Chapter 17

Because they were waiting for the cruise ship to set sail again, Zhong Nian worked absentmindedly, glancing outside from time to time.

He moved slowly, and no one urged him on when he slacked off.

Jie Wen, who was working alongside him, stole glances at his face from time to time and silently took on most of the work.

“Why hasn’t the ship set off yet…”

It was almost noon—how much longer did they have to wait?

He puzzled over it.

Time ticked by second by second, and in the agonizing wait, his anxiety grew. He had a nagging feeling that something would happen if they delayed any longer.

As he pondered how to sneak out again to check the situation, Guan Shan Yue delivered the opportunity right to him.

The cruise ship’s top VIP had come down to the lower decks, startling many people, but Guan Shan Yue seemed utterly oblivious. Under everyone’s gaze, he waved warmly at Zhong Nian with a beaming smile and an exceedingly affectionate tone. “Little Nian, come here quick. I’m taking you to learn piano.”

While Zhong Nian was still dazed, the team leader had already humbly pushed him forward and whispered in his ear, “Serve him well, got it?”

Zhong Nian: “…”

Guan Shan Yue took hold of the “borrowed” Zhong Nian and nodded smilingly at the team leader. “Thanks.”

The team leader was flattered. “You’re too kind.”

As Zhong Nian walked away, he felt his nape burning. He glanced back and met Zhan Lu’s dark, brooding gaze.

…

“If you hadn’t left in such a hurry this morning, Little Nian, I would’ve kept you there to have breakfast with us.”

On the way, Guan Shan Yue said to Zhong Nian with a smile in his eyes.

Before coming to find the young man, he had unusually changed out of his pajamas into other clothes—a very formal platinum formal suit, with a feather-shaped golden diamond brooch pinned to his chest. His platinum hair was tied back with a thin ribbon.

Paired with his Western bone structure and gray-green eyes, he looked every bit the elegant Western noble—refined in a way that didn’t match his usual demeanor.

Those who knew him stared at him like they’d seen a ghost.

Everyone in their circle knew that the Guan family’s young master hated going out. Rare sightings of him were usually in sleep-ready loungewear, and even at formal occasions, he was casually self-indulgent.

Dressed like this… Outsiders might think he was off to propose.

【I’ve come across this script before. This guy’s the least memorable one in it—barely shows up.】

【Dressed up all flashy like a peacock fanning its tail. Who’s he trying to seduce?】

【Baby, don’t go! This kid’s clearly up to no good.】

【Oh no, the family’s fresh little white cabbage got snatched by a deluxe blondie.】

Unaware of the live stream room chatter since he rarely opened the window, Zhong Nian followed Guan Shan Yue into his room without a second thought.

Guan Shan Yue seemed to love art. His room differed greatly from Zong Xing Yi’s and Sheng Chu’s. The decor was niche, with carpets covering the entire floor. The sofa and bed were huge, piled high with soft blankets, quilts, and pillows—any spot you walked to seemed perfect for lounging comfortably.

Art pieces were everywhere: sculptures, paintings, and of course, a million-dollar piano.

If nothing else, Zhong Nian was genuinely looking forward to learning piano.

Guan Shan Yue told him not to hold back, so Zhong Nian headed straight for the piano, casually touching any interesting trinkets he passed.

The piano was already uncovered and ready. At the instrument, Zhong Nian extended his right index finger and pressed an unfamiliar key.

A pleasant note rang out, and his eyes lit up instantly. He turned to Guan Shan Yue, unable to hide his excitement. “I know this one—it’s ‘mi,’ right?~”

【Mi~】

【Baby, you’re such a curious little cat.】

【That little tail on your voice is making my heart bleed from cuteness.】

Guan Shan Yue laughed at his reaction too. “Yes.”

Guan Shan Yue walked over, standing at the young man’s side and rear. He hovered his hand over Zhong Nian’s and pressed several adjacent keys in sequence.

The scale rose step by step, then shifted into a cheerful little tune as he explained, “Piano isn’t hard, really. It’s just combinations of these notes.”

Zhong Nian marveled, “That’s amazing. Even casually played, it sounds great.”

Guan Shan Yue’s lips curved upward the whole time. “Let’s sit down and learn properly.”

Guan Shan Yue was a good teacher—his methods were fun, easy to grasp, and he knew how to boost morale.

“As I said before, your hands are perfect for piano. Today proves it: your posture is spot-on, you pick up knowledge fast. If you’d started earlier, you might be a famous pianist better than me by now.”

After all that praise, Zhong Nian felt a bit embarrassed.

He grew more immersed, not noticing how excessively close he had gotten to the man.

The piano bench wasn’t big; sitting two people meant inevitable brushes.

Guan Shan Yue taught in a half-embracing posture, one arm around his back, guiding hand-over-hand on the keys and adjusting his wrists.

Yet Guan Shan Yue was undeniably serious, his tone earnest, so the focused student Zhong Nian detected nothing amiss.

After some time, Zhong Nian learned to play a simple children’s song from the numbered musical notation on his own.

When the final note fell a bit unevenly, his sense of accomplishment peaked. His face glowed, and he turned with a brilliant smile to Guan Shan Yue. “Look, I did it!”

Following the pattern, he instinctively sought approval and praise from his “teacher.”

Guan Shan Yue’s gaze fell on the cheek so close if he just lowered his head a bit. Softly, he said, “Very good.”

Zhong Nian happily replayed the same tune over and over, oblivious that the teacher beside him had completely zoned out.

Halfway through, he heard an out-of-the-blue question by his ear: “Little Nian, which one of them do you like?”

The piano notes broke off, and Zhong Nian’s high spirits halted abruptly. He asked blankly, “What?”

“Xing Yi and Sheng Chu. I know they’ve both made moves on you.” Guan Shan Yue rested his chin on the young man’s shoulder, his gray-green eyes holding deep meaning. “Which one makes you feel more?”

Zhong Nian furrowed his brows.

Guan Shan Yue chuckled lightly. “Sorry, did I kill the mood? I just had to know what you think, or I’d keep feeling bad.”

“I don’t like either.” Zhong Nian answered straightforwardly. “They’re both annoying.”

Guan Shan Yue laughed as if the rejected ones weren’t his longtime friends. “I know them—they’re not good at cherishing people. Arrogant, forceful, no tenderness or care. But I’m different… Little Nian, want to try my body? If you like it, you can play with me however. I’ll give you a great experience.”

“…”

Zhong Nian fell silent for a moment, then sighed.

“I actually thought you were pretty decent just now, but not anymore.”

He grabbed the hand that had somehow settled on his waist and flung it off forcefully. He stood from the bench, his angry expression tinged with frustration as he crossed his arms behind his back and huffed, “You’re all the same, cut from the same cloth—not a good one among you.”

No wonder they hung out together; all beasts in fine clothes.