TMLSG -Chapter 67 The Filter’s Too Strong

Ren Yanjing said, “So there’s no need to worry, and no need to be nervous. Just wait for me obediently.”

But in truth, Ren Yanjing didn’t quite understand.

When imagining the future, shouldn’t the words be more like anticipation, looking forward, expectation?

Why was Tang Zhen’s first emotion when talking about the future worry and nervousness?

What was she worried about?

And what was making her nervous?

At this point, Tang Zhen didn’t dare say more. She knew the male lead was intelligent, so she avoided going deeper—afraid he would overthink.

She pulled Ren Yanjing’s hand and moved toward another exhibition area. “Let’s look at other people’s work.”

Hadn’t Ren Yanjing said she could talk art with him if she wanted?

Then fine—talk art for now.

As long as they didn’t continue the previous topic, it was safe.

Then, Tang Zhen saw a side of Ren Yanjing she had never seen before.

“This piece is way too rigid—good, but stiff.”

“This one? You think it’s okay? I don’t think so, it’s too rough.”

“This one’s passable, but still far from yours.”

Tang Zhen worried that the artists would hear his commentary.

Annoyed, she pinched his wrist and whispered, “Ren Yanjing, be serious!”

Ren Yanjing lowered his gaze to her. “I am serious right now.”

He was seriously giving critiques.

And his evaluations were genuinely what he thought in his heart.

111 said solemnly, 【Zhen, the male lead’s filter for your work is way too strong.】

Way too strong? More than that—it’s blindingly strong.

Tang Zhen didn’t dare continue talking about painting with Ren Yanjing.

So they quietly admired other people’s works, occasionally overhearing conversations around them.

“Actually, most of the works here are pretty boring.”

“You think they’re boring?”

“Yes. Just that overly textbook seriousness. But the work on the second floor—Tang Zhen’s piece—is quite good, very spirited.”

“Tang Zhen? I’ve been hearing that name a lot these past two days.”

“A freshman in Media Arts.”

“Promising future, huh.”

Unexpectedly, after just listening for a short while, they heard Tang Zhen’s name praised by others.

Tang Zhen tugged Ren Yanjing along.

Hearing praise for her, her fair face gradually flushed red.

Ren Yanjing leaned close to her ear and said, “See, baby? You’re not just amazing to me.”

This was proof that the untrained crowd could also recognize talent.

They went through nearly all the displayed works together. By the time they finished, it was almost time to return to school.

Back at the hotel, after packing her luggage, Tang Zhen and Ren Yanjing headed to the airport.

Suddenly, she asked, “What about your car?”

Ren Yanjing pinched her cheek. “I flew here.”

Driving would take too long; he didn’t have the patience.

Tang Zhen was puzzled. “Then… the car?”

“Borrowed from a friend.”

Of course. The male lead had friends everywhere. Even in L City, he could easily borrow a car identical to his own.

It was Tang Zhen’s first time flying with her boyfriend.

It was a completely new experience.

The seat next to her was her senior, and she and Ren Yanjing were separated by the aisle.

The senior voluntarily switched seats with Ren Yanjing.

Ren Yanjing nodded slightly. “Thank you.”

The senior, still giddy from fangirling, replied, “No, no, you’re welcome.”

A few hours later, the plane safely landed at L City International Airport.

During Tang Zhen’s short absence, the rumors about her “breakup” had only grown wilder.

By now, even Tang Zhen’s roommates were asking if it was really true.

Ren Yanjing, annoyed by questions from people he barely knew, decided to post a public message on social media: “Nothing happened, no drama.”

He didn’t mention anyone by name or target any specific incident, but it served as a subtle way to quash the rumors.

Those four words immediately drew playful teasing from the Ren family.

Ren Yanfan: “A-Jing, you’ve changed—you’re getting short-tempered.”

Ren Yanli: “Bro, who are you calling ‘nothing happened, no drama’?”

Ren Yanfan: “Did something happen that I don’t know about?”

Ren Yanli: “Bro, no matter what used to happen, you wouldn’t bother explaining, but this time you posted a message on social media. Feels like you’re hiding something from us.”

Ren Yanjing didn’t reply to any of the teasing from his relatives.

He only responded to Ren Yan’er and Ren Yan’en’s messages: “Zhen Zhen brought gifts for both of you. Do you want to come get them, or should I deliver them?”

What?

Tang Zhen actually brought gifts for her two cousins?

Ren Yanfan: “We didn’t get any?”

Ren Yanjing: “Nope.”

Both Ren Yanfan and Ren Yanli sent crying emojis. “How can our sister-in-law favor some over others?”

Ren Yanjing pretended not to see it.

In just a short time, his social media post had sparked a chain reaction.

Shen Quanli: “Nothing happened, no drama.”

Zhang Mian: “Nothing happened, no drama.”

Fang Feng: “Nothing happened, no drama.”

…

Ren Yanjing: …

Hopefully now, no one will spread rumors about his “breakup” anymore.

Not long after Tang Zhen returned from L City, Christmas Eve arrived.

For holidays like this, B University’s Student Union usually organizes events.

This year, the Student Union arranged a masquerade ball for Christmas Eve.

Masquerade balls emphasize novelty and mystery.

Every participant needed to wear a mask and disguise themselves to some extent, allowing them to boldly express themselves without revealing their true identities.

After all, if someone wanted to keep their identity hidden, a well-made mask was all they needed.

This year, B University’s ball was open for students to bring friends along.

When Tang Zhen received Ren Yanjing’s invitation, there were still a few hours before the event started.

In fact, Ren Yanjing had only just learned about the Student Union’s event.

He usually spent his time in either the classroom or the lab, and any school activities were considered optional for him.

He really wasn’t interested in most events.

But since he was currently in the middle of “breakup” rumors, the best way to crush them was to attend a large-scale event with his girlfriend.

Although Ren Yanjing wasn’t particularly fond of the “mystery” aspect of a masquerade, this was the biggest public event on campus recently.

Tang Zhen had no other plans for that night, so she agreed to the invitation.

As soon as she agreed, a new mission popped up for her: 【Mission 26: Let the male lead find you in a sea of people.】

This was still a task in line with her supporting character role.

111 explained, 【In the timeline of that popular sweet romance, the male lead didn’t attend the ball. But the supporting female character dressed up grandly, put on a mask, and went straight to the male lead’s lab, sending repeated messages until she finally dragged him out.】

【Yet, the male lead didn’t recognize the supporting female at first sight.】

【Even when she reached him, he didn’t notice.】

【The supporting female then lost her temper, they had a huge argument, and entered a three-day cold war with no contact. This became one of the triggers for their breakup.】

【The male lead thought the “mystery” element was ridiculous.】

【So, Zhen, this mission will cause a huge drop in favorability points.】