Chapter Fifty-Four: Blockaded by a Thousand

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Entertainment at Your Side Without Pop-ups
Story takes place in May, 2005
Recommended song: Epik High – FAN
Statement: This story is purely fictional. Please do not take it personally. Any similarities are purely coincidental!

“Brother, Little Dragon and I are going out shopping—do you want to come with us?” Jiang Ziyi called out to her brother, who was lying on his bed asleep. It was a rare day off for Jiang Yihan, and Ziyi decided to go out on a date with her boyfriend.

“Huh? No, I’m not going. I finally have a day off—I want to sleep at home. You two go ahead.” Jiang Yihan rolled over and continued his nap.

“Come on, brother, you haven’t gone shopping with me in ages!” Jiang Ziyi sat beside Yihan’s bed, coaxing him. “Besides, we hardly ever have holidays. We should definitely go out and enjoy ourselves. Just think, how long has it been since you last went out for fun?”

Yihan sat up, still sleepy, and thought about it. Indeed, since his debut, he’d barely had time to go out and see the world. Even if he just accompanied his sister today, it would be worth it. But the comfort of his bed made it hard to let go.

Seeing her brother wavering, Ziyi pushed harder. “Let’s all go, brother. We can call Li Ran and Yi Mei too. The five of us can hang out together. That way, you won’t be easily recognized. Come on, let’s go together.”

“Alright, alright,” Jiang Yihan said helplessly. “You little rascal, won’t even let your brother rest properly. Fine, let’s go shopping.”

“Oh yes!”

Half an hour later, the group of five appeared on the streets of Seoul.

Jiang Yihan wore only a cap and a casual T-shirt with a black vest over it. After such a long time without going out, he was indeed happy. Entering the month of May, the weather was growing warmer, and the crowds on the street were increasing. The bright sunlight lent a lazy warmth, and as they walked, beads of sweat appeared on their foreheads, yet the mood was cheerful.

Ziyi and G-Dragon walked ahead, chattering happily, and suddenly ducked into a shop to start picking out clothes. Li Ran followed them, while Jiang Yihan and Li Yimei walked behind, a little awkwardly. Perhaps holding hands felt too uncomfortable, so the two walked side by side, unsure where to put their hands. Fortunately, they were used to this mode of interaction, able to casually discuss everyday matters and laugh out loud when amused.

Such a group was common on the streets; anyone would think they were just a bunch of young people out for fun. Yihan enjoyed the pleasant “walking the streets” experience.

After walking all morning, everyone was tired. They found a Chinese restaurant for lunch before continuing their stroll.

“Brother, this shop has some really nice clothes. Want to pick out a couple?” Ziyi had found a store with a unique style. She and G-Dragon grew more excited with each item they saw, dazzled by the selection.

“No, you help your Li Ran pick something. I have so many sponsored clothes that I can’t even wear them all—why buy more?” Yihan smiled, refusing.

“How about you pick something for Yi Mei?” Ziyi teased, grinning.

Yihan didn’t answer, but his face flushed slightly. “You guys choose, I’ll step outside for some air.” With that, he hurried out of the shop. Li Ran was about to follow, but Ziyi grabbed him, insisting he try on a piece she and G-Dragon thought would suit him. Li Yimei, meanwhile, watched a bit forlornly. She hadn’t expected much from Yihan, but his passivity troubled her.

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Jiang Yihan leaned against the wall outside the shop and sighed. He was truly at a loss. He had some feelings for Li Yimei now, but his naturally passive temperament left him unsure how to handle it. Often, he simply accepted Yimei’s care without knowing how to reciprocate. Suddenly, Yihan thought of Liu Yan, then just smiled bitterly. Perhaps Li Yimei had achieved her goal after all—she now occupied a place in his heart, which was why he felt so unsettled.

“Sir?” A strange girl’s voice sounded in his ear.

Yihan didn’t think much, instinctively looking up to see who was speaking. At that moment, his delicate face was exposed, and immediately, the girl began to shriek uncontrollably. Yihan, startled, quickly tried to stop her from screaming. “Uh, please don’t shout, okay? Yes, I’m Jiang Yihan. Are you one of my Castles?”

The girl covered her mouth, struggling not to scream, hopping excitedly. “Yes, I’m a Castle, I am, I am!” Suddenly she grabbed Yihan’s hand. “It’s my first time seeing you so close up—ah, you’re so handsome, sir! Ah…”

She was unable to contain herself, covering her mouth, but her voice still leaked out. “I went to your two signing events, but luck wasn’t with me—I never got my turn before it ended. Boo hoo…” As she spoke, she began to cry.

Yihan didn’t know what to do with his hands, so he ended up patting her shoulder in comfort. “Don’t cry, don’t cry. Don’t worry, you’ll have plenty of chances to see me. After all, I’m standing right in front of you now, aren’t I?”

“Mm, mm, mm.” She nodded vigorously, crying as she rummaged through her backpack, soon pulling out a large notebook filled with clippings about Yihan.

He took it and flipped through it, feeling a surge of warmth in his chest. It was impossible not to be touched by such devotion. Yihan took the pen handed to him, smiled at her. “What’s your name?”

She gazed at his smile, utterly enchanted. “My name is Xu Jeong-a.”

Yihan smiled again, signed his name, and handed the notebook back to Xu Jeong-a.

Just as he thought things were settled, he looked up to find the crowd on the street quickly converging. Yihan hesitated, unsure what to do, and before he could escape, it was too late. Everyone had surrounded him, tightly packed.

Through the shop window, Yihan could see Li Ran and the others inside, anxiously watching the situation outside. But there were so many people blocking the door that they had no way out, helplessly watching as Yihan took notebook after notebook, signing name after name.

Yihan kept smiling, kept signing, handed back notebook after notebook, then received another. It became a mechanical cycle.

If the scene were viewed from above, one would see the crowd growing ever larger, forming a massive circle on the street, with numbers swelling beyond a thousand, blocking the road completely. Some were spectators, some brought by friends, some rushed over upon hearing the news. In short, the crowd quickly grew to more than a thousand, congesting the street.

Yihan’s feet began to ache. He had no idea how many he’d signed, only that all he could see were people, endless people.

Min Xiaoli was twenty-seven years old. She had always felt that modern music lacked appeal. As a professional woman, she thought most singers were just kids, unable to interest her. Yet recently, she had unexpectedly become fond of a singer—a twenty-year-old “kid,” Jiang Yihan.

She first heard Yihan’s music by accident, flipping channels and stumbling upon him. She was about to switch again, but was captivated by his singing. The song was “Castle”—smooth melody, soaring chorus, magnetic voice, natural transitions between vocal registers, and a touch of sadness that moved the heart. Min Xiaoli suddenly became obsessed, her reaction uncharacteristic for a mature twenty-seven-year-old.

She looked up Yihan online. His name shone on the screen, his photos either showing a faint smile or a bright grin like a child. For a moment, Xiaoli felt as if she were in love.

She wasn’t at the age to chase stars; she had her own life, her own job, a steady nine-to-five routine. But Xiaoli always hoped for a chance to see, in person, the youth with the moving voice and skilled singing. She attended his first signing, but didn’t get her turn before it ended. She understood how hard Yihan worked—she knew for a newcomer, he was already exhausted, so she didn’t complain. The second signing, she couldn’t attend due to work. Today, on her rare day off, she went out shopping, and suddenly heard someone say Yihan was on the nearby street.

Xiaoli kept telling herself to stay calm, not to chase stars, that she was no longer young. But deep down, a voice urged her to go have a look. In the end, she couldn’t resist, and went to the street.

Finally, Xiaoli saw the twenty-year-old boy. He wore a cap, T-shirt, jeans—just like any young man. But when he occasionally looked up and smiled, the world seemed to lose its color.

Xiaoli watched from afar as he signed one after another, never showing impatience, his smile always present.

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Almost two hours had passed. Xiaoli observed the crowd, still barely diminishing, and made a decision to leave. Not for any other reason but to hope that the boy with the radiant smile could rest sooner. She cast one last glance at the crowd, smiled, and turned away.

Lin Xiaoguang, an ordinary eighteen-year-old boy, spent his days like most—playing basketball, talking about girls, being rebellious at school. On his eighteenth birthday, his girlfriend betrayed him, getting together with his best friend. He was angry but didn’t know what to do; he was heartbroken but couldn’t cry.

“Sweetness of Breaking Up” was an upbeat song; somehow, listening to it, Lin Xiaoguang could finally cry. Yihan’s voice seemed to have a soothing power, his mood swayed with the melody, and Xiaoguang realized life was like this—one thing after another, and avoidance wasn’t a solution. He punched his former friend with all his strength. Afterward, Xiaoguang wanted to laugh, realizing how foolish he’d been. Perhaps, as Yihan sang in “Sweetness of Breaking Up,” sometimes a breakup is a relief.

So Xiaoguang chose to support this young man, barely older than himself. Often, he felt Yihan was like a friend—someone who would listen to his troubles, whose songs comforted him. It all seemed incredible, but Xiaoguang became a Castle, and he was happy.

Today, when his friends told him Yihan was on the street, Xiaoguang’s first reaction was to run over. By the time he arrived, the crowd was already dense. Relying on his physical advantage, he managed to squeeze in.

When Xiaoguang handed his notebook to Yihan, Yihan looked up, smiled, and said, “Thank you.” Xiaoguang could even see the sweat covering Yihan’s face. Suddenly, he felt indignant for his “friend”—why should Yihan have to work so hard, standing there signing for everyone? Why couldn’t he enjoy his holiday, instead of being surrounded by so many people, forced to keep smiling?

Xiaoguang decided to help his friend. He started telling those around him not to tire Yihan further. If you’re a Castle, you should care about Yihan, let him rest. With over a thousand people present, how many could Yihan possibly sign for? Shouldn’t Castles consider Yihan’s well-being?

Gradually, Castles began to realize their mistake. Indeed, if you truly like Yihan, you want him to be happy. Thousands crowding the street, everyone tired, but Yihan most of all. Once one person left, another followed.

The massive gathering also drew the attention of police. When they learned it was caused by an artist, they didn’t say much, simply began to maintain order, hoping the crowd would disperse.

The crowd gradually thinned, and a patch of empty space formed around Yihan. No one stepped forward to bother him anymore. Yihan watched their actions, smiled happily, bowed, and said, “Thank you.”

In that moment, under the sunlight, Yihan radiated an enchanting glow.

Li Ran and the other four finally emerged. Li Ran and Li Yimei hurried over, grabbed Yihan, and pulled him away, flagging down a taxi, disappearing from everyone’s sight.

“My hand feels so sore today,” Yihan remarked, feeling the tendons on the back of his hand twitching briefly and sharply, unable to stretch his fingers.

“You, you—why are you so kind? You should have just run away,” Li Ran said, though he started massaging Yihan’s hand.

“If Yihan had run, he wouldn’t be Yihan anymore, haha,” G-Dragon said mischievously.

Watching Li Ran, who cared so much for Yihan, Li Yimei suddenly felt a pang of envy. If only she could discard her awkwardness and interact with Yihan like this.

The next day, news of Yihan being surrounded by nearly two thousand fans appeared in the headlines, once again showcasing his rapidly rising popularity.

In Zhang Nian’s special analysis column, he specifically mentioned the rational behavior of the Castles. After all, Yihan’s fans were mostly teenagers, an age prone to emotional swings. The fact that they controlled the situation and actively dispersed, allowing Yihan to leave safely without harm, was rare.

The good character of the Castles was revealed for the first time.