My Teammate and I Are Dating on the Company Dime [Entertainment Industry]

As a practically unknown idol in an obscure boy band, Gu Zhijing ponders two questions every day.

First: As an idol, does having a crush count as failing his fans?

Second: Does it count as failing his fans if that crush is his own group leader?

Remembering the idol code of conduct his leader laid down on the eve of their debut, Gu Zhijing decides this is destined to be an epic secret crush that will never go anywhere.

All he can do is sneakily create an alternate account.

To swoon over him, go wild for him, and cheer him on until he crashes headfirst into a wall.

But then, one day, his secret account is exposed.

Gu Zhijing: "QAQ Captain, let me explain!! Ah, I'm dead-no, I'm seriously dead!"

Sheng Chi: "Oh?"

Gu Zhijing: "When I said 'Fuck me, gege,' I was just running my mouth! I didn't mean for you to actually do it!!! Stop-!"

Gu Zhijing: "..."

Gu Zhijing: "QAQ It's over! I'm defiled! Now I've failed as an idol!"

Sheng Chi comforts his little boyfriend: "Well, if you were dating someone else, that would count as failing your fans."

Sheng Chi: "But with me, it doesn't."

Gu Zhijing: "Then what does it count as?"

Sheng Chi: "Dating on the company dime. :)"

-

In the years that followed, we were surrounded by adoring crowds, flew to every corner of the world, performed on countless stages, held so many trophies, and met so many people.

But what I still miss most is you beneath the lights of that tiny practice room that year, taking my hand in yours, your palm warm and your eyes bright, saying we would head toward the future together.

An outwardly cool but inwardly warm, all-rounder ace leader top × a mischievous, adorable youngest-member bottom.

Mutual secret crushes.

A boy band's rise from a shoestring operation-walking with you from obscurity to glory.

"In those youthful days without flowers or red carpets."

"If not for him, how could I have made it through those years of being unknown?"

Theme: May every young dreamer have a bright future full of promise.