……
An hour and a half later, the alarm clock rang.
Lu Yu turned it off and sat up slowly.
He slipped out of the quilt and changed clothes.
With practiced ease, he fastened the bra’s back clasp—a motion so smooth it felt quietly heartbreaking.
Lu Yu had always been a quick learner, adaptable too.
He was growing increasingly familiar with Lin Beixing’s body.
Slipping into cute little slippers, he headed to the bathroom. After finishing, he carefully wiped—just as Lin Beixing had insisted.
He folded the toilet paper thickly. Ever the gentleman, he kept his gaze respectfully upward.
Come to think of it… Had Lin Beixing even showered over there? When *she* used the toilet, would she look down?
After all this time, had she learned to pee standing up yet?
*Knock, knock.*
Two soft raps came from the door.
Lu Yu knew—the harbinger of doom had arrived.
He prided himself on his calm nerves. When he wasn’t afraid of death, he was invincible.
“Miss, Teacher Gao is already in the music room,” the butler murmured. His voice, low and muffled through the wooden door, carried quiet deference.
“Coming.”
Lu Yu turned the knob. There stood the girl—elegant silhouette framed in the doorway.
Her hair wasn’t tied. Jet-black strands fell naturally, neatly draped over her shoulders.
Without the lively ponytail, the straight hair lent her an aloof air. An unmistakable “keep your distance” aura radiated from her.
The old butler noticed Miss’s unusual demeanor and quickly stepped half a pace aside in the corridor.
Lu Yu’s gaze locked onto the closed music room door. Step by step, he approached.
Today, he’d deliberately chosen long pants—learning from last time’s short-skirt scolding. This time, he played it perfectly safe.
Do, re, mi, fa, sol, la, si…
One, two, three, four, five, six, seven…
He’d memorized the sheet music sequence. Matching notes to keys? Entirely another story.
He pushed open the sponge-padded soundproof door. The woman seated at the piano wore an elegant pencil skirt, legs slightly turned.
She wasn’t playing. Just waiting quietly for Lin Beixing.
Even with his steady mindset, meeting her calm-as-still-water gaze made Lu Yu swallow hard.
“Sit.”
Her tone was casual.
Without checking if he’d settled, she continued matter-of-factly:
“Review today’s progress from last session.”
She lifted a finger toward the sheet music on the stand—silent instruction to begin.
Lu Yu’s palms grew slightly damp. It’d been ages since his heart raced like this.
*Do—*
His fingers gently pressed a key.
This should be sub-bass… then bass, middle, treble…
*Beep beep beep beep beep…*
Calmly, he tapped each key in order.
Teacher Gao crossed her legs, arms folded, eyes fixed squarely on Lu Yu’s face.
“What are you doing?”
“Getting a feel for the keys.”
Lu Yu answered without hesitation.
“No piano lesson yesterday. I was reading all day—hands feel a little rusty.”
He avoided her eyes, unsure if his lies held water.
Head bowed, feigning focus on the keys, he suddenly regretted not tying his hair up.
So hot…
Having long hair draped over the shoulders really was stifling.
His excuse barely passed. Teacher Gao said nothing, just waited quietly.
Lu Yu ran his fingers over the keys twice. Sweat pooled in his palms, nearly dripping onto the ivory.
Good. At least he’d found the notes.
Right now, he felt he could *maybe* manage “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star.”
Yet the sheet music on the stand boldly displayed: ***Summer of Kikujiro***.
Totally different league, for heaven’s sake!
“Can you play from memory now?”
Teacher Gao’s voice cut in, skeptical.
“This piece is still unfamiliar. Hard to play blind… Or have you memorized it?”
Lu Yu stayed silent.
Truth was, sheet music or not—he couldn’t play it.
He lifted his wrist—the girl’s slender, fair wrist—then lowered it gently, fingers settling quietly on the keys.
His posture looked convincing. He’d picked up a thing or two from online tutorials.
Four fingers slightly arched. Thumb pressing down.
All ten fingers positioned just right. He took a deep breath.
Seeing his earnest focus, Teacher Gao sat up straighter.
*Beep beep beep beep…*
What followed was a chaotic, jarring mess.
Shock flashed across her face—then a tight, exasperated laugh.
“Lin Beixing. If you don’t want to learn piano today, tell Mrs. Lin plainly. Don’t waste our time like this.”
In her memory, Lin Beixing had never been this “rebellious.”
She’d always been docile as a lamb. Even struggling with a piece, she’d only play slowly—not recklessly bang the keys.
This was clearly deliberate protest.
*Why protest to me?* Gao thought. *Take it up with Mrs. Lin.*
“…Sorry, Teacher Gao. I can’t.”
Lu Yu braced for the storm—but didn’t want to shame Lin Beixing.
He’d tried his hardest.
But for someone with zero musical talent or experience? Expecting a miracle was pure fantasy.
“What do you mean you can’t—”
“But I’ll study hard!”
Lu Yu moved fast to soothe her mood.
As long as she didn’t tattle to Lin Beixing’s mom, he’d do anything.
First, make grand promises.
Then, sprinkle in some hopeful boasting.
“Today my technique feels off—I can’t hit the right notes. Maybe those online tutorials yesterday threw me off…”
“Teacher Gao, if you don’t mind… could you teach me again? Start from absolute basics? Please?”
His voice softened, mimicking Lin Beixing’s gentle tone, eyes wide with pleading innocence.
He’d used this trick before.
Worked perfectly on Lin Beixing’s mom yesterday.
“You want to restart from beginner level?” The woman’s fine brows furrowed, tone laced with disbelief.
“Mm.” Lu Yu nodded earnestly.
“Hmph… Lin Beixing.” A strained smile tugged at Gao’s lips. Elegant yet sharp, her voice turned stern:
“At this point, do you think restarting is possible? We have no time for games!!”
Her glare sharpened. Lu Yu slowly closed his mouth.
Tsk…
This woman was seriously tough to handle.
