Chapter Sixty-Six: The Official Forum

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Entertainment at Your Side—No Pop-up Windows
Story Time: January 2006
Recommended Song: Christine Fan—"Back Then"
Statement: This story is entirely fictional. Please do not take it personally. Any resemblance is purely coincidental!

"Min Xiaoli, what are you doing!"

A sudden voice startled Min Xiaoli out of her daze. Since it was working hours, her first reaction was that her boss had caught her daydreaming. She hurriedly stood up, bowing repeatedly in apology. It wasn't until she heard a soft laugh from behind that Xiaoli looked up and saw her good friend, Zheng Shanzhu.

"Oh, it's you! You scared me," Min Xiaoli patted her chest, letting out a relieved sigh.

"What were you thinking about so seriously?" Zheng Shanzhu pulled up a chair and sat down, sizing up her somewhat distracted friend. "You've been lost in thought these past couple of days. Don't tell me you've got yourself a boyfriend? Ha!"

Min Xiaoli could only muster a bitter smile at her friend's teasing. "I honestly don't know what's wrong with me. It's just, our Young Master is releasing a new album, and I'm a bit nervous."

"Young Master?" Zheng Shanzhu questioned, then after thinking for a moment, remembered where she'd heard the name. "Oh, you mean that singer you like, right? What does his album have to do with you? Why are you nervous? Hmph."

"Hey, don't say it like that. He's not just some 'little singer,'" Min Xiaoli nudged her friend lightly, showing her displeasure. "Once you hear Young Master's songs, you'll understand what I mean. I’ll definitely let you listen someday." Speaking of Jiang Yihan’s music filled Xiaoli with pride. "About the new album—I'm more excited than nervous. I can't wait to see what surprises Young Master will bring me this time."

Seeing the dreamy, almost dazed look on Xiaoli's face, Zheng Shanzhu could only smile helplessly. Honestly, she couldn’t understand why her friend was so enchanted by a twenty-year-old idol singer. What was so special about this Young Master? Shanzhu found herself genuinely curious.

"Here's your surprise," Zheng Shanzhu finally revealed the reason she’d come, handing Xiaoli a courier box that had just arrived.

Min Xiaoli was thrilled as she took the box. "So fast! I was wondering when it would arrive." Her face shone with the brightest smile, making Zheng Shanzhu a little envious—such joy was rare for a working woman.

"Why were you waiting for this package? Did you buy something related to Young Master online?" Zheng Shanzhu asked curiously.

"I'm a registered fan on Young Master's official forum, and there are lots of perks!" Min Xiaoli beamed, hugging the box as if she possessed the whole world. "His second album won't officially release until January 8th, but as forum members, we get to pre-order and listen to his new songs early. There are many other benefits too—being an official fan is happiness itself!"

"Official fan? What’s different about that?" Zheng Shanzhu was completely unfamiliar with this world.

"We pay a monthly membership fee, but we get lots of happiness in return," Min Xiaoli rattled off the perks as if reciting treasures, looking more like a lively high schooler than a mature office worker. "For example, we get priority access to all Young Master’s events; we receive regular gifts; sometimes, Young Master even calls us on our birthdays, randomly selected. Being part of the official Castle is just pure happiness!"

Seeing Xiaoli’s infatuated expression, Zheng Shanzhu pursed her lips. "Is it really that good? Your Young Master—is he really that amazing?"

Min Xiaoli nodded vigorously, then focused entirely on the box in her hands, ignoring her helpless friend.

Inside the box were three items: a CD, a small booklet, and a tiny box.

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Min Xiaoli first picked up the CD, gently caressing it, savoring the texture of the album. The main color was a warm grassy green. Jiang Yihan stood in the middle of a field, holding a bright bouquet, smiling softly at the camera. The sunlight cast shadows that formed a special glow around him. Below, a few white words were written casually: "Can I Love You?"

Just looking at the cover filled one’s heart with warmth. Min Xiaoli pressed the album to her chest, a gentle smile spreading across her face.

After a moment, she reached for the booklet, immediately recognizing it as something special—something others couldn’t get. Its cover was unique: black background, gold-edged, with the word "Castle" in cursive at the lower right, and the album title in the middle: "Jiang Yihan Second Album—Can I Love You." Below, it read: "Only for 108 Castles." Since Jiang Yihan’s album released on January 8th, this special gift was only for 108 Castles, and Min Xiaoli was one of the lucky ones.

Opening the booklet, the first page was a vivid green. Jiang Yihan stood amidst the grass, looking up at the sky, a warm smile on his lips, the camera so close you could see the contours of his face. Next to the photo was his handwritten message: "To Castle: Please remember, I will always be here, sending you my sincerest blessings."

The handwriting was real, the ink reflecting a subtle glow in the light. It wasn’t a reproduction or print—it was genuine handwriting. This was Xiaoli’s first time owning Jiang Yihan’s handwriting; she'd missed several chances before, but this time, unexpectedly, she got it. She was moved.

Her emotions weren’t done yet. The last item, the tiny box, held a Jiang Yihan figurine, about twenty centimeters tall—a miniature Jiang Yihan, lifelike in expression and stage costume, making Xiaoli reluctant to let go.

"Wow, that doll is adorable," Zheng Shanzhu commented, trying to take a closer look, but Xiaoli quickly snatched it back. "No, this is a special gift. You can’t touch it!"

"Who cares!" Zheng Shanzhu grumbled, but her unwillingness was betrayed by her eyes.

Seeing her friend’s longing, Xiaoli laughed and handed over the figurine. "Here, but be careful!"

Zheng Shanzhu happily took it. "Wow, so cute! Is this your Young Master? He looks pretty good."

Watching her friend admire the figurine, Xiaoli felt happy too—her idol receiving recognition from others was a joy.

"Shanzhu, I’m going to listen to Young Master’s new album. Want to try it with me?" Xiaoli carefully placed the CD into her player. Shanzhu glanced at the figurine, at Xiaoli’s excited face, then at the unremarkable yet alluring player on the table. The two put on their earbuds, pressed play, and the CD started spinning, pouring out enchanting music.

Leaving Xiaoli aside, just from Zheng Shanzhu’s expression, it was clear she was already enjoying it. She closed her eyes, her mouth unconsciously curving upward, her face radiating a glow called happiness. Shanzhu suddenly felt her heartbeat skip as she realized how a person’s voice and melody could be so mesmerizing. She began to picture Jiang Yihan, slowly sketching in her mind his low singing, his soft black lashes, straight nose, gentle smile, slender fingers—she felt as if she was right there, experiencing the tenderness in his voice, the charm of the boy called Young Master.

As the song ended, both girls came back to themselves, cheeks flushed. Shanzhu couldn’t wait, "Xiaoli, this player—" Min Xiaoli’s embarrassed expression made Shanzhu realize Xiaoli was the true Castle. After some hesitation, Shanzhu compromised, "How about this: when Young Master’s album releases on the 8th, you have to come with me to buy it."

"Hehe, of course!" Xiaoli winked mischievously. Anyone could see her friend had become a Castle too, thanks to Young Master’s warm, magnetic voice.

"Ah, being a Castle really is happiness," Xiaoli stretched, her smile erasing all traces of the low mood she’d had lately.

For Jiang Ziyi, life had been busy recently. As Jiang Yihan’s assistant, much of her work was taking care of him, and part was managing the forums—including the fancafe and cy. Since Jiang Yihan returned to the public eye after half a year, and with this important second album, communicating well with Castles and promoting online was crucial.

Many singers succeed with their first album but fail to follow up with the second, causing their popularity to plateau. Thus, the second album’s production, recording, and promotion are often more challenging than the first. Not to mention Jiang Yihan and Li Ran, even assistant Jiang Ziyi was too busy to eat. As the official fan manager, Jiang Ziyi and Li Ran held frequent meetings. For an artist, fan support is vital, so building good relationships and capturing fans’ hearts is a profound skill. For this album, Jiang Ziyi’s efforts focused on the Castles. The 108 special booklets and adorable figurines were her responsibility.

Once everything was settled, all that remained was the stage performance.

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That day, Jiang Yihan was still sweating it out in the practice room when Jiang Ziyi rushed in. "Brother, where’s Li Ran? Where did he go?"

"I don’t know, maybe in Uncle Li’s office. Do you need him for something?" Jiang Yihan paused, wiped his sweat, and answered.

"It’s about those figurines—I’ve sent out all 108, but there are about 30 left. Should I keep sending them or what?" Jiang Ziyi raised the box in her hand.

"Huh? The figurines you mentioned last time? Let me see." Jiang Yihan went over and picked up his own figurine.

The little doll was cute, but Jiang Yihan felt odd seeing a miniature version of himself—it was unsettling. "Ah, it feels so weird, so unnatural."

"Ha, seeing a mini-you is strange, huh?" Jiang Ziyi laughed. "Oh, by the way, I’ve got good news. I can tell you in advance."

"Good news? What is it?" Jiang Yihan put the figurine back in the box and looked up.

"You have your own waiting room now," Jiang Ziyi announced, leaving Jiang Yihan puzzled.

"What do you mean, my own waiting room?"

"For music shows! Before, you used to stay in the big common waiting room, but now you have your own," Jiang Ziyi said happily.

"Really? Why do I get my own waiting room?" Clearly, Jiang Yihan wasn’t aware of his current status.

Seeing her brother’s confusion, Jiang Ziyi explained with a smile, "It’s simple—you’re popular now. You’ve got enough fans to warrant your own waiting room."

"Wow, seriously?" Jiang Yihan marveled. "I heard only big company artists or top performers get their own waiting rooms. I never thought I’d get one so soon. Not bad, not bad—a good start. I hope my second album goes smoothly."

"Of course! We’ve all worked so hard; the second album is bound to succeed." Jiang Ziyi raised her box again. "I’ll get going then, brother. Keep practicing, but don’t overdo it!"

That brief conversation with his sister left Jiang Yihan reflective. Since Jiang Ziyi was now his assistant, her hard life was largely because of him. Watching his hardworking sister, he wasn’t sure whether keeping her close was right. Perhaps only when he saw her smiling happily did Jiang Yihan feel at ease.

As the time to return to the stage drew nearer, Jiang Yihan grew increasingly uneasy, uncertain about his performance after half a year away. Meanwhile, the official forum was buzzing with excitement as Young Master's comeback approached.

Jiang Yihan’s album was now fully released, and as the Castle’s main base, the official forum had been lively with discussion. The quality of this album surpassed the first, delighting all the Castles, and for those lucky enough to receive the 108 gifts, the second album held even deeper meaning.