Chapter 119
Note: Early release. Thank you kassilph for your support on Ko-Fi! ٩(ˊᗜˋ*)و
Mu Cai, leading two children - one big and one small, with Lin Ling following him, entered the living room of the small building.
He was planning to spend some time with these two kids, so naturally, he needed to ask for a leave from his teacher - Pei Jingyun. Mu Cai just met this teacher and was testing his violin skills when his phone started ringing non-stop, dragging him away.
Now, he was holding the chubby little girl with his right hand and the tall and thin young boy with the other, while having an apologetic smile on his face. "I apologize, Teacher, for interrupting the practice session -- someone was looking for me. These two kids are visiting for the first time today, and they want to play with me. May I continue practicing with you in the afternoon? I will make up for the time missed out in the morning later today."
As Mu Cai spoke, he gave a small bow to the newly arrived teacher. Being very good looking, extraordinarily polite, and having elegant mannerism, along with proficient violin playing skills, the female teacher who guided him to participate in the Queen's International Violin Competition generously agreed. She affirmed, "Certainly. Mr. Mu, your skill with the violin is already excellent. You don't actually need much guidance from me."
The tutors words were sincere and heartfelt. But by the end, she couldn't help but feel a bit guilty.
Although Mu Cai's violin piece had to be terminated midway last time, the female teacher — being the chief violinist of the Capital Symphony Orchestra and a former champion of the Queen's International Violin Competition — could of course see that his skills were extremely high, surpassing even her own, to the level of a solo violinist. For Mu Cai, such a competition was nothing more than a chance to buff his resume and earn fame.
However, Mr. Pei Jingyun considered Mu Cai's competition participation significantly and especially invited her for guidance. The teacher felt somewhat guilty accepting such a high salary and yet having almost nothing to do.
When Mu Cai heard her words, a smile appeared on his face. "Thank you for the compliment, teacher. However, you are remarkable as well. Your vast experience at international music competitions alone is enough to qualify you as my teacher."
The person standing opposite him had curved eyebrows, and his eyes shone like the morning star. His words were humble, yet he radiated an aura of confidence. His demeanor was not arrogant at all and was extremely eye-catching.
The teacher felt strongly captivated by him and had a blank moment, just mesmerized by his smile.
After asking for leave, Mu Cai prepared to play with the two kids. Although he loved children and had experience playing with them, he was at the residence of Mr. Pei Jingyun where probably not many child-friendly items are available. After thinking about it, Mu Cai decided to ask the children's opinion.
He gently touched the heads of the two children and softly asked, "Is there anything you'd like to play with? You can tell your big brother, and I'll do my best to play with you."
The chubby little girl seemed to be well brought up by her family, not noisy nor restless. Her soft little hand slipped into Mu Cai's, and she looked up and said in a tender voice, "I will listen to Brother."
Mu Cai's heart was trembling from such cuteness; he wanted to pick her up and give her a kiss that very instant.
The young boy who he held in his left hand, had his own ideas. After pondering for a while, he uttered, "Why don't we listen to Brother play the violin?"
To the young boy, this was the residence of his stern and reticent uncle, and playing with toys or games here gave him a strange and uncomfortable feeling. And he didn't have any interest in accompanying his little sister in viewing picture books. It was better to have the handsome brother play the violin — he could hold his sister and listen together.
Even if he could not understand the music, he could still enjoy looking at his handsome brother.
Lin Ling, who had been following them all along, was ignored for a long time. Now hearing the young boy's suggestion, he was very well in agreement and eagerly said to Mu Cai, "This suggestion is good. Children also need development in musical aesthetics, and since you need to practice the violin, this would be killing two birds with one stone!"
Unexpectedly, Mu Cai hadn't thought that the young boy would suggest this. The boy, nearly a teen, seemed to be in junior high school and seemed mature enough to appreciate the music without getting restless or finding it uninteresting. However, the situation was different for the little girl; she was still so young that without moving pictures from television or toys, she might not be able to sit still or might even get upset.
So, Mu Cai did not immediately agree to the young boy's suggestion. Instead, he turned to the little girl, seeking her opinion: "Do you want to listen to Brother play the violin? Or do you want to do something else?"
The little girl widened her eyes and looked at the handsome brother in front of her. Being raised with strict rules at home, her parents never asked her so many questions. Whatever food or toys were given to her, she would obediently consume or play with. Now, the handsome brother was asking her for her own opinion, and the little girl found it somewhat difficult.
For the first time in her life, she was given the right to make her own choices and began to think actively. What did she really want to do? Actually, she just wanted to stay by her handsome brother's side, and it seemed as if any activity would do.
With that in mind, the little girl made her decision: "I want to watch Brother play the violin!"
After making this decision, she felt as if she had grown up a bit!
Seeing the little girl so excited and full of expectation as if she had figured something out, Mu Cai couldn't help but smile. Mu Cai squeezed the hands of the children and smiled at them, "Alright, Brother will play the violin for you."
Lin Ling, who was standing aside, felt incredibly upset upon hearing this.
He had just tried his best to get Mu Cai to play the violin for him, but Mu Cai did not agree immediately and instead asked for the opinions of the two children, finally deciding to play the violin. Could it be that in Mu Cai's heart, he was less important than these two little kids?
Lin Ling knew it was wrong to compete with two children; such actions made him seem rude and immature. But every time he thought about Mu Cai not agreeing immediately, a sour feeling would surge within.
Fortunately, Mu Cai had picked up the violin. His slender, white hands held the bow against the violin's strings, and as the beautiful music resonated, all thoughts and emotions in the room were dispelled.
Because what remained was a pure appreciation and pursuit of beauty.
Not only was the music, which flowed out easily and joyfully, beautiful, but the young man sitting in front, playing the violin, was also beautiful.
The jet-black hair, the snow-white face, the rosy lips, the half-closed eyes, the skillful fingers, the graceful body, the immersed state in the music, all of this against the uplifting melody and the backdrop of the bright spring light outside the window, this scenario was nothing less than a stage for aesthetic education and a grand feast.
The young boy, who was right at the age of awakening his self-consciousness, listened with fascination, and from that moment on, he had a benchmark to distinguish beauty from ugliness and good from bad in his heart. The still naive little girl's heart was planted with a seed. She began to have a special preference for the handsome brother and the violin.
The two adults who had already developed their taste were deeply indulged in this aesthetic feast, irresistibly pulled in. Especially Lin Ling, even though he had already seen the elegance of Mu Cai playing the violin before, he was still fascinated by the other's appearance and posture at this moment.
Cai Cai was his muse in art, sparking his inspiration, and filling him with endless love for the violin.
Lin Ling even began to consider whether he should participate in the Queen's International Violin Competition. Although he had just graduated from a music academy abroad and had participated in countless performances with the school's symphony orchestra, due to his lack of seriousness and laid-back attitude, Lin Ling had never really participated in such a formal competition.
Perhaps this time he should prepare thoroughly. Maybe in the grand finals next year, he could share the stage with Mu Cai and together, they could write the brilliant story of the twin stars of the violin world.
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When Pei Jingyun returned at noon, Lin Ling was with Mu Cai, hands-on teaching both the little boy and the little girl how to play the violin.
However, Mu Cai's teaching of the little girl was purely to entertain her, as she could barely reach any higher than an adult's violin. The little girl could basically only watch from the side, occasionally stretching out her pudgy little hand to pluck the strings.
The boy, however, could try his hand at it. Although an adult's violin was still a bit big for him, at least he could hold it up to his neck and begin to recognize things like staves.
The four people, plus a woman teacher guiding from the side, were in harmony, enjoying their time together. Lin Ling would occasionally chat with Mu Cai, who always responded with a smile.
But this harmonious atmosphere seemed too perfect, which irked Pei Jingyun.
He walked over and stood behind Mu Cai's chair, placing his hands on the back of the chair as if he were claiming Mu Cai in his territory.
Keeping his demeanor steady, Pei Jingyun asked: "What are you playing? Having a good time?"
Mu Cai was initially instructing the young boy on the correct placement of his hands. Hearing the low voice coming from behind, he paused and then turned around, a surprised expression in his eyes. "Mr. Pei, you're back?"
The delighted smile on the person who turned to face him and the bright sparkle in their dark orbs captured two tiny reflections of himself, clearly conveying their happiness. Upon seeing this Mu Cai, the frustration that was starting to rise within Pei Jingyun quickly dissipated.
Seeing the object of his affection smiling at him always improved his mood. Jealousy was his own problem, and he shouldn't let anger or annoyance affect the one he loved.
Hence, Pei Jingyun, too, began to smile: "I am back. I finished up some work this morning, so I should be at home with you for the next two days."
He spoke in a somewhat ambiguous tone. Mu Cai sensed that something was off, but the other party had remained calm when faced with his probing and wasn't doing anything but smiling, which made Mu Cai further confused.
He figured he was probably overthinking and so he just offered a casual response. "That's good, Mr. Pei, please have some rest now that you're home."
"Alright," Pei Jingyun agreed smoothly and seemed to briefly glance at Lin Ling out of the corner of his eyes, "I got back at the right time - it's lunchtime now. Let's rest after lunch, and have a good nap."
Lin Ling heard this and understood that the other party was clearly hinting for him to leave. Normally, he might have had the nerve to stay and join Mu Cai for a meal. But feeling a surge of excitement today about the prospect of becoming a rising star in the violin world alongside Mu Cai, Lin Ling reasoned that leaving early to go practice the violin wouldn't be a bad idea.
After all, staying for lunch would just be a delay, Mu Cai obviously needed a nap after, and he wouldn't want to disturb him.
With that thought in mind, Lin Ling stood and gave a slight bow to everyone present. "In that case, I'll take my leave now. When I get the time, I'll come back to practice the violin with Cai Cai."
Mu Cai naturally nodded his approval.
As Lin Ling defiantly locked eyes with Pei Jingyun, he was taken aback when the latter unexpectedly broke into a smile. Though confused and having a vague sense of foreboding, he had no choice but to watch the butler approach him, preparing to see the guest out.
Pei Jingyun's smile remained, and he even amicably bid Lin Ling goodbye, his words resonating with deeper implications: "See you next time."
Perhaps there wouldn't be a next time.
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Author's Note:
Lin Ling grinned: "Soon, Cai and I will be world-renowned twin stars :)
But Pei Jingyun chuckled back: "Soon, you'll be too busy to see my Cai Cai :)
Cai Cai: (:зゝ∠)
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