Chapter 380: Chapter 379: This Really Is a Specialty of Kunpeng High School
Sheng Zijin was even more frustrated as she snatched away his phone, “It’s none of your business, just focus on your studies.”
Interrupted , Sheng Zixin had really let his team down. Sighing, he didn’t attempt to snatch it back, but instead started toying with an exquisite box by his side.
“Then you should at least say something to Lu Xi, he’s always been concerned about Sufeng’s affairs.”
Sheng Zijin tucked her hair behind her ear while looking out the window, her gaze distant, “He chose the wrong side, how could I possibly tell him?”
Sheng Zixin twitched his mouth in response.
“Sis, you take winning or losing, family honor way too seriously. Actually, if you were a bit more relaxed, you’d find that this trip to Wucheng was quite interesting. At least meeting someone like Lu Mian was totally worth it! It’s just a pity I annoyed her at first; she doesn’t pay me much attention. Otherwise, I really would have liked to become friends with her.”
They had used the wrong strategy from the start.
They insisted on being arrogant and oppressive, which only led to a fierce counterattack. In the end, it was they who had to skulk away defeated.
“Make friends with Lu Mian?” Sheng Zijin turned around, looking incredulously at her brother, “Have you been brainwashed by her? How could you be friends with that kind of person?”
“What’s wrong with her? She’s really good! A decathlete!”
“Sheng Zixin, you better remember your status. Someone like her, without a powerful family backing and not a shred of prestigious heritage, will never be our friend.” She still had that superior air about her.
In her words, no matter how many influential people a commoner might know, they would always be commoners, never in the same league as nobility.
Sheng Zixin didn’t know where to begin his rebuttal, holding the small gift box hesitantly in his hand.
“Just wait, she will regret her choices sooner or later,” Sheng Zijin massaged her temples, “She missed the closest chance she ever had to a wealthy family.”
Sheng Zixin wasn’t in the mood to listen to her theories of social hierarchies and simply ignored her, leisurely opening the return gift from Kunpeng High School.
“Is this a CD?” He seemed to think of something.
Sheng Zijin’s expression soured further, “Humph, truly disrespectful to Era Middle School. What kind of specialty is this?”
With a laugh, Sheng Zixin held the CD, “Sis, there’s something I haven’t told you…”
“Actually, this really is a specialty of Kunpeng High School.” Sheng Zixin looked mysterious, shaking the CD in his hand.
“Look, it’s even signed by Cang Xue.” Sheng Zixin grinned, “You didn’t know, did you? Cang Xue is Lu Mian, and Lu Mian is the real Cang Xue. Gu Jingyi and I confirmed it that night we went to the party.”
“…” Sheng Zijin’s expression worsened, unbelieving, “How is that possible?”
“But it’s the truth. She took out Cang Xue’s Weibo right there and even showed us the backstage…”
Sheng Zijin stared at the CD in Sheng Zixin’s hand, stunned.
After seeing Sheng Zijin off, Principal Zhang headed to the arts building.
He found the piano teacher, Song Lin, there.
“Ms. Song, did you find out about what I asked you to check?” he referred to the time he brought Chu Kong to the arts building and happened to hear someone playing the piano, and had asked Song Lin to help find the person.
“Principal, I’ve checked it out.” Song Lin was all smiles, “It’s quite unfortunate that on that day, there was some renovation that tripped the circuit breaker in the arts building, so the surveillance wasn’t working. But based on your description, the person capable of playing such a beautiful piece could only be Shao Yunxuan, a senior in the art department. She just came back from training out of town and will be attending arts exams after the New Year.”
“Shao Yunxuan?” Principal Zhang didn’t quite remember the name but still asked cautiously, “Are you sure? Have you asked her if she was in the arts building that day?”
“Yes, yes, it must’ve been around that time. She said she was coming to the piano room to get her water bottle, so it’s likely her playing then. Otherwise, who else could it be? Our school doesn’t have any other students who can play the piano that well anymore.”
If there had been any, they would have already taken part in the school’s various cultural performances.
Principal Zhang nodded, “Okay then, give me that Shao…”
“Right, give me Shao Yunxuan’s information so I can send it to Mr. Chu Kong.”
Inside the Wucheng Theatre’s piano rehearsal room.
Chu Kuo made his way over, holding his phone, excitedly calling out to Chu Kong.
“Brother, the video has come, it’s here! Take a quick look!” He hadn’t even watched it himself before bringing it to Chu Kong.
In the face of Chu Kuo’s enthusiasm, Chu Kong remained very calm.
At that moment, he was sitting in front of an expensive grand piano, his eyes slightly closed as he touched the keys, his fingers still trembling, and the melody he produced was intermittent.
It was as if he hadn’t heard Chu Kuo’s words, immersed in his own world.
Chu Kuo turned his gaze away, heart aching.
He didn’t know how much longer his brother could hold on.
His brother was very stubborn, and after learning about his ALS diagnosis, not only did he not cooperate with the treatment, but he also played the piano even more desperately, as if he wanted to finish a lifetime of piano playing in this limited time.
He knew how much his brother loved the piano.
Fate is unpredictable, and being diagnosed with ALS at the peak of his life was something no one could accept.
Therefore, he had always been trying his best to help him find a successor.
He hoped that his brother, even if unable to continue performing on stage, could sit contentedly under the stage and watch the chosen successor carry on his spirit.
Chu Kong had been ignoring Chu Kuo all this time, lost in his own world, unable to pull out.
It was quite some time later that he finally snapped back to reality, “Wonderful, oh wonderful!”
“What is it, brother?”
Chu Kong’s eyes shone with a hint of luster.
“I heard a wonderfully beautiful piece a couple of days ago, and I’ve been trying to recreate it. But I only listened to it once; it’s hard to remember all the notes. And some parts are done so cleverly, without the sheet music, it’s difficult for others to play!”
Chu Kuo rarely saw Chu Kong praise someone so highly.
In his brother’s eyes, the ultimate art is pure, untainted by any impurity, requiring not only superb techniques but also a heart that transcends the mundane.
It was also for this reason that his brother had yet to find a successor that truly satisfied him.
Otherwise, with his reputation, he could just pick anyone from the musicians’ association, and a whole crowd of piano experts would line up to call him teacher.
Chu Kuo slowly put away his phone, curious, “Brother, who played this piece?”
“I heard it at Kunpeng School; I went there with a try-and-see attitude, but unexpectedly, I found a kindred spirit! If I hadn’t contracted this disease, I definitely would have taken this child as my own student!”
“…” Chu Kuo paused, interrupting him, and said, “Actually, I also have a very good candidate here. Do you want to see the video she sent?”