Mu Xi shook her head in panic, desperate to escape this humiliating place as soon as possible.
“I… I want to go back and change my clothes and take a shower.”
Her voice was so soft it was almost inaudible, barely louder than a whisper.
Ling Yue nodded slightly, indicating her agreement.
“I’ll wait for you. One hour.”
“That won’t be necessary!” Mu Xi blurted out, afraid Ling Yue might misunderstand her intentions.
She only wanted to wash away the stickiness and shame clinging to her, then return and continue practicing—as if that could erase everything that had just happened.
Struggling to get up from the floor, Mu Xi’s legs were still weak, every step feeling as if she were treading on cotton.
She fled the Practice Room in embarrassment, feeling as though Ling Yue’s cold gaze still lingered on her back, prickling her skin.
Mu Xi ran back to her own room.
She rushed into the bathroom, turned on the shower and let the icy water pour down dousing the lingering heat on her body and clearing the fog in her mind.
She washed quickly, changed into clean clothes and not even bothering to dry her hair she hurried back to the Practice Room.
She didn’t want to keep Ling Yue waiting too long, nor did she want to give herself more time to overthink.
When she pushed open the door to the Practice Room again, Ling Yue was still standing by the Steinway Piano, her posture upright as if she had never left.
At the sound of the door opening, Ling Yue turned her head, her gaze sweeping over Mu Xi with the same emotionless calm.
“So fast?” Ling Yue’s voice was still cool and even it was impossible to tell if it was praise or doubt.
“Mm!” Mu Xi nodded firmly, as if that could prove her determination.
She took a deep breath, forcing herself to calm down, casting aside everything from before and throwing herself into practice anew.
Sure enough, when Mu Xi focused all her energy on music, the earlier restlessness and anxiety faded away.
To her surprise, without those distracting thoughts, her learning efficiency soared.
The techniques Ling Yue taught, she could grasp almost instantly and master with just a bit of practice.
The sound of the piano filled the Practice Room once more—crisp, melodious, and smooth, like a mountain spring washing over the heart.
Mu Xi immersed herself in the world of music, her fingers dancing across the black and white keys, each note brimming with vitality and spirit.
Ling Yue stood quietly to the side, listening to Mu Xi’s playing.
At last, a hint of satisfaction flickered in her eyes.
She nodded slightly, the corner of her lips curving in a barely noticeable arc.
Mu Xi’s talent was indeed remarkable, but even more satisfying was her attitude and rapid progress.
“Very good. That’s all for today.” When the piece ended Ling Yue spoke in her usual calm tone.
Mu Xi reluctantly lifted her fingers from the keys, her eyes still filled with thirst for knowledge.
“Ling Yue, Teacher, may I practice a little longer?”
Ling Yue shook her head.
“Step by step. Too much is as bad as too little. Today’s practice is enough; you need to rest.”
Though a little disappointed, Mu Xi understood Ling Yue’s reasoning.
She nodded obediently and began to tidy up the sheet music.
“We’ll continue tomorrow.”
With that, Ling Yue turned and left the Practice Room, her figure still as cool and noble as ever, like an unapproachable ice lotus on a snowy mountain.
Mu Xi watched Ling Yue’s departing silhouette, a swirl of complicated feelings rising in her heart.
She couldn’t understand Ling Yue, nor see through her.
But there was no denying that Ling Yue was an outstanding Teacher—her guidance had benefited Mu Xi immensely.
More importantly, in the world of music, Mu Xi seemed to have found a temporary safe harbor, a place where she could forget her unpleasant reality and find a sliver of peace and happiness for herself.
***
After night fell Mu Xi was feeling bored and restless so she decided to get some fresh air in the Garden.
Tonight, the night was especially enchanting.
A crescent moon hung in the deep blue sky, starlight scattered like spilled diamonds, casting a hazy glow over the Garden.
The rich fragrance of flowers drifted on the night breeze, refreshing and soothing.
The heat of the day had faded, leaving a cool, moist freshness in the Garden.
The fountain still sprayed tirelessly, droplets glimmering in the moonlight, emitting a melodious sound of flowing water.
Mu Xi strolled along the cobblestone path, her gaze sweeping over the shadowy rockeries and stones in the darkness, her mind wandering to that hidden path and the Iron Fence Gate at its end.
‘Did Tuesday really escape through there?’Â
‘Was it really that simple?’
A chilly wind blew by, making Mu Xi’s thin frame shiver, goosebumps rising on her arms.
She instinctively hugged herself, searching for a trace of warmth.
At that moment, a black uniform jacket, cool but carrying a hint of warmth was gently draped over her shoulders from behind.
Startled, Mu Xi turned around and met Li Xin’s deep eyes, which seemed even more profound under the moonlight.
Li Xin stood behind her, short black hair fluttering slightly in the night breeze, her side profile sharp and defined, her eyes still sharp but now tinged with a subtle gentleness.
“It’s cold. Don’t catch a cold.”
Li Xin’s voice was as indifferent as ever, but carried a touch of stiffness, the tips of her ears faintly flushed.
After speaking, she turned her face away and looked elsewhere, as if that fleeting gentleness had been nothing but an illusion.
A small smile played on Mu Xi’s lips, a trace of slyness flashing in her eyes.
She knew Li Xin was shy, and that behind her seemingly cold exterior, she was far less hard-hearted than she appeared.
With a sweet smile and a soft, sticky voice, Mu Xi said, “Thank you, sister Li Xin.”
“Just call me Li Xin.”
Li Xin immediately corrected her, a hint of displeasure in her tone, seemingly dissatisfied with being called “sister”.
“Alright, thank you, Li Xin.” Mu Xi obediently changed her address, her smile growing even brighter, like the most dazzling star in the night sky, instantly lighting up Li Xin’s eyes.
Li Xin felt her heart skip a beat, her cheeks starting to burn.
She forced herself to remain calm, nodding slightly in response.
The two of them strolled side by side through the Garden.
The night was gentle, the fragrance of flowers intoxicating, yet the atmosphere was tinged with subtle awkwardness.
Mu Xi’s eyes darted playfully.
She deliberately slowed her pace, inching closer to Li Xin, her shoulder brushing lightly against Li Xin’s arm from time to time.
Li Xin’s body instantly tensed, every muscle taut, her breathing turning rapid.
She could clearly smell the sweet fragrance wafting from Mu Xi—milk and cream mixed with a faint hint of perfume—an alluring sweetness that made her heart flutter.
Noticing Li Xin’s reaction Mu Xi chuckled inwardly, growing even bolder.
Pretending to stumble she suddenly lost her balance and fell straight toward Li Xin.
“Ah!” Mu Xi cried out, her soft body landing directly in Li Xin’s arms.
By reflex, Li Xin caught Mu Xi securely.
For a moment, with warmth and softness in her embrace, Li Xin’s mind went blank, her heart pounding like a drum, as if it might leap from her chest.
Stiffly holding Mu Xi she was at a complete loss and her usual composure and capability had utterly vanished.