My daily life is getting weird because I am caught between being in a band and being an idol.

The person behind was clearly startled, his body jolted, and he quickly jumped back a step, exclaiming in surprise.

"How scary!?"

As the sun rose, she turned her head and saw a familiar little face—Fujita Kotone's. Her face was full of fright, but also had a cute, defiant look.

"Hehe, it was just a joke, you actually took it seriously."

Chaoyang couldn't help but laugh.

"Huh? Of course I'd be scared to suddenly hear something like that! Really."

Qin Yin pouted, crossed her arms, and looked sullen.

However, the atmosphere didn't last long. Qin Yin turned around, pulled over a chair, and plopped down next to Chaoyang. Her signature sweet smile reappeared on her face.

"Why are you having a late-night snack here so late?"

"I just got back and I was a little hungry, so I bought some things from the convenience store and came here to eat."

Chaoyang shook the lunchbox in his hand, then looked up at her, "What about you?"

"Me too, school is too tiring, so I came here to eat something."

Qin Yin shrugged, but her eyes inadvertently swept over Chaoyang's lunchbox.

She suddenly moved a little closer, looked down, sniffed the fragrance in the air, and muttered something.

"It smells pretty good."

As she spoke, she suddenly chuckled and leaned her head on Chaoyang's shoulder.

"Ok?"

Chaoyang raised an eyebrow slightly, looked down at Qinyin who was approaching, and a mischievous smile appeared on his lips. "What kind of perk is this? Is it free?"

"Hmm, we won't accept it."

Qin Yin squinted, as if finding a comfortable position, and said softly.

"Thank you for your hard work, Manager~~ It's hard to believe that we've been working together for several months already... It feels like so long even though it's only been a few months."

"What a coincidence, I feel the same way."

Chapter 161 is almost bursting with rage.

"Hehehe...we're practically like an old married couple!"

"puff......"

Chaoyang had just taken a sip of water when he was immediately choked and coughed.

"So... I have a feeling you've been busy online lately and haven't been doing anything. Have you been doing something behind my back?"

Qin Yin stopped laughing and suddenly changed the subject, staring at the rising sun with a serious expression and a hint of questioning in her tone.

I'm sorry, I've done so many things behind your back, I don't even know where to begin.

Chaoyang deliberately put on a thoughtful look and dragged out his words.

"I've done so many things behind your back... Let me think where to begin~"

Upon seeing this, Qin Yin immediately began to gently pound Chao Yang's shoulders with her fists, as if giving him a massage.

"Seriously! The manager's playing tricks on me again! Confess now, or I won't let you off the hook!"

"Okay, okay, I'll tell you, I'll tell you, alright?"

Chaoyang smiled and raised his hands in a gesture of surrender, then said in a tone that was half serious and half joking.

"Actually, I've been quite busy lately. I've been helping Ai Yin form a band, and Nina talked to me about some things... and then there's the usual work at the agency. Oh, and there's one more thing."

He paused, and his gaze toward Qin Yin became slightly more serious.

"I plan to pay off the outstanding debts of the theater that the company used to operate and then continue to rent it, at which point the venue can be used again. Although it is not a particularly large theater, with a capacity of about 500 people, it can serve as a stage for your regular performances. In the future, your fans will have a fixed place to watch your performances."

"Ah~ That's great!~~"

Qin Yin was overjoyed to hear Chao Yang suddenly reveal this news.

He immediately jumped up on the spot.

"Are you already this happy at this level? What if you become a top idol in the future...?"

"..."

Chaoyang noticed that Qinyin's expression changed instantly; her original cheerful smile vanished without a trace, replaced by a faint sadness.

"what happened?"

Chaoyang asked Qin Yin softly.

"...It suddenly feels like a dream... Before I met the manager, I was in debt, in poor health, and always getting yelled at during training. I wanted to send money home, but I had none. Everything felt terrible... But even like that, I'm here now, being a good idol. Singing and dancing in front of so many people, I can finally report my life to my family as an idol..."

Chaoyang felt a pang of sadness as he looked at the tears welling up in Qinyin's eyes. He picked up a tissue from the table and gently handed it to her.

After taking the zither and wiping it clean, Qin Yin continued her story.

"What was once a dark future has finally been rewritten. All of it, all of it is thanks to the store manager... I'm so happy I could walk into the store that day... I have absolutely no idea... what I can do to repay you..."

"...You'll have a chance to repay me later... So now just focus on achieving your goal and become a super-rich person."

"......yes!"

At this moment, Chaoyang remembered Qinyin's father, who had abandoned his wife and daughter due to debts and disappeared without a trace.

Although Chaoyang doesn't like making dumplings, Qinyin believes that she is the one who caused her father's situation, so she would be very happy if there were any news.

"...By the way, hasn't your father contacted you at all?"

"No, after all, I'm just a small-scale idol right now. But when I become a top idol and slink back home, I'll show off properly!"

"When he came back, he told me I wanted to meet him in the octagon! How could he abandon such a lovely daughter!!!"

"Violence is forbidden! And I'll be very sad if the store manager gets hurt! Anyway, store manager, from now on, you'll have to stay by my side and watch over me as I become a top idol!"

"Um...of course."

Although it was an unexpected and sudden conversation, as always, I felt extremely happy and satisfied after chatting with Qinyin.

Hehehe, we must lock her in the basement.

. .

The time came the next day.

After finishing my work at the office in the morning, I called Nina to tell her to get ready, and then went downstairs to return to the shop after a long absence.

Today's attendance was Rupa and Ebi V-Chi, along with two other newly recruited workers.

Because Chaoyang was too busy and from a profit perspective, completing tasks would earn more than honestly grilling skewers every day, Chaoyang chose to hire people. Due to the high wages, Chaoyang easily recruited several girls. Now, Chaoyang only comes to the store occasionally to check on things and takes a shift every two weeks. Although he is not a completely hands-off manager, he is pretty much one.

Since I was just sitting idly in the shop anyway, I started organizing the goods and then washing, cutting, and preparing the vegetables for grilling.

"Oh? The shop is open. Could it be Ms. Sakamoto or Ms. Katakura who arrived early? Ahaha..."

The first sound that came from outside the door was RUPA's voice.

Then came Ebi V's dissatisfied voice.

"Just stick to the attendance sheet... It's only a matter of preparation work, so three people aren't needed. These new recruits are really... trying to make more money with these petty tricks."

As the voices grew louder, the door to the izakaya was opened.

"Good morning."

Chaoyang turned his head and greeted the doorway with a smile.

"Ah, so it's the producer. Good morning~"

After recognizing the people in the kitchen, RUPA smiled and bowed in greeting.

"Tsk..."

Ebi V-Chi turned his head away and subconsciously smacked his lips.

"Why did the producer suddenly decide to come over?"

"Because... well, I want to go on a date with cute Tomo-chan..."

She had originally planned to ignore Chaoyang Hai Lao V Zhi, but after hearing him say "for the date," she completely lost her composure. Her expression instantly changed from impatience to disbelief, her eyes widened, and her eyebrows shot up.

"Huh?! What are you talking about?! Are you out of your mind?"

Her voice rose a few decibels.

RUPA, standing to the side, immediately laughed, completely oblivious to Ebi V's anger, and instead spoke in his usual teasing tone.

"Haha, that's great! I was worried about Tomo's future, but now he's found the oil king! Ah, but doesn't this mean he's competing with Nina for food? Let's hope they don't fight when they meet!"

As soon as RUPA finished speaking, Ebi V's face turned even redder, and he turned around angrily to glare at RUPA.

"RUPA!"

What nonsense are you talking about...?

Then he spoke to the rising sun in the kitchen.

"Also, if you're here to have fun, you'd better leave now, we still have work to do!"

RUPA remained unmoved and continued to speak with a smile.

"Well, it's their shop after all, they're free to do whatever they want~ Since we're here for you, let's keep the producer company for a bit. After all, that contract is practically a no-sex-sex-support contract, it's such a good deal for us, we've saved quite a bit of money this month."

"RUPA!"

Are you planning to sell me out?!

Ebi V slammed his hand on the table, his tone already tinged with anger.

"Let me make this clear first, I don't have much gratitude for this guy!"

"is it?"

RUPA's smile deepened.

"She's so dedicated to the store, more so than anyone else!"

Upon hearing this, Ebi V immediately retorted.

"I'm just trying to make sure I get paid properly."

At this moment, Chaoyang had already wiped his hands clean and came out of the kitchen.

"Well, jokes aside, let's sit down and talk."

"...Let's talk outside. After you're done, get out of here. Rupa, just focus on your work here. We're opening soon."

Hearing this, Chaoyang smiled knowingly. Whether it was his own charm or Hai Lao V's tsundere side coming into play, he managed to get a date with her successfully.

"Thank you for your concern about the store's business."

"Just pay us our wages properly."

After saying that, he opened the door and walked outside, and Chaoyang followed him out...

"...Someone always has to give her a push. Right now, she's always afraid that she'll lose again because of her own mistakes. She always feels that your words, producer, are particularly convincing, so she's asking you for help this time."

Chaoyang heard Rupa's words and was about to speak.

An impatient voice came from outside.

"Hurry up, don't waste time, I have a lot to do too!"

"coming!"

After shouting something outside, he turned to Rupa and said, "I'm going for a walk with Tomo, I'll be right back..."

"Hmm~ Be careful on the road~~"

. .

Beside the nearby artificial waterway, Chaoyang and Ebi V Zhi stood one in front of the other, maintaining a noticeable distance between them, as if neither wanted to get closer to the other.

Ebi V still had an impatient expression.

She glanced at the sun, which was still leisurely strolling along, frowned, and spoke first.

"Just say what you have to say... I don't have time to waste with you."