Music can have a healing effect on the heart, reviving a dull atmosphere.
The two of them didn't continue to bring up any unpleasant topics, but instead engaged in an enthusiastic exchange.
Chu Yueyi suddenly felt the heavy thoughts she'd been carrying all day lift. She had now completely forgotten about work. Having just taken the guitar from Shi Guanghua's hands, she plucked at the unfamiliar instrument uncertainly and asked, "Is it like this?"
Shi Guanghua stood beside Chu Yueyi. He looked at her incorrect hand position, wanting to reach out and correct her, but hesitated and pulled his hand back. Finally, he instructed, "First, support it here with your left hand, then lightly strum here with your right."
Chu Yueyi's fingers strummed out a discordant series of notes. She couldn't help but feel overwhelmed and complained, "Where exactly is 'here'? Can't you give me precise coordinates like in a video game?"
Chu Yueyi: This 'here' and 'there' - who can understand that?
Shi Guanghua pondered for a few seconds. Unable to find the precise words to describe it, he used his long fingers to indicate the positions on the strings and said softly, "It's right here."
Chu Yueyi was completely bewildered and asked, "How did you learn to play the guitar? Can't you teach me using the method your teacher used with you?"
Shi Guanghua: "I never learned from anyone. I just picked it up by playing around."
Shi Guanghua wasn't lying. With a solid musical foundation, they could generally learn by analogy; instruments tend to have commonalities.
Chu Yueyi: "?" Are you starting to show off now?
Chu Yueyi suddenly felt annoyed and brought up past events: "I didn't teach you how to play games like this!"
Shi Guanghua was completely clueless about games. At that time, Chu Yueyi had taught him patiently and gently, quite different from his current instructional attitude.
Shi Guanghua was taken aback: "So you need that kind of teaching atmosphere?"
Chu Yueyi: "You should at least have half the attitude I had."
Shi Guanghua pondered this, then directly took the guitar back into his arms. Seeing her confused face looking at him, he asked straightforwardly, "What do you want to hear?"
If they were to follow the gaming scenario, he actually hadn't learned any moves or operations, but had somehow witnessed a killing spree above her head in his confusion.
Chu Yueyi: "..." Is this how I taught you to play games?
The two didn't spend time playing in the amusement park, but instead whiled away the day in the coffee shop. In a blink, it was evening and time to say goodbye. For the first time, Chu Yueyi didn't perform for the camera. While learning guitar from Shi Guanghua, she was completely casual, abandoning all her skilled communication techniques and speaking her mind directly.
She was well-versed in the art of communication, but today she didn't want to use any of it.
As night fell, the decorative lights in the amusement park lit up one by one, and the coffee shop was brightly lit in the darkness.
The executive director stepped in to communicate at the right moment: "Now we'd like to ask you both to move to the next scene."
Chu Yueyi and Shi Guanghua fell silent simultaneously. Neither had expected the segment to end so quickly, and they had finally reached the parting moment.
Shi Guanghua quietly returned the guitar, while Chu Yueyi watched the crew members in the corner stand up to rest. Since the two hadn't moved around the park at all, the cameramen had a leisurely time recording, barely needing to move their tripods. None of them looked tired.
The production team had set up the transition scene in an outdoor plaza, which seemed to be at a higher elevation in the amusement park. The spacious plaza was surrounded by greenery, with a tall partition in the center. On either side of the partition was a curtain, seemingly leading to unknown destinations.
The coffee shop had been quite warm, but the outdoor air was slightly cool, making one want to hide their hands in their pockets. Chu Yueyi unconsciously sneezed lightly. She gently rubbed her nose, feeling her mind clear up. She wanted to look up and search for moonlight but only saw the endless night sky.
Forget about the moon, there wasn't even a hint of starlight in the sky. It really was a dismally fitting scene.
Hearing her sneeze, Shi Guanghua looked over with concern.
Chu Yueyi noticed his gaze and smiled regretfully, "The moonlight isn't beautiful tonight."
Shi Guanghua's eyes flickered, and he finally said softly, "Perhaps not."
The executive director watched as the two walked to the designated spot. He too began to move the segment along, saying, "We had an agreement with both of you before the show's recording began. The first four episodes would serve as a getting-to-know-each-other phase, allowing you to become familiar with each other. If after interacting, you feel it's not suitable, you can choose to end the show's recording."
"Today is the fourth episode recording, and we'll make choices here. You'll both be taken away separately. Behind the curtains are two doors symbolizing different decisions. After choosing, they will lead to different paths. If either of you decides not to continue recording, our Moonlight Group will end here."
After explaining the process, the executive director faded into the background, quietly waiting in place.
The street lamps in the plaza cast a yellow glow, but the night was as deep as the sea. Chu Yueyi couldn't help but mock herself internally; even the weather seemed to be hinting at the choice, leaving not a trace of moonlight. She looked at the silent Shi Guanghua and said calmly, "Anything else you want to say?"
Shi Guanghua thought for a moment and replied, "No."
Chu Yueyi raised an eyebrow: "Not even a hint?"
Hearing this, Shi Guanghua gazed at her deeply and said nonchalantly, "There are no multiple-choice questions in my life."
There are two ways people handle matters: one is to weigh the pros and cons before making a decision, the other is to do what makes them happy willingly. He never made complicated choices; he simply did what he wanted to do. Even if he crashed and bled, at least he never missed out.
Chu Yueyi was taken aback. Her expression became subtle, and she muttered, "Don't try to be cool."
They each walked to one side of the partition. As they slowly lifted the curtains, they instinctively glanced at each other before entering. It was a completely subconscious action for Chu Yueyi; she hadn't expected to meet his gaze and hurriedly entered the curtain in a fluster.
Shi Guanghua watched her disappear behind the other curtain before slowly walking towards his own door.
Behind the curtain, Chu Yueyi indeed saw two doors. One seemed to lead to the park exit, while the other led to an unknown path. There were signs next to the doors indicating "End" and "Continue" respectively.
The surrounding area was also covered by curtains, making the nearby light dim and obscuring the view of the other side. She stood motionless between the two doors, unsure of Shi Guanghua's choice. He must have noticed her intention to leave the show and probably knew the recording couldn't continue, which was why he didn't give any hints.
Chu Yueyi stood frozen in front of the two doors for a long time, until the director couldn't help but gently urge her.
"Yueyi, Yueyi, have you made your choice?" The follow-up director asked carefully. They knew they shouldn't disturb the guest's emotions, but Chu Yueyi was completely still.
Hearing the voice, Chu Yueyi finally came back to her senses. She smiled embarrassedly and said, "I've chosen. I'm sorry for the wait."
The night had no moon, no stars, not even pale clouds. Chu Yueyi walked alone on the empty path. There were no directors or cameramen beside her, and the other staff members had also disappeared cleanly, as if the recording had already ended.
The cool evening breeze caressed her face, lifting her mood. Chu Yueyi stretched lazily, wondering why even Li You wasn't around. She finally reached the end of the path and saw someone at the nearby viewing platform.
Shi Guanghua had been standing there silently for who knows how long. He was like a statue in the desolate night wind, motionless until she appeared. He had been silently gazing at the night sky, but when she showed up, his eyes widened in surprise, as if he couldn't quite believe it, with a hint of bewilderment.
Chu Yueyi waved to him naturally and smiled, "Long time no see."
Shi Guanghua's eyes were dazed: "I thought..."
Chu Yueyi didn't finish his sentence, but instead said softly, "You've been waiting for a long time, haven't you?"
Shi Guanghua looked at her gentle expression. At that moment, he suddenly lost the ability to speak, but in his heart, he silently gave the answer.
Yes.
He had been waiting for a long time, from long ago, even when she didn't know his name.
Chu Yueyi looked at the secluded viewing platform. She scratched her face awkwardly and muttered, "On my way here, I was wondering how you'd get down the mountain alone if you chose to end it. You don't know how dark that path is, not a single person in sight..."
As Chu Yueyi walked along the small path, she had at times felt like she was in "Silent Hill". This was no romance reality show, it was a horror movie, with all the staff mysteriously disappearing.
To be honest, if Shi Guanghua hadn't been on the mountain, she might have been too scared to go down.
Shi Guanghua's eyes were as deep as an abyss as he solemnly said, "I've told you before, there are no multiple-choice questions in my life."
He hadn't even paused at the door, heading straight for the observation deck, only he hadn't expected her to come.
To be honest, he felt slightly disappointed when he first arrived to find the observation deck empty. But he had mentally prepared himself for this, so he didn't feel too dejected. Yet, she had finally come after all.
Chu Yueyi said, "Say something that normal people can understand."
After exchanging pleasantries with Shi Guanghua, Chu Yueyi took a stroll around the observation deck. She noticed an envelope on the bench and curiously asked, "What's this?"
They hadn't noticed during their initial conversation, but Shi Guanghua had a letter paper pinched between his fingers, looking oddly familiar. He unfolded the paper, showing it to Chu Yueyi, and asked expressionlessly, "Am I a mute?"
Chu Yueyi: "..."
Chu Yueyi feigned innocence and laughed, "Haha, you've kept something from so long ago..."
Seeing his sullen expression, Chu Yueyi felt a twinge of guilt. She silently chided herself for being unreasonable, not only hesitating between the two doors for so long but also messing with his emotions based on first impressions. No wonder Shi Guanghua looked surprised when he saw her. Who wouldn't expect a bad ending after reading that first impression?
He had been standing there alone in the night breeze, holding the letter for so long.
Chu Yueyi quickly changed the subject. She picked up the other unopened envelope and muttered, "Alright, maybe yours is even worse. Let me see..."
Chu Yueyi thought: Let's see how you criticized me.
Shi Guanghua had only opened the envelope with his name on it. Seeing that she was about to read the letter in front of him, he hastily tried to stop her: "Wait..."
Chu Yueyi nimbly dodged him and assured, "Even if you're ranting about me, I won't get angry." I'll just punch you directly.
A flash of panic and nervousness crossed Shi Guanghua's eyes, but he could only watch helplessly as she opened the letter.
Chu Yueyi was stunned when she saw the contents. She felt her face inexplicably warming up, but when she looked up, she saw that he was blushing even more fiercely, almost to the point of steaming.
At that moment, she felt the same flutter he did, instantly infected and rendered speechless.
The letter paper read "Glowing".
A wondrous atmosphere brewed between them. Chu Yueyi now regretted her actions, feeling that she had publicly embarrassed them both, resulting in mutual defeat.
Chu Yueyi said dryly, "The moonlight isn't beautiful tonight."
Just as Shi Guanghua was about to reply, a tremendous boom from the sky suddenly interrupted their conversation.
The next second, the sky blossomed with huge, dazzling fireworks, illuminating the dark night sky as bright as a burning cloud, showering colorful sparks in the air.
The previously unremarkable observation deck, pitch-black and silent, now offered a panoramic view of the entire park under the glow of the fireworks. Looking out, one could see the magnificent fairy-tale castle, along with the surrounding uniquely shaped buildings and flora, all within sight.
This fireworks show was so beautiful it seemed to pierce the heavens, eliciting waves of cheers from the park visitors.
Shi Guanghua said, "The fireworks are beautiful tonight."
His eyes were bright, like the vibrant flames dancing in the sky. His familiar low voice was both soft and light: "I'm honored to continue glowing with you."