Chapter 27
Time flies.
One year later.
"elder brother!"
Zhou Zhixun had just returned home and was about to take off his black overcoat when he heard footsteps and knew it was Chen Mian.
"Slow down," Zhou Zhixun stopped what he was doing, opened his arms and hugged Chen Mian who rushed into his embrace, "Why are you back so early today?"
Chen Mian rubbed her head against his chest, her voice muffled, "Because I knew you were coming back."
The change in her relationship with Zhou Zhixun occurred six months after Chen Mian moved in.
After they became close friends, Zhou Zhixun took the initiative to ask Chen Mian for a chance so that when others asked about his relationship with Chen Mian, he could answer frankly, "lovers."
After considering it for two weeks, Chen Mian agreed to Zhou Zhixun's request.
She has no exes, and she has never even had a crush on anyone.
Chen Mian liked Zhou Zhixun, after all, no one was as meticulous and thoughtful as him, and no one was as handsome and flamboyant as him.
Chen Mian once wildly speculated that Zhou Zhixun might be the creator of the world, otherwise how could he be so perfect, so unrealistically perfect?
Initially, Chen Mian's feelings for Zhou Zhixun were very shallow; he was only kind to him because Zhou was kind to him.
Because of her weak family ties since childhood, Chen Mian longed for a long-lasting close relationship. She tried to please her parents and half-siblings, hoping they could truly accept her; she also tried to seek an inseparable friendship, but to no avail.
Just when she was about to give up, Zhou Zhixun appeared.
If it were him, Chen Mian thought it might be possible.
Zhou Zhixun was much taller than her, with broad shoulders, giving the illusion that he could withstand all the pressure in the world. His dark green eyes always looked at her deeply, like a pine forest after a rainstorm, where the dazzling sunlight pierced through the dense branches and shone on the ground, quiet and warm.
"Brother, have we really never met before?"
Zhou Zhixun suddenly pressed her head down, holding her tightly in his arms. After a long while, he asked, "What do you want to eat tonight? I'll have Bella prepare it."
"Burgundy beef and crepes."
“Okay,” Zhou Zhixun didn’t let go of her. Instead, he reached out and hugged Chen Mian’s buttocks so that she could hook her legs around his waist. Then he sat down on the recliner on the balcony.
Chen Mian felt a little breathless, especially since the other person's tongue almost filled her entire mouth.
It's too big.
They're everywhere.
“Tiara,” Zhou Zhixun leaned back a little, reached out to wipe the saliva from Chen Mian’s lips, and then couldn’t help but lean in to kiss and peck at the corner of her mouth.
It's a little itchy.
Chen Mian gripped Zhou Zhixun's sleeves tightly with both hands, creating twisted creases.
Popo called out from outside the door again and again.
“Popo, Popo is calling me,” Chen Mian turned her head, and Zhou Zhixun’s lips brushed against her cheek.
“You misheard,” Zhou Zhixun turned her face and eagerly sucked on her lips.
Chen Mian silently apologized to Popo in his heart, blaming Zhou Zhixun, that impatient lecher.
Forty minutes later, the two of them went downstairs together. Bella had already prepared dinner and put it in the warmer, waiting to be served.
"Tiara, when is winter break this year?"
"It's probably around the end of December."
Chen Mian studied music. Most daughters born to wealthy families major in art-related fields in college. They don't expect them to earn much money or suffer too much from studying. It's better to cultivate their character and give them something to show off at gatherings.
"I remember when I first started learning piano, I couldn't remember which key played Do. The piano I used back then was a cheap brand, and I've forgotten the name of it now. I only know that I marked the brand and that it corresponded to Do on the black and white keys."
"Yes, very smart," Zhou Zhixun praised her without reservation.
Chen Mian had a tough time learning the piano as a child. At that time, she lived with her mother and didn't have much money. The only living expenses her father gave her were used by her mother for cosmetic surgery and luxury goods.
Her family was very poor, truly poor. In winter, when the temperature was close to zero, her mother wouldn't allow her to turn on the heating. Little Chen Mian would wear thick winter clothes, wrapping herself up like a dumpling, and sit on the piano bench, shivering as she pressed one key after another.
Where is your father?
“He has his own family,” Chen Mian said in a calm, even somewhat numb tone. “Brother, have I told you this before? My mother was a bad woman who interfered in my father’s marriage. Of course, my father was no better.”
Chen Mian's mother was named Feng Meixia, and his father was named Chen Kang. Feng Meixia and Chen Kang were each other's first love. At that time, Feng Meixia's family situation was much better than Chen Kang's, and she was a great help to Chen Kang's career. However, later Feng Meixia's family went bankrupt, and Chen Mian's maternal grandparents could not bear the huge blow and passed away one after another.
Chen Kang abandoned Feng Meixia for a better future and chose to marry the daughter of another executive, Zeng Bailing, who is now Chen Kang's wife.
Originally, everyone should have lived their lives well and ended many romantic relationships at this time. However, five years later, Chen Kang met Feng Meixia again. The pitiful and weak Feng Meixia aroused Chen Kang's pity for her and also made this unfaithful man recall all the beautiful things in the past.
Chen Kang had an affair with Feng Meixia after marriage, and they had a child named Chen Mian.
“Your father is a cunning and foolish idiot,” Zhou Zhixun criticized mercilessly. “Every choice he makes hurts an innocent woman, and it hurts you, Tiara.”
Chen Mian shrugged, unconcerned, and said, "Those are all in the past. I'm fine now, very fine."
“Yes,” Zhou Zhixun supported her and pulled her into his arms, just as she had held Popo, stroking her hair that fell over her shoulders. “These things have nothing to do with you. You don’t need to care about them or pay any attention to them.”
Tiara, you only need me.
Zhou Zhixun added in his mind.
"By the way, there will be a small concert at the end of the semester to showcase our work. Do you want to come?"
"May I go?" Zhou Zhixun asked softly.
He remembered that Chen Mian was reluctant to publicly acknowledge his relationship with her in front of outsiders, especially those she knew well. Her friends probably still didn't know she wasn't single. He had overheard their conversation the last time, and the other person even wanted to introduce Tiara to a boyfriend.
Chen Mian nodded, "Of course, but don't act too intimately with me."
While dating Zhou Zhixun, Chen Mian was somewhat wary of her own abilities being overshadowed by his dazzling talent, and she was given the indelible title of 'Mr. Eli's girlfriend'.
Ultimately, it was both because of Zhou Zhixun and because of her lack of self-confidence.
“Okay,” Zhou Zhixun agreed. “I’ll come and leave after the concert, and then I’ll wait for you at the school gate, okay?”
Chen Mian was surprised that he agreed so quickly, and she felt a little guilty. She kissed Zhou Zhixun's lips to cover up her apology, "I'm sorry."
“It’s okay,” Zhou Zhixun readily accepted Chen Mian’s attempt to please him, “Your happiness is the most important thing.”
-
End-of-term concert.
Chen Mian got up very early; the makeup artist and costume designer were already waiting in the lounge.
Zhou Zhixun also got up; he has a habit of jogging in the morning and gets up at 6:30 every day.
He had finished his run, taken a shower, changed into a dark blue loungewear outfit, and had a steaming cup of coffee beside him. He crossed his long legs, his gaze fixed on the electronic screen in his hand, looking very relaxed and dignified.
"Are you awake?" Zhou Zhixun heard footsteps and looked towards Chen Mian.
She had just gotten up, her head was in a mess, her thoughts were unclear, she scratched herself haphazardly, and her eyes darted around.
Zhou Zhixun put down what he was holding, got up and went over to take her hand. "Are you awake? Do you want to go back to sleep? It's still early."
Chen Mian let out a long yawn and said something he didn't mean, "I'm awake."
Would you like some coffee?
Zhou Zhixun led her to the seat he had just taken, picked up his coffee, took a sip (the temperature was just right), and fed it to Chen Mian, saying, "Take a sip, wake yourself up."
Chen Mian took a small sip from his hand.
"It's so bitter."
"Do you want me to take you to school or a driver?"
"driver."
"Okay, I'll go over there later."
Chen Mian nodded, spent a short while with Zhou Zhixun, went into the dressing room, and came out with his hair done. He hadn't changed his clothes; he was wearing a black down jacket that reached his ankles. It was too cold, so he would change into a formal suit when he was waiting backstage.
"Be careful on the road," Zhou Zhixun reminded Chen Mian before he left. "See you later."
The driver smoothly dropped Chen Mian off at the school auditorium entrance. Josie and Naomi, who were waiting under the eaves at the back door, waved excitedly at her as she approached, "Tiara, over here!"
"Hey!" Chen Mian strode over, carrying a paper bag of gifts in one hand and lifting the hem of his down jacket in the other. "Am I late?"
"How could that be? Perfect timing! Have you had breakfast yet? If not, I have some extra eggs here."
"I've eaten," Zhou Zhixun said. Not only did she eat her fill, but he also thoughtfully prepared croissants for her, fearing that her waiting time would be too long. She could have a snack if she got hungry.
"Tiara, are you ready?"
“Sure”
Preparation was one aspect, but Chen Mian was also very nervous.
She has been used to avoiding spotlights or cameras since childhood, and she fears that her behavior will be exposed to the public eye.
Since learning music and participating in many unavoidable performances, Chen Mian has been gradually overcoming this fear, although the effect is minimal, it is at least a positive trend.
To make up for the mistakes caused by fear and timidity, Chen Mian put in her best effort for every performance. She deeply engraved each piece in her heart and formed muscle memory. Even if her mind went blank for a moment due to excessive tension, the muscle memory would guide her hands to complete the piece.
Chen Mian's performance order was later, and his waiting area was on the side of the stage, where he could clearly see the audience.
Therefore, she knew that Zhou Zhixun had arrived quite early.
He sat in the last row, leaning against the door, with Caleb standing stiffly behind him.
Zhou Zhixun dressed very modestly, in a black suit, white shirt, and silver tie clip, yet he still looked very formal.
Chen Mian waved at him very briefly, without even trying.
Sure enough, I didn't see it.
“Sir, Miss Tiara is waving at you,” Caleb reminded Zhou Zhixun, thinking he hadn’t noticed Chen Mian’s subtle gesture.
Zhou Zhixun straightened his sleeves and said casually, "I just responded to her, but she didn't see it."
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