Entertainment Industry Limited Time Open - CHAPTER 1
Inside the studio, the stage is wrapped in darkness.
Only the LED signs in the audience flicker, specks of light scattered like stars in a midnight sky, weaving together into a silver galaxy.
Among that sea of light, one name flashes again and again with impossible frequency Tong Liyue.
Screams ripple through the crowd, waves of excitement rising and falling.
The live broadcast chat floods like a storm, millions of viewers and fans holding their breath together.
Three… two… one.
The countdown ends, and electronic drumbeats explode like sudden rain.
A surge of rhythm ignites the air as five tall silhouettes stride onto the stage. The silver ocean of lights erupts, roaring like a living tide.
X-One! X-One!
Fans scream themselves hoarse, waving glowing signs, calling out the names of the members they love.
The first note cuts through the air. Standing at the very center, Tong Liyue raises the microphone, his voice clear and sharp, carrying a deadly kind of allure.
Like a silver blade slicing through the night, it sends the entire arena into frenzy.
Tong Liyue — the heart and soul of X-One.
When he steps on stage, every gaze inevitably finds him. His movements flow like silk, effortless and fluid;
every turn, every flick of his hand, every whip of his hair blends seamlessly with the music.
The camera zooms in. He tilts his head slightly, offering a faint, knowing smile to the lens.
The audience erupts again. He knows exactly how to set a stage on fire and how to set hearts ablaze. He shines so brightly it almost hurts to look.
Fans cry out over the noise, voices trembling with devotion.
Ahhh, our Liyue is glowing from the first note! That’s the charm of our center!
As the chorus crashes in, the tempo surges. Lights and cameras sweep across the stage. The tallest member, Ren Yuheng, moves smoothly to the center.
When he sings, his deep magnetic tone slides perfectly into the beat, coating the song with a touch of sultry darkness.
Ren Yuheng — leader, the group’s all-around ACE.
Every move he makes radiates control, power wrapped in precision. The stage feels like it bends to him no wasted motion, no hesitation, only strength and focus.
Then his gaze lifts. For a moment, his eyes cut through the camera like a blade. A heartbeat later, he looks up sharply a predator meeting its prey.
The crowd collectively forgets to breathe.
Oh my god, that look… he’s lethal.
Our captain has no weakness. He’s the ultimate ACE.
The song builds to its peak, five bodies moving in perfect synchronicity. The crowd roars. The moment everyone has been waiting for finally arrives.
The camera captures it Tong Liyue and Ren Yuheng, framed together under the lights.
The livestream count spikes instantly, comments flooding the screen like a blizzard.
As the drum hits, Tong Liyue spins sharply, his motion fierce and fluid. In an instant, he slides close to Ren Yuheng’s side.
His dark hair lifts slightly with the motion, beads of sweat catching the light like stars. At the corner of his lips rests a faint, unreadable smile.
Ren Yuheng’s hand moves in time with the choreography, sliding past Tong Liyue’s narrow waist. His fingertips brush skin for less than a second,
but the spark that runs through them feels like a live wire.
The touch is fleeting, perfectly within the dance, but the camera catches it every tremor, every breath.
Tong Liyue falters for a split second. Then his lashes flutter, lips curving upward with teasing defiance.
He tilts his chin and meets Ren Yuheng’s gaze head-on, eyes glimmering with playful challenge.
The lights blaze around them. In that instant, Tong Liyue’s smile turns sinfully beautiful pure and dangerous all at once.
The crowd explodes.
That smile… he did it on purpose!
Tong Liyue, you little devil! This performance is legendary!
They’re real, I swear they’re real!
On stage, time stretches thin. Ren Yuheng’s eyes flicker, then steady. He releases his hand, keeps dancing as if nothing happened, face calm and unreadable. Only the small twitch of his throat gives him away.
No one sees it — the tremor of his fingers, the flicker in his eyes when his palm met warmth. For a brief, dizzying moment, it felt too real.
The performance ends in a storm of cheers.
This is X-One — the hottest boy group in the industry.
Backstage, the five return breathless to the waiting room.
Shen Yiran, the group’s moodmaker, lifts the camera with a bright grin. Today’s behind-the-scenes vlog is mine!
He pans across the room. Ren Yuheng picks up a towel and water bottle, casually handing the towel to Tong Liyue behind him.
Thanks, ge. Tong Liyue takes it with a playful smile and a quick wink. The movement looks practiced natural.
Seeing this, Shen Yiran raises an eyebrow and walks over, pretending to sulk. Captain, I’m hot too.
There’s a towel on the table. Get it yourself. Ren doesn’t even glance his way, tone cool and dismissive.
He then drops down beside Tong Liyue, legs stretched, posture effortlessly relaxed.
Shen Yiran turns the camera toward himself, feigning heartbreak. Is this favoritism?
Of course it is, Jiang Linzhao teases from the armrest, laughing. You’re not the group’s baby. Accept it.
The room fills with laughter. But Tong Liyue, ever the crowd’s darling, is clearly exhausted beneath his perfect smile. He leans back, rubbing his nose bridge.
Even idols get tired.
Ren Yuheng notices. He opens a small pack of mints, voice soft. Tong Liyue.
Liyue doesn’t even look up, just reaches out lazily and takes one. The cool mint melts on his tongue, refreshing and sharp.
He exhales a small laugh. You really know what I want.
Ren doesn’t answer, only smiles faintly.
From across the room, Jiang Linzhao grins at the camera. Our captain really spoils him, huh.
Shen Yiran jumps in, moving the camera closer. Liyue, any comment?
Liyue sits up a little, lashes fluttering. Isn’t that how it should be?
So arrogant, Qiao Zhiqing chuckles from the corner.
Can’t help it, Liyue says, shrugging. I’m the youngest, remember?
Then his gaze drifts toward Ren Yuheng. The captain looks calm as ever, untouched by the teasing.
That won’t do.
Liyue smiles mischievously and slowly leans closer, resting his head against Ren Yuheng’s shoulder. Right, Yuheng… ge?
The word ge, soft and sweet, lands like a feather — or a spark.
Everyone freezes.
Liyue isn’t the type to act coy. The move is deliberate.
Ren sighs quietly, a touch of helplessness in his tone. Don’t mess around.
His hand drops gently to Liyue’s hair, almost instinctively. The camera catches it all.
The fans are going to lose their minds, Jiang Linzhao mutters.
The moment passes. The group heads back out for their variety shoot laughter, games, a sea of fans.
During the Q&A, a fan asks Liyue which member he relies on most.
The crowd erupts. Everyone already knows what name they’re waiting to hear.
Liyue lifts the mic, eyes sweeping slowly across his members before resting on Ren Yuheng. For a heartbeat, time stops.
Then he tilts his head and says with a teasing smile, Of course it’s Zhiqing ge.
The crowd explodes in disbelief.
Even Qiao Zhiqing blinks in surprise before letting out a small laugh.
The host grins, Why him?
Because he’s gentle. He never scolds me.
The screams start all over again.
When the camera cuts to Ren Yuheng, he looks perfectly calm elegant posture, hands resting neatly on his knees.
But if you look closely, his right hand curls slightly, knuckles tightening.
Fans notice. The chat floods again.
He’s jealous. He’s totally jealous.
His expression management failed and it’s adorable.
Liyue doesn’t notice or maybe he pretends not to. He laughs, patting Ren’s shoulder. Captain, don’t tell me you’re mad.
The crowd howls again. The host teases him, Captain, are you sure you’re fine?
I’m fine, Ren replies softly.
The show ends in applause. No one sees his hand clench into a fist in the shadow of the spotlight.
Later, when all the others leave, Liyue returns last, surprised to find only Ren Yuheng waiting in the quiet room.
Where is everyone?
I told them to go ahead.
So you stayed for me?
Ren doesn’t answer. He walks forward until the space between them vanishes, voice low. Of course.
He lifts an arm, bracing it against the wall behind Liyue, trapping him lightly in place. The faint click of a door lock sounds behind them.
Liyue blinks, startled. Ge, shouldn’t we be leaving?
He reaches for the door, but Ren catches his wrist not roughly, just enough to stop him.
Ren’s other hand tilts his chin upward. Their eyes meet. Under the harsh light, Liyue’s neck arches, his collarbone catching the glow.
Ren’s voice turns rough. Why didn’t you pick me?
Liyue laughs softly. Because Zhiqing ge is gentler.
Am I not gentle enough with you?
The air thickens between them.
He looks up, smile playing at his lips. You know who I rely on most.
The words are half truth, half tease.
Ren stills, taken aback. Before he can reply, Liyue slips out from his hold and walks toward the door, every step unhurried.
The air still carries his scent — sweet and light, impossible to ignore.
Ren touches his own nose, chuckling under his breath.
Too oblivious, or just too good at playing with fire?