Chapter 531: The Hand-Kissing Greeting

As he felt embarrassed, Anderson also genuinely admired Li Wuming. He approached Li Wuming and said, "You are the most skilled hand-to-hand fighter I've ever seen. I salute you!"

Li Wuming smiled lightly and nodded, saying, "You're not bad yourselves!"

Upon hearing this, Anderson couldn't help but smile wryly and didn't say much more.

"Henry, after seeing the demonstration, have you decided which martial art you want to learn?"

Xia Yu asked with a faint smile.

Henry was still indecisive after much consideration. He felt that both martial arts were impressive, so he asked, "Can I learn both at the same time?"

Xia Yu shook his head and explained, "I suggest you learn just one. It's better to focus on one to avoid getting confused. Once you reach a very high level in the first, then you can consider learning the second one."

Henry pouted and murmured something, then looked at Xia Yu and said, "In that case, I'll learn Tai Chi!"

"A wise choice!"

"Will you start learning now or wait until we go back?"

"Of course, now! I can't wait!"

Henry said eagerly.

Xia Yu nodded and said to Li Wuming, "Brother Li, I'm sorry to trouble you."

"It's no trouble!"

"Follow me then!"

Henry excitedly ran up to Li Wuming and began practicing Tai Chi on the grass.

Xia Yu and Elena watched for a while and then returned to their seats in the restaurant.

"Xia Yu, thank you!"

Elena looked at Xia Yu with her beautiful eyes and expressed her gratitude.

"No need to thank me; it's just a small favor…"

…

The two then started chatting. Due to the series of events, Elena's impression of Xia Yu grew increasingly positive. As they talked more and got to know each other better, their relationship became more familiar.

"By the way, Xia Yu, the piano piece you played, I haven't been able to find it after searching for days. Can you tell me where I can buy it?"

Suddenly, Elena asked Xia Yu.

"This piano piece hasn't been released yet. I heard it from a friend."

Xia Yu was taken aback, not expecting Elena to be so interested in the piece "Wedding in a Dream." He thought for a moment and explained.

Upon hearing this, Elena's beautiful face showed a hint of regret.

Xia Yu hurriedly said, "But Elena, if you like it, I can give it to you, as long as you don't share it."

"Really?"

Elena's eyes lit up, and she asked expectantly.

"Really!"

Xia Yu affirmed with a nod.

"That's great!"

"But before that, please listen to me and point out any mistakes I made."

After saying this, Elena walked to the piano in the left corner of the restaurant, which had been set up.

Setting up the piano, Elena adjusted her position, smiled at Xia Yu, and then began playing.

Upon hearing the melody, Xia Yu was surprised. It was indeed "Wedding in a Dream," but there were many areas where it was off, and he could tell Elena was uncertain in her playing.

When the piece ended, Elena stepped away from the piano and looked at Xia Yu with anticipation.

Xia Yu came back to his senses, still slightly shocked.

Elena had only heard him play once but managed to remember so much. This talent was truly terrifying!

Xia Yu thought back to the conversation they had in the square, where Elena was mentioned as the "Piano Princess of Oxford." With such talent, the title was certainly not unearned.

"Elena, you really surprise me!"

Xia Yu complimented.

Elena smiled charmingly and said, "It's because you played so well that I memorized it without realizing. These past few days, the piece kept coming to mind, so I tried to recreate it. Actually, I know I didn't play it well."

"So, I'd like you to point out my mistakes. This piece is very romantic, and I really like it."

Elena's candid words made Xia Yu feel more favorably toward her. He smiled and said, "Then listen to me play it again. With your talent, you should be able to remember it. If there are still unclear parts, ask me and I'll tell you everything."

With that, Xia Yu sat on the piano bench under Elena's expectant gaze and began to play.

Elena's mouth curled into a smile as she covered her face with her hands, quietly watching Xia Yu play.

When there's a shared interest between a man and a woman, their friendship can quickly warm up.

After Xia Yu finished playing, Elena went back to the piano and then Xia Yu corrected the wrong notes one by one.

With one teaching earnestly and the other listening carefully, Elena, who had exceptional talent, soon memorized the entire piece. After practicing a few times, she became proficient.

"Clap, clap, clap…"

When the piece ended, Xia Yu clapped with a smile. Elena beamed as she stepped down from the piano.

"Thank you, Xia Yu!"

"No need to thank me. We're friends, aren't we?"

Xia Yu shrugged, looking at Elena with clear eyes.

"You're the first British girl I've met!"

Elena was taken aback for a moment, then her face blossomed with a smile, and she said happily, "Yes, we're friends. You're also the first Chinese boy I've met from Hong Kong."

"It's my honor!"

Xia Yu smiled.

Then Elena extended her right hand with a smile, letting it hang down, and said, "Let's introduce ourselves again. My Hong Kong friend, I'm Elena. It's a pleasure to meet you!"

Seeing this, Xia Yu was initially stunned but then smiled broadly and said, "Hello, Elena. I'm Xia Yu. It's my honor to meet you!"

With that, Xia Yu gave a slight bow, gently lifted Elena's fingertips to his face, and kissed them softly. Elena watched Xia Yu's actions with a constant smile.

This was a common Western gesture of kissing the hand, signifying that Elena genuinely considered Xia Yu a good friend.

Western greeting etiquette includes many forms, such as bowing, nodding, raising one's hand in acknowledgment, shaking hands, kissing hands, kissing cheeks, and hugging, among others.

The first few types are commonly used among peers or superiors and subordinates, with handshakes being the most common.

Hand-kissing is a form of etiquette practiced in upper-class European and American societies. When meeting with noblewomen or ladies, if the woman extends her hand, the man would gently lift the fingertips and kiss them. If the woman does not extend her hand, no kiss is given. When performing the hand-kissing etiquette, if the woman is of higher social status, the man should kneel slightly or adopt a half-kneeling posture before shaking hands and kissing. This etiquette is most emphasized in English and French societies.

Elena, coming from a duke family, naturally learned this etiquette. However, she rarely attended parties and had few friends, so she seldom extended her hand first.

Now, her initiative in extending her hand to Xia Yu actually indicated that she considered Xia Yu a good friend, not that she had romantic interest. Xia Yu was aware of the etiquette for hand-kissing and, although surprised by Elena's gesture, did not overthink it.

Of course, according to etiquette, Xia Yu should have knelt and kissed the back of Elena's hand, given that Elena was the daughter of a duke and her status was higher than his in Britain.

However, Xia Yu was not foolish enough to act that way. If he had knelt, it would imply that he should be aware of Elena's background, which might suggest that his actions had ulterior motives.

Feigning ignorance was the best choice!

After kissing for three seconds, Xia Yu reluctantly released Elena's hand. The two exchanged smiles.

Time spent in good conversation always flies by quickly. As dinner time approached, the restaurant finally began serving the dishes, and Xia Yu and Elena had to sit at the table.

Li Wuming also stopped teaching and brought Henry, who was both excited and disappointed, back to the restaurant.

As soon as they sat down, Henry excitedly recounted everything to Elena. Seeing her brother so happy, Elena couldn't help but smile.

Henry's impression of Xia Yu was particularly good. He acted like they were close friends, which made Xia Yu feel both amused and helpless. Henry was indeed very friendly.

After lunch, it was time to part ways, but Henry wanted to continue learning martial arts, and Li Wuming couldn't leave Xia Yu.

Unable to avoid it, Elena had to go along with her brother and ask Xia Yu if he was busy. Xia Yu naturally said he wasn't busy.

Elena then invited Xia Yu to visit her home in London.

Elena's residence in Britain was located in the Hammersmith and Fulham district of London, the same area where Xia Yu bought his Rolls-Royce—a typical wealthy neighborhood.

Upon arrival, Xia Yu discovered that Elena's home was a large villa with a small garden.

Elena explained that it was a house her father had bought for her not long ago. Since she was about to graduate this year and had come to London for an internship, she didn't want to rely on her family's help and planned to complete the internship independently. This idea was supported by her father.

Since it was winter break, her brother was staying with her, occasionally going to their home in Norfolk.

Once at Elena's home, Henry clung to Li Wuming, insisting on continuing his martial arts training. Xia Yu toured the house with Elena.

During their chat, Elena was surprised to find that Xia Yu had not only deep knowledge of music but also substantial knowledge in business, finance, and other areas. She felt that her own knowledge seemed inadequate compared to Xia Yu's. Some of her troubling questions were easily answered by him.

As a result, Elena became even more curious about Xia Yu, and their conversation topics expanded.

Good times always seem to pass quickly. By late afternoon, around five o'clock, with the sky darkening, Xia Yu had to say goodbye.

As Elena and Henry saw him to the door, Xia Yu paused and said to the regretful-looking Henry, "Henry, I should be in the UK for a few more months. There will be time to learn martial arts. I'll come back in the future, or you can come to visit me."

"Okay!"

Henry pursed his lips and said with renewed energy.

"Elena, thank you for the invitation. I had a great time today. Next time, you're welcome to visit my home!"

Xia Yu looked at Elena with a smile and said.

"I had a great time too. I'm sure we'll have a chance!"

Elena said charmingly, feeling an inexplicable tinge of reluctance, though she didn't notice it.

"Goodbye!"

"Take care!"

As they watched Xia Yu's car drive away, Elena and Henry started to head back.

Henry suddenly grinned and said, "Sister, it seems like you really hit it off with Xia Yu today. I don't think I've seen you so engaged with any other guy. Do you have feelings for him?"

Elena hesitated for a moment, then quickly shook her head in denial. However, she didn't realize that the corners of her mouth had unconsciously curved upward.

"No, we're just friends! We just happen to have some common interests!"

"Henry, we need to have a serious talk about what happened this morning."

"Oh no, sister, I remember I still have some things to do…"

Henry sensed trouble and quickly fled, leaving those words behind.

Seeing her brother run away, Elena chuckled, and the whole room seemed to brighten a little.