At exactly eight o'clock in the evening, the clock struck quietly.

The dazzling lights that had illuminated the entire banquet hall suddenly dimmed at that moment.

All the guests stopped talking and put down their glasses without prior arrangement.

The audience was silent.

After a brief silence, a melodious piano tune gently flowed through the hall.

Everyone present subconsciously looked up towards the center of the hall.

The center of everyone's attention was originally surrounded by layers of vibrant red roses, creating a small, independent space.

In the center of the sea of ​​flowers, a white grand piano sits quietly.

In the dim light, a figure sat vaguely between the sea of ​​flowers and the piano, its outline indistinct and its face unclear.

Just as everyone was filled with curiosity, a clean white spotlight suddenly descended.

It precisely enveloped the area where the piano was located, instantly illuminating this small space.

The only light in the dimly lit hall clearly confirmed everyone's guesses.

There was indeed a person sitting in front of the piano.

The man had a head of neat, dazzling blond hair that shimmered softly in the white light. His perfectly sculpted profile was sharp and refined, with a high nose bridge, a clear and defined jawline, and features as exquisite as a meticulously sculpted work of art.

He wore a bespoke suit that perfectly accentuated his tall and slender figure. Every movement he made exuded an aristocratic elegance and composure ingrained in his very being.

Everyone in the room recognized the person at a glance.

Apart from the host of this banquet, the genius pianist William, there was no one else present.

A gentle breeze swept through the hall, passing through layers of rose bushes.

A bright red rose petal slowly drifted down from above, eventually landing gently on William's golden hair.

Then, the second one, the third one...

More and more rose petals fluttered down in a continuous stream.

Crimson petals fluttered down from the sky, and a breathtakingly beautiful rose rain bloomed magnificently under the spotlight.

The petals of the entire flower sea fluttered down, creating a breathtakingly romantic scene with countless red shadows swaying in the air.

William, sitting at the piano, is the sole protagonist in this breathtaking shower of roses.

Petals fluttered down and surrounded him, blurring his features.

Under the blazing lights and amidst the gentle rain of petals, his figure appeared and disappeared between the crimson petals and the pure white light, adding a touch of mystery and elegance.

At the same time, William's ten slender, white fingers were moving lightly and nimbly across the black and white piano keys.

With each flick of the fingertips, crisp and melodious notes flowed out one after another.

The melodious and graceful tunes progressed layer by layer, echoing in every corner of the spacious and luxurious banquet hall.

Everyone present was deeply captivated by the beautiful melody.

In a short while, almost all the guests were completely immersed in the piano music.

Only a few people remained sober.

In the most secluded corner of the hall stood several girls with different hair colors.

The group of people stared at William, who was playing the piano in the center of the flower field, their expressions completely different, each with their own thoughts.

Amber crossed her arms, her delicate face filled with disdain, her eyes brimming with sarcastic remarks.

She picked up the wine glass beside her, tilted her head back, took a sip, and spoke with obvious disdain.

"That guy got away with it again."

She paused, looking at the scene before her that had everyone watching, and couldn't help but click her tongue again.

"I think I've figured it out now. If this Music God Awards is all about showing off, then William is definitely going to take first place. No one can beat him."

Upon hearing Amber's blunt criticism, Dorria, standing beside her, showed a slightly embarrassed expression.

She glanced hesitantly at William, who exuded an imposing aura, then turned to look at Amber, whose face was full of disdain. After much deliberation, she finally spoke softly to explain.

"Actually... I think he looks really good like that, the atmosphere is amazing. I was even planning to do a petal performance like that next time I perform."

At this point, Doria's face fell slightly, her tone tinged with hesitation.

"But now that you've said that, I'm suddenly a little hesitant."

Amber raised an eyebrow at his words and casually asked, "What are you afraid of?"

"I'm afraid you'll think I'm showing off," Doria replied honestly.

Amber was speechless for a moment, not knowing how to respond, so she simply muted her microphone and gave up arguing with her.

She couldn't be bothered with the conflicted Doria anymore and turned her gaze to the white-haired girl on the other side of her.

But upon seeing this, Amber was immediately stunned.

Chu Ge, who was usually calm and composed and unfazed by anything, was now filled with surprise.

Those distinctive crimson eyes were fixed on William, never leaving him from beginning to end.

Amber watched this scene and couldn't help but mutter to herself:

"No way...you're not really smitten by this guy's looks and aura, are you?"

Although she was full of doubts, she did not make a sound to disturb Chu Ge, who was engrossed in his thoughts.

Looking at Arya and Clara beside her, the two girls were already completely captivated.

The two stood there with their eyes closed, completely immersed in the melodious and moving piano music. They were so captivated by the music that they were completely absorbed in it, their faces filled with enjoyment.

Looking at her companions, each in a different state, Amber shook her head helplessly and sighed inwardly.

She genuinely felt that most girls in the world, except for her, were somewhat abnormal.

They were all fooled by the atmosphere William deliberately created.

It was incredibly boring that no one in the entire room could understand her complaints.

Amber decided to stop lingering in the crowd and instead, holding her wine glass, slipped past the group of guests who were engrossed in the music.

Alone, I walked out of the noisy banquet hall and onto the empty, quiet terrace.

A gentle evening breeze blew, and the moonlight shone brightly.

She leaned against the railing, quietly watching the bright moon in the night sky, planning to stay for a while until William, that pretentious guy, finished his performance before going back.

At this moment, Amber thought she had seen through everyone's thoughts, but she misunderstood Chu Ge's true state.

Chu Ge was not attracted by William's appearance or aura, or by the romantic scene of flower petals, nor was she captivated by the gentle piano music.

The astonishment in her eyes stemmed entirely from William's unparalleled piano playing skills.

This was the second time she had heard William play the piano live.

Last time, she only heard it from afar, without carefully observing the details or analyzing the melody. She only vaguely felt that this genius boy was indeed worthy of his reputation and very strong.

But things are different now.

Chu Ge is currently preparing for the highly anticipated Music God Grand Ceremony competition.

During this period, under Arya's careful guidance, her piano skills improved rapidly, and her vision and appreciation abilities also increased significantly.

She is no longer the novice who could only listen to the excitement; she can now clearly see and understand the details, skills, and deeper techniques in the performance.

It was precisely because she could understand it that she became even more alarmed.

William's reputation as a piano prodigy is not just hype, nor is it undeserved.

His musical background is so profound that it's almost frightening.

Chu Ge stared intently at William under the spotlight in the center of the hall, his gaze unwavering.

Whether it was her imagination or not, as she looked at it, a strange feeling arose in her heart.

William, amidst the sea of ​​flowers, seemed to blend into the grand piano in front of him.

The person is the zither, and the zither is the person.

There is no sense of separation between the person and the instrument; they complement each other perfectly, as if it were a natural masterpiece.

"Is this the legendary state of perfect harmony between man and instrument?"

Chu Ge secretly speculated in his heart.

She held her breath and carefully observed each fingering, each breath, and each transition of melody.

He came to his senses after a moment.

He pondered in his heart:

William has not yet truly reached the state of perfect harmony between man and instrument; he is still missing the last bit of spirit. He has only touched the threshold and has barely formed a prototype.

But even in its early stages, it was already terrifying enough.

As a cultivator, Chu Ge knew better than anyone else present just how difficult it was to achieve this state of perfect harmony between the player and the instrument.

The monotonous perseverance day after day, the extraordinary composure, and the profound understanding of music are all indispensable; without any one of them, it is impossible to reach this level.

To achieve such skill at such a young age is enough to demonstrate just how terrifying William's talent and dedication are.

Time passed slowly.

The falling rose petals gradually stopped and slowly fell to the ground.

At the same time, the melodious and graceful piano tune that had filled the entire venue gradually calmed down and eventually dissipated completely into the air.

The song ended.

William slowly withdrew his hands and rose from the piano bench.

With elegant posture, he bowed slightly to the surrounding guests, performing a standard and perfect aristocratic etiquette, his demeanor both humble and dignified.

The people who were immersed in the music also came back to their senses at this moment.

All eyes were focused on the man in the center of the light, their eyes filled with admiration and respect.

The next second, thunderous applause suddenly erupted!

clap clap-

The crisp, enthusiastic applause continued unabated, echoing throughout the luxurious hall.

"Amazing! No wonder it's Mr. William! His piano skills are simply divine!"

"Incredible! To perform at this level even at a banquet... I can't even imagine how dazzling he will be on the stage of the Music God Grand Ceremony Competition!"

"I always felt that Mr. William was holding back, and hadn't used his full strength yet!"

"Before, some people questioned his reputation as a genius, but now who dares to say a word against him?!"

The enthusiastic applause continued for several minutes before gradually subsiding.

Under the watchful eyes of everyone, William raised his eyes and stood up, a gentle and polite smile on his face, and nodded slightly to all the guests.

Thank you for your love and applause.

His voice was gentle and elegant, and his demeanor exuded aristocratic grace.

"As a member of the music world, my initial intention in hosting this dinner today is very simple: to make friends through music and to get to know and befriend like-minded people."

"The piece I just played was purely impromptu and I hope you won't laugh at me."

These humble and gentle words moved all the guests, who admired William's character even more.

Despite possessing unparalleled strength, he remains so humble and modest, which is truly rare.

Amidst the admiring gazes of the crowd, William changed the subject and continued speaking calmly.

"Today's banquet, in addition to Princess Dorria and Miss Amber whom everyone already knows, my Wei family has also specially invited a special guest."

"That is, Miss Alice, who caused a sensation across the internet some time ago and successfully inspired the god of music to bestow a blessing upon us."

The moment the words fell!

A bright white spotlight suddenly changed direction, instantly piercing through the dimly lit hall and landing precisely in a secluded corner.

Everyone's eyes turned to look in the same direction, following the light.

In the corner at the far end of everyone's sight, stood a quiet, aloof, and exquisitely beautiful young woman.

She wore a plain white robe, her pure white hair cascading down her shoulders, making her skin appear even whiter. Her clear, bright red eyes were aloof and cold, her features exquisite and perfectly proportioned, her appearance stunningly flawless, without a single blemish.

Most of the guests present were seeing this mysterious girl, who was said to have received divine blessings, for the first time.

Everyone's eyes were initially filled with intense curiosity, but the moment they saw the girl's face, their gazes turned to utter amazement.

This world reveres music, and talent and musicality are the core pursuits of everyone, but this does not mean that appearance and temperament are worthless.

On the contrary, exceptional looks and charisma give musicians a natural edge when performing on stage, creating an atmosphere and captivating presence that far surpasses that of ordinary people.

Whether on a music stage or in various social occasions, outstanding looks and temperament are always the most eye-catching bonus.

Beauty alone may not be a top advantage, but when unparalleled looks, unique temperament, and divinely blessed top talents are combined, it becomes an unbeatable trump card.

At this moment, countless young noblemen and talented musicians in the hall were instantly moved as they looked at Chu Ge, who was cold and beautiful under the lights. Many of them even fell in love at first sight.

Under the unanimous gaze of hundreds of eyes, Chu Ge felt a slight stirring in his heart and muttered to himself:

"Should I say something?"

Just a quick hello?

Or should I politely say "Good evening"?

Just as Chu Ge was struggling with his own thoughts, William in the center of the stage had already come to his senses.

Even though she already knew of Chu Ge's existence, seeing her stunningly beautiful appearance up close still made her feel a sense of amazement.

However, this feeling was fleeting and he quickly suppressed it.

William maintained his elegant and gentle smile, looked at Chu Ge in the corner, and softly invited him.

"Miss Alice, would you please come up on stage and play a piece for us?"

"Everyone present was eagerly anticipating hearing your divine song that inspired blessings from the gods."

After William finished speaking, no one in the room interrupted him.

But pairs of burning, eager, and expectant eyes perfectly echoed his words; everyone waited quietly, anticipating the girl's performance on stage.

Amidst the expectant gazes of the crowd, Chu Ge no longer hesitated and strode lightly toward the central stage.

Clara stared blankly at Chu Ge's stunningly beautiful back as he slowly walked onto the stage, then turned to look at the calm and composed Aria beside her, and belatedly realized what was going on.

"Arya! So the legendary figure who caused a sensation in the music world recently and received divine blessings was your sister!"

Arya glanced at her indifferently, her tone tinged with helplessness:

"Everyone else realized it a long time ago, but you're only just now understanding. You're way too slow."

After saying that, she ignored the slow-witted Clara and fixed her gaze on Chu Ge, her eyes full of expectation and trust.

At this moment, Chu Ge had already walked to the white grand piano in the center of the sea of ​​flowers.

She leaned down and sat down, her slender, fair fingers gently caressing the cool, smooth black and white piano keys.

The moment her fingertips lightly touched the piano keys, the girl focused her mind slightly and adjusted her state.

next moment.

Press lightly with your fingertips.

The crisp, ethereal, and clean sound of the piano slowly filled the quiet hall.

At first listen, it seems unremarkable, with no flashy fingering techniques or stunning high notes, just simple and soothing melodies that gently linger in everyone's ears.

The more you listen, the more you can feel the gentleness and delicacy hidden in this piece, like an evening breeze brushing against the windowsill, like an old dream slowly returning, so gentle that it can soothe all the restlessness and noise in your heart.

The crowd, who had just been amazed by William's magnificent performance, were instantly captivated by this brand-new piano music.

The lingering noise completely dissipated, and the huge banquet hall was so quiet you could hear a pin drop. Everyone subconsciously held their breath, immersed in the gentle melody.

Unlike the aristocratic feast under the rose rain just now, Chu Ge's playing has a healing power.

What's even more remarkable is that her piano playing is imbued with a sense of story.

The soothing melody unfolded layer by layer, gently touching everyone's heart, and unknowingly stirring up the softest memories buried deep in everyone's hearts.

Whether they were aristocratic children, renowned musicians, or experienced elders, everyone seemed to have a tender and unforgettable first love that ended without a trace in their youth.

Some people recalled the heart-fluttering feeling of their first meeting in their youth, and the tenderness of walking side by side in the evening breeze;

Some people recalled their innocent confessions and their cautious joy;

Some people also recalled the regret of their last brush with each other, a regret hidden in their hearts and never spoken aloud.

Those fragmented scenes, buried by the dust of time, now surface in my mind one by one, accompanied by the gentle sound of the piano, as clear as if they were yesterday.

In the hall, many people's gazes softened, the previous fervor fading from their eyes, replaced by tenderness and melancholy.

A middle-aged musician in a suit closed his eyes slightly, his fingertips unconsciously tapping along with the melody, and murmured a sigh:

"Having lived most of my life and heard countless pieces of music, I have never heard a piece of music like this one... that makes my heart ache, yet also inexplicably warm."

The noblewoman beside him gently wiped the tears from the corner of her eyes and softly echoed:

"Yes, hearing this piece of music reminds me of my husband, but now... he is no longer by my side."

Not far away, several young noblemen looked dazed, their faces devoid of their former frivolousness, their eyes filled with youthful nostalgia.

"After listening, I was inexplicably reminded of the girl I secretly liked in high school. I didn't understand anything back then, I just felt happy when I saw her. I can never find that kind of pure affection again."

"It resonates so deeply. This music isn't just playing a tune; it's stirring up our old memories."

"No wonder it evoked divine blessings; this is no ordinary playing, but a melody that strikes right at the heart!"

Everyone was immersed in their own memories of their first love. No one made a sound or interrupted them. The only sound in the hall was the gentle and melodious piano music, which lingered for a long time.

On the side of the stage, William's composure and elegance vanished, replaced by shock and disbelief.

His upright posture stiffened slightly, his eyes fixed on the white-haired girl in front of the piano, and a tidal wave of emotions surged within him.

William has practiced piano diligently since childhood, possesses exceptional talent, has devoted himself to music for many years, and has heard countless top-notch performances.

Chu Ge's fingering, rhythm, and technique seem unremarkable, with no deliberate showmanship, and are even simpler than his playing.

But her empathy, infectiousness, and understanding of musical mood have completely transcended the constraints of technique!

When others play the piano, they play notes and melodies;

Chu Ge's playing of the zither is about playing emotions, playing the human heart, and playing the tenderness and regret of the years!

She seemed to have opened up a connection between music and the human soul, able to evoke the deepest tenderness in everyone's heart with the simplest notes.

This is a level he could never reach, no matter how hard he practiced for many years!

"The artistic conception...this is the true artistic conception of music."

William's tone was no longer tinged with the previous composure and arrogance, but filled with utter admiration.

He always believed that the perfect harmony between man and instrument was the pinnacle of human musical ability.

But now he understands that the highest realm of music is to move people with sound and to cross their hearts with melody.

Remembering his father's words that Chu Ge's playing skills were mediocre and not up to par, William couldn't help but wonder if it was possible that she did it on purpose.

At her level, technique is no longer important; what matters is intention.

After a moment of silence, William seemed to have realized something.

Gazing at Chu Ge amidst the sea of ​​flowers, he secretly wondered, "Could this be the legendary 'simplicity is the ultimate sophistication'?"

Compared to Chu Ge's performance, his previous spectacular and stunning Rose Rain performance was full of deliberate packaging and showing off skills. It was flashy and empty, all show and no substance, and appeared particularly ostentatious.

William took a deep breath, all pride vanishing from his eyes, replaced by genuine awe and admiration.

At this moment, he completely acknowledged the girl who had inspired divine blessings. Her talent and musical prowess were not undeserved; in fact, they far exceeded everyone's expectations.

For this reason, William became wary of Chu Ge, regarding her as a dangerous person who would become an obstacle on his path to the championship and must be eliminated as soon as possible!

Compared to William's stunned silence, Clara was completely dumbfounded, her face filled with disbelief and amazement.

She originally thought that William was the pinnacle of the younger generation of pianists, elegant, powerful, and with talent that far surpassed his peers.

But the moment Chu Ge sat down at the piano, everything changed.

A girl with white hair and red eyes sat quietly under the spotlight, dressed in pure white, exuding a cool and aloof aura. Without flower petals, without elaborate sets, without deliberate hype, she calmed the hearts of everyone in the audience with just her hands and a piano.

The music was gentle and soothing, and the person was even more serene and beautiful.

Clara stared blankly at the figure in the center of the stage, her heart pounding uncontrollably, each beat clear and distinct.

She used to admire the dazzling William, believing that geniuses should be so radiant and flamboyant.

But now, looking at Chu Ge's calm and composed demeanor, moving her with his music, she suddenly felt a stirring in her heart she had never experienced before.

Unassuming, unpretentious, gentle and reserved, with strength hidden deep within, this kind of gentle yet powerful demeanor is far more captivating than those who deliberately try to be dazzling.

Looking at the girl's profile as she focused on playing the piano, Clara's cheeks flushed slightly, and a hazy yet innocent feeling quietly blossomed in her heart.

She couldn't quite describe the feeling, only that her gaze was fixed on the figure in white, her heart filled with longing and joy, and a faint, budding affection was beginning to blossom within her.

Clara glanced cautiously at Arya, who was engrossed in the music beside her, and thought to herself, "Sorry, sister, I might be starting to like your sister."

Not only them, but Amber in the corner also completely stopped all her complaints and disdain.

She, who had just thought William was pretentious and ostentatious, was now quietly listening to the gentle piano music, her face full of emotion.

Doria looked on with adoration and murmured softly, "It's so beautiful... I didn't know that truly great performances can warm people's hearts."

The female voice in her mind murmured, "Strange, that voice sounds so familiar, who is she...?"

Arya looked at her sister, her eyes filled with pride and understanding.

Time flowed slowly, and the gentle melody came to an end.

The last note fell softly, gently dissipating into the air, its lingering sound lingering for a long time.

The hall was silent for two seconds.

Everyone was still immersed in tender memories and moving melodies, and it took them a long time to come back to their senses. The tenderness and melancholy in their hearts lingered for a long time.

next second!

A thunderous applause erupted!

*Smack! Smack! Smack!*

The applause was even more enthusiastic, more sincere, and more enthusiastic than the applause given to William earlier!

All the guests stood up and applauded enthusiastically.

"Absolutely amazing! This is the best piece of music I've ever heard!"

"It really touches my heart! After listening, I felt warm and tender inside, and it reminded me of the most beautiful days of my youth!"

"What is divine music? This is it! No wonder it could evoke the blessing of the god of music; it truly deserves the title!"

"More than flashy virtuosity, this kind of music that touches the heart is the true mark of a top-tier performance!"

The applause was continuous, sweeping through the entire banquet hall and lasting for a long time.

Under the spotlight, Chu Ge slowly rose from his chair, looked up at the crowd, and said softly:

"Thanks."

As she stepped out of the sea of ​​flowers, the magical power of music surging within her slowly dissipated.

Tap the screen to use advanced tools Tip: You can use left and right keyboard keys to browse between chapters.

You'll Also Like