Yang Huan, worried that Qin Nian might not understand, enthusiastically explained from the side, “So here, Mr. Feng wants to invite you to play the piano. The contract includes terms for compensation, and of course, you also need to keep Mr. Feng’s condition confidential by signing a confidentiality agreement.”
After a pause, he added, “If there’s anything you’d like to add, feel free to mention it.”
Qin Nian hadn’t expected his piano playing to have such an effect. He lowered his head and carefully examined the contract.
The terms listed in the contract were quite lenient, and Feng Wang was very generous. The payment for playing the piano was calculated per session. To avoid disrupting Qin Nian’s own schedule, the playing time was set between 8 PM and midnight. If he wished, Qin Nian could stay at the Feng Family home, with room and board provided, almost like a full-time job, except for the benefits. The contract was tentatively set for two months.
Qin Nian calculated that by the end of one month, he could receive a six-figure payment. It was the first time he realized his skills could be so lucrative.
But…
“How is it?” Yang Huan asked.
Qin Nian replied, “Everything looks good, but I just signed up for a variety show yesterday. I’ll have to go there in about half a month, and the duration I signed up for is half a month.”
Yang Huan was taken aback. Variety shows usually invited celebrities. How did Qin Nian, someone who had just arrived in Ning City, get invited?
“I don’t know how long the filming will take, but I might not have time to come back and play the piano during that period.”
“No problem.”
Before Yang Huan could say anything, Feng Wang spoke up, “You can sign now, and if there’s a conflict with the variety show, you can make up the days after it’s over to complete the two months.”
Yang Huan looked at his boss, then at Qin Nian. It was the first time he had seen his boss so amiable at the negotiation table.
In the past, if a partner couldn’t deliver on time, it was straight to penalties, with no chance for later compensation.
Ah, men.
Hearing this, Qin Nian was even more convinced that Feng Wang was truly a good person.
Though if he said that out loud, it would probably shock others.
“In that case, it’s completely doable.”
Seeing Qin Nian nod, Yang Huan immediately handed him the pen.
After Qin Nian signed his name, Yang Huan, while tidying up the contract, asked, “May I ask which variety show you’re participating in?”
“Starlight Brilliance.”
Yang Huan understood. It was a project just being launched by an entertainment company under the Feng Corporation.
Feng Wang signed his name on the contract and left a copy for Qin Nian. “Would you like to stay here? If the piano sessions run late, it might be troublesome to go back.”
Yang Huan paused in his packing. Oh my, it was the first time he had heard his boss invite someone to stay at his home.
He couldn’t help but glance at Qin Nian again, his gaze moving from Qin Nian’s face to his slender, fair hands. Yang Huan decided in his heart that he would definitely have his own son learn the piano. Who knows, he might just meet someone with severe insomnia like his boss.
Feng Wang noticed his troubled expression and assumed it was due to Qin Family concerns.
“I heard from Yang Huan that he saw you packing up to leave the Qin Family yesterday.”
Hmm, it seemed Qin Ru’s efforts were in vain, Qin Nian thought idly.
“If you want to leave the Qin Family, you can stay at the Feng Family. They wouldn’t dare come looking for you, so there’s no need to worry.”
Leaving the Qin Family was certainly a good thing. Qin Nian never hid his desire to leave. He scratched his face, “I might need to go back to the Qin Family to pack some clothes.”
Clothes?
Feng Wang hadn’t expected Qin Nian to be concerned about that. He looked at Yang Huan, who, being the longest-serving secretary by Feng Wang’s side, immediately understood his boss’s intent.
He quickly reassured Qin Nian, “You don’t need to worry about clothes. The Feng Family has clothes for you.”
Qin Nian was puzzled.
Yang Huan explained, “A few days ago, Mr. Feng bought clothes for you. Didn’t you pick a couple? The rest are still in the guest room, all in your size, so they’ll definitely fit.”
Those clothes…
Qin Nian recalled, his expression turning serious as if wearing a mask of pain. If he really took those clothes, the money he earned from playing the piano and participating in the variety show might not be enough to cover them.
“Aren’t they too expensive? Maybe I should buy my own.”
Too expensive?
Yang Huan was puzzled, casting a questioning glance at his boss.
Boss, did you secretly charge the kid? Then invite him to play the piano, deeply embracing the idea of extracting wool from the sheep’s back. Truly, the most ruthless in the world is the capitalist.
Feng Wang was also puzzled, “Too expensive?”
Qin Nian explained, “I don’t have enough money to pay for these clothes.”
Qin Nian’s demeanor was calm, showing no embarrassment in admitting his lack of wealth.
Such expensive clothes, Qin Nian felt it was perfectly normal for a college student like him to be unable to afford them. Even in his past life with the Qin Family, he had never worn such costly attire.
Feng Wang said, “These are gifts for you. You don’t need to pay.”
Qin Nian paused, his expression indifferent, but his finger under the coffee table began to twist unconsciously.
Feng Wang noticed all of this.
He found observing Qin Nian’s reactions to be quite interesting.
The young man shook his head, “They’re too valuable.”
Feng Wang feigned difficulty, “Then what should I do? There’s no one else here who can wear these clothes. Leaving them would be a waste. Please accept them, as a favor to me.”
Yang Huan looked at his boss, who suddenly seemed to be acting, with a cold expression. Really, worried about waste? Then you could give them to me. I guarantee they won’t go to waste if I sell them at the seafood market, and we can split the money fifty-fifty.
Though he understood it was just an excuse from Feng Wang, his boss’s unyielding attitude left Qin Nian with no choice but to accept the items.
Feng Yuanyuan was delighted to hear that Qin Nian would be staying at the Feng Family home.
At the dinner table, Feng Yuanyuan swung her little feet and waved her small spoon, “Pretty brother, my mom will be back in a few days~”
This was the first time Qin Nian heard Feng Yuanyuan mention her mother.
Even though he wasn’t familiar with Ning City’s situation, he had heard some things.
For example, the rumor that for money and power, Feng Wang could be ruthless to any Feng Family member, except for his sister, whom he treated the best.
This was evident in Feng Yuanyuan, as Feng Wang seemed to have endless patience for her, possibly inherited from his sister.
“Yuanyuan, don’t talk while eating,” Feng Wang said.
Feng Yuanyuan wasn’t upset by the reprimand. She made a funny face at Feng Wang, who was seated at the head of the table, before lowering her head to eat.
She occasionally hummed an off-key children’s song.
As she chewed the vegetables fed to her by a servant, her gaze fell on Qin Nian, “Brother is so pretty, mom will definitely like him too.”
The dishes on the Feng Family’s table were all home-style, and to accommodate the child, they were relatively mild, yet the taste was excellent, showcasing the chef’s skill.
In the afternoon, Feng Wang instructed the housekeeper to prepare Qin Nian’s accommodation.
“My surname is Lin. If you don’t mind, you can call me Sister Lin,” the maid introduced herself while leading Qin Nian to a guest room on the fourth floor. “This is the guest room Mr. Feng prepared for you. All the daily necessities are ready. If you need anything else, just let me know.”
Qin Nian thanked the maid and entered the room.
The room was spacious, with everything one might need.
The wardrobe was filled to the brim with clothes. Qin Nian noticed that, in addition to the previous clothes, there were now several sets of loungewear and other garments.
At night, when it was time, Qin Nian, having washed up, walked to Feng Wang’s room.
He knocked on the door, and Feng Wang’s voice came from inside.
“Come in.”
Qin Nian entered. Feng Wang’s room was connected to a study, making it quite spacious. Today, a Steinway grand piano had just been placed inside, and there was still plenty of room.
This was almost the first time in two lifetimes that Qin Nian played the piano specifically for someone else.
Qin Nian was uncharacteristically nervous.
Feng Wang, dressed in a robe, was at his desk reviewing documents. When Qin Nian entered, he didn’t even lift his head.
Qin Nian sat at the piano and tried a few notes.
The sound was pure, the tone rich, and the touch light and agile. It was an excellent piano.
“What piece would you like to hear, Mr. Feng?” Qin Nian asked.
Feng Wang initially wanted to say he could play anything, but then he paused, “What piece do you like?”
“Swan Lake.”
Qin Nian obediently replied.
Feng Wang said, “Then play that.” With that, he returned to his documents.
This was the first time Qin Nian and Feng Wang were alone in a room together.
Qin Nian sneaked a glance at Feng Wang, feeling inexplicably nervous. He took a deep breath and began to play.
The soothing piano melody gently rose.
In the music, Princess Odette, transformed into a swan, danced gracefully on the lake.
She met her beloved prince.
In the quiet night, the piano’s sound was particularly distinct in this serene environment.
Under the night sky, the room was so tranquil.
In the past, Feng Wang had always worked through the night. He had grown accustomed to this lifestyle, and even when he wanted to rest, all he could think of were painful memories.
He was tormented by his own helplessness.
Over time, he hadn’t slept for a long time, but now, he began to feel drowsy.
This was a sensation he hadn’t experienced since his parents passed away.
He tidied up his documents, dimmed the room’s lights, and prepared to go to bed.
The fatigue, the longing for sleep, was more apparent than ever.
Qin Nian noticed Feng Wang’s actions. Originally, the piece was about to enter a more passionate section, but he paused and naturally transitioned into another softer piano piece—The Blue Danube.
Accompanied by the music, Feng Wang quickly fell asleep.
Once Qin Nian saw that Feng Wang was motionless on the bed, he confirmed the man was asleep.
Only then did he slowly stop playing.
He quietly got up, turned off the lights in Feng Wang’s room, and left.
“Goodnight, Mr. Feng.”
He closed the door and, through the door, quietly wished Feng Wang goodnight before returning to his own room.
Back in his room, Qin Nian picked up his phone to check if he had missed any messages today, only to find a bunch of missed calls.
They were all from the evening. Although the phone didn’t have the caller’s number saved, he recognized Qin Ru’s number immediately, having memorized the Qin Family’s numbers in his past life.
Qin Nian knew why Qin Ru was calling but didn’t care. He casually deleted all the missed call records and went into the bathroom to wash up before bed.
The Feng residence was very quiet.
Without those things that disturbed his peace of mind, Qin Nian slept more soundly.
At night, Qin Nian lay in bed, the moonlight streaming in through the window. Occasionally, the chirping of crickets could be heard, making everything seem so serene and beautiful.
In the darkness, Qin Nian unconsciously hummed Beethoven’s Moonlight Sonata, his hands on the blanket mimicking the motion of playing the piano.
He even felt a rekindled love for the piano.
Scenes from the past flashed through his mind. His initial reason for playing the piano was to please Liu Baixu, but due to her disdain, he began to question why he played at all.
Yet Feng Wang and Feng Yuanyuan showed him that there were people in the world who needed his music.
This feeling of being needed was something Qin Nian had never experienced before.
Qin Nian’s movements gradually slowed, and his eyes slowly closed.
A dreamless night.