Chapter 11 You decide
948 Words
As expected, when Qiu Xuehuo was in a good mood, she casually picked a bracelet from her jewelry box and handed it to the maid. “This is for you.”
“Thank you, Miss Qiu! The young master has already reached the entrance. Let's hurry down to greet him!” The maid, pocketing the bracelet, helped Qiu Xuehuo downstairs.
Just as they reached the first-floor lobby, Gu Feibai also walked in. Qiu Xuehuo greeted him with a bright smile, acting as if she were the lady of the house.
“Feibai, you're back.”
Gu Feibai cast her a cold glance, his eyes full of warning. He disliked how Qiu Xuehuo behaved so familiarly, as if she belonged here.
Ignoring his cold expression, Qiu Xuehuo steeled herself and reached out to help him remove his coat.
But Gu Feibai subtly avoided her touch, tossing a package into her arms. “Your delivery.”
Qiu Xuehuo caught it swiftly, and her heart sank when she saw the name “Sophie” written on it. Her temples throbbed with a sense of foreboding. Looking further, she noticed that the sender’s address was none other than the Gu Corporation's headquarters!
Why had it been sent from Gu Corporation? Could Sophie be working at Gu Corporation?
Qiu Xuehuo cautiously glanced at Gu Feibai's face, but he didn't seem to react much. Did he not know who Sophie was?
As long as things hadn’t reached a point of no return, Qiu Xuehuo wasn't going to expose herself. She quickly composed herself, placing the package aside before sitting next to Gu Feibai.
“Feibai, the doctor said my hand is fully recovered. I've been practicing the violin these past few days. Once I’m ready, I’ll play for you. It won’t take long, I promise.”
“Oh? Is that so?”
For once, Gu Feibai didn't shy away from her like she was a plague. But the cold smile playing on his lips made Qiu Xuehuo shiver.
“That package came from my company,” he said icily. “You're part of the Qiu Corporation, so why would someone from my company be sending you things? What’s your connection to Sophie?”
Caught off guard, Qiu Xuehuo faltered, trying to keep her composure. “It's nothing. We just know each other and exchanged a few thoughts about playing the violin.”
“You, exchanging thoughts with a world-class violinist?”
Gu Feibai’s gaze was full of skepticism, doubting her abilities.
Annoyed, Qiu Xuehuo forced a confident tone. “What, you don't believe me? Don't forget, Feibai, you've heard me play before!”
“That was just once.”
Gu Feibai's suspicion deepened. He had long harbored doubts about whether the person playing back then had truly been her.
“How about you perform for me tonight? Since you’ve been practicing, it shouldn't be a problem, right?”
This was clearly a test.
Seeing the probing look in his eyes, Qiu Xuehuo knew if she refused, it would be like signing her own death warrant in his mind.
But she had a backup plan. The demo Sophie had recorded had already arrived—she could just play that and pretend it was her own performance.
With that thought, she confidently agreed, “Alright!”
“But let's eat first, okay? I spent the whole afternoon cooking.”
Her mother had always taught her that the way to a man's heart was through his stomach, and Qiu Xuehuo had put considerable effort into improving her cooking skills.
Unfortunately, Gu Feibai wasn't interested. His passion was for music, not food.
“No need. I've already eaten. After you finish your meal, meet me in the music room.”
“Feibai!”
Qiu Xuehuo watched in frustration as he walked away, feeling both angry and helpless.
It was all Sophie's fault! That woman had put her in this difficult situation.
But first, she had to get through tonight. Then she would deal with Sophie.
Opening the package, Qiu Xuehuo listened to the demo. After years of pretending to fit into the Gu household, she had picked up a few tricks.
The demo sounded flawless, and she felt reassured.
With everything in place, Qiu Xuehuo changed into a glamorous gown, dressing in a style befitting a musician.
But true elegance is something that comes from within, not just from outward appearance.
Gu Feibai noticed immediately that her demeanor didn't match the music in his memories. This alone made him frown.
When the music began, he listened for just a few seconds before cutting it off.
On stage, Qiu Xuehuo seemed completely engrossed in the performance, oblivious to the fact that she had been stopped.
The acoustics in the music room were excellent, and the speakers made it hard for an untrained ear to distinguish between live and recorded music.
While Qiu Xuehuo couldn't tell the difference, Gu Feibai certainly could.
Seeing her continue to pretend, Gu Feibai couldn’t help but laugh coldly.
When the piece finally ended, he stormed onto the stage, furious.
“Feibai, what's wrong?”QiuXuehuo asked, bewildered by his sudden anger.
“You're telling me your 'exchange' with Sophie was to use her music to deceive me?”
The piece she had just played was the same one Gu Feibai had heard Qiu Xueyi playing in the office that morning. His memory was sharp—he couldn’t possibly be mistaken.'
“No…...Feibai, I don't understand what you’re saying,” Qiu Xuehuo stammered, feigning innocence, though panic surged inside her. How had he found out?
“Take care of yourself,” Gu Feibai spat coldly, shooting her a look of utter disgust before storming out.
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