Chapter Twenty-Six: Father

  Walking up to the piano, touching this black piano, my hands touched that long-forgotten feeling, and in my heart it was like a stone being thrown into a lake, rippling.

  "It's been ages since I've had this feeling, hasn't it? How many years has it been? Two years? Three years? Can't remember anymore..." Chen Shao thought to himself; even back in his New York University days, he hadn't played the piano like this, at most only playing a little during exams or when plagiarizing songs for assessment.

  Get to the position, lightly pluck twice to try the sound; then play Richard Clayderman's "Childhood Memories"; this is a piano piece that will lead the audience into the scene of childhood memories; childhood will naturally bring people pure emotions; this song gives people a very pure and refreshing feeling, as if seeing childhood (personal feeling).

  The people dining in the restaurant also noticed the young man after hearing this song again; some of those present had heard the original version before, but it was their first time to hear a live performance in person. Moreover, this live performance was not inferior to the original in any way. After listening, everyone started applauding for the young man's brilliant performance with "pa pa".

  Hearing the applause, Chen Shao also stood up to thank everyone; originally wanted to go down like this, but when he turned his head and saw that his father was already standing at the counter with his sister looking at him, he suddenly thought of a song; a song for his father, in the few years since leaving, although Chen Shao didn't ask, he also knew that his dad must be very worried about him; his heart always felt guilty.

  "Ladies and gentlemen, I've got some inspiration now. I'd like to sing a song for my father on the spot. He's been worried about me for many years, and as his son, I'm not very filial. So I'll disturb your dinner time for a bit. This song is a bit sad and may affect everyone's appetite, so I apologize in advance. But tonight, can we consider all of your expenses here on me?"

  "Clap, clap, it's okay, don't worry, just sing, we support you!" followed by a burst of applause and cheers.

  "Thank you everyone, so I'll start now." Chen Shao took the guitar next to the piano, tuned it a bit and began strumming and singing:

  Always asking you for things but never saying thank you

  It wasn't until I grew up that I understood you weren't easy

  Every time I leave, I pretend to be carefree

  Smiling and saying go back, turned around with tears in her eyes

  I wish I could hold your warm hand like before

  But you're not by my side to send peace with the clear breeze

  Time, time, slow down a bit, don't let you get older anymore.

  I'd trade everything for a lifetime of health and longevity for my strong father

  What trivial concern can I accept for you?

  Thank you for everything, your two hands hold up our home.

  Always giving me your best, am I your pride?

  Are you still worried about me? The child you've been concerned about has grown up~~~~~Thank you for being with me all the way.

  Chen Shao's face was already covered with tears after he finished singing; when he sang this song, he thought of the bits and pieces of his childhood at home with his father, both from past lives and this life.

  Not only Chen Shao, but also the guests dining in the restaurant, Park Ji-yeon at the counter, and his sister Chen Ning; all had tears streaming down their faces; Chen Shao's sister Chen Ning was even hugging Chen Dad, wailing loudly in his arms.

  After listening to Chen Shuo's song, everyone has roughly the same idea in their mind; some who have become parents think "yes, when we were young, it was our father who supported this family, whatever good things there were, food and clothing, the first thought was always for his children; but now? For the sake of living, everyone has left their father behind, running around outside; now that they've become fathers themselves, everything is done for the sake of their own children.

  But some young minds are "Yes, in the past when asking family members for things, they always had an air of entitlement, without knowing the hardships of their families; now thinking about it makes them feel guilty towards their fathers"

  "Pa pa ~~" Although everyone's mood is still low now, but anyway Chen Shao's song lets them know the father's love for his children;

  "Dad, I'm sorry for worrying you all these years." Chen Shao said as he walked up to his father.

  "Ah, silly child, what's the point of thinking so much? As long as you and your sister are doing well, Dad is satisfied." Chen Dad looked at his son with a relieved smile; his career was hundreds of times more successful than his own, but he wasn't arrogant or distant; moreover, he often came home to spend time with his family. His daughter may not be as good, but as long as she really wanted to do something, even if she couldn't reach her brother's level, she wouldn't be worse than her old man. "Alright, I'll let the kitchen prepare some food for dinner. Later, your mom, Lin Auntie, and Xu Auntie will all come over; you notify Xiao Xian and Yun'er to come too."

  "Hmm, Xiaoxian just said he's coming over." Chen Shao looked at his old man and said; "Old sister, you're almost thirty years old and still hiding in dad's arms crying, aren't you ashamed?"

  "It's not you this stinky kid, what's with the sentimental singing for no reason?" Chen Ning said rudely.

  "Is it also my fault that singing touches people?" Chen Shao was speechless at his sister's words.

  "You made me cry, it's all your fault, what's wrong with you?"

  Mr. Chen looked at the noisy two younger siblings, and his heart was even more relieved; the family affection is good, their own children are a bit noisy, but the feelings are also very good, in such an atmosphere, he felt younger by several years;

  Jiying, who was watching Chen Shao and his sister play-fighting beside her, felt a pang of envy; she also had an older brother, but they didn't get along very well, to be honest. When they were younger it was still okay, but now that they've grown up, they basically never go out together anymore.

  Maybe she felt Park Ji-yeon's feelings, or maybe she suddenly realized that Park Ji-yeon was still next to her; so after arguing with her sister for two sentences, she turned around and looked at her; "How is it, did you hear the song just now, do you miss your family and regret running away from home?"

  She lowered her head and didn't respond to Chen Shao's words; it was just that what she thought in her heart was the same as what Chen Shao said; after listening to Chen Shao's "Father" just now, she felt very regretful about leaving home and making her family worry; but she really wanted to go to the practice room and stand on the stage with a brilliant appearance; just when she was still hesitating; Chen Shao said something that made her very surprised.

  "If you really want to be an artist, I can help you. I'll take care of your family's concerns, but not now, maybe after a while." Chen Shao looked at Zhiyan and knew she really wanted to be an artist. With this kind of determination, it's enough to prove that she will succeed in the future.

  "Really? Azusa, can you really help me persuade my family to let me become a trainee?" Jiyeon was still visibly in shock;

  "Yes, but we still have to wait for a while. I've been very busy lately and I'm also preparing to debut, so it's not possible for now. As for your current situation, if you really don't want to go home, you can come stay with me first; after I finish my work, I'll go with you to your house and communicate with your family." Chen Shao said to Park Jiyeon who was currently like a little deer that had lost its way.

  "Hmm, I don't want to go home yet; my dad and mom are still mad at me, let's wait for a while before we head back together. For now, let's bother Azusa instead." Park Jiyeon replied after some thought.

  "That's settled then. When my mom and aunt come over to eat, we'll all have dinner together at that time. If you're hungry, I'll find something for you to eat first." Chen Shao saw that things were settled and since it was still a bit early before his mom and Xiao Xian arrived, he said to Pu Ji-hyun

  It's no use waiting like this, it's so boring; Chen Shao suddenly had an idea, took out her phone to check the time, and found that it was only a little after 5 o'clock. Xiao Xian and Yun'er won't arrive until around 6 o'clock, while Mom and Auntie won't be here until 7:30. That means there are still two hours left; "Then let's do this, sis take me to the kitchen, I'll make dinner tonight;" Chen Shao said to her sister beside her, timing it just right.

  "Can you still cook? I had no idea, it can't be the first time, right? And is what you make edible?" Chen Ning was completely skeptical that her little brother could cook. To think about it, in their household, only their father's cooking skills were the best, followed by their mother's, and then there was nobody else. She herself definitely couldn't cook; as for her little brother Chen Shao, she had never seen him enter the kitchen before. Now that she heard he wanted to cook, not being suspicious would be strange.

  "You'll know when you take me there, anyway, I have nothing to do now, and mom won't be here for another two hours; sitting here waiting is not as good as going to the kitchen to cook a meal for mom, and this is my first time cooking for family members; are you taking me or not?" Chen Shao felt very hurt by his sister's suspicion; after all, he had learned some cooking skills in China for those two years, and what he learned was even envied by chefs from all over the world now. Actually, he found a cookbook in the space ring given by Yan Wang, which included all the dishes on the Manchu Han Imperial Feast menu. At that time, he was in China, so it was easy to find ingredients, and he started learning with the cookbook. When he ate his own cooking, he thought the taste was okay, but the dishes looked very beautiful, and Chen Shao could make them without repeating any patterns. Moreover, he could even use some melons to create carvings.

  "Oh, look at your tone, I'll see what you can do today; if it's not delicious, you know what will happen in the future" Chen Ning said viciously to Chen Shao.

  "Don't worry, just don't swallow your tongue when you're begging; Zhiyan will go with you too, and you won't know anyone here either." Chen Shao said to Zhiyan behind him.

  "Come on, I'll lead the way; Dad seems to be in the kitchen too; if all else fails, just call Dad to save you." Chen Ning still looked disbelieving, making Chen Shao listen with a burning desire behind her; while Zhiyan smiled brightly at the siblings' bickering.

  "Don't worry, if you don't eat twice as much as before tonight, from now on whatever I ask you to do, you'll do it without complaint." Finished, Chen Da Shao was about to blow his top.

  "This is what you said yourself, I didn't force you" Chen Ning still had a look of being fed up.

  "Yes, I said" just when Chen Shao and her sister were quarreling, little did they know that the internet was already boiling over because of him.

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