Chapter 63: PERFORMANCE

After Lu Yunze entered the Western Restaurant, an employee who called himself Xiao Li personally came to greet him.

“You must be Mr. Lu that Wu Xuan mentioned, right? Please have a seat first, there’s still some time before work starts.”

Xiao Li was very enthusiastic and took the initiative to lead Lu Yunze to the piano he would be using.

The piano was positioned right in the center of the restaurant, allowing for a perfect view of the surrounding environment.

This restaurant’s piano was clearly not a cheap one. The moment Lu Yunze approached it, he could tell at a glance.

The surface of the black piano was smooth and finely crafted, without a speck of dust. The bone-white keys felt cool and smooth like jade.

In just a few minutes, I’ll be performing here.

Lu Yunze glanced around. The customers’ attention was not focused on him yet, and he wondered how many would be drawn in once they heard the piano.

Unlike those prodigies who started practicing piano from childhood, Lu Yunze began much later. As a result, he rarely participated in competitions and at most embarrassed himself at school recitals.

When performing in front of classmates at school, Lu Yunze could ignore their gazes as long as he gave his best.

But this time was different.

Wu Xuan had entrusted him, there was a reward afterward, and the audience was so close. The pressure immediately settled on Lu Yunze’s shoulders.

Now he could understand why so many musicians complained about the heavy pressure.

Just as he intended to sit at the piano and test its tone, a figure suddenly approached him.

Before Lu Yunze could even look up, a finely crafted drink was placed in front of him.

“This is for you.”

“The manager insisted—thank you for your hard work.” The female employee lowered her voice, making her usually crisp tone husky.

“This kind of coffee…”

The woman wearing a hat said this and quickly left. Lu Yunze picked up the drink and took a light sip.

Tasty. It doesn’t seem like some cheap menu item. I didn’t expect the manager to be so nice. Even as a temp, there’s free drinks.

After finishing the drink, Lu Yunze put on his headphones and listened to the piece he would perform, letting himself relax.

Don’t be nervous, Lu Yunze. It’s just playing piano in a different place.

When you first touched the piano, wasn’t it to perform well in front of others? Now that an opportunity is right in front of you, don’t waste it.

Think about what those who have high hopes for you said before you left.

The Head Maid said: “Young Master, go early and come back early. Be careful on the road.”

Beep—a very standard line, but thanks anyway.

The Head Chef said: “Young Master, work hard. I’ve made the desserts Little Aunt loves and will wait for you.”

Lu Yunze wasn’t sure when Luo Yao started liking sweets, but desserts sounded good.

Luo Yao said: “Lu Gege, good luck. I’ll be there to support you.”

Though Luo Yao said that, she left early, probably changing her mind and going to hang out with her close girlfriends.

Lastly, Jiang Sui said: “Little Miss didn’t let me follow Young Master, but if you want, I’ll always be by your side.”

Such a normal statement that it actually made Lu Yunze feel it was abnormal.

Still, nothing happened on the road. Maybe this time she really will stay obediently at home?

Thinking this, Lu Yunze’s mood finally calmed.

This piano performance isn’t so scary. Just finish it quickly and go home—there are so many people waiting for me.

After resting for a while, the employee Xiao Li came up and told Lu Yunze he could start working.

After nodding in response, Lu Yunze opened his eyes, adjusted his posture, and sat upright in front of the piano.

Because this was work, he had specially dressed sharply today so he wouldn’t look a mess.

He unfolded the music score and placed it on the piano. Lu Yunze raised his arm, then let it fall.

Fingers touching the keys, a melodious tune immediately spread out.

Considering the dining atmosphere, Lu Yunze deliberately chose a piece with a slow rhythm. Paired with the warm tones of the restaurant’s decor, it created a uniquely gentle ambiance.

As the music rippled out like waves, the customers gradually began to notice the piano performance.

Some stopped their conversations to discuss the moving melody. Others even stood up from their seats to look for the source of the music.

Customers passing by Lu Yunze even took out their phones to take photos, capturing his focused expression.

The surrounding noise didn’t enter Lu Yunze’s ears at all. At this moment, his full attention was on the piano in front of him.

This piano’s keys were heavier than he expected, requiring considerable strength each time he pressed. Yet he didn’t find it troublesome. After getting used to it, he even thought the piano’s touch was very satisfying.

The air conditioning hummed quietly, but after one piece, sweat had already started to form on Lu Yunze.

He didn’t stop and immediately started the second piece, then the third after that.

There were two reasons he couldn’t stop. One was that this was work—if he stopped without permission, he might get scolded.

The other was that he was completely absorbed and simply couldn’t stop.

After playing several pieces in a row, Lu Yunze finally stopped to catch his breath, his fingers aching.

I accidentally got carried away. Hopefully, I didn’t mess up too badly? Just a couple mistakes won’t get anyone to nitpick.

Lu Yunze was about to take a sip of water from his bag when two girls wearing ponytails and full of energy rushed over.

He thought they might be here to complain, but instead, they asked for a photo.

Seeing their expectant faces, Lu Yunze, whose brain hadn’t quite caught up, nodded and agreed.

“Handsome guy, you play piano so well. How about we exchange contacts? I’m interested in piano too.”

They even wanted to exchange contact info, but Lu Yunze refused outright.

There were already two troublesome women at home. If the Maids found out he was adding other girls outside, it would be a bloodbath.

At this moment, Xiao Li also came over, carrying a plate of freshly baked cookies.

“Mr. Chen, thank you for your hard work. Have some. We employees often make small snacks ourselves.”

“Alright.”

Lu Yunze pinched a cookie to try the taste.

“Tastes pretty good. You have nice treatment here, drinks and cookies.”

“Drinks…” Xiao Li paused, “The treatment’s okay, but service jobs are really tiring. We often have colleagues quitting.”

“That sounds rough.”

After Xiao Li left, Lu Yunze sat alone to rest for a while before someone else approached.

“Handsome guy, want to take a photo?”

“Sure, but no exchanging contacts.”

Just as Lu Yunze was putting away his phone, he received another message—it was still from Jiang Sui.

What did she send me?

Opening it, Lu Yunze was stunned.

The photos were all of himself, taken while he was playing piano—shots from far away to close-up expressions, every angle covered, meticulously detailed!

He looked up at the female employee beside him, who simply took off her hat. Her long, flowing hair, the faint purple color shimmering, left Lu Yunze speechless.

“Jiang…”

“Young Master, I told you before, as long as you want, I’ll always be by your side.”

The little Maid stuck out her small pink tongue.

“I bought you that drink, it was delicious.”