True Color
True Color
TAGS
danmei
bl
modern
contemporary
enemies to lovers
rivals to lovers
business intrigue
power struggle
strong ml
strong mc
slow burn
A modern danmei romance between a cunning businessman and a wealthy playboy who transform from rivals to lovers.
Chinese Title: 本色
Pinyin: Běn Sè
Common English Title: True Color
❤️ Main Relationship
叶行洲 × 祁醒 (Ye Xingzhou × Qi Xing) Fandom ship name: 叶祁
✨ Introduction
True Color is a modern urban danmei novel written by Bai Jie Zi (白芥子), first published on Changpei Literature (长佩文学网) on January 1, 2023. The main story concluded on March 25, 2023, with the complete work finishing on April 1, 2023. The novel spans 307,248 words across 78 chapters plus 9 extras. A physical edition was published by Changjiang Press (长江出版社) in January 2025, produced by Meili Culture (魅丽文化).
The story follows Qi Xing, a spoiled second-generation rich kid who has always lived a carefree life, until he encounters his nemesis—Ye Xingzhou, the illegitimate son of the Ye family who suddenly rose to power and quickly took control of the family business. What begins as mutual antagonism gradually evolves into a complex relationship of trust, desire, and deep emotional entanglement.
🌏 Background
Set in the contemporary business circles of Huai City (淮城), the story unfolds primarily within the high-stakes world of corporate power struggles. Ye Xingzhou, having suddenly ascended to become the head of the Ye family conglomerate, must consolidate his newly seized empire while fending off rivals both inside and outside the boardroom. Qi Xing, a standard wealthy playboy accustomed to getting everything he wants, finds his world upended when he repeatedly clashes with Ye Xingzhou.
The central conflict revolves around their business rivalry: Ye Xingzhou needs to secure his position as the new ruler of his family's empire, while Qi Xing is determined to expose Ye Xingzhou's true nature as a "beast in human skin." Yet with each confrontation, Qi Xing finds himself increasingly drawn into Ye Xingzhou's orbit, eventually falling into an emotional whirlpool he never anticipated.
🎭 Themes & Tone
- From enemies to lovers
- Business warfare and power struggles
- Identity and personal growth
- Tension between desire and restraint
- Redemption and mutual healing
Tone: Sweet with angst, full of tension, blending business intrigue with emotional entanglement
👥 Main Characters
叶行洲 (Yè Xíngzhōu) — The head of the Ye Group. In public, he appears as a refined and gentlemanly figure, but beneath the surface lies a deeply calculating man with ruthless methods.
祁醒 (Qí Xǐng) — A standard spoiled rich second-generation heir. Arrogant yet fragile, he evolves from a carefree playboy to a more mature individual through his entanglement with Ye Xingzhou.
Business rivals and partners — Various corporate figures who populate the competitive landscape of Huai City's business world.
✨ Iconic Quote
叶行洲："你要相信，世界上一定会有人为了你去而复返的。" (You have to believe that there will always be someone in this world who will leave and come back for you.)
🎬 Adaptations
Audio Drama: Completed. Premiered on MissEvan (猫耳FM) on October 18, 2023. A single season with 15 main episodes, updated weekly on Wednesdays. Produced by Mibo Culture (咪波文化) and Dà Gē Studio (大鸽工作室). Ye Xingzhou voiced by Liu Cong (刘琮, CV of Luo Wenzhou, Silent Reading: Mo Du), Qi Xing voiced by Daomei Sile (倒霉死勒).
🔥 Why It's Popular
- Strong-versus-strong character dynamic: The combination of a sophisticated scheming top (斯文败类攻) and an explosive, pampered tyrant bottom (暴娇霸王花受) is highly appealing
- Classic enemies-to-lovers setup with a natural and tension-filled emotional transformation
- The business warfare backdrop adds intellectual strategy and power games to the romance
- The audio drama features a powerful voice cast led by Liu Cong and Daomei Sile
- Recommended for readers who enjoy modern urban settings, business intrigue, and strong-versus-strong confrontations
📚 Reader Notes
- Beginner-friendly: ★★★☆☆
- Angst level: ★★☆☆☆
- Plot complexity: Medium
- Romance visibility: High
- Mystery focus: Low
Recommended for readers who enjoy modern business rivals-to-lovers stories with power dynamics.
✍️ Author
白芥子 (Bái Jiè Zǐ) — A prolific danmei author known for her modern urban romance novels. She excels at delicate emotional depictions and tension-filled character relationships. Her works often feature sweet narratives with compelling dynamics. Other notable works include Dark Fire (《暗火》), Deep Desire (《深潮》), and Jiangshan Xu Ni (《江山许你》).
🌌 Similar IPs
If you like True Color, you may also enjoy:
- A Certain Someone — by Mu Su Li; modern youth, emotional growth, and quiet intimacy
- A Letter from Keanu Reeves / Reply to Keats — by Qing Ming Gu Yu; modern business setting with power dynamics and emotional intensity
- Landing from Ten Thousand Meters — by Larivegauche; mature modern workplace romance with strong character dynamics
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