Su Huai’an was also secretly sizing up Meng Ping, his mind always on the harm his cousin had caused to his cousin-sister. Chen Huaying beside him couldn’t help but keep glancing toward Shen Yu, thinking she was being subtle but failing to fool anyone sharp-eyed in the crowd.
Su Huai’an was a bit angry and suddenly reached out to turn her head toward him.
"Don’t randomly stare at men, he’s dangerous and not suitable for you."
Chen Huaying rolled her eyes, finally convinced that Su Huai’an must have a problem in his head. He wouldn’t let her stare at women, guarding her as if she were a thief, and now he was stopping her from staring at men.
What did he want to do?
The performance on stage had reached its climax. Phoenix had finally ascended the national award stage, finally made it to the Vienna Royal Music Academy. Exciting music filled the entire auditorium, accompanied by thunderous applause from the comrades. Everyone’s attention was captured by the stage, applauding the brilliance of the drama.
Leaders seated in the front row quietly commented to each other, their words full of praise for Phoenix.
Gu Jun, sitting close to Bai Oulan, heard it all rather fuzzily, but that did not prevent them from knowing the leaders’ affirmation of Phoenix.
"Such good fortune indeed!" Gu Jun whispered.
The curtain slowly closed, and Gu Jun and Bai Oulan returned to the stage, their coordination seamless.
"The next performance will still be brought by the General Union Dance Troupe, a piano solo featuring Chopin’s Fantaisie-Impromptu." The rightful source is novᴇlfire.net
"The performer, Liu Yilan, please enjoy!"
Gu Jun and Bai Oulan stepped down from the stage, and the venue immediately filled with murmuring.
"Liu Yilan is the model for Phoenix?"
"I heard that Phoenix is based on her life. She also started training in piano from a young age, stood up for a friend, but was disfigured."
"I wonder if she could be like Phoenix..."
Such murmurs rose and fell, even the leaders seated in the front row were filled with curiosity.
"Xingzhi, is Liu Yilan a comrade from your district?"
"Yes! An old leader," Meng Xingzhi respectfully replied, "From the General Union!"
"Then we must observe how skilled she has become on the piano!" the elder leader commented with interest.
"Young people these days really have vigor and fighting spirit!"
Meng Ping’s lips were tightly pursed, silent, his focus never truly on the performance. Because he noticed that during the brief time everyone applauded, Xu Qigang had arrived, Shen Feihu had arrived, and even the second-in-command had arrived.
The previously empty seats were no longer vacant; he glanced back and indeed saw Chen Yingjie sitting amongst the War Wolf Rescue Team, grinning smugly.
Xu Qigang’s perceptiveness was astonishing; a casual glance backward let Meng Ping’s eyes meet his, sharp as a hawk’s. Xu Qigang slightly raised his eyebrows, his handsome and resolute face showing no displeasure, on the contrary, he subtly nodded at Meng Ping.
Meng Ping quickly averted his gaze, bowing his head. He was silent, markedly different from before.
At this moment, everyone noticed Xu Qigang was back, and those in the know looked at him with utter astonishment. Among them, Shen Yu’s composed face was filled with surprise and a mix of frightened emotion.
Moreover, everyone noticed that King Yan was sitting in the row reserved for the President, right beside Shen Feihu, just behind the leaders, notably eye-catching. Whenever there was an important moment, leaders would occasionally turn back. Unable to hear or see if they were speaking, but knowing interactions were taking place.
The crowd was simultaneously frightened and secretly envious. There was no denying it! Many had gone to the Research Institute, nearly all dying, yet he had led ten people and managed to rescue them.