Huo Ren casually flipped through the pages, and Mei Shengyao took over the poetry collection to serve as a living display.
In front of tens of thousands of viewers, Huo Ren tied the pure black blindfold and fluently recited all the poems in his oxford accent.
โ[Sell to not purpose that praise not will I,]โ
โ[Well hearsay of like that more say them letโฆ]โ
For him, it was just reading the text displayed in front of him from the end to the beginning. However, even his fellow group members were slightly surprised when they saw this situation.
Huo Ren’s prolonged humility and efforts had made them subconsciously overlook his talent.
After reciting a long passage, Huo Ren casually picked up an unopened book, the “Clear and Serene Scripture.”
With gentle and delicate movements, he flipped through the thin pages, then covered his eyes once more.
After a few seconds of contemplation, he recited slowly.
“Always stay calm, and one can attain the Way of enlightenment. Those who attain it do so by their own realization, the true Way of eternal constancy.”
“Perpetually losing the true Way, one remains trapped in the bitter sea. Wandering through life and death, one encounters impurities and disgrace…”
This was a side of him that fans had never seen before, and even the other five brothers were starting to forget.
On television and on stage, Huo Ren was a dynamic presence with strong control, and his gaze and singing left a deep impression on people as if he was born to be an idol.
But at this moment, he became calm and composed, almost vulnerable due to his blindfold. Language and written words were no longer obstacles to his memory; instead, they seemed to be stored like data that he could access at will.
The top 1 topic was actually created by fans who were both anti-fans and real fans.
The anti-fans wanted to see him act pretentious and fail, while the real fans wanted to see him show off more.
Although Huo Ren was explosive and passionate on stage, he was low-key and respectful in private. His Weibo account was managed entirely by his studio, with regular postings of selfies, but he rarely spoke about his extraordinary talents.
His “Blade” fans were always complaining about not getting enough of him.
In contrast, fans of other idols could trend topics just by solving a quadratic equation, so they begged him to do more!
So, after the first demonstration ended, the barrage was filled with people saying “not enough” and urging him to “do more questions.”
Gifts of all sizes, from airplanes to yachts and sports cars, continuously filled the screen, and all the proceeds went to the “Corona official charity foundation.”
Xie Lianyun propped up his chin and said casually, “You guys… watching a live stream and still studying, have you gone crazy?”
Huo Ren had some free time and noticed that someone in the scrolling comments section had posted real college entrance exam questions and a logic simulation test for first-year students. He rolled up his sleeves and gave them a brief lecture.
During the third sentence of his lecture, Long Jia started to doze off while propping up his chin, and Mei Shengyao held a small notebook and took notes as he listened.
The first rumor was easily debunked, and after Huo Ren cleaned the small blackboard, Bo Jue stepped in front of the camera.
With his long, silky hair hanging down and a texture akin to satin, he looked quite stunning.
“In fact,” Huo Ren said with a suppressed smile, “you’ll understand this matter better if you watch this VCR.”
Bo Jue: …?
The live broadcast switched to a slightly shaky video.
It seemed that Mei Shengyao was holding the camera because the footage was slightly older, and his voice still had a hint of youthfulness.
“Time for our daily maintenance segment with Jie-ge,” he cheerfully narrated.
In front of a European-style mirrored glass, the long-haired beauty sat next to a long row of skincare products. He let Huo Ren and Long Jia, one on each side, apply serum to his hair ends.
“Jie-ge!” the off-screen voice exclaimed happily, “What’s all of this?”
Bo Jue didn’t mind at all and began explaining as he applied hand cream.
“Shampoo, conditioner, scalp cleansing cream, hair treatment, and hair oil…”
There were over a dozen different types in total, each divided into five or six varieties based on their functions and scents, filling the space in front of his mirror with bottles and jars.
When Mei Shengyao filmed this, he also briefly showed the grooming setups of the other members.
Huo Ren had the most organized station, with transparent storage boxes neatly arranging various items.
Long Jia’s station, on the other hand, was typically messy, with scattered items and even a bold scribble of “handsome” left on his mirror.
The audience outside suddenly discovered a new world.
Huo Ren gestured for the camera to give a close-up of Bo Jue’s long hair.
“It seems that the answer is quite clear,” he said with a smile.
This variety show had done Corona a big favor.
Through this channel, future controversies and scandals could naturally transform negative attention into positive effects.
No matter how much the other media speculated or stirred the pot, it was all just providing early publicity for this showโa truly virtuous cycle.
“Now, the third-ranked rumor is,” Long Jia pushed the agenda forward, “Mei Shengyao is actually quite domineering within the group, ha ha ha, and even frequently gets into fights, ha ha haโ”
“Don’t laugh and ruin the scene,” Xie Lianyun coughed.
“Don’t laugh, hahaha, I promise not to laugh, hahahaโ”
The origin of this brainwashing information was difficult to trace, but it had been circulated with vivid details in at least five or six different versions.
When Mei Shengyao debuted at the age of fifteen, he was sweet and lively around his older brothers, but he was prone to nervousness in front of the camera. When he got nervous, his face would stiffen, and it was as if there was a sign hanging around his neck that read, “Don’t approach the living statue.”
“Let’s read a few passages from the so-called rumors provided by anonymous sources,” Huo Ren sat back down next to them and cleared his throat. “My cousin, who is a hotel manager, claimed to have seen MSY asking LJ to help him put on his shoes and even spilled unfinished juice on XLY’s face. He has absolutely no manners.”
Mei Shengyao: OwO?
“I’m a photographer, and once when Mei Shengyao was unhappy with the photo shoot results, he kicked over the camera stand and was stopped by Bo Jue. He even scolded him for meddling and then got into a fight with Long Jia on set.”
Mei Shengyao: OaO?
“Huo Ren had bandages on his knees and arms in June last year. He said he got injured while practicing dancing, but it was actually caused by MSY’s kick. This information comes from an insider within SPF, so it must be true.”
Mei Shengyao: OๅฃO???
“I… didn’t wear bandages last year in June,” Huo Ren struggled and said, “Where did this information come from?”
The camera immediately turned to the side, focusing on Mei Shengyao who was holding his face, looking somewhat aggrieved.
The other four fell silent for a moment, all looking puzzled.
“This is too fake, isn’t it?”
“How did this kind of rumor make it into the top three?”
“Mei Shengyao can still get into fights?”
“It’s like this,” Chi Ji adjusted the microphone and said seriously, “Long-ge is the big sun in our team, and Yao Yao is the little sun. They both have really good temperaments.”
“Previously, there was a psychologist on the internet who said that a person needs at least four hugs a day,” Bo Jue added, “In our team, Chi Chi hugs us twice a day, and Yao Yao hugs us twice too.”
“Sometimes it’s even four times,” Mei Shengyao whispered, “I’m not a team bully.”
The barrage of comments was filled with laughter.
If this matter had only been circulating as a vague rumor, it might have carried some confusion with it. However, when they took turns to read it aloud and the voices were transmitted to people’s ears, it became incredibly absurd.
Even more people found their increasing fondness for them after seeing the five of them react to the false information with puzzled expressions, especially Mei Shengyao’s genuine emotional changes.
The hot searches followed:
Mei Shengyao’s expression meme
Corona all confused.jpg
GIF expression packs quickly became popular and incredibly cute.
Although Xie Lianyun had seen the script in advance, he still appeared quite stiff when it was his turn to explain the fourth item.
No, he couldn’t keep this hidden any longer.
Every time he appeared in the media and acted like he knew everything, he had forgotten to act a bit clueless. What should have been exposed earlier was now revealed.
“Thank you,” Huo Ren turned to him, “Do you have anything to say?”
Xie Lianyun took a deep breath and said resolutely, “It’s true.”
The other four: ?
Fans: ?
Bystanders: ?
“In fact, I play three mobile games at the same time. I usually ask my assistant to help me with daily tasks.”
“I just participated in the Heroic Great Daming Palace event earlier this year.”
“I was playing Hearthstone until late last night before reaching the top rank.”
Fans: ???
Second Brother!! We asked you to clarify, not to expose yourself!
This is a rumor-debunking show, not a self-exposure show!
Huo Ren covered his face and said, “This is indeed true… we won’t hide it from everyone.”
Long Jia solemnly said, “I, as the big brother, failed to discipline them properly.”
Bo Jue looked complicated and said, “Are you all idiots…?”
Then Xie Lianyun started sharing tips on playing Swordmaster and insights into the Druid T0 deck. He also answered questions about where to find the Quadrangular Otters in World of Warcraft.
The barrage of comments was also in a state of confusion.
So, should we start watching this show like a drama or take some notes first?
We thought you were just browsing Weibo and forums every day, but you’re actually better at playing games than us???
By the time the last rumor was read out, the audience was in stitches.
Long Jia assumed the posture of a spokesperson and said seriously, “Ate together but not familiar.”
The second episode of the program started with a good viewership, and as it progressed with trending topics and expression packs, the number of viewers exceeded eight million by the end.
SPF immediately announced that all donations would be used for Hope Primary Schools and charity lunches, pleasing both supporters and the public.
The live broadcast effectively brought people closer to Corona and showcased a more vibrant and authentic side of the six members.
Without filters, they still looked tall and handsome, and during impromptu Q&A sessions, they displayed their eloquence.
They dared to admit the truth when faced with real information, making them relatable.
As a result, when the July concert approached, a large number of new fans rushed to buy tickets to see how explosive the new wall was going to be.
Then they predictably failed to get tickets and ended up crying on the rooftop with the old fans.
“Can’t you add more concert dates? Why is it so hard to get tickets?!”
“You guys all said you were going to quit being fans, but when the concert tickets went on sale, they disappeared instantly. You deceivers!”
“I can’t believe I mobilized all four of my ex-boyfriends to help me get tickets and still didn’t get any.”
Finally, on July 22nd, Corona’s first concert of the year began.
In the first year, they had high-altitude bubble clouds, in the second year, they had sword dancing and an escape show, and in the third year, their album was so outstanding that expectations were sky-high.
This day also happened to be Xie Lianyun’s birthday, and the Clouds and Gemstone Fans joined forces to upgrade their support, with hand banners, poster walls, hot air balloons, and even taking over three subway cars for promotion.
The Blades were not to be outdone, using skyscrapers and drone formations to express their support from afar. The neon lights illuminated the captain’s unparalleled side profile, and this spectacle even became a topic for city news reporters.
While different fan groups had their own unique approaches, once inside the venue, they all silently formed a golden sea, collectively experiencing the resonance of the group’s spirit at this moment.
Three years of bonding and three years of facing challenges together before and after their debut.
They knew that the camaraderie among Corona’s six members was absolutely genuine.
As night fell once again, the sports arena was shrouded in darkness. The 360-degree circular stage was set against a dark backdrop.
The noisy commotion continued, and the high-definition broadcast screens in the sky lit up with numbers.
In the pure darkness, the stage on the east side suddenly illuminated with a floor-length mirror framed in gold.
A second mirror was lit on the west side.
Huo Ren, dressed in a dark robe, knelt with solemnity, facing away from the audience.
The distant and ancient sound of chimes resonated, causing the air to vibrate.
The audience sensed the imminent visual spectacle and began waving their support batons while counting down loudly.
“Threeโ”
Pearlescent lanterns outside the mirrors were lit one by one, swaying gently in the night breeze.
The other six members were wearing golden robes, their contours blurred.
“Twoโ”
Huo Ren slowly raised his head, and the long robe on his shoulders slipped down, revealing his bare back.
From the nape of his neck to his waist, everything was exposed.
“One!!!”
The mocking wind tattoo in crimson seemed to ignite on his fair skin, revealing intricate patterns resembling scales and fangs.
The cold light swept across like the morning mist, and the tattoo seemed to come to life, shimmering with a brilliant radiance.
“They distort the truth and spread slander.”
“They want to use my heart as a lamp.”
Huo Ren, facing away from the audience, sang softly with his hand touching the first floor-length mirror in front of him.
In the mirror, a reflection of himself appeared, with lowered eyes and a gentle smile, as if an elder were trying to help him up.
Different mirrors around him began to reveal seemingly real yet illusory versions of the same person, each reaching out their right hand towards Huo Ren, as if guiding him along different paths.
The reflections in the mirrors were either sad or joyful, but they were trapped within the confines of the frames, unable to break free.
Within the mirror array, Huo Ren danced once more with his back to the audience.
As he raised his right hand, his five companions outside the mirror array were summoned and raised their lanterns, as if guiding him down different paths.
The triple-ring formation interchanged and shifted, like a mirage of mirrors.
Outside the mirrors, the six individuals in golden robes held their lanterns high, moving closer and then farther away from him. The light sources swayed like the wandering tolling of bells.
With Huo Ren bearing the crimson Wind Taunt tattoo, he bowed low, and the six reflections in the mirrors appeared to smile or sigh, dancing with him in the ethereal sounds of bells and drums.
The song’s melody fluttered and traversed like a lark, connecting the past, present, and future.
The five people paused, and one of them looked up, causing all six mirrored frames to fade away.
The spotlight once again focused solely on Huo Ren.
At that moment, his eyes gleamed with a cold light, like a raging fire.
“All the pain… will be held as precious pearls.”
The concert was once again broadcast live on SPF’s official video website, and discussions on social media and forums were bustling in real time. Many fans wished they could transform into Nezha with three heads and six arms, simultaneously taking screenshots, sending rainbow emojis, and passionately recommending the performance to their friends and family.
Gemstone Fans who love Corona: You can really feel the sincerity of the brothers in their performance. It’s so rare that Corona can maintain innovation while being highly popular. They continue to challenge new heights every year. We’re all in this together with Corona through thick and thin.
Corona has set me on fire: When the captain danced with his back to the camera, the color-changing tattoo on his back actually had a luminous effect! What a magical and creative idea, especially in the dim light and the reflection of the mirrors. I’ve already quickly taken screenshots to use as wallpaper!!!
Where’s my head: I really love the song “Cold Light” written by the captain. When I think about all the challenges he and Xie Xie have faced this year, it makes me feel both sad and courageous. Corona and us, we’re in this together through storms and sunshine.
It’s Blade, not Blei: Ren Ren, I forbid you from showing your back!!! I can already see a significant increase in rivals today. I can see the ending already!!!
The center stage position changed with each song, but the six members remained close and intimate, huddling together when they paused to talk.
When they first debuted, they only had one album, and it couldn’t even fill two and a half hours. But now, they had enough songs to perform multiple medleys, and every intro brought tears to the eyes of the audience.
When Long Jia started his cage dance, the live-streaming comments didn’t explode, but the neighboring thread for another idol couple suddenly became active, as if someone had spiked their energy drinks with liquor, and it quickly gained over a thousand comments.
“Long-ge is leading Ren-Ren into the cage!! Who on earth came up with this idea of Ren Ren as a prisoner?!!”
“Why did they all enter the prison, leaving only Jia Jia outside? Wait, is Mei Shengyao here to stage a prison break? That leather jacket with rivets looks both gothic and cool, I love it!!”
“OMG, now their dances come with their own plotlines? I’ve already mentally reviewed the entire ‘BoJia’ series four times over!”
“Upstairs, you’re entering the fandom too late!! The MV is the main plot, this is the side story. The wife next door has already written the prison saga from ‘Long’ to ‘Ren’!!”
Not long after Long Jia’s performance, the six members bowed and left the stage, making way for the host to come on stage for the lucky draw. One lucky audience member from each section of the concert venue, including the VIP seats and the rooftop area, was chosen. They were quickly located by the staff and escorted to the stage.
Meanwhile, the revolving stage was being set up for the next performance. The six members stood on the stage, wearing feathered robes. Bo Jue, leaning against a silver-white eggshell, lightly sang and whispered while reaching out to touch each person who passed by, as if beckoning them with a teasing and playful demeanor.
Everyone on stage was in motion, except for him, who sang alone while cradled in their protection.
The combination of bass, tenor, and alto voices intertwined, creating a resonance in their performance without any accompanying music. The six layers of vocals flowed like a river, soothing all complex emotions and returning everything to its true essence.
The summer heat was sweltering, and even though their dance moves for this performance were relatively simple, the heavy costumes made all six of them sweat on their foreheads and necks. They had to be careful when wiping their eyes not to smear their makeup.
Each of them wore two layers of costumes, but after this performance, they would take off the outer robes and switch to lighter and brighter summer kimono-style outfits made of summer fabric.
As for Xiao Chi, he wore a yukata adorned with silver and purple cherry blossoms, and a strand of pearl flowers adorned his hair.
A few strands of hair hung down on his face, and his cheeks turned a rosy red from the heat.
The main stage was being reconfigured in the dark as the six members stood in the spotlight.
“Now, let’s move on to the fan interaction segmentโ”
Three lucky fans who were selected had the opportunity to release wishing lanterns alongside them and perform a duet of “Clouds at the School Gate” on stage.
At the same time, the cameramen captured each person’s current appearance, giving both the in-person and online audiences a visual treat.
“Who styled Bo Jue’s high ponytail? I want to pay them!! This side-swept and braided style is too amazing; I need to find the same look!!”
“I get the logic, but why did Yao Yao secretly show the written wish slip to Ren-ge? I can’t take it anymore; I might faint any moment now!”
“Suddenly, seeing our idol so seriously performing, I’m not used to it. Has Yun-ge already handed his phone over to his assistant for gaming? He should check the event progress after the concert, right??”
“Long-ge’s sweaty side profile is super A and super charming. Upstairs, you’ve got the focus all wrong; I can’t get over how Ren-ge is slightly out of breath. He’s a captivating presence that can both attack and be attacked. I really want to see his battle-damaged state.”
As the fan interaction segment came to an end, the stage was ready for the next performance.
“For the next song, we wrote ‘In the Palm of Your Hand’ together with Xiao Chi.”
The stage was engulfed in swirling mist, obscuring the silhouettes of the six members, but the starry summer night began to twinkle on the stage. Glass balls scattered in shallow water shimmered with gentle light, gradually revealing everything from the edges to the center.
Xiao Chi sat by the edge of a deep-red glass bathtub, his smile like that of an innocent and pure merman. He leaned over to scoop up a handful of water, and a pure white flame rose from his hand as if tamed nightingales had taken residence there for a long time.
The clear and melodious singing rose gently as the five members knelt by the side of the bathtub and began to dance.
“You are the white flame in my palm.”
“I want to scoop it up and hide it away, afraid of getting burnt yet also afraid of holding it too lightly.”
Their pristine toes touched the water’s surface, and as they dipped their palms into the water, it seemed like a celestial downpour of stars, outshining the entire venue.
The young man immersed himself in the pool of radiant light, his graceful movements exuding innocence and sensuality.
Exquisitely pure and tender, he was so mesmerizing that the audience’s minds were left blank.
“That day, I saw the twilight fall on the shore,”
“My heart suddenly felt incomplete, not knowing what to exchange for it.”
As they harmonized, the entire audience swayed along with their support lights.
Nearby, it looked like stars gathering into a brilliant sun, while in the distance, it resembled scattered rosy hues of dawn.
The young man swirled in the water once again, his long legs straight and elegant, as if carved from white jade.
With one hand lightly gripping the edge, his lips were as delicate as cherry blossoms, and his eyes held a gentle warmth.
“I forgot to sing in my dreams as if standing in a deserted wilderness.”
“My palm bears the scars for you, but it’s like a one-sided confession, leaving behind only wishful thinking…”
He was beautiful and fragile, like a celestial being in water, yet also like an angel.
Even though his curves, waistline, and collarbones were tantalizingly seductive, at this moment, not a trace of impure thoughts could be provoked.
The singing sounded like the long winds and high waves conjured by a sea nymph, subtly stirring the emotions of the entire audience, causing tens of thousands to unconsciously sway and sing along with Xiao Chi.
Xiao Chi was a perfect fit for the center position.
His stage presence was strong, his looks outstanding, and he possessed a highly recognizable voice.
As soon as the bathtub dance began, the barrage of comments skyrocketed to the point where the smooth playback of the video became almost impossible. Fans outside the venue were torn between watching the performance and reading comments, so some resorted to using their computers to watch the live stream and their phones to browse forums.
GIFs of Xiao Chi’s bathtub dance were quickly captured and shared, and they were even more impressive than professionally edited images.
Tonight, Weibo’s trending topics were dominated by corona:
– Corona’s Explosive Stage
– Huo Ren’s Mock Wind Tattoos
– Jiang Yanzhi Confirms Comeback by Year-End
– Xie Lianyun, Happy Birthday on 07/22
– The proposal for same-sex marriage legislation
– Xiao Chi’s bathtub dance
– The concert turned into a massive ecstasy party
…
Everyone believed that the bathtub dance had already been the most stunning performance of the concert, and when the singing ended, they still felt reluctant to let it go, replaying the recorded segments from marketing accounts repeatedly.
However, in the next moment, as the lights illuminated the stage, it underwent another transformation. Warm light fell on a sandy plain.
Huo Ren, draped in pale gold chiffon, stood barefoot on an ivory drumhead. His right wrist and left ankle were adorned with pure silver anklets.
Once again, he lifted his gaze, one eye gleaming green like jade, the other blue as a clear sea.
A faint smile graced his lips.
The author has a message to share:
I’m feeling a bit exhausted from writing, so in the next chapter, you can expect some intriguing interactions between Yise Tong (ๅผ่ฒ็ณๅๅ้ธฃ้ผ่) and Ziyu Yinhu (็ดซ็ณ้ถ็ๆ). Stay tuned for some exciting moments!
hahaha Xie Lianyun’s fans is so funny!
honestly i couldn’t imagine Xiao Chi’s bathtup part at all