Chapter 72: CH 72

It started with Lu Zhi Wei’s demonic violin playing, then Sang Wan Ci’s music club at the end.

The contrast was obvious and brought a new influx of viewers to their live stream.

Many netizens were teasing Lu Zhi Wei in the comments about studying hard from Sang Wan Ci.

Lu Zhi Wei laughed: “Don’t worry, everybody. I’ll definitely study hard from Teacher Sang. She’s the violin teacher I hired at great expense after all.”

— She can play the violin? I want to see!

— Great expense? Spill the beans, how many dumplings was it

— Then after you’ve finished studying, please remember to report the result on Weibo. I want to see if the brave Sang Sang can save the lumberjack Lu Lu

Glancing at the comments, Lu Zhi Wei saw those and couldn’t help but smile wider.

“We’re going to stop the stream soon, there’s no time to see Teacher Sang play the violin. If you guys like, you can ask her if there’ll be an opportunity for her to play a solo tune for you guys in the future.

“I won’t disclose how many dumplings, it’s a trade secret.

“Yes yes yes, I’ll definitely report everybody. Please supervise!”

She had to report, because after all, she had to play the instrument in the show.

If she practised and didn’t report her progress, netizens would base their opinions on this performance and think that Director Liu found a body double for her in the show.

She passed the camera to Sang Wan Ci, letting the one with the godly looks have the responsibility of ending the live stream.

Sang Wan Ci was calm as always, with a refined air.

She said a few sentences crisply and coolly.

The two of them waved goodbye to the camera.

Then the screen quickly went dark.

The live stream had finally ended.

Lu Zhi Wei sighed and rejoiced: “Luckily you played the piano, or I’d really kill them with my violin performance.”

Sang Wan Ci chuckled: “Take it slow, it’ll get better.”

Lu Zhi Wei nodded.

Then turned around to carefully keep the violin in the case.

And then she kept away her knitting needles and yarn.

She had finished knitting half of a scarf, it was one of the presents she had planned to give to Lu Si Jiao.

Lu Zhi Wei wondered as she packed: “I wonder how our live stream did…… It can’t be the worse, right?”

Sang Wan Ci looked at her: “Why would you think that?”

Lu Zhi Wei scratched her face in embarrassment: “…… Because I really played the violin badly.”

Hearing that, Sang Wan Ci laughed and hugged her from behind again out of habit.

“It’s okay, everybody starts from somewhere. Besides, it was a request from the viewers, you were just fulfilling it.”

Sang Wan Ci’s voice was gentle and mesmerising, anybody who heard it would have their heart softened.

Lu Zhi Wei’s heart itched, that crush of hers was arrogantly showing its desire again, making her suddenly…… suddenly want to kiss the person behind her.

But she couldn’t.

Because she had no reason to and no right to.

But she couldn’t give up on this “like”.

She sighed.

Resign yourself to your fate, Lu Zhi Wei.

She prepared to bring the items back to her room.

As she lifted a leg to take a step, the arms around her waist hadn’t loosened yet.

She took two steps forward, and the person behind her followed.

“……” Please read at jiulian lian . wordpress . com

Lu Zhi Wei: “What are you doing?”

Sang Wan Ci: “Sticking to you.”

Lu Zhi Wei: “You don’t have anything else to do?”

Sang Wan Ci: “Mm, nothing else.”

Lu Zhi Wei couldn’t help but laugh.

She had nothing left to do so she clung to her?

What kind of coquettishness is this?

Sang Wan Ci wanted to be a bit more reserved on the show.

But Jin Man Wen’s appearance as a love rival had completely disrupted all her plans.

More reserved, what?

No matter how close they were, they were still friends, they couldn’t cross the line.

Why not stick to Lu Zhi Wei more, and let her become accustomed to Sang Wan Ci being close to her.

This way, maybe Lu Zhi Wei would think of her from time to time when she wasn’t around.

Which mature adult didn’t have some tricks up their sleeves?

Besides, the cameras weren’t filming now anyway.

Lu Zhi Wei couldn’t say anything.

So she brought Sang Wan Ci with her like that back to the room, and brought her out again with her phone, scrolling through Weibo.

“Let me see if our Teacher Sang got onto the hot search today……”

Sang Wan Ci had shown off her skills, and played the piano so well.

With the protagonist’s halo and the natural hot search physique, how couldn’t she be pushed up the hot search by the netizens?

Lu Zhi Wei clicked in to the hot search page.

Sang Wan Ci rested her chin on Lu Zhi Wei’s shoulder, looking at her phone screen expressionlessly.

It didn’t matter whether she got on or not. She didn’t care about the hot search, it was more important that her work was good.

But Zhang Xian Rui and the company would care.

Naturally, she got on the hot search again.

The topic #Sang Wan Ci’s piano playing is exceptional# was on top.

Someone had posted a screen recording of Sang Wan Ci playing the piano.

Fans were screaming and supporting Sang Wan Ci.

There were also passersby who were praising Sang Wan Ci for looking so perfect no matter what she did.

She was like the light in the world, shining brighter than anybody else at all times. Nobody could disregard her.

Lu Zhi Wei felt that with Sang Wan Ci’s current popularity, she could definitely become the top star once she wins another Most Popular Female Lead award.

And she has only done a third of her acting career.

She started to doubt if her own male protagonist’s halo was spoilt.

She started to doubt if she would have to spend the rest of her life chasing after this world’s light.

But soon, she came optimistic again.

Don’t think too much, Lu Zhi Wei, you’ve already been seen by the world.

So what if you have to spend the rest of your life chasing after this lift?

She’s so good, she’s so important to you, isn’t it worth you using your whole life to love her?

The answer was clear.

At this moment, Sang Wan Ci raised a hand, exiting the hot search.

Lu Zhi Wei watched as her finger glided down and tapped into another topic: #Lu Zhi Wei the lumberjack#

She noticed Sang Wan Ci’s hot search topic.

And Sang Wan Ci was noticing her hot search topic.

In their eyes, they were only ever looking at each other.

Lu Zhi Wei, who had just seen the topic: “?”

Who was the one who came up with such a heart-wrenching, crazy topic name!!!

This topic’s style was clearly not the same as the topic about Sang Wan Ci.

In here, everything had “hahahaha”.

[@This is a copying world!]: Hahahaha save me, my ears are bleeding!

[@The copied copy party]: The production crew who didn’t let her play the violin really cared for the audience, I love it

[@Did I not top up enough money]: Lmao, she looked so excited when she pulled out the violin, who could have guessed that such deathly music is behind such a pure smile

[@Quack quack quack quack]: Hahahahahaha I’m dying of laughter

Even more mysteriously, Lu Zhi Wei got many new fans from this, all saying they were coming to supervise her practising the violin.

Not only that, even Director Liu Zhao asked her to work hard and practice hard.

[Director Liu]: I saw your live stream

[Director Liu]: Your violin skills…… have a long way to go

[Director Liu]: Work hard, practice more, I believe in you

Lu Zhi Wei: “……”

Was this art that talked, Director Liu.

Then, she suddenly heard a soft laugh from behind her.

She turned back in confusion: “……?”

I’ve been laughed at by others, and you can still laugh?

Sang Wan Ci rubbed Lu Zhi Wei’s head as her eyes showed her amusement.

“It’s okay, we’ll practice slowly, I’ll teach you. Our Zhi Wei is very smart, you definitely can learn it.”

… Please read at jiulian lian . wordpress . com

Meng household.

The bedroom on the second floor.

The moonlit scenery outside the window was quiet.

A middle-aged man with dignified features sat by the window.

The curtains were open and the moonlight streamed into the room, gently providing a light source.

The man was wearing black pyjamas, his face half hidden in the shadow, his eyes deep in thought.

The tablet that his secretary had just brought in was lying on the small table in front of him.

The sound of the piano came from the tablet.

Quick at times, sombre at others, it was elegant and well-practiced.

The eyebrows of the person in the video were calm and beautiful, showing her focused expression.

She sat in front of the piano, ten fingers on the keys as she became one with the piano.

Looking just like her mother did when she played.

The man sat there, his face unchanging as he looked at Sang Wan Ci.

His daughter truly was a natural pianist.

He reached out a finger, sliding across the screen as he tapped into the next video.

His secretary had also prepared the video of his daughter’s friend playing the violin.

Opening it, an abrupt sound suddenly rang out.

The style was completely different from Sang Wan Ci’s melodious piano piece.

This girl’s playing was completely out of tune with a big impact.

His ears suffered torture that they never had before.

“……”

What the hell was she playing?

…

The live stream had exhausted Zhou Su.

She laid down on the sofa, unbelievably happy that she had the rest of the day to herself.

She lifted her hand and pushed her glasses up.

After living for so many years, this was the first time she had realised that a single hour could feel longer than a year.

It really wasn’t easy to do this kind of thing, it really wasn’t easy to earn money……

She suddenly felt a bit sympathetic, turning to look at Jin Man Wen who was beside her.

Jin Man Wen’s face was calm, as if she had long since gotten used to this, and she was calmly peeling an apple.

She lifted a hand, patting Jin Man Wen’s shoulder: “It’s not easy for you.”

Jin Man Wen smiled and handed her the apple: “You’ve worked hard, have an apple.”

Zhou Su took it and bit into it.

It was juicy and crisp, delicious.

She pushed her glasses up again and rejoiced: “Thankfully there are only two days left.”

Two days left, then she could go back to being a carefree bookworm.

Jin Man Wen thought about it: That’s right, there are only two days left.

She only had two days left to interact with Lu Zhi Wei.

She didn’t know when they would see each other next, their show hadn’t confirmed the shooting schedule yet……

Having to part with the person she liked so soon, she felt very sad.

She wasn’t Sang Wan Ci, able to see Lu Zhi Wei whenever she wanted.

Most importantly, she didn’t know if Sang Wan Ci would say anything bad about her to Lu Zhi Wei when she wasn’t around.

Would she?

If this was at the start, she definitely wouldn’t think so.

But after these few days, she no longer had a confirmed opinion towards Sang Wan Ci.

Sang Wan Ci, that was a woman whose appearance didn’t match what she actually was like!

No, even if there was only a 1% possibility, she couldn’t let Sang Wan Ci say anything bad about her to Lu Zhi Wei.

She had to talk to Sang Wan Ci.

It was time for a showdown between love rivals!

After making her decision, Jin Man Wen patted Zhou Su’s shoulder: “Since there’s no recording now, you’ve worked hard, go take a rest, I’m going out for a bit.”

“What is it?” Zhou Su asked. “You wouldn’t be going to look for Lu Zhi Wei again?”

“Of course not,” Jin Man Wen got up, her voice heavy with meaning. “I’m going to look for Sang Wan Ci.”

Zhou Su: “?”

How unexpected.

… Please read at jiulian lian . wordpress . com

Since it was free time, the filming had stopped.

Lu Zhi Wei and Sang Wan Ci could sit together and talk about whatever they wanted.

They chatted about a lot, from the jobs they had accepted to the Golden Autumn Awards.

《Phoenix》 would be submitted to the Golden Autumn Awards for consideration as a new film for this year.

As for how many awards it could win at the Golden Autumn Awards, it would depend on the show and the actors themselves.

Lu Zhi Wei held onto Sang Wan Ci’s hand, the pads of her fingers rubbing against her fingertips.

Every actor had a dream to be a main lead, and an ambition to win the best actor award.

Sang Wan Ci had only won two Best Newcomer Awards in the year she debuted, she didn’t have any fate with the Best Actress Award.

It remained to be seen if she could win the Best Actress Award this year.

Lu Zhi Wei was nervous for her.

Even if she had the female protagonist halo.

Now that the storyline had changed, who knew when Sang Wan Ci could be able to get the Best Actress Award that she wanted?

“Are you nervous?” Lu Zhi Wei asked her.

“A little,” Sang Wan Ci smiled, her eyes calm. “But I’ll do my best and leave the rest to fate.”

Lu Zhi Wei smiled: “Mm, yes, do your best and leave the rest to fate.”

One had to live a little more optimistically and calmly.

It was enough to do your best, without expecting the result to be perfect.

How could everything in life go exactly as you wanted?

She let go of Sang Wan Ci’s hand and said: “Today has been tiring, let’s rest early.”

Sang Wan Ci nodded.

Then, the doorbell rang.

Lu Zhi Wei walked over and opened the door.

And she saw Jin Man Wen there.

“Hello, Zhi Wei,” Jin Man Wen greeted her with a sweet smile. “Good evening.”

The love rival had appeared.

Sang Wan Ci suddenly stood up from the chair and walked behind Lu Zhi Wei, like a puppy guarding its food.

“Miss Jin, is anything the matter?” Sang Wan Ci’s voice was devoid of emotion, cool and calm.

“Yes.” Jin Man Wen asked.

“What is it?” Lu Zhi Wei asked.

“I know of a place nearby that’s very suitable for chatting, there’s nobody there at this time,” Jin Man Wen’s gaze suddenly went to Sang Wan Ci from Lu Zhi Wei. “Would Teacher Sang mind following me there for a chat?”

Sang Wan Ci: “?”

Lu Zhi Wei: “?”

How unexpected, she wasn’t looking for Lu Zhi Wei today.

… Please read at jiulian lian . wordpress . com

The location that Jin Man Wen mentioned wasn’t far from the accommodations that the crew arranged for them, just a short distance from the small route outside the house.

It was along a river.

There were red handrails along the river made of fake wood, with wooden benches in front of them.

Jin Man Wen sat down and looked at Sang Wan Ci, who stood in front of her.

She patted the seat next to her: “Teacher Sang, take a seat.”

Sang Wan Ci stood by the handrail, crossing her arms with no intention to sit.

“I won’t be sitting. If Miss Jin has something to say, go ahead.”

Jin Man Wen raised an eyebrow.

This distance, this attitude, it was hard for her to believe that Sang Wan Ci wasn’t love rivals with her.

Forget it, it doesn’t matter, she didn’t want to be close to Sang Wan Ci anyway.

Jin Man Wen stretched out her legs, her hands on the bench next to her.

She lifted her head slowly, looking at Sang Wan Ci calmly as she asked: “Sang Wan Ci, will you say bad things about me to Lu Zhi Wei?”

Sang Wan Ci retorted: “What bad things about you are worth me talking about?”

Did she look like someone who would talk bad about others?

Jin Man Wen “oh”-ed, then said decisively: “Sang Wan Ci, you like Zhi Wei right.”

Sang Wan Ci didn’t reply, rebutting: “You like Zhi Wei.”

She didn’t even have any doubt in her voice.

Jin Man Wen didn’t deny it: “Yes, I like Zhi Wei.”

Sang Wan Ci asked: “What do you like about her?”

Jin Man Wen didn’t hesitate: “I like that she’s optimistic, I like that she’s warm like the sun. Someone like that, who wouldn’t like her?”

Sang Wan Ci agreed with her.

Lu Zhi Wei was far better than she thought, far more likeable than she thought.

Out of all the animals on Earth, who didn’t like the warm sun?

But Sang Wan Ci wasn’t the same.

She didn’t just like the sunny side of Lu Zhi Wei, she also liked the stubborn and optimistic Lu Zhi Wei, the Lu Zhi Wei who would cry and open her heart to Sang Wan Ci.

She liked every part of Lu Zhi Wei, not just what showed on the surface.

Jin Man Wen asked what she liked about Lu Zhi Wei.

She didn’t answer, saying simply: “Give up, it’s not possible.”

“Why isn’t it possible?”

“Zhi Wei doesn’t like you.”

“How do you know she doesn’t like me?”

“Since you don’t believe me, then why don’t you go ask Zhi Wei yourself?”

Speaking about that, the atmosphere suddenly became heated.

The two of them looked at each other, one of them indifferent and the other scrutinising.

There was no friendliness at all.

How did Sang Wan Ci know Lu Zhi Wei didn’t like her.

Jin Man Wen wasn’t willing to continue thinking about it because Sang Wan Ci didn’t seem like someone who would lie to her about something like this.

…… Even if Sang Wan Ci’s appearance didn’t match what she was actually like.

“What……” She smiled in frustration.

So what if Sang Wan Ci wasn’t someone who would lie to her?

Why would she believe what a love rival said?

Even if she didn’t like her, she wanted to hear Lu Zhi Wei say it to her personally.

People always had their stubborn moments.

That was her now.

“I’m not going to listen to you, I want to hear Zhi Wei tell me personally if she likes me or not.”

Sang Wan Ci’s expression didn’t change: “Mm, go ahead.”

Her tone even carried a hint of encouragement.

Jin Man Wen felt those words sounded piercing: “……”

Damn it, why did everything this woman say make her feel like her blood pressure was rising!

Sang Wan Ci was definitely anticipating for Jin Man Wen to confess to Lu Zhi Wei.

Since Lu Zhi Wei said she didn’t like her, that meant she didn’t like her. She definitely wouldn’t string Jin Man Wen along.

And Lu Zhi Wei’s rejection would be a hundred times more effective than her strict defence.

Jin Man Wen looked at her, feeling angrier and angrier at her calm demeanour.

Wanting to anger her, she laughed, purposefully saying: “Sang Wan Ci, Zhi Wei doesn’t like you, right?”

Sang Wan Ci lowered her eyes slowly, looking at her.

Jin Man Wen said smugly: “Looks like we’re the same.”

Hearing that, Sang Wan Ci smiled slightly: “You and I are not the same.”

She didn’t know if Lu Zhi Wei liked her or not, but she knew that she was definitely the most special existence in Lu Zhi Wei’s heart.

This was enough to let her show off in front of a love rival.

It was something that Jin Man Wen could covet but never get.

“If Zhi Wei liked you, you two would have gotten together by now. It’s clear she doesn’t have you in her heart.”

Jin Man Wen’s eyes were mocking.

“So what’s so different between us? If I’ll be rejected, won’t you be too?”

Seeing Sang Wan Ci’s eyes flickering with coldness as if she had been angered, Jin Man Wen suddenly felt happy.

After angering her many times, it was time to let Sang Wan Ci experience the same.

“Sang Wan Ci, I’m guessing you definitely haven’t confessed to Zhi Wei, right? As for me, I’m not the same, I’m going to confess to Zhi Wei now.”

Jin Man Wen stood up slowly, walking close to her with a sweet smile.

“Teacher Sang, take your time and wait, pick an auspicious day and see which day is the most suitable for confessing, the most suitable for being rejected.”

So what if she was special to Lu Zhi Wei?

Didn’t she not even have the courage to confess?

Laughable coward.

Sang Wan Ci stood there, watching Jin Man Wen’s retreating back.

They weren’t the same.

Jin Man Wen wanted immediacy, but she wanted stability. That’s why she had carefully tested again and again in this relationship, waiting for Lu Zhi Wei to fall for her.

She was scared too.

Scared that once she confessed and got rejected, they wouldn’t even be able to maintain this current friendship.

She was also scared of becoming Lu Zhi Wei’s burden.

Until today, she finally realised how ridiculous her words had been.

Nobody could say for sure that they wouldn’t like someone even if they knew the person didn’t love them[1], liking someone was a feeling that was hard to restrain and uncontrollable.

Just like Lu Zhi Wei had said, this wasn’t a question that you could just choose whatever you wanted.

God had sent Lu Zhi Wei to her side, perhaps it was to teach her this.

But…… Lu Zhi Wei really didn’t like her?

Not even a little?

Sang Wan Ci pressed her lips together, looking in the direction she came in. After a moment, she decided to go back.

Forget about everything else for now.

She wanted to know how Lu Zhi Wei would reject Jin Man Wen.

… Please read at jiulian lian . wordpress . com

Jin Man Wen gathered her courage, pressing the doorbell again.

It was Lu Zhi Wei who opened the door again.

Seeing her alone, Lu Zhi Wei looked behind and asked: “You guys are done chatting?”

“Mm!”

“Where’s Wan Ci?”

“Ah…… She, she’s thinking about stuff, she should come back later.”

“Oh, I see……”

Lu Zhi Wei was suddenly a little worried.

Nothing would have happened to Wan Ci, right?’

Probably not……

After all, she had practiced martial arts, what could Jin Man Wen do to her?

She should be fine.

Jin Man Wen saw that Lu Zhi Wei was a little lost in her thoughts, and called her.

“Zhi Wei, I have something to tell you!”

Lu Zhi Wei vaguely had a feeling, as if she could guess what she was thinking.

Even so, Lu Zhi Wei still politely smiled and asked: “What is it?”

“Should we go in and talk?”

“No need.”

Jin Man Wen looked left and right, the surroundings were devoid of people.

She took a deep breath, gathering her courage as she looked at the good-looking person in front of her, saying clearly: “Zhi Wei, I like you.”

Sure enough.

Even though she had guessed it, but being confessed to, Lu Zhi Wei was still taken aback.

This was too sudden……

Jin Man Wen’s gaze was determined, as she stared at her, her hands clenching tightly at her pants.

She was very scared of being rejected too.

More than anyone, she hoped Lu Zhi Wei could give her the perfect answer.

“The sort of like where I want to be with you,” Jin Man Wen said slowly. “Will you be my girlfriend? I will definitely treat you very, very well, I swear!”

Lu Zhi Wei’s eyes moved slowly as she digested this confession.

After a second, she smiled apologetically: “Sorry, I can’t, I don’t like you.”

Jin Man Wen struggled: “It’s okay, liking, liking can be cultivated! You don’t like me now because you don’t know me well enough, maybe you’ll like me after you know me better?”

Lu Zhi Wei shook her head, her expression gentle but her words were certain: “It’s not possible.”

Jin Man Wen’s face fell, then she asked: “Why?”

As if she thought of something, she said: “Could it be that you like someone already?!”

Lu Zhi Wei stayed silent for a moment, then nodded.

“Mm, I like someone.”

If that could make Jin Man Wen give up, then she was willing to be honest.

Jin Man Wen asked: “Who?”

Lu Zhi Wei smiled: “It’s a secret, I can’t tell you.”

Jin Man Wen immediately became even more depressed.

Not only did she not lose to Sang Wan Ci, but she lost to a love rival that she didn’t even know about!!!

“I got it…… I hope you’ll be happy.”

“Thank you, you too.”

Jin Man Wen wasn’t someone who would pester others, she understood retreating gracefully after being rejected.

She turned around sadly.

Then, she saw Sang Wan Ci who was standing not far off.

Lu Zhi Wei was a bit shocked too. She had been too absorbed in talking to Jin Man Wen that she totally didn’t notice Sang Wan Ci had returned.

She didn’t know if Sang Wan Ci had heard the reason she gave for rejecting Jin Man Wen……

Seeing Sang Wan Ci, Jin Man Wen immediately became haughty again.

What was there to be depressed about?

Didn’t Sang Wan Ci also lose to that invisible love rival?

The two of them were the same, she wasn’t the only pathetic one!

So Sang Wan Ci watched as she stared at her arrogantly then strutted away.

Sang Wan Ci: “……”

She was still so arrogant after being rejected?

Was there something wrong with her mentally?

Lu Zhi Wei suddenly felt nervous facing Sang Wan Ci.

Her hands subconsciously joined together.

“You’re back, why are you so late?”

“I was thinking about something.” Sang Wan Ci walked over, her face unchanging.

“Oh……”

Lu Zhi Wei didn’t ask what she was thinking about, turning to enter the house.

Sang Wan Ci followed, closing the door behind her.

The house fell into silence, so quiet a needle dropping could be heard.

Lu Zhi Wei didn’t know why the atmosphere became like this, she was a bit lost.

But thinking of Sang Wan Ci’s calm face…… She probably didn’t hear, or maybe she didn’t care?

Her mood suddenly dropped as she suddenly thought of the latter.

So Sang Wan Ci didn’t care who she liked?

It really was a one-sided crush……

At this moment, she heard the person behind her call out: “Zhi Wei.”

Lu Zhi Wei turned around, seeing Sang Wan Ci standing there looking at her.

When their eyes met, her heart suddenly started racing.

“You can’t tell her who the person you like is……”

Sang Wan Ci continued looking at her.

“Then can you tell me?”

[1] 没有人可以做到不喜欢不会爱上自己的人 – So this is a very odd sentence, and I believe there’s a typo or something here because the meaning is “Nobody can not like someone who can’t fall in love with them”. But regardless, as for the sentence I translated it to, I don’t think it’s true that people will definitely fall for someone who’s fallen in love with them either, so yeah. Just an odd part all around. Thanks to a fellow translator, we managed to get clarification from the author and I’ve updated the sentence to make it clearer!