Yan Cheng brought the two to his grandmother's house. It was a small villa, exuding a rustic charm. Upon entering the yard, the neatness was immediately apparent, bringing a sense of peace.
"Your classmate is here? They look a bit older for their age!" the grandmother greeted them.
"Elderly lady, hello. I am Wang Muman's brother. I'm just here for a brief visit and will be leaving soon. After all, she's a young lady," Wang Mujin explained his purpose.
"Oh, oh, oh, please don't worry. My Yan Cheng has always been reserved and wouldn't overstep. Would you like to have a meal with us?" The grandmother, seeing the well-dressed young man, wanted to invite him and perhaps inquire about his relationship status to introduce someone.
"No, thank you. I'm leaving now, as I have other matters to attend to. Thank you for your trouble." Wang Mujin said goodbye to Wang Muman and departed.
After Wang Mujin left, Wang Muman felt a slight embarrassment.
"Hello, Xiao Cheng's classmate. You're quite handsome. Do you study dance?" the grandmother spoke to Wang Muman with youthful enthusiasm.
Wang Muman found the grandmother's warmth a bit overwhelming. "Hello, Grandma. I am Wang Muman. You can call me Manman. I have studied dance."
"My eyes are indeed sharp. Wang Muman, hmm, lively like a plant. A good name." The grandmother wished to chat more with Wang Muman, but Yan Cheng intervened, fearing he might startle her.
"Grandma, we need to rehearse. Can you chat with her more after lunch?" Yan Cheng wanted to lead Wang Muman into the living room.
"Oh, yes, yes, yes, you have a performance. Manman, what would you like to eat? Grandma will make it for you!"
"Anything is fine, Grandma," she replied, following Yan Cheng. Once inside, Wang Muman let out a soft sigh of relief.
"Would you like to take off your jacket? The heating is on, and it will get warm later." Yan Cheng removed his thick down jacket as soon as he entered and gently asked Wang Muman. The frugal grandmother had specifically asked Yan Cheng to keep the heating on, fearing the young lady might feel cold. Wang Muman felt waves of warmth upon entering and obediently took off her jacket, her tense breathing also easing.
Seeing Wang Muman's slight discomfort, Yan Cheng went to the piano, looked at the sheet music, and somewhat hesitantly began to play the song. This immediately captivated Wang Muman. She watched the young man sitting at the piano, diligently playing each note while referencing the music. When Yan Cheng finished playing, he noticed Wang Muman still standing there, lost in thought.
Yan Cheng smiled. "Why are you still standing there? Aren't you tired? Come sit on the sofa." He then stood up to pour some water. When he returned, he saw Wang Muman sitting obediently on the sofa, her legs together, hands resting on her knees, looking unsure of what to do.
Wang Muman sat on the sofa and observed the white ceramic tiles all around, impeccably clean. A rug was laid on the floor, and the table had rounded edges, suggesting extreme thoughtfulness towards the elderly. Seeing Yan Cheng approach, she said, "Your grandmother is very fortunate."
Yan Cheng, unsure how she arrived at that conclusion, nodded and placed the water on the table.
"Thank you. Although your playing was a bit unpracticed just now, it was full of emotion. I feel you will truly understand this song!" Wang Muman looked up at Yan Cheng, perceiving the delicate emotions within him.
Yan Cheng had been listening to the song the previous night. The melody and lyrics conveyed a sense of loneliness and darkness, and the singing voice seemed to pierce the soul, allowing one to experience its depth.
"Does your grandmother have a mirror? A slightly larger one?" Wang Muman needed a mirror for her dance practice to correct her movements. If not, she would rely on her intuition.
"Yes, Grandma used to be quite vain and bought a large mirror." Yan Cheng went to his grandmother's room and brought out the mirror, placing it in the living room. The living room was spacious enough for her to dance.