Chapter 154: Heavenly Music

Everyone’s eyes focused on Ling Yao.

Some eyes sparkled with anticipation, some held a hint of worry, and most people, with a mentality of enjoying the show, watched her with a playful expression.

Ling Yao remained calm and composed. Like a blooming flower, she gracefully lifted her skirt, walked towards the magnificent piano with elegant steps.

When her eyes met Ji Youran’s, she slightly raised her lips, sketching a playful smile.

“Yaoyao, good luck! I believe you’ll play better than me.” Ji Youran’s smile was filled with provocation and smugness.

She couldn’t believe how stupid you were, actually daring to go up there. Let’s see how you handle this.

Ling Yao calmly withdrew her gaze, passing Ji Youran.

She calmly gave a standard bow to everyone present before gracefully walking to the piano, gently lifting her skirt, and elegantly sitting down.

 After adjusting her posture, she placed her slender, snow-white hands, like jade, gently on the black and white keys.

She lightly pressed a few keys, producing a simple sequence of notes, “Do, Re, Mi, Fa, So, La…”

Ji Youran couldn’t help but burst into laughter, “Pfft!” This country bumpkin wouldn’t think playing the piano was that simple, would she?

If it were that simple, why would she spend so much time on it.

“It seems she doesn’t know how to play the piano at all. But her courage is commendable.”

“This is hilarious. I was actually expecting something from her, hahaha…”

“Country bumpkin, always a country bumpkin.”

Hearing the murmurs and laughter from around her, Ling Xuemei worriedly grabbed Ji Yanting’s arm, “Yanting, what should we do now?”

“Don’t worry, we need to believe in Yaoyao.” Ji Yanting gently patted Ling Xuemei’s back.

In fact, he wasn’t sure either. He didn’t know if his daughter could actually play the piano.

But with him around, he wouldn’t let anyone ridicule his daughter.

At this moment, Ling Yao smiled faintly, her gaze calmly sweeping over everyone present, and softly said,

“Next, I will present a classic piece by Richard Clayderman, “Clair de Lune.”

This sentence was like a pebble thrown into a calm lake, creating ripples.

“She actually knows Richard Clayderman’s “Clair de Lune”?”

“Does she really know how to play the piano?”

Everyone’s faces showed shock and disbelief.

Ling Yao’s fingertips gently touched the keys. Then, a stream of melodious notes flowed out like a clear spring, echoing throughout the hall.

The beautiful melody was like heavenly music, intoxicating everyone, making them unable to escape.

Ling Yao’s hands danced on the keys, sometimes gentle and melodious, sometimes passionate and powerful.

She was completely immersed in the world of music, using her emotions to interpret this romantic piano piece.

Every note was full of life, as if telling a beautiful and moving story.

Everyone present was deeply moved. They listened quietly, experiencing the endless charm of music.

Some closed their eyes, letting their thoughts drift; others stared intently at Ling Yao, afraid to miss any exciting moment.

When the last note slowly faded into the air, the entire scene seemed to be frozen in time.

 Everyone was immersed in the atmosphere created by the exquisite music, unable to extricate themselves.

Time seemed to freeze at that moment.

After a long silence, the scene finally erupted in thunderous applause.

“That was amazing! That’s the pinnacle of piano playing!”

“I thought Ji Youran played well enough, but Ling Yao is even better!”

“No wonder Young Master Lu is smitten with her. How could anyone not be moved by such a talented woman?”

Lu Qingyun’s eyes were fixed on Ling Yao, filled with surprise and tenderness.

 Yaoyao, how many more amazing talents do you have waiting for me to discover?

Ling Yao stood up, bowed to everyone in thanks, and then slowly walked back to her seat.

Ji Youran shook her head in disbelief, muttering to herself, “This is impossible. How could she play the piano?

 Impossible, absolutely impossible.” Ling Yao was clearly a country girl. How could she have ever touched a piano?

She quickly stepped forward, blocking Ling Yao’s path.

Ling Yao’s face showed a hint of impatience. She looked at Ji Youran with cold eyes, “What, is there something else?”

Ji Youran forced a smile, “Yaoyao, Xueya said she heard your calligraphy is excellent and wants to exchange and compete with you.”

With that, she turned and gave Zhu Xueya a wink. Today, she couldn’t let Ling Yao leave so triumphantly.

She had to make her look like a fool in public.

Ling Yao’s piano playing was indeed quite good, but she absolutely didn’t believe that Ling Yao would be equally skilled in calligraphy.

After all, Ling Yao had lived in a remote village all these years.

Her background had already predetermined that she couldn’t achieve much.

Zhu Xueya stepped forward, a gentle smile on her face as she looked at Ling Yao, “May I have the honor of discussing and competing with you in calligraphy?”

She hadn’t originally intended to compete with Ling Yao, but she felt a pang of resentment.

She wanted to show her talent in front of Lu Qingyun, proving that she was no less than Ling Yao.

“Not interested!” Ling Yao said flatly and walked towards her seat.

“Are you afraid to compete?” Ji Youran stepped forward again to block Ling Yao, looking at her with provocation,

“Are you afraid of losing face to Xueya? It’s just a friendly competition. It’s okay to lose, no one will laugh at you.”

After speaking, Ji Youran didn’t care whether Ling Yao agreed or not. She turned around and loudly announced to everyone,

 “Next, Yaoyao will compete in calligraphy with Xueya.”

A cold gleam flashed in Ling Yao’s eyes. Her words seemed to be frozen in a cold ice cellar, devoid of warmth,

 “It’s not impossible to compete, but it has to be interesting with a little wager.”

Ji Youran exchanged glances with Zhu Xueya before nodding slightly.

“You tell me, what’s the wager?”

Ling Yao’s gaze swept over the jade bracelet on Zhu Xueya’s wrist.

 The bracelet was a vibrant emerald green, crystal clear, with a warm luster and delicate texture.

It was clearly a rare and precious item. If sold later, it would definitely fetch an astonishing price.

A subtle smile appeared on her lips, “If you lose this competition, give me the jade bracelet on your wrist.

If I lose, I’ll give you the jade bracelet on my wrist. That’s fair and reasonable, right?”