Chapter 25: My Hands Aren’t Weak!

Zheng Siqi chuckled twice, showing no discomfort at Ji Zhenshi’s bluntness. “Of course, it’s to discuss the future with Miss Ji. It seems you’re quite satisfied with our company too. Mutual choice like this could lead to a real win-win.”

With the company’s full support, they could certainly propel someone like her onto an even bigger stage.

Her dreams aligned perfectly with the company’s interests. That was the true win-win.

“What can you offer me?” Ji Zhenshi furrowed her brow slightly, unnerved by the man’s gaze that seemed to see right through her. She crossed her legs, then uncrossed them again.

The young woman was still green, inexperienced in the ways of the world, and it showed in front of this old fox.

Ji Zhenshi tried her best to stay calm. Cutting through the maneuvering, she opted for straightforward honesty without any negotiation tactics. “It seems I could bring you considerable benefits, but what about me? What do I get out of it?”

She couldn’t outplay his scheming, so Ji Zhenshi cut straight to the practical matters.

Zheng Siqi paused for a few seconds but didn’t answer directly. Instead, he smiled and turned the question back on her. “What do you want? In a partnership, it depends on what you’re after. If we can provide it, then we’ll have a pleasant collaboration.”

“My dream is a solo recital. I want to take the stage on bigger platforms—domestic ones, international ones. I’m willing to pour all my effort into it.”

In that moment, no trace of forced composure lingered on Ji Zhenshi’s face. Instead, there was only the raw, fervent passion of youth for their dreams—pure and reckless as a moth to the flame.

Ji Zhenshi craved a larger world. She yearned for more audiences. She was born to be a violinist.

Zheng Siqi nodded in satisfaction. “I like your ambition, Miss Ji.”

He was a businessman, after all, and profit was his bottom line. What he wanted were young people like her—with ambition and dreams. As long as their goals aligned, they could ride the wave to get everything they desired.

Zheng Siqi had a feeling that Ji Zhenshi didn’t even need the company’s polish. Her natural performance alone would captivate audiences.

“Compared to all that posturing and pretending to be above it all, I prefer someone like you who wears her desires on her sleeve, Miss Ji. If possible, perhaps we should get to know each other better?” Zheng Siqi pulled a set of documents from his bag and slid them across to Ji Zhenshi.

She glanced aside and smiled. “Mutual choice, huh? Are you so sure I’ll choose you?”

Truth be told, Ji Zhenshi didn’t care for Zheng Siqi’s air of superiority. Irritation stirred in her heart, though she kept it hidden.

“Because our company is strong enough to provide top-tier instructors. We can give you everything you want.” Zheng Siqi lifted his chin, brimming with confidence.

The coffee had gone cold. Ji Zhenshi sipped it and found it bitterly underwhelming, nothing like what Li Yunli made.

She set down her cup and pondered for a moment. “Am I really the one getting hit by good luck here?”

“No, it’s because you’re exceptional enough to deserve it. Here’s to a pleasant partnership?” Zheng Siqi suggested. “Let’s exchange contacts. I’ll send the contract over later. Feel free to reach out with any questions.”

“I’d like to think it over first.”

Ji Zhenshi was cautious enough not to agree on the spot.

Zheng Siqi nodded understandingly. “Fair enough. I’ll send you all the relevant materials. I’m heading abroad on a business trip next Wednesday, so the offer stands until then. Take a look at the contract details when you get home—contact me anytime if there’s anything to negotiate.”

“Got it.” Ji Zhenshi gathered the thick stack of documents and tucked them into her bag.

She remembered Li Yunli asking earlier if she wanted to come back to the coffee shop for pig trotter soup. Her heart itched at the thought, eager to rush through practice and head over.

Ji Zhenshi licked her lips absently. “By the way, Mr. Zheng, you really discovered me through those videos?”

Had Xia Siyuan’s clips actually created this opportunity for her?

“Not entirely. A friend of mine was in charge of your school’s recent celebration, and I was there too. I saw your performance—it was impressive, Ji Zhenshi.” The first time Zheng Siqi had seen her was at the school celebration, though she hadn’t stood out as much in person as she did online.

He could sense her profound violin skills right there in the audience, but it was the innate charisma she exuded in those videos that truly caught his eye.

That sexy wildness left a mark on viewers. That’s exactly the kind of person he was looking for.

Ji Zhenshi let out an “oh,” thinking of Xia Siyuan. She probed tentatively, “What did you think of that girl who didn’t meet you last time?”

Zheng Siqi’s company would be a great platform for them. If possible, Ji Zhenshi hadn’t forgotten about her friend.

Though she grumbled about her, she still remembered her soulmate well.

Zheng Siqi saw right through what Ji Zhenshi meant. “Miss Xia? We’re in talks with her. If things work out, your paths might cross again at our company.”

“Great, thanks, Mr. Zheng. I’ve got something this afternoon, so I won’t keep you.” Ji Zhenshi shouldered her backpack and nodded politely.

“Mm.”

After bidding Zheng Siqi farewell, Ji Zhenshi returned to the practice room but found she couldn’t focus on her violin. She pored over the documents he’d given her again and again, even consulting some lawyers online.

The company wasn’t offering her any special favors just because they’d approached her first. The contract spelled out a 60-40 split clearly, listing every detail of their upfront investments.

It was a voluntary partnership. Once signed, Ji Zhenshi would move into company dorms, undergo professional training, and gain full creative freedom.

Beyond one-on-one violin instruction, there would be vocal coaching too. Under their arrangements, she’d enter top competitions with a professional team supporting her original singles.

Ji Zhenshi rubbed her temples, her head throbbing from all the rules and fine print.

Deep down, she didn’t want to pass up this rare chance to be seen. She needed the company to catapult her to a place where more people could witness her—and the violin’s charm.

After much deliberation, Ji Zhenshi had no reason to refuse. But before agreeing, she wanted to tell Li Yunli.

Hiding something this big from her would make Li Yunli feel like she wasn’t treated as family.

Tormented by the endless clauses, Ji Zhenshi finally set aside the pros and cons. She picked up her violin and resumed practice.

She hadn’t had much time with private instructors, relying mostly on self-study, advice from seniors at competitions, sheer stubborn perseverance, and bold questions. Without resources, she’d suffered plenty and taken many detours on violin.

By the time evening fell after just a few pieces, Ji Zhenshi’s mind wandered again. She stowed the documents, grabbed her bag, and headed to the coffee shop.

At this hour, only Li Yunli remained, minding the place. The gloomy, rainy weather had kept customers away.

Li Yunli stood at the sink, head bowed over washing cups. Hearing the door chime, she glanced back, smiled upon seeing Ji Zhenshi, then returned to her task.

A silent understanding between them.

Unlike usual, when she’d flop into a chair like a sloth, Ji Zhenshi slipped behind the counter.

“Sister A-Yun.” She patted Li Yunli’s shoulder, resting her chin on it from behind. Her eyelids drooped heavily, her voice soft and weary as she breathed in the air scented with Li Yunli.

Li Yunli turned her gaze sideways. With wet hands, she couldn’t sign, so she offered a gentle smile, letting the girl cling without protest.

She must be worn out from practice again.

These days, Ji Zhenshi had been so busy, yet she insisted on daily sessions. Li Yunli hadn’t dared call her back early, worried about the extra running around.

“So tired. I feel like I used every ounce of superhuman strength today. Practiced all afternoon, and these hands are done for. They feel heavier than bricks—I can barely lift them. Tenosynovitis is coming back to haunt me.” Ji Zhenshi nuzzled her nose affectionately against Li Yunli’s earlobe, draping her other arm over the opposite shoulder while whining playfully.

From the afternoon’s intense playing, veins bulged on the girl’s left hand. Bluish lines traced a sexy outline over her reddened skin, full of tension as it rested lightly on Li Yunli’s chest.

Li Yunli’s eyes fell on that hand, her face inexplicably flushing.

Her soft lips pressed into a thin line. She dried her hands, then wrote on her notebook, “How about some pig trotter soup to build them back up? Stewed it all afternoon—perfect timing.”

Like cures like. What a coincidence.

Ji Zhenshi’s hands were wrecked, so pig trotter soup it was.

Ji Zhenshi caught on instantly. Her arm shifted from shoulder to neck, squeezing in mock anger. “Who’re you calling a pig trotter? These are the hands of a future violin virtuoso—great hands! Comparing them to trotters? Too much, Sister A-Yun.”

“Cough cough.” Li Yunli choked, stumbling back into the girl’s embrace. That faint, fresh scent intensified, laced with a hint of sweat—youthful vigor enveloping her completely.

“Xiao Zhen, acting up again? You know that’s not what I meant.” Li Yunli’s signing was clumsy, her smooth brows furrowing as she struggled against Ji Zhenshi’s whimsy.

She’d mentioned the soup at noon, inviting her over. Ji Zhenshi’s complaint about sore hands was pure coincidence.

Ji Zhenshi was the mischievous one, not her.

Strands of hair intertwined. Ji Zhenshi puffed warm breath by Li Yunli’s ear, eyeing that flushed lobe she itched to nip. “Anyone normal would think that. I say my hands are tired, and you offer trotter soup? I know the ‘like cures like’ logic.”

Up close, Li Yunli keenly felt the girl’s curves pressing against her, hot as if to evaporate every drop of moisture from her body.

Taking a deep breath, Li Yunli’s shimmering eyes traced Ji Zhenshi’s profile. “I was just asking if you wanted some trotter soup. Besides, I already told you—’like cures like’ has no scientific basis. Are you picking a fight again?”

“Hmph, not my fault anyway.” When words failed, Ji Zhenshi resorted to playful nonsense.

Li Yunli smiled calmly. “Fine, my fault. But Xiao Zhen, if tenosynovitis keeps flaring up, maybe try acupuncture? Could ease it.”

“…My hands aren’t weak!” Ji Zhenshi released her, face serious.

“I didn’t say they were. But their stamina does seem off lately. You weren’t like this before.”

Ji Zhenshi used to go without these nagging issues.

Ji Zhenshi gritted her teeth. “It’s because my practice intensity is way up now! I’m not weak! My hands aren’t weak! Don’t question me!”

Li Yunli couldn’t fathom why Ji Zhenshi had bristled so suddenly. She’d only suggested acupuncture—tenosynovitis was truly bothersome.

Startled by her attitude, Li Yunli shrank back a little. “Whatever makes you happy.”

“Tch.” Ji Zhenshi flexed her fingers, snorted, then flicked some suds from the sink onto Li Yunli’s face before darting away. “Getting foam on your face from dishes? Naughty, naughty.”

Ji Zhenshi bolted fast. Li Yunli couldn’t catch her. A few long strides took her to the table.

Li Yunli had prepared dinner: three dishes and a soup, appetizing at first sight. She’d timed it perfectly for Ji Zhenshi’s arrival—the food still steamed warmly.

Ji Zhenshi’s eyes lit up. She pulled out a chair, rubbing her hands eagerly. “Looks amazing. What kinda tough days have I been surviving? Sister A-Yun’s place is the best—good eats and drinks.”

Mainly, nights here meant sharing a bed. If conditions allowed, she’d come every day.

“Starving.” Ji Zhenshi snatched her chopsticks. All her favorites—she hardly knew where to start.

Heaven knew it had been half a month since her last meal here. They’d gone shopping since without returning, and she missed Li Yunli’s cooking terribly.

Her appetite surged. Ji Zhenshi gripped her chopsticks, ready to dive in. “Come on, Sister A-Yun! We can handle dishes after. I can’t hold back—you gonna let a starving girl suffer?”

The next instant, a clean hand pressed her wrist, whisking away the chopsticks. “Go wash your hands. Even kindergarteners know that. How old are you?”

Li Yunli had wiped the foam from her face, unwilling to squabble with the impulsive girl, though her eyes held a touch more sternness.

No hands meant germs. Ji Zhenshi was so careless.

Ji Zhenshi tilted her head, looking pitiful. “I’m hungry.”

“Hungry doesn’t excuse it. Hygiene matters.”

“You’re retaliating.” Ji Zhenshi declared confidently.

Payback for earlier teasing, so no dinner now.

“Go wash your hands.” Li Yunli offered no defense.

Ji Zhenshi ground her teeth but complied. Cold water left her hands chilly as she slapped them against Li Yunli’s cheek. “My revenge.”

Li Yunli shot her a sidelong glance, swatting away the cold hand, mouthing two words: “Childish.”

“Childish it is.” The childish one was ravenous, too hungry for banter. She devoured two bowls of rice with gusto.

Had Li Yunli not forbidden seconds to avoid overeating—insisting on soup instead—Ji Zhenshi’s record would have been legendary.

Sated at last, she looked up at the elegant diner across from her. “The trotter soup was delicious. Your skills are leveling up, Sister A-Yun. Thumbs up.”

Li Yunli glanced up faintly, silent.

This little rascal’s sudden sweetness hid something shady. She’d been glaring fiercely earlier, accusing her of revenge.

Li Yunli calmly took a bite of rice, waiting for what came next.