Holy Joy

Volume Three

Title: Chapter 32: Holy Joy

Through the bright stage lights, the “beautiful” violinist appeared bathed in a captivating glow.

Aside from the mosaic-like mist obscuring her face, her black evening gown, though not overtly revealing, accentuated her perfect curves with exquisite precision. Yet, even the slimming effect of black could not diminish the majestic peaks that rose from her chest.

As she slowly raised her violin, it seemed not to rest between her collarbone and jaw, but rather directly upon those towering heights.

‘It felt as though one could genuinely balance bubble tea on her chest—at least two cups!’

‘However, this overwhelming presence felt somewhat familiar…’

Ewan stroked his chin, instinctively falling into thought.

But he quickly cast such thoughts from his mind.

To identify someone by their chest was preposterous, no matter how he looked at it. He wasn’t the protagonist of some erotic game, endowed with such an extraordinary ability.

Moreover, the performance was about to begin.

****

The “beautiful” violinist seemed somewhat nervous; she could be seen taking several deep breaths, making the spectacle of her chest even more magnificent.

Yet, the moment her bow touched the strings, everything fell silent.

It was as if an invisible domain had spread, plunging the world into absolute stillness.

The previously agitated guests now became perfectly calm, their gazes drawn involuntarily to the performer.

Then, the music began to play.

Like flowing water, the melody instantly enveloped everyone.

Ewan’s eyes suddenly brightened. He felt as though he was no longer in the cramped, dim restaurant, but had instead arrived upon a vast ocean.

Waves surged, and the sound of the surf resonated.

Blue sea and blue sky merged, forming a canvas of unparalleled purity.

Then, at the horizon where sea and sky met, a light appeared.

It was not sunlight. It was not starlight.

It was as if all the sanctity in the world had converged into a holy light, capable of purifying all defilements of the soul.

Ewan felt himself being purified.

‘Boobs?’

‘Hmph, those are merely corrupting influences that hinder my upward striving.’

‘I don’t need them either…’

‘Wait!’

Ewan suddenly snapped back to his senses.

‘What’s going on? Am I going to become a Buddha just by listening to music?’

Ewan instinctively turned his head to look at the others.

He found that he wasn’t alone. The other guests were intently listening to the captivating music, their earlier irritability and anger long dissipated. Their expressions were utterly serene and peaceful, their eyes glowing as if they had witnessed a goddess’s guidance.

Even Shane, who had just recalled the pain of losing his wife, now had misty eyes and a faint smile. He seemed lost in the most cherished images of happiness deep within his heart.

‘What the hell?’

‘Is this music really that powerful?’

‘No, something’s wrong.’

Ewan turned again, his gaze fixed on the elegant “beautiful” violinist on stage.

As the son of a duke, Ewan naturally possessed a certain musical accomplishment. Thus, he could clearly discern that the “beauty’s” technique was indeed outstanding, worthy of the title “violinist.”

However, the music she played should not have been capable of purifying souls and showing people such profound beauty.

For music to resonate so deeply, the performer must infuse it with an equivalent depth of emotion. Yet, with her face obscured, it was evident she wasn’t pouring much emotion into her playing.

She was merely performing in a formulaic manner, yet the melody was still so deeply moving.

‘Something has been added to the music.’

Ewan’s eyes narrowed suddenly.

However, even as he concentrated and scrutinized the “beautiful” violinist, he could detect no magical fluctuations or unusual aura emanating from her.

Yet, as her performance deepened, the sensation of her radiating light grew ever more intense.

It was as if, with every casual gesture, flawless holy light flowed forth, automatically purifying all defilement in the world.

‘Wait, holy light?’

Ewan’s eyes widened abruptly, as if he had suddenly grasped something profound.

****

The piece concluded.

A deathly silence fell over the restaurant.

However, the moment the “beautiful” violinist, clutching her instrument, bowed with a hint of nervousness, the atmosphere in the room instantly erupted.

A torrent of fervent applause rose like waves, mingled with cries of admiration and even sobs, threatening to lift the very roof of the restaurant.

Even Shane, beside Ewan, wiped tears from the corners of his eyes while clapping vigorously. “What wondrous music! I felt as though my departed wife had returned to life, smiling at me.”

“…” Ewan did not respond. His gaze flickered with thought for a moment before he waved over a waiter, who was bustling about trying to maintain order.

“Could you ask that beautiful violinist to come over for a moment?”

“This…”

The waiter wiped sweat from his brow, his usual professional smile forgotten. He looked troubled. “Sir, I understand your enthusiasm—everyone feels the same. But according to our establishment’s rules, guests are not permitted to disturb the performers. Otherwise…”

*Thud.*

Ewan tossed a wad of banknotes onto the waiter’s tray. “This is a tip.”

The waiter’s eyes went wide, and he swallowed hard.

“This… this isn’t really appropriate…”

*Thud.*

“The restaurant’s rules…”

*Thud.*

“I’ve seen plenty of wealthy people, but you can’t…”

*Thud, thud, thud…*

“I—I’ll go right now! I guarantee I’ll bring her to you!”

The waiter, his hands trembling, clutched the mountain of banknotes piled on his tray and scurried away.

Soon, Ewan watched him stealthily approach the stage and speak to the beautiful violinist.

He couldn’t hear their conversation or clearly see their precise movements.

However, he could vaguely discern that the beautiful violinist was initially quite resistant.

It was only after the waiter slipped something into her arms, then something else, repeatedly, several times over.

Though it seemed fewer times than Ewan had thrown money, she eventually agreed.

She began to walk towards him.

She appeared somewhat apprehensive, but perhaps propelled by certain things, her steps were relatively steady.

However, as her footsteps crossed the bright illuminated area of the stage, passing the boundary between light and shadow, her figure suddenly froze.

Generally, when standing in bright light, it is difficult to clearly see things in the dimness without special means.

So, it was only when she stepped into the shadows that she finally caught sight of Ewan’s face.

A face she had never, ever expected to see.

Her delicate body then began to tremble slightly.

Shaking and quivering.

Like a mouse encountering a cat, her magnificent chest seemed to rise even more dramatically.

She appeared ready to turn and flee at any moment, but perhaps driven by something, or having recalled something important, she took a deep breath and cautiously stood before Ewan.

Although her face remained obscured, Ewan inexplicably sensed an air of pitiful vulnerability about her.

“Is something wrong?”

Ewan raised an eyebrow, once again scrutinizing the trembling “beautiful” violinist, and asked with curiosity:

“Is there something terrifying growing on my face?”

“No… no.”

She spoke, her voice as melodious as a nightingale.

Then she paused, and her voice suddenly became unfamiliar and hoarse: “I was just a little… surprised.”

“Surprised?”

Ewan watched her with a faint, knowing smile, crossing his legs and swirling his wine glass. He spoke casually, “That’s interesting. The word ‘surprised’… does it mean I have the honor of being known by a great performer like you?”