ALL NOVEL Chapter 15: Beautiful, The Most Beautiful I've Ever Heard
Chapter 15: Beautiful, The Most Beautiful I’ve Ever Heard
“Go do your work, but let me remind you of one thing – I hope every cent of Chu Corporation’s investment will ultimately benefit the students, not just be used for building renovations and useless face projects.”
When Chu Hanting spoke seriously, even without deliberately lowering his voice, his matter-of-fact tone carried an air of authority that commanded compliance. Even Principal Li, who had long held his position of leadership, felt like a schoolboy being lectured when Chu Hanting spoke.
“Understood, understood. I guarantee these funds will ultimately benefit the students.”
The principal then hurriedly left with the teacher.
When Chu Hanting turned back to look at the music room, through the glass window, his eyes met with a pair of bright, smiling eyes.
Rather than feeling embarrassed at being caught eavesdropping, he felt a sense of curiosity.
The young man wore a white wool t-shirt with a collar and a brown vest. His phoenix eyes, carrying a hint of a smile, were particularly captivating.
Chu Hanting pushed open the music room door and walked up to Su Mu. Before he could confront the little trickster, he heard, “Eavesdropping? The great CEO Chu doing such things?”
Chu Hanting chuckled, “How else would I know that someone was using me to ward off admirers?”
Su Mu’s smile visibly faded, his tone carrying hints of dissatisfaction, accusation, and a touch of grievance, “Could it not be that I was speaking from my heart?”
Chu Hanting smiled without commenting.
It wasn’t that he didn’t believe it, but it had been less than thirty hours since they met – speaking of ‘love’ seemed somewhat absurd.
Su Mu could tell he didn’t believe him. Though annoyed inside, he could do nothing about it – after all, he owed this man from his previous life.
Skipping this inconclusive topic, Su Mu asked, “Why are you here?”
CEO Chu might appear at the corporation or various business meetings, but a school seemed completely out of place for someone like him.
“The Chu family is a major shareholder of this school,” one sentence explained everything to Su Mu.
Indeed, as he expected, this man usually only appeared in work-related settings.
Su Mu looked up at him – despite being tall himself, he was still a head shorter than Chu Hanting. Standing close, he had to tilt his head slightly to take in the man’s handsome features.
Su Mu felt his previous life’s self must have been truly blind, probably had mud in his eyes. This man’s looks were exactly his type, yet somehow he hadn’t seen it at all in his previous life.
Chu Hanting watched as Su Mu openly and earnestly studied him. Honestly, few people dared to so blatantly ogle him under his direct gaze.
“Seen enough?”
“Not yet,” Su Mu shook his head, “Am I not allowed to look?”
Chu Hanting let out a light chuckle, “You haven’t finished the piece you were playing earlier.”
“You heard that too?” Su Mu had thought Chu Hanting arrived later, not realizing he’d heard him playing.
“Would you like to hear it? I’ll play only for you.”
Without waiting for Chu Hanting’s answer, Su Mu walked to the piano, adjusted the bench position, and sat down.
Chu Hanting strolled to the window, hands in his pockets, leaning slightly against the windowsill. From this angle, he could see every movement Su Mu made while playing.
Su Mu casually tested a few notes first, and once he found his rhythm, his hands fell onto the keys. Beautiful, enchanting melodies seemed to spring to life.
He wasn’t playing the same piece as before, but rather a different one with improvisation, because he wanted Chu Hanting to understand him better through the music.
Chu Hanting naturally noticed the difference. This piece was faster than the previous one, yet not cheerful – instead, it had a rich tone, deep and intense like the ocean.
Looking at Su Mu’s expression, he wasn’t playing a lyrical piece with the expected lightness.
Instead, it was aggressive and sharp.
The music reflects the person – so what was Su Mu trying to tell him?
Chu Hanting felt as if he were caught in a whirlpool, battered by fierce winds and waves, the aggressive feeling hitting him directly through the music.
His eyes darkened, becoming unfathomable.
Suddenly, the music changed, becoming more gentle but still maintaining its vigorous power and penetrating quality.
Chu Hanting felt as if the tide around him had receded, leaving him floating on a small boat.
Then the scene changed – he felt transported to a dense forest, surrounded by emerging bamboo shoots. In pouring rain, the shoots fought against the heavy soil, struggling to grow, breaking through all obstacles by their own strength to gain the opportunity for growth.
Then, after the rain cleared, the bamboo shoots grew higher and higher, becoming tall, straight bamboo stalks, lush and green.
The piece ended with a gentle conclusion, as if all dust had settled, peaceful and beautiful.
Interesting, Chu Hanting thought.
He had assumed the previous clear, ethereal pieces that could cleanse one’s soul were Su Mu’s specialty.
Unexpectedly, today gave him a surprise, making him need to reassess his arranged marriage partner.
He seemed quite different from what was described in the documents.
He felt he could delete that file from his mind – this person was completely different from what the investigation had shown.
Su Mu finished playing, took a few seconds to emerge from his absorbed state, and turned to look in Chu Hanting’s direction.
The evening sun’s rays fell on Chu Hanting, his backlit silhouette tall and hazy. The golden light on his black suit seemed to paint it with color, the layers blending together to appear almost brown.
“Was it beautiful?”
Chu Hanting curved his lips into a smile. “Su Mu, you really surprised me.”
“Was it beautiful?”
Chu Hanting seemed to sigh helplessly before answering seriously: “Beautiful. The best I’ve ever heard.”
This wasn’t mere flattery from Chu Hanting – he’d heard many pianists, but Su Mu was the first to make him feel truly immersed in the music.
Hearing the praise, Su Mu smiled softly, his eyes curving. He moved closer to Chu Hanting and pressed on, “I have a piano competition next week.”
“Mm.” Chu Hanting responded softly.
“Can you come?” Su Mu’s tone was gentle, almost pleading.
Chu Hanting felt as if something had lightly scratched at his heart.
“Are you inviting me?” His voice was deep and husky.
“Yes,” Su Mu said frankly, “I want you to come.”
His eyes held a gentle gleam, that sincere, hopeful plea seemed to express a pure desire – Su Mu simply wanted him to come hear him play, nothing more.
Quite captivating indeed, Chu Hanting thought.
But the more captivating it was, the more he couldn’t drag this out. Whatever this kid wanted from him, it wouldn’t be possible.
“I’m quite busy with work, so…”
“The competition is right next to the Chu Corporation building,” Su Mu interrupted. “Don’t reject me now, let’s wait until that day.”
Chu Hanting didn’t reply further, unable to bring himself to refuse and hurt him. Changing the subject, he said, “It’s getting late. Are you staying at the dormitory or returning to the Su residence?”