Chapter 475: That guy really knows how to tug at my heart.

The bodyguards and bouncers welcoming Slater were big, bulky guys. Even without doing anything, they were intimidating enough to discourage anyone from approaching him. However, looks could be deceiving, so Penny focused on how they handled her brother’s security.

All of them were in sync, suggesting they had managed Slater’s security many times before. In a way, it eased her mind.

"Give it up for... Slater!"

Screams and cheers erupted in the mall as soon as the event host mentioned Slater’s name. Even before he stepped out, some fans were already hyperventilating with excitement.

Standing in the corner of the stage, Penny glanced around before looking up. The mall was packed, and even on the second floor, there wasn’t room for anyone to squeeze in. With the overwhelming crowd, Penny began to sweat a little.

"There were many artists who performed before him," she whispered, noting that the show wasn’t centered on Slater—he was just a guest, helping out a friend in the industry. "But it seems like everyone came just for him."

The crowd carried banners with Slater’s face or name on them. The cheers when his name was announced were louder than the speakers. But when Slater came into view, Penny felt the floor shake.

"Oh, goodness!" She jolted slightly, holding onto the barricade near her. "This is insane."

Penny knew her third brother was popular. Considering his face was plastered all over the city, she shouldn’t have been surprised by the audience’s reaction. But despite knowing that, she couldn’t help but feel in awe.

"Well... he did say he’d be so famous his first name alone would be enough to renew his ID." The corner of her lips curled into a smile, pride swelling for her brother’s achievement.

Slater often bragged about his popularity and musical achievements to his siblings, but they were all too busy with their own careers to fully appreciate it. Not that they doubted him, but they hadn’t realized just how successful Slater had become in the entertainment industry.

’But what makes me proud the most is that, despite his popularity, he’s still the same,’

In her previous life, Slater had been popular. But in this lifetime, he was even more famous. Perhaps it was because he had started appearing in dramas and movies, unlike before. He also accepted brand endorsements and other offers. Back then, Slater had looked down on anything outside of music, insisting he was a singer — an artist, not just a celebrity with a pretty face.

"I’m proud of him," she whispered, reflecting on how their day had gone since leaving the Bennet Mansion. "I don’t think I’ll ever see him in the same light again."

Although Penny had been running around since morning, Slater hadn’t had it easy either. Yet, he always kept a smile on his face and made everything look effortless. He never complained and even offered to help others when he could.

"He’s always acted the same at home—even annoyingly—but I have to admit his work ethic is... inspiring," she murmured while watching the host converse with Slater.

"That’s why he’s become so popular," a voice suddenly whispered from the side. Startled, Penny turned her head and saw a kind-looking man with thick glasses and a half-formal suit. "Hello, Penny. How’s life been?"

Penny squinted at the man, stopping by her side, and raised an eyebrow. "James?" she asked, and he grinned. "How come you still look the same?"

"Huh?"

Penny scrunched her nose in dismay, causing his face to twist with disappointment. Why was she giving him that look, as though he hadn’t met her expectations? It reminded him of how his parents used to look at him growing up.

"Never mind." She waved it off before snapping her fingers at him. "Good thing you’re here. Take a look at this."

James furrowed his brows as she handed him a tablet. He took it, confused, and glanced at the screen.

"Slater’s schedule?" he blurted out. Penny nodded. "What about it?"

Her expression turned flat. "You don’t see any problem with it?"

"No?"

"Hey." Her deadpan stare looked blank, but sometimes blank could be deadly. "You really don’t see any problem with it? Manager James, can you show me your schedule and tell me this is normal?"

"Oh." James’s face went blank as his heart sank. He felt as if his soul had left his body. "He... he... Penny, you know we’re adults now, right? You can’t boss me around anymore..."

He trailed off when she raised a brow and crossed her arms under her chest. "I can’t what?"

"..." James hung his head, horrified. All the memories of his interactions with Penny came rushing back. At this point, it wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say Penny was his lifelong tormentor.

Why was she even here?!

"Tsk." Penny clicked her tongue, shaking her head in disappointment. "Are you trying to kill my third brother, Manager James? Even you and I don’t work this much in a day."

"Penny, you don’t understand." James slowly raised his head and sighed. "It’s not me who wants his schedule packed like this. It’s Slater’s idea."

"Huh?"

James sighed again. "Slater wants to take a long hiatus to focus on family. After all, you left when you guys were young. Now that you’ve come back, he wants to take a long break and make up for the lost time with you."

This time, it was Penny who fell silent.

"Slater’s the most hardworking person I’ve ever known," James continued. "His schedule for this year and the next was already fully booked, but then you came home. So he’s working every day to finish two years’ worth of projects by the end of this year."

He slowly shifted his gaze to the stage as music began to play for Slater’s performance. "I tried to stop him, but I couldn’t. I respect his decision."

Penny stared at James’s profile before shifting her gaze back to Slater.

"He missed you," James muttered, causing her expression to soften.

"That guy really knows how to tug at my heart," she whispered, listening to Slater’s melodious, soulful voice that silenced the cheers around them.

For a moment, when Slater began singing, everyone in the mall stopped what they were doing just to listen.

"At some point in my life,

I wished to disappear.

The whole world seemed so dark,

I cried every night.

During those beautiful days,

I was in pain.

What should I do?

The saying time is medicine is true for me.

I did get better in time.

But sometimes when I’m too happy, I’m afraid someone will take away my happiness.

But I still hope that I can bring light into this world.

Maybe, after all the pain, I could shine even if it’s short.

So, I couldn’t give up."