Chapter 132: Filters
Tang Huocai had stayed up all night because of the program’s promotional work and only managed to nap for two or three hours at dawn. Right now, she relied entirely on coffee to stay awake.
She finished the last of her black coffee in one gulp, got up, and went out onto the hotel balcony. Stretching lazily, she stared blankly at the gray sky outside.
Because of her family background, she had been exposed to jewelry from a young age, and her mother had always praised her intelligence.
She really was smart. While others were still in elementary school, she had been sitting in a middle school classroom. While others graduated from university, she had already returned home with a master’s degree from overseas.
She had always been the youngest student in her class. Other students admired her but would also consciously or unconsciously avoid her. No matter how excellent her grades were, people would secretly murmur behind her back: “What else does that kid know besides studying?”
What else could she do? Plenty.
She was the most professional jewelry appraiser and also a genius jewelry designer. The first piece from her “Yao” series, designed when she was fifteen, was still considered a classic entry-level design.
But after returning home, she eagerly tried to create better designs, only to have her submissions repeatedly rejected.
She had a huge fight with her mother, unable to understand why a mother who had always encouraged her to experiment had suddenly become so strict.
“My designs are fine! It’s your taste that’s outdated! Once I make it, it will definitely be popular!” she had shouted at her mother.
Her mother just kept a calm face: “You still don’t realize what your problem is. Until you do, none of your designs will appear in any Tang family store.”
“As an independent and experienced designer, you have to find the problem yourself. Don’t always expect me to teach you.”
Tang Huocai, furious, ran out of the house. Wandering aimlessly through the streets, she entered a shop and bought a drink.
The shop had an electronic screen. The shop owner happened to be replaying a talent show featuring Ye Weiyu. Tang Huocai stood nearby and watched for a while.
She saw Ye Weiyu on stage, shy but serious, completing his performance.
Just like Jin Xiu Culture had, Tang Huocai felt the talent in Ye Weiyu’s performance. He was like an unpolished gemstone, and she couldn’t help but look forward to seeing what dazzling brilliance he would ultimately shine.
When she returned home, she told her mother she wanted to interact with Ye Weiyu, thinking he could become a source of inspiration for her designs.
Her mother considered it overnight and replied the next day.
“Okay, but just interacting with him is too limited. I can discuss with the head of Jin Xiu Culture to let you work as an assistant for the artist Ye Weiyu, observing him up close.”
“But only for a month. If you don’t produce any results in a month, you’ll come back, follow my arrangements, and confront your own problems.”
Her mother’s sudden generosity surprised Tang Huocai. Still angry, she teased: “Aren’t you worried I might like him?”
“If you like him, then so be it,” her mother said unconcernedly. “When has a Tang family woman ever lacked men? Even if you came back pregnant, I wouldn’t care. If you want to stay, stay; if not, leave.”
“And what if I don’t come back?” Tang Huocai continued.
Her mother laughed: “Huocai, that’s your loss, not mine. You are indeed an excellent heir, but I don’t have only you as an heir. In the Tang family, inheritance depends on ability, not on whether you are mother and daughter.”
“As your mother, I hope you can use your ‘muse’ to improve your current situation. But as the head of the family, I would just say: you’re still too inexperienced.”
Tang Huocai stormed out of the Tang residence, vowing to draw inspiration from Ye Weiyu and create the best designs to prove herself to her mother.
But… when had she started deviating from her original plan to become like this?
Tang Huocai was somewhat dazed. When she arrived beside Ye Weiyu, it happened to be when he was having the worst conflicts with his manager. She became the “transit station,” busy running back and forth.
She spent great effort polishing Ye Weiyu, seeking a balance between him and his company.
She earned Ye Weiyu’s gratitude, dependence, and trust. Only she knew his fragility and pain, and only she could soothe his emotions.
Whenever she saw him shining under the camera lights, she felt her hard work was worth it.
But… was her real wish to be Ye Weiyu’s assistant?
The alarm rang, interrupting Tang Huocai’s thoughts. She quickly finished washing up, changed clothes, and knocked on Ye Weiyu’s door: “Weiyu, it’s time to get up.”
Last night the promo had aired, and today the production team would explain the detailed schedule: where cameras were installed on campus, available venues, restricted areas, timing, and so on.
As an artist, image management was important, so Ye Weiyu needed to get up early to prepare his appearance.
The door opened quickly, faster than usual—Tang Huocai was surprised, as previously she had to knock two or three times before Ye Weiyu would impatiently open the door.
Ye Weiyu was already mostly ready: “I’ll be ready soon, Huocai, wait a moment.”
Tang Huocai entered the room and habitually checked Ye Weiyu’s bag, adding a few items he might need.
Ye Weiyu changed clothes and came out. Seeing Tang Huocai’s organization, he immediately said, as usual: “You’re still so thoughtful. Without you, I would have forgotten things again.”
“It’s no big deal,” Tang Huocai said, retracting her hands, and updated him on last night’s promotional work.
Ye Weiyu grew slightly impatient, about to say, “Can’t you just tell me what to do?” but restrained himself.
Even though he wasn’t sure of Tang Huocai’s identity yet, he decided it was better to put in some extra effort.
He asked: “So what should I do?”
Tang Huocai repeated a few points according to the PR department’s recommendations. Ye Weiyu agreed: “Got it. I’ll try to follow them today.”
Then he changed the subject: “It’s only you who cares this much about me. The company doesn’t give a damn.”
Tang Huocai’s lips twitched. She wanted to say that these were the results of the PR team working late—analyzing public opinion, fan reviews, and current trends.
She had also collected opinions from fan groups, but it wasn’t just her effort.
In fact, this was the company’s “caring” about Ye Weiyu manifested.
Previously, in similar situations, Ye Weiyu would… reject it. Even if he followed through, he’d say she should have prepared a better plan.
She didn’t want to intensify conflicts between Ye Weiyu and the PR department, so she bore it herself.
Ye Weiyu likely knew it wasn’t just her effort, so if he blamed her, Tang Huocai could accept it—he wasn’t blaming her alone.
But when Ye Weiyu attributed all the effort to her alone, she couldn’t accept it.
She quietly followed behind him, going to the stylist with him.
Yet… it seemed something was making a slow, cracking sound.
