Mystery Detective of the Steam World

Chapter 234 Performance
The appearance of Li Wei was a complete shock to the members of the Golden Mead Club. Although Li Wei was about the same age as them, their social status was worlds apart.

After all, even if those members achieved something, they were still commoners, while Li Wei was a nobleman, an earl, and a Thistle Knight.

For the members, the shock was no less than if someone who would appear on the evening news had appeared right next to them.

"Eh? Mr. Levy... oh, no, Sir Levy? What are you doing here?"

The woman in the lead, wearing glasses and with freckles, stared wide-eyed at Li Wei in surprise, while Li Wei nodded to her.

“I have some connection with Baron Cohen, and I heard that he organized a club specifically for young people, so I came to check it out. I must say, I feel pretty good about it, so I decided to join. It's a good way to pass the time when I have nothing else to do.”

"I see……………"

As they spoke, the others realized what was happening and immediately greeted Li Wei. After all, for them, Li Wei was already the ceiling that young people could reach, and naturally, he had become an idol for them.

Unlike the Franciscans, who were as fanatical as modern-day celebrity worshippers, the Imperials were relatively reserved and composed. Even when they saw their idols, they wouldn't scream and shout like modern young girls seeing stars, which was exactly what Li Wei wanted.

These people quickly introduced themselves, allowing Li Wei to get to know them.

There were four of them, two women and two men, forming a small group within the Golden Mead Club—which is quite normal, as even within a club, there are people who get along and those who don't. The reason these people gathered together was primarily due to their professions.

The woman, short in stature—perhaps even 1.5 meters tall—with braided hair and glasses, was named Matilda. Although she looked the most old-fashioned and unremarkable among the group, she was also the most accomplished—because she was the author with hundreds of thousands of copies sold, as Baron Cohen had mentioned.

By the way, the romance novel with mentally unstable protagonists that Li Wei was just reading was written by her.

Looking at the short woman in front of him, with her dowdy braids and hiding behind others like a little squirrel, Li Wei could only sigh, "You can't judge a book by its cover."

After all, just by looking at the surface, you would never guess that this young lady would write that kind of crazy literature.

Incidentally, Matilda is her pen name; that's the name she uses at the club.

Joan Lista, on the other hand, was the complete opposite. Young, beautiful, tall, and with a clear voice—in fact, she was a stage actress, currently working for the Eyes of the Goddess Theatre Company. Levi had heard of this company, but he had no interest in stage plays. He had originally thought that the only way he would get to know a stage actress was through some kind of murder case…

East Dunne is an outgoing, cheerful, and lively young man, and his profession is a horse racing jockey. Levi doesn't know much about horse racing, but since he was invited to join by Baron Cohen, this jockey must be quite famous in the horse racing world.

Borent Beth was a painter who was taciturn and not good at communicating. Even when he spoke to Levi, he would only give a brief self-introduction and that was it.

I must say, this group of four is quite interesting.

Li Wei observed for a moment and felt that the four people cooperated quite well, with two moving and two remaining still. The writer lady hid in the back, not daring to speak, while the painter gentleman seemed to be less adept at this kind of social interaction. On the contrary, the rider gentleman was quite lively, constantly chatting with Li Wei.

As for the actress, she was more like the backbone of the group. Although she didn't talk much, she was always actively maintaining the atmosphere. Li Wei noticed that she was intentionally or unintentionally guiding the other two people who didn't talk much, and she was also always trying to smooth things over for them.

Clearly, in terms of maturity, this actress is the most mature of the four.

"By the way, Mr. Li Wei, did you know? Our Golden Mead Club has a rule, you know."

Perhaps because Levi was easy to talk to and not as aloof as everyone thought, Easter soon started laughing and making funny faces.

"Oh? What rules?"

“Every new member who joins the club has to perform in public, just as a form of entertainment.”

"is it?"

"Yes, I remember when Miss Lista joined, she sang a song for everyone, didn't she?"

The rider turned around with a grin and looked at the actress beside him, who shook her head helplessly.

"That was just going with the flow."

"And Miss Matilda, I remember she wrote a poem? Or was it Miss Easter who read it to her?"

"Waaaaah—"

Upon hearing this, the writer hid behind the actress, her face flushed, and lowered her head, too ashamed to speak.

"Borent painted a landscape painting, I think. I remember he spent a whole week on it—there was really no need to be so serious."

"I have always been very serious about art."

The painter looked at the rider and spoke quietly, to which the rider could only shrug. Li Wei, also curious, looked at the rider and asked.

"And what about you, Mr. Easter?"

"Me? I performed some stunts for everyone while riding my beloved horse."

"That's really impressive."

The actress also praised it, while the writer and the painter beside her nodded in agreement.

"Sir Levi, what would you like to perform?"

The rider, also looking at Li Wei with curiosity, asked, "Hmm..."

Hearing the rider's question, Li Wei started to think. Cohen hadn't mentioned this to him, but Li Wei didn't care. After all, it was like a club's welcome party; if you joined, you'd perform a song or something, right? Isn't that what everyone does?
The problem is, what should they perform?

Why don't you find me a corpse right now, and I'll solve the case for you on the spot?

Just like in the Westerns, I toss a cigarette into the air, then fire a shot and set it on fire?

It doesn't seem appropriate either...

As he was pondering, Li Wei saw the piano displayed in the lobby outside the library, which stirred something within him.

That's fine, this one will do.

Thinking of this, Li Wei walked out of the library, and the others followed curiously. They saw Li Wei walk to the piano placed next to the hall, open the lid, and reach out to tap the keys.

Yes, the pitches are all the same, so it's not a big problem.

Thinking of this, Li Wei smiled slightly, then turned to look at everyone.

"Then, I will play a piece for you all."

As a qualified student raised under the red flag, Li Wei naturally suffered a lot from various tutoring classes and extracurricular activities when he was young. Piano was one of his more outstanding achievements. Of course, Li Wei was not a music master. His piano playing level could only be described as above average. His best achievement in a competition was only a silver medal.

However, this technique is quite useful for creating entertaining content during live streams. For example, playing certain popular anime songs on the piano can garner a lot of likes and support.

This time, Li Wei decided to play it safe and just play a more basic version of "Für Elise." After all, he was a detective, not a pianist, and he figured that as long as he didn't play terribly, he should be able to save face.

Thinking of this, Li Wei held his breath and placed his hands on the keyboard.

"Clang clang clang clang clang clang clang clang..."

The familiar melody began, and at that moment, Li Wei was even somewhat lost in thought.

In the original world, this piano piece was everywhere—in ringtones, text messages, school dismissal messages, and radio recordings—it was so ubiquitous that people were tired of hearing it.

But upon arriving in this world and hearing that familiar music again, Li Wei felt a sense of encountering an old friend in a foreign land.

Come to think of it, I've been in this world for over a year now. Although it's a bit dangerous, I've survived. But since it's not my own world, I probably wouldn't realize it normally; it just feels like I'm abroad. But at times like this, I do feel a bit emotional…

Li Wei played the piano while letting himself immerse himself in his memories.

Only when the music ended did Li Wei regain his composure and stand up.

At the same time, applause broke out.

"Clatter!"

Hearing the applause, Li Wei came to his senses and realized that he didn't know when he had been surrounded by people. Most of them were probably club members judging from their clothes, and there were also a few servants standing not far away, watching and listening curiously.

Li Wei simply smiled slightly, nodded to them, and then turned and left.

"Impressive, Sir Levi!"

Soon, the rider excitedly came over and stared at Li Wei.

"I never imagined you could play the piano so well!"

"I made a fool of myself, but it's passable."

Li Wei knew he wasn't actually that good, so he just gave a brief explanation.

"However, this piece of music is really beautiful."

At this moment, the actress stared at Li Wei, her face slightly flushed, and spoke.

"I've never heard this piece before. The beautiful melody and rhythm blend together perfectly, it's captivating... Sir Levi, is this piece composed by you?"

"No, this is a tune passed down from my hometown."

Li Wei shook his head. He had no intention of plagiarizing. Besides, he wasn't wrong. His world was his hometown, and this piece of music was indeed passed down from his hometown. What was the problem?
But then again... playing the piano occasionally seems nice.

Thinking of this, Li Wei lowered his head and looked at his hands.

Everything in this world is unfamiliar, but I'm not entirely incapable of feeling nostalgic. Playing the piano to pass the time when I'm bored doesn't seem so bad, does it?
Well, that’s it.

Li Wei withdrew his gaze.

When I get back, I'll buy a piano myself. I'm rich, so I can do whatever I want.

(End of this chapter)