Chapter 53: When Words Fail, Music Speaks
Kieu Ly turned away from his gaze and said:
"Since we've got some free time… can you show me your talent?"
Toan Phuong smiled and got up to fetch his guitar.
Moments later, he returned, pulled the curtain aside, opened the window, and dragged two chairs over by the window. He motioned for Kieu Ly to sit. Then, he sat down next to her, picked up his guitar, and began to play and sing. He had written a song for her long ago but hadn't found the right moment—until now.
As his voice rose, merging with the sound of the guitar, Kieu Ly was completely entranced. The melody floated through the cool rainy evening, like a distant echo painting the dreams of young girls—a dream of tender, beautiful love. Each note and lyric gently slipped in, nourishing the corners of her soul. Even a soul once scarred like Kieu Ly's felt soothed and renewed, filled with faraway dreams once more.
Outside the window, the rain continued its soft rhythm.
She gazed in wonder at the boy playing beside her. His fingers danced across the strings—ghostly, dreamlike. Occasionally, a breeze would stir the curtain, but the look in his eyes never wavered. His gaze, tender and unwavering, was fixed on her the whole time. The song was like a gentle confession, causing her heart to tremble with each note.
For a brief moment, she forgot how to breathe.
When the music ended, Kieu Ly slowly returned to reality. After a pause, she found her voice:
"You have very flirtatious eyes, you know. I bet you've made a lot of girls fall for you."
Toan Phuong looked slightly disappointed and replied:
"No. I've never made any girl fall for me."
He had told her before that he'd never had a girlfriend—and really, there was no reason for him to lie. Probably for the best, for the sake of all womankind. If a boy with eyes like his had taken to flirting seriously, there'd be girls collapsing left and right.
Kieu Ly gave a soft laugh:
"In the future, if you want to charm any girl, just do what you did earlier. Sing her a love song and look at her with those eyes. That's it. Game over. Honestly, your eyes could make even a lamppost feel loved. No girl would be able to resist."
Toan Phuong leaned his guitar against the wall and asked:
"But... you didn't fall for me."
Kieu Ly chuckled:
"I'm different. I'm older than you. Besides... I'm going to study abroad soon."