Playing an Ordinary Background Character in a Boy Band Novel

In a boy-band novel, the group's leader, Qin Yi, is an all-around ACE with a rebellious personality and a B-king's swagger. The photo that made him famous outside the fandom is a candid shot of him leaning against a streetlamp, smoking, looking languid and exhausted yet devastatingly sexy. His sensuality is off the charts, but he's also mired in controversy.

The dancer is passionate and vivacious, with dazzling, sumptuous beauty, like that one spot of red repeatedly worked over with layers of paint in an oil painting.

The vocalist comes from a family of musicians. A faint smile is always in his eyes, and his gentle warmth is like a spring breeze.

The youngest member is sweet and well-behaved, with a smile that makes his eyes curve into crescents. Onstage, though, he commands the room, blazing with energy and looking impossibly cool.

As for Jiang Runian, who has transmigrated into this world, he's just an utterly unremarkable background extra in this five-member boy band, so transparent it's almost pitiful.

Even the other four often forget he's there.

Jiang Runian is delighted: Doesn't that mean I can just lie flat?

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As the member who coasts along below the group's average, Jiang Runian has a rather mixed reputation.

[They're pushing a favorite in the group, and it's making me sick.]

[The solo fans can't take it anymore. Can someone get him out of the group?]

[He's so bad at his job. How does he have the nerve to stay in the group?]

To quell the uproar, their manager tells Jiang Runian to livestream a clarification.

On camera, the young man explains helplessly, "Our relationship? We're just coworkers. It's not what you think."

As soon as the words leave his mouth, a pair of arms wraps around his neck.

The youngest member peeks into view, nuzzling Jiang Runian's neck with practiced familiarity. His smile is sweet and obedient, but it doesn't reach his eyes.

"Who are you video chatting with, gege?" he asks, fixing a dark gaze on the screen.

The viewers are stunned and start digging into Jiang Runian's past.

They unexpectedly uncover a video of him holding two cups of oden, his shoelaces undone because he can't be bothered to tie them. He walks along, kicking one foot forward with every step.

After seeing him, Yin Qingyan tells him to stop, then crouches down to tie Jiang Runian's shoelaces.

When he stands, he breathes out a cloud of white air and smiles as he asks if Jiang Runian is cold. Then he opens his down jacket and draws the young man into his embrace, the two of them nestled together.

Viewers: Damn, why am I suddenly shipping them?

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Jiang Runian can't understand why the four people who were supposed to ignore him are getting closer and closer to him.

Even Rong Shiming, the dancer, drops his guard and lets Jiang Runian see his flaws when he falls ill with a fever.

Rong Shiming's eyes are red at the corners, sweat dampens his hair, and his lips tremble slightly as he calls out, "Niannian, come keep me company, okay?"

Before Jiang Runian can react, he's pulled into a tight embrace. A satisfied sigh falls by his ear, like a cat that's found its catnip.

-

Jiang Runian thinks he's an unremarkable background extra, and at first his fans think so too.

But can someone please tell them... who is this beautiful, adorable, clingy, and affectionate baby, like a long-haired ragdoll cat?

Wifey, give me a kiss -3-

One evening, Jiang Runian livestreams to thank his fans, chats with them late into the night, and even plays games with them over voice chat.

A hand with well-defined knuckles reaches over and covers the hand holding his mouse.

The fans catch sight of a damp corner of a bathrobe. A familiar, deep, magnetic voice, slightly hoarse, brushes against his eardrum:

"You got separate beds from me tonight just to play games? Are games more fun than I am, hmm?"

Jiang Runian's cheeks turn bright red. He pushes the man away. "Qin Yi, I'm livestreaming!"

That night, #AreGamesMoreFunThanMe and #QinYiYoureSoNaughty trend together.

The statement from group leader Qin Yi comes much later.

[Qin Yi V: He said I'm more fun than games.]

Viewers: What the hell is this guy?

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Theme: Learn to take it easy and let things happen naturally