Chapter 17: Liar! I Hate You

"Uncle..."
A'Li's voice was already trembling, thick with the sound of tears.
She really believed it?
Lu Jinyan sighed softly, just about to explain, "Online..."
"Does this mean I can never play the piano again?"
As soon as those words left her mouth, Lu Jinyan's eyes turned dark. "Who told you that?"
He didn't deny it.
He only asked who had told her.
A'Li felt a thousand tiny needles stabbing at her heart, a bitter ache she couldn't put into words.
"So it's true? Just because Liu Mengwan doesn't want me to play the piano, you won't let me play anymore?"
She had known all along that this would eventually come to light.
But she hadn't expected it to be so soon.
Lu Jinyan composed himself. His voice was gentle, almost coaxing, as he spoke to her softly, "There are so many things you can do in this world. Why don't we find something else? How about being my personal secretary? I'll pay you a hundred thousand a month. Isn't that better than playing the piano?"
Did he really think she only wanted to make money?
Yes, of course she wanted to earn money.
But she wanted to earn it with her own skills. A hundred thousand a month as a secretary sounded nice, but in the end, wasn't it just this man's charity?
The moment he was displeased, with a single word, she would lose everything again.
"No, I just want to play the piano."
A'Li sniffed, stubbornly insisting.
Lu Jinyan didn't want to drag this out any longer. Since the decision had been made, it was better to cut off her hopes quickly and cleanly, then find her another suitable job later.
So the man said resolutely, "I won't repeat myself. I forbid you from playing the piano. You'd best give up on this idea."
A'Li knew he was serious.
The pain was unbearable.

Crying, she protested into the phone, "Liar! Liar! You promised me I could play the piano! Lu Jinyan, you're nothing but a liar! I hate you!"
Lu Jinyan said, "A'Li..."
She didn't want to hear another word from this liar.
A'Li hung up immediately.
Lu Jinyan's face was thunderous, his anger barely contained. Secretary Zhang, who hadn't yet left, stood trembling at the door, "President Lu..."
But before he could finish, he saw Lu Jinyan sweep everything off the desk in a fit of rage, objects clattering violently to the floor.
Secretary Zhang was terrified.
Lu Jinyan was never one to show his emotions.
Realizing he had lost control, Lu Jinyan took a deep breath, forcing himself to calm down, then instructed Secretary Zhang in a low, grave voice, "Call a few people. Move the piano out of the villa this afternoon."
"This..."
Secretary Zhang realized what Lu Jinyan meant and couldn't help but ask tentatively, "President Lu, isn't this a bit too harsh on Madam? Miss Liu just doesn't want Madam to play professionally. She can still play at home."
"Let it go," Lu Jinyan replied. "She wants to make the piano her career. If she can't do that, seeing the piano will only bring her pain."
Secretary Zhang had to admit there was sense in that. He said nothing more and went to carry out his orders.

After her call with Lu Jinyan, A'Li lay on her bed, crying.
She couldn't understand.
What was going on in Uncle's mind?
Why would he agree to Liu Mengwan's request and forbid her from playing the piano?
Who was really his wife?
If he liked Liu Mengwan so much, why not just marry her? Why stay married to one while favoring his ex in every way?
Suddenly, A'Li remembered something Liu Mengwan had once said.
She had told Uncle when she returned that she would never get back together with him.
Was it because of those words that Uncle was acting out of spite, refusing to divorce, locked in a stalemate with Liu Mengwan?
So she was just a pawn in their game!
Lu Jinyan.

How could you be so cruel?
The realization made A'Li sob even harder.

At noon, there was a knock at the door.
Aunt Liu entered quietly. "Madam, lunch is ready."
A'Li was still lying in bed, sulking. "Aunt Liu, I'm not eating. I'm going on a hunger strike!"
Aunt Liu felt a headache coming on.
President Lu had anticipated this.
So she tried to coax her, "Madam, at least eat before you go on your hunger strike. I made all your favorites today—sweet and sour ribs, crab meatballs, spicy beef, and lemon shredded chicken."
Hearing the menu, A'Li couldn't help swallowing.
But she held firm. "No, I'm not hungry!"
Just as she finished speaking, her stomach growled loudly.
A'Li was mortified.
Aunt Liu heard it too, and chuckled as she coaxed, "Madam, just have a little. You can start your hunger strike after you eat."
A'Li hesitated for three seconds.
She couldn't stand wasting food, so she slowly got up from bed.
Her eyes were still red as she sniffled and told Aunt Liu, "Fine, I'll eat first, then go on hunger strike."
"Good girl~"
A'Li sat at the table, eating her lunch.
Suddenly, a few people arrived outside the villa. Aunt Liu went to ask what they were doing.
They replied, "We're here to move the piano."