【The rules say at least five positive responses, and there are at least two hundred people there!】
【Impressive. I knew Wan wan wouldn’t rush. She even had time to drink coffee, while the other guests were practically setting off sparks with their frantic pace.】
【+1. Especially Zhong Yi—his face-changing performance ended up scaring a foreign child to tears.】
【But weren’t those applause actually for Wan wan’s piano playing, not the qipao? Does that count as bending the rules?】
【Nonsense! Wanwan clearly introduced the qipao she was wearing as a traditional Chinese garment. Why can’t the applause include appreciation for the qipao?】
【We don’t need to be confined to the program’s rules. The songs Wan wan played were all created in China, so she’s also promoting Chinese culture.】

Naturally, Mu Wan’s task was completed flawlessly. She smiled and gave a graceful bow to the crowd.

“My country is beautiful, and its music is wonderful. You’re all welcome to visit sometime.”

After speaking, she walked away elegantly. Along the way, a few girls approached her, asking where they could buy such a dress. Mu Wan recommended a few popular international shopping platforms and, after assessing their figures and facial features, suggested qipao styles that would suit them best.

【Wanwan really knows her stuff when it comes to qipao. She’s like an encyclopedia!】
【She mentioned before that she personally made a qipao for her mom, so she studied it professionally.】
【Now there’s even proof of people asking for links. The production team can’t find any fault with Wan wan!】

After the crowd dispersed, Mu Wan was preparing to head back to the agreed meeting spot with the others. Unexpectedly, a young man nervously stopped her.

Qin Jie looked somewhat embarrassed but still managed to apologize sincerely.

“Well… I want to apologize for my disrespectful comments earlier.”

“I shouldn’t have accused you of not being a student at Juilliard. I was lashing out unfairly. Your music skills are on par with any professional musician.”

Mu Wan’s expression showed slight surprise—she hadn’t expected him to come back and admit his mistake so openly. She pointed to the camera.

“I’m live-streaming.”

Qin Jie glanced at the camera and misunderstood, thinking he needed to apologize publicly. He faced the camera and said earnestly, “I also want to apologize to your fans.”

Mu Wan: “…”

She hesitated for a moment, her lips moving as if to explain, but ultimately gave up and said,
“Since we’re Alumnus, I’ll forgive you. If fate allows, we’ll meet again. Bye-bye!”

She turned to leave, but Qin Jie quickly stepped in front of her, his expression a little awkward but trying hard to appear composed.

“Hi, my name is Jerry. What’s your name? Can I add you on WeChat?” He paused and added, “I’m in my senior year, and I might return to China after graduation…”

【Does he realize how red his ears are?】
【He probably thinks he’s acting super natural.】
【Just earlier he was criticizing Wan wan, and now after hearing her play, he’s like this. Is everyone in the music world this dramatic?】

Mu Wan noticed his flushed ears and evasive gaze, feeling a little helpless. Thinking they’d likely never cross paths again, she was about to introduce herself briefly and leave, but her phone rang at just the wrong moment.

She glanced at the screen, her expression softening slightly, and said apologetically to Qin Jie, “Sorry, it’s my fiancé calling. I need to take this.”

【Qin Jie is stunned.】
【Bet he didn’t see this coming—she’s already taken.】
【Honestly, the “enemies to lovers” trope would have been fun here, but since her fiancé isn’t around, I’ll just indulge this lightly.】

Mu Wan answered the call, accidentally tapping the speakerphone button.

A gruff yet somewhat menacing voice immediately came through the phone.

“Wan wan, tell him your name is Tom—Jerry’s lifelong rival.”

The livestream chat fell silent for a few seconds before erupting in a frenzy:
【Wait, what???】
【Ahhh! It’s her fiancé! He’s watching the stream and he’s jealous!】
【His voice is so nice!】
【But to be fair, Qin Jie didn’t know Wan wan was already taken. It’s not wrong to go after someone you like.】
【That tone though—possessive much? Calm down, dude!】

As the chat heated up with debate and accusations of possessiveness, Kuang Ye’s next line came through, completely shifting the mood.

“Jie~, I don’t want you adding him on WeChat. I’ll get jealous.”

His voice, magnetic and clingy, carried a pitiful tone, as if a little puppy was looking up at you with droopy eyes, begging for attention.

【!!!】
【”Jie”? Jie!!! Wan wan, you’re secretly living this well?】
【What kind of adorable, sulky puppy behavior is this? Wan wan, just agree to marry him already!】
【Poor fiancé! Separated from his fiancée by distance and still having to watch other guys hit on her.】
【Okay, I take back my earlier complaints. This is adorable.】

Realizing the speakerphone was on, Mu Wan instinctively reached to turn it off but then thought it might be a good opportunity to let Kuang Ye’s voice dissuade Qin Jie from pursuing her further.

However, she hadn’t expected Kuang Ye to pull such a dramatic stunt. Hearing his faint chuckle through the phone, she quickly hung up.

She gave Qin Jie an apologetic smile and politely declined his request to add her on WeChat.

“Sorry, my fiancé was just joking around. My name is Mu Wan. I run a music agency back in China. If fate allows, we might run into each other again someday. Bye-bye!”

With a slight nod to him, she gracefully walked away, leaving the mall.

【Fiancé is a legend. He caused chaos with just one phone call.】
【Fiancé, you’re in the livestream chat, right? Say something!】
【I am.】
【Me too.】
【Same here.】

The chat was flooded with playful replies.

Kuang Ye hummed to himself as he watched the stream, thinking this would be enough to quell those who shipped Wan wan with others.

Suddenly, a WeChat notification popped up.

Mu Wan: “Ah Ye, did you forget my family also watches this livestream?*

Since her trip abroad was such a big deal, Mu Wan had of course informed her family. With the constant presence of cameras and the production crew, they hadn’t been too worried.

Kang Ye: “…”

The thought of his earlier jealous antics being witnessed by his future in-laws made Kuang Ye freeze.

He could almost see their expressions as they watched him. With a groan, he buried his face in his hands, his cheeks burning red like Qin Jie’s had been moments before.