Let's Form a Team

Sitting in front of the guzheng, Xia Yu put on the armor that Liu Manman had just taken off on his fingers.

This action made the gazes of the surrounding men somewhat sharper.

Placing his hand above the strings, Xia Yu felt a sense of nostalgia. Although he had occasionally played a piece in the past two months, it had been a long time since he had played in front of others.

He pondered what kind of music he should play.

Should he play PD042 again?

He didn't want to repeat the pieces he had already played.

So, which piece should he switch to?

He could think about the piece for a while, but first, he needed to exude elegance.

In the eyes of the surrounding tourists, Xia Yu's temperament suddenly changed.

The ladies present all brightened their eyes.

Even Liu Manman's heart couldn't help but tremble slightly.

Her grandmother's choice of him was indeed correct. He hadn't even started playing yet, but he had already caught everyone's attention, perfectly in line with the concept of the floral guzheng style.

However, she wasn't a descendant of the floral guzheng style but belonged to the northern guzheng style. Being good-looking didn't count towards scoring; what mattered was the pleasantness of the music.

Although she felt confident about winning, Liu Manman was still somewhat apprehensive, worried that Xia Yu's PD042 had advanced further.

But when Xia Yu began to play, she cast aside her apprehension.

This wasn't the prelude to PD042 but the prelude to 'City of Water.' He foolishly gave up on that advantageous piece; she would surely win!

Joy appeared on her face, but it disappeared after Xia Yu finished playing the prelude, and apprehension reappeared.

This piece seemed to be played better than her own.

It was impossible. It was already quite remarkable for her to have improved so much in just over two months; how could he have improved more than her?

Her heart was in complete chaos, and she had no interest in listening to the music.

However, everyone else was captivated by the piece.

Kong Hanyue felt it the deepest.

'City of Water' expressed a tranquil emotion. She had heard Xia Yu play it before, but it had never been this brilliant.

During ordinary performances, the musician was just a machine reproducing the piece. But in Xia Yu's performance, he had added some of his own changes to the music.

As she listened to the piece, Kong Hanyue's mind was filled not with a flooded city but with an endless expanse of snow.

The music and the snow outside merged, transforming the 'City of Water' into a 'Mountain of Snow.' Equally tranquil, the music carried a hint of the cold from the snow.

The melody was clear like falling snow, with endless snowy paths and a silent surrounding as people walked atop the snow.

When Xia Yu played the last note, a snowflake fell on the guzheng.

Snow began to fall again outside.

Taking off the armor on his hand, Xia Yu returned to his seat and drank his flower tea.

The applause around him didn't affect his emotions at all.

Liu Manman stared at him blankly.

She really wanted to ask Xia Yu why he could improve so quickly in just over two months.

She remembered her grandmother's words, Liu Ronglan had said that Xia Yu had mastered the PD042 that she had not learned even after three years of practice, in less than a month.

Was this the difference between a genius and an ordinary person?

She thought of An Siyao again, who was also a girl with extraordinary abilities.

She felt somewhat disinterested and even began to doubt if she should participate in the competition this time.

However, after a moment, she dismissed the idea of backing out.

"You already play better than me." Liu Manman said with a disappointed expression.

"You're not bad either." Xia Yu said casually.

"I have a favor to ask of you." Liu Manman continued.

Was her goal not the competition?

Xia Yu put down his teacup and asked, "What is it?"

"Let's form a team and participate in the Global New Generation Music Competition." Liu Manman looked intently at Xia Yu, "We can play the guzheng together and definitely secure a spot!"

"I refuse." Xia Yu had no interest in music and didn't want to continue developing in this area.

Moreover, after his refusal, the game didn't issue any tasks.

"Why? This is a world-class competition! The top fifteen teams can perform in a live broadcast around the world!" Liu Manman couldn't understand why Xia Yu would refuse her invitation.

"Do you already have a teammate?" She asked again.

"No." Xia Yu shook his head.

"Then are you planning to go alone? Ensemble performances are easier to secure a spot than solo performances. In Area One, you won't find another guzheng player qualified enough to work with you!" Liu Manman pressed.

At the same time, her emotions were a bit complicated. Originally, she thought that among the new generation musicians in the entire area, only Xia Yu's guzheng was worthy of her. However, she only found out today that Xia Yu's guzheng had improved so rapidly that it was not far from her grandmother's level, and she had become a mere foil.

In ten years, Xia Yu would undoubtedly become the pillar of the Guzheng Flower School, or even the leader of guzheng players.

"I don't plan to participate in this competition." Xia Yu was considering how to refuse. Should he tell her directly that he planned to become a programmer instead of continuing with music?

Saying this might infuriate Kong Hanyue and Liu Ronglan.

But it had to be said eventually.

Before Xia Yu could speak, Liu Manman grabbed his hand: "The competition won't delay your practice, and experiencing the world's top level will also help broaden your horizons."

In Liu Manman's view, Xia Yu's progress in just over two months, in addition to his extraordinary talent, must have been accompanied by diligent practice. He refused her invitation because he was solely focused on practicing the guzheng.

However, Xia Yu had spent these two months eating and drinking, only recently becoming busy due to Xu Youxiang's matter.

"I..." Xia Yu's words were interrupted by Liu Manman before he could finish.

"Please forget what I just said." Thinking that Xia Yu didn't care about the opportunity to gain fame in the Global Music Competition, Liu Manman felt ashamed for her lofty words earlier.

She grabbed Xia Yu's hand again and tried to persuade him: "My talent is not as good as yours. Relying on outstanding skills, you will eventually become a world-class music master, and this competition is insignificant to you. However, it's one of my few opportunities, maybe my only shining moment in my guzheng life. I hope you can help me!"

"I refuse." Xia Yu remained unmoved.

"I am your senior sister!" Liu Manman started to pull on their relationship.

"I'm very busy." Xia Yu was telling the truth, as he still had the task of controlling the academy to do, and he would be fully committed to building a beautiful campus as soon as school started.

"You can make your request, as long as it's appropriate, I can agree to it," said Liu Manman.

Her words piqued Xia Yu's interest, as he thought about what Liu Manman had that he didn't, and concluded that it was her herself.

Was this to use a beauty scheme?

Looking at her body, Xia Yu assessed:

Her face was not as pretty as An Siyao's; her upper body was not as attractive as Yan Wei's, and her legs did not have the charm of Xu Youxiang's.

Although she was a rare beauty, her overall appearance was too average and had no special charm.

"Do you remember Ning Qiu'er? She's the goddess of your otaku, and I can introduce her to you!" Liu Manman whispered, mysteriously.

However, Xia Yu had only heard of Ning Qiu'er and knew she was a singer, but knew nothing else about her.

With no understanding, there was naturally no interest.

"Not interested."

Rejected by Xia Yu again, Liu Manman sighed.

Could it be they can only go to An Siyao then?

But the compatibility between the piano and the guzheng was not good.