The Gentle Breeze Reflects in My Eyes - Chapter 9

Chapter 9

Zhao Yasun hesitated for a moment before saying, “That is only right. But before we proceed, may I take the liberty of asking—since you and Lusheng have different surnames, I assume you aren’t biological sisters?”

Gu Yitong understood exactly what Zhao Yasun was getting at. The woman was looking at her young age and questioning whether she truly had the authority or the capability to be responsible for Lusheng.

Gu Yitong didn’t hide the truth. “Lusheng is indeed not my biological sister. Her parents divorced when she was young and she stayed with her mother. Two years ago, her mother fell ill and passed away. Before she left, she entrusted Lusheng to me.”

Zhao Yasun was momentarily speechless. After a pause, she offered Gu Yitong an apologetic smile. “I’m sorry.”

Gu Yitong shook her head with a light smile, then stood up to find Xia Lusheng.

In the lounge, Xia Lusheng was sitting in a daze. The moment Gu Yitong stepped inside, the girl turned her face toward the door. “…Yitong-jie?”

Gu Yitong was surprised. “How did you know it was me?”

Because she had guessed correctly, a smile blossomed on Xia Lusheng’s pink lips, her tone full of cheer: “I heard you!” There was a hint of faint pride in her voice.

Gu Yitong walked over and ruffled the girl’s hair. “Lusheng is so impressive. I came to get you because I want you to meet someone.”

Xia Lusheng looked puzzled. Gu Yitong explained the situation as she led her out of the lounge toward Zhao Yasun.

As they neared Table 16, Gu Yitong stopped and looked at Xia Lusheng, asking seriously, “Lusheng, do you want to study under Teacher Zhao?”

Xia Lusheng’s face remained neutral, but her hands were clenched tightly together, betraying her internal struggle.

“I… I want to earn money,” Xia Lusheng finally whispered after a long silence.

Gu Yitong vaguely understood her thoughts. Lusheng had mentioned before that she didn’t want to be a “burden.” Living together now, she was likely afraid that going to study would increase the financial weight on Gu Yitong’s shoulders.

But since it was just a guess, Gu Yitong tested the waters with a gentle persuasion: “Lusheng, if you’re worried about the burden on me, there’s really no need.”

Xia Lusheng lowered her head, her hands still twisting together.

Gu Yitong put herself in the girl’s shoes and tried a different angle. “Besides, the time and money invested now will return several times over in the future. Right now, playing at cafes and hotels pays a fixed monthly salary, and it’s not much. But after studying with Teacher Zhao, it will be different. Just the title of ‘Student of Zhao Yasun’ will double your value instantly.”

Xia Lusheng’s eyelids flickered; she seemed to be wavering.

“If you truly succeed in your studies, it won’t just be double. One single concert could potentially earn as much as my entire yearly income.”

The last part was pure fabrication on Gu Yitong’s part. She had no idea how much a concert made—it depended on the venue, fans, ticket prices, and more—but she knew how to motivate the girl.

“So, Lusheng, just make the decision based on your own heart. I’m not telling you that you must go. If you don’t want to, you can keep your life as it is. But if you’re tempted, don’t go against your own heart.”

Undeniably, Gu Yitong’s words pierced straight into Xia Lusheng’s heart. It wasn’t that she wasn’t tempted; this was Zhao Yasun, after all. Studying with her would be life-changing.

But she was terrified of the pressure. She knew exactly how much strain her cello tuition had put on her mother back then. Her mother had spent every penny on the cello, to the point where… She was reluctant to spend money on her own illness. By the time they went to the hospital, it was too late.

She had already “dragged down” her mother until she was gone; she didn’t want to do the same to Gu Yitong.

However, the prospect of earning money to help Gu Yitong was alluring. She wanted to earn a lot of money—not for some grand ambition, but just to be a “useful” person, so she wouldn’t be a burden anymore. Plus, she truly did love the cello.

Gu Yitong gently pried apart Lusheng’s clenched hands and held them firmly. “Lusheng, you only need to do what you want to do.”

“Let’s go. Teacher Zhao has been waiting a while.” Gu Yitong swung their joined hands lightly.

When they reached Table 16, Zhao Yasun’s eyes lit up at the sight of Xia Lusheng. After they sat down, Gu Yitong leaned toward the girl. “Lusheng, Teacher Zhao is sitting right across from you. Say hello.”

In front of others, Xia Lusheng reverted to her mask of cold indifference. She lowered her head slightly and said curtly, “Hello, Teacher Zhao.”

Zhao Yasun smiled. “Hello, Lusheng. I assume your sister told you everything? What do you think? Are you willing to study with me?”

Under the table, Xia Lusheng squeezed Gu Yitong’s hand. After a moment of hesitation, she steeled her heart. “I will be in your care, Teacher Zhao.”

Both Zhao Yasun and Gu Yitong let out a sigh of relief and laughed in unison.

Qi Die, sitting nearby, said sourly, “Lusheng is so lucky. To meet Teacher Zhao on her first day at Cat’s Eye… I’m almost jealous!”

Xia Lusheng’s mouth opened slightly in surprise. This was the first time anyone had ever said they were jealous of her. Usually, all she heard was pity and “what a shame.”

Gu Yitong was amused by the girl’s stunned expression and turned to Zhao Yasun. “Teacher, when does she start?”

“Tomorrow is fine. I’ll text you the address.” Zhao Yasun checked her watch. “I’m sorry, I have things to attend to this afternoon. I’ll see you tomorrow, Lusheng.”

“Goodbye, Teacher Zhao,” Lusheng replied calmly.

Qi Die, however, wasn’t nearly as calm. She looked at Zhao Yasun longingly. “You’re leaving so soon? We haven’t even had an official ‘apprenticeship’ feast yet!”

Zhao Yasun liked this boisterous, bright girl. She smiled. “There will be a chance. I’ll call Yitong sometime, and you can all come over to my home.”

Qi Die’s mood soared instantly. “Yes!”

After seeing Zhao Yasun off, the three returned to the table. Qi Die stared intensely at Xia Lusheng.

“You can stare all you want, you won’t see flowers blooming on her face,” Gu Yitong remarked coolly.

Qi Die snorted and sat up straight. “That cello in the duty room? Take it. Consider it a gift for Lusheng joining Teacher Zhao’s tutelage.”

Gu Yitong froze, then offered a light smile, deeply touched by Qi Die’s kindness. “Lusheng, thank Sister Qi.”

“Wait! Don’t thank me yet!” Qi Die cut in. “I have a condition!”

Xia Lusheng swallowed her “thank you” and waited.

“Lusheng has to share whatever she learns from Teacher Zhao with me!”

Qi Die figured: Teacher Zhao teaches Lusheng, Lusheng teaches me. Therefore, Teacher Zhao effectively teaches me. A cello was a small price to pay for that.

Gu Yitong found it hilarious. Before she could speak, Xia Lusheng said, “Okay.”

Satisfied, Qi Die gave Gu Yitong the afternoon off. “Partner, since Lusheng starts class tomorrow, take her home to rest and get ready.”

Gu Yitong didn’t refuse. On the way home, she made a detour to a large baby specialty store. Besides diapers and milk powder, they sold safety supplies. She also grabbed two orders of wontons from a nearby shop.

Back home, the wontons were still hot. Gu Yitong poured them into bowls and handed a spoon to Xia Lusheng. “Be careful, it’s hot. Eat slowly.”

Xia Lusheng nodded and blew on each spoonful like a diligent primary schooler.

Gu Yitong shook her head with a smile and pulled out her haul from the store: a massive bag of foam corner guards and anti-collision strips.

She rolled up her sleeves and got to work. She peeled the adhesive off the strips and applied them to every sharp edge and corner in the 130-square-meter apartment. Tables, chairs, cabinets—if it had an edge, it got padded. Even rounded furniture got a layer of foam just in case.