IDEI CH40

When fans first saw TND’s dance cover video, they were actually a bit stunned.

During this period, they had already grown accustomed to days without stages to watch, mentally preparing themselves that the next time they saw a performance would be when TND returned with their new album.

However, going from having stages to watch every week to nearly a month without a single performance, having to rely solely on the group variety show to get updates on TND, fans inevitably felt a bit bored.

Some career fans were also worried. After all, part of why they stan TND was their exceptional skill, but skill deteriorates rapidly if one doesn’t spend long hours in the dance studio. Even though they learned from the mini variety show that TND had been preparing stages for their new songs, it couldn’t fully dispel their anxiety.

Therefore, whether it was fans feeling bored from lack of stages or fans anxious about their skill retention, people frequently urged them under their Xingbo posts for new stages.

They originally thought these pleas were futile, since TND certainly had their own schedule.

Yet what they never expected was that TND would actually see this small wish, and though TND didn’t have to do any of this, they specially recorded a dance cover video just to answer their hearts.

The moment they saw the members’ Xingbo posts, an inexplicable warmth welled up in their chests, a mixture of deep touch and pleasant surprise.

Whatever the emotion, the fans knew they would only love TND even more!

Even if the video was filmed simply and crudely, it represented how much TND cherished their fans. They would never look down on it.

But when they actually clicked on the video, they were genuinely blown away.

“Dark Night” was a high-energy dance track released by a second-generation boy group. Its most defining characteristic was its sleek, razor-sharp synchronization, resembling cold and precise assassins.

In its heyday, the song set off a massive wave across the industry, pulling idol groups from prioritizing vocals over dance into an era where both were held in equal esteem.

The original music video had been shot quite early on, when the prevailing fashion was tight black leather tops and leather pants, fitting the era’s concept and aesthetic.

However, replicating such styling today was undeniably outdated. Over the years, other boy groups had covered this track, but none could escape the shackles of an all-black look. After compiling the references and reviewing those past stages, Qi Yanning had furrowed his brows and opted to blaze a new trail.

The song’s core concept was ruthless assassins. Qi Yanning expanded on this idea, marrying it with contemporary trends.

Thus, emotionlessness shifted into an AI aesthetic. The stealth assassins slaying silently in the dead of night transformed into rogue AIs wandering the dark, virtual abyss of cyberspace.

Qi Yanning selected tops made from shifting, iridescent fabrics over a silver base, paired with wide-leg cargo pants made of black nylon. The accessories were predominantly rigid pieces with metallic sheens, culminating in a strikingly futuristic wardrobe.

For hair and makeup, building on a clean base, he drew two unconventional strokes of silver and white eyeliner that lent a distinctly technological edge.

Finally, shimmering glitter spray dusted the boys’ hair, catching the light with every move.

The video opened with Xiao Yingyi tapping the screen to begin recording as the backing track queued up.

The moment Xiao Yingyi leaned in close, countless viewers sucked in a breath.

Xiao-ge looked entirely like an android!

The inorganic gaze, the flawless skin, and those impeccably balanced, classic facial proportions…

With the music, all nine TND members began singing and dancing to the beat.

Their choreography practically mirrored the original one-to-one, yet infused with their own unique flair. Beyond the carbon-copy synchronization and phenomenal body control, their dance frame was broader and more expansive, delivering visual impact far more intense than the original assassin concept.

As for their vocals, you could tell they were fully alive. Pure, unedited raw vocals accompanied by rhythmic breaths under fierce choreography allowed everyone to feel the raw magic of a live performance.

It was an authentic, deeply moving reality.

The best take TND had chosen had been filmed just as twilight descended. Their outfits refracted shifting laser-like reflections against the falling dusk, outlining their dancing silhouettes with perfection. During the ending pose, all of them looked into the lens at once.

Their eyes were devoid of human warmth, the delicate silver lines above and below their eyelids glinting softly, framing TND as if they had descended from another dimension.

Fans who finished watching were left with their minds totally blank.

A level of completion like this was what they called “crude and simple”?!

Many clicked back in immediately to watch a second time. Passersby who stumbled upon the clip found no room to comment under the fan-dominated Xingbo post, so they created a separate topic:

#TNDDarkNightCover#

@MelonSisterMatch3: Let’s discuss, what level is TND’s cover actually at?

@ILoveWT: What level? (lighting_cigarette.jpg) Probably the only god-tier level in years that can rival the original artists. I didn’t even realize their background was just a simple little grove until it finished. This kind of talent belongs on a real stage!

@XiaoMingJieJieXiaoRi: My first reaction after watching: is the cover scene this fiercely competitive now? Even off-stage, their skill and styling are firing on all cylinders. Absolute perfection!

@LetMeSee: This cover was so satisfying to watch! A bunch of handsome guys tearing up the song and dance with raw power. They didn’t just understand the song’s concept, they expanded it to fit modern aesthetics. All I can say is: TND, badass!

@XingheForeverBrilliant: Veteran Xinghe fan here, literally in tears. People always say Xinghe-jie are fierce and aggressive, sneering at juniors who cover their songs. Please, when people turn Xinghe’s tracks into saccharine influencer sweet-pop, are we not allowed to complain? Look at a cover of TND’s caliber, which Xinghe-jie is complaining? Not only will Xinghe-jie not complain, we are guarding this post today to see who dares talk trash!

@ButcherInPastLifeSurvivalFanInThisLife: Hahahaha, Xinghe-jie above really is commanding! But I love that boldness! I’ve been a survival show fan for years and rarely follow groups after debut because they usually lose that fiery original passion. But TND… at least right now, they are still that brave, sincere crew from the show, and their skills have gotten even sharper.

@XuGeMy108thHusband: All I want to say is, TND fans really eat this well, huh? I got hyped just watching it. It’s been years since I’ve seen such a sincere cover. I was totally stunned on my first watch. Looking closer, it’s a single continuous take, with audio synced, an intro added, and basic color grading. No dynamic camera movements, no cuts, no pitch correction, just pure singing and dancing! Aside from top-tier skills, visuals, and styling, everything else was amateur level. No wonder they called it crude, hhhhh.

@MyStarAh: What moved me even more is that they didn’t treat this as a marketing ploy! No bought tags, no promo push onto hot search. It felt like they genuinely gave it their all with full styling and peak skill just because fans said they “missed stages” (they definitely filmed multiple takes, their hair was soaked and their necks were drenched in sweat).

@EmotionalRyeBread: Qi-ge is wonderful too, crafting such meticulous styling for them. (Don’t say it wasn’t Qi-ge. First, they don’t have the skills themselves. Second, base makeup that doesn’t melt in heavy sweat is something only Qi-ge by their side can pull off, hhhhh).

……

Everyone who saw the dance cover marvelled at it, and coupled with fan efforts, the topic #TNDDarkNightCover# quickly climbed onto the hot search.

More and more people viewed the cover, joining the chorus of praise after being blown away.

Idols this dedicated were truly rare nowadays. Netizens were accustomed to idols switching to acting the moment they gained fame, letting their fundamentals rust. They had also seen idols half-heartedly tossing out covers showing only their upper bodies with weird filters, even getting choreography wrong.

TND’s genuine sincerity instantly won over casual passersby.

Thus, on an otherwise quiet evening online, TND once again cracked the top five of the trending search, purely on the back of a dance cover video.

Only then did Morning Star Entertainment seem to wake from a dream, using TND’s official group account to repost Xiao Yingyi’s Xingbo.

@TND—The Ninth Day: Look at the surprise the TND members prepared for fans! A self-planned cover of “Dark Night” from the members themselves, please enjoy, fans! // @XiaoYingyi: …

The melon-eating public spotted the juicy detail instantly.

@EatMelonsGrowTall: No way, did TND not tell you about the cover? Hhhhhhh

@AWeiCameToLife: TND: Guess who went behind the studio’s back to pull off something huge?

@MelonTopBadger: Hahahaha, when kids are this quiet, they must be up to mischief. But it’s great, we love watching it. Don’t stop the boys from stirring up more trouble~

TND’s official account replied in the comments with two crying emojis, seemingly confirming it had been kept in the dark.

This made onlookers all the more amused! They reposted in droves, exposing more people to TND’s cover, as well as the hilarious scene of them being caught red-handed.

Even a member of the original group, Xinghe, stepped forward to repost it.

@Xinghe-CenGan: This cover is phenomenal. Several of us saw it and loved it! Our didis are welcome to keep stirring up trouble, and you’re always welcome to pick our songs! // @TND—…

This post elevated the buzz to another level, while strangling any nascent copyright dispute in its cradle.

The wave of positive momentum surged even higher.

Inside the TND villa, however, the atmosphere was a stark contrast to the blazing internet hype.

“Alright, it’s all handled,” Qin Haoyu said in a stern voice, looking at the boys huddled on the sofa like frightened quail.

“Qin-ge…” Gong Jiayu muttered timidly, “We were wrong.”

“Wanting to release a cover stage for your fans is wonderful, but isn’t doing so without telling me a bit inappropriate?” Qin Haoyu shook his head.

“Xiao Yingyi, you are the leader. Consider the bigger picture when doing things.”

“You covered the entire track, which involves copyright issues. Fortunately you picked a Xinghe song, and their music rights are currently held under Morning Star Entertainment. Otherwise…”

Seeing their nervous faces, Qin Haoyu softened his tone. “Alright, give me a list of the songs you plan to cover, and I’ll secure the rights. The public response this time was excellent, so we can make dance covers part of your regular content moving forward.”

Noticing Xiao Yingyi and the others hesitating, Qin Haoyu knew what they were thinking. “Giving back to fans doesn’t conflict with regular group content. With the studio involved, your covers can turn out even better.”

“However, don’t let this happen again.” Shaking his phone, Qin Haoyu left the villa.

The moment he shut the door, the trainees’ wails erupted from inside.

“Thank you,” Qin Haoyu said to Qi Yanning, who sat on a rocking chair in the front garden.

Qi Yanning nodded, watching the manager depart into the night.

Yesterday, after the TND boys settled on doing the cover, Qi Yanning had confirmed a schedule with Qin Haoyu to visit Morning Star Entertainment that morning.

He knew the boys hadn’t intentionally kept Qin Haoyu in the dark; they simply considered it a minor matter that didn’t warrant bothering their manager.

Yet Qi Yanning sensed the inherent risks. By discreetly alerting Qin Haoyu, he had enabled the seamless, step-by-step PR handling that unfolded today.

This manager, Qin Haoyu, truly possessed exceptional skill. In half a day, he nipped a potential crisis in the bud and steered it into a triumphant marketing coup, cementing TND’s image of explosive talent and sincerity across the internet.

Moreover, he accommodated TND’s genuine intentions by not blocking them before release, instead using what seemed like damage control to teach them a lesson while solidifying their trust in his competence.

What was more, he had even factored Qi Yanning into the equation.

Having just played the iron-fisted bad cop inside the villa, who was left to play the good cop?

Qi Yanning smiled faintly and stood up from the rocking chair.

“Qi-ge! Qin-ge’s presence is way too intense! It was terrifying!” The moment he walked into the villa, An Zai’s complaints rang out.

Qi Yanning arched an eyebrow. “My presence isn’t intense? Am I not the Great Demon King?”

An Zai paused, not expecting Qi-ge to bring up old scores. After a brief silence, he mumbled under his breath, “That’s different… Qin-ge feels like a boss, but Qi-ge feels more like a dad…”

His voice wasn’t loud, but the members beside him heard it clearly.

Qi-ge feels like… a dad? An Zai, are you tired of living!

What kind of thought was that? How bizarre. Thinking about it again, it was still utterly bizarre!

Gong Jiayu, who was drinking water, sprayed a fountain directly onto Yan Zihao. Yan Zihao, who had just been chuckling, froze and leaped up ready to pummel him.

And Qi Yanning heard it too.

Turning his gaze slightly, Qi Yanning looked at Xiao Yingyi. “Have you settled on the next song to cover?”

Caught holding in his laughter, Xiao Yingyi startled, then shook his head.

“I’ve been feeling quite inspired by the song ‘Cupid’ recently. How about covering that one next?” Smiling, Qi Yanning looked at every member in the room.

Their movements froze.

“Cupid” was a girl group track. If it were just an ordinary girl group song, they wouldn’t mind, but “Cupid” was different. It was an intensely sweet, adorable track overflowing with girlish charm. Even the original girl group had performed in various ruffled tutu skirts.

They had learned dances like this before, but whether recording it would count as thanking fans or tormenting them remained an open question.

“Right, the wardrobe sizes for ‘Cupid’ run quite small, so you probably won’t all fit. How about…” Qi Yanning cast a meaningful look toward An Zai, “An Zai, you and Gong Jiayu do it together?”

An Zai’s pupils shook violently as he shrank deeper into the sofa cushions, looking frail, helpless, and pitiful.

He looked toward the others in the living room, only to find them all averting their eyes.

Such fake brotherhood!

An Zai felt tragic indignation. Pouting and overcome with guilt, he dared not raise any objections against Qi Yanning, reluctantly accepting his fate.

Then he remembered Gong Jiayu had been dragged down with him.

With deep affection, he called out, “Xiao Yu~”

Gong Jiayu’s face, however, was filled with murderous intent. “An Zi’ai!!!”

Gong Jiayu tackled An Zi’ai to the floor, and the two instantly began wrestling on the carpet, scratching and kicking at each other.

The other members backed away from the blast radius to avoid collateral damage.

Seeing that the gloom left by Qin Haoyu’s departure had dissipated, replaced by their usual lively chaos, Qi Yanning smiled with satisfaction and headed back to his room.

Over the following week, TND practiced tirelessly. Not only did they rehearse their own tracks, but to prep for future covers, they also reviewed other songs they had learned before.

Time flew by amidst their training, and soon it was time to film the second episode of Let’s Go, TND!.

For this episode, the director invited three guests: the young host from Your Star‘s finale night, and two junior artists from Morning Star Entertainment.

This episode used a team competition format. The twelve people drew lots to form teams, and the battle commenced right from breakfast.

Gong Jiayu, An Zi’ai, and Lou Yuxing ended up on the same team.

In the initial physical contests, they had zero advantage. All three had slender builds, while the two junior artists invited from Morning Star Entertainment had sports backgrounds and builds similar to Mo Jinghai’s.

With those two and Mo Jinghai distributed among the other three teams, An Zai’s trio spent the entire morning in a single state:

Utterly trampled.

After spending the morning answering trivia questions with their brains to earn points, only to have them violently stripped away by raw muscle, the three were on the verge of giving up.

At this point, the fourth round had just ended, and the trio huddled together.

The game they just played was an arena battle across three platforms, with one member from each team on a platform. The first person thrown into the soapy pool below lost all their points, the second lost half, and the third lost a third, with the ultimate victor claiming all points lost by the fallen.

They had divided their points among themselves to hedge their bets, but it was futile.

Lou Yuxing was tossed off first by Mo Jinghai with crisp efficiency. Gong Jiayu managed to survive for a little while, but dropped his guard and was knocked off by a spinning muscle-bound rival. An Zai held out a bit longer.

He clung tightly to the back of Morning Star’s other muscular artist. This worked initially, but in the endgame when only the two of them remained, that hulking human tower plucked him off like a feather and hurled him off the platform.

Having lost every shred of dignity, the three slumped to the side once the game ended, unwilling to move a finger.

[Hahahahaha, An Zai, Xiao Yu, and Xiao Xingxing are too pitiful]

[The power disparity is too wide. Those three picking them up is like grabbing little chicks, there was nothing they could do]

[Our Xiao Xingxing’s hair is all ruffled. Gasp, why does he look even prettier like this]

[This team has max brains, but zero physical defense. Too brutal]

[Yeah, truly max brains. The other three teams already burned their lifeline calls, and they’re the only ones who haven’t]

[Still, with only one round left, do they have any chance of winning?]

[Hahahahaha, feeling bad for them for one second, then I’m off to look at Hai-ge!]

[Hai-ge fell several times just now. Wow, that wipeout was… so good! His shirt is completely soaked through, hhhhhhh]

……

“It’s so hard, so hard! Dealing with Hai-ge alone is tough enough, but Hai-ge times three is pure hell on earth,” An Zai groaned feebly from the ground.

The other two nodded in weary agreement.

Today felt like a roller coaster, their point total fluctuating between first and last place.

Right now, their points sat dead last, and with the final round approaching, the chances of turning the tables seemed virtually nonexistent.

However, the moment the director announced the final mission, An Zai’s eyes ignited.

The final game required members to disguise themselves as best they could and escape from a small municipal park.

Two teams would act as defenders, tasked with tracking down the other two teams. Finding a member rewarded all of that member’s points. The attacking teams had to evade the defenders’ dragnet and escape the park within the time limit to secure victory.

The game also featured bonus conditions: if an attacker made physical contact with a defender during their escape, they earned ten extra points; verbal communication with a defender yielded five extra points. The time limit was one hour, with additional bonus points awarded for clearing the game within thirty minutes.

In short, an evolved variation of hide-and-seek.

The three whispered together, negotiated with the director for a while, and finally walked toward Qi Yanning, who sat off to the side.

Hearing their request, Qi Yanning arched an eyebrow.

……

Thus, in the subsequent game, the other three teams were left completely baffled.

Wait, how on earth did these three escape within thirty minutes while maxing out all bonus points for physical contact and verbal interaction?

What did they even do?!

The remaining nine contestants were utterly perplexed.

Even the viewers in the bullet comments had no idea what had happened.

[!!!]

[???]

[…Ah?]

[Wait, do An Zai, Xiao Yu, and Xiao Xingxing know invisibility magic?!]