51
The next evening, Ya Xin brought money and walked into a boutique. The clerk came forward and greeted her: “Hello~ Welcome.”
Ya Xin asked: “Excuse me, how much is this hairband….”
The clerk said: “This is 680 yuan.”
After hearing the price, Ya Xin realized she did not have enough money and hesitated.
Ya Xin said: “Thank you~ I’ll look around a bit more.”
Ya Xin walked out of the boutique in disappointment and stood in front of the display window, looking at the hairband inside. The owner noticed that Ya Xin had been standing in front of the window for a long time, so she came out and asked with concern: “Little girl, I see that you seem to really like this hairband.”
Ya Xin said: “My younger sister really likes this hairband. I wanted to buy it as a birthday gift for her, but I don’t have enough money with me.”
The owner asked: “Then what is your budget?”
Ya Xin said: “I only have 530 yuan.”
The owner asked: “Then, what if I sell you this hairband for 530 yuan, would that be okay?”
Ya Xin asked joyfully: “Really? Thank you!”
Ya Xin took out a pile of coins and handed them to the clerk to count. The owner handed the hairband to her. Ya Xin bowed deeply, smiled, turned around, and left, disappearing into the dusk.

52
That night, Ya Xin was studying and doing homework in her bedroom. Mei Yin finished her bath and came into the room.
Ya Xin took out the beautifully wrapped hairband and gave it to Mei Yin: “Little sis, happy birthday, this is your birthday present….”
“Mm….” Mei Yin took the gift and casually placed it on the desk, deliberately acting indifferent, then put on her earphones and listened to music.
Late at night when everything was quiet, Mei Yin secretly got out of bed. Seeing that Ya Xin was asleep, she quietly walked to the desk, opened the gift, and put on the hairband while looking at herself in the mirror.
Ya Xin, who was pretending to be asleep, saw her younger sister’s happy expression and fell into a deep sleep with a smile on her lips.

53
At school dismissal time, students walked out of the school gate one after another. Uncle Ashan, the driver of Zhang Yingming, parked the car and stood beside the car door. Xueye walked over.
Xueye greeted first: “Uncle Ashan.”
Uncle Ashan said: “Hello, young miss. Today the master instructed me to pick up one more passenger and take them home.”
Xueye asked: “Who are you picking up?”
Uncle Ashan said: “The master said it is your classmate, seems to be called Qiu Ya… something.”
Xueye asked: “You mean that deaf girl Qiu Ya Xin?”
Uncle Ashan said: “Yes, yes. I heard from the master that this Qiu Ya Xin seems to have some hearing difficulty.”
Xueye asked: “Why are you bringing her home!?”
Uncle Ashan asked: “The master said to invite her to our house to practice piano.”
Xueye said: “Practice piano? What right does she have!”
Ya Xin arrived in front of the car and looked at Xueye and Uncle Ashan, her expression somewhat hesitant: “Uncle Ashan.”
Uncle Ashan noticed Ya Xin calling him.
After seeing Ya Xin, Xueye showed a very disdainful expression.
Uncle Ashan said: “Are you Ya Xin?”
Ya Xin nodded.
Uncle Ashan said: “Hello, both young ladies please get in the car.”
Xueye with a sour face directly got into the front passenger seat, completely ignoring Ya Xin who tried to greet her. After both got in the car, Uncle Ashan closed the back door, returned to the front seat, and drove away.

54
Upon entering the house, Zhang Xueye casually threw her schoolbag onto the sofa and walked straight toward the piano room, completely ignoring Ya Xin. Ya Xin followed Uncle Ashan to the entrance of the piano room, hesitating whether she should go in. Yingming came to Ya Xin’s side.
Yingming turned and said: “Xueye, you’re back and didn’t even say hello. You must be Ya Xin, right?”
Ya Xin nodded.
Yingming said: “Hello, I am your mother’s middle school classmate. Our family has two pianos. You are always welcome to come and practice at our house. It will also give Xueye a companion.”
Xueye said: “Dad! I like practicing alone!”
Yingming said: “Xueye, you must not be impolite to your classmate. What have I taught you normally?”
Xueye felt it was pointless and started playing the piano on her own.
Yingming said: “Later, Xueye’s piano tutor Teacher Meihua will arrive. If you have any questions, you can directly ask her. I believe she will be very willing to guide you.”
Yingming led Ya Xin to another piano in the piano room.
Yingming said: “Alright, you can now start using this piano to practice. I need to go out later, so I won’t disturb you.”
Ya Xin said: “Uncle, thank you.”
Yingming left the piano room. Xueye sat down and, as if venting her anger, began playing randomly. The sound was sharp and chaotic, very unpleasant to hear. Ya Xin moved her hand to the switch of her hearing aid, preparing to turn it off.
Ya Xin thought to herself: “Actually, Xueye’s anger is understandable. I came here without her permission and disturbed her home. I think I should not come here to practice piano anymore.”
Ya Xin did not turn off her hearing aid; she decided to endure the noise Xueye was making and concentrate on playing the piano.
The piano tutor Teacher Meihua arrived behind Xueye, while Ya Xin silently practiced on her own.
Meihua said: “You played wrong again, Xueye. What’s wrong with you today?”
Xueye complained: “With someone else here, I can’t concentrate.”
Meihua said: “That’s because your attention is not focused. Look, your classmate is playing very well. And if you listen carefully, she plays quite well. Although there is still a lot of room for improvement in technique, her piano tone is delicate but not sentimental, and it sounds very comfortable.”
Xueye became unhappy and pressed the piano keys heavily: “If she plays so well, then go teach her!”
Xueye left angrily. Teacher Meihua shook her head. Ya Xin silently stopped playing, lowered her head without speaking, looking very embarrassed.

55
Xueye was lying lazily on the sofa flipping through a magazine when the doorbell rang. She got up and opened the door, seeing her cousin Mubai standing there: “Hi, dear cousin.”
Xueye said irritably: “What are you doing here? I don’t want to see you right now.”
Mubai said: “Don’t be like that! So? Do you want to go out and hang around today?”
Xueye said: “No, you’re so annoying. Can you just disappear from in front of me?”
Mubai noticed piano sounds coming from the piano room: “Hmm? You’re here, then who is playing the piano?”
Xueye said: “Some annoying deaf girl! Nobody invited her, she just came to my house on her own.”
Mubai said: “A deaf girl can also play the piano? That’s interesting.”
Xueye said: “Hey, I changed my mind. I don’t want to stay at home anymore. Take me out to play.”
Mubai said happily: “Yes, as you command!”
Xueye left the house with Mubai. Ya Xin’s piano sound echoed in the empty house.

56
After returning home, Ya Xin met her mother Yuling in the living room.
Ya Xin said: “Mom, I don’t want to go to Uncle Yingming’s house to practice piano anymore.”
Yuling asked: “Why don’t you want to go?”
Ya Xin lowered her head and remained silent. Seeing this, Yuling already understood. Yuling asked: “If you don’t go to Uncle Yingming’s house, then how will you practice piano?”
Ya Xin said: “I can go to the church to practice piano.”
Yuling said: “Alright. As long as there is a place for now where you can practice piano, that’s fine. When Mom has enough money, I will buy a piano for you to practice at home, so it will also be more convenient.”
Zhikun heard Yuling speaking outside the living room.
Zhikun thought to himself: “It seems better to buy a piano for A-Xin, that would be more appropriate.”
Ya Xin said: “Mom, really it’s not necessary! I can go to the church to practice.”

57
In the church rehearsal room, Candy was teaching Ya Xin piano practice, and Ya Xin missed several notes consecutively.
Candy frowned and asked: “Ya Xin, do you have something on your mind?”
Ya Xin said: “I’m sorry, teacher, I….”
Candy encouraged her: “Just say what’s on your mind. The teacher will help you figure it out.”
Ya Xin said: “My mother wants to buy a piano for me to practice at home, but I don’t want to increase her burden….”
Candy said: “I see. You are a filial child. Actually, buying a piano is something that will happen sooner or later. Let me help you think of a way.”
Ya Xin said: “Teacher….”
Candy said: “It’s almost noon. Go out to the street and buy lunch first, let’s take care of basic needs first.”
Ya Xin said: “Okay.”
Candy gave Ya Xin two one-hundred-yuan bills, and Ya Xin stood up and left.

Candy thought for a while, then also left the rehearsal room and came to the door of the Bible room. The wooden door was open, and Candy knocked twice.
Father John raised his head: “Teacher Candy, are you looking for me?”
Candy smiled and said: “Father, your chance to express fatherly love has come!”
Father John said: “Does Vivian need anything?”
Candy said: “The mother of your daughter wants to buy a piano for Ya Xin, but she currently does not have the financial ability.”
Father John said: “Of course it’s no problem for me to buy it for Vivian, but would her mother be willing to accept it?”
Candy said: “I have already thought of your concern. I will find a way to make Ya Xin’s mother accept it.”
Father John smiled and said: “Candy, thank you….”

58
Zhi Kun wore long plastic fishing boots and came to a musical instrument shop on the old street dressed like a fisherman. Customers nearby covered their noses because of the fishy smell from his body, looking at him with disgust.
Zhi Kun asked: “May I ask if the boss is here?”
The boss said: “I am the boss. May I ask you….”
Zhi Kun said: “I’m here to look at pianos.”
The boss asked: “Look at pianos? Can you play the piano?”
Zhi Kun said: “I’m not the one playing the piano. I’m buying a piano for my niece.”
The boss asked: “Then do you want an upright piano or a grand piano?”
Zhi Kun said: “Huh? What are those things? I don’t understand any of that. Can you just tell me how much one costs?”
The boss said: “Sir, if you ask like that I don’t really know how to answer. Our pianos range from over one hundred thousand to over a million.”
Zhi Kun was shocked and stuck out his tongue: “So expensive! Boss, can it be paid in installments?”
The boss said: “Of course.”
Zhi Kun said: “Oh good, that’s a relief. Then I can buy it. Boss, please give me the piano catalog and write down the prices. I’ll go back and think about it.”
The boss said: “Alright.”

59
Zhi Kun was looking at the piano catalog in the hall when Yong Lai walked over curiously: “Ah Kun, what are you looking at so seriously?”
Zhi Kun said: “Dad, I just went to a piano shop to look at pianos. I originally wanted to buy one for A-Xin to play, but all the pianos are very expensive.”
Yong Lai said: “Don’t worry about this. I will also contribute some money.”
Zhi Gan and Ai Jiao happened to pass by the hall. Seeing the piano catalog in Zhi Kun’s hand and hearing what Yong Lai said, they were very unhappy.
Zhi Gan said: “Dad, you really want to buy a piano for that deaf girl? I don’t agree.”
Yong Lai said angrily: “Do I need your permission to spend my own money? Ridiculous!”
Zhi Gan said: “The family property is going to be wasted on outsiders.”
Yong Lai said: “I’m not even dead yet and you’re already thinking about dividing the inheritance. Go to sleep earlier if you want more dreams.”
Ai Jiao said: “Dad, you already planned to hire a piano teacher, and now you want to buy a piano too. Is our family so rich that we can waste money like this?”
Zhi Kun said: “Brother, sister-in-law, you are too selfish. You only think about yourselves. How is this wasting money?”
Ai Jiao said: “Uncle, you really don’t think carefully. Who spends money like this? Since you don’t have a wife or children, of course you don’t feel heartache when spending money.”
Yong Lai said: “Everything you say is useless. What outsiders? I, as grandfather, buying a piano for my granddaughter is not excessive at all. Ah Kun, take me to see the piano now. Ignore them.”
Zhi Kun said: “Okay, Dad, let’s go.”
Zhi Gan and Ai Jiao looked unhappily as Zhi Kun and Yong Lai left the house.

60
As soon as Yu Ling stepped into the courtyard, she was met with sarcastic remarks from Zhi Gan’s wife and husband.
Ai Jiao said: “Some people really like to pretend and act pitiful. They are really secretly enjoying things.”
Zhi Gan said: “Someone must have cast a spell, otherwise Dad and younger brother wouldn’t be so confused.”
Yu Ling could sense their dissatisfaction and asked: “Ah Gan, what exactly happened?”
Zhi Gan asked angrily: “Did you tell Ah Kun to persuade Dad to buy a piano for Ya Xin?”
Yu Ling said: “No, I didn’t!”
Ai Jiao said: “Good that you didn’t.”
Yu Ling said: “I’ll go ask Dad clearly.”

Yu Ling went into the hall. Yong Lai was drinking tea in the hall.
Yu Ling called: “Dad!”
Yong Lai said: “You’re back? Are you tired?”
Yu Ling said: “Dad, I’m not tired. I heard you want to buy a piano for Ya Xin?”
Yong Lai said: “Yes.”
Yu Ling said: “Dad, don’t buy it. Don’t damage the family relationship over a piano.”
Yong Lai said: “Ah Ling, this is my decision. No one else’s opinion matters. Don’t interfere. You must also be tired, go rest first.”
Yu Ling tried to continue speaking, but Yong Lai waved his hand to stop her.
Yu Ling said: “Dad… alright, I’ll go in.”

Yu Ling came to Zhi Kun’s room door and knocked twice. Zhi Kun opened the door.
Zhi Kun said: “Sis, are you looking for me?”
“Let’s go inside and talk,” Yu Ling said as she entered the room.
Zhi Kun brought a round chair and said: “Sis, please sit down.”
Yu Ling asked: “Little brother, is it your idea for Dad to buy a piano for Ya Xin?”
Zhi Kun scratched his forehead with a silly smile and said: “I just heard you say you wanted to buy a piano for Ya Xin, and I thought you might not be very well-off right now….”
Yu Ling said: “I knew it! Little brother, buying a piano for Ya Xin is originally my responsibility as her mother. Now that Dad is taking over this matter, it puts me in a difficult position….”
Zhi Kun said: “What’s so difficult about it? Sis, are you worried that brother and sister-in-law will gossip behind your back?”
Yu Ling said: “Sigh! A harmonious family leads to prosperity. I don’t want to hurt the family harmony because of this.”
Zhi Kun said: “Sis, you don’t need to worry about that. You have already given so much to this family. These years I’ve been fishing at sea and saved some money. It should be my turn to repay you.”
Yu Ling said: “Little brother, your intention is enough. The money you worked so hard to save is for your future marriage. I can’t let you spend it like this.”
Zhi Kun said: “Money can always be earned again. Sis, if it’s needed, we should spend it.”
Yu Ling said: “I still do not agree with you spending this money!”
Zhi Kun said: “Sis, why are you so stubborn?”

Their conversation, separated by a wooden wall, was heard by Ya Xin and Mei Yin inside the room.
Mei Yin said jealously: “Sis, Uncle really dotes on you the most. He’s going to buy you a piano!”
Ya Xin remained silent, but in her heart she thought of Father John.