Is it appropriate for me to come up

"Come with me to visit my teacher later."

"Why should I? I don’t even know your teacher."

"But you're my little brother."

"So?"

"So I should introduce you to her. My teacher is like family to me."

"..."

As Ren Yuege explained, Cao Cheng gradually understood that this "teacher" wasn’t the conventional kind.

She wasn’t just a school instructor.

Ren Yuege had been her disciple since childhood—twenty years now.

The elderly woman was once a professor and dean at the Beijing Conservatory of Music, a master of instrumental performance.

Now retired, she still held an honorary professor position, occasionally traveling to Beijing or other music conservatories to teach.

But most of the time, she stayed in Sanjiang City.

This was her hometown.

Of course,

Cao Cheng wasn’t too concerned about the teacher. What really mattered was whether Aunt Wang would be at the neighborhood gate when they left.

That was the key.

Unfortunately…

When they stepped out, the sun was blazing, not yet setting, and the neighborhood "intelligence squad" wasn’t on duty.

The gossip squad only worked mornings and evenings.

It was just past two in the afternoon—the hottest part of the day!

No sign of Aunt Wang.

Cao Cheng was deeply disappointed.

His attention drifted back to his "fourth sister’s" teacher.

Sitting in the passenger seat, he feigned interest. "So… your teacher is pretty famous in the industry?"

"Of course!"

Ren Yuege kept her eyes on the road as she drove. "You wouldn’t know, little troublemaker, since you’re not in the circle. My teacher has seniority, experience, and incredible skill. She masters instruments from all over the world. Do you even know music?"

"I don’t."

Cao Cheng shook his head.

But inwardly, he was surprised.

He had just unlocked "Piano Grandmaster" in his system.

As expected,

I’m truly the chosen one—another chance to show off.

But he couldn’t force it. Playing piano was about bringing joy.

Cao Cheng could hardly imagine how mesmerizing his grandmaster-level performance would be.

Probably enough to earn him plenty of "positive emotions."

But,

Positive emotions didn’t reward as much as negative ones.

That was a problem.

Still,

If this teacher was as renowned as Ren Yuege claimed, her status alone might yield decent emotional feedback.

The only worry was whether the old lady could handle it.

"How old is your teacher?"

"Just past seventy."

Ren Yuege added, "Don’t let her age fool you—she’s still at the top of her game."

Cao Cheng asked, "Is she in good health?"

"Obviously." Ren Yuege nodded, then frowned, eyeing him suspiciously. "Wait, what are you getting at, you little rascal?"

"Nothing. Just showing concern for an elder. She’s your teacher, so she’s half mine too. What’s wrong with caring?" Cao Cheng maintained an innocent expression.

But Ren Yuege was already on guard.

This troublemaker was definitely scheming!

Especially when he looked this harmless and naive—it always meant trouble.

Ren Yuege had a sharp eye for people.

Back home, she was the sly one, but since arriving in Sanjiang, Cao Cheng had outplayed her more than once.

---

Soon,

The car pulled into an older residential complex.

A former institutional compound.

The teacher lived in her family’s ancestral home—a two-story house with a courtyard. Grapevines draped over a wooden trellis, clusters of nearly ripe fruit hanging overhead.

Beneath it stood large, old-fashioned water vats, some with fish swimming inside.

The yard was dotted with vegetable patches, the scent of fresh green onions filling the air.

Everything radiated tranquility and charm.

Clearly, the old woman cherished peace.

Cao Cheng surveyed the scene and thought: Well, that’s about to change.

The two carried bags of gifts—some brought by Ren Yuege from Zhonghai, others bought along the way. Nutritious supplements and premium Chinese herbs.

"Teacher, I’m here to see you!"

The gate was open, so the old woman hadn’t noticed their arrival.

Until Ren Yuege called out.

A warm, grandmotherly voice responded.

"Yuege, you’re here!"

From the kitchen emerged a silver-haired woman in simple clothing, her demeanor gentle and kind.

This lady…

Cao Cheng studied her. No doubt, she must have been a stunning beauty in her youth.

Even now, time hadn’t dulled her grace.

Her elegance came from her poise, refinement, and bone structure—not just superficial beauty.

"Teacher!"

"Oh, you didn’t have to bring all this." The old woman smiled warmly, then turned to Cao Cheng.

Ren Yuege introduced him. "This is my little brother."

"You have a brother?" The teacher looked puzzled. "Did I forget something in my old age?"

"No, Teacher, you’re not old at all." Ren Yuege chuckled. "My mom remarried."

No need to elaborate further.

The teacher understood immediately and grinned. "Ah, so you finally got your wish! Didn’t you always want a little brother?"

"Not like this," Ren Yuege shot Cao Cheng a glance. "I wanted a sweet one. This rascal is nothing but trouble."

"..."

Cao Cheng’s lips twitched. "Shouldn’t you say that behind my back? Isn’t it a bit rude to say it to my face?"

The old woman laughed.

Ren Yuege huffed. "You are a troublemaker. I’ll say it however I like."

Cao Cheng shook his head in defeat.

The teacher could tell—despite the complaints, her student clearly had a soft spot for this brother. Otherwise, she wouldn’t tease him so freely.

"The young man has spirit."

"Thank you, Teacher. I’m Cao Cheng."

The old woman gestured warmly. "Sit, sit. Make yourself at home!"

She turned back to Ren Yuege. "I prepared dishes since I knew you were coming. Stay for dinner."

"Of course, Teacher." Ren Yuege accepted without hesitation.

Just then,

Footsteps pattered from upstairs.

"Senior Sister Yuege!"

A girl in a white sundress, wearing slippers, hurried down the steps.

"Lingling, you’re home too?" Ren Yuege brightened.

Lingling beamed. "Grandma said you were visiting today, so I stayed in. Hehe!"

The two immediately launched into chatter.

Cao Cheng suddenly felt like an outsider. Maybe he shouldn’t have come.

But since he was here… Well, no—that wasn’t the right way to think.

As the chosen one, shouldn’t he embrace the moment?

Better to focus on how to harvest some emotional points.

Though eager for those points, Cao Cheng wasn’t socially inept. The atmosphere was warm, and no villains had popped up to mock him.

Young Master Cao wouldn’t recklessly offend people for no reason.

Who knew how many points he’d gain? But he’d definitely make things awkward.

As always:

If the payoff was too small, it wasn’t worth acting like a lunatic.

If it guaranteed 10,000 points? He’d drop his pants and take a dump on the spot.

Who cared about awkwardness?

He could always apologize and clean it up later!

While lost in thought,

Ren Yuege nudged him. "What’s with the daze? Let’s go upstairs."

"Huh?"

Cao Cheng glanced at Lingling, then at Ren Yuege: "You two are having a girl talk. Would it be appropriate for me to join?"

"Don't overthink it. Sis just wants you to see her skills."

"What skills?"

"Piano!"

(°Д°): Isn't this walking right into the line of fire?

"Let's go!"