The third round of rehearsals.

Lu Zhixian streamlined the stage version of "wishing you prosperity".

Lu Zhixian walked from the center of the stage to the front edge; as the final note fell, he stood under the spotlight and slightly raised his hand.

The movement was slight, but it hit the exact moment the rhythm ended.

There was a momentary silence below.

Director Fang was the first to clap.

Several young directors followed suit, and one of them shouted, "This version is awesome."

Zheng Weiyuan sat in the middle of the second row; he didn't clap, but he also didn't have that furrowed-brow expression from before.

He looked at the program schedule in his hand and wrote a few words next to Lu Zhixian's entry.

After the rehearsal ended, Director Fang walked up and patted Lu Zhixian on the back.

"That's a good revision."

"The timing is more precise, and the stage blocking is cleaner."

Director Fang glanced at the time on his phone.

"Your program is basically set; the rest is just following procedure."

Lu Zhixian nodded.

When he came down from the stage, he passed by the second row and heard Zheng Weiyuan say something to the person next to him.

"A clever revision."

The voice was low.

Lu Zhixian didn't stop and walked straight to the backstage area.

Brother Zhao was waiting for him backstage, holding two bottles of mineral water.

"How was it?"

"It passed."

Lu Zhixian took the water, unscrewed the cap, and took a sip.

"What did Director Zheng say?"

"He said it was a clever revision."

Brother Zhao's eyes lit up.

"That means he acknowledges it. For a guy like him, getting a compliment out of his mouth is harder than climbing to heaven."

Lu Zhixian didn't respond to this, leaning against the wall to drink water.

Brother Zhao moved closer and lowered his voice.

"There's one more thing."

"Speak."

"On Han Zhaofeng's side, he took the initiative to find Director Fang this afternoon."

Lu Zhixian's eyes didn't shift. "Hmm."

"He said he wanted to make minor adjustments to his program. He added two backup dancers and changed to a new arrangement."

Brother Zhao's expression was a bit subtle.

"It's obvious he only made the move after watching the recording of your rehearsal today."

Lu Zhixian screwed the cap back on.

"Whatever he adds has nothing to do with me."

"I know, but…"

"Brother Zhao."

Lu Zhixian glanced at him.

"If he wants to make a fuss, let him. Whether a song is good or not isn't something you can stack up by adding backup dancers and arrangements."

Brother Zhao opened his mouth, then swallowed the second half of his sentence.

Having partnered with Lu Zhixian for so long, he knew it was useless to say anything more at a time like this.

Once this person made up his mind, ten cows couldn't pull him back.

"Fine."

Brother Zhao sighed.

"Then what are your plans for tonight?"

"None."

"Then go back and get some rest early; there's another round the day after tomorrow."

Lu Zhixian gave an "Hmm" of acknowledgment.

Brother Zhao turned to pack up his things.

Lu Zhixian took his phone out of his pocket, preparing to check the time.

The screen lit up, and a message popped up on WeChat.

It was from Lin Shiya.

A location pin.

Jingzhou.

Lu Zhixian looked at it for two seconds, his finger hovering over the screen.

He typed a line of text.

Lu Zhixian: "Why are you in Jingzhou?"

Less than ten seconds after the message was sent, Lin Shiya replied.

Lin Shiya: "There's a brand event, I came by the way."

Another message followed immediately.

Lin Shiya: "Are you free tonight? Let's eat."

Lu Zhixian glanced toward the backstage area; Brother Zhao was talking to a staff member.

He replied with one message.

Lu Zhixian: "Sure. You pick the place."

Lin Shiya: "Okay."

About two minutes later, a location was sent over.

A Japanese restaurant, located near the Third Ring Road; judging by the name, it didn't look like a chain.

Brother Zhao walked over carrying his bag. "Shall we go?"

"Brother Zhao, you don't need to accompany me tonight."

"What's wrong?"

"I have some personal business."

Brother Zhao looked at him. "What personal business?"

"Eating."

"With whom?"

"A friend."

Brother Zhao stared at him for three seconds; he didn't ask for the name, but the corner of his mouth twitched.

"Alright then."

At 7:00 PM, Lu Zhixian arrived at the Japanese restaurant.

The place wasn't big, hidden in the basement of an office building, and the interior was decorated very cleanly.

After confirming the reservation information, the receptionist led him to the innermost room.

The sliding door was open.

Lin Shiya had already arrived.

She sat by the window, her brown hair tied loosely in a low ponytail; she wore a beige turtleneck sweater, with a long black coat draped over the back of her chair.

She wasn't wearing much makeup, just a very light layer of lipstick.

She was looking down at her phone, and she looked up when she heard movement.

"Quite punctual."

"You were earlier."

Lu Zhixian pulled out the chair opposite her and sat down.

Lin Shiya pushed the menu over.

"Order whatever you like; I've already ordered two dishes."

Lu Zhixian flipped through two pages and ordered a sashimi platter and a serving of grilled eel.

The waiter took the menu, slid the door shut, and left.

The cubicle quieted down.

Lin Shiya held a hot teacup with both hands, looking at him.

"You've lost some weight; I'm so envious."

"I've been busy lately."

"Busy with what?"

Lu Zhixian picked up the teacup in front of him, took a sip, and didn't speak.

Lin Shiya put down her cup, leaned back, and the corners of her mouth curved slightly.

"Are you going to be on the Spring Festival Gala?"

The teacup in Lu Zhixian's hand paused.

He looked up at her.

"How did you know?"

"It's already being rumored in the industry."

Lin Shiya said.

"Sister Chen told me; she said someone saw you at the station."

Lu Zhixian put the cup down, not denying it.

"Hmm."

Lin Shiya looked at him, her expression unchanged.

It was quiet for a few seconds.

"You mentioned before that you'd know by New Year's Eve, and I guessed it then."

She said.

"I just wasn't sure."

"Well, now you're sure."

"Yes, I am."

Lin Shiya lowered her head to take a sip of tea, then looked up again.

"What song are you singing?"

"It's a secret."

"You won't even tell me?"

"I won't even tell you."

Lu Zhixian looked at her.

"On New Year's Eve, you'll know when you turn on the TV."

Lin Shiya stared at him for two seconds, then gave a light "Tch."

The dishes were served one after another.

"What is this brand event of yours?" Lu Zhixian picked up a piece of salmon.

"An annual banquet for a jewelry brand. Tomorrow afternoon."

"So you're leaving tomorrow?"

"My flight is early the day after tomorrow."

"What, can't bear to see me go?"

"You're overthinking it."

Lin Shiya smiled, a brief smile where the curve of her lips was just visible.

"Besides the Spring Festival Gala, what else have you been busy with lately?"

"Just that one thing."

Lu Zhixian said.

"Rehearsals, recording, and refining details with the directing team."

"Is it tiring?"

"It's alright. Easier than writing a book."

Lin Shiya nodded.

"You."

Lin Shiya put down her chopsticks, picked up a napkin from the table, and wiped the corners of her mouth.

"You're never nervous."

"Being nervous is useless."

Lu Zhixian said.

"Everything that needs to be done has been done."

"You know," she said.

"Hmm?"

"Your appearance on the Spring Festival Gala has caused quite a stir in the industry."

"What kind of reaction?"

"Some people think you don't deserve it."

Lin Shiya put down her cup.

"They think you haven't debuted for long enough."

Lu Zhixian laughed.

"Who said that?"

"Quite a few people. I won't go into specifics."

Lin Shiya looked at him.

"Sister Chen has helped me block a lot of messages; some people are truly bitter."

"Let them be bitter."

"They aren't the audience, anyway."

Lin Shiya glanced at him.

"Be careful."

That was what she said at the end.

"Hmm?"

"A tall tree catches the wind. You're too conspicuous."

"You don't need to worry about that."

"I'm not worrying."

Lin Shiya's tone was very calm.

"I'm just reminding you."

Lu Zhixian nodded.

"Thanks."

"You're welcome."

The two of them ate for a while longer.

The conversation shifted from work to movies they'd watched recently, and then to the progress of Lin Shiya's new album.

Lu Zhixian asked if she wanted him to help listen to it.

Lin Shiya thought for a moment and said they would talk about it after the recording was finished.

It was nearly nine o'clock when they finished eating.

The two paid the bill and walked out.

Lin Shiya turned up the collar of her coat and put her hands in her pockets.

"Where is your car?"

"Brother Zhao drove it away. I came by taxi."

"Then how are you getting back?"

"Taking a taxi back."

Lin Shiya glanced at him and didn't say anything.

"My car is over there."

She pointed to the parking lot across the street.

"Do you want a ride?"

"No need."

Lu Zhixian opened his phone to call a car.

"You go first."

"Okay."

Lin Shiya walked a few steps toward the other side of the road, then stopped and turned back.

"Lu Zhixian."

"Hmm?"

"Sing well at the Spring Festival Gala."

After saying this, she turned and left.

Her ponytail swayed in the wind.

Lu Zhixian stood by the roadside, watching her walk to the entrance of the parking lot and disappear from view, before lowering his head to look at his phone.

The car would arrive in three minutes.

He put his hands in his pockets and breathed out a puff of white air.

His phone vibrated.

A WeChat message from Brother Zhao.

A screenshot.

The screenshot was a post from a marketing account.

The photo was very blurry, taken from across the street, and the angle was a bit skewed.

But you could tell it was the silhouette of two people coming out of a shop.

The headline used very large text:

"Lu Zhixian appears at a Japanese restaurant in Jingzhou with a mysterious woman late at night; romance suspected to be exposed!"

Below, Brother Zhao attached a message.

Brother Zhao: "What is this situation? Do you want me to handle it?"

Lu Zhixian looked at the blurry photo, his finger pausing on the screen for a second.

Lu Zhixian: "Whatever."

After sending the message, he put his phone back into his pocket.

The ride-hailing car arrived just then.

He opened the car door, got in, and gave the address.

As the car drove off, his phone vibrated again.

He didn't look.

But he knew that Brother Zhao was probably already jumping with anxiety at this moment.