Xue Xi's house
"Mianmian, you are here!", Xue Xi shouted.
" Mmm"
"Mum, dad, brother!", Xue Xi shouted
" Ah Mian", Su Nian, Xue Xi's mother said
"Auntie, how are you doing?"
"I'm fine"
"Uncle, brother"
"Hey there, long time no see, huh?", Xue Muyun, Xue Xi's brother said.
" Sit down", Xue Yuan, Xue Xi's father said with a smile.
"Come to my room", Xue Xi said.
" Okay"
Qing Mian was surprised when she entered Xue Xi's room.
"Is this a date?", she asked.
" Mmm...more like"
"We are playing the piano?", Qing Mian asked
"Yes, we'll have a video chat with a renowned pianist"
"Woah"
"We'll go shopping later"
"Nice!"
"He's calling", Xue Xi said and picked the call.
" Good morning, Mr. Zhao"
"Good morning"
"This is my friend Qing Mian, she's good at playing the piano"
"Good morning sir", Qing Mian said with a smile.
" Morning, let's start "
"Okay then"
"I'll play my favourite verse"
Qing Mian frowned when Zhao Zhou finished playing.
"What's wrong miss?", he asked
"There's a problem"
As a world-renowned pianist, Zhao Zhou was very confident in himself. This was the first time that anyone had ever said that the problem was with his playing.
After a short pause, he asked, "Where is the problem?"
Mbiag Mian stood up straight, as though she was an obedient student answering a question.
"There's a verse that was wrong."
She, who played the piano in the orphanage, had never learned it the proper way. She had figured everything out on her own.
She was unable to use words to express Zhao Zhou's mistake.
She thought for a while, then said, "Let me play here."
"Huh? Okay."
Qing Mian sat down and placed her hands on the piano. She did not play the piece just now from head to toe, but only focused on the verse Zhao Zhou had played wrongly.
Following her playing, Zhao Zhou's expression slowly changed from one of distrust and slighting into solemnness, then into astonishment!
He had played his favourite music piece for many years. He had played one wrong note in the end, but it had already become a habit and was deeply embedded into him.
This particular verse was fast and the musical notes merged together, so it was totally unnoticeable!
When Qing Mian was done playing, he was already rooted to the spot with a dazed expression, seeming to be a little crazed. "So that's it... So that's it!"
"So, Mr. Zhou, can Mianmian also be your disciple?", Xue Xi asked excitedly.
Zhao Zhou had stood up and shouted, "No way!"
Xue Xi:" huh?"
"How can I possibly teach her? I should be the one asking her for guidance instead. She's so good", Zhao Zhou said.
Qing Mian:"?!"
How could she teach someone else when she only knew how to play the piano?
However, he immediately took out his phone and said to her, "What is your WeChat? Let's add each other as friends!"
She had intended to reject him, but then she remembered how arrogant Qing Qin was.
Qing Mian took out her phone and, after adding the other party, she saved him as "The Pianist."
"We'll talk next time"
"Bye bye", Xue Xi and Qing Mian said in unison
"Let's go shopping!", Xue Xi said after ending the call.
" Okay then"
Xue Xi and Qing Mian went downstairs and saw Xue Muyun.
"Where is mum and Dad?", Xue Xi asked.
" They went out", Xue Muyun said.
"Okay. We're going shopping", Xue Xi said.
" I'm going out, let me drop you off"
"Not bad", Xue Xi said with a smile.
Xue Xi and Qing Mian followed Xue Muyun to the car park.
" Let Qing Mian sit at the front", Xue Muyun said when Xue Xi wanted to sit beside him.
"Huh?"
"Sit at the back", Xue Muyun said with a cold face.
" Hmph, so cold!", she said.
"Ah Mian, come sit at the front", he said with a smile.
" Okay"
Xue Muyun dropped them at the mall and gave a bank card to Xue Xi.
"Buy everything Ah Mian likes", he said to Xue Xi in a low voice.
"What about me?", Xue Xi frowned.
" I don't care"
"A brother indeed! I hate you"
"Bye Ah Mian", he smiled at Qing Mian.
"Two faced!", Xue Xi snorted.
Qing Mian entered the mall with Xue Xi and went straight to the boutique.
" Let's shop till we drop, my treat", Xue Xi said proudly.
"Huh?"
"Let's go!", Xue Xi said.
" I don't think I need anything ", Qing Mian said.
" It doesn't matter"
"Uhmm"
"Mianmian, do you find my brother attractive?", she asked.
" He's like a brother to me, he comforted me when I broke up with Lu Rui"
"What if he likes you", Xue Xi asked.
"That's not possible"
"....I have a boyfriend now", she blushed.
" Speaking of which, when was the last time you talked to your boyfriend?", Xue Xi asked.
"I don't know", she said.
" What if he's cheating on you?", Xue Xi asked again.
"He doesn't look like a scum"
"You can even defend him? Did Lu Rui look like a scum?", Xue Xi asked again.
" Hmph", Qing Mian snorted.
"Let's shop first and have lunch later", Xue Xi said.
" Okay"
...
The old lady of the Li family called Li Min over.
"Ah Min, you've been busy these past few days. Why don't we go out together to relieve stress"
"I'm not interested", Li Min said with a cold face.
" Grandma doesn't like staying at home alone", the old lady said pitifully.
"Hmph, okay then"
"Let's go", the old lady said.
She insisted on picking Xiao Ning up and Li Min had no choice.
On getting to the mall, the old lady left with thr driver.
" Pick some clothes for Xiao Ning, I have a urgent matter to attend to"
Xiao Ning's cold eyes swept over Xiao Ning's body.
"We're just going shopping, must you dress like this?", he asked.
" As long as you like it", she said with a smile.
"That was all in the past, I have a girlfriend now", he said.
" I don't care", she said.
".....I'll do anything to get you back", she added with a sexy smile.
" Hmph", Li Min snorted.
"Let's go", she said and hugged Li Min's waist.
" Woah, still sexy!", she said.
"Don't touch me", Li Min said with a cold face.
" Don't be too cold"
.....
Not far away from them, Qing Mian tried to hold her tears but couldn't.
"Mianmian, don't cry. Men are scum, even my brother", Xue Xi said.
" I didn't disturb him because I thought he was busy, but...."
"Let's go and have lunch. Don't think about him", Xue Xi said.
On getting to the restaurant, Qing Mian wasn't in the mood to eat and Xue Xi couldn't force her.
" Why don't you ask him where he is?", Xue Xi asked.
"No"
"Okay, dig in"
Qing Mian was still eating when Danyi and Jiayi called Xue Xi.
"Hey sisters", Xue Xi said.
" Why does Mianmian looks so dull?", Jiayi asked.
"Let's not talk about it", Xue Xi said.
" Did her boyfriend cheat on her?", Danyi asked straightforwardly.
"Huh? Yes", Xue Xi said.
" I knew it", Jiayi shouted.
"Handsome men are the worst", Danyi said.
" Yes, let's be frank, I think Mian attracts scums. Why don't you marry me", Jiayi said with a starry smile.
"Hehe....", Qing Mian sneered.
"Let's talk about something else", Xue Xi said.
" Shouldn't you guys be preparing for the Olympiad?", Danyi asked.
"We need a break. The olympiad won't help our career anyway", Xue Xi said.
" Yes, future pianist Xixi", Jiayi laughed.
"I'll be Mainmian's disciple", Xue Xi said
"Woah, I thought she was your disciple", Jiayi asked.
" Yes but she has more knowledge than my master", Xue Xi said.
"Stop fooling around", Qing Mian smiled.
"You look more beautiful when you smile but unfortunately, your smile is rare", Danyi said.
" Looks like Danyi is infatuated ", Xue Xi said.
" More like", Dannyi smiled.
"Hmph, bye", Qing Mian said.
" Bye guys", Xue Xi said.
At the dining table in the Qing family.
Today's dinnertime was slightly later than usual.
During the meal, the hungry Xue Xi hurriedly ate, wanting to do more practice questions upstairs and stop thinking about Li Min.
At this moment, Ding Xian suddenly said, "I remember that Qing Mian doesn't know how to play the paino, right?"
She continued, "Isn't the pianist coming next weekend for the assessment? I was thinking of letting her join so that she can take part in it with Qinqin."
Qing Qin flared up. "Mom, are you for real? Aren't you afraid that she will snatch my spot?"
Ding Xian smiled. "We are all family, so no matter who gets the spot, it will still be our Qing family's blessing!"
"Generous!"
Qin snorted.
Ding Xian's gesture made her extremely irritated.
Ding Xian eyed Qing Mian and asked, " Is that fine by you?"
Qing Mian was currently eating her pork ribs. She first separated the meat and the bone and was planning to speak after she had finished it.
"Mmm", she smiled simply.
"Hey, why are you always silent?", Qing Mian asked Qing Ziqi.
"I don't really like talking, it's too stressful", he said.
" Ziqi! I don't know why you feel stressed out while talking but it's good you have good grades", Qing Qin sneered.
" Okay, let's eat and stop talking", Qing Ming said.
Everyone finished eating and returned to their rooms.
The next day, at school,
As the preparatory alarm bell rang, Qing Mian, Xue Xi, Lu Rui, and Qing Qin stood up and headed outside amid the student's exclamations of envy.
The Math Olympiad and Physics Competitions were drawing near, and the four had stopped attending classes as they pulled out all the stops for the competitions.
The Math Olympiad Competition was going to be held on the 18th and 19th, and the physics competition two days later.
The maths star competition made people like Qing Mian more and treated her like a scholar.
A self-taught genius; a person like her is born to learn mathematics!
After saying this, Xue Xi walked into the classroom. When she sat beside Qing Mian, she saw that she did not have a single Math Olympiad book on her table.
She sighed and asked, "Are you still thinking about him?"
"Who?", Qing Mian asked.
" Never mind", Xue Xi said.
"....Did you guys talk last night? I think your mood is a lil bit off today compared to yesterday? What happened?"
She had always been calm, but this time around, she could no longer hold it in. She turned around and shot her a glance coldly. "Shut up."
Xue Xi was shocked but continued talking.
"I think you should sort things out with him"
"Get lost", Qing Mian said and stood up.
.....
At the Qing family's.residence,
Qing Mian was reading when Qin knocked on her door and called her for dinner.
She put aside the literature reluctantly and sighed in silence before heading out.
The family was more complete today. Other than her second uncle, everyone was present.
Qing Cheng, Qin, and Qing Mian sat on one side while Ding Xian, Qing Qin and Qing Ziqi sat on the other side.
Just as they were eating, Ding Xian's phone rang.
She took a look and picked up the call anxiously while sounding solicitous. "Hello, Madam Lin... Not busy at all. Just speak out... Huh?"
Ding Xian's expression changed when the other party said something.
She first glared at Qing Qin before replying with a smile, "Sure, no problem!"
Upon hanging up, she slapped Qing Qin's back. "You child!"
Her daughter was baffled and her temper flared up. "Mom, why did you hit me?"
Ding Xian was boiling with rage. "Were you the one who told others that I have an appointment with the pianist? Didn't I remind you not to tell outsiders? I tapped on many connections before securing this opportunity for you. Now that the news has gotten out, Madam Lin called and insisted on sending her daughter for the interview too! I dare not to offend the Lin family!"
When Qing Qin heard this, her eyes flickered and she was afraid of being found out.
She stared fiercely at Qing Miam.
Since Qing Mian had been in the limelight at school recently, she could not hold it in. Hence, she secretly told her best friend, but as it turned out...
No, she clearly reminded her friend not to spread it.
Therefore, this matter...
Qing Qin stood up abruptly and pointed at Qing Mian. "Were you the one who spread the news?"
Qing Qin, who was silently having dinner: "??"
Feeling baffled, she lifted her head and saw Qing Qin reprimanding her with reddened eyes. "I didn't tell anyone so it must have been you! Aren't you jealous that I know how to play the piano? Therefore, you spread the news on purpose because you want everyone to.think that you can also play, right?"
The moment she said that, Ding Xian looked daggers at Qing Mian.
Before Qin could refute, Ding Xian slammed the table. "You country bumpkin! Is your jealousy that strong? It's fine that you don't love your sister, but aren't you being too evil by playing a dirty trick?"
Qing Cheng put down his chopsticks. It was a huge gesture so it made a sound. "We haven't figured out the matter yet. Isn't it a little early to scold Mianmian now?"
Ding Xian chest heaved. "Who else could it be? Only members of the family know about this. Qinqin couldn't have possibly got a few competitors for herself, right? And Ziqi doesn't have many friends"
Qing Cheng looked at Qing Mian and asked, "Mianmiam, does this matter have to do with you?"
Although he was asking her, he was actually giving her a chance to explain.
Everybody stopped talking and Qing Mian
unhurriedly asked, "What matter?"
"..."
Qin thought adorably of her daughter's confused look as he patted her head. "It's about the family inviting a pianist this weekend."
Qing Mian replied, "...Oh. I didn't talk about it."
She did not even mention Qing Qin's name in school and was always busy solving questions. Why would she have time to gossip?
After explaining, she continued to eat.
Qing Qin pointed at her and rebuked, "It's definitely you! Did you tell that boisterous friend of yours? Given her gossipy personality, she'd definitely spread the news!"
She had to insist that it was Qing Mian. If not, her mother would reprimand her.
Moreover, it might have been Qing Mian's tricks!
She flew into a rage. "You appear to hold yourself aloof from the world, but not only do you want to outdo me in academics, you also want to outshine me in other areas, don't you? Qing Mian, you're too despicable!"
"Shut up!"
Qin shouted in fury. "Do you have any evidence? Qinqin, both of you are sisters and not foes! Ever since Mianmian stepped through the door, you've harbored a great sense of animosity toward her when she has never done anything to you!"
"Has she really never done anything to me?" Qing Qin shouted. "Lu Rui is in the Math Olympiad class so she applied to the class. Why doesn't she apply for the Chemistry Olympiad? She's clearly hating on me! She's not even my biological sister"
"Do you think I care about your Lu Rui? I can get a man thousand times better than him!", Qing Mian said slowly.
In the end, Ding Xian bellowed, "Look at her attitude! Isn't she being arrogant just because she does well in school? So what? What good does it bring to us wealthy families if you do good in school? Look at your etiquette. Do you know how to play the piano? Dance? Do flower arrangements? A mere b*stard from a countryside orphanage, you're revolting now! Do you think we can accept you?!"
Qin was shivering with anger, and just as she was going to say something—
Bang!
The table was slammed.
Silence ensued as everybody turned to look at Qing Cheng, who was red with fury.
His face was terrifyingly dark. After taking a deep breath, he said, "Ever since you moved into this house, you never liked Qin. Now that you're not fond of Mianmian as well, it actually got me thinking. Do you actually detest them or me? Even my brother is angry about what happened but you....are just too lousy"
"I..."
Qing Cheng closed his eyes and made the decision. "Since our family's existence annoys you, let's live apart. This house is not mine alone anyways, you can live here with brother!"
He left the dinning hall angrily and Qin followed.
Time always passed quickly while studying.
Unknowingly, a week had passed.
The Math and Physics Olympiad were going to be held next week, but during the weekend, the Qing family would be having a piano assessment that was on par with the Math Olympiad.
On Saturday.
Qing Mian had totally immersed herself in the olympiad questions and heaved a sigh of relief only when she had completed it.
Only then did she notice the chaos and bustle downstairs.
Opening her room door in doubt, she saw Ding Xian ordering the helpers to place the items while Qing Qin was practicing the piece that she was going to present in the afternoon.
Qin, donning a blue cheongsam, had been paying attention to her. When she saw her daughter's room door open, she approached her gently. "Mianmian, have you finished studying?"
Qing Mian nodded.
Qin followed her gaze and saw the piano downstairs.
Her heart squeezed. "Mianmian, if you like it, we'll start learning from now on! Since you're so clever, you'll definitely be able to learn it! Just treat it as a practice later in the afternoon, mom will work hard and find you a better piano instructor in the future!"
Qing Mian: "...Oh."
As she spoke, a car arrived outside. Ding Xian and Qin went out to welcome them. Moments later, they saw a fashionable and well-maintained lady walking in. She must be Madam Lin, and following behind her was a skinny and timid girl in a lavender dress.
The girl let her hair down and had on a pearl clip. Her skin appeared sickly fair. When she entered, she kept hiding behind Madam Lin and peering at the rest.
She appeared adorable with a hint of delicateness.
Madam Lin smiled politely. "Our family's Lili loves playing the piano, so when she heard that Mr. Zhao is in City Y, I had to be thick-skinned and come here. Madam Qing, really sorry about it!"
Ding Xian tried to maintain her smile. "It's nothing. Long before this, I heard that Lili plays the piano well. Later, let Qinqin have an eye-opener!"
After saying that, she smiled. "There's so many of us here. Lili must be terrified, right? I'll get Qinqin to bring her upstairs to play!"
Qing Qin eyes flickered. "Sure. Lili, let's go upstairs!"
Madam Lin coaxed Lin Li, "Didn't you have a problem regarding the piano earlier and wanted to consult Qing Qin? Go ahead and play."
Lili shot a timid glance at Qing Qin and nodded.
Qin said as well, "Mianmian, follow them."
The three girls headed upstairs and played in the reception room upstairs.
The moment they entered the room, Qing Qiñ sat aside and started playing with her phone.
Shooting a glance at Lin Li, Qing Mian found her looking disconcerted, her fingers nervously intertwined.
There was still 30 minutes before the painist's arrival.
Lin Li did not know this person and originally did not intend to meddle. After all, she was Qing Qin's guest.
She turned to look at Lin Li once again.
The girl's lips blossomed into an extremely kind and sincere smile. She was as pure as those little children.
Qing Mian pointed at the sofa on the other side, signaling her to move over. Lin Li's eyes lit up instantly as she nodded her head.
"Thank you", she said.
When they were seated, she stared unblinkingly at Qing Mian, as though she was a cat waiting for its owner to give it a belly rub. She was so obedient and sensible that even the usually-aloof Qing Mian felt her heart turn soft at the sight.
Lin Li was very quiet, but her two hands were placed on the coffee table. Her fingers moved nimbly, as though she were playing the piano.
However, halfway through, she seemed to have been met with difficulty. Her fingers paused and she frowned. This troubled expression easily made another pity her.
Sitting opposite her, Qing Qin said, "Keep it down, you are not the only one that has an assessment test"
"Are you jealous of her?", Qing Mian ãsked.
Qing Qin was pissed. "How can I be jealous of her? Do you think that currying up to her will make Madam Lin treat you better? Let me tell you, it's useless for you to waste your time on her."
As someone who valued her reputation the most and had put all her effort into studying, playing the piano, and constructing a socialite image for herself, how could Xue Yao possibly mistreat her guest?
She was merely bullying Lin Li on the grounds that she would not complain to.anyone!
At this moment, the girl who was the topic of discussion, Lin Li, looked up. She said, "Elder Sister Qing Mian, I have a verse that I don't quite get in the piece I'll be playing later. Can you instruct me a little?"
Qing Qin burst out laughing when she heard this, " Elder Sister?"
Qing Mian nodded and pointed at the piano on the second floor's living room. She was telling Lin Li to play it.
The girl put her palms together, showing her gratitude to her, and moved to the piano.
Above the piano keys, her fingers were so nimble and her playing was so smooth. When she reached the part she was unsure about, she asked"Might there be any abnormalities here?"
Qing Qin shouted from where she was seating, "Of course it is abnormal."
Qing Mian could hear that this part was rather unpolished just by listening to her.
Moreover, this was likely her original piece. She was very talented, but there were some flaws in it.
Qing Mian could see that Qing Qin's face was tensed up. "Yes, it's strange."
"Where's the problem?", Lin Li asked.
" Uhmm, why didn't you talk when Qing Qin was insulting you earlier?", Qing Mian asked her.
"Even if I talk back at her or complain to my mum, it still won't change anything, so what's the point?", Lin Li whispered.
" Oh, are you scared of her?"
"More like. My brother likes her, so, even of I tell my mum, she won't believe me because she believes in my brother's judgement"
"Ohh"
"Yes. What's strange about the verse I played?", Lin Li asked.
At this moment, Qing Qin caught the sound of a trail of people coming upstairs. An idea popped into her mind as she stood up and put on a pitiful expression. "Qing Mian, don't teach Mianmian the wrong things. That is not how this verse is supposed to be played. How can you speak nonsense?"
The few people had reached this level right after she said this. Ding Xian paused a little, then asked, "What's happening?"
Qing Qin accused Qing Mian "Lili asked Mianmian to instruct her, but she was speaking nonsense to Lili. The teacher is coming soon, so isn't she just wasting time that could be spent on practicing?"
Ding Xian immediately gave a side-eye to Madam Lin, then pretended to be anxious. "Mianmian, you don't know how to play the piano, so don't create more trouble here! Hurry and let Qinqin instruct Ms. Lin a little."
Don't know how to play the piano?
Madam Lin frowned. She had an extremely displeased expression.
Ding Xian berated loudly, "What is wrong with you, Qing Mian? Don't come and give the wrong instructions when you don't know anything! Or are you jealous that other people can play the piano and so you purposely came to make trouble? How can you be so black-hearted?"
Qin rushed over and blocked Qing Mian from sight. She then asked, "Mianmian, do you really know how to play the piano?"
The girl nodded, then slowly answered, "A little."
Madam Lin's face turned even darker at this reply.
Despite laughing inside, Qing Qin still put on an expression as though she was about to cry. "Sister, you cannot teach Lili in any way you want..."
Lin Li had a totally confused look.
There were too many people speaking and they were speaking too quickly. She did not have enough time to talk, and hence, couldn't say anything.
"Stop", she said.
....let Sister Mian play the verse, I believe in her", Lin Li continued
"Look closely. I'll play it only once."
Qing Mian stepped up and placed her fingers on the piano keys.
In the next moment, music flowed out.
It was only one line and it was not quick. Those who did not know the piano would find it only average...
"What nonsense!"
Ding Xian chided. "Do you think you know how to play the piano just because you can press a few keys? Qinqin is a certified Grade 10 pianist! You have never even taken any grade examinations, so what nonsense are you teaching here?"
At this moment—
Pak, pak, pak! An applause sounded. Everyone quickly turned their heads around and spotted Zhao Zhou. No one knew when he had arrived, but he was currently clapping. "The edit for this section is amazing", he said excitedly.
As he was standing behind the crowd, his view was limited. Hence, he did not see who it was standing inside.
Now that everyone had made way, he could finally catch sight of the girl standing beside the piano.
He was totally dumbstruck.
"The hell?! Isn't this...fuck.... Master?!?!" Zhao Zhou's eyes widened. Thinking that he had made a mistake, he rubbed his eyes and turned to look again...
The girl was dressed in a light blue sports attire. Her familiar hazy eyes also turned in his direction following his voice. Their gazes locked. Zhao Zhou sucked in a deep breath in shock.
With Qing Mian here, why did the Qing family use all sorts of methods and even pulled strings to seek me out? Qing Mian was better than him!
The servant standing beside him explained, "Mr. Zhao heard the piano music when he arrived and so he came over..."
Zhao Zhou was the Qing family's most important guest today. Hence, Ding Xian had ordered the servant to definitely treat him with courtesy.
Therefore, the servant could not stop him when he said that he wanted to come up, resulting in the current scenario.
Since he was already here, Ding Xian could do nothing—not that she minded, anyway. Still, why does Mr. Zhao keep staring at Qing Mian? Don't tell me he fancies and is lusting over her because this child is very pretty?
She frowned and glanced surreptitiously at Qing Qin. As expected of her biological daughter, the latter immediately understood what she meant and promptly took a side-step, using herself to block Qing Mian from Zhao Zhou's view!
Ding Xian quickly moved toward him with a huge smile. "Mr. Zhao, it is such an honor for you to grace our humble abode with your presence! Shall we have some tea downstairs while we let the children prepare themselves before we proceed with the assessments?"
She had already informed Zhao Zhou beforehand about the addition of a few more people for the assessment.
But, to assess Qing Mian?
Zhao Zhou gulped. "No. No need."
Ding Xian paused. "No need for tea? Then, shall we start the assessment now?"
She had already heard before that Zhao Zhou was the type to cut to the chase without wasting time, but she did not expect him to be this hasty.
Since that was the case, she decided to go straight to introductions. "Alright, then, let me introduce to you the three people taking the assessment today."
She pointed at Qing Qin and said, "This is my daughter, Qing Qin. She has already passed Grade 10 in Piano and she is looking to further her studies under your guardianship. She is a hardworking and intelligent person and she is good in her studies. You can take your time to test her on her skills! Qinqin, go play a piece first."
Qing Qin promptly stepped forward and said in an obedient and humble manner, "Mr. Zhao, I hope you will give me a chance!"
She then moved over to the piano and took a deep breath before playing the music piece she had practiced fluently.
The music resounded in the air smoothly.
Zhou Zhou finally regained his senses too. While listening, he occasionally sneaked glances at Qing Mian.
Meanwhile, after Ding Xian had finished introducing Qing Qin, she turned to look at Madam Lin. When she saw the latter giving her an ingratiating gaze, her lips curled into a smile.
Madam Lin was a well-known socialite in Y City. She was prideful and difficult to get along with. The Qing and family were considered the mid-upper range in terms of wealth, but they were still a far step away from being considered part of the real high society.
Qin was akin to an invisible person in an event like today's. Madam Lin had not deigned to even glance at her since she stepped into the house, not to mention speak to her.
As she was thinking this, Qing Qin finished playing. She stood up and looked at Zhao Zhou.
Ding Xian also asked, "Mr. Zhao, what do you think?"
He coughed and said, "Decent."
Qing Mian promptly lifted her chin at this.
Zhao Zhou was famous for being strict among pianists. To be able to attain a "decent" from him meant that she would definitely be accepted as his disciple!
Ding Xian repressed her joy inside, then pointed at Lin Li, saying, "This is the Lin family's little miss. Her talent at the piano is unparalleled. Ms. Lin had already obtained a Grade 10 at the age of ten."
Madam Lin nodded at Lin Li and the girl instantly understood. She then played the music piece according to Qing Mian's instruction.
After listening, Zhao Zhou gave a two-word evaluation: "Hmph, not bad."
These two words sealed her fate of not being accepted.
Madam Lin and Lin Li both revealed looks of disappointment.
After the both of them were done, Ding Xian then said, "This is Qing Mian. She has never learned the piano before."
She'd intended to dismiss Qing Mian with just this once sentence to speak more on behalf of Qing Qin. However, Qin quickly took a step forward and said, "Our Mianmian is very talented in learning. She learns everything very quickly, so can you please give her a chance, Mr. Zhao?"
Ding Xian sighed. "Elder Sister-in-law, I know that you are anxious, but Mianmian is too far behind."
Just as Qin wanted to say something more to catch a sliver of a chance, Zhao Zhou's shocked voice reverberated. "Never learned the piano before?"
How can that be?!
Her attainments at the piano have definitely surpassed mine.
At his huge reaction, Ding Xian quickly added oil to the fire. "Yes, Mr. Zhao. Mianmian actually grew up in an orphanage, and it is impossible for there to be piano teachers there. Also, this child is a little slow when it comes to emotions, so it will be a tall task for her to resonate with music. Sigh!"
Zhao Zhou was dumbstruck. "Orphanage? It is impossible for there to be piano teachers there..."
Ding Xian found his tone to be a little queer.
Seeing the situation, Qing Qin spoke up in hypocrisy. "Mr. Zhao, I understand that it is an insult to you to let a person who has never touched the piano attend your assessment~"
She then turned to look at Qing Mian. "Sister, if you are really interested, shall I teach you instead?"
No matter what, being a kind person will never go wrong, right?
Just as she thought this, she saw the world-renowned pianist, Mr. Zhao Zhou, push aside everyone before him and rush to Qing Mian, shouting, "Ah Mian, you have really never learned the piano before?"
"..."
Everyone in the living room on the second floor was stupefied. They all turned to look at Zhao Zhou and Qing Mian in disbelief.
Did they hear wrongly?
What did Zhao Zhou call Qing Mian?