Chapter 37: Personal Piano Recital
When he said that, Gu Chacha grew even more anxious.
How terrifying it was to be liked by him!
She wanted to go back to her home country—now, immediately, right this second!
Just as she was about to break down, the man suddenly straightened up and put on a very proper expression. "That was wonderful piano playing. Surely anyone who loves art would appreciate it."
He reached out and touched the piano's body. "Such beautiful music deserves a world tour performance. Don't you think?"
A world tour performance?
Gu Chacha's heart stirred, and all her fear and panic instantly vanished.
She looked up sharply at the man. "You agreed?"
The man laughed boldly. "Miss Gu, you deserve it."
Of course she knew she deserved it, but...
She offered him a gentle smile. "Thank you for your appreciation. I won't let you down."
His smile widened. "Miss Gu, you just focus on performing well. That'll be enough."
They stayed in Southeast Asia for three days. By the time they returned home, a flood of articles about her had suddenly appeared online.
Articles introducing her family, her piano teacher, her awards.
She became popular overnight. Some netizens bought into it, envying her perfect life—beautiful, wealthy, elegant. What window had God closed for her?
Others were skeptical, saying they had never heard of her before and that she was just another privileged elite trying to cash in on ordinary people.
But whether people bought it or not, in just a few days, her reputation was out there.
That was enough.
Her first piano concert in Jiangcheng was quickly put together.
After being away for a few days, aside from a few perfunctory calls pretending to care, there was nothing else waiting for her at home.
Once the concert plans were confirmed, she rushed back to the Gu family home with Han Xuan.
At the Gu residence, Jiang Yulan was sipping tea and sighing to Gu Chengye:
"What do you think Chacha is up to now? I've been calling her these past few days, but she hardly picks up, and when she does, she hangs up after a few words..."
After all, she had raised Chacha herself. Even knowing now that she wasn't her biological daughter, her love hadn't changed.
Twenty years of care had long been ingrained in her bones.
How could it just disappear overnight?
But the girl was sensitive—any careless word could make her cry.
A few days ago, she said she was in a bad mood and wanted to travel, so Jiang Yulan hadn't dared to ask too many questions.
She could only call her now and then to make sure she was safe.
But lately, it seemed Chacha had lost patience with her, cutting calls short after just a few sentences.
Worry had finally pushed Jiang Yulan to ask Gu Chengye today, "Do you think Chacha resents me? Losing the child back then really was my fault..."
"What nonsense are you saying!"
Gu Chengye patted her hand. "What happened back then was entirely an accident. You didn't know. How could it be your fault?"
"Chacha is just in a bad mood. Let her think things through. She'll come around."
Just as the couple were talking, Gu Chacha walked in with Han Xuan.
Seeing them, she beamed brightly. "Mom! Dad! Have you had lunch yet?"
She looked cheerful and radiant, which left Jiang Yulan puzzled. "Not yet... Chacha, you..."
The girl had been so downcast before. How had her mood suddenly improved so much?
Gu Chacha laughed, stepped forward, and looped her arm through Jiang Yulan's. "Mom, Han Xuan and I ordered some dishes. Let's all have a nice family lunch today!"
"Huh?"
Jiang Yulan instinctively looked at Gu Chengye. Old Mr. Gu’s face was expressionless as he stared at the two of them. "You two came here together?"
Gu Chacha pretended not to read his expression and replied with a smile, "I was in a bad mood a few days ago, so Han Xuan took me out to relax for a few days."
Old Mr. Gu's brow furrowed deeper, his eyes filled with displeasure. "You two went out together?"
He remembered telling Chacha that Han Xuan wasn't acceptable.
He shot her a sharp look. "Chacha, have you forgotten what I told you?"
Gu Chacha ignored him, sitting down beside him with a smile. "Dad, I have great news to share today~"
Gu Chengye's face remained stern. "What great news?"
Gu Chacha playfully wrinkled her nose. "Can't say yet. I'll announce it at lunch when everyone's here~"
With that, she cheerfully bounded upstairs like a little songbird to find He Huanhuan and Gu Jinghan.
Gu Jingchen was already at the office, so she called him and insisted he come home for lunch.
Her seriousness made everyone curious. What was this great news that had transformed her into such a bright and cheerful person?
Hadn't she been relentless in targeting He Huanhuan just a while ago?
How had it all suddenly blown over?
The sudden display of family harmony was so abrupt.
Gu Jinghan whispered to He Huanhuan on the sly, "You don't think she's going to announce that she's marrying Han Xuan at lunch, do you?"
He Huanhuan frowned. "Can't be. The old man wouldn't agree to that."
Anyone could see that Old Mr. Gu disliked Han Xuan. Why would Gu Chacha provoke him like that? There was nothing to gain.
Suddenly, He Huanhuan remembered seeing a video of Gu Chacha on her phone last night.
She leaned closer to Gu Jinghan and murmured, "You don't think Han Xuan paid for her promotion to become an influencer, and that's why she's fully committed to him?"
She quickly dismissed the idea herself. Even if Han Xuan pushed her into becoming an influencer, what did it matter?
Ordinary social media influencers didn't make much money—barely enough for Gu Chacha to buy a few bags.
Why would she risk upsetting Old Mr. Gu for that?
The two could only guess and wait for lunch.
At eleven thirty, their eldest brother Gu Jingchen arrived home, and lunch officially began.
As soon as everyone was seated, Gu Chacha eagerly raised her glass. "I'd like to toast all of you—to my past foolishness and the trouble I've caused..."
Her words were considerate and mature, making Jiang Yulan's eyes tear up. "Chacha, you will always be my good daughter."
She knew it—Chacha was always the sensible one!
Gu Chacha glanced at Jiang Yulan, her face full of smiles. "Mom, don't cry. Smile! Be happy for me."
"After all, I'm about to hold my own personal piano concert~"
"What?"
Jiang Yulan couldn't quite process it. "Piano concert? What piano concert?"
Gu Chacha grinned proudly. "A piano concert, Mom. By the end of this month, I'm going to have my very own solo piano concert. You'll all have to come and support me~"
Gu Chengye frowned slightly. "Where did you get the money?"
In Jiangcheng, putting on a solo concert cost at least one million yuan.
Not that it was a huge sum, but solo concerts of this kind hardly made any ticket revenue.
Over a million would go in without making a splash.
Where had she gotten the money?