Ah! The Villains I Forced to Turn Evil Can Read My Mind-Chapter 255

Qiao Chuchu glanced around, picked up a gray woolen sweater, and stood on tiptoe to drape it over him, soothing him, "Don't think like that. Once you recover, you’ll be just like him."

Shi Yu looked at her tiptoeing and curled the corners of his lips, obediently bending down to put on the sweater. "Mm, I’ll take your kind words to heart, Miss Qiao."

Shen Zhuoyan: "..."

Shi Yu continued, "Since Miss Qiao rarely visits me, I’d like to share some personal thoughts with you. Perhaps your bodyguard could step outside for a moment?"

Shen Zhuoyan: "No."

Qiao Chuchu blinked in surprise and turned to Shen Zhuoyan. "Why not?"

Shen Zhuoyan’s expression darkened. "Mr. Pei Yuan specifically instructed me not to leave your side for even a moment. If something were to happen while I’m gone, I wouldn’t be able to answer to him."

Shi Yu smoothly interjected, "Alright, no need to insist then."

With a warm smile, he turned to Qiao Chuchu. "Since I have some strength now, how about I play a tune for you?"

Qiao Chuchu hesitated, then firmly refused. "You’re still so weak—playing would be exhausting. Let’s not bother."

[Besides, ​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌‍playing music for me feels a little strange.]

Despite his frailty, Shi Yu was adamant. "It’s no trouble. You’re my guest, and as the host, it’s only right for me to perform for you."

Leaning on his cane, he made his way to the instrument cabinet. "I’ll play the guqin for you."

The cabinet door slid open automatically.

He reached for the guqin with difficulty.

Qiao Chuchu couldn’t bear to watch him struggle and quickly stepped forward to lift the instrument down, placing it on the table.

Shi Yu gave her a grateful look. "Thank you, Miss Qiao."

His gaze lingered, almost tangible, and his fingertips brushed lightly against her hand as she withdrew.

Qiao Chuchu chuckled awkwardly, rubbing her hands together. "No need to thank me."

She couldn’t help wondering: [Is Shi Yu trying to win me over with his music?]

[Probably not—I shouldn’t flatter myself.]

Shi Yu settled into his seat, slender fingers resting gracefully on the strings.

Her eyes were inevitably drawn to his hands.

Perhaps due to his prolonged illness, Shi Yu’s hands were even paler and more delicate than Pei Che’s.

Pei Che had the most beautiful hands among the people she knew.

But Shi Yu’s fingers were more slender, each joint tinged with a faint pink, as if naturally dusted with rouge.

Even the faint blue veins on the back of his hands seemed like delicate embellishments.

She couldn’t look away.

[Such beautiful hands—as if they were made for playing music.]

Shen Zhuoyan couldn’t help but glance down at his own fingers.

His hands were long, but the knuckles were broader, noticeably rougher than Shi Yu’s, with thick calluses lining his palms.

Displeased, he tucked his hands behind his back, standing like a brooding statue.

Shi Yu stole a glance at Qiao Chuchu, his smile deepening as he plucked the strings, sending a melodious tune drifting through the air.

All of Qiao Chuchu’s reservations melted away as she listened intently.

Shi Yu played with effortless grace, as if he belonged to another era, every movement exuding scholarly refinement.

His fingers danced lightly over the strings, and when his eyes met Qiao Chuchu’s, he smiled softly.

Outside the door, Yun Sui and Grandpa Shi pressed their ears against the wood, exchanging excited glances when the music began.

Heavens!

Shi Yu was playing!

He even had the strength to play!

Yun Sui was on the verge of tears, slapping Grandpa Shi’s shoulder. "Didn’t I tell you our grandson needed the right person? You didn’t believe me! Now look—he’s barely woken up from his coma and he’s already playing for her!"

Grandpa Shi’s eyes reddened with emotion. "That’s my grandson for you—knowing exactly how to charm a girl with music. Takes after me! These days, pianos are a dime a dozen—if you want to impress someone, it’s gotta be a traditional Chinese instrument!"

Yun Sui shot him a reproachful look. "Is that the point? The point is that our grandson is getting better! He wants to eat, and he even has the strength to sit up and play!"

Grandpa Shi nodded eagerly, seeking her opinion. "Should I go in and greet the girl now?"

"Not yet! We can’t interrupt—this is their time to connect. Let them have dinner together later!"

Wiping her tears, Yun Sui clasped her hands in gratitude. "Miss Qiao coming to our home, even entering Shi Yu’s bedroom—it was all fate!"

By etiquette, she shouldn’t have allowed her into Shi Yu’s private quarters.

But she had been so afraid he might slip away that she hadn’t left his side.

Propriety meant nothing compared to life itself.

So she had let Qiao Chuchu in.

This content is taken from freёnovelkiss.com.

Now it was clear—every step had been preordained!

Dabbing her eyes, Yun Sui nudged the old man away. "Come on, let’s not get in the way of young love. We’ve got other things to prepare."

Just then, the music came to an end, Shi Yu’s hands resting on the strings.

Qiao Chuchu clapped, genuinely impressed. "That was beautiful!"

Shi Yu lowered his gaze with a modest smile, then glanced at Shen Zhuoyan. "Can your bodyguard play? Would he like to try?"

Shen Zhuoyan’s expression had been stormy since meeting Shi Yu. Glowering, he replied, "I don’t play."

Shi Yu tilted his head, blinking innocently. "Not even the piano? I have one here."

Shen Zhuoyan: "...Not the piano either."

He’d never had an interest in music, having spent his childhood training in martial arts instead.

Shi Yu nodded in understanding, a hint of smugness flickering in his eyes. "Some people are gifted in physical skills but less so in music. Like me—I might be decent with instruments, but I’m frail. I’d trade it all for your health."

Shen Zhuoyan: "..."

Qiao Chuchu quickly interjected, "Don’t say that. No one in my family can play the guqin like you. It’s your passion, so you’ve honed it. The rest of us don’t have such hobbies."

"Miss Qiao must have her own talents." Shi Yu smiled warmly at her. "You paint, and you paint well. Your artwork is already hanging in my studio. So far, 'Dragon Slayer' is the finest piece there."

She was taken aback by the praise, lowering her head shyly. "That’s all I’ve got. If I don’t practice, I’d be good at nothing—I’m not exactly a scholar."

Shi Yu leaned on his cane and stepped closer, extending a hand to her. "Don’t say that, Miss Qiao."

Qiao Chuchu looked up at him.

His gaze was like a pool of tender spring water. "I’ve always admired your work. It gives me strength."

She froze, unsure how to respond.

Shen Zhuoyan glanced between them and loudly cleared his throat. "Ahem!"

Qiao Chuchu snapped back to reality, standing abruptly. "It’s getting late—I should go."

Shi Yu’s expression faltered, and he suddenly broke into a coughing fit. "Cough—cough!"

Qiao Chuchu reached out to steady him. "What’s wrong? Are you feeling unwell?"

Shi Yu gently pushed her hand away, maintaining distance. "It’s nothing—just an old ailment. I’m used to it."

He looked at Qiao Chuchu with sorrow and muttered gloomily, "Go ahead, Miss Qiao. I know I don’t have what it takes to keep you. The most I can do for you is play the piano."

He then glanced at Shen Zhuoyan. "If I were stronger—if I could be like this gentleman here—I’d follow you around every day as your bodyguard."

Shen Zhuoyan finally couldn’t hold back. "Why do you keep comparing yourself to me?!"

Qiao Chuchu turned to him in surprise. "Why are you being so harsh?"

Shen Zhuoyan was visibly irritated. "Because he keeps measuring himself against me! Saying he’s weak and I’m strong, making it seem like I’m some chest-thumping gorilla while he’s the refined scholar who plays the piano!"