Mei Ran changed into another outfit in the bedroom and walked out, only to see Shijin's "older sister" standing by the floor-to-ceiling window talking on the phone. Wind blew in from outside the window, carrying her clear and pleasant cello-like voice, which stunned Mei Ran into a halt.
In this world, there exists a certain kind of woman who is like a piece of superior jade, radiating a gentle glow, or a solitary flower with a faint fragrance. The aura they exude with every move can only be described as possessing unparalleled grace and beauty.
Mei Ran was also beautiful, but her beauty carried a classical quality—serene and comparatively reserved, more akin to a luminous pearl. She wasn't like the woman before her, whose beauty was flamboyant, even aggressive. However, perhaps due to the passage of time and the sedimentation of life experience, this aura had been somewhat reined in. Nonetheless, there was no doubt she was stunning, capable of capturing all attention in an instant.
"Ranran?"
Mei Ran suddenly snapped back to reality. Staring at the beautiful face now so close, she was at a loss for how to react for a moment.
Fu Lanxin quietly took in the changes in her expression and smiled, "I've only heard your name and never met you in person. Now that I've finally seen the real you, we must have a good chat."
"I specially had someone engrave one of your songs onto a CD," she continued. "I listen to it whenever I have time, though it's a pity there's only one song..."
Mei Ran was utterly astonished. So her "hearing of her name" referred to MR?
"How did you know it was me?" She blurted out the first thought that came to mind. "Did Shijin tell you?"
Fu Lanxin unhurriedly led her to the sofa. She had prepared floral tea earlier and poured a cup for each of them. Every move she made was pleasing to the eye. The pale green tea shimmered within the snow-colored teacup. Its delicate fragrance lingered in the air, the stark contrast between the two pure colors embodying utmost elegance and grace.
"It was him," she said, "yet it wasn't him."
Mei Ran was left baffled.
A light smile graced Fu Lanxin's lips as she pushed a teacup toward Mei Ran. "Taste it."
Mei Ran lowered her head and took a small sip. The tea's flavor was surprisingly layered. First, a faint bitterness, then a mellow sweetness, and finally a faint, sweet aftertaste emerged.
Her father was an avid tea connoisseur. At home, they had all sorts of fine tea, even specially supplied ones. She had been influenced by it since childhood, yet now she couldn't discern what tea this was.
"How is the taste?"
Mei Ran shared her thoughts honestly. Upon hearing it, Fu Lanxin smiled again, "The tea leaves themselves aren't particularly rare."
"Could it be because of the water?"
Fu Lanxin glanced at her, a hint of appreciation in her eyes. "Precisely. It is indeed spring water from the Alps."
No wonder, Mei Ran thought to herself.
"What did you mean by what you said earlier?"
"I did learn about your existence from Shijin," Fu Lanxin explained. "We both liked that song, 'Encounter,' very much, but Shijin was clearly more captivated by it than I was. One day, he excitedly told me he had contacted MR. His nature has always been somewhat aloof; I rarely see him show his emotions so openly..."
"During the period when MR disappeared, he was like someone who had suddenly lost a lover. Every night, he would stay alone in the music room until late, playing that piece on the piano. It was then that I realized MR's significance to him was perhaps not merely that of a voice he admired. My husband and I found each other through music, so I privately believe there might be a factor in our blood—falling in love at first sight with one's other half."
"What I didn't expect," she continued, blinking her eyes, her smile deepening, "was that his period of heartbreak lasted a full seven years. And then, he suddenly told me he had fallen in love. So, it could only be you, MR."
The woman with whom he would spend the rest of his life could only be you.
Apart from you, I couldn't think of any other possibility.
"Moreover," she added, "with a little thought, it's not hard to guess that MR are the initials of your name, right?"
Mei Ran nodded. "People are often deceived by things that appear simple."
"Yes," Fu Lanxin looked at her meaningfully, "and people are also easily deceived by certain superficial appearances."
"You hail from the Mei Family of S City," she asked. "What is your relationship with Mu Rong of Binnan?"
Fu Lanxin already had the answer in mind, so when Mei Ran said, "She is my mother," she didn't show the slightest hint of surprise.
On the contrary, Mei Ran asked in astonishment, "You knew my mother?"
Fu Lanxin tapped the lid of her teacup lightly and smiled. Truly, ruby lips parted in a smile; each look and smile was of the utmost elegance. "More than just knowing her."
Mei Ran wanted to hear more from her leisurely recounting, but at that moment, the door was suddenly pushed open. The man who should have been in a meeting right now walked in.
"How did you..." Mei Ran stood up to go to him.
Fu Lanxin, meanwhile, remained composed, sipping her tea.
"I thought your text message was asking me for help," the man's tone was teasing, his voice also lowered. "Actually, I was worried you might be getting picked on, so I ended the meeting early."
Mei Ran gave him a light pinch at the waist, but he caught her hand and led her back to the sofa.
The two sat down opposite Fu Lanxin. Fu Shijin called out lightly, "Mom."
"Mom?" Mei Ran exclaimed, as if a thunderclap had exploded in her head.
Fu Lanxin responded happily, "Yes!"
Mei Ran stared in disbelief at the woman before her, her mind churning like a thousand-mile-long river breaking through its banks, the shockwaves leaving her utterly disoriented.
So her earlier remark, "People are often deceived by superficial appearances," was alluding to this? But if one hadn't seen it with their own eyes, who would believe that this woman who looked to be only in her thirties was actually the mother of a twenty-nine-year-old man?!
It was simply incredible!
And what was most mortifying was that the one who witnessed that embarrassing scene wasn't his sister, but his mother—her future mother-in-law.
Not only had she slept with her son, but she had also worn her son's shirt, and...
Mei Ran's face began to flush, grow hot, and burn.
"A-Auntie..." For once in her life, she found herself at a loss for words.
"Since we're family, no need for formalities," Fu Lanxin put down her teacup, looking over with a radiant smile. "Just call me Mom. Actually, I've always wanted a daughter."
Mentioning this, her tone took on a nostalgic quality. "Your mother and I became disciples under the same master when we were seven... Your mother passed away early. I also returned to France with Shijin's father to settle down and haven't gone back these years. Now, you're all grown up. Thinking back, when I held you in my arms, you were just a tiny, soft little bundle."
In that moment, Mei Ran suddenly understood. The person before her was undoubtedly Fu Lanxin, the one who shared the title "The Twin Beauties Lan and Rong" with her mother in their youth, the "Number One Beauty of Binnan."
Indeed, with such stunning looks, one could imagine how dazzling she must have been in her youth.
Fu Lanxin sighed with a distant look in her eyes, "In the blink of an eye, so many years have passed. Time truly waits for no one."
Mei Ran exchanged a glance with the man beside her. In an instant, they understood each other's thoughts, and she saw a trace of helpless, faint smile touch his lips as he quietly took her hand under the table.
Old? I thought she was your sister earlier.
That's just how my mom is. You'll get used to it.
"Don't think I don't know what you're thinking," Fu Lanxin got up and sat next to Mei Ran. Without the slightest concern for propriety, she brushed aside her jet-black hair and leaned in, showing Mei Ran. Then, she blinked playfully.
White hair and wrinkles—the beauty had indeed aged.
But Heaven had undoubtedly favored this woman. The traces of time hadn't masked her beauty; instead, they added a touch of charm. The serene depth in her eyes, the elegant and poised aura she possessed—something many women in this world could never attain in their entire lives.
Mei Ran couldn't help but wonder, "If my mother were still alive, what would she look like?"
Fu Lanxin had a concert to attend that evening—it was the farewell performance of her music career—so she couldn't stay home for too long. Before leaving, she specifically said to Mei Ran, "Ranran, I sincerely invite you to my concert."
She had always known her son had discerning taste. She had anticipated liking this girl, but she hadn't expected to like her this much. Finally, she understood why she had liked that song "Encounter" so much; perhaps within its notes, it held the heartbeat and pulse of her fellow student, whom she recognized as a kindred spirit but whose brilliance had faded too soon.
It was the inheritance of a musical lineage.
Although it was a farewell performance, the concert atmosphere felt devoid of any trace of sadness. When the lights dimmed and melodious notes began to drift in the air, Mei Ran held her breath, watching the person at the center of the stage intently. With each note from the violin, her heart beat faster and faster.
This instrument, hailed as the "queen of instruments," possessed exquisite timbre but was exceptionally difficult to master. The piece being performed was also extremely intricate, yet Fu Lanxin effortlessly interpreted it to its fullest glory.
As she played the violin, it was as if she held a beam of moonlight in her hands. The notes that flowed out, gentle and lingering, worked their way deep into people's hearts.
The audience was intoxicated by this feast for the ears; Mei Ran, too, was completely captivated.
Her mother's life had been brief, but she had been cherished by her father throughout, and he still held her dear in memory.
But this woman was different. Her husband passed away early; she raised an only son in a foreign land and secured her standing in such a vast family. Mei Ran suddenly felt an urge to ask her, "Why is your soul so resilient, yet your music so gentle, so ethereal and serene?"
The last note came to an abrupt stop—not like the unrestrained elation after tasting fine wine, but more like a mother gently waking her young child at dawn. Fu Lanxin slowly bowed to the audience. Only then did everyone, as if waking from a dream, burst into warm, thunderous applause.
At this moment, regardless of concert etiquette, most people even stood up, shouting her name passionately in unison.
They finally realized that this exceptionally talented violinist, the curtain had fallen on her final concert.
The times they had rejoiced, been moved, and grieved for her—it was all over.
Perhaps their skin tones differed, their nationalities were not the same, yet tonight, they shouted the name of one person.
However, their enthusiasm and applause could not keep her. Fu Lanxin still turned and departed. Only as she neared the exit did she turn her head slightly, offering one fleeting smile—so fast that even the flashlights failed to capture it—and waved her hand, disappearing elegantly from the spotlight's reach.
Truly, a single glance back in a smile can enchant a nation.
This would be a night difficult to forget for many.
On the way back, Mei Ran still felt a sense of melancholy. Fu Shijin silently watched her and suddenly let out a soft chuckle.
"Hmm?"
The sentiment I felt when MR disappeared—you must have a taste of it now, don't you?
Mei Ran sniffled, then turned to look out the window. Two soft glimmers surfaced in her eyes. "Could we stop the car for a moment?"
The driver, receiving the instruction, steadily pulled over to the roadside.
The wind was cold, making her skirt flutter wildly. Fu Shijin frowned, embracing her from behind, shielding her from part of the wind. Mei Ran looked around her, a smile gradually blooming on her face. She leaned over and asked softly, "We met here five years ago, remember? My car broke down at the time, and it was your driver who helped fix it."
Fu Shijin thought for a moment; he seemed to have no recollection. Yet, her words sent a significant tremor through his heart. "We've met before?"
"Yes!" Mei Ran nodded. "I was standing right at this spot. You were in the car, and I peeked at you, only to get caught red-handed."
Scattered images began to piece together. He vaguely remembered something like that. That night, returning from a dinner banquet, having had a little too much to drink, his migraine flared up. Suddenly, a woman had jumped out on the road, shouting "Help!" and stopped their car.
His head was pounding unbearably, and being someone who generally disliked meddling, when the driver looked back to inquire, he had coldly instructed him to keep driving.
Yet, on second thought, this road saw little traffic after dark, and there had been prior incidents of young women being robbed and assaulted. Though Fu Shijin's nature was aloof, he wasn't heartless. And so, that particular episode came to be.
So, she had been within an arm's reach of him before. Thinking about it now filled him with dread. What if he had truly hardened his heart and abandoned her and her companion back then…
He pulled her closer into his overcoat, resting his chin atop her head. A tinge of somberness darkened his eyes, yet his voice remained gentle. "If I had known it was you back then, I should have just swept you into the car, carried you back home, and tossed you straight onto the bed."
Mei Ran was stunned for a second, then elbowed him lightly, smiling softly. "You rogue!"
Immediately, Fu Shijin indeed scooped her up into his arms and carried her directly back to the car.
True to his word, as soon as they arrived home, he placed her on the bed and proceeded to do everything possible befitting a "rogue."
By the night's end, Mei Ran felt like she had teetered on the brink of a little death once more.
The next day, the both of them woke up late. The man held her from behind, an arm draped over her waist. Mei Ran slowly opened her eyes. His kisses, carrying his warm breath, landed at the side of her neck, as he called out in a low, husky voice, "Wife."
For someone as impassive as him, these two words were probably tantamount to a lifelong promise.
Mei Ran turned around and nestled into his embrace, rubbing her nose lightly against his chest.
"My earlobes feel a bit warm," he declared unabashedly before kissing her cheek, his voice still raspy. "Is it because you whispered too many sweet nothings in my ear last night?"
Now, who was the one to smoothly come up with sweet nothings?
Mei Ran bit him gently on the collarbone. Suddenly, a bright flash struck her mind.
Last night. Sweet nothings?
Was he referring to, "Mm... Ugh! Ah!! Oh~... not so hard..."?!