October 1st marked Ye Mingxuan’s holiday, and Tan Sizhe’s company was also closed. With nothing to do, Tan Sizhe took Ye Mingxuan back to the old mansion.
Built in the early 20th century during the peak of his grandfather’s entrepreneurial success, the Tan family mansion stood in a prime location of City A. Blending Chinese and European architectural styles, it had undergone numerous renovations over the years. By now, the value of this old estate was undeniably substantial.
The car glided through the ornate gates. Security guards tipped their hats in salute as the vehicle passed through layers of tree shadows, finally stopping beside an elaborate fountain.
After over an hour on the road, Ye Mingxuan had dozed off until Tan Sizhe roused him.
Tan Sizhe placed a hand on the back of his head, unbuckled his seatbelt, and let the strap retract with a jolt that roused Ye Mingxuan.
Ye Mingxuan rubbed his eyes as he stepped out, shielding his face from the glare of the sun.
Today’s bright sunshine seemed perfect for sleeping, and Ye Mingxuan yawned.
The attendant opened the door. Tan Sizhe stepped out, his black thin-soled leather shoes touching the ground. He turned to see Ye Mingxuan squinting. “Still sleepy? You can rest in the bedroom later.”
Ye Mingxuan instantly sobered up, lowering his gaze and shaking his head. “No, no. I’m not tired.”
It was impolite to sleep at someone else’s home on the first visit. Even though he was exhausted, he had to stay alert.
Tan Sizhe instructed the attendant to fetch the health supplements from the trunk. As he looked up, Ye Mingxuan immediately followed obediently, entering the house with Tan Sizhe.
The moment they stepped inside, a toy car collided with Ye Mingxuan’s shoe.
Ye Mingxuan: ?
“Ah Jin! Ah Jin!” Old Master Tan’s voice echoed from afar.
Ye Mingxuan turned as a yellow blur charged toward them. He instantly darted behind Tan Sizhe. “Dog! Dog!!”
Tan Sizhe stepped in front of him: “It’s okay, it’s not after you.”
A large golden retriever wagged its tail, trotting over with a clatter of paws. It opened its wide, blood-red mouth, snatched the toy car, and swung its tail like a fan, looking up at Tan Sizhe with bright, moist eyes.
Old Master Tan shuffled over quickly, spotting the pair. “Sizhe, Ming Xuan, you’re both here.”
Ye Ming Xuan emerged from behind Tan Sizhe, bending to greet him. “Hello, Grandpa.”
Grandpa Tan smiled warmly: “Are you tired? Sit down and rest a bit—Ah Jin, come here!”
Ah Jin carried the toy car back. Grandpa Tan took the toy, patted Ah Jin’s head, and the dog wagged its tail. It then walked over to Ye Mingxuan, circled him several times, and whined softly.
Ye Mingxuan wasn’t actually afraid of dogs, but Ah Jin’s sudden approach had caught him off guard. Now he watched the dog with curiosity, and the dog returned his gaze with equal interest, wagging its tail.
Grandpa Tan chuckled. “What did I tell you? Ah Jin would definitely like you. Ah Jin, come here. Let them rest a bit.”
Ah Jin was usually exceptionally intelligent and obedient, but today, for some reason, he refused to leave Ye Mingxuan’s side. He placed his front paws on Ye Mingxuan’s leg, whimpering softly, his nose sniffing at Ye Mingxuan’s stomach.
“Ah Jin! Don’t bully Mingxuan!” Old Master Tan came over to pull him away. “Come back to your cage with me.”
Ah Jin whined: Nooo.
“It’s okay, Grandpa,” Ye Mingxuan reached out to pat Ah Jin’s head. “He’s not bothering me.”
Seeing he didn’t mind, Old Master Tan said kindly, “He’s probably just excited to see a new face. No harm intended, I’m sure.”
Ye Mingxuan nodded repeatedly. “Mm-hmm.”
Tan Sizhe said, “Let Ah Jin play in the garden. I’ll take Mingxuan upstairs to get acquainted.”
Old Master Tan replied, “Alright. Have Old Ma call you for dinner.”
Tan Sizhe slipped his hands into his pockets and headed toward the elevator, telling Ye Mingxuan, ” Old Ma is Uncle Ma, the butler here. You can ask him for anything.”
Ye Mingxuan nodded quietly, though he had no intention of bothering Uncle Ma—he dreaded causing trouble for others.
“Never mind,” Tan Sizhe said as the elevator doors closed, watching their reflections. “If you need anything, don’t bother Uncle Ma. Just come find me.”
Ye Mingxuan froze for a moment before responding uncomfortably.
The Tan family mansion was truly enormous. Navigating it felt like walking through a maze. The second floor alone had over a dozen rooms. In the reception hall, Ye Mingxuan was drawn to a famous painting on the wall, standing transfixed for a long while.
Until a cheerful piano melody drifted into his ears.
Ye Mingxuan’s eyes flickered. He slowly followed the sound of the music, peering through a door to find a spacious piano room inside.
Thick, dark red curtains were drawn back, sunlight streaming through floor-to-ceiling windows onto Tan Sizhe. He sat before an antique white piano with gold trim, eyelashes lowered as he played the melody quietly.
Ye Mingxuan’s breath caught. He remembered how, many years ago, this very song had accompanied him through summer after summer.
A plain-looking man fed watermelon to his eight-year-old son. With no air conditioning in their dormitory, the man placed several ice cubes on the table and aimed the fan at them.
The ice gradually melted, bringing a slight coolness to the room.
The familiar ringtone of his phone sounded. The man picked it up and answered: “Brother Li, hello, hello.”
“I’m not going out. I’m staying home with the kid. No way, no way.”
“His mom isn’t around, and I don’t trust others to watch him.”
“Taking him out makes me even more uneasy. My son’s so adorable, what if someone kidnaps him? Next time I’ll join you guys.”
Ye Mingxuan held a stainless steel spoon, scooped out a hole in half a watermelon, and stuffed the flesh into his mouth: “Daddy, what’s the name of that song? It’s so nice.”
Every time someone called, the man’s phone would ring with that beautiful piano melody.
The man scratched his head. “I don’t know. Daddy will ask tomorrow.”
The next day, the man rushed home in a hurry, took off his orange hard hat, and wiped the sweat from his forehead. “I found out! What was that song called again…”
His coworker’s Mandarin wasn’t very good, so after listening, the man spent the whole day memorizing it. When he got home, he told his son the song was called “Carmen.”
For a long time, Ye Mingxuan believed that was the song’s name. Only later did he learn it wasn’t “Carmen,” but “Canon.”
But Ye Mingxuan never corrected his father. To him, the name of the piece didn’t matter—as long as it was that song.
Ye Mingxuan watched Tan Sizhe play Canon. Sunlight streamed down like stage lights, outlining the man’s features in pristine white.
Five minutes later, the piece ended. Tan Sizhe lifted his eyes to meet Ye Mingxuan’s moist gaze. “What’s wrong?”
Ye Mingxuan wiped his eyes. “I… I got sand in them…”
“Come here.” Tan Sizhe patted the soft cushion of the piano bench.
Ye Mingxuan walked over and sat down, keeping a fist’s distance from the man.
Tan Sizhe raised his hand and pressed against Ye Mingxuan’s eyelids. “Let me see. Does it still hurt?”
“It doesn’t hurt anymore.” Ye Mingxuan blinked, trying to hide his discomfort.
Tan Sizhe released his hand and casually struck two notes on the piano. “Surprised I can play?”
Ye Mingxuan nodded, then shook his head.
In his eyes, it wasn’t surprising that someone from Tan Sizhe’s background knew how to do anything. Ye Yufan had also studied piano, but he lacked patience and eventually sold his instrument.
Tan Sizhe explained, “My mother taught me. I pestered her to teach me when I was little. Later, when school got busy, I didn’t play much.”
“I saw this piano at an auction recently and bought it on impulse. Figured I could practice when I have time. Tried it today and remembered how to play.”
Tan Sizhe met Ye Mingxuan’s bright eyes: “Want to learn?”
Ye Mingxuan’s eyes widened: “Is that okay?”
He’d always wanted to try playing when he saw others do it, but never had the chance.
“Mhm.” Tan Sizhe took his hand.
……
Old Master Tan sat on the sofa petting the dog. Ah Jin had already dismantled that toy car earlier and now sat on the floor, tongue hanging out.
“Tsk. You broke it, and now you want a new one? No way!”
A Jin whined twice.
Old Master Tan: “…”
“Uncle Ma!”
Uncle Ma approached: “Master, what is it?”
“Are there any new toy cars left in the house?”
“I counted them a few days ago. There are three left.”
“Bring all three of those over, and buy thirty more to keep in reserve for him.”
“Yes, sir.”
Old Master Tan grabbed a plastic hammer and tapped A Jin on the head. “You can take apart toy cars, but you’re not allowed to take apart my wheelchair.”
Uncle Ma chuckled: “Where’s Mr. Mingxuan? I didn’t get a chance to greet him earlier.”
“Mingxuan and Sizhe are upstairs,” Old Master Tan rose. “Let’s go see them.”
The two ascended the stairs. Piano music greeted them the moment they stepped out of the elevator. Exchanging a glance, they headed toward the music room.
At the door, Old Master Tan pulled Uncle Ma back. “Don’t go in. Hide behind me.”
Uncle Ma obediently stepped behind the old man, both peeking through the doorway.
Tan Sizhe and Ye Mingxuan sat at the piano, each extending one hand to play Twinkle Twinkle Little Star.
Twinkle, twinkle, little star, how I wonder what you are…
Ye Mingxuan, having just begun learning, pressed the piano keys somewhat clumsily, while Tan Sizhe patiently guided him.
The former’s gaze rested on the black and white keys, while the latter’s eyes lingered on the former’s face. Even the sunlight seemed to soften, the entire scene bathed in a gentle, diffused white glow.
Old Master Tan reached out: “Old Ma, fetch my camera.”
Uncle Ma pulled it from behind and placed it in his hand: “What are you going to do?”
“What am I going to do?” Old Master Tan chuckled, raising the camera. “Record it. Send it to his parents.”
When the piece ended, Tan Sizhe praised, “Very good.”
Ye Mingxuan sheepishly lowered his hands. “Thank you, sir.”
Tan Sizhe cast a lingering glance toward the doorway. “Grandpa, what are you doing?”
Ye Mingxuan looked over, and Old Master Tan immediately shoved the camera into Uncle Ma’s hands. “I’m telling you to come down for dinner.”
Uncle Ma chimed in, “Right, the guests have arrived too.”
Guests?
Ye Mingxuan stood up and walked downstairs with Tan Sizhe. They saw a familiar car parked at the entrance.
Soon, the door opened. Ye Yufan and Zhao Dongxuan stepped out and entered the house alongside Ye Xiangkai.
Ye Yufan nodded vigorously, his eyes wide as saucers. “I see it! It’s so big and beautiful!”
The attendant bowed to them. Zhao Dongxuan pointed to the trunk. “Take our luggage to the rooms.”
Ye Xiangkai smoothed his suit jacket and adjusted his bow tie, motioning for Zhao Dongxuan to lower her voice before stepping inside first.
Spotting Old Master Tan and Tan Sizhe, Ye Xiangkai nodded. “Good day, Old Master Tan. Mr. Tan.”
Zhao Dongxuan squeezed beside her husband: “Good day, Sir Tan. Good day, Mr. Tan.”
Spotting Ye Mingxuan behind Tan Sizhe, Zhao Dongxuan paused, then forced a smile: “Mingxuan, why didn’t you greet your parents? Have you forgotten your manners?”
Ye Mingxuan’s face paled slightly as he took two steps back.
