Recaps

Gu Zhijing drew Color4 against the popular group Shooter, prompting Sheng Chi and the others to prepare for their first-round battle. The chapter leaves Color4 choosing a song for the performance as fans begin pairing up the group’s members online.

• Gu Zhijing drew a toy microphone from the blind box machine and discovered that Chen Bei of Shooter had drawn the matching item, pairing their groups as opponents.
• Watching the draw from Color4’s lounge, Jiang Yu panicked, but Sheng Chi declared that Color4 would beat Shooter.
• After learning the competition format, Color4 discussed Shooter’s strengths and weaknesses and considered how to approach the match two weeks later.
• Sheng Chi proposed performing an unreleased song to compete and promote Color4’s first album, and the group rallied around the goal of winning.
• Gu Zhijing suggested that Color4 perform “Tonight,” while fans online began discussing pairings among the group’s members.

As Starlight Show began, Gu Zhijing browsed fans’ new pairing speculation and realized he still liked Sheng Chi best. During the live competition, Shooter’s performance went badly wrong, and Gu Zhijing suspected the teams’ in-ear audio was involved as Color4 took the stage.

• Gu Zhijing read fan comments pairing him with Shooter captain Chen Bei and reflected that he still seemed to like Sheng Chi more.
• Sheng Chi arrived in his stage outfit and told Gu Zhijing it was time to go.
• Shooter performed “On my way,” but the group sang and danced unsteadily despite Chen Bei trying to hold the performance together.
• Sheng Chi noted that Shooter had performed better in earlier live shows and wondered what had gone wrong.
• Gu Zhijing realized Shooter’s abnormal performance might be due to faint accompaniment in their in-ear monitors, then concealed his alarm as Color4’s performance began.

Color4 overcame faulty stage equipment to deliver a captivating performance, with Sheng Chi supporting Gu Zhijing through his solo and their duet. The audience and livestream erupted as the group finished, while Shooter watched backstage in stunned silence.

• Sheng Chi removed his in-ear monitors and performed his opening solo from memory, concealing the equipment problems from the audience.
• Gu Zhijing stepped forward despite barely hearing the backing track, and Sheng Chi sang harmony to steady him.
• Jiang Yu and Xu Linyuan performed their solo sections, and Color4’s synchronized chorus drove the audience to roar.
• Sheng Chi and Gu Zhijing performed an intimate duet, then Gu Zhijing kissed his fingertips as the song ended.
• The audience and livestream comments exploded with praise and fans promoted Color4, while Shooter’s members watched backstage in silence.

After Color4’s performance, Chen Bei admitted they had done well despite faulty in-ear monitors, while Sheng Chi found himself distracted by Gu Zhijing. Meanwhile, Fei Yue monitored the online reaction from Leap Entertainment and considered using Color4’s strong performance to promote the group.

• Chen Bei acknowledged that Color4 had performed far better than his group despite sharing the faulty in-ear monitors.
• Chen Bei watched Gu Zhijing return to the stage and found him alluring.
• Sheng Chi remembered Gu Zhijing touching his neck during the performance and tried to hide his attraction.
• Gu Zhijing noticed Sheng Chi looking at him, and Sheng Chi wondered what was wrong with himself.
• At Leap Entertainment, Fei Yue monitored Color4’s positive online buzz and discussed promoting them as a talented boy group using Shooter as a stepping stone.

Fei Yue declined to exploit Shooter’s poor performance, while Color4’s fans promoted the group’s first digital album and boosted its popularity. At the second Starlight Show recording, Color4 beat Shooter in the vote count and entered the winning group.

• Fei Yue rejected his PR employee’s suggestion to provoke Shooter’s fans, but netizens compared the groups and Shooter’s fans turned on one another.
• Color4’s fans gave away digital copies of “Set off,” driving up the album’s sales and attracting music show invitations.
• Gu Zhijing told the other Color4 members that Shooter’s vote lead had narrowed as passersby backed Color4 and Shooter’s fans split over voting.
• Color4 members chose to trust their united fanbase as they prepared for the second Starlight Show recording.
• The host announced that Color4 had 149,536 votes against Shooter’s 146,871, securing Color4 a place in the winning group.

Color4 beat Shooter and drew the obscure girl group Miracle Girls for its next performance, then performed its album single successfully. After recording the stage, Chen Bei privately propositioned Gu Zhijing, but Sheng Chi arrived and challenged him.

• Color4 took first place among the winning groups, while Shooter accepted its defeat and Chen Bei urged his teammates to prepare for a rematch.
• Color4 drew Miracle Girls as its next opponent, and Sheng Chi warned his teammates not to become complacent.
• Color4 performed its album single flawlessly, and the production team announced eliminations and a collaboration round for the next episode.
• Chen Bei stopped Gu Zhijing in the hallway and asked whether Color4 would choose Shooter as a collaboration partner if it won.
• Chen Bei touched Gu Zhijing's earring and asked for his contact information, but Sheng Chi interrupted and asked why Chen Bei was blocking his teammate.

Sheng Chi grew jealous after seeing Chen Bei speak privately with Gu Zhijing, then learned Gu Zhijing was not dating anyone and became curious about his fan activity. During Color4’s backstage interview, Sheng Chi repeatedly chose Gu Zhijing when asked which teammate he liked more, and the chapter ended with another choice between Jiang Yu and Xu Linyuan.

• Chen Bei asked Sheng Chi whether Color4 would consider choosing Shooter for a team collaboration, and Sheng Chi declined for the time being.
• Sheng Chi led Gu Zhijing to a camera-free emergency exit and demanded to know what Chen Bei had said to him.
• Sheng Chi assumed Gu Zhijing was dating Chen Bei online, but Gu Zhijing denied having Chen Bei’s contact information and said he had been lurking in the fandom.
• Sheng Chi apologized for gripping Gu Zhijing’s wrist, then began checking Weibo and created an alt account after Gu Zhijing warned him fans could see his activity.
• During Color4’s rapid-fire backstage interview, Sheng Chi chose Gu Zhijing twice when asked which teammate he liked more.
• The interview asked Sheng Chi to choose between Jiang Yu and Xu Linyuan, and Sheng Chi smiled before answering.

Gu Zhijing rejected Chen Bei over WeChat while wrestling with his feelings for Sheng Chi, and Color4 performed at New Direction before Sheng Chi collapsed from exhaustion. Sheng Chi woke in a hospital room and learned that his old back injury had flared up, leaving him in need of rest.

• Sheng Chi answered that he would still choose Gu Zhijing, and Gu Zhijing wondered whether the answer was sincere or a way to dodge the interview question.
• Gu Zhijing got Chen Bei's contact information from Jiang Yu and sent him a polite rejection, while Sheng Chi gave Gu Zhijing chocolate and urged him to rest.
• Color4 endured a packed schedule and performed their title track at New Direction, where Gu Zhijing watched Sheng Chi's passionate stage performance.
• Sheng Chi completed his difficult acrobatics despite a trembling hand, then collapsed after the performance ended.
• Sheng Chi woke in the hospital as Fei Yue and the others gathered around him; the doctor said exhaustion had aggravated his old lower back injury and ordered him to rest.

After Sheng Chi collapsed from exhaustion during filming, he recovered overnight and returned to Starlight Show despite his teammates' concerns. Color4 placed third among the winning teams, and the group awaited its turn to choose a collaboration partner.

• Sheng Chi woke in the hospital, and Fei Yue arranged for the exhausted Color4 members to return to the dorms while Gu Zhijing stayed with him.
• Sheng Chi remembered that his demanding schedule had pushed him past his limits, and Gu Zhijing urged him to let Color4 share the burden of the upcoming collaboration stage.
• Sheng Chi agreed to trust his teammates, then returned to work after resting at the dorm for a day.
• At Starlight Show, Sheng Chi and Gu Zhijing watched the voting results and discussed possible collaboration partners.
• Color4 received just over eighty thousand votes and placed third among the four winning teams as the eliminated groups gave their farewell speeches.

Color4 chose to collaborate with the senior girl group Light after Light, Comet, and Amontillado competed to partner with them. Backstage, Light’s leader Xu Yin explained that she expected the collaboration to win the vote, then warned that the groups had only three days to prepare.

• Light’s leader chose Color4, and Comet and Amontillado also asked to partner with them.
• Light, Comet, and Amontillado each pitched their reasons for collaborating with Color4.
• Sheng Chi led Color4’s discussion, and the members agreed that Light offered the strongest opportunity.
• Sheng Chi announced that Color4 had chosen Light, prompting cheers and disappointment from the other groups.
• Xu Yin explained backstage that Light wanted to collaborate with Color4 because of their potential and strong fans.
• Xu Yin began planning the stage and said the groups had at most three days to prepare together.

Xu Yin proposed a joint stage for Color4 and Light, and Gu Zhijing agreed to take the center role opposite her despite his nerves. After the groups settled into their hotel, rumors that Sheng Chi had been overworked and hospitalized sparked a fan campaign demanding Leap Entertainment treat him fairly, leaving Sheng Chi and Gu Zhijing to explain the truth to Brother Fei.

• Xu Yin proposed combining songs, changing choreography, adding interactive parts, and swapping centers, then suggested Gu Zhijing take Sheng Chi’s role if his injury prevented him from performing.
• Gu Zhijing agreed to perform as Light’s center after the members encouraged him, and the groups created a chat to coordinate their collaboration.
• Color4 arrived at a crowded hotel, hurried inside past fans, and Sheng Chi warned Gu Zhijing not to open the door to strangers or accept anything left outside.
• Xu Yin sent the group a video of Light’s song, and Gu Zhijing resolved to perform its unfamiliar style as center after Sheng Chi offered him the chance to switch roles.
• Fans spread a false rumor that Sheng Chi had collapsed from overwork and was forced back to work, then launched the hashtag #LeapEntertainmentPleaseTreatShengChiFairly.
• Brother Fei called Sheng Chi and Gu Zhijing to explain the fan campaign, and Sheng Chi said he was fine and that the company was not at fault.

Sheng Chi and Gu Zhijing dealt with the backlash against Leap Entertainment while preparing Color4’s collaboration stage with Light, and Sheng Chi grew increasingly aware of his feelings toward Gu Zhijing. As the fourth episode of Starlight Show began, Color4 and Light waited to perform after watching the other collaborations.

• Fei Yue told Sheng Chi not to address the fans directly and said he would handle the backlash against the company.
• Gu Zhijing reassured Sheng Chi that Fei Yue could manage the situation, and Sheng Chi agreed to focus on rehearsing.
• Sheng Chi and Gu Zhijing left their hotel amid a crowd of fans, and Gu Zhijing comforted Sheng Chi during the ride.
• Color4 and Light rehearsed together, with Light’s members teaching Gu Zhijing while Xu Yin and Xu Linyuan worked on the song and formations.
• A week later, the fourth episode aired, and Color4 and Light watched the earlier performances while waiting for their final performance slot.

Color4 and Light performed together, with Gu Zhijing taking center stage and captivating the audience. After the performance, the groups parted ways, and Color4 finished their interviews before finding Fei Yue waiting by their car.

• Sheng Chi eased his nerves backstage after Gu Zhijing reassured him before their performance.
• Color4 and Light performed their combined number, and Gu Zhijing drew deafening cheers with his stage presence and dancing.
• Gu Zhijing spoke earnestly to the audience while the groups canvassed for votes after their performance.
• Xu Yin invited Color4 to get a late-night snack, but Sheng Chi declined because of the risk of being photographed together.
• After their interviews, Color4 got into their car and were surprised to see Fei Yue waiting for them.

Color4 debated whether to chase a music-show win that could qualify them for CMJ’s rookie group nomination, then chose not to divert effort from Starlight Show. Their fans ignored the decision and rallied to compete with Wei Ming’s fans for first place on New Direction.

• Fei Yue explained that Color4 needed a music-show first place to qualify for a CMJ rookie group nomination, with only three days left before the deadline.
• Gu Zhijing found that Wei Ming was their opponent on New Direction, and the group discussed the demanding chart rules and their fans’ competing responsibilities.
• Sheng Chi, Xu Linyuan, and Jiang Yu agreed that chasing first place was not worth risking their Starlight Show performance vote, though Gu Zhijing wondered whether the fans would accept that decision.
• Color4’s company told the official fan club not to push too hard, but fans across solo, group, and CP communities united to pursue first place anyway.
• Wei Ming’s fans also intensified their efforts to defend his ranking, while both fandoms tried to estimate the unseen gap in the voting data.

Color4 won first place on New Direction after their fans poured money and effort into boosting the group’s score. At the CMJ Music Awards, they made their red carpet debut, but Wei Ming refused to share his lounge with them, leaving the reason for his hostility unresolved.

• Color4’s fans committed to buying the album and driving up its sales to overcome the gap in New Direction’s rankings.
• Gu Zhijing and the other members watched the results and saw Color4 take first place with “Set off.”
• Color4 prepared for the CMJ Music Awards, and Gu Zhijing admired Sheng Chi’s red carpet styling before the group left for the venue.
• A CMJ staff member asked Fei Yue if Color4 could share Wei Ming’s spacious lounge, but Wei Ming coldly refused.
• Color4 and Fei Yue heard Wei Ming’s refusal and recognized that he had a reason for rejecting them.

Color4 attended the CMJ Music Awards, where Yi Xiao lent them his lounge and their fans’ banner moved Gu Zhijing. As the ceremony began, the members grew anxious about their chances of winning Rising Group of the Year, and the chapter left off as the awards entered their second half.

• Yi Xiao offered Color4 his private lounge after staff could not find them a room, and told them he was serving as a judge.
• Color4 walked the red carpet, where Gu Zhijing drew attention in a suit and gold-rimmed glasses.
• Gu Zhijing spotted Color4’s small fan banner in the venue and learned that Light’s fans had helped get it inside in exchange for extra votes.
• As the ceremony began, Gu Zhijing worried that Color4’s achievements might not be enough to win Rising Group of the Year.
• Sheng Chi touched Gu Zhijing’s wrist and teased him about his fast heartbeat, leaving Gu Zhijing even more flustered.
• The awards ceremony entered its second half while Color4 waited for the rising group award.

Color4 won the Annual Best New Star Group Award at the 15th CMJ Music Awards, celebrating the milestone together onstage. Afterward, Fei Yue promised them a new home, and the group got him to sign their housing demands, with Sheng Chi agreeing to keep the paper.

• Cheng Jiu presented the award to Color4, and Sheng Chi secretly held Gu Zhijing's hand while they waited for the result.
• Cheng Jiu announced Color4 as the winner, and the four members accepted the trophy and celebrated onstage.
• Gu Zhijing reflected on how far he had come and imagined reassuring his younger self before Color4 raised the trophy together.
• Fei Yue displayed Color4's trophy at the office and drunkenly praised the group's future prospects.
• When Fei Yue promised Color4 a new place after the New Year, the members got him to sign a list of demands for their new home.
• Gu Zhijing handed the signed paper to Sheng Chi, who agreed to keep it after asking what he would get in return.

After Color4 won an award, Gu Zhijing learned that the group was being targeted by a plagiarism rumor, and his members and manager suspected a fan war had been amplified by another party. During Starlight Show, Color4 drew a love-song theme against Comet, leaving them unsure whether to perform the song at the center of the accusation.

• Gu Zhijing deleted a congratulatory message from his older sister, then saw a trending topic accusing Color4's new album of plagiarism.
• Gu Zhijing told Color4 that a feud with Wei Ming's fans had escalated into paid smear articles and a negative trending search targeting their song, “Customized Heart-Fluttering.”
• Yu Wenwen reassured Color4 that the company would address the rumors, while Gu Zhijing suspected someone beyond Wei Ming's fandom had fueled the attack.
• Color4 and Light advanced in Starlight Show, and Color4 drew the “Fall in Love with Me” theme for the next round.
• Color4 learned they would face Comet, a group known for its boyfriend style, and Gu Zhijing worried that performing “Customized Heart-Fluttering” could revive the plagiarism controversy.

Color4 chose to perform “Customized Heart-Fluttering” despite the plagiarism accusation, and Yu Wenwen arranged paired shopping dates to help them prepare for a romantic stage and film variety content. The next day, Gu Zhijing and Sheng Chi got ready for their date, but the chapter ended as Sheng Chi looked up and stopped speaking.

• Sheng Chi rejected the suggestion to change songs and decided Color4 would confront the plagiarism rumors by performing “Customized Heart-Fluttering.”
• Sheng Chi and Gu Zhijing watched Wei Ming’s music video and performances, then resolved to make their own stage more successful.
• Yu Wenwen criticized Color4’s awkward romantic performance and proposed that the members go on paired shopping dates for practice and variety-show footage.
• Jiang Yu and Xu Linyuan argued over who would pair with Gu Zhijing, but Sheng Chi declared that Gu Zhijing would go with him.
• On New Year’s Eve, Gu Zhijing finished getting styled and hurried out to meet Sheng Chi, who looked up and abruptly stopped speaking.

Sheng Chi and Gu Zhijing filmed their aquarium date for Color4’s fan-service vlog, and Sheng Chi teased Gu Zhijing by acting like a devoted boyfriend. Their playful exchange grew awkward when Gu Zhijing suggested Sheng Chi find romance with someone from the girl group, leaving Sheng Chi trying to understand and soothe his mood.

• Yu Wenwen assigned Sheng Chi and Gu Zhijing to visit the aquarium and film their own fan-service vlog.
• Sheng Chi noticed Gu Zhijing was cold, sent him to wait indoors, and returned with milk tea to warm his hands.
• At the beluga exhibit, Sheng Chi teased Gu Zhijing by asking whether he was playing the role of a dutiful boyfriend.
• Gu Zhijing joked that Sheng Chi had the wrong persona, and Sheng Chi pulled him close and pressed him to explain.
• Gu Zhijing said he could not play the girlfriend role and suggested Sheng Chi find a female lead from the girl group, prompting Sheng Chi to address him more firmly and try to coax him.

After spending a day together, Gu Zhijing worried that his feelings for Sheng Chi were not returned, while Sheng Chi continued to tease and care for him. The chapter ended with Sheng Chi messaging Gu Zhijing after hearing that he was still awake.

• Sheng Chi teased Gu Zhijing by suggesting he could play the female lead in their music video, then reassured him that he wanted no one but him.
• At the aquarium exit, Gu Zhijing persuaded Sheng Chi to wear a polar bear headband and take a selfie, and fans recorded them.
• Jiang Yu told Gu Zhijing that videos of his outing with Sheng Chi were spreading online, and Sheng Chi admitted he cared about Gu Zhijing’s opinion of him.
• Color4 watched Fei Yue’s fireworks together, and Sheng Chi said he would reveal his wish once it came true.
• After returning to bed, Gu Zhijing could not sleep because he worried that Sheng Chi might not share his feelings, until Sheng Chi messaged that he had heard him awake.

Gu Zhijing asked Sheng Chi what he would do if a close friend liked him, but Sheng Chi assumed he meant Jiang Yu or Xu Linyuan. Four days later, Color4 performed against Comet on Starlight Show, and Gu Zhijing opened their romantic stage with confident idol charm.

• Gu Zhijing messaged Sheng Chi about a close friend liking him, and Sheng Chi advised him to reject Jiang Yu or Xu Linyuan.
• Sheng Chi acted suspiciously toward Jiang Yu and Xu Linyuan the next morning, while Gu Zhijing felt responsible.
• Yu Wenwen urged Color4 to improve their romantic performance, but Gu Zhijing and Sheng Chi argued that they should work it out together.
• Color4 faced Comet, whose wedding-themed performance prompted Gu Zhijing to point out that it did not match the theme Fall in Love with Me.
• Gu Zhijing opened Color4's performance with a teddy bear and a flirtatious invitation, winning loud cheers from the audience.
• Gu Zhijing sang and flirted with the camera before Jiang Yu performed a freestyle dance and Xu Linyuan entered in glasses.

Color4 performed a bright, romantic song and earned a full voting weight, while Comet lost a fraction for straying from the theme. During an interview about ideal types, Sheng Chi answered that liking someone needed no ideal type, revealing his feelings for Gu Zhijing as he reflected on their history; the chapter left Color4 heading home after a late recording.

• Color4 performed a lively love song that helped #WantToDateColor4 climb the trending searches.
• The host introduced vote weighting based on how closely each performance fit the theme, and Comet received a 0.9 factor while Color4 received the full factor.
• Color4 ran into Comet after their interviews, and the groups greeted each other cordially despite competing for spots.
• Jiang Yu and Xu Linyuan dodged questions about their ideal types, Gu Zhijing joked that he was too young to consider marriage, and Sheng Chi said he had no specific ideal type because liking someone was simply liking them.
• Sheng Chi reflected on how his feelings for Gu Zhijing had developed and recognized that Gu Zhijing treated his kindness as ordinary.
• Color4 finished their interviews, greeted fans outside the studio, and boarded their van after a late recording.

Color4 held a fan signing, where Gu Zhijing worried about meeting fans who knew him through his secret fan account. He eased into the event with Sheng Chi’s teasing advice and delighted the crowd by wearing a fan’s bridal veil, while fans photographed and posted the moment online.

• Yu Wenwen told Color4 that their show would end before the new year and that the group could take the holiday off, prompting Jiang Yu and Xu Linyuan to look forward to going home.
• Yu Wenwen reminded Color4 about their upcoming fan signing, and the members learned that about three hundred fans had won tickets.
• Gu Zhijing saw the crowds and support displays outside the venue, then worried aloud to Sheng Chi about fans making personal requests; Sheng Chi taught him to reject someone by saying, “You’re a good person.”
• At the signing, Gu Zhijing greeted fans and readily wore the accessories they offered him.
• A fan gave Gu Zhijing a bridal veil, and he put it on and sweetly asked whether she liked it, prompting the audience to take and share photos.

After Sheng Chi refused to sign for a fan who skipped Gu Zhijing, the incident stirred debate, and Gu Zhijing worried about Sheng Chi’s fans turning against him. In Chapter 52, Fei Yue reprimanded Sheng Chi over the possible fallout, but Sheng Chi stood by his decision.

• At the group signing, a fan bypassed Gu Zhijing to approach Sheng Chi, who refused to sign for her because she disrespected his teammate.
• Sheng Chi picked up Gu Zhijing’s dropped pen, and Gu Zhijing later reassured him that he was worried about the consequences rather than upset for himself.
• Sheng Chi told Gu Zhijing that he would still like him even if everyone else stopped, leaving Gu Zhijing flustered.
• Fei Yue scolded Sheng Chi for confronting a fan publicly and warned that the girl could face cyberbullying and Sheng Chi could lose fans.
• Jiang Yu defended Sheng Chi, but Fei Yue told the group that the company would handle the incident.
• Sheng Chi said he did not care if fans left over his decision and insisted that such behavior needed to be stamped out.