Chapter 53

“Yes, but I prefer quieter piano pieces.”

“Piano pieces?”

Ye Zhi’s face reddened slightly as he nodded gently, whispering, “Is that too old-fashioned?”

Huo Youqiao chuckled and said, “Not at all, I quite like them too. And since it’s rare to have a break, I was actually planning to go to the piano room later to pass the time because in my current state, I can’t do any work.”

Ye Zhi was taken aback. “Can you play the piano?” He knew there was a piano room at home, although he had never been inside, he had heard his mother-in-law—Huo Youcheng’s mother—play before.

“I learned a bit.” Huo Youqiao looked at him. “Do you want to come and appreciate it?”

He should refuse. Huo Youqiao’s current condition wasn’t right, although he wouldn’t stimulate the other party, just their identities alone should be avoided. But Ye Zhi couldn’t resist. After preparing two cups of hot cocoa, he followed the man’s footsteps up to the third floor.

“So it’s on the third floor. I used to think it was in the small room on the left side of the second floor with the piano.” Ye Zhi’s words were a bit more than usual, and that was because of Huo Youqiao’s attitude, which gave him courage.

Huo Youqiao was a little surprised. “You’ve never been up here?” He quickly understood and said, “This is also your home. Wherever you go, you won’t be offending anyone. There’s no need to be too cautious.”

So gentle.

Ye Zhi’s heart trembled again. He bit his lip and whispered, “It’s just my personality…”

Opening the door to the piano room, Ye Zhi was surprised to find not only a piano but also a drum set, an electronic keyboard, electric guitars hanging on the wall, and even a violin. All the instruments were very clean, without a speck of dust, indicating that someone came to clean them regularly.

With only a few people in the room, Ye Zhi quickly guessed who would come to clean it, and couldn’t help but be surprised. “Do you usually come here? Why haven’t I heard any piano music?”

“I haven’t played since I came back, just occasionally come in to sit for a while and dust off.” Huo Youqiao pointed to the drum set. “This was played by Ah Cheng when he was young. Did you know?”

Ye Zhi shook his head, he didn’t know.

He didn’t want to hear about Huo Ah Cheng, so he asked, “What about you? Did you learn to play the piano because you liked it?”

“I didn’t like it at first. It was my mother’s request back then. I also learned the violin for a while.”

“So why did you start liking it later?”

Huo Youqiao tilted his head and thought for a moment, then suddenly smiled. He rarely smiled like this, and his smiling face was even more shocking to Ye Zhi, making him feel a bit dazed. “I didn’t really dislike musical instruments themselves at that time, but rather disliked having to showcase such talents on certain occasions. So, I even vented my anger on musical instruments.”

Ye Zhi was a bit stunned. “You also need to showcase your talents?”

Huo Youqiao shrugged, looking a bit helpless. “Why wouldn’t I? During holidays, during the New Year… My mother now may seem like a difficult and nagging little old lady to you, but she was quite enthusiastic when she was young and liked to show off her achievements. Oh, her achievements are the two of us brothers.”

Ye Zhi imagined Huo Youqiao being cheered on stage during holidays, and he must have looked expressionless, seeming calm, but actually quite unwilling, and couldn’t help but laugh.

Huo Youqiao had already sat down at the piano. Looking up at him, he asked, “What do you want to listen to?”

“The Happy Shepherd.” Ye Zhi didn’t hesitate to speak, feeling shy only after saying it.