Nan Yu had a gentle voice. At this moment, when she softly called out, her tender tone was truly endearing.
Her outfit today was very simple. She wore a water - blue ladies' shirt paired with a pair of off - white long trousers. She had excellent body proportions, and her face was pleasing to the eye, exuding a soft femininity.
Even so, Tan Linyuan's gaze slid past her face without any trace of emotion, as calm as the dust in a temple.
Besides these familiar faces, Shen Yanche also introduced another guest at the dinner to her. "Yuyu, this is Boss Du."
Nan Yu nodded. Of course, she recognized him.
Years ago, Du Peng had some work cooperation and exchanges with her father. However, due to financial issues, the two parties couldn't reach an agreement and parted on bad terms.
Now Du Peng was in his fifties. His droopy eyes sparkled with the shrewdness of a businessman. He glanced at Nan Yu and pretended to be polite. "Miss Nan, I've long admired your name."
Nan Yu controlled herself not to think about the past. After greeting with a smile, she held her head high and walked towards the empty seat beside Shen Yanche with extraordinary calmness.
As soon as she sat down, she heard Du Peng continue. "I've long heard that Chairman Nan used to dote on his daughter very much and was also good at educating her. In particular, Miss Nan's piano skills are first - class."
Mentioning her father in such an occasion caught Nan Yu off guard. Her facial expression froze for half a second, but she quickly lowered her head and gave a soft smile. "It's just some mediocre skills. It's better if Boss Du doesn't mention it."
Du Peng pretended not to notice her deliberate avoidance of the topic and instead hinted further. "I wonder if I have the chance to enjoy Miss Nan's performance on the spot."
Nan Yu smiled and took over the topic. "You're too kind. There will surely be a chance in the future. It's not suitable today..."
"Why isn't it suitable?" Shen Suhai suddenly spoke up, and Nan Yu quickly raised her head.
Shen Suhai pointed at the object covered by a black velvet cloth in the corner and casually said, "There's a piano right here. Play a piece for Boss Du."
His voice was as loud as a bell, leaving no room for Nan Yu at all. It was more like a command.
Du Peng also chuckled. "That's great. It seems I'm in for a treat today."
The black velvet cloth was lifted by the waiter who came in, revealing the classic black - lacquered piano. There was no dust on it, indicating that someone often used it.
The waiter accidentally pressed a piano key, and the shrill sound was very sharp in the quiet private room. It scared him so much that he immediately took several steps back and quickly apologized to the guests.
That shrill piano sound seemed to pierce into Nan Yu's heart, making her palms cold. Her hand on the armrest of the chair tightened, and her knuckles turned white.
She didn't move her body, but just softly asked, "Do I really have to do this?"
Did she really have to present her most cherished treasure in front of everyone in a way that entertained others?
Her voice was very delicate, with a hoarse weakness and pain.
The voice was neither too loud nor too soft, but no one in the room answered her.
Shen Yanche noticed her pale face. He really couldn't bear it. Just as he was about to plead for her, he was silenced by Shen Suhai's stern look.
Helplessly, he had to change his words and persuade her. "Yuyu, just play one of your best pieces."
Nan Yu instantly understood.
All the talk about it being urgent and her having to come immediately was just a pretext to deceive her.
They just wanted to summon and dismiss her at will. And this performance in public was like making her a monkey in a circus for people to watch.
They wanted to shatter her self - esteem, knock down her pride, and make her truly worthless.
After realizing all this, Nan Yu, who had been trembling slightly just now, straightened her body. Her tightly curled hands hanging by her sides gradually relaxed and stretched out.
Nan Yu stood up from the chair, slightly raised her chin, tightly pursed her lips, still with a polite smile on her face, and walked towards the piano on one side of the private room.
From beginning to end, Tan Linyuan didn't look at her once. Only the movement of his hand turning the Buddhist beads became significantly faster than before, and his mood turned cold.
Nan Yu nodded slightly, gracefully sat on the piano bench, crossed her long legs at the knees, and gently placed her fingers on the black and white keys.
She didn't need a music score. Those notes were already engraved in her mind.
When the last key was struck, the piece was finished.
Nan Yu felt a pain in her back from sitting so straight, and her leg bones were stiff from too much force, with a faint pain coming on. She knew it was because her body had been too tense just now.
She took a deep breath secretly, stood up, and bowed to the people at the dinner on the opposite side.
But who was really listening to her performance? Shen Suhai and Du Peng were chatting happily at the dinner, and Shen Yanche had been looking down at his phone, busy with who knew what.
Only Tan Linyuan had his eyes closed. After the piece ended, his eyes slowly turned towards her, and he nodded at her.
It was a nod of appreciation for her performance without any personal feelings.
Although Tan Linyuan wasn't a good person, at least he respected music, Nan Yu thought to herself.
Well, he was lucky to be able to listen to her play the piano.
"Not bad." Du Peng then seemed to have just noticed that the performance was over. His praise was also very perfunctory. "It sounds nice. Suhai, having such a daughter - in - law, there will be no shortage of musical influence in the family in the future."
"It's all just fancy stuff. It's enough for her to be a good wife and mother at home." Shen Suhai said expressionlessly. "Showing off in public will damage the reputation of the Shen family."
Nan Yu listened numbly. After they talked about her for a few words and then resumed talking about business, she felt that her mission this time was completed.
"Can I leave now? I still have to give piano lessons to my students."
She had no intention of staying here any longer. She just wanted to rush back to the Song family immediately. Maybe she could still change Mrs. Song's mind and be able to continue teaching Wanwan to play the piano.
Shen Suhai was just about to wave his hand to signal that she could leave. After hearing the second half of the sentence, he suddenly frowned. "You're still giving piano lessons to others?"
"Yes." Nan Yu answered neither humbly nor arrogantly.
Shen Suhai's eyebrows furrowed deeper, and his tone became severe. "What's the use of being a piano teacher? Can't the Shen family afford to feed you? Don't go anymore in the future."
"Playing for everyone on occasions like today is enough. Don't be a piano teacher anymore. It's embarrassing for the Shen family."
Nan Yu maintained her smile. "Uncle Shen, this is my personal life. I have the right to make my own decisions."
"But you'll soon be the daughter - in - law of the Shen family." Shen Suhai said with a straight face. The aura of an elder immediately pressed down. "Nan Yu, don't forget who you owe your gratitude to. Don't be ungrateful."
Nan Yu took a deep breath. "But I've already discussed it with the parents..."
Her voice gradually weakened, and she didn't even need to finish the whole sentence.
Protest was useless. No one would listen, and no one would care about her struggle.
She just needed to obey.
The private room instantly fell into a dead - like silence.
Finally, Nan Yu lowered her head and said resignedly, "... I understand. I'll handle it as soon as possible."
At this time, Tan Linyuan, who had been quiet for a long time, casually tugged at his lips. His facial expression was calm, and his aura was still as noble and spotless as ever.
He said, "Uncle Shen, I actually have something I'd like Miss Nan to help with."