Chapter Text
Independent and stoic. That's how the world sees Fan Wujiu, the pianist, as. He learn how to play the grand instrument since a young age. Learn from the best tutors and entered the most prestigious competitions. Name one of it, and his name will be surely in the participant list, if not the winner itself.
He was popular among other musicians, especially to those who are familiar to the grand instrument itself. A tough competitor, a cold maestro, and a pianist who always do solos. He never joined any orchestras or be in a duoor such. He plays alone. For him, by him and everything just for himself.
That is, until he received a rather odd request.
"Are you serious?" Wujiu slammed the letter to his desk, glaring at the person who bought it here. The one who is at the receiving end just nod. Crossing their arms as they tilt their head, letting the soft white locks fell on his shoulder.
"You have to take this opportunity, Wujiu..." Joseph sighed as he slumped his back to the chair, eyeing on Wujiu as he do. "You can't just say no to this. They're desperate. Doing something other than solo won't hurt-"
"And you know what my answer will be more than anyone else, Joseph" he groans as he tapped the desk a few times, frustrated. "I don't tutor. I don't do duos, groups, or such. I only do solos. And I'll only do it even if it's the last thing I ever do"
Joseph scrunched his eyebrows, already aware of his friend's reaction. His gaze fell to the letter that has been rejected on the desk. He takes the letter and reads it. "It'll only last for a few months, Wujiu. Who knows? Maybe this opportunity will open your eyes that anything other than solos, aren't such a bad thing''
"I told you. I'm not going to do it" he scowls. "They'll probably run with their tails between their legs once they knew they're not suitable to be a musician. And even if I did accept this... Absurd request, I bet they'll leave right after our first training" Wujiu sighed in a heavy tone. Not wanting to even look at the letter.
Joseph knew Wujiu way more than anyone else in this industry. Wujiu refused to work in teams, or even a pair of two. He's independent and live with his motto of will never participate in anything other than solos. Joseph knew that. He knew how high his prideis and he definitely knew his reactions upon opening the letter. Joseph sighs as he tried to negotiate to him, hoping that this being will able try to do something else than solos, and at least accept this small request to be paired with a fellow musician.
"Wujiu. Please, at least consider it!! You're just going to tutor whoever your client is for a few months and perform in a stage with them afterwards! Done! You don't need to do anything else after that!"
Wujiu scowled at his statement. Wujiu is a man of his words. Once he said he will NEVER do anything other than solos due to his own reasonings, then he will NEVER do anything than solos. He eyes Joseph with a glare.
Joseph sighs in desperation. "It'll be a good exposure for you too! They've reserved the Grand Hall for this, with tons of people being there to listen and watch you! Consider this as a new step towards fame, or at least consider this as a challenge! You can't always do whatever you want, Wujiu... Sometimes you need to break out of your shell and try new things!"
Wujiu didn't even budge at the statement. If he doesn't want to do it, then he won't do it at all.
Joseph stopped for a second. He looks at Wujiu, trying to at least make him consider the offer, when an idea struck his mind. He puts on a coy smile as he trots away from the desk. "Well, then I should turn down this offer and say that The Great Fan Wujiu is too scared to accept it~"
One second... Two seconds... Three seconds...
"What?"
And the fish has caught the bait.
Joseph grins as he turns around, plastering up a fake concerned voice. "Well, if you don't want to accept a small request like this... Then that means you're afraid to know that whoever this musician is, they might be even better than you" Oh. How he loved to see that flustered and annoyed face his friend is making. As long as he pulled the right strings and pushed the right buttons, he'll surely be able to make Wujiu accept this request.
On the other hand, Wujiu is fuming. "I'm not afraid!! How dare you assume that I'm afraid of a mere amateur!"
Joseph grins and puts up a cocky smile, teasing the fuming pianist behind his desk. "Then why don't you accept it? Surely there's a reason for it. And I bet it's because you're scared--"
"I'LL SHOW YOU WHO WILL BE SCARED!!" Wujiu slams his fist on the desk, eyes glaring in anger at those bluebell eyes. The owner of those eyes giggles, happy that his plan is working.
"Then I challenge you to accept the request, if you're not scared that is~"
"FINE!!! I'LL ACCEPT IT!!"
"Good!" Joseph pushed the letter to Wujiu's chestng giddily as he trots away out from the room. "You'll start tomorrow at 3 pm! Don't be late!"
And he left the room without saying anything afterwards. Leaving a stunned Fan Wujiu inside.
".... wait--.. OI! JOSEPH! YOU FUCKING---" He grunts in frustration, holding his head as he stares at the letter that has been forgotten for a minute. He half-heartedly took it and read it once more.
These few months will surely be a tough one for him
Wujiu isn't the type to wait for long. It waste his time that he should be using for practicing. And here he was. Waiting for his client to come in the Grand Hall, who is late for at least half an hour, but for him? It feels like an eternity.
He grunts as he opens his letter again before throwing it aside. Sitting down on the chair in front of his beloved piano. If he's going to wait for God knows how long, he better be practicing and not waste his time. His hand skimmed over the pages as he searched for a particular piece, and steadily positioned himself in his spot.
Fingers started dancing on the tiles of black and white as music echoes beautifully through the hall. Moonlight Sonata. A simple piece yet always have a place in his heart. He close his eyes as he sunk deep into the music, letting his hands dance around, while occasionally bobbing his head.
Clap clap clap
He stopped and turned his head, to see Joseph was standing there with a smile. With a stranger behind his back, holding a violin case, hugging it ever so closely, as if it will soon be broken if they let it go. Wujiu can't help but notice how... Different, the stranger looks.
They have a soft, long platinum white hair tied into a high ponytail. Their skin is pale, way more pale than Joseph's. Their eyes are a tint of purple and pink, much like a bright galaxy in the middle of the summer night. They look like they're the same age of him, if not younger.
Albino? His hair is not platinum blonde like Joseph's... It's like he just emerged from a fucking snow storm... And that's such a rare eyecolor... He thought. Looking at the stranger before his eyes darts to the violin case.
Great...
"I'm so sorry for the lateness. But our-- I mean, your little client had some difficulties and also got lost on the way here" Joseph chuckles as he walks towards him, with the stranger behind his back. They followed him as their eyes roams around the hall, mouth agape in awe. Joseph pats his back and smiles
"This is Xie Bi'An, a violinist. He was scheduled to do his first performance in this hall in the next few months. You'll be tutoring him how to play TOGETHER with a pianist" Joseph intendly emphasize the word Together. Making sure Wujiu listens it. The receiver rolls their eyes and hissed.
Xie Bi'An was in his own world, his eyes kept darting away from them as he admires the hall. Like a little kid in a candy shop. It last a few seconds until Joseph have to elbow them, making him startle. He immediately bows down in a nervous matter.
"X-Xie Bi'An... Violinist... Please guide me as your partner!" Wujiu can literally see the nervousness in his face. His voice was small, squeaking at some point. But Wujiu also realize that he has a calm and soothing tone, if he's not talking in a rush as if he's going to get mauled by a fucking train. Wujiu looks at him closely. He stands up and approaches him, wondering.
"Look at me" Bi'An squeaked. He gained his courage to look up at him, only to be caught in a deep yellow orbs staring back at him. He feels like he's drowning in a pool of sunset, until the owner of those orbs spokes in a cold and harsh tone. "So you're the one who sent the letter?"
Surprised. Bi'An shakes his head as he stutters "N-no... My parents are... I-i just followed what they wanted me to do..." He squirms underneath the cold glare Wujiu is giving him. Not noticing the one he's talking to walks back to his seat and talks to Joseph.
"I'm not tutoring him"
"What?! But you already agreed! And he's already here! You can't just cancel it right away!" Joseph whispers, glaring at Wujiu.
"He plays for his parents. I don't see the passion in his eyes" he grunts as a reply."And even if he has a passion in music, his parents are the one who chose me as his partner. Not him. So what's the point to be a partner with someone you didn't choose to be with?"
Joseph was about to protest when Wujiu stands up. "What? I'm right."
"... Fine! Maybe you are! But what about try to... I don't know, listen to that kid playing??? Maybe you'll see his passion when he plays!" Joseph was tired. Being Wujiu's manager is already annoying. And all he want now is a good rest for once, without having to bicker with a stubborn pianist. Wujiu looks at Joseph for awhile before sighing in defeat.
"Oi, Xie!" Bi'An jumped. Surprised and unwary. He looks at Wujiu and walks towards him, still mumbling and all "Y-yes... Sir?"
"Play something for me" Wujiu crossed his arms and leans to his beloved piano with a cold stare, chin slightly tilted up as he assert his dominance towards his soon-to-be apprentice and partner. Bi'An squeaked. He hurriedly put his violin case down and pulls out a brown violin.
He place it onto his shoulder and took his bow. With a few deep breaths, he slowly move his bow. Closing his eyes as he start to play Gavotte.
Joseph hums softly along with the tune, while Wujiu stay still, eyes watching the violinist like a hawk. Watching his gesture and his hand movements as he listen to the piece. Then he raise his left hand to his eye level and shouted "Stop"
Bi'An immediately stopped, confused. He was scared and taken aback by the other's action. Did he slipped? Did he go off key? Should he repeat the same bar or start it all over? Wujiu looks at him and sighed.
"Raw. I heard a small slip up. You need more training. A whole lotta training" He walked passed the violinist and glanced at him. "Tomorrow, 10 am. I want you to be here. I want to see if you really want this performance"
Wujiu storms off, leaving the violinist surprised. Bi'An slumped his shoulders and puts down his instrument to it's case. Joseph approaches him and gave him a pat on the back.
"I apologise for his behalf... He's always like that... I hope you won't change your mind about him being your partner, Xie..."
Bi'An looks at Joseph and nods half-heartedly. He won't change his partner. He simply can't. He looks at Wujiu's fading back and sighs.
These few months will surely be tough for him.