How does ordering someone to play with you become your girlfriend?

Chapter 183: Yuuka is a little bit abnormal

"No, there's something missing here..." As Mamiko spoke, the piano music stopped abruptly.

"Do it again."

Hearing this, Zhao Yu adjusted the music score on the piano stand and started playing again without any complaints.

He didn't know how many times he had done this repetitive exercise, but in order to practice well, he didn't find it boring.

The pleasant piano sound rang out again. Mamiko sat beside her, tapping the beat lightly on the table with her fingers until Zhao Yu played the last syllable.

"Huh...how was it this time, Grandma?" Zhao Yu wiped the sweat from his forehead, feeling a little nervous.

"It's just barely qualified." Mamiko nodded, and finally a smile appeared on her face.

Zhao Yu finally breathed a sigh of relief. Looking at the piano score in front of him, he felt a sense of accomplishment.

Just like what the audience in Shiori Nanamiya’s live broadcast room said, Zhao Yu hasn’t done any live broadcasts for several days.

The reason why he postponed it for so long was not because the engagement ceremony was too busy. On the contrary... most of the things required in the ceremony did not require him and Yuka to participate.

The main reason why he didn't do any live broadcasts was because he had been practicing a new musical instrument - the piano - recently.

This was not a whim on his part, but an idea that was the result of careful consideration.

Originally, at the engagement ceremony, Zhao Yu planned to find a pianist to play music when they exchanged rings at the end.

The song to be performed has also been decided: Richard Clayderman's "Wedding in a Dream".

This song should be the childhood memory of many Chinese children, and most school bells use this song.

Although it has a bit of a childhood nightmare feel to it, this piece of music is perfect for playing at an engagement ceremony.

But just when he was about to invite a pianist, Zhao Yu suddenly thought, wouldn't it be more romantic if he played the song for Youhua and then handed her the engagement ring?
So Zhao Yu, who had never learned piano, made a very bold decision. He wanted to become thoroughly familiar with this piece of music in just a few days.

After deciding to play it himself, he was a little troubled. Romance means surprises, and if he practiced inside the Ueno family, Yuka would definitely find out.

But if I go out every day, it will arouse suspicion, right? How can I practice the song while hiding it from Yuka?
In the end, Zhao Yu threw this difficult problem to Mamiko. After all, he heard from Shinichiro Ueno that when Mamiko was young, she was educated like a rich young lady and was proficient in everything from music, chess, calligraphy and painting.

If I let her teach me, there shouldn't be any problem, and I can also avoid being discovered by Yuka.

After hearing Zhao Yu's request, Mamiko agreed immediately and specially found a friend's house so that Zhao Yu could have a place to practice.

Of course, what was said to the outside world was that Zhao Yu was preparing some small details for the wedding with her, and only the two of them knew that Zhao Yu was learning the piano.

But although Zhao Yu’s idea was good, it was a bit difficult to put it into practice. He originally thought that this song was not difficult and should be easy to learn.

But perhaps Mamiko wanted perfection and had extremely high demands. If there was anything wrong, she would ask Zhao Yu to start over. Until now, Zhao Yu had only barely satisfied her.

"It will be time for dinner in another hour. Let's take a break and we'll continue later." Mamiko clapped her hands and spoke to Zhao Yu.

"I can finally take a break..." Zhao Yu's whole body collapsed at once.

"Xiao Yu! Have you forgotten what I told you? You can't do such rude things before you leave the performance position!" Mamiko's face became serious.

"Yes! Grandma!" Zhao Yuteng straightened up suddenly. After being controlled by Mamiko for so long, this action had almost become an instinct.

An hour later, on the streets of Nara.

At dusk, Mamiko walked slowly in front of Zhao Yu, wearing a well-fitting kimono. Even though she was old, she was still very elegant.

Zhao Yu followed her while looking at the figure of the old beauty in front of him.

"Is this the eldest lady of the Showa era? She maintains this attitude all the time. No wonder she cares so much about my manners when playing the piano." Zhao Yu murmured to himself.

To be honest, even though he played music in the past, he never paid attention to his behavior.

Not to mention that before coming to the parallel world, his musician friends either played rock and folk or rap and pop, and rarely came into contact with such classical things.

How should I put it? Zhao Yu felt that after these few days of baptism, he seemed to have become "upper class" all of a sudden.

Just as he was daydreaming, Mamiko in front of him suddenly stopped, turned around and whispered to Zhao Yu: "You go back first, Xiaoyu."

"Hmm? Grandma, is there anything else?" Zhao Yu asked a little confused.

"Your grandfather loves the Japanese confectionery here. I happened to be passing by, so I brought some back for him." Mamiko said, pointing to a Japanese confectionery shop on the roadside.

This is a little interest between her and Shinichiro Ueno. Although it is not as passionate as the love of young people, they always think of each other in such little things.

"Grandpa is really happy." Zhao Yu couldn't help but sigh.

"Isn't it the same for Youhua? Xiaoyu, you have made rapid progress in both piano and manners during this period~" Mamiko couldn't help but tease after hearing what Zhao Yu said.

"Hehe, since Youhua has been looking forward to getting engaged, I should give her more good memories, right?" Zhao Yu smiled silly.

"Okay, silly boy, go back! I'll be home soon." Mamiko waved her hand.

"Okay! Then I'll go first!" Zhao Yu took a step without hesitation.

The Japanese confectionery shop is at the fork in the street where the Ueno family lives. Now that we are here, it means it is not far from the Ueno family.

Zhao Yu only walked about a few hundred meters before he arrived at the door of Ueno's house. Just as he was about to step into the yard, he bumped into a small figure.

"No? Li Qingwan? Don't you look at people when you walk?" Zhao Yu said unhappily.

"Who doesn't look at people? It was obviously you who bumped into me!" Li Qingwan rubbed her arm and rolled her eyes at Zhao Yu.

Zhao Yu was about to continue arguing with her when he noticed Youhua behind her.

"Did you come back together today?" he asked casually.

“No, no!”*2
Youhua and Li Qingwan said in unison.

"Hmm?" Zhao Yu felt something was not right. His eyes darted back and forth between Li Qingwan and Youhua until they both looked a little uncomfortable, then he spoke.

"I just asked casually, why are you guys reacting so strongly?"

Just as Zhao Yu said, his words just now seemed to have triggered a switch. Li Qingwan refuted very quickly, while Youhua's eyes were a little evasive.

This made Zhao Yu instinctively feel that the two of them were hiding something from him.

"Why are you reacting so strongly? I'm still angry because you bumped into me just now!" said Li Qingwan.

"I just went out to buy some Japanese sweets and happened to meet Xiaowan. Yujun, you guessed wrong." Youhua picked up the packaging bag in her hand.

"It's really weird. Let's go. Let's not bother with him!" Li Qingwan grabbed Youhua's hand and pulled her into the yard.

However, this step seems a bit awkward, as if he doesn't dare to stay here any longer.

"There is definitely a problem." Zhao Yu stopped at the door, muttering to himself as he looked at the backs of the two people.

I've been busy practicing the piano these days, and I seem to have neglected Yuhua. Thinking carefully, Yuhua used to want to stick with me 24 hours a day, but now she hasn't asked herself why she's still so busy...

Moreover, Youhua can only be seen in the morning and at dinner time. Where does she go at other times? Suddenly, Zhao Yu felt curious.

"Let's ask Qi Gong after dinner. It seems like she has been staying at home all the time." Having said this, Zhao Yu finally walked into the yard.

Dinner at the Ueno family was originally quite traditional, with the same dishes over and over again, mostly consisting of stews, steamed custard, mackerel and miso soup.

But things were different after Chen Xiuhua came. Sichuan cuisine enriched the Ueno family's table. In addition to this, Chen Xiuhua also cooked some dishes from other provinces, so basically there was something different every day.

This made Shinichiro Ueno, an old man who had always wanted to visit China, very happy. Although he did not go to China, at least he got to eat authentic Chinese food.

Especially the braised pork, he thinks about it every day, and he has a legitimate reason, that is, this is the great man's favorite dish, he can't miss it.

This made Mamiko start learning Chinese cuisine for Shinichiro Ueno, and Sayuri was not willing to be outdone. For a while, the dinner at the Ueno family was almost no different from when Zhao Yu was in China.

"Thank you for your hard work during this period, Xiuhua." After finishing the meal, Ueno Shinichiro did not forget to thank Chen Xiuhua.

"It's okay, uncle, as long as you like to eat it. Auntie and Sayuri have been helping me all this time, so I'm not too tired." Chen Xiuhua waved her hand.

The Ueno family actually took great care of her, arranging the best for her food, clothing, housing and transportation. When she first came, Sayuri took her shopping every day.

It was just cooking, and it wasn't hard for her. Besides, they were going to be a family soon, and the Ueno family was used to eating Chinese food, so she was quite happy. "By the way, Hideka, you probably haven't tried Japanese cakes yet, right? I happened to buy some at a Japanese confectionery store on the street today, let's try it together." Mamiko said, taking out a food box from the side.

When you open it, you'll see a very pink pastry shaped like a cherry blossom.

"This is Sakura wagashi. It's a limited edition wagashi that's only available now. Would you like to try it?"

"It looks pretty good." Chen Xiuhua reached out and took a piece of Japanese fruit. The cherry blossom pink color looked very girly.

She took a light bite and the sweet and glutinous taste with a hint of cherry blossom fragrance made her eyes light up.

"good to eat!"

"I'm glad you like it, old man, you can try it too..." Mamiko smiled and handed a piece to Shinichiro Ueno.

"Xiao Yu, this is yours."

Zhao Yu looked at the Japanese confectionery in front of him and felt a strange sense of déjà vu. Oh, right... when he entered the door just now, did Youhua say that she also bought Japanese confectionery?

But there is only one Japanese confectionery shop on this street, and Yuka and I go home at about the same time, which means that if Yuka bought the confectionery in that shop, there is no way I would not have missed hers, right?
Or did Yuka buy it at another store? If so, then she must have gone out? Everyone is at home these days, is there something wrong with her going out alone?
"Xiao Yu? Why aren't you eating?" Mamiko was a little confused as she looked at Zhao Yu who was staring at the Japanese confectionery with his head down.

"Oh, oh! Eat it now!" Zhao Yu came back to his senses, picked up the Japanese confectionery and took a bite.

Then he pretended to speak casually: "Come to think of it, Yuka also bought some Japanese confectionery, right? Then she probably just happened to run into grandma?"

"Ah! Yes, yes...!" Yuka was startled and spoke with some stammering, while looking at Mamiko with a pleading look.

However, Zhao Yu, who had been keeping his head down, did not notice that when he raised his head and looked at Mamiko, Mamiko had already received Yuka's gaze.

"Well, when I went in, Yuuka was just about to come out," said Mamiko.

"But there are a lot of Japanese confectionery today, so Yuuka can have her portion next time."

"Oh, okay then." Zhao Yu nodded. Grandma said that she saw Youhua. Was he overthinking it?
As the conversation ended, the atmosphere returned to normal and everyone was drinking tea and eating Japanese confectionery together, it was very lively.

When he came to his senses, it was already completely dark. Ueno Shinichiro reluctantly ended his questioning of Chen Xiuhua about China.

Everyone started to return to their respective rooms, and when Zhao Yu was about to go back with Youhua, Youhua hesitated for a moment and stood beside Li Qingwan.

"Yujun, please go back to your room first. I want to chat with Xiaowan today."

"Okay, then I'll go back first." Zhao Yu didn't care and walked towards his room.

When he was halfway there, Zhao Yu suddenly realized a problem.

There is only one way from the Japanese confectionery shop to the Ueno family? If Yuka left the Japanese confectionery shop right before he left, then she must have been following him.

But she didn't say hello to me, and I didn't notice anyone behind me. This is impossible, right?

In other words, grandma was lying just for Yuka? What was she hiding from me?
Zhao Yu no longer had the intention to go back to his room. He turned around and walked towards Shiori Nanamiya's room.

Knock, knock, knock! Someone knocked gently on Shiori Nanamiya's door.

The door opened quickly, and Shiori Nanamiya appeared at the door with an expressionless face.

"What's up?"

"I have something to ask of you."

"Tell me."

"I feel like Yuka is hiding something from me. Why don't you go and find out for me?" Zhao Yu clasped his hands together and asked Nanamiya Shiori for help.

"Are you doubting Yuka?" Shiori Nanamiya's eyes turned cold, with a hint of disgust on her face, and she spoke with a frown.

What Zhao Yu said was so full of loopholes that Shiori Nanamiya naturally thought that Zhao Yu was suspecting that Yuka had betrayed him.

In Shiori Nanamiya's view, this is absolutely an insult to Yuka. With such passionate feelings, how could she possibly betray Zhao Yu?

"You misunderstood me. I felt like Youhua was planning something with Xiaowan..."

"How can I explain it to you? I plan to play a piano piece for Youhua as a surprise at the engagement ceremony. I think Youhua may have prepared the same thing for me, but you should know Xiaowan's idea..." Zhao Yu showed an expression of 'you know' on his face.

How could he possibly doubt Youhua's feelings for him? The only thing he was afraid of was whether Li Qingwan would trick Youhua into doing something big.

This is the only engagement in her life, so to be on the safe side, even if Yuka wants to give herself a surprise, it should at least be something that isn't too exaggerated.

So Zhao Yu couldn't care less about so many things and could only tell Nanamiya Shiori what he had prepared.

"Have you prepared a new surprise for Yuka? The piano piece... is quite romantic." Shiori Nanamiya relaxed her brows and looked at Zhao Yu.

"Step aside…"

"Oh, okay." Zhao Yu immediately gave up his seat and watched Nanamiya Shiori come out.

"What are you doing?"

"I'll go help you find out what they are doing, but I can't guarantee that I can find out." As she spoke, Shiori Nanamiya slowly walked away.

At the same time, in Li Qingwan's room.

"Phew... That was a close call. Xiaowan, why didn't you cover for me just now? I had no choice but to ask grandma for help." Youhua said to Li Qingwan.

"Ah? What cover?" Li Qingwan raised her head in confusion.

She was so focused on eating Japanese sweets that she didn't notice Zhao Yu's question at all.

"Have you forgotten? Yujun just asked me if I met grandma. I suspect he already knows that we went out together." Youhua said.

"No way? Even if he finds out that you lied, he will just think that you bought it somewhere else, right? Don't worry..." Li Qingwan waved her hand indifferently.

"But... I always feel like Yujun seems to have noticed what we are doing." said Youhua.

"Don't worry, he can't guess it. By the way... speaking of which, don't you think Brother Yu is also suspicious?"

"How to say?"

"You see, if we hadn't been a little panicked when we met him just now, he wouldn't have suspected what you were doing when you went out so often during this period of time, right?" Li Qingwan paused and continued.

"It stands to reason that Brother Yu, who has always had his eyes on you, wouldn't not ask you, right? And... he goes out with Grandma Mamiko every day, on time, don't you think it's strange?"

"Yes, so Yujun is the same as me..." Youhua and Li Qingwan looked at each other.

"It's very likely!" they said in unison.

"If it was him, what would he prepare? I'm a little curious..." Li Qingwan touched her chin.

"Why don't we ask Shiori later? She's been at home the whole time, maybe she knows something."

"Compared to this, our business is more important, right? Are you ready?" Yuka said.

"Okay, I spent a lot of money to get a suitable one. Do you want to listen to it first?" Li Qingwan said, proudly shaking the USB flash drive in her hand.

"Okay! Let's listen to it first!" Yuhua nodded.

"But before that... let me eliminate some potential trouble first!" Li Qingwan said as she walked to the door and slammed it open.

"Shiori? Why is it you?"

Looking at Nanamiya Shiori at the door, Li Qingwan was a little confused.

She just saw a dark shadow at the door and thought it was Zhao Yu. She was about to find an excuse to chase him away.

"I couldn't sleep, so I came to chat with you guys." Shiori Nanamiya made up an excuse without changing her expression.

Li Qingwan first stuck her head out to look at the door. After not seeing Zhao Yu, she breathed a sigh of relief and then pulled Nanamiya Shiori in.

"Come in first..."

(End of this chapter)