Chapter 79: My Brother
The heated online speculation didn’t last long. The camera returned to the stage, where the eliminated trainees performed again, tears flowing freely.
Just as the trending topics were filled with news about the “Shining Boys” finals, a few shocking revelations silently appeared, spreading like a virus through various rankings and online groups.
#YeXingyiAttendsInternationalSchool#
#YeXingyiFakePovertyPersona#
#YeXingyiRealNameRongXingyi#
It was clear that Rong Xingyi was being targeted.
Netizens didn’t know his actual family situation. Judging by the leaked information online, Rong Xingyi attended a well-known international school, its annual tuition higher than most families’ annual income, His student ID photo was also leaked, along with testimonies from his classmates, it wasn’t just a rumor.
And the few times he mentioned his family situation during the show, it was a picture of poverty and hardship, making fans want to become his mother, showering him with sympathy and affection.
And now, they were being told that Rong Xingyi, a wealthy young master, had been faking his poverty, playing the victim, and they actually believed him?
There were other trainees from wealthy families, and being a rich kid was a popular persona, but feigning poverty to gain sympathy while enjoying a luxurious life, wasn’t that treating his fans, who worked so hard to support him, like fools??
This revelation hit a nerve with netizens, quickly turning into public condemnation.
Some rational fans tried to defend him, calling for people to wait for his response after the finals, but to the righteous passersby, that was unacceptable. If he was allowed to debut through deception, it would be much harder to remove him later!!
Even fans of other trainees joined the fight, those outside the debut spots desperately trying to push him out, those inside afraid of being associated with him, equally determined to resist.
During the live broadcast, the ranking changes were announced every half hour.
Rong Xingyi and Ren Xu, ranked eighth and ninth, the most precarious yet also the most promising positions, a reminder for fans to vote diligently.
Passersby and fans of other trainees spontaneously called for everyone to vote for Ren Xu, to prevent one bad apple from spoiling the bunch…
Rong Xingyi, oblivious to this, was waiting backstage for his final performance. And in the lounge, Zhu Minglang paced anxiously like a worried father, first informing Xi Leng about the rumors online.
“It’s probably Huoshu Entertainment,” Zhu Minglang said, “This not only ruins Xiao Yi’s public image, but also gains sympathy for Ren Xu, even dragging fans of other trainees into this, to ensure Ren Xu’s debut.” He continued. “But don’t worry, the boss has prepared evidence proving that you and Xiao Yi… suffered, we’ll release it when Xiao Yi’s on stage, at the peak of viewership.”
Xi Leng hadn’t expected that the life he worked so hard to provide for his brother could be twisted into Rong Xingyi intentionally feigning poverty and deceiving everyone, a strange feeling in his heart, he and Rong Xingyi enjoyed a life they didn’t deserve, there was always a price to pay, wasn’t there?
But Min Zhi, prepared for this, was going to clean up this mess for them.
The strange feeling in his heart persisted, at least the bitterness had lessened somewhat.
“Don’t tell Xiao Yi about this yet, wait until after his performance.” Xi Leng calmly made his decision, then asked Zhu Minglang, “If I post a statement online now, saying that I’m Xiao Yi’s older brother, would that work? The fans know I’m not wealthy, I was only able to send Xiao Yi to an international school after entering the entertainment industry…”
Zhu Minglang smiled mysteriously: “No need, you just watch Xiao Yi’s performance here, the cameraman will come over later, you can prepare yourself.”
Xi Leng was puzzled.
He was used to being filmed and didn’t mind appearing on the live stream again, so he nodded in agreement.
As a trainee’s individual performance ended, the host appeared on stage amid the cheers and applause, announcing the name of the next performer—Ye Xingyi.
His fans screamed excitedly, waving their support items, but there were also whispers, the atmosphere in the venue strangely tense.
“Next, we have Ye Xingyi performing ‘Starlight’ with a guitar. And also, his first original song…” the host announced. “‘My Brother’.”
Xi Leng froze: “Wasn’t he only performing ‘Starlight’ during rehearsal yesterday?”
Zhu Minglang, clearly knowing something, chuckled and said: “His first public performance, I haven’t heard it either.”
The stage lights were dazzling, focused on the teenager in the center. The expressions of the audience were hidden in the darkness, the noisy chatter subsiding as the music’s intro started, colorful light signs swaying.
The comments in the live stream, however, were far less pleasant.
【Just a passerby, curious, did Ye Xingyi really play the victim card on the show? That persona worked really well】
【Many celebrities tried to fake poverty before and failed miserably, all those rich kids still wanting fans’ sympathy?? Didn’t expect fans to still fall for that in 2025, 2333】
【Anyone who can join a survival show at such a young age can’t be poor】
【To be fair, Ye Xingyi’s mom’s outfit seemed quite ordinary. He didn’t exactly change his name to hide his identity, he just took his mom’s surname?】
【I feel like there’s more to this, staying rational, let’s listen to the song first】
【It’s a song Xiao Yi wrote for his ge! Looking forward to it!!!】
Rong Xingyi first performed “Starlight,” a familiar ballad, its lyrics resonating with his journey these past three months.
“Next is my original song…” Rong Xingyi held the microphone, his dimple faintly visible as he spoke softly, “‘My Brother,’ written for my brother, the words I’ve always wanted to tell him.”
The mentors all looked expectant, waiting for his performance.
Rong Xingyi adjusted the microphone.
The large screen behind him and the bottom left corner of the live stream screen simultaneously displayed the song information.
Lyrics: Ye Xingyi
Composition: Ye Xingyi / Min Zhi
Arrangement: Ye Xingyi / Min Zhi
Live stream audience: 【!!!!!!!!!!】
【Min-shen is writing songs again?? Once in a lifetime, aaaaah】
【He probably just helped out a little? His name is written at the back】
【Min-ge helping a trainee with composition and arrangement is even more bizarre???】
【Aaaaah, the subtitles flashed by too quickly, I didn’t see it clearly】
【I saw it, but I thought my eyes were playing tricks on me…】
【No wonder, although Yi Yi was also scolded, but Min-shen seemed relatively gentle with him?】
【Hahahaha that kind of special treatment isn’t easy to handle】
【So, what’s their relationship?? Min-shen coming to be a mentor, could that be because of him too? I knew it, an independent trainee making it to the finals can’t be that simple…】
【Quiet, quiet! It’s starting!!】
Although Min Zhi helped slightly with the composition and arrangement, the lyrics were written solely by Rong Xingyi, perhaps having been sent back for revisions several times by Min Zhi, persistently rewriting and resubmitting until Min Zhi approved.
Hence the current “My Brother.”
Rong Xingyi closed his eyes gently, immersed in his emotions, and started singing his first original song.
His clear and bright tone had already been praised by Min Zhi during his initial stage performance. Those powerful and energetic songs from the previous performances weren’t really suitable for him. Holding the microphone like this, singing quietly, was far more moving.
「Gege, you’re six years older than me, you’re my gege」
「Gege, I’m six years younger than you, I’m your didi」
The gentle melody, the simple and unadorned lyrics, like a clear stream flowing into a ravine, trickling into the listeners’ hearts.
Xi Leng in the lounge stood up, his gaze fixed on the shining figure of his didi on the screen.
「I’m protected by you, it’s only natural」
「But I’ve never protected you」
「I’m timid and cowardly, only knowing how to run and cry」
「And you’re brave and strong, the ideal I long to be」
Xi Leng, hearing this, blinked a few times, thinking silently, that’s not true.
Rong Xingyi’s voice was slightly choked with tears, but he still held the microphone firmly, singing resolutely,
「Gege, don’t hesitate」
「I’ve grown up now, I don’t need you to clip your wings for me」
「Gege, go soar, I also want to see your dreams take flight」
There were a few lines that he spoke rather than sang, but no one considered it a mistake. Instead, deeply moved by his emotions, they cheered for him, their eyes gradually reddening.
「You’re the moonlight in the sky, clear and bright」
「You’re the silent ocean, vast and boundless」
「Gege, you’re my support」
「Finally, someone is there to protect you」
「To protect you…」
The song ended.
Rong Xingyi lowered his head, his soft bangs covering his delicate features.
Countless fans cheered for him, encouraging him, supporting him, loving him deeply.
His hand holding the microphone trembled slightly, his voice choked with sobs as he said,
“Gege, thank you…”
Xi Leng, watching this scene on the big screen, his throat tightening, knowing that Rong Xingyi couldn’t hear him, still couldn’t help but reply softly,
“You’re welcome.”
Just as the lyrics said, he was his gege, six years older, this was what he should do, although he didn’t think he had done it perfectly.
Like that year when he was 17, his sudden departure.
It was already good enough that Rong Xingyi didn’t blame him, he never expected too much.
Unexpectedly, Rong Xingyi raised his head, his beautiful peach blossom eyes red, looking towards the camera, and said again, “Gege, I’m sorry.”
Xi Leng froze.
“I’ve never protected you… sob, sob, I’m sorry…”
Rong Xingyi sobbed uncontrollably on stage.
He repeatedly wiped his tears with his arms, like a three-year-old child.
His makeup was smudged, his hair messy.
But the audience still cheered for him.
“Aaaaah, Xiao Yi, don’t apologize!”
“You’re the best! We love you! Gege also loves you!!”
“Is gege here? It would be a pity if he didn’t hear this live…”
“Gege, did you hear that? This is the song Xiao Yi wrote and sang for you!!”
Even the viewers in the live stream, arguing and discussing, felt a pang of sympathy at this moment.
【Regardless of whether Ye Xingyi was lying or not, at least his feelings for his brother are real】
【I’m crying, sob, sob】
【Their brotherly bond is so touching, so envious…】
【Is his gege not here? That’s such a pity】
【Program team, I’m giving you another chance! Connect with his gege live!!】
Rong Xingyi happened to be the last of the 15 finalists to perform.
After his performance, another round of voting would begin. While waiting, the host reminded him, “Xiao Yi, look at the big screen.”
Rong Xingyi immediately turned to look.
On the screen, a cameraman had just crossed the corridor, arrived at the door of a lounge, and gently pushed the door open.
Zhu Minglang had already left, only Xi Leng was in the lounge.
He was standing in front of the big screen displaying the stage, then turned around when he heard someone enter. The brothers, separated by the camera, finally saw each other.
The millions of viewers, both live and online, finally saw the face of Rong Xingyi’s mysterious gege.
No one spoke, the secret revealed through the switching camera angles. Rong Xingyi, surprised that the program team immediately went to film Xi Leng, stood there frozen, his reaction speaking volumes.
Zhu Minglang had informed Xi Leng that the cameraman was coming, but Xi Leng couldn’t control himself, his most vulnerable side exposed to the countless viewers.
His hair was tied in a loose ponytail tonight, a few curls falling on his shoulders, his skin fair and translucent.
Black hair, pale skin, beautiful and fragile, only those hazel eyes now surrounded by a reddish hue, glistening with unshed tears, as if filled with the melancholy of autumn.
The live stream audience was ecstatic, their comments flooding the screen.
【Holy shit!! I knew it!! So Xi Leng is Yi Yi’s gege, right!? Right, right??】
【Aaaaah, it must be! That instinctive reaction can’t be faked!】
【I suddenly feel like their auras are so similar, a kind of… strong yet fragile feeling, my heart aches, I’m crying】
【Aaaaaah, my bias and my other bias are actually brothers, double the happiness, who understands!!!】
【Sob, sob, sob, although I feel sorry for him, Leng Bao is so beautiful even when crying】
【Although I feel sorry for him, I’m also… drooling…】
【So hot, seriously】
【You guys… Let’s be honest, I’m already licking my screen】
【The cameraman who cries every episode has truly evolved】
【This fragile beauty, aaaaah】
Just then, while Xi Leng was still trying to hold back his tears, another person entered behind the cameraman.
He didn’t seem to mind the camera, walking casually towards Xi Leng, causing another wave of screams in the live stream, but he didn’t speak, just quietly looking at Xi Leng.
After a moment,
Xi Leng couldn’t help but blink, and tears welled up in his eyes, sliding down his wet, dark eyelashes.
Min Zhi looked at him, his lips curving upwards slightly, a hint of amusement in his eyes, his gaze, however, gentle and tender.
“How can someone look so expressionless even when crying?”
