What stunned me even more was that Wang Yida, standing at the center of the open-air square under the gaze of a massive crowd, seemed to lock eyes with me through the sea of people.

Was he looking at *me*? No way. Wang Yida was a recognized name in the rap scene, while I was just an ordinary student.

Given the sheer gap and impossibility, I didn’t let my thoughts wander strangely. He must’ve been looking at the girl beside me—after all, she was his nominal superior.

The girl led me through the crowd of spectators, weaving past listeners until we reached the back of the makeshift stage.

“Hey! This is backstage—we can’t just walk in without permission, right?”

“Hmph. Permission?” She let out a cold laugh, grabbed my wrist, and strode straight in.

Strangely, the security guards didn’t stop us. We walked unchallenged into the staff area.

“W-what are we doing here?” I asked cautiously.

She shot me a cold glare. “Just shut up and wait.”

Why did I feel this sudden sense of danger…? So uneasy.

At the stage, the song’s intro neared its end. Even though I rarely listened to rap, the moment his voice hit my ears, I caught the lyrics:

*“I’m watching you, watching you, without looking away—”*

The girl and I stood behind the stage, listening. The singer was barely ten meters away.

*“The love you lost is watching you, waiting for you to claim it—”*

Ah! I finally remembered—the song was called *“Eyes Locked”*!

Right then, as the lead singer performed with polished energy, the crowd surged closer like a tidal wave. I was amazed by this spontaneous, almost magical “unconventional concert.” Behind the massive stage, another vehicle pulled up—a full camera crew and a sizable choir team disembarked. Staff, photographers, and lighting crews moved like a well-oiled machine across the chaotic square.

Trucks arrived with dozens more helpers for recording, filming, and lighting. Thanks to the open-air setup, the singer kept performing passionately:

*“Please stop glancing at your phone, at your phone, pretending not to care—”*

Watching him command the stage with such dazzling presence, a flicker of envy stirred in me.

Yes… living with dignity like him, not as someone’s pet—that felt deeply tempting.

But seeing the sea of fans below, fear crept back in.

*There’s no way… someone like me could ever become a pop idol like him…*

*“Oh, the corner of your eye drifts toward a new direction, drifting toward your—”*

Guided by his rhythm and charisma, the crowd swelled toward the best spots. The unrehearsed performance electrified everyone. Cheers washed over me too—I tilted my head up, subtly nodding along, humming softly to the beat.

Just as I thought the square would erupt in full frenzy, the lead singer abruptly halted mid-chorus, mic in hand—

“Whoa! Why’d he stop?”

“Is he okay? What happened?”

Among the layered crowd, many young female fans looked worried. But Wang Yida, standing on the truck, turned without warning, locked eyes with me, and raised the mic…

Wang Yida, standing on the stage, turned without warning, locked eyes with me, and raised the mic…

*He tossed it!*

“Catch it, Xixi-chan!” the lead singer shouted. The mic sailed straight toward backstage—

Huh?!

Still dazed, I felt that demon girl grip my shoulders and shove me forward.

“Go, Xixi! Your moment to shine is here!”

Huh?! Why push me onstage?!

“Didn’t I say? This spotlight stage was prepared for *you*!”

Prepared for me?!

Shoved forward with my head tilted up, I stumbled out of backstage and barely steadied myself.

In that split second, the mic arced through the air under countless lenses—a trajectory so perfect it felt cinematic. I realized instantly:

It was aimed right at the empty spot where *I* now stood. No one else could catch it.

And in that moment, I felt a strange illusion… as if it truly belonged to me.

Flustered, almost on instinct, I raised my hands overhead and caught the mic—like catching a bridal bouquet.

I caught it! But… why did I?! This was *his* stage, *his* song…

Ugh. I’d fallen into someone’s trap again.

The very instant my fingers closed around the mic, every camera and lens in the square swiveled toward me.

This… was the “spotlight of thousands” she mentioned?

Way. Too. Glaring…