Chapter Three: Do Not Listen a Third Time

"I understand your warning. Why three?" She wrote: THE FIRST TIME, THE PIANO HEARS YOU. THE SECOND, YOU HEAR THE PIANO. THE THIRD, THE PIANO BECOMES YOU. Then: IT WANTS ME. Before Shen Yan could ask more, applause sounded at the door. Gu Chengjun leaned against the frame, smiling easily. "In six months, this is the most Little Star has written for any tutor. Mr. Shen is worth his fee." Xingyao tore out the page. Chengjun left a box of new strings. When he bent to kiss his daughter's forehead, Xingyao did not pull away, but closed her eyes tightly. An embroidered silver nightingale adorned his cuff—the same design as the badge. "Have you seen a badge like this?" Shen Yan sketched thirteen grooves.