Closing her eyes, Ru Yin Yue took a deep breath and pressed her fingertips against the smooth surface of the keyboard.
Even with her eyes shut, she could still feel the gazes of the audience. Hundreds of them ringed the auditorium, watching her from above and in front. The stage felt tiny in comparison, hemmed in by the weight of expectations. Ru Yin Yue could hear soft, incoherent murmurs, hushed whispers and low breathing. Her arms, stretched out in front of her, began to cramp.
Then she opened her eyes and began to play. At first, she lightly pressed down on the piano, her fingers gently weaving across the white and black keys. The Moonlight Sonata, composed by Ludwig van Beethoven at the beginning of the 19th century. Also known as the Piano Sonata No. 14 in C-sharp minor, it began with a slow tempo. Expressive, but with her feelings somewhat reined in.
Ru Yin Yue ignored the gazes, her attention focused on the black instrument in front of her. The first movement, despite its relatively slow start, appeared to fly past and was completed all too soon. Ru Yin Yue's fingers began to pick up speed, allowing the music to kick up a notch. The audience listened, rapt, as she moved from the middle movement into the third and final one, a tempestuous melody filled with her emotions. Whatever restraints she had previously, they were all erased, the normally diminutive pianist pouring her soul into the music.
The audience watched her, spellbound. A few of the more musically astute might have noticed a few slips here and there – nobody could be perfect, after all…even after countless practice sessions. But none could deny the enchanting spell that she cast over the audience through her passion alone.
And then…just like that, it was done.
Perspiring and panting, Ru Yin Yue raised her hands from the piano. The split second of silence after the end of her performance was broken by raucous applause. Despite feeling a vague sense of detachment, as if her consciousness was watching her body from somewhere far away, the pianist rose to her feet, her long, black hair falling past her shoulders and swinging gently to the waist of her dark blue gown.
Stepping away from the chair, Ru Yin Yue then bowed to the audience. Spinning away sharply, she hurriedly exited the stage, disappearing into the black curtains and walking toward the backroom.
"Great work, Yin Yue!"
Her agent, Xia Ning Xue, was the first to greet her, her wavy hair reaching her shoulders. Unlike Ru Yin Yue's formal gown, Xia Ning Xue was dressed in a business attire, complete with a starched skirt and a tie. She moved forward with a towel to wipe off the sweat from Ru Yin Yue's pretty face, frowning when she saw how pale her friend was.
"Are you all right?"
"Yes. Just a little breathless." Ru Yin Yue paused and then glanced down. "I wish my mother could have watched it in person."
"Auntie did watch it, though." Xia Ning Xue brought up her smartphone, beaming conspiratorially. On the small screen, Ru Yin Xing smiled and waved. The elderly woman was sitting up in a bed, dressed in the usual light blue hospital gown. A machine beeped next to her, intravenous cables running along its length before attaching to her arm.
"Mom…" Ru Yin Yue felt tears brimming in her eyes when she saw her. Ru Yin Xing nodded.
"That's my daughter. I'm very proud of you. I know your father would be too."
She then coughed, her voice hoarse. The monitor next to her flared up in activity for a few seconds before returning to normal. It wasn't a big enough alarm to bring the nurse running, but nonetheless Ru Yin Yue's brow furrowed at the sight.
"How are you feeling?" she asked, concerned. Her mother gestured dismissively.
"All right. Better than I have in ages. Listening to your music gives me strength somehow."
"You really shouldn't be up this late. Your body can't take it."
"Nonsense!" Ru Yin Xing laughed. "I'm still strong. This little bit of cancer won't keep me down. I'm more worried about you." She leaned forward, peering at the screen. "Your complexion looks ghastly."
"Not at all. I'm just a little tired after the performance, that's all. I'll visit you tomorrow."
"Heh, I look forward to it. But don't push yourself. Make sure you rest."
"I'll take care of her, auntie," Xia Ning Xue assured her. "I'll drive her home myself tonight."
"Good, good. Then I'll see you both tomorrow." Despite her words, Ru Yin Xing looked a little weary. She forced a smile and then gave one last wave before hanging up on the video call.
"Thanks for streaming my performance to my mom," Ru Yin Yue told her agent. Xia Ning Xue shook her head.
"I was only doing what I should."
"Nonetheless, you have my gratitude." She paused for a moment, listening to the faint music playing in the background. The next performer had gone onto stage and started her piece. With her part done, though, there was no longer any reason for either of them to stay. Nonetheless, it was considered proper etiquette for the musicians to stay until the end of the concert, as respect for their fellow performers. There was a resting room for them, though many chose to join the audience in the auditorium outside.
Ru Yin Yue was personally not fond of mingling with so many people, so she chose to go to the resting room. Feeling drained, she somehow dozed off and only woke up at the end of the concert to find Xia Ning Xue shaking her.
"You should really go home and rest," her agent said worriedly. Ru Yin Yue nodded and smiled.
"Yeah, you said you'll give me a lift? I'll take you up on that offer."
"Bet. Follow me."
"There's no need for that."
To the surprise of the two women, a familiar voice cut through the backroom. Even though this place was normally off-limits to non-staff, the group of people approaching the duo were definitely not staff.
Ru Yin Yue recognized them. Two of them, in particular, were very familiar.
"Si Zha Nan. Zhou Ni Yao." Ru Yin Yue swallowed and inclined her head politely when she saw her two ex-classmates from high school. Then she bowed her head respectfully at the elderly couple accompanying them. "Uncle, auntie."
They were the parents of Si Zha Nan. This wasn't the first time Ru Yin Yue had met them. She had visited Si Zha Nan before, back during…better days. Before the incident.
"Yin Yue!" Zhou Ni Yao called out cheerfully. Despite her ex-classmate's sweet façade, Ru Yin Yue felt wary. She knew better than anyone the cruel personality that laid under that beautiful mask. She had been a victim of Zhou Ni Yao's machinations before.
She was the reason why Si Zha Nan hated her.
Ru Yin Yue was unable to meet Si Zha Nan's eyes, yet she could feel the disgust and hostility emanating from his glare. Her heart ached and she clenched her fists, willing herself not to cry. Inwardly, she lamented over how things had turned out.
Eleven years ago, in high school, she had loved Si Zha Nan deeply. Ever since she heard him playing the violin in the school's music room over a decade ago, she had been enamored by his techniques, the emotions he put into his craft. She could still hear the gentle, sweet melody that he played.
Where had that gentle and soulful Si Zha Nan gone?
Closing her eyes briefly, Ru Yin Yue couldn't help but reminisce. She had pursued him with all her heart, and he had rejected her. Nonetheless, she hadn't mind. As long as she could stay close to him, that was all that mattered. For Si Zha Nan was her first and only love. No other man had made her feel the same way.
Her love for Si Zha Nan was so strong and visible that practically the entire school knew about it. Unfortunately, most of the school also knew that Si Zha Nan was in love with another girl.
Zhou Ni Yao. The girl clinging to his arm right now.
"That was a brilliant performance," Mom Si said, moving forward to clasp Ru Yin Yue's hands. Unlike her son, Mom Si held tremendous affection for Ru Yin Yue. From the few times that they had met, Ru Yin Yue knew the older lady to be a kind and verbose person. She also held a deep fondness for music, which was why she liked Ru Yin Yue so much. "I love your music! One day, you must play for me to listen again!"
"I will when I have the chance, auntie," Ru Yin Yue replied, forcing a smile.
"Now, now…" Zhou Ni Yao cut in, putting on a concerned smile. Ru Yin Yue couldn't help but shudder at the lack of authenticity in that expression. "Mom, Yin Yue must be very tired after such an outstanding performance. We should let her rest."
"…'mom'?"
Zhou Ni Yao must have heard Ru Yin Yue's whisper or seen the astonishment in her face, for she spun around with a flourish, a faint flicker of triumph crossing her pretty features.
"Oh? You haven't heard? I thought I sent the wedding invitation to you. You didn't receive it?" Zhou Ni Yao squeezed Si Zha Nan's arm and giggled. "Zha Nan and I are getting married."
"Congratulations." Despite the pain that lanced through her heart, Ru Yin Yue managed to offer what she hoped was a sincere smile. "I wish the both of you happiness."
"Do you really?" Si Zha Nan asked coldly.
"How can you say that to her?!" his mother scolded him. She turned to Ru Yin Yue. "I'm very sorry. This boy, he…he didn't even want to come to this concert. I had to drag him here."
"I have no reason to watch this concert."
"See what I mean?" Mom Si threw her hands up in exasperation. "I don't understand this boy. He used to love music so much. I wonder what happened?"
Ru Yin Yue could not miss the glare that she shot at Zhou Ni Yao. Was there something she was missing here?
"Nonetheless…" Zhou Ni Yao stepped forward to grab Ru Yin Yue's hands. "You'll come to our wedding, right? I don't know how I missed you, but I'll definitely send the invitation. You won't refuse, would you, Yin Yue? If possible, I want you to play the piano during the ceremony!"
"If…if you are all right with me." Ru Yin Yue glanced at Si Zha Nan, but he kept his gaze on his fiancée, as if completely ignoring her existence. Whether she came or not, it made no difference to him. Though it was clear that he would rather she didn't come.
"You should come," Mom Si insisted.
"Y…yes, auntie."
Xia Ning Xue cleared her throat, seeing this as her cue to extricate Ru Yin Yue from an extremely awkward situation. "Yin Yue is tired, so I'll be bringing her back to rest. I apologize, but…"
"Oh, no need for that." Mom Si stepped forward, taking Ru Yin Yue's arm. "We'll send her home. It's been so long since I have a chance to talk to this good girl, so we'll do some catching up in the family car. You don't mind, right, dear?"
"Not at all," Dad Si replied. "It really has been a while. And no disrespect meant to you, miss, but I believe our limousine will be more spacious and comfortable than your car."
"That's…" Xia Ning Xue glanced at Ru Yin Yue, who looked helpless. Not wanting to put her agent in the spot, she sighed and nodded.
"I'll be fine, Ning Xue. I'll see you tomorrow."
"Really?"
"Yeah." Ru Yin Yue forced a smile. "Don't worry, I'm familiar with the Si family. They have been nice to me." with the exception of Si Zha Nan, who was ironically enough, her first love, but she didn't mention that.
"Okay…if you're sure."
"I'm sure." Ru Yin Yue nodded, trying to exude a confidence that she didn't feel. "What's the worst that could happen?"