Idol Chapter 107

The Angel’s Ring was the largest concert venue in the country, and it served as the ultimate test of popularity.

This concert was scheduled in Shidu, and fans from neighboring provinces and cities had even booked flights to attend. Thirty minutes before the opening, all three tiers, upper and lower, along with the entire inner circle, were completely filled.

Now, the concert had begun with strict checks on luminous accessories. Each seat was equipped with remote-controlled light sticks, synchronizing tens of thousands of light points to create a magnificent sea of light. Various shades of color changes enhanced the atmosphere. Even during the rehearsal when the audience was absent, the effect was already quite stunning.

The main stage was set right in the center of the venue. There was an outer ring resembling a planet, and an inner cross-shaped rotating area for scene changes.

In the final three minutes of countdown, Bai Ping sat in the position of the chief director, wearing headphones.

“After the performance, give me a theme song for my movie,” he said very casually, unwrapping a chocolate bar. “The ‘Golden Key’ is coming out next year. Will you come?”

“We’ll be there,” Huo Ren replied with a smile as he kneeled in the center of the stage. “I won’t miss an invitation from Director Bai.”

All the lights and screens suddenly went out, leaving only a surge of electricity running through the center of the venue.

The six members held their breath and rose slowly in the cold moonlight.

With the first crack of the whip, they ignited the night and set the audience’s hearts on fire. The crowd couldn’t help but cheer and shout from the depths of their chests, “It’s starting! It’s starting!”

With the second crack of the whip, the dazzling lights illuminated the entire arena, and the Crown Six stood in the midst of a fiery track, gazing forward.

Huo Ren stood at the center of a pentagram, extending his arm and lifting his wrist. His agile and graceful movements were like a soaring hawk in the silver arc of cold light. His eyes gleamed with a hint of chill.

The thirteen-section whip slithered like a broken star and a moving snake, and at the same time, everyone on stage started dancing vigorously. The drums and flutes created a thrilling atmosphere, as if breaking through an enemy formation.

The flexible silver whip was like shattered stars and a moving serpent. At this moment, Huo Ren seemed to be dancing with razor-sharp blades, and his steps and body movements were incredibly precise and perfect.

His slender waist and long legs made him appear agile and graceful. With each flick of the silver arc, it created sword flowers resembling white snakes spitting venom. When he raised his eyes, a dazzling smile emerged, almost stealing everyone’s heartbeat and breath.

Pei Ruye was sitting in the front row and watched attentively as Huo Ren danced in the radiant light. His gaze was gentle and serene.

He had almost forgotten that Huo Ren couldn’t dance when they first met all those years ago.

He had shared all the essential skills, techniques, and secrets with his only student without holding back.

…It was entirely worth it.

As the concert began, the Nightfire livestream and the official website’s forums opened simultaneously for a chance to win prizes for viewers. Members could enjoy smoother exclusive streams, and they could also participate in surprise giveaways by posting bullet comments or joining real-time discussions on Weibo.

As soon as the fiery whip dance started, the “Gems” immediately began to make GIFs, write heartwarming comments, and promote the exclusive hashtag. They praised their favorite member and couldn’t help but shed tears of excitement.

The dedicated fans were kept busy, not knowing where to focus their attention, wishing they could watch the show in double speed.

 

@RenRen’sOfficialGirlfriend: You still have so many surprises waiting for me!!! My dear, your business abilities are top-notch! You really spoil your fans!!!

@TaoTaoPeachBreath: How does Corona manage to bring something new to the concert every year? My heart can’t handle the live show! I want to parachute in to see my captain. After watching the live broadcast, I’ll immediately rewatch it two or three times. [Crying Leopard][Crying Leopard]

@CoronaZhangXiaoNi: I heard that this concert was directed by Director Bai. His aesthetics are too strong! It combines dominance and tenderness, perfectly suiting every song. Boss Bai, you slay!

 

After the opening dance, the first stage scene emerged in a misty dark blue atmosphere, revealing a rain-soaked parting bridge. Pedestrians with black umbrellas moved back and forth, and the night cast a subtle shimmer over the water accumulated on the long bridge. In the distance, lights in tall buildings flickered dimly.

Lovers about to part in the crowd turned and looked back, finally opening bright red umbrellas.

Fans on the CP leaderboard and various dedicated forums began to battle it out.

 

@[I’ve paused!!! The first couple to open umbrellas is Mei Chi. My OTP can continue for another hundred years!!!]

@[Is the second couple Long Ren (Dragon Blade) or Yun Ren (Cloud Blade)? I’m dying to know! Who designed this scene? It’s so perfect—amidst the darkness, only our heartbeats shine like red umbrellas, and in the sea of people, I can only see you!!]

@[This song is both heartbreaking and sweet. I can’t even tell if it’s glass shards or sugar anymore. The finger hearts are getting ready!]

 

Huo Ren, as the main dancer, stood at the highest point of the bridge and gently blew a kiss. Delicate white butterflies, like frost, fluttered in the rain.

He held the umbrella and sang softly, and the butterflies flew across the river to touch Chi Ji’s palm before fluttering away.

The bullet comments were filled with cries of excitement.

 

@[All-Blade is real!! All-Blade is a hundred percent real today!!!]

@[I don’t care that Ren Jue is also shipping today—please, just get married already!]

@[Ren Chi, I can keep shipping you for another three hundred years!!!]

 

After the heart-wrenching breakup song, the stage rotated again, and they removed their long urban-style coats. They were now dressed in thin shirts, gazing at each other from a distance.

The first verse began with a gentle and heartfelt whisper from the lyricist, Long Jia.

 

“You are pure white, clear, like mist after the rain.”

“Meeting you is too joyful, even if we haven’t met eyes, it’s like sensing each other’s hearts.”

 

They changed formations and took turns dancing, like a courtly dance in a medieval cathedral, and sometimes they seemed to wander aimlessly.

 

“Heartbeats racing, words faltering,”

“Seeing the morning star in your eyes, I can’t even say ‘good morning.'”

 

The three of them knelt slowly, in unison, amid the deafening screams of the audience, gently kissing the back of their dance partners’ hands.

When Huo Ren raised his head, he realized he was standing in front of Xiao Chi, who smiled and made eye contact with him before giving him a light kiss.

 

“My morning star… I want to keep you in my heart and banish the endless whirlpool of this world.”

 

Bo Jue made a mistake in his position and was a bit flustered but happened to face Long Jia. The latter smiled gently, bowed, and continued to sing the final sentence.

 

“My morning star…”

“Can you shine only for me?”

 

They stood hand in hand, their eyes meeting amidst the gaze of tens of thousands.

Their kiss grew more intense.

The bullet comments and the audience in the plaza were going crazy.

The control team and the commentators were all too busy to bother. They were screaming with their friends, leaving only comments behind. They were about to cry wolf in their dorms.

 

“I take back what I said earlier!!! None of that before this counted as sugar!!! This is like honey rose blueberry grass sugar to the point of suffocation, it’s like an official announcement!!!!”

“D*mn, I suddenly get Long Jia and Chi Ji—Thank you, Yao Yao, for being mysteriously CP-compatible, but it’s so hard to tell who’s the top and who’s the bottom! Class Rep, can you teach me? QAQ!”

 

Next, someone posted screenshots in the Crown and Long Jue’s topic square, with four rows of crying emojis: “They are definitely real!!”

While singing their songs, the three couples held hands and kissed the backs of each other’s hands. The other two couples just pretended to hold hands, but every finger of Long Jue and Bo Jue was intertwined.

Long Jue’s longtime fans were seeing the dawn of the Renaissance and quickly dug up the treasure of the old days for everyone to enjoy. They were so happy that they were about to pop champagne.

If this isn’t love!!!

But there were even more surprises waiting for everyone.

After performing ten songs in a row, including an amazing collaborative performance, there were also fan proposals during the concert.

The other four members had finished changing, and two of them took the stage early.

As the lights turned, the sound of a pipa came from the west wind.

Ming Run, with a fiery presence, recreated the stirring sounds of the battle drums and war horns from their military days. Bright lights focused on the sky as Bo Jue sat gracefully on a white peacock, his long hair flowing in the night breeze.

With three resounding strikes of the board, Xie Lianyun played the yueqin, his fox-like eyes cold and sharp. His nimble fingers danced on the strings like swirling clouds crossing a rushing river!

Huo Ren listened to the powerful and dynamic dual melodies in the waiting area, occasionally glancing around to discreetly find his teacher.

He looked several times but couldn’t see him. He pursed his lips and continued to watch his brothers play their instruments in the sky and on the ground. Suddenly, Mei Shengyao lightly tapped his right shoulder.

“He’s right there.” Mei Shengyao whispered, “He’s watching you, you know.”

Huo Ren held his breath for a moment. When he looked again, he instinctively hoped that his teacher had seen him, but at the same time, he hoped that he hadn’t noticed this place.

Teacher… Did I look good in those dances just now?

He cleared his throat and tried to shift his gaze away, but the other person’s smile deepened. With two fingers, he pointed in his direction and playfully mimicked firing a shot.

“I’ve got you.”

Last year’s Corona concert featured stunning bathtub and drum performances, but it had been a long time since “High Mountains and Flowing Water” was performed, which had become a regret for some fans.

This year, with the pipa and the lute, they presented a thrilling performance of “Ambush from Ten Sides,” which pushed “Corona” to the fourth spot on the trending list, with its popularity soaring.

 

@Little Cloud from Xie Huli’s Family: “High Mountains and Flowing Water” is back!!! They didn’t “be” each other, and now I can too!!!

@Devoted Lian Jue: Hand fetishists are already happy to the point of suffocation today. What kind of slender, fair, and clear hands are these? My brothers playing the moon lute and the pipa are too seductive, I can’t handle it anymore, why hasn’t the ambulance arrived yet—

@Corona Amethyst: The biggest problem this group gives me is that there are too many CPs… I can never catch up with the speed of official sugar-feeding. Which team should I ship first? (╯‵□′)╯︵┻━┻

 

As the duet ended, Bo Jue and Xie Lianyun quickly changed backstage, while the extras performed special effects on stage. The stage rapidly rotated, and in the center, a silent ice rink appeared.

Gingerbread houses and Christmas trees were scattered around the edge of the ice rink, like a charming fairy tale world come to life.

When the Belgian town appeared on the stage, light snowflakes floated in the summer night breeze. They were all dressed in down jackets and scarves, strolling and singing, romantic to the point of surreal.

The audience’s screams never stopped.

As the violin played, Mei Shengyao, dressed as a teddy bear, led Chi Ji, dressed as the Little Prince, in a dance on the ice. The other brothers stood in different corners of the set, allowing the acapella harmonies to create a warm and soothing atmosphere, like hot chocolate.

Chi Ji, wearing a crown on his head, smiled brightly. When he stepped onto the shore, he almost slipped but was quickly caught by Xie Lianyun.

“Be careful.”

“I’m good.”

The solo performances of the other members ended one by one, and more people were waiting for Long Jia’s solo.

However, Director Bai decided not to let this young master dance but instead gave him a white horse.

When Long Jia, dressed in riding attire, stood on the white horse and walked along the moonlit path, both the audience and those watching outside the venue were left in awe.

Damn!!!

In Bai Ping’s own words, he said, “You don’t need to do anything, just ride around the stage twice and wave.”

Long Jia did exactly that. He sat on the elaborately adorned saddle, his naturally elegant posture accentuated by the riding attire.

He looked like a nobleman who had stepped out of a novel, sitting on the horse with a faint smile on his face.

The tall, white horse stood out, with its silver mane and golden saddle decorations exuding an air of nobility. With every graceful step, it was as if every stride was too beautiful to be true.

The fans, both single and not, had all fallen for him.

 

@DragonFangMao: No! Don’t! Seduce! Me! This charm is too terrifying, and I’ve already died repeatedly on the spot qaaaaaq

@DragonScaleVendingMachine: Another wave of rivals is coming today, and when Jia Jia finishes work, he’ll have to comfort me with my humming~

@SeaSaltFlavoredGem: Damn, for a moment, I didn’t know whether to scream first for the Little Prince and the Teddy Bear dancing or for Long-ge taking over the entire scene tonight!!! He’s a true nobleman!!!

 

Before everyone could recover from these impactful scenes, the entire group appeared again, this time in a unified style.

Pure black trench coats, silver button accents, inverted cross bow ties, and military uniforms with an unmistakable sense of abstinence.

 

“With lightly pursed lips, an ankle tattoo, and a kiss with a hint of peppermint liqueur.”

 

Huo Ren stood at the forefront of the triangular formation, lifting a finger to lower his hat brim. His voice was as cold as ice.

 

“I want to keep you as my plaything, to indulge in pleasure for a lifetime.”

“Breaths are like a teasing rein, pulling closer and letting go.”

“When the buttons of the shirt are undone, it’s brushed against with ambiguous residual warmth.”

 

Under his lead, everyone danced again, and when the microphone was open to all, his breathing and gaze were equally seductive.

Rise, fall, pant, sigh.

Then, when turning around again, he retreated a few steps lightly, as if retreating to conquer.

Huo Ren hid in the center of the group, his voice ethereal like the wind in a deep valley.

 

“Not allowed… to be serious…”

“Contact messages should be deliberately delayed as if unheard,”

“Intentionally humming with a nasal tone during early morning phone calls.”

 

He removed his black leather cap, playing with it as if it were a toy.

Then came an ambiguous peck.

His thin lips glided lightly over the brim of the cap, appearing particularly soft and tempting.

Pei Ruye’s eyes darkened slightly.

They had rehearsed this song countless times before, and there was never this part.

He had learned some bad habits.

 

“Not allowed… to be serious…”

 

His enchanting voice fluctuated like the siren’s call, a seductive signal tempting sailors to run aground.

Another overlapping sound followed, resembling both a sigh and a playful remark.

 

“…How much did you love me?”

 

-2-

 

When the concert ended, there was a sense of tranquility both inside and outside the venue.

This was a live performance of a hormonal explosion, mixed with glass candy, a heartbreaking complex relationship, and passionate love. Getting charmed to this extent, one would remain single for life if they pursued a star like this…

Huo Ren didn’t pay attention to the online reviews or trends; he was still feeling a bit uneasy after the performance.

Did I go a bit too far just now?

Teacher definitely noticed…

Mei Shengyao was curious about where the white horse had been kept, and after quickly removing his makeup, he dragged the others over to have some fun.

Huo Ren casually declined a few times and wasn’t sure where the teacher had gone. After explaining to his assistant, he returned to the main stage alone.

A long time ago, he had dropped his earring during a performance and had seen what it was like when the show was over.

Different from the noisy and spacious environment during the construction, that place… had a kind of silent desolation, like a dark cave.

Huo Ren made his way through the bustling crew members and stepped onto the lift platform again to head back.

Backstage was bustling and bright, with bright white lights on both sides for construction and disassembly. In front of the main stage, only a few spotlights remained.

The deep red long lights could only illuminate a narrow corner, while the rest had already been engulfed in darkness.

He stood alone in the dry, slightly cold summer breeze and turned to leave after a while.

But he bumped into a warm embrace.

“Shh.” Pei Ruye also knew that the surveillance had been turned off, and he accompanied him in the darkness in the corner. “Why did you come here?”

Huo Ren was stunned for a moment, first confirming that there was no one else nearby, and then relaxed in the silence before hesitating to speak.

“I thought of a saying on my way here: ‘There’s no everlasting feast in the world.'”

He avoided parting but also understood that he could only accept all of this.

“Actually, I always feel like there’s nothing that truly belongs to me forever.”

Fame, status, glory, praise…

At this moment, even the gathering of over a hundred thousand people was dispersing.

Partings were always silent and dim, like an unexpected dark night.

Pei Ruye also understood that Huo Ren had too many anxieties in his heart. He held him tight and didn’t speak for a long time.

“Teacher,” Huo Ren, buried in his embrace, said with a hoarse voice, “I really need a hug.”

When people are rational, they often find it difficult to see the way forward clearly, and they cannot accurately predict their fate. They are prone to overthinking.

He felt fortunate that he could hide in his embrace for a while.

A few hundred meters away, workers were dismantling scaffolding, making clinking noises with their hammers, but the sound was carried away by the night breeze and was not very clear.

Huo Ren vaguely felt that he had held onto his teacher for too long and hesitated, releasing his grip.

“I’m sorry,” he whispered, “I still rely on you too much.”

But his hand was not released; instead, it was held even tighter.

“If you’re willing to believe,” Pei Ruye also rested his forehead against Huo Ren’s and guided his hand to touch his chest, “this place… belongs only to you.”

His heartbeat was steady and strong, never ceasing.

“…As long as it’s here, I will always belong to you.”

Huo Ren stood frozen in place. At this moment, he wanted to grasp each word and hold them close to his heart.

He had never imagined this side of Pei Ruye.

He looked at him in astonishment, and for a moment, tears welled up in his eyes, and he didn’t know how to respond.

This person had silently accompanied him for seven years.

From the young and bewildered to the present fame, Pei Ruye knew all about his confusion and helplessness, and he had seen the side of him that was most at a loss.

Yet, his love remained unwavering and passionate, never changing.

“Ruye,” he tried calling his name, “Ruye…”

The man remained silent, but his hand exerted a slight pressure, allowing him to continue feeling his heartbeat.

It had always been there.

And he would always be there too.

Huo Ren took a deep breath, not wanting to think about anything else, and tilted his head to kiss his lips.

But they were a step apart, and he missed.

The young man’s eyes were misty and filled with a sense of rejection and loss.

Pei Ruye lowered his head, brushing away his fallen strands of hair, and whispered, “For the first time, I’ll take the initiative.”

Then he leaned in and kissed his lips.

They both knew that this kiss was not allowed.

Perhaps it could only be this one moment of losing control.

So, he tightened his grip around the other’s waist and instinctively deepened the kiss.

Pei Ruye had been quite selective about relationships until the age of eighteen, and this was also his first kiss. However, they fit together as if they had kissed countless times in their dreams, not needing any pauses even for a breath.

The scent of white roses lingered quietly between their lips, first lightly touching and kissing, like a gentle guide and exploration.

Then, their lips parted, tongues danced together, and the most delicate and sensitive parts of their lips were pulling on each other’s nerves, allowing the suppressed love to be released and resonate.

Kissing someone you love can make you tremble with happiness.

Unconsciously, Huo Ren let out a few low moans, feeling their hands on each other’s necks, and their fingertips embedded in each other’s hair.

A deep kiss was like dancing a duet.

Hovering, approaching, spinning, lingering…

As he raised his hand, he suddenly felt a slight sting from a ring.

It was the gold crown ring that he often wore during dance performances, placed on the ring finger symbolizing his single status.

In an instant, the sharp pain brought him back to reality, causing him to instinctively take a step back, finally breaking the kiss.

“I…,” Huo Ren knew that his cheeks were now flushed, and he felt flustered and confused. He was afraid that Pei Ruye would be upset. “Teacher… I…”

“I’ve admired you for a long time.”

“When I was fifteen, I wanted to become someone as composed and strong as you.”

“I’ve been following you all along, Teacher. Did you know that?”

He didn’t dare to say anything more, and he didn’t dare to return to Pei Ruye’s embrace.

“Teacher, I… I should go now. They’re probably looking for me.”

Pei Ruye softly acknowledged with a sound, then helped tidy up his hair and collar. When he turned to leave, he suddenly called out.

“Ren Ren.”

“I’m here!” Huo Ren, feeling incredibly self-conscious, tried to see his expression clearly in the dim light.

“Before you go… Can we kiss one more time?” Pei Ruye wasn’t certain, but he finally voiced the thought that had been weighing on his mind for a long time. “Just gently, one more kiss?”

When he acted as a teacher and a boss, Pei Ruye had always been composed and confident, never bringing up anything he wasn’t sure about. But in this moment, he was just like any other young person in his twenties, being cautious in front of someone he liked.

Huo Ren took a deep breath and quickly walked back, earnestly giving him another gentle kiss.

The teacher was being affectionate.

Pei Ruye was definitely being playful.

In silence, Pei Ruye memorized every detail.

The lips were soft and tender, the angle of the kiss a bit inexperienced but perfect in its own way.

During the deep kiss… he even trembled slightly, which was incredibly endearing.

Huo Ren was afraid that they might lose control again, so he quickly said, as their lips parted, “We can’t do this again in the future, okay?”

Pei Ruye gazed at him, and after a long pause, he responded, “I’ll be waiting for you at the finish line.”

Just before stepping into the spotlight, Huo Ren turned to look at him, pausing for a few seconds.

He placed two fingers over his heart and then touched them to the side of his lips.

Teacher, I trust you.

I will always trust you.