Is It Enough Without Yao Yao?

With great difficulty, Yu Liang held back his laughter and asked Yu Ningmeng what exactly had happened.

After receiving Yu Ningmeng's explanation, he was somewhat disappointed.

He initially thought that his granddaughter really embezzled public funds to sponsor a man, but it turned out that she only used the money he gave her last time, and it didn't seem like she was supporting a man, but rather was cheated by one.

He asked Yu Ningmeng more about Xia Yu.

Although Yu Ningmeng had a grudge against Xia Yu, she didn't take personal revenge and told the truth.

She told Yu Liang that since An Siyao gave the bank card to Xia Yu more than a month ago, Xia Yu hadn't used the money in the card at all. Besides, Xia Yu could also be considered as a talented young man, partnering with An Tianfeng and making a lot of money, so he wouldn't cheat An Siyao.

Yu Liang had already investigated all of these things, and he just couldn't help but doubt it earlier.

"Also, the relationship between your granddaughter and Xia Yu may be progressing a bit fast," Yu Ningmeng hinted at Yu Liang.

Yu Liang heard the hint but didn't care.

"It doesn't matter, Siyao being able to wait until now to start dating already shows that she is cautious with her relationships. Or do you want her to be like you, never..."

Before Yu Liang could finish speaking, Yu Ningmeng hung up the phone.

Putting down the phone, Yu Liang touched his chin.

He called his new assistant and transferred fifty million from his personal card to Yu Ningmeng's, this time directly depositing it into her account.

After calming down Yu Ningmeng's emotions, Yu Liang began to think about Xia Yu again.

It seemed that he would have to meet Xia Yu as soon as possible.

Xia Yu had no idea that Yu Liang was now focusing on him, and he continued to live his life playing games, fooling around with other people's bodies, and getting closer to An Siyao.

So, by October 17th, the day the Music Academy Composition Competition began.

During the day, he gave the tickets to An Siyao and brought Liu Manman to accompany her.

He was worried about An Siyao wandering around alone in a place with men.

The contestants' seats were near the backstage entrance, so Xia Yu couldn't sit with An Siyao.

At seven thirty in the evening, the three of them entered the venue together.

This was the small auditorium of the Music Academy, much smaller than the large auditorium during the Mid-Autumn Festival.

"Hey, what are you planning to play?" Liu Manman hooked Xia Yu's neck, intending to dig up inside information.

She had already asked, and Xia Yu was not going to play "White Horse" or "White Horse in the Rain."

"You'll know soon enough," Xia Yu pried her hand off, "Siyao is here; restrain yourself a little."

Hooking the neck would cause the two bodies to press closely together.

"Is it okay if Siyao is not here?" Liu Manman asked back.

"..." Xia Yu didn't expect that he would also be teased by this kind of hypothetical formula.

"It's not okay, either." Xia Yu said.

Xia Yu's answer was very ordinary, which made Liu Manman a bit disappointed.

Holding An Siyao's hand, Liu Manman continued to ask the previous question, "Siyao is also curious about what you want to play, isn't she?"

She tried to involve An Siyao, to increase the pressure of questioning.

"Yeah." An Siyao's answer made Liu Manman happy for a moment, thinking that An Siyao had agreed with her and wanted to join her in questioning Xia Yu.

However, what An Siyao said next was, "I'll listen carefully later."

An Siyao was curious but did not want to know in advance. She would follow Xia Yu's arrangement and listen attentively after the performance began.

Liu Manman was very disappointed, feeling that An Siyao had been completely brainwashed by Xia Yu, not even knowing that Xia Yu had found another lover outside.

She also thought of the sapphire crown matter and had the idea to threaten Xia Yu with it, but she quickly restrained herself from doing so.

If she were to threaten him, it would be better to do so privately.

Xia Yu escorted An Siyao and Liu Manman to their seats, where he also met Shen Shengsheng and the counselor.

After exchanging greetings with them, Xia Yu bid them farewell and went to his own contestant seat.

Pretending to look at the back door, the counselor glanced at Liu Manman's face, feeling a mix of emotions in his heart.

He had previously heard that Xia Yu had a connection with the Liu family, and was wondering how strong that connection was, but it turned out to be strong enough to hang out with the legitimate daughter.

If this relationship continued to develop, after Liu Manman split the family business, Xia Yu might become an indispensable asset, sitting at the helm of a large company.

In comparison, Shen Shengsheng only admired Xia Yu's musical talent, and at best, could become a musician himself.

As a money-driven person, the counselor felt that it was more profitable for Xia Yu to rely on the Liu family.

Because An Tianfeng and Yu Liang deliberately kept a low profile, the counselor did not recognize An Siyao. Otherwise, if he knew that there was also a legitimate daughter of the An family, and the sole heir of the Yu family, he would be even more shocked.

After being stunned for a while, the counselor resumed his normal demeanor. Although he felt that Xia Yu was better off choosing Liu Manman's side, Xia Yu was not him. He was standing with Shen Shengsheng, who could give him more things.

He silently apologized to Xia Yu in his heart, because he had to firmly support Shen Shengsheng.

Shen Shengsheng also glanced back at the two women, feeling that An Siyao looked familiar, but he did not recognize her.

He glanced at Xia Yu, touched the beard beside his mouth, and was very satisfied.

He asked the counselor beside him, "Do you think Xia Yu will play White Horse or White Horse in the Rain?"

This question stumped the counselor. Knowing that Shen Shengsheng would ask about music, the counselor had prepared in advance to ensure that he had something to say when Shen Shengsheng asked, but he didn't expect that Shen Shengsheng would ask such a multiple-choice question.

He knew about White Horse in the Rain, which was played during the Mid-Autumn Festival, but what was White Horse?

Without waiting for an answer from the counselor, Shen Shengsheng shook his head and said, "Xiao Fu, your intelligence is not enough. White Horse in the Rain is a duet, and White Horse is a solo performance. It's obvious, isn't it?"

The counselor roared in his heart: I don't even know what White Horse is, how would I know it's played by one person?!

"Right, right, right. I've heard White Horse in the Rain. My mind just didn't make the connection," the counselor knocked on his head, looking helpless.

"Hahaha, it's okay. Just read more detective novels," Shen Shengsheng said cheerfully. He didn't continue to tease the counselor and looked at Xia Yu again.

He thought that Xia Yu, who had refused the Mid-Autumn Festival party last time, had quickly agreed to participate this time, must have rediscovered the beauty of music and felt the sense of accomplishment that comes from making the audience intoxicated.

As long as Xia Yu's musical dream reappeared, he could proceed with the next step of his plan - to pull Xia Yu away from his master and bring him under his own flag of Sheng music.

Besides Xia Yu, there were a few other talented youngsters in Guzheng. Losing Xia Yu wouldn't matter much. It was just that Xia Yu's identity as a successor of the Huapai style was troublesome, and Liu Ronglan must be counting on him to revive the Huapai style.

If it was not possible, he would try to find a way to let Xia Yu be on both sides.

If he missed carrying the flag of Sheng music, it would be thoroughly ruined.

The flag bearer was the core of Sheng music's publicity, no matter which genre of musical instrument, young people always admired the flag bearer and joined passionately.

The lack of strength of the flag bearer would bring a huge blow. It was not only the problem of fewer young people joining, but also the loss of enthusiasm among those who had joined, turning them into slackers, which would further lead to decline.

Shen Shengsheng sighed deeply, feeling a little depressed.

Raising his head to glance at Liu Manman, he continued to think: People without talent worked very hard, while those with talent always ran away.

Unaware of Shen Shengsheng's inner turmoil, Xia Yu was sitting with other contestants at the moment.

Seeing Xia Yu, the other contestants were a little surprised.

"What do you play?" One of the contestants asked.

"Piano," Xia Yu answered.

"But I have never seen you before. What year are you in?" Another contestant, who was probably from the piano class, asked.

Xia Yu thought that since he was from the School of Literature, of course, the School of Music wouldn't recognize him.

However, saying this might cause trouble.

"Freshman," Xia Yu replied.

"Oh, looking closely, you do seem a little familiar," the other contestants nodded.

The familiarity they mentioned was from seeing Xia Yu at the Mid-Autumn Festival and previous performances. If they had followed their instincts and thought carefully, they could have recognized Xia Yu, but they didn't.

If they had asked for Xia Yu's name, they could have recognized him too, but they didn't.

They all thought that since this was a competition of the School of Music, the participants must be their fellow classmates.

One of the students seemed to sense something, but seeing the ordinary appearance of the classmates around him and Xia Yu, who was good at playing Guzheng and Sheng but not piano, he thought he was just overthinking.

The group of people were familiar with each other, and after confirming that Xia Yu didn't sneak in, they started to chat about the competition. The competition hadn't started yet, so they could chat freely.

"This time's competition is about old Gang and old Zheng fighting for supremacy," a contestant said.

"Yes, indeed," other contestants echoed.

"I always feel that these competitions have no suspense at all. We all know each other's abilities within the same college. Can there suddenly be a dark horse emerging? Don't you think so?" The contestant asked Xia Yu.

Xia Yu showed an awkward yet polite smile.

"Um, this junior is a bit introverted, but that's fine. He'll get used to it after participating in more activities together. Even old Zheng was like that in the beginning, I remember the first time we pulled him to press..."

"Cough, cough, cough," the remaining contestants immediately coughed.

The speaker immediately shut his mouth.

He was just talking about the matters within their small circle. Outside, they were all decent people, avoiding temptations from others, and only played with their own kind.

The scene became silent for a moment, very awkward.

A participant spoke up, "Why don't we bet on who will win between Old Gang and Old Zheng for the championship?"

The atmosphere became lively again.

"I think it's Old Zheng. Old Zheng is more orthodox and should be liked by the teachers."

"I feel it's Old Gang. Old Gang's girlfriend made the music, which is really exciting. The current teachers are not serious, maybe they will choose Old Gang."

Their intense discussion made Xia Yu feel a bit nervous.

Who exactly were Old Gang and Old Zheng, who were being praised so highly by them?

At first, Xia Yu thought that since he had come, how could he not be the first? But now, after hearing these people boasting, he began to doubt himself.

After all, this was Hua University, a place full of hidden talents. Was it too arrogant for him to think that he could dominate the competition with his level 5 music?

While he was thinking, the highly anticipated Old Gang and Old Zheng came over and sat together.

"Let's see who's better in a while!" Old Gang looked at Old Zheng.

Old Zheng leaned back in his chair, "Our music is almost the same, it depends on whose performance skills are stronger."

Both of their gazes met, and the same smile appeared on their faces.

On stage, the judges were already in place, and the instruments were ready. The host announced the beginning of the competition.

Xia Yu leaned back, deciding to observe and see the level of Old Gang and Old Zheng.

Although he felt that he wouldn't lose, if he couldn't defeat everyone and get first place, presenting the music would be meaningless.

His plan to observe failed, as the host called his name first.

The host only called one name, which was the characteristic of the competition: play the music first, then talk.

After going on stage, Xia Yu sat down at the piano.

In the audience, Shen Sheng frowned and turned to the counselor, "Why is Xia Yu playing the piano?"

The counselor was also clueless. If Shen Sheng didn't know, how could he know?

Fortunately, Shen Sheng only expressed his surprise and did not continue asking.

At the participants' seats, those senior contestants also discussed for a moment, and they introduced Xia Yu to Old Gang and Old Zheng.

Hearing that it was a junior playing the piano like them, Old Gang showed a smile, "I wonder what kind of surprise this junior will bring us."

"What kind of surprise can there be? The champion is already between you two." Another contestant said.

Old Gang and Old Zheng exchanged glances, and in each other's eyes, they knew they both thought the same.

That was until Xia Yu began to play.

As they heard the prelude, Old Gang and Old Zheng nodded. Hearing the first part, Old Gang raised his eyebrows. Hearing the second part, Old Zheng widened his eyes. And hearing the third part, the remaining contestants were completely astonished.

On the stage, worried about making mistakes, Xia Yu used his full level 5 music and opened with an elegant prelude that played under his fingers.

Liu Manman closed her eyes and listened carefully. The melody was slow and graceful, making her think of the sun, grass, and butterflies.

If the piece were to be divided into spring, summer, autumn, and winter, this piece would be spring.

The prelude ended, and the first part officially began. The melody became a bit more lively, but the overall feeling was still very graceful, and the melody was relatively slow.

In this section, Liu Manman felt the wind, the sunshine on the grass, and the butterflies playing.

But it seemed there was more than that.

Liu Manman frowned slightly, feeling that she had missed something, but she couldn't figure it out for a moment.

She continued to listen.

The music in the second part became somewhat lower, as if the sun, grass, and butterflies had all entered a deep sleep.

This was dusk, Liu Manman concluded.

The music was still beautiful, but Liu Manman's attention was entirely elsewhere, and the feeling that she had missed something became even more pronounced.

The third part began.