Part 61：What does Song mean by this?

What does Song mean by this?

He's asking if she doesn't want to see him?

But wasn't it him who didn't want to see her?

At that moment, Zoe felt tangled, confused, and… a little annoyed.

Of course, she had no right to be annoyed.

In front of Song, she was naturally on the guilty side. She didn't want to admit it, but she had to.

Zoe didn't catch what Ben was saying—it must have been some joke—but the room erupted into laughter. The kind of laughter that sounded like a real gathering of close friends.

It had been a long time since Zoe had heard this kind of laugh in the entertainment circle.

Real laughter cuts through all the performances and facades. It's sharp yet carefree, unrestrained and flowing like a waterfall, soaring freely like a crane piercing through the clouds.

Zoe watched their smiling faces in a daze, feeling like a glass wall separated her from them. They were them, and she was her.

In the middle of the crowd's laughter, Song suddenly turned his head, looking directly at her.

Zoe's previously scattered thoughts suddenly focused, gathering entirely on him.

Nobody noticed the brief, charged moment their gazes met, emotions fleeting yet complex swirling between them.

Then, all of a sudden, Zoe broke into a bright smile. She raised her arm dramatically and declared, "Guess what! My manager just told me my shoot tomorrow morning got canceled! I can go sing with you all now!"

The lights in her eyes sparkled like scattered starlight, shining brilliantly.

Ben instantly cheered with both fists in the air, echoing her enthusiasm. Amid the excited chatter, Zoe caught a glimpse of Song's calm expression. His lips curled into a subtle smirk—vaguely mocking, or perhaps… self-satisfied?

As the mood lightened, Liu called for more drinks to celebrate.

"I'm having a drink! But for those who can't or don't want to, feel free. No pressure." Liu's tone was cheerful and easygoing.

But in this industry, who can't drink a little?

Liu's alcohol tolerance was exceptional, yet he never pushed anyone to drink. Instead, his cheerful personality would take over, and he'd simply toast: "Meeting all of you makes me so happy! Let's cheers!"

Zoe only took a small sip, but Liu didn't mind. If anything, his grin widened.

"Zoe's such a good girl," he said with a chuckle. "She even took a sip when I toasted! Zoe, don't feel obliged. I just like clinking glasses when I'm in a good mood."

Zoe's cheeks flushed faintly as she replied, "Liu Ge, I can drink a little! I'm happy too, but my tolerance isn't great, so I can't keep up with you. You're too good at this."

Just then, Song casually lifted his glass and clinked it with Liu's.

"I'll drink with you."

From their tone and expressions, it was clear that Song and Liu were genuinely close. Liu patted Song on the shoulder, and Song responded with a small smile.

Ben, always curious, couldn't help asking, "Song, Liu, when did you two meet?"

Liu chuckled. "Ah, that goes way back. When I first met Song, he hadn't even debuted yet."

"Huh? You've known each other that long?" Ben exclaimed, eyes wide.

Even Zoe was a little surprised.

She had no idea Song had such a history. In her memory, he had been a star from day one—there was never a time he wasn't.

Liu nodded and continued, "Back then, Song was actually preparing to debut as part of a boy group. But unfortunately, just before their debut, some of the members had a falling out. Combined with other issues, the group disbanded before they even started. Around the same time, our TV station was looking for a new host, and his company sent him to audition. That's when we met."

"Song worked as a host?" Ben was even more shocked.

Zoe couldn't picture it either.

Song chimed in, "Well, I didn't get the hosting gig in the end. During the station's internal training and selection, Liu Ge was one of the evaluators. He gave us advice and guidance on the side. That's how we got to know each other."

"Wow, I can't believe that's part of your story!" Ben marveled.

Song's sharp features didn't align with the traditional look of a TV host, who often had bold brows and a strong presence.

Liu nodded thoughtfully. "Honestly, it's a good thing he didn't become a host. It would've buried his talent. Even back then, he was smart and hardworking."

Song added with a faint smile, "Liu Ge talked to me privately once and asked if I truly wanted to be a host. I told him no—it was just the only opportunity my company had for me at the time. He then said if I wasn't genuinely interested, he could introduce me to other friends and help me find better opportunities. No need to force it."

Zoe now understood why Song and Liu had such a close bond.

Liu laughed again. "Song was so honest back then. Most kids, even if they didn't want to, would've said yes to my face. But not him. He wasn't being naive—he just didn't want to lie. That's when I thought, 'This kid's something else.'"

Zoe wondered if Liu just liked complimenting people for being sincere. After all, he'd said the same about her earlier.

The group drank and laughed until everyone was pleasantly tipsy. Liu arranged for a car to take them to the karaoke bar.

On the way out, down the stairs, Ben—slightly wobbly—lost his footing and stumbled, accidentally bumping into Zoe before nearly tumbling down himself.

Zoe staggered but managed to steady herself.

A hand shot out, quick and steady, to support her arm.

She looked up and saw Song.

Liu had also caught Ben in time, sparing him an embarrassing fall.

"Zoe, are you okay?" Liu asked.

"I'm fine," Zoe replied quickly, pulling her arm out of Song's grasp.

Song casually slipped his hand back into his pocket.

"Thanks," Zoe said.

"Next time you thank someone, look them in the eye," Song quipped, his tone teasing. "Otherwise, it feels insincere."

With that, he walked ahead.

Zoe awkwardly covered her face with her hand.

It was the second time that night Song had accused her of being insincere.

Ben, oblivious, called from up front, "Zoe, hurry up and get in the car!"

Snapping out of it, Zoe quickly followed.

None of them noticed the black SUV parked across the street.

Inside, Lin was lowering her camera, her eyes sparkling with excitement.

Finally, she had real dirt this time!