ROSGT Chapter 29: 999 Roses
Back in college, Ye Chui had learned to play a few piano pieces to attract girls' attention and even performed at school dances. Now, Ye Chui planned to play a classic love song: "999 Roses." Accompanying himself on the piano and singing was quite captivating.
Since reincarnating into this world, Ye Chui had not heard decent music for a long time. Although pop music existed here, it was still underdeveloped, severely lacking in those classic songs that everyone knew. Ye Chui wanted to play this song to soothe his ears a little.
Noticing a customer about to play the piano, and a disabled person in a wheelchair at that, people were drawn by a sense of determined perseverance. Generally, such individuals were highly talented, so many people curiously looked over, waiting for Ye Chui to start playing.
Then, under everyone's anticipation, Ye Chui's fingers touched the keys...
How to describe it?
It was like a child discovering a piano for the first time, finding it amusing that pressing a key would make a sound, and then randomly hitting the keys for fun. That was the impression Ye Chui's piano playing gave.
It wasn't entirely Ye Chui's fault. After all, his piano skills back then were barely mediocre. He had memorized how to play only through rote learning, and by now, he had almost forgotten everything. Remembering how to play again wasn't easy.
However, slowly, Ye Chui began to find his rhythm. He had listened to "999 Roses" countless times before, and the familiar melody soon found an outlet through his fingers. Although the piano music was still disorganized, he gradually found the tune...
Unfortunately, the image of a determined, talented pianist in a wheelchair was completely ruined.
Fang Nan and Fang Xi both covered their faces, unable to speak.
Jian Fan, on the other hand, was pleased. He already disliked Ye Chui, and seeing him make a fool of himself made Jian Fan even happier.
The waitress was also dumbfounded. Knowing that Ye Chui was Ye Ling's brother, she had assumed he was also skilled at the piano like Ye Ling, but his level was just noise, wasn't it?
"Brother Cha, why don't we order and eat?" Fang Xi quietly suggested.
Ye Chui, however, was getting into it. "Wait, I'm just getting the hang of it."
"Brother Cha, please don't..." Fang Xi thought Ye Chui felt his pride was hurt and insisted on playing.
Ignoring Fang Xi, Ye Chui's hands became more steady on the keys.
...
In an elegant private room beside the restaurant.
There were two people in the room, and the large table was filled with dishes, but no one was eating.
One was an elderly man with a stern face, around fifty or sixty years old, holding a sheet of music and studying it seriously.
The other was a middle-aged man, waiting anxiously, occasionally glancing at the old man's expression. The slightest change in the old man's expression made him nervous.
"Mr. Fang, you are an authority in this field. What do you think of this song?" The middle-aged man cautiously asked after a while.
The elderly man, referred to as Mr. Fang, shook his head. "No, this song has some merit, but it's not enough to be the main theme for Qingci."
"I spent a lot of money to have this song composed, and it's still not good enough?" The middle-aged man's face showed a bit of gloom, his brows furrowed.
Mr. Fang replied, "Li Wei, as Qingci's manager, you should put more effort into this. There can't be any mistakes... Qingci is considered my student, so I'll help you find a suitable song in the next few days."
"Thank you very much, Mr. Fang." Li Wei expressed his gratitude quickly.
Mr. Fang was an authoritative figure in the music industry, known as the Godfather of Music. If he offered to help, a good song was guaranteed.
Li Wei picked up a glass of wine to toast Mr. Fang, but just then, a series of chaotic, intermittent piano sounds drifted into the private room.
Hearing this noise, Mr. Fang couldn't help but frown. As a music authority, he couldn't stand people ruining music.
Li Wei, being observant, immediately stood up. "What's going on with this restaurant? Who's playing the piano? I'll go and chase them out."
"Wait!" Mr. Fang suddenly called out just as Li Wei reached the door.
"What's the matter, Mr. Fang?" Li Wei asked, puzzled.
Mr. Fang motioned for him to stay quiet and then made a gesture of listening intently. Mr. Fang's expertise was evident; despite Ye Chui's poor playing, he recognized the tune of "999 Roses."
Mr. Fang's fingers began to tap lightly on the table.
His rich experience told him that the melody was excellent and innovative, only the player's skill was lacking.
At this moment, Ye Chui also started to get the feel of it and began to sing.
"Past events are like the wind, infatuation is just hard to understand. I try to drink away your silhouette, but it won't fade..."
Imitating Tai Zhengxiao's slightly hoarse voice, but with a melodious and emotional tone.
Ye Chui's piano playing wasn't great, but singing this familiar song well posed no problem.
His singing might not win a talent show, but it conveyed the song's beauty effectively.
In a world relatively lacking in music, Ye Chui's rendition of this song was heavenly to others.
Fang Nan and Fang Xi were the first to react, showing expressions of surprise.
Jian Fan's mocking smile froze, his eyes widening.
The waitress, who was thinking of persuading Ye Chui to stop playing, was also stunned.
"The pearl light projects, but it doesn't show your face, I only see you in the photo alone..."
Ye Chui's singing became more emotional, reaching a state of forgetfulness.
"The night wind is cold, recalling the past like a dream. My heart is frozen, how can I bear to not meet you again. Hard to part with the pain, hard to let go like the wind, hard to let go of you indulging in my heart..."
Ye Chui took a deep breath, preparing for his favorite part, the climax—
"I've already planted for you, nine hundred and ninety-nine roses. From the day we parted, nine hundred and ninety-nine roses. The flowers wither, and I am weary, a thousand dreams and ten thousand events have vanished with the flowers."
Ye Chui's tone was calm, but it seemed to contain immense energy within this calmness.
Back then, Tai Zhengxiao became famous with this song and was called the Prince of Love Songs, which was well deserved.
This song was like an unstoppable arrow, piercing straight into anyone's heart.
After singing the climax, Ye Chui felt his emotions surge, his body swaying with the music.
Suddenly, he sensed something was off—it was eerily quiet around him.
Ye Chui looked around and was stunned.
Everyone was looking at him, faces filled with unexpected surprise.
The few customers in the restaurant had even stood up, quietly gathering around.
From a nearby private room, an elderly man rushed out, looking almost tearful.
What was going on?