Ch96 - Life and Death

Ji Xiunian didn’t understand much when it came to the auras of death, but for some reason, when he saw the black aura surrounding Fan Zeng, he felt that Fan Zeng was in danger.

He didn’t know how to describe the feeling, so he just repeatedly asked Fan Zeng if he was feeling well.

“I’m really fine.” Fan Zeng sensed that Ji Xiunian was anxious, and didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. “If I was feeling unwell, I’d definitely go see the doctor as soon as I could. Xiunian, don’t worry.”

“But…” Ji Xiunian just couldn’t rest easy, and was about to advise him further when he was interrupted by Fan Zeng.

“All right, Xiunian, I’m feeling really tired now. If you talk to me for any longer, then something will definitely happen to me.” Fan Zeng patted Ji Xiunian on the shoulder, and then returned to his room.

There was nothing Ji Xiunian could do, and his heart was uneasy.

He had seen that black aura on Lan Gaojie’s body before, and then Lan Gaojie had died not even a few days later. If he had mentioned it earlier, he wondered if things would have turned out differently.

Now the one with that aura of death was Fan Zeng. There was no way he could just sit on his hands.

But it was already this late, and to bother Fan Zeng with this did seem a bit inappropriate.

Luckily, the aura around Fan Zeng wasn’t very thick, so he could still have a chance to outrun death.

Ji Xiunian of course hoped that he was wrong about this, but he had to prepare just in case.

He was all over the place, and didn’t know who to turn to. In the end, he picked up Ba Mei in his arms and sighed, as though asking Ba Mei a question. “Ba Mei, Fan ge will be fine, right?”

“Meow.” Ba Mei’s wet eyes blinked up at Ji Xiunian, unclear whether it understood at all.

Ji Xiunian still pat its head, as though giving himself encouragement. “He’ll definitely be alright.”

Ji Xiunian didn’t sleep very well tonight. He felt uneasy, as though something was about to happen.

Ji Xiunian woke up at dawn, and got ready to visit Fan Zeng, and found that he had already gone to the broadcasting studio earlier.

The recording for the second public performance was about to begin. The employees and the trainees were all eager to begin, never mind the director, Fan Zeng, himself.

“Everyone, to your places. Are the lighting and sound directors here? Let’s rehearse walking across the stage, and confirm the set…”

Fan Zeng sat in front of the supervising camera, busy instructing and working with the others.

Although his face was a bit pale, he looked a lot better compared to last night.

Seeing that he was surrounded by people, Ji Xiunian couldn’t find a chance to speak to him, and chose to wait by the side for now.

“Nian ge, what are you doing here?”

Lu Xu’s voice suddenly came from behind him. Ji Xiunian turned around and noticed the other man standing beside him, his gaze falling onto Fan Zeng.

Ji Xiunian had already held it in for one night, and seeing Lu Xu in front of him, he couldn’t help but ask, “Lu Xu, can you see it?”

“See what?” Lu Xu turned to look at Ji Xiunian, as though waiting for his answer.

Lu Xu spoke nonchalantly, as though he was very detached.

He was smiling, but he gave off the feeling that he wasn’t feeling anything at all, his deep eyes were charming and calm, giving people the impression that he had seen through both life and death.

This kind of Lu Xu made Ji Xiunian feel as though he was a stranger, and he tried hard to shake off that feeling, and said very directly, “Fan ge’s body has this aura of death around it, can you see it?”

Lu Xu raised his brows, a bit surprised that Ji Xiunian could actually see it.

Things like auras of death weren’t something that normal people could see. He thought that the time he could see the aura around Lan Gaojie was an exception, but he never thought that he would be able to see Fan Zeng’s as well.

“Mn, I see it too.” Lu Xu didn’t deny it, he just simply nodded his head.

His attitude was overly calm, to the point that Ji Xiunian was unnerved by it. Fan Zeng was someone they knew, and they clearly knew that he could die, but Lu Xu didn’t make any sort of expression. Was this kind of reaction normal?

Ji Xiunian also didn’t know why he was feeling so uneasy, but he still asked Lu Xu, “Do you have any idea of what to do? Or have you heard of any way to stop the death?”

Lu Xu shook his head, and said a bit strangely, “You want to stop Fan ge’s death? That’s not possible. Each person has their own life, and not everything can be accomplished just because you wish it.”

Lu Xu’s expression when he said that was strict, and only one look was needed to see that he was being serious.

Although he made sense, Ji Xiunian couldn’t just watch idly as the people around him disappeared.

Or maybe Lu Xu was right, but it hadn’t happened yet, so they had to try, right?

“I still want to do something. We can’t escape death, but Fan ge is still alive right now.” With each word that Ji Xiunian spoke, he became more resolved.

As long as he could save Fan Zeng, he was willing to try anything.

Ji Xiunian had always been gentle, and this was the first time Lu Xu had heard him sound so resolute.

“Then try. What if, right?” Lu Xu didn’t want to dash his hopes, so he just pursed his lips and smiled.

Ji Xiunian turned to look at Fan Zeng, and saw that there weren’t other people around him anymore, so he quickly stood up and said, “Fan ge, can I talk to you for a bit?”

Fan Zeng was still talking on the phone, but he paused for a moment. “What’s wrong, Xiunian?”

Ji Xiunian didn’t want to hide anything, so he pulled Fan Zeng to a quiet corner and said to him, “Fan ge, there’s something I haven’t told anyone else, but I want to tell you now.”

His face was serious, and Fan Zeng was a bit shocked, so he asked, “What is it?”

Ji Xiunian gently let out a sigh, as though he was gathering strength. “Lan Gaojie is dead.”

“Eh?” Fan Zeng was a bit stunned by the news, and said a moment later, “He just withdrew from the competition, he didn’t die. Why are you suddenly saying such a thing?”

In Fan Zeng’s eyes, it was impossible that there wasn’t any news if Lan Gaojie had died.

Although there were similar conspiracies on the internet, there was no way a person could just die without any news at all.

Also, Ji Xiunian and Lan Gaojie didn’t have any relationship at all. If something had happened to one party, it would make sense for the press to learn of it first.

Ji Xiunian hadn’t wanted to bring this up, but now that it was already said, it was easy to tell the rest of the story. “He’s really dead. I saw an aura of death around his body. As for why the studio covered it up, I don’t know, probably as a last wish or something.”

Fan Zeng felt like that statement was too far-fetched, but he didn’t want to argue with Ji Xiunian. His mind was occupied with tonight’s performance. “So, you wanted to tell me this?”

Ji Xiunian was silent for a moment before he said, “I also wanted to tell you, that I also saw the same aura around you, that’s why I asked if you were feeling okay…”

Even if he didn’t believe it, Fan Zeng still felt stunned.

No one liked to listen to others telling them they were going to die, and Fan Zeng was the same. “Ai, then other than Lan Gaojie and I, have you ever seen such a thing on other people?”

Ji Xiunian shook his head. “No…”

“Then that’s not it.” Fan Zeng then felt himself become more at ease, and then said, “Never mind the rest, you don’t have any proof on whether Lan Gaojie really died or not, right? So that’s not confirmed. As for my health, it’s not the first time I’ve produced a show, I know my own body well.”

“I know you’re just worried about me and that’s why you’ve gotten so anxious.” Seeing that Ji Xiunian was about to say something, Fan Zeng sighed, and conceded a bit. “How about this, Xiunian, after I finish filming today’s show, I’ll go to the hospital for a full body check up. Will that make you feel a bit better?”

Fan Zeng had already said what he said, and Ji Xiunian didn’t want to fight anymore. “That’s good. Don’t delay it after tonight.”

“Don’t worry, I’m more afraid of dying.” Fan Zeng pat Ji Xiunian on the shoulder and smiled. The two of them chatted for a bit more before going back to work.

After the live audience judges entered, the second performance officially began.

Liang Da was wearing a gold suit. He marched onto the stage. “Welcome one and all to the second public performance on ‘Birth of an Idol’. Our live audience judges can use their phones to vote for and support their favourite contestants. Even the audience members in front of their televisions can sign into the official voting website… Now, let’s welcome our very first performance team up onto the stage…”

The other groups had two instructors, except for the vocal team which only had Yu Manman. Even though it was just her opening the stage, it wasn’t lacking in any way.

She was wearing a blue, form fitting dress, and her body was slim and elegant. She was naturally pretty, and as she sat down there, she was like a goddess.

Yu Manman turned around to glance at her own team, then slowly began to speak, introducing Xu Haoming as the team captain.

Xu Haoming was the popular one of BTT. He was originally very talented, and everyone thought that his dancing was very good, but they had never expected him to improve his vocal skills so much.

The first group had chosen Yu Manman’s song to perform. It made use of a clean, high voice of a woman, and with Xu Haoming’s voice, it gave off a wild vibe.

The five of them stood on stage, handsome beyond belief, and just their bodies alone were very eye-catching.

Once they finished the song, Xu Lele unconsciously raised his hands and applauded. “My god, this arrangement is too amazing. I feel like Xu Haoming’s vocal skills improved greatly. Waaah, as expected of my female goddess, her song being sung by students still sounds so great.”

Lu Xu couldn’t help but glance at Yu Manman who was sitting in the instructor seats, and thought that she really was talented.

After the vocal team finished performing, it was the dance team. Each segment was equally exciting.

Lu Xu’s mind wasn’t really focused on the program, and he kept glancing occasionally at Fan Zeng and Ji Xiunian.

In the short span of a day, the deathly aura around Fan Zeng had grown much, much heavier.

If there was no incident, he was afraid that Fan Zeng would die tonight.

Lu Xu looked at the audience below, excitedly waiting for the trainees to get on stage, and he couldn’t help but sigh.

If possible, he also didn’t want Fan Zeng to meet his end at this time.

Even if it was to hold out for the sake of others, that was good too.

But life and death were divine matters, and before the aura of death had appeared, he had reminded Fan Zeng more than once, but he hadn’t listened.

Everything would happen in its own time, and he couldn’t change things just like that.

Lu Xu was spacing out when Xu Lele suddenly opened his mouth to call for him. “Xu ge, it’s almost our turn!”

The performance score of the composition team previously had not been very good. Gu Wenan and Ji Xiunian had discussed it, and still decided to send their ace team.

Once the instructors announced Lu Xu’s name, the live audience judges let out cheers and screams-

Lu Xu had always performed very well, and no one could say how the composition team would do this time. Just the thought of it made everyone excited!