Chapter 142: Autumn's Whisper

The first time the senior year exams began this afternoon at school.

Gao Yueqiu sat behind the podium, observing the students below with varied expressions—some deep in thought, some scratching their heads, others glancing around nervously, and a few furiously scribbling. Among them, the mysterious student Liu Yunfei was clearly in the last category, writing rapidly and effortlessly. Since arriving at this school, he had been a focal point. However, she didn’t believe the rumors circulating in the papers about him. Although this guy sometimes went a bit too far, he could never be that bad. All the teachers at school unanimously praised him—except for the bearded one.

Shortly after the exam began, Liu Yunfei had already finished. Looking around, aside from a few hopeless students, most were still quietly writing. The classroom was silent. Liu Yunfei checked his paper from start to finish. Such tests were child’s play for him. Having reviewed it three times out of sheer boredom, he finally laid his head down on the desk and dozed off.

“Tap, tap.” Liu Yunfei looked up to see the elegant Ms. Gao standing before him in a pale blue professional dress. He raised his head, puzzled.

“Hand in your paper when you’re done. Don’t sleep in class.”

“I have nothing better to do outside. Just let me rest for a bit.”

“No, you’re disturbing the other students.”

Liu Yunfei had no choice but to hand in his paper. Just before submitting it, a mischievous smile crossed his face. He tore a piece from his scratch paper, scribbled something quickly, slipped it inside his test, and left the classroom.

Gao Yueqiu couldn’t help but smile upon seeing the paper. Not only was his handwriting beautiful, but all answers were correct. On the second page, she found a small note tucked inside, written in English: “Light blue doesn’t suit you. I prefer purple.”

Her face flushed with anger as she tore the note into pieces. She thought, “As expected, a troublemaker. He dares to tease a teacher. What I wear is none of your business. If I like purple, I’ll wear purple.”

The afternoon exams continued in sequence for other subjects, and Liu Yunfei was the first to hand in his paper each time, drawing curious glances from everyone.

The next day, after the papers were graded, Teacher Zhu gasped. Liu Yunfei truly lived up to his reputation—he was first not just in the class, but in the whole school, the city, and probably the entire country. He scored full marks in every subject. Even the notorious “killer” girl from Class 1 scored far lower than him.

Word spread rapidly, and all the teachers were astonished. Senior Year Class 3 had produced a genius. Seeing Liu Yunfei, everyone looked at him as if he were a monster. Soon, the news circulated throughout the school and even reached the Education Bureau of neighboring schools. Huangjiang Senior High had truly produced a prodigy.

Of course, parents were deeply concerned about their children’s studies. When Liu Yunfei’s genius results became known, many parents became envious.

Why was this wealthy boy’s performance so outstanding? Surely it was because of the good teachers. Even if Liu Yunfei wasn’t a good person, as long as their children could study like him, they preferred having a rebellious child over a dull one.

Thus, the principal’s office, which liked to show off, became a bustling hub. Leaders came for inspections, friends visited, parents came to enroll their children—it was like a revolving door. The principal felt a silent rage, secretly wanting to scold Liu Yunfei, but since the boy had scored so well, he could only call him in to hear his grievances.

After listening, Liu Yunfei smiled slightly and took a sip of tea. “Congratulations, Principal, you’ve found a new way to make money.”

“Oh? No, I’m not interested in corrupt dealings.”

Liu Yunfei thought to himself, “You’re really selfish, thinking about yourself first.” Then he said, “No, the school can increase its revenue. With more funds, everyone will be better off. I’m sure you understand the principle of having some money in the pot and bowl.”

The principal was not foolish. Knowing about teaching quality but also having a sharp business mind, he immediately thought of some ideas and asked, “You mean charging for selective enrollment or class fees?”

“Our class already has 45 students and can’t accommodate more. Besides, can you transfer the current students out of Class 3? What I’m suggesting is that the school could establish a new ‘Liu Yunfei Class’ with the original teaching staff from Class 3. Anyone wanting to join would have to pay.”

“Brilliant,” the principal beamed. This boy, like a spotted deer, truly had many ideas.

“But if you use my name, it won’t be for nothing.” Liu Yunfei took another sip of tea.

“You still need money?” The principal’s heart skipped a beat. “If your cup is empty, I’ll fill it for you.”

“Not at all. But I hope to use a portion of the yearly income to establish a scholarship fund to reward outstanding students. If this class ever fails to attract students, I will cover the costs.”

The principal considered this and nodded with a thumbs-up. “Good idea, but is it wise to split classes in senior year? Will the Education Bureau agree?”

“You said some leaders’ children want to join? Let them figure it out.” Perhaps to celebrate the prospective collaboration, soft piano music came from afar.

Liu Yunfei listened intently. It was Richard Clayderman’s “Autumn Whisper.” Although Liu Yunfei was a skilled pianist, he only knew a few pieces, and this happened to be one of them. After a moment, he noticed several mistakes and technical flaws in the performance and felt an urge to offer guidance.

Leaving the principal, he went downstairs to the music room. There, Gao Yueqiu, dressed simply in white, sat at the piano, eyes closed, immersed in the music. She was like a delicate narcissus swaying in the breeze—elegant, pure, and untouchable.

Liu Yunfei quietly approached her, but she was so absorbed she didn’t notice him. He sat close beside her, intending to play a duet. But when Gao Yueqiu noticed him sitting there, she startled, stood up, and moved aside.

Liu Yunfei ignored her, smiling faintly. Closing his eyes, he summoned his emotions and began to play. Clear, crisp notes flowed gently.

Gao Yueqiu didn’t know when she closed her eyes, also playing “Autumn Whisper.” Many years ago, when she first heard this piece, it was played by a man—not yet a man then, just a boy—who performed it especially for her. Because, he said, he had come to love autumn because of her.

Their playing was equally good, though Liu Yunfei’s was slightly better, almost identical to the original—down to every beat and note. He played so beautifully that anyone, whether versed in music or not, would be enchanted. Their minds would drift to the Norwegian countryside—the clear, tinkling streams, the tall white birch trees, the golden sunset, and the rustling golden leaves swaying in the breeze.

As Liu Yunfei gently released the final note, Gao Yueqiu still seemed lost in that foreign landscape, back in the pure days of long ago, until a thunderous applause brought her back to reality.

No one knew who was the first to stand at the door, nor who led the applause. When Gao Yueqiu opened her eyes, the piano bench was empty. Liu Yunfei had already left. Teachers and students outside the door applauded, as if bidding farewell to a visiting dignitary—except now, they were applauding one of their own.

Gao Yueqiu hurried into the corridor and saw a taxi speeding away, leaving a trail of exhaust fumes behind.

“Was that your doing?” Jiao Kewei, though she didn’t approach, had overheard everything clearly. At first, her heart was filled with hatred. Every time she saw someone with a happy childhood, she felt an inexplicable resentment.

But it wasn’t directed at Liu Yunfei. She hadn’t known it was him playing. Her hatred was for the murderer—the killer who had taken her mother’s life. She had once loved music and dreamed like any young girl, but everything changed because of that tragedy. Since then, she and her younger brother had strived to improve themselves and change their fate.

Though their father was now a high-ranking central government official, the deep-seated hatred remained unresolved. The mastermind had escaped, and the cruel killer’s identity was still unknown. They could not give up the pursuit of justice. Whenever possible, her brother investigated the mastermind, believing blood debts must be repaid.

Yet, as she listened now, her mood gradually calmed. She recalled her childhood—wearing floral dresses, walking by the river, playing hide-and-seek among the woods near her father’s camp. When Liu Yunfei descended the stairs, she felt suddenly exhausted, yearning to lean on someone’s embrace.