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Chapter 10: Marriage of Love
7:56 PM.
Though the dinner rush had subsided, the restaurant still buzzed with diners. Compared to an hour ago, however, the atmosphere was noticeably quieter. The cacophony of earlier conversations had given way to the gentle clinking of cutlery—a perfect backdrop for music.
There couldn’t have been a better moment.
Lin Tian took a deep breath and sat down at the piano.
“Are you insane, Lin Tian?” Xu Yong exclaimed, panic rising as he realized Lin Tian was serious. He rushed over, lowering his voice but unable to hide his agitation.
“Do you even know who’s dining here tonight? You really think those videos teaching ‘how to play a song with just a few keys’ are legit? They’re scams aimed at clueless outsiders. If you try this and fail, you’ll want to dig a hole and bury yourself alive. Trust me—I’ve fallen for it before.”
Xu Yong’s mind raced. After two and a half years of friendship, he thought he knew Lin Tian inside out. Sure, the guy was handsome, academically gifted, and tall—but beyond that? Nothing special. Could Lin Tian actually play the piano?
Please. Xu Yong might as well claim he was Emperor Qin Shi Huang reincarnated.
Though the restaurant wasn’t packed, there were still some customers, once the notes rang out…
Xu Yong shuddered at the mere thought, already feeling secondhand embarrassment creeping up his spine. Why did he always get so uncomfortable when others made fools of themselves?
“I can manage a bit,” Lin Tian said calmly.
“A bit? You’d be better off performing a 360-degree spin while spraying gel everywhere—it’d draw more attention and maybe even scam some girls into tipping you,” Xu Yong shot back sarcastically. “And what about Manager Wang? Don’t you care if he docks your pay for using the restaurant’s precious piano during work hours?”
Despite his desperate attempts to dissuade Lin Tian, Xu Yong couldn’t understand why his usually low-key friend suddenly wanted to hog the spotlight.
Meanwhile, other diners had begun noticing the commotion. When they saw one of the waitstaff seated at the piano, curiosity piqued. Was this an impromptu performance? It didn’t seem like the restaurant had hired a professional musician—otherwise, why hadn’t they seen this before?
A waiter playing the piano? How unusual.
Especially since the young man sitting there appeared to be nothing more than a high school student. Patrons nudged their companions and craned their necks, eager to witness whatever spectacle awaited them.
As the weight of dozens of curious stares bore down on him, Xu Yong couldn’t take it anymore. The awkwardness was suffocating.
“Fine, do whatever you want. I’m out of here.” With that, Xu Yong turned tail and fled, muttering under his breath. He needed to distance himself immediately—if anyone associated him with this madness, his reputation would be ruined.
Nope, not friends. Never met him.
With no distractions left, Lin Tian shifted his focus to the system interface. His earlier claim of “knowing a little” stemmed from uncertainty about how proficient the system would make him. Opening the [Instrument Skill Selection Card], he scrolled through the options:
[Choose one: Violin, Drums, Guitar, Piano, Suona]
His finger hovered briefly before selecting: [Acquired: Piano Skill (Silver Level)].
Instantly, a flood of knowledge—piano techniques, music theory, and intricate finger placements—surged into his mind. It felt surreal, like being struck by lightning. In that fleeting moment, everything clicked.
Placing his hands on the keys, Lin Tian felt an inexplicable familiarity, as though reuniting with an old companion. It was akin to Simple wielding his sniper rifle, Liu Qi uncovering his chessboard, or Kana Momonogi caressing an ochinchin. All he needed to do was press lightly, and the instrument responded effortlessly.
“Dong—”
The first note resonated throughout the restaurant, rich and commanding. Every diner paused mid-bite; every server froze mid-step. Without hesitation, all eyes turned toward the source of the sound.
Lin Tian exhaled deeply, positioning both hands on the keyboard. Then, he began to play.
---
The melody flowed smoothly, soft and tender notes cascading like a gentle stream. The piece Lin Tian chose was “Marriage of Love.”
Though much of his past life’s memories were hazy, this particular composition remained vivid. It wasn’t nostalgia alone—it was personal significance. Back in his previous life, this had been the school bell signaling the end of class. He loved the tune so much that he often listened to it on music apps during his free time.
Of course, context mattered. Had it been the morning bell instead, he might not have felt the same affection.
Under the influence of [Piano Skill (Silver)], any melody he could recall became second nature to perform. As Lin Tian played, the entire restaurant fell under a spell of tranquility and harmony.
“Wow… This is actually pretty good,” murmured one diner.
“Not bad at all,” another agreed.
“Is this really a high schooler? Incredible!”
Forks and knives paused mid-air as guests stopped eating to savor the moment. The ambiance transformed into something magical, making the act of dining feel almost luxurious. Who would’ve guessed their humble server harbored such talent?
Even Xu Yong stood dumbfounded, utterly bewildered.
Wait… You’re serious? You CAN actually play?
---
“Marriage of Love” was a masterpiece born in 1978 by French composer Paul de Senneville. Though not a timeless classic, its blend of classical elegance and pop sensibilities made it universally appealing. Its romantic, heartfelt rhythm evoked emotions that transcended language and culture.
To the patrons of SWING, unfamiliar with the piece yet captivated by its beauty, the music spoke directly to their souls. As Lin Tian reached the crescendo, the tempo quickened, eliciting gasps of admiration from the crowd.
“Wow, this is amazing!”
“For real, I’ve never enjoyed instrumental music this much—it’s incredible.”
“Even my grandpa would praise it after he heard this.”
“He’s not only handsome but also talented. What’s this waiter’s name?”
“Could he be a trainee from some entertainment agency?”
Soon, many diners rose from their seats, phones in hand, eager to capture the rare scene. Those Lin Tian had served earlier were especially smitten. Some even abandoned their tables to gather around the piano.
Student. Handsome. Piano. Music.
These elements combined created a picturesque moment within the cozy confines of the tea restaurant.
When the final note of “Marriage of Love” faded into silence, Lin Tian lifted his hands, concluding the flawless performance.
“That was fantastic!”
The woman filming led the applause, followed swiftly by the rest of the patrons. In Zhonghua, crowds never missed an opportunity to cheer enthusiastically.
“So cool! Young man, you’re incredible!” someone shouted.
“Wonderful! Can you play another?”
Amidst the excited chatter, one person stood out—more thrilled than anyone else.
“We’ve known each other for years,” Xu Yong declared loudly. “He’s my brother, my best friend!”
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