"CEO, won't you call the young madam anymore to ensure that she is alright? She might be panicking and confused. A few reassuring words from you will probably make her happy right now."
Caishen reluctantly picked up his phone, took a deep breath in as if he was about to dive into the deep end of the swimming pool.
He dialed, and the call did not go through. Instead, he heard a machinated voice on the other end.
"Sorry, the number you have called is not available."
Caishen glared at Biming as he hung up. What do you have to say about this?
"Haha, I will arrange the documents for your meeting with the distributors." Biming laughed nervously and escaped from the office before the death ray, as he named Caishen's sharp glare could kill him.
He was just trying to bring the couple closer together, not die or lose his job. This task given to him by grandpa Zhang was really difficult.
Alix, still ignorant of the fact that she had yelled at her husband was in class with Qing An Rao and another male student who had signed up for the harmony competition.
Both were cello players which made it easier for her to teach them at once. They were not alone however, at least fifteen other students had squeezed into the class to listen in.
Three people had cellos cradled against their chests, one was Alix and the two were her students.
They were playing the same melody which they had practiced three times so far, together.
Relaxed, and present in the moment, their hands moved in synchronicity as they immersed themselves in each note and the vibration of the strings.
Those who were listening were drawn in, impressed by the progress their fellow students seemed to have made. Others were envious, wishing that they had the guts to sign up when the offer was still open.
"Stop." Alix yelled and suddenly stopped playing.
She looked at the two students who were facing her with sternness.
Both of them stared at her with unease as they wondered where they had gone wrong.
"Qing Rao, you are playing a song which is supposed to evoke a feeling of sunlight, a desire to open one's eyes and see the world. What I am getting from you today is the desire to cover my head in my blanket and stay there for an entire winter hibernating like a bear."
She turned to the boy, eyeing him equally sternly. "Mu Da Fu, are you having a physical fight with the strings? Have they offended you somehow?"
Someone in the classroom giggled and Alix glared at the students. It turned out that the one who giggled was a teacher peeping in from a window.
Alix looked at the two who were playing and ordered them to take in deep breaths and let go of all their tension.
"Both of you should know that you are going to go up against seasoned pianists and cello players. You two are among the few amateurs that will be there.
Our Song bird music academy must get at least one position in top three. The fact that you want to play as a duo makes it even tougher. Your harmonies must sync perfectly, your playing must be effortless.
What you are telling is a story and your cello is the story teller. Fill every note with your emotions, desire and desperation.
I need you to make those who are listening feel a burst of joy. Those judges should be left awed by the time you finish playing.
We are starting from the beginning, listen to my playing, watch my movements and then it's your turn."
Outside the classroom, speaking in hushed voices so as not to disturb the lesson, teachers and students were discussing.
"I thought they sounded perfect." someone said.
"Teacher Alix is a pro, I really didn't catch Qing An's mistake until she mentioned it." one teacher said.
"Me too, now that I listen to her playing and Qing An's playing I can hear the difference. Teacher Alix's version makes me feel butterflies in my stomach."
"Aah, like the beginning of summer when you want to get out of the house and play." Someone made a comparison.
"Mu Da Fu needs to practice harder than Qiang An. If they are not in sync one will drag the other down." another teacher said.
Behind the teachers, someone was recording and Jin Knag swooped in and grabbed the person's phone.
"Hey," the recorder turned around, dismayed.
Was someone trying to snatch her phone in broad daylight? How stupid?
"Madam Qian!!'" dismayed, Jin Kang said the name of their landlady loudly.
Others turned around and gave them a few unappreciative looks.
"Sorry, but recording is not allowed." Jin Kang apologized politely and returned madam Qian's phone to her.
Madam Qian was not too happy to hear that.
"It's because this is an original composition meant to be used in the competition. If it leaks, our students will lose one of the advantages they might have over others."
"Fine." Madam Qian shoved her phone in her bag.
"Sorry, madam, might I trouble you to delete it first." Jin Kang smiled but spoke seriously.
Alix had already told her that Billi was acquainted with madam Qian. She would not risk having madam Qian share the recording with Billi that composition and glory thief.
Madam Qian deleted it and showed her phone to Jin kang.
"There, it's done. Are you happy now?"
Jin Kang smiled and answered, "Extremely."
"Ho!, so rude." Madam Qian mumbled.
"What are you doing here madam? Is this about the eviction?" Jin Kang asked her.
Madam Qian looked at Alix in the classroom and pointed to her.
"That's between me and her."
Jin Kang folded her lips, and faked another smile. "I see, please continue listening in that case."
Madam Qian was dissatisfied deep down. All she wanted to do was save that glorious music and listen to it in her free time.
It was better than most classic compositions she had ever listened to. Why had Lin Billi not mentioned to her that her older sister was a skilled cello player? She would definitely ask her about it?
Right now, she had to first tell Alix that when she woke up, the rabbit's foot was gone. Nobody had been in the bedroom but her and her husband.
So what had happened to it?