Page 115 of He Is My Bride
“Schubert, Serenade.”
Hanjun’s thin, long fingers descended on the strings gently, like falling white chrysanthemum petals, his other hand holding the bow elegantly, and those hands began making something like magic. The movement of his hands was so beguiling, the tilt of his wrists so elegant. Li Ying was as if transported back in time, the fragrance of fine tea and the tender notes of the violin making him imagine himself in a noble court of some kind.
Thiswas the Wu elegance. Not all the expensive cars or clothes or homes, but the education, manners, and culture. Li Ying was humbled in a way no expensive car, watch or wardrobe could humble him, and for the first time, he wondered if he was worthy of all this.
He peered at Wu Yiheng, finding that the Wu patriarch was looking at him with unreadable eyes. Li Ying met his gaze, then lowered his head respectfully.
Wu Hanjun has chosen me,Li Ying thought, and that was that. He was worthy.
Once the last oscillating note of the strings had vanished, Hanrong offered Hanjun tea, and Grandmother Linming praised her grandsons to the heavens.
After tea, the grandsons and Li Ying were making their leave. Hanjun packed the violin in its case and carried it with him to the hall.
“Finally taking it with you?” Hanrong asked.
“Good,” Grandmother Linming said, “you should play more.”
“We could play a duet sometime!” Li Ying enthused.
Hanjun said nothing, but smiled. He thought he would enjoy that.
They bid farewell to the elders, and Hanrong suggested they go watch the festivities now that the day’s formalities had been seen to.
The two cousins and Li Ying spent the day in town and ate dinner out together.
“Why did you stop playing?” Li Ying asked Hanjun while they ate hot pot. Hanjun didn’t respond for a while. He had to take time to form it into words:
“For a long time, I didn’t feel like I was doing it because I wanted to.”
“Oh. I hope I didn’t push you today?”
Hanjun smiled, gently shaking his head. “No. When you played the flute yesterday, I remembered I used to enjoy playing music and I wanted to play today, for you.”
Li Ying smiled at Hanjun, leaning his head to his hands as he rested his elbows on the table. “You can play more for me.”
“Sure.”
Hanrong smiled fondly at his cousin. “It’s like you’re happier these days, Hanjun.” Hanrong then turned that smile to Li Ying. “And I think Li Ying has a lot to do with it.”
Li Ying felt warm. “Sometimes it helps to be away for a while, to remember what used to make you happy. Hanjun just happened to pick me up on the way.”
“No,” Hanjun said and caressed Li Ying’s arm. “It’s you.”
Li Ying swallowed hard on the lump in his throat. “Stop it, silly melon.” He poked Hanjun’s arm with his chopsticks.
“Behave,” Hanjun gently reprimanded and Li Ying blushed, hiding his face behind his hand.
Hanrong chuckled at their playful bickering. “By the way,” he said, “there’s much speculation whether you two will come to the cocktail party tomorrow.”
“So, what’s up with that, huh, Hanjun?” Li Ying looked at him sternly. “You said nothing about a party, but I saw the invitation on your table.”
“I wasn’t sure if you wanted to go,” Hanjun said. “I meant to ask.” However, he seemed embarrassed.
“Or you didn’t want to go?”
Hanjun frowned. “I’m indifferent. Ididmean to ask you.”
It was true that Hanjun wasn’t much of a party person, and the invitation had been the last thing on his mind when Li Ying got back to Shanghai. It’s not that he forgot, but it was at the bottom of his list of priorities. He should have remembered that parties were at the top of Li Ying’s, and now Hanjun felt ashamed for not bringing it up sooner.
