Huayu: Starting with Hextech

July 5th, 8 PM.

The theme song "The Power of Love" from the TV series "Palace" played during Hunan TV's prime time slot.

In front of the television, countless viewers waited in front of the screen—there were long-awaited fans of the original work, casual viewers who came for the actors' good looks, and new viewers who were curious about what a "Qing Dynasty time-travel drama" was.

Lin Xiao was sitting on the sofa in his apartment in Shanghai with Tang Yan, who had just returned from abroad.

The light from the television screen shone on their faces. Tang Yan held his hand tightly, her palms slightly sweaty.

"Nervous?" Lin Xiao asked.

"Hmm." Tang Yan nodded, "I'm afraid... I'm afraid it won't be popular."

Lin Xiao didn't say anything, he just tightened his grip on her hand.

He wasn't actually nervous.

Because he knew that this show would be a hit, an absolute sensation.

But he couldn't tell Tang Yan, he could only say, "Trust Teacher Yu's judgment."

As soon as the first episode finished airing and the ending theme song started playing, Lin Xiao's phone began vibrating incessantly.

First came Zhang Wei's call, his voice cracking with excitement: "Brother Xiao! The ratings for the first episode are out—2.18! Number one in its time slot! The platform says this is the highest premiere rating this year!"

Then came a barrage of text messages from Xiaoyu: "Teacher Lin! Weibo is exploding! #PalacePremiere# is trending at number three! Your personal hashtag #LinXiaoBaPrince# is also in the top twenty!"

Then came Yu Zheng's voice message, with a noisy background, clearly from a celebration party: "Lin Xiao! Did you hear that? February 2.18th! What did I say? This drama is bound to be a hit! You wait, tomorrow the media press releases will be praising you to the skies!"

Tang Yan listened from the side, her eyes wide, then excitedly hugged Lin Xiao: "It's famous! It's really famous!"

Lin Xiao hugged her back, but his heart was unusually calm.

This is just the beginning.

Over the next three days, "Palace" completely ignited the entire summer.

The ratings climbed steadily, breaking 3 on the third day and 4 on the seventh day.

The video garnered over 100 million views in a single day, with the barrage of comments making it almost impossible to see the screen.

The "Eighth Prince × Qingchuan" couple, Lin Xiao and Yang Mi, swept across the internet at an astonishing speed.

The Weibo hashtags #PalaceLove# and #XiaoMiCP# have consistently ranked among the top three trending topics.

CP fans sprang up like mushrooms after rain. They edited sweet scenes between the two in the drama, analyzed every eye contact, and even dug up behind-the-scenes footage from the filming period—those natural playful fights, tacit eye contact, and unintentional physical contact on set all became evidence of "true love".

"The way the Eighth Prince looks at Qingchuan is just so...exquisite!"

"The XiaoMi CP is so adorable, they should get married right now!"

"These two look perfect together, both on and off screen!"

Hunan TV reacted quickly and urgently added more promotional announcements.

Lin Xiao and Yang Mi's teams worked together overnight, starting a non-stop "business period".

July 10th, Changsha, the recording site of "Happy Camp".

This is the first time Lin Xiao and Yang Mi have appeared together in public since they became famous.

The audience was filled with fans holding up "Xiao Mi" light signs, and their screams almost lifted the roof off.

"Welcome our two leading actors from 'Palace'—Lin Xiao and Yang Mi!" He Jiong introduced them enthusiastically.

The two walked onto the stage side by side.

Lin Xiao wore a simple white shirt and black trousers, while Yang Mi wore a pink dress with slightly curled long hair, looking radiant and beautiful.

When they stood together, the visible chemical reaction elicited another round of screams from the audience.

During the game segment, the host asked the two to recreate a classic scene from the drama—the Eighth Prince forcibly kissing Qingchuan.

Lin Xiao and Yang Mi exchanged a glance and began their performance.

As Lin Xiao lowered his head to kiss him, Yang Mi suddenly added her own touch—she reached out and wrapped her arms around his neck, stood on tiptoe, and gently touched his lips.

Although it was just a brief appearance, the audience erupted in cheers.

"Aaaaaaah!"

"They kissed! They really kissed!"

"Xiao Mi is real!"

The recording was forced to pause for thirty seconds to wait for the fans' screams to subside.

He Jiong laughed and tried to smooth things over, saying, "Honey, you're just adding this on the spot!"

Yang Mi blinked, looking completely innocent: "That's how the script was written~"

Lin Xiao stood to the side, maintaining a polite smile, but his ears were slightly red.

This footage became the number one trending topic that night, with over ten million views.

The price of sudden fame is the loss of all personal time.

The following week, Lin Xiao and Yang Mi's schedule was packed:

Monday, Beijing, a photoshoot for a duo magazine.

The theme was "Summer Sweet Love," and the two posed in various intimate poses in the photo studio—Yang Mi sat on Lin Xiao's lap and fed him strawberries, Lin Xiao hugged her waist from behind and whispered in her ear, their foreheads touched and they gazed at each other affectionately… Every photo was so ambiguous that it made people blush and their hearts race.

Tuesday, Shanghai, an endorsement event for a high-end skincare brand.

The two, acting as an "on-screen couple," endorsed the product together, holding hands openly in front of the media cameras, praising each other, and answering questions with perfect chemistry.

On Wednesday, I flew to Changsha to record "Day Day Up".

On Thursday, he returned to Beijing for an exclusive interview with Entertainment Star World.

On Friday, the two connected online to play a couple's compatibility test on a live streaming platform. They got 90% of the answers right, sparking another wave of speculation that they were a "real couple".

Media press releases flooded in:

[The first hit drama of 2010 is born! "Palace" breaks viewership records]

[Lin Xiao and Yang Mi: The new generation's pinnacle of on-screen couples, their sweetness off-screen is off the charts]

From Newcomer to Top Star: Lin Xiao's Road to Fame

Yang Mi's remarkable rise: from child star to ratings queen

Lin Xiao's Weibo followers surged by 300 million in a week, surpassing the 500 million mark.

Yang Mi's fan base has also surpassed 500 million, making her an undisputed top-tier young actress.

Its commercial value has risen accordingly.

Zhang Wei receives dozens of endorsement offers every day, with the price soaring from three million to six million, and it's still rising.

"Brother Xiao, these are all top brands we've got in touch with." Zhang Wei's voice trembled on the phone. "Cars, watches, luxury goods... You're really... famous."

I'm angry.

This word finally feels real.

But Lin Xiao felt like a puppet being roasted over a fire.

Smiling at the camera every day, reciting the same lines, and performing a pre-planned intimacy.

In the drama, they are the Eighth Prince and Qingchuan; in real life, they are the "Xiao Mi CP." So what about Lin Xiao and Yang Mi themselves?

he does not know.

July 15th, Beijing, celebration banquet for "Palace: The Lock Heart Jade".

Yu Zheng booked the banquet hall of a five-star hotel and invited the entire production crew, investors, platform representatives, and all media partners.

The scene was star-studded, with toasts and laughter filling the air.

Yu Zheng, holding a wine glass and beaming, walked up to Lin Xiao and Yang Mi:

"What did I say? I said this show would be a huge hit!" He patted Lin Xiao's shoulder forcefully. "Lin Xiao, you're my lucky star! Mimi too! You two are the best casting decisions I've ever made in my life!"

People gathered around to offer toasts and congratulate him.

Lin Xiao drank one glass after another, a smile always on his face.

Yang Mi stood beside him and naturally helped him avoid drinking: "Lin Xiao, you can't hold your liquor, I'll drink for him~"

These words, spoken so intimately, sparked another round of commotion.

"Mimi is so caring!"

"Brother Xiao is so lucky!"

"When are you two inviting us to your wedding?"

Yang Mi smiled without saying a word, and Lin Xiao could only smile along.

The celebration banquet ended at 11 p.m.

Lin Xiao and Yang Mi rode in the same car back to the hotel—this was arranged by the team for "safety" and "convenience".

Actually, it was to avoid being photographed by paparazzi walking separately, which would ruin their chemistry.

The car was quiet, with only the low hum of the engine.

Yang Mi leaned back in the back seat, her head resting gently on Lin Xiao's shoulder.

She had drunk a bit too much today; her cheeks were flushed and her eyes were glazed over.

"Lin Xiao," she whispered, her breath brushing against his neck, "we're really famous now."

"Um."

Are you happy?

Lin Xiao looked out the window at the fleeting night view.

Chang'an Avenue in Beijing is brightly lit and bustling with traffic.

This city is always so lively, so bustling, but also always so... indifferent.

"I'm happy," he said.

"But I feel like you're not happy." Yang Mi looked up at him. "Your smile is getting more and more fake."

Lin Xiao didn't respond.

Yang Mi leaned back on his shoulder, her fingers unconsciously playing with the buttons on his shirt.

"But I'm happy. Because... I can stand with you openly and honestly, I can get close to you legitimately, and I don't have to hide it anymore."

She paused, then her voice became even softer:

Even if it's just in front of the camera.

Lin Xiao felt a slight prick in his heart.

He looked down at her; her eyes were closed, and her long eyelashes cast shadows beneath them.

Having shed her bright and flamboyant daytime persona, she now appears somewhat vulnerable and tired.

Like a cat that has folded its claws.

"Mimi," he began, "we..."

"Don't say anything," Yang Mi interrupted him, her eyes still closed. "Just let me lean against you for a little while. Just for a little while."

Lin Xiao fell silent.

He looked out the window again.

The car drove past Tiananmen Square, past the National Centre for the Performing Arts, and past those landmarks that symbolize power and prosperity.

Inside the car, two young people who had just reached the pinnacle of fame, each with their own thoughts, walked silently into the night.

They all knew that the journey would soon come to an end.

But what comes after the finish line?

Is it a more glorious peak, or... an abyss?

no one knows.

We can only move forward.