Chapter 136: Please Scream

Story Time: March 2007
Recommended Song: David Tao - "Twenty-Two"
Disclaimer: This work is purely fictional. Please do not project it onto real-life figures. Any similarities are purely coincidental!

While Japanese fans were curious about Jiang Yihan’s schedule and when he would next appear before them, Jiang Yihan was hard at work in the practice studio, pouring out his sweat. After all, one must train properly to present their best self to the audience, right?

Today was the day of TVXQ’s concert. For the past month, the five members had been rehearsing intensely, which was why they had stayed home and skipped variety shows when Jiang Yihan visited yesterday. The group placed great importance on this concert, as did Li Ran, because the venue was the Nippon Budokan—one of the two sacred shrines of Japanese concerts, alongside the Tokyo Dome. The significance of this event was clear.

TVXQ had been working hard in Japan for two years and were only now gaining recognition, gradually finding their place on the Oricon charts. They had become regulars in the top ten and top five, and it was through this perseverance that they had earned the opportunity to perform at the Budokan. It was a true case of reaping the rewards after long suffering.

The Nippon Budokan holds immense significance for Japanese singers and bands. With a massive capacity of 15,000, hosting a successful concert there is no easy feat. Therefore, performing at the Budokan is widely regarded within the industry as a hallmark of reaching "top-tier" status. Both newcomers and established stars strive for it as a primary goal. Many bands and idols even choose the Budokan for their final performance before disbanding or retiring.

However, with the rise of massive stadiums like the Tokyo Dome, which can hold 55,000 people, the Budokan's absolute status has waned slightly. Only about 20 artist groups have the courage to challenge the Tokyo Dome, which is now seen as the "pinnacle of a singer's career" and the "summit of Japanese music performances." Yet, even so, a solo concert at the Budokan remains a formidable challenge. It serves as a vital indicator of an artist’s popularity and market appeal. Though it holds only 15,000, it remains a sacred ground with a special status in the Japanese music and entertainment industry.

To date, the only Chinese artist to have graced the Nippon Budokan was the Asian diva Faye Wong, who achieved this feat in 1999 and 2001. Since then, it remained to be seen who would break that record. One wondered if Jiang Yihan could create such a milestone!

Mentioning the Budokan and TVXQ naturally leads to Jiang Yihan, as he was the guest performer for the concert today. Although he was only performing three songs, it was his first time performing in Japan, and he hoped everything would go smoothly. For those who bought tickets to see TVXQ, if they happened to be fans of Jiang Yihan—or better yet, members of his "Castle" fan club—they were in for a surprise today.

"Good luck today, guys! Give it your all!" Jiang Yihan said to the five young men. They were all ready, looking slightly nervous; after all, the Budokan was more than just a venue—it carried a heavy weight. Jiang smiled and added, "Don't be nervous. You’ve earned this through two years of hard work. Believe in your own strength and let the audience scream and cheer for you."

"Haha, I'm just worried that when you come out later, Yihan-ge, the screams will be louder than ours. That would be embarrassing," Kim Jae-joong joked, lightening the tense atmosphere significantly.

"Good luck," "Good luck," "Good luck"... Jiang Yihan sent them off one by one. With five minutes until the start, the group had to prepare for their stunning entrance. Watching them run off, Jiang Yihan cheered for them in his heart.

When the deafening screams erupted, the countdown hit five seconds. Jiang Yihan’s heart raced in sync with the crowd. In that moment, it felt as if everyone’s pulse beat as one. As the countdown ended, the audience poured all their energy into welcoming the stars of the show: TVXQ.

Standing backstage, Jiang Yihan looked out at the stage belonging to TVXQ, catching glimpses of the sea of people below, and felt a twinge of envy. He had been in the industry for over two years, but due to various reasons, he had yet to hold his own concert. It wasn't that he lacked popularity—his fame across Asia was top-tier. It wasn't that sponsors were lacking—the offers for him to hold a concert had already reached an astounding eight-figure sum. And it certainly wasn't that he didn't want to; every singer dreams of enjoying the cheers of a crowd at their own solo show. It was simply a matter of timing and opportunity. Perhaps he could schedule one for the end of the year, he thought to himself.

When the first set ended, the five members returned in a flurry to change costumes. The lights went dark, and the crowd chanted their names in unison, desperate for them to return. It was chaotic outside and equally chaotic inside.

"Where are my clothes?"
"Shoes—these aren't my shoes!"
"Pants—my belt is gone!"
"Watch out, you bumped into me!"

Staff and the five performers were scrambling. Jiang Yihan stood to the side, unable to help, watching helplessly.

"Yihan, my jacket is next to you, throw it here!" Jae-joong had been looking for his jacket for a while and finally spotted it at the last second, but it was already time to go back out. Jiang Yihan hurriedly grabbed it and ran over, helping him put it on.

"The button—it's hooked on my pants!" Jae-joong cried anxiously. There were only ten seconds left. Jiang Yihan quickly unhooked it; luckily, it came loose easily. Jae-joong ran out, his frantic expression instantly shifting into a cool, charismatic look. He appeared before the audience, and the cheers erupted once more.

*So tiring!* That was Jiang Yihan’s only thought. Watching a concert is such a pleasure, and the singers seem so dazzling, but he never imagined the chaos behind the scenes. Putting on a successful concert requires the cooperation of so many people—it isn't something one can just decide to do on a whim. The preparation and rehearsal times are incredibly long.

While he was lost in thought, Jiang Yihan was pulled away to get his makeup and costume ready. It was almost his turn.

For his set, he chose a t-shirt paired with a small suit jacket—perfect for both dancing and singing ballads, highlighting his physique and the "prince-like" charm everyone recognized.

As he stood behind the curtain, it was his turn to be nervous. Seeing TVXQ there earlier, he had felt curious and distracted, but now that it was his turn, his mind went blank, and he even started reciting the lyrics in his head.

*Oh my god, my legs are actually shaking,* he thought. He wanted to shout it out loud.

Outside, the members of TVXQ were already introducing him. Even though he couldn't understand the Japanese, words like "guest," "Korea," and "singer" told him it was time. A staff member gave him a gentle push, and Jiang Yihan took a step forward. He let out a long breath and whispered to himself, "Let them scream!"

The curtain opened. The giant screen displayed his image and name.

There was a one-second pause, and then the screams became unstoppable. People in the back even stood up and began jumping. Fans in the front rows, unable to contain their emotions, started dancing wildly in the open space. He could even hear some sobbing—likely overwhelmed by the surprise. But more than anything, they began chanting "Jiang Yihan" in unison—in Chinese! When 15,000 voices merged, the sound was like an electric current running through his body. Jiang Yihan shivered, and his excitement took over.

The five members retreated backstage to change. As they left, Jae-joong made them all laugh: "See? The cheering for Yihan-ge was definitely louder than for us."

On the vast stage, Jiang Yihan danced with passion. As the thrilling drum beats of "Rainbow" played, the entire arena clapped along in rhythm. His voice, carried through the microphone, reached every corner of the venue as if he were whispering into their ears, igniting everyone’s enthusiasm. He gestured for the crowd to get louder, and they obliged, screaming for every move, every smile, and every expression he made.

As the song ended, the audience was still immersed in his sexy, rhythmic charm when Jae-joong reappeared.

"Who is this, everyone?" Jae-joong shouted, holding the microphone out to the crowd.

"Jiang Yihan..." The sound was neat and powerful; his eardrums felt the impact of their intensity.

"Are you satisfied with our special guest today?" Jae-joong looked at Jiang Yihan and asked the crowd with a smile.

"YES!" The simple answer was packed with so much excitement that one could feel the heat in the air.

"Wow, you guys really like Yihan-ge that much? I feel like we, TVXQ, are being ignored," Jae-joong said in Japanese, but Jiang Yihan could see the mischievous glint in his eyes.

"You brat," Jiang Yihan said with a laugh, patting Jae-joong on the shoulder. Jae-joong chuckled along.

"Since you like Yihan-ge so much, you must know that on his second album, we recorded a duet together. So, let’s perform 'Secretly Loving You' for you all." As Jae-joong finished speaking, the crowd erupted again.

The meaning of this song went beyond just a duet. As the two leads of the film *Can I Love You?*, which was a massive hit in 2006, they had a dedicated fan base that obsessed over every detail of their relationship—from their debut to the nuances in the film and the countless ambiguous moments during their promotions. Their "special stage" for this song was already considered a classic. How could the crowd not be excited?

Their second collaboration was happening right before their eyes—it was time to scream!

As the music started, their occasional eye contact and smiles during the song sent the crowd into a frenzy. Perhaps it was the intensity of the concert, or perhaps it was Jiang Yihan’s playfulness, but he placed his hand on Jae-joong’s shoulder. They leaned in together to sing the romantic mid-tempo ballad, smiling constantly, occasionally locking eyes, then laughing and looking away.

To them, this was normal—brotherly affection is a part of life. But to the fans, it represented something much more special.

When the dance break arrived, Jiang Yihan dropped his hand, and Jae-joong took the lead. He was no longer the injured performer he had been last year; his movements were sharp and clean. Then it was Jiang Yihan's turn—every gesture, every look, and every smile exuded a self-assured, mesmerizing charm.

The song came to an end, much to the crowd's regret.

"Seeing how happy you all are, I feel like this is Yihan-ge’s concert. I’m a little jealous," Jae-joong said with a laugh. "If Yihan-ge comes back to hold his own concert, will you all come?"

The thunderous, affirmative response made the very roof of the Budokan tremble.

"Lastly, Yihan-ge will perform the gentle ballad 'Can I Love You?'" Jae-joong introduced him, hugged him, and headed off stage.

"Can I love you?" Jiang Yihan shouted. The fans went wild, screaming "YES! YES!" Jiang Yihan knew the answer just by looking at their faces.

Without a guitar, without backup dancers, without loud accompaniment, Jiang Yihan stood quietly at the front of the stage, telling this beautiful story of confession. The entire arena was immersed in a dream.

"With all my heart, I will always give you my best. Can I love you?"

These simple, direct lyrics left everyone lost in Jiang Yihan’s tenderness and the beautiful fantasies they wove for themselves. As the song ended, Jiang Yihan whispered in his heart: *Please scream, and cheer for me!*

The roar that followed brought the brightest smile to his face—a smile that shone brilliantly throughout the night.