Face-Off
Mr. Dong and Hu Shan didn't enter the Music Room. After Xu Huo and the other six went inside, the door closed behind them.
"Please, make yourselves comfortable. Sit down."
You Qiwen and Fly exchanged a glance, then sat down one after the other on the side nearest He Pu's bedroom. The others took their seats in turn.
Xu Huo sat in the middle, with the Chen Brothers behind him, Fly on his left, and Wei Landeng and Liu Zheng Ping on his right.
Compared to the other players, who seemed calm, Wei Landeng and Liu Zheng Ping were restless. He Pu smiled warmly at them from the stage. "What is it? Is your stomach still bothering you?"
Their expressions stiffened. Wei Landeng was about to speak, but Xu Huo cut her off and said to He Pu, "Why not invite Mr. Dong and Hu Shan in too? It'll be rather dull with only us listening."
The other players stared at him in shock. Wei Landeng managed a strained smile. "Mr. Dong and Hu Shan must have other things to do."
It was to their advantage that He Pu, Mr. Dong, and Hu Shan were separated. What was Xu Huo trying to do by gathering everyone together? Did he think things weren't dangerous enough?
But Xu Huo paid no heed to the players' hints, leaning back in his chair and gesturing to He Pu to begin.
He Pu's smile deepened. He tapped the cello's strings lightly with his baton, and a rich note rippled out, reaching the doorway. The Music Room door swung open, and Hu Shan came in. "What would you like me to do, sir?"
"Mr. Xu invited you and the butler to listen to the concert."
Hu Shan glanced at Xu Huo in surprise, but at