The day after the premiere of Idol Project was the scheduled recording for its second episode.

Fortunately, the recording was in the afternoon, so Zhang Zhixing could sleep in.

After freshening up, she walked into the living room, only to find it empty.

Liang Yao was always an early riser, so his absence was surprising.

Her curiosity didn’t last long, as the sound of a door opening came from the guest room.

Liang Yao stepped out, his silver hair a tangled mess. His usually striking face looked exhausted, with dark circles under his eyes—a clear sign of a sleepless night.

Zhang Zhixing teased him, “Oh my, has our little genius decided to sleep in for once?”

“Sleep in?!” Liang Yao scoffed, muttering under his breath, “It’s all because of you…”

Hearing herself mentioned, Zhang Zhixing asked curiously, “Because of me? What did I do?”

“You—” Liang Yao froze mid-sentence, scratching his head furiously. “None of your business!”

With that, he turned and stormed into the bathroom. Soon, the sound of rushing water and his annoyed muttering filled the air.

What a drama king first thing in the morning.

Zhang Zhixing pouted slightly and began scrolling through a food delivery app.

A short while later, a damp presence hovered close to her.

Liang Yao, head held high, hesitantly placed his hand near her back without touching her. After a moment of deliberation, he gritted his teeth, put his arm around her shoulders, and feigned nonchalance. “So, uh… found anything you want to eat?”

Zhang Zhixing glanced at his hand resting on her shoulder and turned to him with an amused look. “What?”

“I-I’m asking what you want to eat!” Liang Yao stammered, swallowing hard as his heart raced.

Zhang Zhixing’s eyes curved with mischief, her voice soft like cotton candy. “What I want to eat is—”

Her gaze roamed over him.

Liang Yao stared blankly, his heart pounding, his face turning crimson. “What… what is it?”

Leaning closer, Zhang Zhixing said, “Egg yolk pastries.”

Liang Yao froze for a moment.

“Idiot.”

Zhang Zhixing burst into laughter.

Liang Yao quickly withdrew his hand, his face flushing even more. “You’re the idiot.”

Internally, Liang Yao fumed at Zhang Zhixing.

She must’ve done it on purpose. Otherwise, why would I be so stunned when she looked at me…

Determined to ignore her, Liang Yao fell silent for the rest of the day.

Even after lunch, no matter how much Zhang Zhixing teased him, Liang Yao refused to engage.

In the afternoon, Zhang Zhixing changed her clothes, preparing to leave. Only then did Liang Yao finally speak.

With clear reluctance, he asked, “Where are you going? When will you be back?”

“Why do you sound like a wife checking her husband’s schedule?” Zhang Zhixing folded her arms and smirked at him.

“Who—who’s your wife?!” Liang Yao shot up, immediately defensive. “I’m going out with friends later. If you come back too late, how am I supposed to get back in?”

“I’m taking Zeyang to the show recording. I should be back by around six,” Zhang Zhixing replied, opening the door.

“Zeyang?” Liang Yao’s face scrunched in disdain. “Doesn’t he have a driver or an assistant?”

“He does, but I need to follow his schedule for now.”

Zhang Zhixing left, shutting the door behind her.

Liang Yao relaxed, grabbed a nearby cushion, and squeezed it repeatedly.

Biting his lip, he sprawled on the couch and began rocking back and forth.

So annoying. That Zeyang and his half-baked violin skills are as irritating as he is.

---

The first episode of Idol Project had garnered an impressive response. As the recording wrapped up, many fans with professional cameras were already stationed outside, capturing every moment. The standout trainees from the first episode were surrounded by fans, making it impossible to get close.

At the entrance, Zeyang was caught in the crowd, trying to move through while keeping his head down. “Excuse me, please—uh!”

Before he could finish, someone stepped hard on his foot.

Looking up, Zeyang saw a girl with a camera lens. Her eyes flickered with astonishment as she glanced at him.

Moments later, her attention shifted back to the popular trainees, and she hurried off to photograph them instead. Zeyang, though briefly noticed, was ultimately deemed unworthy of lingering interest.

Walking to the parking lot, Zeyang signed a few autographs for fans. However, he easily spotted the thick stack of autograph papers in their bags.

He couldn’t quite place his feelings. Without a word, he got into Zhang Zhixing’s car.

Neither of them spoke during the ride.

Zhang Zhixing drove toward the venue, pausing to take in the bustling scene outside. She watched the crowd surrounding the popular contestants with mild amusement.

Zeyang felt a trace of resentment building inside. “Sister Zhang, aren’t we leaving?”

Zhang Zhixing tapped the steering wheel and gestured toward the scene. “Jealous?”

“Not really,” Zeyang replied flatly.

Zhang Zhixing smiled faintly. “In the future, you’ll surpass every single one of them.”

Zeyang lowered his eyes, remaining silent.

“Trust in my ability.” Zhang Zhixing started the car. Her tone was calm. “You have time. Don’t rush.”

“But—” Zeyang hesitated before continuing, “doesn’t Sister Zhang dislike me?”

He lifted his gaze, his dark eyes shimmering with vulnerability. His handsome face wore an expression of helplessness and fragility.

At a red light, Zhang Zhixing stopped the car.

“I don’t see how disliking you contradicts grooming you into an excellent artist,” she said, turning to meet his gaze. “So at least in front of me, you can stop being so unlikeable.”

She still remembered what she had said the day before.

Zeyang blinked, momentarily taken aback.

But then, almost as if to spite her, he smiled—a deliberately innocent, dazzling grin that seemed too pure.

Lowering his voice, he said seductively, “Sister Zhang, aren’t you afraid I might misunderstand and think you’re being kind to me for ulterior motives?”

The light turned green.

Zhang Zhixing pressed the gas pedal, her tone cold. “Then don’t misunderstand.”

She turned the wheel and changed the subject. “Are you ready for next week’s performance?”

The upcoming group performance on Idol Project was a key opportunity to stand out.

Zeyang averted his gaze, replying softly, “I’ve coordinated with my team.”

“Why do you sound so unsure?” Zhang Zhixing frowned.

Zeyang explained, “Our group is doing a vocal performance. I’m not very good at singing.”

“Can’t keep pitch?”

Zeyang was silent for a long moment before replying, “I get nervous.”

“Pfft—” Zhang Zhixing burst into laughter, her tone teasing. “You’re joking, right? You’re scared of singing?”

Zeyang’s expression darkened, and he didn’t respond.

The atmosphere in the car grew tense.

After a while, Zeyang frowned. “This is the road to the company.”

Zhang Zhixing continued driving, eventually stopping at the company. She led Zeyang to the music room.

She opened the door and sat down at the grand piano. “What song is your group performing?”

Zeyang hesitated at the door for a few seconds before speaking. “You’re going to practice with me?”

“Why else would I bring you here? To watch me play?” Zhang Zhixing lifted the piano lid and tested the keys.

Zeyang pursed his lips. Was this really part of her responsibility?

Zhang Zhixing opened her phone and searched for the sheet music. A bit surprised, she remarked, “That’s pretty high.”

Zeyang frowned, feeling more at a loss. “You don’t have to trouble yourself, Sister Zhang. I can practice on my own.”

Ignoring him, Zhang Zhixing placed her hands on the piano and began playing. Her eyes locked on him. “One, two, three, go!”

Left with no choice, Zeyang followed her accompaniment and began to sing.

The piano melody filled the space between them. Zeyang’s pitch was generally accurate, but he struggled to hit the high notes during the chorus.

“If I—”

“Again.”

“If I could—”

“Again.”

They repeated the section multiple times, and Zhang Zhixing stopped playing other parts of the song, focusing solely on correcting his pitch during the high notes.

After countless failed attempts, Zhang Zhixing exhaled deeply.

Switching to play with just her right hand, she reached out with her left.

Zeyang suddenly felt a warm pressure on his wrist. Looking down, he realized Zhang Zhixing was holding it.

His body stiffened slightly. “You…”

“You can’t find the right moment to raise the pitch, right? Now I’m holding your wrist. When I squeeze, you raise your pitch and hit the high note,” she explained, her gaze earnest and her voice soft. “Alright?”

That last word, spoken so gently, completely contrasted with her usual aloof demeanor.

Zeyang felt a strange itch in his throat. Lowering his gaze, he worked to keep his voice steady. “Alright.”

One hand still on the piano keys, the other gripping his wrist, Zhang Zhixing focused entirely on him.

Being stared at and controlled in this way, Zeyang felt an inexplicable restlessness in his chest.

“One, two, three—sing.”

His gaze landed on her slender, pale neck. His thoughts scattered as he opened his mouth and began singing the familiar lyrics.

When he reached the tricky part, the warm, soft squeeze on his wrist reminded him to raise his pitch. However, for some reason, he hesitated and missed the cue.

The piano fell silent.

Zeyang abruptly realized how childish his actions had been. What was worse, his heartbeat had inexplicably quickened!

No, this wasn’t right.

“Again.”

The piano resumed, its sound unwavering.

Zeyang tried to ignore the warmth on his wrist and the fast-beating drum in his chest. He focused completely and finally hit the high note.

They practiced repeatedly, and Zeyang successfully nailed the passage each time.

Zhang Zhixing closed the piano lid, stood up, and let out a relieved smile. Her cat-like eyes curved with amusement.

Patting his shoulder, she spoke in an almost affectionate tone. “Not bad. Perform well next week—I’m looking forward to it.”

Not bad?

Zeyang’s mind rebelled. It was all wrong.

Zhang Zhixing yawned and turned to leave.

On impulse, Zeyang grabbed her hand. He wanted to smile at her, to ask her a hundred questions.

But when Zhang Zhixing turned to look at him, her eyes slightly puzzled, her lower lip caught lightly between her teeth, her expression softened by the piano room’s dim light, Zeyang felt an unfamiliar emotion stir within him.

He quickly let go, forcing himself to suppress these unexpected feelings.

After a brief pause, she said, “I forgot you don’t have a car. Come on, I’ll drive you home.”

Zeyang nodded absentmindedly and followed her out.

It was already past eight, and the sky was dark.

Zeyang’s neighborhood was near a bustling food street. After dropping him off, Zhang Zhixing parked nearby to pick up some snacks to go.

As soon as she stepped out of her car, her phone vibrated—it was Liang Yao.

The moment she answered, Liang Yao’s shrill voice came through like a groundhog’s scream. “Zhang Zhixing! Where are you?!”

Zhang Zhixing held the phone away from her ear and said, “Wait, I’ll be back soon.”

“No! Tell me where you are right now! Quickly!”

His voice was hurried, as if something urgent had happened.

A wave of anxiety gripped Zhang Zhixing. “What’s wrong? What happened?”

“Just tell me where you are first! I’ll come to you. Hurry, or it’ll be too late!”

“Fine, fine! I’m at XX Road, XX Shop.”

The moment she gave the address, the call ended.

A sense of unease crept into her mind. Could Liang Yao have gotten into trouble with someone dangerous? Could this involve her?

The more she thought about it, the more vivid the R-rated, gory scenarios played out in her mind, making her nervous.

It wasn’t long before Liang Yao appeared.

In the noisy night market, Liang Yao’s presence was impossible to miss.

He ran toward her, silver hair flying, his youthful energy radiating so brightly that Zhang Zhixing felt her heart skip a beat.

When he finally stopped in front of her, his bright doe eyes sparkled.

Zhang Zhixing ruffled his silver hair and asked, “What’s wrong?”

Liang Yao handed her a small gift box, raising his chin. “Freshly baked egg yolk pastries. You better eat them while they’re hot!”

Zhang Zhixing blinked, stunned. “You rushed over just to give me these pastries?”

“You don’t understand!” Liang Yao’s face lit up with pride. “I was out eating with Lao Tian and saw a long line at this pastry shop. We tried a sample, and it was amazing! Didn’t you say you wanted egg yolk pastries this morning?”

Zhang Zhixing froze.

Liang Yao grabbed her wrist, pulling her to sit down. Taking the gift box, he began unwrapping it.

“Let me tell you, I paid nearly ten thousand to have someone wait in line for me. Now eat!”

Crack.

The box opened, and Liang Yao froze.

After several seconds, he clicked his tongue in disappointment. “I shouldn’t have run so fast—they’re all smashed.”

Zhang Zhixing glanced at the pastries inside. Their flaky crusts were broken, revealing bits of the egg yolk filling.

Liang Yao bit his lip, his tone grumpy. “What kind of lousy quality is this? Can’t even make them shockproof. What a trashy store!”

Picking up a piece of broken pastry, Zhang Zhixing popped it into her mouth.

Liang Yao watched her intently, his eyes glued to her every reaction.

Zhang Zhixing shook her head. “It tastes… a bit strange.”

Liang Yao’s eyes widened, his brows furrowing in frustration. “What? It tasted great when I tried it. That’s why I brought it for you…”

He trailed off, tilting his head back and feigning indifference. “Whatever. Everyone has different tastes. I get it.”

“Try some,” Zhang Zhixing said, holding a piece up to his mouth.

The pastry’s warm aroma lingered under Liang Yao’s nose as he looked at Zhang Zhixing.

With her chin resting in one hand and a playful smile on her lips, her curved eyes gleamed beautifully in the light.

Her voice grew softer. “Won’t you try it?”

He took a bite, chewing carefully. “It doesn’t—”

His words cut off as he watched Zhang Zhixing eat the remaining piece herself.

She chewed thoughtfully and then smiled. “It’s delicious.”

Liang Yao, with the pastry still in his mouth, suddenly felt the world blur around him.

He recalled a random fact: egg-based pastries often contained edible alcohol, enough to trigger a DUI test.

Perhaps that was why, after just one bite, the world felt as if it were spinning.

Other Novels