Chapter 20: How Do You Make It Up to Someone?

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Seeing her treat the violin like a treasured gem, the coldness in Gu Jinnian’s eyes melted away, replaced by a smile.

“I’m glad you like it.”

As he spoke, the girl lifted her head, her almond-shaped eyes glistening with tears.

“Uncle, you’re truly kind.”

She tightened her grip on the violin.

Originally, she had clung to Gu Jinnian merely to avoid Gu Zhiyuan.

Trying to please him was only to leverage his resources for her own advancement.

But unexpectedly…

“In the future, I’ll take care of you in your old age!”

She solemnly made a promise—to treat her uncle as well as she did Grandma Gu.

???

Gu Jinnian raised an eyebrow.

The words were kind, but somehow they felt a little unsettling.

Others had always sought to rely on him; no one had ever offered to take care of him.

Still, deep down, he found himself quietly looking forward to the idea.

He imagined the scene of being doted upon by this girl.

Unconsciously, his gaze toward Qiao Weiwei grew ever gentler.

“Uncle, there’s a piece I want you to hear.”

In her room, Qiao Weiwei took up the violin Gu Jinnian had given her, and began to play the song that had once sustained her through the dark nights of the sanatorium.

That day, unable to endure the doctor’s torment any longer, she had tried to escape by climbing over the wall.

She wanted to seek help from Gu Zhiyuan.

To have him rescue her.

After a difficult search, she found him by the apartment’s floor-to-ceiling window, locked in an embrace and kiss with Lin Zhiyi.

She stood outside the door, wearing only a thin coat, snowflakes wetting her hair, looking utterly disheveled.

At that moment, the hospital security guards arrived, and Qiao Weiwei shouted his name with all her might, struggling desperately—only to be taken away.

That night, she endured even more inhuman torment and several times contemplated ending her life.

Without Gu Zhiyuan, life lost all direction and meaning.

She picked up a piece of metal from the corner, intending to slash her wrist deeply.

But then a melody came from the radio in the room.

Calm and poised, yet hiding turbulent waves beneath.

As the piece ended, Qiao Weiwei opened her eyes.

“Did you like it?”

She smiled, two dimples appearing on her face. “Uncle, you’re the first person to hear me play this piece.”

Gu Jinnian’s deep pupils flickered with surprise, admiration, and puzzlement.

Always reserved and disliking being seen through, he concealed his complicated guilt and nodded.

“It’s beautiful.”

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Encouraged by his approval, a slight smile lifted the corner of Qiao Weiwei’s lips.

Unaware, outside the room, a man watched the warm scene between them, his face dark and grim, fists clenched tightly.

Suddenly recalling something, Gu Jinnian asked, “Chen Li said you’re considering studying Public Administration at Zhongda University? Why not continue with the violin?”

Qiao Weiwei shrugged. “To make money. Pursuing pure art is just too difficult.”

Clearly dissatisfied with this answer, the man furrowed his brows, his tone turning chilly.

“Don’t waste your talent.”

His aura was intimidating, suffocating.

Realizing he might scare her, Gu Jinnian hesitated, then added, “You don’t have to pay me back.”

The plan to adopt Qiao Weiwei was already in place.

Ensuring she grew up healthy was his promise to Qiao Chuan.

He had never truly taken her talk of repaying him seriously.

With Gu Jinnian’s wealth and status, Qiao Weiwei knew well he cared little for money or resources.

But there were other reasons she couldn’t disclose.

“Uncle, I know you’re good to me, but studying Public Administration is something I’ve thought through carefully.”

“I’m not giving up the violin either.”

Qiao Weiwei changed the subject. “Uncle, didn’t you also stop playing the violin temporarily for something more important?”

Gu Jinnian was momentarily speechless.

Unable to find words to reproach her, he left with a darkened expression.

Uncle was angry.

Qiao Weiwei’s chest tightened as she stared at the violin for a long while.

Then she worked through two sets of math exams to calm herself.

...

The next day, she showed up at school sporting dark circles under her eyes.

Fang Xue was astonished the moment she saw her.

“Oh my god, were you drained by some male demon last night?”

Qiao Weiwei collapsed onto her, her tone indifferent.

“No, I just finished two sets of math papers.”

“Math queen, that’s so you!”

Fang Xue pushed her away playfully.

The image of Uncle leaving angrily flashed through Qiao Weiwei’s mind once again.

She knocked her head lightly and sighed.

She couldn’t possibly tell Fang Xue that she had been up all night thinking about how to make Uncle feel better.

She hadn’t fallen asleep until three in the morning.

Knowing Fang Xue was well-liked by the elders and impulsive, she asked, “Fang Xue, if you upset an elder, how would you make it up to them?”

Fang Xue pondered, “It depends on the elder’s personality and what they like.”

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“Catering to their preferences usually works.”

Realizing something, Fang Xue asked worriedly, “Did that person give you a cold look?”

Qiao Weiwei had never before heard her mention any elder at home, except for this newly introduced guardian.

She shook her head. “No, I was in the wrong.”

She briefly recounted what had happened.

Fang Xue remained silent for a long moment.

“Why aren’t you saying anything?” Qiao Weiwei asked.

Fang Xue’s expression grew troubled. “Weiwei, actually…”

She hesitated but decided to say it. “I also think you shouldn’t give up the violin.”

“We’ve known each other since elementary school. I know how much you’ve sacrificed for the violin. To master a piece, you’d practice until your hands bled.”

“Teacher Zhou said she’s never seen a violinist as talented and determined as you.”

“Besides… wasn’t your dream always to be the best violinist?”

These words must have weighed on Fang Xue’s heart for a long time before she found the courage to speak them.

Qiao Weiwei lowered her gaze.

If her parents hadn’t died in the accident, being a violinist might have been her lifelong dream.

But the betrayals and wounds from her past life were unforgettable.

Gu Zhiyuan had been reborn.

She didn’t believe this was some romantic redemption story.

Gu Zhiyuan hated losing control the most. All his kindness and promises were meant to keep her under his sway again.

To make her as devoted and infatuated with him as before.

If she didn’t become stronger soon, given Gu Zhiyuan’s obsessive nature, who knew what he might do.

“I won’t give up the violin.”

Qiao Weiwei said solemnly, “As for the reasons behind it, I’ll tell you someday.”

Rebirth was too absurd a tale; no one would believe it.

Besides, Fang Xue was loyal and impulsive—if she went looking for trouble with Gu Zhiyuan on her behalf, that would be disastrous.

She couldn’t let Fang Xue get hurt in any way.

Seeing the pain she hid in her heart, Fang Xue didn’t press further.

She took Qiao Weiwei’s hand. “You have your reasons.”

“When you’re ready to talk, tell me.”

Qiao Weiwei smiled and nodded.

“Weiwei, look at something funny.”

Fang Xue opened a post on the forum. “Yesterday, you beat Lin Zhiyi and became the new campus beauty queen.”

Life at school was routine; to entertain themselves, students held annual contests on the forum to select the campus beauties and heartthrobs.

Lin Zhiyi had a pure, lovely face—like a rosy-cheeked doll, the epitome of a black-haired, straight-haired goddess.

Kind to everyone, speaking softly, she had always been the reigning beauty of Shengde School.