Chapter Twenty-Six: The Elegant Piano

This table had already become the center of attention, so everyone witnessed Yang Jiekai’s actions just now, and laughter broke out across the room. Yang Jiekai didn’t care at all; with his usual swagger, he turned to Han Ning and said, “Wife, wait here for me a moment, I need to go take a leak.”

With the crowd still laughing, he nonchalantly made his way toward the restroom.

Han Ning was completely at a loss. Now, all eyes were fixed on her. Thankfully, Yang Jiekai had interrupted just as Zhao Jie was about to speak, even snatching away his wine glass. As Zhao Jie seemed ready to continue, Han Ning quickly interjected, “Thank you, Mr. Zhao, for your kindness. The piece you played was wonderful. I really enjoyed it.”

Ordinarily, such words would be mere polite dismissal, but Zhao Jie was clearly intent on butting heads with Yang Jiekai. Clearing his throat, he insisted, “Xiao Ning, if you liked it, I’ll play another piece for you. For you, I’m willing to do anything.”

Han Ning forced a bitter smile, unsure how to respond. Just as the awkwardness peaked, a melodious piano prelude suddenly drifted through the air.

With that single prelude, the entire hall instantly fell silent, so quiet one could hear a pin drop.

How to describe the sound of this piano that seemed to float in from nowhere? It was the sound of dew clinging to wild grass, the sound of countless birds rising from a bed of flowers, the sound of clouds colliding in the sky.

It was as fluid as a mountain stream, unhurried and unforced.

When Zhao Jie played, cheers and applause filled the hall. Yet now, as this piece began, utter silence reigned.

The difference in skill was obvious—no words were necessary.

It was the timeless classic, “Canon.”

What stunned Han Ning most was the man at the piano. He sat with eyes gently closed, every ounce of his attention focused, his fingers flitting over the black and white keys like the wings of a spirit, gathering all the world’s loveliest notes together.

Who would have imagined that just a moment ago, this pianist had been drinking red wine like it was water, sleeping sprawled across the table, and yelling about needing to pee at such an elegant business event?

Now, he was like a serene prince.

When the piece ended, the audience was so mesmerized they forgot to breathe, let alone applaud.

Yang Jiekai stood up, plucked a rose from a nearby basket, and walked gracefully over to Han Ning, offering it to her with a radiant smile.

Han Ning suddenly felt a wave of shyness, her cheeks flushed red, yet she couldn’t help but accept the rose.

Only then did the audience snap out of their trance, erupting in thunderous applause and all rising to their feet.

“Thank you,” Han Ning murmured softly.

Yang Jiekai glanced around, his smile brighter than sunlight, then said something that once again hushed the room.

“Heh, um, where’s the restroom? I couldn’t find it just now, and I’m about to wet myself.”

Shock, bewilderment, and speechlessness swept through the crowd.

Was this really the same man who had just played the piano like a prince?

Han Ning, too, snapped out of her earlier daze; her bashfulness vanished, replaced by embarrassment.

As for Zhao Jie, he had already disappeared. He wasn’t a fool—he knew if he stayed, he would only invite ridicule.

Thanks to Zhao Jie’s unwitting help, Yang Jiekai and Han Ning became the stars of the evening. Because of this, Han Ning’s negotiations for several projects went exceptionally well, and she gained valuable connections.

At the ball that followed, many tried to invite Han Ning to dance. She didn’t refuse; for people of their social circle, dancing was simply a part of etiquette.

After three dances, Han Ning felt a bit tired and returned to her seat. Noticing Yang Jiekai dozing off beside her, she frowned in exasperation. “Why aren’t you dancing?”

She addressed him proactively because she was in a good mood after her successful negotiations, and Yang Jiekai had played a key—if indirect—role.

Yang Jiekai yawned, “The music doesn’t suit my taste.”

“What kind of music do you like? I can ask the staff to change it.”

Han Ning’s curiosity was piqued. Yang Jiekai had surprised her enough today—not only did this man with a notorious rogue’s demeanor know his wines, he played the piano at a masterful level.

Now she wondered how well he could dance.

Yang Jiekai rolled his shoulders. “Alright, I’ll show you what I can do. Go ask if they have ‘Under the Great River.’”

“Under the Great River?” Han Ning was taken aback. Having attended such high-end events since childhood, she’d never heard of it, but she asked the staff anyway, though they too were unfamiliar with the piece.

“They don’t have it. Can you find it online?” she asked, now intrigued.

Yang Jiekai replied seriously, “What kind of place is this, not even having ‘Under the Great River’?”

Muttering, he pulled out his phone, searched, and handed it to Han Ning. “Here, this is it. Have them play it.”

Han Ning glanced at the screen and was momentarily stunned.

The online description read: “Under the Great River, a famous yangko dance tune…”

She didn’t bother reading further; the mere words ‘yangko dance’ made her feel like thunder was crashing overhead.

“You… want to do a yangko dance?” Han Ning asked in disbelief.

Yang Jiekai nodded earnestly. “When it comes to dancing, I’m passionate about yangko. Go have the staff put on the music and find me a red silk ribbon. I’m really good at it…”

“No!”

Han Ning’s brows knitted. She felt utterly exasperated with him.

“How about ‘Love for Sale’?”

“No!”

“’Poisonous Perfume’?”

“No, no, no! None of those!” Han Ning felt her heart could hardly take any more.

This rascal, did he think this was a public square?

Of course, there was no yangko dance. If there had been, Han Ning would have wished for the ground to swallow her up.

Seeing Han Ning looking troubled, Yang Jiekai asked casually, “Wife, why do you look upset? Did Zhao Jie annoy you? Want me to go beat him up for you?”

Han Ning frowned slightly. It wasn’t that she was upset; on the contrary, thanks to Yang Jiekai’s performance, her projects had gone very well tonight. Only there was one she was determined to win, but the other party was stubbornly refusing to budge.

Following her gaze, Yang Jiekai spotted a middle-aged, overweight man gleefully dancing with a woman.

“You know him?” Yang Jiekai asked, puzzled. That man was the very fugitive he’d been planning to confront. If it weren’t for that, he would have left this tedious party long ago.

“We’ve met in passing. I wanted to secure a project from him tonight, but things haven’t gone smoothly,” Han Ning replied offhandedly.

Yang Jiekai gave a thoughtful “oh,” quickly running the numbers in his mind. Capturing that man would earn him a fifty-thousand reward, but if Han Ning landed the project, it would be worth much more than that.

Weighing his options, Yang Jiekai decided to play the long game. Fifty thousand was a pittance compared to the fortune he might share if his wife’s business succeeded.

Having made up his mind, Yang Jiekai began watching the middle-aged man’s every move, noticing how cautious he was, always keeping his bodyguards close.

Before long, the man finally headed toward the restroom. Yang Jiekai finished his banana, then sauntered after him.

The man was swaying slightly as he relieved himself. Yang Jiekai strolled up, unhurried, and did the same.

Noticing him, the man nodded and smiled. “Young man, you really shone tonight. Impressive! The younger generation is something else.”

Yang Jiekai smiled back. “I need your help with something.”

“What is it?” the man asked.

Yang Jiekai rubbed his nose. “About that project my wife discussed—I hope you’ll reconsider.”

“Oh, that… It’s not that I don’t want to help, but…” The man began spouting excuses.

Yang Jiekai waved him off, then glanced at the two bodyguards nearby. “Could we speak privately?”

The man’s expression changed. “Mr. Yang, you can say whatever you like. These two are my trusted men.”

“I doubt that,” Yang Jiekai replied.

No sooner had the words left his mouth than his body moved—first, a swift chop knocked one guard out, then a hard uppercut sent the other crumpling to the floor.

In less than a second, the two well-paid bodyguards were dispatched with ease.

“What’s the meaning of this?” The man’s face quivered with rage.

Yang Jiekai rubbed his hands together, smiling. “Nothing much. I just wanted a private word. I’m doing this for your own good; some things are best kept secret.”

Leaning in, he whispered something in the man’s ear.

The man’s expression changed instantly.

“Relax. As long as you agree to my wife’s terms, I won’t breathe a word of this.”

Yang Jiekai squinted, his harmless smile making it sound like the most ordinary thing in the world.

“Do you know who I am?” the man growled. Ten years ago, he’d committed a serious assault—he was no pushover. “If you spill this, I’ll use everything I have to destroy you!”

“As you wish,” Yang Jiekai replied calmly. “I’ve said my piece. The rest is up to you. Farewell.”

With that, Yang Jiekai turned and left. As he walked past the unconscious bodyguards, he tapped them each on the back with his toe, waking them.

Returning to Han Ning’s side, Yang Jiekai smiled cheerfully. “I’ve sorted out that project for you.”