By late August, all five FTM members’ new variety shows finally went online, with the official fan club organizing weekly viewing guides.
Friday 8 PM, Nanxing TV’s “Idol Producer.”
Fu Fei was the “trainee assistant” among regular guests – essentially a class monitor who had to eat and live with trainees participating in the show.
Fu Fei’s lively personality quickly helped him bond with new trainees. In FTM, he was the youngest who had to call everyone “brother,” but on this show, he actually became the trainees’ role model.
Most trainees’ dream was successful debut, so Fu Fei was a very successful senior to them. New trainees would respectfully call him “Brother Fei” upon meeting.
Fu Fei enjoyed recording the variety show, daily bragging in group chats about how many little brothers he’d recruited.
Saturday 8 PM, Junwen’s show “Chinese New Rap” aired punctually on Yuntu TV. Tang Che’s show “Music Station” followed right after, so fans could watch until 11 PM.
As mentor assistant, Tan Junwen had to give opinions and scores to each contestant, occasionally collaborating with contestants in performances.
Tang Che’s variety show “Music Station” was a TV song request program where audiences voted for songs and guests sang them. He went up to sing one song weekly and shot some behind-the-scenes footage to complete his task.
Sunday 8 PM, Mo Xun’s show “Street Dance of China” aired on Nanxing TV while simultaneously, Fang Yinnian’s variety show “Time Records” premiered on Dongyang TV.
CP fans were happy to have two different shows to see the MoFang couple, but everyone had a headache – the programs directly clashed.
“Same broadcast time – how do we watch, sisters?”
“I’ll take two phones and open two TV station livestreams – Yinnian on the left, Mo Xun on the right. Simply can’t watch both [dog head]”
“They’re so fated – even their shows clash.”
“Only one TV at home – switching channels back and forth is exhausting.
I’ll watch replays on apps later!”
Nanxing TV’s “Street Dance of China” was a dance competition show with innovative format and group assessment systems. Mo Xun was Group A’s team leader with mentors above him.
Mo Xun needed to select music and choreograph for contestants, occasionally collaborating with them in performances. His dance skills were unquestionable, earning him many devoted fans on this show.
Fang Yinnian’s show “Time Records” was a slow-paced music variety program where singers had to cover and introduce classic old songs to audiences.
The old song he brought in the first episode was “Time Postman” that Teacher Yu had written years ago—also his favorite work.
Under the cameraman’s lens, Fang Yinnian walked alone through small alleys with a backpack, smiling as he told the story behind this song.
“I think producers and singers complement each other. The producer behind every song is very crucial—songs contain the producer’s emotions, and singers then interpret and convey them to listeners.”
“This song’s producer is a senior I greatly admire—Teacher Yu Ziluo. ‘Time Postman’ is a relatively obscure work he wrote over ten years ago.”
“Listening to this song feels like embarking on a romantic journey.”
The cameraman’s shots were beautifully filmed.
Fang Yinnian gently told everyone the story behind this song, then earnestly sang it for the audience.
After the program aired, “Time Postman” suddenly went viral.
The original singer of this song had already left the industry years ago. The lyrics and composition were by Teacher Yu Ziluo, and the original song had less than 1,000 saves.
Now that Fang Yinnian had covered it, the cover version’s audio source quickly surpassed 1 million saves.
Audiences were all surprised.
“Where did Yinnian dig up this obscure old song from some corner?”
“He really knows how to find songs—never heard this before~”
“The original singer was super unknown, but it’s actually written very well. Good songs get buried.”
“Thank you Yinnian for helping us discover treasure!”
“Already added to daily rotation playlist—so beautiful.”
There were quite a few songs where the original wasn’t popular but the cover made it famous.
Fang Yinnian hadn’t expected such good results from the first episode. He was very happy this “treasure” could gain everyone’s recognition and love.
Teacher Yu happily called him: “Yinnian, you actually sang this song and made my work from over ten years ago popular!”
Fang Yinnian smiled: “It’s because Teacher wrote it well.”
“No need to be modest—you sang it beautifully.” Yu Ziluo paused, sighing: “You’re right, producers and singers complement each other. Good songs need good singers to interpret them!”
Back then, facing financial difficulties, he’d sold this song’s copyright for a few thousand yuan to an unknown eighteenth-tier singer. That singer hadn’t really captured the song’s artistic conception, and their vocal conditions were far inferior to Fang Yinnian’s.
Later when that singer left the industry, Yu Ziluo paid to buy back the copyright but never found anyone else to cover it. Now that his little apprentice had sung it, he suddenly felt—this was the voice he’d been looking for!
Yinnian was the perfect choice to interpret this song flawlessly.
This song held special meaning for Yu Ziluo. He was very happy this long-dusty pearl could be unearthed by Fang Yinnian to see daylight again.
Yu Ziluo smiled: “Yinnian, isn’t this your favorite song? Teacher will just give it to you.”
Fang Yinnian was stunned: “Ah? Give it to me?”
Yu Ziluo said: “I’ll transfer the copyright to you. From now on you can sing it freely, and if you want to release an album, you can include it.”
Fang Yinnian was extremely excited: “Thank you, Teacher!”
***
In the following time, all five were recording variety shows in different locations.
Fang Yinnian, Tan Junwen, and Fu Fei entered their senior year in September. Tang Che would return to school next year due to his suspension, and he’d already started preparing his graduation thesis in his spare time.
Days were very busy.
Mo Xun and Fang Yinnian contacted each other less and less. Mo Xun was often with contestants participating in street dance competitions, and President Zhou’s assigned assistant followed them throughout. He worried frequent contact would reveal problems.
But both kept each other in their hearts.
Every weekend, they made time to watch each other’s variety shows, seeing that person they missed day and night on television.
Fang Yinnian covered many old songs on “Time Records”—every cover became popular. Audiences discovered that Fang Yinnian had high musical appreciation, choosing obscure songs that were all incredibly good. Those old songs could express different flavors after his covers.
Standing on stage, he already had the demeanor of an independent singer.
Other teammates also gained new attention on their respective variety shows, further boosting popularity and continuously gaining Weibo followers.
Initially, fans worried whether the five would adapt to being separated. Now it seemed that even developing separately, they still shone brightly.
Gradually, some conflicts between solo fans and group fans appeared online.
Solo fans all supported members’ individual development.
“The five have distinct characteristics—separate development is obviously better. Break up the group early.”
“Don’t want daily bundling with teammates—my husband is the most handsome~”
“Teammates don’t come leeching—my XX is uniquely beautiful.”
“For my XX, teammates are just dead weight.”
Group fans eagerly anticipated FTM reuniting—
“Don’t break up the group! I’m still waiting to see concerts~”
“FTM’s greatest strength isn’t five people with distinct characteristics, but their harmonies + group dance having no substitutes!”
“Back off, back off—whoever dares break up my music group, I’ll fight them!”
“Hope for early reunion—haven’t seen their stages in so long”
“Please reunite, please reunite, please reunite!”
Originally, FTM was supposed to reunite for Mid-Autumn Festival TV performances, but since Xiao Fei and Mo Xun’s variety show recordings couldn’t be rescheduled, their manager canceled reunion plans. All five felt quite regretful.
But there was no choice—schedule conflicts were hard to coordinate, and production teams couldn’t leave openings for one person.
By late November, everyone’s variety show recordings were finally completed, and all five finally gathered in their Jiangzhou dorm.
After not seeing each other for a while, everyone had a small reunion. They thought FTM could finally reunite for activities—they hadn’t practiced dance together in ages, and everyone somewhat missed those days of sweating profusely in practice rooms.
Fang Yinnian also looked forward to what FTM’s next new song would be.
However, the next day, President Zhou suddenly called Tan Junwen to sign a contract for acting in a campus idol drama.
President Zhou smiled as he handed over the contract: “Junwen, didn’t you film an MV when you sang the OST for ‘Confession Letters’? Your high school student temperament in it was very special.”
“The director took notice of your outstanding temperament. This drama’s male lead happens to be a musically talented, gentle character—quite suitable for you. It’s a low-budget web drama with decent pay. Give it a try.”
Tan Junwen looked completely bewildered: “Me? Acting? But I’ve never studied performance—can I directly become an actor?”
President Zhou smiled: “Idols becoming actors is very common! How many current TV drama directors do you think value acting skills? They all value traffic. There are tons of traffic stars with terrible acting…”
“Cough, I’m not saying your acting is terrible. But with your traffic level and high popularity, production teams like actors who bring their own buzz. The director will teach you specifics on how to act.”
“Just don’t be too awkward—that’s about it. Idol dramas don’t have such high requirements. There are tons of non-professional amateur actors in the industry.”
Tan Junwen scratched his head in confusion, picking up the contract: “Um, let me go back and discuss with Brother Mo.”
President Zhou narrowed his eyes: “Your own affairs—why do you need to discuss with Mo Xun?”
Tan Junwen smiled: “I don’t really understand production team situations. Brother Mo has experience, so I’ll ask first and have him help check the contract.”
President Zhou waved: “Fine, hurry up. The company has already signed a letter of intent—just waiting for your signature.”
Tan Junwen’s heart was pounding.
Damn, having him play a campus drama male lead—wasn’t this a mistake? He’d never acted before—a complete outsider! Going to set to make a fool of himself?
After leaving the company, he immediately called Mo Xun: “Brother Mo, President Zhou wants me to act in a campus drama. What the hell can I act? I don’t know anything—go to set and become a laughingstock?”
Mo Xun was obviously also surprised. After a moment of silence, he asked quietly: “What did President Zhou say? The contract’s all settled?”
Tan Junwen irritably ran his fingers through his hair: “Yeah, he said the company signed a letter of intent—just waiting for my signature. Should I refuse? Or agree to join the production? I’m uncertain—help me decide.”
Mo Xun asked: “How long is the filming period?”
Tan Junwen flipped through the contract: “20-episode short campus drama. Should film quite quickly—probably finished in two months.”
Mo Xun said: “Junwen, idols definitely need to transform when they get older. Are you interested in changing careers to become an actor?”
Tan Junwen said conflicted: “I don’t know. I’m not like you with clear future plans—I just take things one step at a time.”
“As a child, family forced me to study art. My goal was always to become a painter, then later I liked rap, joined competitions, joined the boy group. What I’ll do in the future—I’m actually not clear either.”
Mo Xun: “…”
Just knew this guy was unreliably lazy.
Mo Xun considered briefly: “Small-budget short modern dramas won’t have much impact even if they flop—at most you’ll get criticized a few times playing male lead. You can treat it as an experiment to see if you’re interested in acting.”
“You’re still young with time to make mistakes. If you discover you have talent for acting and like being on set, you could continue working on it in the future.”
“More paths, more choices—trying it out is harmless.”
Tan Junwen pondered briefly, then nodded: “Makes sense. Finding a small-budget drama to test the waters—treating it as a fresh experience. I’ve never been to a film set—what if I have talent, right?”
Mo Xun smiled: “Mm. President Zhou seems determined to separate us. I estimate a script will soon reach my hands too.”
Mo Xun’s guess was correct.
That afternoon, President Zhou called him to the company, handing him a script for joining production in early December.
Period costume idol drama “Palace Daily Life”—Mo Xun would play a silent, martially skilled guard, third male lead, the female protagonist’s bodyguard. The character setup was very similar to his previous drama “Rising Winds of Chang’an.”
President Zhou handed him a contract: “Mo Xun, the wrap-up video for your previous drama ‘Rising Winds of Chang’an’ had good buzz. Your period costume appearance, temperament, and action scenes were all excellent. This time the production team approached us directly with a suitable fee quote, so we accepted for you.”
Mo Xun said: “I want to read the script first.”
President Zhou smiled: “The first ten episodes’ script is with me—very well-written, period light comedy. Your character has important scenes as the female lead’s bodyguard. Wherever she goes, you follow, with lots of screen time.”
Mo Xun felt a splitting headache. He didn’t want to play such repetitive emotionless roles. Playing two consecutive cold, expressionless bodyguards offered no enhancement or challenge for him.
This drama’s director and screenwriter also had mediocre reputations—there was limited learning opportunity on period idol drama sets.
Of course, his current status didn’t qualify him to be picky about scripts.
Mo Xun looked at Xu Baichuan: “Brother Xu, do you think I should take it?”
Xu Baichuan smiled: “Take it. Junwen is joining a production, Xiao Fei has a good regular resource on ‘Always Laughing’ variety show—you still can’t reunite for now, so your schedule would be empty anyway.”
“This role isn’t difficult, the production team is well-funded with definitely many attractive costumes and makeup. It’s also a project Cool Cat Platform values highly. Plus the third male lead has many scenes—acting well will definitely attract fans. Not a loss.”
The manager’s analysis was very reasonable. From all perspectives, he had no reason to refuse.
Mo Xun considered briefly: “I’ll go back and carefully review the contract, then come to the company tomorrow to sign.”
He paused, then asked: “If Junwen and I join productions and Xiao Fei goes to a new variety show, what about Tang Che and Yinnian?”
President Zhou said: “Don’t worry—they also have resources. We’ll definitely treat everyone fairly without shortchanging anyone.”
Mo Xun nodded: “Good, thank you President Zhou.”
On the way back to the dorm, he suddenly felt uncomfortable.
Originally he’d thought this winter, if their manager gave them vacation and the north had snow, he’d go back with Yinnian to see snow.
But now the company wanted him to join a production starting next month.
Period costume dramas took at least 4 months to wrap—he couldn’t possibly take extended leave from the production team for such an absurd excuse as “snow viewing.”
(advanced chapters available on kofi)
