Lu Mingfei, why are you slaying dragons if you're not involved!

Chapter 175 Four-Handed Piano Duet (Part 2)

The air in the auditorium of Shilan Middle School was filled with an expectant silence. The surrounding lights dimmed, leaving only a spotlight hanging down, attracting everyone's attention.

The grand finale of the evening was Liu Miaomiao's original piano piece, "You at the Window," performed as a four-hand duet with Lu Mingfei.

Dressed in a formal gown, she seemed to have grown up a few years in the blink of an eye, becoming a stunning young woman. She took a deep breath and her fingertips landed on the piano keys.

There was no need for eye contact or silent recitation. Although she and Lu Mingfei had rarely practiced the piece in its entirety, their understanding was more than enough.

Because this is about everything between the two of them.

The mallet struck, the strings were plucked, and the melody resounded throughout the auditorium. This story has already happened, and it will continue.

The prelude is calm and gentle, representing the most familiar strangers who have been classmates for five and a half years but have had virtually no special interactions.

Just as they were about to enter the main building, a surprising change of tone occurred, corresponding to something that seemed impossible to happen.

In the audience, Chen Wenwen tucked a strand of hair that was hanging straight in front of her forehead behind her ear.

She had never studied music, but she had a vague feeling that most of the things in this piece were real and corresponded to real events.

So she naturally thought of that day.

That was the first time Lu Mingfei rejected her, and he even used a terrible excuse.

Perhaps there was still a chance to salvage things back then. But what's missed is missed... Now, let's just live our own lives peacefully and quietly appreciate what we have.

The entire background has now been revealed.

"If Lu Mingfei is still Chen Wenwen's loyal subordinate... even if I meet him at Aunt Shanshan's place later, I won't be tempted, right?"

Liu Miaomiao thought to herself.

The first note of the main theme was played, a chance encounter outside the classroom, followed by a series of surprises: his unbelievable talent for playing, his previously unnoticed hard work, and his declaration to "become the most powerful and awesome man in the world."

She chose to believe.

That irresistible curiosity finally planted a tiny seed.

Lu Mingfei remained silent, standing under the spotlight like a jade statue meticulously sculpted by God, his profile possessing impeccable contours, his eyes lowered. His well-fitting suit accentuated a rare uprightness and serene demeanor for a young man, as if he were born to sit under this spotlight.

At this point, the melody should have developed in a very gentle way.

But the instant his fingertips touched the piano keys, a completely different yet perfectly compatible power was instantly injected.

The simultaneous sound of deep and soaring notes is not merely echoing or accompaniment, but rather a joint composition.

Another one representing "surprise," and this time it's a very heavy and high-pitched variation.

Chu Zihang, who had changed into a white suit at some point, was standing to the side and back of the stage, watching the two people playing the piano together and listening quietly.

His musical talent wasn't as freakish as Lu Mingfei's or Liu Miaomiao's, but it was still quite good; he could discern the emotions within melodies. Plus, he'd practically heard every piece of gossip related to Lu Mingfei… he could figure them all out with a little thought!
This heaviest, and also the highest, variation, was created by him.

When arranging accommodation for Lu Mingfei, he didn't think much of it; he just remembered there was a vacant apartment there and booked it. Unexpectedly, it happened to be right across from Liu Miaomiao's house. The beginning of everything… As the saying goes, nothing is more coincidental than fate, but these coincidences were far too many. Perhaps this is what they call "destiny"?

At this point, the main and secondary sections resounded together. The seed planted in the main section, which had only been sown not long ago, sprouted due to the sudden change, while the secondary section gave an equal response.

The two melodies intertwined and unfolded, like two birds tentatively approaching each other. The fingers of both musicians flew across the piano keys, their movements precise and fluid, effortless and impeccable... Everything seemed to be moving towards a bright and sunny future.

But the subsequent development section was like a sudden clap of thunder in summer, with dark clouds gathering as if to destroy everything, cold and despairing...

Zero listened quietly to the piece in the audience, her unchanging gaze showing no sign of wavering.

She naturally realized they were talking about her... but so what?

The strong will not heed the accusations of the weak.

The melody suddenly becomes sharp and rapid, with an unstable syncopation in the rhythm, like a fierce heartbeat and a quarrel caused by misunderstanding. The notes collide and spark, carrying anxiety and unease.

But then Lu Mingfei's chords became richer and softer, as he precisely captured every emotional shift Liu Miaomiao conveyed, responding with even greater force. The two hands were no longer in a harmonious entanglement, but rather a tense confrontation and pursuit!
Everything was resolved, and the storm gradually subsided.

Liu Miaomiao's melody has become gentle again, but it is no longer the initial naivety, but the sedimentation and understanding after experiencing the storm... Lu Mingfei's is more inclusive and profound. The two intertwine and cooperate once again, moving towards the future.

Until the very end.

The music ultimately returns to a clear tranquility, without a dramatic, abrupt end, nor a lingering, reluctant farewell.

It's as if life is entering its final stage, one person pushing another along a casual road, a gentle breeze blowing, smiles still lingering. Everything fades away, but the past remains forever.

The lingering sound eventually faded away.

Then came an unprecedented deathly silence.

The music seemed to truly possess a soul, seeping into everyone's ears and stirring their thoughts! Who wouldn't yearn for such a thing? And who could bear to let go and forget after experiencing all of this?

"I think maybe we don't need to rush?"

Mr. Liu asked in a low voice, "It seems our daughter is quite confident..."

"..."

Liu's mother remained silent, thinking to herself, "The more this is the case, the more worried I become... The more we invest, the higher the sunk costs become. What if we lose everything? How can we salvage the situation then?"

"We absolutely... absolutely cannot lose!"

Aunt Shanshan excitedly muttered to herself. She had always said that a four-handed piano duet was a winning combination! Her group of girlfriends had previously complained that she was too timid for an artist... but it turned out that her judgment was correct.

This will be a piece that will hold a place in the entire music world, and it will also be Liu Miaomiao's debut work as a composer. How long can love last? After a hundred years, it will only be a handful of yellow earth, but music can last for thousands of years!

Lu Mingfei and Liu Miaomiao exchanged a glance.

As two of the world's most talented musicians, they were completely immersed in the performance just now, and thus the story in the music seemed to have been experienced firsthand!
(End of this chapter)