Chapter 18, Standing Side by Side with Her
The banquet hall was crowded, and Yan Sheng first led Wen Hanyun up to the second floor.
In this luxurious room, the huge floor-to-ceiling window made of a single piece of high-definition glass is particularly eye-catching. Looking down, the situation on the first floor is completely visible, giving people a sense of being in a high position and holding privileges.
Based on the price per hour after noon, it's 2888 yuan. Every extra five minutes spent here can offset an ordinary person's entire day's income.
"Sorry, I have some last-minute social engagements," Yan Sheng said apologetically. "If you're bored, you can go downstairs for a walk. If you get tired, come back to this room and wait for me. I'll be back as soon as possible. Feel free to message me if you need anything."
"good."
After staying in the room for a while, Wen Hanyun decided to go out for some fresh air and went downstairs.
She walked along the corridor and through the hall to the banquet hall. There was a grand piano at the entrance, which she had seen when she boarded the ship.
Whenever she came across a piano in a different place, she would always sit down and play a piece.
Wen Hanyun approached with great interest, lifted the piano lid, and tested the sound.
The customers passing by slowed down when they saw her demeanor.
Wen Hanyun carefully stroked the piano keys, took a deep breath, and pressed the keys.
A slightly stylized version of "One Step Away" slowly flowed out.
Compared to the original piece's pursuit and tug-of-war, her performance had a more vibrant energy; her soft fingers danced between the black and white keys, like a few sprites stepping in the morning light.
Such a unique yet highly professional performance immediately attracted a larger audience.
Wen Hanyun played the instrument with complete concentration, occasionally hearing people whispering among themselves.
"Who is this? They're really amazing!"
"She plays well and is very beautiful."
"......"
But soon, a discordant voice broke in.
"This violin is very expensive. Please do not touch it. Please leave."
A woman in an employee uniform walked straight over with a stern face and reached out to close the piano lid.
Interrupted, Wen Hanyun looked up and said, "Excuse me, this looks like a public piano. Is there a rule against touching it?"
If she hadn't reacted quickly and pulled her hand back, she would definitely have been injured by the suddenly closed piano.
“This is my area of responsibility,” the woman rolled her eyes, her tone unfriendly. “Don’t cause trouble here and disturb our distinguished guests’ rest.”
"That girl is very pretty and plays the piano very well, why are you so hostile?"
Another cruise ship employee who was passing by couldn't help but speak up to persuade them.
"That's exactly the kind of person we're looking for, someone who thinks she's pretty enough to attract men's attention," the woman scoffed, her tone dismissive. "A big shot is coming tonight. If she harasses him, are you going to take responsibility?"
Wen Hanyun had originally intended to argue with her, but upon hearing what she said, she immediately lost interest.
A woman who relies on a man's charity to live, both inside and out, may seem competitive, but she is actually terribly fragile inside. No matter what you say to her, it will be useless.
But after taking only two steps, he discovered...
She seems to be lost.
Just as she was regretting running so far, a gentle male voice sounded beside her, "Miss, do you need any help?"
She turned her head and saw a mixed-race man with long gray hair.
Although he had fair skin, a slender build, and long hair loosely tied behind his back, he did not appear weak at all.
Those blue, glassy eyes, inherited from Western blood, blended seamlessly into that exquisite Eastern face, adding a unique charm and elegance that even she, a woman, admired.
If I had to describe him in two words, it would be—monster.
"I... I can't find my way up to the second floor," Wen Hanyun said somewhat embarrassedly. "It seems like I've gone the wrong way."
“I can take you there, but beautiful lady,” the man said in broken Chinese, smiling and gesturing for you, “if you don’t mind, would you have the honor of inviting me to dance?”
Just as Wen Hanyun was about to politely decline, a familiar voice called out to her.
"Teacher Wen?" Yan Sheng walked towards her from a distance. "I just went back to my room and found you weren't here. Turns out you were here."
In just one short sentence, he clearly declared that he was the one who was traveling with Wen Hanyun.
The long-haired man glanced at Yan Sheng, who was completely blocking people's view, and teased:
"Yan, don't you understand the principle of first come, first served? Taking what someone else loves is very ungentlemanly."
Yan Sheng's smile didn't reach his eyes. "Is that so?"
"My name is Willand." The man deftly bypassed Yan Sheng, who stood like a small mountain in his way, and handed him a gold-embossed business card despite Yan Sheng's sullen aura. "Ms. Wen, I'll be going now. Feel free to contact me anytime."
"Thank you." Wen Hanyun accepted the business card and glanced at Yan Sheng curiously. "You two know each other?"
“Hmm,” Yan Sheng gently rubbed her head, “We’ve worked together before. His company has several very famous bands, which might be helpful to you in the future.”
This is also why he didn't stop Wieland from giving Wen Hanyun his business card.
He loved her, so he was keenly aware that she was an independent person who would not depend on any man's love to live.
Therefore, he was willing to be the one standing beside her, even the one beneath her...
“The ball is about to begin, beautiful lady,” Yansheng extended a hand, “would you mind dancing with me?”
Wen Hanyun laughed easily, just like when they first met in the restaurant a long time ago.
"Of course, it would be my pleasure, sir."
.
The holiday passed quickly, and a few days later the two embarked on their journey home.
As the car drove along the coastal highway, layers of greenery stretched out on one side, while the sea receded into the distance on the other.
Wen Hanyun leaned back in the passenger seat, gazing blankly for a long time until she could no longer see the waves.
"You can't bear to part with it?" Yan Sheng turned his head to look at her.
"It's okay, we'll go to a more beautiful place next time."
Wen Hanyun nodded, and was about to respond when she suddenly heard a strange noise from above.
"What's wrong!"
Before the words were finished, an even louder noise came from one side of the mountain, followed by a rain of gravel hitting the roof of the car.
The car shook violently after being hit. Yan Sheng reacted quickly, jerking the steering wheel to swerve to the side of the road, but a huge rock still blocked his way.
"Sizzle—"
With a sudden stop, the car came to a close.
"careful!"
He quickly unbuckled Wen Hanyun's seatbelt, pulled her close, and hugged her tightly, trying his best to protect her vulnerable areas with his body.
Rocks continued to fall from the mountain, completely burying the car body, and darkness instantly swallowed everything.
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