Entertainment: Who exactly is trying to whitewash me?

Chapter 29 Class

The smoky aroma from the cooking pot has mostly dissipated in the kitchen.

Lu Ang scooped the last spoonful of fried noodles into the plate and scraped the bottom of the pan twice.

The aroma of oil and eggs mingled together, mixed with the sweet and smoky flavor of vegetables sizzling in hot oil, spreading layer by layer from the stove.

Jiang Nian stood beside him, her nose twitching slightly.

"You're making fried noodles again?"

"Limited budget, maximize the use of simple ingredients?"

"But……"

"Are you going to eat it or not?"

"eat!"

Jiang Nian immediately reacted: "I'll eat it!"

Lu Ang smiled and brought six plates of egg fried noodles to the table.

Each person received one serving, and the portions were roughly the same, but Jiang Nian's plate had an extra half egg added.

She washed the vegetables very carefully; this was the reward for her labor.

Six people sat down around the dining table.

Jiang Nian sat next to Lu Ang, picking up noodles one by one, eating very politely but very quickly.

She had already eaten most of the plate.

As they were eating, Lu Ang noticed that her chopsticks started poking at the crispy, charred egg strands, specifically picking out the few that were burnt.

Su Wanqing put down her chopsticks, picked up her water glass, and took a sip.

Then she suddenly spoke.

"Lu Ang, you cook very well."

She spoke very softly and in a flat tone.

"Thank you, Teacher Su."

She nodded and continued drinking her water.

But actually, Su Wanqing's words were quite crucial.

Because right after she opened her mouth, Zhou Lei kept bragging, even when no one responded.

The wind was making Lu Ang a little irritable.

Su Wanqing then said something to him.

This also interrupted Zhou Lei's self-praise.

Zhou Lei stopped.

He glanced at Su Wanqing, then at Lu Ang, and frowned slightly.

But he quickly turned his attention back to his bowl of noodles, and the wrinkles on his face returned to their "I see far" expression.

He didn't even seem to notice that everyone was eating much faster.

You still need to speak.

Others can only say things like "Really?" or "Professor Zhou knows so much."

After dinner, everyone went back to their rooms.

Lu Ang washed the dishes.

Jiang Nian actually wanted to eat more.

But she knew that her agent was probably already jumping up to count calories.

She squeezed the rim of the bowl again and again, but in the end she didn't say anything. When she put the bowl back in the sink, she let out a very short sigh.

……

the next day.

Another date assignment.

But surprisingly...

Lu Ang and Jiang Nian were surprisingly kept behind again.

Then, Gu Yan, Su Wanqing, Lin Shishi, and Zhou Lei exchanged dates, and the four of them went out on another date.

The coincidence was so striking that Lu Ang even wondered if the director and the production team had pulled something behind the scenes.

However, it didn't matter to him.

Anyway, for Lu Ang.

If he can avoid going out, then he should stay home.

The first episode only lasted two days, and it's almost over.

He needs to spend more time practicing singing.

……

Another day has passed.

Early on the third day.

Sunlight streamed in through the gaps in the curtains, and Lu Ang turned over.

He opened his eyes and stared at the ceiling.

The first season of the dating reality show has finally wrapped up.

The water from the tap was so cold when he washed up that it made him gasp.

Packing my luggage didn't take much effort. I came with just one suitcase, and I'm leaving with the same one.

I folded up a few clothes, stuffed my toiletry bag to the side, zipped it up, and that was it.

I smelled coffee when I went downstairs.

Gu Yan was already in the restaurant, with a cup of black coffee in front of him and an open magazine beside him.

When he saw Lu Ang, he raised his chin slightly as a greeting.

Su Wanqing's suitcase was standing next to the sofa; she wasn't there, probably still upstairs.

Lu Ang dragged his suitcase to the door and glanced back at the villa.

I've stayed here for a few days now, and while I wouldn't say I've developed a strong attachment to it, it's definitely quite large.

It was bigger than any place he had ever lived before.

The guests came down one after another.

Zhou Lei dragged his oversized suitcase, the wheels bouncing twice on the stairs, the sound echoing down the corridor.

Lin Shishi followed behind, carrying two paper bags in her hands. Her makeup was already done, a little lighter than usual but still very exquisite.

Jiang Nian was the last to come down. She had her hair tied in a low ponytail, carried a canvas bag, and was holding an unopened box of toast in her hand.

"Brother Lu, this is for you."

She shoved the toast into his hand.

Aren't you going to eat?

"My agent said I exceeded the calorie limit."

She pulled her lips down slightly as she said this, but her eyes remained fixed on the box of toast.

Lu Ang opened the box, tore off a piece, and put it in his mouth. She glanced at it again, then quickly looked away.

Several cars were parked at the entrance.

The production crew's car, their respective nanny vans, and a black minivan—it's unclear who it's picking up.

As the staff moved equipment, Zhao Qian carried a camera past them, glanced at Lu Ang, and gave him the same unfriendly look as before.

But it's not as unfriendly as before.

Lu Ang winked at him, and he could only smile back.

[Zhao Qian's hater rating +88]

Well, I can still make a quick buck before I leave.

Good brother.

Su Wanqing was already standing at the door at some point.

She wore a dark gray coat today, and her hair was unkempt and casually draped over her shoulders, a stark contrast to her impeccably styled hair on the show.

She was holding the handle of her suitcase and looking down at her phone.

Lu Ang suddenly remembered something.

"Teacher Su."

She looked up.

"You used to sing so well, could you teach me sometime?"

In fact, Lu Ang had never heard Su Wanqing sing.

When I said that, I didn't expect the other party to agree.

He really needs a teacher, preferably one who charges a reasonable fee and doesn't discriminate against him.

The most important thing about Su Wanqing in front of me is that I don't seem to have any major issues with her as a person.

However, Lu Ang also anticipated that the other party was probably just being polite and wouldn't actually agree.

But Su Wanqing glanced at him and the corners of her mouth curved slightly.

"Okay, I'll wait for you to contact me."

After saying that, she pushed her suitcase down the steps and walked towards the black minivan.

Lu Ang stood there, still holding the box of toast in his hand.

I'll wait for you to contact me.

Is this Ms. Su just being polite?

He watched Su Wanqing leave, shook his head, and walked towards his car.

Xia Xiaoyue's car was parked outside the villa gate. He recognized the white sedan at a glance.

Xia Xiaoyue was sitting in the driver's seat, looking down at her phone.

A small yellow pendant was hanging on the rearview mirror, swaying back and forth.

He dragged his suitcase over.

Xia Xiaoyue saw him in the rearview mirror, put down her phone, and leaned over to push open the passenger door from the inside.

"Brother Lu, get in the car."

He stuffed his suitcase into the trunk and got into the passenger seat. There was a lemon scent in the car air freshener, a bit stronger than the minty scent in Shen Lan's car.

The air conditioning was on just right, and the seats were warm from the sun.

Xia Xiaoyue started the car, turned the steering wheel once, and the car turned off the tree-lined road leading to the resort. The trees on both sides receded into the distance, and the roof of the villa finally shrank into a small dot from the rear window and disappeared.

"Should we go straight back to the company now?"

"I won't go back yet. There's something I need to take care of first."

He took out his phone, opened his contacts, and found Shen Lan's number.

It rang four times before the other end answered.

"Lu Ang? The show's wrapped up?"

"Just got on the bus. By the way, Sister Lan, I won't come to see you for now, I have something important to tell you."

"explain."

"Practicing singing."

There was a moment of silence on the other end of the phone.

"Practicing singing?"

"Yes. Can you recommend a vocal coach for me? A professional one, someone who can teach the basics."

Shen Lan remained silent for a few seconds.

"There is a candidate."

She paused.

"But be prepared, this person's temperament is unpredictable. And they might not agree. Let me ask them for you."

Xia Xiaoyue, who was driving nearby, twitched her lips slightly upon hearing this.

"How is it not following the usual procedure?"

Shen Lan didn't answer him directly, but changed the subject: "You haven't received your appearance fee yet, have you? Are you asking me to lend you money to your teacher?"

"I have my own money."

"Where did you get the money? Did you save it up before?"

"And there's the money for cooking. Young Master Gu Yan is very generous. I cooked four meals and he gave me 40,000."

"...Alright then."

She sounded a little surprised, but didn't press for details.

"I'll ask for you first. If they agree, I'll send you the address."

"What's your name?"

You'll know when you get there.

Alright, I'm keeping you in suspense.

A while later, Shen Lan called again.

"I'll send you the address. I'll have Xia Xiaoyue take you there; she knows the way."

He glanced at Xia Xiaoyue. Xia Xiaoyue nodded, her eyes never leaving the road.

"Okay. Thanks, Sister Lan."

"Don't thank me yet. Let's get past the teacher first."

She hung up.

My phone vibrated, and a message popped up with an address.

It was followed by six words: Sixth floor, 601.

He showed Xia Xiaoyue his phone screen, and she glanced at it, turned on her turn signal, and the car turned onto another road.

"Do you know who that teacher Sister Lan mentioned is?"

"Know."

"Who?"

Xia Xiaoyue gripped the steering wheel and pursed her lips.

You'll know when you get there.

Here comes another one who's keeping everyone in suspense.

The car drove for about forty minutes.

He drove from the suburbs to the city center, and from the city center to a neighborhood he didn't recognize at all.

The buildings on both sides of the road are not new, but they are not old and dilapidated either; they are the kind of neighborhoods that are unusually quiet.

The cars parked on the roadside are all worth over 200,000 yuan, but there are hardly any people walking on the street.

Xia Xiaoyue parked her car in front of a gray apartment building.

He pushed open the car door, and his knee cracked as his foot touched the ground. He'd been sitting for too long.

Aren't you going up?

"Sister Lan said that person doesn't like crowds. I'll wait for you in the car."

After she finished speaking, she took out her phone and started swiping, looking like she wasn't going to say another word.

Lu Ang looked up at the apartment building.

The exterior walls are gray, and several potted green ivy and spider plants are growing on the balcony. There are also a few T-shirts hanging on a clothes rack in one house.

The elevator doors opened, and a strong smell of disinfectant wafted out, mixed with the aroma of stewing soup wafting from somewhere in the hallway.

The sixth floor.

The lights in the hallway were voice-activated; he stomped his foot to turn them on.

The lighting was an old-fashioned warm yellow, which cast a thin reflection on the corridor floor tiles.

The doorplate for 601 is a little crooked; the bottom right corner is sticking up slightly.

He took a breath and raised his hand to knock on the door.

Footsteps came from behind the door, the soft rustling of slippers scraping against the wooden floor.

Then the doorknob was pressed down, and the door was opened just wide enough for one person to enter.

Su Wanqing stood inside the door.

Her hair was casually tied up, with a few stray strands falling in front of her ears. She wore a loose gray sweatshirt, the sleeves rolled up a little above her wrists.

She wasn't wearing makeup, and her skin appeared somewhat dark under the warm light of the motion-activated lamp in the corridor.

She's a completely different person from Su Wanqing in the dating reality show, where every single strand of her hair was perfectly positioned.

"???"

Lu Ang stood there, dumbfounded.

Su Wanqing looked at him, leaning against the door frame, one hand still on the doorknob, the corners of her mouth slightly curved.

Her expression right now can be roughly translated as: She looks dazed.

Lu Ang almost nodded.

Because he really is a bit silly.

"Shen Lan told me to come in."

After Su Wanqing finished speaking, she turned and walked inside, the wooden floor making a slight scraping sound from the soles of her slippers.

Lu Ang stepped across the threshold.

The entryway is small, with a shoe cabinet on the left and a potted green ivy on top.

There is a mirror hanging on the right wall, with a frame made of natural wood.

There was a very faint fragrance in the air, somewhat like the smell of laundry detergent residue mixed with the smell of paper.

Follow her inside.

The living room isn't large, but it has excellent natural light.

There's a floor-to-ceiling window leading to a small balcony with several potted plants. The sofa is a dark gray fabric sofa, with a half-open book lying face down on it.

On the coffee table was a white ceramic cup with a light tea stain around the rim.

Then he saw the corner of the living room.

An electric piano stood against the wall, its keys covered with a dark blue dust cloth.

There were several sheet music books and a simple recording device piled on a small table next to it.

Su Wanqing walked to the electric piano, lifted the dust cover, folded it twice, and placed it beside her.

"Let's hear your current level first, sing a couple of lines."

Her tone changed.

It wasn't the restrained "hmm," "yes," or "that makes sense" kind of response she gave Zhou Lei in dating reality shows, nor was it the bland "Your cooking is delicious" at the dinner table. It was a tone he'd never heard before. It was direct, without any embellishment.

She didn't even ask him if he wanted water; she really did act like a teacher.

Lu Ang didn't waste any words. "Since you're already here, why be so polite?"

He stood in the middle of the living room and cleared his throat.

What are you singing?

Let's talk about "Sorrow".

He practiced this song countless times in the bathroom. Although he still sang it terribly, at least he didn't forget the lyrics.

"When you step into this place of joy..."

The moment the sound came out of his throat, he himself heard the difference.

What you think in your mind is one thing, and what you actually do is another.

There were a few notes that were unclear, and my breath hitched in the middle. When I tried to go up in the second half of the sentence, my throat tightened, and that high note was abruptly stuck halfway through.

It's similar to when I practiced singing in the bathroom at home before.

One note seemed to be a little more stable, but overall it was still terrible.

Stop with the last word.

There was complete silence in the living room for a few seconds.

Su Wanqing's face showed a restrained helplessness.

It's like someone opening their toolbox and finding all the tools rusted, but they can't blame the tools because that's how they are.

"The foundation is too poor."

Her tone was very flat, almost as if she were saying, "The weather is bad today."

There was no deliberate belittling, nor any deliberate encouragement.

It is a statement.

"Your breath support is practically zero. By the time you get to the second half of the sentence, your breath has completely dissipated, and you're just shouting."

She paused.

"Pitch accuracy is a matter of guessing. You're not singing the note; you're guessing where the note is. You might guess half right and half wrong."

She paused again. This time the interval was a little longer than before.

"But the sound quality is actually not bad."

She said this in a very calm tone.

This is no different from the two criticisms mentioned earlier.

Lu Ang was also a little embarrassed.

He knew the gap.

Because he won several ice creams in the last lottery, his singing ability is now a full 45D.

But to be honest, he's still tone-deaf.

Every single one of Su Wanqing's comments was fair and just.

But he has a trump card.