As soon as Fu Weiheng entered the study, he threw his suit jacket onto the sofa, unbuttoned his shirt with one hand, tugged off his tie, and then leaned back on the comfortable chaise lounge, closing his eyes to rest.
This study was about fifty square meters, with walls paneled in vermillion wood. The bookshelves on the walls were over three meters high, neatly arranged with various collections of books and biographies. Directly in front of the bookshelves was a purely decorative fireplace, and a delicate crystal chandelier hung from the ceiling, casting a bright and transparent light, very luxurious.
Having just returned from the United States, Fu Weiheng had yet to adjust to the time difference, and the busy morning had left him exhausted.
In the lazy and quiet afternoon, the ginkgo trees in the courtyard rested comfortably. Occasionally, a gentle breeze would pass by, and the ginkgo leaves would rustle as if little elves were dancing gracefully.
A deep, lingering cello sound suddenly echoed in the grand house. The music was gentle and soothing, like a mellow and soothing whisper, touching the heartstrings.
"Amazing Grace"?
Fu Weiheng closed his eyes, his brows slightly knitted.
The same cello, the same "Amazing Grace."
The blurry image of the girl in London Park from four years ago subconsciously emerged in his mind.
With a flash of memory, Fu Weiheng suddenly got up and walked to the low cabinet by the fireplace. He opened the cabinet door, took out the violin case inside, and placed it on the desk.
His fingertips touched the clasp, opened the lock, and as he lifted the cover, a finely crafted violin immediately came into view. The orange-yellow body, with tiger-stripe-like patterns on the back, gleamed as if freshly waxed. The four slender strings and long bow made the violin stand elegantly.
He reached out, his slender fingers gently plucking a string, the bright violin sound piercing the silence of the room.
How long had it been since he played the violin? Two years? Or three?
The rich cello sound once again filled his ears, as if hypnotizing him, the melody and music drifting in and out, sometimes strong, sometimes weak. He picked up the violin, tuned it slightly, then slightly tilted his head to rest it under his chin, holding the violin with his left hand and the bow with his right.
Then, following the cello's melody, he began to play along with the beautiful music.
The violin's high pitch and the cello's deep tones responded to each other, adding a touch of color to this leisurely afternoon.
As the piece ended, Su Wan put down her bow, frowning slightly in confusion. She had just... seemed to hear the sound of a violin.
"Teacher Su!"
A clear child's voice rang out at the door. Su Wan turned her head to look, smiling with pursed lips: "Fanfan's back?"
"Yeah! Teacher Su, this piece is really nice!" Ye Fan put down her schoolbag, happily walking to Su Wan, still immersed in the music she just heard.
Su Wan gently stroked the girl's fine hair, smiling with her brows and eyes, "When Fanfan grows a little older, teacher will teach you how to play this piece, okay?"
"Okay!"
"Wanwan, I'm really sorry to have kept you waiting for so long." Fu Weijin entered the room carrying a child's cello, apologizing slightly, "Today, Fanfan's school had everyone do a big clean-up, so she was released from school a bit late."
Su Wan quickly waved her hand to show it was fine, comforting, "No, no, I just got here not long ago too."
The woman before him smiled beautifully, with an ethereal and refined demeanor like a classical beauty stepped out of a painting, bright and incomparable.
Fu Weijin chuckled lightly, "Then I won't disturb you," before turning to close the door and leave.
Placing the violin back into its case, Fu Weiheng closed the lid and pondered for a moment, then turned and walked toward the door. Just as he turned the doorknob, the phone on the desk suddenly buzzed.
Fu Weiheng paused for a moment, then turned and walked to the desk to answer.
"Mr. Fu." Zhang Lin, the assistant, said on the other end, "The branch office in the United States is waiting for you to join the video conference."
His thick eyebrows furrowed, Fu Weiheng hung up the phone, had no choice but to sit back in his office chair and open the computer. The slightest bit of softness in his expression instantly turned to a handsome coldness and seriousness.
...
Almost an hour long video conference ended, Fu Weiheng shut down the computer, rubbed his brow, and casually picked up a pack of Su Yan from beside him. Taking out a cigarette and just about to light it, he suddenly remembered the cello sound from earlier, then looked up and his gaze was drawn to the graceful figure outside the floor-to-ceiling window.
She carried a cello over her left shoulder, her high ponytail cascading down her white neck. The wide skirt hem fluttered with her hurried steps, those small hands slender and fair, hastily pulling out a phone from her bag.
"Just finished class, I came right over…"
The gentle yet urgent voice spread slowly in the spacious courtyard.
Almost involuntarily, Fu Weiheng stood up and walked to the floor-to-ceiling window, watching her leave.
Just a piece of music, a silhouette, and he was so entranced. He furrowed his brows, then tossed the crumpled Su Yan cigarette he held into the trash can.
A knock on the door sounded, and Fu Weiheng sat back in his chair, as the old housekeeper entered, pushing a crimson invitation card towards him: "Sir, this is the invitation to the Ke Yi Group's young mistress's wedding banquet tonight."
"Just leave it there."
Such social banquet events were what Fu Weiheng least wanted to attend, but since the head of Ke Yi Group was an old friend of his grandfather, he could not possibly disregard the old man's face.
The old housekeeper bowed slightly and prepared to leave. Fu Weiheng suddenly spoke again, "Who was just playing the violin?"
Vincent turned back with a slight smile, "It was Miss Fanfan's cello teacher."
Fu Weiheng opened his eyes and gazed outside, his eyes deep and serene: "I understand, you may go."