14.12

Zhou Yunsheng won the Junior Piano Competition with undisputed strength, but many people thought that he was much more than that, and that he should be the overall winner of the competition. The local press in Vienna tried to interview him, but the next day they learned that he had returned home early due to ill health. That was a shame.

Zhou Yunsheng was not only a hit abroad, he was also on fire at home, the electronic screens on most flights and buses were replaying the scenes from his competitions over and over again, and the focus was on the editing of the standing ovation of the entire audience at the end of the performance, with a particularly moving picture of a pale face with tears streaming down its face. A music critic said: if Xue Zixuan is a national treasure piano player, then Xue Jingyi is a treasure, although Xue Zixuan has become famous at the age of 13, but he could never have such a skillful technique and shocking musical expression at the age of 16.

The major mainstream media in the country highly praised his last performance, calling it a play back in time, and there were even netizens in the Levin Empire who put together a precious video history of Ivanov’s playing to compare it with his, and the two of them showed amazing consistency in terms of both technique and emotional commitment. How exactly a young girl living in the era of peace resonated with Ivanov in the midst of war was a mystery that they could only explain with the word ‘talent’, no matter what, talent was the deciding factor in determining how far a person could go on the path of art.

Some people spend their entire lives as unknowns, while others become famous at home and abroad by the time they are ten years old, and one can’t help but be impressed.

Wearing a hoodie and black ultra-glasses, Zhou Yunsheng returned to the Xue home under the escort of Xue Zixuan. Xue Jingyi was hiding in her room watching the video of him when he participated in the finals, her fingertips nervously clicking the fast forward, slow forward, rewind, and pause buttons, her eerie gaze unable to stare a hole in the TV screen.

“Jing Yi, the letter you were waiting for has arrived.” Xue Rui pulled open the door to his room and raised several envelopes in his hand.

“Is it an acceptance letter from the Curtis Institute of Music?” Xue Jingyi immediately turned off the television.

“Not only, there is the Juilliard School, the Rochester Conservatory of Music, the Chinese National Music Academy ……, just take your pick.” Xue Rui does not know about these things, after receiving the acceptance letter with Baidu to check, know that these are the top international colleges, unusual people test for a lifetime also have no opportunity, but Huang Yi only played three piano songs to easily handle. He has some skills.

Xue Jingyi grabbed a bunch of acceptance letters and opened them one by one. She was secretly surprised on one side and apprehensive on the other, seeing Huang Yi displaying such amazing talent, she now felt her chest suffocating and her fingers trembling even sitting on the piano bench, not to mention playing the piano. Her fear and scorn of him had already penetrated deep into her bones.

“Father, Dr. Zhang said that I’m almost done with my conditioning, when are you going to schedule my surgery?” She pretended to inquire carelessly.

In order to prevent her from showing resistance, Xue Rui never told her that he was going to dig up Huang Yi’s heart, only hinting in his words that the donor had already been found, so that she could recuperate at ease. These days she went to bed early and woke up early, ate and drank well, trying to restore herself to her best state, conscious that she could already withstand the risks of a heart transplant. She craved Huang Yi’s heart fervently, like a demon, and she firmly believed that all the amazing talents he possessed were hidden in the heart, and that getting it would give her everything Huang Yi had.

“Tomorrow daddy will take you to the hospital for a physical examination, and if the doctor feels it’s okay, we’ll operate right away.” Xue Rui lovingly patted and caressed the top of his daughter’s hair.

“So if the doctor gives the nod, when’s the earliest the surgery can take place? I want to live.” She clenched her fists hard.

“Probably the day after tomorrow, the donor is fresh anyway, just pick it up whenever you want.” Xue Rui said the cruelest words in a flat and uninteresting tone.

That means I can get Huang Yi’s heart the day after tomorrow? Xue Jingyi’s lips trembled with excitement just thinking about this. She barely managed to compose herself as she carefully placed the several acceptance letters back into their envelopes.

Speak of the devil, and the devil arrives, as the butler’s voice came from downstairs to say hello to Dani Xue Li and Xue Zixuan.

“Your-mom is back, go down and look.” Xue Rui was going to go to assist his daughter, but his cell phone rang, so he walked to a quiet corner to answer it. Xue Jingyi didn’t care about him, quickly ran down the stairs, flew into Xue Li Danyi’s arms, followed by trying to embrace Xue Zixuan, and was pushed away.

“Jingyi, are you feeling better? Surprisingly, you trotted all the way down.” Xue Li Dani was very surprised.

In order to transplant my heart as soon as possible, can she be bad? Zhou Yunsheng snorted inwardly and nodded slightly at Xue Jing Yi to count as a greeting. Xue Jing Yi also had no intention of getting close to him. There was only a few days left anyway, there was no need to put on a show, she had long gotten tired of his presence.

“Recently, my body has gotten much better, tomorrow I will go to the hospital for a physical examination.” Xue Jing Yi raised the pile of letters in her hand and spoke joyfully, “Mom, what do you see here?”

“It’s an acceptance letter from the Curtis Institute of Music? Yay, how come there’s also Julia?” Xue Li Danni took over and looked through them one by one with a very surprised expression. Here was a collection of acceptance letters from almost all of the world’s top conservatories, and all of them were written and issued by the dean himself, with enthusiastic words, and even offered high scholarships. There was no doubt that the object of their competition was the young man behind them, who had conquered the world with his talent.

Xue Li Dani glanced quickly at the teenager with a very complicated gaze.

“Mom, which college do you think I should choose? I originally liked Curtis, but now I think Julia is good too. Can you give me some advice? Brother, what do you think?” Xue Jingyi lovingly tugged at the hem of Xue Zixuan’s coat, which he brushed away.

“What kind of conservatory did you go to? Did you win these acceptance letters on your own merit? If not, then practice your piano and don’t have these unrealistic daydreams.”

His words choked Xue Jing Yi to the point where her eyes turned red, Xue Li Dani rebuked ”You child” and hurriedly took her daughter into her arms to comfort her.

The atmosphere in the living room was stagnant, and Zhou Yunsheng’s words made the crowd freeze collectively even more, “I want to go to a music academy too, is that okay?”

“No can do! (No way!)” Xue Li Dani and Xue Jing Yi screamed in unison.

Zhou Yunsheng revealed a hurt expression, his already white – fair cheeks were nearly transparent at this time.

“They mean not now. You’ve just replaced Jing Yi in the competition, and now you’re using your own name to enroll in the music academy, the competition replacement will be easily exposed. For the sake of Jing Yi’s future, it’s best for you to wait a while, I’ll help you make arrangements after Jing Yi has been enrolled for a full year.” Xue Rui, who hurried downstairs, explained in a kind voice.

Seeing that the teenager didn’t speak, he became more and more patient and graceful, ”Xiaoyi ah, you’re Jing Yi’s only relative, you can’t bear to badmouth her reputation? You are still young, one year is not a long time, it will be over in the blink of an eye. Also, just now I received a call from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, saying that the head of the Levin Empire named you to play ‘My Empire’ at the upcoming 10-nation summit next week. Instead of spending your time on exams, why don’t you practice hard and maybe even get an audience with the country’s leaders, don’t you think so.” Toward the end, Xue Rui’s eyes were glowing.

It finally came. Zhou Yunsheng sighed within his heart. The reason why he acted in such a high profile at the competition was to make a name for himself, and secondly, to fight for the opportunity to play this time. In her previous life, Xue Jingyi had shone at the competition and had received an invitation to perform from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs afterward. She and Xue Zixuan had played “Memories of Don Juan” and “My Empire” respectively, and due to the sudden onset of her heart-disease, she had endured heart-breaking pains to complete the performance, and the fear of dying and the strong desire to live had caused her to burst out with extremely strong spiritual power while playing, infecting everyone in the audience.

After bending down to thank the curtain, she fell softly on the stage, and this picture was broadcast live, making her instantly popular all over the world, and since then she has opened a splendid and brilliant life. Her strength won the national leader’s high praise, and then even personally went to the hospital to visit. As a result, Xue Rui hitched a ride in the center of power of a few big names, business is doing well, the Xue family family are set aside to set up their own business, become the leader of the emerging class of China. Their scenery unlimited more set off Zhou Yunsheng’s miserable sadness. This life once again, Zhou Yunsheng a long time ago intended to stir up Xue Jingyi and Xue Zixuan this opportunity.

“But I don’t want to wait, I want to go to school now.” He spoke word for word, “When I came here, you guys have been making me wear the exact same hairstyle as Jingyi, wear the exact same clothes, and even attend banquets and competitions instead of her. Jing Yi said that she wanted to leave a trace of her existence in the world, and I did the same. But what you’re doing makes me feel like you’re erasing the value of my existence and making me a shadow of Shizuyi. I won’t go to the show, even if I do, it will be in my own name. I want to live in a dignified manner, no longer need to wear these misogynistic clothes and wear this kind of hairstyle that is neither feminine nor masculine. I am Huang Yi, not Xue Jin Yi!” The words fell out as she turned around and ran out.

Xue Rui never expected that the usually well-behaved and obedient teenager would know how to resist today, and quickly waved his hand for the housekeeper and nurse to go after him. Xue Zixuan threw away his luggage and ran out like the wind.

The teenager’s feet stumbled, because of the competition, recently lost a lot of weight again, the white shirt was lifted by the wind, more and more he looked thin and small, as if in the blink of an eye he would disappear. Xue Zixuan panicked, running while loudly calling his name.

He was about to catch up, but a car came around the corner, and the teenager saw the license plate number and immediately pulled open the door and jumped in.

It’s Xue Yan, he’s back. Xue Zixuan stared at the tail lights of the drifting away car with a wooden expression.

—————-

“Finally, we’re out of that devil’s den. Luckily, I was resourceful and brought out the small backpack with me.” Zhou Yunsheng lay on Xue Yan’s lap and panted straight, his fingers not honestly poking the muscles on his leg.

“Wrong place.” Xue Yan took hold of his wrist and led him towards a more private – intimate place to explore.

Zhou Yunsheng face red, followed by revenge pinch, see the man revealed seemingly painful seemingly joyful look, only then grinned and went to kiss his thin lips. The two have not been together for a long time, suddenly quite lingering, the car steadily parked in the villa side, Xue Lao Si waited for ten minutes, pinch the point and said, “Kissed for half an hour, almost have to. Everyone just got off the plane, have not eaten dinner, eat your two can also do some physical work, why consume in the car, and uncomfortable.”

“You have a point.” Zhou Yunsheng jumped out of the car with his small bag, then bent down to carry his lover out.

If not seen with his own eyes, Xue Laoshi would not have believed that the slender teenager would be able to pick up the tall boss so easily. The boss was at least 85 kilograms, a standard that could be described as a big man, and the image of the teenager’s little sheep was completely at the opposite end of the spectrum. However, now, the skinny and slender little sheep was effortlessly holding a beast in his arms, or a princess hug, that image was too beautiful, Xue Laoshi did not really dare to look at it.

He took the wheelchair out of the trunk and pushed it to the teenager’s feet, running into the house with his head down for fear of being killed by his boss if he looked at him more than once.

“Put me down, how long are you going to carry me?” Seeing that the teenager did not even look at the wheelchair and walked straight forward, Xue Yan reminded in a deep voice.

“You’re my Unami.” Zhou Yunsheng opened his mouth without a clue.

Unfortunately, Xue Yan couldn’t get the highlights of that sentence at all.

Zhou Yunsheng had to smile and add, “So that I can hold you in the palm of my hand.” The words bared a mouthful of large white teeth.

Xue Yan held his forehead, wanted to laugh but tried his best to hold it back, pinched the teenager’s naughty lips hard and said slowly, “I’m going to Germany in a few months to have an operation.”

“Planning to treat your leg? Got your pride hurt by me hugging you around?”

“No, it has nothing to do with dignity. When the performance was over and many people stood up to applaud you, I could only sit. When leaving the venue Xue Zixuan was able to escort you in his arms through the crowd, again I could only sit. Because of these crippled legs, I can do very little for you, but in the future you will have to pay a lot for me, so I want to cure it.” Love could make people stronger, and Xue Yan wanted to become the strongest man in the world right now, so that he could protect his most precious treasure.

“Actually, you’ve already paid a lot for me.” Zhou Yunsheng lowered his head to kiss his lover, the corners of his eyes slightly reddening.

———–

“I’ll cook dinner tonight, you guys watch some TV first.” Helping his lover change into his housecoat, put on his slippers, and carry them downstairs to the sofa, Zhou Yunsheng walked into the kitchen to look through the refrigerator.

“Will you do it?” Xue Lao Si revealed an expression of extreme distrust.

“Don’t forget that I’m a left-behind child, I wouldn’t even know how to cook long before I starved to death.” Zhou Yunsheng took out the ingredients that needed to be used one by one and then put on his apron.

“To be honest, you are not at all like the left-behind children recorded in the materials. More like a luxurious nobleman, sometimes like an artist, in short, both on the outside and the inside, you are very capable of bluffing and overpowering many young talents. Are you really Huang Yi herself?” Xue Lao Si leaned against the kitchen doorway, his eyes all skeptical.

“Whatever you think, I am me anyway.” Zhou Yunsheng snorted, seeing Xue Yan maneuvering his wheelchair over, he hurriedly pulled the door shut and reprimanded, “What’s there to see in cooking, stay to the side.”

Xue Laoshi rubbed his – flattened nose and pushed his boss into the living room.

Zhou Yunsheng’s cooking skills proved to be very good, a few small home-cooked dishes were neatly placed on the dining table with a compelling aroma. Xue Laoshi was so hungry that he sighed in admiration while taking a big bite. Zhou Yunsheng himself did not care to eat, as much as to Xue Yan bowl clip food, Xue Yan is also busy to him clip, the two chopsticks several times in the air to hold, issued a crisp collision sound, followed by two people happy low laughter.

“Eating is eating, what’s with the show of love?” Xue Lao Si scoffed at this.

“I haven’t even started the show yet, and you can’t stand it?” Zhou Yunsheng rolled his eyes, put the empty dishes in the dishwasher, and took three cupcakes out of the oven and brought them out on a tray.

“Dessert, just baked a little hot, eat slowly.” He deliberately emphasized the words ‘eat slowly’.

But Xue Laoshi didn’t even listen and picked up the cake and swallowed it in two bites.

Zhou Yunsheng immediately covered his lover’s mouth and warned, “Don’t learn from him, beware of choking to death.”

Since Xue Yan listened to his daughter-in-law in everything, he took a small bite from the side and slowly chewed. Zhou Yunsheng rested his hands on his cheeks, his eyes focused, seeing his lover bite after bite, he couldn’t help but stretch his neck towards the paper cup, his heart muttering: why haven’t you eaten yet?

Just at this time, Xue Yan’s mouth issued a thumping sound, the incisors were some kind of hard – thing avalanche, take out a look, is actually a man diamond ring.

Zhou Yunsheng laughed cheerfully, and while putting the diamond ring into his ring finger, he said, “I saw the news report that someone had choked his lover to death in order to propose to him like this, and I was worried that you would also suffer a tragedy. If you didn’t choke to death, let’s get married without choking to death, don’t waste your life.” He then looked at Xue Laoshi, who was covering his mouth to stifle his laughter, “Do you think it’s the right thing to do?”

“That’s the rationale.” Old Xue nodded furiously, his cheeks suffocating.

Xue Yan stared at the diamond ring for a moment, not knowing how to react. The sudden great happiness washed over him.

“Do you promise? If you promise we’ll host a few tables of wine, get on the family tree, and take advantage of the few days we have free to send out the invitations. Old Attack, give a definite word.” Zhou Yunsheng wrapped his arms around his lover’s neck and bit him on the ear, his playful expression particularly owe-fucked. Xue Yan stiffened and turned his head, now wanting to hold him down on the dining table and enter him ruthlessly, how could he be so inviting?

Xue Laoshi was amused by the phrase ‘old attack’ and burst out laughing, hurriedly covering his mouth and running outside. No wonder he said just now that he hadn’t begun to show his love, but this time he was really blinded by his titanium alloy dog’s eyes.

“Brother, tomorrow I’ll bring over a few styles of invitations, you guys can pick them out piece by piece, I have something to do later, I’ll leave first.”

The door slammed shut, and Xue Yan immediately picked up the teenager and pressed him against his swollen hardness, nibbling on his red, moist lips in an extremely rough manner. Love him, the only thing he wanted to do now was to love him fiercely.

———————–

Xue Zixuan returned home and headed upstairs without a word.

“Where’s Huang Yi?” Xue Rui pursued anxiously.

“Picked up by Xue Yan.”

“Against all odds! If I hadn’t brought him back, would he have a good life now? A white-eyed wolf, trying to use Xue Yan to pressure me! I won’t accept that! Jing Yi, if he doesn’t go, you go, the performance at the Ten Countries Summit is very important, so work harder and practice more in these few days.” Xue Rui commanded as a matter of course. Although both Xue Li Dani and Xue Zixuan were among the top musicians in China, he himself had no interest in music at all, and didn’t understand the difference between the same piano piece being played by a different person-playing it. This year coincides with the 70th anniversary of the victory in the anti-fascist war, and the predecessor of the ten-nation summit is the anti-fascist alliance, “My Empire” is a mandatory performance of the repertoire, which is of great practical significance, and must not be excused. As Huang Yi was invited, he was also able to use his light to get an invitation so that he could attend the reception on the last night. This was an opportunity for him to get rid of his family and move to a higher level, so he could not miss it no matter what. So whether it was Huang Yi or Xue Jing Yi, one of the two had to go on stage anyway.

“What did you say? Are you crazy? How can Jing Yi she!” Xue Li Dani lost her voice and screamed. What level was that for a teenager? Throwing it back to Europe in the last century was also the top piano player, enough to compete with giants such as Sears, could it be something that Xue Jingyi could casually replace? Moreover, if he was to play such epic masterpieces as My Empire, Xue Jingyi might not even be able to hold on for a single bar.

No one knew better than her how much her daughter really weighed; she had talent, but unless a miracle happened, she could never reach Huang Yi’s heights.

“I advise you to give up this stupid idea. Xue Jingyi can’t.” Xue Zixuan headed upwards without looking back. He was simply too tired, and the teenager’s accusation echoed back and forth in his mind, declaring that he was already aware of the Xue family’s conspiracy, or else he wouldn’t have uttered such spot-on words as ‘let me become Jing Yi’s shadow’. He had actually been very uneasy all along, right? That’s why he suddenly exploded. What should I do now? How can I pacify him and bring him back to my side?

Other than this, Xue Zixuan couldn’t consider anything else.

Xue Jingyi originally wanted to refuse, but when she heard her mother and elder brother’s unanimous denials, her good nature suddenly bubbled up and she nodded her head, “Dad, I can give it a try.” Wasn’t it just “My Empire”? With just a bit of intensive practice, she could play it as well.

“Good daughter, dad doesn’t believe that you can’t play what Huang Yi can play. Isn’t it just pressing the keys according to the five line score, it’s so simple.” Xue Rui waved his hand carelessly.

Xue Li Dani was speechless, and Xue Zixuan turned back and stared at the father and daughter with an incredulous gaze.

“This is a recital for the Ten Nation Summit, if something goes wrong it will result in a political accident. Xue Jingyi, you have to think clearly, this is not the time to show off. With your level, you won’t be able to catch up with Xiaoyi even if you practice for another ten years.” Listening carefully, there was a hint of contempt implied in his indifferent tone.

“Yes, our family will be held accountable if we don’t play well, Jing Yi, don’t fool around.” Xue Li Dani went to pull her daughter.

“I’m not fooling around, you guys give me a few days, I’ll just practice.” Xue Jingyi was very stubborn. The more her mother and elder brother discouraged her, the more they provoked her rebelliousness. These days she hadn’t touched the piano, but in her dreams, she would become like Huang Yi, wearing a black tuxedo and sitting in the center of the hall dancing her fingertips to her heart’s content, and when she woke up, that feeling of unrestrained joy was so real that it called to her to be able to reminisce about it for the whole day. She thought this must be her future self, a better self than Huang Yi.

She was so convinced that she was unwilling to listen to anyone.

Xue Rui was assured and immediately urged her to go to the piano room.

“Go on, let me see your caliber.” Xue Zixuan raised his lips, finally revealing an obvious look of contempt. This sister, he used to like her very much, but she kept using Xiao Yi, squeezing Xiao Yi, using Xiao Yi’s talent to satisfy her own vanity, all sorts of behaviors gradually wore away this fondness. Her heart was already controlled by ugly selfish desires, and she could no longer play pure music, he could conclude this from her cloudy eyes alone.

Xue Jingyi rushed to the piano room and sat in front of the piano, taking deep breaths and desperately searching for the feeling she had when she became Huang Yi in her dream. I am Huang Yi, there is no tune in the world that can be difficult for me. She secretly hypnotized herself, not realizing that the reality has been reversed, Huang Yi is not her shadow, day after day of shock and suppression, she has become Huang Yi’s shadow, all the pride and self-confidence has been crushed completely, and replaced by paranoia and inferiority complex, once touching the piano, these paranoia and inferiority complex will erupt like a mountain torrent.

She found some inspiration, glancing at the sheet music and pressing a few keys, glancing at the sheet music and pressing a few more keys, playing a sparse, out-of-tune melody.

Not only did Xue Zixuan and Xue Li Dani frown greatly, even Xue Rui was confused. This was the level of his daughter? He remembered that she wasn’t like this before!

Xue Jingyi played to the second section and could no longer play, at this point the tune had already been completely distorted, like a cat jumped to the keys in fear and pressed the keys randomly, the melody was not regular, not to mention that it was not pleasant to listen to, but rather, it was like noise. After struggling for a while, she finally stopped slowly and looked towards her parents and elder brother.

She wasn’t Huang Yi after all, and couldn’t do Huang Yi’s swagger and follow her heart.

“Jing Yi, tell me honestly if you can do it. I’ve already promised the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and they’ve submitted the program, you telling me now that you can’t will get me killed you know?” Xue Rui realized the seriousness of the matter and instantly turned blue.