Chapter 18: Seeking a Kindred Spirit Amidst Mountains and Streams

“Son-in-law, join in the fun with them, don’t be so restrained.” With those words, the old lady cut off Lu Jin’s path of retreat.

Beside him, Shen Yanxi looked at Lu Jin with some concern. He'd lost his memory—what talent could he possibly display? But then she recalled the poetry he’d just composed, and for a moment, she was at a loss.

Lu Jin glanced around and saw many people waiting expectantly for his answer.

The situation had come to this—there was no way out. Even if he left the Shen household, he couldn’t afford to be underestimated. Especially now, when everyone was putting on a show of harmony; was it really necessary to stand out? Many simpletons fail to grasp even this.

And being bested by Pei Yunrui was something he could not tolerate!

Performing was no problem for Lu Jin. He was this kind of person—knowing a little of everything, but mastering nothing. As for whether it would be good or not, he didn’t much care.

This was all thanks to his father in his previous life, who forced him from childhood to study this and that. But talent, in the end, was limited. That’s why Lu Jin always called himself an average man, and so it was.

He wondered how his parents were doing now, and whether another version of himself was living happily in that other world.

Suppressing these chaotic thoughts, Lu Jin walked calmly into the center of the hall.

He sat before the guqin and casually plucked a few strings. The scattered notes fell like broken pearls onto the silent hall.

He was once again grateful for the scattered but shallow skills from his past life—otherwise, Pei Yunrui would have triumphed today.

The members of the Shen family seated around him all watched intently, curious to see what sort of son-in-law he really was.

Lu Jin ran his fingers above the strings in a mock performance, finally gaining some confidence. Everyone was bewildered by this strange behavior, wondering what he was about to do.

After running through the piece in his mind, Lu Jin closed his eyes, calming his heart and seeking a state of serene detachment.

Everyone waited for a long time, growing restless. After all, he’d played air-strings and now sat in deep meditation—Shen Yanxi never made such a display.

But just as their patience wore thin, Lu Jin opened his eyes and placed his fingers on the strings.

At last, the son-in-law would begin!

With a gentle pluck, the notes flowed from his fingertips like a mountain spring—clear and lingering—ushering in the prelude to “High Mountains and Flowing Water.”

The melody danced across a wide range, weaving real and illusory notes together, evoking mist-wreathed peaks, sometimes visible, sometimes veiled—an ethereal atmosphere.

Gradually, the music deepened: streams tinkled among cold, secluded valleys; rivulets sang at the roots of ancient pines.

The lyrical melody flowed like drifting clouds and running water, elegant and transcendent. The guqin’s serene notes soon transported everyone to a land of layered mountains and flowing rivers, the tranquility and harmony vivid before their eyes.

The tune surged from Lu Jin’s fingers, rising and falling like a mountain brook—at times fierce and torrential, conjuring the image of a dragon’s furious roar.

Those present, moments ago so detached, felt as if they were in a boat braving the perilous Wu Gorge, their spirits swept away by the grandeur of mountains racing by and valleys contending with torrents.

The music rose, shimmering harmonics tumbling down, then climbing up again, the sound gradually softening, as if the boat had passed through danger and now drifted on tranquil waters. At times, the lingering ripples struck rocks; at others, they swirled into gentle eddies.

The listeners seemed to journey with the music from rapids and perilous shallows to a placid lake, their hearts settling into serene peace.

As the piece drew to a close, the sound of flowing water returned, echoing in the hall—a lingering resonance that enchanted all.

“Phew—” Though there were stumbles, he managed to finish the piece. Even with its imperfections, the fame of a classic melody was enough to make up for them.

…

“My grandson-in-law’s playing is no less than Xi’er’s,” the old lady remarked, deeply moved. “As I’ve always said, my grandson-in-law is the right match for our Shen family…”

“Grandmother flatters me,” Lu Jin replied with a smile. “I haven’t played in a long time—my fingers are rusty, so the performance was a bit rough.”

“Though a bit unpolished, the flaws do not obscure the brilliance. It is still an excellent piece, full of gentlemanly grace!” The old lady praised him enthusiastically.

Shen Yanxi gazed at Lu Jin, her eyes aglow with amazement. This husband of hers was full of surprises—not only could he compose fine poetry, but he could also play such a tune.

Shen Hao looked at Lu Jin, surprised. In his mind, Lu Jin was nothing but a sycophant. He hadn’t expected him to possess such a serene disposition. Still, that was the extent of it—people rarely remain of one mind and soul, so it wasn’t too surprising.

Lu Jin glanced over to see his mother-in-law looking at him in surprise as well. But when their eyes met, Zhou Manyun seemed to feel she’d been too generous, and glared at him.

Lu Jin: “…”

After this performance, everyone’s reaction to him had clearly changed. If before they’d seen him as just another man, now they regarded him with new respect. Possessing such skill and bearing, he must have some merit.

Lu Jin’s own ability was mediocre at best; what enraptured everyone was the atmosphere he had deliberately crafted around this piece.

“Brother-in-law, I’ve never heard that tune before. Is it by some great master?” This time, it was his eldest sister-in-law who spoke.

“Sister flatters me. I’m no great musician. I saw everyone displaying their talents and didn’t want to dampen the mood.”

“It’s nothing but feelings from the past: ‘High mountains strummed with a lone melody, flowing waters hear my heart. Where in the world can a soulmate be found? Few in this life truly understand.’”

These words struck a chord. In essence, people are lonely in thought—finding a kindred spirit is rare.

Shen Yanxi looked at him in shock. Hadn’t he said he’d lost his memory? Where, then, did these past sentiments come from? Was he deceiving her? With that thought, she shot Lu Jin a glare.

Lu Jin was baffled. What was wrong with these two? Why did both mother and daughter glare at him? Did they think their eyes were special?

“You mean you composed this piece yourself, just now?” Pei Yunrui was stunned, his eyes wide as saucers.

“I’m afraid I’ve made cousin laugh!” Lu Jin replied with a smile, thinking, did you believe I couldn’t see through your little schemes?

Lu Jin felt no qualms about being a cultural “transporter,” and had no intention of pretending otherwise.

With no memory and no golden finger, how else was he to survive if not by bringing over some things from before? Besides, this was another world—how could he let the masterpieces of history go to waste?

As for attributing the works to himself, he had his own thoughts. What did it matter if he claimed the works of A Bing or Li Bai? No one here would know. Beyond self-deception, there was no harm.

And if things didn’t fit together, so be it—he already had enough pitfalls to deal with.

Nonetheless, his admiration for those geniuses was undiminished. In a way, transporting their works was both homage and legacy.

“Brother-in-law, to improvise a piece in such a short time—what remarkable talent!” Shen Yanyun exclaimed, amazed.

Shen Yanxi, too, was astonished by the music. Yet, given his dubious story, she didn’t believe he’d just composed it on the spot. Still, his musical talent was undeniable. Was this truly the husband she’d brought home?

“This tune you just composed doesn’t have a name yet, does it?” Pei Yunrui asked, showing his peculiar interest in titles.

“Cousin, I actually mentioned the name earlier: ‘High Mountains and Flowing Water,’” Lu Jin replied.

Pei Yunrui was momentarily speechless.

Wasn’t this your first time playing it? And it already had a name?

“Husband, the name is perfect! Melodies flow from your fingertips, and high mountains and flowing water await a soulmate. The world is cold and human feelings thin—before the song ends, who will truly understand your heart?”

Lu Jin glanced at Shen Yanxi in surprise. This fake wife of his—she was quite something!