In the evening, Gu Lingfei left work early.
Ever since she and Jiang Che had confirmed their relationship and deepened their connection, Gu Lingfei seemed to have undergone a complete transformation.
The diligent and hardworking businesswoman she once was had disappeared, and now she left the office earlier than her employees every day.
"Jiang Che, guess who I brought with me?"
As Gu Lingfei entered the house, a mysterious smile played on her lips.
Jiang Che was in the middle of holding Yu Wan'er, about to give her a good scolding, when he looked up and saw Gu Lingfei at the door—and the person behind her.
"There's someone else here, you pervert! Do you want me to crush you?"
The little girl's hair was slightly disheveled, her cute cowlick sticking up as she whispered angrily, her head burrowing into Jiang Che's chest to hide her messy appearance from the outsider.
Jiang Che ruffled Yu Wan'er's hair with a rough hand, turning it into a bird's nest.
Then he stood up, buttoning his collar, and glanced past Gu Lingfei to take a closer look at the person behind her.
It was a woman in her fifties, with a classic Western appearance, yet exuding an air of elegance that unmistakably marked her as a member of the Western aristocracy.
"Lingfei, I assume this is the renowned international piano maestro, Ms. Hepman?"
Jiang Che spoke with a polite smile.
Truthfully, he had no idea who the piano maestro Hepman was—Gu Lingfei had only mentioned her in passing.
They had been looking for a teacher for the piano prodigy, Bai Qiangwei.
Now it seemed Gu Lingfei was serious about it!
"Hello, I am Hepman. I wouldn't call myself a maestro... just an ordinary pianist," Hepman said with a smile, stepping out from behind Gu Lingfei and speaking fluent Chinese.
Jiang Che raised an eyebrow. "You're Austrian, so how is your Chinese so good?"
Hepman explained, "My husband was from Dragon Country. It's quite a coincidence... we met and fell in love in Hangcheng decades ago..."
As she mentioned her husband, a hint of moisture and tenderness flashed in the woman's aged eyes.
Jiang Che understood and didn't press further, deciding to get straight to the point.
"Qiangwei, come down and meet your new teacher!"
Jiang Che called out to the girl upstairs.
Qiangwei was flustered. She was still in her pajamas, her hair a mess—how could she go down to meet her new teacher like this?
"Jiang Che... can you... can you wait for me? I'll be quick!"
The girl clutched her collar tightly, her neck still bearing fresh love bites... This was going to be so embarrassing!
......
About five minutes later, Qiangwei hurried downstairs in a panic, so excited that she even lost one of her slippers along the way.
As soon as she reached the bottom of the stairs, she froze.
A soothing melody filled the air of the living room, captivating everyone and sending a shiver through their hearts.
It was Jiang Che playing the piano. Bai Qiangwei quietly picked up her slipper.
Jiang Che sat at the white piano, his fingers dancing lightly across the keys, the music he played seemingly capable of pulling people into a trance.
Everyone in the villa was entranced.
Even the piano maestro Hepman closed her eyes, seemingly savoring Jiang Che's performance.
What does it mean for music to linger in the air? Even a minute or two after Jiang Che finished playing, everyone slowly emerged from the spellbound state the music had cast over them.
"Your playing...?"
Jiang Che's girls were somewhat accustomed to his piano skills, having heard him play before.
But Hepman was different. This was her first time hearing Jiang Che play, and she was utterly stunned!
"Mr. Jiang, compared to you... I feel like a child just starting to learn the piano!"
Hepman spoke with overwhelming excitement. The stronger one's piano skills, the more they could sense the gap between themselves and others.
As an international piano maestro, Hepman had once been immensely proud of her abilities, but now she was completely humbled by Jiang Che's performance.
"Mr. Jiang, it's true what they say—there's always someone better. May I seek your guidance on some piano-related questions?"
Jiang Che was at a loss for words.
You're supposed to be Qiangwei's teacher, not my student!
Gu Lingfei awkwardly nudged Hepman's arm and whispered, "You're here to teach, not to become a student yourself."
Then she pointed to Bai Qiangwei in the corner.
"That girl is your student. Her piano talent is exceptional, and she has the potential to carry on your legacy."
Gu Lingfei's words brought Hepman back to reality.
After taking a few deep breaths, she apologized to Jiang Che, "I'm sorry, I got carried away. Your piano skills are truly awe-inspiring. They say true masters are found among the people... and now I see that's no exaggeration."
Hepman then walked over to Qiangwei.
"Te... Teacher, my name is Qiangwei!" Qiangwei was nervous. She had never imagined that one day she would be studying under a renowned master like Hepman.
When Hepman saw Qiangwei, her heart softened. At nearly 60 years old, she had no children of her own, and this Dragon Country girl was undeniably adorable.
"Come... play a piece for me, let me hear you."
"Oh~ I might not play very well."
"That's alright—"
Soon, Hepman's astonishment at Jiang Che's skills turned into amazement at Qiangwei's talent.
Her eyes lit up with sheer delight!
"A genius! An absolute piano prodigy! With the right guidance... her future achievements will be beyond measure!"
Hepman was so moved that she began to cry. At 60 years old, with half her life already behind her, she had never expected to encounter a student of this caliber—and one handed to her on a silver platter.
Heaven had truly been kind to her!
Then she turned her gaze to Jiang Che. "Mr. Jiang, why don't you teach her yourself? With your skills..."
Jiang Che smiled and shook his head.
I can't exactly tell you... I'm too busy chasing girls to teach her piano, can I?
"Jiang Che, I don't want to leave you. I want to see you every day."
Qiangwei seemed to recall something and clung to Jiang Che's arm, unwilling to let go.
Though she was fascinated by the world of piano, if learning it meant being separated from Jiang Che... she would rather not learn at all!
Hepman, however, waved her hand dismissively. "Don't worry, I don't plan on leaving. My husband is buried here, and I'm getting old... To have a genius like you as my student... what more could I ask for?"
Hepman's deep understanding of Dragon Country's culture shone through, and her words brought laughter to Qiangwei and the other girls.
"Qiangwei, from now on, I'll be your teacher. Forget about formalities—having you as my student is an honor."
The woman was so delighted she could hardly contain herself.
"Teacher!" Bai Qiangwei called out sweetly.
Gu Lingfei then spoke up, "Ms. Hepman, given your standing in the international piano community, you could easily secure a position as a professor at a nearby music school and dedicate some time each day to teaching Qiangwei."
After some more conversation, Hepman left in high spirits, having gained a prodigious new student.
As soon as she stepped outside, she called her assistant back in Austria.
"Qin, I won't be returning. I've found an incredibly talented student. Donate all my assets to charity. We'll meet again if fate allows."
"Wait... Ms. Hepman... *beep beep*—"
The line went dead, leaving the assistant utterly bewildered.
......
After Hepman left, Qiangwei remained exhilarated.
Her life had been divided into two distinct phases since meeting Jiang Che.
The cold-blooded, ruthless deputy leader of the Wolf Fang mercenary group was gone forever. Her childhood had been dark, traumatic, and filled with blood and hatred.
But Jiang Che... he was the only light in her life!
"I could have endured the darkness forever... if I had never seen the light." And Jiang Che was the superhero who had pulled her out of that darkness.
"Jiang... Jiang Che..."
"Hmm? What is it?" Jiang Che asked with a smile.
"I... I love you so much!" The girl blurted out, her cheeks turning red.
"Ah, love isn't just about words, you know!"
With that, Jiang Che scooped her up into his arms.