Chapter 86: Chapter 69: I Hit You—If You’ve Got Guts, Hit Back (Second Update)

Xiahou Shang’s expression changed slightly.

Miss Xu was right. The reason he just had a falling out with Jiang Heng was indeed because he found out that Miss Xu was the Medicine Farmer Star.

It wasn’t Zhang Zhiyi who told him; he figured it out himself through various clues.

His uncle and grandfather’s attitudes were enough to indicate one thing— 𝓯𝙧𝙚𝒆𝙬𝙚𝒃𝙣𝙤𝒗𝓮𝓵.𝙘𝙤𝙢

The Medicine Farmer Star held immeasurable value.

He only dared to stand up to Jiang Heng because he understood his uncle and grandfather’s intentions.

Being exposed by Miss Xu, Xiahou Shang felt a sense of guilt and asked her, "Xingguang, do you blame me for not stopping Jiang Heng back then?"

"I don’t blame you," Miss Xu said calmly. "You are my senior sister’s husband. As long as you are devoted to her, I have no grudge against you."

"As for other things..." Miss Xu’s gaze suddenly became extremely calm and wise, and she said, "Brother-in-law, relying on yourself is better than relying on anyone else. Those who don’t matter cannot hurt me."

She never had any expectations of Xiahou Shang, so it didn’t matter to her whether he helped her or not.

Xiahou Shang had worked in the Alliance Government for many years, having seen many shrewd politicians. And today, he saw a similar aura in Miss Xu.

"Oh right, brother-in-law, what did you want to see me about?"

Xiahou Shang replied, "Uncle sent someone to my quarters to look for you. Seeing that you hadn’t returned, I came to check."

"Alright, I’ll go over right away."

*

Xiahou Huai Gui’s piano was unique in the world, one of a kind, custom-made for him by a top piano maker on Xiahou Xiong’s commission.

It was a rare deep blue starry sky piano, with the constellations on its body lifelike, profound, and beautiful.

Miss Xu was instantly captivated by the piano; she touched it and was moved by the thought of having one custom-made for herself as well.

Xiahou Huai Gui gently caressed the piano keys as if touching a lover and said, "It’s called Nebula. Your names have the same meaning."

"You really like it." Xiahou Huai Gui noticed Miss Xu’s affection for Nebula, debated internally for a while, and finally said, "But I can’t give it to you. It’s been with me since I was young; it’s an inseparable part of me."

"A gentleman does not take what others love." Miss Xu had no intention of asking for his beloved piano. "Young master, you may start your performance, and I will listen attentively."

"Alright."

Xiahou Huai Gui had long memorized the score and didn’t even need it in front of him.

When his hands touched the keys, his whole demeanor changed. The change felt like a soft little white rabbit transforming into a fierce tiger.

His music was passionate and indignant, like a trapped tiger roaring, biting, and crying out its defiance with its soul.

The roaring piano notes carried a momentum as if they would break through the heavens.

They contained all the suffering, pain, and despair he had endured in his first 12 years.

At last, the tiger broke free of its cage and returned to the vast jungle, running under the open sky.

The angry melody transformed into joy.

Among masters, there was an artistic resonance, and Miss Xu was completely overwhelmed by the emotions in Xiahou Huai Gui’s music.

When the piece ended, Xiahou Huai Gui was drenched in sweat, and his blood-stained bandage. Yet it was as if he felt no pain, as he lifted his head and asked Miss Xu, "How was it?"

Miss Xu smiled and said, "I saw the tiger return to the mountains, regaining its freedom."

Upon hearing this, Xiahou Huai Gui’s eyes suddenly brightened, and he said, "A kindred spirit!"

Being able to perceive his soul’s state through the music meant Miss Xu was indeed a fellow traveler. Xiahou Huai Gui curiously asked, "Do you understand piano too?"

In her tenth life, Miss Xu had played piano all her life, but she did not dare to claim she understood it. She said, "Music is a profound study. I dare not say I understand the piano, but I love it."

Those were words Xiahou Huai Gui had once heard from his teacher.

Seeing Miss Xu again, Xiahou Huai Gui saw a shadow of his teacher in her.

It was the bearing and level only a top pianist possessed.

"Miss Xu, once I recover, I will certainly visit and practice piano with you."

Xiahou Huai Gui was truly exhausted, with sweat dripping from his nose. Unable to endure any longer, he had his bodyguard wheel him back to his room.

As the bodyguard pushed Xiahou Huai Gui’s wheelchair, preparing to leave, Miss Xu suddenly asked his retreating figure, "Young master, I really liked that piece you just played. Once I’m back, can I play it myself?"

Xiahou Huai Gui nodded, "Of course you can."

"Thank you."

Grateful, Xiahou Huai Gui had no idea that Miss Xu was orchestrating a scheme, and he was the most crucial piece in it.