Not long after hanging up the phone, Zeyang saw that the violin strings had been completely removed.

Liang Yao seemed to have lost interest and didn’t mock him further, not even sparing him a glance. “What strings are we replacing?”

Zeyang replied calmly, “Just replace them with the same kind that were taken off.”

Liang Yao paused, looked up at Zeyang, and said with a slight sneer in his tone, “If it’s a performance violin, you should use better strings.”

Zeyang’s expression remained unchanged. He declined, “No need.”

Liang Yao didn’t say anything else and started putting on the strings.

Before long, the violin was completely repaired.

Zeyang took the violin and paid the bill.

As he pushed the door open and left, the wind chime above the door jingled softly.

The moment the door closed, Liang Yao’s expression darkened.

“Buzz buzz buzz—”

His phone vibrated.

Liang Yao glanced at it. A file labeled “Investigation Data” had been sent over.

He opened the file and quickly skimmed through it.

---

**[Zeyang, male, 17 years old, born in Lushu Village, Sanyun Town, Yuanqing City, XX Province.
Formerly attended Yuanqing Town Primary School and Sanyun Town Middle School.

During the first semester of eighth grade in October, his parents died in a car accident. Zeyang was adopted by his uncle in Yuanqing City and transferred to Yuanqing No. 1 High School.

(Investigation found that Zeyang’s parents’ farmland had been transferred to his uncle’s name. The adoption motives appear questionable.)

In his first year of high school, he was scouted by a talent agent, dropped out of school, and joined Yuye Entertainment Company as a trainee.

(His academic performance was outstanding, making it unlikely he would willingly drop out. This is suspected to be orchestrated by his uncle.)

In just one year, he surpassed many seniors to qualify for debut, but before the debut, Yuye Entertainment was investigated and shut down for tax issues.

(The debut lineup had already been finalized, but senior female executive Feng Wei replaced one member with Zeyang. Former company employees revealed that Feng Wei often met privately with Zeyang under the pretext of taking trainees out to eat.)

Afterward, he participated in the audition for Idol Project, caught the attention of Zhang Zhixiang, and signed with Yicheng Entertainment Company.

(Notably, Zeyang’s contract with Zhang Zhixiang occurred under very coincidental circumstances. Zhang Zhixiang’s viewing area was on the VIP balcony on the second floor, inaccessible to contestants. According to staff at the time, Zeyang accidentally wandered upstairs and encountered Zhang Zhixiang. They had a pleasant conversation, leading to the signing.)]**

---

Liang Yao locked his phone.

The detective’s implication was clear—Zeyang was approaching Zhang Zhixiang with a specific purpose.

Liang Yao’s gaze darkened further as he toyed with the small pliers he had just used to adjust the violin strings.

How could someone be so detestable?

If only the snapped string had been his neck instead.

The wind chime jingled as a long-haired man walked in. “Old Liang, how’s it going these days? Feeling calm and peaceful?”

Tian Yu froze at Liang Yao’s expression. “What’s wrong with you? You look awful.”

Liang Yao took off the work jacket of the violin shop and tossed it to Tian Yu. “I’m leaving.”

“What? Weren’t we going for drinks tonight? Don’t leave!”

Tian Yu hesitated for a moment and grabbed Liang Yao’s arm. “Didn’t you say your place has been haunted lately? What are you going back for?”

Liang Yao tugged the corner of his mouth into a perfunctory smile. “I have urgent matters.”

“What urgent matters could you possibly have?”

Liang Yao sighed. “The ghost at my house hooked up with a wild ghost.”

Tian Yu was stunned. “What? What kind of nonsense is that?”

Before he could react, Liang Yao had already walked off with a swagger.

“What does a wild ghost hooking up with your ghost have to do with you? Are you going to catch them in the act?”

Tian Yu had no idea he had stumbled upon the truth.

---

Zeyang hadn’t walked far before receiving a call from Zhang Zhixiang.

“Hello? Are you still at the violin shop? I just filled up at a nearby gas station. Should I come pick you up?”

“Sure. I just finished with the violin. I’m at the entrance of McX now.”

A few minutes after hanging up, Zeyang got into Zhang Zhixiang’s car.

Before long, they arrived at the company.

Zhang Zhixiang opened the car door. “I need to grab something from the office.”

“I’ll come along to get the sheet music from the practice room.” Zeyang followed her out of the car.

They took the elevator up. Zeyang retrieved the sheet music from the practice room and then went to the administration floor to wait for Zhang Zhixiang.

She was chatting with a senior executive.

Her smile was bright. “Thank you so much! I really appreciate it.”

The executive waved it off. “We’re the organizers; we have plenty of extra tickets. It’s no trouble.”

After repeatedly expressing her gratitude, Zhang Zhixiang took the tickets and turned to Zeyang. “Let’s go. I’ll drop you off at home.”

“Okay.” Zeyang noticed the tickets in her hand. “What are those?”

Zhang Zhixiang folded the tickets and put them into her bag. “Nothing. Let’s go.”

Zeyang obediently followed her, but his hand in his pocket clenched tightly.

After getting into the car, he took out his phone, typed in a keyword, and did a quick search. Then he put the phone away.

A few seconds later, Zeyang asked, “Sister Zhang, are you free this Saturday? I’m struggling with the song for my new stage performance.”

Zhang Zhixiang kept her eyes on the road, turning the wheel absentmindedly. “I can’t. I have plans on Saturday. How about Sunday? I’m free then.”

“Okay. Sunday it is. Thank you, Sister Zhang.”

Zeyang stared at the search results on his phone screen, his expression growing darker.

---

The TV played on, broadcasting meaningless advertisements. The crisp voice of the announcer echoed in the living room.

“Buzz buzz buzz—”

The phone vibrated.

Liang Yao didn’t even look before rejecting the call.

The phone screen dimmed, and the missed call icon changed to show seven missed calls.

Liang Yao leaned against the couch, his face unreadable.

Time crawled by as his heart filled with unresolved anxiety.

Finally, the phone stopped vibrating.

But Liang Yao couldn’t help glancing at the now-silent device.

Frustrated, he picked up the phone and tossed it to the other side of the couch.

The ads ended, and a music program resumed, with soothing violin melodies filling the air.

After a few minutes, Liang Yao grew impatient. He clicked his tongue, turned, and reached for his phone.

There were no new messages.

He gritted his teeth and clenched the phone tightly.

“Click—”

The door opened.

Liang Yao immediately looked over, then quickly turned his gaze away, his expression icy.

But Zhang Zhixiang didn’t notice. Her eyes sparkled as she spoke cheerfully, “Why are you home so early today?”

Liang Yao crossed his arms and stared at the TV.

Zhang Zhixiang took off her coat, smiling brightly as she hummed a little tune and walked over. “Why didn’t you answer my calls earlier? I was so worried.”

She seemed to be in an excellent mood.

Liang Yao’s frustration and resentment grew.

She didn’t notice that he had ignored her calls or that he was upset. Didn’t she care about his feelings at all?

Zhang Zhixiang sat down beside him and reached out to put a hand on his shoulder.

Liang Yao shifted away to avoid her touch.

Zhang Zhixiang didn’t mind, still smiling.

“You’re in a good mood?” Liang Yao finally spoke, albeit reluctantly.

“It’s okay.” Zhang Zhixiang’s face showed a hint of concern. “Why didn’t you answer my calls earlier? I was really worried about you.”

Liang Yao bit his lip, unable to stay angry.

“I’m just glad you’re okay. I thought you wouldn’t come home tonight.” She patted his shoulder, half-joking and half-serious. “If you’re too busy to answer calls, just send a text. Otherwise, I’ll really worry. You still owe me rent, after all.”

Her lips curled into a playful pout, and her bright, black eyes were filled with warmth.

“Okay,” Liang Yao said, his tone softening unconsciously. “Got it.”

He pinched the couch in frustration, cursing his own weakness.

Why did she have to exist?

He had spent all this time feeling angry and wronged, imagining countless ways to hurt her in retaliation.

But the moment she appeared, all his anger and grievances vanished, replaced by unrestrained joy and happiness.

“Oh, right!” Zhang Zhixiang pulled out two tickets. “Look at these!”

Liang Yao glanced at her and asked in a small voice, “What?”

She waved the tickets. “Our company is hosting Pat Springer’s concert. I got us two tickets. Didn’t you say you regretted never hearing him live? Want to go together this Saturday?”

“You—” Liang Yao froze.

Zhang Zhixiang continued chattering, “It wasn’t easy to get these. I’m not even on good terms with Manager Yang, but I shamelessly asked for them…”

Liang Yao stared at her red lips as they moved, his mind racing like a string of firecrackers.

The afternoon sunlight streamed through the window, illuminating her triumphant, radiant smile.

Her eyes curved into crescents, and her voice was clear and pleasant, like a bird singing at dawn.

Liang Yao’s throat felt itchy, and his heart even itchier.

What should he do? It seemed like a disaster was brewing.

He looked at her, feeling as though he were about to have a heart attack. And yet, why did he still want to get closer to her?

Unconsciously, Liang Yao leaned in, his gaze fixed on her.

Closer. A little closer.

And then… kiss her.

Kiss her?!

The thought made Liang Yao’s expression turn to one of utter shock.

Something was very wrong.

Something was terribly wrong.

Zhang Zhixiang noticed his expression and was startled. “What’s wrong? Are you okay?”

She reached out to shake Liang Yao.

Liang Yao was completely dazed, his mind blank.

After a long while, he finally said, “Zhang Zhixiang.”

She looked at him, confused. “What?”

“I think I’m acting strange.”

Liang Yao licked his lips, his dark eyes glistening like a lost fawn in the morning mist.

Zhang Zhixiang looked at him, slightly surprised.

“Strangely… like you?” she asked tentatively.

Liang Yao: “…”

In an instant, his face turned bright red.

A few seconds later, Liang Yao muttered gloomily, “Yeah.”

Zhang Zhixiang: “…”

Zhang Zhixiang: “???!!!”

What the heck? A direct self-exposure?!

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