At 3 a.m., the landmines in front of the station

If some people's faces are so perfect that they seem like they were born with perfect features, that would be the highest compliment.

So Ari's situation is—"Just one look at her makes me feel like I should empty my pockets to pay for enjoying her beauty"...

"Ugh."

Her gentle gaze melts the heart; a single second of looking at her is enough to instantly captivate and infect you.

"No one can escape that kind of face, no wonder it doesn't show up when backlit."

As a makeup artist, Jiang Nai, who can change her appearance in countless ways, always feels like a star meeting the moon when she is in close contact with Ari, and is instantly overshadowed.

There is a sense of inferiority that no matter how hard I try, I can never match.

Thinking back to my old, unfashionable self,

To maintain her figure, she went to great lengths, consuming only small amounts of protein, dietary fiber, and vitamins for 28 consecutive days, to the point of fainting several times from hunger.

Then look at her, whose mere presence alone could overwhelm ordinary people; look at her, flawless from head to toe—

The more I think, the more withdrawn I become.

"So, teammates can also feel this kind of helplessness?"

She squatted on the ground, carrying the ESP on her back, feeling somewhat annoyed.

Standing behind Ari, watching her back, was truly heartbreaking.

"Without a second thought, the moment she steps onto the stage, she will capture the attention of everyone in the audience, as if she were stealing their souls, even through the screen."

Musicians like us, even if we play our hearts out, are merely supporting actors to highlight her perfection.

With a slight sigh,

I think that even someone as strong as Miya, when shining brightly beside Ari, could not resist the deadly allure of the songstress.

"A terrifying team. Is it too late to retreat now...?"

The thought of escaping arose in my mind.

But it seems it's too late.

Under the producer's persuasive words, and unable to resist the temptation, he signed a confidentiality agreement.

They agreed to "cooperate until the end of the competition" and even signed the agreement voluntarily.

The benefits promised by the other party

It's a complete package of services for debuting artists.

He could portray himself as an ordinary, unassuming musician, a top-tier collaborator with Ari, and leverage Ari's status as a renowned singer to become her personal pianist.

With such a prefix, whatever you plan to do in the music field in the future, you will achieve twice the result with half the effort.

Compared to working as an overseas makeup artist, this job pays more and has a higher social status, and you don't have to bow and scrape.

If my life's nameplate were painted with a new pattern and adorned with delicate lace, would I be more confident the next time I see Xiao Che...?

For Jiang Nai, the ultimate goal of any action is to strive in the same direction—

"Don't feel inferior in front of the most important person."

The rejection I received is like a thorn, deeply embedded in my heart.

Now I have been reborn from the ashes.

It broke down the barriers of space.

You can even get close to him and touch him.

And he even accepted his mission—

Help him mentor a female apprentice.

Once this task is accomplished, I can take it a step further and lure him to my home...

"what…"

"Oh, right."

"Shouldn't we contact her first?"

Jiang Nai slapped her forehead, suddenly realizing that her recent excessive busyness had prevented her from adding the key person as a friend.

"Her name... seems to be Gu Zhi...?"

As the fingertip swiped across the phone screen, the Penguin chat history paused on a screenshot of the Fetion business card that Su Che had pushed to her.

Jiang Nai thought for a moment,

They decided to disregard the fact that it was already 3 a.m.

I sent a friend request directly.

-

next second.

Your friend request has been accepted. You can start chatting now!

"?"

My first reaction

The other person is a complete night owl.

A biological clock that perfectly matches one's own might indicate a promising talent.

"For bass learners, working day and night can cause drowsiness and make it easier to generate low-frequency air pressure when practicing."

—The ramblings of someone who has gone astray.

"Let me think about it..."

She stopped by a streetlamp in the darkness, placed her violin on the seat, and decided to first peek at Gu Zhi's circle of friends.

"Observing the ecology" is one of Jiang Nai's good habits.

This refers to identifying the other person's habits beforehand, in any necessary interaction, in order to judge their personality and take targeted social tactics.

Before sending the first reply to Su Che, I read his information at least 20 times, dug up all his social media accounts, read them all one by one, and then spent a long time crafting a message to fake that energetic feeling.

Because I'm not good-looking, I have to find ways to compensate for my flaws elsewhere.

This is Jiang Nai's sore spot.

Now, facing Gu Zhi, he couldn't help but want to observe her more closely.

Subconsciously, I compared myself to her.

Let's see if we can "win back" him by appealing to his opinion of us.

[Compared to Ari in looks and temperament, I'm completely outshone; compared to Miya in playing skills, I can't compete; compared to wealthy women, I don't have the financial means to directly spend hundreds of thousands to buy Cheche's spring; and last time I consulted the boss lady of Yeling, I heard that Cheche's price is "80 takeaway fee"...]

"Ugh, so expensive."

"But it was definitely worth it."

now,

I can only find confidence in Gu Zhi.

"Let me see your feelings, young lady..."

The word "况" had not yet been uttered.

Click on the first pinned post in your friends' circle...

It's Gu Zhi's atmospheric, artistic selfie, where she sits in the dark with her guitar, playing fingerstyle guitar without showing her face.

Jiang Nai narrowed her eyes, her spirits immediately lifting.

I sensed something was off.

That's what she's doing...

What body type?

From Jiang Nai's perspective,

Although Gu Zhi did not show her face,

But the way he sat holding the zither was unusually seductive.

Even though she was wearing a very thick knitted sweater,

The upper U-shaped curve of the guitar and the area where you hold the guitar also have extremely eye-catching parts that stick out, making it impossible for anyone to focus their attention on the guitar.

Even a Taylor 714ce worth 30,000 yuan.

Jiang Nai couldn't help but look down.

Do you have a video?

"Sure enough."

She wanted to watch Gu Zhi's unedited performance video, as it would provide the most direct and useful information.

Photos can be edited, but videos generally cannot.

Clicking on her 15-second solo excerpt reveals that she is playing the tender and exquisite piece "Lovin U."

What was clearly a romantic masterpiece was played by her with an air of possessiveness and devouring...

"Wow, she's so dark-skinned, that's her style..."

Jiang Nai had no doubt that if Gu Zhi were cut open, her heart would be absolutely black.

"Her figure isn't fake..."

"His piano skills are just average, but... how come he conveyed emotions so vividly..."

"Are you trying to eat my Xiao Che...?"

"No, I need to confirm this."

Thinking of this,

She decided to send the other party a rather subtle opening line in order to probe Gu Zhi's background.