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Chapter 34: Delivery

Zhao Yuebai, having heard about what happened, came over with a drink, leaned in toward Jiang Liuyi, and said, “Your wife is pretty impressive.”

Jiang Liuyi pressed her lips into a smile and turned her head just as Song Xian returned from the restroom. Several women followed alongside her—some were former classmates, others strangers—each praising how brilliantly she had played in the game just now.

Everyone knew Qian Shen was a master of cards. No one expected that up against Song Xian, she wouldn’t win a single round. It was incredible.

Song Xian gave a polite nod to them but didn’t say much, quickly making her way over to Jiang Liuyi. Jiang Liuyi handed her a drink as Zhao Yuebai asked, “Song Xian, do you know how to read cards?”

She smiled. “No.”

“Impossible!” Zhao Yuebai exclaimed. “You have to know how! Otherwise, how could you win every single round?”

Song Xian said, “She was using trick cards.”

But it wasn’t purely the trick cards. They had been modified—subtly. Only someone familiar with the craft would notice; an ordinary person would never be able to tell.

Song Xian explained, “Back in college, I used to play with some friends. I picked up a little.”

Zhao Yuebai clicked her tongue. “You call that just ‘a little’?”

She gave Jiang Liuyi a pat on the shoulder. “I’ve realized your wife is a treasure—really something.” After speaking, she asked, “Do you have any older or younger sisters?”

Song Xian shook her head. “No.”

“That’s a shame.” Zhao Yuebai grinned shamelessly. “Friends are fine too. Do you have any friends like you?”

Beside them, Jiang Liuyi cleared her throat. Zhao Yuebai laughed. “What are you coughing for? I just want to find someone to date!”

So shameless, Jiang Liuyi thought, shaking her head. She turned to Song Xian and said, “Want to go sit down for a bit?”

Lunch was a buffet-style setup; if you got hungry, you could help yourself. The entire first floor had several entertainment areas: some were still playing cards, others sat in small groups chatting about stocks. The Zhao family’s connections were eclectic, so there was a little bit of everything among their friends.

Zhao Yuebai suggested, “Let’s not sit here. Let’s go take a walk in the garden.”

Her mother managed the back garden, and it was quite beautiful. Whenever friends came over, they loved spending time there. Zhao Yuebai said, “I’ll take you.”

Jiang Liuyi smiled faintly, then turned to Song Xian. “Let’s go.”

Song Xian naturally didn’t mind and followed behind Jiang Liuyi as they left the living room.

Not far behind them, Yu Bai clenched her hands tightly. Nearby, a few people chatted casually. “Hey, Jiang Liuyi and her wife seem pretty good together. At first, I thought they just rushed into marriage without much feeling.”

“Yeah, her wife looks really nice—and pretty smart too.”

“Aiya, didn’t you used to write love letters to Jiang Liuyi? Now you’re praising her wife?”

“Who didn’t have a few crushes when they were young? It’s no big deal. That was so many years ago. Now that she’s happy, good for her. By the way, did you see the bracelets they were wearing? Matching couple ones.”

Maybe because Jiang Liuyi had never ended up with Yu Bai, everyone seemed much more relaxed around her now. It made them instinctively like Song Xian too. After all, the card skills she just displayed were dazzling—who wouldn’t admire someone both beautiful and talented?

Yet all those words of praise pierced Yu Bai’s ears like needles.

A long time ago, Jiang Liuyi had also given her a bracelet—a design she had loved but was almost impossible to find. It was sold out everywhere in the city, out of stock online, and they didn’t have any holidays to travel. Yet one day, she suddenly received it from Jiang Liuyi. 

Zhao Yuebai had told her that Jiang Liuyi had traveled through three cities over four days just to find it. Back then, she had accepted it joyfully, thinking she would one day give Jiang Liuyi a precious gift in return.

Did she ever follow through?

She couldn’t remember anymore. All she felt now was overwhelming regret. The Jiang Liuyi who had once loved her with such unwavering devotion had been pushed away by her own hands. Grief seized Yu Bai’s throat. She slumped against the wall, her body losing strength.

Qian Shen, returning after throwing up, caught sight of her dejected state and frowned. “What’s wrong?”

Following her line of sight, Qian Shen noticed a few classmates not far away. She rolled her eyes. “Those gossipy idiots again? I’m telling you, Yu Bai, don’t listen to them. They’re just jealous of you!”

Yu Bai gave a faint nod. Qian Shen didn’t feel any better after throwing up; a fire still roared in her chest, burning hotter by the second. She asked, “Where are Jiang Liuyi and her wife?”

“The back garden.”

Yu Bai had no intention of going over, but Qian Shen already grabbed her, dragging her along. On the way, they bumped into Lin Qiushui, who handed a cup of tea to Qian Shen and asked, “You okay?”

“How could I be fine?” Qian Shen said gloomily. “My stomach almost turned inside out! I feel terrible!”

The more she thought about it, the angrier she became. She couldn’t just let Song Xian enjoy herself—she needed to cause her some discomfort too. Seeing Qian Shen set down her cup, Lin Qiushui asked, “Where are you going?”

“To find Jiang Liuyi.”

Lin Qiushui grabbed her. “You’re not allowed.”

Qian Shen turned her head sharply. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

Lin Qiushui glanced at Yu Bai, hesitated, then softened her voice to persuade them. “From what I see, Liuyi is treating her wife really well now. You shouldn’t go stir up trouble.”

“Treating her well? Stirring up trouble?” Qian Shen stared at her, shaking her head. “Qiushui, what are you even saying? Wasn’t it you who told Yu Bai to come back sooner, saying Jiang Liuyi and her wife didn’t have any feelings for each other? Wasn’t it you who said her wife resembled Yu Bai? And now what? Yu Bai’s back and you’re changing your tune?”

Lin Qiushui frowned. “Back then, I didn’t know—”

“Didn’t know what?” Qian Shen pressed, her voice sharp. Lin Qiushui looked at Yu Bai, at a loss for words.

Back then, she truly hadn’t realized Jiang Liuyi had feelings for Song Xian. She hadn’t known that Jiang Liuyi had married with the sincere intention of building a life with her. She had assumed it was just to spite Yu Bai.

Qian Shen had no patience left to listen. She shook off Lin Qiushui’s hand and said, “Yu Bai is my best friend. I won’t let her be wronged. Whether you want to help or not, Lin Qiushui, just stay out of it!”

Lin Qiushui stood frozen, watching as Qian Shen dragged Yu Bai away. Still uneasy, she followed from a distance.

From afar, they could see quite a few people gathered in the garden. Several young guests stood around Song Xian and Jiang Liuyi. Someone joked, “Jiang Liuyi, your wife had incredible luck just now.”

Jiang Liuyi lowered her head with a smile. “She’s always been lucky.”

“Of course,” another person teased, nudging the speaker with an elbow. “If she weren’t lucky, could she have married Jiang Liuyi? Your name’s Song Xian, right?”

Song Xian nodded, her gaze calm. The group chatted eagerly. “We’re all old classmates of Jiang Liuyi. Let’s get together for a meal sometime?”

She offered a soft smile. “Sure.”

There was no trace of pretension about her—just a natural, easy warmth. Her eyes were clear and steady, like still water, making those around her feel at ease. 

People naturally drew comparisons, and it was hard not to notice: while both Jiang Liuyi’s first love and her wife were outstanding in their own ways, deep down, they realized that although Yu Bai had considerable talent and fame in the art world, when it came to character, she simply didn’t measure up to Song Xian.

Composed and unassuming, Song Xian carried herself with a calm steadiness.

She might not have achieved the same professional success as Yu Bai, but she wasn’t doing badly either.

As the group chatted casually, someone approached from a distance. Zhao Yuebai spotted her immediately and waved excitedly. “Sis!”

She practically bounced with joy. “Sis! When did you get back? Weren’t you saying you weren’t coming home?”

Zhao Yueming walked over with a smile. “There was a problem with the performance. It got canceled, so I came back.”

Zhao Yuebai’s family situation was simple. Her parents were in business, and her older sister had studied piano. Though she wasn’t quite at Jiang Liuyi’s level, Zhao Yueming was frequently invited to perform abroad. 

Originally, she was supposed to attend a performance arranged through her teacher’s recommendation just before Zhao Yuebai’s birthday. When issues arose with the event, she seized the chance to return home.

Normally, the sisters were incredibly close. Zhao Yuebai had even been upset that Zhao Yueming might miss her birthday, only relenting when she learned it was a promise to her teacher. Now, seeing her back, she was over the moon.

Their friends chimed in cheerfully. “Hey, Sister Yueming, it’s been ages since we last heard you play! Since it’s Yuebai’s birthday, why don’t you perform a piece?”

Zhao Yueming laughed. “Sure.”

Saying so, Zhao Yueming led the way into a small music room in the garden. Before long, the room filled with Zhao Yuebai’s friends and classmates—young, energetic, full of life. Zhao Yueming said, “I’ll play ‘Happy Birthday.’ Everyone, let’s wish Yuebai well.”

“No problem!” the crowd responded enthusiastically.

Song Xian and Jiang Liuyi stood quietly among the people. Zhao Yueming, spotting them quickly, waved. “Liuyi!”

The crowd parted to make a path. Jiang Liuyi walked forward with a smile. “Sister Yueming.”

Turning to Song Xian, Zhao Yueming said, “I heard from Yuebai. We’ll settle accounts later—you got married and didn’t even invite us to a meal.”

As she finished, she grinned at Song Xian and extended her hand in greeting.

Song Xian shook her hand politely.

Lowering her head a little, Jiang Liuyi tried to slip away, but Zhao Yueming caught her. “Don’t think about running. Come collaborate with me.”

Helpless, Jiang Liuyi glanced at Song Xian, who gave an encouraging smile and nodded. Left with no choice, Jiang Liuyi sat down beside Zhao Yueming. Two of the country’s top pianists sitting side by side—naturally, the crowd buzzed with excitement. Their rendition of “Happy Birthday” was full of spirit, lifting the entire atmosphere.

Standing among the crowd, Song Xian listened quietly.

By the time Qian Shen and Yu Bai arrived, the birthday song was already filling the room. Frowning, they stayed outside without entering.

After the song ended, the crowd clamored for another. The two pianists improvised a highly challenging piece, their coordination seamless. When the final note faded, Zhao Yueming turned to Jiang Liuyi with a smile. “I still remember when you didn’t even have a piano. You used to come over every day asking me to teach you. Now you’ve become the senior.”

Jiang Liuyi released her hands from the keys and said, “Sister Yueming, you’re teasing me again.”

As she spoke, her gaze drifted almost instinctively toward Song Xian. Seeing her standing not far behind, she called out, “Song Xian.”

Song Xian walked over, catching bits of their conversation.

Zhao Yuebai said cheerfully, “Hey, Liuyi, do you remember your first piano? It was my sister’s, right?”

Back then, Jiang Liuyi couldn’t afford a piano of her own. She had used Zhao Yueming’s old one until she finally got a new one in college. She nodded. “I remember. I still owe Sister Yueming a thank you.”

If not for them, she might never have persevered with music.

Zhao Yueming smiled as she closed the piano lid. “No need to be so formal. Though, this time, when I saw our teacher, I tried to buy a piano for you—but it didn’t work out. I’m sorry.”

Jiang Liuyi had asked Zhao Yueming for help, though she hadn’t held out much hope. Hearing this, a few friends nearby were surprised. “What kind of piano could Jiang Liuyi possibly have trouble buying?”

“What else could it be?” Qian Shen interjected sharply, her voice cutting through the room. “It’s the model Jiang Liuyi plays.”

Everyone lowered their heads to take a look, but those unfamiliar with pianos couldn’t spot any obvious differences. Qian Shen curled her lips mockingly. “This model is—”

“It’s my teacher Allen’s A2 series, a limited edition,” Zhao Yueming explained softly. “There are fewer than fifty of these pianos worldwide, all kept as collectibles. My teacher still has a few. Since Liuyi’s birthday is coming up, I wanted to buy one to give her.”

Only then did the crowd truly understand. Even if they didn’t know much about pianos, they understood the value of something limited and collectible. One person said, “Now that you mention it, I remember the A2 series. There was a time when I paid a lot of attention to it—it’s basically priceless now.”

Zhao Yueming nodded.

Although Jiang Liuyi felt a pang of regret, she said nothing. It was Song Xian, standing quietly at her side, who lowered her head and asked, “Do you like this model?”

Her voice was calm and even, yet it carried a penetrating clarity that made everyone around them hear it distinctly. The surroundings fell silent.

Qian Shen sneered. “What, Jiang Liuyi can’t even get one, and you think you can?”

Yet Song Xian didn’t even spare her a glance. She simply asked Jiang Liuyi again, “Do you like this model?”

Jiang Liuyi looked at her steadily and nodded. “I like it very much.”

Otherwise, she wouldn’t have gone out of her way to ask Zhao Yueming for help.

Song Xian said, “Got it. Then for your birthday, I’ll give you this one.”

Everyone around them gasped sharply, drawing in a collective breath. Qian Shen opened her mouth to say something but was quickly tugged back by Yu Bai. Jiang Liuyi froze, stunned into silence. It took a long moment before anyone reacted, and it was Zhao Yueming who finally broke the tension with a laugh. “Alright, I can also help by mentioning it to my teacher.”

“No need,” Song Xian said calmly, her voice as steady and soothing as ever. She took out her phone from her bag and quietly sent a message. In no time at all, she looked up at Jiang Liuyi and said, “It’s done.”

Jiang Liuyi was still dazed, unable to process what had just happened. In fact, no one present had fully caught up yet. Suddenly, someone lowered their head to check their phone, then looked up with a startled expression. “Teacher Allen just posted on his Moments!”

Zhao Yueming immediately fished her phone out of her bag. For some reason, her heart raced uncontrollably, her palms growing sweaty. Amidst the mixture of astonishment and disbelief around her, she saw Teacher Allen’s post:

[Girls grow up and can’t be kept at home anymore. Now they’re asking for birthday presents for their wives. What else can I do? I’ll send it!]

Accompanying the post was a photo—the A2 series, the very same model Jiang Liuyi had just played.