Chapter 11: Gaining Recognition

A Li sat down at the piano, eager to show off in front of Tang Ying and shut her arrogant mouth. Yet, she hadn’t practiced in ages, and now, faced with actually playing, her mind went blank.

As she sat, dazed, at the piano, Tang Ying let out a mocking laugh. “Ha ha, trying to act impressive, only to realize you can’t even play! This is killing me, Miss Homewrecker Li, do us all a favor and get out of here before you embarrass yourself any further!”

A Li ignored Tang Ying and turned to the sales assistant. “Do you have any sheet music here?”

“We do…” The assistant quickly fished out a book of scores but looked at A Li with some hesitation and whispered, “Miss, Liszt’s ‘La Campanella’… are you sure you can play it?”

No sooner had she finished speaking than Tang Ying burst out laughing even louder. “Play it! Let her play! She’s so talented, she absolutely can do it!” Her tone was thick with sarcasm.

Anyone with even a passing knowledge of piano knew Liszt was a virtuoso, infamous for his showy, technically demanding pieces. ‘La Campanella’ was world-renowned as a dizzying display of skill—difficult even for seasoned pianists, let alone someone as unknown as A Li.

The assistant realized the challenge she’d handed A Li and, as a mere shop worker, felt awful. “Let me find you something else,” she offered.

“No need,” A Li replied, taking the sheet music and setting it on the stand.

Tang Ying sneered, “If you can’t play, just leave—clinging on will only make you look even more ridiculous.”

A Li couldn’t be bothered with Tang Ying’s taunts. She quickly scanned the sheet music, getting a rough sense of the piece, and prepared to play.

“She’s still pretending she can do it,” Tang Ying whispered to her friend, barely able to contain her laughter.

Her friend cast a pitying glance at A Li. “If I were her, I’d just leave and spare myself the embarrassment.”

“Exactly, but some people refuse to listen to reason…” Tang Ying began, but before she could finish, the room was suddenly filled with the sound of piano notes.

A Li had begun to play.

Her fingers danced swiftly across the keys, each note leaping forth. The urgent, pressurized melody, combined with the rapid tempo, filled the air. For a moment, both Tang Ying and her companion found themselves holding their breath, caught in a spell as though they’d been transported to some tense, unfamiliar realm.

By the time the piece ended, both were still lost in its wake.

A Li withdrew her hands from the keys and exhaled softly, secretly annoyed with herself. As she’d expected, her hands were stiff; a piece as demanding as ‘La Campanella’ was still too much for her. She’d made several mistakes—enough, she thought, to make Tang Ying mock her mercilessly.

Suddenly, applause broke the silence.

“Bravo!”

The voice was gentle and warm. Startled, A Li looked up to see a handsome, well-dressed man. His features were soft and refined, and he carried an air of elegance that radiated kindness, making A Li’s heart race uncontrollably.

Who was he…?

“Brother Qi Sheng!” Tang Ying, finally recovering, called out eagerly.

Song Qi Sheng, however, ignored her, striding straight to A Li. With a smile in his eyes, he said, “Miss, your playing was wonderful.”

“Ah?” A Li wasn’t sure whether he was being sincere or sarcastic. She scratched her head and replied honestly, “Sir, you flatter me. I made so many mistakes.”

Song Qi Sheng smiled. “Though there were mistakes, you played with real feeling. I think you’re very talented.”

“Really?” A Li’s eyes sparkled with delight.

Tang Ying marched over, dissatisfied. “Brother Qi Sheng, you must be mistaken! How could this woman possibly have any talent for piano? She’s nothing but a homewrecker—she’s not fit to be here!”

She was seething inside. After all this time chasing after Song Qi Sheng, he’d always remained distant. Yet today, he was so attentive to this woman, someone he’d just met. What did that make her? Was the daughter of the Tang family really less than some nobody?

“Tang Ying, have you said enough?” A Li’s voice turned cold. “Just because I ignore you doesn’t mean I’m easy to bully. Watch your mouth, or I’ll sue you for defamation!”

Someone had finally praised her, yet Tang Ying couldn’t wait to slander her and destroy her reputation. Even a clay figurine has its limits—did Tang Ying really think she was a pushover?

“Am I wrong? You little flirt! You seduced my cousin, and now you’re trying to seduce Brother Qi Sheng? I’ll smash that face of yours!” Tang Ying’s face twisted in rage as she raised her hand.

A Li showed no fear, bracing herself for a fight. But before Tang Ying could touch her, Song Qi Sheng stepped in to block her.

His smile faded, his tone edged with warning. “Miss Tang, that’s enough.”

Tang Ying, stung, protested, “Brother Qi Sheng! Why are you defending her? She’s married! Don’t tell me you’re interested in her?”

“Don’t talk nonsense.”

“Then why did you praise her?”

“I was simply being objective.”

Tang Ying dared not cause a bigger scene in front of Song Qi Sheng, so she turned her fury back on A Li, her eyes blazing. “You’ll see, you wretch. I’ll tell my cousin everything that happened today!”

With that, she stormed out of the piano shop.

A Li was unfazed by the threat. Her uncle wasn’t someone who couldn’t tell right from wrong.

She turned back to Song Qi Sheng, her eyes bright with anticipation. “Sir, do you really think I have talent for piano? Could I make a living with it?”