Chapter 134: The Elegant and Sacred Da Yizi

Chen Yixue fell silent.

At this point, she can't even explain what exactly she is resisting.

Is it the intimacy with Xu Yuexin, or the shame of being separated from her sister by only a wall, and the dignity being trampled…

Amid the chaotic thoughts, Chen Yixue felt a sharp headache.

"Don't ask."

Chen Yixue closed her eyes, pressed a hand to her temple, and said, "In short, we can't stay together."

"You don't feel well? Then rest."

Xu Yuexin set out a cup for her, placed a pillow, and said.

"No, I'm going back to sleep."

Chen Yixue endured the headache, stood up, and staggered toward the door.

Xu Yuexin stepped forward to help her, but she shoved him away forcefully.

"Don't touch me…"

"Watch out you might fall."

This time Xu Yuexin didn't listen to Da Yizi, but firmly helped her again, carrying her back to the bed in the adjoining room.

After Da Yizi lay down, Xu Yuexin didn't leave, but stayed by the bedside watching over her.

It really hurts…

Chen Yixue clutched her head, curled up in the blankets, her once tall figure now shrunk like a tiny shrimp.

She doesn't know why, but recalling that day's events in the side room, or thinking of her sister's name, makes Chen Yixue's headache worsen.

Only when she diverts her attention does she feel a bit better.

Take a deep breath, don't think of anything…

Chen Yixue used the technique she once employed before going on stage to ease nerves, forcing herself to calm down.

By the bedside, Xu Yuexin constantly watched Da Yizi's complexion.

If Da Yizi doesn't improve soon, he'll have to take her to a hospital.

Fortunately, after a few minutes, Da Yizi's expression and limbs relaxed, no longer tense.

"Go to sleep quickly."

Xu Yuexin gently stroked Da Yizi's cheek and said.

Chen Yixue flinched slightly, saying nothing.

After the recent headache torment, she no longer has the strength to utter another word.

…

The weather outside stayed pleasant for the next few days.

Every morning, Xu Yuexin bought breakfast for Da Yizi and personally supervised her eating it.

Because he noticed Da Yizi now lacks appetite; unless she's starving, she won't eat unless someone watches her.

Besides delivering breakfast, Xu Yuexin often knocked on Da Yizi's door to keep her company.

At first Da Yizi often kept the door closed, but later she began opening it more frequently.

Once inside, Xu Yuexin usually said nothing, just sat beside her on the bed, silently facing each other.

Finally, one day, Chen Yixue looked at the bright sunlight outside, sighed deeply, and said, "Let's go back to school."

"Don't delay."

"What, you finally care about me?"

Xu Yuexin replied sarcastically.

"You're overthinking."

"I just think staying here any longer is useless."

"Some things, no one else can help me."

Chen Yixue closed her eyes, shook her head, and said, her face appearing especially elegant and sacred in the sunlight.

"Shall we go out together?"

Chen Yixue, having been cooped up in the house for so many days, was a bit unable to bear it and thus agreed.

Having been cooped up in the house for so many days, Chen Yixue felt a bit restless and agreed.

The two walked downstairs, strolled along Jing An Si, then arrived at a nearby small park.

In the park were playing children, sunbathing elders, and a young man pulling an accordion.

To the melodious music, Chen Yixue closed her eyes and recalled her days in the Cultural Troupe.

Back then, she earned far less than now, but her heart was comparatively simple and relaxed.

But now, everything makes her feel lost.

Her family's ties have already been severed; if her sister learns about the brother‑in‑law matter again, she'll be left with nothing, right?

Thinking that, Chen Yixue's head throbbed again.

At that moment, they passed a Friendship Store beside the park and saw someone playing piano for customers to enjoy.

"How about buying a piano?"

"Take it home and play?"

Xu Yuexin asked.

Chen Yixue quickly rejected, but their gaze couldn't help lingering a little longer toward the shop.

Chen Yixue quickly declined, but couldn't help lingering her gaze on the store a bit longer.

To Chen Yixue, a piano is the ultimate luxury.

【61】 In the past, the Cultural Troupe owned only one upright piano, the most precious asset of the whole troupe, and no one besides the performers was allowed to touch it.

As for the legendary grand piano, Chen Yixue had only seen it in movies and had never heard of any organization that owned one.

"Still being stubborn."

Xu Yuexin touched Da Yizi's hand, pulling her out of her immersion, "I'll find a way to get you one."

"…"

Da Yizi said nothing, her beautiful eyes flickered slightly.

Seeing Da Yizi's reaction, Xu Yuexin smiled.

In this era, which woman who makes music can resist the allure of a piano? …

A few days later, Xu Yuexin brought Da Yizi back to Jingcheng and then found Shen Qingru.

"Aunt Shen, I'd like to ask you for a favor."

"What favor? Speak."

"When you return to the United States, could you buy me a Steinway grand piano? The price doesn't matter."

"I'll pay you from my Xiangjiang account later."

"Steinway? Most families don't usually need one."

"I know, I just want the best."

"The best, huh… Then you might have to wait. For a piano of this luxury tier, music stores don't always have stock."

"Hmm, that's fine, take your time."

Xu Yuexin said. Aunt Shen is an overseas Chinese, and according to regulations she can send all kinds of items to relatives in the mainland, from chocolates to pianos, no problem.

Come to think of it, this is also a rather historic regulation. In the early days of the nation's founding, many industrialists could obtain imported goods unavailable domestically precisely because of overseas mailing.

A few days later, Shen Qingru set off for the United States, and for a while Xu Yuexin received her transoceanic Telegrams.

"A Steinway grand piano has been found, priced at 16000 US Dollar, which at the current Exchange Rate equals 81000 Hong Kong Dollar. May I proceed with the purchase?"

"Buy."

Xu Yuexin responded with a single, decisive word.

After replying to the Telegram, Xu Yuexin waited quietly at home.

Finally, on a winter morning, a small postal truck stopped at his house's doorstep.

"Is this Xu Yuexin's residence? There's a large overseas item for you."

The driver jumped down from the vehicle and shouted toward the doorway.

"Arriving, please wait a moment."

Xu Yuexin briskly stepped out of the main courtyard, went to the front yard, opened the red lacquered gate and said, "Excuse me, please deliver it to Tuanjie Lake, then carry it upstairs; I'll cover any extra fees."

Since the shipment was sent by Shen Qingru, filling the address as Da Yizi's home was ultimately inconvenient, so Xu Yuexin wrote the address as Guogongfu.

"Alright, I was just heading to Tuanjie Lake anyway."

"The fee will be five dollars."

"Alright then."

Xu Yuexin and the driver climbed into the cab, and the little truck made a chugging sound as it carried the two out of the alley.

In no time, the little truck arrived at Tuanjie Lake.

Xu Yuexin and the driver together lifted the heavy grand piano upward.

The grand piano was heavy, but fortunately its components were shipped separately.

Xu Yuexin hoisted the piano leg and went upstairs first, then knocked on the door, "Quick, open up, the item has arrived."

The door opened, Chen Yixue invited Xu Yuexin inside, looking somewhat oddly at the piano leg packaging on his shoulder, "What is this?"

"A Steinway grand piano."

Xu Yuexin placed the heavy piano leg on the floor and said cheerfully.

Grand piano… Steinway?

Hearing those words, Chen Yixue's breath caught.

Chen Yixue hadn't expected Xu Yuexin to actually buy her a piano.

And such an extravagant brand.

A name she had only heard in Internal Film before had become reality, appearing beside her.

At that moment, the driver brought up the pedals and other components.

Xu Yuexin put the items in order, told Da Yizi not to block the way later, then went down with the driver to continue moving them.

The Steinway grand piano was truly too heavy; even with separate shipping, some parts couldn't be moved by a single person.

Xu Yuexin and the driver made several trips back and forth, and finally, through cooperation, hauled all the components upstairs.

"Don't rush to move it; I'll find someone to assemble it."

After the moving was done, Xu Yuexin instructed the somewhat bewildered Da Yizi.

A large item worth 16000 US Dollar requires a professional.

In the following days, Xu Yuexin asked around, and finally found a master craftsman who knew how to assemble pianos.

This master is a prized veteran of a state‑owned piano shop, and in his spare time takes private jobs for various embassies and overseas Chinese families.

Xu Yuexin invited the master to his home; the moment he saw the piano packaging, his eyes lit up.

"Whoa, a grand piano, and it's Steinway."

The master raised an eyebrow and said, feeling the weight of responsibility on his shoulders.

Even affluent overseas Chinese families nowadays usually only afford upright pianos.

Some embassies do purchase grand pianos, but none are lavish enough to buy a Steinway.

It's said that this brand's pianos cost at least 10000 US Dollar, and they may not even be in stock.

This kid, his qualifications are quite good, huh.

With a cautious attitude, the master craftsman carefully assembled the piano.

After a busy morning, he finally told Xu Yuexin that the assembly was finished.

"Excuse me."

Xu Yuexin nodded and said, "Xue Xue, discuss it and give it a try."

Chen Yixue stared at the gorgeous, luxurious Steinway piano before her, and her mood became momentarily dazed.

"Deng…"

She sat at the piano, pressed the first key, then the second…

The timbre and tone were fine; Xu Yuexin paid the master craftsman the agreed 40 dollars and sent him away.

"How much did it cost?"

When Xu Yuexin returned to the piano, Da Yizi looked at him and said.

"Never mind the price; liking it is what matters most."

"No, I need to know."

"$16,000."

"…"

Hearing that price, Da Yizi drew a sharp breath of cold air.

It could buy two of the houses she currently lives in.

The sense of obligation grew heavier.

"Can it be returned?"

Chen Yixue asked instinctively.

"You have to cross" a Pacific Ocean.

"And you still have to add a few thousand dollars."

"Return it; I can still afford to lose a few thousand dollars."

Chen Yixue, suppressing her reluctant feelings, said.

A Steinway grand piano… this is something that only appears in Chen Yixue's dreams.

But now she thinks that the one before her shouldn't belong to her.

She would rather spend most of her savings, and cannot continue to bear her brother-in-law's feelings.

"Even if you want to return it, contacting them is a hassle."

"You play first."

Xu Yuexin said, "As long as it can make you feel a bit better, $16,000 or $160,000 is no big deal."

(End of chapter)