My Landlord is an Idol Singer - Chapter 185

Three different ways of writing her name? Xia An’ge craned her neck, cheeks tinged pink, trying to see the big screen. When she saw that it really was three versions of her name, her heart skipped. She grew restless, sitting on edge.

Inside, she hoped they’d hurry and call her up. She wanted to go with Gu Zhinan! That suspended heart slowly settled, her breathing returning to normal, even tinged with joy. At least Gu Zhinan knew what was precious!

As for the others, Wang Yuyan and the rest were stunned. They hadn’t expected this “Frog contestant” to choose only one person! They all felt it was a pity. He was ruthless, one original song per episode. To get to know him might be a huge advantage in the future.

Wang Yuyan too felt it was a loss, though even if the Frog had chosen her, she wouldn’t have chosen him. She had come here for one reason, to support Luo Feng, the Lion-mask singer.

He was a veteran of their Dynasty Entertainment company, returning to the stage. If he won this season, his album would already be set for release. Even if he didn’t win, he’d release it soon after, riding the heat of the competition.

But now, she began to worry. That Frog’s emotions and singing… were excellent.

And every single one of his originals was explosive in quality. What used to be a disadvantage in earlier seasons, unknown songs, had become his greatest strength. Wang Yuyan was now a hundred percent sure the Frog was that Gu Zhinan!

That brilliant man! She hadn’t expected his singing voice to be this good too. She was genuinely intrigued. Back when she and Lin Xi discussed songs, Lin Xi would often bring him up, praising how remarkable he was, even saying one of his songs was selected by Huayang TV.

But whenever she pressed further, Lin Xi grew tight-lipped, admitting he’d already said too much. Still, she could guess. Lin Xi had recently gone to Beijing, invited to work on a national treasure program’s theme song. Clearly, Gu Zhinan had something to do with it.

“Hahaha! He picked only one!”

“Holy crap! If this isn’t love, what is?”

“It’s love, love! But will Xia An’ge accept?”

“If she says yes, I’ll rush up there myself and rip off his frog mask. Straight guy, don’t suffocate yourself under that thing!”

“This just proves, everyone should write novels. You never know when a book fan in your inbox turns out to be a goddess!”

“No way… is he really that straight guy?”

“Didn’t they say they’re just friends? Xia An’ge herself said so, stop making wild guesses!”

“Damn! I already said this in the comment section! I suspected it! None of you believed me!”

“Even now it’s only half-believable, he hasn’t unmasked!”

“I just remembered that awards night at the Chinese New Songs Chart, it was Straight Guy and Xia An’ge then too. If nothing else, let them just be together. It’s like fulfilling my dream of Li Xiaoyao and Zhao Ling’er!”

“Lin Yueru: ‘What the hell are you saying? Take this slap!’”

“Argh, I love them all, I can’t choose!”

The livestream chat grew wilder. Fans of Sword and Fairy flooded in, mixed with Xia An’ge’s fans, and among them lurked more than a few thirsty LSPs. 

Behind the frog mask, Gu Zhinan secretly sighed in relief. He’d appeased the landlady. No more debt collection pressure! This round was a perfect score for him.

“The Frog contestant has firmly chosen Xia An’ge. Now, will our Xia An’ge agree to be his partner in the next round?” The host turned toward the guest seats. Xia An’ge picked up her microphone and slowly walked onto the stage, standing beside him.

She tilted her head past the host, glanced at the frog mask, and gave a sweet smile. “I’m willing.”

When you smile, thunder softens, storms fall silent.

Gu Zhinan was momentarily dazed. He knew the landlady usually softened in front of others, but this smile… it felt genuine.

“Damn, isn’t she prettier than Wang Yuyan?”

“This is my Zhao Ling’er! I’m marrying her right now!”

“Shut it, you’re still dreaming!”

“I’m willing too!”

“You’re not awake either!”

“Quiet! I’m going to pick up my wife An’ge later.”

“Hold on, you’re a girl. I know your name from the Sword and Fairy comment section! You posted that black-stockings fanart!”

“Oh? Big sis!! Wanna swap WeChat?”

More rowdy chaos from the book-comment section fans. They immediately opened a new thread to discuss this shocking moment. The consensus: 80% chance the Frog was really “Straight Guy.” The other 20% wanted to wait until half-unmask to be sure.

The host felt squeezed in the middle, tortured by the sugar overload.

“Congratulations to our Frog contestant and popular singer Xia An’ge for becoming partners! Xia An’ge will officially join as his guest performer next round!”

He quickly wrapped up. Looking over, he realized Xia An’ge had already quietly moved beside the Frog. “You two can go backstage and rest now. We’ll look forward to Frog’s next original song and your duet performance.”

Gu Zhinan nodded. Xia An’ge lifted her dress hem and followed him offstage.

Thankfully, it was decided right away. If there’d been hesitation at the start, things would’ve been messy. The host made a mental note, this rule needed fixing. But for now, duty called, he began opening the second contestant’s slip.

Backstage passage, two more turns before the exit. Empty. The show wasn’t over yet, but since Frog had chosen only her, they were allowed to leave early.

Gu Zhinan watched the landlady tiptoe in her dress and chuckled. “Next time, tell your stylist not to put you in a dress.”

But Xia An’ge frowned at his frog mask. “Does it look bad?”

“No, it looks good!”

“Oh, then I want to wear it.” She ignored him. He’d never say anything nice anyway.

“You actually kept this from me? Joining Masked Singer behind my back? Landlady, you’ve gotten sneaky!” Gu Zhinan sighed, slowing his pace so she could catch up.

“You didn’t tell me you were the Frog either. I figured it out myself.” She gave him a look and said flatly.

“…”

“My foot hurts.” She whispered it, brows furrowed.

Gu Zhinan glanced back, moved to her side, and offered his arm. She slipped her hand through, lips curving in sly triumph.

That dating guide really worked, her foot wasn’t hurting at all.

At the passage exit, three people waited. Xiao Li lit up when he saw the frog head, but froze at Xia An’ge holding his arm. Ruan Ying and Cheng Mengying’s minds went blank. They’d only ever seen Xia An’ge link arms with one person before.

Could the rumors be true?

“G-Gu… Teacher Gu?” Ruan Ying couldn’t believe it, the Frog was her second idol! But the frog’s head only nodded once.

She was stunned. Cheng Mengying was too. She’d just been gushing about how amazing “Tianxia” was and it turned out Gu Zhinan had sung it!

“What are you doing singing instead of writing novels? Aren’t you afraid your editor will kill you??” Cheng Mengying’s jaw dropped. Her sister had recently told her just how important Gu Zhinan was to the online literature site. 

But he never stayed put.

Truthfully, she thought his songwriting was better than his novels, because every song was for Xia An’ge. But this? Joining Masked Singer and throwing out one original per episode? From any professional perspective, it was a massive loss.

All these songs could have made an album. Instead, he’d handed them to a free broadcast platform in low-quality audio. Even if he later released an album, it wouldn’t hit with the same impact.

Still, Gu Zhinan wasn’t thinking about that. What rattled him was Cheng Mengying’s slip, he worried his editor might already know. “Does she usually watch shows like this?”

“Probably not. Her life is robotic, rigidly routine.”

“Then I’m safe.”

“What are you talking about? What editor? Mengying, you know Teacher Gu’s editor?” Ruan Ying was confused.

Xia An’ge gave Cheng Mengying a thoughtful glance. Everyone had secrets, if Mengying didn’t want to say, she wouldn’t pry. “No, I just meant, I read Sword and Fairy too. He’s the guy always being nagged by his editor to update!” Cheng Mengying realized her slip, covered with a laugh. 

“Anyway, let’s get out of here first.”

Gu Zhinan quickly agreed, helping her cover. Xiao Li nodded stiffly. They were done here. Even if others were still choosing, Frog’s part was over.

“But outside’s swarming with reporters. If you two go out like this, they’ll…” He gestured at their linked arms. Xia An’ge blushed, quickly pulling away. She’d gotten too used to it.

“I twisted my ankle, that’s why.” She muttered. Ruan Ying and Cheng Mengying rushed to support her.

“So careless!”

“Again?”

“Again?” Gu Zhinan caught that. The landlady had a habit of twisting her ankle? The last time he remembered was August.

Xiao Li bought the excuse, though. He’d been worried there was something between them, but didn’t Gu Zhinan already have a girlfriend?

“Teacher Gu, An’ge still has to stay for an interview. What about you?” Ruan Ying knew the Frog never accepted interviews.

“I’ll leave through the underground garage.” He planned to have Xiao Li drop him at Nature Entertainment, since Lai Jingming was stuck with drama work.

“Then see you later.”

“Bye. Take care.”

“Mm.” He answered, watching the landlady between her two friends, face red as if she were being held hostage.

Once Gu Zhinan and Xiao Li took the elevator down, Xia An’ge immediately stood straight, steady as ever.

“An’ge-jie, didn’t you sprain your ankle?” Ruan Ying and Cheng Mengying stared.

“Just a little. Nothing serious.” Her eyes flickered guiltily.

Ruan Ying didn’t buy it. She reached to lift the hem of her dress and check her ankle. Xia An’ge yelped, panicked, and jerked away. Straight into Cheng Mengying’s side and this time, she really sprained it. She winced hard, cold sweat beading on her nose, brows knotted tight.

She wanted to cry. All she’d done was follow the dating guide, faking an injury to test Gu Zhinan’s reaction. She hadn’t expected to actually sprain it!

Sometimes, unintended willow trees take root and flourish…

At the underground garage, Gu Zhinan wanted to die. He’d let his guard down, and now more than ten reporters surrounded him. Good thing he hadn’t removed the mask.

“Hello, Frog contestant! We finally caught you!”

“Are you really, as rumors say, Gu Zhinan, the author of The Legend of Sword and Fairy?”

“You’ve done three originals in a row, do you have more in store?”

“Will your next duet with Xia An’ge also be an original?”

“You only chose her. Is it because you like her?”

“Will you debut as a singer after this, like past contestants did?”

“Everyone online says you’re a genius. What do you think of that?”

“… …”

“Can you answer?”

Microphones crowded his face. He couldn’t escape. “Don’t you need to interview anyone else?” He asked helplessly.

“They’re covered. We came just for you!” They knew he’d try to sneak through the garage.

“I don’t know. Don’t ask me. It’s not me.”

“???”

“What do you mean not you?”

“You are the Frog!”

“Yeah! The show isn’t even over. No staff left to cover for you this time!”

Gu Zhinan glanced at Xiao Li, already pulling the car out. He hesitated, then said, “You really want to know?”

“Yes!”

“You’re willing to tell us?”

“This will make headlines! Help your career as a singer!”

“With your ‘hand grasping sun and moon, plucking stars’ line, tomorrow’s trending will all be about you!”

The reporters were ecstatic. They’d finally cornered him!

He looked like he was about to spill, “Move those mics back a little. They’re suffocating me.”

He stepped back two paces. The reporters held still.

“Listen carefully. My real thoughts are… actually… here’s the thing, I—”

“…Goodbye!” He dragged out the words, then bolted sideways in a blur. A van happened to be waiting. He dove in.

To hell with it. Better to use that time writing more chapters of Sword and Fairy!