I was criticized on a dating reality show, but I retaliated and became an internet sensation.

"Yes, most of the time."

Jiang Yunyou pushed open the studio door and stepped aside to let her in first:

"My friends all say that I seem a bit unreliable most of the time, but I become a completely different person when it comes to music."

"I think they're exaggerating, but..."

He scratched his head and chuckled, "Maybe a little."

Fang Yutong stepped inside and glanced around.

The interior space isn't large, but the layout is compact and very orderly.

Synthesizers and mixing consoles were placed on the worktable, several guitars and ukuleles hung on the wall, and the blackboard in the corner was covered with unfinished lyrics and chord markings, some of which had been rewritten several times.

The entire space bears the marks of long-term use and careful attention.

"Sister Yutong, it's a bit messy, please don't mind."

Jiang Yunyou moved a wooden guitar from the sofa to the side to make room:

"I'm usually the only one here fiddling around, so the things are arranged rather haphazardly, but I can find them myself."

Fang Yutong shook her head and said softly, "It's okay."

She didn't sit down immediately. Her gaze fell on a draft of lyrics on a blackboard. After looking at it for a while, she read out one of the lines:

"'You are the longest chorus I've ever written'—did you write that?"

Jiang Yunyou followed her gaze, paused for a moment, and then scratched his head:

"Ah... that was something I wrote halfway through, but I thought it was too cheesy, so I left it there and haven't decided whether to finish it."

"That's how songwriting is. Sometimes a lyric comes to mind, but the overall mood of the song isn't quite there yet. You can't force it, so you just have to leave it for now."

Fang Yutong withdrew her gaze, her tone serious:

"I think it's great; the lyrics are very evocative."

A little embarrassed by her comment, Jiang Yunyou touched his nose and, unable to respond, simply turned around and walked to the workbench, pressing a few buttons at random.

A deep, resonant piano tone flowed from his fingertips, slowly spreading through the quiet space.

He listened for a few seconds, added another chord, and then glanced back at Fang Yutong:

"Sister Yutong, please sit down. Let me play you a piece of music I've been working on lately."

"I just happen to need an audience to give me some feedback. If you think it sounds good, give me a few compliments; if you think it sounds bad, just criticize me. I have a strong mental capacity, after all, I'm used to being criticized."

Fang Yutong sat down on the sofa, adjusted her posture, then looked up at him, her tone slightly amused:

"Alright, then I won't stand on ceremony. If it's really unpleasant, I'll say it directly. Don't worry, I'm not very good at acting."

Jiang Yunyou patted his chest:

"Don't worry, don't worry. With my ability to withstand pressure, I'm only a little weak when I'm with Su Yanhuan. Otherwise, I'm strong."

Why does the tea smell so strongly of tea?

"Not very good at acting" - Sis, have you forgotten you're filming a variety show? Have you forgotten you went live to make fun of my Zizi? (smile)

[Youbao, you need to be more careful! Don't get sold out and then help the seller count the money!]

I feel like Fang Yutong's words have a hidden meaning, but I have no proof.

[Jiang Yunyou: I just played a song randomly, why is it being treated like reading comprehension?]

[Su Yanhuan: ??? Me again? Jiang Yunyou, you're asking for it!!!]

On the other side...

Director Liu arranged for Yu Shize to sit behind a table in the corner of the living room. A mobile phone was propped up on the table, with the camera pointed at him and the screen displaying the live broadcast.

In front of him was a glass of water, a blank notebook, and a pen.

He paused for three seconds in front of the camera, then spoke:

"Hello everyone, welcome to Teacher Yu's acting class. Today we'll talk about how to naturally express emotions in front of the camera."

[Hahahaha, no, Yu Shize has really started class!]

[Yu Shize: I signed up for a dating reality show, not New Oriental. Director, are you mistaken?]

[Waiting for a student to raise their hand and ask a question; if no one does, I'll ask: Teacher Yu, how did you feel when you were rejected?]

[Upstairs, you really know how to stab him in the heart, hahaha!]

I bet Yu Shize was watching the comments with a professional smile on his face, thinking to himself: Why did I even come here?

Ignoring the screen full of "hahaha," Yu Shize maintained his professional smile and began his first... and possibly last, acting class.

On Shen Yihuai and Han Jingxue's side.

The car stopped in front of a small, detached white building, surrounded by a low wall and hidden in the shade of trees.

After getting out of the car, Han Jingxue glanced at her surroundings, then looked at Shen Yihuai with a hint of doubt in her eyes:

"Where is this?"

Shen Yihuai didn't answer immediately. He took out his key from his pocket, bent down, and unlocked the door.

He pushed open the door, stepped aside to make way for him: "Let's go in and take a look."

Han Jingxue glanced at him, didn't ask any more questions, and walked inside.

The courtyard is paved with bluestone slabs, and several osmanthus trees are planted on both sides. The branches and leaves are neatly trimmed, showing that someone takes care of them regularly.

The main house has a glass sliding door, through which you can see the furnishings inside.

Easels, paint racks, picture frames stacked against the wall, and some canvases covered with white cloth.

Han Jingxue stood at the door, peering through the glass for a few seconds before turning to Shen Yihuai, her tone uncertain:

"This is... an art studio?"

"Um."

Shen Yihuai stood half a step behind her, his hands in his pockets, his gaze fixed on her profile.

[Huh? An art studio? Shen Yihuai does this? His job is painting?]

[It's probably just a hobby; aren't all rich people like that, developing in all aspects?]

Is it possible that this was prepared for Sister Han? Sister Han is Old Master Han's granddaughter; she must be a painter.

[But didn't we have a drawing assignment in the first episode? Han Jie's drawing back then... was it because she injured her hand?]

[Holy crap, I think I understand now.]

She stood at the doorway, not going in immediately. Her gaze lingered for a moment on the several canvases covered with white cloth, lost in thought.

After a few seconds, she spoke, her voice softer than before: "Why did you bring me here?"

Shen Yihuai looked at her and said, "I want to see you paint."

Han Jingxue was silent for a moment, then looked away: "I don't want to draw."

After saying that, he turned around and prepared to leave.

Shen Yihuai reached out and gently grasped her wrist:

"Still feeling unwell?"