Urban Villain: The Game of Wealth and Women

{Chapter: 49 Half cry, half laugh!}

At first, Shan Shuwen had intended to mock Lin Yuan, but as soon as the first notes of the prelude reached his ears, all thoughts of derision vanished. He was completely captivated by the music.

Chi Qian, seated beside Yu Shanshan, was equally struck by the sound. Her eyes widened, and her usual composed demeanor faltered.

Yan Ruyue, who typically kept her emotions well hidden, turned her gaze toward Lin Yuan. There he sat, eyes closed, lost in the music as his hands danced over the piano keys.

Ding, ding, ding...

The massive venue, previously bustling with chatter and movement, fell into an awed silence. All that could be heard was the soft, resonating melody Lin Yuan coaxed from the piano. His fingers moved with effortless grace, each note carrying the sorrow of a story untold.

It was as though the music itself wove a tale of fleeting moments—an image of a street, once vibrant, now crumbled. The sound of wind, soft and melancholic, seemed to carry them through time—only to have the streets themselves collapse into nothingness.

Though the piece was simple, its beauty lay in its vulnerability. The technical complexity was nothing compared to the emotion Lin Yuan infused into each note.

It was an unassuming piece, perhaps less intricate than some others like "Wild Bees Flying Dance," but under Lin Yuan's touch, it became extraordinary. His playing transcended the simplicity of the piece, drawing the audience into a world of fleeting beauty.

As the melody reached its final notes, an unexpected hush fell over the crowd. There was no applause, no immediate reaction. Instead, a strange stillness lingered—until tears began to well in the eyes of many.

Yu Shanshan, who had been listening intently, wiped her own tears and turned to Chi Qian. "Qian Qian, I remember you being quite good at the piano. What was that piece my brother just played?"

"I... I feel like I've been drifting, like a wisp of wind, moving aimlessly, and now everything has collapsed around me..." Yu Shanshan's words trailed off as she glanced at her best friend, her voice breaking.

As she waited for a response, she noticed Chi Qian's eyes shimmering with unshed tears. It was the first time she'd seen Chi Qian moved so deeply.

Chi Qian blinked, then smiled through her tears. "That piece... it's 'The Street Where Wind Lives.' It's a song I hold dear, one I've never told anyone about."

Despite its relatively low popularity, Chi Qian had always loved the song. She was astonished that Lin Yuan had chosen it and played it so impeccably. Could it be that he, too, shared her fondness for this piece?

Her heart skipped a beat as she looked at Lin Yuan. His commanding presence and undeniable charm had captivated her from the moment she first met him, but now, hearing him play, her admiration for him deepened.

[Ding! Chi Qian's favorability +2! Reward 300 counterattack points!]

Lin Yuan smiled inwardly at the system's prompt. He wasn't surprised; he had known Chi Qian would appreciate this piece. However, he hadn't chosen it solely to win her favor. It was a song he had loved even before arriving in this world, a song that resonated with his own emotions.

The divine-level piano skills he had recently acquired allowed him to play with unparalleled depth, to evoke emotions in others effortlessly. As the final notes of the piece echoed in the hall, he could feel the weight of the audience's emotions pressing on him. The atmosphere had become heavy, almost unbearably so.

"I don't like this feeling," he thought, his fingers beginning to move once more.

This time, Lin Yuan shifted the mood completely with a lively, upbeat melody—the opening notes of "Summer" by Joe Hisaishi.

As soon as the familiar tune filled the air, the audience reacted instantly. Laughter and lighthearted chatter bubbled up as smiles spread across every face in the venue. The light-heartedness of the melody was like a breath of fresh air, sweeping away the melancholy that had lingered.

Lin Yuan relished the power he held, the ability to move an entire room with just his music. He played on, savoring the emotional sway he had over the crowd.

But he wasn't done yet. After "Summer," Lin Yuan transitioned into his next piece: "Sad or Happy."

The song's main melody carried a subtle sadness, while its secondary melody introduced a playful, almost carefree rhythm. Lin Yuan was having fun now, balancing the conflicting emotions of joy and sorrow. It was a playful challenge to evoke such complex feelings in his listeners, and no one in the audience suspected that he was intentionally toying with their hearts.

Yan Ruyue, deeply moved by the music, couldn't help but reflect on her previous thoughts of Lin Yuan. She had always held a certain belief about him—that he was limited, that he was just a successful businessman and nothing more. But now, listening to him play so confidently, she wondered if she had been wrong.

Lin Yuan was nothing like she had imagined. He was more than just the young master of the Lin family. He was a force unto himself—capable, talented, and utterly captivating.

On the other side of the room, Chi Qian sat quietly, tapping her fingers to the beat. Her eyes were focused on Lin Yuan, intrigued and fascinated by his every move.

She leaned toward Yu Shanshan, her voice soft but full of wonder. "What is this piece? It's so fascinating. It makes me feel like I'm laughing and crying all at once."

Yu Shanshan, her own emotions stirred, glanced at Chi Qian. "I haven't heard of it either. But I'll ask my cousin later—I'd love to know."

Chi Qian's gaze returned to Lin Yuan, this time with a deeper curiosity than before. He had stunned her not just with his playing, but with his ability to connect to something deep inside her. The songs he had chosen, "The Street Where Wind Lives" and "Summer," were pieces she had rarely heard performed, and never so well.

Though Chi Qian was a violinist by trade, she had extensive knowledge of all musical instruments, including the piano. And despite her talents, she felt a humbling sense of awe at Lin Yuan's skills.

For the first time, Chi Qian felt that she truly wanted Lin Yuan to accompany her. Not because of his exceptional piano skills, but because playing with him would make her feel at ease, as though they shared an unspoken understanding.

As Lin Yuan's fingers moved once more, she realized that her own piano skills, which she had once thought were impressive, paled in comparison to his.

Moreover, Lin Yuan's playing was so magical that she couldn't help but be fascinated.

Now she really wants Lin Yuan to play with her!

*****

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