While everyone else was still in a state of confusion, Qing Mian nodded. "...Mhm, yes."
Zhao Zhou's mouth gaped open.
He had a sudden epiphany. It was no wonder Qing Mian had said that she was unable to point out his problem and could only play it out for him. It turned out that she had never even learned the piano before and so she had no idea regarding the correct technical terms for piano!
He gulped and said, "Th-Then, why can you play the piano?"
"...I self-learned it."
"..."
He was known as a master in piano, but this was the result of him putting in his blood, sweat, and tears to practice for more than ten hours every day at least to reach his current height among pianists. This was despite his talents.
Yet, when compared to Qing Mian... how the hell can I possibly compare to her?!
While he was doubting his own existence, the pair's conversation attracted the attention of the rest.
Qin was the first to pose a question. "Mianmian, you... can play the piano?"
Before the girl could answer, Ding Xian had already caught on to another huge issue. "Mianmian, do you and Mr. Zhao know each other?"
From their interaction, the two seemed to be rather close.
Qing Mian nodded at Qin, then turned to Ding Xian and said, "Mhm."
This made Ding Xian panic. "How did you guys meet?"
Qing Mian usually could not be bothered with her. However, she had an exceptional interest today in seeing her panic, and hence, she slowly answered, "I did a small favor for him."
The words "small favor" made Zhou Zhao speak up anxiously. "How is that only a small favor? Ah Mian, you saved my life!"
If the problem with that music piece had not been resolved, he would likely have ended up shackled with a real psychological problem that would have rendered him unable to perform ever again!
To him, being unable to play the piano was equivalent to asking for his life!
The moment he thought of this, his face turned serious. "Ah Mian, I can agree to any of your requests."
Alas, the meaning of this sentence was distorted in others' ears.
Qing Mian can immediately request Zhao Zhou to be her master!
Ding Xian panicked furiously. She had come to a huge revelation—before Zhao Zhou had arrived, the two of them had not known each other's identity. In the end, after Ding Xian had pulled so many strings, only Qing Mian was the one to benefit from it?
She instantly shouted, "No way!"
At the same time, Qing Qin also shouted, "How can she?"
The pair's strange reaction stunned Zhao Zhou. Why was the person-in-concern objecting to it? He turned to look at Qing Qin quizzically. "You're not willing?"
Qing Qin balled up her fists. "As a member of the Qing family, we shall speak with our own abilities. If we have to rely on relations to be your disciple, how bad would we sound in others' ears?"
Ding Xian also nodded beside her. "Qinqin is right. We are not the kind of people who expect debts of gratitude to be repaid! Am I right, Elder Sister-in-law, Mianmian? We shall not do these kinds of things."
Qin had a feeling that things were not that simple. She turned to look at her daughter.
The girl was simply sitting there quietly. She was so aloof and apathetic that it was as though she was an outsider to the situation. She only replied with an "Mhm," as though it was a dispensable matter.
Zhao Zhou finally understood the situation.
Based on what I just saw, could Qing Mian's relations with the Qing family be bad?
Just as he was thinking this, Ding Xian turned to look at Zhao Zhou. "Mr. Zhao, since Mianmian agrees to this too, may I ask for your final decision on who to take in as a disciple?"
Qing Qin looked at Zhao Zhou firmly with a confident expression.
Madam Lin and Lin Li were also staring at Zhao Zhou. Despite knowing that their chances were slim, they still held a sliver of hope inside.
Under everyone's gaze, Zhao Zhou sighed. "I had originally intended to take you in as a disciple on Ah Mian's grace. Let's forget it since you are unwilling. To be frank, I have not taken a fancy to both of you."
These words stupefied everyone!
Qing Qin even shouted in disbelief, "How can that be? You praised me for being decent!"
Since he now knew that Qing Mian's relationship with them was bad, Zhao Zhou decided to be frank. He coughed and said, "I had been a little too humble before, so let me critique you now!"
He started by pointing at Qing Mian. "Have you been playing the piano for nothing the past few years? Grade 10 is only an elementary level! It merely says that you have learned the piano skills. I can't hear a single shred of feeling in your music. With you like that, you're not even a Professional Grade 1! Since you don't even have any talent, just stop making things hard for yourself!"
After critiquing her, he turned to look at Lin Li with a look of regret. "It is a pity. Your control over music is not there yet. I can teach you, but it is likely that you will be unable to reach a master's level easily. Therefore, I don't want to waste my time."
After he was done critiquing, and Lin Li did not say anything. After all, not being chosen was within her expectation. Rather, it was Qing Qin who could not accept this result.
She bit down hard on her lips and could not resist shouting out loud, "If the two of us can't make it, who can?! No matter what you say, don't you just want to accept Qing Mian as your disciple?"
Right after she said this, Zhao Zhou rebutted in shock, "What nonsense are you spouting?"
Alas, right before she could speak another word, she heard the following sentence: "How could I dare?!"
Qing Qin, who was just about to fly into a rage: "??"
Zhao Zhou looked at them in astonishment. "Have you guys never heard her play the piano? Her standard can only be described as higher than mine!"
Right after that, he turned to Qing Mian ingratiatingly. "Ah Mian, I just finished composing a new piece. If you are free, could you help me to take a look and give me some pointers?"
Qing Mian still had her usual laid-back attitude. "...Alright."
Seeing that everyone was so stunned, as though they were unable to accept that his Qing Mian was a genius with the piano, and that they were ignoring him, he decided to make his way out. "Then, I shall leave first?"
"Wait," Qing Mian suddenly said, making him halt in his footsteps.
Qing Mian pointed at Lin Li and opened her mouth, saying, "She is not bad."
What she meant was very clear—for Zhao Zhou to accept this disciple.
Zhao Zhou did not expect Qing Mian to take a fancy to this emotionless girl. Nevertheless, he insisted on obeying her orders and, hence, he answered without a second's hesitation, "Sure. I'll accept her as a disciple, then!"
Madam Lin was exhilarated.
Lin Li was very introverted and only liked the piano and wanted to be Zhao Zhou's disciple.
Still, she knew that Zhou Zhou was not short of money and money could not buy him. She had not held any hope initially. After all, Qing Mian did not even bother helping Qing Qin—what more them...?
But surprises were always this unexpected!
She held Lin Li's shoulders tightly, so agitated that her eyes had turned red as she said, "Thank you!"
Thereafter, the main lead of today, Ding Xian, was relegated to the sidelines. She could only watch as Madam Lin held Qin's hands for the rest of the duration, with the former no longer acting high and mighty. Before leaving, she even said, "There is a charity ball
Qin felt as though she was in a dream.
Having been a reserved person her whole life, she was unaccustomed to socializing.
In contrast, Ding Xian had always been networking with wealthy madams. Hence, her network was huge. This resulted in her high standing at home.
Ding Xian had painstakingly buttered up to Madam Lin and even provided an assessment chance to her, yet the latter still maintained her prideful and arrogant demeanor toward her. Alas, the same Madam Lin was currently holding hands with Qin as though they were sisters, and she was even being unbelievably polite and warm.
"You don't have to send me off anymore. Hurry and go back in!"
"Okay. Bye then"