The Allure of the Stage

A few seconds of silence hung heavy in the auditorium, as the audience remained lost in the emotions of the performance.

Just as the audience began to assume the act had concluded, a sudden flourish of zither strings pierced the background music.

Synchronized with the resonant strumming, the young man trembled in agony, slowly lowering his gaze to his own chest. It was then revealed: the retaliatory strike of enemy soldiers against him, the assassin, after witnessing their monarch’s demise. Having long foreseen this outcome, he held no regrets.

Like a broken butterfly, the young man gracefully collapsed to the ground.

Jian Ye, utilizing a touch of pigment hidden within his sleeve, deftly smeared it across his lips from an angle unseen by the audience, dragging it down from the corner of his mouth to his jawline.

A tragic crimson streak marred his fair face.

The background screen on the stage began to flash images of his homeland’s grasslands, the vast sky, and blooming flowers—a final, fleeting montage of the young man’s life.

The spotlight in the center of the stage cast a circular beam upon the fallen youth.

Jian Ye raised his hand three times, each gesture lower than the last, mimicking his heartbeats as they gradually faded. As the lights dimmed in conjunction with his performance, the stage plunged into increasing darkness, ultimately surrendering to night and death.

The venue remained silent for three seconds. Then, all the lights flared back on.

Jian Ye and his companions were already standing in a long line on the stage, bowing in gratitude.

The host began to cue the next segment. “Thank you to this group of lovely dancers for bringing us such a spectacular performance! Did everyone enjoy the show?”

At this, the venue erupted once more, with applause sweeping through like a tidal wave.

[Ahhhhh, I’m dead, I’m dead, I’m dead! Mom! He’s truly beautiful!]
[I thought it would be an open ending. I don’t care, that arrow was shot straight at me! It hit me, so we’re bound!]
[Sister upstairs, your abacus beads are practically bouncing off my face! After watching this performance, will any of us still have the heart to watch the next acts?]
[I think the people performing next are under immense pressure. There’s no way to compete; this act was simply too brilliant!]
[If the Spring Festival Gala had a dance like this, would I ever miss it?]
[I’ve screen-recorded it, everyone! I’m going back to watch it several times!]
[Now I’m just curious what the name of this freshman dance student is. I’ll check their campus forum later; I refuse to believe I can’t dig him up!]
[He seems incredibly talented. He’s only a freshman and dances this well; his future is limitless.]

Jin Bo was already too engrossed to monitor the comments; even he himself was stunned.

He prided himself on having little interest in artistic performances, typically only attending for his sister’s sake. Yet, the recent act had genuinely captivated him, leaving him profoundly moved. He turned his head, intending to check on Qiu Yuelun, only to find that the other man had awakened at some point. Qiu Yuelun was now staring intently at the center of the stage, his eyes sparkling.

Jin Bo stroked his chin, a playful smile gracing his lips. He nudged Qiu Yuelun with his elbow. “Hey, Brother Yuelun, what do you think of this one? Not like those common, vulgar types, is he?”

Qiu Yuelun remained silent, simply pressing his lips together.

Jin Bo understood him instantly, seeing right through his thoughts. He chuckled, “If you like him, we can go backstage right now to ask for his WeChat. Or I could have my sister ask. They’re all from Yunjing University of Media and Communication; finding out who this handsome young man is shouldn’t be difficult.”

Qiu Yuelun clenched his fist. “Watch your mouth. Don’t cause trouble.”

After the curtain call, the performers exited from both sides, heading backstage.

Jian Ye was still struggling to catch his breath. The physical stamina of this body was simply too poor; completing the performance had already pushed him to his limit. A fine sheen of sweat covered his forehead, the tip of his nose, and his back.

Li Xiangchi tossed him a clean towel. “Ah Ye, you didn’t make a single mistake just now. It was much better than the rehearsal!”

Jian Ye offered a faint smile. “Indeed. It’s all thanks to everyone’s help and care.”

The others waved their hands. “Little Yezi, we’re brothers who’ve been through battle together. Why are you still being so polite?”
“Besides, you’re naturally gifted. We barely helped, and you just understood it all yourself.”
“If you keep being so humble, it’ll sound like humblebragging.”
“When the rest of us left and Little Yezi was doing his solo dance on stage, I saw the audience completely dumbfounded.”
“Hahahaha, after all, who wouldn’t get lost in the beauty of our class flower?”

Jian Ye wasn’t sure how his performance had gone, but hearing the thunderous applause after it ended, he thought it must have been quite successful. Especially when he performed the archery scene, his gaze had met Yi Siyu’s in the first row.

That man’s eyes seemed to want to devour him, causing Jian Ye a momentary lapse in concentration. He had never seen Yi Siyu wear such an expression—one filled with intense desire, madness, and a tearing hunger.

[System 748: Host, you’ve achieved the second stage milestone. Do you have any thoughts?]
[Jian Ye: When did that happen!?]
[System 748: It prompted you, Host!]
[Jian Ye: Ah, I was too focused. I didn’t notice.]
[System 748: Oh well. It’s fine.]

[Ding—Congratulations, Host, on achieving the second stage objective! You have been awarded the title “Intermediate Tea Art Master.”]
[Ding—Reward activated! You now have permanent access to “The Fragrance of Spring Blossoms.”]

[Jian Ye: The fragrance of spring blossoms? What kind of smell is that?]
[System 748: It’s a scent that can only be understood intuitively, not described in words! It’s a change to your body, Host!]
[Jian Ye: So, it’s body odor then?]
[System 748: The intensity of this fragrance can change with the Host’s mood and level of physical pleasure.]
[Jian Ye: What you’re saying sounds like pheromones, though not entirely… Don’t tell me this is still an ABO setting! I was already shocked enough just knowing about your system!]
[System 748: Oh, it won’t be like that. The Host will understand later.]

Seeing the system flash a mischievous grin in his mind, Jian Ye had an ominous premonition. How could a system be so lewd?

He had just finished messaging Yi Siyu, telling him he could leave if he didn’t want to watch the subsequent acts. All the performers had to wait until the entire showcase concluded for a group photo during the final curtain call, which would be archived as part of the school’s annual highlight reel.

[Yu: It’s fine, I’ll wait for you.]

The reply came swiftly, just a few words, yet they brought a sense of calm. Jian Ye smiled faintly at his phone. Just then, someone called his name.

He turned his head to see Mo Huan standing not far away, his gaze burning as he looked at him.

“Senior Mo.” Jian Ye put away his phone and took a few steps. “Why are you backstage? Aren’t you watching the rest of the show?”

Seeing this vibrant person before him again filled Mo Huan with an indescribable excitement. He had expected Jian Ye’s dancing to be beautiful, but he had not anticipated it would be so profoundly moving. As a performing arts student, Mo Huan could even more deeply appreciate the emotions Jian Ye had conveyed on stage. From the beginning to the end of the performance, his fingers had trembled involuntarily, and there were several moments of emotional outburst that gave him goosebumps.

Jian Ye was more than just a dancer; he was a performer, an exceptional conveyor of emotion. The choreography was layered, with emotional reversals and progressions, and the storyline constantly delivered surprises. Today, Mo Huan not only admired Jian Ye’s professional skill but was also deeply captivated by his radiant presence on stage.

Such a handsome and capable young man truly resonated with him; he was his ideal type. So, when Jian Ye’s performance concluded, Mo Huan couldn’t sit still for another moment.

This senior, usually as gentle as jade, now had a faint flush on his face, subtly hidden in the dim light. Upon seeing the person he had been longing for, he instinctively called out their name.

Watching Jian Ye walk towards him, Mo Huan’s breathing quickened. He squeezed the side of his trousers, wiping the sweat from his palms, and pretended to be calm as he said, “I knew you could do it. Your performance just now was absolutely perfect, more impressive than any act I’ve seen in all these years.”

No one dislikes being praised. Jian Ye’s heart naturally swelled with happiness at Mo Huan’s words, and he softly replied, “Thank you.”

“Little Ye, I… can I call you that?” Mo Huan’s heart was pounding, fearful the young man would refuse.

But Jian Ye didn’t overthink it. “Of course.” After all, everyone called him Little Yezi.

The young man’s reply was sweet and soft, just like him. Mo Huan imagined he caught a faint scent from Jian Ye, different from perfume—so subtle that one might not notice it without a close whiff. He couldn’t quite place it as a fruit or floral fragrance, but it was incredibly fresh.

He felt an urge to follow this scent and draw closer to the young man, but Jian Ye gracefully stepped back at that moment. “I apologize, Senior Mo, but my classmates are calling me over…”

Mo Huan, realizing he had almost lost his composure, quickly said, “Ah, no problem! Go ahead and take care of your business. How about we all go out for dinner after the show ends? You can invite your classmates too; my treat!”

Jian Ye remembered Yi Siyu waiting in the audience and replied with some difficulty, “Sorry, I need to go home for dinner tonight. Someone is waiting for me there.”

Mo Huan felt a pang of awkwardness but quickly composed himself. “Oh, I see. That’s a pity, then. Next time, perhaps.”

Watching the young man’s light steps and retreating figure gradually vanish from sight, a feeling of disappointment swiftly consumed his mind. He realized then how deeply he yearned to be with this person, even if it was just to talk or share a meal; it could bring him endless joy.

First row of the audience.

Though Yi Siyu remained seated, his thoughts had long drifted from the stage. The subsequent performances held little meaning for him. He had only ever seen Jian Ye practicing in his training clothes at home, never before in performance attire with makeup, dancing.

Today’s dance had nearly stolen his soul.

Seeing the young man’s fair waist occasionally exposed, he felt an urge to cover it with his jacket, to wrap him up completely, allowing no one but himself to see.

‘Dressing so revealingly, who is he trying to show off for?’
‘It’s a boon for all those infatuated spectators below.’ Yi Siyu grumbled inwardly, seething with resentment.

Yi Siyu had seen the wild Jian Ye from his dossier in a bar, the pitiful Jian Ye on the street in real life, the innocent Jian Ye in a café. Today, for the first time, he witnessed the young man’s captivating and seductive side.

It was like a poppy, luring one into a sea of sin.