{Chapter: 319 Chi Qian and Qingtong's encounter!}
Without missing a beat, Chi Qian began accompanying him on the piano. Her playing was clean, controlled, and perfectly in sync with Lin Yuan's turbulent lead. Together, they formed an exhilarating and seamless musical storm.
This time, Lin Yuan felt a deep sense of satisfaction.
Every note came out as intended. Every rise and fall in the melody hit just the right emotional peak. Chi Qian's flawless accompaniment made him feel empowered, like he was flying. Their rhythm was so closely connected that it felt like their thoughts were aligned.
Perhaps it was due to their shared understanding.
Perhaps it was something deeper.
Whatever it was, the harmony between them was undeniable.
Lin Yuan felt liberated, refreshed—revived even—as he played. For a piece so often associated with madness, there was a strange serenity in their performance, born from trust and precision.
Meanwhile, outside the door, Yu Shanshan and her wives huddled close together. Their faces were pale, their legs weak, but their eyes sparkled with admiration.
"Shanshan… didn't you say your cousin only played the piano?" one of the wives whispered, barely able to tear her gaze away from Lin Yuan. "He's amazing with the violin!"
"Seriously," another chimed in breathlessly. "He's even better than our music instructor. And that face… Ugh, I really like him!"
"Shanshan, quick! Give me your cousin's contact info!"
Yu Shanshan's face darkened as she watched her wives betray her one by one with stars in their eyes. She bit her lip, equal parts annoyed and impressed. Who could blame them, really?
The understanding between Lin Yuan and Chi Qian hadn't just revealed itself to him.
It had also touched Chi Qian.
A subtle chime sounded in Lin Yuan's mind:
[Ding! Chi Qian's favorability +1! Reward: 1000 Counterattack Points!]
A quiet smile formed on Lin Yuan's face.
It had been a good day.
Lin Yuan and Chi Qian exchanged another glance, and a warm smile bloomed on both their faces. It wasn't just a look—it was the kind of shared expression that subtly affected everyone around them, like an invisible ripple of warmth spreading through the room.
Their silent communication, their unspoken understanding, created an atmosphere that made even the observers feel good inside.
Chi Qian smiled gently and said, "Brother Lin Yuan, although I have to admit you play the violin really well, let me take over this time. You should play the piano instead. My current exam project involves the violin, after all."
"All right," Lin Yuan replied with a relaxed smile and nodded without hesitation.
The two began practicing again, switching roles.
Meanwhile, outside the room, Yu Shanshan stood beside the door. She had originally planned to escort Lin Yuan to Chi Qian, introduce them, and then leave with her wives. However, those plans quickly crumbled. Her wives, utterly enchanted by the duet from earlier, were now stubbornly refusing to budge. They wanted to stay, no matter how sore their feet had become from standing for so long.
And who could blame them?
The music that flowed from the room now—Chi Qian's masterful violin and Lin Yuan's piano—felt like a kind of soothing elixir. It wasn't just beautiful; it was cleansing. Their playing had the power to clear away fatigue and quiet the mind. It was an ethereal experience, like drifting through a tranquil dreamscape.
It wasn't long before their performance attracted even more attention. Next door, a piano class had just ended, and both teachers and students wandered over, drawn by the magnetic sound. Before long, a small crowd had formed outside the room, quietly gathering to witness this rare musical chemistry.
Many of the onlookers were girls, and most of their eyes instinctively gravitated toward Lin Yuan.
However, Chi Qian had her share of admirers too. With her ethereal beauty and refined elegance, she seemed like a goddess brought to life, and her skill on the violin only deepened that impression.
"They're amazing! Seriously, it's like watching professionals," one girl whispered in awe. "The piano is flawless, and so is the violin!"
"Yeah! And they look so good too!" another one added with stars in her eyes. "He's so handsome, and she's absolutely stunning."
"I feel kind of bitter watching them," someone muttered half-jokingly. "They're good-looking, ridiculously talented, and clearly have a connection. What can the rest of us even do?"
Amid the quiet admiration of the crowd, Lin Yuan and Chi Qian continued their duet. Their music flowed in seamless harmony, as if they were reading each other's minds. It wasn't just technical skill—it was chemistry, a meeting of hearts and minds expressed through melody.
After a while, they brought the piece to a gentle, natural end—both stopping at almost the exact same time.
"Are we almost finished?" Lin Yuan asked with a hint of amusement.
Chi Qian nodded. "Yes, we're just about done."
Their rapport had become so strong that even the subtlest fluctuations in rhythm or emotion were instantly picked up and echoed by the other. It was as though they were linked by an invisible thread of understanding.
And by now, the crowd outside had grown even larger.
Realizing it was time to go before the gathering became too overwhelming, they began packing up their instruments. Then, under the curious and enamored eyes of the bystanders, they made their way out.
Yu Shanshan, still trying to keep up appearances as the fearsome campus tyrant, reluctantly helped clear a path for them, glancing now and then at her wives, who were still swooning over Lin Yuan.
After they exited the building, Yu Shanshan quickly made her escape, probably to avoid hearing any more traitorous comments from her adoring wives. That left Lin Yuan and Chi Qian standing quietly together just outside the conservatory.
"I'm going to meet up with Qingtong now," Lin Yuan said casually.
Chi Qian's smile brightened. "Let me join you. I can show you and your friend around the campus."
Lin Yuan had been thinking of asking Chi Qian for just that reason, but she beat him to it. She seemed to want to spend more time with him.
He nodded and said, "Your dormitory is in that direction, right? Let's go together so you can return your violin first."
Chi Qian shook her head lightly and said, "No need. Just hand it over—I'll carry it on my back."
Earlier, as they made their way downstairs through the crowd, Lin Yuan had carried her violin for her. Even though they'd grown quite familiar with one another, Chi Qian still felt a little embarrassed about troubling him.
Lin Yuan laughed and said, "It's fine. Let me carry it. I'm strong, remember? Or have you already forgotten how you lost when we sparred?"
The mention of their playful fight brought a sudden flush of color to Chi Qian's cheeks. She recalled the moment vividly, including the unexpected physical closeness during the spar.
Embarrassed but smiling, she nodded shyly and said, "Okay. Then… I'll trouble you again."
Lin Yuan gave her a soft grin in return, adjusting the violin on his back as they began walking side by side under the afternoon sun.
While walking together through the campus, Lin Yuan took out his phone and sent a quick message to Gui Qingtong. Not long after, she replied, informing him that she was just about finished with the admission procedures.
With that confirmation, Lin Yuan and Chi Qian adjusted their route slightly and headed toward Gui Qingtong's location.
However, before they even reached their intended destination, fate brought them together unexpectedly.
"Brother Lin Yuan… Dad!" a soft yet excited voice called out from ahead.
Lin Yuan immediately turned his head in the direction of the familiar voice, and sure enough, he saw Gui Qingtong running toward him. Her dress fluttered gently as she took small, eager steps, her face bright with happiness.
"Qingtong!" Lin Yuan smiled as he stepped forward to meet her, with Chi Qian walking beside him.
"Dad, you're finally here," Gui Qingtong said sweetly as she reached him.
Lin Yuan smiled and affectionately reached out, brushing his fingers lightly over the tips of her ears. "What are you doing here on this path? Did everything go smoothly with your enrollment?"
Gui Qingtong gave a small, cute nod. "Everything went fine. No problems at all."
But then her gaze shifted to Chi Qian, who stood beside Lin Yuan. Her bright eyes dimmed a little, and a flicker of curiosity — and subtle wariness — crept into her expression.
This girl is too stunning!
Gui Qingtong couldn't help but stare for a moment. The violin bag slung over Lin Yuan's back most likely belonged to this mysterious beauty, which made her heart feel slightly uneasy.
Although she couldn't immediately recall Chi Qian's name, her face looked vaguely familiar. Perhaps she had seen her at a school event or on a social platform. Still, she hadn't expected her to be this dazzling in person.
Chi Qian, on the other hand, was also studying Gui Qingtong. When she heard her call Lin Yuan "Dad," a soft chuckle rose in her throat. Though she didn't understand the backstory, it was amusing — and kind of adorable — to hear Lin Yuan addressed that way with such affection.
Lin Yuan quickly stepped in to make formal introductions before the mood grew awkward.
"Qingtong, this is your senior, Chi Qian. She's a very close friend of mine and also extremely talented in music. Her skills with the violin are top-notch. If you ever have any questions or need help at school, you can turn to her."