If You Could Hear My Heart

She was about ten steps away from him, neither short nor long.

Shen Chi settled himself beside the piano, opened it, and turned his head to look at her once more.

Lying on the sofa and staring at him, Xu Chaomu truly resembled an obedient and adorable kitty.

Whenever he looked at her, she would give a silly smile, fluttering her big eyes. Her black, soft hair loosely fell over her shoulders, and under the light, she looked like a little princess.

A smile graced Shen Chi’s lips; he turned his head and pressed his long, clean fingers onto the piano keys.

Xu Chaomu wondered which piece he would play; deep down, she hoped for “Summer,” as it was the same piece she’d played five years ago before leaving.

Perhaps it was their minds sharing the same wavelength, for just as she thought of it, as soon as the piano keys were struck, she heard that familiar melody.

It was “Summer”…

A deeper smile hooked at the corners of her lips.

The way he played the piano was probably the most perfect she had ever seen.

From her angle, she had a perfect view of his profile, chiseled and composed, youthful and handsome.

His upright figure, perfect lines, even his shadow was pleasing to the eye.

The usually indifferent and aloof expression on his face now held not a trace of coldness but was instead brimming with warmth.

When he played the piano, he was very serious, his brows slightly furrowed, fingers dancing across the keys.

An epitome of elegance in a man.

The sound of the piano filled the vast music room, a lively tune permeating every corner as if the air itself was pulsing with joy.

Xu Chaomu hummed the tune in time with the beat, her eyes squinted, never straying from the man playing the piano.

A lifetime of regret with just one glimpse of Shen Chi.

Minutes later, as the last note was played, his piano playing ceased, though its echoes seemed to linger on endlessly.

Xu Chaomu was still immersed in the sound of the piano, her eyes slightly lowered as she listened to the beautiful piece.

Shen Chi walked over, tousling her fluffy head: “How was your husband’s playing?”

“Ah, oh, not so good,” Xu Chaomu replied as she looked up.

“You little liar,” he laughed lightly.

Clearly enchanted, yet still stubborn.

“Shen Chi, I want to ask you a question,” Xu Chaomu said, looking at him.

Her expression was serious, and so were her eyes.

“Hmm?” Shen Chi’s brows knitted together.

“Five years ago, at our school’s gala, I played this piece on stage. Was it you who played backstage?”

So that was her question…

Shen Chi’s narrow eyes suddenly narrowed further; who else could it be but him?

Her words transported him back to that day, five years ago, when they had harmonized perfectly on stage, almost as if they were in perfect concord, flawless.

“Call me ‘husband,’ and I’ll tell you,” Shen Chi said as he stroked her head.

“Such a schemer,” Xu Chaomu glared at him.

Even asking a question required conditions; this man, a crafty old fox, always calculating, shrewd and cunning.

“Then I won’t tell you,” Shen Chi said leisurely as he watched her.

He sat next to her, crossed his legs, leaning back on the sofa.

With one long arm, he wrapped her tight in his embrace.

“Can’t you keep your hands to yourself?” Xu Chaomu glared at him.

“Hands and feet are meant to be used, babe, give me a smile,” he said.

Shen Chi lifted her chin with his finger and watched her eyes with a playful glint.

“Smile my ass,” Xu Chaomu swatted his hand away.

This beastly man, at this moment, smiling so… lasciviously.

The next second, Xu Chaomu grasped his neck with her hand, threatening him on purpose: “Will you talk or not, was it you playing the piano that day?”

“Would you prefer it was me, or not me?”

“Stop beating around the bush, just answer yes or no!”

Shen Chi laughed: “Give me a smile, then I’ll answer you.”

“Shen Chi, can you stop fooling around and just answer the question!” Xu Chaomu angrily clutched his neck, climbing atop him.

She rubbed against him, the man already struggling to hold back.

Set aflame by her countless times tonight, yet he still couldn’t lay a hand on her.

One day, he would devour her whole, leaving not even crumbs behind.

“Xu Chaomu, this is called murdering your husband. Let go, and I will tell you if you release me,” he said.

“The murderer would be you. If I killed you, I could take your money to find a pretty boy. I’d get as many as I want, any type I want,” she retorted.

“Ambitious,” he commented.

“Out with it!”

“It was me.”

“I knew it was you. So why didn’t you respond when I called out to you that day?”

That day, she had called his name, urging him to come out, but he never appeared.

She was left standing alone on the vast ground, feeling a primordial sense of desolation.

“You only asked for a yes or no, and I have answered,” Shen Chi said innocently.

“You, you, you! Swindler!”

“Chaomu, do you think you might consider getting off me?” Shen Chi glanced at her.

Only then did Xu Chaomu’s face turn bright red; she’d actually…straddled him.

How embarrassing…

Scrambling off him, she sat beside him like a little monkey.

“Good girl,” he pulled her into his arms, wrapping her close.

She was tired and simply let him hold her, without a struggle.

As she leaned against his solid chest, she slightly squinted her eyes, feeling his steady heartbeat.

For a long while, no one spoke, and the great piano room was silent.

Shen Chi held her, and she leaned on him, just like that, huddled close together.

After what felt like ages, she finally spoke.

“Shen Chi, I need to ask you a serious question, and I need a serious answer from you,” she said.

“When have I not answered you seriously?” Shen Chi ruffled her hair, “Go ahead.”

Xu Chaomu placed her hands on her flat belly, touching it lightly.

“Shen Chi, can you accept the child in my belly?”

She was truly serious when asking him this; she was also afraid, for once the novelty of love passed, what would become of them…

Shen Chi lowered his gaze, his eyes deep and resolute; his large hand glided from her head to her abdomen.

Her flat belly showed no signs of pregnancy, and had she not suddenly brought it up, he almost forgot she was pregnant.

She was no longer the Xu Chaomu from five years ago; she was now a little bun’s mother.

Touching her belly, he sought to feel the heartbeat of the little life inside her.

“Mumu, I love you, which means I will love everything about you, including your child.”

His deep, pleasant voice echoed like a cello, stirring Xu Chaomu’s heart.

Her heart pounded fiercely, and she looked up to meet his eyes.

She saw resolve in his gaze.