Chapter 125 - Friendly
The two were silent. One was silently applying an ointment while the other was busy observing the other.
If one could step more and look at them, one could feel a serene and warm atmosphere. With the dim light and little sparkles from above, with the cold breeze that carries the fragrance of the flowers, it gives off a romantic feeling.
Linfeng couldn't help but greedily savor this moment. It was so nice to be taken care of.
"Who is she?" Xiong Zhi's voice broke the silence. She was taking her time to apply the ointment.
"Hn?" Linfeng was a bit daze as she asked. Her little fingers that gently touch his skin made it hard for him to pull his attention away from it. The cool breeze and her presence really made him muddle-headed. He doesn't know what she's talking about.
Xiong Zhi was finally done applying the ointment. She looked up at Linfeng.
"That Tang Xinyang. She called you by your first name. Are you two close?" Her voice was calm and there are no ripples. Like she was just asking it causally. But her eyes were watching Linfeng's reaction like a hawk.
Since the little fingers stopped bringing tingling sensation to him he could finally focus what Xiong Zhi was asking. He met her eyes and answered.
"We attended the same preschool. We are not that close. "
Xiong Zhi was still looking at him. Not satisfied with his answer.
So Linfeng added more.
"We are in different classes. But Ms. Tang Xinyang was really famous for dueling all the boys. When she won over the boys from her class she looks for another class to fight with. She went to the first class butlers and fight every single one of us. "
"Did you fight her?"
"En. "
"Did you win?"
"..en."
"Then why she called you with your first name?" Xiong Zhi wanted to really know about that. Is one fight was enough to call people each their first names?
No, more importantly, how Linfeng addresses her?
Xiong Zhi's eyes squinted. She would make a follow up with that question.
Linfeng doesn't know why but he felt like he was in an interrogation. But he still answered.
"After the first duel, she came to my class every day and duel me. We become acquainted after that. But not that close."
Xiong Zhi seems to accept that. Then she followed back another question.
"How do you call her?"
".. Miss Tang" Linfeng answered truthfully.
He felt he was being questioned by his wife about the third party. But there's no wife, and there's no third party. It was really a strange feeling.
Xiong Zhi seems satisfied now. She nodded. Then she unfolded back his sleeve.
A person was walking towards their direction. Linfeng saw it and quickly put away his left arm from Xiong Zhi's hold.
Xiong Zhi who was taking her time to unfold his sleeve but found it suddenly gone "...."
Another butler from the Zhou family bowed to Xiong Zhi.
"Young Miss, Master Xiong would like you to prepare for the next performance. We would set up after Young master Guri finished his performance."
Xiong Zhi looked up ahead and just found out that Guan Guri was now on the stage and playing the violin.
The entertainment continued after the duel. Guan Guri was so good at playing the violin. The audience was satisfied and gave him warm applause.
It was now Xiong Zhi's turn. Linfeng assisted her to the stage. Xiong Zhi talked to another butler to help Linfeng set up the guzheng. His left arm was still hurt.
Earlier, in that morning, Old Xiong told her to prepare herself in case each family's grandchildren showcase their talent.
Since Old Xiong knew that she knows how to play Guzheng and she was good at it, he prepared a Guzheng for her to play in the event.
Xiong Zhi used the afternoon to practice. Since it was her first time that her grandfather invited her to come to a party, Xiong Zhi doesn't want to disappoint the Old Man. So she takes it seriously.
She went up to the stage and lightly touched the guzheng. It was the same guzheng she used at the banquet. She sat on the stool and closed her eyes. Her heart was calm.
'Good'.
Then she opened her eyes and started strumming the guzheng.
The first few tones were a bit off. But it was only a warm-up. Xiong Zhi stopped the vibrations and the sounds by her hand. Then she started strumming again.
It was a fast and high note. The music it produces was very upbeat. With the sound from the water fountain, with the fragrance of the flowers and with the additional cheerful music from the Guzheng, this atmosphere made the people feel calm and peaceful at heart. Allowing them to smile at each other.
The piece that Xiong Zhi was playing was portraying for prosper, tranquility and well wishes for its listeners.
Even the player has a straight face and focused eyes, her beautiful fingers were dancing rhythmically with the tone. It was a lovely scene that made the listeners dance their fingers as well. Some were even tapping the table, catching up with the beat.
Xiong Zhi was almost done playing the beautiful piece when out of the corner of her eyes she saw Guan Guri, who was still holding his violin, playing with the bow. It was like he was matching up the music with his violin in his mind.
This made Xiong Zhi suddenly think of an idea.
After she finished the piece, the guest started to sang praises and clapped when Xiong Zhi, without stopping, played a different piece. It was the piece that Guan Guri played earlier.
Guan Guri was a bit taken aback when he recognized the second piece. He already played that piece earlier so why play it again? He could not help but look at the player for what she was planning to do. But when he looked up, he saw the young girl looking at him and nodding at him. She gesturing him to come on the stage and join her to play the piece with their own instruments.
Guan Guri's eyes shined.
That's a good idea!
So he stands up and started playing his violin while walking to the stage.
The sound of the violin stunned the guest.
Then they watched as Guan Guri stand beside Xiong Zhi and played the piece together.
The additional music of the violin was like adding a dessert after the meal. It was a very wonderful combination of music.
Then the tone of Guzheng changed once more to another piece. It was the original piece that Xiong Zhi played earlier. The violin was still playing the first piece, it was a calm, soft and soothing melody. However, with the additional music of guzheng's cheerful and upbeat tone, the music produced by the two pieces was surprisingly more alluring to the listener's ears. It blends perfectly.
The two players at the front were immersed in their music. Enjoying playing their songs. It was not a competition anymore. Rather, it's a celebration and wishing people good days and peaceful heart.
It was very wonderful.
The violin stopped as the guzheng stopped as well.
Xiong Zhi stands up. She and Guan Guri bowed at the same time.
The guest, still affected by the music, clapped with sincere smiles on their face.
When Xiong Zhi went down from the stage and turned to her seat, Guan Guri ran after her.
"Miss Xiong Zhi. I enjoy playing music with you." Guan Guri said truthfully. He hadn't had a good time in a while. He was really affected by the music and he was in a lighter mood.
"Likewise." Xiong Zhi nodded politely. She doesn't have any impression of Guan Guri from her past life until now. But looking at his eyes with no malice and his transparent expression, Xiong Zhi had a first impression of him. He was a simple man with no schemes.
"I am Guan Guri. Our families may not be close, but if ever you come to attend one of our hosted parties, you can come to me." Guan Guri said as he smiled kindly and reached out his hands. He was asking to be Xiong Zhi's friend. He was waiting for her to accept his hand for a handshake.
Another impression of him added to Xiong Zhi's mind.
He would be an easy target for anyone. He would be taken advantage of with this kind of attitude.
Nevertheless, she took his hand and shook it. Accepting his friendship that he was offering.
"I'll be in your care then." She said politely.
Guan Guri laughed. Then he started to tell his history since young. He seems like he really likes Xiong Zhi and had a good impression of her. He treated her as a little sister.
Xiong Zhi was not against the entire Guan Family. It's a fact that was the family where the beast came from. But she's the kind of person that takes her hate to the individual person who did the deed. So even the person sitting beside her was a Guan, they are different matters. However, she would take more precautions and be more guarded around the Guans. So she did not speak after that and let Guan Guri do the talking.
However, after the long chat from Guan Guri, she could not help but questioned if Guan Guri was really a part of the Wolf Guan family and has a brother that was in human clothing. Interacting with him today, which was only seating beside him, Xiong Zhi could somehow grasp Guan Guri's behavior as a fellow human being.
She adds another impression of him. It was that this guy easily trusts someone. Xiong Zhi wondered how he was still alive and kicking in the business industry. Or how he survived all the schemes in the Guan family.
She looked at Guan Guri. That beast and Guan Guri has no resemblance. Even it was appearance or behavior.
The chattering stopped suddenly when the surroundings become dim. Only the tiny lights like stars illuminated their surroundings. As the host appeared on the stage, a spotlight from above directed towards the host. Calling the attention of everyone.
"Ladies and gentlemen. This is the moment that you have been waiting for. " The host started.
The ladies held their breaths. They had been waiting for it since they enter the garden.
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