Can't afford to pay for the takeout? Stunning CEO: Then pay with your body!

boom--!

A thunderclap, seemingly delayed by a full half-minute, suddenly exploded above the dome of the auditorium.

applause!

Scream!

Whistling!

The deafening roar nearly ripped the roof off and leveled the building.

Everyone has gone mad.

They emerged from the shock of that musical storm only to fall into an even more bizarre and thrilling vortex of reality before them.

The mysterious freshman who had captivated everyone with his piano playing walked straight towards the stunningly beautiful and charismatic CEO in the front row.

And that female CEO actually held his hand in front of thousands of people.

Their fingers are intertwined.

Their posture was so intimate that it was completely undisguised.

"Come on, let's go home, I'll give you a massage."

Amidst the clamor, those words were as light as a feather.

But that domineering yet indulgent attitude was like a bombshell, causing a huge uproar in the hearts of the school leaders and rich kids who were closest to him.

"Oh my god... what did I just hear?"

"Go home? Rub it? What kind of lewd words are those!"

"Oh no, I feel like my worldview has shattered..."

Zhang Yan stood still, feeling the warmth and smoothness emanating from his palm.

Nie Qingcheng's fingers were slightly cool, but she held them tightly, with a force that was impossible to break free from.

His heart began to pound uncontrollably.

It wasn't because of nervousness, but rather a strange feeling of being recognized and protected that I had never experienced before.

Just then, a hysterical, shattered scream pierced through the thunderous applause.

"It's fake! It's definitely fake!"

Zhao Yu sprang up from the chair like a mad dog, his face contorted and his eyes bloodshot.

He pointed towards the stage, then at Zhang Yan in the audience, and roared with all his might.

"How could a penniless wretch like him possibly play the piano! This is definitely fake! It's a recording! You've all been fooled!"

The voice was shrill, filled with despair and resentment.

However, this final struggle seemed so ridiculous and insignificant amidst the overwhelming cheers.

The people around him looked at him as if he were an idiot.

"Who is this guy? He's gone crazy because he can't handle losing?"

"Exactly! Their hand speed is so fast it's practically blurry, how could they fake a shot? It's impossible even for a fool!"

"He's probably insanely jealous. How pathetic."

Zhao Yu's roar did not earn him any recognition, but only more contempt and ridicule.

The color drained from his face little by little, until only ashen skin remained.

He lost.

A crushing defeat.

Just then, the host of the party, a senior student, finally recovered from the huge shock.

She lifted her skirt, shuffled in her high heels, and practically ran to Zhang Yan, her cheeks flushed with excitement, and she could barely hold the microphone.

"Zhang Yan! My God, Zhang Yan! Your...your piano skills...it's simply unbelievable!"

The host's voice, carried through the microphone, brought everyone's attention back to the venue.

"May I ask when you started learning piano? Who is your teacher? Your performance just now was absolutely world-class!"

Everyone pricked up their ears, eager to know just who this extraordinary genius was.

Before Zhang Yan could speak, Nie Qingcheng gently squeezed his hand.

He turned his head to look and saw Nie Qingcheng tilt her head slightly, her red lips close to his ear, her breath as fragrant as orchids.

Think before you answer.

"You're being too professional. I'll make you play every day from now on, and you'll be exhausted."

The warm breath brushed against my earlobe, causing a slight itch.

Zhang Yan's heart skipped a beat.

He looked at the host's face, which was filled with admiration and expectation, and then at the countless curious eyes around him.

He released Nie Qingcheng's hand and calmly took the microphone from the host.

The entire room fell silent instantly; you could hear a pin drop.

Zhang Yan cleared his throat, and his voice, transmitted clearly through the speakers, reached every corner.

"I wouldn't call myself a master, nor do I have any teachers."

He paused, a slightly shy yet incredibly sincere expression appearing on his face.

"It's just... a hobby."

A hobby...or hobby?

The entire venue fell silent for three seconds.

Immediately afterwards, an even more violent uproar erupted!

"Holy crap! This is a hobby? Then what about someone like me who passed the highest level exam? Kindergarten level?"

"To kill someone is to destroy their spirit! That was a masterful display of arrogance, I give it a perfect 100%!"

"This isn't Versailles anymore, this is gods descending to earth to experience life!"

The dean of the music academy stumbled and almost fainted on the spot.

Hobbies?

You're telling me this historic performance is just a hobby?!

The host was stunned, his mouth agape, unable to utter a single word for a long time.

Zhang Yan didn't give them a chance to ask further questions. He handed the microphone back to the host, then took Nie Qingcheng's hand again, as if to lead her away.

Just then, the principal, sweating profusely, squeezed through the crowd with an incredibly fawning smile on his face.

"Chairman Nie! Chairman Nie! Look, do you think our school has a few decent students?"

Nie Qingcheng glanced at him but didn't say anything.

The principal quickly bowed and made a "please" gesture.

"Chairman Nie, you are the most generous donor in the history of Jiangda University, and also our newly appointed honorary trustee! On this auspicious occasion, could you... could you come up on stage and say a few words for us young students?"

These words caused the entire audience to erupt in cheers once again.

Should we let this legendary female boss speak on stage?

This is definitely the biggest surprise of the night!

Nie Qingcheng glanced at the principal, then at Zhang Yan beside her.

Zhang Yanchong nodded almost imperceptibly.

Nie Qingcheng then released his hand, a slight smile curving her red lips.

"OK."

She strode towards the stage.

There was no support from school leaders, nor was there any assistant accompanying him.

She was just that kind of person, climbing the steps one by one.

The high heels tapped on the wooden floor of the stage, producing a crisp and rhythmic sound.

Every step felt like stepping on everyone's heartbeats.

When she stood in the center of the stage and received the microphone personally handed to her by the principal, it seemed as if all the light in the auditorium was focused on her alone.

She didn't look at the script, and she didn't even clear her throat.

He simply held the microphone and looked around at the audience.

Those fox-like eyes carried a kind of all-knowing pressure that made everyone who met her gaze instinctively hold their breath.

Zhao Yu slumped in his chair, feeling that gaze sweep over him like a knife, without lingering for even a moment.

The humiliation of being completely ignored was a hundred times more painful than any direct slap in the face.

Good evening, teachers and students.

Nie Qingcheng spoke.

The voice was clear and cool, yet possessed a unique magnetism, resonating throughout the venue through the speakers, both clear and pleasant to the ear.

"I rarely participate in these kinds of events; my presence today is purely by chance."

She paused, her gaze piercing through the crowd and landing precisely on Zhang Yan in the audience.

That look instantly transformed from that of an ice queen into one of tender affection.

"However, I really liked that piece of music."

The entire audience erupted in uproar.

She actually praised Zhang Yan in public!

However, the next second, her words truly showed everyone what the domineering power of a top-tier conglomerate was all about.

Nie Qingcheng turned her head and looked at the principal on the side of the stage. Her tone was calm, but her words were firm and resolute.

"So, I've made my decision."

"In addition to the original donation of a library, I will also donate an art building to Jiangzhou University in my personal capacity."

"Let's call it... 'Rhapsody' Building."

Boom—!

If the applause just now was a tsunami, then at this moment, the entire auditorium felt as if it had been hit head-on by a nuclear bomb.

Everyone's brains have crashed.

Additional donation... of an art building?!

Just because... she liked that song?!

What kind of incredible skill is this!

Using a building to pay for a performance?

This is not just being arrogant, this is a miracle!

The principal was so excited that he trembled all over and almost knelt down before Nie Qingcheng.

"Thank you, Chairman Nie! On behalf of all the faculty and students of Jiangzhou University, thank you for your generosity!"

Below the stage, Zhao Yu heard the phrase "Rhapsody Building," and his vision went black. He could no longer hold on and slid off his chair, collapsing completely to the ground, unconscious.

On stage, Nie Qingcheng seemed oblivious to all of this.

She finished speaking.

He casually handed the microphone to the petrified host next to him, turned around, and amidst the deafening cheers and screams of the audience, once again, he walked off the stage step by step.

She walked up to Zhang Yan once again.

This time, she didn't hold his hand.

Instead, she extended two slender fingers, gently hooked his chin, and forced him to raise his head and look into her eyes.

Those captivating fox eyes were filled with a smug smile.

It's as if it's saying: Look, I'm crowning you.

Looking at the woman who had "splurged a fortune" for him alone under the spotlight, Zhang Yan felt a mix of emotions.

He sighed helplessly.

This gigolo...

They fed it too hard.

It was so hard that he almost choked.