Chapter 48: You Are the One Who Doesn't Understand

“This is the first piece I ever composed on my own back in high school, and it holds great significance for me. It’s been so long since then—the last time I played it was just to make my beloved smile. Now, that person is unrecognizable, and everything has changed beyond measure. I found myself moved by a sudden wave of emotion, so I altered the melody a little, infusing it with the feelings I carry now.

You could say this piece has spanned half my life.” Yu Baichuan lifted his head—not looking at anyone in particular, and yet his words seemed to be directed straight at Ye Xiruo beside him. Even his tone carried a pointed implication. “This song is very important to me. I don’t want anyone who truly understands it to interfere with my creation without permission.”

Music has no strict definition; anyone who hears this song might have their own interpretation. That, Yu Baichuan cannot control, nor does he wish to—he’s happy for the audience to judge his music. What he cannot abide are those who presumptuously meddle in his work.

And, those who attack the only true soulmate he has in this world.

If Ye Xiruo hadn’t been so sharp-tongued toward Li Wanbai, perhaps he wouldn’t have spoken up now.

It’s not out of fear—he simply sees no need for it.

Arguing with someone like that only gives them more attention.

He has no such need.

In this life, the only person he’s willing to give attention to is Li Wanbai.

And soon, he won’t even be able to do that.

At this thought, Yu Baichuan’s gaze dimmed, his voice cooling. “Ye Xiruo, you owe Li Wanbai an apology.”

For your ignorance, your arrogance, your overestimation of yourself.

Ye Xiruo’s face shifted through several expressions. She glanced at the camera nearly pressed to her face, then turned without hesitation and bowed deeply to Li Wanbai.

Tears glimmered in her eyes, but she stubbornly refused to let them fall. “I’m sorry, Xiaobai. I was too presumptuous and failed to grasp the deeper meaning in Teacher Yu’s music. In this, I truly am not your equal.”

Li Wanbai opened her mouth to reply, but before she could speak, Quan Hao rushed forward with a sneer. “You’re apologizing to her—so why all the tears and drama? Anyone watching might think Li Wanbai is the one at fault! You really enjoy—”

Off-camera, a string of coughs erupted from the program staff, who looked at Quan Hao with pleading faces: Ancestor, please, don’t say another word! If you keep going, the show will be ruined!

Another word and Ye Xiruo really might trigger a fan crisis!

This program rarely gets a chance to reshoot. All the contracts are signed in one go.

Ye Xiruo, for instance, had signed on for four episodes at once, the payment already in her account. Even if she had to withdraw later due to personal reasons—or more specifically, a scandal—the company bore no financial responsibility; all losses would fall on the production team.

It was an extremely one-sided contract, but only such terms could attract the biggest names and bring in enough attention.

It was a risky gamble, but with current ratings, it looked like a solid bet—so long as Quan Hao didn’t cause enough trouble to tank Ye Xiruo’s reputation, there was still a way forward.

Quan Hao smirked, lips curling as if to say, “Do you think I care about any of this?”

He was about to speak again when Li Wanbai coughed gently and smiled. “It’s all right, truly. This is nothing. If anything, we should be chastising the one who performed.”

Quan Hao frowned, looking at her in disbelief. Then, suddenly, he laughed quietly and lowered his head, saying no more.

Ye Xiruo clearly hadn’t expected this turn from Li Wanbai. She froze for a moment, then her eyes lit up as if grabbing a lifeline, and she clutched Li Wanbai’s hand. “Yes, I knew Xiaobai wouldn’t blame me.”

“But you did interrupt Yu Baichuan’s musical atmosphere with your improvised dancing. Perhaps you should apologize to Yu Baichuan as well?” Li Wanbai said with a beaming smile.

She still couldn’t figure out exactly what had happened between herself and Mu Sang.

Su Chengzi didn’t know, Yu Baichuan couldn’t ask, and Quan Hao? Who even was he? They didn’t seem familiar.

The only one who truly knew the whole story between her and Mu Sang was Ye Xiruo. Li Wanbai couldn’t openly break with her.

To do so on camera would only harm herself.

But she was not someone who would suffer in silence. With a smile, she deftly shifted the spotlight back onto Ye Xiruo.

No chance to muddle the issue.

Ye Xiruo looked at Li Wanbai with disbelief, but quickly composed herself and, with a pitiful air, turned to Yu Baichuan. “Teacher Yu, I truly am sorry. It was my fault. In the future, I’ll think things through before I act. I won’t cause any more trouble for you or any of the other seniors. I really am sorry!”

Her attitude was sincere, and with her understated makeup, jet-black hair, white dress, and delicate features, it was hard not to be moved.

Not just Yu Baichuan—even I felt a pang of sympathy.

Li Wanbai clicked her tongue in amusement, just as a burning gaze fell upon her.

She startled, instinctively looking up, but saw only the top of Yu Baichuan’s head.

He didn’t respond directly to Ye Xiruo’s apology. Instead, he said softly, “You’ve all seen Li Wanbai’s skill—her artistry is impressive. Let’s move on to group assignments.”

The production team, worried about potential issues, had deployed much more security than for a typical tour performance.

Yu Baichuan, Li Wanbai, and Ma Xu were split into three groups while the others quickly formed their own teams. In no time, they’d earned the hundred yuan the show required.

They even managed to earn the four hundred yuan needed for the third day.

Li Wanbai hadn’t expected things to go so smoothly. If they hadn’t stopped when they did, they might have raked in even more.

The fans on site were simply too enthusiastic.

Even Li Wanbai’s group was surrounded.

Though her reputation in the entertainment industry wasn’t the best, she still had many fans who admired her looks. These fans, however, weren’t the type to argue with others openly online; they preferred to quietly wait for fan site updates.

Many people were drawn in by Li Wanbai’s beauty.

One young woman, after receiving a portrait from Li Wanbai, whispered, “Thank you. At first, I just thought you were pretty, so I liked you. But after watching this show, I realized you’re actually quite interesting. Keep it up!”

After speaking, she shyly hurried away into the crowd. Suddenly, she stopped, turned around, and yelled, “Li Wanbai, you’re great just as you are! Stop riding on Movie King Yu’s coattails and ruining your reputation with the general public—you're making it tough for an original fan like me!”

Her voice carried, and on the other side of the plaza, Yu Baichuan’s music faltered; he nearly burst out laughing.

Watching the livestream, Su Chengzi shot upright, grabbed a second phone, and dialed a number. Before she could speak, her personal assistant said, “Don’t worry, boss, I understand! I’ll investigate this beauty’s account right away. We’ll make it big together!”