Thirty-Third Encounter with Encirclement

  In the following days, their album was a huge success. As soon as the newly produced CDs or tapes came out, they would be snatched up by retailers. Walking down the street anywhere, Ji Xin'an could hear his own songs being played everywhere. At first, it was still somewhat fresh, but after a summer vacation, he himself was already tired of hearing them.

  Everyone who listened to their songs, apart from being interested in the song itself, was especially curious about the identities and appearances of the two mysterious singers, making Ji Xin'an and Zou Ze a major topic of conversation among ordinary people after dinner.

  Ji Xin'an even once heard someone discussing them in a public restroom.

  I thought that as time passed, with new topics emerging, they would calm down, but Ji Xianan underestimated people's curiosity and the determination of her fans to see them. With the start of school approaching, not only has it not subsided, but instead, it is becoming more and more intense.

  Perhaps it's because there are too few things available to entertain people in this era, and the enthusiasm of the two has never diminished. People's conversations started with curiosity and freshness, simple chats, but later on, they became somewhat unpleasant to hear, with all sorts of speculations spreading around.

  Fans also started out with simple actions of writing letters and sending gifts, but became more and more irrational, with some even running to the company where Ji Xin'an was located, threatening to burn down the entire building if they couldn't see An'an and Kanke.

  Ji Xin'an had originally planned to take it easy this summer, but things didn't quite go as she had hoped.

  There are only two days left before school starts, and Jing Xinan has finally had a leisurely day off for two days. He didn't go anywhere and stayed at home to enjoy the hard-won leisure time. However, he hadn't enjoyed it for two days when he received a call from Song Jiangliang.

  "Ji Xin'an, come to the company quickly, something's happened." Song Jiangliang's voice on the phone was very anxious and accompanied by a lot of noise.

  "What's wrong?" Ji Xin'an's heart tightened at first, but then he thought again, what could have happened that would lead to him being found.

  "Your and Zou Ze's fans are blocking the company entrance, demanding to see you. They refuse to leave if they can't see you, and no matter what we say, they won't agree to leave. Moreover, more and more people are gathering." Inside is chaotic, Song Jiangliang almost shouted.

  "You guys are useless, what's the point of me going?" Ji Xin'an heard this and didn't tense up, she had seen many crazy fans before, these were just child's play.

  "Hey, my little sister-in-law, can't you just grant me this one request? I know you're full of ideas, can't you think of a way to help me out? Don't worry, I promise to abide by the contract terms and won't force you to show up." Song Jiangliang was really anxious, if things went on like this, he feared that the fans' emotions would get out of control.

  "Alright, I'll be there in a bit."

  "That's great, hurry up and come in through the back door." Song Jiang felt relieved as soon as she agreed.

  When Ji Xin'an arrived at the company, there were already hundreds of people outside. Although Ji Xin'an had seen many big scenes before, most of them were on TV, and even if she saw real ones, they wouldn't be for her.

  So when she saw so many people, and more and more signs, occasionally shouting together, "We want to see An Xin, we want to see Kan Ke." Ji Xin'an suddenly had a different feeling.

  "Ah, you've finally arrived. Come with me quickly." Ji Xin'an was pulled in by Song Jiangliang, who had been waiting at the back door, as soon as he entered. Since very few people knew Ji Xin'an's identity, Song Jiangliang had surprisingly come to pick him up himself. Once they reached Song Jiangliang's office on the upper floor, he walked all the way to the window and said, "Take a look at the people outside. There are more and more of them now."

  "There are a lot of them, can't you just find a way to get rid of them?" Sticking to the large glass window and looking outside, she was more curious than nervous. At this time, another organized shout came from outside, and Ji Xin'an could clearly see the fans holding signs with their names or her sketch album cover.

  "We've tried everything, didn't you see our staff shouting at them? We've said all we can say, but they're just a bunch of teenagers who won't even listen to their parents, let alone us. The company has even called the police, but they can't do anything either, and we can't use force. The police are also helpless, so it's up to us to think of something. They can only maintain order." Song Jiangliang was furious at her nonchalant attitude. "You'd better help me think of a solution quickly, or I'll kick you out. This is what it means to be anxious."

  "What can I do?" As he said that, he saw some reporters with cameras and video cameras coming over, thinking to himself that he really had to think of something.

  Song Jiang also saw that more and more reporters were coming, and he was so anxious that he was running around all over the place. If it were a normal situation, just having the star come out to calm things down would be enough. Besides, this kind of formal occasion had never had such an unexpected turn of events before!

  Ji Xin'an stared fixedly at a spot, but his mind was thinking of ways to disperse the crowd below quickly.

  "Song Ge, you guys should have external speakers here, right!" Ji Xin'an lifted her head and smiled.

  "You have it, what are you going to use it for?" Song Jiang's eyes lit up as soon as he heard her ask.

  "Just get me a microphone and turn up the volume so everyone outside can hear it, you don't need to worry about anything else," said Ji Xin'an, making a gesture for him to hurry up.

  "Alright, I'll go get it for you right away." Song Jiang really turned around and went to ask the staff for the microphone.

  Ji Xin'an held the microphone, looking at these expectant eyes, it was impossible not to feel moved, but she couldn't make a decision that would make her regret later just because of a momentary impulse. So she closed her eyes and adjusted her emotions, when she opened them again, she had already returned to normal.

  Holding the microphone, a song "Invisible Wings" was sung softly, because there was no accompaniment, only a cappella, clean and pleasant voices spread into the air, and the noisy square suddenly became quiet.

  As soon as the song was over, applause and cheers erupted again in unison.

  "Hello everyone, I am An Xin, the one you've all been wanting to meet." Ji Xin'an said softly.

  "Don't worry, we'll see you." A loud shout instantly stirred up the crowd.

  "I know and understand that you want to see my emotional side, but I also have my own unavoidable difficulties. Like most of you, I am just a student in school, singing is only one special experience in my life, although I like it very much, but now it's not the main part of my life, my main job is studying, I need to go back to class, don't want other things to affect my normal life, so I made this decision, hope you can understand and support me." Ji Xin'an's emotional speech touched many people.

  Everyone was either deep in thought or whispering to each other when a reporter suddenly grabbed the megaphone used by the staff to maintain order. "I'm Zhang Xiaowen, a reporter from XX News. If you're really worried about being disturbed while studying and don't want to meet with fans, then wouldn't releasing an album also affect your studies? It's just meeting face-to-face, how could it possibly have any impact? And now that the album is selling well, even if you didn't go to school in the future and became a singer, wouldn't that be a promising career path as well? Don't you think this is a bit hypocritical?"

  As soon as the man's voice fell, before Ji Xin'an could react, the surrounding fans were not happy and surrounded him. In their minds, An Xin was a perfect angel, and this reporter used such vicious language to describe his idol, so they naturally wouldn't let it go.

  Just as things were about to get out of hand, Ji Xin'an hastily stopped them, "Everyone calm down, I know you're all doing this for my own good, but please don't be impulsive."

  As everyone stopped moving, Ji Xin took a deep breath and said, "Now, I'll answer your questions. First of all, whether it's releasing an album or recording songs, I've never neglected my studies. You can ask the company about this, my grades in school have always been first-class. You say that coming out now won't have any impact, do you dare guarantee that? Do you dare guarantee that after our true identities are exposed, we won't be disturbed by anyone and can focus on studying?"

  After hearing her words, the reporter couldn't help but want to say something again. Just as he was about to speak, Ji Xin'an continued to talk, blocking his words from coming out.

  "As for what you said about not studying and becoming a singer, I think that's a short-sighted approach. From a short-term perspective, the songs I write are selling well now, bringing me fame and fortune, making me an overnight sensation, and allowing me to join the ranks of top singers. But from a long-term perspective? You've all heard the story of Shang Yang, if I give up studying now and become a singer, will I still be able to write songs you like in the future without accumulating knowledge and cultural foundation? Will you still like me then?" Ci Xian's series of rhetorical questions left everyone including the reporter speechless.

  "I want to know whether you value our songs being good or our appearance more? Dear fans, if you like us, please understand and support our decision, so we can study in peace without any disturbance. If you really want to communicate with me, write letters to me as before. I won't be able to open all the letters and reply to everyone, but I promise that every letter I read will get a personal response from me."

  The fans stood quietly, no one said a word. After a while, just when Ji Xin'an thought all her words were in vain, someone started to leave. Once someone took the lead, more and more people followed, completely different from when they arrived. At this time, it was quiet without a single sound.

  "Thank you, thank you all." Ji Xin An was a little choked with emotion, touched by the kindness and thoughtfulness of her fans.