Yu Youqing, in a light-white short dress, and Xia Yining, in a long black gown, walked onto the stage one after another, dressed in outfits that closely resembled their characters in 'White Album 2'.
The moment they appeared, the crowd of several hundred fans stirred with excitement, and it wasn't long before murmurs—followed by low-level bickering—broke out between the Setsuna faction and the Kazusa faction.
Of course, this was a live taping, so no one actually flipped the table.
But what about the viewers watching the broadcast from home? Totally different story.
Online, fans began arguing—this time about who looked better. But all of that faded into the background the moment Jing Yu took the stage.
See, in Jing Yu's previous two dramas, the male leads had been unremarkable but inoffensive. But in 'White Album 2', things were different. The emotional trauma was overwhelming, and the blame fell squarely on Haruki's lack of loyalty.
So even though most people knew the actor wasn't the character, the second they saw Jing Yu's face, their rage reignited.
"I can't look at him without getting mad."
"I pulled out my DVDs of 'Your Lie in April' and 'My Tomorrow, Your Yesterday'... now even those male leads feel tainted."
"I watched 'Your Lie in April' again and swear—Jin Hui totally feels like Kazusa. As soon as she's on screen, all I see is 'homewrecker.'"
"Exactly. Now I can't tell if Miyazono Kaori is a cheerful sunshine girl or a manipulative green tea schemer. This drama really ruined everyone's image."
"But real talk—this drama is so depressing, yet the more it hurts, the more I want to watch."
"I just hope Kazusa never comes back. Let Setsuna and Haruki make up and end the damn show. That's the only way I can forgive this writer."
Right then, the host of the interview brought up a dangerous question.
"Will Kazusa appear again later in the series?"
"Yes," Jing Yu answered. "And her appearance will leave a strong impression."
At that moment, the collective stomachs of hundreds of fans clenched in unison.
They had all known, deep down, that Kazusa would reappear. But they'd been holding out hope.
Why?
What were they even hoping for?
That Jing Yu, for once, might act like a decent human being?
"Oh, we get it. We all get it. So, Teacher Jing Yu, can you tell us: who does Haruki ultimately choose in the end?"
"That's a secret."
"A secret? Ah, that's tough…" the host replied with a teasing smile. He glanced down at the list of pre-approved questions from the station and added playfully:
"Well then, let me rephrase."
"Teacher Jing Yu, you've worked with Yu Youqing and Xia Yining on two or three projects now. From your perspective, who do you think is more charming?"
"Huh?"
"What?"
On either side of Jing Yu, both actresses instinctively straightened their posture. Their expressions didn't change much—but that was clearly because they were trying hard to stay composed. Both were suddenly on full alert.
Jing Yu paused.
He glanced at Yu Youqing.
Then at Xia Yining.
Even knowing this was probably scripted or at least planned by the station, the viewers watching at home were hooked.
Because the fan war between the Setsuna and Kazusa factions had been so fierce that even a throwaway comment from Jing Yu could become ammunition for the next battle.
"If I had to choose who I think is more charming…"
He intentionally trailed off.
Yu Youqing clenched her hands. Xia Yining's eyes turned sharp.
"…then I'd pick Xia Yining."
Xia Yining exhaled in relief.
Yu Youqing's face paled slightly. She gave Xia Yining a glance that wasn't exactly subtle.
"Any particular reason?" the host asked curiously.
"Well, Kazusa fans online are… kind of scary. If I don't pick Xia Yining, my already pitiful support rating might vanish entirely," Jing Yu replied with a smile.
Total BS, of course—but it worked.
The host gave him a few extra glances but didn't press the issue and moved on.
"Some fans are asking if the show will return to the emotionally devastating high school arc style later in the story?"
"Nope," Jing Yu answered confidently. "I promise—this show will end normally. The three main characters started as close friends and lovers, and they'll end that way too. Everyone, please watch with peace of mind. No drama can stay depressing forever. I'm not that much of a devil."
The interview episode itself averaged over 2% in viewership—a strong number.
The event was mostly meant to give fans a peek into the lives of the three leads and serve as extra promo.
At 10 PM, the interview finally wrapped up.
"Xia Yining, don't forget you're back on set tomorrow. Don't be late."
"Got it, Teacher Jing Yu."
"That's it for tonight, then. You two head home."
Then…
Both girls looked at him.
At the same time.
"…Why are you staring at me like that?"
"I didn't drive here," Yu Youqing said, blinking innocently.
Obviously on purpose.
"I don't have a car," Xia Yining added with a smile.
"Uh… how did you two even get here then? There are tons of taxis outside, you know," Jing Yu said, a bit thrown off.
"Can you… Maybe give me a ride?" Yu Youqing coughed lightly. "It's late, and I feel kind of unsafe."
"Me too!" Xia Yining quickly added.
Yu Youqing turned to look at Xia Yining—her gaze deep, knowing.
She now understood clearly:
Xia Yining was doing the same thing she was.
Both were deliberately trying to get closer to Jing Yu.
Xia Yining returned her look with a calm smile.
A talented and handsome man—what woman wouldn't be drawn to him?
Yu Youqing might not be in love, but she definitely had feelings.
And as her first on-screen kiss had gone to Jing Yu, she was hardly going to back off now.
Xia Yining, though younger in the industry, had no plans to concede.
"Well, I've only got one motorcycle," Jing Yu said helplessly. "If you're okay with squeezing in, fine. If not, grab a cab."
He walked to his bike and started it up with a vroom, pulling it out into the street.
Yu Youqing gracefully slipped into the backseat, leaning slightly forward to leave room behind her. She turned to Xia Yining:
"Come on, Xiaoning. There's enough space."
Now, a motorcycle technically has more capacity than people think.
Normal riders take one passenger.
Confident ones? Two.
Idiots? A whole family.
Cheaters? Like India—ride a squad.
Two actresses together probably weighed under 180 pounds combined. No problem.
But Xia Yining felt… uncomfortable.
She eyed the bike, then stepped forward, brushed Jing Yu's hand off the handlebars, and told him to scoot back.
Then, with a light hop, she sat right in front—at the head of the bike.
"Is this okay, Teacher Jing Yu?" she asked, a little embarrassed.
"I don't know how to ride a bike. Sitting at the back feels unsafe—I'd rather be up front."
Then take a cab!
Jing Yu was left speechless.
What was it with these two and cramming themselves onto his little bike? Neither of them seemed like the "scared at night" type!
Now he had Yu Youqing behind him and Xia Yining in front—he was the sandwich filling.
From behind, Yu Youqing's upper body was pressed just a bit too close.
In front, Xia Yining, shorter than him by a head, leaned back into his chest.
He only had to lower his head slightly to feel her hair brushing his nose.
He was a young, healthy guy. How could he not feel a little… flushed?
As they rode off, he decided he'd take a cold shower the second he got home.
"Hold on tight," he said.
On the near-empty midnight streets, Jing Yu's motorcycle was easily the most eye-catching vehicle around.
"Hey, Teacher Jing Yu, are you hungry?" Xia Yining asked, hair fluttering in the night breeze.
"Wanna grab something to eat?"
"Not hungry," he said without looking up, focused on the road.
In the back, arms wrapped around Jing Yu's waist, Yu Youqing quietly fumed.
She watched as Xia Yining—essentially nestled in Jing Yu's chest—monopolized all the physical contact.
Of course, she knew this riding position made it inevitable.
But still.
That scheming fox… I should've taken the front seat!
"What about you, Yu-jie?" Xia Yining asked sweetly.
"Hungry?"
"…Not really."
Even if she was, she didn't want to share Jing Yu with Xia Yining any longer tonight.
"Aww, boring."
"Hey, Teacher Jing Yu —did you have a girlfriend before?"
Yu Youqing and Jing Yu both visibly twitched.
"Yeah," Jing Yu answered.
"Why are you asking?"
"Just curious. I bet she was… never mind."
Yu Youqing understood what she meant:
No wonder your ex broke up with you. For someone so brilliant at writing complex characters, you're slow as hell in real life.
Or maybe it wasn't that he didn't notice their feelings—
Maybe he just chose not to respond.
The next day, Xia Yining officially returned to the 'White Album 2' set.
By now, the filming had shifted focus to the "society arc"—the final phase of the story.
Upon reading the script, both Xia Yining and Yu Youqing felt their hearts sink.
This feeling… this suffocating, gut-wrenching depression—
Was back.
And stronger than ever.
Teacher Jing Yu… you're really not afraid the fans will find you and beat the hell out of you?
Even the two actresses themselves were beginning to feel emotionally drained.