TTIG Chapter 7

After breakfast, the five members headed to the underground parking lot, where a black business van was waiting near the elevator.

 

Manager Xu Baichuan opened the front passenger door and walked over to greet them. “Take note of this van—license plate Jiang A74355. From now on, this will be your team’s dedicated vehicle. For activities in Jiangzhou and nearby cities, this van will be your transportation.”

 

Mo Xun quickly snapped a photo of the license plate and shared it in FTM’s group chat.

 

Xu Baichuan continued introducing: “This is Driver Jiang—he has over ten years of driving experience. Everyone, say hello.”

 

The five members greeted in unison: “Hello, Driver Jiang!”

 

The middle-aged man in the driver’s seat smiled warmly. “Hello, young men.”

 

Xu Baichuan opened the rear electric door and instructed them: “When heading out for events, Mo Xun will sit in the second row on the right side. The rest of you can sit wherever you like. Mo Xun will be the first to get off and the last to board. If there are media reporters or fans at the airport or event venue, the captain should be the first to appear—understood?”

 

Mo Xun nodded decisively. “Understood.”

 

Xu Baichuan got into the front passenger seat and said, “Alright, everyone get in.”

 

The group lined up to board and found seats inside. As captain, Mo Xun was the last to get on and closed the door behind him.

 

From the outside, the black business van looked ordinary, but its interior had been luxuriously modified.

 

Every seat was equipped with massage functions, ventilation, and heating. The second row featured zero-gravity swivel seats that could turn around for face-to-face meetings—perfect for discussing matters on the go. The ceiling had LED starlight lighting installed, and all windows were fitted with blackout curtains to prevent paparazzi from taking photos.

 

For these five newcomers, sitting in a celebrity van for the first time was exciting.

 

They couldn’t believe they already had their own exclusive vehicle!

 

Fu Fei excitedly sent a message in FTM’s group chat: “These seats are so comfortable! Even the third row is spacious—not cramped at all.”

 

Mo Xun replied: “It’s been modified—all seats were upgraded. Shengyao is a big company—they’ve got money.”

 

Fu Fei added: “Haha! Feels like we’re finally leaving the beginner village.”

 

Tan Junwen joked: “More like we’re entering our first dungeon in beginner village.”

 

Fu Fei agreed: “True! Right now we’re still grinding levels and collecting gear—debuting officially will be when we truly leave beginner village!”

 

Tan Junwen quipped: “So this game is called ‘Five-Person Team Takes On The Entertainment Industry’? Think we can hit max level?”

 

Fu Fei replied confidently: “Of course!”

 

Tang Che frowned and muted the group chat notifications—it was getting too noisy for his liking.

 

Fang Yinnian didn’t join in but found their conversation amusing nonetheless. He had never ridden in a celebrity van before and knew nothing about showbiz—everything felt unfamiliar yet exciting.

 

Fu Fei and Tan Junwen’s analogy was surprisingly apt—they were like rookies just starting out on their journey together into the entertainment industry dungeon.

 

—

 

Once they entered downtown Jiangzhou, Xu Baichuan made a phone call before turning back to address them: “Remember to be humble and polite when you meet staff later. Greet everyone with a bow—even if you don’t know their names, call them ‘teacher.'”

 

In entertainment circles, referring to people as “teacher”—whether they were photographers or makeup artists—was a universally respectful term that wouldn’t go wrong.

 

Some celebrities act high and mighty, treating staff like “servants” and showing them no respect. Xu Baichuan didn’t want the group to develop such bad habits, so he made it clear from the start that basic courtesy was non-negotiable.

 

Seeing the nervous expressions on their faces, Xu Baichuan reassured them: “Don’t worry. Today is just a test shoot, not an official promotional photo session. The photographer is a friend of mine—just cooperate with him, and you’ll be fine.”

 

The group nodded obediently.

 

Half an hour later, the van pulled into the parking garage of a building, and Xu Baichuan led the five members to the third floor via elevator.

 

Here, a temporary photography studio had been set up.

 

Xu Baichuan introduced quietly, “The photographer taking your pictures today is Zhou Yue, a well-known photographer in the industry. He’s in Jiangzhou for a fashion event and has been shooting magazine covers for some celebrities.”

 

“We’re lucky—he happened to have some free time today and agreed to spare two hours to take some photos of you.”

 

The five: “…”

 

A photographer who shoots magazine covers? Isn’t that someone incredibly hard to book? For their very first group photo as a newly formed boy band, having such a high-profile photographer felt like starting at an impossibly high level.

 

Noticing their thoughts, Xu Baichuan smiled and said, “Let’s go. Do your best.”

 

The manager led them into the studio.

 

Mo Xun noticed a young man adjusting his camera and immediately bowed. “Hello, Teacher Zhou.”

 

The other four quickly followed suit, bowing as well. “Hello, Teacher Zhou.” Though their movements weren’t completely synchronized, their attitudes were humble and polite.

 

Zhou Yue looked up and scanned the five of them. “Old Xu, so this is the boy band you’re personally managing?”

 

Xu Baichuan walked over to shake his hand with a smile. “That’s right. I’m fully in charge of this group for now. Please take good care of them—and make sure they look handsome in these photos! By the way, I’ve already booked you for their official debut styling shoot—don’t forget to save that slot for me.”

 

Zhou Yue laughed. “No problem. Let’s get started with styling first. Once I finish shooting Xin-jie’s session, I’ll take care of them.”

 

The group followed Xu Baichuan into the adjacent room for styling.

 

In the entertainment industry, renowned stylists and photographers were highly sought after by celebrities. They were often booked months in advance. Thanks to Xu Baichuan’s extensive network and reputation in the industry, these professionals were willing to make time for an unknown boy band that hadn’t even debuted yet.

 

The five members were visibly nervous as they sat quietly, carefully cooperating with the staff. As rookies, they were afraid of making mistakes that might cause trouble for their manager or teammates.

 

Since this wasn’t an official promotional shoot, the makeup was kept light and natural, so it didn’t take long to finish.

 

Hairstyling required minor adjustments. Xu Baichuan stood nearby, thoughtfully observing and offering suggestions: “For Tang Che’s hair—how about tying part of it back while leaving some loose? Let’s see how that looks.”

 

The hairstylist responded, “No problem. You’re the manager—if you have specific ideas about their styling direction, feel free to let us know.”

 

Xu Baichuan smiled. “Our group’s concept is fresh and natural—we’re not going for anything overly edgy or unconventional. Please try to design their hairstyles based on their individual temperaments.”

 

The hairstylist nodded and turned toward Fang Yinnian. “This one is Fang Yinnian, right? Let’s trim his bangs a bit—his facial features are beautiful, and showing his eyebrows would enhance his look.”

 

Xu Baichuan agreed readily: “Sounds good.”

 

After a pause, he added thoughtfully: “Junwen has been painting since he was a child—he has a bit of an artist’s vibe about him. Let’s try designing his hairstyle to reflect that artistic flair.”

 

Hairstylist: “No need for a perm—his hair is naturally curly, and the texture is great. I’ll just trim it a bit.”

 

“Alright, Mo Xun will stick to the cool and stylish look; let’s cut his hair shorter. As for Xiao Fei, his hair needs to grow longer, so don’t cut it yet.”

 

The hairstylist chuckled and teased, “Old Xu, you’re like a worried mother fussing over every little detail.”

 

Xu Baichuan sighed helplessly. “What can I do? No other manager in the company was willing to take on a boy band, so I was forced into this.”

 

The five members: “……”

 

Thank you, dear homeroom teacher, for your dedicated guidance.

 

The hairstyling team worked quickly and efficiently, making simple adjustments to each member’s hairstyle according to Xu Baichuan’s instructions. Once everyone’s hair was done, they looked at each other and were pleasantly surprised.

 

Even with just minor tweaks, the professional hairstyling made a noticeable difference—far more refined than what you’d get at a regular salon.

 

The new hairstyles perfectly highlighted their facial features, finally giving them the polished look of idols.

 

—

 

The five of them entered the photography studio just as a female celebrity finished her shoot and left. The photographer was now free.

 

Xu Baichuan greeted him warmly. “All done? Thanks for your hard work.”

 

Zhou Yue waved them over. “Alright, it’s your turn. Let’s start with individual shots—I’ll take a few test photos first.”

 

Xu Baichuan gestured to Mo Xun, who quickly stepped onto the white backdrop.

 

Zhou Yue began directing him while snapping photos rhythmically: “Turn sideways and look at the table—great… now turn around, place your right hand on the table—perfect! Look at the camera and give me a smile—nice!”

 

The photographer had a cheerful demeanor and frequently used encouraging words like “great” and “handsome,” which boosted Mo Xun’s confidence. Relaxed and smiling, Mo Xun struck various poses and smoothly completed his individual shoot.

 

Next up was Fang Yinnian. He was visibly nervous but tried his best to follow Zhou Yue’s instructions.

 

Lower your head, turn around, smile…

 

It was his first time shooting in a professional studio, and Fang Yinnian felt like a robot being remotely controlled. If Zhou Yue didn’t give specific directions, he had no idea what pose to strike and stood there looking completely lost in front of the camera.

 

What an adorably clueless rookie.

 

Zhou Yue eventually couldn’t help but laugh as he continued snapping photos. “Relax! Don’t keep staring at my camera—it’s not a passport photo. Pretend I’m not here—try some side-profile shots.”

 

Fang Yinnian did his best to follow the advice.

 

When his session finally ended, Zhou Yue reviewed the playback and praised him: “This handsome guy has amazing skin—these photos barely need any retouching.”

 

Xu Baichuan beamed with pride like a parent hearing their child being complimented. “Of course! I pick only the best talent—no doubts about that.”

 

Tan Junwen was the most relaxed of them all. Smiling brightly, he struck various poses effortlessly and even threw in a few playful winks at the camera.

 

Fu Fei was lively as well—he quickly adapted to the studio lighting and grew more confident with each shot, his smile becoming increasingly radiant.

 

Then it was Tang Che’s turn. Zhou Yue snapped two photos before saying: “Alright, handsome—look at the camera and give me a smile.”

 

Tang Che forced an awkwardly stiff smile that looked more like a grimace.

 

Xu Baichuan: “…”

 

The four teammates: “…………”

 

Zhou Yue sighed in exasperation: “Why does your smile look worse than crying?”

 

Tang Che immediately bowed to the photographer and said, “I’m sorry, Teacher. I’ve never been good at smiling.”

 

He was clearly nervous—his hands at his sides were clenched into fists.

 

The photographer encouraged him, “Try giving me a light smile?”

 

Tang Che then produced a chilling smile that sent shivers down everyone’s spines, as if he were about to destroy the world in the next second.

 

Everyone: “…”

 

Who told you to smirk like that?!

 

Zhou Yue sighed helplessly. “Forget it. Don’t smile. Just give me a neutral expression.”

 

A neutral expression? That was Tang Che’s comfort zone. However, even with a neutral face, he still looked stiff in front of the camera. His entire body seemed like a wound-up puppet, rigid and awkward while posing.

 

The photographer had no choice but to step forward and adjust his posture manually.

 

Tang Che’s ears turned red with embarrassment—it was obvious he felt awkward.

 

After the shoot, he bowed deeply to the photographer again. “I’m not good at posing. Sorry for the trouble, Teacher.”

 

Xu Baichuan quickly stepped in to salvage the situation. “Ahem, it’s their first time doing a photoshoot—they’re all inexperienced. Please be patient with them.”

 

Zhou Yue, ever good-natured, replied, “It’s fine. They’re rookies—it’ll get easier with practice. Let’s move on to group shots now.”

 

Xu Baichuan instructed, “Line up by height first so I can take a look.”

 

The five obediently arranged themselves from tallest to shortest.

 

Xu Baichuan stroked his chin thoughtfully and said, “Let’s go with this order: Tang Che, Mo Xun, Fang Yinnian, Tan Junwen, and Fu Fei—from left to right.”

 

The group adjusted their positions accordingly.

 

Xu Baichuan leaned toward Zhou Yue and asked in a low voice, “What do you think?”

 

Zhou Yue observed them for a moment before nodding. “Looks good—visually balanced and coordinated.”

 

“Alright then,” Xu Baichuan said decisively. “Remember this formation—it’ll be your fixed lineup whenever you’re standing in a straight row. Whether it’s interviews or walking the red carpet side by side, this is the order you’ll follow.”

 

The five nodded in agreement.

 

Zhou Yue instructed them on poses and snapped several group photos.

 

After finishing the shoot, he reviewed the raw images on his camera and remarked with approval: “Old Xu, I have to say—your group looks great. It’s rare to see such an attractive lineup. This team is bound to be popular!”

 

Xu Baichuan smiled and patted Zhou Yue on the shoulder. “I’ll take that as a blessing for their future success. Thanks for your hard work today—send me the photos when you’ve sorted them.”

 

Zhou Yue replied, “Sure thing. I’ll organize them for you later. I’m swamped this week so I won’t have time for retouching—you’ll need to find someone else for that.”

 

“No problem,” Xu Baichuan said with gratitude. “Thanks again.”

 

—

 

By the time they finished the shoot, it was already noon. Xu Baichuan took the five of them out for lunch nearby.

 

Shortly after, Zhou Yue sent over the unedited photos. Xu Baichuan forwarded them to Mo Xun, who then shared them in their group chat.

 

Everyone was stunned when they saw the pictures.

 

Fu Fei exclaimed excitedly, “Whoa! Did they really make me look this handsome?!”

 

Fang Yinnian was equally surprised by how his teammates looked in the photos—the professional photographer had truly captured their best angles.

 

Mo Xun’s sharp features were already striking in person, but his new hairstyle made him look even more polished and energetic. His defined jawline and smooth muscle contours along his shoulders and arms gave him a commanding presence in the photo. With a confident smile and steady gaze, he looked every bit like a charismatic leader.

 

Tang Che’s hair had been fully tied back before but was now styled half-up and half-down. His sharp features carried an aggressive beauty, and his piercing gaze paired with his cold expression left an unforgettable first impression.

 

Tan Junwen’s hair had been a chaotic mess just yesterday, but after being styled by the professional hairstylist into soft and fluffy curls framing his face naturally, he exuded a gentle elegance as he smiled at the camera—a stark contrast from his usual playful demeanor.

 

Fu Fei’s wide grin radiated pure energy and youthfulness—he looked like an endlessly cheerful boy-next-door type who could easily attract both older sister fans and mom fans alike.

 

Fang Yinnian’s bangs had been trimmed, and the new hairstyle made him look far more fashionable compared to his previous “model student” look. His earlier hairstyle had been somewhat plain, but now, with his elegant eyebrows exposed, his refined facial features, crescent-shaped smiling eyes, and the soft lighting, his overall aura was particularly pleasant.

 

These photos were unedited raw shots.

 

Lighting plays a crucial role—some photographers use harsh lighting that can make even celebrities look unattractive. But Zhou Yue, meeting them for the first time today, immediately found angles and lighting that suited them perfectly, capturing a fresh and natural vibe for all five members.

 

Looking at the group photos, a thought suddenly occurred to everyone: There isn’t a single unattractive person in this group!

 

Their heights were well-matched too. Standing side by side, the five of them looked visually appealing and harmonious.

 

With the photographer’s blessing, perhaps they really could become popular someday?

 

Xu Baichuan asked, “How is it? Zhou Yue’s photos turned out pretty good, right?”

 

Tan Junwen praised enthusiastically, “No wonder he’s a top-tier photographer—his aesthetic sense is amazing, and he nailed the angles perfectly.”

 

Fu Fei asked excitedly, “Director Xu, should we edit these photos and post them online? Could we use them for our encyclopedia profiles? I really like my solo shot—it’d make a great Weibo profile picture!”

 

Xu Baichuan replied firmly, “These are just test shots—not for public release. Zhou Yue is very busy today; I brought you here mainly so he could get familiar with you. Once your styling is finalized before debut, he’ll dedicate an entire day to shooting your promotional photos.”

 

“In the industry, Zhou Yue’s style is known for being fresh and natural—it suits your group well. You’ll have plenty of opportunities to work with him in the future. For now, keep these photos private.”

 

“As for Weibo avatars—don’t worry about that yet. The publicity team will design unified avatars for you before your debut. Remember not to share these photos with family or friends to avoid any leaks.”

 

The five nodded in agreement and quickly began downloading the photos.

 

While they would have many photos taken in the future, this first group shot held special significance. Today’s shoot featured simple hairstyles, their own clothes, and minimal makeup—these photos were the closest representation of their everyday selves.

 

As private keepsakes, they captured the group’s earliest rookie days—a memory worth cherishing.

 

Moving forward into their training sessions, they would need to quickly build rapport and teamwork so they could present themselves as a cohesive “team” when meeting the public.

 

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