If You Could Hear My Heart

The performance day had finally arrived, and after many days of diligent practice, Xu Chaomu had finally mastered a piece.

It didn’t matter; she only needed to know one.

She wanted to give her high school career a perfect curtain call.

Lou Yanli had been helping her all along, and when she sometimes wanted to slack off, he would supervise her.

Xu Chaomu was really grateful to Lou Yanli, but, after this, she wouldn’t be able to see him anymore.

On the day of the performance, Xu Chaomu wore the dress and high heels given to her by Shen Chi, which she genuinely liked, very much.

She vainly stood in front of the dormitory mirror for a long time, planning to put away the dress and shoes after today.

The auditorium was bustling with lots of brilliant performances, and Xu Chaomu’s act was in the middle—a piano solo.

The program was at nine fifty in the morning.

Xu Chaomu anxiously watched her watch, twenty minutes remaining before her performance.

She stood backstage, peering out at the many people in the auditorium, a daunting sea of faces.

Pacing back and forth, exhaling, inhaling, taking deep breaths.

When the auditorium lights came on, she specifically glanced at the VIP seats, filled only with school leaders and some inconsequential officials.

There was no Li Beiting, nor Shen Chi.

She felt a bit let down inside; after all, he hadn’t really cared much about her studies since she was little.

If only her mother were still here…

Just as she was feeling uneasy, Yu Weiwei ran up to the stage.

“Chaomu, don’t be nervous, I’ll clap for you.”

“I’m not nervous, if I play it wrong, I’ll just say my name is Yu Weiwei.”

Yu Weiwei rolled her eyes, “Play it right; your little boyfriend is watching from below.”

“I will.”

“Chaomu, you seem a bit unhappy, is it because a certain someone didn’t come?”

“What? Weiwei, your voice is too soft, I can’t hear clearly!”

“Playing dumb. Chaomu, let me tell you, I remember every word you said when you were drunk that day. It’s your dark history, I need to keep a good record of it.”

It was Xu Chaomu’s turn to roll her eyes.

“Shen Chi, that person, he’s quite good, but I think he’s unreliable. That kind of person, every young girl likes him. There must be many pursuing him. If you like him, Chaomu, you have to work extra hard.”

“Every girl likes him? Weiwei, you like him too?”

“What are you saying? Am I that kind of person? I’m not interested in Shen Chi.”

“I’m not interested in him either. Let me tell you a secret, this guy is no good. If you find a cure later, give him a discount for my sake.”

“He’s not exactly bad, but…” Yu Weiwei said suggestively, “it involves undressing for the treatment, are you willing to do that?”

“Undressing?”

“Yeah, and…”

“Cough cough, let’s forget it.” Xu Chaomu thought. She hadn’t even seen Shen Chi without his clothes on, so she couldn’t let Yu Weiwei have that advantage.

“Alright, I’ll stop teasing you. Aren’t you nervous anymore? I’m going down now, perform well, good luck!”

Yu Weiwei blew Xu Chaomu a kiss and hopped off the stage.

Xu Chaomu instantly felt less nervous but still wandered slowly behind the curtain.

Finally, her name was announced on stage, and she walked up in her knee-length white dress.

At this moment, she was like a tranquil kapok flower, gracefully charming, with a gentle smile.

Xu Chaomu thought she must look quite beautiful today; it was a pity that he would not come.

She slowly walked up in her high heels, the red soles particularly striking.

The lights went out, her fingers covered the piano keys, gently pressed down, and a melodious sound began to play.

“Summer”…

After this spring, it would be early summer.

The sunshine in early summer was always beautiful, making one willing to indulge in its gentle caress, lying on the grass, sniffing the scent of leaves in the air, a rich fragrance with undertones of freshness.

In the early summer of youth, time felt indefinite.

As Xu Chaomu played, she suddenly really wanted to lie quietly by the river, with her eyes closed.

Letting the sunlight sprinkle across her face, she could smell the scent of the sun and enjoy this tranquil moment.

Of course, she would be happier if that person could lie with her.

She would call him “Fourth Brother,” and him? Would he fiercely call her “Xu Chaomu”?

As she immersed herself in the music, down below, a man took steady strides to the backstage.

“Mr. Shen…” someone whispered softly.

“Hmm.” He lifted his eyes, the narrow slits narrowing further.

From backstage, he could clearly see Xu Chaomu, a spotlight shining directly on her.

Shen Chi had never before seen such a ladylike Xu Chaomu, completely unlike his Mumu.

But, as long as it was Xu Chaomu, he found her fascinating to watch.

He squinted, his gaze fixed on her.

The white dress was ethereal, her hair draped over her shoulders, like a fairy who had descended to earth.

She was nothing like the Xu Chaomu who could infuriate him beyond words. It turned out, his Mumu also had such a docile side, like a kitten with retracted claws.

He really wanted to walk up to her and play the piano together, to gently rest his forehead against hers and call her “Mumu”.

“Mr. Shen, the piano is ready,” the person in charge backstage informed Shen Chi.

“Hmm.” He curled his lips into a faint smile and made his way towards the backstage piano.

He sat at the piano, closed his eyes for a moment, and listened to the melody.

The girl’s piano playing wasn’t mature enough, hitting several sour notes, but he smiled and pressed the keys.

His fingers deftly played, guiding her through the song with his piano.

Xu Chaomu, who had been lost in the music, suddenly sensed the sound coming from backstage.

It was smooth and serene, trickling over the keys like flowing water, seamless from beginning to end.

Her fingertips stalled, and she blinked. Was it him?

Shen Chi’s piano playing had long since become superb, seamlessly correcting every inaccurate note she played in a way that was indiscernible.

Piano and strings in harmony, the two performed so well in sync that nobody in the audience noticed the accompaniment came from Shen Chi.

Shall I compare thee to a summer’s day?

Thou art more lovely and more temperate.

Can I compare you to a summer day? You are lovelier and gentler.

Shen Chi watched Xu Chaomu, the corners of his lips curling into a soft smile.

When the last note fell, thunderous applause filled the hall.

Xu Chaomu stood up, the spotlight on her face revealing a small, gentle smile of innocence, but above all, satisfaction.

Shen Chi sat at the backstage piano, silently watching her.

The man in a dark shirt seemed even more mature and enigmatic at that moment, his strong-featured face adorned with an indulgent smile. With his arms folded, his gaze never left her for a second.

“Mr. Shen, it’s over,” someone quietly reminded him.

“I know.”

He stood up slowly, glanced at his wristwatch, and the tall figure walked away from the piano.