Chapter 43
Yi Wei quickly shook off the unpleasantness from the bar last night. After getting out of bed, she enjoyed a bath in a good mood and then asked Deonise to bring her the suit that had been washed the night before. The white women's suit had been stained with red wine, and Yi Wei told Deonise to use any means necessary to clean it, restoring it to its original state.
Gazing at the neatly folded white suit laid before her, Yi Wei closed her eyes, seeming to still feel the faint tea scent that lingered when Wen Qiulan draped the jacket over her shoulders, Wen Qiulan's scent, an intoxicating pheromone. Because of Angela's interference, Yi Wei hadn't been able to properly appreciate Wen Qiulan's rare assertive side last night. Thinking of how Wen Qiulan had shielded her, Yi Wei arched an eyebrow and smiled. It was the first time she realized that Lanlan could be like that with others, really surprising.
There was no piano lesson scheduled today, but Yi Wei felt she absolutely had to see Wen Qiulan. Without notifying her in advance, she had Deonise drive her near Wen Qiulan's small villa, then told him to leave, walking the remaining few hundred meters on foot. Yi Wei did this with a purpose; she wasn't deliberately hiding her identity, she just didn't want Wen Qiulan to know about Deonise's existence.
Arriving at the door, Yi Wei pressed the doorbell, guessing that Wen Qiulan would be home at this time. Not long after, the door opened with a click. Yi Wei heard footsteps and then saw Wen Qiulan, wearing a stunning black and white long dress and pure white gloves. She had a vague feeling that Wen Qiulan didn't usually dress so specially; she must be doing something.
"Xiao Yi, why did you suddenly come over?"
"Teacher Wen, I'm sorry, I came without telling you. I was just afraid that if I did, you wouldn't want to see me, so I came without permission. Here's your jacket, I washed it clean."
Yi Wei said quietly, handing the neatly folded suit to Wen Qiulan. Hearing the unease in her voice, Wen Qiulan reached out, took the jacket, and invited her in. She guessed Yi Wei had come about last night; she herself had many questions too: like why Yi Wei was alone at the bar and how she got involved with Angela.
"Xiao Yi, thank you."
"Teacher Wen, you don't need to thank me. The trouble was my fault to begin with. Do you have a moment now? I want to explain."
Yi Wei glanced at Wen Qiulan's attire. While marveling at it, she tried hard to suppress the admiration in her eyes.
Wen Qiulan took off the white gloves, revealing her beautiful hands. Yi Wei had long noticed how exquisite Wen Qiulan's hands were. For a pianist, hand maintenance was crucial, and Wen Qiulan's hands were meticulously cared for. The ten fingers were slender and straight, the nails trimmed clean and smooth, coated with a thin protective film. Watching Wen Qiulan tilt her head up slightly as she pulled off the gloves, a tremor ran through Yi Wei's core. She thought, Teacher Wen had been incredibly alluring since yesterday.
"Xiao Yi, you don't need to be so cautious, and there's no need to call it an explanation for what happened last night. Please, sit down first." Wen Qiulan's voice was incredibly gentle. Hearing that she didn't suspect anything because of last night, a warmth spread through Yi Wei's heart. She obediently sat down, and before long, Wen Qiulan brought over two cups of coffee. Yi Wei said thank you, cradling the coffee as she sipped it slowly. It was made by Wen Qiulan herself; it tasted good.
"Teacher Wen, a friend had invited me to go to the bar last night. I went, but then she said she couldn't make it. I got stood up, so I had no choice but to stay there alone. As for Angela, I don't know her well. We met at the bar before, became friends, and spent some time together. But later, because I wasn't satisfied, we parted ways. I never expected she would keep pestering me, which led to that embarrassing scene last night."
Yi Wei recited the script she had prepared, her tone full of resignation. When Wen Qiulan heard that she had once dated Angela, her brow furrowed slightly, and Yi Wei noticed the change. "Teacher Wen, do you know Angela too? The conversation you two had last night..." Yi Wei asked despite knowing the answer. Of course, she was well aware of what kind of relationship Wen Qiulan had with Angela, but as someone supposedly in the dark, she had to act curious.
"It's nothing. Some time ago, she was my matchmaking partner. We spent a very short month together as a sort of couple, though we never really got together. Still, I never imagined she'd have that kind of connection with you." Wen Qiulan wasn't overly bothered by this, but it irked her to think that the person she'd been set up with turned out to have such a poor character. She quietly resolved to be more cautious about the next matchmaking arrangement her mother introduced.
"Teacher Wen, I'm sorry. I didn't know you two had that kind of past. Back then, she told me she was single. I... I never thought she'd lie to me. I'm sorry." Upon hearing Wen Qiulan's words, Yi Wei acted extremely flustered. In truth, what she'd had with Angela was just a one night stand, she couldn't have cared less if the woman had a partner or not.
"Xiao Yi, you don't need to do that. She and I never truly got together, and we never had any substantial relationship. I just never imagined she'd do something that rude to you at the bar." Recalling the scene of Yi Wei having wine thrown at her last night, Wen Qiulan's expression turned stern. She had been taught by her mother since childhood to respect every Omega and Beta. Even if it hadn't been Yi Wei being bullied last night, Wen Qiulan wouldn't have stood by.
"Alright, Teacher Wen, since you're not angry, I'm fine now. Don't frown." Seeing that the matter was clarified, Yi Wei immediately breathed a sigh of relief. Wen Qiulan smiled at her change in mood. She knew Yi Wei had come specifically to explain, and couldn't help asking why she hadn't just used her communicator. Yi Wei's face flushed slightly at that. She traced the rim of her cup with her finger, took another sip of coffee, and then slowly spoke.
"I always feel that things like this need to be explained in person. I'm really afraid of Teacher Wen misunderstanding me and hating me because of it. I don't want you to hate me." Yi Wei spoke seriously, lifting her head to meet Wen Qiulan's brown eyes. Seeing the earnestness in her gaze, Wen Qiulan was slightly taken aback, then the corners of her lips curved into a smile.
"I understand, Xiao Yi. I don't hate you, and I won't hate you. Are you reassured now?" Wen Qiulan's voice was light, and the fondness in her eyes, cast upon Yi Wei, filled her with satisfaction. She had dated a few lovers before, most around her own age with easygoing personalities. Rarely had anyone looked at her with the doting gaze Wen Qiulan gave her. Yi Wei suddenly thought how happy it would be to become Wen Qiulan's wife. Pity, she despised marriage and disliked being tied down.
"Mm, reassured. Teacher Wen, what were you doing just now? Did I interrupt you?" Yi Wei only asked now, having noticed that Wen Qiulan had come out of the piano room. "I happened to have some inspiration today, so I wrote a piece of music. When I'm composing, I like a bit of ritual, so I wear gloves." Wen Qiulan loved music and used it to express her inner self. Even at home, whenever it involved creation, she would always dress formally.
"A new piece. May I listen to it?" Hearing that Wen Qiulan was composing, Yi Wei was intrigued. She wasn't particularly interested in piano music, but she loved watching Wen Qiulan play. Before, she had only seen her from a distance at concerts, and during lessons, Wen Qiulan rarely dressed so formally to play. Seeing her curiosity, Wen Qiulan nodded and led her into the piano room.
Only after entering did Yi Wei realize the piano room was far larger than she'd imagined. In the center stood a pure white vintage grand piano, immaculately maintained.
Yi Wei didn't know much about pianos, but she was all too familiar with luxury goods. She could tell this piano was expensive. There were also violins and guitars in the room, and in one corner sat a large drum kit. While there weren't as many instruments as in the piano classroom, it was still a considerable collection. Glancing at the drum kit, Yi Wei suddenly wondered what Wen Qiulan would look like playing the drums.
"Xiao Yi, just sit here." Wen Qiulan gestured for Yi Wei to sit on a comfortable cushioned chair, then stepped into high heels and walked slowly to the piano. Yi Wei felt that the moment Wen Qiulan sat down, her entire aura transformed. This was an unfinished piece: a light, soothing melody that felt like basking in the afternoon sun at three o'clock, warm but not too hot.
Yi Wei watched Wen Qiulan's profile. A soft smile always lingered at the corner of her lips when she played, her gloved hands moving nimbly and swiftly over the keys, her long black hair drifting lightly. The scene was beautiful, making Yi Wei's heart flutter along with it. Pity the piece was so short, only three minutes, leaving Yi Wei craving more.
"Teacher Wen, when this piece is finished, can I be the first to hear the complete version?" "I'm afraid not." Wen Qiulan frowned slightly at the request. Yi Wei, disappointed, let out an unhappy "oh," only to hear Wen Qiulan chuckle softly.
"The first listener should be myself. But I can make Xiao Yi the second person in the world to hear it." "That's basically the first, then, Teacher Wen doesn't count." Yi Wei's downtrodden mood instantly lifted. She arched an eyebrow at Wen Qiulan, thinking that Teacher Wen was no old fogy, when this person started flirting, she was more alluring than anyone.
Yi Wei and Wen Qiulan spent the entire afternoon in the piano room, while a heavy rain began falling outside without them noticing. Watching the downpour, Yi Wei was in excellent spirits, especially since the news said there would be continuous heavy rain and a typhoon from the afternoon into the night. She snickered inwardly, sure enough, she'd come at just the right time.
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