Capítulo 37: I Can't Wait To Hear You Play

Hey, Author here

I wrote this chapter incorporating a real classical song. It's called Liebestraum No.3 by Franz Liszt. You can choose to listen to it as you read. You will see a '*' when the music starts and stops. The song is longer than the description in the chapter, so feel free to just keep listening.

Enjoy~

****************************************************************************

The two women bid Tang Wei goodbye as they unhurriedly walked arm in arm toward the stage.

There they met the coordinator who told them the stage was being prepared for her Guqin performance and would be ready within 10 minutes.

They thanked him and he walked away. Li Xiu couldn't help squeezing Liling's arm with glee, "I can't wait to hear you play"

With a small chuckle at her ever-present enthusiasm, she replied much calmer, "I'm not that good, I only started practising two weeks before this"

"Tch", she scoffed waving away Liling's humbleness, "You say that now, but I'm pretty sure once you get on that stage you'll end up entrancing everyone. I would know since all my friends are humble brags"

Liling laughed, "Speaking of friends, you and Tang Wei are really close, right? You seemed quite taken with him earlier." A teasing smile played on her lips as she watched Li Xiu's expression morph into an exaggerated look of surprise.

"Wha-I don't know what you're talking about"

She lifted a brow still smiling "Really? So you blushing while talking to him wasn't anything?"

"Was it that obvious?", Her voice shrunk like a small school child who had just been reprimanded,

"As clear as day", Liling laughed patting Li Xiu's shoulder, "But don't worry, I don't think he's caught on yet"

She sighed in relief, grateful that her crush on him hadn't been so blatantly obvious to him,

"Are you ever planning on telling him?"

"Probably not, he already only sees me as Li Hao's little sister, and I don't want to make that worse by ruining our friendship too"

Placing her hand on Li Xiu's shoulder again, she advised, "Well then, just take it slow, let him get to know you for you, the unapologetic Li Xiu that I know and love, the rest will come naturally"

She was immediately met with a crushing hug from Li Xiu, to which she returned warmly. It was nice to know that even despite the fake relationship between her and Li Hao, there was a beautiful friendship being developed. Hopefully, they could stay friends after she walked out of his life.

Being informed of a surprise performance by the coordinator, Master Li took the stage again to inform the guests. The hall went quiet with anticipation.

Just as Liling readied herself to go upstage. She froze in shock as she was met with an all-familiar gaze walking towards her and up the stage in her stead.

It was Zhao Mei, white dress flowing and looking as innocent as a dove. She took a microphone amidst the hushed surprised murmurs going on in the hall.

"Ladies and gentlemen, tonight, I'd like to share a special performance with you, something close to my heart. Most people aren't aware of this, but when I was little, the Li family took me in for a short while, and ever since then, they've treated me like one of their own. That's why I wanted to give back to them in the best way I know—with music. So, please, enjoy this piece that I've prepared just for tonight"

The audience erupted into applause, unaware of what had just taken place offstage. All they knew was that Zhao Mei, the upcoming starlet and acclaimed pianist was about to bless their ears with an outstanding performance.

Li Xiu turned to Liling face flushed with anger. "What's going on? Why did she take your place on stage?"

"It's okay Xiu", she consoled with an arm holding her back from causing a scene on stage. She could understand Li Xiu's annoyance, but she didn't want her to stoop to Zhao Mei's level. If she thought she could get a rise out of her, she was sorely mistaken, staying calm was second nature to her.

Zhao Mei had seated herself at the grand white piano at the corner of the stage, her fingers poised over the key, a fleeting moment of stillness washed over the hall, the guests waiting with bated breath.

She closed her eyes and began to play*, the first notes of Liebestraum No. 3 drifted into the air, soft and delicate, like the whisper of a breeze, drifting smoothly, filling the hall with a rich, melodious sound.

The sound was pure, each note clear and precise, resonating in the stillness of the hall. The melody unfolded, a tender, lilting phrase that spoke of longing and love, it evoked a feeling of warmth within the audience as they admired her skilful playing.

As the piece progressed, the music grew in richness and complexity and so did her hand movements as they danced over the keys, the motion fluid and effortless. The piece approached its climax, the music swelled, a torrent of sound, the passion in each note palpable, before the storm began to subside gradually. The music softened, the intensity giving way to a gentle, soothing calm.

Coming to an end, Zhao Mei's fingers stilled, the music fading into silence. Immediately, the room filled with applause. She stood up and bowed gracefully enjoying the attention she had garnered*.

She walked down the stage and stood close by, humbly basking in the guest's appreciation of her playing. She was being compared to an angel, her white gown and pale skin under the light had created the impression of an otherworldly figure coming down to bless them.

Without warning, Li Xiu went on stage and grabbed a microphone as she went to meet Master Li who had just got on stage to thank Zhao Mei.

"Grandpa, did you like it?", She had her usual excited smile plastered on, she was going to deal with Zhao Mei one way or another,

Master Li affirmed smiling widely and openly commending her performance.

"Then you're gonna love Liling's performance even more. Like I keep saying, she's beautiful, nice and she's talented", she sang her praises for Liling in front of the guests making sure they would understand what type of person Liling was. "Even as Zhao Mei suddenly came up to perform, she didn't complain and let her perform first, I've never met someone so selfless"

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