Chapter 37: Musical skills from ancient times

He had already examined the erhu earlier and noticed the differences between it and the xiqin, particularly in their tones. Compared with the xiqin he remembered, the erhu’s tone was richer and its playing method more familiar to him.

Since he could not play the guzheng properly without his finger picks, the erhu was the obvious second choice.

Lin Feng reached out and picked it up.

Grandma Yan’s eyes immediately lit up.

"Oh? So you’re good at playing the erhu? I play the erhu, too!"

"Good, good!"

Lin Feng didn’t quite understand what she meant by "good," but he could only smile and explain honestly.

"Actually, I am not that good at the erhu. It has been a while since I last played any instruments. I’m much better at the guzheng, but I don’t have my finger picks with me. So, for now, I will play the erhu."

Lin Feng sat down on a nearby wooden chair, straightened his back, and settled the erhu against his lap, holding it at a slight angle in an upright position.

He took a moment to adjust himself before he gently moved his fingers.

The bow lightly tapped against the base of the instrument and slowly drew across the strings. ℯℯ𝑙.

At first, Lin Feng’s playing was somewhat halting. He paused several times as he familiarized himself with the erhu, adjusting the position of his fingers and the pressure of the bow.

It was not too difficult. Madam Lin had been an expert in xiqin, and being very similar to the erhu, coupled with the memories of Lin Feng playing the erhu, he soon managed to grasp the essence.

Gradually, his movements became more natural.

The boy with shimmering amber eyes cast down on the instrument elegantly caressed the erhu, his slender fingers moving nimbly.

The notes began to flow more smoothly.

The laughter of children and chattering of youngsters drifted through the air when a soft musical note suddenly floated alongside it.

The sound was gentle and wistful, carrying an ethereal sense of nostalgia. There was something almost ancient about it, as though the melody had drifted out of an old painting.

The soft sound of the erhu blended naturally with the surrounding sounds in early spring. The rustling leaves and occasional voices seemed to become part of the melody, creating a peaceful tune that slowly drew everyone into its rhythm.

Someone with experience in music listened in surprise. "Which erhu expert came to visit? This skill, it’s already master level!"

Little by little, the nearby chatter faded as everyone tilted their heads to listen quietly to the wistful notes, looking at the source of the sound.

They soon found a boy in soft beige and cream casual clothes who was playing the erhu.

It was clearly modern clothes, but it felt as if they were witnessing a gentle scholar in ancient times, gracefully attending a poetry meeting, mesmerizing everyone with his impeccable talents and looks.

Lin Feng was completely unaware of what was happening around him. For a moment, it felt as though he had returned to that distant world. Back to the time when he was Madam Lin, sitting leisurely beneath a pavilion and playing the xiqin, while the wind passed through the courtyard, swaying the tulle curtains in the air.

Most of the listeners simply enjoyed the beautiful music, but the elderly residents of the nursing home were different.

After all, they had lived for decades and experienced countless things. They were particularly sensitive to the emotions hidden beneath someone’s words—or, in this case, their music.

Some perceptive elders exchanged knowing glances.

This little one seemed to have a story.

Beneath the gentle and beautiful melody was a faint sorrow, along with a trace of confusion. It was subtle enough that most people would never notice it.

Each flowing note unconsciously revealed a little more of the turmoil buried within the musician’s heart.

Lin Feng didn’t realize it himself.

When the final note finally lingered in the air before slowly fading away, Lin Feng remained motionless.

His fingers still rested lightly against the strings as he stared at the erhu in a daze, as though his mind had not yet returned from the world of music.

Then—

A burst of applause suddenly shattered the silence.

Startled, Lin Feng blinked.

He looked around in confusion, only then realizing that he was surrounded by the elders from the nursing home and their visiting relatives, now clapping in praise.

At some point, everyone had gathered around Lin Feng.

The boy had been so immersed in playing that he had not noticed any of them approaching.

A faint blush spread across his fair cheeks. Under the warm spring sunlight, his amber eyes appeared especially soft.

Before he could stand, someone from the crowd approached him.

"Hello, I work at Starlight Entertainment. Although I’m not an agent, my line of work deals with music quite a lot. You have very high musical talent. Are you interested in becoming an idol?"

Lin Feng’s eyes were blank as he looked up at the man who was still wearing a pair of gloves, clearly busy helping out in the nursing home just a while ago.

The man was embarrassed when he realized the boy’s doubt. "I’m a local visiting my elders. I just can’t help but feel that passing up this chance would be a great waste. You have all the qualities to be a famous idol—"

Bang!

An indoor slipper appeared and smashed into his face in a flash.

"Grandma!"

"You brat! I told you to completely forget about work today, yet why are you still harassing this boy! If you destroy the future of a Peking University student, don’t call me grandmother anymore!"

A strong and buff grandma with thick socks and one slipper missing came running into Lin Feng’s view. She pinched the man’s ear and dragged him away.

"Ow, ow, ow! Grandma, I’m already so old! This is embarrassing!"

"I’m the one embarrassed by you, you rascal!"

"Ow, ow, young man, if you want to be an idol, just give me a call. My number is XXXX—"

"You’re still not stopping?"

"Ow, Grandma! Boy, this is my card, don’t be afraid—Ahhh!"

Just as the man’s voice faded inside the nursing home when the door closed, a handful of cards fell from the sky like confetti.

Lin Feng unconsciously caught one.

Name: Song Bai.

Job position: A&R.

Company: Starlight Entertainment Agency.

Feeling everyone’s attention on him, Lin Feng quickly lowered his gaze with an embarrassed smile, put the card into his pocket, and finally ran to the elders’ side.

Because Lin Feng quickly lowered his head, he did not notice that several people nearby had quietly taken out their phones and recorded the amazing impromptu performance they had just witnessed.

Some of them were already enthusiastically sharing the scene with their online communities.