Chapter 164: Chapter 164: Xiao Zhuo’s Thoughts, A Trip to the Black Market

Zhong Luoning used her music to tell the story of her emotional journey during this period—she conveyed all her hardships, yet it was as if she hadn’t said anything at all. That’s the magic of music.

Gu Qinghuan, Ming Ruxue, Gu Lanting, and Xiao Zhuo—the four adults—were all stunned by her performance. Each of them heard something different in the music.

When the last note faded, a single tear slid down from the corner of Zhong Luoning’s eye.

She finally understood something her teacher had told her years ago:

A top-level piece isn’t just about playing the notes; what matters more is the performer’s understanding of the music.

Many piano masters use music to interpret their own lives.

Experience and depth matter more than technique.

Gu Qinghuan was the first to start applauding. Just now, she’d felt as if she were in a concert hall, with the whole world reduced to just Zhong Luoning and the piano.

The others soon joined in, even the three children clapping enthusiastically.

They didn’t really understand music, but they could feel the adults’ excitement.

Zhong Luoning’s piece planted a small seed in their hearts.

Dabao and Beibei had never seen a piano before, but that didn’t stop them from yearning for all things beautiful.

The wonderful music brought them more than just a shock to the soul—it made them feel the gulf between social classes.

Before, their world was limited to Xujia Village. Later, they saw a wider world.

If they’d stayed in Xujia Village their whole lives, they might never have even seen what a piano looked like.

Suddenly, Dabao understood many things his mother had said.

Some people spend their whole lives yearning for Rome, while others are born there.

“Luoning-jie, you’re amazing! This solo is on par with the piano masters I’ve heard abroad. Don’t forget to keep chasing your piano dream—maybe one day I’ll have a piano master for an older sister!” Ming Ruxue praised her in just the right way, making people happy without sounding insincere.

That was exactly what Gu Qinghuan wanted to say: if you have a dream, you should stick to it.

Gu Lanting nodded as well. His older sisters were all so outstanding that he felt a bit useless by comparison—he had to work harder.

“There’s a note that needs tuning. I’ll fix it in a bit,” Xiao Zhuo said lightly, as if nothing had happened.

But only he knew how shaken he was inside.

Having grown up abroad, he was no stranger to the piano. Few performances could truly impress him, but Zhong Luoning’s technique and interpretation were both spot on—she played with her own unique feeling.

His heart was pounding, his gaze following Zhong Luoning’s figure. A thought was about to burst forth.

When did he start paying attention to her? Maybe it was recently, or maybe even earlier.

Actually, they’d been seeing each other weekly for the past two years. Xiao Zhuo had never imagined he’d fall for a divorced woman with a child. Not only did he not mind, he even felt deeply for her and wanted to help her out of her difficulties as much as possible.

Lately, he’d noticed he was acting strangely. Normally, he didn’t meddle in other people’s business, but when it came to her, he couldn’t help but worry.

He always found himself paying attention to her, and even though he wasn’t physically strong, he’d rush in to protect her without a second thought, wanting to help her out of her emotional lows.

As soon as he heard Gu Qinghuan wanted to buy a piano, he chipped in with his own money.

Because he knew Zhong Luoning had learned piano since she was a child and used to be a piano teacher. In this family, she was the only one who really needed the piano.

Music is the best comfort for the soul. He hoped this piano could dispel the shadows in her heart and help her recover quickly.

No matter what the future held for them, he just wanted her to be happy. That was his original intention.

Zhong Luoning hadn’t expected Xiao Zhuo to understand piano so well, or to pick up on the off note. She instantly felt a sense of kinship.

“You’re right, there’s a note that’s a bit off. Thank you, Dr. Xiao.” She gave a shy smile, like a cool, elegant lily.

“No problem.”

Gu Qinghuan glanced back and forth between Xiao Zhuo and Zhong Luoning, feeling like something was off, but she couldn’t put her finger on it.

Mainly, she’d never dared to think in that direction. Xiao Zhuo was a golden bachelor—handsome, rich, and talented. What kind of woman couldn’t he find?

Sure, her cousin was great too, but she’d just gotten divorced and had a kid. There was no way the two of them could have anything to do with each other.

Xiao Zhuo helped check the piano, tuned all the notes, and soon it was time for dinner.

Of course, Gu Qinghuan insisted on everyone staying for a meal.

When Xiao Fengying saw her son still hadn’t come home, she came straight to the Gu house and ended up joining them for dinner. She had to admit, other people’s food really was delicious, and after eating, she felt refreshed and energized.

Maybe that’s the benefit of eating at someone else’s place?

Gu Qinghuan was a great cook, generous with ingredients, and she had the bonus of spiritual spring water.

Most importantly, with so many people, the meals were lively and there were never any leftovers.

As for Fang Zhengping, he was still in the early stages of recovery. Gu Qinghuan had quietly given him medicine and spiritual spring water several times, and with Ou Sumei’s company and a brand new life, his condition had clearly improved.

Gu Qinghuan suggested he see Xiao Zhuo for psychological counseling every week, and she also secretly sent them lots of vegetables and fruit from her space.

Ou Sumei thought they were harvested from the villa’s garden, and even said she wanted to plant her own patch someday—homegrown produce just tasted better, and she felt more energetic after eating it.

Gu Qinghuan could only smile wryly. These were from her space—no comparison to ordinary vegetables.

But for wealthy ladies of their age, spending their days tending gardens and flowerbeds was good for their health and cultivated their minds.

So she shared some of her space’s vegetable seeds with Ou Sumei.

Not just Ou Sumei—Xiao Fengying also enjoyed the feeling of growing and eating her own food. She asked for some seeds too, planning to plant them next year.

Last time, when they’d harvested the garden together, it had been tiring, but the food tasted especially sweet.

Gu Qinghuan couldn’t help but laugh. She grew vegetables for health reasons, because she couldn’t buy what she wanted. These two were just rich people looking for something to do.

No wonder people often say that, when Chinese people get rich enough, they just want to farm better.

Many wealthy people, after achieving financial freedom, retreat to the countryside, spending their leisure time gardening and growing flowers, enjoying themselves immensely.

Since that day, Xia Lian had mobilized her whole family to help her make pastries.

She delivered them almost every other day—two batches already, over three hundred jin in total. She’d also taken a lot of grain from Gu Qinghuan to process more.

This was the one time of year they could make a big profit—no one thought it was too much.

Gu Qinghuan welcomed it all, putting the goods on the shelves as soon as they arrived. They sold out in seconds every time.

Because she provided the ingredients herself, and food from the future was cheaper and better quality, she made a few hundred yuan in profit.

Xia Lian also made three hundred yuan. They settled up after each delivery—no risk, easy money. She was full of energy, making pastries with guaranteed quality, sleeping only five hours a night, all to earn more.

It was a win-win for both families.

Gu Qinghuan also wanted to take advantage of the upcoming New Year to sell some things from her space and make some extra money for the holidays—after all, who ever thinks they have too much money?

Before, with so many people at home, plus a patient to care for, she’d been too busy to go out.

Now, with Lanting and Ruxue on break and someone at home to help, and with Zhong Luoning’s health improving, Gu Qinghuan could finally go out.

She’d already found out where the biggest black market nearby was.

She planned to sell a batch of watches, bicycles, radios, and other hot commodities.

The profit margin on grain was too small—she’d have to sell a huge amount to make any money, and it would draw too much attention.

She disguised herself in her space, dressing up as a middle-aged woman. Once she was sure even her own mother wouldn’t recognize her, she headed to the black market, paid a dime for “admission,” and went in.

It was a dark alley. In the dead of winter, many people huddled in corners, keeping warm while selling their goods.

Whether sellers or buyers, everyone had their heads and faces wrapped in big scarves—without exception.

Gu Qinghuan found a corner, squatted down, and clutched her basket tightly, watching the people passing by.

In her basket were three Meihua-brand watches. She planned to use the same trick as before—using the watches to lure in big buyers. After all, she couldn’t find a more profitable business.

Thanks to the advanced manufacturing of the future.

Three Meihua watches, costing her thirty yuan each. She planned to sell them for two hundred apiece and see how many she could move today.

She focused on people who looked well-off—those were the ones who could afford to buy.

“Brother, want a watch?” she whispered to a middle-aged man in a Zhongshan suit as he walked by.

He glanced at her, shook his head, and left.

She tried a few more times, but no one wanted to buy a watch.

Gu Qinghuan started to worry—was she going to have zero sales today?

Just then, a swaggering man walked over. He wasn’t wearing a scarf, just a Lei Feng hat, his face in full view, glancing around as if nothing here interested him.

Gu Qinghuan instinctively felt this man was no ordinary person. She quickly stood up and approached him. “Sir, want a watch? Brand new Meihua, no ration coupons needed.”

This man was Niu Zhuang, a henchman of the black market boss. He usually patrolled the market, kept order, and made a little extra on the side.

He might look sloppy, but he was actually quite capable, and everyone was afraid of him.

“Oh, Meihua? You sure?” Niu Zhuang’s interest was piqued—this was good stuff.

“Guaranteed genuine. You can check it first.” Gu Qinghuan was worried he wouldn’t be interested—interest was good.

“How much?”

Gu Qinghuan leaned in and whispered, “Two hundred each.”

Niu Zhuang knew the market.

A brand new Meihua watch cost over three hundred, plus ration coupons. If these were really new and only two hundred without coupons, it was a steal.

Whether he kept it or resold it, there was money to be made. He was instantly interested.

“Come with me!” Niu Zhuang swaggered off ahead.

Gu Qinghuan felt a bit nervous—she didn’t know where he was taking her.

Seeing her hesitate, Niu Zhuang gave her a look of disdain. “Ask around the market—when has Master Niu ever cheated anyone? This is a black market, but we do honest business here, no scams.”

With those words, Gu Qinghuan felt reassured and quickly followed with her basket.

Niu Zhuang led her through several twists and turns in the alley, finally arriving at a small courtyard.

“This is my temporary place. It’s safe. Take out the watches and let me see.” Niu Zhuang plopped down on a stone bench.

He wanted to inspect the goods.

Gu Qinghuan wasn’t afraid—she had her space, so she wasn’t worried about being cheated.

She calmly sat across from him and took out a box from her basket, handing it over."