People often have a subtle psychology: it's not frightening when someone known for their bad temper gets angry, but when a typically gentle person unexpectedly shows a cold face, it can have a shocking impact. Because outsiders can't gauge the limits of their anger, they fear the unknown outcome and dare not be negligent at that moment.
This was the first time Chu Yueyi showed a black face on the program, naturally pinning Shi Guanghua down on the spot. She held a paper cup, sipping water in small mouthfuls, finally calming down before looking up and asking, "Not allowed to drink water?"
Shi Guanghua: "No..."
Cheng eagerly tattled: "That's right! You don't know how annoying he is. He can use a water cup in the studio, but doesn't let us bring water inside. We have to drink it in the hallway outside!"
Cheng had clearly been holding a grudge for a long time. Discovering someone who could subdue Shi Guanghua, he immediately perked up, describing the situation vividly.
Because the room was full of machines, Shi Guanghua was quite particular. He always felt his companions were clumsy, and the slightest carelessness would destroy his creative space. Usually, Shi Guanghua would have no reaction to Cheng's accusations, but now he cast a sidelong glance at him, filled with both restraint and resentment.
"Wow, he's even glaring at me secretly!" Cheng said gleefully, "Did I say anything wrong?"
Chu Yueyi finished drinking the lukewarm water in her cup. She carefully held the paper cup without casually putting it aside, and remarked with a smile: "So you're quite strict usually."
Seeing her display her usual smile, Shi Guanghua suddenly became unsure of her mood, not knowing if it was the calm before the storm or if the crisis had passed smoothly. He stammered: "No, I'm not."
Cheng fearlessly exposed him: "Yes, you are! You absolutely are!"
Chu Yueyi stood up for Cheng, gently advising: "Don't always lose your temper with people close to you."
Cheng nodded in agreement: "That's right, that's right."
Shi Guanghua: "..." Is this what it means for a petty person to get his way?
Shi Guanghua wanted to assassinate Cheng on the spot, but on the surface, he sullenly responded: "...Alright."
Cheng had never seen Shi Guanghua so weak before. At this moment, it was as if a great revenge had been exacted, giving him a sense of utter satisfaction.
Shi Guanghua glanced at Chu Yueyi, wanting to say something but holding back. She now seemed to be in an extremely good mood, without the storm that seemed imminent when she entered, restored to her usual smiling self. He very much wanted to complain to her face, asking if what she just did counted as losing her temper with someone close to her, but feeling that staying alive seemed more important than the answer, he wisely swallowed his words.
Everyone began to discuss the digital album. Shi Guanghua, having lost his seat, could only bring a chair from the corner and sit beside Chu Yueyi. He displayed materials on his laptop, methodically pushing the progress forward, and calmly asked: "Do you have any ideas for the album?"
Shi Guanghua had produced albums for many singers and idols. He was always efficient and concise in communication, naturally slipping into work mode, appearing overly calm.
"Hmm... not really," Chu Yueyi tilted her head in thought for a moment. With eyes like autumn waters and a smile like a crescent moon, she replied simply and directly, "That's why I need you."
"..."
Faced with her smile, Shi Guanghua found himself in a dilemma, unable to discern its meaning. Did these words mean "I don't understand music, please help me a lot," or "If I understood, why would I need you?" It was truly perplexing.
He dared not think too deeply about it, displaying a gentle, accommodating attitude typical of a service provider. He unconsciously softened his tone and said quietly: "Then let's listen to a section first."
Chu Yueyi also displayed a client-like innocence, looking at the audio tracks on the screen and saying in a leisurely tone: "Didn't we say we'd compose together? Is it okay to just listen to a section?"
Shi Guanghua was stumped by her response. After pondering for a few seconds, he mumbled: "...No, it's not."
Shi Guanghua immediately stood up, not forgetting to reassure her: "Please wait a moment."
Cheng watched Shi Guanghua go to fetch equipment and clapped happily, unable to resist praising: "Now that's a real client!"
Cheng always thought Shi Guanghua had it too easy in his career. He believed such people should experience some social setbacks to gain experience in human relations, otherwise they would become lawless. Having worked beside Shi Guanghua for so long, he finally witnessed this delightful scene, feeling his life was now complete.
After adjusting the equipment he brought, Shi Guanghua let Chu Yueyi play on it.
Chu Yueyi looked at the unfamiliar machine in confusion. She felt this device was like a high-end version of an electronic keyboard, with black and white keys, but with many more fancy buttons added.
She hesitated: "But I don't know how to play the piano."
Chu Yueyi's music level was stuck at the nine-year compulsory education stage. She barely knew which keys corresponded to which notes, but had no performance experience, let alone the ability to compose and play on the spot.
Shi Guanghua calmly said: "It's alright, just play whatever."
Cheng egged her on from the side: "Just press randomly, then let him compose. If it doesn't sound good, he can offer his head."
Chu Yueyi: "..." Good grief, if this counts as composing together, then anyone with hands can do it.
Chu Yueyi's fingers hovered above the keys. She clearly had no good ideas and slowly withdrew her hand.
Seeing her troubled, Cheng fanned the flames: "Just play something difficult, something that ordinary people can't compose. Give him a good lesson!"
Chu Yueyi: "That doesn't seem right..."
Cheng: "What's wrong with that? If he can't compose, it's his fault."
Shi Guanghua didn't express any opposition. He maintained a calm expression throughout, seemingly confident, and encouraged her: "You can play whatever you want."
Chu Yueyi thought for a moment, finally extending her hand to lightly touch the keys, producing two notes at her fingertips.
"Is that it?" Cheng listened in surprise, "Just two 'do's?"
Chu Yueyi's fingers hung in mid-air. She said embarrassedly: "No, I was going to play my birthday, but..."
Her birthday was November 9th, but she didn't know how to play "9", so she awkwardly stopped.
Chu Yueyi didn't continue speaking, but pressed three more keys in succession, coincidentally matching Shi Guanghua's birthday. His birthday wasn't available online, but she remembered it from their witch's astrology reading - July 16th.
Shi Guanghua, Cheng, and the others were very sensitive to musical notes. They could quickly identify the notes just by hearing them, and immediately deciphered the secret behind the notes.
Cheng of course knew his colleague's birthday. He immediately showed an expression of sudden realization, looking thoughtfully at Shi Guanghua with a meaningful smile.
Shi Guanghua, who had been calm and collected before, now looked stunned. His heart fluttered slightly, and he gently pressed his lips together.
Chu Yueyi was lowering her head, concentrating on pressing the keys, carefully trying not to make mistakes, directly skipping the "9" she couldn't play. She felt someone approaching her, but before she could turn to look, she was enveloped by a familiar, clean scent.
Chu Yueyi was sitting while playing the piano, and Shi Guanghua stood extremely tall beside her. His figure almost covered her from above, like an ethereal canopy, completely enveloping her.
He reached out to touch the keys, his long fingers dancing between them, playing out a smooth melody. He asked in a low voice: "Is it like this?"
Chu Yueyi hadn't touched Shi Guanghua at all, but at this moment she felt as if he had drawn away all the surrounding air, as if she had fallen directly into his controlled private space. His piano skills far surpassed hers, making that melody sound both familiar and strange, completely different from the halting notes she had pressed out.
Chu Yueyi said dryly: "I suppose so." Shi Guanghua nodded in understanding.
The next second, he placed his other hand on the keys and began composing on the spot beside her, flowing smoothly from that melody. His fingertips didn't hesitate at all, weaving a beautiful chapter on the keys, instantly filling the studio with delightful notes.
Chu Yueyi stared blankly at his movements. She had seen him play the piano before, when the piano music revealed his emotions, and he used the piano to answer her questions.
However, she was even more amazed now. The random notes she had pressed out were given new life in his hands, slowly being reorganized into a moving melody.
Listening to the brand new tune, Cheng couldn't help but mutter secretly: "Indeed, playing with a girl is different. His composition level far exceeds his usual standard."
Cheng always felt that Shi Guanghua was like those boys on the basketball court in college. When there were no girls around, their performance was mediocre, but as soon as a girl passed by, they would frantically dunk, inevitably inviting teasing from other players.
Seeing her not moving, Shi Guanghua proactively suggested: "You can play too."
Faced with his exquisite piano skills, Chu Yueyi hurriedly said: "But I..."
Shi Guanghua: "Just play what you know."
Chu Yueyi felt as if he were a captain steering a ship on a turbulent sea. Her own demeanor calmed in response, and encouraged by him, she reached out to press the familiar birthday notes, playing together with him.
Their fingertips danced simultaneously on the piano keys, yet they remained tantalizingly close without touching, always maintaining an appropriate distance.
She only played the short melody, while he completed the more complex parts.
As Chu Yueyi's playing became more proficient, she gazed at the black and white keys before her, aware of his presence beside her, and experienced an inexplicable sense of déjà vu.
The music allowed her thoughts to wander, even unearthing fragments of long-buried memories, making this scene feel strangely familiar. She seemed to have similar recollections from before, but the human brain is truly a profound entity, often blurring the lines between dreams and reality, scattering the clues into pieces.
Their first collaborative composition went remarkably smoothly.
Shi Guanghua imported the melody into the computer, concluding their work for the day.
At the entrance of the creative park, Chu Yueyi bid farewell to Shi Guanghua and the production team. Wrapped in a scarf, she stood outside, waiting for Li You, whom she hadn't seen all day.
Li You had been busy with other matters today but still made time to pick up Chu Yueyi. Glancing around the creative park from inside the car, she remarked, "So it's here. No wonder it looked familiar."
Chu Yueyi responded, "I also felt like I'd been here before, but I couldn't quite remember clearly."
Chu Yueyi had a vague recollection when she entered the park, but she couldn't recall the details of her visit.
"Of course you've been here, a long time ago," Li You said casually. "This park has been renovated, and quite a few new buildings have been added. No wonder you didn't recognize it."
"I picked you up here the day we signed our contract. I thought the route seemed familiar."
Chu Yueyi's contract signing with Li You dated back to their university days, so naturally, the memory had faded over the years.
At first, she had dismissed it as déjà vu, but now realizing she had indeed been here before, she instinctively looked back.
Inside the park, the building where Shi Guanghua was located lit up in the night, resembling a serene lighthouse.