TTIG Chapter 20.1

[Official Debut]

 

At noon on the 18th, the five were having buffet at the hotel. At the table, Fu Fei suddenly said, “Did you know? Security checks have been upgraded for this concert—light boards aren’t allowed inside.”

 

Fang Yinnian asked, “You mean those light boards fans were holding during yesterday’s support? They’re not allowed anymore?”

 

Fu Fei nodded and said mysteriously, “Last night, Tao Yizhou and He Yan’s fans got into a conflict offline, seemingly physical, and even police were called. If the situation escalates, the event might be canceled. Company executives were furious and told both artists to control their fans. Xie Shiqi was also implicated, and all three fan clubs issued statements early this morning agreeing not to bring light boards.”

 

Fang Yinnian was stunned: “That serious?”

 

Fu Fei added in a low voice, “I heard tonight’s security personnel have increased several times over. All backpacks must be checked in, and umbrellas and water bottles aren’t allowed—everyone must enter empty-handed.”

 

Fang Yinnian: “…”

 

Last night when they returned to the hotel after rehearsal, they saw fans waiting by the roadside. It was already past midnight, and the fans had been standing there for a long time—it must have been exhausting. Several stars had even gotten out to greet them.

 

Perhaps they had waited too long and were in bad moods, so the two fan groups started arguing? To think it even involved the police.

 

A concert with 40,000 attendees is a major offline event, and Yaan City’s government departments are responsible for supervision. If the disturbance becomes too serious, the event could be canceled directly. To be safe, upgrading security checks is necessary.

 

Tang Che said coolly, “The fan circles of big stars are truly cutthroat. Unlike us—no fans, no troubles.”

 

Everyone: “…”

 

The way you put it, should we be happy or sad?

 

Fu Fei scratched his head and smiled, “But banning light boards has benefits too—centrally controlled glow sticks throughout the venue will look even better.”

 

Tan Junwen asked curiously, “With centrally controlled glow sticks, when a singer appears, will the entire venue immediately light up with their support color?”

 

Fu Fei said, “Let me check the official announcement.”

 

He took out his phone, logged into his alternate account, opened “Shengyao Media’s” official Weibo, and saw a pinned statement.

 

The statement advocated “civilized fandom” and prohibited bringing light boards to the venue. Today, each attending audience member could receive a “Shengyao 10th Anniversary Celebration Glow Stick,” a smart centrally-controlled device that could change into more than ten colors.

 

Fu Fei opened the statement for everyone to see: “Centrally controlled color-changing glow sticks. When a singer appears, the control center will likely switch to that singer’s support color, creating a sea of lights for them—peaceful coexistence, a bright future for everyone.”

 

Everyone: “…”

 

The company executives had likely been summoned by higher authorities. Fearing the event might be canceled, they made a sweeping decision—no light boards for anyone to prevent fan conflicts. The priority was to complete the 10th anniversary celebration peacefully, which explained this morning’s joint statement from the three star fan clubs.

 

These conflicts between high-profile fandoms didn’t concern a group of unknowns like them.

 

Tan Junwen asked, “Our support color is quite unique—the amber-gold light effect. Can the central control system create that?”

 

Just then, Xu Baichuan sat down at their table with a plate of food and said, “The control center called this morning asking if you wanted a light sea display, but I declined. Your debut already has a high-profile format. If we used centrally controlled support lights, you’d be criticized by fans at the venue.”

 

The five exchanged glances, understanding the situation. With no fans of their own at the concert, they would feel uncomfortable receiving an artificial amber-gold sea of lights through central control.

 

Moreover, with so many fans of other artists present—who were already unhappy about these nobodies debuting at the concert—forcing a light sea would instantly maximize resentment.

 

Mo Xun asked, “So we’ll perform in darkness?”

 

Xu Baichuan explained, “They’ll control white lights. You’ll have a sea of white glow sticks.”

 

Standing at the center of the stadium with twinkling white lights below didn’t sound bad—at least it wouldn’t feel empty.

 

Mo Xun nodded. “That works. White is the simplest, purest color. We can start from there.”

 

Xu Baichuan added, “For an amber-gold ocean of lights, you’ll need to earn it yourselves. I hope someday you can properly hold your own FTM concert, where tens of thousands of genuine fans create a real sea of lights for you.”

 

Fang Yinnian nodded seriously. “Brother Xu is right. We should rely on ourselves and gradually build our fanbase.”

 

Xu Baichuan continued, “Dinner will be early today—4:30 PM. After eating, you’ll get styled and arrive at the venue early.” He glanced at Fu Fei. “Xiao Fei, since you love browsing gossip, remember to use your alternate account. Don’t log into your main account and accidentally like something.”

 

Fu Fei ducked his head. “I understand. You can keep my Weibo main account for now.”

 

With dinner moved to 4:30 PM, everyone had little appetite but ate something before going for styling.

 

They departed at 5:30 PM for the stadium to avoid traffic delays.

 

Fang Yinnian peered through the window shade from the back seat. Besides the 40,000 attendees with tickets, many fans who couldn’t get tickets had also come to support their favorite singers from outside. The fans’ enthusiasm was truly heartwarming.

 

Of course, less fighting and drama would be better. He hoped FTM’s future fans would support them rationally.

 

Security was stationed every few steps along the route, with barriers surrounding all pedestrian paths.

 

The “security upgrade” Fu Fei mentioned was even stricter than Fang Yinnian had imagined.

 

Security personnel were monitoring from distant streets, standing shoulder to shoulder at checkpoints like a human wall. The “bag storage areas” were staffed by many badge-wearing workers, with an impressive row of temporary tents set up.

 

Advanced scanning equipment at security checkpoints rivaled airport security.

 

Fang Yinnian lowered the curtain. Their car stopped at the backstage entrance, and they entered through the staff channel.

 

Upon arrival, Fang Yinnian looked up at the empty stadium and noticed glow sticks placed on every seat.

 

Extra glow sticks were available in the backstage waiting room. He picked one up to examine it carefully.

 

The glow stick was designed in a cylindrical shape with a red handle about 10 centimeters long at the bottom, which could accommodate two batteries. The upper portion was a transparent light column approximately 30 centimeters in length, featuring a crystal bubble effect inside that made it look clear and exquisite—quite premium in quality.

 

Around the handle was a circle of gold lettering: “Shengyao Media 10th Anniversary Celebration Concert.”

 

The glow stick had a simple yet elegant design, with the sparkling crystal light column looking quite attractive.

 

As Fang Yinnian was studying it intently, the glow stick in his hand suddenly illuminated, startling him. He then saw all the glow sticks throughout the venue light up simultaneously and begin changing colors.

 

They cycled through red, orange, yellow, green, and various other colors. The system could even create split effects with half the venue red and half blue, or rainbow patterns with each section displaying a different color—all changing in perfect unison, creating a spectacular visual effect.

 

Fu Fei exclaimed excitedly, “Is the control center testing? This rainbow gradient effect across the entire venue looks amazing!”

 

Tan Junwen remarked, “Without all those miscellaneous light boards, just having central control of 40,000 glow sticks changing uniformly does create a better effect.”

 

Fang Yinnian asked their manager, “Brother Xu, can we take these glow sticks home with us?”

 

Xu Baichuan replied, “These smart glow sticks contain wireless receivers that only respond to today’s venue control signals—they won’t light up once you take them home.”

 

Fang Yinnian continued, “Could they be disassembled and modified? Since they have batteries, couldn’t rewiring them make them work again?”

 

Xu Baichuan was bemused. “Why are you so fixated on a glow stick?”

 

Fang Yinnian smiled. “This is my first time seeing one—I’m just curious.”

 

Xu Baichuan: “…”

 

Truly a rookie, eyes lighting up at everything new.

 

The way the young man was seriously examining the glow stick was rather endearing. Xu Baichuan’s lips curled into a smile as he said, “If you want it, take it home as a memento. Yes, you could modify it by rewiring the internals and adding a manual switch to make it light up.”

 

Fang Yinnian happily put the glow stick away.

 

The 10th anniversary celebration was a one-time event, and these limited-edition glow sticks from their debut concert would make nice souvenirs.

 

With a switch installed, it could even serve as a flashlight.

 

As darkness fell, the stadium lights came on, and audience members gradually entered to find their seats.

 

Fang Yinnian received a message on his phone: “Nian Nian, we’ve all arrived and are in the second-floor private box.”

 

It was from his father, who also sent a photo of the venue taken from their box perspective: “The stage setup is beautiful.”

 

Fang Yinnian replied with a smiley face: “Dad, I’ve been so busy these past two days that I haven’t had time for you all. Are Mom and Grandmother with you too?”

 

His father answered: “Yes, your mom, grandmother, plus Fu Fei’s parents and grandparents are all in the same box. The elderly folks were even playing cards together last night. We knew you had several rehearsals, so we didn’t want to disturb you. Don’t worry, everyone is fine—you don’t need to concern yourself with us. Good luck, and sing well later!”

 

Fang Yinnian felt relieved and replied: “We’ll be performing around 10 PM. We’ll come find you after the show.”

 

Fu Fei also received messages from his family and turned to Fang Yinnian saying, “Whoa, Brother Nian, I heard my grandmother and your grandmother played mahjong until 2 AM last night! Impressive!”

 

Fang Yinnian smiled. “My grandmother loves playing mahjong.”

 

Fu Fei laughed. “What a coincidence! My grandmother is also a mahjong master!”

 

Tan Junwen asked curiously, “Are they already inside?”

 

Mo Xun replied, “Yes. Each private box holds a maximum of 8 people. My parents and sister, your parents, and Tang Che’s sister and brother-in-law are together. Yinnian and Fu Fei’s families are in another box. They’re all on the second floor, with the two boxes adjacent to each other.”

 

Fang Yinnian keenly noticed something—Tang Che’s parents hadn’t come?

 

He hadn’t read the parent group chat messages carefully since there were too many, and only today learned that Tang Che’s sister and brother-in-law had come to the concert. Perhaps his parents were busy?

 

Seeing Tang Che’s detached expression, Fang Yinnian didn’t dwell on it further.

 

The time quickly reached 6:58 PM.

 

Most audience members had entered, with an attendance rate of 99%.

 

Suddenly, deafening cheers erupted throughout the venue. All five looked up at the screen—the stadium’s overhead lights had gone out, and all the glow sticks in the audience area had illuminated.

 

The control center had triggered a “wave” effect.

 

The glow sticks lit up and extinguished sequentially from the leftmost audience section, circling the entire stadium like a wave, then another wave swept from right to left, and finally, the entire venue lit up simultaneously.

 

Following this, glow sticks in different areas began changing colors, creating a brilliant rainbow effect across the venue.

 

Another wave of cheers echoed throughout the stadium.

 

Fu Fei exclaimed excitedly, “The centrally controlled effects look amazing! The audience area looks incredible!”

 

Tan Junwen, looking at the TaoHe app on his phone, said, “The livestream has also started. The drone’s overhead angle looks especially cool.”

 

Everyone quickly gathered around to watch the livestream on Tan Junwen’s phone.

 

At that moment, the broadcast was showing a panoramic view. From the aerial perspective, the entire Star River Stadium resembled a brilliant pearl in the night.

 

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