Chapter 67: Lake-side Viola

Viola walked around the Violet House twice, finally calming the impulse in her heart, and took the elevator back to the fifth floor.

She stepped out of the elevator, walked to the door of her office, and suddenly heard a melodious piano tune.

"What piece is this?"

Viola couldn't help but stop outside the door, withdrawing her hand that was about to push it open.

The piano notes were intermittent and not continuous, as if in the midst of an attempt at composition, yet even from these few phrases she found it exceedingly beautiful; the light, graceful melody was elegant and moving, full of romantic charm, as if she could see the sparkling ripples on the water's surface, advancing in layers, with a gentle breeze, making body and mind comfortable; the music seemed to tell a wonderful love story.

Viola has studied music for many years, can play hundreds of pieces, and has even visited the elven realm renowned for the highest musical artistry, yet she has never heard this piece before.

"Lei En is creating his own composition?"

Viola immediately guessed this possibility, and the shock in her heart was beyond measure.

She stood there, expression complicated, yet did not go in to disturb Lei En's creation.

As a musician, she knows how difficult it is to compose music, especially such a marvelous score, which requires the Longhaired Lady's blessing or an outburst of inspiration; many music Masters never encounter it in a lifetime, and if disturbed, the chance may never come again.

The piano sound in the room kept repeating, pondering, spiraling, the notes rising and falling; as time progressed, the music became increasingly coherent, and its completeness improved at an astonishing speed.

"Could Lei En be the Longhaired Lady's illegitimate child?"

Viola thought a bit irreverently in her mind, feeling envy mixed with a sour jealousy.

She has never seen anyone compose a piece so quickly, and with such excellence; once finished, it will surely spread across the world and become a classic masterpiece!

She has composed many pieces of music, but none can compare to this half‑finished work.

Finally, after more than half an hour, the piano sound almost merged into one, and the melody solidified.

Viola knew Lei En's composition was nearing completion; she stood outside the door listening to the piano, enthralled, with a hint of daze in her eyes.

After the piece ended, the room returned to silence.

Viola could no longer hold back, pushed the door open, and saw Lei En sitting before the keyboard, staring out the window absentmindedly, unsure what he was thinking.

Lei En turned his head, smiled, and said, "You're back."

Viola took a deep breath to slow her heartbeat, and eagerly asked, "What piece were you playing just now, did you compose it yourself?"

"You heard that," Lei En said, a hint of surprise in his eyes, a little embarrassed, "Actually I've had some ideas lately; inspiration struck just now, so I played it a few times and refined the piece."

While speaking, he rose and walked to Viola's side, asking softly, "Do you think it sounds good?"

"Of course it's beautiful!"

Viola, a bit excited and at a loss to describe her shock, pulled Lei En down to sit, and with an expectant look said, "Play it again; I want to hear the whole piece."

"Alright."

Lei En adjusted his posture, his ten fingers dancing on the keys, and a beautiful melody flowed from under his fingertips.

Viola sat beside him, listening to the wonderful music, watching his focused profile, and suddenly thought the man was exceedingly handsome.

Her heartbeat, uncooperative, raced again; the impulse could not be suppressed, as if something had completely succumbed, her thoughts drifted, and her gaze grew hazy.

Unconsciously, the music faded, and this round was finished again.

"Viola?"

Lei En's voice sounded at her ear, Viola shivered all over, realized she seemed entranced, and couldn't help her ears heating up, a flush creeping up her cheeks.

"Goddess above, it's truly wonderful…"

"This music will surely spread across the whole world,

All musicians will remember your name!"

"I was completely mesmerized."

Viola covered her slip with a flat, pale compliment, tucked a strand of golden hair behind her pointed ear, finally recalled something, and asked, "Lei En, have you decided on a name for this piece?"

Lei En shook his head once, thought for a few seconds, then said, "Lake-side Viola."

"What?" Viola was momentarily speechless.

"I've decided; the piece will be called 'Lake-side Viola,' because that day I heard you play your 'Dance of the Lake,' which sparked my inspiration, thus this piece was born." Lei En looked at Viola with deep affection, his gaze steady yet gentle, and said, "All my musical skill comes from you, so this is a gift for you."

While saying this, Lei En couldn't help admiring himself; to win a girl, he laid his old face on the line.

He was playing the famed piece from his past life, 'Adelina by the Water's Edge,' which he had learned before, but had forgotten many parts of the score.

Fortunately, his phone's music player had the track downloaded, so he could replay it in his mind while plagiarizing it onto the keys.

Earlier he had deliberately waited until Viola was at the doorway, then pretended to start composing.

Because he had learned it long ago and his skill had surged, a few repetitions let him regain mastery, even playing it better than in his past life, reaching a performance level. Though plagiarism is shameful, to win the beauty he could only be brazen and do it, since no one could expose him.

Spreading wonderful music to more people is the true essence of music's existence.

As expected, once this killer move was unleashed, Viola was captivated.

In Lei En's eyes, Viola's soul color swiftly shifted toward cyan, deepening into green, then intermingling with orange, and finally turning yellow.

He had long been well‑versed in the changes of soul colors.

These colors represent joy, happiness, excitement, shyness, affection, and love!

In an instant, Viola's emotions erupted, no longer containable. She gazed deeply back at Lei En without speaking, but her lake‑blue eyes betrayed her; on her flawless face a charming smile blossomed, as if a thousand words were ready, yet unsaid.

"Lei En…"

Viola murmured, noticing Lei En leaning his upper body forward, his face close to hers.

She realized what Lei En intended, her heart in turmoil, both nervous and eager yet a bit resistant; she tried to push him away but had no strength, and in panic closed her eyes, slightly lifting her slender neck, presenting a stance of reluctant invitation.

Lei En's heart blossomed, and he bowed down without hesitation.

The next second, the world fell silent, only two faint breaths audible.

(PS: I beg the reviewers not to cut large sections again; there's really nothing wrong… thank you!)

After an unknown amount of time, Lei En, seeing the moment was right, released his arms.

Viola opened her eyes, saw Lei En looking at her with a smiling face, quickly broke free from his embrace and sat upright.

Lei En did not press his advantage, and he lingered on the memory in his heart.

He can sense it; the Half-elf appears very raw in this regard.

Viola finally calms down, her eyes flicker, she gives Lei En a sideways glance and asks with a half‑smile, "Lei En, have you been planning this all along, having deceived a few lovers before?"

"You're the first!"

Lei En replies loudly and solemnly, "If you don't believe me, you can go investigate."

In his previous life he wasn't an old driver, but he had dated two or three times, so he was fairly experienced.

But in this world his former self Lei En is a rookie; many girls at the Extraordinary Academy admire him, yet he has never dated anyone and doesn't know what he's thinking.

Viola smiles without speaking, but her eyes still reveal that she is actually very happy.

Lei En reaches out to grasp her hand, smiling, "Do you want to learn the piece 'Viola by the Lakeside'? You always taught me before; this time it's my turn to teach you."

Viola tries to pull her hand away, but Lei En clings to it stubbornly, so she can only let him hold it.

"Alright, Teacher Lei En."

The word "teacher" exudes countless charms, tender and bone‑deep, almost calling Lei En's soul out.

"Damn, it's killing me!"

Lei En shouts a few times in his mind, forces himself to calm down, and says, "I'll use my left hand, you use your right, and we'll play together."

He finally manages to pull the beautiful girl's hand; how could he let go so easily?

Viola instantly knows what Lei En is up to, lets out a soft laugh, and nods in agreement.

The piano keys flutter, the beautiful melody rises again, pausing now and then, interspersed with sweet whispers, then resumes, accompanied by joyful laughter.

Amid the happiness, time flies.

When Viola fully masters the classic piece, the sky outside has already turned dark. Lei En pulls out a voice transmitter, glances at it, and sees it's 8 p. m.; the two have even forgotten to eat.

Fortunately they don't have to be on duty at the Public Security Bureau tonight, otherwise they'd already be late.

He rises reluctantly and says, "It's getting late; I should go back."

Viola closes the piano lid and says, "Don't rush back; let's go. To thank you for the piece you gave me, I'll treat you to a meal at Danbular, and I'm hungry too."

Lei En has heard of Danbular before.

At that time, Kai Nieji of the Mechanical Guild wanted to invite him to this Longshande's top‑tier restaurant; it was said to be pricey, costing several Gold Shields per meal.

Kai Nieji's invitation could be declined; Viola's invitation, no man would refuse.

Lei En immediately agrees, smiling, "One piece of music for a Danbular feast is well worth it."

Viola, hearing this, feels a bit dissatisfied, shakes her head and says, "The value of this piece, even if you sold the entire Danbular restaurant, can't compare; it's just a dinner, no real comparison. If you're willing to hand it over to the Longhaired Lady's church, it could fetch you at least three thousand gold in profit."

Lei En, unfazed, replies softly, "The price doesn't matter, because it has already earned me the world's most precious priceless treasure."

As he speaks, he embraces Viola.

"You're still young, yet you can say a lot of sweet words; I really don't know where you learned them," Viola jokes with a smile, while letting Lei En hold her, feeling as sweet as honey inside.