Jiang Qing saw through her thoughts. He didn't want his daughter to embarrass herself, so he gave Jiang Zhi a look, "What are you doing? Go back now."
Jiang Zhi felt a little dissatisfied. After all, Jiang Qing had been speaking to me, not her, before.
She felt even more dissatisfied. "Could it be that our Miss Jiang can't even play the violin? What a joke."
I smiled faintly. "Yes, I'm not very good at it."
Su Ning'an was here today too; she must have been secretly watching my every move.
I had surpassed myself last time and changed my style. It's hard to change old habits when playing the violin.
I wouldn't expose my flaws in front of her, but I also wouldn't tolerate Jiang Zhi, a grasshopper in autumn, taunting me. She smiled smugly, "Dad, look how good my sister is! She doesn't need to learn anything. She can just be a pretty vase and get married. Unlike me, I have to learn so much, yet you still don't like me. It's unfair!"
Even if the people present didn't dare to comment now, once she pinned this accusation on me,
I'm afraid everyone will think Mrs. Lu is useless. I won't fit in with the wives' circle and will only be their gossip.
Her actions won't help her, because the Jiang family's honor is shared. Jiang Qing used to let her do what she wanted, but now, in this new battlefield he's opened up, Jiang Zhi's actions have invisibly hindered Jiang Qing.
I'm afraid Jiang Qing might even want to kill her right now.
Before I even launched a move, Jiang Qing was already approaching me and Mom. If Jiang Zhi slashed herself at this point, even a Daluo Immortal couldn't save her. I waited until her emotional value reached its peak before I spoke, "But since everyone has honored me with your presence today, as the host, I owe you something. I'm not very good at playing the violin, but my husband has taught me piano. If you don't mind, my husband and I will play a piece for you. Please don't make fun of me."
I spoke sincerely. This wasn't a competition, and no one here would be foolish enough to embarrass me.
Jiang Qing and my mother looked at me worriedly. I smiled at my mother, "It's okay."
After that, I patted Lu Yanchen's hand. "Together?"
I saw a hint of surprise in his eyes, and he casually muttered, "Okay."
He was supported by Shen Ji and sat down on the piano stool with me.
He asked, "What are you playing?"
I whispered in his ear.
Jiang Zhi, standing beside me, crossed her arms and said with disdain, "No wonder you're playing the piano. You can get help. Are you just playing a few notes and calling it your own?"
"Shut up," Jiang Qing shot her a cold look. Jiang Qing had been resentful of her ever since her foolish attempt to bring Fu Xici into the Fu family, yet she continued to teeter on the brink of self-destruction.
He looked at me. "Shall we begin?"
"Yes."
This wasn't our first four-finger piano duet. The moment my fingertips touched the piano, the dancing notes transported me back to eight years old.
Outside the window, the sun shone brightly, the midsummer cicadas chirped incessantly in my ears. Following the sound of the piano, I ascended the Lu family's long spiral staircase to the attic.
I opened the door, a gust of wind blew in, and the white curtains danced in the breeze.
The sunlight fell squarely on the young man in white, standing in front of the black piano. He was bathed in a golden glow, his nimble fingertips dancing over the notes.
That scene, like a cartoon, is etched in my mind.
The moment Lu Yanchen's fingertips touched my, our eyes met.
It was as if I had traveled back in time, returning to the afternoon we met twenty years ago. He held my hand and taught me the notes. The black and white keys seemed to take on a soul under his slender fingertips.
Although we had never played this piece together before, we worked together perfectly.
After the song ended, the audience paused for a moment before suddenly erupting in thunderous applause.
I hadn't imagined we would be so in sync after our first performance together in so many years.
I also had no idea how harmonious the image of Lu Yanchen and I, a handsome man and beautiful woman, playing the piano under the spotlight, would be.
At that moment, Lu Shiyan's eyes were red.
Everyone in the Su family saw reflections of Su Wan in me, wondering if their daughter would be just as brilliant if she were still alive.
Some even shed silent tears while listening.
At that moment, everyone ignored Lu Yanchen's legs and the fact that I was just a pretty face.
Jiang Zhi was stunned. She had wanted to outdo me, seeing as how the entire orchestra provided backing for her in the piece she played, highlighting her central role. But Lu Yanchen and I are different. Our yin and yang blend, our hearts connect, and we compose a soulful song.
Only music of the utmost passion and emotion can resonate deeply; it's not comparable to Jiang Zhi reciting from a book.
Jiang Qing's gaze on me became more scrutinizing. Last time, I was painting, this time, I was playing the piano.
Anyone from a wealthy family like theirs can play the piano, but I'm the only one who can play to this level! It's of the highest quality!
This was the first time he looked me in the eye and praised me, "You play well."
"Thank you."
If Jiang Wanwan were still alive, she'd be delighted. After all, all she wanted in her life was her father's gaze and a compliment.
Jiang Zhi blushed, "You...how can you play the piano?"
I curled my lips in a smile, "My husband taught me well."
She was about to say something when several police officers suddenly appeared outside.
I knew it was clear to me. It looked like Captain Huang and the others had finally tracked down Jiang Zhi.
This fool, he still didn't know the danger was coming. Jiang Qing's face sank. "What are you doing? No one's calling the police."
Captain Huang flashed his work ID. "Hello, Mr. Jiang. We suspect your daughter, Jiang Zhi, is involved in a car accident. Please have her come with me to the police station to assist in the investigation."
Jiang Qing was confused. "What car accident?"
Huang Yu said word by word, "Su Nanfeng's death is related to your daughter."
Then, everyone in the Su family turned their gazes sharply toward Captain Huang. Mrs. Su rushed over in panic. "Captain Huang, what are you talking about! My son wasn't killed by an accident? He was murdered?"