CH 15

Music Play?

"No!" Ying Ruoyun said, "I'm an extremely vindictive person."

"Ruoyun." Shu Jingzhi fetched a tissue and gently wiped the milk stain from the corner of his mouth, "How about staying here for Christmas?"

"Do you have a Christmas tree?"

"No."

"Have you prepared a Christmas present?"

"I've already given it to you." Shu Jingzhi held the silver chain on his wrist, and on the inside of the bracelet, Shu Jingzhi's initials were engraved.

Ying Ruoyun said, "Then I want to watch Avatar 2!"

"Okay."

"No, I've changed my mind, I want to watch Phantom of the Opera and Love Never Dies! Do you have the soundtrack?"

"Of course."

"I'm super into Think of me, The Phantom of the Opera, The Music of the Night, Love Never Dies, every single one of those operas is a super classic!"

"The Phantom and Raoul, who do you think Christine loves?"

"The Phantom."

"Why not Raoul? Raoul is young, handsome, rich and the man she's married to. In the final scene of The Phantom of the Opera, she chooses to leave the Phantom forever for Raoul."

"But Christine kisses the Phantom, and in Love Never Dies, you can clearly feel that bond. Even after years of separation, they can't forget each other for the rest of their lives."

"The Phantom, despite his talent, is ugly."

"But the Phantom was the one who taught her, the one who shaped her, the one who mingled with her spirit, the one who understood her best and loved her most in the world."

"The Phantom was twisted, tyrannical and crazy."

"Even so, despite her fears and trepidations, like being charmed, she could not control her desire to be close to the Phantom. Whether the Phantom revealed an ugly appearance or a crippled soul, nothing could stop her from being attracted."

"Why was she so captivated?"

"Because," Ying Ruoyun looked into Shu Jingzhi's eyes, "that's soul resonance."

"If it were you, who would you choose?"

"I would definitely choose the Phantom. Raoul has nothing much to offer except money and looks. And the Phantom, the Phantom is a unique musical genius!"

"Even if he is an ugly, dangerous, twisted, dark Phantom?"

"Yes, I'm such an idealist." Ying Ruoyun said, "Even if one day you are poor and have nothing, I will still not leave you."

"What if I run out of money?"

"Then I'll kick you out right away."

Shu Jingzhi laughed and rubbed his hair, turning on the projector in the living room, drawing the curtains and preparing to play the opera.

The moment he turned off the lights, Ying Ruoyun immediately grabbed his wrist nervously, "Can you... not turn off the lights?"

"Are you afraid of the dark?"

"No, that's not it." Ying Ruoyun struggled to adjust to the change in light: "I'm just a bit night blind."

The lights were turned back on and adjusted to a soft, warm tone.

The melody played, the moving voices of the singers flowing beautifully through the night.

Think of me

Think of me fondly

Shu Jingzhi gently wrapped his arms around him as Ying Ruoyun said, "The first song in the opening set, Think of me, and the last song, You are not alone, are actually echoes of each other."

As the song progressed, the atmosphere grew more and more passionate, and Shu Jingzhi hummed softly in his ear:

Slowly, gently night unfurls its splendour

Grasp it, sense it, tremulous and tender

Softly, deftly, music shall caress you

Hear it, fear it, secretly possess you

Soft kisses fell on his ear, hot, moist bites slid down his earlobe to his neck.

He unbuttoned his shirt and dropped down to his collarbone and shoulders.

"Senior..." Ying Ruoyun's breath caught, and both the music and his body trembled.

Floating, falling, sweet intoxication

Touch me, trust me, savour each sensation

The suffocating deep kiss broke through the boundaries of reason with a burning heat, and through the thin clothing, the thirst for him was no longer hidden . The night was gentle, and Shu Jingzhi asked, "What about now? Can you forgive me?"

"Mmm..."

Let your soul take you where you long to be

Only then can you belong to me

To the power of the music that I write

Help me make the music of the night

———

Ever since they got together, Ying Ruoyun was surprised to find that Shu Jingzhi was almost like a completely different person.

Gone were all those arrogant, indifferent and foul-mouthed problems of the past, and they were all replaced by an elegant, gentle, considerate and doting man, he was simply the perfect lover!

While eating the dinner made by Shu Jingzhi, Ying Ruoyun exclaimed: "Senior is simply a model boyfriend! It was worth all the hardship I went through to chase you!"

"What kind of hardships have you suffered? Hmm?" Shu Jingzhi handed over a cup of hot milk.

"There were so many!" Ying Ruoyun said, "I was humiliated in front of all the music students in the country and became the laughingstock of the whole school. No matter where I appear, I am sure to be gossiped about, ridiculed and belittled. Even if I achieve something, I'll be slandered as a villain who relied on you to get to the top."

Shu Jingzhi frowned, "When did that happen?"

"It's always been there. You're so noble, who dares to talk nonsense in front of you, so of course you don't know." Ying Ruoyun took a sip of milk, "But I don't care, I'm used to it."

After a moment of serious thought, Shu Jingzhi said, "There's a recital later on, you and I will attend together."

"Oh okay, when?"

"When you have finished dinner."

Eight o'clock at night, A City International Art Exchange Centre, concert hall.

The huge electronic screen was projecting a promotional poster for Shu Jingzhi's special recital, where the biggest stars in the music industry were gathered and celebrities were all over the place. The recital, called Inspiration, was jointly organised by the Royal Music Society and the Royal Conservatory of Music, and was currently the largest musical feast in China.

When he arrived at the venue, Ying Ruoyun was still in shock. He had long been a fan of this concert, but even with all his efforts, he was still unable to get tickets.

To his surprise, Shu Jingzhi led him directly into the VIP section of the venue.

Ying Ruoyun couldn't help but ask, "Senior, you even managed to get tickets for the VIP section, that's really amazing."

Shu Jingzhi looked at him with a look of idiocy, "Ruoyun, as a music student, shouldn't you know a little about the theme of this concert today?"

"Theme, you mean Inspiration?" Ying Ruoyun suddenly had a flash of clarity, "Ah, I remember, that's the name of the song you wrote a few days ago. What a coincidence, wait, no way?"

Shu Jingzhi looked at him with a smile.

"This is your special concert? The whole venue, everyone, all of them, is here for you?"

Shu Jingzhi rubbed his hair and patiently explained, "No, it's for you."

Ying Ruoyun did not know the exact meaning of this statement until 9:30 at night, when the last song ended and Shu Jingzhi bowed in acknowledgement amidst loud applause.

And then his low voice, through the microphone, was clearly transmitted to every corner of the venue:

"This concert is a tribute to my beloved. Inspiration, the inspiration he gave me, his passion, his burning, his talent. One day, his achievements will surely surpass mine."

A stone's throw away, Ying Ruoyun sat under the stage, already moved beyond words.

And Shu Jingzhi's next words directly broke his brain.

Facing all the prominent figures in the international and domestic music industry, Shu Jingzhi said,

"Ruoyun, I love you."