AWB Chapter 360 [Empire] Good night, as you wish.
Chapter 360 [Empire] Good night, as you wish.
The night air was quiet and warm, and the elegant home still had a reassuring atmosphere. As I walked through the living room, I couldn't help but slow my pace as the melodious sound of a piano drifted from the room.
The sound was deep and lingering, like a drizzle of rain gently lapping at the lake of my heart, carrying a unique charm and warmth. I followed the sound to the door of the room, but couldn't help but freeze in my tracks.
The Wen Ya in front of me is completely different from the one I have seen before.
He was dressed in simple casual clothes, the soft fabric framing his figure and forming a stark contrast to the ornate suits he usually wore on stage. A dark brown violin rested gently on his shoulder, his fingers moving across the strings, his bow strokes gentle and focused, as if the entire world had stopped at the sound of the instrument.
It was an unprecedented tranquility. I didn't even dare to make a sound for fear of disturbing the scene.
I have seen Wen Ya making coffee. At that time, he was gentle and elegant, like a hand-painted oil painting; I have seen him painting, which was another kind of artistic tranquility; I have seen him cooking, his movements were neat and tidy, as if he had injected his own breath into each dish; I have also seen him shining on the stage, his radiance and confidence made it almost impossible to look away.
But at this moment, he was completely different. He stood quietly under the dim light, as if stripping off all disguises, leaving only his true self. The music flowed from his fingers, no longer performing for the audience, but for himself, for some deeper emotion.
Wen Ya's eyes were filled with a look of intense concentration, a state of complete immersion in the music. His movements were impeccable, the strength of his bow perfectly synced with the rhythm, as if every note spoke of a deeply hidden emotion.
I held my breath and stood there quietly, feeling the beauty and tranquility of this moment.
It wasn't until the piano music slowly faded that Wen Ya looked up and noticed my presence. The moment his eyes met mine, a hint of surprise flashed in his eyes, but then turned into a gentle smile.
"Why didn't you say anything?" His voice was soft, without any blame, but with a hint of curiosity.
"I don't want to disturb you." I smiled slightly and walked into the room. "I've never seen you like this before. Wen Ya, your piano playing is beautiful."
He glanced down at the violin in his hand, a self-deprecating smile on his face: "It's just a casual practice, not a formal performance."
"But this is the most real thing." I sat down across from him, a hint of emotion in my tone. "There's no stage, no audience, and no deliberate form. You're just yourself. I think this is better than ever."
Wen Ya was silent for a moment, a complex emotion flickering in his eyes. He lowered his head, stroking the strings, and murmured, "Perhaps. I've always felt that the purest music is for oneself, not for others."
"So are you playing for yourself now?" I couldn't help but ask.
He raised his head and glanced at me. His eyes were soft and deep, as if filled with so much emotion. "Maybe not entirely. Perhaps it's for the people I want to protect, for the things I don't want to forget."
I didn't say anything else, just looked at him quietly, looked at the violin in his hands, and looked at his eyes that hid countless stories.
"Wen Ya." I spoke softly, with a hint of tentativeness in my tone, "What are you protecting?"
He didn't answer immediately. He just looked at the violin, was silent for a moment, and then showed a faint smile: "Maybe one day, I will tell you. When you can understand."
Late at night, the room was filled with only the warm light reflected on the wall, soft and quiet. Wen Ya sat by my bed, coaxing me to sleep as usual. This had become another ritual for him, besides cooking, with his unique patience and gentleness.
"Close your eyes." He whispered, his tone so gentle as if he was afraid to disturb the tranquility of the night.
I lay on the bed, obediently closing my eyes. Although I wasn't really sleepy, I was too lazy to resist. His voice was soft, with a soothing power. I didn't need to deliberately urge him. Just his presence made me feel at ease.
"How was school today?" His voice came from above my head, low and soft, like a soothing breeze.
"Nothing special." I answered with my eyes closed, my tone a little vague, "I got scolded by the teacher, and then I had to make up for it."
Wen Ya smiled softly, and I heard his chair shift slightly, presumably adjusting his posture. His voice remained gentle, "You deserve a lesson. It's your fault for skipping classes for so long."
I didn't answer, but just shrank back a little guiltily.
"However," he paused, a hint of relief in his voice, "as long as you study hard and don't worry the teachers too much, it won't be a big problem."
I nodded. Although I didn't open my eyes, I could feel his gentle gaze, like an invisible protective shield, blocking out all the fatigue and anxiety.
"Wenya." I called out softly, with a hint of dependence in my voice, "Don't you feel annoyed by me sleeping like this every day?"
He smiled slightly, his voice filled with a hint of doting: "I don't think so. I like taking care of you. Seeing you fall asleep peacefully makes me feel that the day is complete."
His answer brought a wave of warmth to my heart, yet a complex feeling. This gentleness always made me feel so close, yet so far away. He seemed to be in control of everything, yet it was so easy for me to let down my guard.
"You should rest sometime." I whispered, my voice gradually swallowed by sleepiness. "Always taking care of me, you must be tired too..."
"Sleep well." Wen Ya gently interrupted me. He bent down, pulled up the quilt, and patted my shoulder gently. "Don't think too much, just sleep peacefully."
His voice was like a lullaby, so gentle that I couldn't resist it. I gradually fell into sleep, with only his shallow breathing in my ears, as if telling me that no matter how complicated this world is, there will always be someone like this who will accompany me and protect me in the simplest way.
In the last moment before I closed my eyes, I heard him whisper, "Good night, as you wish."