Chapter 282: After the Meal, I Thought About It

Tan Jingyan glanced askance at Xiao Ting, face full of resentment: "You little old man, stingy—I asked to borrow it and you wouldn't lend, saying you'd give it away, you gave it away."

Saying that, he also glanced at that piano, his tone tinged with a bit of sour envy.

Back then, to borrow this piano, he employed soft and hard tactics for almost a month.

Xiao Ting remained unmoved, yet now he is so generous toward Jiang Liangjin.

Xiao Ting lifted his teacup, took a light sip, his tone airy: "Are you worthy?"

This piano is for his future heir!

This person? Still far from it.

Tan Jingyan couldn't be bothered to argue with him, his eyes expectant as he looked at Mu Youyu: "A You, after dinner, want to try the new piano? Try the adapted version of Lone Walk."

Mu Youyu obediently replied: "Teacher Tan, I'll go to school this afternoon. After school I'll call my partner over, then I'll ask for your guidance."

Bai Yun was still at school waiting for her to discuss rehearsal details together.

"Another partner? You're not with——" Tan Jingyan instinctively glanced at Jiang Liangjin.

"No," Mu Youyu understood his meaning and explained, "I accompany Xiao Yun on piano; Xiao Yun has a lovely voice."

Tan Jingyan felt as if the sky had collapsed.

The disciple he had painstakingly sought back then but never managed to recruit now not only has to participate in the school gala, but is merely an accompanist?

This is simply a waste of heavenly treasure!

Then what are the lyrics he painstakingly wrote overnight worth?

He clutched his chest, face full of anguish, and said nothing.

Xiao Ting was also surprised.

He also thought Mu Youyu and Jiang Liangjin would perform together.

After all, he had seen Jiang Liangjin play the piano once.

Mu Xi paid no attention to the few people, just looking at the piano from the side.

He had seen the Lunxige piano before; he himself had two pianos gifted by Jiang Liangjin, already rare treasures hard to find in the industry.

But he had long been coveting Star Sink!

Now he only feels this piano is better than all his own.

Mu Xi faced Jiang Liangjin, eyes blazing: "A Jin, when will you move back to the Mu family?"

Jiang Liangjin only glanced at the person beside him, meaningfully saying, "If Second Brother wants it, we can do it once Youbao returns home."

Shen Ningmu adorably listened to his terms of address for Mu Youyu's several older brothers.

Mu Xi felt that the address "Second Brother" sounded better than when called by anyone except his sister, and eagerly looked at his sister: "Youbao, do you want to go home?"

Mu Youyu obediently looked at Mu Xin: "Do I want to, Brother?"

Mu Xin pondered a moment, then smiled and said: "After dinner, I'll think about it."

She replied: "After dinner, I'll think about it."

Jiang Liangjin was helpless.

Mu Xi: "That works too."

Anyway, Star Sink isn't far from him.

The others were amused by the four-person conversation.

Shen Ningmu covered her mouth, hurriedly smoothing things over: "Right, right, right, first eat; Auntie specially stewed soup, hurry and try it!"

Not long after, the meal began.

Apart from the unknown dish Shen Ningmu made that no one dared to touch, everything went smoothly.

After the meal, everyone sat in the living room chatting idly.

Mu Xi barely spoke the whole time, his gaze drifting about.

Mu Youyu leaned on the sofa, discussing with Shen Ningmu the recently popular TV drama, occasionally laughing.

Jiang Liangjin sat beside her, placing her coat on his knees, occasionally handing her fruit.

From outside came the servant's respectful announcement: "Madam, Young Master Song has arrived."

No sooner had the words fallen than a figure pushed the door open.

The visitor was wrapped in a long down jacket, hat worn tightly, face masked.

As soon as he entered, his gaze first fell on Mu Youyu, the corners of his mouth beneath the mask involuntarily turning up.

Upon seeing Tan Jingyan seated in the living room clearly, his steps paused, evidently somewhat surprised.

He then removed his mask, revealing a handsome face, politely nodding: "Good day, Teacher Tan."

Tan Jingyan raised his eyes, instantly recognizing him: "Hey, it's Xiao Yan! Haven't seen you in two months—you've grown a lot taller!"

Song Yan secretly felt pleased; today's height‑increasing shoes weren't worn in vain.

His sister surely also felt he'd grown taller, making him a brother who gives a sense of security!

He also nodded at Xiao Ting as a greeting.

He then greeted everyone in turn, his gaze finally returning to his sister, tenderness nearly spilling from his eyes.

"Brother Yan!" Mu Youyu saw him, immediately rose from the sofa, her tone delighted, her steps unconsciously moving two paces toward him.

Song Yan quickly stepped to Mu Youyu's side, his gaze carefully scanning her face, his tone full of concern: "Baby, are you cold? It's windy outside—why not wear more?"

Saying that, he reached out to ruffle her head.

Jiang Liangjin, however, suddenly stood up, naturally draping the jacket draped over his arm onto Mu Youyu's shoulders: "Indoors there's heating, it's not cold, but you should dress warmly when going out."

Mu Youyu lifted her hand to tug at the coat's collar, smiling at him obediently: "A Jin is right."

Jiang Liangjin looked at Song Yan, smiling obediently: "Good day, Brother Yan."

Song Yan glanced at him, inwardly letting out a quiet hum.

Here comes another attempt to steal sister's attention!

But he still kept his composure, turned to look at his sister, and said, "I heard Mu Xin say you're here—I came to pick you up and take you home."

The siblings exchanged a few words.

Mu Xi and Mu Xin each had something on their minds, so they didn't interrupt.

Under Shen Ningmu's gaze, Jiang Liangjin said, "Song Yan, have you eaten?"

Song Yan, his mind full of his sister, responded casually, "Oh."

Mu Xi gave his shoulder a hard pat, "A Jin is talking to you."

Song Yan jumped; despite his thick clothing, his shoulder went numb from the pat.

He frowned involuntarily and muttered, "What are you doing, hitting so hard..."

But he met Mu Xi's warning stare.

He then noticed Mu Xin's half‑smile, watching the show, and his precious sister Mu Youyu blinking her clear eyes at him.

He composed himself, turned to Jiang Liangjin, and said, "I've already eaten."

Jiang Liangjin said enthusiastically, "Want some of my mom's soup? She made it specially."

Shen Ningmu's eyes brightened. "Little Yan, try a taste?"

The others gloated.

Mu Youyu watched her brother's decision.

Song Yan perked up. "Sure, sure, I'm actually a bit hungry."

Earlier he'd heard Jiang Su say Shen Ningmu's cooking is first‑rate.

But when Shen Ningmu brought out that bowl of soup—black with red, an odd hue—

Song Yan's smile froze. He forced calm and asked, "Auntie, how long has this soup been stewing?"

"About the length of a TV drama episode," Shen Ningmu said with an innocent smile, "I looked up the recipe—it's supposed to be very healthful."

Song Yan quickly waved his hands. "I suddenly remembered I'm full—I need to send my sister to class."

He didn't want to risk food poisoning by tasting it.

Shen Ningmu looked regretful, but didn't push.

Song Yan immediately said, "I'll give you a ride; my car is outside."

He went to take Mu Youyu's hand, but she naturally walked to Jiang Liangjin's side, and they walked side by side toward the door.

Mu Xin glanced at him and added, "I'm heading to the company to handle some things; Youbao, stay safe in your afternoon class."

Mu Youyu, who had been talking to Jiang Liangjin, replied.

Mu Xi, impatient, ordered the summoned servant to carefully lift the piano onto the car.

He stayed by the car, worried the precious piano might get knocked.

Shen Ningmu smiled gently at the self‑proclaimed "most important brother of Mu Youyu," seeing them off beside the car.

Tan Jingyan and Xiao Ting each left.

Lonely Song Yan stood silent in the wind for two seconds, then followed.