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Chapter 12
The Peerless Young Master / Teasing Him!

That erhu was actually just something she brought along to make up the numbers…

It’s not that she couldn’t play erhu. As an art student who had been heavily trained by her family since childhood, she had systematically studied music, including instruments, and had learned quite a bit.

Unfortunately, her musical talent was lacking. Despite all the studying, she never found her perfect fit and didn’t pursue it professionally. So she wasn’t considered an expert.

However, for a non-professional competition, performing a piece was still doable.

Shen Qingshi nodded, “Mm.”

Ten minutes later, although Chu Zhixia didn’t really favor the erhu, since he wanted to hear it, she changed into a pale moon-white qipao and gracefully approached.

The piano has its own playing technique, and folk instruments have theirs too.

Chu Zhixia sat on the piano bench, leaning slightly forward. It had been a while since she last played, so she simply plucked the strings to test the tone and softly asked, “What would you like to hear, Young Master?”

Perhaps because of his earlier gentleness, she suddenly felt bolder.

Shen Qingshi pressed his eyebrows slightly.

Chu Zhixia smiled, “Don’t laugh. I really don’t know what to play.”

She hadn’t prepared much for the erhu—it was just to make up the numbers.

“I don’t know much about the erhu either.”

“Then I’ll just play something randomly?” Chu Zhixia tilted her head thoughtfully, held the neck of the erhu, then stood and sat back down again, this time only occupying about a third of the bench, sitting up straight, leaning slightly forward, placing the resonator on her left thigh, tightly against her forearm.

She slightly turned her face away, lowering her thick lashes, no longer looking at him, getting ready.

“Well then, ‘Weak Water Three Thousand’—I hope you like it, Young Master.”

Since he had such good manners and upbringing, she liked to tease him a little.

Not knowing what exactly to play, she remembered hearing someone perform this piece before—it was quite elegant and gentle.

Hearing her say that, Shen Qingshi’s sword-like brows slightly furrowed, as if wanting to say something, but she had already started—

Folk music really has a unique flavor.

She wore a very plain moon-white qipao, without any embellishments, made of cotton-linen fabric, with no modern modifications, somewhat loose, with a little extra room at the waist.

The collar was a simple diagonal closure with a traditional straight clasp.

Her hair was tied up, adorned with a lily hairpin. Her earlobes were clean and white, with earrings that had silver-white tassels.

She looked like a gentle housewife from the old days.

—Performing for her beloved husband.

At the beginning, she even added a bit of theatrical style; her operatic training under a famous teacher showed in the gorgeous, delicate, clear, and high-pitched voice:

“—I don’t ask how many of the ‘Weak Water Three Thousand’ harbor grudges against me,
Through cycles of reincarnation, I only seek to continue my fate with you.”

She paused her gestures, lowered her lashes, her brows slightly saddened, casting a charming glance, while the tassels beside her ears swayed.

Then the erhu’s voice suddenly rose, like a clear stream flowing through winding mountains, magnificent and graceful, twisting and turning, yet sorrowful and tender, as if crying and pleading.

Thousands of kinds of enchantment, endless charm.

Shen Qingshi listened, silently for a while, sitting up straight leaning against the sofa, his long legs crossed, quietly attentive.

She didn’t look at him often, but each glance was like the shimmering, flowing light playing on the tassels of her earrings.

Sparkling.

Lighting up his heart.

It was very beautiful.

…

“Young Master Shen—”

“Shen Qingshi—”

“Dr. Shen?”

Putting down the erhu, Chu Zhixia called him several times before he came back to his senses, lifting his eyelids slowly to look at her.

His gaze was calm yet cold, like a tranquil winter lake surface, but beneath it churned many dark and turbulent emotions.

“Is there really something good about it?”

She couldn’t help but put down the instrument, sitting close to him, and gently poked his perfect, fair side face with her slender fingers.

“Come out, come out, come out from the emotions—”

The power of performance lies in its emotional impact; she just didn’t expect Dr. Shen to be so affected.

She was about to tease him a little more when her finger suddenly was gripped tightly.

Shen Qingshi held her finger, slowly pulling her hand down from his cheek, then his distinct, fair, slender hand wrapped fully around her hand and squeezed.

Chu Zhixia was stunned.

She felt all the nerves in the hand he held tingle; a shiver of electricity instantly spread through her entire body.

“You…”

Shen Qingshi did all this without looking at her, but now he turned his face and asked, “What did you just call me?”

“Young Master Shen—” Her heart raced, not because she was teasing him, but because her mind went blank; she had just slipped naturally into the familiar way of calling him.

He squeezed her hand harder.

“Dr. Shen.” She became a bit more aware but still flustered and confused.

“Just call me Shen Qingshi.” He directly gave her the answer.

He liked hearing her say his full name—not doctor, not his profession, nor a teasing nickname. Just his name, himself.

“Shen Qingshi.” Chu Zhixia felt warmth flood her body as she whispered it.

“Mm.” Shen Qingshi tightened his grip on her hand again.

This time, the touch was clearer, less hazy.

After she realized this, she slightly spread her fingers as a subtle hint. They had held hands before, but Shen Qingshi hesitated, then adjusted his hand position, threading his fingers through hers, interlocking tightly.

Palms pressed closely together… silence fell.

Wait—

Did this mean she had teased him?

She thought so, but she was too shy to look up at him, guessing her face must be burning hot.

As they quietly and somewhat impatiently held hands, just as Chu Zhixia was about to speak, the door access control suddenly beeped…

The sound was loud at that moment.

Chu Zhixia was startled and let go of Shen Qingshi’s hand.

He slowly released her hand too, straightened up a little, his eyes cold but ears slightly flushed.

Chu Zhixia couldn’t help but touch his pretty ear, now not satisfied with just hugging him—she wanted to kiss him, and said, “Maybe the butler is delivering a package, I’ll go open the door.”

Shen Qingshi felt a bit uneasy but didn’t avoid her.

Chu Zhixia squeezed between the sofa and coffee table along his long legs, walked to the door, and pressed the intercom.

The screen showed a very familiar, yet unexpected face.

Chu Zhixia instinctively glanced back at Shen Qingshi.

“What’s wrong?” Noticing her glance, Shen Qingshi also stood and stepped forward.

---

The person on the other end finally answered. Zhou Haoying let out a long breath, “Hello? Can you hear me? Xia?”

Chu Zhixia cleared her throat and said, “Yes, yes, I can hear you. Why are you here?”

“Didn’t you ask me to come?” Zhou Haoying didn’t know where the camera was, so he ran his fingers through his wind-tousled blond hair. “You said during the first week back at school to find time to come over, help you review everything, and decide on the additional exam.”

“Is that so? Is it today?”

For some reason, hearing the words “additional exam” made her feel oddly guilty. She glanced stealthily behind at Shen Qingshi, who was calm and expressionless.

She really didn’t remember clearly, only vaguely that it was something said a long time ago.

“Yeah, I specially took two days off. The semester just started, and I still have to take a bus tomorrow. Come on, open the door, sis.” The temperature had dropped these past two days; it was still quite cold for late March.

“Oh.” Chu Zhixia had no choice but to press the door release button. She soon heard the sliding door open, then the call ended.

“Is that your friend?” Shen Qingshi asked after a few seconds of silence, his tone casual.

Chu Zhixia felt a bit embarrassed and explained, “Also a teacher I asked to come.”

Shen Qingshi responded calmly, “You should consider more opinions from others.”

“No —” Chu Zhixia worried he might misunderstand and hurried to explain, “It’s not what you think. I did ask many people about the extra tests, but the instrument performances, those I’m specifically preparing to show you.”

After saying this, she instantly felt it was a mistake — she had just revealed her true purpose: to perform for him.

She adjusted the hairpin on the left side, feeling her face heat up and a slight headache coming on.

“I know.” After a long pause, Shen Qingshi slowly and lightly replied.

Chu Zhixia was stunned for a moment. The warmth spread across her cheeks, and her lips slightly moved, wanting to say more, but the doorbell rang — probably the elevator arriving.

Shen Qingshi said, “Then I’ll leave first. You two carry on.”

“No, wait—” Chu Zhixia reached out to grab his hand, but the doorbell kept ringing. Resigned, she opened the security door first.

“What’s taking so long to open?” Zhou Haoying complained a bit. The door system was one-way and he hadn’t expected anyone to still be inside. He paused, taking a few more looks.

Shen Qingshi also looked over at Zhou Haoying but said nothing.

“Who is this?” Zhou Haoying ran his hand through his light blond medium-length hair. He had purposely styled it up half-tied today. It was strange how every time he helped her rehearse, he dressed as if going on stage.

The intercom screen was blurry, and the wind outside made it hard to see clearly.

Beautiful people look beautiful no matter what, but Zhou Haoying today had reached a new level — a light pink designer jacket, matching pants, white T-shirt underneath, and a waist so slim it was almost unreal, both mischievous and enchanting.

Normally, Chu Zhixia would have been mesmerized and looked longer, but today she controlled herself, though she couldn’t help stealing one or two glances.

She thought that pink really suited him and could be worth trying for an interview.

“Hello, I’m Shen Qingshi.”

Whether it was her imagination or not, she felt his voice sounded a little colder.

“Shen Qingshi, I know you!” Zhou Haoying was unexpectedly enthusiastic. Chu Zhixia had just relaxed when he said, “I’m my junior sister’s new lover! Hello, hello!”

Chu Zhixia’s brow twitched, “…”

“Hey, don’t say nonsense.”

But hearing him call her “junior sister” so honestly, Chu Zhixia felt a bit reassured. Shen doctor probably wouldn’t… misunderstand, right?

She looked up and met Shen Qingshi’s gaze. The earlier chill was indeed an illusion; his face remained calm as ever, and she felt slightly relieved.

“No nonsense. A top-tier hospital dentist, root canal treatment, right? My junior sister told me everything. But she’s like that—only a passing enthusiasm. Wait, it won’t affect your work.”

“Zhou, Hao, Ying.”

Chu Zhixia didn’t know what was up with him today — he was too enthusiastic.

“It’s fine.” Shen Qingshi glanced at the time on his silver watch and nodded politely and calmly at Chu Zhixia. “I have something else to do. I’ll leave first.”

“Dr. Shen, I’ll see you off!”

“Stop, there are exams coming up soon.” Zhou Haoying grabbed her wrist and looked at Shen Qingshi. “Sorry, Dr. Shen, I hope you understand.”

The elevator stayed on the 20th floor without going down. Shen Qingshi pressed the down button, stepped inside, then turned to look at them. His gaze finally settled on Chu Zhixia’s face as he softly said, “No need to see me off. Rest well.”

The elevator doors slowly closed.

Going down.

There was still a faint warmth left between her fingers.

…

“No way, Zhou Haoying, are you still half-asleep during the day?”

He was very thin and sometimes did modeling work that needed to look good on camera. Visibly skinny, almost skin and bones, but surprisingly strong—Chu Zhixia couldn’t break free no matter how many times she tried to pull away.

“How am I half-asleep? I’m helping you.” Zhou Haoying released her hand and quietly asked, “Are you okay?” Then he changed shoes and sat on the sofa. “Do you know how many days until exams? How can you still have the mood to flirt?”

Chu Zhixia said, “But you can’t say nonsense about ‘new lover.’”

Zhou Haoying laughed, “Why are you nervous? I don’t think he was mad. Is ‘new lover’ such a weird term?”

He wasn’t mad.

But Chu Zhixia always felt that in the end, he was a bit overly polite and formal.

Chu Zhixia complained, “I’ve never dated anyone. Where do new lovers or old lovers come from?”

“You haven’t dated, but you’ve teased quite a few. One every six months, one every few months. The kid from our art exam? The athlete next door? That lawyer who was on your show last year? Wasn’t there a little painter in college?”

Chu Zhixia: “… You remember that clearly.”

She wasn’t really teasing; there were just a few very beautiful little beauties. She only occasionally joked with them and never intended it to be flirtatious.

Back then, she never thought about love. Once she sensed awkwardness or something wrong, she stopped.

“I treat beauties the same way, with care.” That was true—she liked beautiful people, no matter male or female.

“Why don’t you take care of your senior brother? It’s the start of the semester and you’re super busy running between theaters, and I even took leave to find you.”

Chu Zhixia snorted softly, “Anyway, you have so many ‘husband’ fans taking care of you.”

“I see you’re getting cheeky.” Zhou Haoying snorted coldly, slanting up from the sofa, and couldn’t help but complain, “What’s with your outfit?”

He kept complaining for a while. Chu Zhixia didn’t argue and walked alone to the floor-to-ceiling window, where a small coffee corner was set up. The wisteria bouquet was temporarily placed there. She bent down quietly to look at it.

Zhou Haoying came over too and saw the exquisitely arranged bouquet, clearly expensive. He asked, “Did he give that to you?”

Chu Zhixia smiled and recalled Dr. Shen’s hands behind his back, “Yeah.”

Zhou Haoying narrowed his eyes, “Looks pricey.”

“Maybe.”

Zhou Haoying leaned closer, observing carefully. After a long look, he softly said, “I think I’ve seen it somewhere.”

“The flowers? Which shop? I’ll check it out after exams.” He wanted to learn about the flower shop she liked.

“No,” Zhou Haoying hesitated, “It should be the person… Such a good-looking face can’t be wrong, but…”

He actually recognized him the moment he saw him, it was very familiar. He couldn’t believe it was him and kept confirming mentally. But judging from the clothes, it had to be him.

Chu Zhixia was very happy to find someone who shared her impression and said, “So you admit he’s handsome. I thought you’d be unwilling to admit it. But wait, what? You’ve seen him? You’ve been to the hospital too?”

“No, it was a very high-end, very private place.” Zhou Haoying didn’t know how to explain it to her, “Anyway, it’s not a place ordinary people or even just rich people can go. Zhizhi, I’m afraid you’ll get hurt.”

Zhou Haoying was somewhat famous in the theater circle and had a very handsome face, having worked with several top theater troupes. Many in the circle loved watching plays, especially those from very wealthy families.

He had acted in one or two well-known plays and vaguely remembered that during the curtain call, when the lights went up, at the very top and most private and luxurious box, he saw an extremely cold and noble face, unforgettable.

—A peerless young master, like jade on the path.

At that moment, the poem line just popped into his head.

Turns out such a person really existed.

Suddenly he understood why so many skilled and famous beauties in the theater world would perform that scene tonight even for free.

After he finished speaking, the room fell silent for a moment.