After the exercise piece ended, the teacher had everyone try playing the "Prelude in E-flat Major."
Li Xiaoya stood right next to the teacher, trying hard to remember those unfamiliar terms and the finger sequence the teacher demonstrated.
"Alright, that's it for today's lesson." As soon as the teacher finished speaking, she looked up towards the window and immediately spotted Qin Sui.
Qin Sui and Sheng Yuxiao were bona fide celebrities at the school. Even the elementary school teachers all knew who they were.
Was he here to pick up his sister?
But he'd come to the wrong place.
Did young master Qin not even know what grade his own sister was in?
The other children also noticed the person outside the window and curiously asked, "Who's that?"
Little An Ying sighed and took responsibility for answering: "That's Qin Sui. Haven't you heard of him?"
After all, there were only so many top-tier wealthy families. The rest were just in the ordinary rich category. Not every rich kid had the opportunity to enter higher social circles with their parents and meet people like Qin Sui.
"He's Qin Yue's brother," An Ying said in a raised voice.
Evidently, the name Qin Yue was more resonant among these little rich kids than the name Qin Sui.
They all revealed fearful expressions and whispered to each other: "Who's he here for? Qin Yue isn't here."
Li Xiaoya listened to everyone's discussions and couldn't help but tilt her head.
Could it be... he was here for her?
Why not go ask him herself!
Li Xiaoya walked ahead of everyone, exiting the music classroom in just a few steps, then came to a stop in front of Qin Sui.
Qin Sui bent down slightly and asked, "Why aren't you calling me Brother Qin Sui anymore?"
Well, he really was here for her. Li Xiaoya thought with certainty.
Qin Sui asked again, "Did Sheng Yuxiao forbid you from calling me that?"
"No."
"Oh, then..."
"I don't want to hurt Sheng Yuxiao's feelings."
"..." Qin Sui's expression froze, and a mixture of indescribable emotions welled up inside him.
He pressed his lips together firmly and said, "So you're not afraid of hurting my feelings?"
If his parents heard this, they would think he was talking nonsense.
Him? Hurt? It would be good if he didn't hurt others!
At this moment, Li Xiaoya stared at him and said seriously, word by word: "You hurt my feelings first."
"Oh?" Qin Sui leaned in closer. "Did I?"
"You recorded me." Li Xiaoya wrinkled her nose.
Qin Sui let out a light sigh and brought out the hand he had been hiding behind his back. He said, "That's why I'm here to apologize, Li Xiaoya."
Li Xiaoya looked down and saw that Qin Sui was holding a bag with the Hermès logo printed on it.
"This is an apology gift," Qin Sui said.
The teacher, coming out of the classroom, happened to hear this sentence and instinctively looked down.
...Apologizing with Hermès?
Wait, that's not right. Why was Qin Sui apologizing to her?
Something that could make even Qin Sui bow his head???
This fact itself was far more surprising than bringing Hermès as an apology gift!
By now, the other students were also coming out one after another, walking forward while secretly glancing back.
Meanwhile, Li Xiaoya didn't take the apology gift. She asked, "How did you record it?"
Qin Sui simply crouched down beside her, then took out his phone, switched to the recording page, and pressed the record button. He said, "Like this."
"But I only said that sentence once. Why did it play back so many times when you played it?"
"Through editing."
"Editing?"
Qin Sui opened the editing app on his phone, copied the audio track, dragged the progress bar with his finger, and then played it for Li Xiaoya to hear.
Li Xiaoya nodded, "So that's how it's done..."
She paused, then asked, "Can it also cut several sentences into one?"
"Of course it can. It just needs some technique."
"So even sounds you hear with your own ears can be fake," Li Xiaoya said.
Qin Sui raised an eyebrow and corrected her, "You calling me brother was real."
Li Xiaoya pursed her lips but didn't say anything.
Qin Sui then stood up and offered her the bag again.
But Li Xiaoya didn't take it. She said, "I've already forgiven you."
Qin Sui was surprised: "You forgave me so easily?"
"Mm-hmm. You answered every question I asked. Teachers get paid for teaching, but I don't have money to pay you, so I'll just forgive you."
What a clear-cut Li Xiaoya.
Qin Sui couldn't help but let the corners of his mouth twitch upwards. He said, "It's alright. I have a question for you too."
"Hm?" Li Xiaoya looked at him puzzled.
"Why did you tell the teacher this was your first time seeing a piano?"
"Should I not have said that?"
"Others might look down on you when they hear that."
"But people who like to look down on others will always desperately find faults in others to despise, no matter what," Li Xiaoya said, perplexed.
"I need to learn things, so I have to tell the truth. What I learn is mine. Their contempt is theirs, so let them be happy with their contempt." Li Xiaoya shook her head nonchalantly.
"How interesting," Qin Sui suddenly uttered.
"Hm?" Li Xiaoya looked at him even more confused.
This circle will definitely become very interesting with Li Xiaoya in it, Qin Sui thought.
But he only said aloud, "Many people will probably envy you."
"Envy me?" Li Xiaoya looked down at her hands. Was there anything enviable about what she possessed? But she didn't seem to possess much of anything.
"Mm-hmm. As people grow older, it becomes harder to firmly be yourself." That's why Li Xiaoya was rare.
Thinking of this, Qin Sui suddenly had an idea—
He hoped to always preserve this rare quality of Li Xiaoya's.
He would protect it.
Qin Sui said, "I've finished asking my question, so..." He pushed the bag into her hands. "You should still accept this."
Before Li Xiaoya could speak, he quickly added, "You're very smart, Li Xiaoya, but you need to understand one more principle... A relationship needs give and take to last. So don't refuse."
Li Xiaoya said softly, "I know, but..."
Qin Sui's eyelid twitched, "You're not going to say that for Sheng Yuxiao's sake, our relationship doesn't need to last that long, are you?"
Li Xiaoya looked at him with clear and innocent eyes, saying nothing.
Qin Sui: "..."
Well, well, she really was!
Qin Sui felt a bit displeased in his heart. He pressed his lips together and said, "Li Xiaoya, do you know who always gets first place in the high school division?"
Li Xiaoya looked bewildered.
What did this have to do with the previous question?
Qin Sui had never been one to show off, but now he bent down to tell Li Xiaoya, "It's me."
He paused, then continued, "Sheng Yuxiao can't get it. What does that tell you? Sheng Yuxiao's brain isn't that useful yet."
"So Sheng Yuxiao alone isn't enough for you. You still need me..."
Li Xiaoya sighed and interrupted him, "Stop talking."
Qin Sui paused. Had she understood?
"If you keep saying bad things about Sheng Yuxiao..." Li Xiaoya pointed at the bag in his hand, "Even if you buy three more of those, I won't forgive you."
Qin Sui was speechless.
...But his competitive spirit grew even stronger.