnsExIZmOTbiRaSAevFFoI
cckmwTLlgRPsDIL“Let me feel.” Wang Meng reached out to touch it.ZDUTxqBGcjJKAUYZRumzlPoOrCTXdj
fXImQtpYeqjqvUoRen Yi tried to dodge but couldn’t escape and got caught.GzajlvBOfuIwHGPuhpzRyhHwjOAuPM
SWnBeGkHMoyDuODWang Meng teased, “This down jacket and those boots are new too, right? I even caught a faint whiff of cologne earlier—I thought it was my imagination. What’s the deal, Ren the handsome? Are you getting married today or something?”FODEmohyYkYPvXzSeRnhqTyQremrmu
MANBLTrChmiqwAMRen Yi clicked his tongue. “Aren’t you bored?”kflmbOUrPbTzepvlbtMRdWXKWCSfsV
qRkoBCEBGYPPcsp“Nowhere near as busy as you,” Wang Meng teased, “Got a date tonight, or are you just trying to show off in front of all the pretty girls?”DaSCiMLxwvctDQeOtQEnHPreNQzOga
cAfGmDVcehuJqdS“Come on, man, you’re married. Can’t you understand a single guy’s life?” Ren Yi said, half-embarrassed. “Go on, go do your work.”QbOzFwjrYpTCcibLGVWFPxDlYHCory
YqCyjwNDAHZfgvtWang Meng laughed heartily and walked off.xMJcffZGGLhqxRvJHZFyfAGQSOebop
CIVUPqbcOHqEyKsRen Yi took a few steps back, moved to the fire truck’s side mirror, and fixed his hair in the reflection. Then, he flashed a confident smile.iFiEgNMKCrRudTcjunpfGudZEgNVLX
DcqAchBNsAFeBaUWho cares about getting married? This was his first date with Gong Yingxian.WuudGQrfdaUGROEwrwUpGvaCilCDwQ
zKXMbmcJxNKgOmoAround 6 PM, most of the guests had arrived and were gathered in the dressing rooms for makeup.aTQAiTSIfmVNpkUEDiFhQCGdUjrdor
qvUkDThfEnuWmGIRen Yi had the freedom to walk around the venue wherever he wanted. As he watched the singers, surrounded by their entourage, wearing their dazzling stage outfits and preparing for their big moment in the spotlight, he suddenly understood Qi Xiao’s fierce desire for fame.mUMxZcsPRHbylLnGEvhSxqCAwpLPwY
GtrrBSRaQDhCJHcRen Yi’s phone buzzed. It was a message from Gong Feilan, asking if Song Juhan had arrived yet.HqGaujRkQlmLpOWXZbQOtMYgHtlnIG
SKOWQoAQipMMHEDEver since he told Gong Feilan that he was in charge of fire safety for the concert and could get Song Juhan’s autograph for her, the little girl had been excited for days.YtfHpmMMcFBmoHFYZHPxdfvoByffZR
FDtlBEoNPYfSQCjRen Yi replied: “Not yet. I’ll let you know when he arrives.”uGYgfkXaiDkYvIvlhdKlBvdfstoaot
HPCThsjgKdJZaOEJust then, Gong Yingxian called.gZLyvHcQmhnFafQwMmdewyPWDbpbIx
ntgRRZUzMuqwHJt“Hey, Yingxian, are you here?”QjEMjIQesTFulHraDKblgJOITeypyK
rkgKxGvfyYRmWUE“Yeah, I’m at Gate 6, where you said.”ReMBsjHcqqlZzGgMFHgyoCeDeWzvgY
JozuqZXzittbwLS“Alright, wait there for me. I’ll come get you right now.”WFWOiHUoVQBBdFfYwEaBwPsfNWrAmn
iKzjMMlBTWepuPBWhen Ren Yi arrived at Gate 6, he saw Gong Yingxian surrounded by a group of girls. He stood out like a crane in a flock of chickens, towering a full head above them.hJcdvkuKmADCrjlLDyWKKUnZrnYWMS
rSBTBWxeNWDfdMi“Yingxian?” Ren Yi jogged over, unsure of what was going on.oiJGNmqqvhaylQmwGFPKvHjkppQFtW
QBXhTPkcpFYvDHE“You’ve got to be an artist, right? Tell us your name!”AJBbwKMrUmdLlvJAAgqAcvDHVSlhoz
FKKfVvdhdPizOKz“Oppa, are you a new talent with Song Media? Do you sing or act? We’ll support you either way!”PazmyjkyvmHuvuEAKJkxVmFtAfLruQ
BzFRNueQYLyXkAc“I’m not,” Gong Yingxian’s brows furrowed, and he kept backing away. When he spotted Ren Yi approaching, his eyes lit up with relief, and he quickly gave Ren Yi a pleading look.RioCIvZHuxKtSESbBrDwAJnnamVTWF
WHHIMiDfNjlfWDEHolding back a laugh, Ren Yi stepped in to rescue him. “Hey, hey, ladies, he’s not a celebrity. Don’t crowd him.”qmYEOrDuEnGPZJDMmgnwVaOOoXxnTe
IMFFwauOOkWpysM“If he’s not a celebrity, why’s he wearing a mask? And he’s so handsome, with such a great body!”awMvxScAJUNjwgqJrcsTekaExbgHej
hUlphiQsAXTvKsK“He really isn’t. He’s my colleague,” Ren Yi said, pointing to his own uniform.XSogLXSaKZuOmpByDKTOrOWWSujUtL
rOcEkNooolOztbsThe group of girls paused for a moment, then erupted in excited squeals.XWOAPHftvxziXWqfJLBSIATzDohvXV
HYZbJsALmCrjCnb“Are all firefighters this handsome? I’m a fan of firefighters now!”GRUimdNjyBiwQbGazoadpkTiDRQHmD
NyEdAfOLMNLDlOU“Which fire station? I’m going to visit!”XYpOxKBREtFeNCgyBdoEBpFYumBrEy
eDvWWBNHjXcuURVTaking advantage of the moment, Ren Yi grabbed Gong Yingxian’s hand and pulled him out of the crowd. “Alright, alright, you guys better get in line. If you wait too long, the line’s going to get even worse.” He pulled Gong Yingxian along as they dashed away.rpfgfzKWqZhMtuCDNCZnywWjFBKXNl
IkfTsPfRydctVjHThey ran all the way into the venue before slowing down, catching their breath.acqRuWsgCZuRAgfbNcRskLCHkiQbpT
rBOjOZAGcNEBPsZRen Yi turned his head and saw Gong Yingxian dressed in a beige short puffer jacket, jeans, and pristine white sneakers. His hair wasn’t styled with gel but casually fell over his forehead. Even though the mask covered most of his face, his handsomeness still shone through.mLUUqNfOKKwhDNeFeokCyrIVVUMYga
YxYuHcmecMzekxERen Yi was momentarily stunned. He had never seen Gong Yingxian dressed so youthfully, like a college student. No wonder those girls couldn’t tear themselves away from him.ZlUDKgdsVbQfhZZfRoOZouXltIrEYN
cQKYcXZkcHLkSTKGong Yingxian pulled down his mask, feeling a bit self-conscious as he glanced at his outfit under Ren Yi’s gaze. “What? Does it look weird?”scYVPyLpHLbPKWBCcaTRmZxHBBVFVI
PfWcubTAsWbDaZt“…”VyWtsMwpJjKgYatrhncsBbvZSgHGgS
JRaZwmLHoZqKbsBGong Yingxian huffed softly. “You were the one who told me to wear ‘casual’ clothes. If it weren’t for you, I wouldn’t have come to a noisy, messy place full of people like this.”KobJtSxDqHFJDzJBhKpxfqkPTOKfFK
zMCTCyEbYntLcugRen Yi gave a goofy smile. “You look amazing today.”OItuEoLyNwcgcYMShYWThrVcwxPAFz
xgHDpHZfjlgjfSJGong Yingxian froze for a moment, feeling a burst of joy, but outwardly, he tried to seem indifferent. “Really?”PPWbCxjEcxbfanFEsBIlxOJFDoVhpK
fuUvNWWBJXoCaMN“Seriously, you look amazing.” Ren Yi chuckled. “Of course, you look great in a suit too, or even in pajamas. Each look has its own charm.”wlCEQOYkgrjNTxLXxEkcQWcumDofNW
lwVxsSvtrTIgnjUGong Yingxian couldn’t help but smile. He wanted to compliment Ren Yi in return but felt too embarrassed to say it. Besides, the word “handsome” seemed far too shallow to describe how Ren Yi’s appearance made him feel—just seeing him filled him with uncontainable joy.DRHiHJaLJioAPVztFnrWhmwWBOTOMK
TbkzZNjrNIdcrvC“Alright, let’s head in.”nJhyIutjeOJtaMaQDIEeCqPiAnSEtx
EQRSfiouqDRNQmbSuddenly, Ren Yi realized that he was still holding Gong Yingxian’s hand. Even though Gong Yingxian was wearing gloves, he could still feel the warmth of his palm. Awkwardly, he let go, and led Gong Yingxian towards the backstage area.TKwrHtrdsLTQzAWumUvBpctpfawsld
udAajFSOvulfXNAThe major artists had their own private dressing rooms, with the doors closed, so they couldn’t see inside. The rest of the performers were gathered in a large, open dressing room.NLDuopUhuQKnIHRRxWPLJnwcrlCoMf
OMqgOvILUyBCRIHThe two of them stood in a quiet corner, watching the buzz around them. “Look, those guys over there are from the band ‘Scarecrow.’ They’re an old band, their music’s really good.”RKdiGudnZKjNBehKtlAruLhXyQZTIc
TPbinkTLnOAfOyW“Oh.”cnlMSRhwVmpYEtHXwOJRcVEkBilnwH
qmbngvCJGEvYrmq“And that looks like a group from some talent show or something—I don’t know them either. Wow, these girls are so skinny. What do they even eat?”pUZsrQZBIgBEzADIfwwbImEEKKNfNX
nRlPNnvADFKvlWUGong Yingxian scanned the room. “Where’s Song Juhan?”kfRICilGAXLLNWqTlzBOEnNTLQtQOv
wxpMgNFfkgiNxsx“A guy like him won’t show up this early, and he’ll have his own private room when he does,” Ren Yi said, unzipping his coat to reveal a signed album in the inner pocket. “But I talked to the organizers. We can go in and get his autograph for Feilan later.”uoyIvllwTjCVhPqecTjbNTNYtOsjVx
QsFMFZuHpDxVreEGong Yingxian didn’t seem too pleased. “You don’t need to spoil her like that.”pvhjZBIMcbzxqWtYFJewOhSaoOptED
PGTatgiMZyuiGtI“She’s already pretty pitiful for not being able to come.”uiuBkRVzGSvezCEIiKWTwugdtgDTHG
bedXSoNAtNJFLBE“She doesn’t study well, and exams are coming up. Of course, I can’t let her attend something like this.”eIwFflBJFDTBLbLzMhmIGnhmYRJmwH
UxMgIkzGgjgzpbH“That’s why getting her an autograph can encourage her a bit. Don’t be too hard on her.”LVYTRuQIoiivmbDFjzcERQzOXtubbz
uhvkobpAWkDgvam“Her parents are always at odds with each other and often away on business trips. If I don’t take care of her, who will?”mUjFyVzpzGmKkvLNeOKafuaJCGfhKD
ypLSIdvecvXIUvSRen Yi suddenly felt a pang of sympathy for Gong Feilan.mhEgvLlIKUPMZJYzudzQIbvqjlJwyY
wmCkrujtvYlqqSNGong Yingxian shifted the conversation. “So, what exactly are you guys here to do?”tGJwkYYhbsoVfEartBxktyEiVXcjGD
KeXrVLnAqdcoCgb“The main job is to review the fire safety plan ahead of time. If it doesn’t meet the standards, they have to make changes according to our requirements. After the review, we check to make sure everything’s been fixed. Today, we’re here to ensure they’ve followed through and to be prepared in case anything unexpected happens,” Ren Yi explained. “Honestly, there’s not much going on, which is why I invited you to come and have fun.”CzlsXktGITajPOmXvXiCyMCjxPgrJo
anekRVRQPvQMsDA“You’ve inspected the entire venue?”uIpQxOYBCUNSsmFMGZWVJpzdDXdrJF
QnzOWswQCzpiqvT“Checked it multiple times,” Ren Yi said. “There’s security at every entrance, plus police patrolling the area.”WCriuPgNVxsAKrrMCxzRtexpClBtrn
KaErubPrYFwALtoGong Yingxian nodded. “A lot of stuff has been happening lately. I guess I’m just a bit on edge.”KPNEkaatZLRqRbtRQGzlXkuieZoyiZ
aLLHHKacPZgxVnk“I get it. Same here. That’s why the higher-ups doubled the security measures this time,” Ren Yi said with a grin. “We’re taking precautions, but no need to stress. Come on, the concert’s about to start. I scouted out a great spot.”HTGFWRWQUhzYYKOROXLOdacsSkioOH
eiVHbsBHmbxYeyzRen Yi led Gong Yingxian to the side of the main stage, an area reserved for security and staff. The view was excellent, and there were hardly any people around.ZVTMiLuwQRZOyCThShYqIwGGZnPszY
EuxeDQuQiFbSotfDespite the concert being hastily arranged, the stage effects were nothing short of spectacular. The dazzling lights and powerful music, especially at this close range, made their blood race.fDTItTxAhBMxeRiNlAlNzRHUuYBgGs
TMmmLlitjtIhJvrRen Yi, caught up in the energy, started moving to the beat.twiiVsXgALIbpeHdqiJgIsVUWPkIdm
bkjzSGqSlsafFDNAt first, Gong Yingxian felt overwhelmed by the loud, chaotic environment, but soon enough, he was swept up by the music and the energy of the person beside him. He sneaked a glance at Ren Yi, whose eyes sparkled and whose face beamed with joy, and he couldn’t help but smile.yXKGHLuimQHaVndrBGLKVBfEtbwwED
ibmUFPqkGuPeAux“Wow, this spot is great, but it would definitely be more exciting to be in the crowd.” Ren Yi grabbed Gong Yingxian’s hand and raised it above their heads, swaying along to the music as he sang along.ueslrYjngdWrrqmVgPhonPkWAmltCc
wtoBTCOoRLCkCkeGong Yingxian nodded. “Yeah, it’s kind of fun.”WqCoHqGMCOrrNgVoTUmHCpyaHONxQO
mKTFyCNexCiuIpNRen Yi turned to look at him, and as the lights shifted across Gong Yingxian’s strikingly handsome face, it added a touch of mystery and allure, making Ren Yi’s heart race uncontrollably.lqTbSVdJTXSHvghWPwzBvKIKDOCcjC
yTnzpBREOAOMJOSBefore Gong Yingxian could notice, Ren Yi quickly looked away, overwhelmed by a flood of sweet emotions. He couldn’t help but say, “It feels like we’re on a date right now.”JEriPQvExNtjQlQybZlPFVnDaiPxtx
OckFGaOQmTCBJsA“What did you say?” The music was too loud, and Gong Yingxian hadn’t heard him clearly.duUugpUqqzwidAnewDtfwLVuBaleAX
HUMNjSQmBAztcfpRen Yi didn’t answer, just laughed heartily.acvEyGpMrOwFujLtLXQZBnLHkecZPO
hgoVYlizJjbiEQkAs Gong Yingxian looked out at the packed stadium, filled with a sea of heads and countless waving glow sticks, he felt that despite being in such a vast space surrounded by so many people, it was only the person beside him who made him feel grounded. Ren Yi was the only reason he was here.bKHhMONkIUmRGsxarTfIyCeXvHLshP
qPEcPlfQUHkvslHSuddenly, a thought crossed his mind: were all the people screaming in the crowd feeling the same way about the one person on stage that he was feeling about the one beside him?BbUswUXDnHNplzQlSTfkGOVmQrhndD
bvIuewDFytOdiqOIf that were the case, the definition of these feelings seemed to be right at the surface, just waiting to be acknowledged.dLJwFvyahoBTASyPtZzCVNwZnTvvUC
vqoFjhdwPqHQaCBGong Yingxian fell into deep thought, but Ren Yi’s radio suddenly buzzed, interrupting his contemplation.ciTXZTnPixFRayFFNGbTBGLSWavRiO
MmJbHAkaqmtMyNZRen Yi pressed the talk button. “Go ahead.”ILxLxPhHhQZwEEAGuOWEouGhgBEzBT
xQbIUQIlZBvAwqc“Captain Ren, Song Juhan has arrived. Didn’t you want his autograph?”wUFgQrMoynICjUiekIiqnJjgtvaDjP
VsroIlBgKomKpZV“OK, I’ll be there right away.” Ren Yi, without thinking, grabbed Gong Yingxian’s hand. “Let’s go, backstage.”qLOgtfjlCTcgSddyfjIdmHQIyPqSfD
ATykMlXOZmqNjEIThe two made their way to the backstage area, where the event organizer was already waiting for them. He greeted Ren Yi and gave him a heads-up. “Captain Ren, just a little warning—these big stars can be a bit temperamental sometimes. If anything feels off, don’t take it personally, alright? Thanks for all your hard work.”nNnIPpVfvxSoGcaGuqIVPHPlbftKul
cBBYaMnHxTpuWhlRen Yi smiled. “No worries. Thanks for the heads-up.”JGZCHNwPAPjGrAGLiJCNYfRVhwuNLz
wzckkmPOocZJVyYThe organizer knocked on the door, and a voice from inside responded, “Come in.”ChiBLTmIdiiTMlFjpfyHpkttOGLPuf
jPVoGwAIwfZaqNbOpening the door, the organizer respectfully said, “Brother Han, Captain Ren is here, just like I mentioned.”TPNeWCKwVBRpPXfmWPetjRHfClEobc
nDatXAjzqdWMUFMRen Yi and Gong Yingxian glanced into the room.oJyWrszxjcyQmspjEKRvbJPYelVHAp
zntsWZSOGFTeWdsOn one side of the dressing room, a few staff members were busy organizing clothing and styling tools. On the other side, a large, luxurious red sofa—completely out of place in this setting—dominated the space. Two men were lounging on it. One was wearing headphones, engrossed in a book, while the other lay with his head resting on the first man’s lap, casually playing on his phone, his long legs draped over the armrest.IPAgzVWaxkXQauAFTKkLFzcyoqQcHQ
ioyKtDKgalLVejJThe man on the phone barely looked up, just responding with a nonchalant “Mm.”nYymhHXAXLgjtNKTrvsHWaTKZaDach
goPJkYhTEbOmsacYlbSHEyzWKcYomiAkWaZbuhhqWxKHF