Chapter 61

The air inside the glass greenhouse seemed saturated with sweet floral fragrance and an intoxicating ambiance. Xia Yunge leaned against Qin Feng, her agitated emotions finally settling after a long while, yet the blush on her cheeks and the starlight in her eyes lingered endlessly. She felt as if she were dreaming—a beautiful dream she never wanted to wake from.

Qin Feng felt the slight tremors in the girl in his arms and her complete dependence, and though his heart remained undisturbed, he found this soft warmth genuinely pleasant. He gently patted her back—not particularly tender, yet it gave Xia Yunge a profound sense of security.

"That's enough." Qin Feng's voice remained flat.

Only then did Xia Yunge sit up, slightly embarrassed, secretly wiping away the tear traces at the corners of her eyes, whispering: "I… I'm just so happy."

Qin Feng's gaze fell on the USB drive on the table. "Your new composition?"

"Ah, yes!" Xia Yunge suddenly remembered why she came, quickly picking up the USB drive. "It was inspired by the sheet music you gave me—it's just a rough demo, and I wanted you to hear it first."

Qin Feng took the USB drive but didn't play it immediately; instead, he looked at her. "From now on, don't use 'you' in that formal way."

Xia Yunge froze slightly, then understood, her face reddening further as she nodded softly: "Mm… Qin Feng."

The name, spoken by her lips, carried a hint of shyness and an indescribable intimacy.

The establishment of their relationship did not immediately alter Qin Feng's daily rhythm. He still handled the progress of the "Abyss" assassins' interrogations and listened to Gu Qingcheng's latest report on the "Guan Zhou" data. Yet everyone in the estate keenly noticed that Miss Xia Yunge visited more frequently—and that she now carried an invisible, officially recognized label.

A few days later, Xia Yunge received a call from a friend in the industry, inviting her to a small private music salon. Such salons were common in Modu's art circles—venues where top musicians, collectors, and seasoned music critics exchanged ideas in a relatively relaxed atmosphere.

In the past, Xia Yunge might have hesitated whether to attend. But now, a thought stirred in her heart—filled with anticipation and a touch of pride—she sent Qin Feng a message: 【There's a music salon tonight. I heard they'll be displaying a few fine antique instruments. Do you… want to come with me?】

After sending the message, her heart beat anxiously—she wondered if he'd find such an event boring.

Qin Feng's reply came quickly, concise and to the point: 【Time, place.】

Xia Yunge stared at the screen, her face instantly lighting up with a brilliant smile as she immediately sent the details.

In the evening, inside a historic mansion in Puxi, soft lighting, mellow jazz, and a faint scent of champagne intertwined. Many guests had already arrived—most dressed elegantly, behaving with grace, chatting quietly in small groups.

Xia Yunge, dressed in a simple yet refined white dress, had arrived early and kept glancing toward the entrance, half-heartedly responding to greetings from acquaintances.

"Yun Ge, you seem to be in great spirits today?" a familiar music critic asked with a smile.

"Yes, Teacher Wang, the weather's nice today," Xia Yunge replied with a smile, her gaze drifting once more toward the door.

At that moment, a faint stir arose at the entrance—not from noise, but because the moment that figure appeared, every eye naturally turned toward him.

Qin Feng wore a perfectly tailored dark casual suit, no tie, his demeanor cold yet composed. His arrival seemed to carry its own spotlight, instantly disrupting the salon's original atmosphere. Many recognized him; even those who didn't sensed his extraordinary aura and turned to stare, whispering among themselves.

Xia Yunge's eyes lit up. She immediately walked over and naturally linked arms with him, her face glowing with an unrestrained sweet smile: "You came."

This gesture instantly caused those watching them to narrow their eyes. Xia Yunge was a rising star in the music world—talented and beautiful—with no public romantic rumors ever attached to her. Now, she affectionately linked arms with a man—its meaning was unmistakable.

Qin Feng gave a slight nod, his gaze sweeping casually across the room. Those curious or probing stares instinctively averted when meeting his eyes, overwhelmed by an invisible pressure.

"Qin… Qin Feng, shall I show you those antique instruments?" Xia Yunge whispered, still slightly unused to calling him by name directly.

"Alright."

As the two prepared to head toward the display area, a slightly surprised male voice interrupted: "Yun Ge?"

Xia Yunge turned to see a man in a light gray suit, wearing gold-rimmed glasses, exuding an elegant, scholarly air. His name was Zhou Zhe—a renowned young pianist in China, Xia Yunge's senior, who had publicly admired her and pursued her, openly and subtly, for some time.

"Senior Zhou," Xia Yunge greeted politely, yet did not release her grip on Qin Feng's arm.

Zhou Zhe's gaze settled on Xia Yunge's linked arm with Qin Feng, his eyes darkening slightly before he forced a gentle smile toward Qin Feng: "May I ask who this gentleman is? You look unfamiliar—surely not from our music circle?"

His tone carried a subtle scrutiny and superiority, implying Qin Feng was an "outsider."

Xia Yunge was about to introduce him when Qin Feng stepped forward half a pace, naturally half-shielding Xia Yunge behind him, meeting Zhou Zhe's gaze calmly and extending his hand:

"Hello, Qin Feng."

His voice was low but clear to those nearby. After a pause, he added, his tone as flat as if stating the most natural fact:

"Yun Ge's boyfriend."

"…"

In an instant, the small area around them seemed to grow quieter.

Zhou Zhe's smile visibly stiffened, a flicker of shock and disbelief crossing his eyes. He had never expected Xia Yunge to suddenly have a boyfriend—much less one who introduced himself so directly, almost as if claiming ownership.

Xia Yunge also froze, then a surge of overwhelming joy and security filled her heart. She instinctively tightened her grip on Qin Feng's arm, looking up at his cold profile, feeling her heart completely full.

Zhou Zhe quickly regained his composure, extending his hand to shake Qin Feng's lightly, his grip weak: "Oh… so you're Mr. Qin. Pleased to meet you." His tone was dry, his former elegance and poise significantly diminished.

Qin Feng merely nodded faintly, saying nothing more, turning to Xia Yunge: "Aren't you going to see the instruments?"

"Ah, yes, over there," Xia Yunge immediately responded, smiling and nodding at Zhou Zhe. "Senior Zhou, we'll go take a look first."

Saying this, she linked arms with Qin Feng and walked straight toward the display area, leaving Zhou Zhe standing there, his face shifting between red and pale, while faint, stifled laughter and whispers spread around him.

In that moment, everyone understood one thing—the music world's jewel, Xia Yunge, was taken. And her "owner" was no ordinary man.

Qin Feng's simple words—"Yun Ge's boyfriend"—like a quiet brand, formally announced his presence and possession within this small circle. For Xia Yunge, those few words moved her more than any sweet promise ever could. Her world, because of the man beside her, had never been clearer or more certain.