Rehearsals are mainly for getting familiar with the process.
With an increasing number of performances, artists can easily find themselves singing the wrong lyrics or dancing the wrong steps in an awkward situation.
Many stages require changes in positions due to venue alterations, or repeated coordination with the dance crew.
At such times, the dance director might stand in front of the star, with brief reminders or abstract gestures, accompanying them through the run-through of all acts during the rehearsal.
When the actual show starts, they withdraw, letting the star stand in the most dazzling spot, enjoying the endless applause and limelight.
As if they had never been there.
Huo Ren used to be at Corona, just like now, standing behind Pei Ruye, following the movements while gazing at that tall silhouette.
He always felt this role had a somewhat prophetic aura.
Behind the star idols, there are always thousands of followers, the audience that refuses to leave, and the passionately devoted fans.
They probably wouldn’t believe that the morning star in the sky had once plummeted down, that the flawless idol had once collapsed to the bone with wounds.
Yet, in the chaos, someone quietly helped many, seizing back stability and glory to return, as if they were merely an insignificant passerby.
Amidst the music, Huo Ren followed that silhouette’s movements, his eyes reddening for a moment.
Pei Ruye, sensing something with his back turned, quickly looked back to check, then gestured to pause the music for a while.
“How about we take a break, go back and eat something?”
Huo Ren stopped his movements, thought for a moment, and said, “I’m pretty familiar with the process now, and I’m feeling okay.”
A row of backup dance instructors, all veterans from the XV dance troupe, some of whom had long retired to become judges in major competitions, came to dance without asking for a fee upon hearing that God Pei was also participating.
Both onstage and off, the staff were focused and professional. Huo Ren got along quite harmoniously with them, and the rehearsal was just a routine run-through.
Pei Ruye wanted to touch the corner of his reddened eyes, feeling inexplicably that the little white wolf was again feeling sorry for himself, not quite understanding what was happening on the spot.
“When you dance alone later, I’ll stay by the side of the stage, not going anywhere.” He whispered, “When you feel insecure, just look at me.”
“Stand in front of me a little longer, don’t go yet.” Huo Ren smiled, “I want to look at your back a bit longer.”
Pei Ruye teased him with a smile.
“Isn’t the front view nice?”
“Both are nice.” Huo Ren spoke softly, “Looking a little longer, it’s like going back to seven or eight years ago, the first time we rehearsed for a concert.”
“It’s also the first time now.” Pei Ruye said gently, “Your life is just beginning.”
“Teacher.”
“What?”
“Teacher.” The young man smiled again, “Just wanted to call you that once more.”
During the concert rehearsal, there were too many people coming and going, and indeed someone secretly took three photos, submitted them to a marketing account, and posted them online, making quite a bit of money.
It just so happened that the marketing account was affiliated with Rainbow Light Culture, a partner of SPF.
The company immediately made a call, inquiring whether to block it.
“No need.” Pei Ruye stood by the side of the stage with a plate of pancakes, placing strawberries sideways, “Let them be.”
The person behind the marketing account was already steaming with anger when they saw the pictures, and upon hearing the higher-up’s instructions to post freely, their pupils quaked on the spot.
Are they really that bold???
What’s going on this month, aren’t the earnings ridiculously good??? KPI is going to explode!!!
@FreshGossipNonstop: Anonymous submission, “Gua Gua, I caught them hugging, and one was actively asking for a hug, the other even patted their head for a long time!!!” [Picture][Picture][Picture]
As soon as this post went out, even without any celebrity names in the topic square, just the likes and shares skyrocketed in minutes, bursting like twelve firecrackers during the Chinese New Year!
The first photo was a long-distance shot of the hug taken with a mobile phone.
The images clearly show two figures, one being Huo Ren and the other Pei Ruye, embracing each other openly in the center of the concert stage, with Pei Ruye even reaching up to ruffle Huo Ren’s hair.
The second photo is a close-up of them talking.
The two stand very close, with Pei Ruye facing away from the camera, speaking softly, while Huo Ren looks at him with a smile.
The third photo is finally much clearer, showing the rehearsal.
With all the dance lights in place, Huo Ren stands in the center of the stage dancing, while Pei Ruye stands at the front edge of the stage, directing his next moves.
Due to the angle, Pei Ruye occupies most of the frame, his neck chain and the hem of his clothes fluttering as if caught in a breeze, giving the snapshot a GIF-like dynamic feel.
Without needing further elaboration from the marketing account, comments and shares surged rapidly.
@ALLRenFans: That look, that smile of Ren Ren!! He’s actually openly being coquettish with Boss Pei!!! Right in the center of the concert stage, Ren Ren!!!
@NightFireLikeRenSZD: Today is a good day! Everything I wish for comes true! I’m so happy I could spin into heaven! Don’t even say it, I’m moving to the civil affairs office, please hurry up and register their marriage!!!
@LuBaiBaiBai: I was about to explain that this was some concert program simulation, but let’s not… That smile can’t hide anything, alright…
The unexpected display attracts many passersby curious enough to reshare.
“Is this a screenshot from a TV drama?”
“Whoa, that tall one is so handsome, are there clearer pictures?”
“I feel like I’m seeing something straight out of entertainment circle fiction, a composed beautiful top x handsome eloquent bottom, right??”
Emeralds and Cold Blades fans are exploding.
They actually embraced like that?! So openly bold???
And in the middle of the stage?? Are they rehearsing or is this for real??!!
[From a former group fan, let me say, your two are really, truly real… They specifically release albums on each other’s birthdays, have exclusive nicknames and gifts for each other, and even after the show’s over, they still cling to each other, it’s clearly a passionate romance…]
[Honestly, the main people have come out, and despite a bunch of girlfriend fans turning against them, their album sales still broke records, which really shows their strength. Isn’t it great being fans of both their careers and their pairing? (waves)]
[Just saying, could Pei Boss be PUA?? It feels like he’s stringing Ren Ren along, he rejected him before, and now this? This guy better not have the guts to mess with my bro??]
As the conversation reaches this point, the Emeralds can’t sit still.
[Fine, if you want to ship them, do it, but saying Boss Pei is a crappy top is too much!! Who are you calling a crappy top??]
[Have you seen any crappy top who neglects his four or five companies to dance all day with someone? A crappy top who’s been loyal for ten years without asking for any status in return?? A crappy top who’s so obedient during recordings, dancing whenever asked!!]
[If we really want to go there, our Boss Pei has been wronged for many years!! Come fight me if you disagree!!!]
The fan groups immediately split, each going to dig up evidence to argue, and the more they uncovered, the more it seemed like a trap set by shippers.
Damn, this is too real, right?!
Within just two hours, shares exceeded a hundred thousand, and some sharp-eyed netizens spotted something interesting.
“This Boss Pei… has a really nice physique, huh?”
In the lingering heat of September, people dressed quite lightly.
Pei Ruye, having danced in the sun for several hours, wore a sun-protective jacket, with only a tank top underneath.
When the front camera caught him dancing, the jacket billowed with the wind, revealing his physique in full.
This comment quickly garnered tens of thousands of likes.
[OMG my eyes!!!]
[This is too sexy! Is this a real human physique??]
[The shine! His abs, his chest muscles, they’re all shining!!!]
[Pei Ruye, are you even human?! Not once did you take it off during the recording—]
[I’m crowdfunding a better camera for the sister who submitted these; you’ve already taken photos, at least take more, damn it!]
[Crowdfunding 1]
[Crowdfunding 2]
[Crowdfunding 10086]
[Wait a minute, does that mean Huo Ren must feel really good when he buries his face in someone’s chest??]
[Blind follower, you’ve discovered a gem! I also want to bury my face in a handsome man’s chest TUT]
[Animated GIFs!! We need animated GIFs!!! We’re not short of traffic, hurry up and post some GIFs ah ah ah—]
[Someone blood-writes that Boss Pei dances with Ren Ren while holding him at the concert!!]
[To the person above!! Your blood isn’t enough, take my ex-boyfriends!! I have ten, feel free to take any!!!]
Indeed, there were fans who had been invited to watch the rehearsal and had secretly taken videos.
Initially hesitant to post, seeing that there seemed to be no issue, they also cut a new account to submit it anonymously.
As usual, the social media editor sought permission from the company.
And as usual, the company sought permission from Boss Pei.
Pei Ruye: “As you wish.”
The social media editor’s pupils quaked dramatically once again.
This response implied that from now on, any scoop involving him and Huo Ren need not be blocked.
What exactly is going on between you two?? In a romantic phase?? Preparing to announce your marriage??
How much should I contribute for the gift? Just give you both this year’s performance bonus?
A fifteen-minute video was soon uploaded online.
Everyone’s spirits were lifted: Here it comes, let me have a look, let me indulge once more!!
It turned out to be a bona fide rehearsal video, devoid of any hugs or other intimate acts; Pei Ruye was facing away from Huo Ren the whole time.
Huo Ren, focused and intent, danced and sang with his microphone fully on, as meticulous as if he were already at the concert.
Pei Ruye stood in front of him, periodically checking the coordination of the group.
Strict and meticulous, not missing a beat.
At this moment, both were dancers, both part of the performance.
Yet even without any eye contact, one could sense their mutual understanding and unspoken rapport.
@BossPeiHaveYouBeenHumanToday: I was originally going for the sugar rush… but now… I actually want to buy those exorbitantly priced front row tickets to the concert…
@ColdBladeDeerDeer: Woo woo woo, his singing voice is so stable, and his dancing remains flawless even after going solo, I didn’t stan the wrong person!!
@IDon’tEatGrapesJustTheSkin: Actually, compared to the earlier sweetness, this state of serious joint work really hits me harder, maybe I’m fundamentally a fan of their careers (sighs)
Huo Ren only saw that he was trending first on the search list after he finished the rehearsal and came out from the shower.
#HuoRenPeiRuyeRehearsalLeak#
He was still drying his hair with a towel, casually flipping through several photos, and then read through a few pages of comments.
There were almost no accusations of hype, lots of wallpaper sharing, and loads of recommendations.
There were also some strange IDs and harsh comments that had been scrolled past, making the young man laugh silently for a long time.
As he was engrossed, a call came through.
Huo Ren glanced twice at the contact name, answering the phone in high spirits.
“Uncle Jiang, it’s been a long time since we last spoke.”
The person on the other end hesitated for nearly twenty seconds before finally speaking, “You… with Boss Pei, is it real?”
“Yes.” Huo Ren glanced at the figure at the door, his smile widening.
“It has been real from the beginning.”
Author’s note:
The details related to the concert rehearsal are based on research, as mentioned in the posts, and will be summarized and concluded at the end.