106: A masterpiece

Wu Fan moved closer, his lips almost touching her cherry-red mouth.

“I can use the ancient zither to accompany you with background music, guaranteed to make your tea art performance much more captivating.”

Lin Jingyi raised her hand and pressed against Wu Fan’s chest, “Can you stop leaning on me like this?”

Her warm breath sprayed onto Wu Fan’s face, carrying a faint, clean fragrance.

Wu Fan’s eyes held amusement, “What’s wrong? We were together last time, what is there still to be reserved about?”

Lin Jingyi blushed slightly, “The competition is about to start, will you let go of me?”

Wu Fan remained motionless, “I’ll let go only if you agree to let me provide the music for you.”

Lin Jingyi said suspiciously, “Do you really know how to play? This competition is very important to me; it’s not a joke.”

Wu Fan suddenly kissed the corner of her lips, “Let’s go back to the room, I can play a piece for you first.”

“Mmm, ah.”

Wu Fan’s kiss was already ravaging her… Lin Jingyi wanted to struggle, but Wu Fan was too strong and completely restrained her.

This familiar scent made her gradually give up resistance.

“Ding.”

The elevator chimed; they had arrived at the top floor.

Wu Fan pulled her hand, walked into the room, and locked the door.

Lin Jingyi was somewhat dazed, as if she had returned to that wild, rainy day.

Wu Fan took out the ancient zither and casually played half a piece, “How is it? Do you believe me now?”

Lin Jingyi’s eyes showed disbelief; she truly hadn’t expected a grown man to play the ancient zither so masterfully.

“Your outfit won’t work; it doesn’t match my qipao,” Lin Jingyi suggested.

Only then did Wu Fan carefully size her up.

She was wearing a pale green qipao with a yellow cotton cloak over it. Her hair was coiled up, fastened with a very classical hairpin, full of ancient charm and very beautiful.

Wu Fan was actually somewhat stunned, feeling a sense of déjà vu, as if he had traveled back to the Republican era Shanghai Bund.

Lin Jingyi’s pretty face flushed slightly, “Wu Fan, stop looking, the competition is starting soon. If you are willing to provide the music for me, please go change into a long mandarin jacket, okay?”

Wu Fan nodded, thinking her suggestion made sense. He pulled out his phone and called Xiao Ai, asking her to rent several Republican-era long mandarin jackets from a photo studio.

After hearing Wu Fan finish the call, Lin Jingyi whispered, “Then I’ll go down first. They are about to draw lots for the competition sequence.”

Wu Fan’s lips curled up. He suddenly wrapped his arm around her slender waist and kissed her again.

Lin Jingyi let out a soft moan, her head exploded with a “boom,” instantly emptying her mind. Soon, her breathing quickened.

This man was too skilled at kissing; he always easily aroused her desire.

A few minutes later, Wu Fan stopped, stepped back, and looked at her slightly flushed, pretty face, “Go down now.”

Lin Jingyi exhaled and shyly murmured, “Mhm.”

After arriving at the main hall together, the judges and audience were mostly present, and the place was buzzing with noise.

Lin Jingyi glanced at Wu Fan before taking small steps to register at the contestants’ area, then waited for the drawing of lots for the competition order number.

Wu Fan scanned the audience seats but did not find Zhou Ruyan.

What was her situation? How come she still hadn't arrived?

When Wu Fan set off this morning, he called her to come along, but she said she had something going on at home and would arrive later. Yet, the event was about to start, and she was still nowhere to be seen?

Wu Fan pulled out his phone and dialed her number. After waiting for several seconds, the call connected, “Are you here yet?”

His tone was clearly displeased.

The voice on the other end of the phone was somewhat noisy, “Wu Fan, I’m sorry, something unexpected came up at home, and I really can’t make it. I apologize deeply.”

Wu Fan frowned slightly and asked, “What happened?”

Zhou Ruyan’s voice was trembling, “It’s hard to talk about now. Let’s discuss it when we meet next time.”

Wu Fan wanted to say more, but the "du du du" sound of the dial tone came through. He could tell she was very anxious.

Wu Fan had a premonition of misfortune, but he couldn't guess what exactly might have happened.

He let out a breath, put his phone in his pocket, and decided he could only ignore it for now.

He stood in the corner, looking at the lush green tea mountains displayed on the large screen, somewhat lost in thought.

Xiao Ai rushed over, carrying a large bag filled with long mandarin jackets of various colors.

Her eyes were quite bright; she spotted Wu Fan immediately and started waving from afar.

Wu Fan’s lips curved upward, revealing a faint smile.

This woman was quite capable. Although their relationship was purely employment, she fully deserved the title of a virtuous assistant.

After delivering the clothes, she left, saying she needed to go home for a thorough cleaning.

Wu Fan didn't press her further. He originally had an extra ticket and wanted her to watch the competition with him.

After about ten minutes, the beautiful female host took the stage, introducing the general situation of the Tea Art Competition and solemnly presenting the judges.

Among them were the director of the Tea Research Institute, a professor from a university’s Tea Studies Department, and a leader in the field of tea culture, among others.

Wu Fan didn’t understand much; he was just listening. What he cared about was Lin Jingyi’s draw number.

The competition number also mattered; being too early or too late was not ideal.

With a total of 30 contestants, numbers 10 through 20 should be the most perfect.

When Lin Jingyi drew her lot, her face was expressionless; she looked very calm.

She slowly reached her hand into the drawing box and pulled out a card, which displayed the number 18.

Wu Fan breathed a sigh of relief. This Xiaoni had good luck, securing a golden spot, and the number was quite auspicious.

Lin Jingyi raised her eyes, met his gaze, and smiled slightly.

After she stepped off the stage, Wu Fan went up to her and discussed the general plan for their joint performance.

Wu Fan also let her choose the color of the long mandarin jacket, and then he went to put it on.

Having changed clothes, Wu Fan truly looked like he possessed a certain classical charm.

After the competition began, every Tea Master did their best and displayed their skills.

The competition was fierce; it was truly like the Eight Immortals crossing the sea, each showing their unique powers.

There was an important interactive segment during the competition: the contestant would present the freshly brewed tea to an audience member for tasting and then ask him to share his feelings.

When it was Lin Jingyi’s turn, she surprisingly held the teacup, bowed to Wu Fan in thanks, and let him take a sip.

Wu Fan, playing the ancient zither with one hand, didn't speak, but simply gave her a thumbs-up.

This scene was warm, loving, and very unique, drawing continuous applause from the audience and judges.

Lin Jingyi’s tea art performance, paired with the classical music played by Wu Fan, made the entire scene and atmosphere incredibly profound and harmonious.

While playing with his eyes closed, Wu Fan inexplicably thought back to that night.

He had treated Lin Jingyi as worthless trash who would sell herself for money.

He completely failed to cherish and pity her.

At that time, he was overbearing and savage... Thinking about it now, it was truly excessive.

Perhaps it truly was her first time, and being treated so brutally by Wu Fan might have left a psychological shadow on her.

Wu Fan felt increasingly guilty the more he thought about it.

He sighed internally, realizing he must find a way to make up for the mistake of that night and give her gentle care.

He needed to make her understand again that relationships between men and women could also be gentle, and that it wouldn't be crude like that every time...

Wu Fan’s masterful ancient zither skills indeed provided the perfect finishing touch to Lin Jingyi’s performance.

After the performance ended, thunderous applause erupted once again from the audience and judges.

Her tea art performance was very distinctive; while brewing and pouring tea, she used a microphone to give a detailed explanation of her hometown and the tea leaves.

This allowed the audience to gain a more intuitive understanding of tea culture; it was truly excellent.

After Wu Fan and Lin Jingyi bowed and left the stage, he surprisingly felt a bit nervous. The judges were currently whispering among themselves, preparing to assign scores...