1314: A Thousand Peonies Bloom
Pentatonic

The day we were waiting for has arrived. It's a day that's going to be pretty tough. If I'm not careful, my life can drift. The past is really terrible, right? Inner Shuwan was on his way to Liu's residence.

“You be careful, Shuwan. We will stay close to you,” Jiao said as she patted Shuwan on the shoulder.

Shuwan grabs Jiao's hand, “Of course. I have to stay alive,” Shuwan replied.

The feet continued to step down the single path that was there. Unknowingly they had already reached Liu's residence. As usual, Liu Han Ji was already waiting for Shuwan's arrival.

The two of them entered the study room and started the material.

“Guzheng we use today has 21 strings. The tone is sorted from bottom to top. The bottom string represents the lowest note, and the top string represents the highest note. How to play it is not as difficult as playing Guqin. Plucking the jaw is enough to use the thumb, index finger, and also the middle finger,” said Shuwan.

Shuwan immediately practiced it in front of Han Ji. However, Han Ji did not pay attention to his teaching and instead focused on looking at Shuwan's face. Shuwan noticed it, and he deliberately plucked his chest hard to warn Han Ji.

“If you can't focus, how will you understand?” shuwan asked firmly.

Han Ji so excited, “A-ah... Sorry,” his face down in shame.

Without further ado, Shuwan continued his explanation, “In addition to noticing how to pluck his jaw, Guzheng players should also pay attention to the beat of the song being played. Do not make the impression of hurry in the ears of the listener. Body position also affects the game, for that, when playing Guzheng your body must remain upright.”

Han Ji recorded the key points Shuwan had delivered back then. “Till here do you understand?” ask Shuwan.

Han Ji nodded, “I understand,” she replied.

“Then we just practice it. I'll teach you,” Shuwan got up from his seat. He then taught Han Ji from his sitting attitude, to how to pluck his jaw.

After lasting long enough, “Haish.. It turns out that this is exhausting. My fingers also hurt,” Han Ji lamented.

Shuwan. “In this world, no best results are obtained instantly. Even if there is, it certainly will not last long,” said Shuwan sage.

“Alright, I will try even harder,” Han Ji responded.

“Then we will begin to learn to understand the tones that exist in Guzheng. In short, Guzheng has a pentatonic tone consisting of Do, Re, Mi, Sol, and La tones. I'll show it to you, then watch,” pinta Shuwan on Han Ji.

Shuwan was willing to show off his skills in playing Guzheng. His fingers were so flick picking strings that reflected the pentatonic tones as he meant them.

When finished exemplifying, Shuwan again asked Han Ji to repeat it, “Now it is your turn to follow him, we will learn step by step. No need to rush,” Shuwan said gently.

Han Ji followed the movements of Shuwan's fingers. But he kept making mistakes. Shuwan approached him and taught him slowly.

My heart is beating fast. What am I supposed to do? My face looks like a tomato now. Inner Han Ji was nervous because Shuwan was approaching him.

Shuwan also noticed Han Ji's reddened face. “Do you have a fever? Why is your face so red?” Shuevans looked at him closely.

“Eh.. N-not like that. I-I just feel the air is a little hot. So my face flushed red,” Han Ji replied. Stupidhead! What did I just say? Will Shu’er believe it? His mind screamed after he said what he thought was stupid.

In his heart, Shuwan chuckled at Han Ji's misbehavior. I can't believe that this boy is actually so innocent, hehe... “Do I need to open a window?” Shuwan.

“Haha.. May also,” short Han Ji.

Shuwan immediately opened the window in the room, Han Ji remained seated watching Shuwan open the window for him. Huft...Good thing Shu’er didn't suspect me.

After opening the window, Shuwan immediately returned to sit beside Han Ji, and noticed him playing with a pentatonic random tone. Seeing him so hollow when playing Guzheng, Shuwan gave a lesson.

“Han Ji, playing music is not only a matter of precision in playing the notes, but also how you can present the soul in the melody you play,” Shuwan said.

“It's quite difficult. Moreover, I am blind and insensitive to music,” Han Ji expressed his difficulty.

“It's all just a matter of time, Han Ji. If you are diligent in training, then you will get used to it and can master the game,” Shuwan tries to encourage Han Ji. “I'm sure, you can definitely master it, Han Ji,”.

Han Ji looked at Shuwan who was sitting next to him, then he smiled gently at Shuwan.

Looking at his gaze, he was actually just an innocent child. But maybe because of his association he became like a delinquent. Inner Shuwan judged Han Ji.

Shuwan trains Han Ji until sunset on the western horizon. Zhang, Yu Hao, and also Jiao who was standing guard outside were getting bored.

“Hoam...” Yu Hao yawned. “It's very boring. When will Shuwan finish teaching the lick?” chirping Yu Hao.

“Sst.. Keep your voice. We're still at Liu's residence. What if someone hears it?” Jiao warned.

Yu Hao underestimated her, “Alright... Alright... You're sometimes so chatty huh?” yu Hao half teased Jiao.

Jiao just turned her eyeballs around and threw away her gaze.

Zhang was just daydreaming, and trying to eavesdrop on what Shuwan was talking about in the study.

“Day is dark, we should end the learning today,” Shuwan close the material.

Han Ji immediately approached Shuwan, “As per my promise, I want to invite you to drink as my apology to you,” Han Ji said sincerely.

He asked the waiter to take his wine and glass. Not long after, the maid returned with a tray with an urn filled with wine, and placed it on the table where her master was.

Silence struck Shuwan and Han Ji in the room, until Han Ji started pouring wine in his glass and Shuwan's glass.

“Actually, I just wanted to share a story with you,” Han Ji said starting the conversation.

“What story?” Shuwan. Is he going to say something about the rebellion?

“Of course the story about me,” Han Ji immediately gulped down the wine in his glass and returned to pour from the urn.

I thought he was going to talk about the rebellion, but he was talking about himself instead. Hem.. All right, I'll follow the flow. Inner Shuwan was a little disappointed.

“I am the eldest son of this family. Since childhood I was educated so hard to be a mainstay of the family. At least I made a mistake, Dad punished me. Over time I couldn't stand it. Because of this too, I often skip school time,” Han Ji again sipped his wine. His hand again grabbed the urn and poured the contents into the glass.

“Everything made my teachers angry, and reported it to dad. Do you know what Dad did to me? He scolded me, whipped me, and locked me in a barn. I cried so hard there, but still no one came,” Han Ji said with a sad face. His right hand clasped tightly to the cup containing wine. After trying to calm down, he again downed his wine.

Shuwan who was sitting opposite him just kept quiet and continued to listen to Han Ji tell a story. Every now and then his gaze fell towards the wine glass he was holding.

“Until I finally had a sister. When he was born, both of my parents were very happy. All attention was paid to him. I realized that I was a wasted child. Hence, I was expecting nothing. The important thing is that I can stay alive and have fun,” Han Ji again explained.

“Then, do you feel happy living a life like this?” Shuwan asked.

Han Ji smiled cynically, “Happy? Heh.. From what angle am I happy? The person who sees me may think I am very happy. Be given a lot of money, and keep going for fun. But it's all just a mask. In my true heart, it feels completely hollow.” Han Ji's eyes looked teary after saying so.

This boy looks so depressed and lonely. He should be a bad boy. His own parents gave him less affection, until finally, he did various ways just to get attention from them. Inner Shuwan iba.

“I envy my dear sister. But what can I do, I am still me. No matter how well I show myself, my parents are no longer looking at me. So, I chose to let go, and just do something that kept me happy. But now it's different, there's you accompanying me, so I don't feel alone anymore,” Han Ji added.

Shuwan kept watching Han Ji tell stories. His eyes were also fixed on Han Ji who was constantly pouring wine into his glass, and drinking it a mouthful after a mouthful. Until he started getting drunk.

“I may not be able to give you the best way out, but, I can be a loyal listener for you,” Shuwan said trying to calm down.

Han Ji grabbed Shuwan's hand holding a wine glass, “Thank you, that's enough for me,”.

Shuwan who was feeling uneasy, slowly pulled his hand from Han Ji's grasp.

It still seems to take a while to direct him to the conversation I want. I have to be patient a little more. Shuwan thought amidst the awkwardness that was going on between the two of them.

Shuwan's eyes then looked towards the door where his three friends were waiting for him there. They must be worried because I'm not out of here yet. Zhang, Yu Hao, Jiao, be patient in a moment.