Xu Baichuan’s head throbbed. He wanted to go back in time and slap himself hard several times.
Making you do CP business—now look what happened!
Had he known this would happen, he should have firmly opposed MoFang CP business from the start. FTM could have become popular through singing and dancing ability alone.
Now these two had actually fallen for each other—as their manager, he really wanted to go crazy.
Seeing Old Xu’s terrible expression, Mo Xun said quietly: “Brother Xu, don’t worry. Yinnian and I have never been photographed by outsiders. Before the concerts ended, we didn’t dare hold hands outside. Only recently, these past six months, we’ve been secretly together at the base.”
“The villa district is very safe—no one would know. We’re not rushing to go public either. It won’t affect our careers or FTM’s future development. We’ll continue being together privately. We told you all because we wanted you to be mentally prepared. Moreover, Yinnian and I have always considered everyone family—we didn’t want to keep hiding from you all.”
This word “family” made Xu Baichuan’s eyes slightly redden. From small unknown group to today’s domestic entertainment TOP boy group, he as their manager had watched them walk step by step to today—truly not easy.
But the entertainment industry had too much scheming, countless people wanting to step on them to rise, competitors trying every means to dig up dirt. Mo Xun and Yinnian were both men—homosexuality wasn’t easily accepted by the public.
Once their relationship was exposed, it would become a scandal.
They could forget about TV programs and it would affect both their careers.
Xu Baichuan was internally conflicted. Looking at these two’s attitudes, they’d decided to be together. Was it too late for him to break up the couple now?
Fang Yinnian asked softly: “Brother Xu, can you understand us?”
Xu Baichuan took a deep breath: “If I don’t understand, would you two separate?”
The two said in perfect sync: “No.”
Xu Baichuan rolled his eyes: “Then why are you even asking! Does my opinion matter? I don’t understand, I really don’t understand! You two straight men—if you’re really lonely, couldn’t you find reliable girlfriends instead of dating teammates? Huh?”
Mo Xun said: “But I only like Yinnian and only want to date Yinnian.”
Fang Yinnian said: “I also only like Mo Xun.”
Everyone: “…”
Xu Baichuan pressed his forehead with a completely defeated expression.
Tan Junwen chuckled while touching his nose: “Cough, since they like each other and decided to be together, we don’t need to be the villains breaking up the couple, right?”
Fu Fei’s brain had crashed for a while before finally recovering. He looked at Mo Xun, then at Fang Yinnian, scratching his head thoughtfully: “Brother Mo and Brother Nian are really together? It seems… quite suitable actually.”
Xu Baichuan slapped him: “Suitable my ass!”
Tang Che raised an eyebrow: “They didn’t suddenly like each other. Back then, when we went out, Yinnian inexplicably changed hotel rooms, refusing to room with Mo Xun and insisting on staying with me instead. I sensed something was off then.”
Fang Yinnian: “…”
Xu Baichuan carefully recalled, quickly remembering this incident, looking at them in surprise: “You two avoided each other then because… you liked each other?”
Mo Xun nodded: “Exactly.”
Xu Baichuan slapped his own thigh hard—what a miscalculation!
He never expected two straight men to bend each other—too careless.
Fang Yinnian felt somewhat embarrassed, lowering his head: “My mind was very confused then. I wanted to avoid Mo Xun, so I used Tang Che as a shield.” He looked at Tang Che, saying quietly: “Tang Che, I’m sorry…”
Tang Che reached out to gently ruffle Fang Yinnian’s hair: “What’s to be sorry about? You weren’t even 20 then. Suddenly liking a boy, especially your own teammate—confusion and panic were normal. Now you’re both more mature than before. Since after all these years you still want to be together, I believe you’ve seriously considered this. I’ll support your decision.”
His understanding words warmed Fang Yinnian’s heart.
Tan Junwen suddenly smiled: “Two men together will face a very difficult path. So Mo Xun and Yinnian need our understanding even more, don’t they? If even we, their closest friends, can’t understand and support them, how sad would they be? Right, Brother Xu?”
Xu Baichuan: “…”
Junwen’s words were like a bucket of cold water poured from overhead, chilling him to the bone.
That’s right—Fang Yinnian and Mo Xun knew this path would be difficult. They must have struggled internally, felt conflicted, even considered giving up. But now that they’d firmly chosen to be together, this showed they truly seriously liked each other.
It hadn’t been easy for them to get together either.
If even their closest friends couldn’t understand, how sad would they be?
Thinking this, Xu Baichuan instantly softened.
The two were willing to tell everyone—they must also be hoping for everyone’s understanding and support, right?
Since it was a done deal, could he really forcibly separate these two? Mo Xun had always been opinionated, and Yinnian was very firm on matters of principle. These two wouldn’t easily change decisions they’d made.
Even breaking up the couple wouldn’t work!
Xu Baichuan rubbed his temples, saying helplessly: “Since I can’t break you up, then I… will try to help you from now on. If you don’t want to go public, continue doing MoFang CP business. If you want to go public, find an appropriate time and give me advance notice so I can prepare PR plans.”
He paused: “However, restrain yourselves in public—mind the influence!”
Mo Xun walked over to hug him: “Thank you, Brother Xu.”
Tan Junwen said: “So everyone’s opinions are unified, right? Supporting these two being together?”
Tang Che said flatly: “I support them.”
Xiao Fei immediately raised his hand: “I support all of Brother Mo and Brother Nian’s decisions!”
Fang Yinnian and Mo Xun looked at each other and smiled—the friends they valued most were willing to understand and support them. What did outsiders’ opinions matter then?
After coming clean with their teammates and manager, both finally felt completely at ease.
Tan Junwen gossiped with Mo Xun about many details of their relationship—when they first developed feelings, when they confessed, how far their relationship had progressed…
Tang Che raised an eyebrow: “Can you stop shipping CP in person, CP fan leader? Isn’t this awkward?”
Tan Junwen smiled: “Not awkward at all. I always thought Brother Mo and Yinnian were perfect for each other, but since they were both straight, I could only secretly ship them. Now that they’re actually together, can’t I openly ship them?”
Everyone: “…”
Fang Yinnian and Mo Xun looked at each other. No wonder Tan Junwen had actively persuaded their manager to support them.
Who would have thought—the internet’s biggest MoFang CP fan leader was right beside them.
***
December year-end would have many activities. FTM had agreed on “solo without disbanding,” so for year-end New Year galas, all five tacitly agreed to perform together.
After weighing comparisons, Xu Baichuan ultimately accepted Nanxing TV’s invitation because Xiao Fei would host Nanxing TV’s New Year gala for the first time. TV station leadership valued him highly, so everyone gave face to their youngest member, going to support the TV station where he’d signed his hosting contract.
This thrilled TV station leadership.
They’d courted one Fu Fei and ended up attracting a whole team of big shots.
FTM had been touring nationally in the first half of the year, with individual solo activities in the second half—no new group songs. This New Year, they seriously prepared, selecting two representative works with re-choreographed dances.
Their knife formation dances remained imposing, with live singing and dancing skills increasingly impressive.
Their five-member performance indeed became a classic stage audiences praised endlessly.
After New Year, Mo Xun would attend a film festival awards ceremony.
The film festival organizers knew FTM’s current popularity was very high, so they invited Mo Xun’s four teammates as guests for support. The four teammates graciously attended.
After Mo Xun walked the red carpet with his crew, he specially ran out to accompany his teammates for another walk.
Netizens joked: “Mo Xun is truly a master of balance.”
“Can’t neglect teammates—otherwise he’d have to kneel on a washboard when he gets home.”
“Hahaha teammates could add two extra spoonfuls of salt to his rice bowl—Brother Mo knows what’s what.”
This film festival gathered many A-listers. Though Mo Xun’s “Witness” ranked as the historical champion of suspense films with 3 billion box office, he was still a newcomer in cinema.
He could only compete for newcomer awards.
This year’s film industry had quite a few emerging new actors, some with financial backing and resources. Of course, Mo Xun was a very strong candidate. If they didn’t award this 3-billion-box-office newcomer but gave it to others instead, it would be hard to convince audiences.
The host announced: “The winner of the 20th Film Festival Best Newcomer Award is—’Witness,’ Mo Xun!”
His four teammates immediately applauded excitedly.
The camera focused on Mo Xun as he stood up, first forcefully hugging Fang Yinnian.
Fang Yinnian smiled and patted his shoulder: “You’re amazing, congratulations.”
Mo Xun happily nuzzled Fang Yinnian’s shoulder hollow, hugged his brothers in turn, then embraced the crew’s director and screenwriter before going on stage to accept the award.
This was his first high-value award as an actor.
Best Newcomer Award.
His first film’s great success was a good beginning for him. When his acting skills continued improving in the future, he would definitely win Best Actor.
***
During year-end and early year, the five appeared together at many galas, also shooting a magazine and two commercial events under Xu Baichuan’s arrangements.
After finishing this period, Spring Festival was approaching. Mo Xun actively requested their manager give everyone vacation time. Xu Baichuan knew they’d worked hard all year and readily gave everyone a month’s New Year holiday.
This was their longest vacation since debut.
The three other teammates went home to their hometowns.
Mo Xun asked: “Yinnian, can I go back to Binzhou with you?”
Fang Yinnian was stunned: “You’re not going home for New Year?”
Mo Xun smiled at him: “Don’t you remember our promise?”
They’d once promised that when winter snow fell, Mo Xun would go north with Fang Yinnian to see snow. However, various circumstances had repeatedly delayed this.
Fang Yinnian certainly remembered this unfulfilled promise.
Mo Xun had also kept it in his heart.
Meeting the man’s expectant gaze, Fang Yinnian smiled and nodded: “Alright, let’s go see snow together this year.”
Binzhou had no airport—they could only take high-speed rail.
Mo Xun booked business class seats, boarding with Fang Yinnian fully disguised in sunglasses and masks.
But they were still recognized.
Two girls also in business class excitedly whispered: “Oh my god, is that Mo Xun?” “The person next to him looks like Yinnian.” “Ahhh, it really is them!”
Moments later, they boldly approached with notebooks and pens: “H-hello, are you Mo Xun? I absolutely love your ‘Witness’—could you give me an autograph?”
Mo Xun graciously took the notebook to sign: “Thank you.”
The girl continued: “Excuse me, are you Yinnian?”
Fang Yinnian looked up at them. The two immediately said: “We absolutely love you! Your songs are so beautiful—we’ve listened to every one countless times. Our phone ringtones are your ‘Jiangnan Misty Rain.'”
Fang Yinnian took the notebook to sign for them, smiling: “Thank you for liking them.”
They excitedly took the notebooks: “Brother Mo, Yinnian, keep fighting—we’ll always support you!”
Mo Xun said gently: “Thank you. Please don’t mention meeting us on the train yet, okay? After we get off, you can show off the autographs. Also don’t tell anyone where we’re going—I don’t want our itinerary leaked.”
They were stunned, then quickly nodded: “No problem, we won’t leak your itinerary!”
The train was about to start. They didn’t want to disturb them further and quickly returned to their seats.
The journey to Binzhou took ten hours. Mo Xun worried that if their itinerary leaked, sasaeng fans might follow midway. These two fans were quite obedient, not revealing their whereabouts.
They successfully arrived in Binzhou and exited the station.
That evening, the two fans couldn’t resist showing off their autographs on Weibo: “Ahhh encountered Brother Mo and Yinnian on the high-speed rail and got autographs! Both were so gentle—I’m fulfilled!”
CP fans seeing the autographs: “…”
“Holy crap! What’s happening? Are they traveling alone?”
“Three teammates aren’t there—just MoFang CP? Ahhh am I shipping something real?”
“Those are definitely Brother Mo and Yinnian’s handwriting—so jealous 555 I want autographs too”
“They really gave you autographs without avoiding suspicion?”
The more openly they acted without avoiding suspicion, the less outsiders would suspect them.
CP fans continued shipping to death, imagining countless fan scenarios.
Mo Xun followed Fang Yinnian home.
Actually, Fang Yinnian didn’t want to bring Mo Xun to meet his family so early. But since Mo Xun had come to Binzhou to see snow, not inviting him to sit at home would seem rude. Plus Mo Xun had enthusiastically bought many gifts for his parents and grandmother, so Fang Yinnian went with the flow and brought him home.
Mo Xun carried large and small gift bags with Fang Yinnian to the door.
As soon as it opened, he saw grandmother’s familiar face.
The old lady smiled lovingly and kindly. Seeing him and Yinnian, her eyes lit up as she quickly said: “Mo Xun’s here! Come in, come in! Yinnian, find new slippers for your captain—they’re in the cabinet.”
Fang Yinnian responded, finding shoes for Mo Xun to change into.
In the living room, Fang Yinnian’s parents were watching TV. Mo Xun politely greeted them: “Hello, Uncle and Auntie.”
Yinnian’s father immediately approached: “Mo Xun, Yinnian said you came to Binzhou to see snow scenery? Ah, why did you bring so many things? Too polite!”
Mo Xun smiled: “This is my first time at Yinnian’s house—I couldn’t come empty-handed. I bought some gifts for Uncle, Auntie, and Grandmother—consider it an early New Year greeting.”
He placed several shopping bags side by side on the table. The packaging was exquisite, clearly valuable. Yinnian’s father touched his nose: “Buying so much—you spent too much money.”
Fang Yinnian smiled: “Dad, please accept them. It’s Mo Xun’s thoughtfulness.”
Father had to accept the gifts: “Then thank you.”
Yinnian’s mother remained calm: “Come sit. We’re about to eat.”
Mo Xun and Fang Yinnian washed their hands and came to the dining room together.
Grandmother had personally cooked today, making a large table of sumptuous food to welcome them.
After dinner started, Father asked: “How many days is your vacation this time?”
Fang Yinnian said: “One month.”
Grandmother immediately became happy: “Then you can rest at home for several days, right?”
Mo Xun agreed: “Exactly. Yinnian has rarely come home since debut, then went abroad to study—too little time with family. This time our manager gave us a month’s long vacation, so we can properly spend New Year at home.”
Fang Yinnian’s eyes curved: “That’s right. I’ll stay home until after Lantern Festival before returning to Jiangzhou.”
Grandmother smiled broadly: “That’s wonderful! Grandmother will make tangyuan for you then. It’s been five years… no, six years since you spent Lantern Festival with us, right?”
Fang Yinnian also felt guilty: “Yes, this year I’ll spend it with you all.”
After debut he’d indeed been too busy, missing several New Year’s Eve dinners with family due to participating in TV spring festivals. Though family didn’t say anything, they must have missed him greatly, right?
This year he could spend more time with them.
While also preparing them mentally for his eventual coming out.
Mother actively asked: “What about Mo Xun? How many days will you stay in Binzhou this time?”
Mo Xun replied: “Auntie, I’ll stay four days this time, seeing Binzhou’s snow scenery with Yinnian and trying some snow activities. I need to return home before New Year’s Eve to spend New Year with my family.”
Dad smiled and said: “You two are busy outside all year round—you should indeed spend more time with family when you have the chance.”
Grandma served Mo Xun a piece of spare rib, saying: “By the way, Yinnian recommended we watch you in ‘Witness.’ We went to the cinema together to see it—you played that police officer so well!”
Mo Xun looked at Fang Yinnian, meeting his smiling eyes.
—Was this building goodwill with his family in advance?
Fang Yinnian said proudly: “Mo Xun just won the Film Festival’s Best Newcomer Award, and his movie is currently the historical box office champion among Chinese suspense films.”
Grandma was surprised: “Champion? That impressive?”
Mo Xun chuckled lightly: “I’m just a newcomer in cinema—I need to keep working hard. My next movie has finished filming. When it premieres, I’ll invite you all to watch again.”
Grandma said: “Wonderful! When neighbors ask in the future, I can say I know this actor!”
Mo Xun got along very well with Fang Yinnian’s family.
He was naturally cheerful and talkative, making grandma beam with smiles. She even actively invited Mo Xun to stay overnight, which he graciously accepted, staying in Yinnian’s guest room.
Of course, the family didn’t currently know they were dating.
Fang Yinnian’s reason for bringing Mo Xun home was “our captain wants to see Binzhou’s snow scenery, so I’m being his tour guide for a few days.”
Yinnian had few friends growing up, but his relationship with FTM teammates was especially good. This being his first time bringing a friend home, the family was naturally very enthusiastic toward Mo Xun.
Fang Yinnian wanted to gradually prepare his family mentally. Since they were both still young and not rushing to go public, waiting until Mo Xun became familiar with the family and they all liked him before explaining might be more acceptable.
***
These days coincidentally brought heavy snowfall, and Binzhou’s snow scenery was famous nationwide.
As a southerner, Mo Xun was seeing such spectacular snow scenery for the first time.
Fang Yinnian took him up the mountain by cable car. Looking down from the summit, the entire city was covered in pristine white snow, like a clean, pure fairy tale kingdom.
Fang Yinnian smiled: “Weren’t you curious how I wrote ‘Listening to Snow’? When it snowed that year, I came to this mountain to watch the snow, got inspiration, returned home that evening, and wrote it while listening to the wind and snow outside my window.”
Thinking of the 16-year-old boy seriously writing songs, Mo Xun’s heart filled with tenderness.
—This was where Yinnian grew up. Compared to Jiangzhou’s towering prosperity, this place was more like a paradise. The white snowy landscape could calm one’s heart.
Fang Yinnian’s character seemed influenced by his hometown too. In the entertainment industry’s complex environment, he still maintained a snow-pure heart—truly precious.
Mo Xun said gently: “I love it here. Your hometown is beautiful.”
Fang Yinnian’s eyes curved: “I think so too. Though not as prosperous as Jiangzhou with less favorable climate than the south, it’s beautiful here, especially when it snows in winter—every casual photo is scenic.”
Mo Xun suggested: “How about we take a selfie?”
Fang Yinnian leaned his head over: “Sure.”
Mo Xun took out his phone. They both made peace signs as Mo Xun snapped a photo, then took several more of the surrounding snow scenery.
That evening, Mo Xun directly posted a nine-photo grid on Weibo, openly saying: “Thanks to professional tour guide @FTM Fang Yinnian for taking me to see snow scenery. As a southerner seeing such thick snow for the first time, it’s too beautiful [heart]”
Fang Yinnian reposted his Weibo: “Glad you had fun—remember to transfer the tour guide fee [heart]”
CP fans: “Ahhh you two are feeding us sugar again?”
“Love this open CP business ^^”
“Posting about traveling together for us to see—being secretive is too annoying~”
“Have fun, you two—rounding up, we’ll consider this your honeymoon”
“Oh so sweet, how will you pay the tour guide fee, Mo Xun?”
“Just devote yourself to him!”
Besides teammates and their manager knowing they were dating, everyone else in entertainment thought they were doing business—after all, the more open they were, the less real it seemed.
But CP fans shipped them to death, with MoFang CP super topic topping charts again.
***
After the snow stopped, Fang Yinnian took Mo Xun to try various snow activities: sledding, ice sliding cars, snowmobiles, snow bumper balls, etc.
Growing up in the south, Mo Xun was experiencing these fun winter sports for the first time, having a blast with Yinnian’s companionship. Since they’d already publicly announced their snow viewing on Weibo, even when encountering passersby or fans, they’d openly take photos and sign autographs.
On Mo Xun’s last day in Binzhou, Fang Yinnian spent considerable money booking a VIP ski resort to take Mo Xun skiing alone. He actively extended his hand: “I’ll hold you—we’ll slide together slowly, you learn from me.”
Mo Xun’s lips curved: “Good.”
Through their gloves, they held each other’s hands, sliding down the snowy slope together from the summit.
After several runs, both had great fun.
After getting tired, Mo Xun suddenly said: “Yinnian, lie down with me for a while.”
Seeing him lying spread-eagle in the snow, Fang Yinnian sat down and lay beside him.
The VIP ski resort had no outside disturbances. Mo Xun and Fang Yinnian in black ski suits lay side by side on the white snowy ground, looking up at the crystal-clear blue sky as if the whole world contained only them.
Mo Xun gently grasped Fang Yinnian’s hand through their gloves, saying quietly: “Yinnian, I’ve been so happy these days. Let’s make another promise, okay? I want to go to more places with you in the future.”
Fang Yinnian turned to look at him, asking softly: “Where else do you want to go?”
Mo Xun said: “Let’s see grasslands, deserts, waterfalls, aurora… The world is so big—anywhere is fine as long as you’re beside me.”
Fang Yinnian’s heart stirred as his eyes curved: “Alright, whenever we have vacations in the future, we’ll travel together.”
Anywhere was fine—what mattered was having someone beloved beside you.
So let this be their new promise.
They would see many different landscapes together and keep walking forward together.
**
