Chapter 18 What's there for Jin Qingyu to be angry about?
Jiang Xingyao didn't want to talk about it.
On the huge screen in front of her, the shard of porcelain in Qu Xinting's hand had already cut the skin on her neck, and bright red blood was seeping out, stinging her eyes.
The woman seemed oblivious to the pain, staring at her with eyes full of hatred.
Jiang Xingyao felt a chill run through her body, and her whole body was trembling uncontrollably.
When she met Jiang Yuncheng's ambiguous smile, she finally gave in: "Let my mom put her hand down first."
Jiang Xingyao still remembers it. When her grandfather was dying, he held her hand and begged her again and again.
He said, "Yaoyao, your mother is just sick. Many of the things she did were not what she really wanted. Promise your grandfather that you will take good care of your mother, okay?"
At that time, even though Grandpa was having difficulty breathing, he still kept his eyes open and gripped her sleeve tightly, as if he would die with regrets if she didn't agree.
How could she possibly refuse?
Taking care of Qu Xinting was not only her responsibility as a daughter, but also her grandfather's last wish.
Before she knew it, Jiang Xingyao's vision had become blurry.
The woman on the screen showed no mercy to her either. As the blood seeped more and more from her neck, Jiang Xingyao grabbed Jiang Yuncheng's sleeve urgently: "I'll talk to you. Tell my mother to put her hand down."
Jiang Xingyao's voice softened, and Jiang Yuncheng was finally satisfied. He said, "That's right, Yaoyao. You know your mother doesn't like disobedient children. Yaoyao, don't make your parents angry again."
Jiang Xingyao felt like vomiting when she saw his hypocritical face.
She remained silent and did not respond. Jiang Yuncheng persuaded Qu Xinting and had the screen turned off before turning to Jiang Xingyao and saying, "Dad has been waiting for you for a year. I'll give you two more months at most. If you still can't get pregnant and take back the shares, don't blame Dad for being ruthless."
As for your piano competition, forget about it. I've already made connections with all the major organizations; from now on, any application form you submit will be rejected. Staying home and having children is the only thing you should be doing.”
When Jiang Xingyao left the Jiang family home, she was completely numb.
Everyone around her seemed eager to break her wings and turn her into a plaything that could be controlled at will.
Jin Qingyu made her a pampered Mrs. Jin.
Jiang Yuncheng told her that all she needed to do was go back to give birth.
Even her mother could only tell her to listen to her father.
Jiang Xingyao suddenly realized that her life was really quite terrible.
Xu Feifei sent another message asking how her application form was coming along, saying that the application deadline was approaching.
In the end, Jiang Xingyao could only reply that she couldn't go.
She can't go to the competition, and she doesn't know where else she can go now.
Xiyuan felt like a cage, and she didn't really want to go back.
Jiang Xingyao walked aimlessly.
Before I knew it, I had arrived at the entrance of a music store.
She remembers buying her first piano here.
That was bought for her by Qu Xinting.
At that time, Qu Xinting was still like a normal mother and cared about her.
"Miss, miss, are you alright? Have you taken a fancy to any piano? Would you like to come in and try it out?"
When the sales assistant's voice rang in her ears, Jiang Xingyao belatedly realized that she had been standing at the entrance of the music store for quite a while.
The sales assistant was very enthusiastic and didn't give Jiang Xingyao a chance to reply. She pulled her to a piano and sat her down, introducing the piano's features and urging her to try it out.
Before Jiang Xingyao could even process what was happening, her hands were already on the piano keys. As if by instinct, a piece of music flowed directly from her fingertips.
That was the first piece of music she wrote herself.
It was written to Qu Xinting.
She played it countless times, becoming so proficient that it was almost ingrained in her bones.
As Jiang Xingyao played the piano, she seemed to be immersed in her own world, completely unaware that many customers in the music store were looking at her.
After the piece was finished, the saleswoman exclaimed in surprise, "Miss, you played so beautifully! This piano seems to have been made for you, you see..."
She wanted to ask Jiang Xingyao if she wanted to buy the piano.
When Jiang Xingyao was standing at the door, she noticed that although the young lady was dressed modestly, every piece of clothing she wore was very expensive.
Jiang Xingyao shook her head before she could finish speaking: "Not for now. I haven't touched a piano for many years."
"But you play really well, are you really not going to consider it?"
“Rather than letting it gather dust at home, it’s better to let it stay here and wait for a more suitable owner.” Jiang Xingyao stood up.
She can't even find a place to call home now, and she has no interest in bringing another piano home. The more she likes a piano, the less she dares to buy it. She's afraid she won't be able to protect it, just like her last piano.
Jiang Xingyao was adamant and did not give the sales assistant a chance to persuade her again. She walked towards the exit of the music store, but she was stopped after taking only two steps.
It's a man and a woman.
Both of them looked noble and extraordinary.
Jiang Xingyao didn't recognize the man, and when she saw the woman, she was stunned for a moment.
If I'm not mistaken, she is clearly Shen Ying. She and Xu Feifei went to her concert just yesterday.
"Hello, Miss. My name is Shen Ying. This is my cousin, Shen Mingsu. We heard you playing the piano just now. You played it very well. Did you write that piece yourself?" Shen Ying asked.
Unlike her aloof demeanor on stage yesterday, she proactively handed Jiang Xingyao a business card, a kind smile on her face, making her appear exceptionally approachable.
Jiang Xingyao nodded.
Shen Ying then said, "I really like your piece. My cousin is currently preparing for a piano competition. I wonder if you would be interested in giving it a try?"
Or, to put it another way, would you like to join the Shen's Orchestra?
The Shen family mainly operates in the entertainment industry.
Besides their film and television business, their orchestras and dance troupes are also renowned for their nationwide tours.
I heard that this piano competition is also for selecting talent to form a new orchestra.
As for salary and benefits, there's nothing more to say.
If Jiang Xingyao had gone to the Jiang family beforehand, she might have agreed immediately, but now…
Shen Ying noticed Jiang Xingyao's hesitation and said, "My cousin is the heir to the Shen Group. You can talk to him first and then consider it. I have some things to do here, so I have to go now."
She directly pushed Shen Mingsu towards her.
Jiang Xingyao wanted to refuse, but Shen Mingsu directly extended his hand to her: "Miss, would you mind getting to know me?"
Shen Mingsu is a very cultured person.
He wasn't as straightforward as Shen Ying; when he chatted with Jiang Xingyao, he mostly talked about things related to piano music.
Jiang Xingyao found herself talking more without realizing it.
The Shen Group and the Jin Group are not in the same industry, but the Shen family is one of the top families in the capital.
Shen Mingsu, however, did not seem to have any arrogance as the heir to the group. His attitude was always approachable, like a gentle summer breeze, and his words were never uncomfortable.
He and Jiang Xingyao have some similarities.
They all gave up their love of music and switched to business school.
Perhaps influenced by a sense of shared misfortune, Jiang Xingyao and Shen Mingsu exchanged contact information, and Shen Mingsu even invited her to visit his collection of musical instruments when she had time.
There was not a single word about her going to the Shen family.
This also eased the pressure on Jiang Xingyao's mind a little.
The two chatted until evening without realizing it, and still feeling a bit reluctant to part. Shen Mingsu offered to take Jiang Xingyao home.
While waiting for him to return with his car, Jiang Xingyao saw Jin Qingyu leading Jiang Cancan downstairs.
They must have been eating in a private room upstairs, having arrived earlier than Jiang Xingyao and the others.
Upon seeing these two people, Jiang Xingyao's mood, which had just started to improve, became depressed again.
Jiang Xingyao stood at the entrance of the restaurant.
These two people also saw her.
Jiang Cancan was a little surprised: "Sister, what are you doing here?"
Suddenly, as if she remembered something, she shifted her feet, moved a little further away from Jin Qingyu, and explained, "Sister, don't misunderstand. Mr. Jin and I came here to accompany our clients. Mr. Jin has been thinking about you."
Jiang Xingyao didn't want to hear her explanation.
She felt it was quite unnecessary.
It also has a hint of trying to cover something up.
Jin Qingyu showed no intention of explaining; he even asked in return, "What are you doing here?"
Just as Jiang Xingyao was about to speak, a car stopped in front of her. The window rolled down, and Shen Mingsu said, "Let's go, Miss Jiang."
"Sister, what's going on? How come you're having dinner alone with another man?" Jiang Cancan was the first to react and immediately questioned Jiang Xingyao.
The attitude made it sound like they had already caught Jiang Xingyao in bed with someone else.
"What's it to you?" Jiang Xingyao retorted irritably. Before she could finish her sentence, she was suddenly lifted into the air as Jin Qingyu swept her up in his arms and carried her towards the underground parking garage.
"What's wrong with you now? Put me down right now."
He hugged her too tightly, making Jiang Xingyao's waist uncomfortable and her lower abdomen a little sore.
The feeling of weightlessness, in particular, made Jiang Xingyao feel uneasy all over.
Jiang Xingyao pounded on his shoulder desperately, trying to make him let go.
Jin Qingyu acted as if he hadn't heard anything.
Ignoring Jiang Cancan chasing after him, he shoved Jiang Xingyao into the car and started the engine.
As the car drove away, Jiang Xingyao was still clutching her stomach, somewhat dazed.
In the rearview mirror, she could see half of Jin Qingyu's cold face and his tightly pursed lips.
He looks angry.
Jiang Xingyao felt completely bewildered.
He and Jiang Cancan were having lunch together in a private room, and she hadn't said anything yet.
He and Shen Mingsu had never been hiding anything from anyone. In public, they maintained the most normal social distance. What was there for him to be unhappy about?
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