Celebrity Neighbor: My girlfriend is a big star?
Chapter 154. An Exhilarating News for Liu Xin’an (Please subscribe! Please vote monthly!)

Chapter 154: 154. An Exhilarating News for Liu Xin’an (Please subscribe! Please vote monthly!)

Just as Li Chenglu had said to Bae Juhyun.

The event afterward had little to do with Liu Xin’an.

As part of the second batch to receive the award on stage, he followed a large group of people up on stage, and after queuing up to receive the trophy, they all smiled for a photo in front of the cameras and then, just like that, they all went down from the stage.

After all, with the top hundred, even if not all the ups could be present, there were still at least eighty people there.

If each person were given time to deliver an acceptance speech... well, that would have taken forever, so Liu Xin’an simply picked up the microphone to greet everyone, then with an awkward smile, he ended his part in the top hundred awards ceremony of 2020.

It was just like going through the motions.

Old E along with Hermit and Pure Black called him to go for skewers.

Then he promptly refused.

Following that, they did not insist, instead waving goodbye.

In the end, Liu Xin’an changed back into his own clothes, removed all his makeup, and appeared on the cold midnight streets of the Magic City.

He exhaled softly, watched the white mist slowly dissipate before him, and then prepared to leave.

However, before he could take a step, a call from behind made him stop in his tracks.

"Xin’an bro!"

Liu Xin’an turned his head to look at the person calling him, and... it was Manager Wu who had informed him to prepare an acceptance speech earlier.

"Manager Wu, is something the matter?"

Seeing that Liu Xin’an had heard him and stopped running, Manager Wu also stopped.

"Do you have a moment, Xin’an bro? There’s something I’d like to talk to you about."

"With me?"

"Yes, could we step aside to talk for a moment?"

Liu Xin’an seemed a bit intrigued, he nodded his head, not refusing.

Soon, under Manager Wu’s guidance, Liu Xin’an walked back into the venue and followed Manager Wu into a lounge.

"Sit."

"Oh, alright."

Liu Xin’an sat down and then looked at Manager Wu somewhat puzzled.

"Is there something you wanted to talk to me about?"

"Well... it’s like this, I checked your information and found you know English, Japanese, Korean, and a little French, right?"

"That’s right... Is there some business matter?"

Upon hearing Liu Xin’an indeed confirm this information, Manager Wu was slightly surprised.

He knew Liu Xin’an graduated from Tsin University, and his university studies were in foreign languages, but he had not expected him to really be as versatile as the information suggested.

"Ah! The higher-ups are planning to set up a variety show connected with the entertainment circle, and currently, they’re intending to invite some artists from Status Nation, Neon Nation, as well as some native English-speaking foreign artists. Since this is a variety show spearheaded by our small station, the higher-ups are also thinking of pushing some up hosts to join in."

Liu Xin’an widened his eyes, this piece of news was something he hadn’t expected to be confirmed so quickly, but...

He pointed at himself, showing a ridiculous expression.

"I can’t sing or dance, this kind of job isn’t right for me."

Language he could manage, communication was no problem.

But ... a variety show? What would they want him for?

He sang off-key, and these past days, while listening to Bae Juhyun’s group’s song psycho, he’d even hum along sometimes.

One time Bae Juhyun caught him doing it and her face went dark...

She said her song shouldn’t suffer such humiliation, which seriously annoyed him at the time.

"No, no, no, Xin’an bro, you’re misunderstanding, we definitely won’t make you perform on the same stage as those professional artists. The up hosts’ job is simple, just to unearth those unknown gleaming aspects of artists beyond their professional capabilities."

"...Huh?"

Manager Wu pondered for a second, eventually choosing the most straightforward language to explain: "You’d act like a manager, hang out with the artists, play games, talk in Chinese, that kind of thing."

Alright, straightforward enough, Liu Xin’an was bemused.

"But I don’t have experience in that sort of role..."

"Ah, we’ve reviewed your last business promotion with the artists from Koryo’s Girls’ Generation, Xin’an bro, your verbal skills and hosting abilities are up to par, and you spoke very well in your acceptance speech at the awards, I don’t think you’re as stage-shy as you imagine, right?"

Liu Xin’an paused, took a moment to understand what Manager Wu was saying, then fell silent.

He had been fretting about his career transition, and suddenly an opportunity had come out of nowhere, making him recall the invitation he received from the officials following an unexpected exposure.

Last time he had declined because he didn’t want to step out of his comfort zone and there wasn’t the motivation from Bae Juhyun’s presence to spur him on.

But now, he seemed to have no good reason to refuse.

Liu Xin’an pursed his lips and nodded.

"If the officials think I’m okay, then I can participate, but please let me know what exactly I should do, when we’re recording, and some information about the guest artists..."

"Ah! That’s not urgent, at the moment it’s still just an idea, we haven’t even approached the artists’ agencies yet because this project involves not only foreign artists but also some domestic idol stars, so there’s a lot to organize. If you’re thinking about when filming might start... it won’t be until after the new year at the earliest."

Manager Wu quickly explained, he was merely letting Liu Xin’an know about this, considering that he was among the up hosts the station currently cared quite a bit about.

Mainly because Liu Xin’an truly had strength.

This strength wasn’t referring to Liu Xin’an’s abilities in his hosting career, but rather his robust personal qualities.

High reputation, good connections, even his outstanding looks were a factor in consideration.

Moreover, Liu Xin’an already had experience participating in activities with artists.

This ready-made promising candidate, wasn’t he more convenient than seeking some celebrities?

If marketed well, he might even draw significant traffic to the small station!

"Uh, so you’re just giving me a heads-up?"

"Kind of, after all, it’s hard to find an up host who is as handsome and capable as you among those who are currently popular."

"Really? I recall Old Fantasy and Old Tomato also speak pretty good English, right?"

Liu Xin’an wasn’t familiar with Old Fantasy and didn’t have much of an impression, but he knew about Old Tomato.

A genuine Western-educated individual whose spoken English was undoubtedly flawless.

Manager Wu laughed: "But they only speak English, whereas you also know Korean, Japanese, and even French."

"...Alright."

"However, we’ve also thought about inviting Old Tomato, but so far he hasn’t responded. I will let you know the specifics later on, you’re sure you’re interested, right?"

"Yes, if I get the chance, I can attend,"

"Great, then I’ve also completed my task. Once again, congratulations on winning the Annual Popular Anchor Award today."

"Thank you."

Liu Xin’an smiled as he shook hands with Manager Wu, and then he left.

Standing again on the streets of the Magic Capital on a cold winter night, Liu Xin’an didn’t breathe out mist like a lunatic this time but instead huddled his neck, hands pocketed, walking towards the hotel.

Since he had already told Bae Juhyun he was on his way back, Liu Xin’an didn’t walk too fast.

Having decided to step out of his comfort zone and to strive to enhance his personal worth to possibly narrow the gap between himself and Bae Juhyun, this activity proposed by Manager Wu was indeed a good suggestion.

Unfortunately, he still couldn’t help Bae Juhyun change her situation this time.

Manager Wu’s words had also concealed some information, among which the most helpless point for Liu Xin’an was the disregard for Korean artists.

He could understand the platform’s decision, but if he couldn’t communicate with Bae Juhyun’s associates, he didn’t think this so-called "variety show" would be of any help to him.

At least, it definitely wouldn’t help Bae Juhyun.

One step at a time...

He had put in a lot of effort to make it to the top 100.

For him, the effort was the simplest part.

Right! Time to go back and brush up on my English and Japanese, which I haven’t used much lately.

Body language... that’s a blind spot in his knowledge.

But Liu Xin’an was a bit confused.

Thai artists... Neon artists... these don’t seem to stir up much in the country, do they?

Why would the small broken station do such a thankless task?

This isn’t like the small broken station... This isn’t Uncle’s style!

Puzzled, Liu Xin’an unknowingly arrived at the hotel lobby.

Compared to the cold weather outside, the bright lobby of the hotel made him want to unzip his coat.

"Ah! Brother Anzi!"

Heading towards the elevator, a deep voice from behind made Liu Xin’an stop.

He turned around, looking at the men who walked up to him with surprise.

"It’s Brother Anzi, right?"

"Ah, yes, you guys are the fans."

"Of course! Can we take a picture together?"

"Sure."

After all, today was the award ceremony for the top 100, so naturally, there were quite a few fans attending.

Plus, it was known long ago that this year he would attend the event without a mask, so there were even more fans than last year.

However, what Liu Xin’an couldn’t understand was, he could understand more female fans coming, but a bunch of male fans...

Could it be that he really has many male fans from Nantong?

Luckily, Liu Xin’an was on the taller side, so he didn’t appear small and delicate even when surrounded by several men.

Well... in terms of appearance, he naturally still comprehensively outshined the group.

"Oh! Thanks, Brother Anzi, is this the trophy from this time?"

Liu Xin’an nodded, took off the bag from his back, and unzipped it: "This is the one for popularity, and this is the one for the top 100."

"Wow! Can I touch Brother Anzi’s grand trophy?"

"...Man, why does that sound so awkward?"

Chatting with the male fans, Liu Xin’an felt much more at ease.

He had seen this phrase on the bullet comments almost every day during his livestreams since he attended the top 100 last year.

The bullet comments were even more crazily put together than this.

They mischievously abbreviated the trophy...

Well...

His evaluation was indeed outrageous.

Everyone was a guy and understood Liu Xin’an’s point, and several of them started chuckling "hehehe."

Liu Xin’an, not being stingy, handed them the trophies and satisfied their request for a group photo, then finally headed towards the elevators.

"Ding~"

The elevator doors opened in front of him, and seeing the delivery guy inside, Liu Xin’an first froze, then instinctively stepped aside to let him out first.

After the delivery guy nodded at him to express his gratitude, Liu Xin’an also returned a smile and stepped into the elevator.

Soon, Liu Xin’an arrived in front of his familiar room door, took a deep breath, and slapped his face.

He was about to see Bae Juhyun and didn’t want to keep feeling irritable about some things.

When with his girlfriend, he just wanted to show his cheerful and optimistic side.

Liu Xin’an entered the room code and pushed open the door.

"I’m back... huh?"

The pitch-dark room left Liu Xin’an slightly startled.

No lights on?

Or was she in Li Chenglu’s room?

While he was still puzzled, the dark room suddenly lit up with bright lights.

Bae Juhyun jumped out from a corner, her face beaming with a radiant smile, and holding a small spray can in her hand.

"Pop!"

Streamers burst from the spray can, hovered in the air then slowly fell in front of him.

"Congratulations, Liu Xin’an!"

As Bae Juhyun said these words in her half-baked Chinese, Liu Xin’an also laughed.

Perhaps moved by the gesture or maybe it was Bae Juhyun’s plastic Chinese that made him laugh.