A Promising Student

Tang Zhi Chu was guiding Chen Si Yang, too.

In truth, his relationship with Chen Si Yang was much more complicated than everyone realized.

Mutual affection? No. It was far more solid than that.

A simple crush could lead to arguments, petty moods, and ignoring each other. But was what they had just a simple crush?

It wasn't. That was why they could stay calm and not lose their heads.

And so, everyone got to witness the fierce standoff that unfolded.

Zhou Yun had even been subtly outmaneuvered by Chen Si Yang.

Zhou Yun shrugged. She knew she wouldn't get the better of anyone today, because she and Chen Si Yang weren't the ones in control of the situation. Tang Zhi Chu was.

Whichever side Tang Zhi Chu favored would be the apparent winner.

Under the table, Zhou Yun suddenly kicked Tang Zhi Chu, then got to her feet.

"If you're not eating, then don't. I'll just call it watching my figure. Whoever's the last one to eat has to clean up!"

After saying that, Zhou Yun got up and left the kitchen.

Jiang Lan was about to start clearing away the other bowls and containers, but Tang Zhi Chu stopped her. "Sister Lan, you should go rest, too. I'll take care of it."

Jiang Lan glanced at Chen Si Yang and Tang Zhi Chu, then said, "All right, I'll leave it to you two."

Jiang Lan stood up, and Huang Ze Jun followed suit. He still couldn't make sense of it.

This was a Dating Show, and there were cameras everywhere. Didn't Chen Si Yang and Zhou Yun care about their image?

Only after everyone else had left did Tang Zhi Chu slowly get to his feet.

Seeing that he was moving a little strangely, Chen Si Yang asked, "What's wrong with you?"

Tang Zhi Chu wore a pained expression. "I went mountain climbing. From two to five. She was ruthless and wouldn't let me rest. I feel like my legs are done for."

Chen Si Yang was still fairly calm. Tang Zhi Chu didn't seem to be faking it, so she asked, "Mountain climbing?"

"Yeah."

"Xiao Yun is a pro. So, you two went out and just climbed a mountain?"

Tang Zhi Chu nodded. "Yeah. I'm exhausted."

Chen Si Yang seemed to realize something, and her gaze softened. "Then sit down. I'll clean up."

"Let's do it together."

It wasn't complicated to clean up after today's meal. It was all takeout: they just had to dump the leftovers, then wash the chopsticks and a few bowls.

As they were doing the dishes, Tang Zhi Chu suddenly said, "Take your time. I'm going to get something."

"What?"

"You'll see when I bring it down."

Tang Zhi Chu limped out of the kitchen and headed upstairs.

Chen Si Yang stared after him, lost in thought.

Over the past few days, Chen Si Yang had done a lot. She'd reached out to many old friends and auditioned for the second installment of Realm of Painting.

She'd told He Jin that she really had been wrong before, and shouldn't have rejected the unwritten rules of the industry.

Chen Si Yang used to think that if she just honed her skills enough, opportunities would come her way.

It was like competing on an idol survival show. Back then, she'd simply done her best, and everyone had noticed her.

Chen Si Yang had always thought she only needed to hold herself to high standards, and success would come naturally.

Now, she felt she'd been too narrow-minded. Take this time, for example. He Jin had experience from appearing in the first installment, so she could talk to the director. After recommending Chen Si Yang to him, she'd helped her land an audition.

And the director was very pleased. The role she'd auditioned for was small, but getting it was an important step.

She'd secured it entirely on her own, without any involvement from an agent.

Maybe that was what everyone meant by the art of dealing with people. But it wasn't the complicated kind Chen Si Yang had imagined. All she had to do was be a little flexible.

First, she had to take that step herself. If she didn't express what she wanted, how could she expect an opportunity to fall into her lap?

Chen Si Yang thought her changes meant she was gradually taking charge of her own life. He Jin, though, had joked that maybe she'd changed because of a man.

That had given Chen Si Yang even more to think about.

It was those thoughts that helped her stay calm in the situation today.

She'd joined the Dating Show because she felt lost and wanted to challenge herself.

And she really had started changing after her date with Tang Zhi Chu. It wasn't a dramatic transformation, but the changes had helped Chen Si Yang see a lot of things more clearly than before.

While Chen Si Yang was lost in thought, Tang Zhi Chu came back in.

He walked up to Chen Si Yang, holding a black beret.

"You didn't wear the hat I gave you last time, so this time I got you a black one. Bucket hats are definitely cool, but they can make you seem a little distant. That's fine with us, but what about at work?" Tang Zhi Chu handed her the hat.

"This one shows your whole face. It won't make you seem distant, and it adds a touch of cuteness. Think it over yourself. Which one should you wear?"

Chen Si Yang squeezed the hat in her hands and said softly, "Thanks."

Just like before, Tang Zhi Chu nudged Chen Si Yang with his elbow, as if to say, "Don't mention it."

Then Tang Zhi Chu went back to cleaning up.

A moment later, Chen Si Yang said, "I'll forgive you, since you gave me the hat."

Tang Zhi Chu turned his head. "What did you say?"

"Nothing!"

Late that night, after showering, Tang Zhi Chu lay in bed and started going over everything.

There shouldn't have been any slip-ups, right?

He didn't need to worry about Zhou Yun. She could figure things out herself. She might even end up thanking him. Who knew choosing Yang Jia Xing would have this kind of effect?

He'd prepared a gift for Chen Si Yang. Logically, she wouldn't hold it against him. And emotionally, she wouldn't either... right?

Just then, someone knocked.

Tang Zhi Chu got up.

When he opened the door, Chen Si Yang stood outside in white pajamas.

In the lamplight, Chen Si Yang's skin was as fair as snow. "This is for you. I added sea salt."

Chen Si Yang was holding a basin, steam curling up from the water inside.

Tang Zhi Chu took it from her.

"Soaking your feet should help. I'll head back to my room."

"Thanks."

Chen Si Yang smiled, then went back to her room. At the doorway, she turned around and softly wished him good night.

Tang Zhi Chu shook his head—not in exasperation or confusion, but in satisfaction.

Heh. Chen really was growing up.

He'd said he'd gone mountain climbing and Zhou Yun had bullied him. Wasn't that because of her?

And now, here came the hot water.

A promising student, indeed.

The next day, Tang Zhi Chu came downstairs at eight. His legs were still a little sore.

When he got up that morning, Tang Zhi Chu had made a decision: he really needed to start working out.

It wasn't because Zhou Yun had looked down on him. It was because it affected his stamina and breath control.

That would help with singing. In his previous life, Tang Zhi Chu's brief singing career had only gotten him on other people's concert stages as a guest performer.

Surely in this life, he could manage to hold a concert of his own?

As he came downstairs and saw everyone gathered together, Tang Zhi Chu wondered why they were all here today.

"Morning!" Tang Zhi Chu called out loudly from the stairs.

"Morning!"

"Morning, Old Tang!"

"Good morning!"

As Tang Zhi Chu walked closer, he realized there was a piano in the villa now!

"Whoa, whose is this?" Tang Zhi Chu's eyes widened as he looked at Huang Ze Jun and Yang Jia Xing.

Was someone about to make another big move?

Huang Ze Jun shook his head. "It must be from the production team. I heard some noise last night. So they brought a piano in."

Tang Zhi Chu looked doubtful. "Can any of you play?"

Jiang Lan nodded. "A little, but I haven't played in ages."

Chen Si Yang chimed in. "I can play a little, too."