Idol Chapter 35

The conference hall fell silent for a few seconds, followed by a burst of cheers.

“Huo Huo, I knew you could do it!”

“The captain is the best!!”

“Truly the little prodigy!”

“Huo Huo, come here and let Long-gege hug you!”

Uncle Jiang frowned and knocked on the table. “Maintain your image!”

The other five quickly sat down. “Please continue, Uncle Jiang.”

“Based on the results of the six of you,” Uncle Jiang couldn’t help but smile, trying to maintain his seriousness. “It’s barely acceptable.”

Xie Lianyun directly spread out and held up Huo Ren’s 5A report card.

“Why don’t you aim for a 5A yourself, Xie Lianyun? Are you uncomfortable all day if you don’t argue with me?”

Uncle Jiang forced himself to cough twice, thinking that these kids were becoming more and more unruly.

He looked around at all the teachers present and straightened his posture. “So, the topic we’re going to discuss today is debut.”

“Debut, on the condition that you release your own album, and you need to prepare the stage in advance. After your official debut, there won’t be any more practice opportunities, and your schedule will be very packed.”

Uncle Jiang looked at them. “Now, you have two choices.”

“The first option is for us and the teachers to help you select an external team for routine creative packaging.”

The teachers present were already top-notch in the industry, so their networking resources were considered top-tier.

Outsourcing an album could be completed in as little as two months, but it would be very passive.

——Every modification and adjustment, every communication and coordination, all came with a hefty financial cost. And in the end, the final result couldn’t be determined by their personal preferences but by finding a relatively satisfactory point.

“Choosing the first option means you’ll have more time to rest and practice, and your debut will be earlier.”

“The second option is for us to form a team to assist you in the creative process, giving you more control, but there will be deadlines for stage control.”

When the deadline was mentioned, Uncle Jiang and another manager exchanged meaningful glances with Xie Lianyun.

Xie Lianyun, known for his habit of procrastination, turned his head away without looking at them.

“To ensure the company’s interests, we will sign relevant agreements and contracts with you.”

“This isn’t an opportunity for you to dip your toes. If your work in the first phase fails to pass the teachers’ assessment, you will have to pay a penalty and be forced to accept a customized album from an outsourcing company.”

Uncle Jiang knew this matter came abruptly, so he explained the terms thoroughly and gave a deadline for the choice.

“After the training for this year ends, it will be close to the Lunar New Year. You will have ten days to rest.”

“I’ll be waiting for your decision on the last day.”

The six members didn’t hesitate much and looked at Xie Lianyun and Mei Shengyao simultaneously.

Huo Ren smiled, his lips curling up. “We should have had an answer long ago.”

They didn’t just want to become assembly-line artists.

They wanted to be unique, singing songs that belonged only to Corona.

Uncle Jiang had been running back and forth on drinking tables for the past two months, and it had been a while since he had encountered such vibrant and youthful energy from the teenagers.

He took off his sunglasses, rubbed his nose bridge, and decided to seek stability. “Think about it for these ten days, and we’ll decide after the Lunar New Year.”

After the matter was discussed, the other teachers took turns explaining the preparations related to the album.

The assistant managers and assistants were already prepared with a PowerPoint presentation, displaying the prepared resources and potential resources to be negotiated on the screen in an intricate network.

The crown logo in the center of the network was shining brightly.

After the briefing ended, the six trainees stood up together and thanked the teachers, watching them leave one by one.

Uncle Jiang remained seated, unmoving, with a plump sea coconut in his insulated cup.

He pushed the cup aside and calmly spoke, “Apart from the album, there’s another matter.”

“You also have ten days to consider it, and once you confirm, there’s no turning back.”

Uncle Jiang was actually quite like an eagle.

He was cunning and shrewd, knowledgeable about people, and his deep voice always carried authority.

After taking off his sunglasses, his eyes were like x-ray machines at airport security, seemingly able to see what each person was thinking.

He took out a worn-out small notebook from his briefcase, openly lit a cigarette in the conference hall, and flipped through it in the swirling smoke.

“This is the different role assignments I wrote for the six members of Corona when I accepted SPF’s invitation eight years ago.”

“Each of you six was brought back from various parts of the world, and every person was matched perfectly according to the mold I set back then.”

It was a long-cherished plan, the one and only.

“I’m not a stubborn person. If you don’t like this role, we still have the opportunity to discuss and make changes now.”

“But once it’s decided, never mention the word ‘change’ to me again.”

Uncle Jiang said half of it, then squinted his eyes and slowly smoked as if he was reviewing how he found each person opposite him.

He leaned back and casually said, “Do you know why we formed a group?”

Each person present could be matched with the words “genius” and “talent.”

Even if they debuted individually and were promoted with packaged resources, it probably wouldn’t be too bad. They would at least be popular for about a year or so.

Bo Jue spoke lightly, “The power of aggregation.”

“Indeed,” Uncle Jiang flicked the cigarette ash twice and scanned each person. “When you were apart, you could only be individually outstanding.”

“But if you gather together, you can share the pain and anxiety and also share the same halo.”

The impact of being together was much stronger than that of a single person.

He picked up an electronic pen with the cigarette in his right hand and brought up the neatly organized pages with different information.

Each of the six roles was matched with an abstract pictorial logo by the assistant, floating and lighting up one by one.

『Noah – Chi Ji – Color』

It is **, pure white, a light and ever-changing rainbow in the clouds.

It is also the myriad colors of a crown.

They had known this a long time ago, and they all tacitly agreed.

Chi Ji looked up at the screen, his smile innocent.

『Ody – Mei Shengyao – Phoenix』

An echo of legends, a wild combination, an existence destined to be watched by countless eyes as it soars.

No one can resist being fascinated by the halo naturally possessed by the son of a deity.

“I am the Phoenix…” When Mei Shengyao saw those two words, his eyebrows twitched, and he turned to Uncle Jiang. “I can’t get around my dad, can I?”

“You can’t.” Uncle Jiang had been in the entertainment industry for many years and saw things better than anyone else.

“Mei Shengyao, even if you change your name and undergo plastic surgery, you still can’t get around that.” Uncle Jiang leaned closer to him, observing his resemblance to God Mei. “Instead of being entangled in unchangeable matters, you can use it to strive for more.”

“But they will say that my success is all because of my parents.” Mei Shengyao was still unwilling. “They will say—”

“Yao Yao, they will always say that,” Uncle Jiang said decisively. “The crowd loves gossip the most.”

“When you step into this entertainment industry, there’s no way to avoid controversies. That’s the price.”

Mei Shengyao froze, subconsciously looking at the soaring phoenix once again.

“Alright.” The child spoke softly, “I accept.”

The screen on one side turned again, and another floating ball of light appeared.

『Alston – Long Jia – Ignition Point』

To embody flames, ignite all temperatures, and be able to detonate the air, shattering soundwaves.

The stage needs him to bring a scorching sensation, aggressive like fire, immovable like a mountain.

“It suits me well,” Long Jia looked up and smiled. “I can keep burning.”

Uncle Jiang focused on him and extinguished the cigarette.

“No matter how lost or suppressed you feel, or even if you are entangled in scandals, you have to stand in this position and not waver.”

You have to become the eternal flame of the crown.

“Don’t jinx me, sir,” Long Jia relaxed. “This is my job, and I won’t leave any vacancies.”

“Besides, there’s no other word that fits better,” Bo Jue lazily said. “When he goes on stage, it’s like injecting adrenaline, and he can also give all of us a boost.”

Uncle Jiang clicked his tongue. “Can’t you make the atmosphere a bit more serious and formal?”

『Ralph – Xie Lianyun – Frost Point』

Long Jia was the fuse of the group’s atmosphere, while Xie Lianyun was the one who froze the entire audience.

One controlled the ascent to the highest point, while the other should be able to lead everyone to the lowest point.

Xie Lianyun shrugged. “We already discussed it, next.”

『Otis – Bo Jue – Torrent』

Bo Jue didn’t expect to be matched with this word.

“Torrent?” he confirmed. “We’re already a couple made of ice and fire, why do we need a torrent?”

Uncle Jiang pointed to his waist-length hair. “Do you remember me mentioning in your contract that you can’t cut this hair?”

“I know. I can’t cut my hair short within six years, and the shortest length should not be above the shoulders,” Bo Jue supported his chin. “I treat this hair as a treasure. I won’t cut it in this lifetime. Even without a contract, I’ll keep it.”

Uncle Jiang flipped through his notebook and read the notes inside. “Torrent means you need to give a sense of flow and surround.”

It needs to be clear, pure, and inject a moistening aura into everyone.

Water was omnipresent, just like music.

Bo Jue sighed. “You’re treating idol development like writing poetry… Aren’t you tired?”

Uncle Jiang said seriously, “If you want to change, come to me for a meeting within ten days.”

“No change,” Bo Jue leaned against Long Jia and smiled. “This one is good, no need to change.”

After the five confirmed, they looked at Huo Ren with curiosity and anticipation, their gazes full of expectation.

Uncle Jiang pressed the electronic pen, and the last floating ball of light lit up.

『Controller』

Huo Ren was taken aback, and Uncle Jiang wiped the cigarette ash off his fingertips with a tissue before speaking calmly.

“I’ve been troubled by one thing for a long time.”

“I need to find someone to be the captain who can not only control the others but also not be too overbearing and dominant, disrupting the harmony within the group.”

Huo Ren responded hesitantly, “I still lack the necessary experience.”

“It’s true that you lack experience, but you’re getting closer,” Uncle Jiang’s tone was subtle. “Being able to make this group of annoying little devils like you requires a combination of favorable timing, favorable location, and favorable people.”

“You’re lucky, kid.”

-2-

The meeting didn’t last long. After clarifying the role positioning and vacation guidelines, they adjourned the meeting and officially started their break.

“Everyone go back to your own homes and take care,” Uncle Jiang casually went to the 17th floor, surveying the condition of the six-person dormitory. “Let me know when you’ve arrived home safely, and be mindful of your weight during the New Year celebrations.”

“We know, we know,” Xie Lianyun quickly packed his luggage. “You used to be so aloof a few years ago. Why are you becoming more and more talkative now?”

Uncle Jiang gestured to kick his butt and looked at the circle of pillows on the sofa. “Where did all these sheep and rabbits come from?”

“Bo Jue bought them.”

“When did we have so many potted succulents on the windowsill?”

Long Jia, while collecting his luggage, also remembered to clean up the living room trash. “Bo Jue bought them.”

“All six of you use animal-themed mugs?” Uncle Jiang felt that the room was arranged quite homely. “Also bought by Bo Jue?”

Long Jia rushed over to take away his own mug. “Uncle Jiang, he insists that I resemble this lion with a wild mane!”

Xie Lianyun hooked his arm around Bo Jue’s neck and said, “Let me put it this way, this cartoon character is an Angora lion. Don’t you think your fluffy, cotton candy-like and majestic appearance is quite similar?”

Uncle Jiang’s attention was completely derailed. “Bo Jue, just how many things did you buy for this room…”

Xie Lianyun playfully hooked Bo Jue’s neck. “Let’s put it this way: wherever you can see, he bought something.”

Just as Huo Ren finished explaining to Bo Jue’s assistant what should stay in the dorm and not be taken out, he turned his head and saw them chatting and making a fuss. He smiled and said, “Brother, take your time on the way home. Let us know when you’ve arrived.”

Chi Ji dragged his suitcase out and curiously asked, “Aren’t you going home?”

Mei Shengyao quickly popped his head out from under Huo Ren’s arm and hugged him. “Brother Ren and I will celebrate the New Year here!”

“Here?” Long Jia paused and subconsciously looked at them. “Aren’t you going back to visit your parents?”

Xie Lianyun urged, “Hurry up and gather your things. Your suitcase is blocking the door.”

Huo Ren and Mei Shengyao smiled as they escorted the others downstairs, seeing them off all the way to the parking lot. They were reluctant to part.

The other four bid farewell one after another, and Uncle Jiang pushed the suitcase, opening the SUV’s trunk.

“You two, be careful in the dormitory and contact me if anything happens.”

“Okay.” Huo Ren bowed, “You’ve worked hard. Happy New Year in advance.”

Uncle Jiang looked at him with complex eyes.

He realized that this kid was truly captain material.

He knew when not to give in, and when not to be submissive, and had a natural affinity for interpersonal relationships.

“Do well,” Uncle Jiang started the car and looked at the young man through the half-opened car window. “You’ll become strong in the future.”

Everyone had left, leaving only Huo Ren and Mei Shengyao to go home together.

Mei Shengyao was about to turn fifteen, and he had grown taller, but he still clung to Huo Ren.

“Brother, we’re on vacation!”

“Yes…” Huo Ren stretched lazily. “From today onwards, we don’t have to get up at six in the morning for dance warm-ups.”

Mei Shengyao hopped around for a bit and then looked a little lost.

“So, what do we do in SPF? Watch TV dramas?”

Huo Ren pondered for a few seconds. “Actually, there’s an unopened box of PS3 Slim in the TV cabinet, and we have plenty of games.”

Mei Shengyao’s ears perked up. “Huo-ge, will you play with me?”

“After practicing the piano and finishing our reading every day, we should still have around five or six hours in the afternoon and evening,” Huo Ren initially didn’t include himself, but he was more than willing to spend more time with Mei Shengyao. “We can play ‘Uncharted’ and ‘Dynasty Warriors’ together.”

“Captain, you’re the best!”

Just before the elevator doors opened, Huo Ren thought for a moment and spoke again, “If you’re afraid of the dark at night, we can actually sleep on the living room floor together.”

The heating here was very good, and the living room was spacious enough for six people to practice dancing comfortably. Sleeping there was very comfortable, and since they were all boys, there was no need to worry about anything.

Mei Shengyao sobbed, “Captain, I love you so much——I still get anxious even when I sleep hugging Sharky. It’s so nice to be able to see you.”

They both reverted to a childlike state and relaxed completely, playing for five days.

In the morning, they followed their usual routine of stretching, practicing, studying, and reading. In the afternoon and evening, they played the piano, sang, and played games together. At 11 o’clock, they rolled up their bedding, held flashlights, and told each other two ghost stories before snuggling up to sleep.

Mei Shengyao was completely relaxed, without any sense of sadness for not being home for the New Year.

Last year at this time, he was left alone in the empty dormitory, feeling suppressed and miserable, crying for a long time.

On New Year’s Eve, they finally slept in, waking up at half-past noon.

The first thing Huo Ren did upon waking up was to check the unread messages in the group chat. There were 99 of them, bustling with activity.

The group name was an emoji of a small crown. Long Jia had posted many pictures of himself with his family and their three sled dogs. Bo Jue had shared several videos of himself playing the piano, indulging in a bit of narcissism, and added a selfie as well.

Xie Lianyun didn’t say much in the group chat, but his Weibo alternate account was daily showcasing new equipment from online games. He had quickly regained the top rank on the server by spending tens of thousands of yuan without feeling a pinch.

Chi Ji didn’t return to the UK. Instead, he spent a few days at the Shidu Grand Theater watching “Rock Barbie” with his friends, thoroughly enjoying himself.

Today was New Year’s Eve, and they had all returned home to be with their families. They shared many photos in the group chat of frying fish, making dumplings, and preparing meat dishes.

Long Jia’s parents were kind and affable entrepreneurs. They even recorded a video with the three siblings wishing them a Happy New Year.

“Thank you for taking care of Long Jia this year. Let’s continue to work hard together in the new year!”

Mei Shengyao woke up in a daze upon hearing that voice. He snuggled up in the blanket and rolled into Huo Ren’s embrace, watching the videos for a while before sighing, “New Year is really nice.”

Having a family was truly wonderful.

Huo Ren hugged Mei Shengyao and pondered for a moment before propping himself up. “Let’s go to the supermarket and get two bags of popcorn to watch a movie?”

Mei Shengyao hesitated. “But…”

“I’ve calculated the calories. With the New Year’s Eve dinner at the cafeteria, it won’t be too much,” Huo Ren imitated Pei Ruye’s tone. “Today is a good day to enjoy something sweet and be happy.”

Mei Shengyao quickly nodded and ran his messy hair against Huo Ren’s face. Suddenly, he said, “Brother, I want to eat ice cream.”

“Sure, eat it. Afterward, I’ll jump rope with you.”

“Okay! You should have one too!”

They rolled up their bedding and placed it against the wall before casually putting on a T-shirt and heading downstairs together to buy snacks.

The building was quiet, both upstairs and downstairs, resembling an empty city.

As they walked back, carrying plastic bags, they were very close to each other.

Today was a day for family reunions, even if they couldn’t see their parents… there was no need to be sad.

The small crown was already their home.

When Huo Ren opened the door again, he noticed that it wasn’t locked.

He froze for a moment but followed the inertia and pushed the door open.

Suddenly, the lights turned on, and four people jumped out from behind the couch, shouting, “Surprise!!”

Mei Shengyao was startled. “Ah, ah, ah??”

“But we still have five days off, right?” Huo Ren instinctively said, “Today is New Year’s Eve. Why did you all come?”

“We’re celebrating the New Year together!” Long Jia beamed with a bright smile. “In this lifetime, the six of us are all family!”

Huo Ren was astonished. “You guys…”

Xie Lianyun quickly rushed over and took turns hugging him and Mei Shengyao. “Mission accomplished. I’m going to raid now. Call me for dinner.”

Chi Ji dragged the suitcase back to his room. “I already had lunch with my parents for the New Year’s meal. Let’s have dinner together.”

Bo Jue squatted next to the bedding and curiously touched it. “So you guys slept here together… This is a good place.”

Mei Shengyao’s eyes immediately lit up. “Let’s sleep on the floor together tonight!”

Huo Ren calculated the space. “It’s just enough. Let’s make it a New Year’s gathering.”

Although they had spent the whole year together, even being apart for just five days made them miss each other dearly.

They had their New Year’s Eve dinner in the cafeteria, eating pan-fried dumplings with vegetable soup. After finishing, the boys brought their bedding and pillows to the coffee table, fighting for the game controllers and taking turns playing.

From 2009 to 2011, they had unknowingly grown up, with their frames stretching and their faces becoming more profound. Their features became better looking day by day.

There was a separate compartment in the bathroom. Long Jia and Xie Lianyun yelled at Huo Ren to take off his clothes and go in for a scrub, while they stood nearby brushing their teeth and swaying back and forth.

When Mei Shengyao and Chi Ji entered with their bath towels, they unexpectedly saw the two of them shaking their elephants, so they quickly averted their gazes.

“Oh, is Shengyao still shy?” Long Jia finished brushing his teeth and smoothed his clean-shaven chin while looking at him. “You’re already fourteen. You must have grown hair by now, right?”

Mei Shengyao threw his towel at him. “No bird-walking during the New Year!”

After wrapping himself in a towel, Xie Lianyun walked out and patted Long Jia’s b*tt. “Hey, nice and perky.”

Helpless, Huo Ren said, “Xie-ge, you still need to work on your sense of propriety.”

Xie Lianyun shook his head decisively. “Indecency is a man’s romance.”

Huo Ren, with his towel wrapped around him, entered a separate compartment and halfway through washing, he said, “By the way, when we have money in the future, can we buy houses close to each other?”

“Why just close to each other,” Long Jia said from afar while applying toner. “Let’s buy a three-story mansion, live together, raise dogs together, and take walks together. It would be great to live together until we’re old.”

Huo Ren smiled and said, “Then I’ll live on the first floor. After retirement, I’ll learn cooking and woodworking and help you guys install a swing in the backyard.”

“I’ll live on the third floor,” Mei Shengyao immediately said. “The ceiling should be made of double-sided glass so that we can stargaze at night!”

Just as Bo Jue finished washing and walked out, applying essential oil to his long hair, he said, “I’ll also live on the third floor with a small garden. I’ll raise a few birds.”

They continued their lively discussion until 12:30 in the morning when they became tired. The six of them slept in a row, like neatly cut pieces of rice cake.

They were well-behaved before falling asleep, but once asleep, they leaned against each other, drooling and peacefully dreaming.

Uncle Jiang came with a Daoist priest on the first day of the lunar new year and raised an eyebrow upon seeing the six bundles of blankets in the living room.

“Huo Ren—”

The captain was still asleep, his head tilted as he mumbled a response.

The Daoist priest beside him covered his mouth, suppressing a laugh, while Uncle Jiang put his hands on his waist, looking puzzled. “Why are you guys sleeping all together on the living room floor when you have mattresses? You guys seem to get along pretty well?”

Xie Lianyun turned over and continued sleeping while embracing Mei Shengyao. At this point, he couldn’t be bothered to look at him. “What’s wrong with that?”

---

Author’s Note:
=.= This should be the last slice-of-life segment before they embark on their professional careers. After this, things will get really busy, so the writing will be relatively reduced.

In the next chapter, they will start working on their first original album together. I promise it will be exciting! If it’s not good, I’ll give you all Xie Xie!

(Xie Lianyun, passionately spending money on the computer: Achoo!)

——————–

I looked up the name of this idol and found out that it’s from BTS. =.= This year, I’ve been catching up on a lot of boy groups and girl groups for the sake of writing. I bought two digital albums from EXO and Red Velvet, and I’ve been catching up on BTS’s songs and performances in my spare time… and also learning the choreography from 1Million Dance Studio and Red Room. The professionals are just too amazing…

Thanks to the comments section for providing information and recommending performances. I’ve given it my best!

Normally, I don’t really follow the idol scene, but I have to say, a lot of K-pop songs are really catchy and enjoyable!!