Chapter 17

As spring turned to autumn, Fiyue and Qin Yue had already advanced to their second year of high school. During this time, some minor and major events occurred, but overall, things were relatively peaceful.

Firstly, Fiyue and Qin Yue were designated as active members for party membership, or rather, they were "designated." When Liu Siqian, with a smile, handed them two red party application forms that were clearly different from others, their surprised expressions were quite amusing.

Secondly, because a pair of seats in the class were mysteriously left vacant, Fiyue finally became desk partners with his sister again after a five-year separation. Qin Yue was overjoyed about this, and as a result, the speed at which people ate at the STAY restaurant increased significantly.

Indeed, Qin Yue was now in her second year of high school. With some deliberate ambiguity, she was no longer considered child labor, so she received her first formal employment contract. Of course, her wages remained the same as part of her work-study program. However, given the current trend of decreasing prices, this was not bad.

Lastly, it was about Fiyue. Recently, Fiyue had started researching robots, or more specifically, powered machinery. Qian Lai did not have much faith in his research, as it was almost impossible for a second-year high school student. However, years of friendship or perhaps a pure gambling mentality led the wealthy Qian Lai to invest in a dedicated research center for him. Although this small research center, named "Madman's Power Machinery Research Institute," only had one laboratory and one control room, Fiyue's name was listed as the head.

Madman, indeed, to protect his sister, Fiyue could be more疯狂 than anyone. To help his sister, who had developed a suspected phobia of turbines, find a means of transportation, Fiyue began a bold innovation in powered machinery.

Well, there were no significant results yet.

While Fiyue was busy working on a machine that could move without relying on material fuel, something very... well, awkward happened. However, as the saying goes, "Fortune and misfortune are interdependent," so it might turn out to be a good thing. Uh, I got a bit off track. Actually, Qin Yue suddenly lost her job.

============================ The Unemployment Line ============================

On the evening of November 14, 2020, Qin Yue still went to STAY to play the piano as a part-time job.

Actually, Qin Yue still preferred the harp, and Xiao Nuo had never been neglected. However, the prevailing environment was such that the piano was considered the most elegant instrument, and all others had to take a back seat. This made Qin Yue, who loved the harp, a bit uncomfortable. But for the sake of Liu Jie, the supervisor at STAY, she put up with it. Qin Yue consoled herself.

That day was no different. Qin Yue carried her black rabbit doll into the lobby of STAY. Supervisor Liu Jie was waiting for her.

"Liu Jie." Qin Yue waved her black rabbit at the elegant woman in her 40s.

Liu Jie pulled Qin Yue aside, looked around solemnly, and then said in a spy-like tone, "Qin Yue, you need to perform well today."

"Huh? I haven't been slacking off." Qin Yue tilted her head, puzzled, and pouted.

"No, there's a very important guest today, someone with a terrifyingly high status."

"An important guest?"

"Yes, the future heir of the Southern Su Group, Su Lei, is dining inside. For some reason, the young master insisted on sitting in the hall today, so you must do your best." Liu Jie winked at her and added, "Seize the opportunity; this could be your chance to rise to the top."

"Don't joke, Liu Jie. I'm only 17."

"The young master is only 24, just 7 years older than you."

...

Qin Yue took a deep breath, calmed herself, and walked toward the only piano in the hall bathed in white light. The moon-white Bechstein piano was shining brightly under the white spotlight.

Qin Yue habitually smoothed her long hair beside the spotlight, then stepped into the spotlight, bowed to the audience, and sat down to play quietly.

A piece of music that no one had ever heard before slowly flowed from Qin Yue's fingers, like an underground river that had never been discovered for thousands of years, gradually revealing its grandeur and magnificence.

"What is this piece? I've never heard it."

"Right, I've never seen it. But it's really beautiful."

"Indeed, it's really beautiful. Could she have composed it herself?"

"Unlikely. I estimate only a few people could play such a difficult piece. It's impressive that she can play it. Someone must have taught her."

"..."

Most of the people present were well-informed, so it wasn't difficult to determine that this was a previously unheard piano piece.

In fact, this piece, "The Voice of Freedom," was the result of Qin Yue's efforts over the past few months. Since Fiyue had devoted most of his energy to powered machinery, he had somewhat neglected her. Seeing her brother happily busy with his favorite cause, Qin Yue didn't want to disturb him. But what could she do without her brother? After months of contemplation, this piece was born.

At a secluded table in the corner, three men and one woman were also listening to the heavenly music, occasionally offering their insights. Clearly, their level of expertise was much higher than that of the crowd outside.

"This is definitely an original composition. Only the composer could express the meaning so perfectly," said the man in the dark blue suit.

"Freedom, a girl yearning for freedom? This girl is a great talent, destined for greatness," said the only middle-aged woman, swaying her wine glass and enjoying the auditory feast. "I want to take her as my apprentice."

The man in the innermost seat did not join the conversation of the other three. He simply listened quietly, felt, and savored, until the end of the piece.

"Ah, exquisite, unparalleled." The quiet man finally opened his eyes and gave his objective evaluation. "San'er."

A dark figure suddenly appeared from the shadows. He had been standing there all along, but no one had noticed his presence until he appeared.

"Yes, Young Master."

"Ninety-nine roses, I want to give them to the girl on stage."

"Yes, Young Master." The dark figure disappeared with a 'swish' and returned in less than ten seconds, holding a large bouquet of Samantha roses, the dewdrops on which sparkled under the spotlight.

The man nodded, took the bouquet, and stood up. The man next to him jumped up to make way for him.

The man slowly walked past the tables, like a king strolling through his garden with a bouquet of flowers, heading toward his queen.

Not far away, Supervisor Liu Jie watched the man, who was intently looking at Qin Yue, with wide eyes.

"No, no, I was just joking, really..."

...

Qin Yue, who had just finished her performance, tilted her head in confusion, looking at the man beside her. He was tall, even standing below the stage, he was a bit taller than her. He was handsome, definitely at the level of a popular idol. He was rich, as evidenced by the large bouquet of the most precious Samantha roses in his hand, which were freshly picked and thus even more expensive. Using such expensive items to woo a girl, he must be very wealthy.

But, he seemed to be giving the flowers to her? Red roses, this is troublesome, brother, come and save your sister.

"Sir?"

Qin Yue placed her hands on the piano keys and looked at the man beside her. "Is there something you need?"

The man did not respond, or rather, he had forgotten how to respond. He had never seen a girl who moved him so much. At that moment, he felt like a pure young boy hesitating to confess to his first love. His heart pounded in his chest, like a hydraulic motor after drinking nitrous oxide, operating at 120% of its capacity. A surge of adrenaline flooded his bloodstream, reaching every cell, and the intense stimulation left his mind blank. In his world, there was only the pure girl under the spotlight.

"Sir, you're making it hard for me to perform."

"Uh, ah, oh." The man suddenly came to his senses, remembering his purpose. "I really like your music. Can you accept this?" He pushed the roses toward the girl, and the roses, entering the spotlight, shone brightly, almost illuminating the entire hall.

Qin Yue looked at the roses that completely blocked her view, then a puzzled voice came from behind the bouquet.

"I'm sorry, sir, I don't know you, but you seem like a good person, so I can't accept this."

The man froze, the young master who had never experienced failure, dumbly took back the roses that the girl pushed back to his chest, and dumbly walked back to his seat, then dumbly thought about all sorts of things, not hearing a word of what the people around him were saying.

"I'm a good person? She said I'm a good person? I should be a good person? What should a good person do?..."

...

The next day, Qin Yue was called to the office by Liu Jie, who was smiling bitterly. There, Liu Jie handed her a thick envelope.

"?"

"It's for you. Although it's regrettable, I have to say, you probably can't come here anymore."

"Ah? Why?"

"Well, how to say it, my jinx came true. Remember the young master Su I mentioned when you first came?"

"Yes, I remember."

"But you offended him. Our small business can't withstand the pressure from the Su family."

"..."

"The fool who sent me the flowers?"

"Uh... Yes, that's Su Lei, the future heir of the Su Group."

...

Qin Yue, feeling dejected, left STAY with the heavy envelope in her hand. She would never be able to play the piano here again, and Liu Jie even asked her not to come near the place.

Is power really that terrifying? Everyone seems to fear it like a tiger. Qin Yue looked up at the STAY restaurant's sign and sighed, walking to the other side of the street, where Fiyue was waiting for her.

"Brother..."

"What's wrong? You don't seem very happy."

"I lost my job..."

"Ah? Why?"

"Someone sent me flowers today, and I didn't accept them. The manager was afraid of trouble and fired me."

"..."

"That's not bad. If you don't have a job, I'll support you, for life if necessary."

"Cut it out... I'm not going to be a freeloader. I can earn money too."

"But you lost your job..."

"But the supervisor gave me the wages for 100 hours of work, a thick stack." Qin Yue waved her black rabbit, which was holding the envelope tightly.

"Wow... That's impressive."

"Isn't it? I'm very capable."

In the playful banter, the sadness gradually faded.

...

"How about we open a restaurant in the future?"

"Ah?"

"What do you mean, 'ah'? We'll open a restaurant, and every day, we'll let those rich kids kick iron plates and then beat them up. How does that sound? It feels pretty good."

"Uh, it does sound good, but..."

"But what? It's decided. We'll open a restaurant, a restaurant, a restaurant..."

...

"Miss, wait a moment." A middle-aged woman with a literary air suddenly caught up to them.

"? " The siblings stopped.

"Be my apprentice." The woman adjusted her glasses, which had been slightly askew from running a few steps. "I am Cheng Liusu, the dean of the Music Department at Pan Yan University. Here is my business card."

The page turns, and the advertisement begins.

The page turns, and the advertisement ends.