They don't actually think I like them, do they?

The newcomer was Su Ruxue. She wore exquisite makeup and a snow-white gown. Every step she took on the stage was like a graceful swan dancing.

As soon as the white swan entered the venue, the entire audience burst into applause.

Su Ruxue sat in the middle chair, with sheet music displayed on the shelf in front of her.

The heavy, dark brown cello seemed to be the same size as the girl's body, making one wonder if she could handle such a behemoth.

As the applause subsided, Su Ruxue drew her bow, and the cello's deep, resonant tone began to play.

A guy sitting behind Lin Han immediately exclaimed, "It's beautiful! This music is like a mountain stream, it makes me feel like my soul is being cleansed and my dirty spirit is being purified. It's hard not to praise this kind of music!"

"Are you kidding me? This is just the school's audio program; it hasn't even started yet."

The girl next to him glared at him fiercely, and the man immediately shrank back with shame.

It seemed that he wasn't the only one attending a concert for the first time. Knowing that there were so many Yunzis there as well, Lin Han felt much more at ease.

After Su Ruxue finished calibrating the instrument, she picked up her bow again, faced the audience, and her gaze became serious.

Just then, the girl's gaze met Lin Han's.

As if she had finally confirmed something, Su Ruxue's lips curled up slightly, and then she picked up the bow and began to play.

Su Ruxue was playing a very lively piece of music. Her bow flew swiftly, like a slender, cylindrical object, rubbing back and forth without ever penetrating the strings, making it irresistible and giving off a refreshing feeling.

The program for the concert was presented to the audience at the beginning, but Lin Han was unfamiliar with the music of this world and had never heard of it before.

However, since Lin Han's music skill card had reached a very high level, his music appreciation ability was extremely strong. Lin Han quickly realized that Su Ruxue was playing a typical piece of light music.

Light music is a form of popular music that lies between classical music and pop music. Its main characteristics are simple structure, brisk rhythm, and beautiful melody.

Su Ruxue's swan-like, fresh and delicate appearance is quite a good match for the music.

Lin Han was a little disappointed.

Isn't Su Ruxue, as rumored, most skilled in classical music? Why would she play light music on the cello?

However, Su Ruxue's musical talent is indeed very high. She can turn the cello, such a heavy and dull instrument, into a flexible and sharp tool, and play this light music with a high degree of difficulty in a delicate and accurate way.

To be able to use the cello to this extent at such a young age is no exaggeration to call him a genius!

After all, they were the top eight in the "Longqin Cup," and Lin Han had just checked on his phone. Although they were only the top eight, the Longqin Cup was the only all-level competition held by the China Conservatory of Music, in other words, it represented the highest level of cello playing in the country.

Reaching the top eight in the national finals is equivalent to being in the top eight nationwide, and being in the top eight is still a strong achievement!

Furthermore, some meticulous fans pointed out that when Su Ruxue was eliminated in the top eight, her score was significantly higher than that of the other four poorly ranked top eight contestants, so Su Ruxue should have been in the top five!

"After disappearing for three years, he came back and things were really different."

Just then, the old men sitting in the row in front of Lin Han finally spoke up.

"Hmph, back then he represented the entire Jinchuan in the Longqin Cup, but he only made it to the quarterfinals. He ran away after the match, and I thought he would never come back." The middle-aged man sitting on the left said disdainfully.

"We shouldn't have chosen her back then! I said it during the Parrot Cup: this girl only plays classical music, she won't go far in the Dragon Cup!" the old man on the right said angrily. "I told you long ago, the academies these days don't like classical music, but this girl is so stubborn, she won't listen to anything I say!"

"Alright, alright, what's there to argue about about what happened back then?"

In the center, the professor, holding a thermos, coughed softly, tapped his pen lightly on the table, and watched the girl performing on stage.

"Su Ruxue is still the same Su Ruxue. As expected of our youngest first-class cellist in Sichuan, her performance this time truly did not disappoint the association!"

"I estimate that she will soon become a hot young talent in the piano world again."

The old man on the right took a small sip of his goji berry tea, his eyes unconsciously glancing to the left, as if he were implying something.

"With Su Ruxue making her comeback at this time, I'm afraid some people in the association will have sleepless nights."

"Just a young girl," the middle-aged man said coldly.

"No, no, no." The professor said slowly, expressionless. "I still remember the look in her eyes when she was eliminated three years ago. To be honest, even an old man like me was frightened. This girl is definitely not as simple as she seems."

"......"

After Su Ruxue finished playing the first piece, several elderly people stood up from their seats and slowly left the stage.

The concert had only just begun, and it's a bit of a shame that it ended so soon.

Since they won't listen anyway, we might as well give everyone the seats in the first row.

Lin Han, who was sitting in the second row, once again became the focus of attention. Everyone's opinion of Lin Han had changed from "a leader who came to supervise" to "a person with connections".

In some ways, it doesn't seem like there's a problem.

However, Lin Han still managed to glean some information from the conversation between the elderly men.

In my previous life, classical music was a relatively niche hobby, and it was rarely appreciated outside of the classical instrument circle.

However, it's somewhat unbelievable that even the classical music community doesn't seem to appreciate classical music here, and that this might even be the reason why Su Ruxue was eliminated in the top eight.

Lin Han guessed that this was probably related to the epic battle twenty years ago where names couldn't be called directly.

Perhaps the impact of war on people is simply too great, exceeding the damage caused by any war in history. Unlike in the past, when the art of suffering flourished more during times of war, this time, people have almost begun to escape away from all pessimistic art.

We can see this from the popular music people listen to: people prefer positive, inspiring music that expresses a longing for a better life. Even songs praising veterans and condemning war use popular music styles, evoking feelings of indignation and passion, and always include lyrics. This prevents people from feeling like they have something bottled up inside.

Classical music, with its somber and oppressive style and many pieces carrying the sorrows of the times and the pain of war, has even been met with resistance and prejudice within the music industry.

In a way, this is a form of escapism.

Thinking of this, Lin Han suddenly had a flash of inspiration.

If I could compose some powerful classical music, I would capture all these people who are trying to escape the pain of war and bombard their wounds with it.

With this Collapse Index, they'd be making a killing!

086. Having dinner together

Write this down, write this down, this is definitely something we should put on the agenda!

Lin Han immediately wrote down his thoughts on classical music.

I never expected that attending a concert would bring such a pleasant surprise.

Lin Han currently lacks the necessary conditions to create classical music. He has neither the identity of a musician nor the ability to promote this niche genre of classical music to the general public.

Even if he were to release the song now, its impact would be quite limited. This is because people who enjoy his music are unlikely to be lovers of instrumental music, and those who enjoy instrumental music wouldn't listen to the music of "King of Love Songs," Orange Jam.

Secondly, Lin Han currently only knows how to play the piano. Many excellent classical pieces require specific instruments to accurately convey emotions, which greatly limits Lin Han's performance. He has far too many pieces in his head to play on a single piano. Therefore, this matter is not urgent for now.

Next, Su Ruxue played several more pieces, most of which were bright and cheerful, including some pop and folk music.

It can be said that Su Ruxue's performance of these pieces is very close to the public's aesthetic and not difficult to understand. It is easy to hear the emotions in the music from the transitions between pieces. Even people who have no interest in instrumental music can enjoy the music at this concert.

However, until the very end, Su Ruxue never played a piece of classical music that was supposedly her proudest achievement.

The concert was a great success. Su Ruxue came to the front of the stage, faced everyone, smiled slightly, and bowed. Large beads of sweat covered her cheeks and neck.

Elegant, so elegant!

Thunderous applause erupted in the auditorium.

"Teacher Su Ruxue, you're amazing!"

Keep up the good work in the future!

Several enthusiastic audience members shouted excitedly. After all, it was Su Ruxue's comeback concert, and most of the people who came to the scene were Su Ruxue's loyal listeners.

Su Ruxue bowed again, then stepped off the stage, trailing her long gown.

The audience members left their seats and rushed towards the exit.

Alright, the music is over, and I think I've repaid my favor.

Lin Han got up from his seat, intending to leave.

Just then, out of the corner of Lin Han's eye, a white figure seemed to move.

Lin Han looked over in confusion. At the backstage entrance on the left side of the stage, Su Ruxue stood behind a cloth and waved at him.

Lin Han was taken aback. He quickly glanced at the crowd around him, but no one had noticed what was happening.

Lin Han looked over again. Su Ruxue pouted and glared at Lin Han angrily. Then she suddenly bared her teeth and made a tapping motion with her hand.

With such a goofy appearance, is this really the girl who was performing on stage just now?!

Lin Han sighed and rubbed his forehead. He understood what Su Ruxue meant; she wanted him to stay.

Okay, then let's keep it.

After leaving the auditorium, Lin Han found a seat in the corridor and sat down.

Soon, all the audience members left, leaving Lin Han alone in the huge corridor.

After waiting for an unknown amount of time, Lin Han became sleepy and dozed off. Finally, a white hand was placed in front of his face.

Lin Han looked up and saw Su Ruxue standing in front of him, already dressed in casual clothes.

The girl was wearing a black casual dress. The upper body was extremely fitted, outlining her beautiful body curves. The neckline was made of semi-transparent lace, revealing her collarbone and snow-white breasts.

She seems to really like dresses.

"Teacher Ju Zi, would it be convenient for us to have a meal together?" Su Ruxue smiled gently, "My treat."

Lin Han was almost laughing in anger. This guy made her wait here for so long just to call her for a meal, and he even said he'd treat? Are you kidding me...?

"Let's go," Lin Han said.

After waiting for so long, it's only right that I get a free meal.

The two walked out of the concert hall together and came to the roadside. Su Ruxue unloaded the huge thing on her back and handed it to Lin Han.

"Could you help me with this?"　

Asking this kind of question after it's already been removed is a bit redundant.

"Row."

Lin Han took the cello, but Su Ruxue seemed afraid that Lin Han wouldn't be able to memorize it, so she pressed down on the cello and went around to Lin Han's back.

Then, Su Ruxue helped Lin Han tighten the strap of his cello case around his shoulders from behind. During this process, Su Ruxue's slender hands kept touching Lin Han's neck.

It was cool and slippery, giving Lin Han a real jolt.

If a passerby saw this scene, they would definitely think the two were doing something ambiguous.

This zither is heavier than Lin Han imagined. Su Ruxue, who carries this thing every day, must be in very good physical condition.

After finally tying it up, Su Ruxue smiled sheepishly and said, "Let's go."

......

"This is what you meant by inviting me to dinner?"

Inside the brightly lit dessert shop, Lin Han looked at the pile of shaved ice on the table, which resembled a small mountain, and asked uncertainly.

The eerie chill emanating from the iceberg gave Lin Han the feeling that he had been tricked into coming to the snow mountain.

"Oh, I like to eat dessert after the show. After eating this, I don't need to eat dinner." Su Ruxue put a small spoonful of pudding into her mouth, then immediately cupped her chin with a satisfied expression.

"..." Lin Han scooped up the watermelon shaved ice with a spoon, feeling as if he had dug up the grave of Su Ruxue's bastard with a single scoop. This watermelon juice was all the blood from the sudden deaths of Su Ruxue's family.

Su Ruxue bit her spoon and said softly:

"How was today's concert?"

"Not bad." Lin Han put a spoonful of bloody water into his mouth and said it in a neutral tone.

"Huh? That's all?" Su Ruxue stared wide-eyed at Lin Han.

"Otherwise what?" In fact, "not bad" was already a "very good" evaluation in Lin Han's eyes.

“Say more, you’re Orange Jam, for goodness’ sake.”

"What's wrong with the marmalade again?"

“I love all the songs you write, I’ve listened to every single one of them!” Su Ruxue said earnestly.

If you were to say you've never heard my songs before, that's when I'd start to panic!

"I especially love your 'Nocturne,' the combination of classical and pop music!"

"OK OK."

Lin Han stopped Su Ruxue and sighed.

"Your performance was indeed very good, but I feel that the piece you chose was not quite in harmony with your cello. In fact, I think you would have been even more outstanding if you were playing classical music."