Chapter 30 A Fine Performance

Chapter 30 A Fine Performance

Today, Sheng Ai got off work early, but not because there was nothing to do at the business; he planned to bring his work back to finish in the evening.

In the evening, Aunt Zhao respectfully prepared a sumptuous dinner for them.

Aunt Zhao mentioned that Master and Madam had already eaten and were planning to take the young miss to the movies later.

Interestingly, since Xiyang had transmigrated, he hadn't met his nominal younger sister yet.

However... for some reason, it felt like Sheng Ai wasn’t very familiar with the young miss either.

During dinner, Sheng Ai told Xiyang that Madam often took the young miss to her maternal home, where there were children of the same age as the young miss, so she practically grew up there.

Xiyang nodded, thinking that if Sheng Ai wasn’t familiar with her, he didn’t need to pretend to be either.

That evening, the family of three went out.

Sheng Ai returned to his room to work, while Xiyang, having nothing to do, felt awkward about disturbing Sheng Ai, so he went to the garden on his own.

In the early summer garden, flowers were in full bloom. As dusk fell, Xiyang wandered among the blossoms, humming an opera tune and holding a rose to his nose, inhaling its scent.

Just as he was humming enthusiastically, he suddenly heard a timid voice behind him: "Young Master..."

He jumped, turning around to see a girl with braids.

The girl held a watering can, apparently here to tend to the flowers.

Xiyang stepped aside to let her water the plants. When she noticed he hadn’t left, her face turned even redder. After a moment of silence, she whispered, "Young Master, do you sing operas?"

Xiyang was taken aback, realizing she had heard him. He scratched his face and said, "I just hummed a bit."

This girl seemed less afraid of him than others and was willing to talk.

Xiyang enjoyed the conversation and soon learned her name was Xiaoxiu, and she was new.

Xiaoxiu quietly told Xiyang, "My mother used to sing operas too, but after her voice was damaged, she stopped singing and couldn’t perform anymore. She... blamed me for ruining her voice after giving birth and would often scold and hit me before selling me."

Xiyang was stunned.

Xiaoxiu continued, "But I still miss my mother. When I was sick as a child, she would sing for me. Though it wasn’t very good, I still remember it."

After a pause, Xiyang said, "If you want to hear more, I can sing for you, though... I might not be very good."

"Really?" Xiaoxiu’s eyes lit up as she clutched the watering can. "What can you sing, Young Master?"

Xiyang thought for a moment, realizing he knew quite a few songs.

After a while, he asked Xiaoxiu, "How about I sing 'The Empty City Strategy' for you?"

Xiyang hadn’t sung in a while. Back then, his mother made him practice every day, which annoyed him, but now he wished he could go back to those days, knowing they were gone forever.

He took a deep breath, cleared his throat, and began to sing.

Thinking no one would come to the back garden, he sang loudly. Initially standing still, he eventually added movements and gestures, noticing how Xiaoxiu’s eyes sparkled brighter and brighter. This encouraged him to sing even more passionately.

When he finished, Xiaoxiu applauded vigorously.

"Young Master, you’re amazing! If you performed in the theater, you’d surely become a renowned actor!" Xiaoxiu exclaimed, then covered her mouth, realizing her mistake.

How could she compare the young master to a theater performer?

But Xiyang didn’t mind, smiling, "I’d actually love to try. Maybe with some training from the masters, I could become famous."

As they spoke, Xiyang heard a sound above him.

Looking up, he saw the third-floor window open, with Sheng Ai leaning against it, his expression gentle. He had removed his glasses, seemingly taking a break.

Xiyang felt nervous, "Brother, did I disturb you?"

He had forgotten Sheng Ai was nearby.

Xiaoxiu also became nervous.

Sheng Ai, however, smiled warmly, "Instead of going to the movies, I watched a fine performance here."

Pausing slightly, his gaze lingered on Xiyang, "Come up. I want to talk to you."