Chapter 18

After finishing the meal, they chatted idly on the balcony to aid digestion.

Then they began preparing for the short video shoot.

Song Wanrou watched with keen interest, found Song Mo's Kuaidou Short Video account during this time, followed it, and felt immense pride after watching his previous videos.

"My brother is so amazing!"

"He's good-looking and plays the piano beautifully."

Xia Yu set up the filming equipment, Song Mo tidied himself up, then sat at the piano and began to play.

Xia Rou stood beside Song Wanrou watching.

Song Mo took a deep breath, his slender fingers dancing lightly—he played a slow, soothing lullaby.

The young man on the piano bench moved with elegant grace, his expression focused, completely immersed in the world of the piano, his brows and eyes serious and handsome.

The delicate piano melody was plain yet rhythmic, filled with aesthetic motion, like the regular, tranquil rhythm of daily life.

The notes fell like raindrops, pattering softly into the pond of the ear.

It could soothe inner restlessness, dissolving every wrinkle of life's disappointments into the beautiful music.

Song Wanrou listened, entranced.

She murmured to herself, as if speaking to Xia Rou beside her.

"This is the power of art. Many think art—music, painting, calligraphy, literature—is too abstract, less essential than rice, oil, salt, and firewood."

"But material things lose their value over time, while spiritual richness can resist time's erosion. Humans are material, yet living always requires a touch of spiritual strength."

"Like the masters passed down through ages—Yan Zhenqing's calligraphy, Van Gogh's paintings, Beethoven's scores… their works contain their character, love, passion, granting eternal artistic life to both the works and their creators."

Xia Rou didn't fully understand but was deeply impressed, and couldn't help asking:

"Sister Song Wanrou, are you a liberal arts student?"

"I don't quite get what you're saying, but you seem incredibly brilliant."

Song Wanrou smiled. "I study music."

"Artistic refinement is merely the seasoning of life; life itself is the main course."

Such thoughts drifted through Song Wanrou's mind.

Her brother's talent was unquestionably the highest she had ever seen; his piano skill rivaled even her teacher's.

One day, her brother would become a great master.

At the very least, he would be a Piano Master, wouldn't he?

She suddenly felt the urge to introduce her brother to her own teacher. As for why…

Perhaps she couldn't bear to see his talent buried—only those who truly understood music could grasp the true value of his piano skill;

Perhaps she believed that since he possessed such talent, he deserved his own stage and the honor that belonged to him:

Perhaps…

She was just a mischievous child wanting to show off.

Look! This is my brother, Song Wanrou's brother!

My brother is so great!

When the piece ended, Song Mo stood up, bowed slightly to the camera, and smiled.

The screen was like a stage.

The audience were all gentlemen; smiling at gentlemen was only proper.

&

Xia Yu immediately realized: Song Mo's ascetic, high-contrast face, combined with the slight bow and gentle smile after the final note, could become a signature gesture.

It would leave a deep impression on viewers watching the screen.

Even when they saw a piano, they would recall Song Mo's elegant bow and his humble, calm smile.

This could absolutely be turned into a dedicated series!

She turned off the camera and gave a thumbs-up to Song Mo upstairs. He saw it and smiled slightly. "Looks like I did fairly well?"

Song Mo came downstairs, reviewed the recorded video, and—as before—found no flaw to criticize.

Xia Yu truly had a gift for cinematography.

Xia Rou said: "During the phase of rapid fan growth, short video updates should maintain a relatively steady rhythm to retain audience attention."

"Boss Song, how often should we update the videos from now on?"

Song Mo paused to think.

"Piano is inherently refined, and the quality of art videos matters most—it's not like comedy videos that benefit from frequent posting. Let's update every three days."

"Once the account grows, we'll switch to once a week."

Xia Rou nodded. This update frequency was just right.

She muttered inwardly: they could also go the looks route—just post more of that handsome face.

Seeing them discussing serious matters, Song Wanrou stepped forward with a light smile. "Brother, why the sudden interest in Kuaidou Short Video? Are you planning to enter the short video industry?"

Short video platforms were developing rapidly, trending to replace e-commerce as the new era's favored domain. The Song Family's businesses were mostly physical and e-commerce ventures; though they had dabbled in self-media, they had not deeply rooted themselves in it.

Song's father seemed to have strong ideas… so Song Wanrou had assumed Song Mo wanted to enter short video to help transform or upgrade the Song Family's physical industries.

Song Mo shook his head.

"My main goal is still fame…"

He did not elaborate further.

He couldn't say… that he was actually worried Chen Xi's conflict with him might erupt prematurely, so he wanted to rapidly harvest fame to prevent Chen Xi's harem from quietly harming him.

Song Mo's immediate priority was self-preservation.

Even if he told Song Wanrou, it would do no good.

Little did he know, every word of his inner thoughts had been heard clearly by Song Wanrou.

Her eyes sharpened a few degrees, and a rare flicker of anger surfaced within those gentle eyes.

So her little brother only wanted to protect her?

Who would dare to harm him?

Anyone who wished to hurt her little brother would have to get past her first!

"I see…" Song Wanrou said with a faint smile:

"Little brother, do you know that you play the piano very well?"

Song Mo glanced at his piano proficiency on his personal panel.

【Piano Mastery: 501/1000】

He gave a slight nod. "My level could be considered passable, I suppose."

"No." Song Wanrou shook her head gently.

"What I mean is, little brother, your level is extremely high. Even my teacher, Vice Dean Xia Shuqin of Shanghai Conservatory of Music, is only on par with you."

"At such an age, your talent is rare in this world. Your piano future is destined to be limitless. You will one day become a Master-level existence."

"Like Van Gogh among painters, like Chopin among pianists — you will achieve great things. You should be renowned the world over… become a world-class Master! Become the pride of Huaxia!"

Song Wanrou spoke with no lack of passion.

She said: "But no matter how brilliant a genius is, they still need recognition from famous figures. Rather than running that Kuaidou Short Video account, it would be better to first make a name for yourself internationally."

"My teacher, Vice Dean Xia Shuqin of Shanghai Conservatory of Music, is a disciple of Piano Master Liszt. I'd like to take you to visit her tomorrow."

Song Mo looked at his sister in surprise.

He knew Song Wanrou studied music, and he knew she was outstanding in her own field, but he hadn't expected her to actually be a grand-disciple of Piano Master Liszt?

"Alright." Song Mo nodded without the slightest hesitation.

(End of this chapter)