Chapter 66
“The bill regarding same-sex marriage has been brought to the agenda, with a final decision expected by the end of the year—”
The television screen suddenly cut away from the female anchor’s face to footage of a street protest. A large crowd marched with rainbow flags and signs.
Fang Huai held a remote control in one hand and his phone in the other, his gaze on the screen, only half listening to Shi Feiran.
“…That’s basically it. Think it over yourself. Hello? Fang Huai? Are you even listening?”
“Yeah, I’m listening.” Fang Huai snapped back to attention. “It’s fine, I have no objections. Go ahead and accept it.”
Shi Feiran: “……”
“Then come to the company tomorrow.” Shi Feiran sounded drained.
He had mixed feelings about this variety show.
The tentative title was Heartbeat Signal 5.0, and just from the name, it was clear—it was one of those shows designed to stir up CPs and romantic drama. The format was simple: guests lived together in a house for a period of time, completed various tasks, and outsiders speculated on who liked whom.
This show had already reached its fifth season. The first two seasons had fairly lukewarm reception, but from the third season onward, it exploded in popularity. It had launched several top-tier celebrities and “national CPs”—basically, if you joined this show, you were pre-booked as the next big idol. Gaining a few million followers on Weibo overnight? A piece of cake.
However, given Fang Huai’s career path, Shi Feiran had never planned on letting him participate in shows like this.
Sure, popularity was nice, but wasn’t this a bit beneath him? Fang Huai loved music and had real talent. His future should be focused on becoming a professional musician, not just another traffic-driven celebrity.
But the problem was—
Fang Huai’s debut album, Abyssal Moonlight, was nearly ready.
The songs were good. Ever since the National Day holiday ended, Fang Huai had thrown himself into his work, sacrificing sleep and food. Some tracks in Abyssal Moonlight were songs he had written before, including the title track Abyssal Moonlight and Heartbeat, but there were also new original songs.
Refining and recording everything was an enormous workload.
For an entire month, from Mid-Autumn to early winter, Fang Huai had been absorbed in the project. When he worked, he lost himself completely—there were times he forgot to eat for two or three days straight.
“The songs are excellent. You can hear the effort in every detail,” the mentor sighed after listening to the final mix. “But when the time comes…”
How should he put it? The songs were good, but they weren’t exactly crowd-pleasers. Whether the public would buy into them remained uncertain.
And in an era where success was determined by sales, many people held a firm belief: If you don’t sell well, then you’re just low-tier. No matter how much you talk about artistic integrity, it’ll just sound like an excuse for failure.
Shi Feiran had already been racking his brain, trying to find a way to boost Fang Huai’s exposure before the album release—something that would ensure both recognition and decent sales. But after searching high and low, he still hadn’t found the perfect opportunity.
Additionally, the production team of Heartbeat Signal understood the principles of sustainable development well. The first two seasons had exploded in popularity purely by selling CPs and creating sweet moments, but if they continued down the same path, audiences would eventually grow tired of it. The fifth season marked a major reform.
After reviewing the proposal, it was clear that while this season retained the essence of the show’s IP, it no longer relied on the same marketing strategies as before. It was worth a try.
After all, fortune favors the bold.
After discussing details with the production team, Fang Huai made his preparations and moved in over the weekend.
Since the work for Abyssal Moonlight had mostly wrapped up, and the ads and magazine shoots he owed were also completed, the timing worked out well. As the year-end approached, his schedule had cleared up just in time.
It was early winter, and the first snowfall of the season had fallen in Nan City the night before.
The snow wasn’t heavy, just a gentle flurry, drifting down like willow catkins and settling into a thin layer on the ground. Fang Huai was dressed in a down jacket, a scarf, and a knitted hat. The scarf covered his chin, leaving only the tip of his nose—slightly reddened from the cold—and his light amber eyes visible against his porcelain-white skin.
He didn’t have much luggage, just a single suitcase. From behind, his tall and slender figure looked like a high school boy heading to a friend’s house for a sleepover.
As he walked, he was on the phone with Ye Yuyuan.
“I’ve got work this weekend… a ‘variety show,’ yeah,” he said, half-embarrassed, half-relieved. “Next time, if there’s a chance.”
There was a brief pause on the other end before Ye Yuyuan gave a noncommittal hmm and asked, “A variety show? Did you bring enough clothes?”
Fang Huai replied, “Yeah, I brought enough.”
After a moment of silence, Ye Yuyuan asked in a serious tone, “What about thermal underwear? Are you wearing it?”
His voice was so solemn, it sounded like he was discussing an academic issue.
Fang Huai: “……”
“I am wearing it!” His face instantly flushed red, and he nearly choked. He was beyond embarrassed—why was Ye Yuyuan even asking this?!
Hurriedly, Fang Huai said, “Uh… signal’s not great, I’m gonna hang up now. Let’s talk later.”
Just as he was about to press the button, he thought he heard a low chuckle from the other end.
Flustered, he quickly hung up and stood still for a moment, trying to steady his breathing. By the time he calmed down, he had already arrived at his destination.
*
One of the biggest innovations in Heartbeat Signal 5.0 was its shift to a live-streaming format. While it wasn’t a full 24-hour broadcast, nearly half of the content was streamed live. Additionally, a compiled and edited version would be aired every weekend.
This was also the main reason why Shi Feiran had hesitated—live broadcasts, combined with an unscripted format, left too much room for error.
Fortunately, from debut until now, Fang Huai had never crafted a specific public persona. He had always presented himself as his most authentic self—which, ironically, became his biggest advantage. It was precisely this quality that made the production team eager to have him on board.
However, because of the live format, this season’s popularity had already surpassed previous ones. The retweet numbers on the official Weibo announcement alone made that clear.
And after the livestream started at 8 AM that morning, things escalated even further. Since it was the weekend, viewer numbers skyrocketed—within a short time, they had already hit 100,000 and were still climbing.
This even exceeded the production team’s expectations. They hadn’t revealed the cast lineup in advance, meaning no guests had brought their own built-in fanbases. The fact that the show had already drawn in such a massive audience purely from its reputation and promotion was a testament to its influence.
Fang Huai was the first to arrive.
The camera first focused on his back, and the live chat immediately erupted with speculation. The promotional materials for this season of Heartbeat Signal had mentioned that the cast included a mix of celebrities and ordinary people.
Comment Section:
[This back view… looks like a high school student? A little brother type? I approve!]
[Does an average high schooler have this physique? My blind guess is a professional model or… an actor. Which fanbase wants to claim him?]
[I hope he’s from my fandom.]
The camera slowly zoomed in.
Fang Huai was still caught up in his phone call from earlier, slightly absent-minded. His nose and cheeks were tinged red from the cold. The Heartbeat House was a standalone villa, complete with a swimming pool, a small garden, and even some pets.
The camera captured the gentle curve of the young man’s side profile, though his face remained unclear. However, his sharp nose, defined jawline, and the subtle upward tilt of his lips were visible.
He casually tossed the key in his hand, making it seem like he was about to unlock the door. Just as the audience expected him to open it, he suddenly flung the key into the distance—
With a sharp whoosh, a white-feathered bird darted toward the key, snatching it midair with its talons before gracefully delivering it back to the young man. It then affectionately nuzzled against his neck.
“Thanks.”
Fang Huai smiled, running his fingers through its feathers with one hand while unlocking the door with the other.
At the same time, a husky in the yard let out a howl and bolted toward him, circling around him excitedly.
Comment Section Explodes:
[Alright, it’s confirmed. @FangHuaiSis.]
[AAAAAHHHHHH!!!]
[It’s him! It’s really him! I’m claiming him as mine! I’M DYING!!!]
[I can’t believe our baby joined this show?! 555 (crying noises), I’m happy to see him, but I don’t want him fake-dating anyone… This girlfriend fan is in tears.]
[Heh, some washed-up has-been panicking because his first album is about to flop, so now he’s resorting to fake relationships to stay relevant? Absolutely pathetic.]
At that moment, a fan rapidly sent ten deep-sea torpedoes—a high-value gift in the livestream. To avoid financial disputes, the livestream platform used a points-based system where users accumulated points by watching videos rather than spending money. Even so, ten deep-sea torpedoes required a significant amount of points.
The flashy gift effects immediately drowned out the hate comment.
Meanwhile, Fang Huai had already stepped inside.
The husky and the bird stood beside him at the entrance, curiously peering in as if taking in the full view of the villa.
It was a three-story standalone house with ample space. The first floor featured a living room with a sofa and TV, along with a dining area. The second floor housed the guests’ bedrooms, while the third floor included a study, a media room, and other amenities. The decor was simple and warm, exuding a cozy residential feel rather than anything extravagant.
Snow from the previous night still rested on the windowsill, and the soft morning light gently bathed the interior, adding to the tranquil atmosphere.
Near the entrance, a dog bed was placed to the side. The husky happily dashed into it, while the bird remained perched on Fang Huai’s shoulder.
“First: Two people will share a room, and you may freely choose your roommate—gender is not restricted.”
“Second: Meals will be prepared in pairs.”
“Third: Each participant can send one anonymous message per day to their person of interest.”
“Fourth: Every weekend is a designated date day.”
Fang Huai stood at the doorway, reading the house rules posted on a sign. Most of them followed the format of previous seasons, with some minor innovations.
After finishing the rules, he stepped inside. He felt a bit like an intruder in someone else’s home. The heater was on, making the room pleasantly warm. After taking off his down jacket and changing into indoor slippers, he stood politely to the side, back straight.
Live Chat:
[LOL why does he look like a high school student being punished by the disciplinary teacher?]
[So cute!]
Luckily, he didn’t have to stand for long before the sound of movement came from the entrance.
Fang Huai walked over to open the door. Outside stood a tall, glamorous woman wearing sunglasses. She flipped her voluminous wavy hair and smiled as she introduced herself:
“Hello, I’m—”
She suddenly froze, and the next second, her voice shot up in pitch:
“Ba—baby?!”
Fang Huai: “…?”
The second guest was Yin Wanyue, a fashion designer. Since celebrities were participating in this season, the original “No Revealing Occupation or Age on the First Day” rule had been scrapped. Coincidentally, she happened to be a fan of Fang Huai and had even encountered him once before—
—specifically, that time he got drunk and started singing in the middle of the street.
Live Chat:
[I’m jealous! Some fans get to meet him in real life, while I’m stuck watching through a screen. 555 (crying noises)]
[Sitting under the lemon tree, feeling incredibly sour…]
But Yin Wanyue was, after all, an adult. She quickly composed herself and took a tour of the house with Fang Huai, familiarizing themselves with the layout and rules.
During this time, several more guests arrived.
There were a total of six participants. Unlike the usual three men and three women format, this season featured four men and two women—which completely confused the viewers.
“Two couples and… a bromance couple?!”
The second female guest was Lin Huan, a primary school teacher with short ear-length hair, delicate features, and a pretty appearance.
Then, when the fourth guest knocked on the door—
The entire comment section exploded.
Live Chat:
[AAAAAAAHHHHHH WHAT IS HAPPENING???!! WHAT IS HAPPENING?!!!]
[Am I losing my mind, or is he?!]
[Sorry, who is this? Why is everyone freaking out?]
[You should be freaking out too! OMG!! Quick, someone get this trending!]
The man who walked in was tall, wearing a trench coat. One hand pulled a suitcase, the other was casually tucked into his pocket. As he entered, he unwrapped his scarf and gave a lazy wave with a grin.
“Hey, everyone.”
It was… Feng Lang.
For a moment, all three guests inside the house were silent. Lin Huan and Yin Wanyue were completely stunned. Finally, Fang Huai was the first to step forward and shake Feng Lang’s hand.
“Hello.”
Feng Lang shrugged and raised his brows. His voice carried a hint of mock grievance.
“What’s wrong? Am I not welcome here?”
Lin Huan, the elementary school teacher, blushed bright red and stammered,
“N-no… no…”
Despite his status in the industry, Feng Lang was a socially adept person. He quickly got the conversation flowing, easing any awkwardness. But the live chat had already exploded, and the hype only intensified when the next guest arrived, pushing the excitement to another peak.
Live Chat:
[I… I’m numb at this point.]
[I’m exhausted from screaming ‘I’m dead’ over and over.]
[Looks like this season has a massive budget. If I remember correctly, Feng Lang’s appearance fee is this much, and the person at the door charges about the same.]
[AHHHHHH HE’S HERE!! My idol’s variety show debut!!!]
The person standing at the entrance had soft, platinum-gold hair and an almost sickly pale complexion, resembling a mixed-race individual. He was tall, exuding a strange air of lethargy, as if nothing in the world could interest him.
Fang Huai: “…?”
Feng Lang raised an eyebrow first.
“Name’s Duan Yang. I write songs.”
That was all. A half-hearted introduction, no handshake, no small talk. He lazily swapped his shoes for indoor slippers, walked straight to the couch, and slumped down without moving. His gaze briefly swept over Fang Huai and Feng Lang, lingering on Fang Huai for two extra seconds before he closed his eyes.
Yin Wanyue nudged Fang Huai. “Remember? The head judge from Stellar Light.”
Fang Huai vaguely recalled hearing about him—someone very talented—but the details were fuzzy.
Now, five of the six guests had arrived, leaving only one more. At this point, with both Feng Lang and Duan Yang in the house, the audience had become completely desensitized.
Live Chat:
[No matter who the last guest is, I won’t be surprised anymore. I’m tired.]
[+1.]
[Unless it’s [random billionaire’s name]…]
[LMAO, don’t be ridiculous. Those people make millions in minutes; they wouldn’t waste their time here.]
Then, a few minutes later, the door was knocked on once again.
Fang Huai was the one who went to open it—he was the most suitable choice. The girls were too reserved, and neither Feng Lang nor Duan Yang looked like the type to welcome guests.
The camera followed Fang Huai as he stepped forward, hand reaching for the doorknob. He gently pushed the door open.
It was a crisp early winter morning, and the shift in air pressure sent a few delicate snowflakes drifting inside, landing softly on Fang Huai’s hair.
A slender, well-defined hand reached out and brushed the snowflakes from his forehead.
“Good morning.” The newcomer spoke in a low voice.
The four people inside fell silent.
So did the live chat.
Many viewers instinctively rubbed their eyes, unable to believe what they were seeing.
Omg he joined ?