Chapter 22: Talent Competition

As the performances from each class reached their midpoint, a loud announcement from the host outside echoed, introducing Xu Yuan.

Zhong Huayan watched the backstage camera and saw Xu Yuan appear onstage, resplendent in a limited edition haute couture mermaid gown, her hair elegantly swept up beneath the lights. Following behind her was Xu Chuyin, dressed in a black designer suit, embodying the poised grace of a gentleman. Instantly, the entire auditorium erupted in cheers; nearly every student recognized Xu Yuan and Xu Chuyin.

Every year at the Arts Festival, her piano compositions were the most sophisticated and captivating. Was it possible that this year, the Xu siblings would perform a piano duet together?

She sat down like a lady, and under the gaze of all, began to play a piano piece never before revealed to the world. Xu Chuyin followed with flawless coordination—one melody soaring, the other deep and resonant.

Zhong Huayan recognized it at once... This was her own composition, the one the Xu family not only stole after causing her death in the fire, but now claimed as their own!

The judges in the hall were visibly astonished—the piece was truly ingenious.

Midway through the performance, Xu Yuan suddenly stood up at a precise moment, shedding her white gown to reveal a mermaid dress embroidered with tassels, and began a modern dance. Her movements flowed with natural agility, quickening or slowing with the rhythm. The siblings’ harmony was perfect; Xu Yuan’s modern dance brimmed with skill, and her technique was unmatched.

As the piece ended, the entire audience rose in applause. Even the teachers stood, unanimously awarding high scores; out of fifty, they received forty-five. It was higher than any performance that year, and the innovative combination of piano duet and modern dance added a fresh brilliance.

“Xu Yuan’s piano composition is undeniably delightful. Her piano playing and dance skills are impeccable—she truly has boundless prospects!” remarked one of the judges.

Xu Yuan, with the judge's praise, adopted a demure demeanor, bowing politely in thanks. Then she turned toward the camera, flashing a bold, provocative smile, as if victory was already hers.

The school forum was also unified in its support.

[This is Xu Yuan’s win for sure. With Xu Chuyin onstage, all those obsessed fans will definitely give high scores!]

[There’s no way Xu Yuan won’t win with this piece. To compose something like this at her age—she’s already a prodigy!]

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[The judges’ scores are way too high. The students will all give Xu Chuyin high marks. If Li Yanyan gets bullied too much, should we call the police?]

Zhong Huayan hadn’t expected that Xu Yuan would suddenly change her solo piano act into a duet with modern dance. But it didn’t matter; she was prepared.

As the chairman of Zhong Group in the capital, she dealt with emergencies daily. This was nothing.

The host took the stage, “Now, we welcome Li Yanyan to perform piano and Kunqu opera!”

The judges’ eyes brightened instantly. The girl who emerged wore exquisite Jiangnan opera attire, her hair pulled back and adorned with kingfisher feather ornaments—a vision of beauty even from afar.

Up close, her eyes were alive and vivid, like peach blossoms drifting onto a lake, scattering a pool of fragrance.

The entire hall held its breath. Such elaborate costumes were common at the Arts Festival, but none walked with such grace—only her.

Xu Yuan, draped in her coat, sat below, waiting to see her falter. The piano had already been tampered with; the notes would surely sound off.

But things did not go as she had hoped...

Zhong Huayan waved, and her own piano was carried onto the stage—a mysterious, tranquil instrument clashing brilliantly with the vibrant opera dress, raising anticipation to a fever pitch.

She sat on the long piano bench, and suddenly, the crowd’s cheers peaked.

“Ah! Isn’t that Fu Yanyan! My god!”

“Damn! The capital’s idol, here to play piano for us!”

Fu Yanyan wasn’t famous merely for his wealth, but for his exceptional looks and physique, coupled with remarkable talent, earning him the moniker ‘Capital’s Buddha’ among the elite.

Zhong Huayan saw him then—a man in a simple white silk shirt, no glasses today, his eyes unusually serene.

No one knew where he had entered from...

He glanced at her, smiling shyly, as if he knew the piece she was about to play.

His fingers were long and elegant. Sitting beside her, his ancient cologne instantly calmed anxious nerves, helping her settle into her performance.

The two seemed like twin butterflies, flitting across the black and white keys, their hands dazzling.

If Xu Yuan and Xu Chuyin represented the innocence of childhood companions, then she and Fu Yanyan embodied the haunting entanglement of fate.

The latter performance possessed more depth and texture.

Fu Yanyan deliberately gazed at her profile, as if transported back to the past, when she played this same music while he sat beside her doing homework.

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Zhong Huayan rose, blending opera vocals with piano, adorned in theatrical attire, singing “Dream of the Southern Branch.”

The moment she opened her mouth, the audience was stunned.

It was no ordinary voice; it flowed like a mountain stream, clear and pure.

Her eyes and gestures, sleeves dancing, moved like water—graceful and elegant, untouched by any modern dance. Each movement was steeped in classical artistry, sending the judges into nostalgic reverie.

Every smile and frown brimmed with charm; her mastery not only displayed technical brilliance, but every note struck deep, even the final tremor haunting the soul.

The media caught onto tomorrow's headlines, filming Fu Yanyan relentlessly and recording her opera performance as well.

Mist rose onstage, and suddenly, it felt like another world—not merely scholar and beauty, but Buddha and celestial maiden, a perfect match.

She shone with vitality, he radiated calm—the essence of Kunqu and piano.

The highest realm of dance is to express meaning beyond movement; the pinnacle of piano is emotion beyond sound.

In their convergence, like mountains and flowing waters, the judges stood to pay their respects.

Beside them, Xu Yuan’s face was cold, but inside she was in turmoil.

The school forum exploded.

[Incredible! Is Fu Yanyan Li Yanyan’s sponsor? This plot twist is shocking!]

[I’m not worried about Li Yanyan anymore—I’m worried about Xu Yuan! Sooner or later, what goes around comes around!]

[Did you notice how perfectly they performed together? That’s no short-term partnership. Could they have been together for ages? My idol!]

[Li Yanyan really turned the tables—in just a month, not only defeating Xu Yuan, but showcasing her talent and even inviting Fu Yanyan, whom even the principal couldn’t bring here!]

The screams weren’t limited to the girls—even the boys were drooling.

The performance ended.

The judges were speechless; none had expected to witness the capital’s richest man play piano before their eyes.

The principal rushed onstage, eager to ingratiate himself, terrified of slighting this ‘Great Buddha’.

Xu Yuan, in the audience, clenched her hands until they bled.

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