Chapter 125: A Perfect Conclusion

What is it like to be stared at by over a hundred strangers in a subway station?

Zhao Li, who was originally curious about what was going on, instantly lost her nerve and shrank behind Zhou Miao, not daring to make a sound.

"Miao-ge, should we run?" Zhao Li whispered.

Zhou Miao shook his head. Judging by their expressions, they didn't seem to be looking for trouble; they were likely fans attracted by videos of their previous performances that had been posted online.

The facts proved Zhou Miao’s theory correct. The crowd was composed of "ten-year veteran fans" who had come specifically to see them, each claiming they had been fans for a long time. Zhou Miao really wanted to know if these people would blush when they watched the show later and saw themselves lying through their teeth on television.

However, since they were here to see a performance, Zhou Miao wouldn't be rude. Since they were already here, he might as well let them shell out some money before they left.

As soon as Zhou Miao began to perform, everyone pulled out their phones to film short videos. He never imagined that while he hadn't become an internet celebrity after performing in *Transformation*, he would accidentally become one by participating in a charity variety show, being gawked at and filmed like a monkey.

The only consolation for Zhou Miao was that these people were quite sensible; after watching the performance, they all conscientiously scanned the QR code to pay.

The two of them performed from 6:30 until 10:00. Even though it was a street performance, it felt more like a fan meeting. Many in the crowd wanted the two to take off their masks to see their real faces.

Zhou Miao covered his mask and laughed, "It wouldn't be any fun if we revealed them now. Don't worry, everyone, you'll see us officially very soon."

There seemed to be a deeper meaning in his words. What did he mean by "officially"? Were they going to debut? Faced with the fans' persistent questions, Zhou Miao smiled without answering and simply waved goodbye.

However, they hadn't walked far before a group of people jumped out, pushing and shoving to hand them business cards.

"Hello, I'm a talent scout from Boulder Entertainment. Are you interested in becoming artists? Our company..."

"Hello, I'm from Wave Entertainment..."

...

So they were talent scouts. Zhou Miao waved them off. "Sorry, we're not interested, thank you."

With that, he pulled Zhao Li and forced his way through them, refusing to stop no matter how much they tried to persuade him. These people were persistent; they followed them all the way to the small inn where the two were staying before giving up. Even then, they didn't leave, waiting downstairs and eyeing the rival scouts with suspicion, terrified that if they left, someone else would swoop in.

Zhao Li glanced back and laughed, "Do you think they’d be angry enough to hit someone if they found out our true identities?"

Zhou Miao had been too arrogant since his debut; no one in the younger generation could keep him in check. The sudden emergence of the "Ultraman Siblings" had been a breath of fresh air. Their original songs were already flooding social media, possessing both depth and strong pop appeal. Such promising talent, even if they couldn't surpass Zhou Miao, could at least stand their ground.

The industry had begun to view these two as the potential heroes destined to challenge the dragon that was Zhou Miao, and everyone was desperate to recruit them. Why were the scouts so frantic? Partly because they had been given strict orders, and partly because their bosses had promised them incredibly generous bonuses!

Who could have guessed that the future "dragon slayers" were, in fact, the dragon himself? Once the show aired, it would surely drop many jaws.

Tossing his bag on the bed, Zhao Li urged Zhou Miao to check their earnings for the night. Zhou Miao was a bit itchy himself, so he took out his phone.

Balance: 2,460 yuan!

Zhao Li screamed with excitement, bouncing around the room, and Zhou Miao couldn't help but plant a kiss on his phone. It felt good to have money!

Zhou Miao lay back on the bed comfortably and said, "This money is enough to get us to Enshi, and we'll even have plenty left over. I'll go get you a single room later; let's treat ourselves for once!"

Zhao Li paused. She waved her hand, "Don't bother. If we get a new room, I'll have to put tape on the bathroom again. Let's just make do for one night."

"Besides, it's the last night anyway."

Zhou Miao thought about it and decided she was right, so he dropped the subject. After showering, Zhao Li asked, "Where are your dirty clothes? Give them to me, I'll wash them for you."

Zhou Miao collapsed onto the bed. "Don't bother, get some rest. I have another set to change into. Tomorrow, once we wrap up the show, we're flying straight back."

"You'll have to wash them when you get back anyway, it's fine." Seeing that Zhou Miao was too lazy to move, Zhao Li went into the bathroom and washed all the dirty laundry. She washed them very carefully and very clean.

Watching Zhao Li's slender back, Zhou Miao frowned slightly. Why did she seem so strange today?

"Zhao Li."

"Hm?"

"You aren't..."

Before Zhou Miao could finish, Zhao Li’s mind went blank, and her hands even paused in their scrubbing.

"...on your period, are you?"

Zhao Li continued scrubbing the clothes without expression and said coldly, "You guess."

Zhou Miao scratched his head. Why was she angry when he was just asking out of concern?

The night passed in silence. The next morning, the two boarded a bus directly to Enshi. There was little traffic, and the ten-hour journey didn't feel too expensive for the 300-yuan ticket.

Upon arriving in Enshi, the now-wealthy pair hailed a taxi straight to the charity donation venue set up by the production team. From Beijing to now, they had completed their task in just four days, a speed that far exceeded the production team's expectations.

They had researched many street performers, and their busking income was extremely unstable—sometimes three or four hundred, sometimes not even enough for a meal. But the production team had miscalculated one thing: Zhou Miao. In just four days, he had turned himself into an internet celebrity with high-quality original songs, earning over two thousand per performance!

To this, the production team could only say that in the internet age, anything is possible.

Because they completed the task within the allotted time, the 2 million yuan prize was doubled, becoming a 4 million yuan charity aid fund. When the local officials accepted the donation, they shook the hands of the two tightly, their gratitude evident. This sum was a massive help for the impoverished area; it was enough to build several charity elementary schools.

With this, "Setting Off for Love" came to a successful conclusion. Zhou Miao took off the Tiga mask and tossed it aside—he was finally liberated!

Zhao Li shot him a reproachful look. "Why throw it away? It’s a good souvenir." She picked up the mask, wiped off the dust, and placed it in her bag along with her own.

Zhou Miao said dismissively, "Let's go, I'm taking you for hot pot. My mouth has been so bland these past few days, I'm dying for some flavor."

It was already past eleven at night, but the two excitedly headed to a hot pot restaurant that stayed open past midnight. They ordered a mountain of side dishes, determined not to stop until they were stuffed.

But halfway through the meal, Zhao Li received a phone call, and her expression changed instantly.