"The past is behind you now," Ye Huanqiu said. "You have plenty of people who care about you. Using humor to mask your vulnerability is a good coping mechanism, but everyone needs to let their guard down sometimes. Allowing yourself to be vulnerable is the strongest way to demonstrate true strength."
If there's a hurdle you can't overcome, pretending it's all in the past while never actually addressing it only proves that you haven't truly moved on.
Under Ye Huanqiu's guidance, Yang Chaoyue gradually shed her initial resistance.
"Rainy Day" was a high-quality song in every aspect. It earned a spot among Earth's top ten singles of 2009, a year brimming with musical hits, making this honor even more impressive.
The "I Am a Creator" production team didn't film for long. After capturing the key performance segment, they departed, as filming the entire process would ruin the suspense for the live broadcast.
While Yang Chaoyue rehearsed the song, Ye Huanqiu taught her a unique vocal technique.
Her naturally bright voice sounded slightly mismatched with the mood of "Rainy Day." Remembering the original singer's nasal-heavy delivery, Ye Huanqiu encouraged her to incorporate a similar approach. Though somewhat unconventional, it perfectly complemented the song's melancholic tone.
Ye Huanqiu taught patiently, and Yang Chaoyue learned diligently.
Memorizing lyrics had never been a challenge for her, especially since this song's lyrics were far simpler than those of "Chinese." Buoyed by the confidence she'd gained from her previous performance, her practice progressed swiftly.
The stage choreography for this song involved fewer dynamic movements, making the training less physically demanding than before. Today's session concluded early, leaving her ample time to refine her skills independently—a balanced approach that allowed for both focused practice and personal development.
Moreover, the live broadcast for the second half of "I Am a Creator" had been moved to Saturday, granting her an extra day of preparation. Time was no longer a constraint.
Ye Huanqiu spent three days coaching her, and only on Friday did they head to the recording studio.
Yang Chaoyue could sense his meticulous dedication. Compared to their previous collaboration, he had truly considered every detail. After the recording session, she asked him, "A Ye, you've been acting like you want to cram everything into me these past few days. Was all that thoroughness really necessary?"
"Absolutely necessary," he replied. "Because... I won't be there for tomorrow's live broadcast."
"???"
Yang Chaoyue was stunned, and her manager, Sister Zhang, beside her was equally bewildered. What on earth had just happened?
"My contract with the production team stipulates that I work from 9 AM to 3 PM," Ye Huanqiu explained. "Once my tasks are completed, I'm done for the day. Saturday is already outside my weekend hours, and I've finished all my assignments!"
The primary reason Ye Huanqiu had been meticulously planning everything for Yang Chaoyue these past few days was that he wouldn't be on set for the Saturday filming. The show was scheduled to air at 7:30 PM, with the first half running for about forty minutes. The live broadcast of the second half wouldn't begin until after 8 PM.
Ye Huanqiu was determined to fulfill only his contractual obligations. He refused to get involved in anything beyond that. He couldn't care less about what Shen Tao, Director Zhang, or anyone else thought; everything would be done strictly according to the contract.
Yang Chaoyue suddenly remembered and asked, "So that's why you always left before 3 PM every day?"
"More or less," he replied. "If it weren't for personal matters, I rarely stay this late."
"Oh my god..."
Yang Chaoyue felt an inexplicable envy. From her days of obscurity to her current stardom, her working hours had only grown longer, yet the rewards of being a celebrity were immense.
But looking at Ye Huanqiu's lifestyle, she couldn't help but feel envious.
"If you're staying home tomorrow, make sure to watch the show, especially when I'm on stage," Yang Chaoyue reminded him.
He turned back, flashed an "OK" sign, and left alone.
Manager Zhang remarked, "Now I truly believe he's an independent musician. He has absolutely no grasp of social graces. He won't last long in this industry."
"Why do you say that? Isn't talent enough?" Yang Chaoyue countered.
"And how long do you think that talent will last?" Sister Zhang retorted.
Her cynicism stemmed from years of experience in the Earth Star Entertainment Circle. She'd witnessed countless arrogant yet gifted individuals rise and fall. Most burned brightly but briefly, fading into obscurity once their creative flames flickered out.
Tomato TV
Director Zhang's office.
"He's really not coming?" Director Zhang asked, his gaze fixed on Shen Tao. He was, of course, referring to Ye Huanqiu.
"That's right. According to the contract, he's not obligated to attend."
Looking back, the contract seemed hastily drafted. At the time, Shen Tao hadn't considered the long-term implications beyond Ye Huanqiu's role as a temporary replacement. He'd assumed that if Ye Huanqiu was eliminated in the first round, it wouldn't matter.
Whether Ye Huanqiu could be eliminated in the second round was another matter. Shen Tao couldn't guarantee it. Moreover, they couldn't simply eliminate contestants based on personal dislike. Considering the potential impact on the ratings of I Am a Creator, any such move would be unacceptable.
"Forget it. I've dealt with plenty of arrogant types. If he doesn't want to come, fine. Actually, this episode could use some eye-catching publicity. You know what to do, right?" Director Zhang gave Shen Tao a meaningful glance, and Shen Tao immediately understood.
"Yes, I'll take care of it right away."
Shen Tao left the office.
Before long, rumors began circulating on social media: Ye Huanqiu, blinded by his own talent, had no intention of attending Saturday's live broadcast.
His opponent for the showdown was none other than Gao Jin, a veteran artist who far surpassed Ye Huanqiu in experience, status, and fame. For Ye Huanqiu to skip the live competition against such a heavyweight was seen as the height of arrogance.
Netizens flooded the comment sections of several gossip marketing accounts that had broken the story:
"This One Leaf Knows Autumn is getting a little fame and doesn't know his place anymore!"
"Putting everything else aside, I'm a fan of 'Chinese' too. He should at least show some respect to others. His lack of manners is appalling."
"Mark my words: tomorrow, when the voting opens, I'm voting for Gao Jin, no matter what."
"Exactly! Let this be a lesson. Just because he has some talent doesn't mean he can act like he's above everyone else."
"Count me in."
The barrage of negative comments about Ye Huanqiu was exactly what the PR team had hoped for.
Of course, the silent majority remained indifferent. What did this petty drama have to do with them? As long as the music was good, nothing else mattered.
Gou Bing, never one to miss out on juicy gossip, once again shared the news with Li Yuanjie. These past few days, Li Yuanjie had been tripping over himself to court Cheng Xiao's company for a collaboration, showering her with such frequent attention that Gou Bing couldn't even find him this time.
Never mind, Gou Bing thought. The real entertainment starts tomorrow anyway.
Ye Huanqiu had better things to worry about than online drama. He planned to get his language certifications soon and work as an hourly language tutor—a temporary fix to keep his income flowing. This would fulfill this body's lingering ambition to become a true city dweller.