Chapter Fifty: Repaying Zhou Lun

Jiang Yun had already been back in the Magic City for a week since his return from the River Jiang. During this time, as a special guest, he recorded the opening for the first episode of “Run, My Friends!” but did not participate in the rest of the official program recording.

After that, Jiang Yun returned to the Magic City. He recorded solo versions of “The Fifteenth Moon,” “You Said I'm Your Superhero,” as well as “Canon” and “Dream Wedding,” and sent these tracks to He Yong.

However, he did not send “You Said I'm Your Superhero.” That one would be delivered only after the first episode of “Run, My Friends!” was broadcast.

Today was the day “Run, My Friends!” aired simultaneously online and on television.

As a major outdoor reality show produced by Blue Channel, “Run, My Friends!” was scheduled to broadcast every Saturday.

“So excited, ‘Run, My Friends!’ is about to start. I heard there are special guests this episode!”

Even before seven-thirty, netizens crowded into the live online broadcast room.

At exactly seven-thirty, “Run, My Friends!” officially began.

“Doo doo doo, doo doo, doo doo doo…”

The viewers in front of their TVs and those in the live chat were instantly captivated by the opening music’s prelude.

Deng Xin appeared in a Captain M uniform, shield in hand: “Go go go, let’s set out!”

Jiang Yun walked out from a corner in an Iron Shrimp suit: “How strong is the taste of black coffee…”

The moment Jiang Yun opened his mouth, the audience was floored; netizens swarmed the comments.

“Jiang Yun’s singing is way too beautiful!”

Li You came on in a green costume: “All I want is the ease of a soda!”

Yang Ying wore a black uniform, her hair in curls: “On a hot day, I daydream of becoming a rainbow.”

Chen Chi, clad in armor, hammer in hand and a bright red cape over his shoulder: “I have the urge to run!”

Zheng Kai, dressed as Doctor Marvel, sang with feeling: “Even if I fall, with you I remain composed.”

Wang Lan wore a red Spider Shrimp costume: “Fearlessly chasing dreams.”

Wang Bao, in black Spider Shrimp attire: “Sweat writes this glory.”

...

In the opening montage, the cast sang with heartfelt emotion.

The atmosphere was electric as they launched into the chorus.

Deng Xin walked from the corner to center stage: “All I want is to hold your hand and wait for the rainbow in the rain.”

Jiang Yun sang with deep feeling: “You said I’m your superhero.”

Chen Chi danced: “Sometimes I’m even your punchbag.”

Li You continued: “Willingly accepting this honor.”

Yang Ying strutted like a cat, joining Deng Xin’s quirky shouts: “To be the firefly at your side. Oh oh oh...”

Everyone sang in unison: “If I were your superhero…”

...

The opening sequence ended.

The main program began, and both online viewers and those in front of their TVs turned their attention to the episode.

“Huh?! Why? Why isn’t Jiang Yun in the main show?!”

“Yeah! Why is that?”

“I want to see Jiang Yun!”

“Where’s my Jiang Yun?”

Netizens flooded the official Weibo of “Run, My Friends!”

“Why isn’t Jiang Yun in the show?”

“Yeah, why not?”

Soon, “Run, My Friends!” replied: “Regrettably, we were unable to invite Mr. Jiang Yun to participate. For future episodes, we will do our best to invite him again. @JiangYunV.”

At first glance, this reply seemed harmless, but upon closer inspection, one could sense a strong undertone of dissatisfaction.

“Unable to invite him? What do you mean, unable to invite? Are you saying Jiang Yun was being difficult?”

Brows furrowed across the internet.

Soon after, “Run, My Friends!” posted another official message: “We apologize if our previous statement caused any misunderstanding. Here we sincerely apologize to everyone, and to Mr. Jiang Yun. @JiangYunV.”

All of this commotion did not disturb Jiang Yun in the slightest. At that moment, he was having dinner with Zhou Lun.

At Red Romance Western Restaurant, Jiang Yun, Li Lulu, Zhou Lun, and Zhou Lun’s assistant sat together over dinner.

“Brother Zhou, let me propose a toast to you, to thank you for looking after me when I was just starting out.” Jiang Yun raised his glass of red wine.

“Nonsense! As I always say, with your talent, success was inevitable. I was just adding a touch of polish.” Zhou Lun replied.

Jiang Yun shook his head. “Brother Zhou, a drop of kindness should be repaid with a spring.”

“Alright then!” Seeing he couldn’t persuade Jiang Yun otherwise, Zhou Lun simply raised his glass and clinked it with his. “Jiang Yun, you’re a man of conviction.”

Jiang Yun smiled silently.

“Brother Zhou,” Jiang Yun gestured to Li Lulu, who then took a document from her bag.

“Brother Zhou, this is what I promised you.” Jiang Yun handed Zhou Lun the papers. “Inside are the lyrics and music for three songs: ‘Hero Huo Yuanjia,’ ‘Chrysanthemums Wither,’ and ‘The Preface at Orchid Pavilion.’”

“They all suit your voice perfectly. I’m granting you the rights to perform them for free! Moreover, I won’t authorize anyone else to perform them, nor will I sing them myself.” Jiang Yun spoke formally, making his promise clear.

Zhou Lun was delighted. He eagerly accepted the folder and began to read through it.

“Jiang Yun, for you not to perform these songs yourself, nor allow anyone else to, this gift is far too precious!” Zhou Lun said as he read. “I gratefully accept.”

“Brother Zhou, you’re too kind.”

They raised their glasses and toasted each other.

Afterwards, Li Lulu drove the Cadillac, taking Jiang Yun back to Yaxing Splendid Estate.

Li Lulu opened the car door and helped Jiang Yun into the elevator.

When they reached the seventh floor, Li Lulu was out of breath from the effort.

Jiang Yun, fortunately, held his liquor well and hadn’t become unruly.

She propped him against the wall and reached into her bag for the keys.

But Jiang Yun swayed where he stood, looking like he might collapse at any moment.

“Hey, hey, hey?”

With a thud, Jiang Yun tumbled straight to the floor while Li Lulu was distracted.

“Damn it, who hit me?” Jiang Yun roared.

Li Lulu’s eye twitched.

She took a deep breath and tried to lift Jiang Yun from the ground.

But after much effort, she still couldn’t get him up.

Just then, the neighbor’s door across the hall opened with a click.

Li Lulu saw the woman holding a trash bag.

“Excuse me, could you help me get my friend up?”

The woman put down her trash and walked over to support Jiang Yun by the arm.

Jiang Yun was dead drunk, his head lolling, but as she helped him, his face turned upward.

“Jiang Yun?”

In the living room, Li Lulu poured Yu Qing a cup of tea.

It had taken both women considerable effort to finally get Jiang Yun into his room.

Yu Qing sipped her tea in silence, her mind racing for an excuse to ask about the relationship between the two.

“Is he your boyfriend?”

“You know my boss?”

Li Lulu and Yu Qing spoke at once.

“No! He’s my boss!”

“Yes, I know him! We’ve met a few times.”

Again, they answered simultaneously.

Neither smiled; both frowned.

Li Lulu thought, “What’s this woman’s relationship with my boss?”

Unable to figure out the situation, she dared not be careless with Yu Qing.

Yu Qing, for her part, wondered, “Is this Jiang Yun’s secretary? Or that kind of secretary?”

She didn’t know where Li Lulu stood in Jiang Yun’s life, so she remained polite.

At last, Li Lulu and Yu Qing exchanged glances and simultaneously smiled…