Chapter 69: The Ex Is a Bit Strange

Li Jiayan couldn't quite understand why jealousy was welling up inside her. Clearly, the conversation between Lu Zhou and Ye Fangfei was nothing special, and the topics they discussed were things she already knew from the main episodes or other sources. Yet, listening to them, she felt undeniably jealous.

She began to realize her feelings for Lu Zhou were changing. Burying her head into her spicy chicken, she thought, I need to draw Lu Zhou's attention back to myself; I can't let others keep stealing his focus.

"After the show aired, the number of students signing up to learn piano at our institution multiplied several times over. They all requested me as their teacher. It's actually a headache, since I can't fit them into my schedule at all," she said, swallowing her food and smiling as she volunteered her own situation.

Wen Yiming clapped his hands in sudden recognition. "I have the same problem! I only teach advanced students, so now everyone wants my class, signing up for VVIP status just for a chance. But I simply can't handle them all."

"Are your new students mostly male or female?" Qi Jiajia instinctively asked.

Wen Yiming was a bit speechless at the question, replying vaguely, "Both, about the same."

Qi Jiajia snorted silently to herself—who would believe that?

"So, Boss Li and Boss Wen, your business is booming! When are you opening more branches?" Lu Zhou laughed.

Wen Yiming smiled. "We may expand again next year."

"Lu Zhou," Li Jiayan called softly, "Recently, all my new piano students ask me things about you."

"Huh?" Lu Zhou arched an eyebrow, amused. "Don't tell me they're asking about our old relationship?"

Li Jiayan covered her mouth, giggling, and nodded. "Some actually do, and some questions are even more outrageous."

Lu Zhou asked, "Like what?"

"Some students sign up for my class and then, right in front of me, say, 'My rendition of the Croatian Rhapsody isn't as good as yours.'"

She finished with a deliberate pout, pretending to hum in annoyance.

"When did you get so good at piano? I remember I used to always outplay you. Tell me, how long did you secretly practice Croatian Rhapsody?" Lu Zhou was amused, lifting his glass for a sip.

Qi Jiajia watched him and joked, "Is that the legendary tactical sip?"

Everyone laughed.

"Do you want the truth?" Lu Zhou looked at Li Jiayan, his eyes sparkling.

"Of course," she replied.

He put the glass down. "Honestly, that was my first time playing it."

Li Jiayan's face flushed instantly. "Impossible, you're lying."

The others became spectators, fascinated by this unexpected technical showdown between exes.

Lu Zhou smiled and didn't elaborate further.

That only made Li Jiayan more uncertain. Despite years apart, she remembered he was never one to lie.

"Really your first time?" She tried to confirm again.

Lu Zhou nodded.

Li Jiayan slumped back in her chair, deflated. "Now I really have no dignity as a piano teacher."

Lu Zhou laughed. "One piece defeats you? I can play, but that doesn't mean I can teach. You can teach—why care if you play better than others? As long as your teaching is excellent."

Ye Fangfei nodded in agreement. "He's right."

"Well, I've been comforted." Li Jiayan straightened up, her spirits revived.

Xu Junze, watching her, pressed his lips together in a smile—she was rather endearing.

Chu Yao noticed Xu Junze's subtle expression and instinctively glanced at Li Jiayan.

"I watched your recent viral competition video online—the one with the ancient costume. I liked it a lot," Chu Yao suddenly mentioned.

Qi Jiajia chimed in, "Me too! That video was awesome. Lu Zhou, you look great in traditional clothes. It's the first time I've seen a guy play the pipa—surprisingly impressive!"

Li Jiayan felt unsettled again.

Lu Zhou wondered why tonight's topics kept shifting to him.

"Thank you," he said, not willing to discuss further.

But then Li Jiayan asked, "I saw you playing both pipa and guzheng in the video. When did you learn so many instruments?"

Lu Zhou thought Li Jiayan was acting strangely tonight. She never used to bring up so much about him in front of others. Was it because their old relationship was public now, so she felt unrestrained? Or maybe, without cameras, she was more lively?

"All before I met you, and after we broke up," he replied casually.

Actually, it was in another world.

His answer brought a quiet pause at the table.

Li Jiayan felt awkward.

"So many years without seeing you, you've become so talented," she soon masked her discomfort with a smile.

"I always thought you and Lu Zhou, after breaking up, had a comfortable dynamic," Xu Junze remarked.

"They've been apart for years, and if I remember right, only dated for half a year? No attachments left—like old friends. That kind of relationship is definitely comfortable," Qi Jiajia interjected.

Li Jiayan almost wore a baffled expression.

Lu Zhou smiled. "Time is the best medicine. Maybe you haven't been apart long enough yet, so things are still tangled. For me and Jiayan, we've moved past that stage."

Li Jiayan remained silent, wanting to say something but not knowing how.

Chu Yao pushed a few grains of rice with her chopsticks, then mused, "There's a saying online: time or a new beginning, both are good medicine."

Xu Junze glanced at her.

Chu Yao's words resonated with several others.

Unconsciously, the conversation shifted toward discussing exes.

"I'm actually curious about Zhang Chen and Fangfei," Lu Zhou steered the focus away. "I only learned from the show you two dated for just three days?"

His question drew everyone's attention to Ye Fangfei and Zhang Chen.

"I was surprised by that," Wen Yiming said, laughing. "Three days... can that even count as dating?"

Zhang Chen shot Wen Yiming a glare. "As long as both sides confirm the relationship, even an hour counts as dating. Any problem with that?"

"No problem..." Wen Yiming pursed his lips. Once again, his careless words had annoyed Zhang Chen.

"Three days isn't enough to know anyone. If you decided to start, why end it so soon?" Li Jiayan looked at Ye Fangfei, genuinely curious.

Her question echoed Zhang Chen's feelings—she was practically voicing his thoughts.

"I was the one who got dumped, always hoping for another chance to get to know her," Zhang Chen declared openly.

His purpose for joining the show was clear, and so was the persona he wanted to build during the journey. He saw nothing wrong in stating it—it might even help his cause.

The pressure was now on Ye Fangfei, but she didn't feel pressured.

"We agreed to meet as a couple for three days, but I felt nothing. So I saw no reason to continue," Ye Fangfei answered frankly.

Everyone fell silent—how ruthless.

Zhang Chen's face darkened, feeling thoroughly wounded.

"Because your parents' wishes had a big influence, I feel you were a bit prejudiced during our dates. That's why you felt nothing," he said, determined not to lose face and determined to hold onto his persona.

"I genuinely hope, during the rest of the journey, you can let go of those unfounded prejudices and give us a real chance. If you still feel nothing for me, then that's that."

His voice suddenly became deep and sincere.

At that moment, Zhang Chen was unfamiliar to both Li Jiayan and Chu Yao, both of whom had frequently interacted with him on the show. Despite being mentally prepared, they couldn't help but feel a touch of emotion.

This man, perhaps, was the type to love many—able to exchange affection with you, yet equally capable of loving another woman.

Everyone watched Ye Fangfei and Zhang Chen, waiting for her reply.

Ye Fangfei lifted her glass, took a sip, and looked at Zhang Chen. "Prejudices are broken by others, not by one's own resolve. I'll look forward to your performance."

Lu Zhou smiled lightly—no wonder Ye Fangfei.

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