Chapter 40: The Show Is About to Begin

After stepping into society, many people find themselves nostalgic for their school days. Compared to being a workhorse at a company, those days when you only had to worry about studying truly seem carefree.

But now that she’s really back in her university years, Jiang Sui realizes she isn’t as excited as she’d imagined—in fact, she’s already starting to feel bored.

On one hand, the “Jiang Sui” of this life had chosen a major completely mismatched with her past life; it was almost like a liberal arts student picking a science major.

The teacher on the podium spoke about things she wasn’t interested in, so class naturally became dull.

On the other hand, even though her body was now eighteen, Jiang Sui’s mental age still carried the weight of her previous life. Surrounded by freshmen who’d just finished the High School Entrance Exam and were eager to have fun, Jiang Sui always felt like a middle-aged woman out of place among a bunch of kids.

During class, Jiang Sui always spent her time alone—either making plans to win over Lu Yunze, or preparing for her next move.

In short, if she wasn’t working on her strategy for Lu Yunze, she was preparing for it. She hardly had time to deal with those students who tried to strike up a conversation.

“This classmate, is anyone sitting here?” A boy approached with an awkward smile.

“No.” Jiang Sui kept her head down, taking notes.

“Then can I sit next to you?”

“No.”

“Uh, classmate, you seem to really like this class. How about we exchange notes?”

“Get lost.”

“Uwu…”

Exchange notes? What a joke.

Jiang Sui covered her Notebook with her palm, making sure that pitiful guy running away didn’t get a peek.

Everything in there was about Lu Yunze—his class schedule, the style of clothes he often wore, his preferences for different foods, and so on.

How could she possibly let anyone see that? Was he trying to test her identity? Or was he just really that boring?

“Why am I always surrounded by such boring people?” Jiang Sui closed her Notebook and sighed.

Luo Yao has plenty of admirers at this school. I’m a girl too, so why hasn’t anyone tried to hit on me? Sometimes I want to know what it feels like to be in the spotlight.

But even if there were, Jiang Sui wouldn’t be happy—unless it was Lu Yunze, no amount of admirers would help her plan at all.

After class, Jiang Sui left the classroom with her Notebook full of girlish secrets. Before heading back to the Manor, she needed to stop by the market to buy some groceries.

Of course, this wasn’t an order from Luo Yao or the chef. The ingredients she bought were always secretly hidden in her own bedroom, and she’d find a chance to sneak them into the Kitchen later.

“Good morning, Jiang Sui.”

Chef Uncle had long since gotten used to her bringing groceries into the Kitchen.

“Miss wants to try something new today?”

“That’s right. Otherwise, Miss wouldn’t have specifically sent me to buy these things.”

“Sigh, you’re a Maid but you’re also cooking—must be tough.”

“It’s not tough.” Jiang Sui’s expression softened. “As long as I can do something for him, I have no complaints.”

“You’re a good Maid. If you ever run into trouble in the Kitchen, or want to learn a new dish, just let me know.”

“Okay, thank you, Uncle.”

“Don’t call me Uncle, I’m only thirty-two.”

So thirty-two isn’t old enough to be called Uncle? Then does that mean I can still claim to be a budding young girl?

If that’s the case, then this budding flower could be considered her Secret Weapon. It’s said that some flowers, at the very moment they bloom, are at their most fragrant and beautiful.

But now isn’t the right time.

Lu Yunze’s affection hasn’t risen enough. If she’s going to reveal her trump card, it has to be at a critical moment.

With that thought, Mo Qiu tied on her apron, pulled a knife from the rack, and started her new round of work.

At lunchtime, Lu Yunze and Luo Yao arrived at the Dining Hall as usual. The servants brought out dish after dish to the table.

Jiang Sui was among them. While serving, she quietly placed a small dish beside Lu Yunze’s plate.

Lu Yunze, who had been chatting and laughing with Luo Yao, looked up and met her gaze for a brief instant. Neither spoke, but they both understood.

Jiang Sui nodded slightly, then pretended nothing had happened as she walked away.

Ever since Lu Yunze was discharged from the hospital, Jiang Sui had been secretly making him special dishes “to help him recover.” Not every day, but every time, he was thoroughly satisfied.

Luo Yao? Of course she didn’t know about any of this.

Jiang Sui believed Lu Yunze wouldn’t betray her, after all—

“A cute, thoughtful, and great-at-cooking Maid like me is impossible to find, even with a lantern.”

Whenever Jiang Sui saw Luo Yao and Lu Yunze dining together in the Dining Hall—chatting with Luo Yao while secretly eating the special dish she’d made for him—she could hardly keep from laughing, so she never dared linger in the Dining Hall for long.

“Today’s dish is done, too.”

In the corridor, Jiang Sui made a mark in her little notebook with a ballpoint pen.

“Next time, I should try a brand-new recipe.”

With her cooking skills honed by surviving alone in her previous life, it wouldn’t take long for Lu Yunze’s stomach to be tamed by her. After all, cooking is a great way to grow closer. If she secures him early, it won’t matter how hard Luo Yao struggles afterward.

But just this advantage isn’t enough.

Having captured one city, Jiang Sui still felt she was far from matching Luo Yao, who held half the kingdom.

She had to find another angle of attack.

Jiang Sui spent her entire lunch break thinking about it, unable to sleep, but still couldn’t decide.

As she carried a bucket of water and mop past the Central Courtyard, a melodious sound made her pause.

It was the piano.

Jiang Sui’s eyes widened slightly. That’s right, how could I have forgotten?

Since he’s a rich young master, it’s normal for Lu Yunze to have refined hobbies. Whenever he was home, aside from gaming with friends, most of his time was spent practicing piano. That’s why the sound of the Grand Piano often drifted down from the third floor.

Why didn’t I think of this before? I can approach him through his hobbies!

As long as we have common interests, Lu Yunze will naturally ignore Luo Yao and come wagging his tail to me.

Finishing her work quickly, Jiang Sui seized a lazy moment and hurried up to the third floor, following the sound of the piano to that room.

The door was tightly closed. Just as Jiang Sui grabbed the doorknob, she heard voices from inside.

“Brother Lu, didn’t you say you couldn’t play this piece before?”

“I practiced hard. I think I can play it now.”

So Luo Yao’s here too. What a troublesome woman.

Beaten to the punch, Jiang Sui’s expression immediately soured.

She couldn’t barge in, but that was no problem for Jiang Sui. Taking advantage of the empty corridor, she turned her body into mist and slipped in through the crack under the door.

The Piano Room was quite large, with a small equipment closet attached. Jiang Sui snuck into the closet while no one was looking and transformed back into her human form.

No sooner had she steadied herself than the piano music abruptly stopped.

“What’s wrong?”

“Nothing. I just felt like something passed behind me. Maybe it’s my imagination. Brother Lu, keep playing.”

“Okay.”

Jiang Sui’s heart raced for a moment before calming down as she waited quietly in the closet.

The closet door wasn’t fully closed, so she could observe the outside through the gap.

Lu Yunze sat at the Grand Piano, playing intently. Luo Yao sat beside him, stretching out her legs and swaying to the rhythm.

They look so sweet together. How many times have you two enjoyed moments like this when I wasn’t around?

When the final note fell, the exhausted, sweaty Lu Yunze let out a breath of relief.

“That’s the first time I’ve played the whole piece through. I finally did it.”

“Brother Lu, here, have some water.”

“Thanks.”

Seeing the smile on Lu Yunze’s face, Jiang Sui bit her fingernail in secret frustration.

Not until the two of them left the Piano Room, chatting as they went, did Jiang Sui emerge from the closet and walk over to the piano.

She gently ran her fingers across the keys, as if feeling the lingering warmth and sweat left behind.

Is there any way to avoid Luo Yao and get close to Lu Yunze when he’s playing piano?

Or rather, is there a place where that’s possible?

Jiang Sui thought for a long time and finally came up with a suitable answer.

“The show is about to begin.”

The corners of her lips curled up, and she put her finger—still damp from wiping the keys—into her mouth.

The next day, at Lancheng Academy, Jiang Sui didn’t return to the classroom when the bell rang for the first time.

She ran straight out of the teaching building and headed for the Science Building.

“If I remember right, the Music Club’s Activity Classroom should be this way.”

As she neared her destination, Jiang Sui really did hear the familiar sound of piano.

She came to the door, squinted inside, and sure enough, saw that familiar figure.