Chapter 26.2: Holding You Close

　　Gu Panqiu closed his eyes, and beside him, Jiujiu mimicked the gesture, shutting his little eyes tight.

　　He knew this nocturne by heart. As the familiar melody drifted through the hall, his mind began to wander, tugged back to a distant past.

　　Images of his grandfather’s stern, wrinkled face surfaced, along with the dimly lit piano room. A small Gu Panqiu in a white tank top sat before an enormous white piano, repeating scales over and over until sweat soaked through his back. Still, his grandfather remained unsatisfied.

　　Gu Panqiu had started learning piano at three. His grandfather, a piano teacher himself, had chosen to teach his own grandson, but the man who once brimmed with patience for his son had none left for the boy before him.

　　“Teach you? Hmph. You’ll never thank me anyway,” the old man used to mutter. “One day you’ll grow wings and fly away, just like the rest.”

　　Even as a child, little Qiuqiu sensed his grandfather’s disdain. Every time he missed a note, the bamboo cane would strike across his small hands. Helpless and confused, he often cried himself to sleep.

　　Why did nobody love him?

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　　Eyp kv clnywpl bl oyp dlhla oydvle kd vbl qkapv rzynl?

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　　Jwv clqsal bl oyp lhld csad, bkp casvbla bye ekle.

　　Ekvb vbyv zspp, vbl qaytkzl csde clvolld bkp ryaldvp oyp pbyvvlale nsxrzlvlzu. Mblu yatwle, vbld ekhsanle, yde vbl nbkze csad vs pyhl ydsvbla oyp zlqv clbkde—yd wdoydvle alxdydv sq y casjld qyxkzu.

　　Gqvlaoyae, csvb ryaldvp ekpyrrlyale qasx bkp osaze.

　　Tkp qyvbla hydkpble yqvla vbl ekhsanl, obkzl bkp xsvbla iwknjzu alxyaakle. Qw Vydikw bye sdnl vakle vs nyzz bla kd bsrlp vbyv pbl oswze nsxl vs vyjl bkx bsxl, cwv vbl osxyd sd vbl svbla lde bye yzalyeu xshle sd, zlyhkdt bkx okvb y pkxrzl “R’x psaau” clqsal bydtkdt wr.

　　Mbl qyxkzkya xlzseu wdlyavble xlxsaklp zsdt cwakle kd Qw Vydikw’p blyav. G vlya pzkrrle qasx vbl nsadla sq bkp lul, sdzu vs cl psqvzu cawpble yoyu cu y vkdu byde.

　　Ebld bl srldle bkp lulp, bl qswde Kkwfkw tygkdt yv bkx okvb osaau. “Pyeeu, esd’v nau,” vbl csu obkprlale.

　　“Daddy’s just moved by the music,” Gu Panqiu answered, forcing a bright smile. “Sit still, Baby. Daddy’s okay.”

　　From the corner of his eye, Fu Yue saw the tear slide from Gu Panqiu’s beautiful eye, glinting as it traced a path down his porcelain-white cheek to his chin.

　　Seeing Gu Panqiu in such a mood, Fu Yue already began scheming ways to cheer him up, while inwardly cursing Shen Yao for choosing such a dreadful date spot.

　　The recital was practically lulling him to sleep!

　　Just then, Jiujiu spread his arms wide, eager to be held.

　　Fu Yue quietly gathered the doll-like Jiujiu into his arms and settled him gently on his lap. It was only then that he began to feel fully awake.

　　Forty-five minutes into the concert, Fu Yue turned once more toward Shen Yao. The man was fast asleep, head tipped back against the seat, mouth slightly open. So much for sharing the “beauty of art” with Qiuqiu.

　　Beside him, Gu Panqiu was still listening attentively. Noticing Fu Yue looking over at Shen Yao, he turned his head as well to sneak a glance.

　　A dimple appeared at the corner of his lips as he fought back a laugh, quickly straightening up so as not to wake Shen Yao.

　　“Uncle Shen’s asleep,” Jiujiu yawned, rubbing his eyes. “I’m sleepy too, but I didn’t sleep! I’m great, right?”

　　Fu Yue chuckled, pinching his cheek. “If you’re tired, Sweetheart, go ahead and sleep.”

　　Shen Yao woke with a start, only to find the audience clapping.

　　The concert was over, and the pianist was taking a bow.

　　Clearing his throat, Shen Yao inquired softly, “How was it, Qiuqiu? Do you like Chopin?”

　　Gu Panqiu’s eyes curved into a gentle smile. “Actually, I prefer Bach.”

　　Shen Yao nodded. “It’s our first date, so I didn’t know what you liked. But from now on, I’ll be there with you for anything you enjoy.”

　　“Sure, thank you, Teacher Shen.”

　　“Calling me ‘Teacher Shen’ is too formal,” Shen Yao commented with a chuckle. “You can just call me ‘Big Brother’ since I’m slightly older than you.”

　　Gu Panqiu shook his head, glancing at Fu Yue out of the corner of his eye. “But I already have a ‘Big Brother.’”

　　Fu Yue felt his pulse quicken. So… this ‘Big Brother’ title is mine and mine alone?

　　As he watched Shen Yao chat with Gu Panqiu about music, Fu Yue noticed Shen Yao was blissfully oblivious of the fact that Gu Panqiu had just been crying. Still caught up in his enthusiasm, Shen Yao went on about the beauty of classical music.

　　Since he was not an expert, and his understanding of classical music was limited to a few names, he could not find a way to join the conversation. Instead, he focused on helping Jiujiu into his little cape, carefully fastening each button.

　　“Uncle, am I handsome?” Jiujiu spun around, giving Fu Yue a little twirl. “I really want to grow taller.”

　　“You will, don’t worry.” Fu Yue gave his cheek a playful pinch. “Just eat well and get plenty of sleep.”

　　As Gu Panqiu stepped out of the concert hall, he was surprised to find it was raining.

　　The raindrops fell like large beads, thudding against the ground with a sound sharper than a pianist’s fingers striking the keys. He reached out his hand to catch the rain, his gaze drifting into a distant, forlorn stare.

　　Shen Yao dashed off to the lobby to borrow an umbrella, afraid Fu Yue might beat him to it—he ran faster than a dog chasing a ball.

　　Fu Yue stood there silently for a few moments before muttering to himself, “…There are umbrellas in the production crew’s car.”

　　Turning around, Gu Panqiu saw Fu Yue wrapping Jiujiu in his scarf like a little dumpling, as if the wind might carry him off.

　　He could not help but find it amusing. “You’re quite thoughtful, CEO Fu.”

　　“Not calling me ‘Big Brother’ anymore?” Fu Yue glanced up, raising an eyebrow. “You can call me ‘Master,’ if you like.”

　　Gu Panqiu smiled sweetly at him, his thoughts drifting to his grandfather, who had always been fond of Chopin. Now that the concert was over, his mood could not get any worse.

　　“Do you have a cigarette, Fu Yue?” Gu Panqiu asked, his voice almost distant. “I could really use one.”

　　Behind him, the rain fell like a string of broken pearls, splattering rapidly against the ground. The soft curls of his hair danced lightly in the wind, while his lowered eyelids shielded the quiet sadness and solitude lurking in his gaze.

　　In that fleeting moment, Fu Yue realized it had not been a trick of his imagination—Gu Panqiu was in a truly foul mood.

　　Fu Yue set Jiujiu down on the ground and took a step closer to Gu Panqiu. “I don’t have any.”

　　Gu Panqiu let out a small, resigned sigh, his lips forming a faint pout. “Ah, well… never mind, then…”

　　The next second, Gu Panqiu was suddenly swept into Fu Yue’s warm, strong embrace.

　　His eyes widened in surprise, and he blinked rapidly, almost in disbelief that Fu Yue had taken the initiative to hug him like this.

　　Fu Yue pulled him closer and murmured, “If you’re feeling down, I can offer you my embrace.”

　　Not far off, Shen Yao, who had been walking toward them with an umbrella, suddenly stopped dead in his tracks. The umbrella slipped from his hands, falling with a soft plop onto the muddy ground.

　　Gu Panqiu leaned against Fu Yue’s chest, his ear pressed to him as he listened intently to the steady beat of his heart. The strong rhythm gradually drowned out the sound of the rain.

　　He whispered, “Big Brother, your heart is beating so fast.”

　　Fu Yue’s hand gently caressed the slimness of Gu Panqiu’s back, the embrace entirely free of any lustful intent, yet still offered him an overwhelming sense of security.

　　The cold wind brushed against Gu Panqiu’s face, but the warmth of the arms around him was the only thing that felt right.

　　“Rainy days make people feel down,” Fu Yue murmured, patting Gu Panqiu’s back. “Let’s head back. I’ll make you something good to eat, and you’ll feel better.”

　　Fu Yue’s voice remained calm, yet there was a faint tremor in his fingers, like the reverberation of a plucked string.

　　Something electric stirred in the air, and for the first time ever, color crept into Gu Panqiu’s face.

　　In that moment, he no longer craved a cigarette. Even the miserable rain had somehow turned endearing.

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The author has something to say:

Nothing beats the comforting embrace of a pure-hearted big dog!!

By the way, if you haven’t already, do give Chopin’s Nocturnes, Op. 9: No. 1 in B-Flat Minor a listen. It’s absolutely beautiful!