Chapter 18 – Happy Birthday to you

Translator: ChuRen/ YuQiChen

A few days later.

Longfeng Entertainment.

Yan Shu was packing his things in his room.

Once today passed, he would be leaving here for good.

Aside from feeling reluctant to part with his teammates, there was no other attachment.

But thinking about it, there might be a chance to meet again in the future.

With more free time after not being an artist, he could make time to attend everyone’s concerts.

Yan Shu finished packing in just an hour.

This made him realize that the original owner didn’t leave much behind here. This room probably didn’t hold much sentimental value for the original owner, to the extent that he didn’t bother decorating or personalizing it.

Taking away things that carried the original owner’s aura, the room reverted to being just a normal and cold space.

After reaching an agreement with the manager that day, Yan Shu spent a pleasant day with his teammates.

In the evening, his teammates handed him his phone and informed him about what had been happening online. Yan Shu had anticipated it, so he wasn’t surprised.

His teammates seemed afraid to see any sadness on his face and insisted they would seek justice for him.

Guan Shuo went directly to a reliable person to remove the negative searches. Before long, all the negative searches related to Yan Shu had disappeared.

Yan Shu smiled and said, “It’s okay. Even if the whole world misunderstands me, having a few of you believe in me and stand by my side is enough. Thank you for your comfort. I’m not really upset. Also…”

“…On my birthday, I want to tell you all something.”

I only hope you won’t blame me when that time comes…

…

Yan Shu remembered the scene from that day, Yu Chenzhou’s eyes had reddened at the time.

Yan Shu vaguely felt that the shrewd Leader Yu already knew something, but at that moment, everyone maintained silence, as if understanding without saying a word.

These past few days, each of them had their own business matters to attend to, making the dormitory suddenly feel a lot emptier.

Today was Yan Shu’s birthday, and they promised him they would definitely make time to come back and celebrate with him.

Regarding the statement about leaving the industry, he had already discussed it with his manager.

At noon today, Yan Shu posted on Weibo, which would also be…

The last post on this account.

After the public opinion storm, this was the first time Yan Shu logged into his account. There were too many notifications in the background, so it inevitably lagged for a moment when he logged in.

Whether it was comments or private messages, almost all were filled with harsh criticism.

They said he wasn’t suitable to be a male idol and should leave the entertainment industry.

Yan Shu just smiled lightly, not getting angry at all. For some of the comments, he didn’t deny them; indeed, it wasn’t his strong suit. After all, everyone has their own expertise, and what he excelled at was something different.

Among these criticisms, there were also several heartwarming words of encouragement, praising his performance on the music festival stage and encouraging him not to be affected by online comments, to maintain a good mood, and to be happy and healthy every day.

A warm current flowed through Yan Shu’s heart, reminding him of a phrase he had seen online before—

In this broken world, there will always be someone to patch things up.

It’s now 8 a.m., four hours away from noon.

These past few days, Yan Shu had found cake-making tutorials on a short video app. He wanted to give it a try.

To make a cake by hand on his birthday.

This was the modern way of celebrating, and now he had fully integrated into the lifestyle of this world.

He had bought the ingredients in advance, baked the cake base, shaped it perfectly, and then spread the prepared cream on the surface.

Perhaps the steady hands trained in embroidery helped, as Yan Shu didn’t shake at all while decorating. Every edge was neat and symmetrical, and he succeeded in one go.

He added some sliced strawberries and cherries on top, and a simple fruit cake was ready.

The cake was only six inches in size, easily lifted with one hand by Yan Shu.

He went to the balcony where the flowerpots were, using the front camera of his phone for the first time. He raised the phone, took a picture of himself and the cake.

This was the final memory, recorded and scheduled to be shared at the appointed time.

Saying goodbye to the remnants of the life shadow left by “Yan Shu”, putting an end to it.

Exactly twelve o’clock.

Weibo-surfing netizens came across Yan Shu’s Weibo post.

[SAP-Yan Shu]: My heart is like snow, melting away the extravagance; the sunlight is beautiful, farewell with no return; to the young man in the distance, may your birthday be joyful.

Wishing my dear friends a bright future and my brothers a flourishing path. @SAP-Yu Chenzhou @SAP-Song Shi’an @SAP-Guan Shuo @SAP-You Qi

[Image]

Accompanying the text was a photo, which was the one Yan Shu took on the dormitory balcony.

In the photo, the boy had removed his cold mask, basking in the sunlight, his smile radiant.

With one hand holding a cake in front of him, making his face appear smaller, the background featured blooming white plum flowers in the winter, with a layer of snow still covering the branches, not entirely melted.

Their dormitory balcony was open, and all the potted plants on the balcony were planted by Song Shi’an. He had a knack for such aesthetics, including the white plum that should have grown in the wild, yet he had successfully transplanted it into a large pottery pot.

It had snowed last night, the snow that drifted in covered them, and it froze in the low temperature. Even after the clear morning, it hadn’t melted. The white plum appeared like a piece of artwork, preserving its blooming state.

In the cold environment, only the smiling boy in the photo was a warm presence.

[Question: Who else, like me, was lying down playing with their phone and accidentally hit their face because of this photo?]

[Raises hand, that’s me! I didn’t recognize that this was ‘Facially-Disabled-Brother’!]

[Oh my! Why does someone’s smile make such a huge difference compared to when they don’t smile?]

[So ‘Facially-Disabled-Brother’ can smile? Why did he always have a sour face before? If he marketed himself like this from the beginning, who knows how many fans he would have attracted.]

[No, don’t get distracted by the lovey-dovey stuff. The focus has been skewed! Look at his Weibo caption! This is clearly something said when parting ways.]

[He tagged everyone in the group, what is he planning to do…?]

Soon, Longfeng Entertainment’s official Weibo reposted his post and officially announced to the curious public—

Yan Shu’s contract with the company has expired, and he will not renew it. He will be leaving the SAP boy group.

SAP will continue to move forward as a four-member group, and Yan Shu himself has decided to leave the entertainment industry and fade out of the public eye.

[Ah???]

[Ah?????]

[Ah? This guy really left the entertainment industry?]

[I always thought the previous negative searches were part of their company’s marketing strategy. Since they’ve already gone through the ups and downs, they can come back after the public opinion settles down. Wherever they go in the future, they’ll have traffic, after all, they’re not lacking in haters.]

[Why is everyone here? Does this incompetent violent artist need to stay in the entertainment industry? It’s best if he truly leaves and doesn’t just pretend, or else he’ll only be more harshly criticized in the future.]

[Longfeng Entertainment even reposted his Weibo post. Could it be fake? How should I put it, the mood is a bit complex. With such a good-looking face, clearly capable of shining in the industry, now he can only end up leaving the industry, it’s lamentable.]

[The online environment is truly terrifying. Opening the comments section, all I see is full of malice. Can those edited videos really make you infer the truth of the situation?]

[I’m not a fan of Yan Shu, just an onlooker. These past few days, I’ve witnessed him being targeted by the entire internet, facing online attacks from many people. If it were me, I would have collapsed. Today is his 20th birthday, and after looking around, not a single person wished him.]

[Finally, a sensible person. All you do is say, “So Yan Shu can smile too”, such silly comments. Is it possible that his previous ‘Facially-Disabled-Brother’ image was something the company forced him to use for marketing purposes?]

[I don’t care anymore. Let others criticize as they please. I want to become a fan of Yan Shu. From his words, I can sense a kind of bitterness and helplessness. He was originally as pure as snow, yet had to be tainted by this industry. This filthy place, leaving is for the best. Be brave and be yourself. Also, Happy 20th Birthday to you!]

Unknown to many, the phrase “to the young man in the distance, may your birthday be joyful” is the current Yan Shu’s blessing to the former “Yan Shu”. Today’s birthday belongs to both of them.

Although he doesn’t know where the other is now, Yan Shu only hopes that they are safe and happy.

…

The dormitory door was forcefully pushed open, and a few people squeezed in together.

Yan Shu was startled by the voices, his hand shaking as he was cutting the cake. Upon seeing familiar faces, he flashed a warm smile.

“Is work all done? Tired? Welcome back! This is the cake I made, already cut for you all, one piece each.”

While Yan Shu was still talking to himself, Guan Shuo threw his backpack on the ground and rushed forward, embracing the young man.

Yan Shu, with a hand covered in cream, didn’t know where to put it, frozen in mid-air.

He seemed to hear a sniffle by his ear.

After a while, a deep voice sounded, “Is this what you wanted to tell us that day… is this your voluntary decision?”

Yan Shu knew they already knew about his decision to leave the industry. Setting down the plastic knife in his hand, he gently said, “Yes, after finishing this cake, I should go.”

“…”

Yan Shu: “Thank you for rushing back to celebrate my birthday with me. Today… should be the most relaxing day for me in a while.”

Yu Chenzhou and the others didn’t rush towards him like Guan Shuo did, but they all looked at him with teary eyes.

A thousand words exchanged without speaking.

Yan Shu thought they would vehemently try to stop him from leaving, would run to argue with the manager, but they didn’t.

Each of them silently picked up a piece of cake and ate in silence.

You Qi’s tears fell directly onto the cream, wetting it. Finally, he choked up, “Sniff… Xiao Yan, I can’t bear to see you go.”

Yan Shu walked over, squatted beside the blond boy, raised his hand to hug him, touched his dazzling hair, comforting the saddened “kitten”.

“We have phone numbers, WeChat, and a group chat. Don’t worry, I won’t lose touch. We’ll have the chance to meet again in the future.”

“*Sniffle*… okay…”

“Promise me, all of you must continue to do better in the future. I hope that one day, walking down the street, I’ll see your billboards everywhere, you all…”

“…”

“Must become successful!”

Unable to hold back any longer, the four of them gathered around Yan Shu, embracing him tightly in the middle.

When they saw that Weibo post, they actually understood everything.

They could tell that Yan Shu truly didn’t want to stay in the entertainment industry.

Longfeng Entertainment had issued their statement, and there was no turning back. Even if they angrily protested to the company, it would only become a meaningless joke.

Guan Shuo still remembered seeing Yan Shu earnestly embroidering that afternoon, so pure and beautiful. It was the first time he felt that Yan Shu might not belong in the bustling city.

With his serene and quiet demeanor, existing in his own world, he should be in a cozy afternoon teahouse, a sunlit glass room, or an ancient bookshop filled with the scent of ink, enjoying a comfortable slow life.

“We’re all grown men, no need for sentimentality. You’ve blessed us, now it’s our turn.” Guan Shuo poured drinks into each person’s cup.

Everyone raised their glasses.

At that moment, everyone was smiling, their voices filled with sincere blessings.

“Yan Shu, happy birthday!”

“Wishing you health, happiness, and smooth sailing in all your endeavors.”

“Wishing you safety and good fortune every year.”

“Wishing you… to remain pure and passionate in the midst of an ordinary life.”

No reuploading anywhere else.

Support the author 橙子不涩 by buying chapters on jjwxc!!

Your ko-fi donations would be greatly appreciated.

If you want to try out a Quick Transmigration novel, you can try out ‘[Quick Transmigration] The Paranoid Villain is Coveting the Beautiful Cat Again‘

It’s also one of the novels I’m currently translating~

Ko-fi goals? Extra chapter release once we reach our goal!!