Chapter 281: and translation of chapter title

Mu Youyu blinked, not very confident, "Not bad, I'll practice hard."

Tan Jingyan patted Mu Xi's shoulder, "How can it be just 'not bad'? This is my representative work; with your skill, more practice will surely win an award, moreover..."

He shifted the topic, pulling out sheet music from his bag, "I've upgraded the humming version from back then, I've written the lyrics for you, it's perfect for you to sing!"

Jiang Liangjin wondered how to compliment Mu Youyu when she practiced piano later, without intending to interject.

Mu Youyu took the sheet music, tilted her head back and smiled, "I'll do my best, not to let Teacher Tan down."

But it's not her who will sing.

Mu Xi didn't pay much attention to the hand on her shoulder.

Tan Jingyan suddenly looked at Jiang Liangjin, tone envious: "By the way, I heard Master Xiao gave you the Star Sink?"

He paused, smacked his lips, "That guy's been stingy his whole life; back then I wanted to borrow the Star Sink for a solo recital, he said the piano fears moisture and sun, and refused outright, yet he's being very generous with you, kid."

Yesterday he still wanted to borrow it for Mu Youyu's campus performance, but didn't expect that stingy old buddy to just give it away.

Still this person.

Jiang Liangjin unexpectedly got the news so quickly, but was a bit displeased that he brought it up now, ruining his plan to surprise Mu Youyu.

On the surface he showed nothing, just an "uh."

His tone was calm, as if what he'd received wasn't the world's one-of-a-kind rare piano, just an ordinary object.

Mu Xi heard this, pupils constricted:!! Star Sink!

The lone piano from Lun Xia Ge's late-career sealed work?!

Mu Xin had already heard Jun Chenling say that, not surprised, just stood quietly aside, gaze on her sister.

Mu Youyu found the name familiar but couldn't recall where she'd heard it, instinctively glancing at Jiang Liangjin, tilting her head.

Jiang Liangjin met her gaze, corners of his mouth slightly lifting, seeing everyone had nothing more to say, he timely suggested: "Shall we go to my place?"

"Let's go!" Mu Xi responded first, eagerly taking the driver's seat.

Star Sink!

Mu Youyu didn't ask further: "Let's go!"

"Mm." Mu Xin just wanted to get in the car quickly, so her sister wouldn't freeze.

Tan Jingyan was among the few who followed the majority.

The group arrived at the Jiang family residence.

Shen Ningmu saw Mu Youyu, her eyes instantly lighting up, she stepped forward happily grabbing her hand, "Ah You's here! Let auntie take a look, have you gotten prettier again?"

Mu Youyu leaned against her with a smile, "Hello Aunt Shen, you look especially lovely today as well."

Her voice was soft and sweet; in the freezing weather, hearing it warmed Shen Ningmu's heart, "Good good good, hurry and sit!"

Everyone followed into the living room, exchanging smiles and a few greetings.

Master Xiao, seated on the sofa, first noticed Jiang Liangjin, looking earnest.

Too bad the other's expression was indifferent; only when he lowered his gaze to look at the person beside him did a hint of gentleness flicker in his eyes.

Not even a bird bothered him.

Tch, double standards.

Though, little Jin's mom changes expression pretty fast.

Master Xiao followed his gaze and saw Mu Youyu, his eyes lighting up.

He had previously wondered what kind of little girl could make Jiang Liangjin so attentive; now seeing her, indeed the reputation was not exaggerated.

Exactly like Mu Xin!

He stood up, ignoring Tan Jingyan's "you old thing, what are you doing here" look, and spoke gently to her: "This must be Miss Mu, right?"

Mu Xin glanced at the acquaintance who was obviously feigning ignorance, and didn't say more.

Because of Qing An's connection, he had still seen quite a few members of M Guo nobility.

Jiang Liangjin couldn't help stepping forward to block his fiery gaze.

Shen Ningmu then realized she hadn't introduced yet, and softly said: "Youbao, this is Master Xiao."

She had previously thought this old man a bit odd, then had the butler look into him.

Only then did she learn how formidable he was.

Curious how her son knew him, this person, though a domestic national, has lived in M Guo all along.

Mu Youyu politely said, "Master Xiao, good day; I've long admired your name."

Master Xiao hastily rose, eyes full of satisfaction, his tone warm to the point of being unreal, with no trace of arrogance: "No need for formalities, no need for formalities, we're all family; why be so distant?"

Tan Jingyan glanced at him askance, tone teasing an old friend: "Old Xiao, you sure know how to work connections—who counts as your family? She's my disciple's sister, which makes her practically my little disciple, hear that?"

Mu Xi and Mu Youyu didn't bother arguing with the two old-timers.

Master Xiao retorted: "I and little Jin are ageless friends; those two are childhood sweethearts, isn't that family? Meanwhile you, at your age, still sniping at me—aren't you immature?"

The two of them, in front of outsiders, always appear as incompatible as water and fire.

Everyone thought they'd broken off relations over a past misunderstanding about sheet music copyright, little knowing that in private they're the best of friends.

Tan Jingyan snorted, pointing at Master Xiao and laughing while scolding: "You old thing, you're older than me but have a thicker skin than a city wall; back then, who was crying and begging me to write you sheet music?"

"Nonsense!" Master Xiao's face flushed, hastily retorting, "Clearly it was you who asked me to keep your sheet music for you, and I still haven't settled the account for you losing half a page of my manuscript back then!"

The two went back and forth, neither yielding, even grabbing each other's clothes like two kids throwing a tantrum.

Amusing the nearby serving staff, they couldn't help lowering their heads, covering their mouths to chuckle secretly, yet dared not be too unrestrained.

Shen Ningmu stepped in to mediate: "Stop arguing, stop arguing, you're elders; in front of the kids it looks bad. Hurry up and sit, my stew is ready, you can drink it shortly."

Seeing her head toward the kitchen, Jiang Liangjin instantly lost his appetite.

Mu Xi had no mind to listen to the chatter, her eyes swiftly scanning the living room.

Finally landing on the object in the corner, tightly covered with pure white silk cloth.

Star Sink!

Jiang Liangjin turned their head to look at Mu Youyu beside them, "I prepared a gift for you."

Mu Youyu didn't expect there to be a gift at the Jiang Family, "What is it?"

Jiang Liangjin's gaze fell on the covered figure, "A beautiful piano."

"Wow." Mu Youyu became interested, saying that "piano" she found uninteresting, but "a beautiful piano is different."

Mu Xi: Star Sink!

Xiao Ting, seeing this, proudly raised their chin.

Mu Xin's expression did not change.

Mu Youyu: "What piano?"

Jiang Liangjin met her gaze, the corners of their mouth slightly lifting, no longer keeping it a secret, they raised their hand and lightly lifted the white cloth.

The Butler turned on a huge flashlight.

As the light spread, a fully lustrous white piano gradually revealed itself, its body carved with intertwining gold patterns.

The piano's legs had smooth, graceful lines, and the keys were rare ivory white.

Just looking at it, one could tell it was no ordinary object.

Mu Youyu couldn't help but step forward.

Mu Xi: Star Sink!

Tan Jingyan explained: "That's the precious piano that old thing Xiao Ting hid for decades; it's the only one in the world, its tone is superb, perfect for you to play Lone Walk."

"Hey!" Xiao Ting got anxious, "Who are you calling an old thing? I am not even sixty yet!"

Mu Youyu walked to the piano and stopped, turned her head to look at Jiang Liangjin, tone natural: "Wow, really beautiful, so can I use it for practicing piano from now on?"

When he was learning to paint as a child, he could have people bring in limited-edition pigments from abroad overnight.

Now, just casually practicing piano, he can also obtain such a treasure.

She had long been accustomed to Jiang Liangjin gathering various things that suited her taste.

Jiang Liangjin smiled and nodded, her voice carrying an obvious indulgence: "Of course, it was prepared for you; from now on, it belongs only to you."