Controlling the Five Thunders and the Two Worlds

Chapter 343 One Invited Abroad, the Other Joined the Orchestra

The next morning, Xiao Ya and Jiang Shishi, feeling completely satisfied, arrived at the folk music troupe.

Then Xiao Ya was called to the office by the orchestra's leaders.

"This is Ms. Estelle Zoe," the orchestra leader introduced. "She is a piano professor at the Juilliard School in the United States and the vice president of the World Institute of Ethnomusicology."

A middle-aged blonde woman, dressed in a khaki suit and looking elegant, stood up from her seat, smiled and nodded warmly at Xiao Ya, her eyes full of admiration.

Xiao Ya was taken aback upon hearing this, and a thousand thoughts flashed through her mind, but she remained calm on the surface.

"Aren't you going to say hello?" the orchestra leader urged.

"Hello, Ms. Zoe," Xiao Ya said politely, snapping out of her reverie.

"Hello, Miss Xiao." Estelle walked towards Xiao Ya, extended her right hand, and gently shook hands with Xiao Ya, speaking in fairly standard Mandarin, "I heard your performance yesterday, it was excellent."

"Thank you," Xiao Ya said modestly with a smile. "I still have a lot of room for improvement."

"That's why Ms. Zoe came," the orchestra leader said with a smile, "She came to Guangzhou to exchange ideas with our folk music orchestra. She saw your performance yesterday and thinks you're a promising talent. She'd like to invite you to study in the United States."

"Huh?" Xiao Ya was taken aback, but at the same time her heart trembled.

If she had heard this news a few days ago, she might not have agreed, but she would certainly have been overjoyed. However, after learning the truth from Gu Zhao, she was now filled with vigilance.

Estelle's smile was gentle, full of kindness and enthusiasm. "Xiao, your guzheng playing is full of excellent technique and beautiful artistic conception. You are the most spiritual musician I have ever met."

In my opinion, your future shouldn't be limited to the Guangzhou Symphony Orchestra, but should extend to a larger stage—performing at Carnegie Hall, the Royal Opera House, and the Vienna Musikverein—letting the world hear your voice.

Xiao Ya maintained her smile, "Thank you for the compliment, but I don't think I'm quite there yet."

She plays traditional Chinese musical instruments. Although she knows some top international musicians, she doesn't know Estelle Zoe. But someone who can be a piano professor at Juilliard must be a musical genius.

If she had received such praise a few days ago, she might have been puzzled, but she would have also felt honored, proud, and deeply grateful. But now, she only felt disgusted.

Estelle smiled and said, "Of course not now. You only have potential, but I can help you to bring out your full potential and spirituality."

Xiao Ya asked, "Going to Juilliard School?"

“Yes.” Estelle nodded. “Don’t think that Juilliard only teaches Western instruments. As one of the world’s most prestigious music academies, it also covers the famous folk music from around the world.”

Your guzheng foundation is very good. I may not be able to teach you too many techniques, but at the academy you can see folk music from all over the world, learn from the world's top musicians, and be exposed to the world's most cutting-edge musical concepts.

Believe me, with just one to two years of study at Juilliard School, your spirituality, experience, and expertise will be greatly enhanced.

By then, you can perform on world-class stages with the academy's orchestra, and Carnegie Hall and the Vienna Musikverein will open their doors to you.

“Xiao,” Estelle said enticingly, “you will become a world-class Tianxia performer.”

"Gulp!" The band leader swallowed hard, his eyes filled with anticipation.

“You don’t need to worry about tuition fees.” Seeing Xiao Ya hesitate, Estelle said with a smile, “As the vice dean of the World Ethnic Music Branch, I have full scholarship recommendation slots under my name.”

"In my opinion, with your musical talent, you are more than qualified to receive this recommendation. When you step onto the world-class stage in the future, I, as your mentor, will also benefit from it." "Wow!" The orchestra leader couldn't help but exclaim, seeing Xiao Ya still pondering, he wished he could agree for her.

Xiao Ya looked up and saw the expectant and inquisitive look in Estelle's eyes. She then revealed a hint of joy and excitement, but also a touch of nervousness and trepidation.

"Thank you for your kind words." Xiao Ya clenched her hands and gently twisted the hem of her clothes. "But your invitation came too suddenly for me, and I cannot give you an answer immediately."

“It’s alright, it’s normal,” Estelle said with a gentle smile. “You can contact your parents and discuss it. I’ll be staying in Guangzhou for a few more days. This is my phone number in Tianxia. You can come see me anytime.”

She took out a business card and handed it to Xiao Ya, while winking playfully, "Seize the opportunity, I hope to see your guzheng solo at the Golden Hall New Year's Concert."

"Thank you." Xiao Ya accepted the business card.

After saying goodbye to the two, Xiao Ya left the office, took the business card and brought it close to the Jin Gang bracelet to test it, then folded it and tore off a corner to confirm that it was just an ordinary paper business card.

Xiao Ya breathed a sigh of relief and then quickly went to the practice room.

Jiang Shishi waved to Xiao Ya, and seeing Xiao Ya approach, she asked curiously, "What does the boss want with you?"

“A piano professor at Juilliard invited me to study in the United States, promising that I could perform on world-class stages, such as Carnegie Hall or the Golden Hall New Year’s Concert.”

"What?" Jiang Shishi's eyes widened, then she immediately realized, "They've got their eyes on you?"

Xiao Ya nodded. "It should be."

Then Jiang Shishi became very dissatisfied, "Why didn't you come to me? Do you look down on me? The fact that we were able to be with Gu Zhao was because I took the initiative!"

"What are you thinking!" Xiao Ya lightly patted Jiang Shishi. "Don't forget my grandfather's relationship with Baiyun Temple. They've got their eyes on Baiyun Temple."

Jiang Shishi curled her lip, "Tch, a nepotism case!"

Just then, another orchestra leader walked into the hall, clapped his hands, and interrupted everyone's practice and whispers, "Quiet down, I have something to announce."

Everyone stopped what they were doing and looked at her.

She waved, and a tall, pretty blonde woman walked in, bowing politely to everyone as a greeting.

"This is Erin Lawrence, a top student from Berklee College of Music," the orchestra leader introduced. "Erin has a strong interest in Chinese folk instruments and has volunteered to come to our orchestra for a period of exchange and study. Please welcome her!"

Everyone applauded, especially the men in the group, whose eyes were shining.

The orchestra leaders looked at Xiao Ya and Jiang Shishi and said, "Eileen is particularly interested in the guzheng and pipa. She watched your performance yesterday and expressed her admiration and said she wants to learn from you. Why don't you take her under your wing?"

Xiao Ya and Jiang Shishi exchanged a glance.

"Another one?" Jiang Shishi grinned.

"I'm taking you with me this time," Xiao Ya chuckled.

(End of this chapter)