Chapter 44

"It's so lively."

Fans were already filing into the stadium.

Looking at the crowd all around her, Sophia seemed thrilled.

"I wonder when we'll get to see Vivian," Sophia said excitedly.

She was still holding a glow stick in her hand.

Compared to her excitement, Jack beside her seemed completely calm.

His gaze swept over the frenzied crowd with practiced indifference, as if this big spectacle that had everyone worked up was no more interesting than an ordinary street scene.

"Don't worry. The concert's about to start. We should see her soon."

Jack turned his head. Seeing Sophia's excited expression, like a little girl who'd just gotten candy, the corner of his mouth unconsciously curved into an indulgent smile.

He didn't like scenes like this.

It was too loud.

But seeing Sophia so happy made him feel happy too.

After waiting about ten minutes, a dazzling spotlight suddenly hit center stage.

Accompanied by hard-hitting drumbeats, a figure slowly rose up from beneath the stage.

It was tonight's star, Vivian.

She wore black, covered in rhinestones, a microphone in hand. Her cool gaze swept across the entire venue, like a queen making her entrance.

"Friends of Viridis State! Good evening!"

Her voice instantly filled the stadium through the top-notch sound system.

"Vivian! Vivian! Vivian!"

The cheers were deafening, rising and falling in waves.

Sophia was caught up in the energy too, waving her glow stick and shouting with the crowd, "Vivian! I love you!"

"It's her?"

Jack stared at Vivian, shining under the lights onstage.

His expression tightened slightly, genuinely surprised.

He hadn't expected that Vivian, a nationally famous pop star, was the same woman he'd had a one-night stand with.

Onstage, Vivian's gaze swept across the venue.

It seemed to linger on Jack for a brief moment.

Then Vivian began performing according to the program.

Vivian's voice was powerful. The moment she opened her mouth, each note seemed to carry a kind of magic that set the crowd on fire.

Sophia was completely immersed in the music, swaying to the rhythm, her face bright with happiness.

Even Jack had to admit it.

Vivian could really sing. It was genuinely pleasant to listen to.

No wonder she was so popular.

And with this many fans, it tracked. Jack had noticed earlier that the stadium was packed, and there were still plenty of people outside who couldn't get in.

After finishing the tenth song, Vivian was breathing hard. Her bangs were damp with sweat and stuck to her smooth forehead, giving her a raw, authentic kind of beauty.

She didn't start the next song right away. Instead, she picked up a water bottle nearby, took a small sip, and her gaze seemed to casually sweep past Jack's section again.

The corner of her mouth lifted slightly.

"Thank you, everyone."

Her voice carried a hint of hoarseness that somehow made it even more alluring.

"Thank you so much for coming to my concert.

To give back to you all, I'm going to select two lucky audience members. You'll not only get an album signed by me personally, you'll also get to have dinner with me."

As soon as she said this, the whole venue erupted.

The screams of tens of thousands of fans nearly drowned out the stadium.

"Oh my god! A signed album and dinner together!"

"Pick me, pick me!"

"Vivian, pick me!"

"I'd give up ten years of my life for this!"

Vivian's few short sentences pushed the energy even higher. The audience below went wild, cheering like crazy.

They all wanted a chance to get close to their idol.

Facing the frenzy, the corner of Vivian's mouth lifted slightly. Then she looked toward Jack with clear satisfaction, raising her eyebrows lightly.

As if to say, "I'm amazing, right?"

"Alright. We'll select two seat numbers on the big screen. If your number comes up, you're tonight's lucky winner."

Vivian continued, her eyes carrying a hint of mischief.

As her words fell, the venue quieted almost instantly, everyone's eyes locked onto the big screen.

"Stop," Vivian called out lightly.

The rolling numbers on the big screen immediately froze.

"The first lucky audience member is..."

Vivian deliberately drew out the words, building anticipation.

"Row three, seat nine, Mr. Carter!"

Sophia's mouth fell open. She turned to look at Jack, her eyes full of disbelief.

"Jack, you... you got picked?"

Jack shrugged and stood up, looking helpless.

"Looks like my luck's not bad," Jack said flatly, though his eyes stayed fixed on Vivian onstage.

"Let's welcome our lucky audience member, Mr. Carter!"

Vivian said into the microphone, her voice carrying a barely noticeable hint of mischief.

Jack walked onto the stage and stopped beside Vivian.

The lights hit him, making his handsome features look even sharper.

"Wow, this Jack is so handsome!"

"Yeah, he and Vivian look so good together."

Vivian looked at Jack from this close range. Those eyes that were usually cold and proud now seemed full of scattered starlight, lively and mischievous.

She tilted her head slightly. A few strands of sweat-damp hair clung to her slender neck, giving her a breathtaking, fragile sort of charm.

She took a seemingly casual half step closer, using her body to shield the movement as she nudged the microphone slightly away, leaving the crowd with only a perfect side profile.

"We meet again."

Her lips parted slightly. Her voice dropped so low only the two of them could hear, carrying a triumphant, teasing sweetness.

"How about that? I told you the next time we met, I'd surprise you."

As she spoke, her beautiful eyes curved, her smile proud, exactly like a Persian cat that had stolen a fish and was showing off to its owner.

She even winked at Jack, her long lashes fluttering like butterfly wings. That vivid, playful look was completely different from the untouchable queen onstage moments ago.

"I am indeed a bit surprised," Jack said flatly.

"I didn't expect you to be this popular. Looks like I got a pretty good deal that night."

As soon as he said this, Vivian's pretty face flushed red. Images from that night flashed through her mind.

Vivian shot Jack a coy glance.

Then she lifted the microphone again, facing the audience and slipping back into her poised public persona. Only the lingering blush on her cheeks betrayed her racing heartbeat.

"Mr. Carter.

Congratulations on becoming tonight's first lucky winner.

I'd like to ask, what are your thoughts?"

Vivian said, passing the microphone to Jack, a mischievous smile shining in her eyes.

She wanted to see how Jack would handle this.