Lu Zheng’s heart skipped a beat, wondering if this was some clichéd drama—had they run into her ex-boyfriend?
At the same time, Lin Wan looked back, catching Lu Zheng’s gaze.
“What are you thinking?” Lin Wan glared at him, exasperated.
“Er, nothing.”
“Hmph! Men!”
Lin Wan smirked, then turned serious, “This guy is… a suspect in a case.”
She smoothly shifted from “your” to “a,” the tone so similar Lu Zheng didn’t notice.
“What?”
Lu Zheng was stunned, glancing again at the man elegantly playing the piano, occasionally gesturing to his distant companion.
Tall, handsome, with deep, charming eyes and a faint smile, he was the quintessential high-quality male.
This guy, a suspect?
“Love ‘em and leave ‘em?” Lu Zheng blurted out, his imagination stretching only so far.
Lin Wan shook her head, staying silent.
Fine, discipline. Mentioning a suspect to Lu Zheng was already her way of easing his misunderstanding.
“Such bad luck!” Lin Wan frowned.
“Forget the case for today. I’ve got a surprise for you later.”
“What surprise?”
Just then, the man finished his piece, bowing slightly to polite applause before stepping off the stage.
Lu Zheng stood, winked at Lin Wan, and headed toward the stage.
Lin Wan, startled, whispered urgently, “What are you doing? Don’t be reckless!”
Lu Zheng sighed, “What do you think? You don’t assume I’d just start a fight, do you?”
Lin Wan’s face flushed.
At that moment, the man who’d just left the stage noticed them, his brow furrowing when he saw Lin Wan.
Lu Zheng didn’t even glance at him, brushing past as he walked by.
Seeing another guest take the stage, the restaurant’s patrons looked over curiously.
Well, damn, another handsome guy.
He lacked the refined air of the first, but his sturdy build exuded a warm, secure presence.
“Sir, you…”
A waiter approached.
The piano was valuable, air-shipped from Italy, the owner’s pride and joy. Normally just decor, only regulars could play it occasionally.
The previous man, from a wealthy family and a frequent patron, could borrow the stage to charm women, a privilege not extended to most.
Lu Zheng turned, meeting the waiter’s eyes.
“You… please, go ahead…”
Lu Zheng nodded, “Thanks!”
He turned, sat at the piano, and ran his fingers lightly across the keys from left to right.
Nice texture, a fine instrument.
Of course, Lu Zheng had only added music theory and piano skills to his repertoire, not knowledge of piano brands or quality, so while he sensed it was good, he had no concrete standard.
…
On the other side, the waiter retreated, joined by two colleagues.
“What’s wrong with you? Why didn’t you stop him? We don’t know his skill. If he damages the piano, you’re in trouble!”
“I… I don’t know. His look just scared me.”
“What? Scared by a look? Are you in a movie?”
“Really! It was so intense. I’m telling you, this guy’s no ordinary person!”
Working in a wealthy district, the waiters had sharp eyes. He’d been intimidated by looks before, but those came with status. Being cowed by a glance without that context was new.
It only proved Lu Zheng’s presence was extraordinary, or at least his acting was impeccable.
Lu Zheng’s glance was away from Lin Wan, so she didn’t see it.
On stage, he turned, winking at Lin Wan again.
Lin Wan, both embarrassed and thrilled, thought, Lu Zheng can play the piano?
“Ding-dong… ding-dong…”
Lu Zheng’s fingers danced like butterflies, lightly touching the keys as if skimming water, and a melody flowed gently.
Schubert’s *Serenade*.
Soft moonlight, flowing streams, fireflies playing in quiet woods, nightingales singing.
If the previous man’s skill was impressive, Lu Zheng’s performance drew listeners into an immersive trance.
Well, Lu Zheng’s skill wasn’t quite transcendent, but comparisons are brutal. His technique was a notch above, enhanced by his Taoist cultivation, giving him an edge in aura.
So…
When the piece ended, the applause was noticeably louder than before.
He stood, bowed in thanks, and performed flawlessly.
Then he felt several heated gazes from across the restaurant.
Hmph, either after my talent or my looks!
Ignoring them, Lu Zheng returned to the table with calm steps.
“You can actually play the piano!” Lin Wan’s surprise lingered.
“No big deal!” Lu Zheng shifted from elegance to casual ease, “The piano’s gone from a noble instrument to a common skill, hasn’t it?
Kids these days all play a bit. The real elite play the organ, which I genuinely can’t.”
His voice carried, and nearby diners smiled kindly.
Handsome, elegant, witty, humble, even his sarcasm had depth.
Most diners were wealthy, the target of his jab, yet they couldn’t dislike him.
Lin Wan shook her head, “Most people don’t play as well as you.”
“I’ll take that as a compliment!” Lu Zheng nodded, feigning delight.
“Of course it’s a compliment!” Lin Wan beamed, her radiant face drawing admiring glances.
A perfect match of talent and beauty.
But…
An uninvited guest arrived.
“Officer Lin, you’re too dedicated, chasing a case to KASAMUVA,” a clear voice said, as a man in a white suit appeared in Lu Zheng’s peripheral vision.
Lu Zheng looked up, seeing the man who’d just played standing beside them.
“If you have evidence, please get an arrest warrant quickly. If not, stop bothering me, or I might sue for stalking and invasion of privacy.”
Lu Zheng raised an eyebrow.
Lin Wan placed her hand on his, stopping him.
“Mr. Liu, don’t police officers have the right to dine at restaurants?”
“Of course they do!” Liu Yifan wouldn’t make such a verbal misstep.
“Just curious how a lowly officer can afford a high-end restaurant. Not illegal, is it?”
“And catching up with an acquaintance, chatting a bit, that’s not illegal either, right?”
“No, of course not,” Lin Wan said coolly.
“There you go!” Liu Yifan flashed a charming smile, leaning in slightly, “Give up, it’s pointless.”
