Not until a soft "shh" sounded did the audience rein in their excited voices and emotions, focusing intently on the center of the stage.
The entire venue fell silent. A dazzling, glasslike beam of light swept across the stage, revealing the hazy outlines of five figures. Mist from the dry ice slowly rose, making them seem even more ethereal.
Suddenly, a red figure rushed out from the back. The pink-haired boy wore a captivating smile. After standing still for a second, without giving the audience any time to prepare, he launched himself into the air and completed a perfect backflip before landing steadily.
The stage lights blazed on, and the music abruptly began. The other four teammates immediately followed, their synchronized dance instantly igniting the atmosphere.
The audience could not suppress the screams rising in their throats, their voices ringing through the venue along with the music—
"Holy shit! That backflip just now was incredible!"
"Oh my god, Ye Zexi's opening move was so cool!"
"Fuck! Ye Zexi can dance this well? I thought he could only do otaku dances!"
"Handsome! Cool! Backflips are really hard! But otaku dancing isn't easy either, okay?!"
Some fans had followed idols before, while others were doing so for the first time.
The backflip was both unfamiliar and familiar to them, and they were even impressed without fully understanding why. Yet once they saw it with their own eyes, they had to admit that the instant impact was overwhelming and explosive.
The music grew more impassioned and soaring, the dancing onstage became even smoother, and the atmosphere reached its peak.
Unable to resist, every audience member began waving the support items in their hands to the beat.
A fiery, explosive performance unfolded before their eyes.
But the one they found hardest to look away from was still that red figure—Ye Zexi.
It was clearly a dance for five people, yet the other four around him were simultaneously overshadowed. The audience's gaze could only follow him.
He was like a king moving through a crowd, proud and intoxicated.
Every leap and every sweep of his arms brimmed with vitality.
He raised his arms high, and the audience shouted and screamed.
He smiled with confidence, and the fans went wild.
The applause never stopped, and the cheers continued without end.
Though it was a group dance for five, Ye Zexi alone led it.
Someone suddenly remarked in the livestream comments:
"This dance makes me feel like Ye Zexi is the main character, while everyone else is just backup dancers."
Others quickly agreed:
"Same! I want to watch the others, but my eyes keep drifting to him! He's way too cool!"
The audience were not the only ones who thought so.
Even Tang Jing onstage felt the same way.
Ye Zexi was not positioned at the front, nor was he the center. Every time, he was either at the edge or in a corner.
Yet even so, people could not help looking at him.
Being so close, Tang Jing saw him most clearly.
Onstage, Ye Zexi had shed his usual laziness offstage. He looked relaxed and at ease, while his movements were powerful and forceful.
Whenever he occasionally turned his head, Tang Jing could meet Ye Zexi's bright peach blossom eyes. Even the small mole beneath the corner of his eye became breathtakingly alluring.
Ye Zexi was a confident powerhouse.
When he stood still, all they could see was Ye Zexi's lazy ease.
But the moment he moved, every bit of scenery around him faded into darkness.
Including Tang Jing.
An immense panic rapidly engulfed him. In a moment of distraction, Tang Jing's foot slipped, and he was about to fall straight down.
Ye Zexi suddenly darted over and caught Tang Jing's body with one arm before he could slip away.
"Careful. I'll push you back up. Don't let it show on your face."
Ye Zexi's voice was low and hoarse, carrying a faint magnetism.
But Tang Jing was already panicking. He had disrupted his own rhythm.
Although Ye Zexi had saved the situation at the critical moment, Tang Jing had not given him a perfect response.
"Was that... a mistake just now?" Qu Xiao asked quietly.
"Probably. Ye Zexi reacted quickly." Shan Zeyu nodded, so the audience had not noticed.
Yuan Ming frowned and shook his head. "He still hasn't adjusted."
At that moment, the other teammates onstage also noticed Tang Jing's mistake.
Tang Jing's movements were no longer smooth, and even the smile on his face seemed forced. Several of his moves lagged by half a beat.
This was bad.
The thought slowly crossed everyone's mind.
By then, the audience had also sensed something was off.
"What's up with Tang Jing? Why are his moves half a beat slow?"
"Why do I feel like he's watching the others' movements and copying them? Did he forget the choreography?"
"That moment when he and Ye Zexi supported each other—why does it seem like Tang Jing messed up and Ye Zexi saved him?"
Tang Jing's mind was completely blank. The dance he had painstakingly practiced for two whole nights had been wiped clean in that instant.
What should he do?
In a little over ten seconds, he still had a solo. He could watch the others for the group choreography, but no one would be following him for the next sequence.
Panic swallowed Tang Jing, and a dense layer of cold sweat seeped across his forehead.
It was almost time. In a little over ten seconds, it would be his turn!
What was he supposed to do?
At the next formation change, Ye Zexi switched to stand in front of Tang Jing without any warning.
At the instant he turned sideways, he lowered his voice. "Watch me."
Tang Jing's heart jolted.
When he looked up, Ye Zexi had already taken his position in front of him.
Ye Zexi stretched his body and began the first move—it was Tang Jing's solo choreography.
Ye Zexi remembered all of it, and his execution was even better than Tang Jing's.
Muscle memory awakened, and Tang Jing stiffly began moving along with Ye Zexi.
One second, two seconds—the pace suddenly quickened, their body lines became broader, and a faint smile remained at the corner of Ye Zexi's lips as he confidently shone before everyone.
The audience's cheers grew even louder.
Qu Xiao said in disbelief, "I'd give Ye Zexi full marks for his ability to adapt on the fly!"
Before you continue
Explore the wiki