After Rebirth, I Ended Up with My Idol [Entertainment Circle] - Chapter 1

The official “CP” (Couple) of An Rong and Xu Xiaoye had lasted for several years. Although they each had specific personas in front of the camera, their relationship was excellent regardless of whether they were being filmed or were in private. It was the kind of closeness that looked so real it felt fake—or rather, so “fake” it felt real.

It was so good that An Rong often fantasized it was the real thing. She imagined they truly were the match made in heaven that the media and netizens claimed they were. She felt that as long as the CP fans’ fanfics weren’t tragic “Bad Ending” stories, they should keep writing them—after all, there was no guarantee they wouldn’t come true.

They say companionship is the longest form of confession. An Rong believed she could simply keep walking by Xu Xiaoye’s side forever.

Then, out of nowhere, Xu Xiaoye’s relationship was exposed. An Rong found out through a private message from a fan on Weibo.

[Username] Smiles are Reversible, Not Separable: Rong-ge, don’t be sad.

An Rong was bewildered. What is this? Why would I be sad?

[Username] Smiles are Reversible, Not Separable: Even though Xiao Xiao has a boyfriend now, you guys are still best friends and teammates. Hang in there, sob sob sob… I don’t even know what I’m saying, I feel like I’m the one going through a breakup. I’m crying…

An Rong froze instantly. Xu Xiaoye had a boyfriend? How did she not know? They ate and lived together. Just this morning, Xu Xiaoye had said she was going to get her hair done and would bring back some cold skin noodles for her. How did a boyfriend suddenly materialize in the span of a few hours?

While she was still dazed, Xiao Yu called her, hesitantly asking if she was okay and suggesting they go out for a meal.

An Rong hung up with a heavy frown and checked Weibo. The news was everywhere. The third highest trending topic was #Xu Xiaoye Relationship Exposed#. An Rong’s hand trembled as she clicked on it, her heart still insisting it must be fake. How could Xu Xiaoye have time to date? The company has strict rules against it.

But the first image was a high-definition shot: Xu Xiaoye, her hair still in rollers, was being fed by a man. She was smiling, her eyes full of affection. Their movements were incredibly intimate. There were photos from multiple angles showing Xu Xiaoye looking radiant, her lips bright red, her eyes sparkling with adoration. It looked like a picture-perfect scene of a couple in love.

If those photos only suggested they were close, the following pictures of them with fingers interlocked and Xu Xiaoye leaning against the man’s arm were impossible to explain away. From behind, they looked like a “golden couple”—a perfect match in height and build.

Based on An Rong’s knowledge of Xu Xiaoye, the girl didn’t usually like being that physically intimate with others in private.

Once that connection was made, bits of information she hadn’t noticed before began to click into place like a solved puzzle. Xu Xiaoye had mentioned making a new friend recently—a newcomer at the company, very warm and handsome.

While An Rong had been busy practicing her dancing, Xu Xiaoye had invited her out to dinner, but An Rong had declined because she didn’t have the time.

Thinking back now, the signs had been there all along.

A moment later, An Rong also hit the trending searches, ranking fourth.

#Xu Xiaoye Relationship Exposed#

#An Rong Your Wife Is Gone#

The two of them were so inseparable that even their trending topics were side-by-side. Except now, the contrast was jarring: one side was a blossoming romance, the other a tragic loneliness.

An Rong’s unspoken love had shattered abruptly. Yet, she couldn’t bear to cause Xu Xiaoye any trouble. She exited Weibo and sent a single text to Xu Xiaoye: I wish you happiness.

Then she called Xiao Yu: “I want to drink.”

Xiao Yu was also a member of the group GG. She was perceptive and had long ago discovered the labyrinth of feelings An Rong was hiding. So, when her friend “broke up,” she was the first to offer comfort—and white liquor. It was over 60% alcohol. After three glasses, An Rong started crying. After five, she passed out.

As she drifted in a daze, she vaguely heard Xu Xiaoye’s voice.

Xu Xiaoye had a slightly husky voice. While it wasn’t obvious in normal conversation, it carried a raspy, sexy low tone that often left An Rong lightheaded.

“Hey, wake up.”

Hearing that voice, An Rong felt a sudden surge of grievance. Four years. She had nurtured a secret crush for four years, only to find out about the other woman’s relationship from a fan’s message. Her heart ached. Fueled by the alcohol, she muttered: “I’m not waking up. You don’t even like me anyway.”

As the words left her mouth, An Rong felt something was off.

She could tell the difference between being drunk and being asleep. Specifically, as she dully sniffed the air, there was no scent of alcohol. Had Xu Xiaoye taken her home and washed her? But why did it sound so noisy?

Xu Xiaoye looked bewildered. She snatched her hand back from An Rong’s shoulder and glanced around. Fortunately, although there were fixed cameras filming the area, they probably hadn’t recorded the audio.

“Um… the evaluation is in less than two hours. Five people are being eliminated this time. Don’t you want to get up and practice?”

An Rong’s mind went blank. What?!

Evaluation? Grading? Elimination? Two hours?! She had been debuted for four years! She’d been doing concerts for three! Why was the company doing this? Why hadn’t she received a notice?

Just as she was reeling, a loudspeaker blared: “Two-hour countdown to the evaluation. Students, please be prepared.”

A wave of groans filled the room. An Rong jolted upright. Her eyes had been pressed against her arm for too long; when she opened them, her vision was blurry. She could see distorted silhouettes of people in a spacious dance studio with white walls.

The scene was hauntingly familiar. This was their company’s old dance studio. There was even the large “TS Entertainment” logo on the wall.

An Rong blinked hard, her brow furrowed. Am I having a drunk dream? The hazy images, the unclear memories, the noisy environment—was she dreaming?

Xu Xiaoye sighed with relief. Seeing a cameraman approaching, she whispered urgently: “Stop talking in your sleep and hurry up and practice, or you’re doomed when the time comes.”

An Rong was completely out of it. Once her vision cleared, she looked around. In all these years, this was the first time she had dreamed about when she first joined the company. It was so vivid; everyone’s face was clear, especially Xu Xiaoye’s. Even in loose, shapeless athletic clothes, she stood out.

But the way she looked at An Rong was… strange? Cold?

This is too much, An Rong thought. This is a dream. Why am I being so well-behaved in a dream? Shouldn’t I be jumping her right now? Shouldn’t there be some illogical, chaotic passion? I’ve been a “good girl” for four years in reality—can’t I go crazy in a dream?

Especially since Xu Xiaoye had a boyfriend now. How could she stand it? She could endure it in reality, but not in her dreams! Her dream, her rules!

Boldness born from anger surged within her. An Rong leaned over and hugged Xu Xiaoye’s leg, radiating the melancholy of a rejected lover.

“Tell me… why don’t you like me?”

Xu Xiaoye looked like she’d been struck by lightning. Seeing the camera coming closer, her mind turned to mush from the sudden attack. Then, a stroke of genius hit her. She bent down, grabbed An Rong’s hand, and hissed: “Sleepwalking! Why are you sleepwalking again?!”

She gripped hard, trying to alert An Rong that people were watching and to snap her out of it.

But An Rong, convinced this was a dream, only felt aggrieved and angry. Who’s sleepwalking? Sleepwalking inside a dream? Am I crazy? What kind of messed-up dream is this?

An Rong lunged upward, grabbed Xu Xiaoye by the waist, and planted a kiss right on her mouth. It was as soft and warm as she’d imagined—like a little jelly, and slightly sweet. Amidst Xu Xiaoye’s shocked expression, An Rong even smacked her lips and commented: “You even wear this lipstick in my dreams?”

Xu Xiaoye: “…What are you doing?!!!”

Xu Xiaoye shoved An Rong to the floor, covered her mouth, and turned to run away.

Nearly everyone in the studio was staring at them, looking like they’d seen a ghost. They even forgot about the countdown.

An Rong sat on the floor, dazed. The plot of this dream was going in a weird direction.

She slapped her own cheeks and shook her head, trying to pinch herself awake. But it didn’t work. Not only did it not work, it actually hurt. A very real, sharp pain. Her eyes even felt a bit stingy.

An Rong felt a sudden sense of guilt. However, she was blessed with a naturally steady, mature face. As long as she kept her expression neutral, she looked exceptionally calm. The problem was, being expressionless right now made her look like a seasoned, unrepentant harasser.

Like a creep who got caught and didn’t care at all.

Even if it was a dream, An Rong was panicking. Under the watchful eyes of the crowd, she turned toward the wall, closed her eyes, and began to chant: “This is a dream. I’m waking up. I’m waking up. I’m waking up.”

She opened her eyes. It was still the white wall.

A seed of panic sprouted. She thought for a moment, then banged her head against the wall twice. Thud. Thud.

“An Rong, come with me.”

That voice was also hauntingly familiar. It was her former teacher and evaluator, Qin Yun.

But that was four years ago! She hadn’t seen Qin Yun in four years. Surely she wouldn’t dream about her now?

Was this really happening?

An Rong turned around stiffly and met Qin Yun’s gaze with confusion.

Qin Yun had just heard from others that An Rong had harassed Xu Xiaoye, but looking at Xu Xiaoye’s expression now, something seemed off.

The two of them left the studio. Qin Yun frowned and asked: “What were you doing just now?”

An Rong replied solemnly: “Dreaming.”

Qin Yun: “…??”

What is going on? Her physical exam was normal, her psych test was normal… did she just go crazy?

Qin Yun asked tentatively: “Specifically?”

An Rong lowered her head shyly. Even if it was a dream, that was her first kiss. She was allowed to be shy. Besides, it felt so real. She thought she should write it down when she woke up; it might be a miracle of neurology.

Qin Yun was speechless. She had high hopes for this kid; she didn’t expect her to have mental issues.

They walked in silence. A girl walking toward them greeted them, her tone naturally oily and syrupy: “Hello, Teacher Qin. Are you busy? I’m almost ready, but there are a few parts I don’t quite understand. Could you give me some guidance?”

An Rong’s brow furrowed as she stared at the person. Her name was Wang Yunshui. Back then, she had somehow passed the evaluation and they had debuted together. Later, An Rong discovered that this person was a total B-I-T-C-H—one for whom all the swear words in every language on earth wouldn’t be enough.

If possible, An Rong never wanted to see her again for the rest of her life. Disgusting! Nauseating! Ptooey!

So here was the problem: why was she dreaming about this piece of trash? An Rong’s frown deepened. She couldn’t figure it out. This dream was too absurd; the one she wanted had run away, and the one she didn’t want was sticking to her.

Qin Yun shook her head: “I have something to do. You can go find Teacher Shen or Teacher Zhou. They seem to be free.”

Teacher Shen was Shen Ri’an, who had a timeless baby face and a witty sense of humor; all the girls liked him. Teacher Zhou was Zhou Rui; despite his “tough guy” image, he was a gentleman to the girls and hated seeing them cry.

Wang Yunshui happily agreed. After she walked away, An Rong cautiously asked Qin Yun: “Teacher Qin, what’s the date today?”

Qin Yun frowned: “The 5th. You guys came through the screening on the 2nd, right? You officially moved in for closed training yesterday. You don’t even remember that?”

An Rong’s throat went dry. This isn’t right. This isn’t right. No dream is this logical. She couldn’t even remember the exact date she joined the company; how could her dream be so specific?

An Rong felt uneasy. After a moment of thought, she asked: “Teacher, when is the group debut?”

Qin Yun looked at her like she was a madwoman, her tone turning stern: “You just got here. Debut is a long way off. At the very least, we have to wait three months to see the elimination results or see what the company arranges. It’s far too early to be thinking about that.”

It was over. An Rong’s head spun as she realized: this wasn’t a dream.

No dream follows logic and reason like this. The scene around her was so clear she could see the veins on the leaves of the “Money Tree” plant. The scene hadn’t changed for a long time, the building followed architectural standards, her consciousness was sharp—she couldn’t even wake up.

If this wasn’t a dream, then what she just did…

Oh no!

Qin Yun checked to make sure no one was around and asked with a frown: “An Rong, do you realize what you just did?”

An Rong was still questioning reality. For a moment, she wondered: Which side was the dream?

And more importantly: how was she going to explain her absurd behavior? Was she about to be fired?!

The Author has something to say:

An Rong’s first day of rebirth: Falling in battle before the campaign even began.