Chapter 148: Chapter 148

The bathroom door wasn’t closed in time, and Fu Jichen came in to see her hunched over, leaning on the washbasin. Just a piece of chicken, but it seemed like she was throwing up all the acid in her stomach.

His heart ached terribly, yet he couldn’t help her. Fu Jichen frowned, unable to hide his worry, as he gently and anxiously patted her back: "I’ll take you to the hospital."

Shen Jianian had nothing left in her stomach to vomit, so she turned on the tap, scooped some cold water in her hand to rinse her mouth, and slowly straightened up, supporting herself on the edge of the washbasin.

"No need to go to the hospital." Her eyes were red, tears gathering from the retching, her throat felt uncomfortable, and her voice was slightly hoarse, "I must have eaten too many plums, making my stomach acidic."

Fu Jichen’s tightly knitted brows didn’t relax a bit. He gently wiped the water stains from the corner of her lips with his thumb, his tone full of helplessness and heartache: "I told you not to eat so much back then, you didn’t listen, are you still feeling bad now?"

Shen Jianian felt a bit weak, reached out to hug his waist, resting her cheek against his chest, trusting him with the weight of her body, slowly saying with closed eyes, "I’m not uncomfortable anymore."

It was rare for Fu Jichen to see her being so proactive and obedient in hugging him. His heart was touched for a moment, and he tightly wrapped his arms around her body, stroking her shoulder and back.

Cheng Jin heard some noise, came out from the kitchen, didn’t see anyone in the dining room, so he went to the bathroom and saw the two of them hugging. He was momentarily stunned but still asked aloud, "What happened to Jianian?"

Shen Jianian drew back from the man’s arms, smiled shyly with pursed lips, embarrassed to admit she had thrown up because she was greedy: "I ate too many snacks, my stomach doesn’t feel well."

Cheng Jin asked again, "Do you need to call a doctor?"

It was just a small problem, Shen Jianian didn’t want to make a big deal, so she quickly shook her head and waved her hands: "No need, no need, I feel much better after vomiting it out."

She pulled Fu Jichen’s hand and walked to the dining room: "Let’s go eat, otherwise the food will get cold."

"Do you still want to eat?"

"Yes, my stomach is empty now."

They sat down at the dining table, and Fu Jichen removed the chicken leg from her bowl and gave her some vegetables: "Try something light, if your stomach still feels bad, we’ll go to the hospital."

Shen Jianian ate some plain vegetables, didn’t feel nauseous, and smiled at him: "I told you, I’m fine."

Fu Jichen’s heart, which had been suspended high, finally returned to its place, and he took the opportunity to lecture her a bit: "In the future, you’re not allowed to eat those random snacks again."

Shen Jianian obediently nodded, ate some more vegetables, drank a bit of tomato egg soup, and didn’t eat rice because she didn’t feel like it.

Fu Jichen was shaken by her, affecting his own appetite, so he didn’t eat much either.

Knowing that Mrs. Yan had been discharged, Yan Qiusheng brought her back to the Half Mountain Villa, and Shen Jianian visited the next day.

Sitting in the car, she thought about how she hadn’t practiced the piano for more than a week. When she met the teacher later, if he suddenly checked on her, how would she respond?

Don’t be fooled by Teacher Yan’s gentle and refined appearance. In his professional field, he’s still very strict. The class assignments he gave several times were tricky and challenging.

With a little bit of anxiety, Shen Jianian pressed the doorbell.

The one who answered the door was Mrs. Yan, wearing a new wig. After more than a week of treatment, she looked in good spirits: "Jianian is here, come in quickly. I just made cookies according to the recipe you gave me last time, help me taste them."

Mrs. Yan really liked the sugar-free cookies Shen Jianian brought her, a taste that couldn’t be found in supermarkets. After knowing this, Shen Jianian often had Aunt Cheng make them for her to bring over. She felt embarrassed to keep asking for them, so she thought of learning to make them herself, which was also a kind of fun.

Upon hearing her mention it, Shen Jianian went back to ask Aunt Cheng for advice, wrote down the detailed steps based on her verbal instructions, and brought it to Mrs. Yan.

"Sure." Shen Jianian smiled, changed into slippers at the entrance, and heard voices in the living room, slightly puzzled, "Is there a guest?"

Mrs. Yan said, "A director came to visit Qiusheng."

Shen Jianian didn’t go over to disturb them, glanced in that direction, nodded to Yan Qiusheng who was sitting on the sofa, and then went to the kitchen with Mrs. Yan.

The man opposite Yan Qiusheng was thin and about the same age, with slightly long hair and half-rim glasses on his nose. He turned his head along with Yan Qiusheng’s gaze and saw Shen Jianian, hesitatingly asked, "Who is she...?"

"My student," Yan Qiusheng put the coffee cup back on the saucer.

The director paused for a moment, slowly showing a hint of confusion on his face: "I didn’t know you took a student, and such a young and beautiful one at that."

As he finished speaking, his tone took on an ambiguous meaning.

Yan Qiusheng gave him a look and returned to the main topic: "As I said before, I have no plans for public performances at present. No matter who comes, I have the same response, you’ll have to find someone else."

The director wasn’t in the mood for jokes, he asked seriously, "Is there really no room for discussion?"

Yan Qiusheng shook his head, answering firmly, "None."

"I noticed Aunt seemed quite eager for you to go out and work. She was very happy when I arrived."

Yan Qiusheng looked up at him, seeing through his intention, he didn’t mind exposing it: "Stop using her as an excuse, having her persuade me won’t work either."

The director touched his nose and let out an awkward chuckle.

Anyone who knew Yan Qiusheng even a little was aware that he was raised in a single-parent household, and his mother was his soft spot. If they could persuade Mrs. Yan, the matter might take a turn for the better.

Shen Jianian was in the kitchen, eating a few cookies that tasted almost identical to those Cheng Jin made. Following Mrs. Yan’s instructions, she placed some on a plate and brought them out to the living room for the guests to taste.

Not knowing how to address the guest, she simply said, "Aunt baked these cookies and asked me to bring them for you all to try."

Yan Qiusheng patted the seat next to him, signaling Shen Jianian to sit down.

Shen Jianian was a bit puzzled but sat down beside him, only to hear him say to the man across who was eating a cookie, "If you really can’t find the right person, why not let her give it a try."

Liao Kai choked a bit, shifting his gaze to Shen Jianian’s face. Her appearance was quite suitable for the camera, but since his show was a music reality program, promoted by the platform with formal and authentic expectations, skill was the primary requirement, and looks were secondary.

However, being Yan Qiusheng’s only apprentice, her cello skills were probably quite good.

Still, he had his own concerns.

Shen Jianian couldn’t understand what they were talking about and could only ask Yan Qiusheng, "Try what?"

"This is Liao Kai, Director Liao, you might not know him, but have you heard of the reality show ’Forest Band’? He’s the director." Yan Qiusheng introduced the person in front of her.

Shen Jianian widened her eyes slightly, looking at Liao Kai with newfound respect: "So, ’Forest Band’ was directed by you. Every season was spectacular. I remember each season had twelve episodes, and there were four seasons in total. I watched them many times and thought there would be a fifth season, but I never heard any news about it starting again."

’Forest Band’ was a music reality show, but she preferred to call it a music documentary.

People’s impression of music reality shows was those singers standing on glitzy stages, wearing exquisite performance costumes and makeup, going through rounds of competition, voting, and elimination. ’Forest Band’ was different; it was down-to-earth, featuring local artists from all over the country, even from remote villages, building unique stages for them to perform.

Because of this show, Shen Jianian learned about many ethnic instruments that she previously couldn’t name.

The show’s filming was both beautiful and rustic, with a textured feel. Watching it was like savoring a home-brewed wine, sweet with a hint of bitterness—very enjoyable.

The extent of her attention to the show’s director was just knowing the name "Liao Kai," without knowing what he looked like.

Now she finally met him in person.

Seeing the young girl’s eyes light up, Yan Qiusheng chuckled, "Who else are your idols? Tell me so I can be mentally prepared, otherwise, I might mistakenly think I’m your only idol—might be a bit embarrassing."

Shen Jianian was teased, and she pressed her lips, trying to calm herself, whispering, "You rank first among my favorite idols."

Yan Qiusheng clutched his chest, "That comforts me."

Liao Kai was amused by the teacher and student’s banter and laughed heartily.

"Director Liao is preparing a brand-new music reality show and needs a cellist. He wanted me to record an episode, but I declined and recommended you instead."

Shen Jianian looked surprised, "Me?"

Yan Qiusheng lightly coughed with his fist to his lips, glancing jestingly at the man across from him: "Of course, Director Liao hasn’t decided to use you yet."

"Don’t speak ill of me in front of the young lady," Liao Kai laughed, waving his hand.

He turned to Shen Jianian and explained the show’s requirements and process, then pointed to Yan Qiusheng, "I don’t hold any hope here. Once he’s made up his mind, no one can change it. You’re his apprentice, and he strongly recommended you, so your skills shouldn’t be too far off."

His voice paused slightly, as if weighing his words, then continued, "I have to be honest, part of why I invited your teacher to join this show is because of his fame. A world-class cellist, who disappeared for years, suddenly reappears—there’s plenty of discussion to be had. I’m a simple man, I need a gimmick to drive viewership. Now replacing him with you, I’m not sure I can afford the gamble."

He explained it very clearly.

Shen Jianian understood his intentions: "What do you want me to do?"

"Why don’t we record a video and post it online as a test, and meanwhile let me enjoy the musical talent of Yan Qiusheng’s officially accepted disciple?" Liao Kai proposed to her with a questioning tone.