Even though Ru Yin Yue intended to sleep in that morning, she ended up waking up when she heard voices arguing loudly downstairs. Blinking bleary eyed, she dragged herself out of bed, staggered to the bathroom and washed up.
Splashing cold water onto her face jolted her awake and she quickly changed out of her pajamas into something more presentable. She caught sight of the fancy, branded dresses that mom Si had bought for her yesterday and made a face. Choosing something more casual and comfortable, she pulled on a cheap blouse and modest shorts that covered most of her thighs, and then hurried downstairs.
Ru Yin Yue was surprised to see mom Si downstairs, seated in a couch and arguing with Si Zha Nan. The elderly lady glanced up and smiled when she caught sight of her daughter-in-law. Ru Yin Yue bowed her head politely, wondering what she was arguing about with Si Zha Nan.
Her unasked question was answered shortly after, with mom Si turning her attention back to Si Zha Nan.
"Your father and I have been asking around and we saw you blocking your wife from performing in the music industry. Don't you think you've gone too far? You said it was to force the truth, but that's just nonsense! Besides, you've already married Yin Yue, so why are you still doing this to her?"
"I forgot," Si Zha Nan said simply.
"Don't give me that!" his mother stormed at him. "Do you think I'd buy that excuse?"
"Fine, fine." Si Zha Nan waved his mother away. "Don't worry. I've already promised Ru Yin Yue that I'll give her a job on Monday. Isn't that right, Mrs. Si?"
Ru Yin Yue was too lazy to meet his gaze. Instead, she focused on her mother-in-law and nodded. "Zha Nan did promise me that. He assured me that he's a man of his word."
"Good." Mom Si breathed a sigh of relief, but she maintained her stern expression. "Yin Yue, if Zha Nan breaks his promise and doesn't give you a job, or play tricks on you, or lies, don't hesitate to let me know. Understand?"
"Understood."
Si Zha Nan gave his wife and his mother a bitter stare, wondering why it looked as if both women were teaming up against him. Obviously the arrogant and overbearing CEO never paused to consider that it might have been his fault and his own actions that led to him being isolated.
"All right. I'm glad to hear you managed to resolve this. I've to visit a friend in an hour, so I had best be off." Mom Si rose from her seat, shooting Si Zha Nan a warning glare. "No funny tricks, Zha Nan. I've heard a lot about the nonsense you put Yin Yue through. If you continue to bully her, your father and I will punish you."
"Hmph." Si Zha Nan snorted. "I'm no longer a child, mom. How do you and dad intend to punish me, exactly? Are you going to ground me?"
"Don't forget that your father still owns shares in Si Corporation."
Si Zha Nan scowled at that, but he didn't say anything. He looked away and lounged on the sofa. Mom Si watched him for a moment, satisfied, and then turned back to clasp Ru Yin Yue's hands.
"I'll be going now. Next time I'll bring you along. It'll be a good idea to expand your social circle."
"Thank you, mom. I'll consider it."
After mom Si left, Ru Yin Yue went to have breakfast. Auntie Yi had already prepared a nice feast for her. She wanted to invite auntie Yi and Yi He Lan to dine with her, but the both of them declined this time.
"The young master is at home today," auntie Yi reminded her. "Besides, both Lan Er and I have already eaten breakfast. We had it early this morning."
"Okay. We'll have lunch together then."
"I'm not sure…" Auntie Yi glanced in the direction of the living room where Si Zha Nan was supposedly relaxing. Ru Yin Yue understood her concerns.
"If circumstances permit it, of course," she quickly assured the housekeeper.
Fortunately, they didn't have to worry. Without saying a single word to anybody, Si Zha Nan left the house. Ru Yin Yue could hear the roar of his Lamborghini when he drove off, his luxury car speeding past the gates to wherever it was he went during the weekends.
Weirdly enough, Ru Yin Yue was aware that Si Zha Nan often worked during the weekends – such were the heavy responsibilities of a CEO, after all. But today, he didn't seem like he needed to go to the office. Then where was he going?
Well, it was none of her business. Ru Yin Yue was looking forward to the afternoon. Already she had received a reminded text message that her new pianoforte was coming.
After having lunch with auntie Yi and Yi He Lan, Ru Yin Yue then went to the porch to wait. At the stipulated time – which was about 1pm – she caught sight of a truck bearing the logo of the music store she and her mother-in-law visited yesterday.
She managed to open the main gates for them to enter and guided them to park right outside the porch. The driver and his assistant hopped out of the driver compartment and proceeded to the back of their vehicle, opening the rear to reveal the piano inside.
"Careful," the driver told his assistant. Then he glanced at Ru Yin Yue. "I'm going to need you to stay out of our way, ma'am."
"Certainly." Ru Yin Yue nodded and hurried away. While the driver and his assistant grunted from the exertion, moving the silvery pianoforte from the back of their truck to outside, she went to the housekeeper. "Auntie Yi, can you prepare a few drinks for the two gentlemen? Cold drinks, if possible."
"Right away." Auntie Yi scampered toward the kitchen.
"Where do you want the piano, ma'am?" the driver asked after he and his assistant lifted the piano through the front door and into the house. Apparently they had to dismantle it into a few pieces so that it would fit through the relatively narrow frame. Fortunately, it made it easier and lighter for both men to carry.
"This way."
Ru Yin Yue had already decided on the perfect place. She guided the two gentlemen to her bedroom. They complied unquestioningly, bringing the few pieces of the piano and assembling them in quick order, their movements practiced and professional.
In less than an hour, the silver pianoforte had been assembled completely. Under Ru Yin Yue's directions, they placed it against the wall, opposite her bed. They even had the chair ready, setting it up in front of the piano.
"Ma'am, you might want to tune it first, see if everything is all right. If it isn't, then we'll adjust the strings."
"Sure. Thanks."
Ru Yin Yue nodded and began testing each key. Whenever she found a discrepancy or something that was odd, she would inform the driver, and he would tune it accordingly. They continued to adjust the strings and tune the piano to its new owner's satisfaction.
"Everything sounds good," Ru Yin Yue said after hitting the last key and marveling over the note it created. She took a deep breath and ran her hands over the key, playing a short, fast song. Tempo, allegro. Her fingers flew across the keys, hitting the notes with well-practiced strokes and producing an enchanting melody.
Both the driver and assistant listened, enraptured. "You're really skilled, ma'am."
'Thank you." Ru Yin Yue finished up the short song, which was under a minute. "Seems like everything is working fine. I appreciate your help."
She then signed the invoice that the driver had brought to her, to acknowledge receipt of her product.
"No problem, ma'am. Just doing our job." The driver and assistant made to leave after receiving a copy of the invoice, but Ru Yin Yue quickly stopped them.
"Before you go, at least have some drinks. My friend has prepared them for you. Auntie Yi, have you gotten…?"
"Indeed I have." Auntie Yi showed up with a tray that bore two glasses of iced soda aloft. Beads of water had condensed on the cool surface of the glasses and trickled down to pool at the bottom. "I've been keeping them chilled. Good work, gentlemen."
"Thanks!"
"Much appreciated!"
After all that physical exertion, the two gentlemen gratefully accepted the drinks and chugged them down. They returned the empty glasses to a smiling auntie Yi, who immediately brought them away to the kitchen for washing.
"Contact the store if you have any problems, ma'am!"
"I will. Thanks for everything again!"
Ru Yin Yue watched them drive off, and then she returned to her room. Sitting on the chair, she admired her new piano for a moment. Unable to resist the temptation, she pulled the lid up and began running her fingers along the keys. Within a minute, she was immersed in playing a song that she had memorized by heart.
Though Ru Yin Yue couldn't claim to have an amazing memory, there were several songs that she had practiced over and over again for almost ten years, to the point where she knew every note by heart. Without referring to a book or score, she was able to play the entire tune from memory, her hands moving almost as if they had a life of their own, detached and reflexively. Her fingers twitched and jumped from bar to bar, enchained to muscle memory.
She didn't know how long she played, song after song drifting to her mind as she tried one melody after another. It felt so good to be able to play again. For the first time since she had moved into the Crescent Villa, Ru Yin Yue felt…liberated.
Eventually, she realized that the light outside her window had darkened. At some point, afternoon had slowly given way to evening. Perhaps she should go have dinner now.
To her immense surprise, she found Si Zha Nan standing at her door, watching her coldly. A corner of his mouth twitched upward.
"So you went and bought yourself your own personal piano, huh?" He asked, his tone caustic. Ru Yin Yue stared at him for a moment, then shook her head.
"Actually, this piano was a gift from your mother."
Si Zha Nan scowled, still blocking the way. He leaned over to glare at her. "I don't know what spell you cast on my mother to have her treat you so well…but I guarantee it won't last forever. She'll see your true nature soon enough."
"You said that the last time," Ru Yin Yue said with a sigh. "Perhaps mom has already seen my true nature. I wonder who's the one with blinkers on."
"Celebrate while you can," Si Zha Nan sneered before he turned away. "You don't have much time left before you have to return to work."