Chapter 248 – I Treat You as A Customer
TN: The song in this chapter. HERE. No male version or English lyrics.
Lin Mu’an’s request was somewhat unexpected for Yang Yi. Moreover, recalling that this guy also wanted to apply for a pianist in the shop last time he visited, Yang Yi suddenly had a strange feeling of “I treat you as a customer, and yet you actually want to play my piano.”
Seeing Yang Yi’s stunned expression, Lin Mu’an thought he had no chance. However, he still wanted to make another effort and fight for it again: “Boss, just one piece, just one. I promise to be careful, not exert too much force, and not damage your piano.”
Retracting that strange thought, Yang Yi glanced at the girl behind Lin Mu’an and almost understood his intention.
“The piano in the shop was originally set up for people to play, but I have a small rule here. Since you want to play in my shop, you’ll have to show some real skills. If I think you played well, I’ll treat you and your girlfriend to two cups of coffee,” Yang Yi said with a slight smile.
“But if your performance is unsatisfactory, you’ll not only have to pay for those two cups of coffee but also buy another cupcake from the shop. Is this rule too much?”
Yang Yi’s words were naturally not meant to make things difficult for the somewhat struggling Lin Mu’an.
Although Yang Yi didn’t interrupt Lin Mu’an’s conversation with his girlfriend just now, he listened attentively to every word. He knew about Lin Mu’an’s financial situation and estimated that it probably wasn’t any better than the two people of Thousand Miles Chuan-Shu back then.
Yang Yi could give Thousand Miles Chuan-Shu an opportunity to showcase themselves, so naturally, he would also give Lin Mu’an an opportunity. As for the so-called conditions and rewards, they were merely incentives and gifts deliberately given by Yang Yi.
Originally, this guy had the courage to apply for the position of pianist in the shop, so he shouldn’t be a total novice, right?
Yang Yi’s words made Lin Mu’an overjoyed and he quickly nodded.
He was still very confident in himself and didn’t even ask Yang Yi in detail about his judgment criteria. He clenched his fist and excitedly said, “Boss, thank you, thank you!”
Lin Mu’an turned around and whispered a few words to his girlfriend. The girl didn’t refute her boyfriend’s face anymore and just blushed and sat down at a nearby seat.
During this interval, Ding Xiang, holding a cloth, walked up to the counter. She asked Yang Yi in confusion, lowering her voice, “Big Brother Yang, since when did we have such a rule in our shop? I don’t seem to remember!”
This girl thought she might have remembered wrongly and took out a small notebook from her pocket, seriously preparing to take down Yang Yi’s words.
Yang Yi looked at her and couldn’t help but laugh. He said two words softly to Ding Xiang, “Starting today.”
After Lin Mu’an settled his girlfriend, he slightly bowed to Yang Yi and sat in front of the piano.
His slender fingers gently fall and he began his performance. Although he had the fighting spirit to prove himself to Yang Yi, more importantly, he wanted to perform for his girlfriend.
In the melodious sound of the piano, Yang Yi’s gently raised his eyebrows. He could tell from the prelude that Lin Mu’an was not going to play purely instrumental music like Jian Yifan!
The prominent harmonious melody, bold and casual voices. It was clearly the prelude to a pop song.
After the lively prelude slowed down, Lin Mu’an softly started singing, “He has always been able to control himself, never losing control…”
It was in Cantonese!
And Yang Yi found out that this was a song he had never heard before. He became interested, raised an eyebrow, and started listening attentively.
Lin Mu’an’s girlfriend recognized the song as early as the prelude began. She covered her mouth with her hands slightly excited, he eyes fixed on Lin Mu’an, who was playing the piano and singing with all his heart.
At present, Ding Xiang was probably the only one in the shop who couldn’t understand Cantonese and didn’t understand what Lin Mu’an was singing. However, Ding Xiang also listened attentively and focused on watching Lin Mu’an in front of the piano.
She had seen Lin Mu’an perform before, but that was in a bar, separated by a complicated and noisy crowd.
“But he’s afraid of having nightmares, afraid that his lover will no longer be good to him, sleeping in each other’s embrace, still there upon waking, accompanying you in this life and the next, never parting…”
Lin Mu’an’s voice was very distinctive. Although his tone could only be considered average, his vocal range was very wide. He could easily switch between falsetto and chest voice, especially in this song, which was obviously several keys higher than ordinary male songs. Yet, he could still sing it with ease.
So, this should be a female vocal song?
Yang Yi made a rough judgment.
“Even if we happened to meet by chance, it’s fate, but every second and every day, you give me a thousand days of memories…” To be honest, the lyrics at the beginning of this song were not written well, and the artistic conception was a bit oppressive. However, as if making a 90-degree turn here, the emotional lyrics became lively.
Undoubtedly a resident singer in a bar, Yang Yi thought that Lin Mu’an sang very well. Whether it was tender and affectionate or passionately intense, this young man could handle it all with expertise. And while playing the piano and singing at the same time, his voice was full of emotion.
“The darkness of the night is particularly unbearable, fireworks don’t understand how to bloom again, and I don’t want to be separated from you tonight…” Lin Mu’an played softly, but suddenly his fingers pressed the keys harder, the rhythm accelerated, and the pitch increased. He sang, “Casually ordering a cup, white coffee comforting my love, sweetness is present with him, the black coffee tastes satisfying in my heart…”
Yang Yi couldn’t help but smile. How is this song still related to coffee?
No wonder he had to sing in a coffee shop! The ambiance, the atmosphere, couldn’t be more fitting!
Of course, Yang Yi knew that this was actually just a coincidence. Lin Mu’an, this young man, clearly only had an interest in his piano, not coffee…
“May you always remember my stubbornness and unrepentance. If I am forgotten, I am willing to endure the sorrow. But even in pain, it is a splendid pain. I absolutely refuse to give up on love…”
After finishing the song, Lin Mu’an finally lifted his head from the heartfelt playing and singing. It was unclear whether it was due to lack of confidence or his own style, but during his singing, he was completely immersed in his performance, exchanging intense emotions that erupted in his singing. It was not until the final notes faded away that he could slowly break free from the resonating emotions of the song.
Such a performance by Lin Mu’an was not accidental; he was the same way when singing in bars. Lacking interaction with the audience, even if he sang well, there were still not many supporters, let alone he sang Cantonese songs!
During this performance, he hadn’t interacted with his girlfriend either, but fortunately, she was his girlfriend and understood Lin Mu’an’s habits. So, she listened attentively from beginning to end. It wasn’t until Lin Mu’an turned his head towards her that she blushed with excitement and gave Lin Mu’an two thumbs up.
Such interaction was very simple, but Lin Mu’an enjoyed it very much. He grinned and showed a happy smile.
To be honest, this scene was a bit stimulating for Ding Xiang, a single girl. After all, it was dog abuse… 1The Chinese slang term “虐狗” (nüè gǒu) literally translates to “dog abuse” in English. Basically, couples showing affection to each other and those who has been single for a long time suffers “great trauma” from seeing their show of affection.
Moreover, a delicately handsome young man like Lin Mu’an was quite popular with girls. Furthermore, Lin Mu’an could also play the piano and sing, and girls who preferred romance over reality couldn’t help but admire him.
However, Ding Xiang still has a clear mind. Where would she find time for romance now? Work and studies were almost everything for her!
Ding Xiang shook her head and smiled, then turned around and walked into the restroom. Shortly after, she came out carrying a heavy bucket of water and went outside to clean the windows.
After listening to the song, Yang Yi looked at Lin Mu’an and his girlfriend, these two indescribably well-matched young men and women showing off their love there. He also shook his head, retracted his gaze, and turned it towards the shelf where the coffee beans were placed.
TN: If you like my translations support me in ko-fi: Here.
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