Don't Say You're Heartless (Modern Edition)

42 Singing

Shen Qiuhua picked up the bamboo chopsticks and tapped the edge of the bowl, producing a crisp, clear sound.

"Last night the cold crickets would not stop chirping. I was startled awake from a dream of distant lands; it was already midnight. I got up and walked alone around the steps. All was silent, the moon faintly shone outside the curtain. I have grown old chasing fame and fortune. The pines and bamboo of my old mountain home have aged too, blocking my return path. I wish to entrust my thoughts to the jade zither, But there are so few who understand-who will hear my song when the strings break?"

Her lips parted gently as she sang, her voice melodious and accompanied by the crisp tapping of the bowls, sounding like heavenly music that could reach the halls of the palace.

Unlike most women who preferred delicate, lyrical poems, Shen Qiuhua, influenced by her father and brother, often gravitated towards bold and vigorous works. She had read this poem, 'Xiao Chong Shan' by Yue Fei, when she was very young. She still remembered her father's words at the time: Yue Fei knew how to train soldiers, but he didn't understand the emperor's heart. His tragedy was inevitable, regardless of who sat on the throne. After experiencing years of political intrigue herself, Shen Qiuhua had finally come to understand the heart of an emperor. As she sang now, there was a certain weariness in her tone.

When the song ended, the room was completely silent. Suddenly, someone stood up and started clapping. Shen Qiuhua turned to see that it was Lu Shaojie. Without any hesitation, he walked over to her and said, "That was beautiful!"

Shen Qiuhua smiled. "Just a playful performance. Thank you for the compliment."

Only then did the applause erupt throughout the room, accompanied by the playful teasing of the crowd. Gao Yu jumped over and hugged Shen Qiuhua. "Qiuhua, you're amazing! When did you learn that? Even I didn't know. You have to tell us everything else you can do!"

Hearing Gao Yu's question, Shen Qiuhua shook her head. "That's it. I only learned this for fun, it's nothing worth mentioning."

"What do you mean 'nothing'? My Qiuhua is incredible!" Gao Yu declared as she planted a kiss on Shen Qiuhua's cheek.

Shen Qiuhua was completely unprepared. Perhaps Gao Yu saw it as a sign of friendship, but for Shen Qiuhua, it was different. Startled, she took two steps back, forgetting that the small table with the bowls was right behind her. She stumbled and was about to fall.

"Careful!" Lu Shaojie quickly caught her, steadying her.

The whole sequence of events happened in an instant. Once Shen Qiuhua regained her balance, Lu Shaojie let go, and the room erupted in whistles and cheers so loud they could have blown the doors open.

"Oh no, it's all my fault! Are you okay, Qiuhua?" Gao Yu rushed over, checking on her from head to toe.

"I'm fine." Shen Qiuhua, ever the refined lady, was only flustered for a brief moment. She quickly composed herself, thanked Lu Shaojie, and didn't seem bothered by the crowd's teasing. She pulled Gao Yu back to their seats.

Liu Jin chuckled softly. "You must have been planning this for a while, huh? Just to wow everyone today."

Shen Qiuhua didn't even look at Liu Jin. She simply continued chatting with Gao Yu about the techniques for tapping the bowls.

"Princess, that's enough," Annoying Pig finally spoke up. He was the most observant one of the group, and he could tell that while Shen Qiuhua and Lü Shaojie didn't mind the playful teasing, Liu Jin's constant jabs were crossing a line. This was a class reunion, after all, and he didn't want it to end on a sour note.

Liu Jin raised an eyebrow. "Even you're taking her side?"

"I..." Annoying Pig was at a loss for words. "We're all classmates. It's not right for you to act like this."