Chapter Three: Memories in the Dream
It was late at night when Su Feiyan lay quietly in bed. The world before him was still pitch black. His thoughts began to drift, slowly entering a vague and distant dream. It was a place he didn't want to remember — the orphanage yard, where the cold air filled the surroundings. In the dream, he was still that fragile little boy, the sunlight around him struggling to pierce through thick clouds, as if it could never warm his lonely heart.
Bullying at the Orphanage
The laughter of children echoed in the air, sharp and full of malice. Little Su Feiyan was shoved around, stumbling as he walked in the yard. The children around him mocked him in a teasing tone.
"Blind and still walking?" A boy's voice pierced the air, full of disdain.
"Look, the blind kid is about to bump into the wall!" Another girl laughed, her voice as sharp as a needle.
They surrounded Su Feiyan, mimicking his walk, pushing him one after another. His hands reached out helplessly in front of him, trying to find something to support him, but no matter how hard he tried, the mockery shattered his efforts.
Suddenly, one child reached in front of him and mocked, "Hey, Su Feiyan, guess how many fingers I'm holding up?"
As soon as the words were spoken, the others burst into laughter, filled with contempt and ridicule. Su Feiyan stopped in his tracks, his face flushed, his hands blindly reaching out for the air, but there was no answer. He lowered his head, clenched his fists, desperately holding back his tears.
The sound of piano music suddenly came from afar, the clear notes like a beam of light, momentarily soothing his heart. He fumbled his way toward the piano room, and when his fingers touched the keys, the loneliness seemed to dissipate for a moment.
When the piano teacher saw him, she smiled gently and asked, "Xiao Feiyan, were you bullied again today?"
Su Feiyan didn't dare to nod, only silently touching the piano keys. The teacher knelt down, took his hand in hers, and softly said, "Don't mind them. Music is your language; it can touch people more deeply than any light. You were born with an ability they'll never have. Remember, your music can transcend their petty mockery."
She paused for a moment, then continued, "For the New Year's performance, play well — not for those children, but for yourself."
However, this hope was soon shattered.
Before the orphanage's New Year's performance, Su Feiyan's solo piece was suddenly canceled. The director explained, "We can't risk having the children's performance go wrong. This is an important occasion, and the leaders are expecting a flawless performance."
The piano teacher tried to defend Su Feiyan: "Director, he's practiced the piece well. There won't be any problems."
The director frowned. "But he's blind. What will the leaders think if something goes wrong?"
"So what if he's blind? Does that mean he doesn't deserve a stage?" Her voice grew firm. "He's practiced for so long — do you know what this means to him?"
The director hesitated for a moment but still shook his head. "We can't take that risk."
The piano teacher stood up, her tone resolute. "If something goes wrong with the performance, I'll take responsibility. Don't worry, Su Feiyan will do well. I guarantee it."
The director paused again but didn't change the decision. Su Feiyan stood to the side, silently listening to the argument. He lowered his head and groped along the wall, eventually leaving the room on his own. His fingers lightly tapped on his knees, as though only the familiar melody could offer him some comfort.
The Struggle at the Blind School
Time at the blind school didn't allow Su Feiyan to escape from bullying. He was the smallest in the class, and the other students often picked on him. One time, several older students deliberately took his cane and hid his braille books. Su Feiyan, unable to tolerate it anymore, confronted one of the boys.
"Give my books back!" Su Feiyan shouted at the boy.
"Give them back?" The boy sneered, "Can you even find them?"
Angered, Su Feiyan pushed the boy, who didn't back down and shoved him to the ground. The confrontation quickly attracted other students, turning into a chaotic fight.
Soon after, the homeroom teacher rushed in, separating them but offering no further investigation. Instead, she frowned and coldly said, "How old are you? Fighting? Don't do this again, understand?"
Her tone wasn't angry, nor was there any real attempt at teaching; it felt as though it was just a trivial squabble. Su Feiyan stood to the side, head lowered, silently enduring the unfairness.
Encouragement from the Blind School Teacher
Afterward, the music teacher called Su Feiyan into the piano room. After hearing about the incident, she sighed softly and knelt in front of him, saying, "I know you're feeling wronged, but don't let these things affect you."
She took his hand in hers, her voice gentle but firm: "Xiao Feiyan, remember, your worth isn't defined by others — it's something you must earn. They bully you not because you've done anything wrong, but because they can't see your light. As long as you keep trying, they will eventually understand that you are different from them."
Su Feiyan nodded. Although the world before him was still dark, the teacher's encouragement was like a beam of light, dispersing the shadows in his heart. He knew that music was his weapon, the strongest way he could express himself.
The Confession at the Blind School
At the blind school, Su Feiyan had a crush on a girl in his class. She was kind and gentle, and unlike the others, she never mocked or looked down on him. One day, after class, Su Feiyan nervously approached her.
"Xiao Lan," he started, his voice trembling. "I… I like you. I know I'm not like the others, and I'm not from a good background, but I like being around you."
There was a long silence. Su Feiyan could hear her soft breathing, but she didn't respond right away. Finally, she spoke, her voice gentle but firm, "I'm sorry, Su Feiyan. You're a good person, but… I don't think it's possible. You're from the orphanage, and people like us… we don't deserve to be with girls like me. I don't think anyone would like a child from the orphanage."
Her words hit Su Feiyan like a cold wind, and his heart sank. He could feel the weight of her rejection, as though the darkness of the world around him had deepened.