Chapter 82: A Worthy Person

When the music finally ceased, the only thing left in the room was the sound of heavy, ragged breathing.

“That’s all you’ve got?”

“I can’t go on, really, I can’t.”

“I haven’t even used any real strength yet.”

“Young Master, please let me rest for a bit, I really can’t take any more.”

Jiang Sui slumped over the piano, like a broken marionette, her bright eyes dulled, all thanks to Lu Yunze’s relentless efforts.

Lu Yunze stood by her side, silently watching her.

“Jiang Sui, you’re still too lacking in stamina, and this is only your seventh round with me.”

“Young Master, do you really think I can outlast that pianist?”

She knew Lu Yunze had great stamina, but she hadn’t expected it to be this overwhelming. She was already so exhausted she just wanted to lie down and not move, yet Lu Yunze could still go on without even being out of breath.

Watching him leave the Piano Room so composed every day, Jiang Sui couldn’t help but realize just how draining this was on her own strength.

Playing the piano is so tiring…

“Fine, let’s take a break.” Lu Yunze finally decided to let her off the hook for now—after all, Jiang Sui didn’t have to attend the school celebration, so she could just enjoy herself.

Hearing this, Jiang Sui finally breathed a sigh of relief, her sore arms supporting her as she leaned back, draping herself over the bench and lying there motionless.

Chen Yunze, who had been drinking water, glanced at her and suddenly felt his heart speed up.

The little maid, nearly worn out, was limp all over, staring up at the ceiling, her cheeks still flushed red, her lips slightly parted.

Her ample chest rose and fell with each breath, tempting Chen Yunze’s self-control even further.

Such a pitiful, fragile-looking girl really tugged at one’s heartstrings.

But at this moment, Jiang Sui didn’t have any energy to pay attention to Lu Yunze’s expression. All she wanted was a good rest before getting ready to challenge Lu Yunze again.

No, I should change my approach. If this keeps up, my body will collapse before the story’s conclusion.

Jiang Sui was still mindful of the final outcome—she couldn’t die for something like this in the middle of the story.

Just then, something caught her eye at the corner of her vision. She raised her head and saw an upside-down window.

The Black Cat was perched on the windowsill, gently tapping the glass.

Lu Yunze had his back to the window, looking at his phone, so he didn’t notice. The sound was faint, but just loud enough to reach Jiang Sui.

Seeing the Black Cat’s questioning gaze, Jiang Sui immediately sat up.

The Black Cat wouldn’t show up for no reason. It must have come to warn her about something.

A new danger had appeared in the manor—that could only mean Luo Qi was back!

Outside, the Black Cat noticed the change in her expression and immediately pointed at the main door of the Piano Room.

Someone was almost here!

A crisis was upon them!

“What’s wrong?” Lu Yunze noticed Jiang Sui’s expression turn grave.

Jiang Sui didn’t answer him directly. She paused, thinking for a moment before speaking:

“Young Master, whether or not I can make it back alive after this will depend on you.”

“Huh? What do you mean by that?”

Before Chen Yunze could figure out what was going on, Jiang Sui slid off the bench and quickly slipped into the small side room, closing the door tightly behind her.

At that exact moment, the main door of the Piano Room was pushed open and Luo Qi strode in.

“You… Why are you back?”

“Why, are you not surprised at all?”

“Surprised, of course I’m surprised.”

“Really? But your expression doesn’t look like it.”

Indeed, if Luo Qi had come back without saying a word, Lu Yunze would have shown a truly shocked face, but Jiang Sui’s behavior had already tipped him off.

“Weren’t you supposed to go to dance rehearsal today?” Chen Yunze asked.

“I did, but today was just a rehearsal for the Feng Qing Festival, and it ended early.”

Everyone else had plans to go out for a nice meal together, but Luo Qi had chosen to come home. Rather than sit with strangers in a restaurant’s private room, she’d rather come back and listen to Lu Gege play the piano.

She had hurried back, her collar a little disheveled, a few strands of hair stuck to her cheeks.

To be honest, Chen Yunze’s reaction left her somewhat disappointed. She thought he’d be both surprised and happy, but from his expression, it almost looked like she wasn’t welcome.

“Welcome, of course you’re welcome.” Chen Yunze forced a smile and pulled over the chair from the audience row.

“I have lots of time to spend with you this afternoon. Huh? Why is this chair so warm?”

“Ah… that’s because I just sat there,” Chen Yunze said, thinking quickly.

“But doesn’t Lu Gege usually sit on that bench when he plays piano? That’s always been my seat.”

“You’re right, but that chair has long since become mine.”

Behind the partition, Jiang Sui pressed her ear to the door, clearly hearing every word of their conversation.

Why does it sound like I’m eavesdropping?

No, Luo Qi is the real intruder here!

“Well… I was just resting, and you know I enjoy sitting on different chairs for a change of pace.”

“Lu Gege, you’re so strange.”

“You can’t blame me for that, right? Besides, you didn’t tell me you were coming back.”

“Fine, since it’s Lu Gege’s chair, I won’t mind.”

If you don’t mind, I certainly do!

Jiang Sui quietly cracked the door open, peeking at the two of them outside.

Luo Qi kept smiling politely as she spoke with Lu Yunze.

At first, Lu Yunze looked tense, but as time passed, he seemed to relax.

Music began again in the Piano Room, though this time the melody was much softer and lighter than before.

Unlike Jiang Sui, Luo Qi didn’t touch the piano or even show any particular interest; whenever she was the audience, she just sat quietly by the side.

She would sometimes request her favorite pieces and have Lu Yunze play them for her.

Lu Yunze himself didn’t really mind—after all, what difference did it make what music he played?

But… now, sitting alone on the bench felt a little lonely. It seemed as if the temperature around him had dropped.

While playing, Lu Yunze would unconsciously glance toward the side room, as if checking to make sure nothing was amiss over there.

“Lu Gege, why are you making so many mistakes today?”

“…”

Because of Luo Qi’s words, Chen Yunze’s hands stopped moving.

“Don’t you dislike listening to the piano?”

“I do, but I’ve heard you play this piece so many times. Even if I’m clueless, I can tell when you hit the wrong notes.”

It was clearly a well-practiced piece, but Luo Qi always managed to spot the discordant notes in Lu Yunze’s playing. It was truly strange.

“Well, it’s…”

“Lu Gege, are you tired? If you want to rest, you don’t have to force yourself.”

“It’s nothing, I just don’t feel quite myself.”

“So… you’re not in a good state today?”

Luo Qi continued to press the issue.

“Maybe you’re feeling stressed because the school celebration is coming up? Lu Gege, you really should rest. If it’s too much, don’t play such hard pieces. I’ll go see if there are any simpler scores in the side room.”

Side room?!

As Luo Qi stood up, Jiang Sui hurriedly closed the door, glancing nervously around the cramped space.

There wasn’t even anywhere to hide. If Luo Qi came in, she’d be discovered immediately.

What to do now?

Do I just have to tough it out?

Or… could I change tactics and get rid of Luo Qi right in front of Lu Yunze?

If Chen Yunze’s feelings for her turned from love to hate, maybe it would strengthen his resolve. But if that happened, Jiang Sui would never survive to the end!

As Luo Qi drew closer to the side room, Lu Yunze suddenly grabbed her arm.

“Hey, what are you doing?” Luo Qi glanced at his hand, her expression showing a hint of confusion.

“Luo Qi, let’s play together.”

“Huh?”

“Didn’t you want me to take a break?” Lu Yunze’s face didn’t look like he was joking at all. “Stay and play a little with me.”

“But I can’t…”

“It’s fine, just play with me,” Chen Yunze smiled. “Can’t you grant me this one simple request?”

“I… okay, fine…”

Crisis averted.

Jiang Sui slumped against the door, but couldn’t bring herself to smile.

The interrupted piano music resumed, but this time, the piece was no longer progressing smoothly. There was always a note out of place.

It wasn’t hard to guess who was responsible for that.

A piece Lu Yunze could normally play perfectly on his own became a complete mess once Luo Qi joined in.

No, this isn’t even music anymore—it’s just noise!

Jiang Sui didn’t come back to her senses until the first piece ended and the second began.

She carefully opened a crack in the door, quietly watching the two of them.

Lu Yunze and Luo Qi sat side by side, four hands dancing across the keys.

She couldn’t see Lu Yunze’s face, but she could easily imagine his expression—stretched tight with frustration.

“When I played piano with Chen Yunze, it was just like this.”

Recalling what had happened before, Jiang Sui couldn’t help but feel a chill run down her spine.

Back then, whenever she played piano, she had been lost in her own world.

Was Lu Yunze enduring this same cacophony all that time? Yet he never stopped her—he just let her keep playing.

A sudden realization dawned on her, and Jiang Sui let out a long breath.

She looked at the two people once more, the corners of her mouth lifting.

“Not everyone is qualified to sit side by side on the same bench and perform together.”

On a stage for two, only the right partner can make the performance truly satisfying for all.