It was already dark when Meng Zhen came out of the teahouse. She said goodbye to Gu Ting with a smile, and then got into Xin Xin’s car and returned to the hotel.

The next day, under the director’s arrangement, Meng Zhen began shooting the final scene. Acting alongside her was a veteran actor who had been playing villainous roles on the small screen for decades. Even if the audience couldn’t recall his name, they would always remember him when they saw his face.

The veteran actor had rich acting experience, and his current state was also excellent. He met Cao Lei’s requirements after only two takes with Meng Zhen.

“OK! Teacher Yu, Meng Zhen, the two of you are done!”

Cao Lei felt that the sound from the amplifier wasn’t sufficient, so he simply hung a large speaker around his waist. He would usually hold the speaker to direct the on-site staff, and the sound was so loud that it hurt everyone’s eardrums.

During the two months of filming, both the artists and the crew were extremely satisfied with Meng Zhen’s performance. Seeing that they were about to part ways soon, Sister Long felt a bit reluctant. Her daughter was about the same age as Meng Zhen, still in high school and living carefree days, often playfully acting cute with the adults at home when there was nothing else to do. In contrast, Meng Zhen, starting so young in the entertainment industry, seemed so mature and understanding, which made people feel sorry for her.

“Zhenzhen, if you participate in any events in the future, you can call me. I’ll do your styling.” Sister Long said earnestly while holding Meng Zhen’s hand.

Meng Zhen had lived for two lifetimes and could naturally discern sincerity from pretense. She knew Sister Long meant well, and waves of emotion welled up in her heart, her almond-shaped eyes sparkling with gratitude.

The wrap-up party lasted a full five hours, continuing until nightfall. Meng Zhen finally left the film studio and returned to her apartment by car. She had drunk quite a bit and was feeling a bit tipsy. Now, she was leaning against the passenger seat, wearing her seatbelt across her chest with her eyes slightly closed. Her head nodded gently from side to side, looking incredibly adorable.

Xin Xin deliberately slowed down and drove for two hours before stopping the car downstairs of the apartment building.

Seeing Meng Zhen’s slightly flushed face, Xin Xin couldn’t bear to wake her up. However, sleeping in bed was more comfortable than in the car, and it wouldn’t be good if she caught a cold. With this in mind, Xin Xin gently reached over and tapped Meng Zhen’s arm, softly saying, “Sister Zhenzhen, we’re here.”

Upon hearing the familiar voice, Meng Zhen finally woke up. She rolled down the car window, gazing at the pitch-black night sky with a few snowflakes drifting down. Slowly, she said, “It’s late. Why don’t you stay over at my place tonight? Save yourself the trouble of going back and forth.”

Xin Xin had stayed in Meng Zhen’s apartment before, so she didn’t hesitate much before nodding in agreement.

———pr

After finishing 《The Icon’s New Clothes》, Meng Zhen spent a week at home. Fei Yun’s main purpose in giving her this break was to let her relax properly and prevent her from pushing herself too hard and exhausting her body. However, Meng Zhen was someone who couldn’t sit still. In the mornings, she practiced lines in front of the mirror in the bathroom, and in the afternoons, she began practicing dance, pushing herself to the limit.

That day, Meng Zhen learned a street dance routine from an online video, and just after finishing, she received a call from Zhao Rong.

“Zhenzhen, I remember that you participated in a variety show before, playing the erhu quite well. Can you come back and teach Xueruo? Next month is Old Master Lin’s 70th birthday. The erhu is what he likes to listen to the most.”

In recent years, there haven’t been many people learning the erhu, so Zhao Rong couldn’t find a reliable teacher. That’s why she turned to Meng Zhen, hoping her eldest daughter could help her younger daughter. Zhao Rong wanted Xu Xuero to earn the approval of the Lin family’s elders at Old Master Lin’s 70th birthday celebration. This might also advance the prospects of a marriage alliance between the Xu and the Lin family.

Despite Xu Xuero having just turned eighteen, in upper-class circles, engagement at this age wasn’t considered early. Waiting until both parties reach the legal marriage age to formalize the union was also acceptable. Compared to personal qualifications, these families prioritize background. The Xu and the Lin family have a close relationship, and Lin Yu and Xu Xuero have grown up together since childhood. If they were to come together, wouldn’t it be a wonderful thing?

Hearing that, Meng Zhen carefully recalled the dream she once had.

In it, Xu Xuero’s facade of hypocrisy remained undiscovered until the end. At the birthday banquet, she performed a composition made by the other Meng Zhen, where lively notes danced like elves under the moonlight, offering an exquisite auditory feast.

Meng Zhen didn’t want to give Xu Xuero any opportunity to take advantage. Upon waking from her dream, she found those musical scores in the other Meng Zhen’s file folder.

In Meng Zhen’s previous life as a singer for many years, she could recognize how well the other Meng Zhen had composed those scores. The other party was talented in music. However, if fate dictated that those scores would eventually fall into Xu Xuero’s hands, it would be better to destroy them completely.

With that thought in mind, Meng Zhen took the scores to the bathroom and used a lighter to burn the thin pages clean. Those belonged to the other Meng Zhen, and no one had the right to tamper with them.

Including herself and Xu Xueruo.

A hint of sarcasm flickered in Meng Zhen’s eyes. She was curious to see how far Xu Xuero could go without the ‘gift’ the other Meng Zhen had left her, and whether she would become the recognized ‘lucky star’ of high society just like in the dream.

“Xuero has never learned the erhu before, so one month is too short. Even if she has talent in music, reaching performance level won’t be easy.”

Zhao Rong understood Meng Zhen’s point, but she really wanted her adopted daughter to shine at the birthday celebration. Old Master Lin was a military veteran who had emerged from the battlefield and had a tough demeanor. Missing this opportunity might make it difficult to please him in the future.

“Zhenzhen, why don’t you come home tomorrow and teach Xuero? If it really doesn’t work, we can think of another solution.” Zhao Rong sighed.

With the conversation having reached this point, Meng Zhen didn’t refuse outright. She agreed, exchanged a few more casual words with Zhao Rong, and then hung up the phone.

———pr

The next day, the driver from the Xu family arrived outside the community to pick up Meng Zhen and take her to the villa.

Half an hour later, Meng Zhen stood in front of the door and walked slowly into the living room. Zhao Rong and her daughter were sitting on the sofa. Zhao Rong’s face brightened a bit upon seeing Meng Zhen, while Xu Xuero’s eyes betrayed a subtle hint of displeasure that was not easily noticed.

However, in front of her mother, Xu Xuero dared not show her true emotions. She stepped forward and warmly took Meng Zhen’s arm, speaking softly, “Zhenzhen, you’re finally here. Please help me. What if I can’t learn the erhu?”

Meng Zhen was well aware that unless Xu Xuero possessed extraordinary talent far beyond average, it would be impossible for her to master the erhu within a month. In the dream, Xu Xuero also didn’t play the erhu but the piano.

The thought flashed through Meng Zhen’s mind, but she didn’t voice it aloud. Instead, she just smiled at the mother and daughter.

“We don’t have much time left. Let’s go to the practice room quickly.”

Upon hearing that, a chill intensified in Meng Zhen’s eyes. No matter what, Zhao Rong was the biological mother of the other Meng Zhen. After not seeing each other for two months, her first thought wasn’t about caring for her daughter, asking if she was tired or how she was doing, but rather about squeezing out all her remaining value to pave the way for Xu Xuero.

Meng Zhen had long understood in her previous life that blood ties often pale in comparison to years of shared joy and intimacy. At this moment, she couldn’t muster even a hint of sadness. She simply found it ironic.

Xu Xuero had been raised by Zhao Rong since childhood, and the Xu family had spared no effort for her. They had long prepared two high-quality erhus placed on the table. Meng Zhen, also fond of musical instruments, saw the two erhus, and her almond-shaped eyes suddenly lit up for a moment. Her fingertips, tinged with a pink hue, gently brushed over the instruments, her movements incredibly tender.

Standing in front of the mahogany table, Xu Xuero caught sight of Meng Zhen’s expression and secretly sneered. She had previously studied piano for a while and didn’t believe she would be stumped by such a rustic instrument.

Zhao Rong gently patted Xu Xuero’s head and spoke in a soft tone, “Xuero, you should learn the erhu well from your sister. Old Master Lin’s birthday is next month. If it weren’t for worrying about affecting your exam results, we should have started preparing earlier.”

“Mom, rest assured, I’ll work hard to keep up with Sister.” Xu Xuero said with her head bowed slightly, her expression tinged with a hint of shyness.

After Zhao Rong left the room, Meng Zhen took out a pen and paper and drew a finger positioning chart for the erhu. Beginners typically start with the basic fingerings for D and G, mastering these before moving on to others.

Having studied music for several years, Xu Xuero should naturally understand musical notation. Meng Zhen handed the finger positioning chart to her and demonstrated the correct posture for holding the erhu.

Facing the chart, Xu Xuero felt an inexplicable sense of annoyance. She had no interest or desire to learn the erhu, but she had no choice but to do so to please Old Master Lin. Just as she was feeling at a loss, she suddenly remembered Meng Zhen’s performance in the variety show, prompting her to suggest to Zhao Rong to bring Meng Zhen, this non-biological ‘sister’, back to guide her.

“You need to place your index finger here and gently move the bow.”

Meng Zhen’s voice was very calm, without a hint of fluctuation, but Xu Xuero found it uncomfortable to listen to.

At this moment, she felt very conflicted. On one hand, she wanted to learn from Meng Zhen, but on the other, she didn’t want her to appear in front of the Xu couple. This internal conflict made it hard for her to focus. She took a deep breath, trying to calm her emotions, and then followed Meng Zhen’s instructions to play the beginner’s piece 《Spring in the Countryside》.

Meng Zhen’s playing produced notes that flowed like a clear stream in the mountain, carrying a special charm. In contrast, Xu Xuero’s rendition sounded like sawing wood, grating on the ears and causing discomfort.

Meng Zhen acted as if she didn’t hear the unpleasant sound. Her expression remained unchanged as she continued to patiently and meticulously explain the finger positions.

Xu Xuero silently reminded herself that no matter how much she disliked the erhu, she had to keep learning.

Unfortunately, from the very beginning, she had despised the erhu, considering it an outdated instrument. Without genuine interest as a driving force, being forced to learn it only resulted in half-hearted efforts and poor results.

Meng Zhen understood this principle, and so did Xu Xuero. However, Xu Xuero couldn’t give up because she was determined to earn Old Master Lin’s approval.

Meng Zhen spent the entire day teaching Xu Xuero, but by nightfall, Xu Xuero still couldn’t produce a pleasant sound.

Zhao Rong stood at the door of the practice room, taking in the scene. She couldn’t help but sigh and said, “Xuero, if you can’t master it, we can perform with another instrument. What matters most is the sincerity of our gesture, not the form it takes. The piano is a good option. Playing a meaningful piano piece would be just as wonderful, wouldn’t it?”