Seated behind her guzheng, the veiled musician played with an air of calmness that masked the brewing storm outside. The notes flowed effortlessly from her fingertips, each string vibrating with emotion, as if the chaos of the world held no sway over her.
"Veiled musician, your songs are meticulous!" a fan commented, admiration evident in their words.
"Bai Lanyue thinks she can play better than you. *I spat out,*" another chimed in. "She doesn't hold a candle to you!"
"Veiled musician, we've seen your face once before. Can't we see it again?" a persistent voice echoed through the chat.
"I really enjoy your music. There's always a message lying underneath it, isn't there?" someone else added, hoping to extract more from the enigmatic artist.
"Veiled musician, are you attending the banquet tomorrow?" another user asked, curiosity piqued.
"Veiled musician, will you play at the banquet tomorrow?" another chimed in, eager for a response.
The veiled musician ignored all the comments, her focus unwavering as she continued to play. The music flowed like a gentle stream, a serene backdrop against the rising tide of questions and expectations.
"What a nice way to start a fresh morning—with beautiful music," one fan remarked, soaking in the atmosphere.
"True, not like some people who start their day with tears and fake affection," another teased, hinting at the drama surrounding the impending banquet.
As the final note hung in the air, a break from the usual routine transpired. Instead of ending the livestream immediately, the veiled musician stayed, staring deeply into the camera, as if she were looking right at someone—a specific someone. The intensity of her gaze felt charged, unfaltering.
"Why does it feel like she was staring at something?" a fan typed, unnerved. After the veiled musician ended her Livestream
"Something? More like someone. It's as if she's saying your days are numbered!" another joked, but the comment was laced with unease.
"I felt chills down my spine when she stared at the camera. I literally thought she was looking right at me!" someone else added, their pulse quickening.
"Bai Zhiqi? Did you just send a telepathic message to Bai Lanyue?" Xiao Lin teased as Bai Zhiqi, having just stepped in, removed her veil, revealing her graceful figure dressed in a flowing hanfu.
Ji Lanxue, watching closely, couldn't help but smirk. "She ought to know her days are numbered, right? Bai Zhiqi?" she teased, but Bai Zhiqi didn't respond. Instead, she made her way to her room, her expression contemplative, and locked the door behind her.
Inside her room, Bai Zhiqi leaned against the door, her heart racing. The veiled musician's music had struck a chord deep within her, awakening feelings she had tried to suppress.
"Why did I feel that way?" she whispered to herself, her mind racing with thoughts about the banquet and the looming confrontation with Bai Lanyue.
In her mind, she replayed the moments of the livestream. The veiled musician's intensity had felt personal, almost as if she were calling upon Zhiqi to rise against the tides of manipulation and deceit.
As she paced her room, her thoughts spiraled. "Tomorrow will change everything," she murmured, her resolve solidifying. "If I'm going to face Lanyue, I have to be prepared. I can't let her dictate my fate any longer."
Suddenly, her phone buzzed, breaking her concentration. It was a message from Ji Yanluo, urging her to meet him in the living room.
"Let's discuss how we're going to turn the tables," the message read.
Bai Zhiqi took a deep breath, her heart steadied by the promise of collaboration. She had allies now—people who believed in her. She wouldn't be alone in this fight.
With renewed determination, she opened her door and stepped out into the hallway, ready to face whatever awaited her in the living room. The stakes were high, but she was no longer the girl who shied away from challenges. She would reclaim her narrative, and this time, she would do it on her own terms.
As she made her way to the living room, the shadows of doubt began to lift, replaced by a fierce determination. The veiled musician wasn't just a part of her story; she was a catalyst for change. And tomorrow, they would both take their stands, not just for themselves, but for all those who had been silenced.