Early in the morning, Zong Xuan received a call from his second brother Zong Yi, saying he would come over at noon to see him. Zong Xuan had not seen his second brother for quite a while, so he readily agreed and even told the aunt to prepare a few dishes that Zong Yi liked.
Among the three Zong brothers, he was the youngest. The three had different personalities, but their relationship was very good. It was just that after growing up, each of them became busy with their own affairs, so the time they met became much less. Most of the time they only gathered during festivals or their parents’ birthdays; otherwise, they had to arrange meetings in advance.
Around ten in the morning, Zong Yi arrived. The aunt was already preparing lunch in the kitchen.
Zong Xuan brought him to the home theater. “You’re not busy today?”
“Mm.” Zong Yi sat on the sofa and looked around. It was not his first time here; nothing had changed since his last visit. But judging from the freshness of the furniture, it was clear Zong Xuan only stayed at home a few days each year. “I gave myself a vacation—taking a week off.”
“That’s rare,” Zong Xuan said with a smile, handing him a bottle of water. Zong Yi’s work schedule was relatively flexible, but he was extremely strict with himself. Regardless of whether he had work or not, he maintained a fixed routine and never slacked off even when working overtime. In Zong Xuan’s eyes, he was practically a model worker.
“After being tired for so many years, it’s time to relax a bit,” Zong Yi said gently, like a spring breeze in winter.
“You’re right to think that way,” Zong Xuan agreed. Work never ended; balance was important.
Zong Yi took a few sips of water and asked, “Where’s Xu Tang? Not at home?”
Zong Xuan sighed helplessly. “Don’t mention it. He’s mad at me.”
“Hm? What happened?” Zong Yi was puzzled. In his impression, Xu Tang had a pretty good temper. Even Xue Zhou had said Xu Tang was easygoing and rarely got angry.
Zong Xuan did not hide anything and told him everything about recent events.
Zong Yi worked in the fashion industry, loosely connected to the entertainment circle but not deeply involved. He rarely paid attention to gossip news, and after going through Zong Xuan’s earlier flood of scandals, he was already immune to rumors. He only believed what Zong Xuan personally told him. So he had not paid attention to the recent scandal.
He had always felt Zong Xuan and Xu Tang were quite well matched, and that marriage had helped Zong Xuan settle down. Indeed, in the past two years, while Zong Xuan’s career kept rising, his scandals had almost disappeared. He also hoped they could live well together, supporting each other and building a home. Later, when they were older, they could even have a child—that would be a perfect life.
Logically speaking, Xu Tang was not someone who would throw a tantrum without reason. And given his experience in the entertainment industry, his psychological resilience should be strong. So if he proposed divorce, there must be another reason.
Thinking of this, Zong Yi stood up and walked around the home theater casually. When he reached the desk, his attention was drawn to a bottle of perfume.
After a brief pause, he picked it up and lightly rubbed the glass bottle, asking casually, “Yi Zhen has come back, right?”
“Yes,” Zong Xuan replied. “He just came back a while ago. I met him a few days ago.”
Zong Yi had guessed it, and it turned out to be correct. As a perfumer, he was extremely sensitive to scents. To others, perfume might simply be good-smelling or not, but to him, it was an expression of emotion and attitude.
He removed the cap and sprayed it into the air once, then smiled. “This scent is nice, but it’s too niche. Not many people know it.”
“Yeah,” Zong Xuan nodded. He did not particularly like the scent, but since it was a gift from Teng Yi Zhen, he placed it somewhere visible.
Zong Yi seemed to be analyzing the fragrance. “Some perfumes are niche not because they lack promotion or are expensive, but because they have a unique temperament. They only suit certain people. Not everyone who wears them will feel appropriate or comfortable. And this one… doesn’t suit you.”
Zong Xuan looked at the bottle, then at Zong Yi. Although they seemed to be talking about perfume, it also sounded like something deeper.
Zong Yi smiled slightly. “You’re always smart. As your brother, I don’t think I have much to teach you. I just want to say something you already understand: niche things feel rare because they are hard to obtain. But not all ‘rarity’ is truly scarce—it can also be a result of method. And what is popular is not necessarily without taste. The key is whether it suits you.”
Zong Xuan fell silent for a moment. “Brother, you’re getting more and more roundabout.”
Zong Yi chuckled. “As long as you understand.”
The topic ended there, and they talked about recent fashion trends, family matters, and their parents and eldest brother Zong Huang.
Lunch was prepared according to Zong Yi’s preferences. He ate quite a lot and even praised the cook’s skills.
After lunch and some rest, Zong Yi prepared to leave. He had an appointment to watch a movie with Xue Zhou that evening. Xue Zhou had said he could visit his company anytime and was welcome to “inspect” his work.
Zong Yi understood that this so-called inspection was actually Xue Zhou’s way of showing there was nothing around him that could interfere with their relationship—a kind of reassurance. But Zong Yi was not an insecure person, so the inspection was just a playful way of getting closer.
After putting on his shoes, Zong Yi smiled. “By the way, I have something to tell you. I’m together with Xue Zhou now. So treat Xu Tang well and hurry up to bring him back, or Xue Zhou will settle accounts with you. I won’t help you.”
After saying that, he turned and left.
Zong Xuan stood frozen in place—what the hell was going on? His second brother was together with Xue Zhou? Then what should he call Xue Zhou in the future? Brother or brother-in-law?
—
In the afternoon, Xu Tang had nothing to do, so he went to the company to check on Yu Lun’s rehearsal. Everything looked well coordinated, and Yu Lun was full of confidence.
Shen Jia Jia walked over and smiled. “Did Kang Duo tell you the time for Saturday’s TV broadcast?”
“Yes. I’ll be there on time,” Xu Tang replied.
“Good. Dress a bit handsome that day. Among all the guest mentors, you’re the best-looking,” she said, clearly very satisfied.
Xu Tang smiled and nodded. “Okay.”
—
Soon it was the day of the semifinals.
Xu Tang arrived at the TV station on time. Because the show was extremely popular, many media outlets were already setting up cameras for interviews and live coverage.
Among all the mentors present that day, Xu Tang was the youngest but had the highest popularity. Even Shen Jia Jia had to admit that in terms of fame, he had already surpassed many senior artists.
Still, Xu Tang did not request anything special and even asked for a smaller dressing room, which was seen as giving Shen Jia Jia face.
After makeup, only Xu Tang and Kang Duo remained in the room. Yuan Shang stood guard outside.
“Today they will definitely ask about Zong Xuan. Be prepared,” Kang Duo reminded him.
“Don’t worry, I’ve already mastered the standard answers,” Xu Tang replied calmly.
“But I’m worried the shameless host might ask something else.”
“What?” Xu Tang asked.
“You didn’t see Zong Xuan’s Weibo?”
“I did,” he said.
“Then you didn’t read the comments,” Kang Duo said immediately.
Xu Tang nodded.
“Go read it now! That ‘I don’t have that kind of taste’ post!” she shouted.
Xu Tang opened his phone and checked.
Then his face instantly turned red.
These people… were seriously discussing everything—from what type he was, to even what positions he preferred.
He himself had zero experience, and they were talking like they knew everything. And Zong Xuan didn’t even delete the comments?!
Kang Duo looked at his flushed face and stopped teasing him.
“Think about what you’ll do if the host really has no sense of limits,” she said.
Xu Tang fell silent.
What could he do? Nothing at all.
At 7:30 p.m., the audience entered.
7:40, the band was ready.
7:50, mentors, guest mentors, and host were in position.
8:00 sharp—The King of Heavenly Sounds live broadcast began.