Episode Summary
In this episode, a smear campaign is launched against Lu Li by Su Baoyan's stepmother to ruin Qin Yuebai. The pressure causes Lu Li to have a panic attack, reinforcing his inability to paint. After discovering the plot, Qin Yuebai finds a distraught Lu Li, and their emotional encounter culminates in a passionate kiss.
Spoiler Alert
Double Fugue: Episode 12
The episode begins with Tang Bei learning from Lu Li's assistant about his current inability to paint. Reporting back to Su Baoyan's stepmother, they conclude that Qin Yuebai's star artist, Lu Li, is creatively blocked, which explains why he has only produced a single piece of art in the past year. To expedite Qin Yuebai's downfall, the stepmother immediately hires an online smear campaign, flooding the internet with accusations that Lu Li is a fraud who has been using ghostwriters for his famous works.
The rumors reach Qin Yuebai's father, Su Shilun, who summons her home to berate her for her poor judgment in signing an artist who now seems worthless. Confident, Qin Yuebai assures her father that Lu Li is a true talent who is just going through a temporary crisis and will soon return to his peak.
Qin Yuebai is already aware of Lu Li's panic disorder, which prevents him from painting, and she wonders who is orchestrating the attack. With Su Baoyan now studying abroad, Qin Yuebai investigates the source of the online rumors and quickly discovers it's her own stepmother. As Qin Yuebai leaves the house, her stepmother feigns kindness, asking her to visit more often. Qin Yuebai turns, giving her a sharp look and warning her not to get caught in her own web, letting her know that she has already uncovered her "good deeds."
Meanwhile, the widespread news deeply affects Lu Li. He tries to prove his critics wrong by picking up a paintbrush, but he finds himself completely devoid of ideas. As he aimlessly mixes colors on his palette, his breathing becomes strained, and his mind goes blank. Overwhelmed with frustration, Lu Li violently shoves his easel to the ground.
Unable to find Lu Li, a worried Qin Yuebai seeks out his friend. The friend, consumed by guilt, recounts the details of a recent conversation he had and provides a description of the person he met, leading Qin Yuebai to suspect it was Tang Bei. She realizes she has underestimated the depth of Tang Bei's feelings for Su Baoyan. After getting the key to Lu Li's home from the friend, Qin Yuebai rushes over.
She finds Lu Li lying dejectedly in the bathtub, staring at his hands. He feels immense despair, knowing that while his hands are perfectly fine, they can no longer create art. Just as he hits rock bottom, Qin Yuebai arrives. She pulls him out of the cold tub and gently dries his hair with a towel. Seeing the deep concern in her eyes, Lu Li is moved and kisses her. It's his first bold expression of his feelings, and instead of pulling away, Qin Yuebai bravely meets his passionate kiss with her own.
