Chapter Summaries

Trainee Gu Zhijing met Sheng Chi, a striking newcomer he mistook for a job applicant, and decided to befriend him after hearing he was an all-rounder. Sheng Chi left Gu Zhijing wondering which position he had come to apply for.

• The trainees worried that a new recruit would take a place in their debut group, and Qi Wang and Jiang Yu argued over the newcomer and the center position.
• Gu Zhijing distracted the trainees with chocolate and admitted that he had forgotten to post the recruitment notice he had been assigned to put up as punishment.
• While Gu Zhijing posted the notice, Sheng Chi watched him and asked whether the company was hiring interns.
• Gu Zhijing brought Sheng Chi to Fei Yue's office and questioned him, learning that he was twenty-one and called himself an all-rounder.
• Gu Zhijing decided to treat Sheng Chi as family and asked what position he had come to apply for.

Sheng Chi joined Fei Yue’s small company after deciding it was the best chance to pursue the stage, despite his past setbacks and doubts about the company. He faced suspicion from the trainees, and ended the chapter promising to prove his abilities.

• Gu Zhijing realized Sheng Chi was a returning trainee, not a job applicant, and asked him to look after him as a little brother.
• Fei Yue explained his plans for a domestic boy group and offered Sheng Chi the chance to compete for captain and center.
• Sheng Chi decided to stay with Fei Yue’s company because its commitment to the stage appealed to him.
• Gu Zhijing discussed Sheng Chi with Xu Linyuan and the other trainees, while Qi Wang implied Sheng Chi had used connections to join.
• Fei Yue introduced Sheng Chi to the trainees, and Sheng Chi said he would prove what had earned him his place.

Sheng Chi joined Leap Entertainment’s trainee program and moved into the dorm, where the others wondered whether he had been promised a debut spot. His disciplined routine and account of SPC’s strict rules surprised Gu Zhijing, who was alarmed when Sheng Chi asked whether he was dating someone.

• Qi Wang mocked Sheng Chi for having been sent back from SPC, but Gu Zhijing interrupted and offered to show Sheng Chi the dorm.
• Gu Zhijing explained the monthly evaluations and showed Sheng Chi to room 102, where he would share with Gu Zhijing, Jiang Yu, and Xu Linyuan.
• Jiang Yu wondered whether Sheng Chi had been promised a debut spot, while Gu Zhijing joked that Sheng Chi had joined to compare their looks; Sheng Chi walked in and heard him.
• Sheng Chi got up early the next morning, and Gu Zhijing learned that he had developed the habit while training in South Korea.
• Sheng Chi described SPC’s three strict trainee rules, including a ban on dating idols, then asked Gu Zhijing whether he was dating someone.

Sheng Chi accepted Qi Wang’s bet for the month-end evaluation and added a condition that Qi Wang apologize to the practice room if Sheng Chi won. Afterward, Gu Zhijing warned Sheng Chi that the evaluation might not be as simple as it seemed.

• Gu Zhijing told Sheng Chi that Qi Wang was wealthy, influential at Leap Entertainment, and a rival of Jiang Yu.
• During dance practice, Qi Wang mocked Sheng Chi’s abilities and predicted he would win the evaluation.
• Gu Zhijing and Xu Linyuan discussed the upcoming evaluation and wondered whether Sheng Chi would help Gu Zhijing practice.
• Qi Wang challenged Sheng Chi to a bet, demanding that Sheng Chi call himself trash if he lost.
• Sheng Chi accepted and required Qi Wang to apologize to everyone in the practice room if Qi Wang lost.
• Gu Zhijing followed Sheng Chi and cautioned him that the evaluation might involve more than skill.

Sheng Chi faced a deliberately difficult monthly evaluation after Qi Wang rigged the song selection to favor himself. Sheng Chi began performing “Burning,” a song he had mastered during his time at SPC, and stunned the trainees by singing its original Korean lyrics.

• Gu Zhijing told Sheng Chi about the upcoming evaluation livestream, and Sheng Chi said he would win.
• Jiang Yu learned about Sheng Chi and Qi Wang’s bet, while Gu Zhijing and Xu Linyuan backed Sheng Chi.
• Qi Wang performed “Any” flawlessly, then Sheng Chi drew the difficult song “Burning.”
• Sheng Chi transformed his stage presence as the spotlight came on, surprising the audience.
• Sheng Chi began dancing to “Burning” and sang the original Korean lyrics, cutting off Qi Wang’s taunt.

Sheng Chi impressed the trainees with a commanding performance, and Gu Zhijing captivated the room by improvising choreography for an unfamiliar song. After the evaluations, the livestream surged in popularity, leaving Qi Wang alarmed by Sheng Chi’s growing support.

• Sheng Chi performed with precise dancing and strong stage presence, winning applause and Gu Zhijing’s confidence that he would rank highly.
• Jiang Yu praised Sheng Chi, while Sheng Chi asked Gu Zhijing what he thought and quietly smiled at his answer.
• Gu Zhijing performed “I Wanna Go,” improvising the dance and drawing the audience’s attention despite his technical weaknesses.
• During the break, Qi Wang unsuccessfully tried to persuade the dance instructor to change the rankings and saw the livestream filled with comments about Sheng Chi.
• A Weibo blogger’s repost brought new viewers to the livestream, where Sheng Chi’s performance and Gu Zhijing’s appearance sparked enthusiastic reactions.

After Sheng Chi won the July evaluation, he offered to help Gu Zhijing prepare for debut, and Gu Zhijing accepted. The next day, Sheng Chi began training him, while Qi Wang later arrived at the practice room as the trainees gathered for class.

• Gu Zhijing placed fifth in the July evaluation, while Sheng Chi took first and Qi Wang came second.
• Sheng Chi asked Gu Zhijing whether he wanted to debut and offered to help him; Gu Zhijing accepted.
• Sheng Chi woke Gu Zhijing at 8:30 the next morning and dragged him to the practice room to train.
• Xu Linyuan and Jiang Yu found Gu Zhijing exhausted that afternoon, and he told them Sheng Chi had gone to get water.
• Qi Wang entered the practice room, and the trainees all turned to look at him.

Sheng Chi helped Gu Zhijing prepare for the assessment while Gu Zhijing concealed the strain of a call from his family, who wanted him to return home and threatened his chances of debuting. Gu Zhijing refused to compromise, and a dream began revealing the history behind his ear piercing and family conflict.

• Qi Wang denied making a bet with Sheng Chi, but Sheng Chi stopped Jiang Yu from confronting him and reminded the trainees what Qi Wang owed them; Qi Wang left without attending class.
• Fei Yue moved the trainee assessment from the end of August to mid-August, and Sheng Chi increased Gu Zhijing’s training ahead of the assessment.
• Sheng Chi noticed Gu Zhijing’s new ear stud and asked why he had become a trainee; Gu Zhijing said he had been unable to find work and accepted Fei Yue’s offer of food, lodging, and pay.
• Gu Zhixing called Gu Zhijing and urged him to return home, offering him a place at a major company and warning that their father might have his group banned; Gu Zhijing hung up.
• Gu Zhijing hid his distress from Xu Linyuan and Sheng Chi, then dreamed about his life before turning eighteen and getting his ear pierced as a coming-of-age gift.

Gu Zhijing remembered how his family rejected him and drove him from home, then shared a quiet late-night conversation with Sheng Chi. Two days later, he performed without singing at the assessment and was announced in ninth place.

• Gu Zhijing refused his parents’ plan to arrange a marriage with a girl from the Lin family, and Gu Zeduan threatened to disown him over his earring and suspected sexual orientation.
• After Gu Zhijing left home without financial support, Fei Yue took him in and offered him food, shelter, and a chance to train for a debut.
• Gu Zhijing woke from a nightmare, and Sheng Chi shared his own difficult experiences to comfort him; Gu Zhijing thanked him and promised he would become a successful performer.
• At the mid-August assessment, Gu Zhijing danced but did not sing, leaving Sheng Chi and the other trainees puzzled.
• Gu Zhijing returned for the final rankings and was announced in ninth place.

Gu Zhijing explained why he had deliberately failed the evaluation, but he could not tell Sheng Chi that debuting might ruin Sheng Chi’s future. After Gu Zhijing stayed behind while Sheng Chi went to practice, Qi Wang provoked Sheng Chi into attacking him, and Gu Zhijing arrived to find Qi Wang at the hospital and Sheng Chi summoned by Brother Fei.

• Sheng Chi confronted Gu Zhijing about deliberately not singing during the evaluation, and Gu Zhijing said he did not need the chance to debut.
• Sheng Chi accused Gu Zhijing of treating dreams like a joke, then left after Gu Zhijing said becoming an idol had never been his dream.
• Gu Zhijing stayed in the dorm while Xu Linyuan and Jiang Yu went to class, privately worrying that his debut could ruin Sheng Chi’s chances.
• Xu Linyuan messaged Gu Zhijing that Sheng Chi and Qi Wang were fighting in the practice room.
• Qi Wang taunted Sheng Chi about Gu Zhijing and whispered something that made Sheng Chi slam him against a wall; Jiang Yu and Xu Linyuan witnessed the confrontation.
• Gu Zhijing arrived after the fight and learned that Qi Wang had gone to the hospital while Brother Fei had called Sheng Chi in for a talk.

Gu Zhijing realized he still wanted to debut and resolved to reconcile with Sheng Chi. Sheng Chi backed Gu Zhijing for the final debut spot, and the two made up, agreeing to work toward debuting together.

• Jiang Yu and Xu Linyuan suggested that Sheng Chi might face consequences for hitting Qi Wang, leaving Gu Zhijing worried he had harmed Sheng Chi’s dream.
• Gu Zhijing messaged his family to tell them their interference would not stop him or his teammates, and Gu Zeduan ultimately let him make his own choices.
• While eavesdropping outside Fei Yue’s office, Gu Zhijing heard Sheng Chi choose him for the final debut spot despite his low ranking.
• Sheng Chi urged Fei Yue to consider removing Qi Wang from the debut group because of his rumored slander, and Fei Yue said he would think about it.
• Gu Zhijing told Sheng Chi he wanted to debut with him, and Sheng Chi accepted his apology before reminding him to eat fewer snacks.

Gu Zhijing secretly made a Weibo fan account for Sheng Chi while Sheng Chi worried about rumors targeting Gu Zhijing and remembered promising to protect him. The next morning, they considered performance choices for the debut evaluation, and Sheng Chi suggested Gu Zhijing try rapping.

• Gu Zhijing struggled to sleep, searched Sheng Chi online, and created a fan account under the name “Centrifugal Heart·”.
• Sheng Chi considered Qi Wang’s rumor about Gu Zhijing, worried about the prejudice it could cause, and recalled agreeing to protect him when they first met.
• Gu Zhijing used his new account to inspect trainee fan communities and noticed Qi Wang’s supertopic appeared carefully managed.
• Gu Zhijing and Sheng Chi went to the practice room to choose debut-evaluation performances, and Sheng Chi suggested Gu Zhijing consider rapping.

Gu Zhijing considered changing his performance style for the debut evaluation, then learned that Qi Wang had secretly contacted and dated fans. Sheng Chi predicted Qi Wang had involved other trainees to shield himself, while Fei Yue investigated the scandal and prepared to terminate Qi Wang’s contract.

• Sheng Chi suggested Gu Zhijing learn rap and try a contrasting stage persona for the debut evaluation, and Gu Zhijing decided the idea could work.
• Gu Zhijing told his dormmates that Qi Wang had invited several trainees to eat with fans, and Sheng Chi suspected Qi Wang was trying to make it harder for the company to punish him alone.
• Xu Linyuan revealed that Qi Wang had dated a fansite master who managed his fan community and promoted him during livestreams.
• Fei Yue reviewed the trainee contract and told Yu Wenwen he intended to discuss terminating Qi Wang’s contract over his serious misconduct.
• Fei Yue discovered that Qi Wang had more than one girlfriend and that he had spent many of his absences at a girlfriend’s home.

Fei Yue faced Qi Wang’s sabotage as trainees and staff left Leap Entertainment, the debut plan was canceled, and the company lost its funding. Gu Zhijing refused to give up on Leap or Sheng Chi, insisting the four of them could still form a group.

• Fei Yue suspected Qi Wang was driving trainees away to force him to keep promoting Qi Wang, and vowed that Qi Wang had to go and Leap would not go bankrupt.
• Qi Wang stayed away while Wang Jue and other trainees requested to leave; Jiang Yu and Xu Linyuan discussed whether to remain as Qin Xiaochuan departed.
• Qi Wang was fired, the Qi family withdrew its funding, staff resigned, and Leap canceled the debut evaluation as more trainees left.
• Gu Zhijing and Sheng Chi continued practicing, and Sheng Chi asked Gu Zhijing where he would go if Fei Yue gave up on them.
• Gu Zhijing said Leap was his home and argued that he, Sheng Chi, Xu Linyuan, and Jiang Yu could still form a group, even suggesting he sell his earring to help fund the company.

Fei Yue secured new investment for Leap Entertainment and formed Color4 with the four trainees who remained. As the group prepared to debut, Sheng Chi reflected on his past failures and found comfort in having Gu Zhijing by his side; the chapter ended with Gu Zhijing asleep beside him on the night before their debut.

• After Qi Wang was fired and the Qi family withdrew its investment, Fei Yue secured new funding and named the debut group Color4.
• Fei Yue discussed the debut plans with Gu Zhijing, Jiang Yu, Xu Linyuan, and Sheng Chi, setting October tenth as their tentative debut date.
• The trainees began filming debut photos and a documentary, and Sheng Chi reflected on his lonely years of training and felt fortunate to have Gu Zhijing beside him.
• On the night before the debut, Fei Yue took the trainees out for drinks, and Jiang Yu got drunk while Gu Zhijing struggled to sleep.
• Gu Zhijing asked Sheng Chi to take a walk, shared part of his past, and fell asleep leaning against Sheng Chi outside the company.

Color4 debuted to little fanfare and faced hostile comments, while Gu Zhijing worried about the group’s prospects. After Music New Trends rejected their request to perform, Sheng Chi reassured Gu Zhijing that they should stay together and trust Fei Yue’s plans.

• Leap Entertainment announced Color4’s debut, and Sheng Chi led Gu Zhijing, Jiang Yu, and Xu Linyuan through ordinary practice.
• Gu Zhijing read hostile comments on the group’s debut post, and Sheng Chi urged the members to turn negative attention into positive attention through their skills.
• Jiang Yu praised a supportive comment from Distant Centrifugal Heart, and Gu Zhijing worried that the fan might later attend events using his own identity.
• Gu Zhijing overheard Fei Yue tell Yu Wenwen that Music New Trends had rejected Color4’s request to promote their song because the group was too obscure.
• Gu Zhijing told Sheng Chi about the rejection and suggested joining a survival show, but Sheng Chi rejected the idea and said he wanted Color4 to stay together.

Color4 watched their debut documentary and reaffirmed their belief in the group’s future, then endured a long wait before recording their first promotional stage on Music Show. The chapter ended with their explosive performance, as Gu Zhijing mimed shooting Sheng Chi, who fell to his knees in the finale.

• Gu Zhijing and Sheng Chi watched Color4’s debut documentary and declared their belief that the group would succeed.
• Fei Yue secured Color4 a promotional performance on Music Show three days later.
• Color4 waited nearly a day at the music show, and Gu Zhijing learned Shooter’s schedule change had pushed their turn back.
• Sheng Chi finalized Color4’s stage arrangements and changed the ending choreography, declining Gu Zhijing’s offer of knee pads.
• Color4 recorded their first promotional stage, showcasing each member’s strengths and ending with Gu Zhijing miming a sniper shot that made Sheng Chi fall to his knees.

Color4 filmed their first group variety show at a stray animal shelter, where Gu Zhijing teased Sheng Chi about cats and persuaded him to let the group adopt one. Fei Yue later secured Color4 a promotional appearance at a small brand’s commercial event, their first opportunity to perform again since recording the music show.

• Color4 encountered Shooter’s fans waiting outside after recording their stage, and Gu Zhijing reflected on the effort and devotion of fans.
• Color4 filmed their variety show, What Is Color4 Doing Today, at a stray animal rescue shelter, where Gu Zhijing happily fed and petted cats.
• Gu Zhijing teased Sheng Chi for seeming afraid of cats, and Sheng Chi caught him when he lunged after a tabby that jumped from his arms.
• Gu Zhijing proposed adopting a cat, and Sheng Chi relented after Gu Zhijing pleaded; Fei Yue approved the adoption.
• Fei Yue secured Color4 a promotional appearance at a small brand’s commercial event and accompanied the group there.

Color4 left a disrespectful commercial event and accepted an invitation to the City D Autumn Music Festival, where they faced hostility from the audience before a few attendees encouraged them. As they prepared to begin, Sheng Chi led the group onto their first major live stage, with their inexperience and the risks of performing still unresolved.

• Fei Yue rejected the commercial event organizer’s demand for Color4 to take part in malicious promotional games, and Color4 packed up and left with him.
• Color4 received an invitation to the City D Autumn Music Festival and decided to attend despite the low pay and schedule conflict.
• At the festival, Color4 learned they were seventh on the lineup, and Sheng Chi urged the group to do their best.
• When Color4 came onstage, audience members jeered at them, but a girl and her friend shouted their name and encouraged others to cheer.
• Sheng Chi finished adjusting the equipment and asked Color4 if they were ready to begin their live performance.

Color4 silenced doubters with a powerful live performance at the autumn music festival, and a fan’s video of their set sparked a wave of attention on Weibo. Backstage, Gu Zhijing stood up for Jiang Yu after a guitarist he admired dismissed him.

• Color4 performed a revised live version of their song, with Sheng Chi and Gu Zhijing trading rap lines in a duet that electrified the crowd.
• The audience applauded and cheered as Color4 introduced themselves, and a girl recorded their performance.
• The video spread rapidly on Weibo, where viewers praised the group’s live skills and eventually identified them as Color4.
• Jiang Yu spotted the band High Town backstage and went to greet its guitarist while the others waited for him.
• The guitarist brushed Jiang Yu off, so Gu Zhijing politely defended his friend and left the guitarist speechless.