Birth of a Top Superstar 11

"Seriously! He's a genius. He started college at fifteen, and he's only a sophomore this year. The whole room is packed with awards for robotics and network technology."

"Wow! That's amazing." Mom and Grandma exchanged a look. "That's wonderful! So when are you going to bring him home?"

"What are you two doing?" Eric Lan rolled his eyes. "You don't even have a daughter to marry off to him! Why would I bring him home?"

"Eric, dear!" Mom grabbed his hand and said earnestly, "Actually, we're not as old-fashioned as you think."

Eric Lan: "Huh?"

"We're quite open-minded too." Mom smiled with an auntie's grin. "We can accept it."

Eric started to sense something was off: "Accept what?"

"Well... Love between two people of the same sex is totally fine." Mom said. "Don't feel pressured, just bring him home. We'll treat him well and bless you both."

"Yeah, you two are a great match," Grandma added.

Eric Lan covered his face: "...How badly have you two been poisoned by this CP hype?"

"Not that deep, not that deep! We've only watched it in theaters five times! We're planning to go again tonight." Mother and Grandma grinned from ear to ear.

...

The Dragon Abyss Duo became the hottest brother pair of the summer.

Every top variety show and big-budget drama crew wanted them.

No matter where they went, crazed fans tracked them across cities...

And at the same time, anyone who hurt their beloved idols paid the price!

Fane Entertainment's Weibo suffered ten times the cyber abuse White Entertainment once endured.

A tidal wave of insults crashed down on them like the apocalypse of 2012.

They had no choice but to shut down their Weibo account.

All promotional activities were suspended.

Fane Entertainment's stock kept crashing to limit down.

Anything produced by Fane Entertainment? People swore they'd never forgive! Absolutely not watching!

...

Lily Bai called Shaun Fane, but he wouldn’t pick up.

So she called Macport Grand Casinos, asking them to do their job as middleman and collect the debt for her.

That’s what they’re best at.

With Fane Entertainment’s stock tanking, it might not even be worth fifty billion anymore.

He probably can’t pay up.

...

Shaun Fane locked himself at home and didn’t go out for days.

But one day, someone asked him out.

It was Colin Grant.

He made it clear: no phones, avoid surveillance.

Shaun went, to a remote stretch of ancient Great Wall.

No cameras here.

"You look haggard," Colin said.

"Don’t tease me." Shaun really did look worn out. "You know I lost the bet."

"I warned you not to gamble with her," Colin said. "You just wouldn’t listen."

"I never imagined she was this capable!"

"She’s got too many powerful people backing her," Colin said. "If you keep fighting her, you’ll never win."

Shaun took a deep breath. "When I bet against her, I had no idea she was the Crown Princess. If I’d known..."

Suddenly, Shaun looked up and asked, "Colin, can you help me find him? Ask him what I need to do to turn this around?"

Colin replied, "He’s the one who told me to find you."

Shaun’s eyes lit up. "He’s finally willing to see me?"

"No, I’m just here to deliver his message," Colin said. "If you want to turn the tables and beat Lily Bai, there’s only one thing you need to do."

"What’s that?" Shaun asked.

"Repay your debt," Colin said.