TTIG Chapter 29.1

[CP Fans]

 

Fang Yinnian knew very little about fan culture and had never followed boy band CPs before, so he didn’t really understand what Xu Baichuan meant by “your CP has blown up.”

 

What did that mean? How had it “blown up”?

 

After a moment of confusion, Fang Yinnian looked at the manager and asked incredulously: “A CP between me and Mo Xun? But we’re both guys.”

 

Everyone: “…”

 

Mo Xun pressed his forehead, his voice revealing some helplessness: “It’s precisely because we’re both guys that people ship us as a CP—they’re into the forbidden aspect of teammates becoming lovers.”

 

Fang Yinnian scratched his head in confusion, still not quite understanding.

 

Xu Baichuan explained with a smile: “Boy bands often choose in-group CPs for promotional heat, and some CPs even have professionals creating promotional scripts for them.”

 

“With the idol industry being so competitive now, everyone is trying everything to attract fans. However, many CPs struggle to gain traction even after extensive promotion. You two are peculiar—without actively promoting yourselves as a CP, yours suddenly became popular.”

 

Fu Fei asked curiously: “Brother Xu, what’s the name of their CP?”

 

Xu Baichuan said: “Magic Cube World, and the CP fans call themselves Little Magic Cubes. In just two short hours, the CP super topic already has tens of thousands of check-ins.”

 

Fu Fei: “Wow! CP fans grow this quickly?”

 

Tan Junwen exclaimed in surprise: “Even summer blockbuster dramas don’t generate many popular CPs, yet the captain and Yinnian are attracting so many fans?”

 

He thoughtfully examined Mo Xun, then looked at Fang Yinnian, and finally concluded with a smile: “They do seem quite compatible, actually.”

 

Mo Xun kicked him: “Compatible my ass, what nonsense are you talking?”

 

Tan Junwen quickly hid behind Fu Fei, joking: “I’m just at the forefront of CP shipping, appreciating your CP chemistry up close.”

 

Tang Che said coldly: “I don’t understand the netizens’ thought process—what’s there to ship? Shipping Mo Xun and Fang Yinnian chasing each other with inflatable hammers?”

 

Fang Yinnian looked at Tang Che in agreement: “I don’t understand either.”

 

Xu Baichuan said: “CP fans ship based on vibes. There’s a saying in the industry—CP chemistry is a mystical art that can’t be explained.”

 

Fang Yinnian: “…”

 

Well, metaphysics.

 

Since it couldn’t be explained, he wouldn’t try to understand it.

 

Seeing Fang Yinnian’s innocent expression, Xu Baichuan couldn’t help but laugh.

 

This kid had truly rushed into the entertainment industry with passion and dreams, completely unfamiliar with the rules of the game.

 

But it was precisely his innocence that made the CP more appealing. If they had been industry veterans deliberately playing into BL tropes, it would have seemed contrived and off-putting.

 

However, Xu Baichuan had never expected the Mo-Fang CP to take off.

 

Regarding in-group marketing for FTM, he had discussed it with the PR team when the group was first formed. All boy bands promoted CPs, so their FTM shouldn’t pretend to be above it by claiming “we absolutely won’t do that.” But how exactly to promote them required appropriate boundaries.

 

Xu Baichuan originally had no clear plan, thinking he’d let the rookies first build a solid foundation in dance and vocals, gain exposure through variety shows, release their original music videos, and proceed steadily step by step.

 

He had planned to address the CP issue later, after the five youngsters became more familiar with each other, to see which pair might naturally gain traction before deciding how to promote them.

 

However, things didn’t go according to plan. Just half a month after FTM’s debut and after just one variety show appearance, the #MagicCubeWorld# CP super topic had broken into today’s “Weibo Hot CP” top ten!

 

It was currently summer vacation, with many TV dramas airing across China’s three major platforms, creating numerous character CPs. Adding in fans who shipped male and female actors and idol group members, how had Mo Xun and Fang Yinnian managed to break through this competition?

 

This CP had emerged so quickly that even he, as their manager, was caught off guard.

 

Indeed, CP chemistry was a mystical art. Some pairs could try hard with deliberate marketing but generate no interest. Others just needed to exchange a glance to make viewers ship them passionately.

 

Xu Baichuan took a deep breath to calm himself, then said: “Alright, this variety show has ended successfully. Let’s go home.”

 

All five got into the van. When they arrived at the apartment at 9:30, Xu Baichuan said: “You three go back first. Mo Xun and Fang Yinnian, come with me to the company.”

 

The three exchanged knowing glances before getting out of the car and returning to the dormitory.

 

Mo Xun and Fang Yinnian were left in the car, looking at each other bewilderedly.

 

The car turned around and drove to the Shengyao headquarters across the street.

 

By now the company had closed for the day, with Shengyao’s two buildings completely dark. Xu Baichuan used his access card to bring the two to an office on the 10th floor, opening the door and turning on the lights.

 

“Come in and sit down,” Xu Baichuan said, sitting at his desk.

 

Mo Xun and Fang Yinnian obediently entered and sat on the sofa across from him.

 

Xu Baichuan asked directly: “Regarding CP marketing, what do you two think about it?”

 

Mo Xun thought for a moment and said: “I’ll follow Brother Xu’s arrangement.”

 

Since Fang Yinnian didn’t understand this concept, hearing Mo Xun’s response, he also said: “I’ll follow Brother Xu’s arrangement too.”

 

Xu Baichuan smiled slightly: “I haven’t had time to arrange anything yet.”

 

The two: “…”

 

Xu Baichuan said: “Your CP is a bit strange—it suddenly blew up, and I haven’t had time to prepare any marketing plans. However, CP fans will entertain themselves, so for now, just continue interacting normally without deliberately playing it up.”

 

Mo Xun asked with confusion: “We don’t need to specifically market it?”

 

Once most boy band CPs became popular, they would immediately capitalize on it to secure fans. He didn’t quite understand why the manager was so calm about this.

 

Xu Baichuan explained with a smile: “With your terrible acting skills, deliberate marketing would look very fake. It’s better to interact naturally, and the CP fans will find their own moments to enjoy.”

 

That made sense. Deliberate performances could sometimes be hard to ship, and overdoing it could backfire, potentially driving away fans who liked the group as a whole.

 

Mo Xun sighed in relief: “That’s for the best.”

 

Fang Yinnian said seriously: “If you asked me to act, I absolutely couldn’t do it. Mo Xun is from a film academy, so he should be better than me.”

 

Mo Xun quickly said: “My acting is also just average. I often get scolded by teachers during acting classes at the film academy, and I’m still working hard to learn emotional control.”

 

Fang Yinnian turned to look at him: “By the way, how’s your crying scene practice going? When I visited your school last time, weren’t you learning that?”

 

Mo Xun laughed lightly and said helplessly: “Currently still failing. I can barely squeeze out two drops of tears with great effort, let alone manage my expressions.”

 

Fang Yinnian also laughed: “Keep practicing. Maybe someday, when a director asks you to cry, you’ll be able to shed tears instantly within seconds.”

 

Mo Xun replied: “Yeah, in my free time I watch performances of actors who are particularly good at crying scenes. They’re really amazing—their tears fall on command.”

 

Xu Baichuan: “…”

 

These two had started chatting as if no one else was around.

 

That’s why CP chemistry was so fascinating. They didn’t need to deliberately act—just looking at each other and having casual conversations created a maximized atmospheric feeling.

 

How had he, their manager, not noticed this before?

 

After chatting for a few minutes, seemingly aware that Xu Baichuan was staring at them, Mo Xun quickly turned back and asked: “Brother Xu, is there anything else you want to tell us?”

 

Xu Baichuan paused, suddenly becoming serious: “Right, I need to confirm one thing first—neither of you is gay, are you?”

 

The manager’s gaze was very sharp.

 

This was a serious question. If someone in a boy band was gay, what was supposed to be just coordinated marketing could develop into real feelings, which would be disastrous.

 

Mo Xun immediately replied: “I’m not gay.”

 

Fang Yinnian carefully pondered this question, then said seriously: “I don’t think I am either.”

 

Xu Baichuan immediately sat up straight: “What do you mean by ‘don’t think’?”

 

Fang Yinnian explained: “I have no dating experience and haven’t liked anyone before, but I’m not naturally gay.”

 

Xu Baichuan relaxed slightly: “That’s good then.”

 

Fang Yinnian looked at Mo Xun: “Mo Xun, have you had a girlfriend before?”

 

Mo Xun said: “No. I went to Korea as a trainee when I was 14. Every day was exhausting, with only four or five hours of sleep—there was no time for dating.”

 

Fang Yinnian said: “It’s similar for me. After school I couldn’t even finish my homework, and my mom supervised me practicing piano for two hours every day.”

 

Mo Xun smiled and said: “Actually, we don’t need to consider dating now. If an idol is discovered dating, they’ll definitely be criticized—people will think we lack career ambition. Fans shipping CPs is just fans entertaining themselves. If you actually date someone, you’ll be hunted down across the internet, and the next day you’ll be completely forgotten.”

 

Fang Yinnian nodded in agreement: “Exactly, we should definitely focus on our career first. Before our career stabilizes, rushing into dating and marriage does show a lack of ambition.”

 

Mo Xun said: “Do you know that actress Xie Yunan from a couple of years ago? Shortly after becoming famous, she got marriage-obsessed and rushed to get married, then quickly faded into obscurity. Now when she tries to come back for drama roles, no production teams want her.”

 

Fang Yinnian smiled: “I’ve heard about that incident—it caused quite a stir at the time.”

 

Xu Baichuan vigorously ran his hand through his hair.

 

He felt something was off—why did these two keep starting conversations with each other? He, the manager, was sitting right there feeling like a third wheel.

 

Xu Baichuan coughed forcefully and said seriously: “It’s good that you both have this understanding. All five of you need to monitor each other—no dating during your idol period, don’t even think about it.”

 

Both nodded in unison: “We understand.”

 

They weren’t even 20 years old yet and hadn’t established themselves—who would be foolish enough to think about dating at this point?

 

Mo Xun added: “Don’t worry, Brother Xu. We’re not that irrational.”

 

Xu Baichuan relaxed: “Good, you can go back now. About the CP marketing—you don’t need to deliberately act for now, but also don’t avoid spending time together. You can casually ‘feed some candy’ to the CP fans.”

 

Both stood up simultaneously: “Goodbye, Brother Xu.”

 

Watching the two walking away side by side, Xu Baichuan frowned, feeling an inexplicable sense of unease rising from within.

 

He had seen many marketed CPs in the entertainment industry that appeared super sweet on the surface but had very ordinary relationships in private—all performing for the fans, some even following scripts with memorized lines.

 

Mo Xun and Fang Yinnian weren’t deliberately performing, yet the strange atmosphere between them when together, their silent understanding through eye contact, their obliviousness to others when chatting… he experienced it firsthand today for the first time.

 

He was a bit afraid.

 

Afraid they might actually develop feelings for each other.

 

Fortunately, neither Mo Xun nor Fang Yinnian was naturally gay. How easily could straight men “turn” each other? Perhaps he was overthinking.

 

Xu Baichuan rubbed his temples, chasing away the strange thoughts forming in his mind.

 

Just as he was about to get up, his phone suddenly rang. He answered and heard Director Luo from Taohe’s variety show department: “Old Xu, FTM’s episode of ‘Red-Blue Competition’ had amazing results! After the livestream ended, a large number of viewers came in to rewatch it—the view count has already broken the show’s all-time record.”

 

This was truly good news. Xu Baichuan smiled and said: “Thank you, Director Luo. It was the kids’ first variety show appearance—they lacked experience and made quite a few funny blunders, haha.”

 

Director Luo said: “Variety shows need people with natural comedic talent. The producer of ‘Red-Blue Competition’ just came to me, hoping I’d contact you to have FTM appear as guest participants again. Can you arrange it in their schedule?”

 

Xu Baichuan: “…”

 

The kids were making progress! Their first variety show appearance broke the program’s viewing records, and now they were being actively invited back.

 

Xu Baichuan could barely suppress his smile: “Of course that’s no problem! However, they’re about to start school, and we’ve scheduled another variety show for mid-September, so the timing might need to be pushed back.”

 

Director Luo said: “How about the end of September then? September 27th this year happens to be the Mid-Autumn Festival—we could do a Mid-Autumn special episode.”

 

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