She knew she wasn't being fair to Gu Yan; her heart was still with someone else.
"Gu Yan, I..." She opened her mouth, but didn't know how to respond.
"No need to answer me right away," Gu Yan considerately stopped her. "Take your time. Go upstairs and get some rest."
Lu Yuwu nodded, got out of the car, and said goodbye to him.
Watching Gu Yan's car drive away, Lu Yuwu stood there, her mind in turmoil.
Gu Yan is a good person; he is gentle, considerate, and respectful.
Being with him is very relaxing.
Stop thinking about other people.
Lu Yuwu turned around, preparing to go inside, but caught a glimpse of a figure leaning against a tree trunk not far away out of the corner of her eye.
Fu Yan.
He had been standing there for who knows how long, wearing a simple black shirt with the sleeves casually rolled up to his elbows, revealing his muscular forearms.
He didn't look at her, but stared blankly ahead, shrouded in an unyielding sense of loneliness and coldness.
Lu Yuwu's steps froze on the spot.
What is he doing here?
Are you here to see her?
Seemingly sensing her gaze, Fu Yan slowly turned his head.
Their eyes met.
The two stood facing each other silently, about ten meters apart.
The evening breeze blew, swirling up the fallen leaves on the ground and making a rustling sound.
In the end, Fu Yan said nothing.
He gave her a deep look, a gaze that seemed to etch her image into the depths of his soul.
Then he turned around, took long strides, and silently disappeared into the deep night, as if he had never been there.
From beginning to end, he did not take a single step closer to her, nor did he utter a single word.
Lu Yuwu stood there, watching that lonely, cold figure completely disappear at the crossroads.
The evening breeze brought a touch of coolness.
She suddenly realized that some things cannot be easily erased by simply looking forward.
The name Fu Yan was already deeply etched into her youth, and trying to peel it away would inevitably be accompanied by excruciating pain.
Lu Yuwu sighed and went back.
That evening, I was notified that I needed to attend an event.
The charity gala was held in the luxurious ballroom that night.
Shang Wu brought Lu Yuwu along to the event, hoping to broaden her daughter's horizons and help her relax and shake off her recent low spirits.
Lu Yuwu was wearing a strapless long dress, her long hair was tied up, revealing her slender and graceful neck.
Her makeup was exquisite, but it couldn't hide her listlessness.
Lu Yuwu quietly followed beside her mother, responding to the elders' greetings, but seemed somewhat absent-minded.
Halfway through the dinner, the organizers added a small segment to liven up the atmosphere.
Socialite talent showcase.
While ostensibly for entertainment, some families actually harbor the intention of showing off their younger generation and secretly competing with each other.
Several girls took turns going on stage, some playing the guzheng and others dancing ballet, each winning rounds of applause.
When it was Jin Ting's turn, she gracefully walked onto the stage, lifting her skirt, and sat down in front of the white grand piano.
She played a highly challenging Chopin etude, demonstrating masterful technique, rich emotion, and exceptional expressiveness.
When the music ended, thunderous applause erupted, and many people cast admiring glances at Madam Fu.
Jin Ting stood up, bowed slightly, and wore a polite yet subtly smug smile, her gaze seemingly casually sweeping in Lu Yuwu's direction.
Shang Wu gently touched her daughter's hand and asked in a low voice, "Xiao Wu, do you want to go up and try? Just for fun."
Lu Yuwu also studied piano, though not as specialized as Jin Ting, but she had a good foundation.
Lu Yuwu did not want to participate in this comparative activity.
She shook her head.
But Jin Ting suddenly laughed, "I heard that Miss Lu also studied piano. Why don't you play a different piece? What I played just now seemed a bit too sad?"
Seeing the subtle provocation in Jin Ting's eyes, Lu Yuwu narrowed her eyes.
"I've forgotten everything, and I'm not very good at playing the piano now, so I won't go up and embarrass myself."
"No way, it's just for fun. You think this is a competition? So what if you don't play as well as me? It's all about participation. What, you're too scared to even go on stage?"
Jin Ting gave a half-smile.
Seeing her defiant gaze, a surge of competitive spirit welled up inside Lu Yuwu.
She nodded: "Okay."
Lu Yuwu walked onto the stage, sat down at the piano, took a deep breath, and chose a piece by Beethoven.
Her skill level is among the best in the amateur class, but compared to Jin Ting's dazzling performance just now, it is indeed slightly inferior.
Even after the performance ended, the applause remained enthusiastic.
Lu Yuwu calmly walked off the stage and returned to her mother's side.
Shang Wu held her hand and smiled gently: "You played very well, with a lot of emotion."
Lu Yuwu forced a smile but didn't say anything.
She knew she was not as skilled as others, and this public comparison made her feel even more frustrated.
As the banquet progressed, Lu Yuwu's mood became increasingly depressed, so she excused herself to go to the restroom to get some fresh air.
I had just entered the restroom and hadn't even had time to touch up my makeup when I heard a soft yet clearly sarcastic voice behind me.
"Oh, isn't this Miss Lu? You played so beautifully just now, I almost fell asleep listening to you."
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