She has lived here for more than four months, and the injuries on her fingers have basically recovered, but she has lost her former flexibility and cannot even mend a piece of clothing, let alone embroider. She is now useless and can only do some menial work for Master Yunyouzi who saved her life in return. I thought that the day would pass like this, but on this day, Yun Youzi took out a suona and a pipa from the house, smiled and said to her: "Qiqi, let's go with the old man to visit the Zhao family group." .”
"Qi Qi?" Qi Surong looked at Yun Youzi doubtfully, "Call me?"
"Of course I'm calling you. Isn't your surname Qi?" Yun Youzi waved his hand and said, "Okay, let's go quickly. Don't make people wait."
Qi Surong took the suona and followed Yun Youzi confused.
The suona in her hand was obviously old and had spots on it. It was doubtful that it could still produce a normal sound. Why did Yunyouzi give her a suona? She couldn't play this folk instrument at all.
After walking for about two-quarters of an hour, Yun Youzi took her into a large courtyard, where dozens of plainly dressed villagers gathered in twos and threes. Some of them were chatting, some were wiping their instruments, and some were practicing playing.
"Old god, you are finally here." A middle-aged man with a stout figure came over, saluted respectfully, and said with a smile, "Please come in quickly, everyone is waiting for you, eh? This woman is..."
"Oh, didn't you say confirmation?" Yun Youzi pointed at Qi Surong, "I'll bring her to make up the numbers. Her surname is 'Qi', you can call her Qi Qi or Lady Qi."
"That's great, Madam Qi, please." The middle-aged man welcomed the two of them in and introduced them to everyone one by one.
Everyone was very enthusiastic and did not express any surprise at Qi Surong's arrival. After greeting him, they began to practice music. They are going to perform for a big family in a neighboring village in half a month, and they need to perform three new songs together. There are only five musicians in the orchestra, and most of the others are apprentices and cannot play the whole show, so the leader specially invited Yun Youzi.
Qi Surong sat nearby and listened to them study the music score, and then several people played a song first.
Qi Surong had extraordinary attainments in piano art. She had already memorized the tune after listening to it once, but... looking at the suona in her hand, she was speechless.
Yunyouzi kept keeping time and playing the pipa, seemingly not thinking about whether she could play the suona at all.
Qi Surong has always been arrogant and arrogant. Even though he is in such a low state, he subconsciously does not want to be looked down upon. She silently observed another musician playing suona and secretly learned his playing skills. For a long time, she stayed on the sidelines and did not join in their performance at all. Although the others said nothing, they looked at her with a bit of confusion. After the practice, everyone dispersed.
Yun Youzi seemed to have forgotten her existence and did not speak to her until he returned home. But seeing his relaxed and happy expression, there was obviously no trace of anger at all.
"Master Yunyouzi, why do you want to take me to the orchestra?" Qi Surong couldn't help but ask.
"I don't feel at ease if you stay at home alone."
"My injury has healed, why should I worry?"
"What I am worried about is not your injury, but the treasure at home. Who knows if you will secretly take it away while I am not at home?"
"..." The most valuable thing in this house is probably the crude pipa. How short of money must she have to steal it
"But I can't play the suona at all."
"Haha, it's okay. You can't brag. It's you who are embarrassed, not me."
"..." Qi Surong calmly said again, "I can play the pipa, can I switch instruments with you?"
"Pipa is my favorite, you want to compete with me?" Yun Youzi immediately blew his beard and glared.
“…”
"You can just play your suona with peace of mind. Don't think about running away. I'm still waiting to see how you can make up for your troubles? Hahaha..."
"..." I really want to slap him.
After dinner, Qi Surong sat in the yard with her suona in a daze. After a while, she raised the suona and blew a few tentative blows. Perhaps out of some repulsion, the sound she made was as chilling as a ghost passing through.
This kind of instrument is not the type she likes in terms of appearance and tone, not to mention that it is still a folk instrument that cannot be considered elegant. She put the suona aside, not wanting to use it again.
(…Don’t even think about running away, I’m still waiting to see how you can make up for it? Hahaha…)
Qi Surong looked blank, gritted his teeth, and picked up the suona again.
In the courtyard, a permeating suona sound sounded intermittently, adding a spooky atmosphere to the silent night.
Qi Surong is indeed talented in musical instruments. After playing around for half an hour, he already had some experience. Unfortunately, my fingers are not flexible enough to keep up with the rhythm of the music and are not coherent enough. Outsiders may not be able to hear the flaws, but insiders will know the depth of it as soon as they hear it. Qi Surong doesn't want to be looked down upon.
In the next few days of practice, Qi Surong only listened but did not play. When he got home, he practiced diligently. His slow fingers became more and more flexible as he continued to master the rhythm. Seven days later, she finally blew her suona in front of everyone for the first time, and the high-pitched and loud sound echoed in the courtyard. Everyone was stunned for a moment, then smiled knowingly and joined in the brisk playing.
Although he didn't express anything, Qi Surong knew that he had been recognized by everyone. With more and more tacit cooperation, Qi Surong gradually integrated into it, feeling a simple and pure happiness, and a smile appeared on his numb face unconsciously. .
Half a month later, Qi Surong went to a neighboring village to perform with the orchestra. The performance was a success, and I received a reward of thirty cents after the performance. In the past, she would not have even looked at thirty cents, but now she felt it was so precious. In these villagers, she found the feeling of being alive.
After that, Master Yunyouzi often took her around to visit various folk musicians and learn how to play various musical instruments. There were harmonicas, ancient flutes, antique chimes, and even harps from foreign lands. They were all diverse and had their own characteristics, which was an eye-opener for Qi Surong.
She was immersed in learning various musical instruments, almost forgetting her finger injury and everything in the past. When she came back to her senses, she was able to play the guqin smoothly, and her skills were even more exquisite than before. At this moment, she could faintly feel Master Yun Youzi's good intentions.
Not only that, in her free time, Yunyouzi would also take her to the mountains to collect herbs, go into the water to catch fish, plant flowers and make wine, weave straw sandals and weave fishing nets... The master never deliberately taught her anything, but she had new experiences every day and lived a simple life. And fulfilling.
If she could have met her master earlier, her life would have been completely different. Now it's too late to regret, she can only cherish every remaining day.
Two years passed in a blink of an eye, and her deadline came as promised.
Lying on the bed, looking at the scenery outside the window, Qi Surong felt very peaceful.
There was no regret or pity on Yunyouzi's face. He was sitting at the table making new musical instruments as usual.
Qi Surong said to him: "Master Yun Youzi, can I call you 'Master'?"
Yun Youzi glanced at her, curled his lips and said, "You should have screamed a long time ago."
Qi Surong smiled, yes, she should have screamed a long time ago.
"Master, thank you."
"I don't need your thanks. You've done a lot of work for me during this period. We don't owe each other anything."
"Master, I secretly brewed a few pots of wine and buried them underground. It will be ready to drink in about a month or two."
"Hehe, I already knew it."
"You already knew? Then you didn't drink it secretly, right? It's not yet time."
"Nonsense, you think I'm old and stupid..."
"That's good."
"...I only took one pot."
"..." Okay, I underestimated you.
"Your brewing skills are really bad. That wine tastes terrible." Yunyouzi snorted.
"It's obviously the master, but you opened the cellar too early..."
"Nonsense, if you let me brew it myself, even the semi-finished product will be better than yours."
"Just blow it."
"I never brag."
"...Master, I have to leave."
"Let's go, let's go, don't expect me to keep you."
"Thank you, Master."
Yun Youzi made a guqin that had not yet been wound up. He looked back and saw that Qi Surong was silent on the bed. Her expression was peaceful, as if she was asleep.
Yun Youzi stood up and put the piano next to her, and murmured: "I originally wanted you to help me wind the strings, but you just left like this. Girl, if we meet again in the next life, you will have to mend the strings for me..."