Chapter 47: The Music from the Dungeon Was Su Huaiyao!
Yu Xiuqing’s hand, resting on his knee, suddenly tightened. He uncrossed his long legs.
His deep pupils flickered with shifting light. The emotions in his eyes changed rapidly—too complex to define. There was shock, a faint trace of darkness, and disbelief.
This piece of music was what he had heard over a decade ago when he was imprisoned in that dungeon. In that place where the sun never shone, this song would play every night as darkness fell.
Though the music wasn’t loud, it had accompanied him through the freezing, hopeless nights and days.
In that torture that was worse than death, it was the only salvation that provided mental solace—a medicine that slowly relieved every inch of pain in his chest.
At that time, he could truly hear it. The performer wanted him to live, hoping he could escape that terrifying cage. Because of that, he hadn’t chosen death.
He had searched for this music for over ten years. Based on his blurred memory of the notes, he had asked many famous pianists to write it out, but none of them could capture the melody in his memory.
But unexpectedly, the music he had spent so much effort to find was right beside him.
And it was Su Huaiyao playing it!
The person who had risked their life to rescue him from the dungeon ten years ago was also the source of the faith that kept him alive during those dark days.
Yu Xiuqing looked deeply at the youth playing intently on stage. Seeing him bathed in a thousand rays of light, the shock and excitement in his heart were beyond words.
Of course, he should have realized it earlier. Someone who could play the piano and who would break into the dungeon to save him without hesitation—besides Su Huaiyao, no one else would do such a thing.
But Shen Yuan’s eyes were red. He watched as Su Huaiyao’s fingers danced rapidly over the keys like a butterfly about to take flight, moving with ease before the crowd.
To be able to play his beloved music under the gaze of thousands—this was something he had fantasized about in his dreams countless times.
But the reality was that he could only stand below the stage, buried in the crowd, watching as someone else played the music he had composed and accepted everyone’s praise with a clear conscience.
Shen Yuan suddenly felt a sharp pain in his heart. He bit his lip hard, forcing himself not to cry out, but the heart-wrenching pain still made his tears fall.
He didn’t even have the right to stand on that stage, so why could Su Huaiyao go up there and gain so much without any effort…
The more the little fool thought about it, the more indignant he became. He took a deep breath and reached out to grab the man’s arm, shaking it hard:
“X-Xiansheng! The song Su Huaiyao is playing… I wrote it! It’s not his! He’s lying to you! He’s using my music to make Grandfather Yu happy!”
As soon as these words came out, everyone at the head table froze. Their eyes turned as one toward the shouting youth, followed by a burst of heartless laughter.
But there was one person who didn’t laugh.
Gu Lanxiao sat still with his arms crossed, his expression solemn as he watched Su Huaiyao performing on stage.
Though the other’s movements were fluid, his eyes were constantly and repeatedly scanning the sheet music, as if he were trying such a high-difficulty piece for the first time.
He probably really did steal it from that fool Shen Yuan, didn’t he?
Gu Lanxiao curled his lip contemptuously, though in his heart, he truly marveled that Shen Yuan was a composing genius.
He sometimes wondered if there was actually anything wrong with Shen Yuan’s brain. Why did he have such extraordinary talent at the piano?
However, for now, the scales of so-called “justice” were tipped toward Su Huaiyao. Shen Yuan’s defense was pale and powerless.
He wanted to help the fool, but he was powerless to do so.
Right now, he only wanted to see Yu Peishang.
But that man seemed to be delayed, making his already anxious heart even more frustrated.
In a corner of the sofa, the battered Zhou Xuyan vaguely heard the music coming from the stage.
Then came Yu Beikuo’s surprised voice: “What is this? That fool wants to steal my sister-in-law’s credit?”
A lackey added fuel to the fire: “Exactly! Even if he’s Master Yu’s person, he can’t be this arrogant!”
“Tsk~ Master Yu’s person? Sooner or later, he’ll be mine! I’ll make Shen Yuan cry and beg for mercy!”
Yu Beikuo let out a lewd laugh and spat on Zhou Xuyan.
He let out a bored yawn and said as he walked away, “Let’s go drink. We’ll let that dead rat in the back off for now. Today is Grandfather’s birthday; we shouldn’t kill anyone, or he’ll have to spend money to bail me out again.”
Are they saying Shen Yuan wants to steal Su Huaiyao’s music… Zhou Xuyan vaguely understood.
How could Shen Yuan do such a thing?
He didn’t believe it!
And as a professional music student, he could clearly hear that the piece wasn’t fully integrated.
People who didn’t understand music would only think it was perfect, but any composer with a bit of experience could hear it.
No pianist would allow themselves to present an incompletely mastered piece to the public, just as an unskilled driver wouldn’t go on the highway.
He could already imagine the piteous sight of Shen Yuan being questioned by everyone, unable to defend himself.
Zhou Xuyan felt pained beyond measure. He moved his body to stand up, but found he had no strength left.
“Yuanyuan…”
Over here, Yu Zhaozhao walked to Shen Yuan’s side in her high heels. She looked him up and down with disdain, reaching out to tug at his tie. Her red lips curled into a mocking arc:
“Oh, oh, oh. Listen, everyone, listen to what this fool just said. He actually said such a beautiful piece was his creation and that Brother Su stole it from him?”
“He just can’t stand seeing Xiaoyao doing well! He sees something good and says it’s his? Have you no shame! This was clearly written by our Xiaoyao with great effort to wish the Chairman a happy birthday!”
Song Wei pointed a finger at Shen Yuan’s head: “You say this music is yours? If you call out to it, will it answer you? Truly hilarious!”
Shen Yuan was left speechless by the verbal assault.
Clearly, no one believed what he said.
And it was true; people would rather believe such a perfect piece came from a world-renowned pianist than a nameless fool with low intelligence.
The surrounding doubts and insults felt like a giant net, tightening until it was hard to breathe.
Shen Yuan felt incredibly embarrassed and panicked. The feeling of being pointed at and cursed was terrible.
He didn’t understand why these people, who seemed so kind, suddenly changed their faces, acting as if he had done something unforgivable.
He hadn’t provoked anyone, nor had he done anything harmful. He simply wanted to tell them that Su Huaiyao was lying and that he wanted his music back.
Was even this wrong…
The little fool turned his pleading gaze toward the silent man in the chair, begging for him to believe him.
Even a tiny shred of trust would be enough to rescue him from the overwhelming accusations.
But the result was a bitter disappointment.
Yu Xiuqing merely pulled his arm away coldly, acting as if he loathed the youth’s touch.
He slowly turned the ring on his thumb, his eyes mocking as he looked at the anxious Shen Yuan.
“Shen Yuan, I never realized before that you had a habit of plundering other people’s achievements.”
These words hit Shen Yuan’s chest like a heavy hammer. The color drained from his face instantly, and his heart pounded. A chill shot up his spine.
“X-Xiansheng, are you saying… I’m the bad person lying to everyone? But that’s not the truth…”
Shen Yuan tried his best to explain, but he didn’t know how to straighten it out. He could only look on with an expression of disbelief.
“Then what is the truth?!”
Yu Xiuqing questioned sharply. He was clearly annoyed by the boy’s incessant chatter, making the youth shiver.
In the next second, he slammed his wine glass onto the table, splashing the liquid onto Shen Yuan’s face.
Yu Xiuqing glared at him coldly. He felt the boy’s behavior just now was a pure tantrum, making him lose face in such a grand setting. His anger grew.
“You think you can do whatever you want just because I protect you? You’re jealous because you see Xiaoyao is better than you? Do you think I would believe a fool who can’t even speak properly?”
Every word stabbed his heart. Shen Yuan stared in disbelief, frozen on the spot. He even forgot to wipe the wine droplets from his face.
He couldn’t believe those cold, mocking words were coming from the mouth of his most beloved Mister Yu.
Why had this man become so cold-blooded, joining the others in calling him a fool and a waste…
The tears he had been holding back finally burst out, rolling down his cheeks mixed with the wine.
Shen Yuan didn’t dare cry out loud. He could only bite his lip to keep the sound in, but a low sob still escaped. His voice sounded so desolate:
“I… I didn’t…”
Su Huaiyao spared a glance at the dark-faced man and the crying boy below the stage.
He let out a soft sneer, his expression triumphant. His slender fingers pressed the final note, and he stood up with elegant poise, bowing to the audience.
Clap! Clap! Clap!
Thunderous applause surged like a tide.
Yu Xiuqing let out a heavy, cold snort. Ignoring Shen Yuan, he turned his gaze back to the radiant youth on stage. His harsh expression actually softened a bit.
He also began to applaud slowly. Though he was looking at Su Huaiyao, his words were still scolding Shen Yuan:
“Listen well, you idiot. Don’t dream of stealing or snatching things that don’t belong to you. It makes me sick.”
The little fool lowered his wet eyes. His lip was already bitten until blood showed, but he still didn’t dare make a sound.
“Enough. There’s no need to argue with a servant.”
Old Master Yu finally spoke to stop it. He hated seeing juniors crying, especially Shen Yuan.
Could something brought back from a filthy place like an underground auction truly be clean?
His eyes flashed with severity. He struck the ground heavily with his cane, and the entire room fell silent.
“I see Xiaoyao has finished playing. I have a long-unfulfilled wish I’d like to share with everyone, hoping it can be realized at my birthday banquet today.”
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