Became a National Couple with My Ex Chapter 50: Critical Hit

After more than a month, Bian Xu returned to Lancheng Tianfu.

Liang Yixuan had acted so unusually serious that his instincts told him not to open the gift box in the car. Instead, he brought it here—back to this apartment that had been empty for a long time.

This apartment where everything reminded him of her. A place he could no longer live in.

He turned on the chandelier, changed into slippers, and sat down on the living room sofa.

On the carpet at his feet were still the gifts Liang Yixuan had returned more than two months ago.

He glanced at them briefly, then looked back at the deep blue gift box. After staring at it for a moment, he slowly untied the bow.

Inside was a thick notebook and a bronze-colored key.

Bian Xu paused slightly, recognizing the worn notebook cover. After a moment of thought, he used the key to unlock it.

When he opened to the first page, the neat handwriting, the dates, and the structured weather notes made it instantly clear what this was.

In the first entry, Liang Yixuan had written:

"February 18, 2015 Lunar New Year's Eve, Overcast

Today is the last day of being sixteen. Mom and Grandma stayed with me in Beicheng for the New Year so I could focus on preparing for my entrance audition to Northern Ballet Academy.

But after preparing for so long, I suddenly had a question:
Is it my mom who wants me to get into Northern Ballet, or do I want that for myself?
Does she want me to dance ballet, or do I love ballet?
If I left her, and gave up ballet—what kind of person would I become?

I quietly asked Grandma, if I want to leave someone or give something up, but I don’t know whether it's the right choice—how do I decide?

Grandma said it’s simple: If doing something makes you sad more often than it makes you happy, then maybe it’s time to stop.

So from the first day I turn seventeen, I’ll use this notebook to track my sadness and my happiness. That way, when it’s time to make a decision, it won’t be so hard."

Bian Xu read every word carefully, then checked the date again. It was exactly four years ago—the same day he happened to pass by her dance school, saw her dance, and was inspired to write Rosabella.

No wonder that New Year’s Eve had stuck with her.

He lingered on the first page for a while, then just as he was about to turn it, he noticed a row of fluorescent tabs marking specific pages—like a guide meant to point him toward something.

He hesitated for a moment, then flipped to the first marked page:

"July 14, 2015 Tuesday, Sunny

A famous pianist came to the dance center today. When he walked into the theater, I heard lots of girls around me whispering excitedly about how handsome he was.

I forget what I was thinking at the time. All I remember is that moment he looked over at the dark little corner where I stood, my heart started beating really fast…

I remembered his name: Bian Xu.

What a beautiful name."

Bian Xu’s fingers froze on the edge of the page. He blinked slowly, then turned to the next tabbed entry:

"July 25, 2015 Saturday, Sunny

It’s the weekend. Our teacher told us we have to go to the big rehearsal hall tomorrow for an extra session.

Normally, everyone would complain about weekend rehearsals, but this time, no one said a word— because someone in the group chat said Bian Xu would be there.

I usually don’t go out on weekends anyway, so I didn’t mind the rehearsal. But this time… I felt a little bit happier than usual."

Bian Xu shook his head in disbelief. It was like he was trying to confirm something, searching for proof—he flipped straight to the third tabbed page:

"July 26, 2015 Sunday, Overcast

We went in for the extra rehearsal today. Turns out the rumor was false—Bian Xu didn’t show up.

I heard he’s really busy. Well… okay then."

He didn’t stop. He flipped through the pages faster and faster, nearly crumpling them in his hands:

"July 31, 2015 Friday, Sunny

Bian Xu actually came to the dance center today, but he was rehearsing separately with the orchestra and didn’t come to our side.

A bunch of people from our group went to the theater to watch the rehearsal.

I’ve only been in the troupe for about a month and haven’t made any close friends yet.

I didn’t know who to go with, so I just peeked in from the door.

There were dozens of musicians in the orchestra pit, but I spotted him right away.

When he plays the piano, it’s like he’s glowing.

He looks just like the moon in the sky."

"August 8, 2015 Beginning of Autumn, Sunny

Today was the joint rehearsal between the ballet company and the orchestra. I finally got to hear Bian Xu’s full performance.

He’s only twenty, and already so talented.

Where will I be when I turn twenty?

I saw our principal dancer talking with Bian Xu today.

When talented people stand next to each other, it’s really a beautiful sight.

I want to be a principal too. I want to stand in the center of the stage. I want to be a little closer to the moon.

Maybe next time there’s a performance like this, I’ll get the chance to talk to Bian Xu too.

Even if I’m not very good at talking…"

"August 15, 2015 Saturday, Overcast, then light rain

The performance today was a big success. But after it ended, no one was really happy—because Bian Xu was leaving.

When he left the theater, lots of people from the company rushed over to ask for his autograph. Some even worked up the nerve to ask for his number.

But when they came back, they all looked disappointed. Maybe they didn’t get what they wanted.

I didn’t join the crowd. Just being able to buy one of Bian Xu’s limited edition vinyl records is already amazing.

I’m going to work hard on my dancing, so that the next time I share the stage with him, I won’t just be in a little group off in the corner."

Bian Xu’s fingers pressed harder against the spine of the notebook, the edges of his nails turning white.

"November 8, 2015 Beginning of Winter, Light rain

I heard some news today: Bian Xu held the final concert of his musical career in Beicheng. He won’t be performing in public anymore.

I searched through tons of news reports but couldn’t find a reason.

Some media outlets guessed it’s because he’s already achieved everything possible in classical piano, and now wants to focus on composing, working behind the scenes.

I don’t know whether to be happy or sad. Seeing him head off to a bigger, wider world should make me happy.

But it also means… I’ll never get the chance to catch up to the moon again."

"December 24, 2015 Christmas Eve, Sleet

Today I heard the first pop song Bian Xu ever wrote.

A lot of people were shocked, criticizing him for stepping away from classical music to create something ‘commercial.’

Their tone made it sound like commercial music was something dirty or cheap.

But I think everyone has different tastes— Why should music be ranked as high or low, noble or vulgar?

I doubt Bian Xu cares about those opinions anyway. If he did, he never would’ve walked away from the peak of one field just to start over in another.

I think the media’s guesses from a month ago were wrong. His choice wasn’t about career planning. It was simply about doing what he wants to do.

That’s just the kind of person he is— Free, and unrestrained."

Bian Xu blinked away the burn in his eyes and took a moment to collect himself before flipping to the next page.

The fluorescent tabs became more and more sparse.

Time flew by in the diary.

The little girl in those early entries slowly grew up.

She focused on ballet, moving from ensemble to lead, then to soloist, and eventually to principal.

Maybe because she was getting older, she wrote in her diary less often.

Her entries became shorter—just a few words here and there.

And Bian Xu’s name appeared less and less.

Most of the notebook had already passed when the timeline reached last December.

Bian Xu's hand paused on the edge of the page, frozen in place for a long time.

It felt like heading straight into a storm, knowing the waves ahead would crash hard—

Still, he closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and slowly turned the page—

"December 7, 2018 Major Snow (Solar Term), Light Rain

The greatest surprise in life might be when the song playing silently in your heart suddenly fills your ears, when the person you’ve been thinking about suddenly appears before your eyes.

The moment I heard he wanted to see me, I didn’t even think to ask why—I just went.

Because it was Bian Xu.

And honestly, even if it were fire or blades ahead, I’d still go.

The reason doesn’t really matter."

"December 8, 2018 Saturday, Moderate Rain

So it turns out he came to me for help writing a classical piece.

That’s fine too.

I’m happy just being able to help him.

Happy I got to see him again…

Even though he doesn’t know, I’d already been waiting for him for three years before he found me."

Bian Xu looked away, loosened his tie slightly, then reached for the cigarette box and lighter on the coffee table.

He lit one.

"December 20, 2018 Thursday, Light Rain

His composition was finished today.

He paid me, said I didn’t need to come anymore.

The muse had done her job, earned both sweet memories and generous pay— that should’ve been a perfect ending to the story.

But I’m too greedy.

I still… want to see him.

Really, really want to see him again."

"December 24, 2018 Monday, Clear Skies

I must’ve gone crazy to do something like that.

But he said I was his girlfriend.

I must’ve really lost it…"

"December 27, 2018 Thursday, Heavy Rain

He said he’d pick me up after work tomorrow."

"December 28, 2018 Friday, Overcast

Turns out it was just his assistant who came to get me."

"January 3, 2019 Tuesday, Clear Skies

I spent New Year’s with him.

But I think he forgot it was New Year’s…

It wasn’t until I got woken up by the fireworks outside in the middle of the night that I said ‘Happy New Year’ first."

"January 5, 2019 Saturday, Clear Skies

He didn’t call or come this weekend.

Should I go find him?

We haven’t even gone on a date yet.

Aren’t couples supposed to go on dates?"

"January 7, 2019 Monday, Clear Skies

I had a really important performance today.

Someone brought me a bouquet of lilies backstage.

His friend sent them.

But I didn’t see him."

"January 18, 2019 Friday, Sleet

It’s been more than half a month since I last saw him or even spoke to him.

His assistant said he’s isolating on an island near Amsterdam to focus on composing, and won’t be checking messages or taking calls for now.

I know I should understand his work… but I don’t know what’s wrong with me— Not seeing him makes me so anxious.

It feels like I can’t even sleep without him around.

That’s why I lied to Xiao Jie the night of the performance earlier this month.

If Xiao Jie knew how completely I’ve fallen for him, she’d probably tell me to walk away.

But I don’t think he’s a bad person.

If I were an outsider looking in, I’d probably think someone like him is captivating—

He lives how he wants, free from the rules of the world and the weight of daily life, wandering the globe for his music, pouring all his romance into his songs.

It’s just too bad… I never had the chance to stay outside of this.

Because from the moment I first saw him, I was already in too deep."

Bian Xu’s hand, resting on his knee, trembled slightly.

A bit of ash, still glowing faintly, dropped from his cigarette and burned his finger.

But he sat there frozen, completely still— As if he couldn’t feel a thing.