Chapter 57: Melodious Birthday (1).
Hao Ren entered the music shop and looked around. He found an old man sitting behind the mahogany counter fiddling with something. The old man was also looking at Hao Ren and said, "The guitars and the drums are placed over there, you can check and play but if you break it, you buy it."
Hao Ren nodded and said, "Sir, actually, I am looking for a violin."
The old man cast an odd look to Hao Ren and then pointed to the side. Hao Ren walked in and found a lot of violins resting behind glass cases. He smiled and opened a case to pick up a violin.
The old shop owner earlier thought Hao Ren was young and so he might be more inclined to guitars and drums like the trend of times. However, as soon as the latter asked for a violin, the shop owner became curious, he wanted to know what Hao Ren wanted. After all, even if the people came to his shop to kill time, they would go to the Piano and play a few pieces before leaving.
Hao Ren took out a brown violin from the case and placed it over his shoulder and frowned. He used his right hand for most of the things, so it was his bowing hand, but his left hand was in a cast, how would he be able to hold the instrument?
The shop owner shook his head, and sighed as he mumbled, "As long as he does not break it."
Hao Ren thought for a bit and placed the instrument back. He quickly left the shop under the disappointed gaze of the old man. He stood outside the store and thought, "System, you said I would be able to play the instruments and as I move forward, I will get better, but did you forget that my hand is broken?"
*Ding: Host, your arm has healed, you seemed to have forgotten that your physique was purified. The purification ticket does not only clean the body, but also increases the healing capabilities of the body. The time of your recovery is lessened by half, or in other language, you will heal twice quickly now.*
Hao Ren sighed and said, "You did not mention this earlier, but well, the fault lies in me too, I should have been able to sense the changes in my body."
*Ding: You have been enlightened host*
Hao Ren shook his head and walked to his car, Heath opened the door for him, and Hao Ren said, "Let's go to the hospital."
Heath did not ask much and nodded.
...
On the other side, Han Lingshi was decorating Hao Ren's apartment with Han Lingxue. Mrs. Hao was sitting on the couch watching the two girls moving quickly. She had a faint smile on her face. Han Lingshi seemed to be very unexperienced with this, and needed help from her sister many times.
It was evening when the doorbell rang. Han Lingxue froze and Mrs. Hao frowned, they had yet to finish the decorations, if Hao Ren came back, it would be troublesome. However, Han Lingshi opened the door, and welcomed a bunch of people inside. They were all very employees of the Thunder Technologies.
They all were contacted by Han Lingshi personally, and called over to the house for a surprise party. Though Markus Bourne and Lynn Carter were aware of her identity they did not say much, they knew better than to run their mouths.
Suddenly, Han Lingxue said, "Sister, the gift I prepared is here."
Han Lingshi nodded, and everyone grew curious. After a few minutes, four people came over pushing a big wooden crate box. Han Lingxue watched them and said, "This came at the right time."
They got busy setting up the gift in a corner and Mrs. Hao was surprised to see so many people coming together to celebrate Hao Ren's birthday. In all her life, she had never seen more than two people who agreed to be with him, and those two people were Hao Mei's friends.
She was feeling emotional, and Han Lingshi caught a sight of this. She sat down beside her and asked, "Aunty, what happened?"
Mrs. Hao voiced her thoughts, and Han Lingshi realized that Hao Ren was really unappreciated. She consoled the lady.
Han Lingxue was standing at the side and Klaus was observing the Piano and asked, "Miss Han, why did you think that it would be nice to gift the Boss with a piano? Does he know how to play?"
Han Lingxue shook her head and replied, "I am not really sure whether he knows how to play or not, but my sister does. She has trained to the professional level, so this piano is actually meant for my sister to play music for him. What do you think, isn't it a very thoughtful gift?"
Klaus and the rest were stunned and then gave her a thumbs-up. This was a good rhythm of sparking romance. Then Han Lingxue said, "Sister, don't you need to get used to this piano?"
Han Lingxue glared at the girl who was smiling widely. Mrs. Hao watched this and chuckled then she sent Han Lingshi forward to play, she wanted to see her 'future' daughter-in-law's skills.
...
Hao Ren in the meantime returned to the music store, this time he did not have a brace on his arm. The old man did not say anything, he was already disappointed by Hao Ren's earlier performance. However, after ten minutes of scattered sounds, Hao Ren moved his bow and the musical notes flooded the store.
The old man was shocked, he looked at Hao Ren, who was playing the violin in the corner of the shop.
The shock did not come from the playing but to the staggering improvement. The notes were getting clearer with every stroke, he kept on playing for half an hour, and by the time he ended, the old man was already standing up on his feet.
He was astounded, and his eyes were glittering. Hao Ren looked at the violin in his hand and then walked up to the counter with a smile. He said, "Sir, I would like to buy this one."
The old man regained his composure and said, "Young man, if you don't mind, may I suggest you a violin?"
Hao Ren was surprised and then nodded, the reason he was buying it was because he played it for the past half an hour. This was a beginner level violin among the other pieces. The old man smiled, and then he rushed inside the store. He came back after five minutes, holding a black case.
The shop owner opened the case and said, "Young man, this one is what my father made, and it is the only one in the world. Take a look."
Hao Ren looked inside the case and was stunned by the instrument inside, it was engraved with a intricate patterns and lines. He could not help but extend his hand and wanting to touch it. The old man said, "How about it?"
Hao Ren nodded and said, "I would be honored to have this. However, why do you say that this is the only one in the world?"
The old man replied, "Five hundred years ago, their used to be a tree called the Vermillion Rose. That tree is no longer found in the world. At least not in the places where humans have been to. The flower of that tree was called to be the most beautiful one. Legend is that if someone gifted that flower to their lover, they would be tied together for eternity.
However, since that tree was extinct, and my father chanced upon a block of wood. People said that it was rotten, but after scrapping the rotten part away, he managed to create this."
Hao Ren was surprised to here such a story behind a violin. He asked, "If this is the only one left in the world, then won't you be earning much more by selling it to some collector?"
The old man chuckled and replied, "My family is a family of musicians, how can I bear to have this one sealed in the glass and be displayed to the world? You are good at music, I wish that someday the music you create can reach the world."
Hao Ren did not expect to here such a high opinion on his skills from this old man. He thought, 'I wonder if it is me or the system, whose skills are being praised.'
He smiled wryly and nodded. He asked, "Sir, since this instrument is one of a kind, then you must not refuse to the price I offer."
The shop owner was surprised but before he could react, Hao Ren transferred ten million to him. The man was shocked, but before he could say anything, Hao Ren replied, "Old sir, in the future when I need someone to do look after this violin, I will look for you."
Then he left the shop without taking any answer. The old man shook his head and sat down on the chair.
...
Hao Ren reached home, and after some thought, he said, "Brother Heath, come and have the dinner with my family. It is my birthday tonight."
Heath thought for a moment and said, "Happy Birthday, Young Master. It would be my pleasure."
Hao Ren nodded, and they both came to his place. Hao Ren pressed his thumb against the fingerprint scanner, and the door opened. He did not notice it, but just when he was changing his shoes, three people jumped before him and took out party-poppers as they yelled, "Surprise!"
Hao Ren was taken aback and after the confetti fell down, he saw the people from his company, the entire staff was here, and then he saw his mother standing with Han Lingxue in the back.
He was looking for Han Lingshi when, Han Lingxue pointed to the side. Hao Ren walked in the living room and found Han Lingshi sitting in front of a black wall piano. She smiled at him and her jade like fingers began to glide over the keys.
She played a traditional 'happy birthday' arrangement for him. The people waited for the first time and when she looped the second cycle, they all began to sing together. Hao Ren was stunned, and his eyes were glistening with tears.
Mrs. Hao frowned and scolded, "Brat, you are not allowed to cry at such a joyous moment."
Hao Ren stood up straight and answered, "Yes!"
The people burst into laughter, the usually slacking and casual Hao Ren was being schooled by his mother. Everyone came forward to wish him. Han Lingxue wanted to have a cake cutting ceremony but Mrs. Hao told them that Hao Ren did not like to cut cake as it reminded him of his sister's tragedy.
However, since they had gotten a cake, they decided to serve it as a dessert and not make Hao Ren cut it. The party was on, everyone was happy and joking around. Suddenly, Han Lingxue asked, "Brother-in-law, did you buy a guitar?"
Hao Ren shook his head. He opened the case for every one to see, and suddenly Han Lingxue screamed, which shocked every one.