Chapter 28

Invited by Master Liszt.

At the Paris Grand Theater, before many French nobles, capital magnates, and global piano luminaries, Song Mo went up and performed a piece.

Everyone present understood art to some degree.

Therefore, when Liszt announced that Song Mo was his student, and his most accomplished disciple ever, with piano skill no inferior to his own,

this fact went unchallenged.

Yet in Paris, within the global piano world, it ignited a massive uproar.

The New York Times reported:

"A mysterious Eastern youth appears in Paris, revealing peak-level talent in the capital of art—again, the East shocks the world."

Le Parisien reported:

"Whoever shall shake the world with voice must long remain silent. A young man from Huaguo astounds the Paris Grand Theater; Master Liszt declares he has received the true transmission, his art indistinguishable from the master's."

…

"Song Mo, you're truly the most talented peer I've ever met—can you tell me how you did it? This is simply unbelievable!"

Adelin buzzed around Song Mo.

This noblewoman from the famed Allen Family had no intention of restraint; she bounced beside Song Mo, deeply curious about this mysterious genius from the Eastern great nation.

Song Mo replied: "Adelin, art exists naturally—I merely happened to be favored, catching a glimpse of its mystery in the instant God turned a page."

"So you rely entirely on talent?" Adelin worshipped.

"No, effort matters too."

Song Mo couldn't possibly tell others he'd only been learning for half a month!

Though he'd studied piano for several years before, the effort he made then, as a mere mortal, paled beside the half-month he'd spent with the system.

But he feared saying it would get him beaten.

So publicly, he always said: I worked hard. I worked extremely hard.

Reaching this point today was truly not easy.

Sheldon, who walked beside him, extended an invitation.

"Song Mo, I heard you're planning to return home immediately?"

"You Chinese are truly strange—after creating such a sensation, such a massive shock, you just shake off your sleeves and prepare to leave."

"Don't you plan to stay in Paris a few more days? After all, now that you're at the peak of fame, even nobles and elites treat you with great respect."

"With your talent and current fame, countless Parisian socialites are eager to spend a night with you!"

When Sheldon said this, his expression held no envy—only teasing.

Clearly, with his family's power, even world superstars or top models were merely flirtatious women on his luxury yacht.

But for a conservative Chinese man, especially a man, shouldn't this be wildly romantic and desirable?

Song Mo smiled and shook his head.

"French people speak of romance; Chinese people value chastity."

"Though most global celebrities are promiscuous, it doesn't diminish their greatness—I still have my reasons to hold firm."

"You may call me old-fashioned, but I truly believe: souls must attract first, then bodies may merge. I don't speak of love—only sex. That's respect for sex."

Sheldon had been shrugging helplessly: "Fine, whatever. Whenever you turn back, women will flock to you."

But when he saw his sister, pure and innocent Adelin, gazing at Song Mo with worship—this whimsical human Barbie—her eyes suddenly filled with rare tenderness,

"You sneaky Song Mo! I thought you were a noble gentleman, like your Kongzi's 'gentleman'—turns out you're scheming!"

"My poor, innocent sister Adelin! Look at you, completely bewitched by this Eastern face!"

"Song Mo, feel the wrath of your elder brother!"

Sheldon shouted.

He slammed a fist hard into Song Mo's shoulder, making him grimace—and silently vow within.

"Train martial arts—I must train martial arts!"

After reaching Master level on the Piano, he had successfully leveraged Liszt's connections to gain recognition from the global piano world.

With this immense prestige, his safety was finally assured.

Now, he could finally learn something else.

Thinking of this, Song Mo remembered he'd promised Xia Rou to cook her and her sister a meal upon returning home.

So he asked Sheldon to find him authentic, high-quality cookbooks.

While being pummeled by his sister's furious little fists, Sheldon winced and said:

"Don't worry, my friend—I'll get you every Chinese recipe and Western culinary masterpiece before you leave!"

Song Mo felt uneasy.

Because of past invasions, many traditions had been lost at home—even culinary arts.

Yet in the West, complete copies remained preserved.

Even if they couldn't understand or master them, they refused to return them.

Song Mo said nothing more, only nodded slightly.

He thought: with his future international influence, he could help Huaxia reclaim what was rightfully theirs.

Most importantly, with the system within him, how could he not help his nation grow strong?

A strong Huaxia would elevate Song Mo's own status.

The two were mutually reinforcing.

Watching Sheldon grimace under Adelin's fierce assault—his expression identical to Song Mo's earlier—the frowning Song Wanrou finally relaxed her brow.

Sheldon pressed again: "Song Mo, you're a rare Eastern friend of mine—I'm deeply awed by your talent. I hope you'll visit our Allen Family."

"Just look at my sister's eyes, and you'll know how sincere I am!"

"Sheldon!" Adelin fumed.

Even though she was a French woman famed for romance, as a noble young lady she still cared a great deal about propriety.

"If you keep talking nonsense, I'll throw your favorite paintings by Master Van Gogh into the furnace!"

Sheldon immediately wailed.

"Adelin, you truly are a sinner; your disrespect toward the Master will, in the end…"

Song Mo watched the noble brother and sister bicker and couldn't help but smile.

"I'm truly sorry, Sheldon, but I have a reason I must return home for."

Song Mo took out his phone and, using a little French he'd just picked up these past few days, explained to the two siblings:

"During these few days I've been visiting France, back in my country some ill-intentioned enemies have been slandering my reputation outrageously."

"They say I'm a 'bully,' a 'hypocrite,' a 'good-for-nothing,' and call me a 'filthy maggot,' a 'treacherous scoundrel'—I was even shocked by my own 'duplicity.'"

"No matter what, I need to go back to my country first and put this little storm to rest."

(End of chapter)