119. The Subdued Junior and Senior Sisters

As the head of the department, who could possibly object to Huang Juan performing a solo in such a concert?

Yet, some still found it strange. Given the various measures Qin Yong had implemented since taking office, they felt this arrangement didn't quite align with his usual style. Others suspected that Qin Yong was intentionally trying to overshadow Li An.

Regardless, it was settled: Li An would have no part in the piano department's faculty program. Although he had a collaborative piece with Chen Xuan, it was designated as a performance for the wind instrument department. Moreover, everyone in the music circle understood that in "Spring Is Coming," Li An was merely the accompanist; the star was Chen Xuan.

As for his colleagues in the west office, seeing Hou Cheng and Lin Pengfei on the program while Li An was left on the sidelines made them genuinely indignant. Why him, of all people?

In truth, Li An didn't think much of it. Since Qin Yong had arranged it this way, he surely had his reasons. Such stages were merely superficial; as long as his performance evaluation ranking remained at the top, that was all that mattered.

After leaving the office building, Li An bid farewell to his colleagues and took the bus to Blue Whale. On the way, he tried to make a voice call to the WeChat contact he had added previously, saved as "Che Lin's Dad," but no one answered. Guessing the man might be busy cooking, he didn't give it much thought, put on his headphones, and closed his eyes to rest.

During the intermission that evening, he checked his phone, saw two missed calls, and returned them from a quiet corner.

"Hey, Teacher Li, hello, Teacher Li." A simple, rustic voice came through.

Li An briefly explained the time and location for the rehearsal the next morning. On the other end, Che Lin’s father agreed repeatedly, then asked, "Teacher Li, my child came home today saying she needs a black dress for the performance. I’m taking her to buy one tomorrow afternoon—that won’t interfere with the morning, will it?"

"It won't. Tomorrow morning is just a walk-through." Li An sighed inwardly, wondering if the parent even bothered to read the messages in the group chat. He had mentioned the stage attire instructions two or three times already.

After hanging up, he sent a greeting to Chen Xuan and returned to the small stage for the second half of the performance.

***

Near a jewelry store at Yudong Plaza, Chen Xuan tucked her phone away and pulled Wang Panpan to a stop in front of a milk tea shop.

"What would you like, Panpan?"

Wang Panpan chuckled. Since she had treated Chen Xuan to dinner, she didn't feel awkward about Chen Xuan buying her milk tea. "Cheese foam."

Chen Xuan ordered a plain kumquat lemon tea for herself; she wasn't really in the mood for milk tea today. She scanned the code to pay, and moments later, the clerk pushed two cups to the window. Chen Xuan took them and handed one to Wang Panpan.

"Thank you, Sister Xuan."

After Wang Panpan spoke, Chen Xuan added, "Li An is treating today."

Not overly surprised, Wang Panpan lowered her head, took the milk tea, and pierced the plastic seal with a straw before taking a sip. She looked up and smiled, "Then thank you to Brother Li, Sister Xuan, please pass that on for me."

Chen Xuan nodded.

Chatting and laughing, the two continued toward their next destination. Throughout the walk, Wang Panpan didn't ask another question. In fact, she had sensed it long ago; given the private conversations they had shared before, anything she said now would be superfluous. Emotions were a matter of mutual consent. Since Sister Xuan didn't mind, she would just be a quiet spectator. Of course, she still offered her sincere blessings in her heart.

Chen Xuan didn't say much more, either. Regarding her budding relationship with Li An, had it not been for the other party’s well-intentioned reminder, she probably wouldn't have brought it up through the gesture of buying milk tea.

***

At Blue Whale, after finishing his performance, Li An was invited to the manager's office by Song Sheng.

Li An knew what it was about: buying a piano. Muzi had already taken six lessons, and her learning progress and attitude were excellent; it was clear the child had a genuine desire to continue. Li An felt it was time for Song Sheng to make the purchase.

Without much small talk, Song Sheng complained, "Teacher Li, I’ve been reading the official account you recommended to me whenever I’m free, but I really don't understand it. All this talk about materials and strings—there are just too many brands."

"How about this? Don't make me figure it out. Just give me that budget we discussed. Two or three thousand more or less doesn't matter; you make the call."

"Please, go to the trouble for us to get this done soon. The child is at home every day clamoring to play."

Song Sheng was being direct—partly because he didn't want to wait, and partly to make it clear that he trusted Li An to earn this commission, showing his faith in him. He understood why Li An had sent the official account link: to let him know the price range so he wouldn't feel like Li An was taking advantage of him. But he knew, in his line of work, that you couldn't take the prices you saw online at face value. Having worked in catering for so long and dealing with beverage suppliers daily, he saw through such simple matters at a glance.

However, from Li An's perspective, some processes had to be followed, just in case. Seeing that Song Sheng didn't want to bother with the details, he gave him a list of precautions for buying a piano.

They agreed that Li An would take the father and daughter to pick out an instrument the following week. He already knew where to go. Since Jia Mingyu had opened her own institution, she naturally had access to supply channels. It was the perfect opportunity to return a favor.

Back home that night, Li An found Jia Mingyu’s WeChat. The last message in their chat history was a New Year's greeting she had sent him—though it was clearly a mass message. The one before that wasn't a request for payment, but a message asking if he was dead or alive.

Between the lines, he could see her genuine concern.

Li An: "Senior Sister."

Fifteen seconds later.

A-Yi Jia Children's Piano Training: "???"

Then, a crisp voice message arrived. "Li An!?"

Upon hearing that voice, Li An withdrew 3,000 from the 10,000 in tuition fees he had earned from Ji Yang this month and transferred it to her with peace of mind. The debt between friends and classmates was now fully settled.

Moments later, she called him via voice chat. After a brief hesitation, Li An braced himself and answered.

"Senior Sister."

***

Over an hour of conversation flew by. Facing his affectionately angry senior sister, he selectively disclosed most of what he had been through over the past two years. Unconsciously, he felt a deeper sense of belonging to the Wei family troupe.

"You, oh, I really don't know what to say." On the phone, Jia Mingyu couldn't help but scold him again. "Well, forget it, let’s not talk about it. Just don't go disappearing on me again."

"Senior Sister, I have another matter," Li An said, seizing the chance to change the subject. "I have a student who needs to buy a piano. I’ll bring the parent over to see you soon."

Jia Mingyu replied, "Sure, come after you're done with these next two days. It'll be a good chance for you to take a look at my place, too."

The two discussed the Yudong concert and agreed to meet for dinner the day after next.

"I’m hanging up now. I'll deal with you when we meet."

"Goodnight, Senior Sister."

With Jia Mingyu sorted, Li An quickly returned a call to Chen Xuan.

***

On the sofa in 2502, Chen Xuan was leaning against the armrest, her phone in hand and her legs curled up. Seeing Li An’s message, she sat up quickly, and the two soft mounds, suddenly losing their support, bobbed up and down a few times beneath her loose T-shirt.

*Ahem.*

She answered.

"Finished with your call?"