Lumuyao was puzzled, but she still tried to buy some time and smiled, saying, "President Qin, I really admire your compositions. Is there a chance for me to learn from you?"
President Qin raised an eyebrow, showing some curiosity. "Which composition of mine do you like?"
Lumuyao was instantly stunned.
Oh no, she was just being polite, and she couldn't recall any composition under President Qin's name in her mind!
She only knew that President Qin was a remarkable person, a prodigy who gained fame at a young age, someone whom many piano scholars looked up to.
A few people nearby spoke up instead:
"President Qin's 'Fate,' 'Autumn Day,' and 'Dreamscape' are all quite beautiful, but my favorite is 'Encounter.' It feels like meeting the destined person on a lazy afternoon... The joy, romance, and sweetness intertwine so wonderfully. It's truly amazing!"
"My favorite is 'Fragrance of Flowers' by President Qin. It feels like immersing in a sea of flowers, and you can even smell their fragrance through the music."
"My favorite is 'The Sea'..."
Seeing Lumuyao turning red and unable to say anything, the people around couldn't help but comment, "And you have the audacity to say you like President Qin?"
"I can play all 132 masterpieces under President Qin's name. Can you?"
"I really wonder how you managed to get second place."
...
Lumuyao blushed, feeling embarrassed and awkward. She apologized to President Qin, saying, "I'm sorry, President Qin. I was so happy to see you that I got carried away and forgot..."
President Qin was about to leave, but Lumuyao quickly stopped him, saying, "President Qin, I truly admire your talent. Is there a chance for me to receive your guidance? I will practice diligently every day and never let your teachings go to waste!"
She thought her earnestness would move Qin Zhilan...
However, Qin Zhilan saw through the girl's ambitious nature and coldly replied, "I'm sorry, I don't take on apprentices."
The people around were stunned. They didn't expect President Qin to refuse so bluntly. It seemed that she genuinely didn't like Lumuyao.
Well, as the second-place winner of the piano competition, not knowing any of President Qin's compositions... it was understandable.
Lumuyao felt extremely embarrassed, and seeing President Qin still intending to leave, she hurriedly called out, "Is there someone else in your heart, President Qin?"
Qin Zhilan paused for the third time, and this time, her gaze fell sharply on Lumuyao. "There is someone, and even if there isn't, it won't be you."
Lumuyao's face turned pale, and she asked with a trembling voice, "May I ask why?"
"Because you're from the Lu family, I don't like you." Qin Zhilan said bluntly, glancing at her attire from head to toe. "You don't suit this outfit, nor these accessories. Mu Qing is a person with personality, and you're ruining her work by dressing like this."
The people around sighed and took a closer look at Lu Muyao. Her appearance really couldn't pull off these clothes and accessories... It just didn't match.
After Qin Zhilan left, several onlookers followed suit. Xu Aiqin, who had been standing by, was stunned and took a while before stepping forward. "What nonsense is she spouting? How can she speak to a child like that! It's outrageous!"
"Mom, I'm fine..." Lu Muyao had some self-awareness. "I didn't perform her composition well... it's my fault..."
"Even if you forgot, she shouldn't embarrass you in front of everyone! You still got second place, for goodness' sake!" Xu Aiqin angrily watched Qin Zhilan's departing figure. "And saying you're not worthy of these clothes and accessories... who is she to decide? We have money, we can afford Mu Qing's clothes and accessories, so what?"
"Mom, let's go..." Lu Muyao didn't want to stand there and be humiliated anymore.
"She doesn't want disciples, and we don't care to be her disciples either!" Xu Aiqin held Lu Muyao's hand and returned to their seats, muttering along the way. "Who doesn't know that Long Lao is the most formidable figure in the piano world today? In the future, we'll become his disciples!"
"..." Lu Muyao wanted to say that there were already so many people aspiring to be Long Lao's disciples, not just her. Even Li Yusha wouldn't be considered!
But she didn't say anything at the moment, just sat back in her seat, feeling a little sad.
Just then, one of Lu Zhenhai's friends, Li Dahui, asked curiously, "Madam Bai, I saw Chairman Qin talking to your daughter Yao Yao in the corridor earlier. Did Chairman Qin take a liking to Yao Yao? Is she considering taking her as her disciple?"
Because they were far apart, Li Dahui couldn't see clearly, he only knew that a group of people surrounded them, but he didn't know what they were talking about... They seemed to be quite close.
Lu Muyao was already feeling embarrassed, and this question made her expression even more unable to hide her embarrassment.
On the other hand, Xu Aiqin smiled and said, "Oh, Chairman Qin did express that intention earlier, but in this industry, the most formidable figure is Long Lao. So I asked Yao Yao to think it over and not rush to accept... "
Li Dahui hadn't expected their target to be so high, he paused for a moment and then smiled, "If Chairman Qin has taken notice, it means Yao Yao has exceptional piano skills... My daughter has been learning the piano for many years, and I've tried to find connections everywhere to have Chairman Qin guide her, but Chairman Qin didn't agree... It's really impressive for Yao Yao to catch Chairman Qin's attention!"
"Yao Yao got second place, our daughter only got fifth place. Can you compare them with others so shamelessly?" Li Dahui's wife smiled and said, "Yao Yao is so outstanding. There's probably a high chance that Long Lao will notice her in the future..."
Xu Aiqin was originally in a bad mood, but their praises instantly made her feel happy again.
"After the host finishes the opening remarks, the top eight contestants will perform their own pieces on stage. Yao Yao has to perform well. Who knows, when Long Lao sees the replay of today's performance, he might be deeply impressed by Yao Yao..."
"That makes sense!" Xu Aiqin quickly pushed Lü Muyao and said, "Yao Yao, did you hear that? You have to perform well later!"
"I got it." Lü Muyao was feeling a little down, but then her phone beeped, indicating a WeChat message. She looked and saw that it was from Gao Yang, instantly brightening her smile.
[I'm in the audience seat. Where are you?]
Lü Muyao immediately stood up and looked back. When she spotted Gao Yang, she waved her hand and said, "Brother Gao Yang, I'm here!"
After saying that, she couldn't wait and rushed over to greet him.
Mrs. Li was somewhat surprised. "Who came? Yao Yao seems really happy..."
"Oh, it's Yao Yao's boyfriend. He came specifically to support her!" Xu Aiqin didn't expect that even at this hour, Gao Yang would come. Her mood became even better.
"She already has a boyfriend right after graduating from high school? So fast?" Mrs. Li saw the gentlemanly demeanor of the newcomer and couldn't help but ask, "He seems well-mannered. Which family is he from?"
"Oh, he's the son of the wealthiest family in Autumn City."
"Gao Yang?" Mrs. Li was surprised. She didn't expect that the Lü family, with their background, could actually be connected with the Gao family!
"Do you know him too?" Xu Aiqin knew that with the Gao family's influence, when word got out, others could only envy her!
"Not exactly..." Mrs. Li only knew Gao Yang's mother, but in reality, she hadn't met Gao Yang many times.