After the familiar opening theme played, the final episode of 'White Album 2' officially began.
Zhou Yue, a devoted member of Team Kazusa, had always been a firm supporter of Kazusa Touma. But judging from the last couple of episodes, it was clear to anyone with half a brain—the one who ultimately "won" in the end was Setsuna Ogiso.
And yet… Zhou Yue couldn't bring herself to hate her.
Because last week, Setsuna's character finally bloomed in full. She didn't just bring healing to Kazusa in the story—she healed all of Team Kazusa, too.
For an entire week, the fanbase had been surprisingly peaceful. The usual flame wars between Setsuna fans and Kazusa fans had vanished.
Before this? That would've been unthinkable.
But one thing Zhou Yue was sure of:
This drama is a masterpiece.
Whether it was Setsuna, Kazusa, or even the heavily criticized male lead Haruki Kitahara, each of the three had been fleshed out so vividly, so powerfully, that no other drama airing in the same season could compare.
"Final episode… it feels so bittersweet."
"Next week, there'll be no more of the trio? Ugh, I can't take it."
"Setsuna, I hope you'll be happy!"
"Please let Kazusa have a happy ending too—let her meet someone who truly loves her. I'm begging you, Writer-san."
"Looks like this episode won't be painful. After Setsuna helped Kazusa overcome her inner demons last week, now all three are back together, helping plan Kazusa's piano recital."
"From their fallout in Episode 5—the broken piano trio—to their reunion in Episode 18… I've been waiting three months for this."
"This is the kind of show I want to see. Is Mr. Jing Yu finally writing a happy ending instead of his usual tragic ones?"
The fan groups were buzzing with life.
Episode 18 was peaceful—yet deeply moving.
Kazusa still loved Haruki.
Haruki still had lingering feelings for Kazusa.
But now, neither saw the other as the one they loved most in the world.
Setsuna now held the most important place in Haruki's heart.
And for Kazusa, her friendship with Setsuna meant more than her love for Haruki.
So, when Haruki and Kazusa sat together in the recording studio and began to play "White Album" again…
Zhou Yue's eyes welled up with tears.
There's something even more heartbreaking than watching friendships fall apart—
It's watching them come back together after being shattered.
The two of them laughed and chatted as they played.
And Setsuna, who was watching, even made them dinner.
No suspicion.
No schemes.
Setsuna didn't doubt them for a second. And because of her, Kazusa and Haruki were able to keep their feelings under control.
Zhou Yue wiped her nose.
This story… it hit her right in the heart.
Kazusa, after letting go of the pain, decided to stay in the country—to live with her mother, Yoko Touma, and pursue her mother's dream of becoming the world's best pianist.
She would remain by Setsuna and Haruki's side—not as a rival, but as a friend.
She no longer needed to run overseas for music.
She came back.
Back to the trio from their high school days.
"Mr. Jing Yu, you're amazing. This kind of emotionally fulfilling ending is 10,000 times better than a depressing one."
"I'm crying!"
"Turns out even broken relationships can be mended. Even when things are shattered beyond recognition, true bonds can still restore them."
"Kazusa's growth is so moving. She graduated from Haruki, stopped being selfish, gave up chasing music abroad to stay with her mother, stopped running from her feelings… She still loves Haruki, but now she can sincerely bless Setsuna."
"Mr. Jing Yu wasn't lying. He really gave this show a perfect ending."
"Perfect."
"Honestly, I really thought Haruki would betray Setsuna again and elope with Kazusa. Glad I didn't drop the show back then. The payoff is incredible."
"Oh my God… the wedding!"
"Haruki and Setsuna's wedding!"
"Setsuna looks so beautiful. She truly deserves to stand alongside Saeki Ai and Kaori Miyazono as one of Jing Yu's top-tier heroines. Sure, she wasn't perfect at first, but her growth arc won me over—and I was Team Kazusa!"
"Kazusa looked amazing, too. The way she looked at Haruki during the wedding… the love was still there. But so was the sincere blessing in her eyes."
"This is what I call divine-level romance and friendship. I wish I had friends and a partner like this."
"Well, you could cheat on your neighbor and then have him forgive you. Then you'd have both."
"Forget it. My neighbor's a bodybuilder. If I did that, I'd be wall-mounted by next month."
The final scene of 'White Album 2' ended with Haruki, Kazusa, and Setsuna smiling at one another.
The new ending theme, Magic of Time, swelled to a powerful climax.
Zhou Yue took a deep breath, closed her eyes, and tried to steady her emotions.
This show, this ending—it hadn't let her down.
Then she picked up her phone, opened her social app, and started drafting a glowing review to share with friends.
Meanwhile, on Yindou Web, a flood of users who had previously rated 'White Album 2' poorly due to its emotionally heavy plot were now rushing to revise their scores.
The drama had dropped to 8.2 because of earlier flame wars and betrayal plotlines.
But now, in just three days, the score would bounce back—surpassing 9.0.
Back at Jin Hui TV, the entire station was celebrating.
The final episode hit a peak rating of 3.50%, with an average of 3.22%.
Another station record broken.
In the network's grand lobby, Director Shi Teng stood proudly with a mic in hand, delivering a speech he had prepared in advance. Cameras were rolling.
Then it was Jing Yu's turn to speak.
Then Chu You.
"It's over," Jing Yu said as he looked around the room full of Jin Hui TV staff.
Some were familiar faces. Many were not.
The event was winding down, and people began to disperse.
"Xiao Jing," Shi Teng approached Jing Yu quietly.
"Director Shi? Is something the matter?" Jing Yu asked with a smile.
"Well…" Shi Teng hesitated, which was rare for him.
"Although the station might not have handled things well in the past, I hope you'll seriously consider renewing your contract."
He then chatted about Jing Yu's father, reminiscing about their past collaborations.
But Jing Yu felt nothing. After all, back then, he hadn't even transmigrated yet—he'd never even seen that man they called his "father."
Shi Teng could tell Jing Yu was emotionally distant.
"Regardless… you'll always be a milestone figure in Jin Hui's history."
After a few more minutes of polite conversation—
"I'll consider it," Jing Yu replied courteously.
Shi Teng sighed quietly.
He could already see Jing Yu's real answer.
Still, a plan formed in his mind to send Chu You tomorrow as another negotiator—but even he didn't have high hopes.
Because let's be honest:
If he were in Jing Yu's shoes, with Jing Yu's talent, he wouldn't stay either.
As Jing Yu left the Jin Hui building, he looked back one final time—then turned and walked away.
"Jing Yu!"
Waiting at the door was Song Xin, who had been lingering there just to speak with him.
She'd touched up her makeup, straightened her dress, and put on the exact sweet smile Jing Yu used to love back when they were dating.
But Jing Yu only gave her a sidelong glance… then walked right past her.
"Jing Yu, I need to talk to you!"
She caught up, walking beside him.
She didn't believe that any rift between a man and a woman could be fixed—especially not between exes.
Face? Dignity? They meant nothing compared to her career.
If she could just mend their relationship, maybe she could land a lead role in Jing Yu's next show. That idea had taken root the moment she saw him tonight—and now it was growing out of control.
"Hey, Jing Yu, you weren't like this before…"
"Talk to me, Jing Yu! You used to be so polite. Are you still mad at me? That time I suddenly backed out on you—it was Jiang Shiqing's fault! He forced me!"
She shamelessly followed him all the way into Jin Hui's underground parking garage.
"Sorry, I'm going home now," Jing Yu said, getting on his motorcycle and putting on his helmet.
"And by the way… I'm only polite to people who deserve it."
He looked at her calmly.
"I'm not the vengeful type, and I don't hold grudges. That's why I didn't go to the higher-ups and report you. I never will. So please, Ms. Song, step aside."
"You used to call me 'Xinxin' when we looked at the stars and moon together. And now you're calling me Ms. Song?" she said, eyes reddening, grabbing his handlebars.
Good acting.
No wonder she was once considered one of Lan Province's most talented actresses.
But Jing Yu wasn't buying it.
"Take your pig hooves off my bike."
His eyes narrowed, voice stern.
Instinctively, Song Xin let go.
Without a second's hesitation, Jing Yu revved the engine—
VROOM!
The roar of the engine echoed through the garage as he sped away, leaving only the fumes of exhaust swirling around her.
"Jing Yu! You heartless jerk! It's not even been a year since we broke up, and you're already wrapped around someone else's finger? One day you'll regret this! I hope your next drama crashes and burns!!"
Behind him, Song Xin's frustrated shrieks rang out.
"What a shallow, vapid woman," Jing Yu muttered, shaking his head. "No idea what the original me ever saw in her. Even playing Tetris or Minesweeper alone in my room is a hundred times more fulfilling than dating someone like that."
He cast her from his thoughts. His mind felt light.
Now, it was time to start seriously thinking about his next move.