Chapter 40

On Wednesday morning, Zhang Jiahe arrived at the music academy. The scene was quite grand, with the head of the piano department and Li Yingzhen, the head of the conducting department and two professors, He Hongchui, the vice president, and others all there to welcome him.

Zhang Jiahe was somewhat tall and slender, with a hairstyle and attire that exuded an artistic aura. At fifty, he looked like he was in his forties. He was a remarkable figure, not only the top in the country but also well-known in Europe and Russia, having collaborated with many top orchestras there. Additionally, his assistant was young and beautiful.

Zhang Jiahe quickly exchanged pleasantries with the leaders and friends, then turned his attention to Yang Jingxing. They shook hands, and Yang Jingxing greeted him, "Maestro Zhang, hello."

Zhang Jiahe praised him, "You have a good presence! Let's go, I can't wait anymore."

Of course, they couldn't go to a small practice room. The group headed straight for the new Heluting Concert Hall. The Heluting Concert Hall was the school's new venue, completed only a few years ago, with excellent facilities and open to the public. Yang Jingxing had only been there for the first time the night before.

The stage of the concert hall was spacious, capable of accommodating a full three-section orchestra. A Steinway grand piano was placed in the center of the stage. This was the dream of many students, and Yang Jingxing had only touched it for the first time the night before.

The first floor of the concert hall had six to seven hundred seats, and the second floor had private boxes. However, only the first two rows were filled with people. Besides the leaders and professors, there were also the various principals of the symphony orchestra, mostly graduate students and young teachers. Zhang Chujia was also there, sitting in the back and giving Yang Jingxing a thumbs up.

Yang Jingxing had been waiting early, but the people in the audience still needed to prepare. There was no way around it; it was all about socializing. After Zhang Jiahe finally finished shaking hands with everyone, Yang Jingxing bowed and then sat down at the piano, giving the audience a few seconds to prepare their ears before he began.

Of course, he started with Rachmaninoff's Piano Concerto No. 3. The acoustics of the hall, the piano, and Yang Jingxing himself, a few notes spread out, and the various expressions on the faces of the audience were replaced by concentration.

After just two minutes of Yang Jingxing's performance, the people in the audience began exchanging glances. When the first movement ended, a few people immediately applauded enthusiastically, but Yang Jingxing didn't hear them and immediately moved on to the second movement.

While everyone else was stunned, Zhang Jiahe went on stage and stood in front of Yang Jingxing to conduct. It seemed he wasn't just seeking fame; he could conduct without much preparation, even from memory.

Zhang Jiahe was actually testing Yang Jingxing to see if he would respect the conductor. Yang Jingxing had no such experience, but he had studied the basics of conducting on his own, so he managed to adapt to Zhang Jiahe's enthusiasm.

Everyone else found the scene pleasing, but Li Yingzhen frowned slightly. It was clear that Zhang Jiahe's interpretation of the piece was too heavy and deep, while Yang Jingxing, a young player, performed with passion, sometimes even playfully. At the most ridiculous moments, Zhang Jiahe even confused the orchestra and the piano solo, but fortunately, Yang Jingxing covered for him.

After the second movement, Zhang Jiahe didn't immediately move on to the third. Yang Jingxing also stopped, giving the audience half a minute to applaud and marvel.

The third movement was spectacular, and Zhang Jiahe also became passionate, looking as if he might dislocate his shoulder. Yang Jingxing's body language wasn't as exaggerated, and he even remained expressionless, but his performance was there, the notes flowing like a torrent, washing over the audience's sensory nerves.

When the third movement ended, the audience applauded enthusiastically. This time, Li Yingzhen became the focus, with everyone congratulating and praising her. Zhang Jiahe led Yang Jingxing off the stage to receive the praise. The group was busy for half an hour. But it wasn't over yet. Zhang Jiahe was unsatisfied and asked Yang Jingxing to continue playing, suggesting pieces by Chopin, Beethoven, and Mozart.

What was supposed to be an interview had turned into a concert. From 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM, Yang Jingxing performed his heart out, and Li Yingzhen received round after round of congratulations.

They still had to have lunch, but finally, it was over. Zhang Jiahe patted Yang Jingxing's shoulder, "It's up to you for this generation. What are your plans?"

Yang Jingxing replied honestly, "To study hard."

Zhang Jiahe laughed, "Study, Professor Li, what do you mean?"

The group started chattering, making plans for Yang Jingxing's future. It took a while for Zhang Jiahe to realize that Yang Jingxing was actually from the composition department. He was surprised and said to He Hongchui, "Professor He, you really value talent!"

He Hongchui smiled, "The student has his own aspirations."

You can't lose the big picture for the small details, so Zhang Jiahe began to take an interest in Yang Jingxing, asking if he wanted to collaborate with the Puhai Symphony Orchestra or the Rongcheng Symphony Orchestra, which were the best in the country, or if he wanted to study abroad, and he could help with all of it.

The others were envious, but Yang Jingxing wasn't flattered, "Those are too high for me. I want to take it step by step."

Li Yingzhen praised him, "That's right, don't aim too high. Don't get carried away just because Chairman Zhang praised you."

Zhang Jiahe disagreed, "That's not aiming too high. Excessive modesty is pride."

Yang Jingxing was happy, "Thank you, but I just started school. I want to get to know my teachers and seniors better."

The school leaders were pleased, and they finally decided to have Yang Jingxing collaborate with the school orchestra. Then Yang Jingxing met the orchestra's resident conductors and several principals.

The leaders decided to go for a meal, but Yang Jingxing had classes in the afternoon, so he and Zhang Chujia went to the cafeteria. Zhang Chujia said that geniuses often have a foolish side and asked Yang Jingxing in what area he was foolish, especially since he was so unique.

Yang Jingxing said, "That just shows I'm not a genius."

Zhang Chujia said Yang Jingxing was shameless.

On Thursday morning, Yang Jingxing skipped his physical education class and gathered with the orchestra in the practice hall on the third floor of the concert hall to start rehearsing Rachmaninoff's Piano Concerto No. 3 and Chopin's Piano Concerto No. 1.

Zhang Jiahe, the chief conductor, rarely gathered with the orchestra more than twice a year, but this time he was clearly taking it seriously. He scolded the violinists and cellists, making Yang Jingxing feel quite embarrassed.

The rehearsal was more for the orchestra than for Yang Jingxing. Rachmaninoff's Piano Concerto No. 3 was not only difficult for the piano but also had high demands for the orchestra. The school orchestra had clearly never played this piece before and found it challenging.

Even Li Yingzhen couldn't stand it and argued with Director Sun, "How can they perform like this? This is Yang Jingxing's first performance. If it doesn't work, we'll just cancel it."

Well, you can't have that attitude when you're asking for help, so Director Sun had to scold the orchestra. Yang Jingxing sat quietly at the piano, but he had already made some enemies.

When they dispersed at noon, Yang Jingxing quickly bowed to the conductor and the orchestra, "Thank you for your hard work."

Li Yingzhen secretly told Yang Jingxing not to let the orchestra and conductor affect him and to focus on his own performance.

On Friday morning, the orchestra finally received a bit of praise from Zhang Jiahe. Although the orchestra welcomed Yang Jingxing, they still complained about how tiring it was. In fact, Yang Jingxing was even more tired. In the afternoon, he had to submit his harmony homework, then discuss fugue with He Hongchui. After dinner, he had to call Liu Miao to play the piano for her birthday.

Liu Miao said she had a cold and made Yang Jingxing take good care of her. They then talked about studying. Liu Miao said that no matter how hard she tried, she couldn't get into Tongji or Fudan, so she would settle for Puhai University. Yang Jingxing scolded her, making her annoyed, and she promised to work hard.

Xia Xue was also there and said her English grades had improved a lot, showing that Yang Jingxing's study methods were quite effective. Xia Xue used to hate English.

Yang Jingxing had to call Tao Meng, "Finally, what time should I pick you up tomorrow?"

Tao Meng hesitated, "Tomorrow, the student council might have some things to do."

Yang Jingxing said, "No way!"

Tao Meng was upset, "Why not! If you have something to do, I don't have to be there?"

Yang Jingxing said, "What's so important about the student council? If you become the president, I won't be able to hold my head up!"

Tao Meng was smug, "Who made you so self-centered."

Yang Jingxing exclaimed, "Oh, so you did it on purpose."

Tao Meng said, "To give you a sense of urgency... I don't know what the weather will be like tomorrow."

Yang Jingxing said, "I checked, it will be sunny."

Tao Meng confirmed, "You'll pick me up?"

Yang Jingxing sighed, "How sincere."

Tao Meng thought for a moment, "In the morning?"

Yang Jingxing greedily said, "Having breakfast together would be best."

Tao Meng said, "No, I have to eat at home. Nine o'clock, there's a Ferrari dealership nearby, do you know it?"

Yang Jingxing said, "Ah, that will distract me."

Tao Meng mocked, "I checked, there are no cars, just some merchandise. It's on Madang Road, No. 180."

Yang Jingxing said, "Okay, I'll wait there now."

Tao Meng didn't believe him, "Whatever... 8:30 AM is fine, call me when you get there."

Yang Jingxing said, "Okay, remember to wear your Shangpu school uniform."

Tao Meng scolded, "You're crazy?"

Yang Jingxing said, "Don't you miss high school?"

Tao Meng hesitated, "My family will find it strange... Do you have a school uniform?"

Yang Jingxing said, "No, but I can miss it just by looking at you."

Tao Meng thought for a moment and still refused, "Wearing a school uniform to your school is too strange, no way!"

Yang Jingxing said, "Alright, next time. Tomorrow, Saturday, October 21st, 8:30 AM, don't forget."

Tao Meng suddenly remembered, "Right, wash your car, it was so dirty last time."

Yang Jingxing said, "Last time you were the one in it. Hang up, I'll go wash the car."

The next day, as Yang Jingxing had guessed, the weather was still nice. He arrived at the destination at 8:00 AM, called Tao Meng, and waited for fifteen minutes before she arrived by taxi.

Yang Jingxing looked at himself and asked, "Why are you laughing?"

Tao Meng was not in a good mood, "I just want to laugh when I see you."

Yang Jingxing asked, "Mocking or sneering?"

Tao Meng said, "Mocking!"

Yang Jingxing was petty, "I was going to compliment you, but I'll hold back."

Tao Meng asked, "Have you had breakfast? There's a McDonald's nearby."

Yang Jingxing said, "I've eaten. Where should we go first?"

Tao Meng asked, "Aren't you going to see the Ferraris?"

Yang Jingxing said, "What's the point? I'll call Lu Lin and tell him you look even better today, just to make them jealous."

Tao Meng huffed, "You said you wouldn't compliment me."

Yang Jingxing was stubborn, "I'm telling my friends, not you."

Tao Meng said, "I think your friend Lu Lin is pretty good."

Yang Jingxing was jealous, "Then I won't call him."

Tao Meng was serious, "He offered to pay the bill that day, wasn't he protecting your face?"

Yang Jingxing blamed her, "When did you become so vulgar?"

Tao Meng said, "You're the one who's vulgar, always eating and drinking with them, doing nothing productive. If they were always around, you'd stay like that?"

Yang Jingxing advised, "Cherish today!"

Tao Meng continued, "You know how to cherish time?"

Yang Jingxing said, "I cherish relationships, let's go! By the way, you look very pretty."

Tao Meng didn't seem as mature as the last time they met. She was wearing red and white canvas shoes, slightly 90s-style pants, a T-shirt with a cartoon pattern, and a very girlish jacket.

In the car, Tao Meng said to go directly to the school. On the way, she asked about Yang Jingxing's studies, which courses were difficult, if there were midterms, if the teachers appreciated him, and if he had opportunities to interact with others.

Tao Meng was far-sighted, "I'm afraid the path you choose will make you more self-centered. You must interact more, remember, 'Among three people, there must be my teacher.'"

Yang Jingxing nodded, "Yes, Teacher Tao."

Tao Meng wasn't angry, "People can have personalities, but they shouldn't be too self-centered or arrogant... In this aspect, you should really learn from me."

Yang Jingxing completely disagreed, "I don't have a personality, I'm not self-centered, and I'm not arrogant. Who are you talking about?"

Tao Meng said, "Just listen. And you should have a peaceful mindset, don't be too competitive."

Yang Jingxing was puzzled, "One moment you tell me to work hard, the next to be peaceful. What should I do?"

Tao Meng said, "I've consulted, the music academy is not what we imagined, the competition is very intense..."

Yang Jingxing laughed, "Don't worry, I don't compete with anyone."

Tao Meng was anxious, "That's just your arrogance, society is very complex."

Yang Jingxing couldn't help but laugh, "With a mentor like you, I'm not afraid of anything."

Tao Meng opened her bag and took out some candies and chocolates, "I'll eat them myself!"

Yang Jingxing quickly begged, and Tao Meng gave him two.

After arriving at the school, Tao Meng envied Yang Jingxing's parking spot, saying that at Fudan, there was no place to park, forcing her to park outside the school and walk a long way to class.

Yang Jingxing said, "Isn't that good, it's a nice view."

Tao Meng laughed, "There is someone..."

Yang Jingxing quickly asked, "How is it?"

Tao Meng pouted, "A bit ridiculous."

Yang Jingxing said, "He has courage."

Tao Meng said, "I was polite and didn't embarrass him!"

Yang Jingxing lectured, "How can you be polite? You should have cursed him out."

Tao Meng said, "Unless he's like you."

Yang Jingxing suddenly realized, "No wonder I get cursed every time, is it because of my looks?"

Tao Meng said, "Do you think you're that good-looking?"

Yang Jingxing didn't care, "I cherish today."

Tao Meng was angry, "You're always the one who starts being annoying! Can't you just talk nicely?"

Yang Jingxing led the way, "Miss Tao, this way."

The two walked slowly around the campus. Yang Jingxing gave a simple introduction, just a few buildings. As they walked, Tao Meng asked more detailed questions, like which classes were held where, where he practiced the piano, and where the cafeteria was.

Coincidentally, they saw Yu Xinting and An Xin at the new teaching building. Yang Jingxing waved from a distance. Yu Xinting seemed very happy, holding An Xin's hand and skipping over, smiling brightly, "Hello."

Tao Meng nodded, "Hello."

Yu Xinting was almost flirtatious, "You're so pretty. I'm Yu Xinting... This is An Xin, we're both in the piano department."

Tao Meng glanced at Yang Jingxing and introduced herself, "I'm Tao Meng..."

Yang Jingxing added, "She's here for a visit, from Fudan, majoring in International Economics and Trade."

Yu Xinting nodded vigorously, "No wonder I haven't seen you before, Fudan University, great... You're so pretty, we're going to practice the piano, bye."

Tao Meng nodded, "Bye."

An Xin looked back at Tao Meng a couple of times, and Yu Xinting also looked back, "Yang Jingxing, are you having a concert next week?"

Yang Jingxing invited, "Come and support."

Yu Xinting nodded, "Definitely, bye, come visit often."

Tao Meng smiled and nodded, of course, she had to ask Yang Jingxing, "How do you know people from the piano department?"

Yang Jingxing said, "I practice the piano... I met them last winter break when I was preparing for the exam."

Tao Meng asked again, "What kind of concert are you having?"

Yang Jingxing said, "There are concerts here every day."

Tao Meng nodded, "You could have told me... That's good, you can meet more people and get more feedback. Oh, where is she from?"

Yang Jingxing said, "Yu Xinting is from Yidu, An Xin is from Anhua."

Although they walked so slowly, even to the playground, it only took an hour to tour the entire school. Tao Meng was envious, saying that her classes were far apart, unlike his.

Du Ling called Yang Jingxing, "What are you doing? I'm so bored, come pick me up."

Yang Jingxing said, "Why should I pick you up? I'm busy now."

Du Ling said, "Take me out for a meal! Hey, let's go to your place and cook."

Yang Jingxing said, "I really don't have time, let's find another chance."

Du Ling was suspicious, "Are you that busy!? Last week you were busy, this week you're still busy, what are you doing?"

Yang Jingxing said, "Poor you, let's remember this meal for next time."

Du Ling said, "I want to wash clothes at your place, do you still have the key?"

Yang Jingxing said, "I'm afraid your dad will beat me, goodbye."

Tao Meng asked again, "Who... Why would his dad beat you?"

Yang Jingxing was helpless, "His dad is a thug, he beats anyone."

Tao Meng was generous, "You should