Chapter 34: Whispers of the Piano
The next day was Monday. Bai Xia got ready for school as usual. She slipped into her neatly pressed school uniform, her movements calm and graceful. Her long hair was tied into a sleek ponytail, and she slid a white headband over her head to keep it in place. A small pair of diamond earrings glimmered softly at her ears — real ones she'd brought out of the everything mall, though no one would ever guess. To anyone else, they were just fake trinkets.
Around her wrist sparkled a few bracelets in shades of pastel — light pink, mint, and lilac — each with small charms that chimed gently as she moved. She tugged up her white socks, the tips decorated with tiny bunny characters, and finally fastened her pink Hello Kitty edition watch, admiring it for a second.
In her past life, she never had the chance to dress like this. Back then, life was about survival, not style. Now, she thought, adjusting her collar, I'll enjoy every little luxury I was denied.
Descending the stairs, she overheard her mother and older brother, Bai Yan, talking in the living room. They were discussing finding new schools for Bai Yang and Bai Xin.
When Bai Xia appeared, both faces brightened.
"My sister is so beautiful," Bai Yan said with a grin.
"Yes, she really is," Chu Sun added teasingly. "I should be expecting a good son-in-law in a few years."
Bai Xia felt a faint warmth rise to her cheeks. In her past life, she'd dated a few men — all of them drawn to her wealth rather than her heart. Since then, she'd learned better. Love isn't something I need right now, she reminded herself coolly.
From her mother, she learned that Bai Xuan had gone out to buy breakfast, Bai Yang was still asleep, and her father had already left for work. From the corner of her eye, she noticed Bai Xin tapping at the piano keys curiously.
"Do you like to play this?" Bai Xia asked, approaching.
Bai Xin nodded her small head. "Yes, I do."
"Do you know what it's called?"
"A piano."
Bai Xia blinked in surprise. She hadn't expected her little sister to know that. Maybe she really is interested.
Taking a seat beside her, Bai Xia pressed a few keys. The melody that came out — Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star — was simple yet oddly familiar. Her fingers moved smoothly, almost instinctively. When she finished, applause echoed behind her.
Bai Yan, Bai Xin, and Chu Sun were clapping.
"Bai Xia, I didn't know you could play the piano," Bai Yan said.
"I learned at school," she lied easily, a faint smile on her lips. The truth was, she'd never touched a piano before — it was the effect of her new skill: God of Music.
"Jie jie, please teach me!" Bai Xin pleaded.
"Don't worry," Bai Xia said, brushing her hair back. "I'll teach you. When you go to your new school later, your teacher will also teach you."
"Really?"
"Yes, really."
After that, Bai Xia left early. She couldn't wait for breakfast, so Chu Sun handed her ten yen for food.
She took a taxi to school, stepping out as the morning breeze brushed her hair. As she arrived at the school gate a sharp, shrill voice called her name.
"Bai Xia! I heard you and your mother bought a villa. Where did you get so much money?"
Bai Gin's tone was venomous, her eyes dripping jealousy. She had refused to believe the rumors until she'd heard it from a reliable source — the manager's daughter herself.
Bai Xia didn't even glance her way. She simply walked past, her cool composure more cutting than any insult. Bai Gin clenched her fists, glaring daggers at Bai Xia's back before storming off in another direction.
Inside the school, Bai Xia noticed a shift. More students approached her — smiles too wide, voices too sweet.
She smiled faintly and deflected them all with a single phrase:
"We're all friends."
She knew the news of her villa purchase had spread. Let them talk. Their curiosity meant nothing to her.
After lessons, she slipped out quickly, running to the cafeteria before anyone could catch her. Her speed turned heads; some students whispered about how elegant yet athletic she was.
She took a seat at a quiet corner table, away from the noise, just as a familiar voice approached.
"Xia Xia, I'm sorry for last time," Shang Shan said, clasping her hands together. "I was confused and… pretended to be something I'm not. Please forgive me."
Bai Xia looked up, her gaze steady. Shang Shan had clearly heard about the villa. She thinks she can crawl back for benefits, Bai Xia thought coldly.
Still, she smiled — just a faint curve of her lips. "Alright," she said lightly.
Shang Shan relaxed, thinking she had won.
"Go get me beef noodles, a bucket of chicken wings, an apple, a soda, and a bottle of water," Bai Xia said casually.
Shang Shan froze. "I… I don't have any money."
"I know."
The silence stretched. Bai Xia rested her chin on her hand, watching the embarrassment rise on Shang Shan's face like dawn. Then she opened her purse — a cute designer piece that matched her bag — and took out ten yen. The moment Shang Shan's eyes caught the neat stack of bills inside, jealousy flared beneath her polite smile.
Why does Bai Xia get everything? she thought bitterly, taking the money.
When she returned with the food, she placed it down roughly. Bai Xia picked up her chopsticks and began to eat gracefully.
Shang Shan reached for the chopsticks she'd brought for herself, but Bai Xia's cold voice cut through the air.
"What are you doing?"
"I… I wanted to eat with you."
"Did I say you could?" Bai Xia asked, her tone calm but sharp.
"Xia Xia, I thought you forgave me…"
"Just because I forgave you," Bai Xia said, glancing up with a small piece of beef, "doesn't mean you can eat my food."
Shang Shan's face turned red. "Excuse me. I suddenly have something to do." She stormed off, humiliated.
Bai Xia let out a quiet laugh, not loud, but enough to echo softly. That's better.
The final class of the day was Music. Normally, Bai Xia would have found it dull — but today, she was curious. She wanted to see just how powerful her new skill really was.
As the students filled the music room, the teacher began assigning instruments. Soon the air filled with melodies — uneven, clashing sounds of students still learning.
Bai Xia walked toward the piano. Conversations hushed as she sat down gracefully, her posture composed. Then, her fingers touched the keys.
The room fell silent.
A delicate flow of notes filled the air — Clair de Lune. The melody shimmered like moonlight over still water, calm yet deep, every note balanced between tenderness and melancholy. The teacher froze mid-step, her expression softening in awe. The students turned, drawn by the serenity of Bai Xia's playing. Even the faintest breath sounded too loud in that moment.
When the last note faded, silence lingered like a sigh.
Then came the whispers — soft, urgent, curious.
"She's definitely from a rich family."
"Yeah, look at how she plays — like she's trained abroad."
"Didn't she and her mother buy a villa with full payment?"
"She's good at English too… maybe she studied overseas."
"Maybe she's from the capital, pretending to be ordinary."
"I heard her purse is designer — real leather!"
"Her posture… that's not something normal students have."
"Her fingers are perfect for piano — slender and steady."
"She's calm even when everyone's watching. So elegant…"
"She must have grown up surrounded by art and luxury."
"Everything about her screams hidden wealth."
"No wonder the teacher looks so impressed!"
When the murmurs finally died down, the teacher stepped forward, smiling warmly.
"Bai Xia," she said, her voice tinged with amazement, "would you like to represent Class A in the upcoming city music competition? Even I can't play the piano that beautifully."
Bai Xia hesitated. She wasn't interested in unnecessary school events — too much trouble.
Before she could respond, the teacher added gently, "Oh, is it because your friend from Class B is participating too? It's alright if you don't want to because of her. I understand… friendship is important."
Bai Xia's gaze sharpened.
"I'll do it," she said coolly, cutting her off. "And Shang Shan is not my friend."
The teacher blinked in surprise but quickly nodded. "Wonderful! I'll register your name right away."
As the students began packing up, Bai Xia's lips curved into a faint, calculating smile.
In my last life, Shang Shan gained recognition from this competition — rewards, applause, and a place in the spotlight.
This time, I'll take everything from her.
The city's annual competition was a major event, held in Shanghai, where the most prestigious schools selected four students to compete in Sports, Music, English, and Mathematics.
Each school held internal trials to decide their representatives.
As Bai Xia walked out of the room, her smile deepened slightly.
"Shang Shan," she murmured softly, "we'll see on stage."