Chapter 62: Becoming Your Mentor

The breach-of-contract penalty was over a million. “You’d have to sell her off to cover that. Or does our Miss Tang have such deep pockets that she’s willing to splash a million just for her?” Zheng Siqi sneered. He had blocked countless people with that penalty clause alone.

No matter how talented Ji Zhenshi was, who could guarantee she would earn a million during her peak years?

It was a gamble—and one with slim odds of success.

Tang Xien remained aloof, her voice steady despite the stares from those around them. “If Ji Zhenshi is willing, then it’s not impossible.”

At the end of her words, Tang Xien smiled in a way that carried hidden meaning. She tossed out one final sentence: “Ji Zhenshi, come with me.”

She had no real need to attend such an event anyway. She had only come to watch Ji Zhenshi’s final performance.

Zheng Siqi never could have imagined this. Back then, when he had asked Tang Xien to take Ji Zhenshi under her wing, he had hoped on one hand that Tang Xien could help her take some shortcuts, and on the other that Tang Xien’s contract with the company—which hadn’t expired yet—would let him test her limits.

When Tang Xien had agreed to mentor her, he had felt relieved. Though Tang Xien could be capricious and unpredictable, that contract with the company should at least keep her in check on the surface.

But now, it seemed she hadn’t simply agreed to guide Ji Zhenshi out of mere appreciation for her talent.

This was too melodramatic. Ji Zhenshi’s background had no connection to Tang Xien’s.

They walked out of the venue together, and Tang Xien stopped in front of her car, arms crossed as she leaned affectionately toward Ji Zhenshi.

Before Tang Xien could speak, Ji Zhenshi said, “I’m sorry, Teacher Tang. I messed up and embarrassed you.”

Tang Xien glanced at her hand and fell silent for a moment before asking, unexpectedly, “You’re injured?”

It was just a piece with no real challenge for Ji Zhenshi. Tang Xien knew exactly how many times she had practiced it privately. A mistake like that couldn’t have been a technical issue—it had to be due to external factors.

She had taught Ji Zhenshi herself, after all, and knew her abilities intimately.

Ji Zhenshi awkwardly covered her hand and bowed her head. “I accidentally bumped it. I can’t use full strength today, but a few days of rest should fix it.”

“Alright, don’t take it to heart. It was just one performance slip-up. No one can guarantee perfection on every stage. I’ve messed up in important settings myself. Go home, adjust your mindset, and you’ll be fine.”

No scolding as she had expected—instead, words of comfort?

Ji Zhenshi’s words caught in her throat. It took her a long while before she hesitantly asked, “Teacher Tang, don’t you think this profanes the stage?”

That couldn’t be right. By Tang Xien’s standards, if you were going to perform, you had to give it your all—no matter the reason. Otherwise, don’t bother getting up there.

A slip-up like this, which Tang Xien would see as an “attitude problem,” was exactly what she despised most. And yet she had defended her publicly. It was too strange.

Tang Xien gazed at her steadily. After half a minute, she spoke unhurriedly. “Do I have to act like Zheng Siqi—berating you coldly in front of everyone, disregarding the occasion and your dignity—for you to be satisfied?”

“No.”

“Then that’s that. He was just using you to vent his frustration from yesterday. A student I taught—even if she’s wrong—is mine to discipline.” Tang Xien clearly wasn’t dwelling on what had just happened.

Had the company ever spared her its embarrassment? To put it bluntly, you didn’t kick a dog without looking at its owner first.

Tang Xien hadn’t defended her entirely out of protectiveness. She simply wouldn’t tolerate Zheng Siqi’s repeated offenses.

Who was he anyway? Someone even the company executives could barely reach, strutting around on borrowed authority. She hadn’t bothered picking a fight with him before, but did he really think she was a pushover?

Tang Xien had no intention of offering more comfort. She pulled open the car door and, at the last moment, said, “Ji Zhenshi, I wasn’t joking earlier. Think about it—leave the company, and I’ll take you to bigger stages. I truly admire… the Left-Hand Genius.”

She drew out the final words, her tone laced with playful amusement.

Yet Tang Xien wasn’t one to joke around. Whatever she said, she made happen.

Glancing in the rearview mirror at Ji Zhenshi, who stood frozen in place, Tang Xien curved her lips almost imperceptibly.

Ji Zhenshi, don’t disappoint me.

If everything Tang Xien had said was true, then she truly deserved to be Ji Zhenshi’s mentor—a rare kindred spirit.

Ji Zhenshi was stunned for a moment as she carefully mulled over Tang Xien’s words.

She cherished talent and was trying to pull her out of the abyss.

A solitary, aloof person with no other emotions—just a senior’s hope to see a rising star shine. Two near-strangers who had only recently met, bound together by the violin as irreplaceable kindred spirits.

Teacher Tang, I’m starting to get really curious about you.

…

Today, Li Yunli’s coffee shop welcomed a special guest.

Tang Xien had checked Ji Zhenshi’s Moments. She had once posted a photo of herself and Li Yunli in front of the shop, and the place matched exactly.

Plus, this was the contact address Ji Zhenshi had left at the company.

“Manager Li… a latte, please.”

Dressed in black, Tang Xien walked slowly into the shop and stood at the counter. For once, her voice lacked its usual chill.

Someone like Li Yunli made it hard to even snap at her. She had no intimidating presence at all—being around her felt easy and relaxed.

Li Yunli… a name that fit her perfectly: gentle and courteous.

Tang Xien only saw her from behind—a slender waist wrapped in a pale pink apron, long hair casually pinned up at the back.

Stray wisps of hair disobediently framed her soft, natural features, gentle as autumn waters.

No wonder Ji Zhenshi liked this type. One was sunny and free-spirited, the other warm and enchanting. They made a perfect pair.

Hearing the voice, Li Yunli looked up. Her eyes lit up in surprise at the unexpected visitor.

Wasn’t it supposed to be next week? Why had she come early?

“Hello, Miss Tang. Welcome. Please have a seat anywhere—the coffee will be ready shortly.” Li Yunli quickly composed herself, offering a polite smile and gesturing for her to sit.

She didn’t understand why Tang Xien had come early, but Ji Zhenshi had mentioned she could be moody and impulsive. It was understandable.

Tang Xien turned her head to glance at Li Yunli. “We were scheduled for next week. I hope my early visit isn’t inconveniencing you, Manager Li?”

It was just polite small talk. Li Yunli replied, “Of course not. I told Xiao Zhen that Miss Tang could come anytime it suited her.”

“Mm.” They met each other’s eyes. Seeing no movement from Li Yunli, Tang Xien pulled out her phone’s payment code, her eyebrow arching playfully. “Manager Li runs a peculiar business. Is it free?”

Li Yunli waved her hands hastily and scribbled on her notepad: No need—didn’t Xiao Zhen say we’d treat you? Please sit; I’ll bring it right over.

“Alright.” Tang Xien said no more, pocketing her phone. She had just turned to leave when she suddenly looked back. “You can text Ji Zhenshi that I’m here. She’s probably in the practice room preparing a piece right now. If she comes over, it’ll take at least half an hour. We can wait for her together and see how long it really takes.”

She had no intention of secretly chatting with Li Yunli behind Ji Zhenshi’s back—it was just a whim, and she had nothing else to do.

This was purely to tease Ji Zhenshi for fun.

Ji Zhenshi seemed terrified of leaving her alone with Li Yunli.

Li Yunli paused as she reached for her phone. Their eyes met, and Tang Xien raised a brow with a light laugh.

Her smile suggested she had everything under control.

Li Yunli set the phone down. “If she’s busy, let’s not bother her. She can focus on her work.”

“No.” Tang Xien said, “Tell her anyway. She seems really afraid of me being alone with you. If she finds out later and I can’t explain, it’ll be trouble.”

Ji Zhenshi struck her as the jealous type.

Li Yunli agreed it made sense and picked up her phone to message Ji Zhenshi.

“How does she usually talk about me? What does she say about her teacher?” Tang Xien didn’t leave. Leaning against the counter’s edge, she watched Li Yunli text, then asked with intriguing intent on a whim.

She was subtly digging a pit for Li Yunli.

Deep down, Tang Xien had a sense of how Ji Zhenshi viewed her—and it wasn’t flattering. Their first meeting had left a profound, probably terrifying lesson that Ji Zhenshi would remember for life.

Li Yunli put down her phone and smiled as she replied, “She says Teacher Tang has a unique style. But for her, style isn’t that important. She talks more about how talented you are.”

A deft, evasive answer that gave Tang Xien no opening.

Tang Xien shrugged noncommittally. “Mm, Manager Li’s translation skills are impressive. I’ll reluctantly accept the compliment about my ‘unique’ teaching style, then.”

“Someone with real talent can afford a little temperament, don’t you think?” Li Yunli’s slender white fingers tucked a strand of hair behind her ear.

Hearing that, Tang Xien’s fingers twitched at her side. She smiled impassively.

No wonder Ji Zhenshi had such a distinct personality. Her “family education” was exemplary.

“Does Manager Li mind if I look around?” Tang Xien surveyed the shop interior.

Following her gaze, Li Yunli knew she meant the display case by the wall—the most distinctive corner of the coffee shop.

Li Yunli didn’t mind and generously gestured for her to go ahead. “Of course not. Please, Miss Tang, feel free.”

With a slight nod, Tang Xien walked straight to the glass display case. Inside were treasures of achievement.

More precisely, it chronicled Ji Zhenshi’s journey on the violin—from small local contests to today’s provincial competition, with excellent results even in national ones.

Ah…

Ji Zhenshi had never considered doing anything else. She had walked this single path to the present.

Her passion for the violin was so profound that she wouldn’t tolerate any flaws in her playing. Despite immense talent, she hadn’t independently completed a single original piece—not even under Tang Xien’s guidance.

It wasn’t for lack of effort; it was her relentless pursuit of perfection, never satisfied with less.

In this regard, Ji Zhenshi was obsessively perfectionistic.

Arms crossed in a comfortable stance, Tang Xien stood before the case for a long time, admiring the honors. No one knew what she was thinking. She seemed lost in profound memories.

Once, back home abroad, she had a similar display case filled with that little one’s awards.

Just a few trophies, yet they domineered the best glass cabinet, relegating her own heavyweight prizes to gather dust in the study.

She could be unreasonable at times, stubbornly convinced she would achieve her dreams.

Later, she had stood on that little one’s dream stage, paying homage to her passion.

But she could no longer see it.

Her thoughts drifted far away to many years ago. Those happy moments came laced with the bitterness of the ending.

“Manager Li, this might be forward, but Ji Zhenshi really reminds me of my girlfriend. Our home once had a display case like this. Hers wasn’t as full as Ji Zhenshi’s, but she was a talented violinist too.” Tang Xien sat at the spot nearest the case as Li Yunli brought the coffee and joined her.

Li Yunli was momentarily taken aback, catching the unusual emotion in Tang Xien’s voice. “Then Miss Tang’s girlfriend must have been exceptional too—hardworking and driven like Xiao Zhen.”

So Tang Xien had a girlfriend.

She had once misunderstood her connection with Ji Zhenshi and subtly probed her about it. Ji Zhenshi had said Tang Xien probably didn’t have one—they had spent months together without her replying to girlfriend texts or taking calls.

Yet she did have one, and her girlfriend played the violin too.

Tang Xien smiled ambiguously, a hint of bitterness in it. “Yes, she was a very sunny girl. And hardworking.”

She couldn’t quite explain why—after only two meetings—she felt compelled to share this deeply buried secret without reservation.

Perhaps it stemmed from witnessing Li Yunli and Ji Zhenshi’s love, stirring sentimentality. Or maybe she instinctively trusted that Li Yunli wouldn’t gossip.

After all, she was mute. And they were kindred spirits.

Unafraid of the world’s clamor, they bravely covered their ears and loved.

It had been so long since Tang Xien had opened up about her past. She paused the music in her earphones and sat across from Li Yunli in the quiet corner.

“If I say this, I hope Manager Li doesn’t misunderstand. Ji Zhenshi and I have always just been colleagues. I admire her—you understand what I mean.” Tang Xien stopped short of saying more, clarifying preemptively.

“I know. I trust Xiao Zhen.”

Ji Zhenshi’s favoritism was unquestionable, giving Li Yunli complete security.

Her life was a vast wilderness, but one path always led her home.

Li Yunli simply trusted Ji Zhenshi.

“If Miss Tang wants to continue, I’d be happy to listen. Sometimes a good listener is better than a therapist.”

Li Yunli poured herself a cup of plain hot water, cradling it with a gentle smile as she regarded Tang Xien.

Perhaps Tang Xien had reached the point of needing therapy but simply lacked a trusted confidant?

She had met her through Ji Zhenshi, yet Tang Xien seemed to have come for more than just that.

It was a sudden outpouring, likely triggered by old memories.

“Maybe so? My therapists have been professional, but the results haven’t been great for me.” Tang Xien took a light sip of coffee, her lips curving helplessly.

She had seen therapists abroad and in the country—none had helped much.

Tang Xien knew all too well that the event had truly happened. Even hypnosis did nothing; she was too rational, depressed in full awareness.

Li Yunli nodded in understanding. “Take it step by step. Sometimes you need to open up and share, Miss Tang. I can’t speak myself, but I’m trying. From my experience, it’s working well enough.”

Tang Xien might be like her—poor at opening up, distrustful of therapists, so treatment had always fallen short.