There are only four days left until Jiang Yu’s final concert. But after removing two official performances, Yu Shiqing and Jiang Yu have just two days to rehearse. Unfortunately, on those days, Yu Shiqing received notice that on the 28th he must join the film crew on a variety show to promote Mist. Postponing it could take at least two weeks, and adjusting schedules for Lin Anjin, Yao Lun, and others would be too difficult. Yu Shiqing refused the hassle and booked the time directly. He already knows the sheet music for Tacit Understanding well so with the 27th off, it’s plenty of time to rehearse.
Ren Bai said, “It can’t be helped. Apocalypse Rescue has its preview screening soon, and you all must go on tour with Yu Rong and the others. You’ll be even busier.”
Apocalypse Rescue is officially released on June 15, but it has its preview on the 2nd, and the tour starts earlier and can’t shift. They didn’t give Yu Shiqing much rest time. Jiang Yu has to do 26 concerts in three months touring means he can’t perform while he’s on the road. Fortunately, their last concert city is the capital. As soon as the evening show ends, they go straight to the airport and fly home. Ren Bai rides with Jiang Yu and stops when they arrive; he’s exhausted and wants to sleep.
After a quick wash, they each go to bed. When they woke up, morning light fills the room. Yu Shiqing pulls back the duvet and gets out of bed, meeting Jiang Yu in the hall.
Jiang Yu asks, “Not sleeping in a bit?”
Since finishing filming on Apocalypse Rescue, Yu Shiqing has jumped into filming Mist as the lead almost three months far from easy, similar to doing many concerts back to back. Yu Shiqing replies, “No need.”
They reach the bathroom. Yu Shiqing stops when he sees a new gray-blue mouthwash cup. Jiang Yu walks over and says casually, “This one is yours.” He picks up the other cup, heads to the kitchen, and starts frying some toast and eggs.
As Yu Shiqing heads back to his room, the smell stops him. He sees that breakfast is already plated. Jiang Yu pours him hot milk from the coffee pot.
Yu Shiqing asks, “Don’t we need to get to rehearsal early?”
Jiang Yu answers, “This venue is familiar no need to get there so early.” He adds, “This is your guest fee for being my guest.”
Yu Shiqing looks down at the table and says, “This is my fee?” Jiang Yu expressionlessly steps forward to take away the cup. “If you’re unhappy, wait until Ren Bai buys you something.”
Yu Shiqing laughs and gently holds Jiang Yu’s wrist. “Your cooking is fine as my guest fee, I’ll do my best.”
Jiang Yu summarily says: “Lip service.”
Yu Shiqing says, “Eat before it gets cold.” Jiang Yu grumbles, sits back down. After breakfast, someone opens the door. Ren Bai and Meng Chen enter. They met downstairs and come in to find Yu Shiqing and Jiang Yu already finished. They share what’s left with the driver. Then they head to the venue.
After Ren Bai steps out, he checks his phone and scoffs. “Du Han is really spending big to promote Dawn. Another rumor with omega Qiu Chang photos of them sharing the same car leaked. Fans are in their comment sections defending them using Dawn’s name so apparently cohesive.”
Yu Shiqing glances once and looks away. Du Han working for free shows his determination. This planned hype is definitely targeting Yu Shiqing. Each time Apocalypse Rescue trends, Du Han reappears to take attention. It works to promote Dawn, and it seems a romance announcement is coming soon. He’s good at shameless tricks.
When crew arrives, Ren Bai stops talking and follows Yu Shiqing in. Inside, everyone’s busy. Ren Bai glances around and quickly realizes: this venue is where Jiang Yu’s concert first opened. Rehearsal won’t begin for two days, and the venue is still under construction bare stage.
Yu Shiqing and Jiang Yu go backstage. The cello for their performance arrived early. While the stage is built, they plan to rehearse their duet. Ren Bai and Meng Chen oversee.
This isn’t a real show, so Yu Shiqing is in casual clothes cream-colored sports set. Meng Chen notices his fit figure through the fabric, admiring his long legs. She sees him take the cello from its case, sit on a stool, and gently tune. His composed charm and sharp profile from the side are captivating. She discreetly snaps a photo.
Suddenly a voice behind says, “Looking good?”
She nods quickly, but immediately realizes it’s Jiang Yu. She stiffens, turning. She meets his intense gaze.
She panics and stammers, “Brother Jiang are you thirsty? I’ll get you some water!” She darts away.
Jiang Yu calmly says, “Come back.”
She returns, trembling. “Brother Jiang?”
Jiang Yu looks at her. “Sheet music.”
She realizes, fetches it quickly. Watchfully, Jiang Yu takes it and heads toward Yu Shiqing, easing her worry. She thinks everyone has the right to appreciate beauty but she’d never say that in front of Jiang Yu. Shaken earlier, she smirks at his frustrating alpha comparison.
Yu Shiqing accepts the sheet from Jiang Yu. “Any changes?” Jiang Yu says, “Added two cello parts at the start and end, for stage effect.”
Yu Shiqing nods, silent. The professionals handle those details. He rehearses with Jiang Yu, everything clicks perfectly flawless, as if they’ve practiced a hundred times.
Ren Bai, who heard the duo rehearsed separately, hears them together for the first time, and says, “The cello suits this song more than the piano.”
Meng Chen agrees. She says, “I could take them straight to the stage.”
Ren Bai laughs. “One rehearsal and they’re ready. Seems like they live up to the song’s name: Tacit Understanding.”
Jiang Yu briefly looks at Yu Shiqing, who flips to the first page unconcerned.
A staff member approaches, apologizing: the venue won’t finish construction today; earliest is tonight. Meng Chen knows Yu Shiqing leaves tomorrow for the variety show, so she ensures Yu Shiqing’s platform is set up first at least Yu Shiqing can rehearse on stage today, so he can leave without issues.
Luckily, they don’t need to match costumes with Jiang Yu just Yu Shiqing’s platform setup is straightforward.
Just after noon, the staff notifies Meng Chen all is ready. Under staff guidance, Yu Shiqing steps onto the elevating stage backstage, rising slowly to stage level, then higher until he’s looking down slightly at the audience seats. Jiang Yu stands beside him and cues the crew for adjustments. Yu Shiqing stays seated on the platform, confirms the height, and they rehearse a few more times. Done.
Jiang Yu devotes his whole day to this segment; he will stay for more rehearsals tonight. Seeing them off at the door, Meng Chen says, “The real performance stage won’t be this basic. Professor Yu might need time to adjust.”
Yu Shiqing says, “Mm.” He shares a glance with Jiang Yu.
Jiang Yu says, “I might be late coming back; don’t wait up. Go rest early.”
Ren Bai hears that and frowns but acts as if he didn’t. He turns and gets into a car.
Yu Shiqing replies, “Okay.” He has an early flight in the morning, and true enough, he goes straight to bed. The next morning, he meets Jiang Yu. After breakfast, Jiang Yu sends him to the airport. Jiang Yu says, “Text me when you return tomorrow. I’ll pick you up.”
Yu Shiqing replies, “Mm.” Then he says, “Goodbye,” and departs with Ren Bai to board.
On the flight, Ren Bai can’t stop looking at Yu Shiqing. With Mist’s production appearing on a variety show tomorrow, Lin Anjin is going too. Ren Bai is worried, Lin Anjin recently confessed and was rejected, and he wonders if the reunion will be awkward.
But it wasn’t. Thanks to strong acting or real goodwill, Lin Anjin was professional all day on set with no weirdness. Even when bumped into at the airport, Lin laughed and said, “Funny we’re on the same flight?” Their seats were apart, so no forced talk on the plane. They spoke a few sentences at arrival and left together.
At the exit, Lin Anjin remembers something: “Shiqing, wait.” Yu Shiqing stopped. Lin Anjin said, “About your money, I’ll pay you back soon.” He used his phone, then took a deep breath. As he prepared to say goodbye, he saw someone step out of a car nearby: Jiang Yu.
Lin Anjin recognized him and turned to Yu Shiqing: “Is Teacher Jiang picking you up?”
Yu Shiqing said, “Mm.”
Lin Anjin sighed, “I envy your relationship.”
Yu Shiqing replied, “You’ll have that kind of friendship too.”
Friend?
Lin Anjin looked at Yu Shiqing’s profile and pursed his lips. But then Jiang Yu walked up.
“Lin Teacher here too,” Jiang Yu said, and Lin brightened. “Hello, Teacher Jiang.” Then he looked at Yu Shiqing and asked, “Shiqing, if you have time, would you like to have a meal together?” This time, he didn’t avoid Jiang Yu’s sharp eyes he looked directly back. Lin held his phone tightly. So, it wasn’t imagination. He then said to Yu Shiqing, “Just kidding. I know you’re getting busy again.”
Yu Shiqing watched him. Lin forced a smile. “Goodbye.”
Yu Shiqing said, “Goodbye.”
Just before they turned away, Lin called out again: “Teacher Jiang.” Jiang Yu looked over. Lin said, “Did you think about it?” Jiang Yu asked, “Think about what?” Lin glanced at Yu Shiqing, and said, “Why do you care so much?”
Jiang Yu’s gaze flickered. He frowned slightly, “What do you mean?”
Lin replied, “I mean Teacher Jiang, you should make up your own mind.” Then his courage gave out. He looked away from Jiang Yu’s strong, intense eyes, forced a smile, and turned away.
Jiang Yu frowned at Lin’s retreating figure, sensing more beneath his words and glanced at Yu Shiqing. A sudden surge welled up inside him, imminent, ready to burst.
