Fang Yinnian concealed his unease and calmly said: “You should pay less attention to those vague and uncertain online messages. Many are rumors. Rest assured, our manager is very reliable.”
The parents finally felt relieved.
They didn’t understand entertainment marketing anyway. Since Yinnian said the manager was reliable, they left it to the professional manager.
***
After returning to the bedroom, Fang Yinnian called Mo Xun to chat, softly complaining: “Just now, my mom asked me what Magic Cube CP means. I was so shocked. How do elders surf the internet so fast?”
“What a coincidence? My sister also asked me privately.” Mo Xun suddenly chuckled and teased: “She even joked that she really ships Magic Cube CP and wants me to marry you to be her sister-in-law.”
Fang Yinnian’s ears instantly turned bright red: “What nonsense are you talking about?”
He hung up immediately.
Mo Xun shamelessly called back, but Fang Yinnian didn’t answer.
Mo Xun sent a row of [I’m sorry][Deserve to die][Slap myself] and other emojis on WeChat.
Then he made a video call, persistently.
Fang Yinnian reluctantly answered his video call.
On the other end, Mo Xun was wearing a thin sweater, sitting on the edge of his bedroom bed. When the call connected, his handsome face with a smile was enlarged on the phone screen.
Fang Yinnian’s heart skipped a beat, and he awkwardly looked away.
Mo Xun said seriously: “Just kidding, don’t be mad. My sister never said such things. She has boundaries and really likes your voice.”
Fang Yinnian wasn’t really angry either, just embarrassed to continue the previous CP topic. He changed the subject: “I met Chen Mian on the high-speed train today.”
Mo Xun was surprised: “Chen Mian? What a coincidence.”
“Yeah, he’s my hometown friend, going home for the New Year.” Fang Yinnian suddenly remembered something: “By the way, Brother Mian said it’s best to bring our own equipment for performances. His in-ear monitor also broke. Maybe we should ask the manager if we can order some microphones, even cheaper ones.”
Mo Xun said: “Of course, I’ll ask Brother Xu.”
He didn’t hang up the video call with Fang Yinnian but opened another window to ask Xu Baichuan, quickly getting a reply.
Mo Xun said: “Brother Xu said he already arranged it. After your mic broke on New Year’s Eve, he placed an order.”
Fang Yinnian breathed a sigh of relief, knowing Brother Xu was reliable. It’s just that custom orders take time, and the manufacturer probably hasn’t finished yet.
Fang Yinnian said: “I’ll hang up now.”
Mo Xun was reluctant to hang up and found an excuse: “Show me your room. I want to see where you lived as a kid.”
Fang Yinnian: “What’s so interesting about that?”
Mo Xun smiled: “Just want to know about your past life.”
Fang Yinnian stood up and switched the camera, showing him his bedroom. The room was small but clean and tidy. Against the wall was a white upright piano, which he had been practicing since he was young.
Mo Xun reciprocated: “Let me show you my room too.”
He switched the camera and slowly panned around. Fang Yinnian saw many anime posters on the wall and a triangular display cabinet in the corner filled with various anime character models.
One was active, the other quiet, but they got along well, probably because their personalities complemented each other.
Fang Yinnian thought this, then saw the most prominent figurine in the display cabinet and said: “Hey, what’s this?”
Mo Xun immediately fixed the camera there and smiled: “The birthday gift you guys gave me. I brought it home and keep it here.”
It was the centerpiece of the entire display cabinet.
Fang Yinnian said: “Looks like you really like this figurine?”
“I like it so much, I wish I could hug it every day.” Mo Xun joked, then paused and asked softly: “Your birthday is next month. Is there any gift you want?”
Fang Yinnian said: “I don’t lack material things. If you really want to give me something, let Junwen draw a card and sign it. I’ll keep it.”
Mo Xun raised his eyebrows: “How can you be so perfunctory? Don’t worry, I’ll prepare it this time and give you a surprise.”
What surprise? Fang Yinnian suddenly felt excited.
***
After a short family visit, the five FTM members returned to Jiangzhou and began preparing for the Nanxing Satellite TV Spring Festival Gala.
Xu Baichuan handed them the custom-made microphones and in-ear monitors.
The five microphones were special dark gold, with a very comfortable handle texture. There was a silver ring at the bottom of the microphone, engraved with several names, including FTM Fang Yinnian… like an anti-counterfeit mark.
Don’t mention swapping them or making fake ones temporarily—it wouldn’t be easy.
Xiao Fei excitedly asked: “Brother Xu, this brand is very expensive, right? How much did the microphones you ordered for us cost?”
Xu Baichuan said: “300,000.”
Xiao Fei was stunned: “300,000 for five?”
Xu Baichuan patted his head: “Dream on, 300,000 for one!”
Everyone was flattered.
Damn, this is the treatment of top singers in the industry. The microphone of diva Xie Shiqi is also about 300,000, right?
They were a bunch of idols wasting such expensive microphones. They must sing well in the future and not let down such expensive microphones.
Fang Yinnian excitedly turned on the microphone and tried singing two lines. His teammates all widened their eyes.
Yinnian’s voice was clearer than usual, without any impurities.
Mo Xun praised: “The sound quality is really good, and the noise reduction is excellent.”
Xu Baichuan looked at the group of newbies helplessly: “Do you think custom microphones are just about engraving names? Professional companies make microphones tailored to the singer’s unique voice and frequency response.”
“I recorded your voices and sent them to the manufacturer for custom making. Each microphone has been repeatedly calibrated, with subtle internal differences to maximize your vocal strengths.”
“The rivals wanted to swap Yinnian’s microphone to mess up our harmonies and ruin our reputation, right? This time at the Spring Festival Gala, sing well and let them hear what a vocal group is!”
“Okay!”
“We’ll sing well!”
The five were happy and excited.
Having custom microphones was like getting full-level gear before a dungeon run, giving them confidence and clarity!
I have to say, 300,000 microphones are really awesome, with excellent noise reduction. The sound quality of the five improved by a level.
The timbre recognition was also clearer.
Because it was a Spring Festival Gala stage, Xu Baichuan also ordered them a set of red performance outfits, which looked more festive.
Local TV Spring Festival Galas usually schedule their events a day or two before or after the CCTV Spring Festival Gala to avoid overlap.
Nanxing Satellite TV’s Spring Festival Gala was moved up to the 29th day of the twelfth lunar month.
After regrouping, the five practiced dance for two days and then headed to Nancheng to prepare for the rehearsal.
Nanxing Satellite TV was a first-tier satellite TV station, and the Spring Festival Gala stage was still star-studded. The general director was much more patient with them.
After all, this was FTM’s reappearance after being blackened online. Besides die-hard fans and casual fans, many industry people were also paying attention to their performance.
From the first rehearsal, FTM brought their own equipment.
They completely didn’t give others a chance to interfere.
Xu Baichuan also followed the on-site sound recording, repeatedly checking all data to ensure perfect sound presentation.
The rehearsal effect improved each time.
The director excitedly said: “Your group sings and dances very well!”
Xu Baichuan shook hands with the director, smiling: “Thank you, Director Zhou. We hope this performance goes smoothly.”
On January 21st, the 29th day of the twelfth lunar month, at 7:30 PM, Nanxing Satellite TV’s Spring Festival Gala officially began.
FTM’s program was scheduled for 10:30 PM, one hour earlier than the previous Yuntu Satellite TV event.
The five also got a private small dressing room backstage.
Tan Junwen complained: “We actually have a private dressing room now.”
Fu Fei laughed: “After all, the whole internet is feeling sorry for our small unknown group. If the production team didn’t give us a dressing room, the planners would worry about being accused of bullying by netizens.”
Fang Yinnian and Mo Xun exchanged a glance—within less than a month, from the Yuntu Satellite TV New Year’s Eve gala to the Nanxing Satellite TV Spring Festival Gala, FTM’s treatment at large events had clearly changed.
They really played the “worship the powerful and look down on the weak” game to the fullest.
At 10:30 PM, FTM took the stage.
The five wore festive performance outfits in black, white, and red.
Fang Yinnian wore a white shirt and fitted white pants, with a long red blazer. Mo Xun wore a black shirt and black pants, with a short red jacket.
Both had just the right amount of gold accents on their clothes, matching the Spring Festival atmosphere without being too flashy.
When they appeared, CP fans went crazy shipping them.
“This look is better suited for a wedding night.”
“Double happiness!”
“Get married right here, so perfect~”
“I brought the civil affairs bureau for you two!”
“Red and white + red and black, their outfits look like couple’s clothes~”
Casual and group fans were also frantically spamming the chat—
“This outfit is great, full of energy.”
“I was worried about their condition, but now I’m completely relieved!”
“Can I have the red pom-pom on Xiao Fei’s hat?”
“Haha, Junwen’s red scarf looks like Santa Claus.”
“Che Che’s tight red pants, oh my nosebleed~”
“Super handsome five little guys!”
“These guys have good figures and looks, all in red and still can pull it off.”
“I have a feeling tonight will be a classic stage to revisit!”
As the music intro started, the five quickly posed at the center of the big stage and began moving their bodies.
Familiar dance, music already etched into their genes.
Tan Junwen started the first rap solo.
The custom microphone amplified his voice on site, making the live audience and online viewers exclaim again—
“Damn, sounds so good!”
“This rap is as smooth as it’s oiled.”
“No mic popping at all, probably going to be accused of lip-syncing, haha~”
“They’re obviously using custom mics.”
“FTM: Mic broke, scared, this time we brought our own.”
Just as some in the chat were questioning if Tan Junwen’s voice was too steady to be live…
Tan Junwen suddenly changed the lyrics.
“The new year is coming, everyone has a smile on their face.”
“All troubles and worries, push them behind me.”
“We celebrate happily and lively together.”
“Wishing you wealth and prosperity, blessings wave after wave!”
The audience: “…”
My god, what is Tan Junwen doing?
Changing rap lyrics live? At the Spring Festival Gala? Directly a blessing rap, rapped very fluently, wearing a scarf and dancing, while throwing red envelopes into the audience from his pocket.
The audience downstairs excitedly stood up to grab the red envelopes.
“Their stage presence is amazing!”
“Never seen idols so relaxed on stage.”
“Did they change the lyrics of this song?”
After Junwen’s performance ended, Fang Yinnian’s voice suddenly appeared.
“The rhythm of the drum beats is like my intense heartbeat”
“We sing blessings to drive away all bad things”
“May our families be healthy and happy forever”
“New Year’s good luck shines like stars”
Next was Tang Che.
“We pursue beautiful dreams together”
“Every step we take is on top of the rainbow”
“Holding the microphone to convey sincere greetings”
“In the new year, we can all be better”
The audience downstairs was completely hyped up.
The viewers in the live stream were also frantically sending bullet comments.
“They changed all the lyrics!”
“I noticed the small box that popped up just now. The lyrics seem to be by Fang Yinnian and Tan Junwen?”
“Lyrics by: Fang Yinnian / Tan Junwen, screenshot taken!”
“Wow! These must be specially revised lyrics for the Spring Festival Gala stage.”
“Such a sincere performance.”
“Blessings received, thank you handsome guys, and wish you a smooth and prosperous new year!”
“First time seeing a Chinese idol group change their lyrics for a stage performance, eye-opening.”
“Fang Yinnian and Tan Junwen personally revised the lyrics, ah!”
“The lyrics are pretty good, full of blessings~”
“This song has a lively rhythm, and they sing it so well!”
“Wow, even my grandma was attracted, saying these handsome guys are very good-looking and sing well.”
“Festive red clothes, New Year’s blessing lyrics, energetic singing and dancing stage, perfect!”
“Knife formation dance, so cool!”
“Is it still not too late to become a fan of this group starting today?”
…
The idea to change the lyrics was Fang Yinnian’s. He just felt that singing the same song and dancing the same dance repeatedly was quite boring.
They all remembered the melody of this song very clearly. Changing the lyrics was not difficult. Each person had four lines, and memorizing and practicing for two days was completely doable.
Tan Junwen had more lyrics, so Fang Yinnian let him write them himself. Junwen could write rap well, and the rhymes matched Fang Yinnian’s main vocals.
This stage was eye-catching.
As netizens said, it was the first time seeing a boy group change their own lyrics for a limited performance.
Singing a lively, blessing-filled song at the Spring Festival Gala.
This was their sincerity to the Nanxing Satellite TV audience.
The audience received it.
That night, in the Nanxing Satellite TV Spring Festival Gala’s most popular program selection, FTM’s singing and dancing stage surprisingly led the high viewership list by a wide margin!
Countless Bilibili UP creators all analyzed this group’s singing skills. The well-known UP creator “Poisonous Snake Harsh Reviews” directly posted the entire stage clip.
This time, he gave a very concise review.
“The lyrics were changed, but the performance remained stable, no off-key singing, and the dance became more synchronized. With custom microphones and in-ear monitors, the sound quality was comprehensively improved.”
“That’s right, such strength deserves to be called a vocal group.”
“In summary: Chinese idol groups have hope.”
This sentence made FTM’s fans extremely excited and proud!
Did they accidentally discover a top-tier treasure group?
##
Didn’t sleep just to finish reading this one but I just found out it’s still on-going. huhu.