SIIL Chapter 29

Chi Yu’s fingertips brushed against the cool piano keys, and for a moment, he felt disoriented. Memories buried deep in the dust seemed to be blown open, catching him off guard.

The last time he played the piano, he was twelve years old. Back then, Wen Hua would drag him by the collar, forcing him to sit on the piano bench. Her hands were gentle, but her mouth never stopped nagging. He always thought piano was something for girls, and every time he sat in that small classroom for lessons, the occasional glances from others made his scalp tingle.

He didn’t want to practice, and after Wen Hua passed away, he was even less inclined to.

Chi Yue Di had shown up in a suit to take him away, his polished shoes stepping on Wen Hua’s apron as he casually scanned the room. He packed up a suitcase with just a few toys and clothes. He didn’t even bother to take the piano. Through his clean glasses, his voice was calm and detached.

“A piano is useless. No need to learn it.”

For the first time, Chi Yu found himself agreeing with the man—pianos were indeed useless. But afterward, countless times, he would skip class and wander aimlessly, only to find himself in the school’s music room. The black paint on the piano was peeling, the keys were no longer responsive, and the sound was completely off-key. But the moment his fingers touched the keys, it was as if a current surged through him.

Now, all eyes were on Chi Yu as he sat at the piano, a boy who was usually so full of defiance, now looking lost and bewildered. His fingers hovered slightly above the keys, hesitant. Beside him, in a dark green costume, stood Fu Zhi’an, with his fingers wrapped in green ribbons resting on Chi Yu’s shoulder. Chi Yu turned to meet his gentle gaze, and for a moment, he was captured by the softness in Fu Zhi’an’s eyes.

“It’s okay,” Fu Zhi’an mouthed the words, then smiled gently.

It was the first time Chi Yu realized that there could be someone who would overlook all his flaws and stubbornness, someone who would embrace him no matter how much he tried to push them away. In that moment, he was convinced that this person was Fu Zhi’an, and only Fu Zhi’an.

Steadying the wild beating of his heart, Chi Yu focused on the sheet music, pressing down on the keys with a little more force, producing a crisp, clear sound. The piece wasn’t difficult, and although Chi Yu didn’t want to admit it, he had a knack for things that didn’t involve studying. The days he had spent accompanying Fu Zhi’an to rehearsals, just standing by and listening, had been enough for him to almost perfectly replicate the piece.

Out of the corner of his eye, he caught glimpses of Fu Zhi’an standing nearby, smiling at him. The occasional exchange of glances between them made Chi Yu’s ears burn.

The Snow White play had been cut down to just 15 minutes. It was a success, but Wang Xiao wasn’t pleased. He bowed to the audience with a scowl, unable to resist sneaking a glance at Chi Yu, who stood expressionless in a white hoodie at the other end of the stage. He had thought Fu Zhi’an’s ridiculous tree costume would keep things safe, but then Chi Yu had shown up halfway through. With him around, who the hell would pay attention to Wang Xiao’s performance as a dwarf?

In the audience, both students and teachers were stunned. Lin Jing adjusted her glasses, sitting up straighter as she watched Chi Yu’s fingers fly across the piano keys. She had taught Chi Yu for two years, and this was the first time she had seen him so composed. There were no furrowed brows, no fiery eyes ready to burst into flames, no sleeves rolled up as if he were ready to fight anyone.

Just a clean, simple boy.

Chi Yu stood awkwardly on stage, unable to straighten his head properly. He followed the others backstage, waiting for the curtain to fall. As the red velvet drape slowly covered his view and the stage lights dimmed, Chi Yu turned to leave. But suddenly, someone grabbed his sleeve, pulling him off balance, and he stumbled forward, feeling the soft touch of lips against his cheek.

Chi Yu stared in disbelief at the face in front of him, the girl’s delicate features so close, her eyes filled with an unyielding determination, even as her mouth remained stubbornly pressed into a line.

Lin Chuan was the first to react, practically running over to yank Ji Xiaoxiao’s hand off Chi Yu’s sleeve. He had a string of curses ready to fly, but they stuck in his throat because he had no idea what to say.

Ji Xiaoxiao had been the one to initiate the kiss.

Chi Yu regained his composure, his gaze sweeping past the shocked faces around him to land on Fu Zhi’an. Fu Zhi’an had just removed his costume, and his usual fringe had been pushed back, revealing his clean, handsome features.

Chi Yu wanted to take a good look at Fu Zhi’an like this. After all, it wasn’t often he got to see Fu Zhi’an without his bangs. But he couldn’t, because Fu Zhi’an’s gaze, usually so calm, was unfocused, his typical faint smile seeming to shatter in an instant. Chi Yu suddenly found it hard to breathe.

He opened his mouth to speak but found no words. Instinctively, he took a step forward, only to be stopped by someone tugging at his sleeve.

“Where are you going?” Lin Chuan’s voice trembled. He met Chi Yu’s furrowed brows, and though he wanted to step back, the sight of Ji Xiaoxiao standing quietly by kept his grip firm.

“Let go.” Chi Yu’s voice was hoarse, his expression blank as he stared down at the smaller boy in front of him. “Or I swear I’ll beat the crap out of you.”

Lin Chuan’s hand, hanging by his side, trembled. He wanted to say something more, but a soft voice interrupted him.

“Let him go.” Ji Xiaoxiao’s voice was gentle as she looked up at Chi Yu, a faint smile on her lips, her arms crossed as she leaned against the stage prop behind her. “Let him go.”

The moment Lin Chuan’s grip loosened, Chi Yu shook off his hand and bolted out of the backstage area without looking back.

Ji Xiaoxiao’s gaze followed Chi Yu, noting the anxiety in his eyes, the concern written all over his face, but she knew none of it was for her.

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