After Being Reborn, He Became An Ace In A Boy Band Chapter 12

Chapter 12 Yunnan Baiyao Like an NPC Completing a Quest

The night the Fan Meeting ended, Jiang Yilan’s individual fancam videos and preview images—which hadn’t even been professionally edited yet—were already circulating wildly online.

[I suspect Jiang Yilan was locked in an electroshock room for the past few months, where he gets shocked if he doesn’t practice 18 hours a day.]

[Could it be pre-recorded? I’m a little skeptical…]

[You can clearly hear he used a live mic. Why would a FM be pre-recorded?]

[I was there, even the backing track was very quiet. We were all stunned.]

[His skill improved, but his expression management regressed??]

[I actually think he’s great now. His expression management used to be so greasy.]

[Don’t misuse terms, okay? Where was he greasy before? Being expressive isn’t being greasy, OK?]

[“Being expressive” includes, but is not limited to: inexplicably evil smiles, sudden winks, dramatic eye-widening, and confusing eyebrow raises… to be continued.]

[Baby now exudes a kind of rookie beauty. He’s trying so hard in singing and dancing, but his expression is a little nervous and shy, so cute [Screen Lick]]

[Does anyone else feel like he wasn’t well? He was sweating and panting abnormally… but it made him even more beautiful, is that okay to say?]

[I wanted to say that too, afraid of getting flamed (. He looked sick, his complexion was so off. Lick, lick.]

[This man in a white suit is here to save my eyes. Heaven knows what kind of torture it is for me, working at a wedding company, constantly seeing five-foot-three winter melons lined up in white suits. My desire to quit has peaked.]

[[Image] How did you know I got the rose JYL threw? [Surprised]]

[Go away go away go away 55555 Fine, don’t go away, tell me what it felt like seeing him in person [Pleading]]

[A sight to behold [Blurred images x9]]

A new Jiang Yilan and Tang Ruining duo fan site was born that day. The first post was a high-definition video of their duet dance, and the next day, nine photos of the performance were released.

[Kami… They captured it so well, it’s beautiful, I’m screaming and jumping around.]

[I struggled to grow eyeballs just to see this… This video will be turned into a QR code and engraved on my tombstone [Prayer Hands]]

[Is no one calling the police? How can people be making love on stage in broad daylight?!]

[Holy crap, the photo where their hands are touching… It’s divine. I thought someone was about to kneel and propose the next second…]

[I will loop this video day and night until the next duet stage appears [Tears] [Crying]]

[Their chemistry looks like they’ve done this hundreds of times… I mean, practicing the dance.]

That night, one of the two people involved had just finished a voice call with his mother and sister and was preparing for a good rest. The other was still awake and quietly knocked on a teammate’s door.

Wu Xingye was also awake. He opened the door, saw who it was, and paused. “Ruining? Why are you still up so late?”

Tang Ruining walked in and closed the door behind him.

The soundproofing in their Company Dormitory was decent; their voices wouldn’t carry outside. His movement in closing the door was swift. Wu Xingye looked at Tang Ruining in confusion, startled by the expression on his face.

“What’s wrong?” Wu Xingye unconsciously took a step back.

Tang Ruining didn’t speak, seeming to be observing something. Wu Xingye stood firm, straightening his back and looking back at him.

Tang Ruining said, “Jiang Yilan has a nut allergy. You know that.”

It wasn’t a question. Wu Xingye’s eyes flickered for a moment, but he didn’t guiltily look away. Instead, he widened his eyes, looking utterly incredulous.

His tone sounded deeply wronged: “What are you talking about, Ruining? How could I know? He didn’t even know himself!”

“He didn’t know because he forgot.” Tang Ruining took a step closer, staring intently at Wu Xingye’s face, not missing a single expression.

“But Jiang Yilan doesn’t eat nuts, doesn’t even touch them. You know that. That time in the waiting room with the fan-sent afternoon tea snacks, Jiang Yilan specifically asked which ones contained nuts and avoided them. You were there, and I was there. We both heard it.”

“So, so what? Can’t he just dislike eating them?” Wu Xingye clenched his hands at his sides, shifted his weight onto his toes, and argued, “Besides, why should I definitely remember that?”

“Yes, maybe he just doesn’t like them, but you wouldn’t lose anything by trying. If he ate it and was fine, then so be it. If something happened, it would be exactly what you wanted. You don’t like yogurt at all. Before, when we bought it and put it in the fridge, you never drank it. Jiang Yilan didn’t know, but I did.”

Wu Xingye’s chest rose and fell rapidly. His mouth twitched, but his eyes remained wide. “Why would I do that? What benefit do I get? Are you crazy for thinking that of me!”

“You’re the one who’s truly crazy, to be capable of doing something like this!” Tang Ruining roared, then immediately lowered his voice, laughing mockingly. “Wu Xingye, do you always think you’re so smart, so deep and calculating?”

Tang Ruining and Wu Xingye were the first two members confirmed for the debut, so they interacted more during their Trainee days. Tang Ruining had realized early on that he and Wu Xingye were not the same kind of people, but he didn’t care. He didn’t need to get along well with anyone; as long as they didn’t obstruct him, everyone was the same.

“Did you think you were hiding it well? Did you think everyone else was stupid? Besides Yuan Zhiyan, who can’t see how dissatisfied you are? Do you think Rong Xiao can’t see it? Do you think Jiang Yilan himself can’t see it? Ever since the parts were re-assigned, your jealousy has practically been written on your face. Go look in a mirror.”

“If this had been any of the other guys, it might have been unintentional. But you? You were calculating even before debut. When a teacher praised another Trainee for singing well, you’d be unhappy. Everyone around you could see it, but no one ever told you.”

“But I never thought you’d actually resort to such a despicable act. You’re seriously out of your mind. An allergy can kill someone, do you know that?!”

That last sentence made Wu Xingye instantly panic. “No, I didn’t, I didn’t mean to…”

The rigid posture he had been maintaining gradually collapsed. His pale lips trembled. “I didn’t mean to harm him seriously. I just, I just wanted to trip him up a little. I didn’t want to actually hurt him, truly, truly… Why does he get everything? He shouldn’t have been in the group in the first place. It was fine before, but now he’s getting all the attention. Why?” Wu Xingye looked up, tears gathering in his eyes. “You hate him too, don’t you? You clearly hate him more than I do!”

“No matter who I hate, I wouldn’t do something like this.” Tang Ruining looked at him as if he were hopeless.

“I used to think you cared about this team, but I was wrong. If he really hadn’t been able to go on stage today, the entire rehearsal would have had to be redone last minute. The fans who came for him would have been upset. You don’t care about any of that. You only care about yourself.”

“No, I didn’t think that far. I care about the team, I care about the fans!”

“You care about nothing!” Tang Ruining grabbed his collar. Wu Xingye stumbled, grabbing Tang Ruining’s wrist. He looked up, pleading tearfully, “I was wrong. The moment he started reacting, I regretted it, truly. I was relieved when I saw he was okay. I didn’t really want to hurt him, truly… I was wrong. I shouldn’t have done that. I swear I won’t do it again! Don’t tell them, please, Ruining…”

Tang Ruining didn’t let go; he gripped tighter. Wu Xingye’s tears fell, dripping onto his hand. Tang Ruining’s expression grew even more disgusted.

“Since nothing serious happened this time, you better behave yourself and stay put. If you dare to harbor any ill intent again, I will make sure everyone—the company, the public, the fans—knows exactly what you did.” Tang Ruining looked him straight in the eye and said, word for word, “I mean what I say. You can test me.”

Wu Xingye was still sobbing softly when Tang Ruining left.

He pulled open Wu Xingye’s door. Rong Xiao, whose door was directly opposite, also opened his. The two looked at each other.

“Still awake?” Rong Xiao asked curiously.

“Yeah, I was talking to Xingye about something.”

Rong Xiao nodded, not asking what it was. Tang Ruining seemed to remember something and called out to Rong Xiao, “Wait for me.”

Tang Ruining returned to his room, grabbed something, and handed it to Rong Xiao.

“Yunnan Baiyao?”

“Take it to Jiang Yilan,” Tang Ruining’s voice was very low. “He probably fell on his knee.”

Rong Xiao raised an eyebrow, pushed the item back into Tang Ruining’s hand, and said with a half-smile, “I’m not giving it to him. If you want to give it, do it yourself.”

Tang Ruining pinched the medicine in his hand and turned to walk back to his room. “Fine, don’t give it then.”

“Hey, hey!” Rong Xiao grabbed him. “You, honestly…”

Rong Xiao was still smiling. “You know I’ve been in a great mood lately, right? I mean it, seeing you two like this genuinely makes me happy. As long as you two are willing to get along, our group will be the most harmonious team.”

Tang Ruining glanced at Wu Xingye’s room. “That’s debatable.”

“Alright, I know,” Rong Xiao corrected himself. “Superficial harmony, how about that?”

Rong Xiao only knew how dissatisfied Wu Xingye was with Jiang Yilan, but he didn’t know, nor did he suspect, that today’s incident was intentional on Wu Xingye’s part. Rong Xiao hadn’t been present when Jiang Yilan told Tang Ruining and Wu Xingye that he didn’t eat nuts.

“Look, Yilan has really changed a lot. After what happened today, you can confirm he’s not faking it. He wouldn’t risk something like this just to prove he has Temporary Amnesia; there’s no need. So, if you want to care for him, take the medicine to him yourself. He’ll be happy, and he won’t laugh at you. Stop being so awkward.”

“I’m not awkward.”

“Right, right, you’re not awkward. Then give it to him yourself.”

“…”

Just then, Jiang Yilan’s door opened. He had come out to use the restroom. Their Company Dormitory had two bathrooms, distributed across two floors.

It was pitch black. The living room light wasn’t on; only the light spilling from the open doors of their rooms provided illumination. Li Xun was nearly startled by the two of them and asked in confusion, “You two, having a midnight chat? Do you need me to join?”

“We do,” Rong Xiao said, pointing at the item in Tang Ruining’s hand. “We were just discussing who should give you medicine. Perfect timing, no need to deliver it.”

“Medicine?” Li Xun walked over at the mention of it, seeing the item in Tang Ruining’s hand.

Tang Ruining held out his hand, quite straightforwardly now. “For you.”

Li Xun took it. Before he even realized why Tang Ruining was giving him Yunnan Baiyao, he thanked him. “Thank you.”

Like an NPC completing a quest, Tang Ruining didn’t waste a second, immediately turning toward his own room. He simply hummed in response.