Chapter 13: Obstruction
Lu Jinyan was true to his word—he gave A Li a stern “lesson.”
Afterwards.
A Li lay sprawled on the bed, soft as melted wax, too tired to move even a finger.
Lu Jinyan reclined beside her, his fingertips gently pinching her delicate, adorable earlobe. “Do you still want to run away now?” he asked.
Hearing his question, the languid A Li summoned her energy.
She turned her small face to him and confessed, “Uncle, honestly I didn’t want to run. I was just sulking with you. But I truly want to work. I don’t want to stay at home all the time and let others gossip about me.”
“Who dares gossip about you?”
“There are plenty. People in your circle look down on me, just like Tang Ying. She called me a homewrecker as soon as she saw me today.”
Lu Jinyan gazed at her lowered lashes, sensing a touch of grievance in her manner. His voice softened with affection. “That girl is getting more and more insolent. I’ll stand up for you.”
But A Li shook her head.
She pressed her cheek into his palm, pursing her lips. “Uncle, you can stand up for me once, but would you do it every time? You’d soon grow tired of me. But if I had a proper job, I wouldn’t have to fear their words.”
Lu Jinyan paused, his tone turning cool. “Oh, so you’ll fly away once your wings are strong enough?”
“How could I?” A Li burrowed into his embrace, wrapping her arms around him and nuzzling his chest.
She whined, “So long as you don’t leave me, how would I ever run? I just don’t want to sit at home every day, waiting like a stone for my husband’s return. Everyone says clingy women annoy men. Uncle, just let me try, please?”
Perhaps her pleading had worked.
Lu Jinyan’s attitude softened.
He held her, his hand stroking her hair as he sighed, “Playing piano as a hobby is fine, but making a living from it won’t be easy—especially since you’re starting late. Don’t underestimate it. Even Liu Mengwan practiced day and night when she began.”
“I know.” A Li was docile as a fledgling, promising sincerely, “If I hit a dead end, I’ll turn back right away. I won’t stubbornly persist, okay?”
“You’re only this obedient now.”
Lu Jinyan was helpless, but he set a condition. “You can play piano, but I won’t allow you to associate with the third young master of the Song family.”
“Hm?” A Li hadn’t figured out who he meant.
Lu Jinyan teased, “The benefactor you met today.”
“Oh, him! Why can’t I talk to him?” A Li was puzzled.
“Why do you always ask so many questions?”
Lu Jinyan didn’t give her a reason. Instead, he pinched her slender waist as a warning, his tone domineering. “In short, you must choose between playing piano and associating with him.”
“Hmm…” Though A Li felt a slight fondness for Song Qi Sheng, after all it was only a fleeting encounter. Uncle had finally agreed to let her do something; she couldn’t go against him.
Weighing the pros and cons, A Li nodded to Lu Jinyan, “Alright, I understand. I won’t contact him.”
“Good.”
Seeing her so obedient, Lu Jinyan’s mood clearly brightened.
His cool lips brushed her temple as he said, “I’ll find the best piano teacher for you and pave the way as much as I can. As for how far you’ll go in this field, that will depend on your own fate.”
“Uncle…”
A Li was deeply moved, never expecting such support from him.
She hugged him tighter, lavishly expressing her love, “I adore you!”
“Only now?”
“I’ve always loved you!”
The man’s desire ignited once more.
Seeing the undisguised passion in his eyes, A Li’s heart thudded wildly. Though she was still weak and aching, Uncle had made such concessions—she wanted to please him in return.
Just as Lu Jinyan pressed her down again, his phone suddenly rang.
It was that special ringtone.
Both paused.
A Li saw Lu Jinyan’s hesitation and generously said, “It’s late; maybe Miss Liu has an urgent matter. Uncle, answer it.”
Lu Jinyan raised an eyebrow. “Not jealous?”
A Li tilted her chin and grinned, “You already declared in front of everyone that you won’t divorce me—what’s there to be jealous about?”
Watching A Li’s confident little face, Lu Jinyan smiled faintly, pinched her earlobe, and murmured, “Go to sleep.”
“Mm.”
A Li slipped back under the covers, watching Lu Jinyan leave the bedroom with his phone.
She felt no anxiety about Liu Mengwan and her uncle—she trusted him. Besides, her mind now brimmed with thoughts of piano, and she had no intention of wasting energy on irrelevant matters.
She closed her eyes, unable to stop imagining herself on stage, performing piano pieces, receiving applause and recognition.
The more she thought, the more excited she became.
Even with her eyes shut, A Li couldn’t help but laugh aloud.
**
Lu Jinyan only answered the call after reaching his study.
“Hello.”
“Jinyan…”
Liu Mengwan’s voice carried a hint of fatigue, sounding unwell.
Lu Jinyan’s feelings for Liu Mengwan were complicated.
They were childhood friends. After his parents passed away, he faced his darkest days, and the ever-positive, indomitable Liu Mengwan captivated him.
As they spent more time together, everyone assumed they were lovers.
So, naturally, Lu Jinyan and Liu Mengwan became a couple.
Now, they were in this awkward situation.
Lu Jinyan would not marry her, but he still wished to make it up to her as much as possible.
“What’s happened?”
“Heh, you still care about me?”
“We’ve known each other so many years. If we can’t be lovers, we can still be friends.”
“Friends…” Liu Mengwan echoed softly, giving a bitter smile, then said, “Xiao Ying just called me. She said A Li started learning piano to provoke me? And even got involved with the third young master of the Song family?”
“She wasn’t targeting you.”
Lu Jinyan defended A Li, “That girl always acts on impulse. Song Qi Sheng flattered her a bit, and now she thinks she’s talented. She’s even dreaming of making a living from piano.”
“Is that so?” Liu Mengwan’s smile cooled, “She’s starting late—it won’t be easy for her to survive by piano.”
“She wants to try, so let her.”
Liu Mengwan fell silent for a few seconds, then her voice drifted, “What if I say I don’t want her to play piano?”