When Su Xiaomeng came over, she saw Yin Huaiyu and Cheng Taotao playing "Sky City" together and Taotao was playing with great enthusiasm. This unassuming little girl, when playing the piano, exuded a unique charm that made it hard for one to look away.
However, sitting next to Cheng Taotao, Yin Huaiyu was frowning occasionally, glancing at Cheng Taotao.
Clearly, Cheng Taotao was entirely clueless about this cooperative duet, and it was entirely Yin Huaiyu accommodating her.
Xiao Meng sat down next to Mr. Zhou.
Zhou Guangren looked at Su Xiaomeng with a smile and said softly, "Are you and Yin the Fourth worried about your son learning under my guidance?"
"You misunderstand, Elder Zhou. We came today solely because Huaiyu brought Jinxi’s clothes and shoes over, and Jinxi insisted on coming to see his brother. Since both Shixiu and I were free, we came along."
"Are you surprised? This cool young master of yours has this side as well?"
"Yes, I’m quite amazed to see the children in the orphanage so close to him."
Su Xiaomeng said seriously.
"Your son and Yin the Fourth were quite alike in their childhood, but now it seems Huaiyu is much more empathetic than Yin the Fourth."
Zhou Guangren commented objectively, and Su Xiaomeng laughed along.
"Next month for Christmas, I want to take Huaiyu to France. If you and Yin the Fourth feel comfortable, leave him to me. If you’re not comfortable, you can accompany him, or both of you can come along. There will be a large piano concert in Paris where top piano masters will gather."
"Didn’t you say... Huaiyu is still far behind? Bringing him to such a concert, wouldn’t it be a bit too soon?"
"It would be early for other children, but for Huaiyu, it’s just right. He needs to see the world. It’s only beneficial for his development in his playing style and broadening his horizons."
Zhou Guangren’s usual casual smile faded, his eyes full of brilliance as they focused on Yin Huaiyu, sparkling with intensity.
Su Xiaomeng could feel Mr. Zhou’s focus and anticipation on Yin Huaiyu.
Perhaps because Yin Huaiyu indeed had some talent, or maybe because of... the deceased Aunt Shaoqun.
After the piece ended, Zhou Guangren glanced at the time and said to Yin Huaiyu and Cheng Taotao, "Take a fifteen-minute break and continue afterward."
Yin Huaiyu stood up, seemingly unwilling to spend a moment more next to Cheng Taotao. They had cooperatively played several pieces, and Yin Huaiyu felt deep in his heart that instead of training him to learn to collaborate with others, the teacher was plainly instructing him to guide Cheng Taotao.
Mr. Zhou seemed to have a simple purpose, but in reality... there’s never a single purpose in any action.
Yin Huaiyu went straight out; he wanted to get some fresh air in the yard. As for Cheng Taotao, she seemed not very tired, and was thinking of playing something casually when Shuangshuang came in and sat beside Cheng Taotao.
"Wow, you can play the piano so well?"
Shuangshuang looked at Cheng Taotao in admiration and surprise.
"Grandpa Zhou taught me! How about you, sister? Can you play?"
Cheng Taotao seemed to get along well with Shuangshuang, chatting away back and forth, while Zhou Guangren and Xiao Meng also engaged in casual discussion.
Yin Huaiyu with his hands in his pockets walked straight towards the sports field during the short break, not intending to walk far. He saw Qin Huai in a white sweater sitting on the swing in the center of the field, with her head down, immersed in something.
Yin Huaiyu unconsciously moved closer and stood next to Qin Huai, who didn’t notice him.
Her legs held a strip of paper with a long piano practice keyboard drawn on it, black and white keys drawn out while her fingers practiced on the paper keyboard...
"Little Star?"
"Ah!"
Yin Huaiyu suddenly uttered, which startled Qin Huai. After steadying herself and seeing it was Yin Huaiyu, she sighed in relief, saying lightly, "Brother, you really scared me."
After speaking, Qin Huai rolled up the practice paper on her legs...
Yin Huaiyu hurriedly said, "Did I disturb you?"
"Huh? No..."
Qin Huai said with a flushed face, but her hand stiffened a bit while rolling the paper.
"Then why suddenly roll it up when you were practicing so well?"
Yin Huaiyu asked plainly, then walked to sit beside Qin Huai on the swing chair.
Qin Huai was momentarily stunned, subconsciously shifting her body slightly to the side, remembering that the brother didn’t like physical contact with others.
This little action was noticed by Yin Huaiyu too, but he said nothing, only pointing at the practice paper she had rolled, "Did you draw this yourself?"
"... Yes."
Qin Huai replied softly, somewhat afraid to meet Yin Huaiyu’s eyes, fearing her drawing would be mocked by him.
Unexpectedly, Yin Huaiyu reached out, "Let me take a look."
"Huh?" Qin Huai blinked, looking slightly confused at Yin Huaiyu.
"I said, let me take a look at what you drew."
Yin Huaiyu patiently repeated, only then did Qin Huai hand him the paper, watching as he spread it on his legs, then started pressing the drawn keys, "You made mistakes here and here just now."
"..."
Qin Huai blinked her beautiful eyes, watching Yin Huaiyu’s every move in a daze...
Every action puzzled her yet inexplicably delighted.
He... was teaching her...
"What are you staring at?" The moment Yin Huaiyu raised his head, he met Qin Huai’s gaze fixed on him, leading to a raised eyebrow and a soft question.
Qin Huai touched her head, chuckled softly, but didn’t speak.
Yin Huaiyu sighed and mumbled, "People here are really strange, each sillier than the last..."
Qin Huai still didn’t speak, continuing to watch Yin Huaiyu demonstrate using the practice paper repeatedly.
"Did you understand?"
"... Yes." Qin Huai replied, and Yin Huaiyu returned the paper to her, asking, "The piano here is for public use, right?"
"... Yes."
"If you want to learn, just practice with Cheng Taotao regularly."
"...Uh-huh."
"If there’s anything you don’t understand, you can ask Grandpa Zhou, or you can ask me."
"Big brother..."
"Yes?"
"You... you don’t mind me?"
"Mind you for what?"
"I’m an unwanted orphan... dirty, stupid, and not good-looking—"
"Compared to Cheng Taotao, you look much better." Yin Huaiyu spoke honestly, stepping down from the swing, "You look quite nice."
"..."
"I’m heading back, take your time practicing."
After speaking, Yin Huaiyu walked towards the direction of the classroom.
Qin Huai watched Yin Huaiyu’s small figure, thinking that no one would believe it, but at this moment in her sixth year, a nest for Yin Huaiyu was built in her heart.
————
Yin Shixiu chatted with the director for quite a while in the director’s office, and when he came out, he saw Su Xiaomeng strolling along the orphanage path, waving at him from afar.
He smiled and walked over,
"How’s Huang Huang practicing?"
"That little girl Cheng Taotao has really worn him out, haha."
Speaking of this, Su Xiaomeng truly couldn’t suppress her amusement.
Yin Shixiu took Su Xiaomeng’s hand, and the two walked side by side in the orphanage...
The environment here is tranquil. To be honest, the kids in this orphanage are fortunate to have met someone as kind-hearted as Director Qi.
"How long has it been since we’ve had such a leisurely and pleasant afternoon, swinging our legs and passing the time..." Xiao Meng looked at Yin Shixiu.
"Why don’t you come here every week then?"
Su Xiaomeng glanced at him, "You say that, but you’re such a busy person, how can you spare time to come here every week?"
Yin Shixiu rubbed her shoulder, "Even if I have time, you might not be willing to come every week."
"Who says?"
Su Xiaomeng immediately retorted, just as she was about to say something else, her phone rang, and Xiao Meng muttered, "Who’s calling me..."
She took out her phone and saw that the caller ID displayed "Xiao Xiaoang".
"Who is Xiao Xiaoang?" Yin Shixiu caught sight of the unfamiliar name on the caller ID and instinctively asked.
Su Xiaomeng gestured for Yin Shixiu to stop speaking and answered the phone, "Hello?"
"...Uh, uh..."
From the other end of the line came Xiao Xiaoang’s weak moaning, and upon hearing it, Xiao Meng’s heart skipped a beat, "Xiao Ang?"
"Uh... Su Xiaomeng..."
"Xiao Ang, what’s wrong?"
"I... my stomach hurts... it hurts so much..." Xiao Xiaoang said, his voice feeble, causing Xiao Meng’s heart to tighten with worry.
"Dad? Is he not by your side?"
"Dad went to the hospital..."
"Then this phone?" Su Xiaomeng instinctively grew curious since this phone number wasn’t Xiao Yan’s, even though in her contacts she noted it down as Xiao Xiaoang.
"Dad has another... another phone... Su Xiaomeng, I’m in so much pain... Am I about to die... uh uh..."
"Silly boy, don’t talk nonsense. Isn’t there anyone else at home?"
"There is... there’s Little Tiger."
"..." Su Xiaomeng almost stumbled.
"Did you try calling your Dad? Did you—"
"Su Xiaomeng, I’m in so much pain... uh uh..."
Su Xiaomeng pressed her lips tightly, quickly saying, "Listen, send me your location. Auntie is coming over right away. Please try not to move, okay?"
"Okay... please come quickly..."
Xiao Xiaoang said, sounding truly pitiful.
Xiao Meng hung up the phone and said to Yin Shixiu, "Shixiu, I have something else to attend to, you’ll have to take Shuangshuang and Huang Huang home on your own later—"
"Don’t rush, what’s the matter?"
Yin Shixiu saw her anxious expression and hastily took hold of her hand to ask.
"There’s a child who’s not feeling well. I—"
"Whose child is it? Why are they contacting you?"
Yin Shixiu’s eyes narrowed slightly.
"Xiao Yan’s son, the fiancé of Pu Wei’s sister, Pu Yang, whom you met at the hospital. He performed Pu Wei’s surgery."
"Xiao Yan’s son... what does he have to do with you?"
"He... he... Shixiu, I can’t explain it to you right now, I’ll tell you everything when I get back!"
"..."
Su Xiaomeng finished speaking and ran towards the orphanage exit, her anxious demeanor... leaving Yin Shixiu with a peculiar feeling in his heart.