On the stage, the eighth-place winner was playing a piano piece of their own composition. This year's competition not only tested the participants' piano skills but also required them to compose their own pieces. Many talented pianists were unable to participate this year because they couldn't compose. As the eighth-place winner finished their piece and gracefully took a bow, the host led the applause and invited the seventh-place winner to perform next...
Suddenly, Song Qiaoying received a phone call. Her expression relaxed, and she lowered her voice to speak to her two daughters beside her. "Your grandmother has been unconscious for several days, but she has finally awakened. We're going to visit her, and we'll be back soon."
"Dad, Mom, don't worry, you can go," Li Yusha showed her understanding. "There's still some time before my award presentation, no rush."
"We'll try to come back before your award presentation," Song Qiaoying said kindly, then looked at Qing Yan. "Yan Yan, call me if you need anything, okay?"
"Alright."
After Li Yuanfu and Song Qiaoying left, Li Yusha looked down at Qing Yan with a haughty gaze and casually asked, "Sister, have you ever learned the piano before? Have you won any awards in this field?"
She looked at the stage, full of confidence, and said, "I started learning the piano at the age of four. Andy, the renowned piano master in the country who never takes on students, personally took me in after seeing me play. Do you know who Andy is? Countless people dream of learning from her but don't have the qualifications. Under her guidance, my piano skills have skyrocketed, and I've won over fifty first prizes from childhood till now!"
Her tone was filled with pride, as she raised her chin and asked, "What's the name of your former private tutor? Have you won any awards in this field?"
Perhaps Qing Yan hadn't replied yet, but when Li Yusha turned to look, she saw Qing Yan had put on headphones and was completely focused on playing a game.
Li Yusha became somewhat irritated, but upon careful consideration, she thought, is this country girl destined to be like this for her entire life? So worthless!
After an unknown amount of time passed, the host took the microphone and passionately announced, "Next up is the second-place winner of this competition, Lu Muyao, presenting a piece called 'Sorrow'."
Upon hearing the host's voice, Lu Muyao smiled and stood up, wearing her extravagant attire worth millions, and made her way to the stage. She sat at the piano, took a deep breath, and then slowly played the beautiful piece that earned her second place.
Sitting in the front row, Qin Zhilan found the first half of the piece somewhat unpleasant to listen to, but after hearing the entire composition, she felt a strange familiarity, as if she had heard it somewhere before...
Whispers could be heard among the audience:
"Her piece's climax is so beautiful! It carries such a poetic atmosphere!"
"It's just that her technique is a bit unfamiliar, perhaps due to nervousness."
"Setting aside the other parts of the composition, the climax she wrote is truly amazing. A young girl in her teens could actually create such a delightful piece..."
Many people showered praise upon Lu Muyao.
Even the renowned piano maestro Cao Bin, in this field, couldn't help but smile and turned to his companion Qin Zhilan, saying, "President Qin, aren't you currently searching for talented students? What do you think of this Lu Muyao?"
Qin Zhilan had never liked the Lu family, so she had no favorable impression of Lu Muyao.
If it came to talent, she hadn't seen a more gifted child than Qing Yan in all these years!
But Qing Yan's piano skills surpassed her own by far.
Even if she were to take on an apprentice, it would be her becoming the apprentice to someone else...
However, masters as young and talented as Qing Yan never considered such trivial matters as taking on apprentices!
"This second-place contestant not only knows how to compose, but does it quite well. The climax, in particular, is incredibly captivating."
"I was also drawn in by the climax of this piece. It's like brainwashing; after listening once, I want to hear it again..."
"Me too!"
"The other parts weren't well written, but the climax truly commands attention!"
Several distinguished guests around Qin Zhilan praised Lu Muyao's composition.
As she finished playing, Lu Muyao rose slowly and gracefully, bowing to the audience below.
When she raised her gaze, she happened to see Gao Yang in the audience, his eyes filled with affection and admiration, applauding for her.
Lu Muyao's heart raced with excitement.
Then she looked at Qin Zhilan, anticipating a remorseful expression on her face. After all, losing such a talented female disciple would undoubtedly be Qin Zhilan's loss!
But Qin Zhilan's expression wasn't pleasant; she even furrowed her brows, tapping her fingers on the tabletop, lost in thought.
What's wrong? Did Lu Muyao's performance sound unpleasant?
Lu Muyao was about to retract her gaze, but unintentionally, she caught sight of Qing Yan sitting just two seats away from the daughter of the billionaire, Li Yusha, in the third row!
She couldn't believe it, finding it inconceivable. How was it possible?
That entire row of seats was either occupied by people of high status and position or by award winners and their families.
But Qing Yan was none of those. What qualified her to sit there?
Could it be that Li Yusha valued inner beauty and kindness above all else?
Or was she accompanying a benefactor?
Mu Yao deliberately looked to the side, where there was no opposite sex next to Qing Yan. She wondered what kind of benefactor could accompany Qing Yan and sit on an equal footing with the richest family...
Qing Yan's fortunate life is just too good!
As Mu Yao gracefully bowed, enthusiastic applause came from the audience. Even the teachers and seniors in the award ceremony praised the child.
"The name of this piano piece is 'Sorrow,' but I hear hope in the climax, as if encouraging those who have suffered from natural disasters and man-made calamities to strive bravely and continue to find beauty in life..."
"Yes, when I heard the climax, images of post-earthquake ruins and the courage to rebuild flashed through my mind..."
"How coincidental, I also associated it with natural disasters in my mind..."
"So did I."
President Qin suddenly realized where this familiarity came from: earthquakes, inspiration, bravery, resilience...
She looked at the girl walking off the stage, her eyes filled with displeasure!
Next, the host invited Li Yusha to perform as the finale of the award ceremony. As Li Yusha took the stage, the applause was continuous!
Although she didn't invite Si Yechen and Grandpa Si to watch her award ceremony today, being able to make Qing Yan envy and jealous was enough for her to gain something!
Gracefully, she sat at the piano and performed her own composition.
Five minutes later, she stood up and gracefully took her bow. But when she looked towards the audience, she noticed that her parents hadn't returned yet, and Qing Yan was still playing games, showing no signs of envy or jealousy!
Li Yusha became instantly furious!
The applause from the audience below continued without end.
"Li Yusha's composition is really well-written! Just as outstanding as she is."
"No wonder she's the daughter of the richest family; she's been exceptional since childhood!"