Yang Yi did not know, but seeing his woman weep for him, pray for him, and rejoice for him—all of that felt like happiness. In the mundane world, there are always those restless souls, lamenting the blandness of life, the tastelessness of passing days. Thus, amidst the neon glow, more figures appear drowning their sorrows, their numbed spirits incapable of birthing poetic visions of romance, the beauty of the past replaced by the patina of time.

“Perhaps I am one of those people, unwilling to settle for the ordinary, so I began to compromise with endless toil and struggle.” He sighed softly internally, the piano music ceasing. Yang Yi closed his eyes and took a deep breath, as if trying to cushion the oppressive feelings within him, gazing at the two delicate figures already shedding tears in the corner.

“So, he has already endured so much, I…!” The woman’s tears slipped uncontrollably from her eyes, unsure if it was the emotion of the music or the pull of some unspoken connection.

The piece ended. There was no applause, no shouting. Only an expression of deep contemplation etched onto everyone’s face. That such a collective mood could be evoked proved whether the melody Yang Yi played could rival the woman’s performance; it was evident enough. As Yang Yi brushed past the woman, a faint smile touched his lips, and he asked, “I wonder, can you tell me now, how you know my name. And how you knew I could play the piano.”

“Pfft!” Hearing Yang Yi’s question, the woman dissolved her tears into a smile, “Isn’t that simple? Because you and I are students at the same university. Junior Yang, of course, wouldn't know me, but I’ve been troubled by your constant absences from class.”

“Uh!” Yang Yi was taken aback, seemingly recalling her words while simultaneously digging for the true meaning behind what she had said.

“Well, since you have played, I shall also fulfill my promise and offer a piece in return,” the woman said, masking her smile. She walked briskly towards the piano but suddenly turned back. “Oh, right. Junior Yang, we share the same surname. My name is Yang Rong, and I am the President of the Fudan University Student Union, a third-year student.”

“Ah~~~!” Yang Yi was utterly astonished. He hadn't known Fudan University even had a Student Union. He glanced at her blankly, then paid her no further mind and walked back to his seat.

Young Master Zeng Shaolong, who had moments ago hoped to see Yang Yi humiliated, was now simmering with extreme resentment. Hearing that Yang Yi was from the same school as the woman he pursued only deepened the bitterness in his heart. Storms ignited by women were indeed frequent occurrences. But it must be said, this was not the first time Zeng Shaolong had been enraged over a woman.

“Go, find me some people to investigate who that brat is? Dare to compete with me for a woman, he’s just asking for trouble.” Zeng Shaolong ordered the young man standing beside him.

“Yes, Young Master.” A sinister grin briefly crossed the young man’s lips as he turned towards the doorway.

Returning to his seat, Yang Yi found Li Qian and Xia Shiyun both staring at him, tears still visible, which moved him deeply. “Alright, stop crying. It’s not that dramatic. Every time I play the piano, you two always react like this.”

“Hmph, it’s all your fault, you scoundrel, you always manage to strike right into people’s hearts when you play,” Li Qian huffed.

Women were like that, sharp words masking soft hearts, often saying the opposite of what they truly meant. Xia Shiyun, seated to Yang Yi’s left, remained silent, leaning her shoulder against his, eyes closed, perhaps absorbing some ineffable feeling. Yang Yi paused in surprise, then dismissed it. “That woman is from my university, the Student Union President, though I’ve never seen her. Enjoy her piece; it sounds truly excellent.”

“In this world, there is truly no one whose mastery of the piano can rival yours; that is the most sincere feeling in my heart,” Xia Shiyun stated quietly.

Yang Yi naturally wrapped an arm around her, saying nothing. It seemed that gesture conveyed everything he wished to express.

The piano music began again. This time, it wasn't under Yang Yi’s hands, but those of Yang Rong. This piece held no sorrow, nor did it stir excitement; instead, it imparted a feeling of profound tranquility.

“Yi, between her and Sister Shiyun, whose piano skills are higher?” Li Qian asked.

“Hehe, these things cannot be compared; each has their own strengths!” Yang Yi replied with a faint smile.

In truth, he felt an inexplicable curiosity toward this woman, and a nagging sense of familiarity that he couldn't place. When the music ended, the woman didn't approach Yang Yi again. She merely bowed politely, offered Yang Yi a smile, and departed. The patrons of the restaurant were there primarily to eat; they hadn't come for extraneous drama, after all, filling one’s stomach was paramount. However, some people always invited trouble, like Zeng Shaolong, who now stood by the entrance, coldly glancing at Yang Yi.

“Scoundrel, see? He’s furious with you now.” Li Qian shook her head helplessly. She was accustomed to such situations. As the granddaughter of a powerful figure, she naturally possessed an extraordinary breadth of experience, and having been with Yang Yi for so long, she had witnessed far more incidents like this.

“…………” Yang Yi didn't speak, slowly continuing to eat his meal and sip his wine, entirely unconcerned by the young master's movements.

Seeing Yang Yi ignore him, Zeng Shaolong’s gaze shifted to the two beauties beside Yang Yi, and he inwardly questioned himself, “Haven’t I seen these two somewhere before? Hmm? Can’t recall right now. Hmph, no matter who they are, if he dares to compete with me for a woman, he’s going to regret it.”

After leaving the restaurant, Yang Rong did not drive away. Instead, she slid into a waiting car parked directly across the street from the establishment, watching. “Hmm, getting closer to him seems quite difficult.”

Not long after, the young man from earlier returned, approaching Zeng Shaolong’s table and addressing him, “Young Master!”

“Did you find out anything?” Zeng Shaolong asked.

“I did, Young Master. His name is Yang Yi, a freshman at Fudan University.”

“Is that all?”

“Uh, yes, that’s all.”

After hearing the young man’s report, Zeng Shaolong paused in thought before speaking. He shot a dark look towards Yang Yi, who was still smiling smugly nearby. “Go and summon those people I hired last time. Offer them double the previous price. You don’t need me to tell you what to do next, do you?”

“Yes, Young Master, I know exactly what to do.” The young man nodded with a wicked smirk, thinking to himself, Heh heh, more money to be made.

In the blink of an eye, the young man appeared in a narrow alley. Less than ten minutes after hanging up the phone, several bare-chested ruffians, toothpicks dangling from their mouths and looking thoroughly arrogant, emerged from the other side of the alley.

“Hey, Old Turtle, what’s the job for us?” one of the thugs asked, carrying a baseball bat resting on his shoulder.

“Haha, of course, I’m calling you because there’s money to be made. This job will be done swiftly,” the young man called Old Turtle grinned mischievously. “That fellow Zeng Shaolong is offering you double the price from last time to handle something for him. There’s a brat who doesn’t know his place, and you need to teach him a lesson.”

“Really?” The man with the baseball bat spat out his toothpick, asking in feigned astonishment.

“Really. The target is at the Music Restaurant not far from here. Listen to my instructions later. Do a good job, and if you handle this one, there will be a next time.”

“No problem, leave it to us brothers.”

“Good, follow me.” Old Turtle said, leading them in another direction.

These men were local Shanghai thugs, known for frequenting fights and causing trouble due to their local connections. The small-time thugs following the man with the baseball bat all looked brazen, their eyes betraying lewd smiles. They whispered amongst themselves, “Boss, we’ve got the money secured for some ladies at the bar tonight.”

“Yeah, tsk tsk!” The man with the baseball bat chuckled lecherously. “It’s been days since we’ve had any girls. This is a great opportunity; let’s put on a good show later.”

“Yes, Boss,” the thugs replied, laughing.

“Why hasn’t that bastard Old Turtle shown up yet? They’re almost finished eating,” Zeng Shaolong muttered, watching Yang Yi and his companions who were nearly done with their meal and showing signs of leaving.

Just then, the young man, Old Turtle, returned, a sinister smile plastered on his face. “Young Master, it is done.”

“Done? Then why aren’t you moving?” Zeng Shaolong demanded.

“Young Master, don't rush. Now is not the right time to act. Don’t forget this is a restaurant; causing trouble inside will be very messy. We’ll deal with him once he’s outside,” Old Turtle advised.

“Ah, good man. Tell those brutes to teach that kid a serious lesson, one that leaves him incapable of competing with me for women. As for the money, I can certainly add more,” Zeng Shaolong said darkly, glancing toward Yang Yi.

“Understood. Wait and see, Young Master,” Old Turtle replied before walking out of the restaurant again.

After eating their fill, Yang Yi turned to Li Qian and Xia Shiyun. “Actually, there’s something important I needed to tell you both today.”

“What is it?” Li Qian and Xia Shiyun both asked him curiously.