When I Look At You

Excitement on Day Day Up Stage: Wang Yibo Meets X NINE

Day Day Up is special to me aside from its my first hosting and regular job but from the fact that here I found a family and friends that have accepted me for my flaws and pleasantries.

I remembered when I first step on DDU stage. I feel so awkward and made mistakes but was still welcomed with warmth and open arms by them. It's Wang Han who first approach me saying its okay to make mistakes and then everyone offered their help to improve my hosting skill.

I started as side host and a representative in talent and game segment of the show due to my natural competitiveness. Until I grew accustumed to hosting with their patience in guiding me and i'm thankful for that because if not for them maybe I can't make this far. Especially, Wang Han who I look up to until this day.

We dance through DDU theme song and presented our greetings to the live audience. We chitchatted a bit that the people inside the studio started laughing when they find our topic relatable to their own life experiences. Everyday we are like this. We laugh and we cry together with our audience. We did everything with them as our appreciation for staying with DDU family through the years. If not for their undying support we are not here today, steady and moving forward.

For me, personally, I like it here. For being here makes me more relaxed and carefree. I can express my emotions freely and most of all I can do everything I love like dancing singing playing without anyone being hurt along the way.

I may not look like it but i'm happy and i'm enjoying everything with Day Day Up.

We did a number before the guest segment.

"I wanna ask every people who are present here today if you know what is X NINE. Do you know?" Yu Haoming pointed the microphone towards the audience. Haoming is one of the promotors of audience liveliness. When he's here expect more audience participation.

"Yes! X NINE yeah! Yeah! Yeah!" crowd roared excitedly.

I bet this X NINE is our special guest today. The one responsible on overflowing crowd mostly of girls. They're pretty famous in account of these number of people present outside and inside of the studio.

"I guess that means YES, right?" Eddy Ou smiled widely and eyed the audience with approval. "So shall we start introducing them though everyone already knew them but this is for those who just starting to notice their talent. Right,Yibo?" He eyed me suspiciously.

"Yes! Got that right, Eddy." I smiled cooly to hide my awkwardness. Because in reality, I don't know anything about this X NINE. "So let's give that job to you beloved brother." By tapping his shoulder, I know he got what I mean.

"Fine, i'll do it. As we all know X NINE is a chinese boy group under Wajijiwa Entertainment consisting of nine members which we will meet later. They debuted their first single 'IN OUR OWN NAME'."

Even that song is unfamiliar. Maybe I got too busy to even take notice of new things.

True, I don't really have time to spare on discovering new trends of songs. I just stick on my own recorded songs and those music provided by the management for my dance.

"Who knew 'In Our Name' from our audience?" Qian Feng asked and walk closer to the audience stand.

Mostly girls raised their hands and started singing the song. Qian Feng was generous enough to share a microphone with a woman and a man sitting in the middle of the stand. The couple stood up and shared the microphone to duet the song.

I listened halfway and I must say I like the lyrics. I should take note to search and download that to add on my playlist with only few songs in it.

"Pretty ladies do love it, huh? Well, can't blame them. Me myself love that song." Qian Feng sighed dreamily.

"Dude, gals and guys you shoud say." Eddy Ou contradicted Qian Feng's statement and males from the studio shouted in agreement.

This picked my curiousity about who the singers were.

"I know, right? Aside from their song, we gotta admit we love all the more the band who sung it, right?." Da Zhangwei remarked.

Everybody begun cheering and started chanting their bias names which I totally ignored because I can't make any clear names out of the loud and noisy crowd. Besides I don't know anyone from X Nine.

"Yes! Yes!." Wang Han seconded. "I saw his individual promotional shot and i'm telling you the man is a blast."

"Who are you talking about?." Koji Yano interupted out of nowhere. "We can't relate if you're not mentioning a name, you know." Everybody laughed after that.

"Who else if not the lead singer." Came the answer.

"Oh! Oh! I saw that too. I think everyone did except our little brother over here." Eunsung and Eddy Ou exclaimed.

"And why is that?." Maybe they saw it when i'm at my other appointments.

"You were busy with your mobile phone and you're emmersed in own world." Everyone of them yelled at me. I smiled awkwardly at their reactions.

"And as a punishment, Yibo will help introduce our guest." Da Zhanwei continued before handling me the cue card.

"C'mon, guys. I didn't even complain when you left me after that." I retorted gaining amusement from the audience.

"We did ask you to come but you shook your head so all we was that you didn't want to." Wang Han tried to appease me.

"Ah! sorry must have slipped my mind." Sometimes I do lost in my own world when i'm playing my favorite mobile game.

"So everyone like to know more about them, right?." The crowd reacted in approval and excitement. "Me too. I like their debut song's lyrics." The noise of applauding crowd can be heard the moment I said those line. Can't help it i'm handsome. I smiled inwardly.

"Gear up, people. 'Coz here today on Day Day Up stage X NINE will grace us their presence." Excited shouts and murmurings were heard.

When its almost time for the guests to appear I was stunned to see a familiar pink profile among the group of boys getting ready for their cue to appear at the corner near the backstage.

I diverted my attention towards Wang Han who's starting to announce.

"First in our line is PENG CHUYUE. A rising drama actor also aside from being a dancer." Wang Han started. A tall and white boy emerge from the back.

"Hi, i'm Peng Chuyue." he waved as greetings to the audience.

"Here comes ZHAO LEI, the reindlei! Is my humor good?!". Shouted Koji Yano who just got back from his overseas tour. We just laugh at his silly remark.

A boy with bangs jogged mid stage to join the other and bowed his head to greet.

"CHEN EMM, chinese eminem. Gosh your fault Koji i'm rhyming." EunSung Kim joked and teased Koji Yano.

"'Sup! Chen Emm at your service." A boy with slightly bigger body build said.

"GUO ZIFAN, my man. Come here." Da Zhangwei gestured.

"Hi! Guo Zifan here."

"Who dare not to know GU JIACHENG and WU JIACHENG. If you don't know them well shame on you." Eddy Ou joked and again looked at me.

He's insinuating something with that simple look so I glared back.

"Hello, Gu Jiacheng. Hope you'd watch my latest historical drama."

"Master Wang Yibo cameo-d on our movie series with my twin, actually. Wu Jiacheng and a rapper."

"I can't remember." they all eyed me unbelievably. Maybe they were thinking i'm being snob again. "But he's right. You should watch. Historical films are the best." I said to divert any bad vibes I accidentally created.

"What can we say? Yibo's addicted to history huh?!" my co- hosts retorted. I just smiled and shook my head. They knew about my appreciation to history and with any chinese historical drama. In fact I did some myself.

"Nevermind him, Jiacheng. He's forgetful but he's a good kid, nonetheless." Wang Han joked with the boy.

"Anyway, Shall I continue?." Qian Feng playfully interupted Wang Han. "XIA ZHIGUANG everybody. He is a participant of the latest reality show so be sure to watch then vote for him." He reminded the viewers.

"Vote for me please."

"Bo, can you be a darling and help us introduce the next person of interest." Wang Han handed me the name.

"Ok. I thought i'm just a decoration here." We laugh at my silly joke.

"Who dare make you a decoration. But if that's the case, you're the main attraction." we laugh all the more.

"Thank you. Well we're down to three more." Looking at the remaining people standing there including the smiling Xiao Zhan, I felt that something is not adding up.

I felt a sudden jab at my side. "Just down to 2 members only. The other one is the manager." Yu Haoming whispered.

So that's why I felt something is weird. But don't tell me Xiao Zhan is the manager, too?. Not bad.

"My mistake, its just 2 members. So let us welcome YAN XUJIA. One of the master rapper, too in X NINE."

"Hi! Its a dream come true me being here." He said before joining the group.

Day Day Up is among the famous bosehold names in Chinese television so many has been dreaming to step on its stage.

DDU is giving opportunity for beginners and rising stars to be discovered and become known to viewers. A stepping stone to some so every guest who have been here showcased their best, talent and everything to leave impression to the program directors and scout managers in high hopes of achieving big breaks in the showbiz. And to fulfill big dreams of becoming a famous idoll

I should know because my dreams started here and look at me now.

"The last that i'm going to introduce is the lead vocalist of the band X NINE." Girls started chanting in excitement more than those other members. "It says here that he joined the industry to fulfill his dream of being a singer. He is considered a late bloomer of the industry because he just joined after graduating a degree." A dark horse I must say.

But starting late in showbizness requires a lot of struggles, hardwork and adjustments to be able to keep up with those famous and in demand showbiz personalities who was groomed earlier during their younger years. Making a name in the entertainment industry is hard when you're older.

"Better late than never. So let's welcome our X NINE's lead vocalist, SEAN XIAO." But I was stunned for a moment when the pink hoodie started moving forward enthusiastically waving his hand to the people while grinning widely at them.

"I'm Xiao Zhan but Sean Xiao is my english name." he said with a smile.

So I was wrong to assume he's X NINE'S stylist and manger earlier. How can I forget to read backstage before the program?. If only I paid attention more maybe i'm not this lost and shocked today.

"Eherm! Since our darling is a little speechless i'll take over. So Xiao Zhan how old are you?" Eddy Ou guestured Xiao Zhan to move closer to where I was standing. He wink at me after.

"I'm a lot older but i'll be turning 28 soon." I heard him say which made me regain myself.

"What's your weibo or any social media account?" Wang Han quickly asked.

"What's it with you, guys? You know disclosing those on live tv is a big no." I protested before Xiao Zhan can even answer that.

"Hey! We knew that." They choroused.

"Don't worry it's just an empty question." Wang Han then jokingly slap my back. "Can you give it me?." He then whispered to Xiao Zhan with the microphone on lips so everybody laugh at him.

"I'll just give it to you guys later." he shyly replied.

"See Xiao Zhan here is friendly unlike someone we knew." Da Zhanwei pointed at me teasing. "Are in a relationship of some sort?" He then followed up.

"None at the moment. I guess?" He giggled. "But I like someone already."

"Why are you guys asking those anyway?!" I said while avoiding the happiness painted all over Xiao Zhan's face while saying those words. I don't know but I felt a little disappointed by him having someone he likes.

"Well, in favor for those who are not brave enough to inquire." they all chorus while giving me a side glance.

I hid the small grin on my face by looking down pretending to brush an imaginary dirt on my shirt. They're thoughtful to have said that.

Their intermission started and i'm amused to witness Xiao Zhan's angelic voice which proved he's really worthy of being their lead vocalist. His dancing is good but a little rough on the edges but still I find this amusing.

When its time for a showdown I was picked to represent DDU group and Xiao Zhan for X NINE.

A bamboo is being maneuvered in synchronic pattern while we're dancing over it. It's a game of last to stay. I know I can easily win this but my natural instinct to win has completely disappeared the moment we started the game resulting Xiao Zhan to win.

"Say, what happened, Bo?" Wang Han cornered me while the last game is about to end.

I look at him. "Why? Something wrong?"

"You're a slacker today, buddy. How's that possible?"

"I guess i'm not feeling well today." I shrugged my shoulders to show its not a big deal lossing.

"Oh! If you say so." Teasing me with his eyes. "Let's join the others. Its X NINE'S mini interview later". I followed behind him.

X NINE sat on the U-shape sofa while on the side. I choose to stand adjacent to Xiao Zhan.

"So everyone of you has each commitments outside of the Band, right?" Da Zhangwei Started.

"Yes!" X NINE choroused. Each one of them mirrored excitement and enthusiasm.

"Almost all of you entered acting. I remembered Jiacheng Twins premiered their historical drama two weeks ago." Qian Feng motioned towards the twins. "Congratulations!"

"Thank you! I hope you will support us. Actually Wu Jiacheng is currently shooting his solo act. And I am doing commercials." Gu Jiacheng said representing the two of them.

"Yes, people. Do support them. How about the rest of you." Follow up question of Wang Han. "Any gig?"

"Xia Zhiguang as we all know is a reality show star. Do remember to support him too. Our Chen Emm, Yan Xujia and Zhao Lei are currently joining the military exercise which will last for 3 months." Peng Chuyue informed in behalf of his friends.

"So what will Happen while the are away?" Yu Haoming asked.

"We will not disband if that's your concern." They said in unison. Laughter broke out from the viewers.

"We'll be busy doing solo gigs until they'll return." Guo Zifan added and face the three people concern. "So you should take care of yourselves and return to us in one piece."

"Thanks for the concern Fanfan." They hugged the fafan guy.

"Stop it! I'm happy to announce that me, Zifan and Chuyue will go abroad to attend a workshop in preparation for an upcoming project." He said while pushing the three people sticking to him.

"So everybody is busy. But why is your leader not talking?". EunSung Kim butted in and Xiao Zhan laugh at the remark.

"He's conscious." His band members shouted making him shy.

"Xiao Zhan, brother. Do you have any commitment or job offer to make you Busy?" Koji Yano asked directly.

"Actually, there is this offer I accepted a week ago but it was postponed due to the inconvinience of the people I will work with." Xiao Zhan answered truthfully.

"What job is that?" I inquired earning gasps and curious glares from the people i'm with. "What? Did I do something wrong?".

"Nothing, man. I almost forgot you're with us." and they laugh hysterically.

I ignored them and focused my attention to the man currently grinning at me.

"It was to be your costume designer again, Wang Yibo." I can't believe it.

"What happened? I didn't see you in any of my picturials after after the magazine." True that.

"Well, that was supposedly just a favor for TanQi director who ask for me to fill in the sick designer's work just for that time. But when he learned that X Nine would be on a three month break, he ask for my service again." A lengthy answer from Xiao Zhan.

"I was to accompany your designer last 5 days ago to familiarize the job but your schedule didn't fit mine." He continued.

"Now that I think about it, next month's magazine theme changed so they chose another cast for it. So it should be next month that we'll be working together." I said absentmindedly.

"Yes. Hoping it will not be cancelled. I really wanted to work with you, you know." he playfully said bringing back my senses.

I nodded. I really hope it will proceed as plan. I would like to work with him again.

"Its time to say goodbye, folks. Good things really come to a fast ending, I guess." DDU family express gratitude to all viewers and guest before ending the program.

I exited the stage quickly. I have to dissappear before they will interogate me.

"Yibo! Wait!" A voice rang in the hallway. I stopped but was shocked with his next words. "Can we shake hands or can I embrace you?"

An absurd request as far as i'm concerned but why can't I feel any protest when out of the blue he reached for my hand and clasp it.

I still like the feel of his hands on mine.

"There! Thank you. I should go. See you next time." Xiao Zhan turned his back to leave. "You are not really a snob and a cold person. Your hands feels so warm and comfortable." He said and bolted to ran away.

When I recovered from the shock, I looked at my hand and to the direction he ran. Securing my hand inside my pocket I walk away with rising curve on my lips.