Chapter 272: Humming Version

Bai Yun's suggestion made the classroom fall silent for a few seconds.

Everyone stared in shock.

Tan Jingyan's early representative work "Lone Walk" is considered a timeless classic in the piano world.

Although the score is widely circulated, very few dare to perform it in full.

This piece not only extremely tests the performer's fingering technique and rhythmic control,

it also demands an ultimate grasp of emotion, to play that lofty, solitary vastness of walking alone between heaven and earth, yet with a hint of tenderness.

Even some professional pianists might not dare to lightly challenge it, let alone on the campus cultural festival stage, where it also has to be performed with lyrics.

A slight carelessness will ruin the piece's inherent charm.

"Will Mr. Tan's piece be too hard?" Luo Yi couldn't help interjecting, voice worried, "Besides, this piece is originally a pure piano score; there aren't any suitable lyrics to match. If we mess up the singing, what a pity."

These past days she has inquired around school about the program plans of various classes.

Most are choral, dance, or simple instrumental solos; nobody dares to pick such a high‑difficulty piece.

What's more, it's an arrangement.

She fears that if those two make a mistake, they'll be scolded.

That remark actually voiced the thoughts of many.

Several classmates around with ears perked up nodded in agreement.

After all, in their eyes the campus cultural festival programs are for liveliness and color; there's no need to tackle such a near‑self‑abusive high‑difficulty piece.

Besides, there's only a week's time.

Finally hanging up his sister's call, Xia Chaoyi collected his smirk and walked over, "This piece is indeed quite top‑notch; my sister earlier wanted to practice a fragment to show off, but after half a month she still couldn't play the opening smoothly."

Bai Yun was about to retort when she saw Mu Youyu lightly tap her fingertips on the tabletop, unconsciously knocking out a simple melody.

"Lone Walk" has a humming version, an early improvisation by Teacher Tan, with no lyrics, just humming to match the melody.

Bai Yun quickly pulled out her phone to search, "When was it released? I can't find it."

Mu Youyu didn't rush to reply, turning her head to Jiang Liangjin and softening her voice: "A Jin should remember; the audio recording that Second Brother made for me back then already had this version."

Jiang Liangjin nodded, "I remember."

That was when they were over eight years old.

That year Mu Xi followed Tan Jingyan to study piano, participating in competitions everywhere and winning awards until her hands were sore.

But upon learning that Mu Youyu had a fever, she cancelled an important invitational competition and hurried back to C Shi.

On the private plane returning to the country, he received from the teacher a personally transmitted improvisational humming fragment of "Lone Walk."

After landing, he immediately recorded the audio and sent it to Mu Youyu.

And he happened to be accompanying Youbao beside her, lying together on the bed to listen to the whole piece.

Actually, he also often tagged along with Mu Youyu to sit in on Teacher Tan's lessons back then, only he wasn't very interested in piano.

He only has an impression of Youbao's appearance when she plays the piano.

He curled the corners of his mouth slightly, saying, "Back then Mu Xi was especially close to him."

"Wow, A Jin actually listened to it!" Xia Chaoyi leaned in closer, "A Jin, do you want to join? Or you could also perform a piece; our class could then sweep the top three."

By then let the Lan Lin students see what real strength is!

He said this while also patting the table, showing a determined-to-win demeanor.

"No."

Jiang Liangjin had no interest in this at all, and with Mu Youyu wanting to team up with Bai Yun, he was even less interested.

He couldn't bear to let her divert her energy to accommodate him.

Furthermore, sitting quietly in the audience watching her shine is already a wonderful thing.

Just like when they were children, she sat on a little stool drawing while he kept her company beside her, or helped mix colors; the peaceful years could not be better than this.

Mu Youyu turned her head to glance at him, deliberately teasing: "Actually, four‑hand duet is also quite fun; Second Brother has his own self‑created duo score, and back then he even said he would teach me to play it with him."

Luo Yi: "Wow."

Xia Chaoyi: "Amazing, a rare self‑created score from Xi, definitely not ordinary!"

Jiang Liangjin gave a low laugh, "That also won't work; you'd be terribly busy, and we only have a week."

He paused, then added, "If the arrangement needs help, I can ask Teacher Tan's son; he recently even gave me a signed album."

Mu Youyu understood what he meant; Tan Jingyan will not be in the country for the second half of the year, reportedly having gone to Y Guo to attend an important international music summit.

Even Mu Xi can hardly get in touch with him.

She lifted her chin, tone tinged with a little pride: "I can also ask Second Brother; he'll surely help me."

"Okay, okay, okay, listen to our Youbao." Jiang Liangjin laughed, yielding, his eyes full of indulgence.

Bai Yun beside them looked on, lips pursed, cleared her throat to interrupt them: "The focus now is the piece! Xiao Yu, you just said there's a humming version—how does it go?"

Mu Youyu turned her gaze back to her, "To be honest, Teacher Tan's piece is very difficult, and to match it with vocals we need to rearrange it."

"Your voice..." she thought of a good idea, and leaned together with Bai Yun.

After hearing it, Bai Yun's enthusiasm ignited instantly; she grabbed her hand, "You still have the idea! When should we start practicing? After school in the music classroom? I'll have my driver bring all my home audio equipment over."

She clapped again, "Or we could just go to my place; besides me, no one has come to my house in a long time."

Xia Chaoyi deliberately coughed, tone tinged with grievance: "Really? I keep you company every day."

Is he not even human anymore?

Bai Yun perfunctorily patted his hand, "Right, because you're a dog."

"......"

Mu Youyu was amused by their interaction, "Going to your house is fine too; are your uncle and aunt not home? Wouldn't that be a disturbance?"

Jiang Liangjin naturally looked at her.

Bai Yun waved her hand, enviously said: "Those two, their relationship is really good, lately they're busy traveling around the world, where would they have time to come home?"

"And there's my that CEO brother; since he got engaged, home? That doesn't exist, his fiancée's home is his home."

"My younger sister complains that my house is too far—nine kilometers away—so she bought an apartment near the school. Only when she's short of money does she think of me, this older sister."

Xia Chaoyi switched to self-moved mode, saying: "I'm better—I'm with you every day, come whenever called, more reliable than godparents and siblings."

Bai Yun ignored his self-praise.

The class bell rang, and Mu Youyu and Jiang Liangjin decided to go to the Bai family's house.

The two sent a message to Gu Xingnan and Yu Ci, telling them not to come looking for them to eat, then they went downstairs.

The rain outside had stopped, the sky was washed especially clean, and the air was filled with a hint of freshness.

A cold wind blew straight over.

Mu Youyu pulled down her scarf, revealing her delicate chin, "If every day could be this weather, that would be great."

Jiang Liangjin helplessly helped her tie the scarf properly, and also took the chance to stand in front of her.