Wannida was completely stunned the moment the microphone slipped from her hand.
It's over, I've caused a huge disaster!
When she saw the heavy metal microphone strike an audience member below, her small, delicate face immediately turned pale. She instinctively wanted to jump off the stage to check on the man she had hit, but she was quickly held back by the stage crew.
Several event staff members immediately rushed over to Rahul's side to check on him. The crowd automatically parted, forming a wide vacuum zone around him.
Rahul clutched his dizzy head and picked up the microphone from the ground. As soon as he looked up, he was met by several anxious staff members wearing SGE Entertainment ID lanyards.
The lead staff member stepped forward, pressing his palms together and apologizing with frantic sincerity.
"I'm so sorry, sir! I am so, so sorry. It was our singer's negligence that caused the microphone to slip. How are you feeling? We need to take you to the hospital for a check-up immediately!"
Rahul touched the spot on his forehead where the microphone had made impact. It felt numb and slightly dizzy, but the pain wasn't intense, and there was no bleeding.
Rahul knew this was directly related to his Master-Level Combat Skills, which had drastically upgraded his physical constitution and bone density. Otherwise, an ordinary person taking a direct hit to the head from a heavy, falling microphone would likely suffer a severe concussion.
This karmic encounter from the System came so suddenly; it was a literal headache!
"I'm fine, just a bit dizzy," Rahul said.
He looked at the terrified staff members in front of him, who were bowing and apologizing incessantly, and calmly handed the microphone back.
The lead staff member took it, his voice still trembling with apology: "Sir, are you sure you're okay? We really must insist on going to the hospital for a proper scan. Please don't worry, our company will cover all the medical costs!"
At this moment, the surrounding audience members all had their phones out, recording the aftermath.
The staff member felt like needles were pricking his back. A major physical accident at a live promotional event, if not handled perfectly, would be absolute career suicide for a rookie idol who had just started to gain some fame. He knew that no matter what, he had to get this injured tourist away from the cameras and out of the public eye immediately.
As the saying goes, it's hard to be angry at a smiling, deeply apologetic face. Rahul looked at the staff member, whose attitude was incredibly respectful, and decided not to make a scene.
Besides, it would be smart to go to the hospital for a quick scan anyway just to be safe. Since the karma given by the System had already been sown, this sweet singer would definitely have to come looking for him to apologize properly.
"Alright, I'll go to the hospital with you."
The staff member exhaled a massive breath of relief, a look of pure gratitude washing over his face. "Thank you so much, sir. Please, follow us to the VIP transport. Our company will have Miss Wannida personally come to apologize to you the moment her set is finished."
Two staff members gently supported Rahul on both sides as they escorted him out of the crowded night market and headed straight to a premier private hospital in Pattaya.
Meanwhile, on stage, Wannida watched Rahul's receding back as he left with the crew, falling into a spiral of deep self-reproach.
How could I be so clumsy? How could I not even hold a microphone properly? Is he okay? Did I really hurt him?
Backstage, the talent manager from SGE Entertainment was frantically gesturing to Wannida to keep the show going. Wannida forced herself to plaster on a bright smile and continued the performance. But throughout the rest of her set, her mind was entirely consumed by the tall, broad-shouldered figure of the man she had hit.
The second the performance ended, Wannida immediately begged her manager to take her straight to the hospital.
At the Bangkok Hospital Pattaya branch.
Accompanied by the SGE Entertainment staff, Rahul was quickly ushered through a VIP lane. He underwent an MRI and a brain CT scan, getting checked thoroughly from top to bottom.
Only after the attending doctor gave the official all-clear did the lead staff member finally breathe easy.
"I am truly sorry again, Mr. Rahul. Our artist, Wannida, is already on her way here. She wants to personally apologize to you face-to-face."
Rahul sat on the plush waiting room bench and waved his hand dismissively. "It's fine. It was just a false alarm. I'm very satisfied with how professionally you've handled things. I won't cause any negative PR for your company."
The staff member sat down next to Rahul, the tension finally leaving his shoulders, and the two of them began to chat.
Through the conversation, Rahul learned that SGE Entertainment was a rapidly rising powerhouse in Thailand's media industry. They were aiming to benchmark against the veteran titan, GMM Grammy. They were especially influential in producing youth-oriented campus dramas and urban pop music.
Wannida was a fresh rookie, recently scouted by SGE from a massive national talent show. Because she possessed incredible vocal talent and a flawless "girl-next-door" image, SGE intended to push her as Thailand's next top female idol. Currently, her career was in its most delicate, fragile starting phase.
"Mr. Rahul, it is truly a blessing that it was you who was hit. If it had been anyone else, this accident could have destroyed Wannida's debut," the staff member said, his attitude deeply sincere.
"They say people from India are very magnanimous and understanding. Speaking of which, my grandfather actually migrated here from Punjab. In a way, Mr. Rahul, we share some roots!"
"Our company has always wanted to open up the massive Indian market and is actively working hard in that direction."
Rahul smiled and nodded politely. In recent years, music and TV dramas from Thailand had indeed been gaining a massive cult following back in India. A sweet, talented girl like Wannida would absolutely have a market there.
While they were chatting, a burst of hurried footsteps echoed down the pristine hospital corridor.
"Slow down, Wannida, slow down! You're a public figure now, you need to mind your image!"
Rahul turned his head and saw Wannida. Her pale pink twin braids bounced as she practically sprinted toward him, still wearing her stage outfit. A breathless, highly stressed talent manager followed closely behind her.
When Wannida saw Rahul sitting safely on the bench, looking completely fine, her tightly wound heart finally relaxed.
Thank god, he's okay. I would have been worried to death!
But as she got closer, she paused. Wait... this guy is incredibly handsome. Why does it feel like I've seen his face somewhere before?
Wannida walked right up to Rahul and, without a single word of excuse, bowed a perfect, deep 90 degrees.
"I am so sorry, sir! I was completely clumsy and couldn't even hold my microphone steady, causing you to end up in the hospital. I am truly, deeply sorry!"
Her pink pigtails bounced in the air as she bowed and straightened back up. Her entire vibe radiated a sense of genuine, youthful exuberance and panic.
She stared at Rahul somewhat timidly with large, flickering, doe-like eyes. Because she had just been sprinting, her fair, flawless face—which still carried a hint of youthful baby fat—was flushed a deep pink, looking as if a perfect layer of blush had been applied.
Seeing that Rahul didn't reply immediately, Wannida bit her full, plump lower lip, looking incredibly anxious.
At this moment, looking at her, Rahul felt a vibe that could only be described as the pure essence of a "first love." It was like the sweet, soft, marshmallow-like rush of a high school crush. Wannida was truly born to be a star!
"It's no problem at all. The doctor said I have a hard head; there's nothing wrong with me. You don't need to stress over it anymore," Rahul said, offering her a warm, dazzling smile, trying his best not to scare the young girl.
After all, technically speaking, she was a "victim" of his System's chaotic matchmaking.
"Oh, thank goodness! As long as you're okay, I can finally breathe!"
With that, Wannida immediately broke into a breathtakingly sweet smile, the corners of her eyes curving into perfect little crescents. She generously extended her right hand to him.
"Hello, it's so nice to properly meet you. My name is Wannida."
"I'm Rahul."
Rahul stood up and gently shook her hand.
Looking at Rahul's striking face up close, Wannida suddenly blinked, her brow furrowing slightly.
"Rahul... are you from India?"
"Yes."
"Why do I feel like I've seen you somewhere very recently?"
Then, Wannida's gaze dropped to the DJI camera resting on the bench next to him. She pointed at it, her eyes widening. "Wait... are you an internet vlogger?!"
Hearing this, the talent manager standing beside Wannida looked at Rahul's superstar-level appearance, then down at the professional vlogging gear. Suddenly, a brilliant spark of corporate excitement flashed in the manager's eyes!