Chapter 25: Awe-Inspiring
On stage, the rehearsal was proceeding smoothly. Yun Xinyu's piano performance had not yet come up.
Luo Fan had never seen this performance before. He placed the piano piece at the end because he thought such programs generally wouldn’t attract much attention.
But out of curiosity, Luo Fan stayed after arranging his work to continue watching the show.
Until the final piano piece...
The curtain took a while to rise, revealing an opulent piano and a beautiful girl sitting at the bench.
She gently closed her eyes. When she opened them again, all traces of nervousness and youthful uncertainty had been replaced by profound confidence and composure.
Her slender, pale fingers danced across the keys, sending a haunting melody swirling through the auditorium—so poignant it brought tears to listeners’ eyes.
It was as if she had infused the piece with living warmth, transforming technical mastery into soul-stirring artistry.
Luo Fan, seated in the audience, was utterly captivated. The piece turned out to be Feux Follets, one of the most demanding works by Franz Liszt, Hungary’s “King of the Piano.”
Feux Follets was notoriously difficult. Merely completing it at a slow tempo posed a challenge, let alone performing it with such blistering speed and precision. Every note transitioned flawlessly, her movements effortless—a perfect execution...
He had spent years attempting to master this piece yet never achieved a complete performance. This girl was nothing short of a genius...
Long after the final note faded, the music seemed to linger in the air. This marked the third time the audience had heard her play it—the first two occasions being rehearsals.
Each performance evoked profound awe and emotion, compelling even those who had finished their own acts to stay, quietly awaiting this poised girl’s appearance.
Luo Fan began applauding first, jolting the audience from their trance. The hall erupted in thunderous applause, with some shouting requests for an encore.
Bai Jiajia stood among the crowd, watching Luo Fan’s admiring gaze fixated on the pianist. A needle of jealousy pricked her heart.
Luo Fan rose to leave but paused upon noticing the girl’s plain dress. His thoughts drifted to Bai Jiajia’s lavish school-sponsored gown.
He instructed another committee member to prepare an elegant evening gown and light makeup for the pianist.
By the time Yun Xinyu descended the stage with her dress gathered in hand, Luo Fan had already slipped away.
The enigmatic student council president remained as elusive as ever—arriving and departing like a shadow, leaving only whispers in his wake.
Yet his presence would soon be unavoidable: Luo Fan was scheduled to deliver the opening speech at the evening gala, welcoming new students and introducing the event’s hosts.
Yun Xinyu later received notice about the gown and makeup arrangements, allegedly ordered by the president. She accepted without protest.
Bai Jiajia, one of the evening’s hosts, wore a maroon strapless gown meticulously tailored to her curves. The heavy makeup meant to empower her instead betrayed insecurity.
Yun Xinyu, clad in a simple dress and wearing no cosmetics, effortlessly eclipsed Bai Jiajia’s ornate display. Though still young, her features already hinted at the striking beauty she would become.
(End of Chapter)
