The director was quite surprised when Li Yuhao said he wanted to get inspiration for his creation from the female lead. The director asked, "Actually, I think it would be better for you to consult the author, wouldn't it? After all, every character in the story was designed by her, and she has a deeper understanding of the story."
Li Yuhao smiled and replied, "That's true, the author does have a deeper understanding of the characters than the actors. However, their perspectives on the story are different. The author designs the characters in her mind and views the work from a broad perspective of the entire story, while the actor enters the story through the character they play. It's like a mother with many children; she has to take care of everyone and might overlook some details. After all, everyone has a different view of life. You have your way of living, and I have mine; these are two different things."
"For this song, I plan to use a female voice, so I can't look at the story from a man's perspective when choosing the lyrics. A woman's view of love is completely different from a man's."
The author, Hong Zhen'er, nodded and said to Li Yuhao, "That's right. Everyone has a different perspective on the story, so their thoughts and views are also different. Perhaps only those who have experienced it firsthand can more empathetically express their understanding and views of love at the time. Whether it's right, wrong, regretful, remorseful, sweet, or happy, only the people involved have the right to speak."
The director also found their words reasonable and nodded, then said to a staff member, "Go get Li Zhiya." The staff member nodded and went to find the female lead, Li Zhiya.
Li Yuhao and the director sat and waited for Li Zhiya to arrive. Li Yuhao casually flipped through the outline of the TV drama. Soon, Li Zhiya came over with her violin, "Director, you called me?"
The director shook his head, "Not me, it's Mr. Li Yuhao. He's creating the OST for our TV drama and wants to ask you, the female lead, about your thoughts on the drama."
Li Zhiya nodded slightly and smiled at Li Yuhao, "Hello, Mr. Li Yuhao. I'm a big fan of yours. I really enjoy listening to the songs you've created, especially 'Like Being Shot' and 'No Longer in Love.'"
Li Yuhao scratched his head awkwardly and smiled, feeling a bit uncomfortable being called a fan by a celebrity. "Thank you... Li Zhiya, you play the violin?"
The director laughed and said, "She plays a violinist in the drama." Li Zhiya also smiled, "Actually, every time a drama starts, I regret taking the role. Classical music is really difficult. Even if I try to mimic it, the effect is still..."
Li Yuhao smiled and nodded, "For actors without a violin background, the violin is indeed more challenging. Unlike the piano, let me give it a try."
Li Zhiya handed the violin to Li Yuhao, who tried it out. Finding the tuning to be excellent, Li Yuhao closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and gently placed the bow on the strings. He played a timeless classic, "Canon," but his version was different from the traditional one.
Li Yuhao changed the key, and the stirring melody gave a feeling of transformation, like a butterfly emerging from its cocoon. His performance made everyone in the studio stop their work to appreciate the music. Of course, Li Yuhao only played a short section before stopping.
After Li Yuhao stopped playing, the entire indoor studio erupted in applause, with praises echoing everywhere, "Great!! So beautiful!!"
The director also smiled and said, "I didn't expect Mr. Li Yuhao to be so skilled at the violin."
"Where, where, I just know a little. Compared to professional performers, I'm far behind. Thank you for the violin, Li Zhiya. Let's find a place to chat about the drama."
Although Li Zhiya was reluctant to interact with others, she nodded for the sake of the drama. Li Yuhao walked ahead, and Li Zhiya followed behind. Li Yuhao found a corner and smiled at Li Zhiya, "You're known as the mysterious Li Zhiya by the media. I've read many news articles and comments about you, like the rumors that you're a transgender person, an alien, or being ostracized. Your news is almost as much as mine."
Li Zhiya didn't expect Li Yuhao to start with gossip rather than work. She frowned and said, "Mr. Li Yuhao, I don't want to talk about other things. Let's just discuss the work. Otherwise, I can't stay."
Li Yuhao smiled and shook his head, "Alright, I recently watched a Chinese movie called 'Secret.' I feel like you have a story that you can't tell."
"Enough, Mr. Li Yuhao. You can ask someone else about the plot. I'm sorry, but I have to go." Li Zhiya got up to leave.
Li Yuhao immediately called out, "Jin Shang'en!" This name made Li Zhiya's body tremble and she stopped in her tracks. She turned around, startled, and looked at Li Yuhao, "You... who are you?"
"Let's find a place to talk. Miss Li Zhiya. How about my limousine?"
Li Zhiya felt that Li Yuhao knew many of her secrets, so she nodded, "Alright."
Li Yuhao then said to his agent, who was standing far away and negotiating prices, "Uncle, Li Zhiya and I will go to the limousine to discuss the drama." Li Yuhao and Li Zhiya then headed to Li Yuhao's limousine.
Once in the garage, Li Yuhao got into the car and said to the makeup artist, costume designer, and hair stylist, "You can go down for a while. Li Zhiya and I will chat about the plot. Find a place to have a coffee and come back later."
The three didn't know what Li Yuhao was going to say to Li Zhiya, and they were very curious. But hearing Li Yuhao's words, they could only nod and get out of the limousine. As they walked out, they started gossiping, "What are they going to talk about? So mysterious?"
"I don't know, but I'm sure it's not about the OST. If it's about the plot, there's no need to make us leave. Don't worry about Li Yuhao, let's go have coffee."
Li Yuhao sat down and handed a bottle of mineral water to Li Zhiya, "Here, Miss Li Zhiya. You were born in 1978, but the official website says 1981. Interesting, isn't it?"
Li Zhiya held the water and stared at Li Yuhao, "Who are you? What do you know?"
"I'm Li Yuhao, of course. Your question is a bit strange. Actually, I don't know much. I just want to ask one thing. Can love make someone abandon everything, even family?" Li Yuhao knew how hard Li Zhiya's life had been. She was pitiful, having encountered a wrong love at a young age. To hide this love, she cut off all ties with the outside world. (For more details, see the "Healing Camp" episode featuring Li Zhiya.)
Li Zhiya married a world-renowned person and kept her marriage hidden, which was not as simple as hiding behind a rock. She lived a life where even being discovered by a squirrel was unacceptable.
From her marriage in 1997 to her divorce in 2006, Li Yuhao couldn't imagine how she had lived through it. He felt deep sympathy and pity for her.
When Li Zhiya heard Li Yuhao's question, she was stunned. The thing she had tried so hard to hide was finally discovered by someone, and worse, by someone in the industry. Did this mean the secret would soon be exposed?
Seeing Li Zhiya's stunned expression, Li Yuhao smiled and said, "Hey... what are you thinking? There's no such thing as a completely sealed wall. No matter how well you hide it, the truth will eventually come out. But I can swear that your secret will never leave my mouth. If you ever want to share your story, you can contact me. I like listening to stories."
Li Zhiya's frown deepened, "How much do you know about me?"
"I know your real name is Jin Shang'en, and that you're married. That's all I know. I don't know why you chose to keep your marriage hidden or who you married. I'm very curious, though. I want to know your story."
Hearing that Li Yuhao only knew these two points, Li Zhiya felt a bit relieved. She then sternly said to Li Yuhao, "Mind your own business. I don't want this to come out from your mouth."
"Understood, but I'm very interested in your story. It might give me different inspiration. OK... let's not talk about this. I already have an idea for the OST. Let me sing it for you."
Li Zhiya looked at Li Yuhao in surprise. He had already come up with the song so quickly? His 'creative' ability truly amazed her. How long had he had the script?
Li Yuhao smiled at Li Zhiya, took a few sips of water, and cleared his throat. He then started to sing "Can You Hear Me?"
Even a little pain makes tears flow
My heart is shouting loudly
If I pass by you, in front of you, beside you
The whole world is you, thinking only of you
In front of you, I stop breathing
As if I have no connection with you
As if it's just a fleeting moment
Even a step is hard to take as I try to get closer to you