Chapter 201 - 0190: Love at First Sight
Chapter 201: Chapter 0190: Love at First Sight
A feeling of familiarity? Why was there such a strong feeling?
It was just an illusion, Yang Ping felt embarrassed and immediately turned to look at the door – Xiao Su had not arrived yet.
In his heart, there was only Xiao Su and no room for anyone else. Yet, he couldn’t suppress this peculiar feeling—it was taking root in his heart.
Yang Ping couldn’t help but glance back at the stage, not because of stunning beauty, but because of this indescribable feeling, as if he was searching—He searched her among the crowd, then suddenly turned back, and she was there under the dim light.
Little Miss Su approached halfway up the steps, waved to everyone with a smile, her eyes taking in the surroundings, were they looking at him? Yang Ping immediately shook his head. The person standing on the stage, looking down, it’s common for everyone to think they are being greeted.
There was a moment of silence, followed by hushed whispers, all praising the beauty of Princess Su. In the other part of the hall, the Su family was gathered together, the elders nodding in agreement.
The guests, whether they were busy selecting food, drinking and making merry, or just sitting and resting, all had their eyes focused on the steps, awaiting the celestial beauty to perform.
Those in the know were aware of Little Miss Su’s astonishing piano skills, not just average, but at a high professional level, similar to her swimming and tennis.
She approached, her dress fluttering, she could have directly walked towards the piano, but she chose to arc around the hall, passing by the round column and right beside Yang Ping.
The charming smile and delicate hands waving, getting closer and closer to Yang Ping, her radiant eyes enchanting him.
Xiao Su! It was Xiao Su all along!
It was too far before, and with the lighting and attire, Yang Ping had not recognized her. But now she was closer, and he recognized her immediately. It was Xiao Su!
What was going on? Suddenly, Yang Ping felt as if time and space were in chaos. Xiao Su, Su Nanchen, Professor Su, these people were all connected in a way he found hard to comprehend.
So Xiao Su was Su Nanchen’s sister, and Professor Su’s daughter. He had been in the dark about this all along. How surreal!
His brain, which had been out of touch before, immediately made the connection. That explained the familiarity, the feeling of seeking. Of course! This was Xiao Su, how could it not be familiar?
A gust of fragrant wind passed, her long skirt almost swished past him, Xiao Su walked past Yang Ping, pulling back her captivating smile. She gracefully walked to the piano, a female companion guiding her to her seat.
She sat, poised and elegant, her delicate fingers beautiful as jade lightly hovering over the piano keys, before pressing down gently. Music notes, like elves, emanated from the piano.
One summer’s day!
Spirited away, Joe Hisaishi, that summer of the past year.
That was why he had the feeling of seeking. Xiao Su, she was the one he had been searching for all along! Yang Ping glanced towards the door, then at the agile Xiao Su again, finding it difficult to adjust to the chaotic time and space.
The entire hall fell silent, only the intoxicating sound of the piano reverberated around. Everyone either stared intently in this direction or closed their eyes to immerse themselves in the music. Everyone had a memory of that summer.
Xiao Su brought out a different feel with this song. Yang Ping, lacking musical talent, could even appreciate the meaning behind the music. Was it because Xiao Su played it too well, or had he suddenly become more perceptive?
The music was like countless thin threads, gently touching the depths of his heart, stirring up those careful memories. Playful, cute, fascinating, hesitant, doubtful, anxious, sentimental, affectionate – each emotional touch released fragments of memories.
The summer bar, Xiao Su carrying a tennis racket; going to Nanqiao Yao Village, the life and death experience they had together; his injury, Xiao Su’s meticulous care; that night, standing alone on an overpass in sorrow, Xiao Su draped her down jacket over him, they embraced tightly under the streetlight–their first confession to each other: “I love you!”
Su Nanchen maneuvered around the crowd and found Yang Ping, settling next to him.
“Brother Yang?”
“Dr. Yang?”
“Doctor Yang?”
Yang Ping heard someone calling him but didn’t turn back, only murmuring an “mm-hmm” in response, allowing his thoughts to drift with the music.
“Doctor Yang!”
It was only on the fourth call from Su Nanchen that Yang Ping snapped back to reality, realizing he must have lost his poise completely. He blushed, his face turning red all the way to his neck.
“Sorry!”
Yang Ping said, feeling awkward, and pulled his gaze back from Xiao Su.
Just as he was about to chat with Su Nanchen, the piece had already come to an end. The music had ceased, his thoughts were hard to gather, after a brief moment of silence, someone began to applaud. Only then did everyone else come back to reality and realize it was time to applaud. The applause came softly at first, then gradually picked up momentum, echoing in waves for quite a while.
Xiao Su rose to her feet, delivering her thanks to the guests all around. Lin Hao was the first one to spring forward, a bouquet of flowers prepared in his hands, ready to present to Xiao Su. Xiao Su’s eyes swept towards Yang Ping, a playful smile swept past, and then she politely accepted the flowers, handing them to the woman who followed her. The crowd again broke into enthusiastic applause.
Lin Hao, with a gentlemanly open arms, wanted to embrace Xiao Su in a Western style, but Xiao Su extended her right hand, indicating she was ready to shake hands, effectively blocking Lin Hao’s approach and clearly signaling she would only accept a handshake.
To avoid embarrassment, Lin Hao reluctantly withdrew his outstretched arms, reached out, and Xiao Su just lightly, politely shook his hand. Then she turned and glanced at Yang Ping again.
Several more people came up to present flowers, Xiao Su accepted them and handed them over to the woman beside her, then shook hands with each of them. The Su family princess, pursued by many, but none deemed worthy in her eyes.
This Lin Hao had all the favorable conditions. In G City, his family ranked just after the Su family. His cousin Lin Lan was Su Nanchen’s girlfriend. He had started pursuing Xiao Su many years ago, but to no avail. Xiao Su never gave him a second glance.
Many were wondering – who would be fortunate enough to have Xiao Su’s favor, who would be her future partner?
Su Nanchen, being the astute person he was, noticed his sister had glanced their way a couple of times and made eye contact with Yang Ping, albeit briefly each time. He caught onto it.
There was no doubt they had feelings for each other. Could it be love at first sight? Old Zhou approached at that point, hastily handing a bouquet of flowers to Su Nanchen, Su Nanchen immediately passed it to Yang Ping: “Hurry up!”
Yang Ping awkwardly accepted the flowers, feeling flustered. Su Nanchen patted his shoulder, “Use the confidence you have during surgeries; everything will work out fine!”
Yes, at this point, he should be giving Xiao Su a bouquet. Yang Ping quickly cleared his mind. It didn’t matter whose daughter or sister she was. She was his Xiao Su!
Yang Ping composed himself, picked up the flowers in his hand, stood up, exuding confidence and composure. He strode towards Xiao Su. Xiao Su had already been waiting there with that charming smile on her face still.
Yang Ping presented the flowers with both hands, and Xiao Su burst into a small, restrained smile. Taking the flowers from him, and rather than passing them to her companion, Xiao Su held them herself. She was beaming like a blooming flower as she opened her arms wide.
Wow! There was a thunderous applause from below the stage, the atmosphere in that moment heated to a boiling point.
Yang Ping immediately stepped forward to embrace Xiao Su and they held each other tight.
“This song was for you.”
“Thank you!”
“Let’s pretend it’s love at first sight!”
“Your wish is my command!”
“Don’t hold too tight for too long, it will give us away.”
“Oh!”
After a few whispers in each other’s ear, Yang Ping immediately let go.
The applause from the stage was like a tidal wave.
Who is this guy? What kind of treatment is this? Embraced by the princess of the Su family, he must have saved the universe in his past life.
The boys who just presented their flowers were asking one another. The youngest daughter of the Su family, blessed with both beauty and intelligence, was a goddess.
Lin Hao’s heart soured, feeling the bitterness seep through his heart. Despite chasing her for so long, he was not even given a proper glance while this guy getting to embrace Xiao Su with just a single flower.
“What is going on here? Love at first sight? It can’t be happening that quickly, right?” Mrs. Su was dumbfounded.
She had just instructed Su Nanchen to create an opportunity for them to get acquainted and now, they were embracing in front of so many people, albeit just a courtesy hug.
Professor Su chuckled: “Why are you fretting about the children? Didn’t you notice that Xiao Su showed no interest in Lin Hao, but seems to have a liking for this Yang? I told you she picks her partners with great care, but you wouldn’t believe me.”
“Isn’t it my place to worry? Out of all the sons in our family she’s the only girl.” Mrs. Su feigned annoyance.
“Second sister-in-law is right, Xiao Su is the only girl in our family, how can we not worry?” The wife of the third brother supported her sister-in-law’s view.
“I just want to make it clear now, when Xiao Su chooses a boyfriend, he must first pass my approval.” The wife of Big Brother Su stated. Big Brother Su had yet to arrive, but his wife had already showed up.
The Su family tradition promotes harmony and solidarity among siblings, making the family prosperous and united.
“Who is this young man?” asked the patriarch of the Su family. Although the old man and his wife had silver hair, their eyesight was still keen.
“Dad, that’s Nanchen’s friend, a very excellent surgeon!” Professor Su immediately introduced him.
“Good, she needs to marry a surgeon.” the old patriarch asserted stubbornly.
“Look, he’s being old-fashionedly adamant again, even trying to control who our granddaughter dates.” complained his wife displeased.
“If he’s not a surgeon, he’s not entering our home.” the old man stubbornly retorted.
The grandmother gave a gentle smile: “It doesn’t matter who my granddaughter chooses, as long as she’s happy. Qingyun, even though it’s Xiao Su’s freedom to love, you should still keep an eye on her, she’s young and impressionable.”
“Mom, don’t worry, we have everything under control.” Professor Su assured while pouring tea for his parents.
“What specialty does this young man work in?” The old man insisted.
“Dad, he’s an orthopedic surgeon from Sanbo hospital, he works at the same hospital as Xiao Su. He was even the Chief Surgeon in that Five-section Replantation that happened last time.” Professor Su stressed.
The old patriarch slightly nodded his head: “Oh, really? That’s good, he’s a rare talent indeed. Cultivate him well, Sanbo is too small for his skills, shift him to our affiliate hospital.”
Professor Su and Mrs. Su exchanged looks, they just met today and the old patriarch was more anxious than anyone else.
The patriarch, now in his nineties, was still in excellent health. He insisted on reading journals and articles, took interest in the medical field. He even knew about the Five-section Replantation operation. He watched it several times, and asked Su Qingyun who performed the surgery.
“Dad, don’t worry,” Su Qingyun said, not wanting to explain too much. The old couple had seen the two hugging and assumed they were already dating.
The old couple lowered their heads again to continue their discussion, others not daring to intervene.
“Second Brother! Come on!”
“Come on!”
The two clinked their glasses. Third brother, Su Qinghe, was slightly fat. He lacked the charm of his older brother but looked sharp and competent. He sighed, “Second brother, time really does fly. Nanchen is already thirty, and we’re all getting old.”
“Indeed, seeing them grow up genuinely brings joy.” Su Qingyun said contentedly.
“Where’s our older brother? Hasn’t he arrived yet?” Su Qinghe asked.
Su Qingyun lowered his head, saying, “He’s too busy, he’s going to squeeze in just one hour.”
“It would be nice if our youngest brother could come back. Having all brothers together, it would be so delightful.” Su Qinghe wished.
The phone of Professor Su rang. Upon checking, he said, “Our oldest brother is here!”
The eldest of the Su siblings, Su Qingshan, had arrived.