Entertainment Industry Limited Time Open - Chapter 7:
The music festival that day was a massive event, drawing together all the top idol groups.
The backstage area buzzed with chatter and laughter, stars and staff hurrying past each other.
The energy was electric.
X-One, the hottest boy group of the moment, had barely arrived when
the whole room seemed to turn toward them.
Other artists immediately came over to greet them.
As a top-tier idol, Tong Liyue was used to the attention.
With his striking looks, charming personality, and magnetic stage presence,
it was only natural that even fellow entertainers wanted photos or a few friendly words with him.
He’d long grown accustomed to that kind of attention.
But today, his mind wasn’t on any of it. His gaze kept drifting elsewhere.
Not far away, Ren Yuheng was surrounded by a cluster of
female idols in glittering performance costumes.
He was taller than all of them, and from a distance,
he looked almost like an emperor encircled by beautiful concubines.
Each of the women was bright and elegant, faces perfectly made up,
their smiles sweet and alluring. Their glances toward him were filled
with admiration and subtle flirtation, their voices honeyed when they spoke to him.
Yuheng, we saw your rehearsal earlier.
That choreography looked so intense aren’t you exhausted? one of them said,
handing him a bottle of water with a dazzling smile.
Exactly. Your skills are incredible. We were all cheering for you backstage!
another chimed in, eyes shining with enthusiasm.
Standing in the middle of the group, Ren Yuheng simply nodded.
His attitude wasn’t warm, but not cold either composed, gentlemanly, a little distant.
He responded politely, occasionally offering a faint smile,
and somehow that restraint only made him more magnetic.
It wasn’t the first time Tong Liyue had seen a scene like this.
Ren Yuheng had always been the type who drew people’s eyes without even trying.
Yet for some reason today, the sight irritated him.
His brow furrowed slightly as he watched, an odd discomfort stirring in his chest.
Before he could analyze it, Shen Yiran’s voice came from beside him.
The captain really has a way with women. Total lady-killer.
Of course. Jiang Linzhao folded his arms, grinning as he watched the scene.
Where else would you find an idol who’s that good-looking and that talented?
Tong Liyue stayed silent, but his frown deepened.
Yiran nodded, still watching Yuheng. But really,
do you think anyone could actually win him over?
Hmm… I’d say Xu Jessie’s got a chance. Jiang Linzhao’s eyes lit up as he observed.
She and Yuheng get along so well. Their temperaments match,
and she always finds a way to talk to him at every event.
He nudged Liyue playfully. Hey, Liyue, you know him best. Think she’s got a shot?
Liyue’s bright eyes dimmed a little.
His throat tightened before he answered softly, I don’t know.
Neither Shen Yiran nor Jiang Linzhao noticed his tone.
Only Qiao Zhiqing, standing nearby, seemed thoughtful.
He leaned closer, voice low. With Yuheng, unless he’s the one who falls first,
no one’s ever going to get him.
The words weren’t loud, but they landed squarely in Tong Liyue’s ears
and for some reason, they stirred something restless inside him.
He looked back just in time to see Xu Jessie approach Yuheng.
Her fair, delicate face was framed by a sweet smile as she tugged lightly at his sleeve,
speaking softly, almost coyly.
Ren Yuheng bent down a little, listening as she whispered something near his ear.
See that? Jiang Linzhao said smugly. I told you! He usually hates people getting too close.
The fact that he’s letting her definitely a good sign!
Why does he have to lean in so close?
Liyue watched quietly, the faint smile at his lips fading.
A strange feeling welled up in him something like irritation,
as if something that belonged to him was being claimed by someone else.
The thought startled him. He frowned slightly.
Why do I even care if a teammate’s dating someone?
When Linzhao had a girlfriend, he’d even enjoyed watching their secret little interactions,
listening to him gush all night long.
But ever since that night ever since the dream where he’d kissed Ren Yuheng
he hadn’t felt normal.
Was it because that dream felt so real? Or because…
Tong Liyue’s lips curved into a faint, unreadable smile.
He decided he needed to find out what exactly he felt for Ren Yuheng.
Instead of walking up to him directly, he quietly went over to a
staff member and whispered a few words with a charming grin.
The staff nodded and smiled, then lifted their radio and murmured something to Ren Yuheng.
Yuheng raised a brow, nodded politely to Xu Jessie, and turned to leave.
A few steps away, around the corner, Tong Liyue leaned casually against
the wall with his arms crossed, as if he’d been waiting there all along.
Yuheng approached. You were looking for me?
Liyue looked up at him, his clear eyes curling into a smile.
Come on, the manager said it’s our turn for the ID shoot.
At this hour? Yuheng frowned slightly, touching his chin. The manager didn’t tell me that.
Don’t believe me? Liyue laughed brightly and started walking.
Then go ask him yourself. I’ll go ahead.
Wait. Yuheng followed instinctively, his stride calm but sure.
Ahead, Liyue’s lips quirked in a subtle smile.
His eyes glimmered as he led Yuheng down a quiet hallway.
After a few turns, the noise of the crowd faded away.
Yuheng was still puzzling over it. Why would the manager send Liyue instead of a staffer?
It didn’t make sense.
He didn’t suspect a thing until the door shut softly behind them.
It was a small resting room, dimly lit, soundproofed, and empty.
No cameras, no staff just the two of them.
Yuheng turned to find Liyue leaning lazily against the wall,
arms crossed, a foxlike grin on his face.
So… where’s the shoot? Yuheng’s voice was steady, though his eyes were dark with suspicion.
Liyue raised an eyebrow, stepped closer, and
pressed a hand lightly over Yuheng’s lips. Shhh. Keep your voice down.
His palm was soft and warm, fingertips brushing the corner of Yuheng’s mouth.
The faint contact sent a tingle down Yuheng’s spine.
He froze, startled. Before he could react, Liyue pushed a little closer,
forcing him back until his shoulders hit the wall.
Liyue stared at him, heart thudding faster.
The usually composed, commanding Ren Yuheng now stood pinned quietly against the wall,
making no move to resist.
The contrast was intoxicating amusing, even a little thrilling.
He really is beautiful, Liyue thought.
That sharp jawline, the high bridge of his nose, that aura of cool
self-control that always kept people at arm’s length
it only made him want to break through it.
To see what he looked like when that composure cracked.
Yuheng was stiff, still feeling the ghost of Liyue’s hand on his lips.
His mind was a blur. Before he could make sense of any of it,
Liyue suddenly rose on his toes and brushed a quick kiss against his cheek.
It was fleeting, soft as a dragonfly’s touch, yet hot enough to burn.
Yuheng’s pupils contracted. His skin tingled where Liyue’s lips had been,
the heat sinking deep under his skin.
He didn’t even know what had just happened.
One second he’d been tricked into coming here, the next he’d been kissed?
Meanwhile, the culprit seemed completely at ease,
hand still resting lightly over Yuheng’s mouth, eyes glimmering with mischief.
Strangely, Liyue realized, he didn’t dislike the feeling at all.
He’d only meant to tease him, to test his own emotions but when their skin touched,
he hadn’t felt an ounce of disgust. In fact… it felt kind of nice. Kind of fun.
Maybe even… worth trying again.
Ren Yuheng snapped out of his daze, reaching up to grab Liyue’s wrist.
Tong Liyue, you
Shh. Liyue cut him off with a mock-serious expression,
gently pressing his hand back over Yuheng’s lips. Captain,
you promised not to rough up the patient.
Patient?
Yuheng’s jaw tightened as he remembered. A few days ago, he’d said those very words
because Liyue hadn’t fully recovered from a cold, he’d told everyone to go easy on him.
Now, those words had come back to bite him.
He let go, exhaling through his nose, trying not to lose his composure.
Liyue blinked innocently, pleased. He hadn’t expected Yuheng to tolerate even that much.
What had begun as a simple little experiment was turning out far more interesting than expected.
So why stop now?
He pressed his hand a little firmer against Yuheng’s lips and
whispered, soft and teasing, Don’t make a sound, okay?
I forgot to lock the door. If someone hears us, they might misunderstand.
Yuheng’s heartbeat went haywire. He’d never been this flustered in his life.
Liyue had always been playful, but never like this. Where had he learned such wicked tricks?
Before he could find the words, Liyue tilted his head and smiled a sly, playful smile.
Honestly, I don’t even know why I did this. Sorry, Yuheng.
And then, with a laugh, he turned and bolted for the door,
darting away like a fox that had just stolen something precious.
Hey—!
Yuheng called after him, but Liyue was already gone, laughter echoing faintly down the corridor.
Yuheng stood frozen in place, the warmth of that brief touch still clinging to his skin.
His pulse was racing, his breathing uneven.
He stared at the door, trying to calm himself,
but no amount of deep breaths could cool the heat creeping up his neck.
He had no idea what Liyue’s little stunt meant, or what that kiss was supposed to be.
All he knew was that Tong Liyue had completely thrown him off balance.
Because…
The boy was gone, but his body was still reacting to him.