Chapter 65: Dad Fans

In front of the dressing table, the hairstylist was busy working on Qin Haiyu’s hair. Yu Zhile walked over and discovered that his wife was actually playing a matching game on her phone with her head bent low.

Well, well!

She has time to play games, but not to message her husband and report in!

Yu Zhile stood to the side, lowered his head, and asked, “Playing?”

“Mm,” Qin Haiyu answered instinctively, then suddenly realized the voice sounded oddly familiar. She turned her head, and shock flashed across her face. If Yu Zhile hadn’t spoken up just then, she might have blurted out “husband” right on the spot.

“Miss Qin, do you need to rehearse on stage again?” Yu Zhile asked.

Delight brightened Qin Haiyu’s expression, barely concealed, and she nodded, turning to the stylist and saying, “The hairstyle’s fine, this will do.”

“Alright,” the stylist replied.

Qin Haiyu quickly exited the game, put her phone away, stood, and cleared her throat. “Let’s go, I’ll rehearse again.”

Yu Zhile smiled gently, turned, and led Qin Haiyu out. Xu Ling, who had been waiting nearby and was nearly falling asleep, spotted Yu Zhile as the couple walked out and looked at them in astonishment, hurriedly trotting after.

Yang Bing followed at a measured distance; he needed to be at the stage to oversee the work shortly.

Qin Haiyu quickened her pace, walking alongside Yu Zhile, and whispered, “Husband, how did you get in here?”

Yu Zhile smiled, “A mountain man has his own clever ways! Tell me, were you surprised?”

“Heehee, I was!” Qin Haiyu was as happy as a child. Xu Ling caught up and asked, “What’s going on? How did you sneak in? You didn’t reveal your identity, did you?”

“Shh, no!” Yu Zhile explained, “I have a classmate working backstage, so I got a staff badge and slipped in!”

“No wonder!” Qin Haiyu suddenly understood. “So, with you here, is the baby at home with Mom?”

Yu Zhile nodded, “Yes, Mom says I’m an eyesore at home! She chased me out, told me to hurry over so I can supervise Dad and pick you up afterward.”

Qin Haiyu turned to Xu Ling, “Lingling, you can head back. With my husband here, I don’t need you to keep me company.”

“…” Xu Ling gave her a look of utter disdain. “Am I just your stand-in?”

Qin Haiyu replied with a laugh, “Absolutely!”

Xu Ling felt a pang and muttered, “Fine, I’m out! Later, I’ll sneak into the VIP seats to watch the show!”

Yu Zhile then asked, “Wife, have you rehearsed since you got here?”

Qin Haiyu replied, “I’ve already rehearsed the opening theme. I didn’t get a chance to rehearse the other songs—too many acts, too many stars needing rehearsal time, so I let them have my slot.”

“Alright, wait a moment.” Yu Zhile stopped and walked over to Yang Bing. “Old Yang, when do the audience members start coming in?”

Yang Bing checked his watch. “Ticket checks start at 7:20. That’s twenty-one minutes from now. If you need rehearsal, I’ll arrange it for you.”

“Thanks, much appreciated.” Yu Zhile returned to his wife. The stage had only been set up that morning, so the stars and dance teams had around ten hours of rehearsal time on site.

Qin Haiyu was not a singer-dancer, so aside from coordinating with the dance team for the opening theme, the other songs just needed the dance team to rehearse. As long as her singing was in good form, rehearsal wasn’t strictly necessary. Still, since it was a live broadcast, a run-through to get used to the stage and the dance team was prudent.

At that moment, a girl group was rehearsing, their dance youthful and fiery. Yu Zhile stood at the edge of the stage and watched for a while, curious. “Is this group famous? Their dancing seems average! The coordination is off, and they’re overdoing it in many places. It’s a bit awkward.”

Xu Ling knew these two were only half-familiar with the entertainment world, especially with new groups. She explained, “This is the Turkey Girls group. They debuted this year and are really popular domestically. They’re actually the most successful girl group in the country.”

Yu Zhile scoffed, “Turkey Girls? What a ridiculous name! Rocket Girls would be better!”

“Shh!” Qin Haiyu scolded. “Don’t talk badly about others behind their backs!”

“Ahem, the wife is right!” Yu Zhile responded, slightly embarrassed, and continued watching the Turkey Girls, listening to the blaring music.

Soon, Yang Bing returned and reported to Yu Zhile, “After the Turkey Girls finish rehearsing, they’ll head backstage to get ready. No one else needs the stage, so I can give your wife fifteen minutes to rehearse.”

“Great!” Yu Zhile said, “Please help arrange rehearsals for her other four acts, besides the opening theme.”

Yang Bing replied, “Already taken care of!”

“Good job!” Yu Zhile patted Yang Bing’s shoulder, praising him; Old Yang’s efficiency was impressive, and it showed he had real authority now, practically a backstage boss.

Not long after, the Turkey Girls finished their rehearsal and left the stage to change and prepare for the evening’s show.

“I’m heading up!” Qin Haiyu called out, then walked onto the stage.

Each of her performances tonight was accompanied by a dance team. The choreography had been arranged by the production staff, but Yu Zhile wasn’t sure if it matched the style and mood of the songs.

After the rehearsals for “Little Blessing,” “Cherry Blossom Grass,” and “Afterwards,” Yu Zhile realized the choreography, though slapdash, still suited the songs’ style and atmosphere.

In any case, most audience members would be transfixed by his fairy-like wife; no matter how well the dance team performed, they’d only be a backdrop to her.

Yang Bing checked his watch and reminded them, “Time’s up! The audience is coming in, no time to rehearse the last act!”

Yu Zhile replied, “It’s fine. With these three rehearsed, there shouldn’t be any issues.”

Qin Haiyu stepped off stage, letting out a relieved breath. “It’s true, rehearsal is necessary. Now I feel much more confident!”

Yu Zhile reminded her, “No time to rehearse the last new song. The audience is about to enter, and the band and dancers need to head backstage and prepare.”

Qin Haiyu said contentedly, “Three rehearsals are enough.”

Three minutes later, the audience poured in en masse. Yu Zhile wondered if his father and Old Liu had arrived yet.

Only forty minutes remained before the show began!

Meanwhile, outside the main venue of the cultural center, Old Yu and Old Liu finally arrived. Old Yu was drawn to a support sign.

He walked over and asked, “Miss, how much is this?”

Old Liu was dumbfounded. “You’re nearly sixty, and you’re still chasing stars? If your wife finds out, you’re doomed!”

Old Yu retorted proudly, “So what if she knows? She wouldn’t dare say a word in front of me at home, let alone scold me!”

The girl selling merchandise found the two uncles amusing. She quoted, “Sir, this electronic sign is quite expensive—280 yuan. After the show, you can sell it back for 200 yuan. The text and graphics can be customized for your favorite star.”

“280 yuan, sell back for 200, so it’s eighty yuan. That works.” Old Yu took out his phone. “I’ll buy this electronic sign! And give me two of those inflatable glow sticks!”

He handed the glow sticks to Old Liu. The girl asked, “Sir, do you want to customize the star name or text on the sign?”

Old Yu replied, “No need, this one is good enough!”

The girl smiled, “Are you a dad-fan of Qin Haiyu?”

“Dad-fan?” Old Yu echoed. “That’s a good phrase. Add those three characters to the corner!”

Old Liu was almost speechless. Old Yu must have gotten his head stuck in a door on the way out!

Chasing stars was one thing.

But chasing a female celebrity?

A young female star, at that?

There was no hope for him!

If his strict, scholarly wife found out, she’d surely skin him alive!