Chapter 40

When Emma made this suggestion, John immediately felt a headache coming on.

Although Miss Phillips played the piano very well, John had no talent in this area at all. After half a year of learning, he had only just managed to recognize all the keys and could barely play some of the simplest pieces.

Playing a piece now would be embarrassing, wouldn't it?

Seeing the mischievous look in Emma's big eyes, John couldn't help but grit his teeth, wishing he could stuff a big piece of bread in her mouth to shut her up.

This girl was definitely doing it on purpose!

However, the others were quite interested in this suggestion. Funk even laughed and chimed in, "That's right, John, play a piece... well, although you've only been learning for half a year, you should know some simple pieces, right?"

John was speechless.

It seemed that no matter whether it was over a hundred years later or now, watching a friend make a fool of themselves was one of many people's favorite pastimes, especially in a setting like a family gathering where everyone was close and had fewer reservations.

"John."

At that moment, Old Hunter's voice drifted over from a distance: "Go play a piece, as my third birthday gift."

"Uh... okay."

With his grandfather's command, John had no way to avoid it and had to walk to the piano with a stiff upper lip.

"Money isn't always a good thing."

Sitting down at the piano, John sighed inwardly. Old Hunter had never learned to play the piano and certainly wouldn't play it, but this piano had already been in the house before John came to New York, and according to Hans, it had been bought several years ago. He had always wondered why they bought it if no one in the family could play.

Now he finally understood—it was for gatherings like this!

Under the smiling gazes of the others, John's mind was racing. Although everyone knew he had only been learning for half a year, playing too poorly would definitely be embarrassing. So, John had already made up his mind to play the simplest piece, at least one that wouldn't be too easy to mess up!

What could be simpler and more appropriate than that song?

With this thought, John no longer hesitated. He lowered his head, found the right position on the keyboard, and pressed the keys with somewhat stiff fingers.

"Huh? What piece is this?"

Hearing John play the piano, Emma's face immediately showed confusion. She had started practicing the piano at the age of five but had never heard the piece John was playing.

And...

"This is too simple, isn't it?"

Joshua also blinked and couldn't help but laugh.

Everyone could tell that in just a few seconds, John had already started repeating the melody. Was this piano piece really that short, and then just repeated?

However, it did sound nice.

Just as everyone was puzzled and wondering if John was just playing randomly, he started the third repetition. This time, as the music began, his slightly sharp voice also rang out: "Happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you..."

...

The music ended, and the guests dispersed.

After a lively celebration of Old Hunter's 63rd birthday, the guests gradually left.

The last to leave were the Stones. Before they left, Emma ran to John's side, tilted her head, and looked at him for a while before pouting and asking, "John, did you really write that 'Happy Birthday' song yourself?"

"Um."

Sighing inwardly, John mumbled a response. He hadn't realized before he sang it that this song hadn't appeared yet, at least not in New York.

Pouting, although a bit不服气 (unwilling to admit defeat), Emma still nodded: "Although it's simple, the melody is quite nice... Can you give me the sheet music?"

"No!"

John immediately shook his head. He hadn't even learned how to write sheet music, so how could he have it?

But seeing that Emma seemed unwilling to let it go, John quickly smiled and said, "You can write the sheet music yourself. It's just four lines, very simple."

After thinking for a moment, Emma nodded and said no more.

The "Happy Birthday" song was indeed very simple, so simple that anyone with a basic knowledge of music could easily reproduce it. Emma was certainly confident she could do it...

...

Finally sending off the Emma family, John let out a long sigh of relief.

However, when he turned around and saw Old Hunter sitting on the sofa with a serious look, waiting for him, John's head started to hurt again. But he still walked over and sat down next to his grandfather.

"I liked all the gifts today."

After John sat down, Old Hunter said calmly, "Especially that song, it was very interesting. Also, the design of your little knife is quite ingenious. We can have the factory produce it. As for the razor..."

"Is it not practical?"

Seeing Old Hunter hesitate, John asked curiously. In theory, this manual razor should have been the mainstream before the invention of the electric razor. Why was everyone so indifferent?

Shaking his head, Old Hunter smiled slightly, "Although it's convenient, most people have their beards shaved by others and rarely buy something to do it at home."

"Uh..."

Old Hunter's reason was tactful, but John was still speechless.

"However, we can try producing it."

Afraid that John would be disappointed, Old Hunter added slowly.

Nodding, John didn't insist. He only knew that the safety razor was invented by Gillette and eventually became a huge company, but a lot could happen in over a hundred years. The patent's validity period was only so long, and it was just a gift for his grandfather's birthday.

After discussing today's events, John was a bit tired. Just as he was about to get up and say he was going upstairs, Old Hunter suddenly spoke again, "John, about Miss Phillips... I've decided to terminate her employment contract."

"Why?"

John was immediately alarmed and quickly asked, "Is it because of her leave? I can explain that..."

"It's not about the leave."

Waving his hand, Old Hunter interrupted John and said calmly.

"Then..."

John was puzzled and stared intently at his grandfather's eyes. He was quite satisfied with Miss Phillips and didn't want to replace her easily, as it would take time to adapt to a new tutor.

However, Old Hunter's expression didn't change, and he said firmly, "I was quite satisfied with Miss Phillips, although her past behavior was somewhat inappropriate... she was still a qualified tutor. However, her situation has changed, and she is no longer suitable to be your tutor."

"What change?"

John blurted out the question, then immediately frowned and asked, "Did you send someone to investigate her?"

"Of course!"

Old Hunter gave John a strange look and frowned, "Do you think I would let just anyone be your tutor? All four of them were carefully selected."

"But, what exactly happened?"

John wouldn't give up and pressed on.

"Alright, that's enough."

At this point, Old Hunter's autocratic nature took over. He stood up and said calmly, "Starting next month, you will have a new tutor. For the time being, you can arrange your afternoons as you like..."

With that, Old Hunter went upstairs.

John sat quietly on the sofa, his furrowed brows and restless eyes betraying his unease.

He didn't care about the hundred dollars he had given Miss Phillips, but he felt very uncomfortable about the whole situation. He had seen what happened that day and was sure that something significant had happened in her family, and they needed financial support. Yet, Old Hunter was firing her at this time!

John couldn't accept that.

He wasn't a saint, but he wasn't a cold-blooded person either. After spending half a year with Miss Phillips, he had developed some feelings for her, and he quite liked her as a tutor.

"No, I must find out what happened."

His eyes flickered, and John made up his mind. He got up and walked upstairs...