Chapter 153: Calculation

Ling Yao was chatting happily with Lu’s mother when Ji Youran walked over.

“Yaoyao, you’re here? I have a few friends who want to meet you. Can you come with me?”

Ji Youran’s eyes held a hint of provocation as she looked at Ling Yao.

Ling Yao looked up at Ji Youran and smiled faintly, “Okay!” She knew Ji Youran wouldn’t have good intentions in asking her to go, but she wasn’t afraid. She wanted to see what kind of show Ji Youran had prepared for her.

“Yaoyao.” Lu Qingyun held Ling Yao’s hand worriedly. Yaoyao had made Ji Youran suffer a loss at the mall before.

How could she possibly be kind enough to introduce Yaoyao to her friends? There must be a catch.

“It’s okay, I’ll be back soon. I won’t let myself be taken advantage of.” Ling Yao gave Lu Qingyun a smile, stood up, nodded to everyone present, and followed Ji Youran away.

Seeing Ji Youran leading Ling Yao over, several young ladies from prestigious families exchanged glances.

Ji Youran smiled and led Ling Yao to the group, introducing them one by one, “Yaoyao, these are all my good friends.

 This is Zhu Xueya, the apple of Zhu family’s eye. You met at the mall before.

This is Miss Li Susu, the eldest daughter of the Li family.

And this beautiful young lady is Zhang Yuner, also from a prominent family.

They’re all studying at Beijing University now. You’ll be classmates with them soon.”

Ling Yao smiled faintly and gracefully nodded slightly to everyone, “Hello!”

“Ling Yao, I heard from Youran that you’re this year’s top scorer in the college entrance exam. You’re amazing!”

“Youran also told us that you’re not only excellent in your studies, but you’re also proficient in music, chess, calligraphy, and painting.

Today, we have this opportunity. Why don’t you show us your skills? It would be an eye-opener for us.”

“Yes, yes!” Others also expressed their agreement.

Ling Yao raised her eyebrows slightly and glanced at Ji Youran. Such a petty trick.

Ji Youran’s lips curled into a slightly provocative smile, deliberately provoking, “Yaoyao, since everyone is so interested, don’t hide your talents anymore. Show us freely.

 Let’s see, I’ll play a piece first, as a way to break the ice and pave the way for you.”

She had been learning piano since she was a child and was now a level 10 pianist. With her as a comparison, Ling Yao would definitely make a fool of herself later.

Without giving Ling Yao a chance to refuse, she walked towards the stage. Before coming to the banquet, she had already discussed this plan with her mother.

 At this moment, her mother had already arranged for someone to move the piano to the center of the banquet hall.

Walking to the piano, Ji Youran smiled gracefully and gave a standard bow to the audience present, “Hello everyone! I will now play a piece for you,

“The Blue Danube.” I hope this beautiful music will bring you joy and enjoyment. After I finish playing, my cousin, Ling Yao, will also present a piece for you.”

With that, Ji Youran gently adjusted her skirt and sat down on the piano bench.

She bent her fingers slightly, gently placing them on the keys.

Then, her fingers danced like butterflies, light and agile. Accompanied by her nimble fingertips, a stream of melodious notes flowed from the keys like water…

Ji Yanting, Ling Xuemei, and Lu Qingyun’s faces all darkened.

“What is Youran doing? She knows Yaoyao just came back from Yuncheng, and she’s asking Yaoyao to play the piano.

 Go and make her explain herself.” Ji Yanting angrily looked at Ji’s father and mother beside him.

“Yanting, what are you rushing for? Since Youran said so, it must be with Yaoyao’s agreement.

 Maybe she’ll give us a surprise later.” Ji’s mother smiled at Ji Youran on stage, her eyes filled with joy.

Her daughter was just so outstanding, how could Ling Yao compare to her daughter.

“Youran has already said it, stopping her now would be bad for Yaoyao.” Ji’s father also chimed in with a smile.

“Does Yaoyao know how to play the piano?” Ji Yanting asked Ling Xuemei beside him.

Ling Xuemei shook her head, her face full of worry as she looked at Ling Yao, “Yaoyao has never touched a piano since she was a child.

How could she possibly play? What should we do?”

They had always lived in the countryside, and being able to fill their stomachs was already a blessing.

 They had no chance to touch expensive items like pianos.

This was the first time she knew about the existence of a piano.

After thinking for a moment, Ji Yanting leaned close to Ling Xuemei’s ear and whispered a few words.

Ling Xuemei nodded slightly and then stood up, walking towards Ling Yao.

Lu Qingyun’s brows were furrowed, his face full of worry. Yaoyao shouldn’t have touched a piano before, right?

Ling Yao keenly noticed Lu Qingyun’s gaze, turned her head, and gave Lu Qingyun a bright smile.

In the depths of that charming smile, there seemed to be a hint of cunning that was hard to detect.

Seeing this, the clouds of worry in Lu Qingyun’s heart instantly dissipated. He returned a faint smile.

Ling Xuemei walked to Ling Yao’s side, took her hand, and led her to a corner, whispering, “Yaoyao, why don’t you pretend to be sick? Leave the rest to your dad.”

“It’s okay, Mom! I know what I’m doing.”

“But you’ve never touched a piano before. How can you play?” Ling Xuemei’s face was full of worry.

“Actually, I learned piano at school. I can play. Don’t worry. Go back and sit down. Just watch my performance later.”

 Ling Yao patted Ling Xuemei’s back, giving her a confident smile.

In her previous life, she had specifically studied piano under a master and had delved into the art of piano playing.

 Even her teacher had praised her, saying that she had exceptional talent.

Ling Xuemei nodded helplessly, “If there’s any problem, just pretend to be sick. Your dad will take care of it.”

“Okay!” Ling Yao smiled and gently pushed Ling Xuemei, “Go back and sit down. It’s almost my turn to go on stage.”

Ling Xuemei walked back to her seat, looking back three times.

Ji Yanting saw Ling Xuemei return and hurriedly asked, “What did Yaoyao say?”

“She said she can play the piano and told us to just watch her performance.” Ling Xuemei repeated what Ling Yao had just said.

Ji Yanting shook his head and sighed, “Let’s see what happens.”

Ji Youran’s parents heard their conversation and looked at each other, a smug smile on their faces.

 Since Ling Yao was being stubborn, they were waiting to see her make a fool of herself.

On stage, Ji Youran landed on the final note. She stood up, bowed to the audience with a smile, and then looked in the direction where Ling Yao was sitting, “Yaoyao, it’s your turn to go on stage.”