22. Piano Girl

 　　Unconsciously, Yuqin pushed open the door and clapped. The music suddenly stopped, and Yuqin snapped out of her reverie. "I'm sorry, I came in without the owner's permission. I'm sorry for disturbing you," Yuqin said apologetically. "It's alright. This room isn't mine. Did you enjoy the music?" The girl looked at Yuqin. [Wow, what a beautiful girl!] The girl's flowing silver hair shone brightly in the moonlight. The cool moonlight spilled onto the ground, onto the zither, and onto the girl's slender hands. The girl wore a silver-white dress, and her angelic skin seemed to be enveloped in silver. The rain became a backdrop. The girl gazed at Yuqin with her silver eyes. Yuqin felt she had been impolite and immediately said, "Hmm, it's very beautiful. It's as if the bustling city lacks the tranquility and peace of the night, and the flashing neon lights tell passersby of their inner sorrow and desolation. Sometimes, I quietly and leisurely soak in flower tea and music, letting the flowing melodies drift freely in the room, letting the heart-stirring tunes float gently in my soul. Close your eyes, listen attentively, and the crystal-like notes change into different tunes, different emotions, and different moods in different instruments. Savor it carefully, and it touches your heart." Like pouring into a pool of fragrant, pure water, washing away the dust of time and restlessness, seeking a sanctuary for the soul amidst the clamor of the world—this is the feeling…” Before Yuqin could finish speaking, a piece of music suddenly began to play. “Is this it?” the girl asked. “Yes.” And so, that night, the two discussed the music. In the morning, Yuqin leaned against the wall, and the girl lay asleep on the piano. When Yuqin woke up, the girl was gone. Yuqin walked out of the church and returned to her dormitory, where she saw everyone gathered together. “You’re finally back! Where did you go so early in the morning?” Hong Wange asked worriedly. “Just going for a walk. Why is everyone gathered here?” "Yuqin asked, "I was worried you'd gone missing, I was just about to go look for you." Shen Yeran said, "I'm fine, I'm sorry to have worried everyone." Yuqin said, "Alright, go to school, you've missed too many classes lately." Shen Yeran said, "Okay." X5, finally the day's classes ended. At night, Yuqin went to that church again, the same door as yesterday, but the music Yuqin heard and the emotions it contained were different. Yuqin stood outside the fourth door, hesitant to go in. Suddenly the door opened. "Since you're here, why don't you come in?" the girl said. "I'm afraid of disturbing you," Yuqin said. "It's alright," the girl said. Yuqin closed the door and asked, "What's your name?" “Shen Yueying, I never introduce myself to people I don’t approve of,” Shen Yueying said. “It seems you don’t dislike me. My name is Lin Yuqin.” Yuqin smiled and said, “Today’s music is different from yesterday’s.” Yuqin said, “Hmm, can you tell? What scene did you see this time?” Shen Yueying said, “In a mountain in February where plum blossoms are blooming, one person is playing the zither, and another person is dancing, like kindred spirits.” Yuqin said, “No wonder you’re someone I approve of.” Shen Yueying said, “Let’s be kindred spirits.” Shen Yueying took Yuqin’s hand. “Kindred spirits?” “Yes.” “But even if I know what your music is expressing, you…” "You don't understand me," Yuqin said, puzzled. "I just want someone who can understand my music." Shen Yueying said, "So many masters can understand it, why me?" Yuqin was still puzzled. "Because you are the one who understands my music the most deeply." "Okay, I agree. You must have just transferred here. When do you go to class? Are you sleeping in the church again tonight?" "Yes, I just transferred here. I go to class tomorrow. They haven't told me which room I'm in yet. I can only sleep in the church." "Come to my room." "Is that okay?" Shen Yueying said excitedly. "Of course." As they walked, Shen Yueying leaned on Yuqin's shoulder and fell asleep. Yuqin carried Shen Yueying back to the dormitory, placed her on her bed, covered her with a blanket, and then slept on a makeshift bed on the floor herself. In the morning, everyone woke up to find Yuqin sleeping on the floor and a silver-haired girl sleeping on her bed. "Who is she?" Yuyao asked. "I don't know, I'll go find Shen Yeran," Hong Wange said. Meanwhile, Shen Yeran and Ying Moxiao were at the white church, but hadn't found Shen Yeran's sister. Receiving Hong Wange's call, they thought it might be her sister and rushed over. When they arrived, it was indeed Shen Yeran's sister. "Who is she?" Hong Wange asked when she saw them arrive. Shen Yeran didn't want to say... There's a younger sister here, so she says, "She's my friend, she just transferred here." (Before she arrived, Ying Moxiao asked Shen Yeran, "Is it okay not to tell the truth?" "The time isn't right yet." Before the transfer, Shen Yeran told Yueying not to let anyone know she was his sister. Based on Yueying's understanding of her brother, she figured he would tell when the time was right, so Yueying didn't ask any further questions.) "Get up, you two lazybones," Shen Yeran said to the two of them. "Oh, it's Yeran! What brings you here? Oh, right, let me introduce you, this is..." Before Yuqin could finish speaking, Hong Wange interrupted, "She's an acquaintance of Yeran's, we know." "We're going to be late!" Yuqin quickly got ready.