It's not exactly like playing the zither to a cow, but not much better either.

Xu Chang'an stood up, prepared everything, and then sat cross-legged, balancing the tail of the zither while placing its head on his leg, maintaining a delicate balance in his posture.

Only those who are well-versed in music understand that placing the zither on the knees is unstable, requiring balanced strength in all parts of the body to play freely, demanding a mature and solid foundation in zither skills.

He wasn't really that bad; he just couldn't compare to the ladies of Muyu Peak.

Seeing her husband sit down, Yun Qian suddenly quieted, instinctively slowing even her breathing.

Xu Chang'an didn't say anything unnecessary. After sitting down, he closed his eyes, adjusting his breathing.

Yun Qian watched Xu Chang'an's gradually serious expression, unsure if it was confidence or something else. She felt her husband was very different from usual, making it hard to look away.

Xu Chang'an didn't adjust the tuning pegs because Qinling had tuned them earlier, but to be safe, he tested the sound.

His fingers lifted lightly, touching the zither's surface, and under focused intent, the sound of the zither suddenly resonated.

As if by the zither's own nature, the sound was clear and bright, instantly filling the entire room.

Yun Qian's body trembled, and her once closed eyes opened wide.

The sound was beautiful.

She thought.

Besides...

It turns out that not only clothes can carry his scent.

The sound can too.

Yes, after all, it's a piece personally played by him.

The girl only needed to hear a test note to realize, after dessert, she had fallen in love with something else.

"..."

Without reminding Yun Qian, Xu Chang'an began his performance. As the sound, akin to clear spring water, flowed from his fingertips, the tone of the piece was set.

He didn't utilize many techniques, simply playing seriously through this everyday tune, emphasizing gentleness and the commonplace throughout.

The zither's sound was gentle and continuous, sometimes like a mountain spring winding through a secluded valley, flowing slowly, and other times as natural and unrefined as uncarved stone.

Zither music is the voice of the heart, interpreting the inner ups and downs and heart's journey of the performer.

Xu Chang'an's story was simple, lacking profound meaning, making it easy to understand and straightforward.

Yet it was precisely this simple piece... that struck directly at Yun Qian's heart.

Each note, like pearls dropping on pebbles, created an echo, enveloping the world in a warm mist.

This clean sound of the zither was exactly like her husband.

Yun Qian, who usually preferred quiet, was now immersed in the spring water, a refreshing feeling welling up from her feet, leaving her body slightly softened.

It felt like soaking in a spring, but unlike a real hot spring, she wouldn't feel suffocated while bathing in the zither's music.

She propped her face with a hand, watching Xu Chang'an's increasingly smooth movements, and then... tried closing her eyes.

Listening to the flowing spring sound, she was entirely wrapped in the zither music filled with Xu Chang'an's essence. Many images flashed through Yun Qian's mind, everyday moments with her husband.

This is the so-called realm.

Music carrying Xu Chang'an's essence could tug at her heartstrings and disturb, shatter even, the deepest seal within the girl that was supposed to be indestructible.

In a daze, she recalled things she should have forgotten.

There is a saying, "Gentlemen stay away from the kitchen," but for those unacquainted with the world, this phrase isn't lofty.

The girl was unacquainted with the world until she met someone reckless, who took her by the hand and led her forward, lighting up her once dim eyes for the first time.

Entering the world brings many unpleasant things.

Yun Qian understood that the reason she could feel happy now was because she had nearly forgotten everything. By not remembering, she could truly feel.

Sometimes, forgetting isn't a bad thing; after all, there are girls who are different.

Even though she has entered the world, sealed herself, and sunk to the lowest, she still perceives the world vividly with open eyes, regardless of the changing seasons.

Even immortals can dream a day while a world millennium passes; how much more so can Miss Yun?

Yet because someone is waiting, even for a moment's dream, she can always wait, waiting for the moment of hearing the zither.

Quietly watching Xu Chang'an ahead, originally lazy, her slender waist and back were now impeccably straight.

Sometimes Xu Chang'an would wonder when she might get angry.

The answer was quite plain, something that could easily be written on paper for all to see.

——If someone were to disturb this peace, if anyone tried to disrupt her dream, she would get angry.

It's just unknown what she'd be like then, though likely not frightening, for she is, in her husband's eyes, a gentle and delicate woman.

Yun Qian lightly raised her hand, tucking the stray hair behind her ear, eyes open, memories repressed back into a seal, seriously watching Xu Chang'an.

Since meeting her husband, the flow of time had slowed but still moved forward, much like the stream flowing past her toes on the island.

Time, once worthless to her, was now precious.

The girl named "Yun Qian," all her focus, everything about her should be devoted to him, leaving no room for distractions.

The memory-gathering girl thought so.

Xu Chang'an thought so too.

The zither and the tune were prepared for Yun Qian, so his attention was naturally on her, for a simple flowing tune didn't require much focus.

Noticing Yun Qian closing her eyes, opening them again to gaze at him, showing a look of adoration, even intoxication, Xu Chang'an gave a knowing smile.

She was always like this.

She would like it, not because his zither skill was outstanding, but simply because it was him.

He still remembered when he first learned to cook, following recipes to make a pot of porridge, one meat dish, and one vegetable dish, where the porridge burnt at the bottom, and the meat was overcooked due to unfamiliarity with the stove, right at the edge of edibility.

But the girl ate heartily, and after finishing, unusually dropping her aloofness, propped her face and told him she liked it, wanting to eat it again tomorrow.

Xu Chang'an mused that today's zither music was the same; he had been a bit nervous, but meeting Yun Qian's gaze, he completely calmed down.

She always pampered him like this.

As an old married couple.

Mhm.

Have they known each other a long time?

Actually, not that long, not even ten years... yet Xu Chang'an felt these few years seemed like a century.

Isn't it said that happy times always fly by quickly? Yet he seemed to be the opposite.

Nevertheless, though time was enough for his feelings to evolve from initial admiration and reverence for Yun Qian to sincere adoration, and now being able to tease her without guilt...

Still, he felt it wasn't enough, that time passed too quickly.

Just like now.

The zither piece was short.

But seeing Yun Qian's intoxicated expression, he wished she could listen a little longer.

The melodious zither sound, leisurely imagery, was exactly the affection Miss Yun desired.

——

Yet no matter how slow time moved, it still moved forward.

The piece transitioned from low to high notes and then steadily descended like scattered pearls, fine yet glowing.

When the piece ended, Xu Chang'an placed both hands on the zither, reducing the lingering sound.

He exhaled gently, looking at the entranced Yun Qian, a smile playing on his lips.

"..."

Yun Qian couldn't recall how many notes she heard, only knowing her husband's music was the best thing she'd ever heard.

She made a decision.

In the future, after being too fatigued from affection, she could listen to him play while having snacks.

The mere thought delighted her greatly.

Xu Chang'an smiled proudly, very satisfied with his performance, sure Miss Yun adored it too.

"Miss, how was my piece? Do you like it?" He waited for a response and praise, even if it was a perfunctory Yun Style compliment.

"I'm hungry."

Yun Qian tilted her head and asked, "Do we still have snacks at home?"

"..."

Xu Chang'an's proud expression froze.

What does it mean, his music was just good for meals?

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