Chapter 20: Xia Shuqin

Song Mo took leave from his advisor.

In the morning.

He accompanied Song Wanrou to visit Teacher Xia Shuqin's home.

After knocking, the door opened to reveal a tiny child.

"Yaya, is the teacher at home?" Song Wanrou clearly knew the little girl; she picked her up and smiled.

"Sister brought a big brother to visit today—do you welcome him, Yaya?"

The girl, with a round face like a little meat bun, beamed: "Huangyin, huangyin! Sister Wanrou, this big brother is so handsome!"

Song Mo gently pinched the little girl's cheek.

"This child is truly adorable."

Inside the room, they saw a dignified elderly woman wearing reading glasses, intently studying a piano score.

Seeing the two siblings enter, Xia Shuqin carefully examined Song Mo for a long moment.

"The young man is quite distinguished in appearance."

"There's a piano upstairs—go play a piece for me first."

Xia Shuqin clearly knew Song Mo's purpose; Song Wanrou must have informed her in advance.

Though a woman, she handled matters with the old-generation's style—decisive, no hesitation, no fuss.

Song Mo bowed slightly. "Teacher Xia, good day. I humbly offer my performance."

Hearing Song Mo call himself a student, Xia Shuqin raised an eyebrow slightly but said nothing, continuing to study the score in her hand.

Song Mo went upstairs to the piano room, sat on the bench, lightly pressed a few keys to familiarize himself with the instrument's tone, then began to play.

Considering he needed to prove his ability before Xia Shuqin, Song Mo chose a difficult piece.

Dance of the Dead.

In this piece, notes and chords are intricately interwoven, testing the performer's precise technique and strong musical sensitivity.

When the beautiful piano sound began, Xia Shuqin's hand holding the score paused slightly.

— Stunning!

Surprised, she began to listen closely.

She quickly formed a judgment.

"Whether in proficiency or musicality, it is flawless; most crucially, he truly infuses the music with emotion—this level…"

Xia Shuqin stood up in one swift motion.

Her small, withered frame showed no sign of sluggishness.

She hurried upstairs, observing every detail of Song Mo's piano playing.

Yes—even his posture was elegant, flawless.

An expert knows a performer's ability at a single listen.

This young man's piano skill rivals even mine!

Xia Shuqin said nothing; she quietly listened to the emotion in Song Mo's playing, feeling the intimate connection between the delicate notes and the performer's inner world.

The music, like writing, expressed the owner's rich inner world with complete clarity.

When Song Mo finished, Xia Shuqin slammed her hand on the table in admiration!

"Excellent! You're truly formidable, young man!"

"Your skill is no less than mine!"

Xia Shuqin's voice betrayed her excitement; as an elder, as a teacher, facing the rising tide of the next generation.

She was magnanimous, even noble.

"I sent Zhang to buy groceries—he'll be back soon, then we'll cook. You're Wanrou's brother, right? Come, let's chat."

Song Mo rose and said humbly: "I came here with my sister's help to visit Teacher Xia, truly hoping for a chance to learn…"

As they spoke, they walked downstairs to the living room.

Xia Shuqin, rarely encountering such a talented young prodigy, asked many questions; Song Mo answered each one in turn.

Song Wanrou sat quietly beside them, smiling, saying nothing.

Until the doorbell rang outside.

Their conversation paused.

"That must be Zhang returning with the groceries."

Song Wanrou stood up to open the door.

Xia Shuqin remarked: "I can tell you have your own unique insights into piano—this is no simple thing…"

"Wanrou said she wanted to recommend me a genius, but she didn't mention you were her brother. I assumed your skill might be slightly below hers—never expected it to be even better."

Professor Zhang, Xia Shuqin's spouse, returned.

He cheerfully greeted them, then went straight into the kitchen to get to work.

Professor Zhang doted on his wife, Xia Shuqin.

He said: "Your hands are for playing piano—how could they get covered in grease?" So he took over all kitchen chores.

Their loving marriage was a fine tale.

Song Wanrou went into the kitchen to help; Song Mo had already begun talking with Xia Shuqin about Piano Master Liszt.

"Wanrou wants you to take me as your teacher, but after hearing you play, I know I lack the ability to teach you."

"Besides, at my age, I've already earned all the honors I need—I don't expect a genius like you to boost my reputation. My suggestion is that I will recommend you to my own teacher."

Song Mo exclaimed: "Teacher Xia, you mean… I should become a disciple of Master Liszt?"

Xia Shuqin nodded. "Exactly."

Song Mo hurriedly declined.

"This wouldn't be proper. For one thing, my qualifications are shallow and my foundation insufficient."

"And in terms of seniority, it wouldn't quite fit the rules either."

If he were to formally apprentice under Liszt,

wouldn't that make him Xia Shuqin's junior martial brother?

Wouldn't he become Song Wanrou's martial uncle?

Far too absurd.

Who would have thought, Xia Shuqin actually said solemnly, "That's not right of you to say. Work and family are each their own matter — you can't keep a son from making his mark just because his old man's around, can you?"

"In ancient times, the head of a household had to be the father. The son's property was also controlled by the father, and without the father there were still uncles and elder cousins of that sort."

"That's feudal poison!"

"It's pedantry!"

She gave Song Mo no face at all.

Xia Shuqin lectured, "You're a young person of the new era — how can you be more stubborn and rigid than an old fossil like me? On this matter, listen to me!"

Song Mo gave a wry smile and could only agree.

Xia Shuqin said, "You don't know your own worth. To have such achievements at your age proves you're an absolute genius, a genuine genius — not the sort of 'genius' some academic cliques tout about their juniors after puffing each other up."

"If I were to take you as my disciple, my own teacher, Mr. Liszt, would be displeased as well."

"He's a foreigner, quite straightforward — what he values is plain dealing. If my level is about the same as yours, how could I be your teacher? If he found out, he'd certainly criticize me."

The food was ready.

Professor Zhang, his granddaughter Yaya, and Song Wanrou all sat down at the table.

Xia Shuqin and Song Mo went over to eat as well.

Song Wanrou, eating, blinked at Song Mo as if asking whether things had gone smoothly.

Song Mo no longer felt the previous resistance toward her.

He quietly raised a thumbs-up.

Meaning: Need you even ask? Handled!

Song Wanrou's eyes curved into a smile, and she picked up a large piece of spare rib for Xia Shuqin.

"Teacher, how about it?"

"My little brother really is a genius, isn't he?"

Song Mo couldn't help but laugh.

Did Song Wanrou really enjoy showing off her little brother to others?

Sister, I hope you can keep doing well from now on…

After the two siblings left, Xia Shuqin could no longer maintain her composure.

She hurriedly made a phone call.

"Hello! Old Gong! Let me tell you — my student recommended a young man to me, and he's really something else…"

The other end of the line said, half in doubt:

"For real or not?"

"Would I lie to you…"

"…"

So it turned out.

As long as one is outstanding enough, even someone of lofty virtue and great renown will take pride in you…

(End of chapter)