Chapter 491

Mu Youyu sat in the exact center of the first row, her gaze following her brother's profile.

Feng Cen exclaimed, "Your brother's hands are truly precious; I've always envied others."

Mu Youyu silently agreed, her brother's hands have been insured since childhood.

Tan Jingyan inwardly felt pleased: Indeed, this is a closed-door disciple he personally brought up… although he's been somewhat indulgent.

That hand was now lightly and nimbly flying over the piano keys, and the audience fell silent.

Mu Xi performed his own representative piece; the first half was fiery and unrestrained, the second half gradually grew tranquil, like the faint traces left on a mudflat after the tide recedes.

Even though Mu Youyu had heard it many times, she couldn't help recalling what Teacher Lin once said: "Good music doesn't make people hear technique; it makes them forget technique."

Put plainly, it means masters don't deliberately show off their skill; they use all their ability to serve emotion, so the audience hears only feeling, not technique.

Feng Cen was also drawn into the atmosphere, his expression becoming a bit more serious.

"……"

After the piece ended, there was a ten-second silence below the stage before applause began, led by Mu Youyu, rising like a tide.

Mu Xi stood, gave a slight nod to the audience, turned, and walked off the stage.

"Wow, Xi Shao is so cool, his hands are so pretty hehe, I'll definitely come watch him again next time."

"Really impressive, truly worthy of being Master Tan's disciple."

"Impressive, but why did Mu Xi choose this piece? Last time his newly composed piece made me think he was going to smash the piano."

"You don't understand; this is his signature piece, which previously won an international award. He's not being conservative, he's being steady. Showing off technique isn't necessary here, and this isn't a solo recital."

An industry insider whispered, "Did you hear how he handled those last few notes just now? It's different from the original, even lighter; he's deliberately holding back."

"Holding back? Why?"

"Maybe he doesn't want to overshadow those who come after; Tan Yuzhou is still to come, he's today's main act, and Mu Xi is just here to support—stealing the spotlight wouldn't be appropriate."

That made sense, so the few people nearby nodded and stopped discussing it.

Mu Youyu took in the words, a glint flashed in her eyes, and she looked toward the stage.

Mu Xi didn't go backstage; instead, he made a big loop, came from the side passage of the audience seating, and sat in the empty seat next to his sister.

Feng Cen, sitting on Mu Youyu's other side, unconsciously shifted a bit in the opposite direction.

Mu Xi didn't mind; after sitting down, he casually draped his coat over her legs, asking, "Are you cold?"

Mu Youyu shook her head, "Not cold, Second Brother is too handsome!"

She suddenly thought of something, tilted her head, and asked, "Second Brother, who's better, you or Tan Yuzhou?"

Feng Cen gave her a sideways glance, "Sis, are you really sure you want to ask such a pointless question?"

Mu Xi gave a vague answer: "Different styles, no comparability."

Mu Youyu blinked, "But in my heart, Second Brother is the strongest."

Mu Xi ruffled her hair, "Then what about Ah Huang in your eyes?"

Mu Youyu blurted out, "He's also the strongest!"

Mu Xi gave a smile that didn't reach his eyes, with a hint of helplessness, "Really?"

Feng Cen: "You really are something."

Tan Jingyan followed suit, "In my heart, you're all the best kids! Especially Ah You, not following me in study…"

The rest of his words went unheard by those behind.

Mu Youyu, Mu Xi: "……"

The intermediate pieces weren't worth much comment; most of those who took the stage were close friends of Tan Jingyan or Tan Yuzhou, displaying solid but unremarkable ability.

Those who wanted to listen had already listened; Mu Youyu gradually became distracted, her gaze wandering aimlessly over the Music Hall.

Feng Cen bluntly said, "These few are probably Teacher Tan's friends? They play quite well, but it sounds a bit… orderly?"

Mu Youyu tilted her head, not expecting that even a layperson like her could pick up on that nuance.

Feng Cen raised an eyebrow, "How? Did I say something wrong?"

Mu Youyu shook her head, "You didn't get it wrong; I just think your ears are pretty sharp."

Feng Cen proudly lifted his chin, "Of course, I've been immersed in it since childhood thanks to a friend."

"……" The announcer announced the next performer about to appear, and the players came up one by one and then went down.

Finally came the most anticipated main act—the dazzling final appearance of Tan Yuzhou.

The audience gathered their full attention, anticipation at its peak.

Tan Yuzhou walked to the center of the stage, gave a slight bow to the audience below, and as he straightened, his gaze landed precisely on Mu Xi, the corner of his mouth lifting in an ambiguous arc.

Apparently accustomed to this, Mu Xi gave no expression at all.

Tan Yuzhou didn't mind either, turned and sat at the piano, the first note sounding.

The audience spontaneously fell silent.

The main act chose a rearranged piece; judging by the melody's direction, it is a work with a strong sense of rhythm.

After being arranged for piano solo, the notes came down densely, layer upon layer, as if to pour out all emotion in a single instant.

The arrangement incorporated abundant jazz harmonies and dissonant intervals, repeatedly probing the edge between classic and innovative.

Every twist was unexpected, yet each time it was pulled back just right at the last moment.

Listening to it, it didn't sound like a solo; rather, it felt like an entire orchestra performing.

Tan Jingyan listened with growing satisfaction; his son having learned to this extent was already not bad.

Someone in the audience sucked in a breath of cold air, and they began discussing: "This arrangement… look at his fingering, left and right hands completely independent, like two people playing, a match for Xi Shao perhaps?"

"The original is Master Tan Jingyan's! This arrangement is absolutely amazing—how was that fugue section written? It's completely not something a high school student could produce."

"Being Teacher Tan's son, the genes are there; talent like this, you can't envy it."

"Master Tan is a life winner—both a disciple and a son are that formidable."

Well, I've never seen Tan Yuzhou rearrange Mu Xi's original pieces; if those two could collaborate once, that would be explosive.

Little Tan teacher lives up to his reputation.

Compared to him, I still prefer the rare...

Shut up, he's the protagonist, don't make a fuss.

Feng Cen just kept his eyes on Tan Yuzhou's face, leaning to the right, and said, "Am I wrong? When he plays the piano, he's completely different from his usual self."

Mu Youyu nodded, "Indeed, he's strong."

She tilted her head to the right; Mu Xi was leaning against the chair back, his gaze on the stage, still unfazed by honor or disgrace.

Mu Youyu noticed his fingers lightly tapping twice on the armrest, as if silently counting the beat.

After Tan Yuzhou's performance ended, the audience applause was a bit warmer than Mu Xi's earlier show.

Someone clapped, "Good, good!"

It's not that his performance was better than Mu Xi's; rather, this concert was originally arranged for him, with most of the audience being friends and family there to show support, so the atmosphere was naturally more relaxed.

He left the stage, not circling the audience like Mu Xi did, but went straight backstage.

Mu Youyu thought he wouldn't come out again, and she waited listlessly for the host to take the stage.

Less than five minutes later, Tan Yuzhou had already changed back into his everyday clothes and entered through the side door.

He first glanced at Feng Cen, then walked over to sit beside Tan Jingyan in the front row.

After sitting down, he moved toward Mu Xi's direction and gave a slight nod.

Mu Xi returned a similarly subtle nod.

Feng Cen watched their smooth exchange of social etiquette, lowered his voice, and remarked, "Do people in your circle greet each other with such brevity?"

As she said that, her upper body almost leaned onto Mu Youyu.

Tan Yuzhou spoke a bit louder than usual: "About the same."

Feng Cen startled: "Ah? How did he hear that?"

There were three people in between.

Mu Youyu instead found it funny.

Her close friend ignored her, and Feng Cen quietly leaned a bit on the left armrest.

Just as the host brought up the atmosphere, a faint sound came from somewhere.

Mu Xi's fingers slightly curled, and he sensed a faint ominous sign.