Chapter 364: Chapter 363: The Satisfactory Heir
Chu Kuo’s words were like a bucket of cold water, clanging down on Sheng Zijin and You Kezhou’s heads, extinguishing their burning, excited hearts through and through.
The audience dispersing around them, some people curiously peeked over in their direction.
Sheng Zijin’s smile grew increasingly stiff as she casually adjusted her hair, her charming face burning red.
This time she finally soberly remembered who this person was; he’s that assistant she encountered that day in the coffee shop!
Back then, his attire and behavior were so odd, she hadn’t taken notice.
But now, he was in tails, standing before her in the role of a conductor, and Sheng Zijin felt a mix of emotions.
She didn’t understand why he would conceal his identity while interacting with them, and thinking back to her own close encounter with the artist, she regretted not having asked for his contact information earlier.
It seemed that Lu Mian had snagged a huge advantage for nothing!
Before Sheng Zijin could speak, Chu Kuo became even more anxious. As the audience was nearly all gone, he pressed on, “Miss, did Lu Mian come? Do you know where she is? If you do, could you please tell me?”
Sheng Zijin’s mouth opened dryly.
You Kezhou just stared blankly, without a turn to speak herself.
Chu Kuo didn’t notice them; his gaze had already drifted away, scanning the theater and staring towards the exit. It wasn’t until he saw a color and delicate face tinged with shyness in the crowd that he paused.
Just as Sheng Zijin started to say, “I don’t know,” the other party preempted her with, “Sorry to bother,” and hastily left.
He was heading in Lu Mian’s direction.
Sheng Zijin and You Kezhou, arm in arm, were left awkwardly in place.
Biting her lip, Sheng Zijin coldly shook off You Kezhou’s hand, “Let’s go.”
“Okay,” You Kezhou followed, “I don’t think it’s anything good that the conductor sir is looking for Lu Mian.”
Sheng Zijin didn’t speak and hurriedly led the way out.
Meanwhile, Chu Kuo had to jog for a bit before catching up to Lu Mian and the others.
From several rows back, he called out, “Miss Lu Mian!”
The plump and slim brothers and Su Luo who came with Lu Mian turned towards the voice. When they saw the conductor from the stage, they even made way for him.
Xiao Qimo’s finger-hooking gesture with Lu Mian was almost spotted by everyone.
Lu Mian quickly withdrew her hand, murmuring, “You go ahead; I’ll be right there,” before turning toward Chu Kuo.
Xiao Qimo’s eyes darkened, but he didn’t say anything. Instead, he took the group of chattering students and left first.
Lu Mian found a seat and sat down casually. Chu Kuo, having stood for a long performance, was also a bit tired and sat down beside her.
“Miss Lu, you remember me, right?”
“Yes, you’re Mr. Chu Kuo,” Lu Mian still remembered.
“It’s good that Miss Lu remembers!” Chu Kuo was quite relieved, and then he let out a heavy sigh, “I am truly sorry for the intrusion these couple of times, mainly because I have a favor to ask of you!”
Lu Mian, legs crossed, fiddled with the fingers that a certain man had just held, listening patiently.
Chu Kuo was not good at socializing and spoke at length without much logic.
Lu Mian boiled it down to three points.
First, his brother Chu Kong is a pianist at the Starlight Symphony Orchestra, who had been diagnosed with early-stage ALS, also known as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Lu Mian was aware of the disease; the distinguished physicist Mr. Stephen Hawking had suffered from it—it was incurable and fatal. For a pianist who made a living with his hands, it was a devastating blow to the spirit.
Second, Chu Kong hoped to find a perfect heir to take his place before he had to completely give up his beloved piano.
Third, the skill she displayed in the café that one time was basically up to Chu Kong’s standards, and Chu Kuo hoped she could record a complete piano piece and send it to Chu Kong for consideration.
“Miss Lu, ever since my brother was diagnosed with this disease, he’s become moody and difficult to approach. I thought of this compromise because I was worried he might give you a hard time. To be honest, I have been helping him look for this heir. We’ve approached quite a few people from our circles, but there weren’t many suitable candidates,” Chu Kuo said, his voice tinged with embarrassment and a hint of desolation in his eyes. “I don’t know how much longer my brother can hold on. Hand muscle weakness and atrophy are devastating not just to him but to our entire orchestra; every performance could potentially be the last one…”
Lu Mian quietly leaned against the back of the chair, reflecting on the time she secretly learned to play the electronic keyboard at her uncle’s house.
The Lu Family didn’t know she could play the piano because she taught herself during the year she was left at her uncle’s place.
That year, she was accused by Lu Xinnuan of breaking her arm, leading to Lu Xinnuan being held back a grade, and she was forced to repeat the year as well. Unable to care for two children, her parents sent her to her uncle’s place in another city.
Her uncle’s household was modest and didn’t have a piano at the time, only an electronic keyboard that had been discarded by someone’s company.
When she had free time, she would tinker with it. Later, after coming into contact with the piano, she quickly adapted to it.
She didn’t know where her skill level stood, after all, she had never taken any formal exams, nor had she ever truly showcased her abilities.
Now, being invited by Chu Kuo, she didn’t really have much of a concept of it.
“Mr. Chu, I can record the piano piece for you, but I’m not particularly interested in becoming an heir,” Lu Mian stated clearly.
Putting aside whether she could become the heir, she was certain that others’ dreams should not be imposed on her; she had her own pursuits.
Chu Kuo was quite surprised to hear this; if it were anyone else, they’d be eager to claw their way into their team.
Now the opportunity was presented to this young girl, yet she wasn’t interested.
But, the thing was, the skills she showcased at the café that day dazzled him.
Chu Kuo continued to speak intermittently, unsure if Lu Mian was taking in his words. Her demeanor remained indifferent, seemingly unconcerned about the opportunity that others would clamor for.
He felt somewhat dejected for a moment.
But fortunately, she had agreed to record the video. Perhaps this time, his brother really could find a most satisfactory heir…
After Lu Mian left, Xiao Qimo stood at the most conspicuous place waiting for her. Every lady who passed by, regardless of whether they were middle-aged women or young girls, couldn’t help but look back at him three times, and a few girls lingered, unwilling to leave.
Lu Mian walked over nonchalantly.
The man’s stern and aloof handsome face finally softened with a trace of warmth.
The girls, both surprised and somewhat begrudging, turned back to see Lu Mian, then hung their heads and walked away dejectedly.
A leisurely beautiful arc formed on the corners of Lu Mian’s lips.
Su Luo and Fat Hao were excitedly discussing something at the entrance of the theater. Seeing Lu Mian emerge, they quickly changed the subject.
“Why did that conductor seek out Lu Mian just now?”
“People who are beautiful attract attention wherever they go!”
Touching his chin, Fat Hao nodded approvingly. “True that! Could it be they want to invite Brother Mian to join their symphony orchestra? Has Starlight found its future star?”