"Everyone, since you are all my daughter's friends, please don't be so formal or reserved." Mo Yu Jing's voice was soft, yet within its gentleness, a clear resonance of string and pipe instruments could be felt. The three of them proceeded cautiously, not daring to be negligent.
After a while, the atmosphere felt a little strained. The eldest uncle suddenly had an idea and patted Bai Yan, who was beside him. "It's boring just drinking and eating. Bai Yan, I heard you play the piano very well. Why don't you play a piece to liven things up?"
Upon hearing this, Bai Yan was grateful and immediately stood up. "I can't say I play well, I can only mess around with a song to show off."
Yang Ling Xue gave him a sideways glance. She detested men who were one way in public and another in private, like lizards. However, she couldn't deny that his piano playing was indeed very good.
At this moment, Bai Yan had already moved to the rather expensive piano. After a few simple touches to test the keys and timbre, he said, "When the musician played 'Nocturne' earlier, they added some of their own elements. However, I don't agree with your performance style. The 'Nocturne' is indeed versatile, like the unpredictable sky, with its sadness and joy. One's state of mind determines the music. When you played, your breath was floating, which translated to a superficial and weak touch on the keys, conveying neither emotion nor spirit, making the listeners restless. Especially in this weather, it felt even more chaotic."
The musician was naturally proud. Seeing Bai Yan openly criticizing him, he let out a cold snort. "Talk is cheap. I'd like to hear how well Young Master Bai plays!"
Bai Yan had been waiting for this. He completely ignored the musician, offered an extremely elegant gentleman's bow to everyone, took a deep breath, and sat down.
As his hands touched the keys, a cascade of notes flowed forth. At times, they were like a gentle breeze in the forest; at others, like soft rain under the eaves. Suddenly, they transformed into the sparse shadows of a cold pool, then into the fading light of dusk and dawn. The music was gentle and graceful, as if whispering secrets. All the listeners felt a sense of clarity, and even the summer heat seemed to dissipate.
The piece concluded, its resonance lingering in the air. Even Yang Ling Xue was immersed in the lingering notes, her eyes gently closed, looking incredibly charming.
"Young Master Bai, this piece truly makes me feel inadequate." Although the musician was unwilling to admit it, he possessed enough artistic magnanimity for this.
"It's indeed excellent, Bai Yan. It's a great loss for Berkeley that you didn't go there." The eldest uncle patted Bai Yan, who had returned to the dining table, and said with a hearty laugh.
Even Mo Yu Jing nodded frequently. "Listening to this piece dispelled all my troubles. It's truly marvelous."
"However, there's a fly here, which somewhat spoils the mood of the music."
As Bai Yan spoke, he unreservedly shifted his gaze to Ren Yuan Hao.
At this moment, Yang Ling Xue, constrained by her mother's presence, couldn't erupt. She had been counting on Ren Yuan Hao to teach this brat a lesson with his fists to relieve her anger. Unexpectedly, Ren Yuan Hao showed no reaction at all; instead, he closed his eyes slightly, his expression serene, as if still engrossed in the music.
"Hey, you've had enough. Your love rival is stepping all over you, and you're still so calm?"
Yang Ling Xue nudged him with her elbow again. To her surprise, he didn't get angry but instead smiled and said loudly, "Young Master Bai's ability to tolerate the annoyance of this fly buzzing around and still produce such wonderful music is truly admirable."
As Ren Yuan Hao spoke, there was no trace of mockery or resentment on his face. Mo Yu Jing frowned slightly, her gaze towards Ren Yuan Hao seeming to hold a bit more admiration. She thought, This young man has an excellent disposition. Knowing full well he was being taunted, he responded with the praise of a true gentleman. He's a promising one.
Bai Yan mistook Ren Yuan Hao's words for a lack of understanding. He laughed heartily, his laughter carrying a hint of arrogance and haughtiness, a stark contrast to his demeanor while playing the piano. If the eldest uncle hadn't gently pressed his shoulder, he might have continued laughing.
"Hey, Ren Yuan Hao, you're making me lose face! If you have any other skills, hurry up and show them!" Yang Ling Xue whispered to him, pinching his leg and gritting her teeth.
"I'm not your real boyfriend, so I can't be bothered to compete with them."
"If you don't compete, I'll give you a bad review!"
"Beep beep beep, detected: Employer's evaluation of you has plummeted. To salvage the situation and gain a good review, 'Sakamoto Ryuu Buff!' has been temporarily activated for you!"
The moment the system's voice faded, Ren Yuan Hao felt a sudden coolness, even unconsciously making the professor's signature gesture of brushing his forehead hair.
— Damn it, why does this buff feel so chilly this time?!
"Beep beep, as your physical fitness improves, some celebrity buffs will have a more accurate reflection of the person."
The implication being…
I've been possessed?!
Yang Ling Xue noticed his odd behavior and was about to ask when she heard him murmur, "Alright, as long as you don't give me a bad review, I'll go all out."
As soon as he finished speaking, Ren Yuan Hao smiled and said, "After listening to Young Master Bai's music, my hands are itching a bit too. If you don't mind my clumsy skills, I'll also offer a piece."
Ren Yuan Hao truly seemed possessed by the professor, his smile exuding seven parts cheerfulness and three parts devilish charm, making him irresistible. Even the dignified and elegant Mo Yu Jing was almost taken aback!
"With that smile, this guy must have used this to capture Sister Lan Ni's heart."
Yang Ling Xue felt delighted as she watched 'her man' approach the piano.
The moment his fingers touched the keys, a magical resonance seemed to occur between him and the instrument. The music began slowly, neither hurried nor slow, mournful yet not sorrowful.
It felt like walking alone in the deep night, without the slightest sound of human voices, no chirping birds or buzzing insects, no whispering wind, no rustling trees. Even the starlight was faint and indistinct. From beginning to end, there was only one person standing alone in the darkness. It seemed that only in that darkness could one truly experience the unbearable loneliness that ordinary people couldn't endure. It seemed that only in that darkness could one clearly see the past, without confusion or lingering attachment. Mountains, as serene as they are in the deep clouds; waters, as profound as they are in the echoing abysses.
Ren Yuan Hao's fingers rose and fell like the ebb and flow of tides. Each note pierced the soul, yet there was no one to confide in, nor was there any need to. Loneliness was inherent, and even the closest two people could have hearts as distant as mountains and seas.