But the title of "genius piano prodigy" was just too sensational, an instant attention-grabber.
"The first place isn’t Qin Xiangge, it’s her!"
Ren Chong suddenly shouted, thrusting his phone forward for everyone to see.
The group glanced at it, and with one look, they couldn’t help but feel stunned.
In the photo, only a side profile of the girl was captured. She sat quietly before a white grand piano, her long, gently curled hair falling around her waist. A white gown outlined her slender and graceful silhouette, flowing delicately like water, accentuating her elegant poise.
Under the spotlight, the girl’s hands rested on the keys. Though the camera was taken from a distance, her profile seemed enveloped in a faint mist. Yet her otherworldly, refined demeanor almost seemed to leap off the screen, leaving an impression that was anything but ordinary.
Below the photo was a caption in small text: Winner of this year’s Huazhao Cup Piano Competition, Ann.
The first-place winner, Ann...
Everyone shifted their gazes between Qin Xiangge and the girl in the photo.
Normally, Qin Xiangge was considered to possess an elegant, artistic vibe. But compared to the girl in the photo, she instantly fell into mediocrity.
Especially after the revelation about Qin Xiangge falsely claiming the first-place title. Now, looking at her, everyone couldn’t help but feel repulsed.
This was far from being a goddess.
Qin Xiangge’s face turned ghostly pale. Clenching her teeth, she decisively turned to the bewildered Hao Yun and screamed in fury, "Hao Yun, your vanity is sky-high, so quit dragging me down into your mess! Did I ever tell you that I caught a cold the night before the competition, wasn’t in my best state, and didn’t perform well? Why did you go out and claim I got first place?"
Hao Yun looked even more dumbfounded.
Gao Yuyue laughed so hard tears threatened to spill. She teased Hao Yun, "See? This is what happens when you play the loyal dog. You get mercilessly kicked by the master. Seriously, you’re annoying, but also kind of pitiful."
Hao Yun was so aggrieved she was on the verge of tears.
Gao Yuyue clicked her tongue and sighed. "Qin Xiangge, if you didn’t personally tell Hao Yun, I highly doubt she’d be dumb enough to mix up the difference between first place and..."
At this point, she deliberately paused: "...and a bad performance. Hao Yun, am I right?"
Hao Yun, not being a fool, started piecing things together. Timidly, she stammered, "Xiangge, when I asked you if you got first place, you didn’t answer. I thought you were silently confirming it. Later, when I said you were amazing for winning first place, you didn’t correct me either. So I just assumed..."
As she spoke, her voice broke into sobs, "How has it come to this?"
Qin Xiangge’s complexion turned darker than the bottom of a pot.
People who act pretentiously often get treated as such.
Hao Yun was sincerely aggrieved. "Before the competition, you were bursting with energy—how could you have caught a cold? Who are you fooling? Later, you did tell me your performance wasn’t good, but I thought you were just being modest. Who knew you were actually that bad...?"
She had boasted endlessly, and Qin Xiangge had benefited plenty. Now that the truth was exposed, why should she bear the burden alone?
If Qin Xiangge had been upfront from the beginning, was she stupid enough to spread a lie that could unravel at any moment?
Qin Xiangge always bragged about her piano skills, the certificates she received, and her prestigious mentors. Everyone thought she was invincible.
Who’d have known that at a formal competition, her true self would be revealed?
Qin Xiangge almost couldn’t catch her breath, her vision going dark.
Yan Lu, who was closest to her, reacted quickly and steadied her. "Xiangge, are you alright? Your forehead is sweating so much. Are you sure your cold hasn’t cleared up yet?"
Gao Yuyue glanced at Yan Lu with a complicated expression.
When it came to sarcasm, no one could outdo Yan Lu.
Qin Xiangge’s pale fingers clawed at Yan Lu’s hand, her nails instinctively digging in.
Yan Lu yelped in shock, "You’re hurting me!"
Without hesitation, she shook off Qin Xiangge’s hand. Qin Xiangge staggered backward, nearly bumping into Gu Bichen and Liu Runxi, who were standing by the doorway. Both of them instinctively stepped aside.
Revealing Jiang Shengyao standing behind them.
The events unfolded so unexpectedly that Jiang Shengyao had no time to react. Qin Xiangge’s back collided with him, and the girl glanced up at him with tear-filled, pitiful eyes.
"Ayao... Do even you not believe me?"
Jiang Shengyao took an expressionless step back. "Do you really not know your own limits?"
Her teeth sank into her lip, the metallic taste of blood spreading in her mouth. Shadows of humiliation and resentment grew wildly in her eyes, threatening to consume her sanity. Read complete version only at noveⅼfire.net
Today, she had lost all dignity.
The others not standing by her was one thing. But Jiang Shengyao—her childhood friend—how could he be so heartless? Not even sparing a single word in her defense?
Jiang Shengyao’s gaze was laced with sarcasm. "Qin Xiangge, do you even know where you went wrong?"