Chapter 70 Symphony No. 9 [End of Text] ...
After he closed the door and confirmed that the person outside had left, Liang Yizhi asked, "Who was outside?"
"Some friends came to discuss cooperation."
Even Gu Yinyan himself didn't realize that when he turned to her, his aura gradually subsided, and he was a completely different person from when he was outside the door.
"Why did you suddenly come here?" he asked.
"It's nothing, I just wanted to have lunch with you. If you have time, Mr. Gu, that would be wonderful."
It was still that same cocky tone he used to have.
Gu Yinyan chuckled, wanting to ask her what she wanted to eat, but then he noticed two double-layered lunch boxes on the desk next to him.
The smile in his eyes disappeared, replaced by a different, deeper color.
"You did this?"
Gu Yinyan walked to the table and opened the bento box: "When did your cooking skills get so good?"
"I refined it a bit before, for..."
Liang Yizhi was halfway through her sentence when she realized something was wrong and immediately fell silent.
Why don't you continue?
Gu Yinyan grabbed her wrist, measuring her wrist bone with his fingers as he spoke. It was fair and delicate; he could encircle it with two fingers and still have room to move.
He gently stroked his fingertips, asking seemingly casually, "For whom did you learn it?"
Liang Yizhi argued, "I didn't do it for anyone else. I only made it so I could bring my own lunch to work."
She hurriedly showed him her creations: "Look, besides these, there's also fruit and cookies I just baked, for your afternoon tea."
The bento box was colorful, with fried tempura, its golden-brown batter looking crispy, neatly arranged to one side, along with salted green onion and soy sauce beef and scrambled eggs with mushrooms. She had substituted brown rice for regular rice, pressing it flat and sprinkling sesame seeds on top.
She looked up, seeking praise: "Not bad, right? Doesn't it look even better than your pancakes?"
Gu Yinyan nodded: "Okay, then I won't make breakfast anymore. It'll save me some energy."
"!—That's not what I meant!"
Behind him was a dark brown leather sofa. Gu Yinyan leaned against the back of the sofa, his legs slightly bent and stretched forward. He pulled Liang Yizhi between his legs.
Liang Yizhi didn't dare get too close to him; the position was too ambiguous.
Gu Yinyan held her hand: "I want to eat slowly. How long can you wait?"
She knew there were other people waiting for him outside, and said generously:
"Go ahead, no rush. I'll wait for you no matter how long it takes. We'll eat together when you're done. I'll go heat up the food later; the tempura got cold, I don't know how much the texture will be restored..."
Before he could finish speaking, Gu Yinyan cut him off.
The floor-to-ceiling windows offer panoramic views of the surrounding cityscape, with unobstructed sunlight illuminating the entire room and creating an atmosphere of enchantment.
Outside, the sky was a deep, almost white blue, and the buildings gleamed with a cool, silvery light. Inside, however, the atmosphere was warm and inviting.
Liang Yizhi placed her hand on Gu Yinyan's shoulder and tried to push him away for a long time but couldn't. In Gu Yinyan's eyes, that bit of weakness was almost like playing hard to get.
Only after he had tasted it to his heart's content did he release it.
He always liked to stare at her lips after a kiss; they would be fuller and have a glossy sheen than before.
Gu Yinyan said, "Although I really don't want to leave, I have to go and deal with those people first."
"...I understand." Liang Yizhi pretended to scold, "Don't neglect your duties."
"It'll be done in fifteen minutes." Gu Yinyan kissed her forehead, ran his hand through her hair, and finally slid it into her palm. "Wait for me."
Liang Yizhi nodded.
After he left, she immediately collapsed into the sofa, turned to the side, and pressed her burning face against the cool leather, trying to cool down.
...The heating is on really high.
-
A few more days passed.
The orchestra has a performance out of town, which is also Liang Yizhi's last work trip this year.
After the performance, she, Wu You, and several other band colleagues stayed in the area for two more days, which they considered a trip.
The journey wasn't long; as soon as she got off the high-speed train, Gu Yinyan was already waiting for her outside the exit.
He was tall, wearing a black overcoat with a sharp cut that accentuated his broad shoulders.
Perhaps because he had heard her complain, he unusually didn't wear all black today, but changed his inner layer to beige, which weakened his aloof and distant aura.
The coat has double slits on both sides of the hem. Whenever you move, the hem will sway.
Just like now, when he turns his body towards her.
Liang Yizhi got into the car with Gu Yinyan. She didn't feel tired on the high-speed train back, but now that she was in his car, the comfortable atmosphere enveloped her and instantly brought out the weariness hidden in her body.
Liang Yizhi told Gu Yinyan some stories about her trip, but before she could finish, she yawned loudly.
She said listlessly, "I'm so tired. I have to pack my bags when I get back. I'm so worried."
Gu Yinyan: "Then I'll help you pack up when I get home before I leave?"
Liang Yizhi's eyes sparkled: "That's so embarrassing!"
Gu Yinyan glanced at her, already used to her tactics.
She continued to chatter on and on, just like always.
Gu Yinyan raised his hand and pressed the area near his small ear. The light ahead was red, so he lightly stepped on the brake and reached out to cover the mouth of the person next to him.
Back home, Liang Yizhi changed her clothes and lay down on the bed. Her suitcase was spread out on the floor, and she leisurely watched Gu Yinyan take the things out of the suitcase.
Actually, she hadn't originally planned to let him help her pack. Big men are usually very clumsy and messy, and it would be easier for her to do it herself.
But to her surprise, Gu Yinyan was very organized in packing, putting everything back in its proper place according to its category. Even her clothes, he could tell how to arrange them according to her requirements just by glancing at the wardrobe.
I even confirmed with her beforehand which clothes needed washing and put them in the laundry basket.
In less than ten minutes, he finished tidying up, with only one small bag of clothes left.
He was about to open it when Liang Yizhi stopped him: "No need! I can do it."
The small bag was full of her underwear.
There's no need for him to bother with such personal, intimate clothing.
She propped her head up and lay on her side, saying to him, "Gu Yinyan, I think your life is over."
Gu Yinyan raised an eyebrow slightly.
"You're born to be a nanny. What if I really become dependent on you for the rest of my life?"
“Then I’ll deny it,” Gu Yinyan said, not arguing with her. “Besides, who said I tidied it up for you for free?”
Liang Yizhi was taken aback: "Requests made afterward don't count."
“It’s not a request.” Gu Yinyan bent down and tossed the bag he was holding back into his suitcase. “Do you remember, you still owe me something?”
Liang Yizhi looked thoughtful; she couldn't recall owing Gu Yinyan anything.
Gu Yinyan looked at her, his eyes deep: "Put that dress on and let me see."
Liang Yizhi had long forgotten about that. She asked tactfully, "...Why do you suddenly want to wear that?"
"I haven't seen it with my own eyes yet."
"Didn't you watch the video?"
“It’s different,” he said.
I was tidying up her wardrobe when I happened to see that white dress.
After it got dirty, Liang Yizhi sent it to the dry cleaners. Wrapped in a dust bag, it hung quietly in the closet, like an untouched work of art in a museum.
Liang Yizhi hesitated for a moment: "But it feels a bit strange to wear this at home."
Gu Yinyan reassured her gently, "You'll change after you take one look at it, what's there to be afraid of?"
Liang Yizhi could no longer refuse; this dress was custom-made for her with great care, and she knew how much effort had been put into it.
Liang Yizhi nudged him: "Okay, then you go out, I'll change my clothes."
Gu Yinyan didn't go far; he stayed outside the door, leaning against the wall and waiting.
He calculated the time in his mind, listened to the subtle movements inside the door, and waited patiently in silence.
A short while later, the door creaked open.
Liang Yizhi held the doorknob, wearing the dress that had been tailor-made for her. Her long hair was unkempt, casually tied up, and half-loose, falling on her snow-white shoulders.
The dress, as white as jade, made her look like a piece of translucent, icy white jade, unkempt yet radiant.
Liang Yizhi took a few steps back: "It's fine as it is, the dress fits me well. But I'm not wearing makeup, so I probably can't pull off the look I have on stage."
She looked down at it and said regretfully, "I told you I'd wear it on stage, it doesn't suit it at all now."
She looked down and tugged at her disheveled skirt, unaware of the intense gazes fixed on her from the other side.
Her chin was lifted, and Liang Yizhi's gaze unexpectedly met his dark, intense eyes.
"How can it not be worthy?" Gu Yinyan said in a low voice, "It's the thing that's not worthy of you."
Liang Yizhi's heart beat like a metronome, each beat strong and powerful.
She escaped from his grasp and turned her back: "Anyway, you can just take a quick look. I won't waste it; I'll wear it again for a formal and appropriate occasion later."
She picked up the clothes she had just changed out of from the bedside, intending to send him out and change back into them.
A sudden, cold sensation came from her chest, and Liang Yizhi flinched and looked down.
Around her neck, she wore an extremely dazzling diamond necklace that sparkled under the lights, its refracted light enough to hurt the eyes.
The necklace has two loops, with the chain made of butterfly-shaped diamonds, and a ruby of unheated pigeon blood red hanging below.
The ruby's rich color and pure crystal, paired with her fair skin and elegant long dress, were an excellent embellishment.
Liang Yizhi was stunned by the heavy weight on her chest.
"This is?"
"A small gift."
Gu Yinyan looked at her collarbone, and it suited her just as he had imagined. The ruby, which had once shone like a flame, now lay peacefully on her chest, having found its true owner.
He said, "I originally planned to give it to you the day I got the dress, but I was afraid you wouldn't appreciate it, so I'll take it slowly."
She had seen pictures of this necklace before; it was quite valuable and part of a set that had been auctioned off. She never imagined it would actually cross the screen and end up on her neck.
It felt as heavy as a thousand pieces of gold.
For the first time, Liang Yizhi experienced the feeling of being overwhelmed by money.
He observed her reaction: "Isn't that a bit too cliché?"
Liang Yizhi shook her head: "This is too precious, I..."
"You can only say whether you like it or not." Gu Yinyan looked at the ruby. "Just accept it as fulfilling one of my wishes."
Before buying the entire set of jewelry, Gu Yinyan hesitated for a long time, worried that the choice was too tacky.
He used to scoff at claims that diamonds symbolize eternity. In his view, the adult world is a complex web of exchange of interests, where true feelings are hard to discern, and nothing truly lasts forever.
But after meeting Liang Yizhi, his thoughts changed.
Good things in this world are unreliable.
He wanted to be her most loyal one.
Liang Yizhi lowered her head, touched the necklace around her neck, and hesitated to speak.
"Actually, I also bought you a gift, but now that you're giving me this, I'm a little hesitant to take it out."
Gu Yinyan's lips curled up: "Let me see."
Liang Yizhi took the box out of her bag and handed it to him.
She chose a watch for Gu Yinyan. Although he already had many watches, she still wanted to pick one that was special to give him.
The watch features a bronze-gold color scheme, with a sharply cut border around the dial. Its classic and elegant design would surely suit him well.
Liang Yizhi made a gesture to take it out: "Let me put it on you."
"Wait a minute." Gu Yinyan pressed her hand and closed the box. "Wear it later."
"Why?"
"I'm afraid I'll scratch you."
He pulled her into his arms and lowered his head to find her lips.
Her snow-white dress transformed into a wildfire, starting with that spark-like ruby; everything about him had already been silently ignited long ago.
He had restrained himself for far too long; he couldn't wait even a second longer.
Liang Yizhi obediently tilted her head back, her jaw was pried open, and a nimble tongue slid in.
She had a beautiful figure, and the dress perfectly hugged her body lines, with a slight curve from her waist to her hips. Gu Yinyan's hand rested on her lower back.
The breath from his nose was hot, and Liang Yizhi was so overwhelmed by the kiss that her mind went blank and her legs went weak. Gu Yinyan pushed her a few steps, and her calves hit the edge of the bed, causing her to fall onto the soft, large bed.
Liang Yizhi rested her hands on either side, her eyes blurry, watching the tall man in front of her cup her face:
There's something I really want to do. Can you promise me?
He knelt down, reached his hand under her skirt, and supported her ankles from below.
Because she had just changed clothes, Liang Yizhi wasn't wearing shoes and was barefoot. The irritating touch on her ankle climbed upwards, and the unbearable tingling sensation shot straight to the top of her head, almost making her explode.
"What are you going to do..."
Gu Yinyan slowly lifted her skirt, removing the obstruction.
His lips seemed to be the same color as hers, and his high pupils gave him a detached expression, as if he wasn't doing anything improper.
His voice was seductive as he replied, "Wouldn't it be nice to be your cello?"
Liang Yizhi's breath almost stopped.
Gu Yinyan gently comforted her, "Lying down will be more comfortable, and you can stop anytime."
"Don't--"
She hadn't finished speaking.
There's no point in saying anything more.
Even if she and he were very familiar and intimate in the past, she would find it hard to accept that things had progressed to such a rapid pace.
The flames of desire burned her, scorching her skin.
Liang Yizhi tilted her head back and blinked, her eyes welling up with tears. She felt that the ceiling light was too bright, almost making her dizzy.
It's so embarrassing.
She covered her face with her hands, wishing she could dig a hole in herself and crawl into it.
Until the world is ripped away, consciousness is burned away, and only the faint groan of the soul collapsing as it squeezes out of the body remains.
...
Liang Yizhi spent the entire latter half of the night in a state of shame and shock. Doing such a private thing with someone she knew was as embarrassing as being publicly executed.
Gu Yinyan said he didn't want to get her bed dirty, so he carried her to the guest room. Liang Yizhi thought this was fine, because if she were in her own room, she would recall the vivid and passionate scenes of tonight as soon as she turned off the lights.
The expensive custom-made dress was not treated with any pity; it was crumpled up and thrown on the ground.
Liang Yizhi lay on the bed, her chest heaving, a part of her brain had stopped functioning, and her mind was blank.
She lay dying inside Gu Yinyan's body.
She pressed herself against his chest and heard his voice above her head: "Are you free the day after tomorrow?"
"What's wrong?"
Gu Yinyan patted her hair: "I bought the tickets."
"Come with me to a concert."
-
The winter is bitterly cold.
The concert hall was illuminated by luxurious crystal chandeliers. Liang Yizhi and Gu Yinyan took their seats in the audience, one after the other, following their assigned numbers.
Since Liang Yizhi started working with the symphony orchestra, they haven't been able to attend a performance together for a long time.
Liang Yizhi glanced at the number of seats and asked the person next to her, "By the way, do you know what my favorite number is?"
Gu Yinyan answered without hesitation: "9?"
Liang Yizhi exclaimed, "How do you even know this?"
“Back when we were in school, you often chose the number 9.”
She hadn't expected him to pay attention to even these things, and asked again, "Do you know why?"
Gu Yinyan shook his head.
Liang Yizhi explained to him mysteriously:
"I don't know if you've heard of the so-called curse on symphonies in music history."
"In history, Beethoven's nine symphonies created the pinnacle of symphonic music, and after leaving behind these masterpieces, his life came to an end."
When talking about her beloved field, she spoke at length: "After him, many composers died after completing their ninth symphony. For a long time afterward, no one was able to compose a tenth symphony."
Schubert, Dvořák, Bruckner, and others all stopped there. The legend of the "Nine" was an insurmountable wall for 19th-century composers.
The number 9, representing the end and the barrier, was once the source of inspiration for many musicians.
Gu Yinyan asked, "This curse has remained unbroken until now?"
"Of course not. Actually, this statement is just a coincidence. Later, other people wrote even more symphonic works."
"If it's not real, why are you still obsessed with this number?"
Liang Yizhi held the concert program in her hand, her fingers gently brushing over the small print at the top.
"I just feel that this number is like the hurdle in our relationship, and it's also my inner demon."
When she was a child, she was interested in this number simply because of the rumor; she felt it had a mysterious and cool quality.
But looking back now, the number "nine" was to those composers what Gu Yinyan was to her.
The boundaries she adhered to were the inner demons she thought she could never erase.
"So you admit it?" He suddenly curled his lips into a smile, his breath brushing against her ear.
"They are all inferior to me."
As the familiar melody of Symphony No. 9, "Ode to Joy," began to play, two hands were clasped together.
Gu Yinyan turned his head to look at her.
He had longed for this for a long time before his wish was finally fulfilled. Even though he was ranked lower, he still hoped that he would get his own opportunity.
Even if I'm ranked after A or B, or even if I'm treated as a substitute, it doesn't matter.
In the dimly lit audience seats, the stage lights reflected in Liang Yizhi's bright eyes.
He suddenly wanted to tell her that his ulterior motives over the past ten years had been in exchange for her.
--worth.
[—The End—]
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Author's Note: It's finished!
There's a little red envelope dropping in this chapter~ Thank you everyone! [cat emoji]
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