The quiet and soulful sound of the ancient zither lingered in the air.
Suddenly, a long cry echoed, and the music abruptly stopped.
The audience remained immersed in the vast and profound atmosphere it evoked.
Suddenly, someone shouted loudly.
The crowd snapped out of their reverie, stood up, and began applauding.
Su Qingnuan’s cheeks blushed as she watched them applaud for her, her lips curling upward uncontrollably.
Su Qingnuan rose, bowed to the audience below, then turned and left the backstage.
After stepping off the stage, Su Qingnuan noticed Fu Yixing standing in the waiting area.
His expression was grim, and the way he stared at Su Qingnuan was as cold and ruthless as a serpent.
Su Qingnuan instinctively took a step back. "Second Young Master."
"Why wasn’t it the piano?" Fu Yixing asked sternly.
Su Qingnuan smiled faintly. "I just happened to see the zither and wanted to give it a try."
"Give it a try?" Fu Yixing sneered coldly. "So you mean to tell me you’re a musical genius? That for an instrument you’ve never touched before, you can play it so effortlessly?"
Su Qingnuan’s complexion turned pale as she looked at him nervously.
Fu Yixing stepped forward, forcing Su Qingnuan to retreat.
"Your behavior right now is deception!" Fu Yixing said icily. "Su Yuerou has never learned the zither. You’re not Su Yuerou!"
Su Qingnuan froze, rooted to the spot.
"Speak! Who are you?"
Was she about to be exposed just like that?
Su Qingnuan looked at the aggressive Fu Yixing, his gaze filled with suspicion, and abruptly lowered her head.
"I... My sister." Su Qingnuan clasped her hands tightly. "My sister Su Qingnuan – she knows the zither. It was my sister who taught me how to play."
Fu Yixing paused slightly, staring at Su Qingnuan with doubt.
Su Qingnuan raised her head, her gaze firm as she met Fu Yixing’s eyes.
After a moment, Fu Yixing stepped back. "You better not be lying!"
Watching Fu Yixing storm off, Su Qingnuan let out a slow breath.
If Fu Yixing went elsewhere to inquire whether Su Qingnuan could play the zither, the answer would undoubtedly be yes.
Su Jia was already on the same boat as her now; they would certainly speak up for her.
Thinking of this, Su Qingnuan pressed a hand to her chest, gently comforting herself.
After calming her emotions, Su Qingnuan left the waiting area and headed straight to the third floor.
Inside the VIP room on the third floor, there wasn’t a single person.
Su Qingnuan stopped in her tracks.
"Who are you looking for?"
A familiar voice sounded, and Su Qingnuan turned to look.
She spotted Fu Yihan seated in a wheelchair, approaching her slowly.
Su Qingnuan hurried over, moving behind Fu Yihan to push his wheelchair.
"Why don’t I see anyone?" Su Qingnuan asked doubtfully. "Where’s Grandpa? Why are you the only one here?"
Fu Yihan frowned and replied coldly, "You talk too much."
Su Qingnuan immediately shut her mouth, but the confusion in her eyes remained.
Fu Yihan adjusted his clothes and said, "Let’s go downstairs."
Su Qingnuan glanced back at the empty VIP room and tucked away her many questions, pushing Fu Yihan toward the elevator.
Before the elevator doors opened, Su Qingnuan spotted numerous reporters outside through the glass.
Their cameras flashed incessantly.
Su Qingnuan hesitated momentarily, squinting her eyes, and she dared not step forward.
Fu Yihan turned back to look at her hesitation.
"If you’re afraid to look, then close your eyes."
The icy, emotionless tone rang out.
Su Qingnuan lowered her gaze and replied softly, "I can handle it."
She pushed Fu Yihan forward, exerting a little more strength.
"Mr. Fu, is this your newlywed wife?"
"We heard that Madam made quite an impression at the music performance. Does she plan to enter the music industry?"
Su Qingnuan frowned, bowing her head as she moved forward.
If it weren’t for the bodyguards on either side, the reporters might have swarmed them.
After narrowly escaping the circle of reporters, they were immediately greeted by Fu family members.
The elder Fu noticed that Fu Yihan had safely come out, turned around, and got into the car. The others followed suit.
Only one person stood by the car, watching them thoughtfully.
Su Qingnuan lowered her head as their gazes met.
"Big Brother, you were truly impressive today!" Fu Yixing said mockingly. "Not only yourself, but even Sister-in-law helped you shine."
Fu Yihan glanced at him indifferently and asked nonchalantly, "What? Are you jealous?"
"How could I dare!" Fu Yixing’s lips curved in an eerie smile. "You’re my eldest brother. Your success is the Fu family’s success. Your happiness is the Fu family’s happiness. How could I possibly dare?"
Fu Yihan remained composed, his frosty expression unchanged. "Good that you understand."
With that, he looked straight ahead and said coldly, "Let’s go."
Su Qingnuan’s lips curved upward, her tone cheerful.
Fu Yixing watched the two walk away, his eyes reddened slightly with anger, his gaze seething.
As the two casually got into the car, no one noticed his expression at all.
Sitting in the car, Su Qingnuan felt uneasy.
She hadn’t changed out of her performance outfit after leaving the stage. Wearing it now, sitting in the car, felt particularly awkward.
The silk skirt clung to her legs or caught under her feet, refusing to cooperate no matter how much she adjusted.
"Do you have ADHD?" The cool voice rang beside her, causing Su Qingnuan to pause and glance sideways.
Fu Yihan appeared to be resting his eyes, as if those words hadn’t come from him.
Su Qingnuan straightened her posture, not daring to fidget.
Noticing her quiet obedience, Fu Yihan squinted slightly and looked over.
She hung her head, her face full of worry.
Her thick, curled eyelashes fluttered like butterfly wings.
Her delicate features were free of heavy makeup, the soft hues enhancing her complexion, making her look even more vibrant.
Just based on her appearance alone, she was far superior to Su Yuerou.
Fu Yihan withdrew his gaze and closed his eyes again.
Amid Su Qingnuan’s unease, the car finally stopped in front of the Fu family residence.
Su Qingnuan got out and stood to the side, waiting for Fu Yihan to settle himself into his wheelchair before pushing him inside.
The elder Fu waited at the entrance and spoke as they approached, "Yihan, have you thought about the matter I discussed with you a few days ago?"
Fu Yihan stayed silent.
Seeing him pause, Su Qingnuan followed suit.
Fu Yihan frowned. "What are you doing?"
Su Qingnuan hesitated, then said softly, "Grandfather seems to have something he’d like to say to you."
The elder Fu glanced at Su Qingnuan in surprise before turning to Fu Yihan, gripping the wheelchair’s armrest. His tone turned stern. "Since you could attend today’s music recital, why can’t you attend the gathering? How much longer are you going to avoid it?"
Fu Yihan glanced at him indifferently. "Whether I go or not doesn’t matter. Isn’t Fu Yixing still around? Let him go."
"Fu Yihan!" The elder Fu raised his voice. "Do you even hear yourself? I’ve been pouring my efforts into cultivating you, and this is your response? How can you repay my dedication ?"