Chapter 166: Self-Study

Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations

Lu Chen noticed the WeChat message from his mother and wondered how she knew he was here. He turned around, scanning the area. Aside from the Fang family’s parents, there was no one he recognized. Odd!

[Mom, i’ll be back in a while. Don’t be upset.] Lu Chen hadn’t wanted to come either. His presence was solely to accompany Fang Jiayi, feeling guilty otherwise.

Fang Jiayi, being nearby, caught sight of the message on his phone screen. Although secretly angered, she concealed it and feigned gentleness, saying, “Did Auntie rush you? Why don’t you go back first? I’ll be fine.”

Turning around, Lu Chen saw the clear and innocent look in her eyes. He couldn’t bear to see her like this.

“Brother Lu Chen, you should head back first. Don’t make Auntie sad. She only has one son,” Fang Jiayi expressed considerately. “Regardless of what she thinks of me, as a mother, she undoubtedly wants her son to find a good girl, start a family, and live happily.”

“Don’t you resent her?” Lu Chen was a bit surprised. Looking into her eyes, he inquired, “She said quite a lot of outrageous things at the hospital…”

Not only did Mrs. Lu deny the prospect of inter-family marriage, but she also deemed Fang Jiayi unsuitable.

Fang Jiayi shook her head, her gaze even gentler. “She loves you just as 1 do. Both of us only want your happiness. I understand she’s doing this for your own good, so 1 don’t hold it against her.”

Touched by her words, Lu Chen dismissed his concerns. What if she wasn’t considered suitable? As long as she entered the Lu family in the future, who would dare to criticize her?

Unwilling to be abandoned and raised by strangers, Fang Jiayi had faced the harsh realities of life. Despite her past mistakes, Lu Chen recognized the purity in her heart. Her childhood had been challenging, and she longed for someone to care for her. Was that so wrong?

Recalling her past, Lu Chen suddenly posed a question. “When did you learn to play the piano?”

He remembered her mentioning that her adoptive mother worked hard to raise her.

Under those circumstances, it seemed improbable that she would have had the opportunity to learn the piano.

Fang Jiayi didn’t anticipate Lu Chen’s sudden inquiry, and the question intrigued Song Ling as well. Indeed, before Jiayi returned to the Fang family, she appeared to have no knowledge of the piano. So, how did she not only learn to play but also win an award?

“After returning to the Fang family, 1 once noticed a piano in my sister’s room. I looked up guides online and taught myself.” Her response was truthful. To enhance her standing as a daughter, she had learned extensively from online resources.

“There are numerous online piano lessons. When no one was around, 1 practiced…”

“Later, Dad noticed my interest and bought me a new piano. He even arranged for a tutor to teach me systematically.”

This was also accurate. Fang Liguo, recognizing her passion for the piano, had hired a tutor for daily lessons. However, they were unaware of the extent of Fang Jiayi’s learning.

“Is that all? You learned it just like that? The piano is quite intricate. I studied for ten years and only clinched first place in a competition two years ago.” Lu Chen didn’t expect his fiancee to possess such talent. She had only been back in the Fang family for a short period and had already mastered the piano!

“That’s talent! That wretched girl Fang Yuan treated the piano like an ornament and ruined such an expensive instrument!” Song Ling’s heart pained at the thought. “Jiayi is truly exceptional. She achieved second place with just self-learning!”

Fang Jiayi felt a twinge of guilt under their praise. She was well aware of her skill level. In reality, she only knew this particular piece. Although she had received instruction from other tutors, mastering the piano was challenging. Those familiar with the instrument could discern her proficiency! Therefore, she had diligently practiced this piece to ensure a decent performance today, especially knowing that Lu Chen was knowledgeable about the piano.

In that moment, she noticed Lu Chen gazing at her even more tenderly, and it brought her a sense of comfort.

On the stage, the eighth-place winner was presenting his original piano composition.

This year’s competition not only assessed the contestants’ piano-playing abilities but also required them to showcase their own compositions.

Consequently, individuals with high piano proficiency who lacked composition skills were excluded from participating.

Upon the completion of the eighth winner’s performance, he stood up for a bow. Following the host’s lead, applause filled the venue as the seventh-place winner was invited to take the stage.

Suddenly, Qiao Xinhui received a call. Her brows eased, and she softly informed her two daughters, “Your grandmother has been unconscious for a long time. She finally woke up today. Let’s go see her first. We’ll be back shortly.”

“Dad, Mom, go ahead and go,” Cheng Yuqi suggested considerately, then the parents cast a glance at Fang Yuan. “Yuanyuan, feel free to call Mom if you need anything.”

Fang Yuan replied, “Okay..”