Joker

"Right, this is the spot... Yi Wan, don’t be curious and get too close, just place it by the floor-to-ceiling window. I’ve measured the dimensions—it’ll fit perfectly."

After the two girls left for school, the piano delivery team arrived promptly. Since the grand piano Ye Shuang had chosen weighed nearly half a ton, several people were needed to carry it into the apartment.

Soon, the piano was assembled by the professionals. Ye Shuang tested the sound on the spot and found it flawless.

The glossy black piano shimmered under the sunlight streaming through the window, complementing Yi Wan, who basked in the golden-orange glow with her head tilted up, creating an indescribable atmosphere.

However, to preserve the piano, it couldn’t be exposed to too much sunlight. Ye Shuang slowly drew the sheer curtains, striking a balance between natural light and protection for the instrument.

He sat down at the piano and began to play.

A melancholic yet beautiful melody filled the room. Midway through, Ye Shuang couldn’t help but hum along softly.

"Fairy tales say a rainbow appears after the rain... but they never mention how fleeting it can be..."

...

"The rainbow emerges again in the sky after the rain... an angel’s grace kisses the world below..."

"No longer asking why you couldn’t stay..."

"Letting go of the obsession, smiling now..."

This song, "Between the Rainbow," was one of Ye Shuang’s favorites. When he first learned it, he hadn’t grasped its sorrowful undertones. But now, as he played and sang, an overwhelming wave of emotion washed over him.

Perspectives change with one’s state of mind.

Just then, his phone rang.

Ye Shuang glanced at the screen—another local unknown number.

"This time, it must be the phone store owner," he thought before answering.

"Ye Shuang, why did you lie to me? You blocked me?"

A familiar voice, tinged with tears, came through the phone. "What’s wrong with you? I know I messed up, but why treat me like this? I just wanted to see you. After all these years together, how can you be so heartless?!"

Ye Shuang replied calmly, "There’s nothing left to say between us."

"Ye Shuang! You know Tang Hao and I grew up together—how can you expect me to just forget him?!"

"And... and..."

"Have you really forgotten everything we’ve been through?"

"We celebrated New Year’s together, and under the fireworks, you put a ring on my finger. We got stranded while skiing, and you protected me. When my grandmother passed away, we comforted each other. That night during the storm, you carried me across the flooded path. You cooked delicious meals for me every day..."

"Have you really erased all those memories?!"

"So what if I ran away from the wedding? We can just hold another one later. Was it really worth getting so angry over?"

Ye Shuang’s voice turned hoarse. "So, in all those memories... what did you ever do for me?"

"I..." Zhao Mengyao fell silent for a moment, stammering before finally saying,

"You’re the man, I’m the woman. Isn’t it natural for men to do more?"

Ye Shuang laughed. "Right. So you never cared about my feelings. You abandoned me at the wedding in front of both our families—just because Tang Hao said he wasn’t feeling well."

"Even a stone would’ve warmed up after all these years. Zhao Mengyao, do you really think I’ll always be waiting behind you whenever you look back?"

"I’m no saint. Honestly, I’d be thrilled to see you and Tang Hao suffer. I’d love to watch your family’s company go bankrupt, with debtors knocking at your door."

"Let’s be real—your so-called company is infested with useless relatives. Do you have any idea how much of my family’s resources were wasted just to keep it afloat?"

"The core employees and I worked day and night to feed your parasitic relatives, to let the Zhao family suck us dry. I, Ye Shuang, have a clear conscience. But what about you, Zhao Mengyao?"

"You couldn’t even remember my birthday correctly."

"Did you really think you could just sweet-talk me like before, cry a little, and everything would be fine?" Ye Shuang’s tone turned icy. "You should know—not eating only works on your mom, and tears only matter to those who still care about you."

"But as for me... there’s nothing left in my heart for you. Your crying just makes me laugh. It’s disgusting."

"If you keep calling me with new numbers to sob about how pitiful you are, I’ll welcome it—"

"After all, I don’t mind a clown’s performance."

"Wake up, Miss Zhao."

With that, the call ended. Zhao Mengyao, with her pride, couldn’t bear to listen any longer.

"Whew." Ye Shuang exhaled, feeling an unexpected lightness after getting everything off his chest.

His fingers brushed the piano keys, and he began playing again.

...

...

The Zhao Residence.

"Bastard!" Zhao Mengyao grabbed a pillow from the bed and hurled it at a nearby table.

With a sharp crash, a vase was knocked to the ground, shattering into pieces.

At that moment, a man stepped out of the bathroom.

Tang Hao was drying his hair with a towel. Seeing the broken vase, he didn’t react, only asking Zhao Mengyao, "Who were you calling?"

"Ye Shuang."

"Why?" Tang Hao frowned, visibly displeased.

"Because my father is forcing me to get him back to the company, or he’ll freeze my cards!" She threw another pillow across the room. "Infuriating! He actually called me a clown!"

"That scumbag! He’s clearly moved on with Chen Qin after wasting so many years of my youth!"

She glared at Tang Hao. "Why is the company in this state? Didn’t you say you could run it better after taking over?"

Tang Hao shrugged. "Ye Shuang played his cards well. When he left, he took a bunch of employees and crucial company documents with him."

"Is that so?" Zhao Mengyao didn’t understand business—she had never been involved in the company’s affairs.

"Mm. So I just need a little more time. Don’t worry." Tang Hao smiled. "Talk to your father and convince him to hand full control of the company to me. I happened to meet a powerful contact during my studies abroad—we can set up an international collaboration."

"With that, we can turn the company around, even take it to new heights."

"Really?" Zhao Mengyao’s eyes lit up.

"Really."

"Alright, I’ll talk to my dad." Cheered up, she picked up her phone to call her father.

Unbeknownst to her, as Zhao Mengyao looked down to dial, Tang Hao’s composed expression faded.

He had no ability to salvage this crumbling company.

Right now, Tang Hao was only scheming how to embezzle one last sum before fleeing abroad.