He removed his mask and casually placed it on the table. Fu Liangmu stood tall and poised, his handsome features sharply defined, yet softened slightly under the overhead light.
"Well, well, look at you!" Lunn clapped him on the arm, a smug smile tugging at his lips. "Haven't seen you in years, and you've grown even more dashing!"
"Oh, and don't think you'll be dodging me this time like you used to, eh?"
"This is the last time these old bones of mine will stand on a stage. As my only student, you'd better bring me some glory."
A slight furrow appeared between Fu Liangmu's brows, a flicker of complexity passing through his gaze.
"I'll do it, but I have a condition."
Lunn, well-acquainted with his temperament, reached behind him and pulled out a silver mask.
"Here—it's already been custom-made for you."
Long ago, whenever Fu Liangmu attended events, he never revealed his real name. Each appearance was made behind a mask, hiding half his face. Lunn had met discreet people before—but none as low-profile as this one.
"Thank you." Fu Liangmu took it with a calm hand.
They sat down across from each other. Lunn sighed deeply, a trace of regret in his expression.
"In my lifetime, I've only met two true prodigies. And you both refused to become my disciples."
"I know you only call me 'Teacher' out of respect for my age."
"Not like that little girl—she just calls me 'old man' to my face, not a shred of courtesy!"
Though his tone was reproachful, Lunn's face was full of affection and indulgence.
"It's a pity. Like you, she was immensely gifted, but refused to walk the path laid before her. Two promising seedlings… both wasted."
His eyes grew faintly red.
Fu Liangmu followed his words with a question."Who were you speaking of?"
At the mention of Su Wanwan, Lunn's eyes lit up.
"A young girl, even younger than you by a few years."
"She held her own solo concert in England at just five years old—that's when I first laid eyes on her."
That tiny figure, who should have been nestled in her parents' arms, carved from innocence and charm, instead sat solemnly at the piano. Her twin braids swung gently, lips pursed with determination as she played with fierce concentration.
After the performance, Lunn had rushed over, eager to speak with her guardians—only to find none.
In the end, it was Su Wanwan who, after observing him loiter for some time, finally asked in fluent English, her voice still soft with youth:
"Do you need something?"
Lunn was briefly stunned, then quickly introduced himself, expressing his wish to take her as his student.
But the little girl, barely reaching his knee, gave him a long once-over, puffed her rosy cheeks, and frowned.
"Old man, are you looking down on me?"
Lunn froze in place."Not at all!"
Su Wanwan gave a huff and placed her hands on her hips.
"I won't be your student."
"Why not? So many beg me to take them in."
"Because I want to rely on my own strength."
Lunn hadn't insisted and left with a smile.
In the years that followed, Su Wanwan indeed proved herself—again and again, shattering his expectations.
"At eight, she was admitted to the conservatory as the top candidate."
"At twelve, she performed all 24 of Chopin's études in Britain's grandest concert hall."
"That same year, she was exceptionally accepted into a prestigious French music academy, where she studied for two years."
As Fu Liangmu listened to her extraordinary feats, even he couldn't suppress a flicker of amazement.
Such talent could only be described as once-in-a-lifetime.
Across the globe, few—if any—could compare.
"Then why have I never heard of her?"
Lunn gave a casual shrug, taking a bite of pastry from the table.
"Because she never intended to remain in this world of music. She had powerful backing—no word about her ever got out. Anyone who's seen her perform wouldn't dare speak, let alone report it."
"Otherwise, she would've taken the world by storm."
Fu Liangmu gave a slight nod.
Lunn chuckled, his whiskers trembling with amusement.
"So? Interested in her yet?"
A vague sense of unease rose in Fu Liangmu's chest. He eyed the old man, who was grinning with barely concealed mischief, and his lips twitched.
"What are you getting at?"
Lunn circled him, examining him as though appraising a fine cut of meat at the butcher's.
"Liangmu, you and that girl—I watched you both grow up."
"I think you're quite a match. Why don't you two… give it a try?"
Fu Liangmu's expression darkened instantly. He took two steps back, voice dropping a few degrees in temperature.
"No. I'm already married."
Lunn's eyes nearly bulged out of his head.
"What?!"
"You're married?"
"Who is it? Man or woman?"
Fu Liangmu cast him a long, weary glance, a storm of irritation in his eyes.
"Ahem—don't take it the wrong way! You've just never had a woman around for so many years…"
"You brat, how could you get married without inviting your teacher?!"
Lunn blew out his moustache in frustration, clearly fuming.
"Is your marriage a happy one?"
"If not, hurry up and get a divorce!"
"My girl's beautiful, clever, and—most importantly—shares your passions!"
Speaking of the piano, Fu Liangmu thought of his sweet, delicate wife waiting at home. His lips curled slightly.
"No. I'm deeply in love with my wife."
Lunn gave a disappointed shake of his head, but didn't press further.
"Fine, fine. But I'll tell you now—she'll be here today."
"When the time comes, I want the two of you to perform on stage together. Make me proud."
Fu Liangmu didn't hesitate for a second.
"No."
"Why not?! Are you trying to sabotage my final show?!"
Lunn slammed his palm on the table, his voice rising.
"I prefer solo performances," Fu Liangmu said coldly, lips curved in a frosty arc.
Even if Su Wanwan wasn't watching from the shadows, he had no intention of interacting too closely with any other woman—especially when Lunn so clearly had matchmaking plans in mind.
"You… you!"
Lunn was rendered speechless, unable to form a reply.
The stalemate dragged on for ten minutes before Lunn finally gave in, shoulders drooping, as if he'd aged a decade in an instant.
"Fine. Do whatever you want."
Fu Liangmu gave a soft grunt of assent, preparing to change into performance attire. But just then, a blond man walked in.
"Miss Su has arrived."
Lunn, moments ago dispirited, suddenly lit up like fireworks. His face gleamed with delight.
"Quick, quick! Bring her in!"
"Boy! That's the girl I've been telling you about—her name is Su Wanwan!"
Fu Liangmu froze.
Before he could even turn around, a familiar, melodious laugh rang out behind him.
"Old man, traffic was a mess—I'm late."