Wu Shanye

Wu Shanye stood rooted to the spot for a long time. The final piano note seemed to still linger in his ears. Perhaps it had been seconds, perhaps longer. Wu Shanye glanced at Feng Yanshan beside him. "Why didn't you bring him to meet me back then?"

Although Feng Yanshan knew nothing about music, he was adept at reading people. From Wu Shanye's words and actions, he could clearly see his fondness and surprise toward Bai Yunsheng. He scrutinized Bai Yunsheng, then made up an excuse. "I'd originally planned to bring Yunsheng over, but the boy happened to have something to do at the time."

Wu Shanye did not press further and walked toward Bai Yunsheng. "Good boy, would you like to be my student?"

It was exactly what Bai Yunsheng wanted. Even though the pain had made it difficult for him to sit steadily, he straightened his back. "I would."

Wu Shanye casually patted Bai Yunsheng on the back. Bai Yunsheng let out a muffled groan, and Wu Shanye's hand came away with a sticky, wet sensation. Puzzled, he looked down at his palm.

Bright red blood stained Wu Shanye's hand. He froze, unable to react. The next second, Bai Yunsheng, who had been sitting upright, toppled toward the piano. Amid a piercing clash of piano keys, Wu Shanye's final words blurred in Bai Yunsheng's ears.

It was like having a long, distant dream. In the dream, Bai Yunsheng was trapped in a swamp. No matter how he struggled, it was useless. There were curses in his ears, accusations, holes of every size aimed at him. Some were pitch-black, while others gave off a faint glow, eerie and suffocating.

When Bai Yunsheng woke up, there were many people by his bed.

Wu Shanye was sitting there with a terrible expression.

Feng Yanshan stood there, his face solemn.

Doctor Luoluo was holding down the back of Bai Yunsheng's hand.

When they saw Bai Yunsheng slowly open his eyes, they all gathered around him.

Feng Yanshan still looked like a kind and loving father. "Yunsheng, how are you feeling?" As he spoke, where Wu Shanye could not see, he shot Bai Yunsheng a reprimanding look.

Bai Yunsheng had long since grown used to it. Compared to Feng Yanshan's loving-father facade, this version of Feng Yanshan made him feel more at ease.

Wu Shanye also leaned closer. "Was this really from a fall?" Ordinarily, it was not appropriate for him to interfere in another family's affairs. But he liked Bai Yunsheng far too much to care whether he was overstepping. One look was enough to tell that the wound had been inflicted by someone.

Bai Yunsheng lowered his head. "It really was a fall."

Wu Shanye cherished talent. The way Bai Yunsheng spoke with his head lowered displayed his grievance and pitifulness to the fullest. Especially with his drooping eyelids and lowered lashes, it made Wu Shanye feel terrible.

Doctor Luoluo looked away, then took Bai Yunsheng's temperature with a thermometer gun. "The fever's gone down." After giving a few more instructions, he promptly removed himself from the troubled scene.

Wu Shanye frowned at Feng Yanshan. "Chairman Feng, this was originally your family matter, and I have no right to interfere. But you know I'm famous for protecting my own. Bai Yunsheng is my student now, and you should know that my students represent the country in competitions." He fell silent for a few seconds. "So—I hope you can give me an explanation. The back may not be the hand, but nerves are all connected. I don't want Bai Yunsheng to be unable to even press the piano keys when it's time for my lessons!"

Feng Yanshan had no idea what had happened, nor did he understand why Bai Yunsheng had such a severe wound on his back. He could only say, "I was away on a business trip yesterday. I don't know what happened, but I'll ask Yunsheng about it properly."

Wu Shanye gave a quiet hum and said to Bai Yunsheng, "Don't be afraid. Your teacher is here."

Bai Yunsheng's hand outside the blanket twitched, his fingers seeming to spasm. He said softly, "Teacher, I'm really fine. When I fell, I just don't know what I hit."

How could Wu Shanye possibly believe him? He vaguely understood that Bai Yunsheng would not tell the truth while he was here, so he could only straighten up. "I have something to do this afternoon, so I'll leave first. Yunsheng, are you free for class next weekend?"

Bai Yunsheng finally raised his eyes. "I am."

Wu Shanye said, "Then come to my house for class. You can meet your senior brother while you're there."

Bai Yunsheng nodded repeatedly. Seeing Wu Shanye about to leave, he tried to get out of bed to see him off, but Wu Shanye hurriedly pressed him back down. "You're hurt like this, why are you seeing anyone off? Chairman Feng, why don't you see me out?"

Feng Yanshan said, "Of course, of course."

The lively room fell quiet. Bai Yunsheng watched them leave, then withdrew his gaze. Supporting himself on the bed, he sat up and leaned lightly against the headboard as he looked around.

It was warm and cozy, utterly unlike his own room.

There were too many rooms in the Feng Household. Bai Yunsheng did not even know which one he was in.

Before long, footsteps sounded outside the door, followed by the door opening. A servant entered with a tray. "Young master, breakfast."

Bai Yunsheng raised his brows. He truly had not expected Feng Yanshan to be so considerate. Seeing that Bai Yunsheng said nothing, the servant did not dare move carelessly.

Bai Yunsheng said, "Bring it over."

The servant walked over with utmost respect.

"Give it to me."

And so, for the first time, Bai Yunsheng ate breakfast in bed.

The servant waited until Bai Yunsheng had finished breakfast before leaving. The moment the servant was gone, Feng Yanshan entered. Whatever Wu Shanye had said, Feng Yanshan looked quite pleased.

"How do you feel now?" Feng Yanshan moved an armchair to the bedside and sat down.

Bai Yunsheng said, "Much better."

Feng Yanshan asked, "What exactly happened to your back?"

Bai Yunsheng said nothing, his hands clenched tightly together.

Feng Yanshan said, "Wu Shanye is gone. You can tell me now."

Bai Yunsheng bit his lip, then looked at Feng Yanshan. "Father..."

What Feng Yanshan disliked most was Bai Yunsheng's timid, submissive manner. His tone became harsher. "Why are you acting like this again? If I tell you to speak, then speak."

Bai Yunsheng looked deeply troubled. In the end, as though unable to withstand Feng Yanshan's pressure, he told him everything word by word.

Feng Yanshan's expression was quite something. Like a palette, it shifted from indifference to a frown, then from a frown to darkness, and then from darkness to conflict. Several different expressions changed across his face in only a few seconds.

Bai Yunsheng left out Meng Shangzhi's involvement. After finishing, he quietly waited for Feng Yanshan's response.

After several minutes, Feng Yanshan finally cleared his throat. "I'll give you an explanation."

Bai Yunsheng said, "Big Brother wasn't actually wrong. He really can discipline me in your place."

Something about those words struck a nerve in Feng Yanshan. He instantly stood up. "In my place? I'm not dead yet. It's not his turn to manage anything." With a flick of his sleeve, he seemed to realize that he had been too agitated. His expression softened. "Rest properly. Stay here for now, and move upstairs after some time."

Bai Yunsheng gave a quiet hum. "Thank you, Father."

Feng Yanshan said, "Study well under Wu Shanye. Don't disgrace the Feng Household."

Bai Yunsheng sneered inwardly, but his tone remained gentle. "I understand, Dad. Then, I'll go home to practice the piano..."

Feng Yanshan considered it for only a second. "Tingfan's piano room is yours."

A trace of difficulty appeared on Bai Yunsheng's face. "What about Second Brother...?"

Feng Yanshan said, "I make the decisions in this house!"