The fake heiress loves to act? The max-level boss isn't interested in playing along.

Fu Youchuan's face flushed red instantly. He wanted to say something, but Su Yurou held him back tightly.

Steinberg sighed: "Young lady, you remind me of myself when I was young—practicing relentlessly, striving for perfection."

I wanted to conquer everyone with technology. But later I realized that music is not about conquering, but about dialogue.

It's not a demonstration, it's a sharing. Your performance has technique, training, and meticulous design... but it lacks warmth, it lacks your own personality.

He looked at Commander Wang, then at the pale-faced Fu Chaochao: "So I'm sorry, this isn't the student I'm looking for. What I want is... someone who can hear my own heartbeat."

These words were like a bucket of ice water, extinguishing all the enthusiasm backstage.

Fu Chaochao stood there, her face as white as paper, her lips trembling slightly.

He couldn't utter a single word.

She practiced the piano so hard for so long just to gain Steinberg's approval.

just now……

What's the point of playing the piano then?

She can no longer be a student of a master, nor can she ever stand on the world stage again.

Su Yurou hugged her daughter's shoulders tightly, her fingers turning white from the force.

For the first time, displeasure appeared in his eyes as he looked at Steinberg.

How could he... how could he do this in front of so many people?

Is this how you evaluate her?

Her face burned; the pride and dignity she had carefully cultivated over the years...

At this moment, because Chaochao was denied, she was being trampled underfoot.

Commander Wang's smile froze completely on his face.

He opened his mouth, wanting to smooth things over, but didn't know what to say.

Just then, the Chinese person accompanying Steinberg who had been silent stepped forward.

He cleared his throat: "Ladies and gentlemen, there may be some misunderstanding. Mr. Steinberg's visit to China this time..."

The primary purpose was to conduct friendly exchanges at the invitation of the Ministry of Culture; selecting students was secondary.

Fu Chaochao's performance was outstanding, showcasing the artistic level of our country's youth, and we fully affirm this.

This sounds official, but it also offers an out.

Commander Wang immediately chimed in, "Yes, yes, yes, the main focus is on exchange, the main focus is on exchange. Chaochao, quickly thank Mr. Steinberg for his guidance!"

Fu Chaochao bowed mechanically: "Thank you... sir..."

The sound was as soft as a mosquito's hum.

Steinberg seemed to want to say something more, but looking at Fu Chaochao's pale face,

He glanced at the grim faces of the people around him, and finally just nodded: "Keep trying. The road of music is long."

After he finished speaking, he turned and left the backstage area accompanied by his staff.

The moment the door closed, the air backstage finally began to flow again—but with an awkward stillness.

The students looked at each other, unsure whether to offer comfort or leave.

Zhou Rong was the first to react, stepping forward to take Fu Chaochao's arm: "Chaochao, don't take it to heart! Foreigners are just straightforward; they don't understand our culture..."

"Exactly!"

The others chimed in, "You played so well, we were all moved to tears!"

"Steinberg's expectations are too high..."

Fu Chaochao forced a smile: "I'm fine... just a little tired. Thank you everyone for coming to see me today..."

As she spoke, tears streamed down her face uncontrollably.

Su Yurou felt extremely distressed and quickly said to everyone, "Zhaochao needs to rest. Thank you all for today. I'll invite you to come to my house to play another day."

After politely seeing off the classmates, only family members remained backstage.

Fu Chaochao could no longer hold back and threw herself into Su Yurou's arms, bursting into tears.

"Mom...am I...really not good enough...?"

"nonsense!"

Fu Youchuan's eyes reddened with anger. "What does that foreigner know! He—"

"You Chuan!" Su Yurou interrupted him sharply, her voice trembling with emotion, "Stop talking!"

She held her crying daughter, her heart filled with mixed emotions.

Pride, heartache, embarrassment, and a hint of...

The disappointment she herself was unwilling to admit.

It turns out that in the eyes of true masters, Chaochao's performance...

Is it just a collection of technologies?

So what exactly constitutes "warm" music?

She suddenly remembered Fu Hua.

The daughter who returned from the countryside faced retaking the exam and facing doubts.

I've never felt so overwhelmed before when faced with Professor Yan's invitation.

Unlike every dynasty,

She was practically pampered like a flower.

It cannot withstand even the slightest wind or rain.

The moment this thought popped into her head, Su Yurou was startled.

She shook her head vigorously, suppressing the inappropriate comparison.

She gently soothed her daughter in her arms, "Don't cry, don't cry... Let's go home, Mommy will make you something delicious..."

Fu Chaochao cried even louder.

A pearl hair clip swayed at her temple, gleaming coldly under the light.

Like the frost that suddenly descended on this night.

Outside, Steinberg asked the staff, "Excuse me, where is a music store around here? I'd like to buy a gift for my child."

Yes, yes.

Commander Wang: "This place is very close to Wangfujing, where the musical instruments are the best and most complete. I'll take you there."

"No need for that, just find someone to show me the way."

Commander Wang beckoned to Lin Jingqiu and gave her a few brief instructions.

The group then headed towards Wangfujing.

Meanwhile, Fu Hua and Zhang Wen had already gotten off the bus.

Wangfujing was packed with people on the weekend.

The windows of state-run stores displayed the most fashionable goods of that era.

Dacron shirts, Shanghai brand watches, Butterfly brand sewing machines, and all sorts of new radios and CDs.

Zhang Wen dragged Fu Hua to browse through several fabric stores, and then they went to Xinhua Bookstore for a look around.

The spiritual spring water had almost taken effect, and Zhang Wen didn't even realize that her stomach pain had completely subsided.

Her complexion improved, and her face became rosy from walking.

"Huahua, look!"

She suddenly pointed across the street, "There's a music store there. My brother has been wanting to buy a harmonica... Let's go take a look."

"it is good."

Fu Hua didn't care; she was fine with going anywhere.

The two crossed the road.

A black upright piano was displayed in the window of the music store.

A violin rests on the lid, its body gleaming warmly in the sunlight.

The two entered the music store.

The shop was filled with the aroma of pine, wood, and metal.

The various musical instruments gleamed warmly under the lights—a violin hung on the wall, an erhu leaned against the corner.

The accordion is displayed in the cabinet, while the black upright piano still sits in the most prominent position.

"Comrades, what would you like to see?"

A male clerk in his thirties came up to us with a professional smile on his face.

Harmonica.

Zhang Wen was straightforward: "I bought it for my younger brother; he just started learning."

The salesperson took several boxes from the counter: "These are all made in China, good quality, suitable for beginners. This one is from Shanghai, this one is from Jincheng..."

Zhang Wen was dazzled by what she saw and turned to Fu Hua for help.

Fu Hua stepped forward, her gaze sweeping over the harmonicas on the counter.

She picked up a Shanghai-made coin, held it up to the light to examine it closely, and then gently shook it near her ear.