"Even a genius screenwriter from Lan Province can't escape the rules of history—'White Album 2' sees a slowdown in ratings growth during the autumn season and may soon drop out of the top 20."
"Has his talent run dry, or was this always his true level? 'White Album 2' is slipping in the rankings, and its future looks bleak."
"Fan ratings and viewer loyalty pale in comparison to 'Your Lie in April'. With such a strange name, maybe 'White Album 2' will fade from Da Zhou's autumn lineup as strangely as it arrived, never again reaching the influence 'Your Lie in April' once had."
"A peak at debut—will even the rare genius screenwriter in a decade from Lan Province have to face such a fate?"
Across Da Zhou, media outlets and film critics from other provinces hadn't yet reacted to the decline in White Album 2's ranking.
After all, slipping from 19th to 20th wasn't exactly dramatic news. But for the Lan Province TV industry—where barely any dramas ever broke into the top 20—that drop was very sensitive.
If the third episode next week drops by even one more rank, the show would be out of the top 20 entirely.
Naturally, the other three TV stations, which had been overshadowed for months by Jinhui TV, weren't going to let this chance go. Critics, screenwriters, directors, and even well-known actors from those stations began publicly voicing their doubts about the future ratings of White Album 2.
The second episode had averaged a 1.93% rating—a figure Jinhui TV could hardly have dreamed of in the past. But compared to Jing Yu's last drama, which had cracked the top 20 in the spring and even ended up at 18th place, White Album 2's dip—however minor—cast a heavy mood over the entire production team.
At this critical moment, Chu You brought Jing Yu some good news: the network was allocating more funds to support the filming and promotion of White Album 2.
"Jing Yu, don't let the media noise shake you. No matter what they say, White Album 2 has already broken our station's records. Back when 'Your Lie in April' aired its second episode, the rating was only 1.2%, maybe 1.3%. Keep your cool. Those critics from Lan Province are just tools the rival stations are using to mess with your head."
Chu You, worried that the pressure would affect Jing Yu's writing, offered a few words of comfort.
"It's not that serious, Uncle Chu. You're overthinking," Jing Yu replied, sipping his tea calmly.
"Glad to hear it. As long as you're keeping your composure," Chu You said, looking him over.
Truth be told, he secretly hoped that the performance of White Album 2 would dip just a little more.
Not too much—but if, by the end of the series, it could land at an average rating of 1.5% to 1.8%, that would still be the best in Lan Province. Just not so successful that Jing Yu would have the bargaining power to talk to out-of-province networks when his contract ended.
Keeping Jing Yu around was far more valuable than letting him produce another smash hit like 'Your Lie in April', only to jump ship.
So he wasn't too worried.
"Yeah, the ratings so far are pretty much what I expected," Jing Yu said with a smile. "But it won't be long before things start turning around. Uncle Chu, I assure you, White Album 2's ranking will bounce back."
Chu You froze for a second, then forced a smile.
"That would be excellent… truly excellent."
July 17 – Episode 3 of White Album 2 airs.
Compared to the slower pacing of the first two episodes, Episode 3 was much more dynamic.
Setsuna got upset because Haruki had been staying at Kazusa's house all week to practice guitar and didn't tell her about it. Haruki called to explain.
Kazusa, bedridden from illness, was being taken care of by Haruki. Their emotional tension subtly deepened during this time. Later, during the school festival preparations, Haruki abruptly entered Setsuna's classroom, grabbed her, and left with her. The two had a heartfelt conversation on the train.
Fans of White Album 2 were beginning to feel it: both heroines were falling deeper for the male lead.
And then…
Although the opening theme played every episode, this time, we saw how the song was created. Haruki wrote the lyrics, Kazusa composed the music, and they pulled Setsuna into a last-minute rehearsal at Kazusa's house for an additional performance at the school festival. The song?
"Unspoken Love."
In Jing Yu's past life, this song had another name: The Setsuna Suffering Anthem.
Kazusa composed it. Haruki wrote the lyrics. But the whole song was about Haruki's admiration and affection for Kazusa.
And yet… it was Setsuna who had to sing it.
Setsuna instantly understood the lyrics' true meaning—and her smile dimmed.
Only Kazusa, blissfully oblivious as ever, didn't get it.
Those who rewatch the show later will understand this moment more deeply.
At this point, most fans hadn't caught the deeper meaning of the song. They just thought Setsuna was upset because the other two seemed so close—writing music together without her.
But when they saw her eyes—softly red-rimmed, glistening with sadness—many fans felt a pang of heartache.
"I can't take this anymore. Stop making Setsuna cry! She's too sweet. Can't the writer let her be happy for once?"
"Setsuna feels so pitiful…"
"So who does Haruki actually like? He's flirting with Kazusa and Setsuna. Is he a walking heater for everyone?"
"Well, that's just his character. He always gets involved with others. But apparently, both girls are into that—his actions draw them in."
"Is this the appeal of a love triangle? I've never felt this tense watching romance dramas before."
"The main thing is, both heroines are written so well. Setsuna is a bit insecure and overthinks, but she's adorable. Kazusa is sharp-tongued and cold on the outside, but warm inside. Once the writer makes you fall for both, the triangle hits hard."
"Let's see how the writer balances love and friendship from here on out."
The group chat of fans was more active today than after Episode 2. Clearly, the third episode's plot had pulled them in.
And the ratings reflected that: 2.28%, and still climbing.
As Episode 3 neared its end, the male lead's internal monologue played:
"Only 24 hours left before the school festival. In these final fleeting moments, we played, sang, and practiced this song with all we had. What happens after the performance… we never once considered it."
The ED began to play—melancholic and heavy.
Episode 3 ended.
Peak rating: 2.54%
Average rating: 2.19%
Though Jing Yu had told Chu You not to worry and that the show would bounce back soon…
It had only taken two days after Episode 3 aired for White Album 2 to return to 19th place in the weekly drama rankings.
This also marked the end of the long setup arc.
White Album 2 was finally entering the main storyline.
Jing Yu looked over the detailed rating sheets for Episodes 1 to 3.
His heart finally relaxed.
His biggest fear had been that the slow pace of the early episodes would cause fans to drop off too soon.
Fortunately, given the overall mediocrity of Da Zhou's drama landscape, even though White Album 2's early plot wasn't outstanding, the competition wasn't much better. And with the fanbase 'Your Lie in April' had left behind, the show managed to stay in the top 20 so far.
Now, he no longer had to worry.
The fans had stuck around through the slow part. They weren't going anywhere now.
You think you can leave without knowing how Kazusa and Setsuna's story ends?
Yeah right!
Jing Yu placed the file into a safe.
He glanced at the fan chat group—still buzzing with innocent, heartwarming chatter about the drama.
"You really think this show is about a school festival love triangle and music performances?"
"No. It's about betrayal and forgiveness."
It's about Haruki betraying Setsuna in the cruelest way for Kazusa, and Setsuna forgiving him again and again in the gentlest way possible.
That's the true draw of this series. Starting from Episode 4 until the very end…
That's when Kazusa and Setsuna's full charm truly unfolds.
As for Haruki—played by Jing Yu himself—how badly was he going to get roasted by the audience?
Jing Yu's eyes flickered. He didn't want to think about it.
He didn't need to think about it.
Even just using his butt, he could figure out it was going to be really bad.
Time passed quietly.
Late July arrived.
And with it—
The airing of Episode 4 of White Album 2.