Chapter Nine: sacred, not anymore
Su Feiyan never expected that the secret of him playing the piano would leak so quickly.
That afternoon, after class, just like usual, he quietly left the classroom with his bag on his back, took the long hallway, and went to the quietest piano room in the school. He pushed open the door, expertly placed his bag on the floor, and felt his way to the piano bench. His fingers lightly grazed the piano keys, and the cold touch made his heart skip a beat.
The window of the piano room was slightly open, and the late autumn wind gently blew in, carrying a bit of chill, lifting a forgotten music sheet from the corner. Outside, the sounds of laughter from the playground faintly reached his ears, contrasting sharply with the stillness in the piano room.
This was his time alone with the piano. No one knew, and he didn't need to perform for anyone.
The music slowly flowed out, as if whispering something—gentle and reserved. He poured his emotions into each note, each one resonating with his heartbeat. Time seemed to stop in this space, and everything outside seemed to fade away, leaving only the music and him.
However, he didn't expect that someone was quietly approaching the door outside the piano room.
Lin Xi originally just passed by, and by chance, she heard that familiar yet strange melody. She stopped in her tracks. Hesitating for a few seconds, she couldn't help but gently open the door a crack.
She held her breath, watching the young man on the piano bench, his head lowered, his long fingers flowing across the black and white keys, as if the notes were born for him. He closed his eyes, his brows slightly furrowed, his expression focused and serene, as if immersed in the music.
The setting sun outside shone through the window, casting a soft orange glow on his profile, enveloping him in a warm, gentle light. Lin Xi had never seen Su Feiyan like this, as if he had blended into the sunset's glow and the piano's music.
She couldn't help but take a step back, ready to leave, but accidentally stepped on a small fallen leaf. The faint sound echoed in the silent piano room, becoming sharply noticeable.
Su Feiyan's fingers immediately stopped, and the music abruptly ceased. He turned around quickly, though he couldn't see, he was keenly aware of the presence by the door.
"Who's there?" His voice was low, tinged with a hint of alertness.
Lin Xi froze, her heart racing. After a moment of hesitation, she softly replied, "It's… it's me."
The air seemed to freeze for a second. Su Feiyan relaxed his brows slightly, but his expression tightened, his ears faintly reddened. He lowered his head, his fingers nervously grazing the piano keys. "How did you end up here?"
"I…" Lin Xi lowered her head, like a child caught doing something wrong. "I just heard the piano and… I came to take a look."
Su Feiyan didn't speak. His shoulders tensed, as if he had never expected his secret to be discovered. He clenched his hands on his knees, too embarrassed to raise his head. "How much did you hear?"
"I… heard quite a bit." Lin Xi answered softly. She bit her lip, hesitating for a long time before cautiously asking, "Su Feiyan, why have you never told me that you can play the piano?"
"That's… not important." His voice was barely audible, tinged with awkwardness.
Lin Xi looked at his lowered face and suddenly felt a little guilty. Her tone softened. "But you're really good, really. I've never heard such beautiful piano music."
Su Feiyan froze. His face flushed slightly, and he turned his head away, as if not used to being praised so directly. He lowered his eyes, seemingly trying to hide his unease. "Thank you."
Lin Xi hesitated for a moment, as if gathering courage, and gently walked into the piano room. She stood beside him, looking at the keys, her eyes filled with appreciation. "The song you played just now, what's it called?"
Su Feiyan smiled faintly, trying to ease his nervousness, his voice calm. "It doesn't have a name. I made it up."
Lin Xi was taken aback, amazed by his talent. She looked at his hand nervously resting on his knee, and suddenly felt that the Su Feiyan in front of her was different from the composed classmate she knew.
"Could you play it again?" Lin Xi asked hesitantly, her voice tinged with both expectation and nervousness.
Su Feiyan paused for a moment, his ears still tinged with red, but he nodded. His fingers returned to the piano keys, and the melody slowly flowed out again. Lin Xi stood quietly beside him, listening intently. A melody began to form in her mind.
She bit her lip, gripping the hem of her clothes, unsure whether she should sing. She had always been afraid of singing in front of others, thinking her voice wasn't good enough. But in that moment, Su Feiyan's music seemed to pave a path for her, giving her just enough courage.
The music intertwined with her breathing, and the sunset outside gradually sank lower, its warm light turning into a soft orange hue. Lin Xi glanced up at the window, and the entire campus seemed bathed in a golden light, filling her heart with warmth.
As the music slowed down, her lips parted slightly, and she tentatively hummed the first note. Her voice was so soft it was almost inaudible, but Su Feiyan's fingers hesitated for a moment, his head slightly turning, as if he was listening more intently.
Lin Xi's cheeks flushed deeper, and she closed her eyes, finally letting go of her shyness. Her voice grew clearer, tinged with a bit of nervousness, but becoming more confident.
Su Feiyan remained silent, his fingers not stopping. The simple chords deepened, blending with Lin Xi's voice. In that moment, it was as if two hearts were quietly drawing closer in the piano room, intertwining in the music. Outside, the last rays of the sun faded, and night quietly descended.