CHAPTER 150: YEAR-END

The gaming session only ended when dinner was ready. Leonard and Joshua had planned to stay up all night chatting and grinding to the highest level.

Joshua was extremely excited but shook his head after thinking for a moment: "No, Henry needs to sleep."

Leonard snorted: "Then we’ll just rent a hotel."

The others couldn’t help but glance at him, their gazes sharp as knives.

Leonard cleared his throat quietly, shooting them a cold look, though deep down he felt a little embarrassed.

What on earth were these people thinking?

He hadn’t even had any sinister thoughts when he said it—it was purely coincidental!

As for dinner tonight, as usual, to celebrate the last day of the holiday, it was barbecue.

In three days, there would be the year-end awards ceremony, immediately followed by the New Year.

In the new year, they would have new activities, and the duration of these activities would become shorter and shorter.

Suddenly, it felt like time was flying by, and two years might pass in the blink of an eye.

By instinct, everyone glanced at Joshua. He was still chewing attentively, his expression serious yet cheerful.

Even if he didn’t want to, Joshua could feel their eyes on him and lifted his head, looking puzzled.

He wanted to speak, but his mouth was still full.

Luther, noticing Joshua’s slightly puffed cheek, couldn’t resist and ruffled his hair hard: "Eat."

Joshua shook his head, freeing his head from Luther’s hand, and snatched Luther’s bowl, letting him know the suffering of trying to play around while not focusing on eating.

Joshua shook his face with a smile. Luther pinched his cheek lightly: "Eat more and get fat quickly. Then the meat will taste even better."

Joshua shivered secretly and kicked Luther lightly under the table.

Luther laughed. The group chatted, and the atmosphere was surprisingly pleasant.

...

Topic: [The Beginning of ShineOn! Is there any other group from a survival show that can have energy this explosive?!]

At the year-end awards, ShineOn not only received the Best Newcomer award but also an award for their debut song—especially significant since the music was created by the members themselves, giving it even greater meaning.

[Although the number of awards seems a bit small to me, it’s only been a few months! Amazing already. Next year is when ShineOn will truly sweep everything!]

[That rebellious lineup...]

[Fans, hold on, let’s make predictions hahaha, such a proud bunch]

[Who are those fans up there? Smells like salty jealousy hahaha]

[Could also be fans of someone else, hahaha, dying of laughter]

[Fans on the other side, if you can’t match Wolfie’s spending, best not complain]

[Although I don’t like Wolfie much—sometimes he’s a bit toxic—but when it comes to money, no complaints hahaha]

[Really curious what Wolfie looks like]

[ShineOn, go!]

Topic: [Discussing the final stage of the year—who deserves to be top 1?!]

[Who else but ShineeeeeeOnnnnn!]

[No one can beat ATA hahaha]

[The rookie groups this year are so strong, the seniors haven’t even spoken yet]

[Hahaha, just let the rookies fight it out]

[But I admit, ShineOn is really captivating. The center boy’s flips were insane]

[Someone that flexible must have learned dance]

[Speaking of which, it seems like none of the ShineOn members have childhood footage...]

[Lance came to watch ShineOn perform today hahaha]

[He was just a guest, though]

[I saw him give Joshua a rose—a blue rose]

[Really??? Need proof!]

[The fans over there are really trying to take over this place, huh? Move aside, please]

[??? Who said you can’t talk? I see you all crazily praising ATA too, no one says anything]

[Lucas is so cute, please everyone, focus on your own idol!]

[Things are so tense hahaha]

Topic: [What was today’s Joshua and Justin collaboration? Could this finally mark a new era for Pubby?!]

[The two leading dancers are finally getting recognition—I feel like the company is finally paying attention to them]

[They’re both so adorable, I really want someone to look at me the way Justin looks at Joshua hahaha]

[Am I the only one who wants to cling to Joshua?]

Topic: [Why is the leader always sidelined? I know Henry might not be very sociable, but his stage time really feels minimal]

[Don’t make it sound like ShineOn has conflicts. I feel it’s just Henry’s personal choice]

[Exactly, sometimes I don’t even understand why Henry became an idol, seriously...]

[It’s fine as long as he’s happy, and please stop with comments like this. The company can’t suppress Henry anyway]

[Henry, Leonard, and Luther—I can already smell a goodbye from now on]

[...]

Topics kept appearing on social media. Nine quickly gathered some positive threads about Joshua, compiled them, and sent them to him.

At that moment, Joshua was preparing to return home. Christmas and New Year were approaching, and their more-than-a-week-long holiday was about to begin.

Hearing a notification sound, he glanced at his phone, dragging his luggage with one hand while calling Nine with the other.

Nine picked up almost immediately: "What’s up? Is someone bothering you?"

Joshua found it amusing: "If no one’s bothering me, does that mean I can’t call you?"

Nine paused for a moment, then said softly: "You know that’s not what I meant..."

Joshua smiled at Nine’s voice: "Since when did you suddenly start speaking so gently?"

Nine immediately yelled: "How do you think I usually talk?!"

"Like now," Joshua laughed.

Nine pretended to scowl, but the corners of his lips were curved impossibly.

At that moment, sounds came from the other end, as if Joshua was saying goodbye to the others.

"You really don’t linger at all, do you, Joshua..." Luther dragged the words, burying his head in the hollow of Joshua’s shoulder from behind.

Joshua patted his head lightly: "It’s only ten days."

Luther snorted: "I’ll come find you, so make sure you answer your phone."

Joshua nodded thoughtfully, then bid farewell to Leonard and Justin, leaving their dormitory.

But as soon as he reached the courtyard of the apartment, he couldn’t help pausing for a moment.

Henry stood across from him, his luggage already loaded into a car, a bodyguard waiting beside him for instructions.

Joshua blinked and thought back—perhaps Henry’s status in this world was far from simple. He remembered Henry’s grandfather, who had adored him like a grandson and often let him get away with "mischief." Unfortunately, he had passed away in the early days of the apocalypse.

Joshua thought of Henry being here—and it would be so nice if everyone else could be here too...

Henry caught Joshua’s gaze. His brow furrowed slightly, and the slow pace of his steps suddenly quickened.

Before Joshua could react, Henry had pulled him into a tight embrace. Henry’s large hands pressed Joshua’s head against his chest, his voice low and hoarse: "Joshua, don’t cry."

Joshua was all too familiar with Henry’s straightforward comfort. He honestly didn’t understand how Henry always seemed to perceive the slightest change in his mood, even when he barely moved a muscle.

He instinctively wrapped his arms around Henry’s back, lifting his head to look at him, a small smile on his lips. Under the dim sunlight, his beautiful face seemed to glow: "I’m not crying, Henry."