Chapter 6: It's a Secret
Yin Chengjue was actually no stranger to Rong Yu. In his past life, Rong Yu had been Ming Qian’s rival.
Both started as complete unknowns—no company, no background—and both first entered the public eye through the idol survival show Hey Brother, Let’s Debut!, eventually debuting as the first and second-place winners.
Their similar debut backgrounds, coupled with their equally striking looks, inevitably led to constant comparisons between them.
Marketing accounts clearly understood this well and frequently forced the two into the same frame, deliberately inciting fan wars.
Over time, their fanbases became sworn enemies.
In his past life, Yin Chengjue had been Ming Qian’s sugar daddy, so naturally, he sided with Ming Qian and harbored deep resentment toward Rong Yu, who was often tied to Ming Qian in discussions. Though he never outright used his influence to suppress Rong Yu, he never showed him any kindness either.
But looking back now, if anyone was truly "clinging for exposure," it was Ming Qian who benefited more. Rong Yu had the looks, the talent, and strong professional skills, while Ming Qian couldn’t sing, couldn’t dance, and couldn’t act. Even in variety shows, his bland personality failed to entertain, forcing him to cling to his "gentle, noble prince" persona, standing stiffly among lively crowds. His fans praised him for being "dignified," but in reality, he just seemed out of place.
Yin Chengjue truly didn’t understand how he could have been so blind in his past life to fall for someone as fake as Ming Qian.
After the first episode of Hey Brother, Let’s Debut! aired, it quickly sparked massive reactions, with several related hashtags climbing the trending charts. However, what surprised Yin Chengjue was that Rong Yu, who had delivered the most outstanding performance, didn’t appear in any of the trending topics.
This was the difference between having a company backing you and having none.
Not everyone had the time to watch a brand-new show, so the clips circulating on the trending page shaped their first impressions.
Just as Yin Chengjue was debating whether to lend Rong Yu a hand, the official Hey Brother, Let’s Debut! account released another edited clip—this time featuring short interviews with the contestants.
The questions were simple: Why did you join Hey Brother, Let’s Debut? How would you define yourself? What would you do if you were eliminated?
The contestants’ answers were wildly creative. One claimed his company was on the verge of bankruptcy and had staked everything on him and his team—success meant prosperity, failure meant going back to farming.
Another admitted he was a die-hard fan of one of the show’s mentors and joined just to get closer to his idol, saying he’d have no regrets even if eliminated.
Yet another cheerfully shared that he’d gotten plastic surgery, was pleased with the results, and wanted to show off his new face—oh, and also let people hear him sing.
...And so on.
In short, the cliched "I’m here for my dreams" responses no longer captivated audiences. Instead, the contestants’ unconventional remarks had viewers laughing and remembering them for their humor.
But Rong Yu took it a step further. During his interview, he outright stated that he joined the show to get the attention of someone he had a crush on.
Most idols lose fans if they date, and getting married often means career suicide. Yet here was Rong Yu, not even debuted yet, boldly admitting on camera that he had feelings for someone. That took guts.
The interviewer naturally followed up by asking who the object of his affection was, only for Rong Yu to press a finger to his smiling lips.
"It’s a secret~"
Yin Chengjue initially thought Rong Yu’s answer would drive fans away, but the comment section was instead flooded with laughter.
Dreaming of Him: Is this interview a contest for who can scare off their looks-based fans the fastest? [confused face]
Watched Hey Brother, Let’s Debut! Today: That contestant who said his company bet everything on him—do you realize you just exposed that your team has financial backing? Your teammates must be crying right now.
Just Sold a Cute: If your company’s "everything" can’t even buy a trending hashtag for one or two of you, that’s just tragic.
I Want Those Boys: I bet a cucumber that the guy who admitted to plastic surgery is secretly promoting that clinic—and he succeeded.
Looks Are Everything: @I Want Those Boys More than succeeded! I wouldn’t have guessed he had work done if he hadn’t said it. But his singing really is good—that part can’t be faked.
Rong Yu’s First Fan: Did you think admitting you have a crush would make me leave? No! You’ve only forced me to become your mom fan!
As Yin Chengjue scrolled through the comments, he figured Rong Yu didn’t need his help just yet—the new fans seemed positive.
But just as the interview was earning praise and laughs, a new hashtag quietly appeared on the trending list: #TheyLookSoGoodTogether.
Yin Chengjue had been about to log off and attend to other matters when he accidentally clicked on the tag—only to be greeted by Ming Qian’s nauseatingly smug face.
Ming Qian hadn’t even appeared in the first episode of Hey Brother, Let’s Debut!, so logically, he shouldn’t have been trending. Yet somehow, not only was he trending, but it was for being shipped with someone else.
And that someone was none other than Rong Yu, the episode’s standout star.
Interviewer: Who’s the person you have a crush on?
Rong Yu: It’s a secret~
Interviewer: Why do you like them?
Hmm
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