Zhou Yunting hadn’t expected to run into Shen Hua in a setting like this.
The conversation at the dinner table was all business. Glasses clinked lightly, laughter and chatter filled the air, and he held his wine glass between his fingers, yet his gaze involuntarily drifted past the crowd, landing on the figure playing the cello in the corner.
The clearest focal point in that dim light.
She didn’t look over, her eyes cast downward the whole time, the bow rising and falling. Even the line of her profile seemed softened. It had been a while since he’d seen her, and now, encountering her again, the surprise in his heart was even greater than before, accompanied by a touch of indescribable longing that inexplicably surfaced.
Zhou Yunting withdrew his gaze calmly and continued his small talk with the person next to him.
The restaurant owner at the same table was sharp-eyed. Having been in this business for a long time, she was best at reading people’s expressions.
She came over with her wine glass, gently clinked it against Zhou Yunting’s, and smiled. “Mr. Zhou, is tonight’s background music to your liking?”
Zhou Yunting’s fingers paused for a moment. When he lifted his eyes, the earlier waves in his gaze were gone. He only replied flatly, “It’s passable.”
The owner’s smile grew even more knowing. She shot a quick glance toward Shen Hua, lowered her voice, and said, “That girl is a student at HKU. Her senior had something come up today, so she’s filling in. It’s her first time playing in a place like this, and she’s doing pretty well.”
Then she added a bit more, “I heard from her senior that she’s really outstanding—got into HKU with top marks in her major and a full scholarship. Seeing her today, she’s not just beautiful, her cello playing has real charm too.”
Zhou Yunting’s fingers tightened almost imperceptibly around his glass, and his gaze darkened.
Seeing this, the owner quickly suggested, “Shall I call her over later to have a drink with you?”
“No need.”
Zhou Yunting cut her off sharply.
The owner took the hint, knowing he didn’t want a scene. She quickly changed the subject with a smile, chatted a bit with guests at other tables, and retreated tactfully.
An hour passed quickly.
Shen Hua timed herself, finished the last piece, stood up, and adjusted her cello.
She remembered the owner’s instructions to bow to the audience after the performance. So she bent slightly, her gaze not focused on anyone in particular, just bowing to the open air.
As she straightened up, she heard a clear round of applause coming from diagonally in front.
Shen Hua felt a surge of emotion, a sense of being valued.
She instinctively looked over.
The whole place was filled with figures in suits and ties, the lights dim, but she spotted that person in an instant.
Zhou Yunting sat by the window, backlit by the night outside. His black suit accentuated his broad shoulders and sharp jawline. Amid the bustling crowd, he seemed to carry his own glow, so dazzling that her heart gave a sudden leap, and she even forgot to breathe for a moment.
He was looking at her too.
His gaze was heavy.
Surrounded by swirling smoke, she couldn’t see his expression clearly.
Shen Hua felt as if she’d lost her soul.
She left the stage like a zombie.
Zhou Yunting found Shen Hua intriguing—she wore her heart on her sleeve, just like the flashy posts in her social media feed, unable to hide a single thought.
Just a moment ago, her eyes had been bright with joy, but the moment she saw him, she wilted. A mix of grievance and distraction nearly overflowed.
It was in that instant that he suddenly felt an inexplicable lurch in his chest, as light as if a bow had brushed against it, coming out of nowhere.
Xu Manjin brushed past Shen Hua as she took the stage. She wanted to greet her, but seeing her lost and distracted, she thought she must have messed up the performance. Xu Manjin shot her a strange look but didn’t have time to ask more. She steadied herself and walked over to the cello.
Unlike Shen Hua, Xu Manjin swept her gaze across the room as soon as she was in position. When she did, she immediately locked eyes with Zhou Yunting.
That man was still in his suit, sitting there with his air of fake propriety.
Xu Manjin glared at him fiercely before lowering her head to tune her cello. She instantly understood Shen Hua’s state and couldn’t help but sigh.
Zhou Yunting received that sharp glare and found it rather novel.
The one before him had slunk off the stage with her head down; the one now was glaring at him with outright hostility, her face practically screaming, “You’re a two-timing jerk.”
He curled his lips slightly and withdrew his gaze.
The sound of the cello flowed out again.
Zhou Yunting made a quiet comparison in his mind.
Shen Hua’s tune was elegant and soothing, rich and solid, warm and delicate, with a narrative quality.
Xu Manjin’s, on the other hand, was cheerful and bright, clear and warm, full of drive.
If he had to choose a preference, he liked the former better.
There was something intangible mixed in there, and even he was vaguely aware of it.
As soon as Shen Hua left the stage, the owner came up to her. “Well done, miss. That sounded really beautiful. How do you feel?”
“It’s fine,” Shen Hua said with a forced smile.
The owner pulled out cash to pay her and pressed further, “Interested in coming here regularly? The pay is negotiable.”
Shen Hua didn’t expect to run into Lin Qinghuai in a place like this. All she wanted was to get far away, so she shook her head.
The owner was disappointed but still asked for her contact. “If you change your mind, feel free to reach out anytime.”
By the time Xu Manjin left the stage, another hour had passed.
While changing clothes, she asked bluntly, “Is it because you saw Lin Qinghuai that you’re upset?”
“No, don’t jump to conclusions,” Shen Hua insisted stubbornly.
“Why are you so bottled up!” Xu Manjin forced a laugh. “Come on, let’s go over and slap him. Ask that jerk if he makes a habit of dumping people!”
Shen Hua was amused by her and took her hand. “Forget it. I didn’t lose anything. Bad romance like that—let it go. I don’t care.”
Chatting and laughing, the two walked out of the restaurant, only to see a familiar Rolls-Royce parked at the intersection, with Yang Jiang standing beside it.
Seeing them, Yang Jiang walked straight up to Shen Hua. “Miss Shen, sir asks you to get in the car. He’ll come after his meeting.”
Shen Hua frowned and wanted to leave, but Xu Manjin pushed her. “Get in! What are you afraid of?”
Shen Hua thought about it. Worst case, they’d just part ways.
She pulled Xu Manjin along. “My friend is coming with me.”
Yang Jiang nodded. “Alright, I’ll drop this young lady off at the school first.”
Xu Manjin got angry. “Just say what you have to say! Why send me away?”
Yang Jiang hesitated but sidestepped the issue. “Ladies, please get in the car first.”
After all, his orders were to get Shen Hua into the car. What happened afterward was beyond his control.
Yang Jiang had intended to guide Xu Manjin to the front passenger seat and have Shen Hua sit in the back, but Xu Manjin wasn’t having any of it. She followed Shen Hua straight to the back door, moving too fast for anyone to stop her.
As soon as they sat down, Xu Manjin let out a low “Wow.” She craned her neck to stare at the starlight roof, her eyes lighting up. All her earlier anger vanished into thin air. She pulled out her phone and started snapping photos.
Shen Hua, having been in Zhou Yunting’s car a few times, was more restrained in the face of the familiar interior.
Yang Jiang waited outside the car, not getting in, so he had no idea what was happening inside.
After Xu Manjin had her fill of the ceiling, she nudged Shen Hua. “Quick, take some of me too.”
“Stop it,” Shen Hua said, stopping her. After all, this was Lin Qinghuai’s car, and she didn’t have any say in it.
“What’s the big deal?” Xu Manjin shrugged carelessly, shaking her phone. “They’re all outside. They can’t see inside. What’s wrong with a couple pictures?”
She even leaned toward the window, struck a pose, and urged, “Come on, hurry up!”