Even though she had already recognized the high standard of music in the previous episodes, Shen Yun still couldn't understand:
Why was it that classical music on her usual music apps just sounded technically impressive? At the same time, the performances in 'Your Lie in April' made her heart race and her spirit surge, as though her very consciousness was dancing with each note.
Was it the emotional immersion from the story?
Or was it simply the unique magic of Su Yan's compositions?
In the drama, Takeshi Aiza performed with a bold and focused expression. Though his gaze was fixed on the judges and audience, what he truly hoped for was that Arima Kousei—waiting in the backstage room—would be listening carefully.
The powerful blend of story and music struck Shen Yun straight in the heart.
Though the piano solo lasted several minutes, to her, it felt like mere seconds had passed. By the time she returned to her senses—
She found herself just like the crowd in the show, cheering wildly for Takeshi Aiza.
["That gave me goosebumps... Who knew music-themed dramas could be this exciting?"] Shen Yun took a deep breath.
The next to take the stage—
Was Gu Qingyuan's character, Emi Igawa, as the plot shifted into a flashback?
Both Takeshi Aiza and Emi Igawa had once watched Arima Kousei perform live. That moment had set them on their own musical journeys. To this day, they lived with one goal: to surpass the boy who inspired them.
Given their current skill level, neither of them had any reason to enter a competition of this rank.
Yet both had signed up—only because Arima Kousei was returning.
Emi Igawa, dressed in a striking red dress, walked past Arima Kousei and stepped confidently into the concert hall.
Her beautiful, clear eyes shimmered with competitive fire.
With the background music swelling behind her—
Shen Yun felt stirred. No, she was thrilled.
["Gu Qingyuan, you goddess—how is this face even real?!"]
["Emi Igawa in that red dress is just... iconic."]
Shen Yun had never attended a classical music competition in a concert hall.
Her only exposure to this world came through 'Your Lie in April'—a mere glimpse into its vastness.
Yet her heart now pounded in her chest.
She was completely immersed.
The vibrant, youthful energy and tension that 'Your Lie in April' had consistently delivered seemed to pour out of the screen itself.
Emi Igawa sat down on the piano bench.
The background score cut off instantly.
Then—a sudden burst of rapid piano notes.
Shen Yun hadn't studied ancient poetry, but if she had, the lines that would have popped into her head at that moment were:
["A silver vase bursts, spraying water and wine—
Iron cavalry charges, swords and spears ringing!"]
The fierce piano immediately shattered the gentle tone from before.
Across Xia Nation, countless viewers sitting in front of their TVs felt their breathing quicken.
Emi Igawa's performance, combined with the commentary from characters in the show, unfolded into a full-blown solo lasting several minutes.
Audience members in the drama leapt to their feet and cheered.
Shen Yun couldn't help but want to applaud a character who wasn't even real.
["Too cool!"]
This was what made 'Your Lie in April' so remarkable—getting viewers who didn't care for classical music, or even understand it, to experience its beauty. To sense, just like trained musicians, the overwhelming brilliance of these musical prodigies.
This was the true strength of Su Yan's system-gifted performance skills.
The first three episodes of 'Your Lie in April' had won audiences over with a mix of music and youthful romance.
But in Episode 4, even viewers who hadn't seen the earlier episodes could be drawn in by the piano solos of Takeshi Aiza and Emi Igawa, stopping on Aozora TV just to watch.
When the ending theme began to play—
Shen Yun realized her heart was racing more than usual.
She felt strangely exhilarated.
Not because of the story.
But because the piano performance in this episode had resonated with her deeply.
["That was incredible..."]
["So incredible that I'm actually thinking about learning piano myself—maybe even diving into classical music."]
The end credits didn't just show the cast and crew. They also listed the music team.
When she saw that both Takeshi Aiza and Emi Igawa's performances were voiced by Su Yan himself—
Shen Yun was stunned.
If Arima Kousei was the in-universe genius of 'Your Lie in April'—
Then what was Su Yan?
Was he the real-world Arima Kousei?
When viewers saw Arima Kousei's genius, it was supposed to be unreal—something that made people feel hopeless in comparison.
But what if, in reality, that was just Su Yan's everyday life?
Maybe that's how Su Yan always viewed the world—through the lens of a genius.
Only now did everyone, Shen Yun included, understand why Shen Liqian once said Su Yan was a genius being "held back" by the TV industry.
How could he not be?
And besides—
["If Takeshi Aiza and Emi Igawa were this good… what about Arima Kousei? He's performing in Episode 5."]
["He hasn't even overcome his trauma yet—could he actually lose to the two rivals who used to trail behind him?"]
The thought made Shen Yun nervous.
And Su Yan, you troll—
What kind of cliffhanger is this?!
You're really going to make us wait a whole week to find out who wins this round?
''Your Lie in April' Episode 4 ended.
But the impact was only just beginning.
On RaccoonNet, where 'Your Lie in April's fans gathered in droves, thousands couldn't sleep and flooded the forums.
["Brothers, I'm hyped."]
["Emi Igawa was so cool!"]
["So this is Su Yan's real power, huh?"]
["I was frozen. First time a music drama held me in place for over ten minutes. Aizawa and Ikawa were both monsters."]
["Both of those tracks were voiced by Su Yan. The real powerhouse here is him."]
["Is he even human? All those rumors about him being at a professional level musically—turns out, they weren't exaggerating."]
["I thought Su Yan was just another pretty face. Turns out, he's eating with his talent."]
["After this drama, how are other young actors in Xia Nation supposed to compete? His talent alone crushes them all."]
["I'm actually a little scared for the next episode. Can Su Yan's performance as Arima top what we just heard? These two were already insane!"]
["I originally tuned in for the romance plot… but now I realize the music scenes are the real soul of this show."]
["I can't take it. Su Yan, please just drop Episode 5 early. Waiting a week is torture."]
["A drama this good, and it's only 5th in ratings? That's a crime."]
["The thought of four shows being ranked above 'Your Lie in April' makes my skin crawl!"]
["Totally changed how I see youth music dramas. I have zero musical talent, yet somehow… I got what those pieces were trying to express."]
["This show is art. Compared to it, everything else this season is just trash."]
["Okay, don't insult other shows. Everyone has different tastes. But still, I cannot accept 'Your Lie in April' being ranked 5th. Next week, I'm getting my entire family to turn on their TVs and boost the ratings."]
["An underappreciated masterpiece… It's the industry's loss."]
["And the worst part is, Su Yan, is still getting slandered online by fake news outlets."]
["Everyone, go flood Sakura TV's official site. You know it's their water army spreading the hate. They just can't stand Su Yan's success."]
Clearly, 'Your Lie in April's fans were beyond satisfied with Episode 4.
Su Yan—finally—was receiving unanimous praise from his fanbase.
For the time being, everyone forgot the pain caused by his earlier dramas and immersed themselves in the musical impact of this one.
The next morning, Su Yan got up early, washed up, and drove to the set.
As soon as he arrived, everyone greeted him warmly. The mood among the hundred-plus crew members was electric.
Last night had been the single most well-received and talked-about night since ''Your Lie in April' began airing.
And not just for 'Your Lie in April'.
The production teams of 'Single Men & Women', 'The Hopeful.', and even 'The Simplest Love!' over at Sakura TV—
Even the team behind 'Summer Splendor' on Hudu TV—
All of them were growing nervous.
In both ratings and public reception, 'Your Lie in April' was performing far beyond expectations.
By noon, the latest viewership numbers were released:
4.23%.
A jump of 0.2% from Episode 3.
This officially marked a shift: one of the Big Four A-tier dramas of the summer, 'Single Men & Women', had dropped to fifth place in week four—
Losing to a B-tier drama airing on Aozora TV.
This script was all too familiar to veterans of the Xia entertainment industry.
Su Yan had done this before—launching underdog dramas on Sakura TV that rose to the top by their final episodes.
Now…
Was history repeating itself?
Was 'Your Lie in April' about to cut down the Big Three one by one?
The media pounced, flooding the web with coverage of 'Your Lie in April'.
Public awareness of the show surged among casual viewers from other networks.
The 'Your Lie in April' team? Riding high for days.
But their excitement was soon doused cold—
By the next batch of scripts, Su Yan delivered.
Starting from Episode 5, 'Your Lie in April' would have significantly fewer music competition scenes.
The focus would shift to Kaori Miyazono's illness and her relationship with Arima Kousei.
When they filmed Episodes 7 and 8, Shen Liqian had thought it was normal.
But by Episode 9, she sensed something was wrong.
The script didn't spell it out, but it also didn't rule out the possibility.
["Wait… is Kaori going to die in the end?"]
That morning, after filming wrapped, Shen Liqian handed Su Yan a batch of cookies she had baked herself and finally asked the question that had haunted her for days.
"Oh? So that's what you're thinking?" Su Yan smiled.
"Yeah," Shen Liqian replied. "Given the kind of stories you usually write, anytime a character faces a crisis, we instinctively brace for the worst. I'm no different."
"So... does Kaori really die from her illness?"
"Well, since I'm handing over the scripts for Episodes 10 and 11 next week anyway, I won't keep it a secret," Su Yan said calmly.
"Yes. She dies in the end."
Shen Liqian's hand trembled slightly.
So it was true.
She took a deep breath.
She didn't like tragedies.
But from her position, she knew she had no right to complain about the script.
Still, having the most beloved female lead in the entire show die?
That was something few writers dared to do.
Su Yan really wasn't afraid of being hunted down by 'Your Lie in April' fans.
"I just want to ask you one thing, Mr. Su Yan," she said after a pause.
"Why do all your stories end in tragedy?"
Because the system gave it to me—I had no choice.
But Su Yan obviously couldn't say that out loud.
"When I realized it, the ending was already formed in my mind. I guess it was just one of those moments of divine inspiration," he replied with a smile, casually crafting a new persona for himself.
"I think I'm afflicted with a condition... where I just can't write happy endings."
A condition where you can't write happy endings?
Shen Liqian stared blankly.
["What the heck is that supposed to mean? That's obviously just your twisted sense of humor!"]
"But... tragic characters tend to be the ones people remember," Su Yan said, looking her in the eyes.
"You haven't seen the finale yet, so you don't know all the hidden threads and how it all ties together. But truthfully, I have very high expectations for your portrayal of Kaori Miyazono."
"Expectations?" Shen Liqian blinked.
"What kind of expectations?"
"I'm hoping for a nomination for Best Actress at this year's Xia Flame Awards," Su Yan said with a grin.
"I wrote 'Your Lie in April' and brought Kaori Miyazono to life on Xia's television screens with that in mind from the start."