It's just The Sims, how did it become my ideal love story?

Chapter 96 The Promise (Vote Requested!)

The sunset outside the curtains seemed like the last magnificent sight before the world was destroyed, burning the clouds on the horizon, and also like a maple forest that turned red overnight.

The blood-red, fiery light shone through the glass onto the boy's clean and handsome face.

At this moment, Lin Jiang felt a little regretful that she had chosen to study piano instead of painting. Perhaps then she could have firmly memorized the scene and then used all her brushstrokes to depict it.

He didn't look at himself, but instead kept his head down and played the piano by himself.

The guitar music playing in the large music room seemed out of place, but the girl didn't notice anything amiss. It was soothing, gentle, and perhaps even represented some of his qualities.

He exudes an indescribable sense of reassurance and maturity, along with the unexpected joy of not knowing what he might do next.

What kind of amazing boy is he?

Lin Jiang was surprised.

He was simply playing the guitar, accompanied by soft singing. His demeanor was more mature than his peers, yet the slight shyness on his face felt so genuine.

It makes you want to turn it into your own toy and put it on your bedside table, in your closet, or in your safe.

Gu Huai, of course, had no idea what Lin Jiang was feeling right now, nor what strange things she was thinking.

He was naturally a little nervous and embarrassed about doing such a thing.

After all, his guitar skills were only at a beginner level, which might have been like showing off his limited abilities in front of Lin Jiang. But as he said at the beginning, grand theories are probably useless when it comes to art; all you need is feeling.

Could he awaken some of the girl's state or feelings? Gu Huai didn't know, but since the skill was there, he might as well use it.

After all, I'm still a beginner. I'm just quietly chanting to find the rhythm and trying not to make any mistakes.

This is the best piece I can play right now. Come to think of it, I only practiced it specifically because of this girl, so it seems like a good idea to give it back to her now.

However, there are still some instinctive feelings of shame that I haven't been able to completely overcome.

For example, in situations like this, one can only play by oneself, not daring to look at the other person's expression, and of course, one doesn't know when the girl has secretly taken out her phone and recorded the scene.

"alright."

When Gu Huai finished playing the last note and looked at Lin Jiang, she seemed flustered and was stuffing something into her pocket.

He couldn't see clearly; it seemed to be a cell phone? But Gu Huai didn't connect these things together.

"I never knew you could play the guitar, Brother Gu Huai!"

The girl stared at Gu Huai with rosy cheeks, her eyes filled with unspeakable surprise.

Gu Huai smiled sheepishly, "My skills are just average. I secretly learned a couple of tricks in my spare time, and this is the only piece I know. I can't compare to you. How do you feel now?"

"Feel?"

Lin Jiang seemed to have forgotten why the boy played the guitar in the first place.

Gu Huai reached out and patted the other person's head in an annoyed manner.

"Ouch."

To be honest, after the first time, it became quite easy, and I even got a little addicted.

"I'm playing the guitar to help you get a feel for it, did you think I was giving you a performance?"

Seeing Gu Huai's deliberately stern face, the girl didn't feel angry at all; instead, she couldn't help but chuckle.

She covered her head and chuckled, saying, "It's because Brother Gu Huai played so well~ Don't hit my head, boohoo."

"It's no use flattering now. Come on, play it yourself, let me hear it."

Gu Huai put down his guitar and looked at Lin Jiang with a serious expression.

Lin Jiang's eyes widened in surprise. "Me, play?"

"That's right. Otherwise, I don't know how to play the piano yet."

Why only temporarily?

What if it pops up in the shop next week? If the price isn't outrageous, I might consider it, since it could help the girl, and it seems that art skill books also add charm points.

"But I get a little nervous around you."

The girl spoke somewhat reservedly.

Gu Huai shook his head. "You'll be performing in front of many judges during the competition. Aren't you nervous?"

"I'm nervous too."

Nervousness? Could this be one of the reasons for her poor academic performance? Judging from Lin Jiang's current personality, that's certainly a possibility; she seems too timid. She's nothing like the woman who will later be able to easily control herself.

"Let's start with me now. You can treat me as a judge. You always have to adapt to the audience. Give it a try."

"Okay. Don't blame me if it doesn't sound good."

She pouted, looking aggrieved.

What kind of time is this to be acting cute? My buddy didn't even eat before coming here to make music with you, and you think this will fill his stomach? It seems like it might.

The girl turned to face the piano and stole a glance at Gu Huai. Gu Huai was still imitating the so-called judge, staring at her with a serious and solemn expression.

She thought the boy didn't seem like a judge at all; his feigned sternness was quite funny.
However, she took a deep breath and suppressed her laughter.

When her hands were on the piano keys, she felt completely different from when she first started playing for her teacher.

As if her distracting thoughts had been dispelled, the weight on her shoulders no longer made it difficult for her to lift her hands. Her mind replayed the image of the boy earlier, head bowed, playing the guitar, completely oblivious to everyone else, lost in his own world.

That calm and free feeling flowed into her chest like a stream, and everything became natural. She didn't even need to look at the sheet music; it was as if everything was already in her mind, in her muscle memory.

As darkness fell, the setting sun gradually faded.

"call"

Lin Jiang only woke up with a start after letting go of his hands. She saw the boy standing to the side who seemed extremely surprised, and then she remembered that she had just played a piece of music in front of him without any pauses or awkwardness.

"Brother Gu Huai".

She suddenly felt a little nervous, and seeing Gu Huai's expression, she thought she had played exceptionally badly.

Before she could even offer her apology, she saw Gu Huai raise his hands and clap repeatedly.

"This is the first time I've heard you play the piano. Although I don't know much about the piano, you played so beautifully."

"Does it sound good?"

Lin Jiang was so engrossed in the music that she didn't even realize how well she was playing; she just felt that it was playing very smoothly.

"Didn't you hear me?"

Lin Jiang shook her head, looking extremely innocent, "I don't think I could hear any music just now."

It was a strange state of mind that she couldn't quite describe, but she felt exceptionally relaxed.

Gu Huai nodded. "That proves you're in the zone. Being able to play to the point of forgetting yourself means you really put aside everything else when you were playing the piano."

"Really? But I was clearly in front of the teacher."

"That's because you're taking things too seriously. You're already thinking about exams and competitions before you've even played, putting unnecessary pressure on yourself. Naturally, your performance will be distorted. And this time, I don't think it was any extraordinary performance of yours; it was just your normal level."

"is that so."

Lin Jiang didn't know the reasoning behind it, but she just felt that these words were very convincing coming from Gu Huai's mouth.

Gu Huai smiled broadly, "So, have confidence in yourself. It's not that you haven't improved, or that your skill level is low; you've just been affected by external factors. As long as you can maintain your good condition and normal level, you won't have any problems with either the competition or the exam."

Looking at the other person's smile, Lin Jiang thought of something.

She suddenly opened her eyes wide and looked at Gu Huai.

"Could it be because Brother Gu Huai is in front of me that I'm able to maintain this state?"

"what?"

Gu Huai was taken aback. Really? He didn't remember having such a function. Didn't he just say he was nervous?
"It must be like this!"

Lin Jiang, however, seemed quite certain.

Gu Huai felt that this didn't make much sense, but if it could help the other party and provide positive psychological suggestions, it seemed like a solution.

He simply nodded in a perfunctory manner, "Perhaps my encouragement had an effect."

"Could I ask Brother Gu Huai for a favor? Just a small thing, just once."

She clasped her hands together, then bound her long, slender, white index fingers together, her eyes pleading, like a cat that couldn't find its home.

Given this attitude, let alone a small matter, what's wrong with giving you a chance?
"whats the matter?"

Gu Huai asked.

She said softly, "The teacher asked me to participate in the school anniversary performance next week. I was a little scared and nervous, but I think if you were here, everything would be fine."

Gu Huai frowned and thought for a moment.

When is the school anniversary celebration next week?

Jicheng No. 1 High School does have a school anniversary performance, but it seems to have nothing to do with regular students. It's mostly city leaders who go to the auditorium to watch, and then the art students participate in the performances. As for the regular students, they just stay in the classroom and attend classes.

"It seems to be Monday."

"It seems like Monday is the class placement exam."

Gu Huai remembered.

"Is that not possible? I'm sorry, but if there's no other way, then forget it. The placement exam is very important."

The girl lowered her head slightly, a sense of disappointment creeping over her.

The next moment, however, he felt a warm, generous palm appear on his head.

She looked up blankly and saw the boy looking down at her.

Her smile remained as warm as ever, like the sun that never sets.

"Who says it can't be done? Don't worry, we'll see."

"Really?"

She could hardly believe that he would be so accommodating to her. Even her own parents rarely indulged her, but he seemed to do everything for her.
Gu Huai nodded and let go of his hand.

"Of course, why would I lie to you?"

He truly couldn't deceive the current young girl, Lin Jiang, and as for the Lin Jiang of the future... well, he simply couldn't fool her at all!
……

(End of this chapter)