WT Chapter 10

Chapter 10: Chimes, Starlight-like Piano Notes

Wen Shixi sat at the piano for a long time, finally awaiting his second interlude.

Teacher Liang Min stood aside, noticing Wen Shixi gently close his eyes and exhale, revealing a hint of puzzlement.

Due to his practice since childhood, Wen Shixi’s piano playing had always been effortless, rarely showing such a serious expression.

The next second, his eyes slightly opened, and the piano music began.

After a simple introduction, the melody’s regular sequence slowly unfolded.

Once she clearly heard the notes, Liang Min’s eyes widened slightly, and she looked at Wen Shixi’s constantly moving hands.

Liszt, “La Campanella” (The Bell) –

Adapted from the third movement of Paganini’s Violin Concerto No. 2, it featured uninterrupted, ultra-high-speed playing, constant fingerings, and leaps across twelve degrees.

No one would play such a highly technical piece on such an occasion.

“Change to a simpler piece.”

Jiang Quanyu’s last words not long ago had indeed made Wen Shixi reconsider the selection of music.

But, simple?

Based on what?

This was his performance, he wouldn’t listen to Jiang Quanyu.

In the crowd, Jiang Quanyu listened to the people around him talking about commercial development, but his brows gradually furrowed.

The person who had been speaking saw Jiang Quanyu’s face change, and was confused, gradually stammering, not knowing what he had said wrong, as if he had offended this great Buddha.

In the subtle atmosphere, Jiang Quanyu’s gaze shifted, and he looked again at Wen Shixi playing the piano through the gaps in the crowd.

Jiang Quanyu understood almost instantly… Wen Shixi was doing it on purpose, trying to make him angry.

Short, linked movements formed a chapter, the high notes clear and sparkling, like scattered diamonds on the ground.

In an instant, it leaped out of the window sill, spreading into the moonlight of early autumn.

But no one could be angry at such music.

Even if the performer was an ugly or flawed person, those hands seemed to have magic, worthy of all the good things.

In the crowd, eyes remained fixed on that figure, as if frozen in place.

The banquet continued until nightfall, ending appropriately after the chairman of the chamber of commerce solemnly introduced Jiang Quanyu to everyone.

Wen Shixi returned to the dressing room with the orchestra members, and upon entering, he saw a gorgeous bouquet placed in front of the dressing table.

Vibrant light purple irises were in full bloom, wrapped in high-end milky-white cotton paper, looking both lovely and elegant.

Teacher Liang Min smiled, and looked around at the young people behind her: “Let me see, which little cutie received such beautiful flowers.”

Two lively cellists walked to the bouquet with Liang Min, at the end of the crowd, Wen Shixi paid no attention to the bouquet, walked to the mirror on the side, and casually took off his tuxedo jacket.

Before long, Liang Min said, “Oh?”

She turned her head, and looked at the figure in front of the mirror: “Shixi, it’s for you.”

Wen Shixi raised his head, looking puzzled.

He put the tuxedo jacket on the chair, walked to Liang Min’s side, and took the card on the bouquet.

“Starlight-like piano notes.”

There was no signature.

Wen Shixi turned his head, and looked at the bouquet of irises.

Did those few technical pieces capture the heart of a guest in attendance?

Liang Min smiled very kindly: “What a large bouquet, Shixi, is your car parked in the underground parking lot?”

“I didn’t drive,” Wen Shixi said, “It seems I can only leave it here.”

Thinking of this, Wen Shixi felt a bit of a headache.

His car should still be at the old house, having just been used by Jiang Quanyu to threaten him.

Soon, Wen Shixi changed his clothes, and after saying goodbye to the teacher and others, finally ended his day’s work, and walked towards the door.

It had been a long time since he had felt so tired, and because of his heat, he was also running a slight fever.

The autumn night was chilly, and Wen Shixi walked out of the mansion gate, standing on the side of the road waiting for a taxi.

Before long, an extremely expensive black car stopped steadily in front of him.

The back car window slowly lowered, revealing a cold and steady face.

Jiang Quanyu: “Get in the car.”

Wen Shixi: “…”

Seeing that Wen Shixi didn’t move, Jiang Quanyu tilted his head slightly, and looked at the latter.

Wen Shixi’s figure shrank slightly, the cold wind blew past, and his hair swayed back and forth.

Jiang Quanyu revealed a hint of puzzlement, and asked lightly: “Wearing such a wrinkled suit, standing on the cold street, is this a new hobby you’ve found in the past few years?”

The suit Wen Shixi was wearing was still the one he wore to the memorial service yesterday, and later when he woke up from Ling Xiao’s room, his jacket was missing, and now that it was night, the cold wind was blowing, and it was indeed very cold.

Wen Shixi looked at the taxi queue notification on his phone, and felt that he didn’t need to stand in the cold wind like an idiot.

He stepped forward, walked to the side of the passenger seat, and was about to open the car door.

“Are you my assistant?” Jiang Quanyu said.

Wen Shixi paused, hearing Jiang Quanyu say again: “Sit next to me.”

–

The car drove on the ring road, and even though it was long past rush hour, traffic was still heavy.

Compared to the chaotic and endless car lights on the street, the inside of the car was dark, making it seem very quiet.

Wen Shixi sat on one side of the wide back seat, with his arms crossed, always looking out the window.

In the faint engine sound, the two sat on opposite sides, one cold and stern, the other slender and precious.

Jiang Quanyu looked ahead, and spoke quietly.

“You left the hotel to come here to perform?”

Wen Shixi: “Yes.”

Jiang Quanyu: “I’ll take you home, where do you live now?”

Wen Shixi thought for a while: “Drop me off at the intersection north of Xueyuan Road.”

Jiang Quanyu: “Do you like walking around on the street after dark that much?”

Wen Shixi chuckled: “Is this the first day we’ve met? You know where I live, why ask unnecessarily?”

Everything he had was given by the Jiang family, there was no reason for Jiang Quanyu not to know.

Hearing this, Jiang Quanyu crossed his arms.

The man revealed a hint of interest, paused for a moment, and asked in a low voice, “…So what are you doing now, throwing a tantrum at me?”

Wen Shixi said casually: “How could I? It’s just, if you want to follow the normal procedure, shouldn’t we say hello first, then nod to each other, and kindly ask ‘Long time no see, how have you been?'”

Jiang Quanyu: “Yes, I’m doing very well.”

Wen Shixi: “…”

Jiang Quanyu: “How about you?”

Wen Shixi wanted to curse.

“Of course I’m good,” Wen Shixi said, “Extremely good.”

Hearing this, Jiang Quanyu turned his head to look at Wen Shixi’s profile.

As they sped along, the streetlights flashed by, the light flickering, outlining Wen Shixi’s brow bones, nose bridge, and lip undulations.

Jiang Quanyu thought for a moment, inexplicably withdrawing his gaze, his voice becoming more businesslike, instructing the driver in the front row: “Find a place, stop the car.”

The driver received the order, and before long, stopped on the side of the road where parking was allowed.

Jiang Quanyu opened the car door, and while getting out of the car, said: “Get out.”

Wen Shixi was confused, and looked at Jiang Quanyu leaving.

On the other side, after the driver got out of the car, he quickly walked around to Jiang Quanyu.

Jiang Quanyu straightened his suit, and said to the driver: “You can go back first, be at the company before noon tomorrow.”

The driver nodded, understanding, and handed over the car keys.

Wen Shixi stood by the car, watching the driver walk away directly, looking clueless.

A minute later, the black car started again.

Jiang Quanyu’s palm rested on the steering wheel, and after driving steadily, he glanced at Wen Shixi beside him.

It must have been a long time since he had been alone with Jiang Quanyu, Wen Shixi sat in the passenger seat, looking extremely wary.

He leaned back in the wide seat, his movements a little unnatural, like a lazy, yet tense and alert cat.

In the dimness, he could almost feel the fine lines on Jiang Quanyu’s skin from the almost still air in the car, even the undulations of every blood vessel inside.

Heartbeat mixed with breathing, lurking in body temperature.

Wen Shixi: “…Why did you suddenly send the driver back?”