Celebrity Neighbor: My girlfriend is a big star?
Chapter 150. Liu Xin’an’s Social Death Day! (Subscribe! Monthly Votes!)

Chapter 150: 150. Liu Xin’an’s Social Death Day! (Subscribe! Monthly Votes!)

She stayed busy regardless of whether it was New Year’s or not. When she needed to work, she worked; when she needed to attend activities, she attended activities.

Currently, she was only in a state of rest because of some special circumstances.

If the performance in the second half of the year was good, she didn’t think she would have many peaceful days afterward.

She knew her own value best, and the company wouldn’t easily let her rest.

So, if she really wanted to meet Liu Xin’an’s parents, it had to be this year or... they might have to wait a few years.

Bae Juhyun didn’t think it was correct to put such an important matter off for several years, especially since she had already taken Liu Xin’an home to meet her parents.

In a relationship, equal contribution was also very important.

Hmm... she learned this online and found it quite reasonable.

"Irene, have you already confirmed that you’ll be very busy in the future?"

Bae Juhyun pursed her lips and, after thinking for a few seconds, chose to answer truthfully, "The company has plans for us to make a comeback. There should be news around March. I estimate that we’ll make a comeback around August. But my punishment isn’t over yet. I’ll be in seclusion for at least another year. I’ll probably be very busy in ’22...."

This was Bae Juhyun’s assessment based on her many years at S-M.

She knew the company too well, or rather, she wouldn’t be surprised if the company acted this way.

However... this year marked her seventh year since her debut and was also tied to a contract renewal with the company.

Idols generally had short lifespans, and such cases like Girls’ Generation were rare. She didn’t think the company would still think of her in a few years.

The renewal period... was three years.

In about three years, she should be preparing to lay low formally.

If she couldn’t transition into acting.

"Oh... so your contract with the company expires this year, right?"

Bae Juhyun almost choked on her drink.

"You... even know that?"

"Are you kidding? I’m a die-hard fan. How could I not know about this? If the renewal is for three years, you won’t renew with S-M in ’23 or ’24, right... So, Irene, do you want to go into acting? Your beauty would be such a pity if you didn’t become an actress."

Bae Juhyun smiled and shook her head.

If she hadn’t met Liu Xin’an, she indeed wanted to be an actress.

She was interested in it, and mainly because acting could keep making money.

Without the company resources, making money with the title "Irene" wouldn’t be easy. At least... not like now, with endless ads and events.

But now, she wasn’t just "ordinary human Bae Juhyun" anymore.

In front of that name, she was also "Liu Xin’an’s girlfriend."

The acting profession inevitably involved intimate scenes.

She didn’t think she could accept Liu Xin’an having intimate contact with other women.

So, she wouldn’t do that to Liu Xin’an either.

Acting, PASS.

"Not acting? Then... doing ads and variety shows? But Irene... aren’t you a bit..."

"Ugh, I know. I’m not suited for variety shows."

To be precise, it wasn’t that she wasn’t suited for variety shows, but rather that she was too introverted and found it difficult to let loose on the show.

"So... what do you plan to do?"

Bae Juhyun sniffled and then flashed a beautiful smile that left Li Chenglu completely speechless.

"Marry Liu Xin’an and be a housewife?"

"Ha... Irene, that shatters my image of you. I can’t accept that the person I like is so lovestruck."

"Hehe~"

Bae Juhyun wasn’t angry; she was just joking.

She had strong career ambitions. Though she seemed uncompetitive on the surface, she never gave up on what was hers.

Work included, and other things as well.

"So, Irene, are you still planning to go home with Liu Xin’an this year?"

"I have to think about it more, and I’m not sure if I’ll be free by then. Although it’s highly likely I’ll be free, I still need to check with the company first."

"Alright, I’ll support whatever decision you make."

"Having your support, Chenglu, makes me really happy." Bae Juhyun said this from the bottom of her heart.

Then she saw Li Chenglu’s pretty face turn red.

"Um... can I take a photo with you?"

Li Chenglu’s sudden shyness puzzled Bae Juhyun. After a moment, she smiled mischievously and patted Li Chenglu’s shoulder.

"What’s this? Hey! Why are you being shy!"

Li Chenglu pursed her lips, losing her usual confident demeanor.

-----

"Damn, Xin’an, you look freaking handsome!"

With makeup and hair done, wearing a gradient purple and black suit, Liu Xin’an stood straight in front of a full-length mirror, looking at the somewhat unfamiliar man in the reflection.

This time, his makeup and hair were much better than when he did the livestream with Kim Taeyeon and Lee Soongyu.

At least it wasn’t the kind of Korean pretty boy look, but more of a domestic, resolute, and handsome appearance.

When expressionless, he looked like a bit of a cold, celibate, handsome guy, but when he smiled, the contrast made Liu Xin’an even more charming.

Old E cheered from the side, making the stylists in the dressing room and the other influencers laugh.

Only Liu Xin’an felt awkward and didn’t know how to react.

"Don’t tease me, I have thin skin."

"Yeah right, like we haven’t seen your streams?"

Someone teased, making Liu Xin’an feel genuinely embarrassed.

He quickly moved away from the full-length mirror, searching for a corner where he felt safe.

Just as he began to step away, a voice called from behind, "Xin’an."

Liu Xin’an instinctively turned around. The one calling him was a middle-aged man in a suit with an ID badge around his neck.

"Huh?"

"Come here for a moment."

Liu Xin’an nodded and followed him.

The man’s surname was Wu, one of the organizers of the event.

Liu Xin’an didn’t know why he was being called.

After following Manager Wu to a quiet spot, Manager Wu scanned Liu Xin’an from head to toe and then smiled professionally.

"Xin’an, prepare a speech for winning the Most Popular Streamer award. You, Cotton, and Lace have won this time."

Liu Xin’an was stunned, pointing at himself, "Me?"

"Yes, get ready. I noticed you seem a bit reserved, so I thought you should prepare in advance to avoid being tongue-tied."

Liu Xin’an was more than just tongue-tied; his mouth was about to drop open.

He thought he’d just receive an ordinary trophy like last year and go home. He hadn’t expected to win a popularity award this year?

"Uh... what should I say in the speech?"

"Just thank everyone for their support, mention any challenges you’ve faced recently and how you overcame them, then say you’ll keep pushing forward. You know, the usual stuff."

"Alright, I’ll look it up."

"Sure, look it up, but don’t copy it word for word."

Liu Xin’an grinned and nodded; he was socially anxious, not stupid.

Manager Wu nodded, patted Liu Xin’an’s shoulder, and then walked away smiling.

After Manager Wu left, Liu Xin’an let out a breath.

He had won an award...

It was indeed unexpected. But since they gave him this award, he couldn’t refuse it. So, he took out his phone first.

Before looking up those so-called award speeches, Liu Xin’an remembered Bae Juhyun’s instructions and sent her the photo he had just taken in front of the mirror.

He quickly got a reply from Bae Juhyun.

The content was straightforward, just praising how handsome he looked... making him feel a bit embarrassed.

Without overthinking it, he switched to the browser and started searching for similar award speeches.

Those were easy to find. Soon, he had tailored a speech template to fit his recent experiences.

After a brief outline, he felt more confident.

When he returned to the waiting room, there were only two hours left until the live broadcast.

Dinner was definitely off the table. The award ceremony would probably last about two hours.

"Xin’an." Suddenly, a hand was placed on his shoulder, causing Liu Xin’an to first flinch and then relax upon hearing the familiar voice.

Great, the third socially anxious person had arrived.

"Did you just get here today?"

Pure Black, another socially anxious streamer from the gaming section.

"Ah, I came the day before yesterday, but I didn’t see you then."

"Maybe our timings didn’t match."

"Could be, did you change already?"

"Yeah, all set... what’s this?"

Liu Xin’an instinctively answered but then noticed a girl with a camera recording Pure Black nearby. From the angle, it seemed she wasn’t filming him.

"Documenting my ’Big Socially Anxious Moments.’ Planning to use it for a few video episodes. Do you want to be on camera?"

Liu Xin’an "uh"ed, glanced at the camera, then at Pure Black, took a deep breath, and nodded.

"Sure."

"What? You agreed? Dude, you’re willing?"

Pure Black’s over-the-top reaction made Liu Xin’an even more embarrassed, feeling like everyone in the gaming section knew about his social anxiety.

To be precise, his anxiety in front of the camera.

After confirming Liu Xin’an’s nod, Pure Black, originally anxious, suddenly perked up. He grabbed Liu Xin’an’s shoulder excitedly, pulling him to the camera, and exaggeratedly exclaimed, "Everyone, Xin’an actually agreed to be on camera! This is Xin’an! The infamous, camera-shy tsundere from the gaming section!

Because they had a good relationship and often chatted online about gaming, Pure Black didn’t hold back in teasing Liu Xin’an.

Liu Xin’an playfully shook off Pure Black’s grip. This guy was much skinnier and shorter than him, so holding him down wasn’t that easy.

"I’m not that shy."

"I’m not editing this. Let’s see what the comments say, alright?"

"Deal."

Liu Xin’an gritted his teeth. Since he had decided to take Mu Shang’s advice and try stepping into the spotlight, he wouldn’t hold himself back anymore.

"Wow, what changed your mind? Finally had a breakthrough?"

Pure Black still found it unbelievable. This wasn’t the impression Liu Xin’an had given him.

At least, he hadn’t picked up on Liu Xin’an’s desire to change recently from their chats.

"Mu Shang said that trying to step out from behind the scenes might help me break through my bottleneck. I’ve been in this comfort zone in the gaming section for too long. It’s time to make some progress."

"Mu Shang from Dao Yue Society? Man, that’s incredible. No wonder he’s a natural host."

Pure Black held immense respect for Mu Shang.

Liu Xin’an didn’t respond, just stared at the camera lens, took a deep breath, and flashed a very natural smile.

"Holy crap, he can even smile at the camera!" Pure Black burst into laughter, rushing over to the girl with the camera and laughing loudly.

This smile made Liu Xin’an feel even more embarrassed in front of the camera.

"That’s enough!"

"No way. I gotta post this online for the fans."

"Damn!"