Yi Xing, who had been adjusting to the time difference at home for half a month, celebrated his 21st birthday on June 22nd. Unlike last year's grand celebration, this year was just a simple family dinner.
The table was laden with Yi Xing's favorite dishes, with an exquisite birthday cake in the center. The candlelight flickered softly, reflecting the smiling faces of everyone present.
"You've been home for half a month now; when are you planning to go out? Don't forget our bet," Yi Ming reminded him while picking up a dish. He knew that the eighteen-month deadline started from the day Yi Xing left home. If he stayed home indefinitely, the bet would never begin, and Yi Ming wouldn't allow such a loophole.
"I won't forget. I'm leaving tomorrow."
"So soon? Why didn't you tell us?" Shen Wanqing said with a slight hint of reproach. She had only just found out that Yi Xing was leaving home tomorrow.
"I only just got the job offer."
"Where are you going?"
"Xing City."
What exactly happened to make Yi Xing decide to leave tomorrow? Let's rewind to midnight, where he was lying in bed, replying to birthday wishes from friends.
Among them was Liu Xuhui, who not only sent him good wishes but also offered him a job.
"Liu Xuhui: Happy birthday! It's been almost half a month since you returned to China. Have you settled in? I have a show here; want to come and play?"
"Yi Xing: Why me?"
"Liu Xuhui: The director asked me to recommend someone intelligent, good-natured, easy-going, and even better if they have some good looks. I thought, isn't that just you?"
"Yi Xing: Alright, when?"
"Liu Xuhui: Tomorrow at 3 PM. Contact me after you arrive in Xing City, and I'll take you to meet the show's director."
"Yi Xing: Okay, remember to get some rest early."
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At 9:30 AM, Yi Xing arrived punctually at the airport, pushing a large suitcase filled with clothes for all four seasons. He didn't know when he would return home next.
To be safe, he had emptied a small wardrobe. After checking in his luggage, he sat in economy class. The luxury of first class was out of reach for the next eighteen months; it was better to save money for where it was needed.
Finding his seat, he took out a small notebook and a pen from his bag, sketching and writing. Closer inspection revealed it was filled with various names.
There were Yi Chen, Yi Haoyu, Yi Zichen, Yi Zihan, Yi Muchen, and so on. He planned to choose one of these as his stage name.
He thought about how pleasant Liu Xuhui's name sounded and wanted something similar. His gaze finally settled on Yi Muchen, and he silently repeated it several times.
The more he repeated it, the more natural it felt. So, that would be his stage name, a name to start a new journey. Only close acquaintances would know his real name.
Two hours later, the plane landed at Xing City airport. Yi Xing first retrieved his checked luggage, then pulled it towards the meeting spot he had arranged with Liu Xuhui.
The taxi stopped at the entrance of a coffee shop. He took his suitcase from the trunk, then pushed open the door and immediately spotted Liu Xuhui sitting in a corner.
He was simply too conspicuous; who wears sunglasses indoors? Yi Xing couldn't fathom what he was thinking. He walked up to him, sat down, and said,
"No, Xuhui, why are you wearing sunglasses in the shop? Do you want me to bring you a zither? Anyone who didn't know would think you're cosplaying one of the characters from Kung Fu Hustle."
"I wore them so you could find me immediately, Yi Xing. Don't you dare be ungrateful, kid."
"Yi Xing is a thing of the past. Please call me Yi Muchen now. Thank you."
Yi Xing's eyes were full of anticipation, eager to hear Liu Xuhui's opinion on his new name. He had deliberated for a long time before deciding.
"You changed your name? Why?"
"I didn't change my name. This is my stage name. I plan to use it for all future shows. What do you think? Does it sound good? Is it memorable? Does it suit my personality?"
The barrage of three questions left Liu Xuhui unsure which one to answer first. He organized his thoughts for a moment, then responded to each question in turn.
"I don't think much of it. While the name sounds good at first, it's not memorable once you think about it. And it doesn't suit your personality at all. You should stick with Yi Xing as your stage name; at least it's catchy."
"It really doesn't suit me?"
"Really."
"Alright~" With just a few short sentences, Liu Xuhui made Yi Xing abandon the idea of adopting a stage name, showing how much trust he placed in him. He said dejectedly,
"Oh, by the way, did you book a hotel? If not, stay at the same one as me; it's right nearby."
Liu Xuhui seemed to sense the somber mood and immediately changed the subject to lighten the atmosphere.
"No need, I have a place to stay here. In fact, why don't you cancel your room and stay with me?"
"Aren't you from Modu? How do you own property in Xing City?"
"Can't someone from Modu buy a house in Xing City?"
Yi Xing's retort momentarily stunned Liu Xuhui. His mind then raced, and combining it with novels he had read, he speculated,
"Of course you can. You're not a rich second-generation heir, are you? And your family is forcing you to inherit the family business, but you don't want to, so you joined the entertainment industry, hoping to make a name for yourself and prove to your family that you can still do well without their support."
"More or less."
"So, a young master has been by my side all along! I wonder if you need a son; if you don't mind, I'd be honored to acknowledge you as my godfather."
"Get lost! Are you sick? Can you stop being so absurd in front of me!"
Yi Xing covered his face. He desperately wanted to pretend he didn't know this person. Performing such exaggerated acts in public places, he thought his own occasional bouts of eccentricity as an international student were already ridiculous enough, but he hadn't expected to encounter a master of it.
"Yes, Little Hui obeys!"
No sooner had Liu Xuhui finished speaking than the person sitting opposite him immediately pulled his suitcase and walked outside, as if he had made some sort of decision. Liu Xuhui quickly stood up and chased after him, catching his arm outside and saying,
"How are you feeling now? A little better?"
He had noticed Yi Xing's mood was a bit off when he arrived. Although Yi Xing hadn't said anything, it was obvious to anyone that he wasn't as enthusiastic as usual.
He would occasionally frown while chatting, suggesting he had something on his mind that he couldn't share with outsiders.
"Were you doing that on purpose just now?"
"Otherwise? Do you really think my mental state is that crazy?"
"Yes!" Yi Xing nodded solemnly and quickly ran off into the distance.
"You brat, stop right there!" Liu Xuhui was instantly a little exasperated, shouting as he chased after him.
After running for an unknown amount of time, the two stood at an intersection, with the hotel Liu Xuhui had booked directly across the street. He was going there to cancel his reservation.
They took their belongings and moved into Shen Wanqing's apartment. Living in a residential complex was certainly more comfortable than staying in a hotel. After settling in, they found a restaurant on the street for lunch and then returned home to rest for a while.
Around two o'clock, they set off for the meeting place with the show's director. Before the meeting, Yi Xing specifically tidied his clothes, afraid of leaving a bad impression on the director.
This was a crucial crossroads determining his future, whether it lay in the company or the entertainment industry, so he had to take it seriously.