Chapter 274: The Piano Isn't Good

This is the opening passage of Tan Jingyan's classic work 《Lone Walk》.

At first, the notes carried a hint of hesitant roughness, like old friends reuniting tentatively touching each other's warmth.

The connection between individual notes was slightly sluggish, and the modulation in the high register was also half a beat slow, causing the originally smooth phrase to break.

Mu Youyu frowned slightly, her fingertips pausing on the keys for a moment, as if recalling the long‑lost touch, then she pressed down again.

Jiang Liangjin stood at her side, his gaze fixed on her profile, watching her tightly pursed lips and slightly furrowed brow as he tried to find the rhythm.

He said nothing, merely shifting forward half a step quietly.

As his fingers grew accustomed to the keys, the feel returned gradually and the melody became smooth.

Unlike the original's starkness, Mu Youyu's interpretation deliberately slowed the tempo, adding a touch of liveliness, making it especially moving.

The piano notes reverberated in the spacious music room, the lingering echoes circling the beams; everyone fell silent, immersed in the pleasing sound.

Mu Youyu finished the opening passage, lightly gathered her hands, stood up, and said: "I haven't played in ages; I've forgotten many fingerings, the tempo is slow, and that passage felt awkward to connect."

She just needs to listen more.

Bai Yun didn't notice, saying, "What's wrong? It feels completely different from the versions I've heard online!"

Xia Chao Yi nodded in agreement beside them, unable to pinpoint exactly what was good, but just felt it sounded nice.

It's much more pleasant to the ear than the passages his sister practices at home.

Jiang Liangjin stepped forward, saying, "It's already great; you can find the feel as soon as you start."

His gaze fell on the black piano; he lightly tapped its body with his fingertips and said critically, "The feel of this piano is off—I'm sorry for making you suffer."

Bai Yun: "……" Her custom‑made piano worth seven figures, in Jiang Liangjin's mouth, somehow became "not quite up to par"?

Mu Youyu casually replied, "No, it's all about the same; I'm just not used to it—more practice will fix it."

She had long grown accustomed to Jiang Liangjin always putting her first, so she wouldn't deny his manner.

From childhood on, whenever she encountered a problem, Jiang Liangjin would always immediately attribute the cause to external factors.

Bai Yun had nothing to say.

Jiang Liangjin had already begun scheming in his mind to have someone bring over a better piano.

Meanwhile, far away in B Shi, Song Huaixian was sitting in a B Da classroom, looking at the message Mu Xi had sent, and couldn't help but chuckle softly.

The message contained only one line: "【We've escaped disaster; Youbao has to rehearse a program, so we don't need to explain that matter for now!】"

Song Huaixian collected his smile, shook his head, and replied: "【Xiao Xi Xi, don't think you can fool your sister—I won't allow it.】"

"【By the way, remember to feed the glutinous rice some food; don't neglect it.】"

"【It's still comfortable to hold it chubby.】"

Mu Xi: "【What are you saying 【animation emoticon】?】"

In Y Guo, the night was deep. Tan Jingyan had just finished a four‑hour‑long music summit.

Exhausted, he leaned on the sofa, not wanting to move, yet he still didn't forget to open his phone and tap the chat labeled 【Xi Xi】.

Oh, it's been almost half a year and he's only replied with one message.

A few months ago he had sent: "【Has A You returned to C Shi?】"

Below, finally a new reply appeared, from a few hours ago: "【Yes.】"

Ah, this aloof little disciple of his.

"This brat, I've spoiled him for nothing." Tan Jingyan muttered under his breath.

He tapped the screen a few times, but in his heart he didn't really feel angry.

His disciple is cold‑hearted, sparing with words; being able to reply to a message on his own is already rare.

As he sighed, a clear, warm male voice sounded at the door, somewhat respectfully: "Mr. Tan, would you like to go to the lounge inside? There's hot tea and snacks."

Tan Jingyan looked up to see a blond‑haired, green‑eyed youth standing at the door, tall and slender, wearing a tailcoat, exuding noble bearing.

This is Prince Xun Li of the Y Guo royal family, also one of the organizers of this music summit.

Tan Jingyan had seen him at the concert, knowing he was a childhood friend of Mu Xin, and hadn't expected him to come in person.

Having finally heard a fluent sentence in Mandarin, he brightened up, laughing: "Ah, forget it, I'm not tired. It's so late—Your Highness Prince Xun Li, aren't you busy?"

"Not busy."

Jun Chenling walked in, waved at the attendant beside him, then sat on the sofa opposite Tan Jingyan, speaking humbly: "Your Highness is just a nominal title; before Mr. Tan, I'm merely a junior."

Without waiting for Tan Jingyan's reply, he smiled again and said, "I've heard Xi Ge mention you."

The other raised an eyebrow, "Oh? What did he say about me? Is he saying I'm annoying?"

Having never heard Mu Xi mention him, Jun Chenling kept his composure and said, "Of course not. Xi Ge said you have superb piano skills and an upright character—you're the person he admires most in his life."

Tan Jingyan was amused by his tone and immediately laughed, "You kid, you sure know how to talk."

This is completely not what Mu Xi would say!

He complained with his mouth but felt delighted inside, casually turning his phone screen toward Jun Chenling: "Look, this brat hasn't replied to my messages in half a year, and the moment he contacts me it's all about A You."

No sooner had he spoken than Mu Xi's message arrived again.

Tan Jingyan instantly perked up, springing up from the sofa so fast he almost knocked over the tea table behind him.

He pointed at the screen and exclaimed, "What a guy! Half a year—this brat finally replied with two messages!"

One message seemed perfunctory to him, but two made a difference.

On the screen, another new reply finally appeared: "【Teacher, Youbao is going to take part in the campus cultural festival and wants to perform a vocal version of Lone Walk; I need you to produce a sung arrangement—could you grant permission?】"

Tan Jingyan fixed his eyes on the words 'campus cultural festival' and 《Lone Walk》, his lips involuntarily curling upward.

His disciple, who is normally sparing with words, would never have come to him like this if it weren't for A You.

More importantly, A You actually wants to touch the piano again!

Back then, that child had extraordinary talent, and his musical sense was rare to encounter.

If it weren't for Old Lin, that stubborn old man, dragging him off to specialize in art, he might well have made a name for himself in the piano world by now.

"How rare, how rare! What a wonderful day today!" Tan Jingyan excitedly paced in place two steps.

Jun Chenling watched his completely different demeanor in front of outsiders, the contrasting manner, without interrupting him with a sound.

Tan Jingyan's fingertips flew over the screen: 【No problem with the authorization! Tomorrow I'll send you the arranged score, let Ayu practice well, ask me anytime if you don't understand, even if it's a midnight phone call, it's fine!】

He was afraid Mu Xi would change her mind, so he added: 【Tell Ayu, I'll fly back right away to personally guide her】

After sending the message, Tan Jingyan thought that after dealing with Jun Chenling, he would immediately return to his residence to start staying up late to work on the arrangement.

The smile at the corners of his mouth never faded.

Jun Chenling's gaze fell on the two characters "Youbao" on the screen, and an idea formed in his mind.

His younger sister will participate in the campus cultural festival and also play Mr. Tan's piece.

Mr. Tan's piece demands extremely high standards from the instrument; an ordinary piano definitely won't do.

He thought, the corners of his mouth involuntarily curled up, and he could still brush up his presence in front of A Shen!

The two exchanged a few more casual pleasantries, then each went home.