The front page of *New Weekly Entertainment* featured a photo of Duan Xiubo and Yuan Bing walking the red carpet at the Huaxia Film Festival, arm in arm. Yuan Bing wore a conservative silver-gray two-piece outfit, its elegant cut exuding sophistication, perfectly complementing her graceful demeanor. Her impeccable reputation in the industry was closely tied to her self-respect and professionalism. In recent years, she had rarely been involved in scandals and had focused almost exclusively on her film career, further cementing her status as an A-list actress.
Beside her, Duan Xiubo, impeccably dressed in a tailored suit, stood tall and handsome, waving warmly at the cameras. Even through the photograph, Luo Ding could imagine just how much attention Duan had drawn at the event. The media had all but ignored the other guests, their cameras trained solely on Duan and Yuan Bing.
Both were stunning and successful, a golden couple in every sense, whether in terms of looks or achievements.
Luo Ding lingered over Duan’s smiling face for a moment, his expression unreadable. He then sat up from the lounge chair as Wu Fangyuan finished packing his luggage. Luo’s scenes in *The Tang Dynasty* had officially wrapped.
Given how busy everyone on set was, there hadn’t been time for a proper farewell party. However, during dinner the previous evening, Zheng Kezhen and the two lead actors had all given Luo their best cuts of meat, a gesture of warm farewell. Compared to other actors leaving the set, Luo’s departure had been relatively celebrated.
The makeup artist was busy writing her personal number on the back of a business card for Luo. Pan Yiming and Wu Yuan, both finished with their scenes, squeezed out of the filming area and crowded around Luo.
Neither of them had been on set the day Huo attacked Luo, but when they found out later, they were furious. However, since the incident had been smoothed over, there was little they could do besides keeping Huo and Luo apart. Now that Luo was leaving, they were visibly relieved.
Luo wasn’t supposed to leave so soon, but Gu Yaxing had called multiple times to urge him to return for the EP preparations. Luo had no choice but to leave in the morning.
Pan Yiming, nudging aside the makeup artist who usually reserved her gentle smiles exclusively for Luo, was the first to speak. “I’ll be busy filming, so I might not be able to keep up with entertainment news. If you need help promoting the EP, just give me a call. I’ll be there without hesitation.”
Wu Yuan added, “If you need a guest appearance, just say the word. I’ll make time for it if I can.”
Other actors, big and small, also crowded around, wearing exaggeratedly tearful expressions, clearly reluctant to see him go. It was all very fake.
Luo smiled at them. “I’m sure we’ll work together again in the future. We’ll also meet again during post-production promotion. Focus on your work, and next time I visit the set, I’ll bring some treats.”
The group cheered, and Wu Yuan lifted Luo’s suitcase, surprised by how light it was. He reminded Wu Fangyuan to take good care of Luo before finally letting him go.
But just as Luo was about to leave, an unexpected figure blocked his path.
Huo Lianshan, his face full of hesitation, muttered, “You…”
Luo stopped walking. “Yes?”
“Why didn’t you tell everyone that you’re Duan Xiubo’s brother?”
Luo was utterly baffled. Who was Duan Xiubo’s brother? He frowned and stared at Huo. “What are you talking about?”
Huo opened and closed his mouth, his face twisted with a mix of frustration and fear, but he couldn’t get the words out.
Luo brushed past him and continued walking. He was several steps away when he heard Huo shout, “I really didn’t mean it! How far do you want to take this?!”
Luo, utterly confused, turned back. “Brother Huo?”
Huo, who had been scolded by his wife the entire previous night, was visibly agitated. He stood there trembling, his mouth twitching uncontrollably.
Luo exchanged a glance with Wu Fangyuan. They were both worried Huo might be having some sort of seizure. Deciding it was better to avoid trouble, they grabbed their things and hurried away.
*******
Gu Yaxing was in full-on work mode, pouring all his energy into preparing Luo’s EP. Not only had he meticulously planned every detail, but he had also spent a significant sum to hire a top-tier dance coach from the Western music scene.
Although Gu wanted Luo to take a few days off after the intense filming schedule, he knew that a rising artist couldn’t afford to rest. Luo himself was well aware of this. After leaving the set, he enjoyed a good meal and a nap before heading straight back to the company.
He found He Guan, Ye Zhou, and the rest of the team in the middle of a heated meeting. Mao Xiaorun, who had initially wanted to opt out of the project, had been convinced to stay, lending his expertise. The shouting from inside the room was loud enough to be heard clearly through the walls.
“What’s wrong with catering to the market?!” Gu Yaxing’s sharp voice was unmistakable. “Is this really the time to focus solely on artistry? Think about Luo Ding! Sales matter! Sales! Do you really think highbrow art can bring in sales?! What Luo needs in the music industry right now is popularity. At this stage, he has to establish himself as an idol!”
A hush fell over the room. Gu Yaxing, normally mild-mannered and polite, seemed on the verge of a breakdown. The pressure of preparing the EP had pushed him to his limits.
Luo’s arrival broke the tense atmosphere. Gu Yaxing immediately pulled him into the room, exchanging glances with the rest of the team before handing Luo a folder. “These are the songs Mr. He and Mr. Ye wrote for you. Take a look and let us know what you think.”
Luo glanced at the eager faces around the table, then lowered his head to skim through the pages. His eyes lit up in surprise.
In recent years, the music industry had been flooded with generic, forgettable songs, as various talent shows churned out stars. The industry had become so shallow that even untrained singers could call themselves artists. Truly great songs were becoming rare.
He Guan and Ye Zhou had been producing fewer and fewer works, often writing only for veteran artists they had worked with in the past. They were both older now and less inclined to take on new projects. But their reputation wasn’t for nothing. When they did work on something, the results were always stunning.
He Guan’s lyrics were known for their brevity and sharpness, often bordering on poetry. Ye Zhou’s compositions spanned a wide range of styles, from light to heavy, fast to slow. Together, their work was a perfect blend of both their strengths. Luo could find no fault with the songs.
The EP consisted of four tracks—two upbeat songs and two slower ones. One of the fast tracks was a pop song, the other a dance track. Of the slower ones, one was a ballad, and the other leaned toward jazz.
It was an attempt to capture a broad audience.
Luo raised an eyebrow at Gu. “Isn’t this a bit too varied?”
“It’s not,” Mao Xiaorun interjected. “Your vocal range is wide, and your singing technique is solid. These tracks are all well within your abilities. This EP is meant to establish your name. Once you’re more well-known, you can release a full album with a more focused style.”
“I’ve already arranged for a dance coach,” Gu added eagerly. “If you’re okay with the songs, we can start rehearsing right away.”
Luo hummed a few bars of one of the songs, testing the melody. Closing his eyes, he could already feel the music taking root in his mind.
That’s the effect he was looking for.
He nodded, setting the folder down. “Let’s start preparing as soon as possible.”
**********
With Luo pouring all his energy into preparing for the EP, Gu and the team threw themselves into the promotional efforts.
Once the official Weibo account teased the diverse styles of the EP, the reaction from fans and casual listeners alike was mixed.
Most people were looking forward to the ballads, as Luo’s previous work with Su Shengbai had been largely pop-oriented. Those who had heard his raw, unedited live performances were disappointed by the blandness of his earlier songs. It wasn’t that they were bad, but compared to his stunning covers, his original tracks felt unremarkable, leaving people struggling to find any standout qualities.
Ever since the fan-recorded videos of his live vocals confirmed that his voice was unaltered by post-production, the consensus was that his past failures were due to poor song choices, rather than any lack of talent. His voice spoke for itself, and anyone with ears could tell the difference.
Under the official Weibo post, many fans expressed their disappointment, pleading with the company to let Luo focus on ballads and avoid straying too far from his strengths.
Gu’s response was simple and direct—he uploaded a video of Luo’s dance rehearsal.
In the modest Yaxing studio, the lighting was a bit dim, and the background music was the instrumental intro of a Western song with a strong rhythm. Luo, dressed in a loose white T-shirt and sweatpants, stood under a spotlight, stretching alongside his dance coach.
The appearance of Vester, a renowned dance coach from the Western music industry, immediately sparked excitement among those who recognized him. He hadn’t been listed as part of the EP’s production team, so fans were shocked that Gu Yaxing had managed to bring him on board. Combined with the already impressive list of producers, the anticipation was almost blinding.
As the intro neared its end, the booming drums kicked in.
Both dancers suddenly sprang into motion, moving in sync with the powerful beat, every move filled with elegance and fluidity.
Vester’s skill was undeniable.
But the real surprise was Luo Ding.
While Vester’s movements were precise, hitting every beat with perfect timing, Luo’s dancing exuded an effortless arrogance. His movements, somehow both relaxed and sharp, created an overwhelming presence that dominated the frame.
His footwork, particularly the intricate steps, revealed a solid foundation in dance. Every movement was forceful, and his gaze rarely met the camera. When it did, it carried a hint of playful defiance.
Despite Vester’s undeniable talent, Luo’s commanding presence made it impossible for viewers to look away from him. His shoulder-length hair swayed with each powerful move, and his loose T-shirt occasionally lifted, revealing a glimpse of his slim waist and the defined muscles beneath. It was a subtle yet captivating display of masculinity.
As the music reached its climax, Luo spun halfway around, incorporating a martial arts-style punch into his routine. The fusion of hip-hop and martial arts was seamless, and he finished with a slight smile directed at the camera.
Sweat dripped down his face, tracing a path along his jawline before disappearing into the collar of his T-shirt.
The screen faded to black, leaving only four bold words: “Stay Tuned.”
What the heck?!
The Weibo comments exploded with frustrated fans. Why cut it off? Who cares about those four words when all they wanted was more of Luo?! They were beyond ready for this release!
Within twenty-four hours, the video had garnered over a million plays and downloads, a rare occurrence in the digital age where most people would just stream it online.
Many fans were no longer content to leave comments on the official Weibo page. They flocked to video platforms, playing the clip on repeat and pausing to analyze every frame, trying to extract every bit of brilliance from it.
“Calling the official account! Arghhh! How could you cut off my idol’s face? I’m going to fight you!”
A tweet from Luo Ding’s fan club was once again trending, boosted by fans outraged by the cliffhanger.
“My idol’s dancing is so sexy! The dance track better be super hype!”
With such overwhelming enthusiasm…
Luo Ding’s waist, briefly exposed during the rehearsal, became an unfortunate casualty.
Sitting in front of his computer, Luo stared at the numerous screenshots of his exposed waist and the accompanying comments like “Licking my idol’s waist,” “Admiring my idol’s abs,” and “My baby’s belly button is so cute.” A shiver ran down his spine. It felt like people from miles away were trying to steal his purity. Well, maybe not just one person, but an entire horde of them.
Mothers, these fangirls were terrifying!
His strained smile was becoming harder to maintain.
P: Luo is obviously Luo Ding
Duan > Xiubo
Gu > Yaxing
…. i think you got it hhh
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