When Eden opened his eyes, he was laying on a bed. He stood up, looking around the spacious room. He caressed the fur bedding and looked at the decoration. On the wall was a poster of a man playing the piano. On the desk, he could see scattered music sheets and a notebook. On the side was a closed computer. He went to the walk-in closet, looking at the expensive clothes. He walked to the bathroom, looking at his reflection.
A youth with dark hair and green peach blossom eyes looked back. He had thin eyebrows and an aquiline nose with high cheekbones. His skin was fair and glowy. His full lips were red as blood and incredibly eye-catching. The youth looking back was beautiful and the same as every other Eden. Eden went back to the room, sitting on the bed. He closed his eyes using Versem and an interface appeared. He looked at the specs of the universe, thinking. He selected receive and felt all the information of this universe pouring in.
This Eden is an 18-year-old ger. In this universe, they are three genders men, women, and gers. Gers are men who can procreate, they are beautiful and in very high demand. They would usually marry young and stay at home. This Eden grew up in an orphanage. He knew that despite his beauty he had to have something more to be adopted, so he taught himself piano. It paid off because Shao Zhehan and Shao Qing decided to adopt him. They wanted him to have the typical upbringing that every ger would have, but Eden didn't want to be married and be a stay-at-home wife.
He always dreamed of being a renowned pianist. Since he was four years old he's been playing, and he was a piano virtuoso. He was so excellent that his adoptive parents stopped paying his older brother's teacher, so Eden could teach him. His brother Yinsi wanted to be a pianist as well, and his parents supported him with every resource possible. In this universe, it was considered a high honor to have a daughter or a son who plays piano because it had a mental healing effect that was extremely hard to cultivate.
The Shao family had been in that business for generations, and they built an empire. Shao Zhehan's father created pianos and after his brother took over the company it expanded. Not only did it become a company worth billions, but he built an academy called Shao Lyrical. Shao Lyrical was the most famous music school in the world. People from all over the world would fight to get in, and the chances of entry were a hundred to one. When Shao Zhehan's brother died, his son Shao Chen ran the empire.
Shao Zhehan worked at the headquarters of Shao Inc with his nephew Shao Chen but only has a branch manager. Shao Zhehan and his wife wanted their son Yinsi to be selected to enter Shao Lyrical. Even though Shao Chen was his nephew, he knew that the only way Yinsi would get accepted was by merit. Eden knew that they needed him for that, so he emphasized that he would only help if he could attend Shao Lyrical as well. His parents agreed and he helped Yinsi.
One day when Shao Chen came to have dinner, he happened to hear someone playing the piano. When he came to the music room, he saw Yinsi playing and became captivated. He decided to have him come to his house every day to play for him and gave him a place for the entrance exam of Shao Lyrical without having to audition. Every year a competition who was the entrance exam was organized. They were three rounds and the final.
Only a thousand participants were chosen out of millions of applicants. To make sure that Yinsi wouldn't fail, Shao Zhehan and Shao Qing made Eden teach him for hours on end. They even had him wrote a symphony for the final in his stead. Eden agreed only because he wanted to enter Shao Lyrical, and he knew that he couldn't without the help of his parents. When Eden finished his audition tape, his father mailed it to him, and he was happy to see his parents being so supportive. Unfortunately, that wasn't the case. Eden was only adopted, so they could use him to help Yinsi then they intended to sell him to the highest bidder.
Because of their beauty and their ability to bear children, ger would go for a very high price on the black market. To make sure that Yinsi would succeed once he starts the competition, his parents invited one of the judges Wu Yuheng to their house to bribe him. When Yuheng's eyes fell on Eden, he immediately fell in love. He told his parents that he would make sure Yinsi get accepted if he could marry Eden. Shao Zhehan and Shao Qing immediately agreed. When his parents told him, Eden refused until his father threatened him.
He realized that all this time his parents pretended to love him just so he could help Yinsi get into Shao Lyrical. He was forced to marry Wu Yuheng and moved into his house. Even if he wished he hadn't he was at least happy that he was married to a music lover. Unfortunately, his happiness didn't last. Eden was abused mentally and physically by Yuheng every day. One day when his parents came to see him for help, they saw traces on his body and decided to use that as an opportunity to further exploit him.
Yinsi had already won his competition in his group thanks to the symphony Eden had written for him, but now that he was attending Shao Lyrical things were more complicated. Yinsi couldn't follow classes or do his assignment. They were worried that people might start to suspect that he had cheated in the competition. They told Eden that they would bring him home if he would help him finish the three years there. Eden had no choice but to agree, so he can be free from the abuse and had to write symphonies for Yinsi constantly.
He would do every one of his assignments for Shao Lyrical and re-explain every lesson from school. After Yinsi graduated Eden thought he would finally be free, but his parents told him that they would bring him home in a year. During that time, he would still write symphonies for Yinsi. After a while, Eden couldn't take Wu Yuheng's abuse anymore and killed himself. Yinsi and his parents went to check if he didn't leave any symphonies before his suicide and found his music notebook. In it were enough symphonies, enough for two lifetimes.
Thanks to the notebook, Yinsi had a massively successful career. Shao Chen even helped him become a bigger celebrity. Despite his fame, Yinsi would still come every day to play for Shao Chen, so he named Shao Zhehan as the chief company executive which was his dream. Yinsi became the most renowned pianist the world had ever seen and was glorified even decades after his death.
Eden opened his eyes and burst out laughing. It became a habit of his after transmigrating for so long. He can't help but laugh at how utterly terrible the life of every Eden is. He looked at the notebook on the desk thoughtfully. He stood up walking to the bathroom again. He stood in front of the mirror and closed his eyes. He upgraded his body. In this universe, he is a ger, and they tend to be weak. Now that he finally has power, he won't allow anyone to be stronger than him.
When he heard a knock, he opened his eyes and went to open the door. A maid informed:
"Young master, dinner is ready."
Eden smiled, his eyes flashing.
"Thank you, I'll be right there."
The maid smiled at him and left.
When she was out of sight, Eden's eyes turned sharp. In the original timeline, Eden ate in his room, but he needs to be there. He went down the stairs to the dining hall. When he arrived, he saw a man in his late twenties sitting at the head of the table. Shao Chen. He had a chiseled jawline with almond-shaped gray eyes and dark hair. His nose was straight, and his lips were full. His gray eyes were sparkling with mirth. On his left and right were Zhehan and Qing. Next to Zhehan was Yinsi.
Eden took a seat next to his mother. He looked at Chen.
"Hello."
Qing and Zhehan looked at Eden with a smile. Chen smiled as well, assessing him.
"What's your name?"
"Eden, what's yours?"
Zhehan looked at Eden angrily, but when he looked back, he just smiled. He still has to pretend to care about Eden until they don't need him anymore.
Zhehan coughed and was about to say something when Chen did.
"You can call me Chen-Ge."
Eden looked back into his eyes and tilted his head. Interesting.
"It's a pleasure to meet you, Chen-Ge."
"You too Eden."
Zhehan relaxed slightly. He's always on edge when he is around Chen. Despite his laid-back outward appearance, he knows better than to believe what Chen shows people. He's never met someone so frightening before. Even if he has a smile on, he should always be careful. He doesn't want him to have one of his anger fit on him again. The last time it happened, he was in the hospital for two days. He ended up with two broken ribs and a fractured nose. Over time people figured out how not to get him angry, but it's not a perfect science.
Chen looked into Eden's green eyes, enchanted. He never met him before, since he never set foot in Zhehan's house. He only came because he was sick of his dinner invitations. He knows that he wants to impress him but it'll never happen. Although if he had known his adoptive son was this beautiful, he would've come sooner. There's just something different about him. Usually, gers are timid and quiet, but he feels Eden's arrogance like he is aware of how lovely he is. I want him. He doesn't want many things, but when he does and gets them he never let's go.
Eden tilted his head looking at Chen with a smile, his eyes shining with amusement. It'll be easier to use him than he thought, not that he ever had a doubt. The servers came in, putting a plate in front of everyone. When they left, Eden looked down at his plate with a frown. Yinsi asked sweetly with a smile:
"Brother, is there something wrong?"
Eden scanned him, his eyes full of anger, he had a round face and his hair was short and brown. His eyes were slanted, and he had a small nose with thin lips.
When Yinsi saw the anger in Eden's eyes, he was extremely pleased. He knows that Eden is allergic to fish, and this is why he asked his mother for that. He is sick of always having to be nice to him just because he can help him be a better pianist and get into Shao Lyrical. So, he would always tell his mother to tell the chef to cook something he would hate or be allergic to, so they can have a real family dinner. It worked since after a while he stopped eating with them and ate in his room. He doesn't understand why he even came downstairs today.
His father invited Chen, so he can play for him. He is the one who deserves to attend Shao Lyrical and become a renowned pianist, not Eden. He is better than him in every way, furthermore, the world doesn't need someone who isn't a real man as a pianist. Furthermore, he should thank him for giving his life a purpose instead of acting arrogantly. He hates that the whole family has to bend over backward just because he helps him.
Eden looked at his parents, asking:
"Do you still don't know what I'm allergic to after 12 years with me?"
Qing and Zhehan looked at Eden. They were surprised to see him sad, his usual contempt was nowhere to be seen. Qing immediately said:
"Of course we do, Eden the chef made the menu and I didn't check with him."
Eden looked down and said softly:
"It's not just today, it's every day. Every so often I feel like you would rather not have dinner with me."
Eden stood up and left upset.
Zhehan stood up to go after him. He can feel that he is truly upset, and they can't have that until they don't need him anymore. Too many things depend on him. He and Qing know full well what Yinsi does, but they don't care. If they can have a family dinner, of course, they will. Eden isn't part of the family, he is just a nuisance. Chen put a hand on his shoulder and he looked at him surprised.
"I'll talk to him."
Zhehan sat back and looked at him leave. When he was out of earshot, he banged on the table angrily yelling:
"That son of a bitch!"
He had to invite Chen twenty times before he accepted, and now this happens. He wants him to listen to Yinsi play but for some reason, he is seemingly more open to Eden.
Yinsi said:
"See what I mean? Eden makes everything about him."
What annoys him the most is the fact that his cousin asked Eden to call him Chen-Ge when they've just met. He's seen him many times when he would go to the company to see his father, but besides nodding at him, he did nothing else. Qing looked at her son affectionately.
"Don't worry sweetie soon Eden will be out of the house, and it'll only be the family again."
Chen walked up the stairs to the second floor, but he instantly stopped in place when he heard music. He followed the beautiful sound, which led him to a music room. He walked in, standing in front of the piano watching Eden play. His eyes were closed, and he had a beautiful smile on. Chen felt a sense of serenity enter his mind, like the flame that was burning his soul was being extinguished. For a moment, he felt and thought nothing. It was brief, yet so long, and he felt at ease. The melody was carrying him like he was weightless.
He sat next to Eden with a smile. Eden opened his eyes, meeting smiling gray eyes still playing. He looked at the piano and finished playing. When he was done, he looked at Chen.
"What are you doing here?"
"I came to make sure you're okay."
Eden smiled.
"I'm fine, I'm used to it by now."
Chen reached out, caressing his head.
"Did you write that symphony?"
"I did. What did you think?"
"It was beautiful. Will you play something else?"
Eden nodded and played. Chen watched as Eden's nimble fingers started to dance on the piano after he closed his eyes. He smiled as he played again. Chen looked at him intently. He had no idea Eden played the piano, he thought that Yinsi was the only one. To be fair, it's not like he made the effort to even meet him. He was sick of Zhehan begging him to come to have dinner but it's a good thing he did, or he would've never met Eden or listened to him play. He's always loved the piano, but it never had the healing effect it had on other people but Eden's symphonies do.
Eden finished playing and looked at Chen. He knows that before him, the piano never healed his mind. In the original timeline, the same thing happened when he listened to Yinsi play. For the first time, music affected him only because he played a symphony Eden had written. Yinsi can only copy after Eden would teach him. He can't write healing music, but Eden was able ever since he was six years old.
He had a gift that he honed by working tirelessly. Meanwhile, Yinsi only copied everything he heard and acted like he had written the symphony. They would have never said to Chen that Eden actually did. Eden knew that he only had to make sure that Chen listened to him. It makes things easier than having to send an audition tape. If he can use Chen, of course, he will.
Chen asked:
"Will you come to play every day at my house?"
Eden looked into his expectant eyes, amused. When he sees this Chen, he can't help but be diverted. Using Versem he checked to see what kind of person he was and let's just say he isn't your typical guy. He even watched him beat Zhehan when he made a mistake at work. So to see him asking so nicely is funny.
"I will."
Chen smiled brightly, and Eden smiled back. He pulled him closer, feeling that Eden was too far.
"I'll send a car at 7 pm."
Eden nodded, looking at the necklace around his neck. Despite being under his shirt, he could see the outline of it. Chen looked down, following his eyes. He pulled out the necklace under his shirt. Eden reached out and held the golden necklace.
He caressed the music note. He feels that the information he has about Chen is different from the person he sees before him. It doesn't seem his style to wear a necklace like that. Reading his mind, Chen explained as he held on to his waist.
"It was my mother's she loved that necklace. It feels like having a piece of her with me when I wear it."
Eden looked up meeting his eyes, he could see the deep love he felt for her. He put back the necklace under his shirt as he said:
"It's beautiful."
Chen smiled and Eden smiled back. He freed himself from his hold, stood up, and left after saying:
"I'll see you tomorrow."
Chen looked at him, leaving his eyes flashing with determination. When Chen went back to the dining hall he looked at Zhehan ordering:
"Eden will come to my house every day at 7 pm to play piano for an hour starting tomorrow. He is not to miss a day unless you want to see my bad side again. I'll send a car."
Chen turned around and left without waiting for an answer. When Zhehan heard the front door close he banged his fist on the table forcefully again and stood up furious, leaving for Eden's room.
As we walked up the stairs he calmed down, knowing that they still need him. He passed a maid who was just leaving his room and entered. He asked calmly:
"Eden, what happened with Chen?"
Eden looked at him for just a few seconds then he looked away, still upset. Zhehan felt like slapping him.
Qing walked in knowing that his husband was on the brink. She sat next to Eden.
"Sweety we don't want you to think that we don't want you around. Of course, we want to have dinner with you. We aren't a family without you."
She felt like throwing up saying those words, but she knew it was worth it when Eden looked at her hopeful.
She smiled gently.
"You're our son, how could you think something so silly? I'll give a chef a list of all the things you're allergic to."
Eden added:
"And all the things I don't like."
Qing nodded with a forced smile. If she were to talk, she would insult him, but over the years she was able to know how to talk to Eden to make him do what they need him to.
Eden smiled brilliantly. Zhehan stood before him, asking:
"What happened with Chen?"
Eden explained, meeting his eyes:
"I was in the music room playing piano when he came in. He asked me to play a symphony for him, so I did since I know how much you love him."
Zhehan narrowed his eyes.
Yinsi walked and asked angrily:
"Why would you play for him like that? He is my cousin, I should've been the one."
"I didn't play for him, he walked in while I did unannounced. Even if I did, what's the problem?"
Eden looked at them confused, and they could all see that he had no idea what he did wrong.
Qing said:
"He wants you to come to play for him every day at his house."
"I know."
Zhehan looked at him surprised.
"What?"
"He asked me if I didn't mind, and I said I don't."
Zhehan's hands tightened into fists. Chen ordered him and he asked Eden? What is wrong with him? Why does he seem to like Eden?
Eden tilted his head.
"Did I do something wrong, father?"
Zhehan looked at Eden, at least that fool is utterly oblivious. Maybe they can use the fact that Chen likes him to help with Yinsi. He smiled, his eyes flashing.
"Not at all, son."
They looked at the entry when a maid came in with a platter of food. Eden took it with a smile.
"Thank you."
The maid smiled back and left.
They all looked at Eden in anger. Turns out he knows the words thank you, they're just not good enough to be thanked by him. Eden asked annoyed:
"Is there something else I want to eat in peace?"
They all left downstairs. Zhehan sat on the couch, trembling in anger. Never in his life did he want to beat someone this much. The only reason he doesn't is, so he won't disfigure him, or no one will want him to buy Eden when they're done with him.
Yinsi looked at his father.
"What do we do now?"
"We'll let him go, he'll put in a good word for you. Just focus on your audition tape, so we can send it soon. The deadline is already close."
Qing hugged her son.
"Don't worry, we will never let Eden set foot anywhere near Shao Lyrical. I'll make him write you a symphony for the competition's final like that once you receive the acceptance letter, we won't have to see him again."
Yinsi wore a pleased smile as he hugged his mother back. He was worried that they would keep him even after he is selected for the competition.
Eden's eyes flashed as he ate, listening to their conversation. He wishes he could say he never met a family so terrible, but that would be a lie. He intends to make sure that Yinsi attends the competition entrance exam as well, so he'll genuinely help him. After eating, he went on his computer and linked it to Versem. He needs to be independent and for that, he needs money. It should be easy, he has the biggest cheat in the world. Just because he is a ger he should just marry someone and stay at home? I don't think so, you just wait. He smiled viciously.