Chapter 160: Chapter 160: Personally Selected Stylist

The night was as clear as water, and the girl’s brows and eyes were illuminated by the crystal light above, making her resemble an angel emitting light, captivating all attention.

Adrian Law gazed unwaveringly at Cecilia Vaughn, as he had never seen her play the piano before.

But at this moment, he was completely stunned by such beauty.

It wasn’t just because of Cecilia Vaughn’s otherworldly appearance, but more by the emotion her music evoked.

...

Although she hadn’t touched a piano in seven or eight years, Cecilia’s fingers seemed almost instinctive as they plucked and strummed the strings of "Spring Thunder".

The pristine sound of the piano was like a butterfly, continuously fluttering through the air, sometimes speeding up, sometimes slowing down, as if in a dream.

Initially, the music was like the gentle breeze of March, its faint warmth intoxicating, but as Cecilia’s fair fingers moved, the melody accelerated, as if carrying the force of wind and thunder, rugged and compelling, bringing with it the weight of years, suddenly expanding the vista!

As Cecilia played the final notes, the music calmed once more, yet differing from its initial tranquility, carrying more of a sense of a world weathered by time, pure in its steadfastness after weathering many storms.

The classical and elegant melody instantly conquered Adrian Law’s heart.

The man naturally extended his palm and began to clap.

"Cecilia, you played beautifully."

...

With the performance concluded, Cecilia’s eyes were thoroughly red, yet her tears remained gathered without falling.

This piece was written while she was imprisoned, inspired by the comic "There are branches on the mountain", but rather than writing about the main characters, it’s about herself.

Three years of imprisonment gave her turbulence and tempered her.

May after traversing a myriad of sails, you return still a youth.

Cecilia was deeply engrossed in the piece, wholly immersed in its emotion; upon hearing Adrian’s applause, she bashfully stood up, though her eyes remained red.

"It’s been too long since I’ve played, the rustiness of my fingers must have amused you, Adrian."

Adrian smiled at her, lightly tapping her brow with his finger.

"Cecilia, have you ever heard that excessive modesty is arrogance?"

"To my ears, your piano playing is already stunning beyond compare."

He had previously sat in Veridia’s highest class concert halls listening to national masters play, and though Cecilia might lack their technical skill, emotionally, she surpassed them significantly.

This genuine expression in the piece truly guided the audience into its realm, which is what distinguished a true Piano Master.

Cecilia, flustered by Adrian’s praise, bit her lip.

Her eyes, almond-shaped, gave him a playful look of reproach.

"You’re just sweet-talking; I’m not that impressive."

Adrian solemnly shook his head, firmly placing both hands on Cecilia’s shoulders, his words grave and deliberate.

"Cecilia, even if we were strangers, good playing is good playing, there’s no need for me to lie about it."

"..."

The man’s phoenix-like eyes gazed at her with such focus, their impact was overwhelming!

Cecilia’s face flushed, no longer wishing to argue with Adrian, yet she didn’t take his words to heart.

"Cecilia, you seem to have a deep bond with ’Spring Thunder’, I’ll find a master to teach you Ancient Zither, so you can keep it for your own use."

"This..."

Cecilia was shocked, thinking of the value of "Spring Thunder" and wanting to refuse, yet Adrian obviously wasn’t joking, and his gaze was cool: "If you refuse, I’ll burn this zither."

"You bandit! Such wastefulness!"

Even knowing this was a provocation, Cecilia felt heartache just imagining the scene.

To outsiders, they might see only its capacity to fetch millions, but to Cecilia, its intrinsic value as an Ancient Zither was unparalleled.

Cecilia reached out and stroked the strings of "Spring Thunder," biting her lip before finally giving in.

"I yield, I’ll learn, alright?"

Adrian’s eyes and brow harbored a mischievous smile, like a gentle breeze.

"Mm, that’s my obedient Cecilia."

To Adrian, not just a zither worth millions, but even the stars in the sky; as long as Cecilia liked them, he would obtain them.

Adrian’s woman never had to suffer grievances anywhere.

"..."

Cecilia smiled at the absurdity that there would be such a man willing to spend lavishly for others, and Adrian was displeased by her attempt to reduce his expenses!

Though she complained aloud, the sweetness within her gradually spread.

His kindness towards her was always strong and vivid, every little thing, she silently kept in her heart.

She hoped to keep growing, to be worthy of his kindness, to become the one truly suited for him.

...

Adrian wrapped his arms around Cecilia, pulling the girl into his embrace.

"Cecilia, learning Ancient Zither isn’t urgent; the most important thing now is Vaughn Family’s engagement party this weekend, are you prepared?"

Upon Adrian suddenly mentioning this matter, Cecilia’s eyes flickered, gradually carrying a touch of resolve.

"When soldiers come, we’ll defend, when floods come, we’ll block. I’ve never been afraid."

She’d endured long enough with those two despicable people; now that it involved her deceased mother, they shouldn’t blame her for being ruthless!

...

Adrian wasn’t at all surprised knowing Cecilia was prepared for a fierce battle.

"I’ll accompany you personally."

Hearing this, Cecilia’s hand trembled; Adrian was ready to publicly reveal their relationship to the world?

At the moment of Fiona Vaughn and Tyson Law’s engagement, the tangled relationships among the four of them would surely provoke a storm of commentary...

Cecilia thought long and hard, hoping to persuade Adrian to be cautious.

But simply meeting Adrian’s abyssal eyes, every word seemed to caught in her throat, unable to utter a single refusal.

Cecilia sighed softly, finally nodding with great difficulty.

"Alright..."

Adrian’s willingness to protect her swept away all shadows in her heart.

The imminent ordeal now seemed insignificant.

Wherever he was, there was peace of mind.

...

As the weekend approached, Adrian led Cecilia to one of Stellerton’s most upscale styling studios.

Row upon row of clothes and jewelry, resplendent as clouds, resembling the scenes of dreams every girl has.

Heaven knows, Cecilia always struggled with choices and detested dressing up, often opting for a bare-faced look, yet now Adrian was insisting she prepare attire for the engagement party!

The reasons were sound, to do a good job, one must first sharpen one’s tools; she couldn’t be overshadowed by such trifles.

Cecilia had no choice, but confronted with an array of vibrant dresses, her head spun!

Just as Cecilia was overwhelmed, a blond-haired, blue-eyed man approached...