7:30 p.m., Dorm Room 206, Girls' Dormitory, Acting Department, Lan City University of the Arts.
Though it was already mid-January and most students had gone home for the holidays, it was a university after all—there were always some who stayed behind.
"So, how's the crew really like?"
"That director, Jing Yu—is he even more handsome than what Chen Jing said?"
"Xiao Ning, you have to work hard! Rise to the top! You're not inferior to that Yu Youqing. Get her out of the picture, win the screenwriter's heart, and fight for the lead role!"
The dorm room was buzzing with the voices of Xia Yining's roommates, who were all crowding around her, chattering endlessly. Having just come back from the set, Xia Yining was completely fed up.
"I'm begging you guys, seriously... Stop asking the same stuff over and over. I've told you everything already—don't make me repeat myself."
With a frown, she shut them down. Her roommates giggled and backed off.
It was about time. They all turned on the TV and switched to Jin Hui TV channel.
"Tonight's the second episode of 'Your Lie in April'. We've gotta see how our class beauty performs on screen."
Chen Jing hadn't passed her audition, but she didn't seem affected at all. In fact, she was laughing and chatting with the other two roommates, Xu Meng and Su Jin.
"My scenes aren't in this episode. Don't bother watching. I won't appear until at least next week," Xia Yining said.
"Still, we have to watch! What if there's a kiss scene between you and the male lead, You Gongsheng? Maybe you're the second female lead?" Xu Meng teased.
All four girls in the dorm were undeniably attractive. After all, no one lacking confidence would dare apply for an acting major.
"By the way, Xiao Ning, are the director, producer, and screenwriter all decent people? Not one of those sleazy crews with creepy demands, right?" Su Jin asked.
"Yeah, haven't run into anything shady so far. If anything, the screenwriter Jing Yu is really upright. He's careful to maintain distance and is very polite on set," Xia Yining answered after a moment's thought.
"Sigh, what a waste. A quality man like that, and Xiao Ning is the one closest to him. Lucky girl," Chen Jing said, feigning regret.
"What nonsense are you spouting? Can't you guys keep your thoughts pure for once?" Xia Yining looked genuinely annoyed now.
"We'll see, we'll see! I still don't believe any man could resist your beauty. If it turns out we're right and you're the first in our dorm to start dating, you have to treat us to a feast," Xu Meng said, deliberately teasing.
Xia Yining had had enough and launched herself into a playful scuffle with the three of them.
Eventually, they all collapsed on the beds, exhausted and disheveled. Four gorgeous girls sprawled out—it was the kind of scene that would make any guy's adrenaline spike if he happened to walk in by accident.
Xia Yining turned to the TV, where the 'Your Lie in April' preview was playing.
Yu Youqing, who played Miyazono Kaori, flashed a dazzling smile—her face was stunning.
Over the past few days of filming on set, Xia Yining couldn't help but notice how oddly Yu Youqing treated the screenwriter, Jing Yu. Not that it had anything to do with her.
As the clock neared 8 p.m., the four of them pulled out stools and sat in front of the TV.
At the same time, all across Dazhou, viewers who had been drawn in by 'Your Lie in April' during the first week, or those who'd seen the viral concert scene clips online, or those intrigued by rave reviews from film critics—all of them tuned in.
All of them became data points on Jin Hui TV's ratings chart.
Episode 2 of 'Your Lie in April' premiered with a viewership rating of 1.12%.
In the TV industry, word of mouth plays a crucial role in ratings growth. And among all the spring season dramas airing in Dazhou, 'Your Lie in April' was definitely among the best in terms of reputation.
Old Li in the ratings department stared at the data for several seconds in disbelief.
"Something's off. Really off," he muttered with a frown.
"Last week's final viewership barely broke 1. The average was only 0.82%. How is it that Episode 2 starts at 1.12%? Even if everyone from last week stayed on, this is too much of a jump."
What he didn't realize was that many new viewers had been drawn in by word of mouth, and the fact that Jing Yu and Yu Youqing were working together again had attracted their own fandoms to the show.
Episode 2 picked up right where Episode 1 ended: Kaori wanted to talk to Duliang, but when she couldn't find him, she turned her attention to You Gongsheng.
"Hey, do you think Kaori really likes Duliang?" Xu Meng asked, frowning.
"What makes you say that?" Chen Jing replied, munching on a crepe.
"Think about it—if a girl really wants help from a guy she likes, the help isn't the point. The point is that he's the one helping her," Xu Meng explained.
"But the moment she couldn't find Duliang, she went straight for You Gongsheng. It's weird. I feel like Kaori's got some hidden agenda."
"You're overthinking it," Chen Jing said.
"Maybe," Xu Meng shrugged.
On-screen, You Gongsheng and Kaori were chatting in a café. Nearby, some kids were playing the piano inside the store.
Xia Yining hadn't filmed this episode, so she didn't know the details.
But the tune those kids were playing...
What is that melody?
She'd never heard it before.
But it sounded... really good.
Many viewers who understood music noticed it too.
A beautiful and delicate piano piece was played, while Kaori began to sing softly to its melody. You Gongsheng assisted the kids in finishing the performance.
But no one recognized the song.
In truth, the original piece was composed by Jing Yu's past-life identity as a pianist—Mozart. It was Variations on "Ah, vous dirai-je, Maman", K. 265/300e.
Locally, though, people just called it by its nickname—"Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star" Variations.
The episode opened with You Gongsheng's crisp, stylish piano performance of this deceptively simple piece in the café.
On screen, a subtle caption appeared:
Original composition by Jing Yu. All rights reserved. For use in this drama only.
Since 'Your Lie in April' had been adapted under licensing, Jing Yu could use any music from the source material, but he'd been hesitant before—worried local viewers wouldn't connect with compositions from another world. But for a minor scene like this, he figured it was fine. The simple note gave the impression that the show had high production value, even creating original music.
It worked. Viewers with musical backgrounds remembered that scene—and "Jing Yu the screenwriter"—very well.
The story continued.
Kaori began listing You Gongsheng's piano competition achievements from elementary and middle school.
"Wow, so impressive. This character is insane."
"He's like, number one in the entire middle school piano scene."
"If it weren't for his mother, he would've been a star pianist."
"My husband is so cool."
Many viewers didn't fully grasp the specialized piano terms, but they understood the gist:
You Gongsheng was a prodigy—a bug in the student-level piano world.
But due to psychological trauma caused by his mother's death, he could no longer hear the piano while playing, leading to performance meltdowns.
At the start of Episode 2, his character's background was finally laid bare.
"He's so dark inside. Even if your hands don't work, use your feet. Use your nose. Only then can we say we're truly living," Kaori told You Gongsheng seriously, her tone intense.
The girls in the dorm grew quiet, their faces serious.
"Wait, does she really like Duliang? From this scene, it looks like she really cares about You Gongsheng," one of them said.
"Right? She knows all his past achievements and is trying to help him overcome his trauma."
"I'm begging you, Xiao Ning, tell us what happens next. What's their relationship going to be?"
All eyes turned to Xia Yining. She tucked a lock of hair behind her ear, expression calm.
"Per the contract, I can't reveal plot details. And I've only seen the script up to Episode 4 anyway. Whatever you romance-obsessed people want to know—I don't have the answers."
Her gaze turned back to the TV.
Honestly, the show had her completely hooked, even if her own scenes hadn't aired yet.
Their conversation marked the turning point of the episode: Kaori forcibly asked You Gongsheng to be her pianist for the second violin competition.
The rhythm of 'Your Lie in April' was driven by music—each performance pushing the characters' emotional development forward.
You Gongsheng. Kaori. Zemu—the girl who liked You Gongsheng.
Though unwilling and psychologically blocked, You Gongsheng began forcing himself to practice again—just to be Kaori's accompanist.
Zemu continued playing wingman, trying to help You Gongsheng rediscover his passion.
But when the recital day arrived, he panicked.
Unable to overcome his trauma, he hid on the rooftop.
Afraid of the piano. Afraid of performing again.
Alone, sinking into the darkness of his own mind.
A quiet boy. Emotionally closed off. He loved the piano more than anything, but because of his mother's death, he could no longer play.
"Don't forget—I'm here too," Kaori said.
In the dorm, the girls were silent.
Kaori's radiant smile lit up the screen. Even through the TV, it felt like...
"She's like a little angel," Chen Jing said, emotionally caught up in the moment.
"I know you can't hear the notes, that you can't play. I know all of it. But I still choose you. I'm a performer too—so please, play for me."
As tears shimmered in Kaori's eyes and she made her heartfelt request, the background music swelled.
Viewership had already surpassed 1.2%.
Across all major TV forums:
"Tearing up."
"The plot is so good."
"Yeah, it's easy to cry at this stuff, but... it got me."
"I swear the heroine's hiding something."
"The soundtrack is killer!"
"What man could resist a beautiful girl requesting tears? Nanshan, rise and fight—your goddess is crying!"
Back on screen.
Jing Yu's character's hesitation slowly melted away.
"Alright... I'll play for you."