259 Shanghai Fest Arc (13) : Meeting Jin
It was an enjoyable time for Jun to teach his little brother how to play the piano. The twins mostly goofed around all the time even during their classes. Nuo was also quite naughty in that aspect, or it could be said that the twins’ mischief got rubbed onto her. But it was only Jin who sincerely ever focused.
The melody that Jin played right now was the same which Jun had taught to him back in their childhood. It was one of Jun’s own compositions which everybody liked the most.
Nana had even commented once.
“Jun could become such a great music composer too! Aish, all my children are so talented,” she proudly said.
It was later on that Jun slowly lost interest in music, so he played less frequently. But the warm memories with his brother remained.
Ai gently asked, “Do you remember something?”
Jun’s stupor broke, and he said with a slightly hoarse voice, “That melody. It was me who taught Jin that melody. I used to teach him how to play the piano during our childhood.”
She could feel how precious those sweet memories were for Jun, especially now when there was a rift between the brothers in this delicate time. Even so, Jun forgot all his resentment for these few finite moments only to cherish the happy childhood they had shared.
Xing Bi and Shi Huan looked at them and wondered why they seemed so serious. Even Nian and Yunru who always merrily chirped, had a grave light in their eyes. They both were unaware of the sour relationship between Jun and Jin.
Is everything alright? Xing Bi thought to herself. Even this goofy Liu Nian suddenly fell so silent…
A little boy approached Jin, who was seated in front of the piano. He smiled and lifted the boy in his lap. He then proceeded to teach him how to press the piano keystrokes.
When he was done and the music stopped, everybody broke into loud cheers and claps as they sniffled.
“It was so beautiful.”
“Did you see him playing? His movements were so light.”
The organizers came to shake hands with Jin as they thanked him. Jin’s gaze fell on the group standing at the entrance, and he smiled. He walked towards them and stared at Jun. “Such a pleasant surprise seeing you here, Bro Jun.”
Jun stared at him and said nothing. He recalled the last violent confrontation that happened between them, and he felt a sense of burden pressing upon his heart.
Nian narrowed his eyes. “What are you doing here, Jin? Because if you are here to cause trouble then…”
Xing Bi was surprised.
What are they talking about? But this man really resembles them. Wait, he called Jun as Bro Jun…Is he their little brother?
But more importantly, why does it feel so tense?
Jin smiled. “Don’t be so suspicious, Bro Nian. I was simply invited here to play. I did participate in music competitions in the past, right? The word got around, that’s all.”
“It got around or did you make it that way?” He sharply countered.
“You are way too cautious, Bro. I just came here to enjoy since the fest organizers were requesting so much. But yes. I do have to say that I have another motive. I came to know that Zhou Ai would be here too for giving a writers’ seminar. I thought it would be a nice chance to meet her.”
Jun’s dark brown irises slowly turned clouded and dangerous.
Ai glanced at Jin. “If that is so, then this meeting is over. You saw me. I saw you. We can move on.”
“Not so soon. Now that we have already met, why not have a small snack time together?”
Jun coldly answered. “No, thanks. You be on your way, Jin. You better not cross paths with us again.”
“It’s just a small meal. How hard can it be?”
“Jin…” Nian warned him with his perilous gaze.
One of the organizers recognized Jun and Nian and brightened up. He came up to them and gave a welcoming smile. “Oh, I didn’t know that Mr. Liu Nian and Mr. Liu Jun would be here too. Oh, I see! Of course, you came to accompany Miss. Zhou. She is giving a seminar tomorrowz after all. As her boyfriend, of course you are here to support her haha. By the way, I heard Mr. Liu Jin talking about a meal.”
Jin smiled. “Yeah. Since we brothers are all here, I thought it would be a good idea to have some fun.”
Yunru glared at him.
You just want to cause trouble!
The organizer suggested with enthusiasm
“In that case, how about I take you all to our private diner above? There is a sumptuous buffet going on. Mr. Liu Jin gave such a wonderful performance. I want to sincerely thank him.”
Ai didn’t wish for any commotion to happen, so she tugged onto Jun’s arm and gave a slight nod.
Jun agreed through gritted teeth.
Let’s just get done with it, and I won’t ever see him again!
—
When they arrived at the diner, the group settled on a big table but even with seven people on board, there was complete silence. The air felt too stifling, and nobody wanted to talk.
Xing Bi finally broke the ice, feeling suffocated. “Haha. Look outside. The chefs are cooking live. That’s so amazing, right? I have never seen live cooking before,” she tried to ease the tension.
Shi Huan added. “Indeed. It’s so amazing.”
Yunru took the cue and chimed in. “Yeah, it’s really cool! Hah, this is nothing. Bro Jun can cook even faster than those chefs. Aunt Nana is the best chef after all. They have learned from the Queen hoho.”
That gave Jun a good idea.
Since I couldn’t play for Ai in all that confusion, how about I cook something delicious for her?
He also felt secretly guilty about tiring her with their lovemaking.
Even if Jun was the guest, who would dare stop him if he wanted to be the chef?
He smiled at Ai. “Wait for me. I will make something for you.”
“Ah? But-“
“Ssh. Just wait.”
Nian felt left out. “Hey! I will come too. Let me show my pâtissier skills. Xing Bi will then definitely fall in love with me.”
“…”
He never gives it a rest, does he!?
Then Yunru got the same idea, and he rushed behind his cousins to join them. “W-wait for me!”
Which left only Jin and the ladies at the table all alone.