CH 16

Piano Room Play?

Shu Jingzhi's confession to his lover at one of the country's top concerts instantly dominated the headlines of every major mainstream media outlet in the music industry.

With his name constantly appearing in the news reports pushed out by the industry's media, Ying Ruoyun practically had PTSD, almost every time his phone rang, it would be another round of inexplicable gossip calls.

As a last resort, he set his phone to do not disturb to get a moment of clarity.

Seeing him frowning, Shu Jingzhi said, "Ruoyun, are you unhappy?"

"No, it's just a little bothersome."

"You didn't want me to disclose our relationship?"

"Ah, that’s not it, I'm very touched, it's just that it's a bit beyond my imagination. I've often wondered, why me? Why are you willing to choose me? I'm obviously just..."

"From the day we met in the rain, you were my exception."

"Liar! You were quite high and mighty that day, with your aloof look."

"Yun Yun, it was already a big surprise for me to be willing to lend you a pen and paper."

"How much of a surprise."

"I've been hit on an average of ninety-nine times per outing and responded zero times."

"Oh!"

"You impressed me. Your passion for music impressed me, your aura and talent impressed me."

"So did you fall in love with me at first sight?"

"No."

"Couldn't you have coaxed me?"

"For you I am, falling deeper and deeper." Shu Jingzhi played a beautiful set of chords on the piano keys: "Love at first sight is fleeting and eager, but deep affection can last and last forever."

He put his hand on the back of Ying Ruoyun's hand: "Listen, this melody." Sitting him on top of himself, Shu Jingzhi wrapped his arms around the person he was holding and guided his fingers over the keys of the piano.

Above the keys, Shu Jingzhi's fingerwork was exquisite, and the music began to stir and resonate, blending so intensely that it seemed to collide with passionate sparks.

Shu Jingzhi gently licked and kissed him on the back of his neck, withdrawing his right hand from the keys and wrapping it around his waist, while his left hand continued to fly with his fingertips, rising and falling in tune with Ying Ruoyun's melody.

His earlobe was wrapped in a hot, wet touch, and Ying Ruoyun's thoughts broke for a moment, his rhythm suddenly stopping for half a beat.

Shu Jingzhi whispered in his ear, "Finish the piece."

His right hand slipped inside his lapel, following the heat of his skin upwards, probing through the collar, taking hold of his chin, and turning his face slightly to kiss him.

Breathing became rapid, and the music seemed to lose its regular rhythm and become urgent. Ying Ruoyun's left hand slipped from the keys, and his right hand was about to stop playing.

Shu Jingzhi's left hand suddenly played a high octave scale, almost touching Ying Ruoyun's right hand: "Yun Yun, concentrate a little more."

The deep kiss split, lips and tongue connected, Shu Jingzhi's hands once again covered the keys, and the majestic march of the music created another climax.

Before Ying Ruoyun could react to the end of the song, Shu Jingzhi closed the lid of the piano, sat him on top of it and kissed him with his head lowered. The heat in his body began to rise, and Ying Ruoyun wrapped his arms around his neck, blending their bodies and minds together in a trance.

At an inopportune moment, the door to the piano room was suddenly thrown open.

Several students from the vocal department of the School of Music stood frozen in place.

Ying Ruoyun immediately jumped down from the piano, his face turning red: "I'm sorry!"

Shu Jingzhi stood beside him, without any shame, rather it was as if he was extremely displeased.

Luo Yunge stammered, "Ex... excuse me, did we go to the wrong place?" She withdrew to double check the door sign and read in a whisper, "It's piano room 319, that's right."

Ying Ruoyun explained, "I'm really sorry! I didn't have a reservation and saw that this piano room was empty, so..."

"Ying Ruoyun?"

"Huh? Yes, it's me." Ying Ruoyun didn't expect to be recognised at all.

"Then this is, Senior Shu?"

Shu Jingzhi didn't even bother to address the person, acting as if it was none of his business.

"Well, he said it was nice to meet you." Ying Ruoyun tugged at Shu Jingzhi's coat and pushed the person to the door, "Then we'll leave first."

Just after leaving the room, Shu Jingzhi said discontentedly, "Ruoyun, why do we have to leave? It's them who should leave."

"Don't you feel... ashamed?"

"Why would you think that?"

"You can't do that kind of thing from now on!"

"What kind of things?"

"The piano room! It's a public piano room!"

"I don't see the problem."

"Senior, then why do I remember, last time in the concert hall, you said no."

"Did I?"

"Yes!" Ying Ruoyun rehashed old scores, "At that time you had just finished a recital and when you were resting backstage, I hugged and kissed you. You lectured me that it was a concert hall and to be more serious."

"As a performer, it's a basic respect for the sanctity of music."

"But I feel that if it's in a concert hall, there's a strong, blasphemous pleasure."

"Ying Ruoyun." Shu Jingzhi stopped and looked at him curiously, "Who was it that just said that it was not allowed in the piano room?"

"If you agree to do it in the concert hall, I agree to do it in the piano room."

"Deal."

"There is one additional condition," Ying Ruoyun pointed to the snow-white kitten on the windowsill, "I want to keep it!"

"No."

"Then I'll bring it back to the dormitory. Either you move in with it to my dormitory, or I'll move in with it to your house."

After a fierce ideological struggle, Shu Jingzhi finally compromised and said, "Let's set a one-week trial period for it first, and if your performance satisfies me, I'll agree to adopt it."

"Okay!"

"Now, let's go home."

Ying Ruoyun originally thought that the 'home' Shu Jingzhi was referring to was his residence at the University of the Arts.

But in fact, the car drove out of the campus and headed towards the coastal area.

The villas in this area were popular with artists because of the beautiful surroundings and pleasant climate.

The lobby had huge blue floor-to-ceiling windows and an elegant grand piano.

In the days when they were apart, Ying Ruoyun often reminisced about the time he lived here.

Although it seemed like he had been with Shu Jingzhi for a long, long time.

But it had been only two short months since they had gotten together.

Most of the two months were spent here.

Listening to songs, writing songs, playing, making love.

Sometimes it was because of a song, sometimes it was on a whim, sometimes there was no reason at all.

No matter how late it was, Shu Jingzhi would always wash him carefully before personally buttoning up his pyjamas for him.

Because Ying Ruoyun would always button his pyjamas incorrectly, and Shu Jingzhi was like a compulsive person who had to correct them.

When Ying Ruoyun asked him why, Shu Jingzhi said that he had to keep everything that belonged to him neat and tidy.

No matter how late it was, Shu Jingzhi would always leave a night light on for him and would only turn it off after he had completely fallen asleep.

Ying Ruoyun often felt that he was so lucky that Shu Jingzhi was simply the most perfect lover in the world.

Even when he was making love, he was so sensitive to his lover's emotions and experiences. He exquisitely grasped the process and rhythm, as if he were composing music and conducting an orchestra.

At that time, he was still very young and thought that a good and happy life could continue like this forever.

Later he thought that God is always fair.

Since he sent me the perfect lover, he must take something away from me.