Lu Xingzhi sat down. She didn’t choose some of Lu Jincheng’s works but instead picked a piece by Bertrand.
This wasn’t about pleasing; playing his piece was the best way for Bertrand to point out her shortcomings.
After finishing the piece, Bertrand didn’t speak right away, and Lu Xingzhi didn’t rush to ask for the result.
She wasn’t aiming to perform on stage; she just wanted to know her evaluation in her teacher’s eyes and what she needed to pay attention to. She wanted to refine her skills further.
"I’m glad you still have your spiritual energy." A good pianist, aside from needing technique, must also imbue it with charm; otherwise, no matter how skilled, it’s useless.
However, technique is very important too.
Otherwise, some parts really test your fingering. If the technique is lacking, it’s a failed piece.
"Your technique is better than many, but compared to true masters, you’re still slightly lacking. When playing extremely difficult passages, a lack of technique can result in a lack of clarity. Of course, you expressed my piece perfectly. But it’s not enough; you can be even better."
Bertrand was quite gratified; he feared that after these years, she might have lost that initial spiritual energy.
No worries, technique can be practiced.
He talked with Lu Xingzhi about many areas needing attention and, of course, praised her.
The praise was what she deserved.
Bertrand left after dinner; he had booked a flight for the next day.
He needed to return home to prepare for his concert in Hua Country, and it would take at least a few more months before he came over.
After he left, Huo Jincheng told Lu Xingzhi he needed to go on a business trip for a while.
"Zhi Zhi, I’ll be leaving for a while tomorrow. There’s a problem with the partners in the United States; I must go there personally." Huo Jincheng’s only concern was Lu Xingzhi, and he felt a bit reluctant.
"Okay." Lu Xingzhi opened her mouth, feeling a slight strangeness in her heart, which ultimately turned into a single word.
"Will you miss me?" Huo Jincheng held her and gently said, "I will miss you very much."
"I will." Hearing he would leave for a while, she already felt reluctant. "You’ll come back soon, right?"
"Of course! Once things are settled there, I’ll come back."
Lu Xingzhi leaned her head on his shoulder, "I’ll wait for you to come back."
Huo Jincheng left by the afternoon the next day.
And Lu Xingzhi’s suspension procedures were already completed. When she lived alone before, she didn’t feel anything.
But after living with Huo Jincheng for several months, his sudden departure, not seeing him every day, staying alone in the villa, made her feel a bit lonely.
She missed Huo Jincheng a lot.
He’d been gone for a week, and their calls were infrequent.
There was a time difference of over ten hours between here and there, and she couldn’t just call him anytime. She didn’t know when he’d be busy.
At nine in the morning, when Lu Xingzhi didn’t know what to do, her phone rang. It was a video call from Huo Jincheng.
She opened it, and the phone screen was filled with Huo Jincheng.
It was nighttime there, and he was standing in front of a large floor-to-ceiling window, almost blending into the night.
"Uncle, when are you coming back?" Lu Xingzhi had confirmed a truth in recent days; she liked Huo Jincheng.
She didn’t know when it started.