The KTV manager finally arrived. He repeatedly apologized to Su Chen and the others.
After having his face bashed in and being humiliated in front of Su Mo, Xu Yang's accumulating fury finally maxed out, and he lashed out at the manager.
Su Mo was studying in a private school for the rich. All of her classmates came from wealthy families. They cornered the manager and asked for compensation.
The outcome was that the manager fired the two waiters who sat and stared without doing anything. Su Chen and the others were not charged for their time and expenditure in the KTV.
They were no longer in the mood for having fun after what had happened.
Su Chen sent Su Mo's classmates home in cabs when they left the KTV and drove home with his sister.
[Driving proficiency +2]
[Driving proficiency +2]
Su Chen did not drive often. His driving skill was still at the intermediate level.
"Brother, you've transformed way too much recently. It feels kinda strange."
Su Mo, who was riding shotgun, looked at her brother zestily and said, "Is what Mom said true? Have you fallen for a girl? I'm telling you, if you have a girlfriend, you have to tell me. I'll help you evaluate her."
"What are you thinking? That did not happen." Su Chen felt ridiculous. He continued. "I'm the one who should be asking questions. What's the deal with your classmate, Xu Yang?"
"What else do you think? Your sister—I, a natural beauty—is endowed with both talent and good looks. It is normal to have a few pursuers," said Su Mo, pursing her lips.
"You really don't know the word 'humble,' do you?" Amused, Su Chen glanced at her.
"Humph! Was I wrong?" Su Mo harrumphed egotistically.
"No, of course not. My sister must be the most outstanding one. Ordinary guys don't deserve you." Su Chen laughed and flattered his sister.
Su Mo smiled.
"Oh, right! Momo, I think I wanna learn to play guitar. What do you think?" asked Su Chen all of a sudden.
"Guitar? Sure, you could learn very fast. I learned to play guitar in a short time back then. I can teach you." Su Mo's beautiful eyes twinkled. She was interested in teaching him music.
"Then teach me tomorrow." Su Chen smiled and nodded.
Su Mo's glittering eyes looked out of the car. No one knew what was on her mind.
***
The next day, after eating breakfast with the family, Su Chen's parents left for work.
Su Chen and his sister cleaned up the dining table and went to the music room. In the middle of the elegantly furnished room stood an imported Steinway grand piano worth 70,000 RMB. Su Mo's parents had given her the piano as a present on her tenth birthday.
There were a few books on the shelf in the corner of the music room. Trophies and photos from all sorts of Su Mo's competitions were also on the shelf. Last but not least, a red guitar lay in one of the compartments of the shelf.
Su Mo walked toward the guitar and took it down gently. Her slender fingers idly strummed the guitar, letting out a crisp, melodious tune. She smiled and looked at Su Chen. "I haven't played the guitar since forever."
"Can you first play a song for me?" asked Su Chen, smiling.
Su Mo nodded and sat on the piano stool. Then, beaming, she played a popular piece. Soon, Su Mo sang along, her melodious voice resounding, accompanying the tune of the guitar.
[Observing guitar playing, proficiency +2]
[Observing guitar playing, proficiency +2]
Su Chen listened silently as points were added continuously to his proficiency.
At the same time, he was also perplexed by the fact that the points for his singing proficiency did not increase. When he saw Xu Yang performing taekwondo previously, points were added to his taekwondo proficiency.
Is it because my singing skill is already at an advanced level so listening to others singing will not increase my proficiency? Su Chen conjectured. Since I do not have any experience in playing guitar and taekwondo, will my proficiency increase even when I only observe others doing it?
"Brother, how was it?" Su Mo asked when she finished playing and singing the song.
"It was really good." Su Chen gave her the thumbs up.
Su Mo's smile broadened. She handed him the guitar, ran to the bookshelf, and searched here and there. She found two books about guitar learning for beginners.
"These are the books I bought previously; they are particularly for beginners. You can first read them on your own and get a rough idea of what it's like. I'll practice the piano for a while and teach you later."
Su Chen nodded and took the books. He brought a chair over and started reading.
[Reading books related to guitar playing, guitar proficiency +2]
[Reading books related to guitar playing, guitar proficiency +2]
As the uplifting melody from the piano filled the room, Su Mo began her obligatory daily task.
[Listening to advanced level piano playing, piano proficiency +5]
[Listening to advanced level piano playing, piano proficiency +5]
The proficiencies of the two instruments can be increased at the same time? Su Chen wondered, shocked. That's pure awesomeness!
[Piano proficiency reached 100, piano playing upgraded to beginner's level]
[Guitar proficiency reached 100, guitar playing upgraded to beginner's level]
Before long, the beginner's level for both instruments was activated. A great deal of basic knowledge about the instruments flowed into Su Chen's mind.
That's so easy! he thought. Why the hell do I still need to read the books?
Su Chen decisively tossed the books aside, took the guitar from the corner, and started strumming it.
Su Mo, who was practicing piano, frowned and stopped when she was interrupted. "Brother, what are you doing? Didn't I ask you first to read the book..." She glared at Su Chen, but she then froze.
Su Chen held the guitar like a professional guitarist and started playing a song. Su Mo recognized the melody immediately; it was the prelude of the song Su Chen sang in the KTV the day before.
When the prelude ended, Su Chen started singing with his husky voice.
He was bathed in the morning sunlight, which shone through the French window. A smile spread across his face like the morning breeze spread across a grassland.
Su Mo was lost in his voice. She couldn't help herself but turned around and ran her graceful fingers through the black and white keys on the piano, playing the accompaniment to the song.
Once the song ended, his proficiencies in singing and playing guitar and piano had simultaneously increased. He was very satisfied; he beamed with joy.
"Brother, you lied to me! When did you learn to play guitar?" Pouting, Su Mo glared at Su Chen.
"I didn't! I saw you play just now. The stuff in the book looked pretty easy as well, so I tried it myself," said Su Chen, looking serious.
"No way! That's not logical." Su Mo looked at him suspiciously.
"Maybe…I'm a genius!" Su Chen grinned.
He did not seem to be lying, and Su Mo could not recall a single time when Su Chen had played a musical instrument.
Was she the truly hopeless one at home, compared to her weirdo brother?
Su Mo's face clouded. She did not want to accept this.
"I think I can play the piano too. Can I try?" said Su Chen, smiling.
"Go on." Su Mo wanted to know if he was a genius. She nodded and got up from the stool right away. She stood aside with her arms folded across her chest and stared at him.
Su Chen sat on the piano stool, and a smile registered on his lips. His fingers touched the piano keys gently.
The bright piano tune began to fill the room.
"So I really am the hopeless one!" A strange light started to glimmer in her eyes as she began doubting the meaning of her life.