Chapter 20
Offer Flowers to Her
Zhuang Yan was the first to go on stage. His violin had reached Central Conservatory of Music’s grade 9 and naturally could pass an interview of this level easily. He clinched the S grade.
Xu Lu was the second last to perform. She played the second movement of Beethoven’s Piano Sonata No. 4 in E-flat Major.
After the piece was completed, all three judges gave her an A grade. Xu Lu felt a little disappointed. She thought that she’d be able to get an S grade, but then again, she could enter the Central Conservatory of Music even with her A grade results.
Wen Jianmin clapped for her to show his support while Zhong Hui passed her the flower bouquet she was holding to him. “Jianmin, go and offer her the flowers.”
Wen Jianmin didn’t refuse. He took the bouquet and walked up to the front of the stage. Xu Lu smiled and walked over to the edges, lowering her head slightly and receiving the lily bouquet. “Thank you, Uncle Wen.”
This scene was naturally seen by Wen Qiao, who was standing at the side and preparing to go on stage. Wen Qiao let out a breath, trying hard not to let her emotions be affected by them.
As always, Wen Jianmin treated his stepdaughter better than he treated his own daughter. She had long been used to it and it wasn’t something for her to be too concerned about.
Wen Jianmin patted Xu Lu’s head, his gaze filled with approval. “You played well. I saw that the examiners were all nodding. Uncle Wen is proud of you.”
Xu Lu smiled shyly, holding the bouquet and passing by the sides as she left the stage with the people moving the piano away. She paused in her footsteps and smiled, looking at Wen Qiao. “Uncle Wen has probably prepared a flower bouquet for you as well. Don’t worry.”
Wen Qiao threw her a cold glance, as if saying with her gaze, Do you think that I’ll care for it?
Seeing Wen Qiao’s dismissive attitude, Xu Lu clenched her teeth and went backstage with her flowers.
Wen Qiao walked up to the center of the stage and sat on the chair. The lights lit up slowly and her long and slender fingers gently lay on the pipa’s strings.
The song she performed was the well-known pipa song, [Ambush from Ten Sides] and the audience’s emotions were lit up from the very beginning. Using a combination of different fingering techniques, she expressed the soldiers’ mighty disposition.
In the last part, ‘The Battle of the Jiuli Hill’, the scene of both armies’ intense battle of life and death, the sound of the horses’ hooves, the clashing of blades, entered everyone’s ears. The three judges’ attention was immediately attracted, as well as… Fu Nanli’s.
He sat there and looked quietly at the young lady on the stage. Warm light shone down on her and she was wearing a white dress, bringing out her stunning figure and beautiful face. Immersed in her world of music, she attracted the gazes of the entire audience and judges present.
Xu Lu stood next to Zhuang Yan at the side of the stage. She could see his gaze. Ever since Wen Qiao went up, Zhuang Yan had been maintaining the same posture, looking at Wen Qiao.
Somehow, this made her feel unsettled. Even though the entire school felt that she and Zhuang Yan were a good match for each other, Zhuang Yan had never expressed that he liked her.
And she was a lady. She couldn’t be like Wen Qiao, taking the initiative to pursue a guy.
After Wen Qiao’s piece ended, the long, lingering, agitated and exhilarating ending note continued to reverberate on.
Silence…
The judges quietly discussed amongst themselves.
Xu Lu clenched her fists. She hoped that Wen Qiao would get a B grade rating. She didn’t wish for Wen Qiao to get into the same school with her and Zhuang Yan. Even if Wen Qiao couldn’t get into the Central Conservatory of Music, she could still get into the Xinghai Conservatory of Music.
Wen Qiao felt as if all the blood in her body was seething. After she finished playing the piece, her fingertips trembled slightly. She looked up and saw Fu Nanli getting up and walking over. He was holding onto a flower bouquet as well.
Dressed in a suit, he gave off an intense classic aura filled with charisma As he walked slowly closer to her, he was like a dignified young master from the Republican Era of China who had returned from his overseas studies, lived a luxurious life and had a proper upbringing. He looked proud yet mysterious.
He walked over to the stage and Wen Qiao got up, lifting her dress a little before smiling and walking toward him. In his arms was a bouquet of white roses, symbolizing purity and innocence.
She lowered her head and received the flowers from him…
A few girls who were at the side of the stage instantly erupted. “Who is that? He’s so hot.”
“He must be a celebrity. Look how tall and handsome he is!”