Chapter Forty-One: A Wonderful Misunderstanding

Following the melody that lingered in his memory, Yang Qing arrived at the doorway of a room. He paused quietly, listening intently, but the singing had ceased. With a hint of regret, he sighed and turned to leave.

Just then, the door suddenly swung open, and he found himself face-to-face with a bespectacled young woman, both caught off guard.

Yang Qing felt the embarrassment of being discovered while eavesdropping, while the girl was startled by his unexpected presence.

After a few seconds, they both spoke at once.

Yang Qing: “Sorry, I…”

The girl: “Are you… Teacher Yang?”

Yang Qing was momentarily bewildered. Teacher Yang? Since when had he earned such an honorable title? Moreover, he didn’t recognize her at all. Wait… could it be that Fang Du had mentioned him to her?

He cleared his throat and smiled at her eager gaze. “I hardly deserve the title, I am just—”

Before he could finish, the girl interrupted, reaching out to pull him inside. “You’re too modest, Teacher Yang. Please come in, we’ve been waiting for you.”

Yang Qing was instantly confused. Waiting for him? Who was waiting, and for what purpose?

Had he misunderstood something?

Lost in his thoughts, he allowed himself to be led onto a large stage by the girl.

The stage was dimly lit, making it difficult to see what was on it, but the audience below was illuminated by countless glowing sticks—hundreds of people packed together.

Seeing this, Yang Qing suddenly realized he must have misunderstood. The girl had also misunderstood. Their crossed misunderstandings had placed him before a large audience, and sweat began to bead on his forehead.

He parted his lips, wanting to explain, but his nerves prevented him from speaking. The girl, meanwhile, continued to lead him to the center of the stage.

“Teacher Yang, the sheet music is already on the piano stand for you. There are two pieces. Please familiarize yourself, the Queen will appear in three minutes.”

With that, the girl left, leaving Yang Qing standing there, hesitant and uncertain.

He wanted to escape.

But if he left, what would happen to the bespectacled girl? This was surely a grave work error.

With a heavy sigh, Yang Qing felt resigned; his own actions had contributed to this misunderstanding, and he couldn’t let her bear the consequences alone.

He sat at the piano, and under the faint light, began to study the sheet music.

A minute later, he put the music down, but the melodies of the two pieces echoed in his mind.

He couldn’t help but marvel again at how powerful his “Instrumental Mastery” skill was! Combined with his two points of insight, he could even simulate piano sounds in his mind.

“The first piece’s melody is flawless, but the second one… lacks a certain charm,” he mused. “Should I change it? No, what am I thinking…”

He suppressed the reckless impulse, looking out at the excited audience with a sense of despair.

How had it come to this?

—

Backstage, the bespectacled girl was busy and anxious when a woman’s voice suddenly rang out:

“Xiao Chu, is Teacher Yang here?”

“He’s here! Already on stage, familiarizing himself with the music.”

“Good. One minute left. Are all departments ready?”

“All ready. Just waiting for the Queen’s entrance.”

“Excellent. Thank you for your hard work.”

The woman left, and Xiao Chu breathed a sigh of relief. Director Lin’s presence was truly formidable.

Time ticked by, second by second.

On stage, Yang Qing was lost in his helpless thoughts when a beam of light suddenly flashed down, and an ethereal voice greeted the audience:

“Hello, everyone. I am Wang Ying.”

Under the spotlight, Wang Ying appeared, radiant and beautiful.

She wore a white gown as luminous as moonlight; her arms moved gracefully, sending three thousand strands of dark hair fluttering, and her lotus-like steps brought forth a smile on her flower-like face.

In that moment, she was as exquisite as a painting, as enchanting as a fairy.

“Ah! Goddess!”

“Goddess, I love you!”

“Goddess, you’re so beautiful! We will always love you, always support you!”

“Goddess! Goddess! Goddess!”

Wang Ying’s arrival sent the crowd into a frenzy, the cheers erupting like a tidal wave, glowsticks waving wildly, fans’ support signs flashing nonstop.

Madness—wild, feverish madness!

Yang Qing was startled by the sudden roar, but he had to admit, Wang Ying was truly beautiful.

Just then, the stage lights centered on Wang Ying, rippling outward until the entire stage was bathed in light.

Now everything was visible: the goddess Wang Ying, a grand piano, and Yang Qing seated before it.

“The Queen is so beautiful, like a fairy,” Xiao Chu murmured backstage, gazing at Wang Ying in awe. She couldn’t imagine how any man could resist such beauty, when even she was captivated.

“With such stunning looks and her unique ethereal voice, it’s no wonder the Queen claimed her title at twenty-five. She truly deserves it,” Xiao Chu thought, entranced. Suddenly, a cold voice interrupted her reverie:

“Who is that person on stage?”

“Ah!” Xiao Chu jumped, spotting Director Lin beside her. She answered timidly, “The Queen.”

“I meant the person sitting at the piano!”

“Yang… Teacher Yang.”

“Teacher Yang!” Lin Xiuyue’s tone was icy as she pointed at a fair-skinned man next to her. “He is Teacher Yang! Then tell me—who is that?”

Xiao Chu’s face instantly paled. Staring at the man, she began to cry in panic.

“Enough! If you want to cry, do it outside!”

Lin Xiuyue barked, then turned to another staff member. “Contact the Queen via her earpiece, have her stall for time. We need to replace the pianist!”

“Yes!”

The staffer nodded and rushed to make the call, but it was already too late—Wang Ying had begun.

“Thank you all for your support and love. I’d like to present ‘Dark Tresses’ to everyone. Thank you.”

“It’s over!”

Hearing Wang Ying’s words, Lin Xiuyue sighed in despair—the broadcast was ruined!

Her future felt suddenly bleak. On stage, unaware, Wang Ying smiled at the cheering audience and gently pressed her hand down, silencing the crowd.

She turned slightly, for the first time looking toward the piano and nodded.

Yang Qing had been watching Wang Ying, and when she nodded at him, he broke into a wide smile and nodded back, not understanding the gesture.

“Damn!” Lin Xiuyue backstage cursed in utter despair.

She had still harbored a faint hope that the man at the piano might be a professional, capable of saving the situation, but—

Nodding! What was the point of nodding?

And smiling! Did he think the Queen was greeting him? Well… she was, but not in that way!

Lin Xiuyue looked hopelessly toward the stage, and sure enough, Wang Ying’s mouth hung open in shock, her flawless profile filled with astonishment.

“Sigh, inform everyone to stop recording,” Lin Xiuyue said, dejected. But just then, she saw Wang Ying’s expression change—the surprise vanished and she smiled, walking toward the piano.

“Director Lin, should we stop recording?” a staff member asked.

“Wait!” Lin Xiuyue unconsciously clenched her fists, sensing something was about to happen.

On stage, Wang Ying smiled as she approached Yang Qing. The audience, though confused, remained silent and orderly.

At last, under countless gazes, she reached Yang Qing and spoke in her ethereal voice:

“What are you doing here?”

Yang Qing blushed and replied with an awkward laugh, “Hehe… If I said it was a misunderstanding, would you believe me?”

“I do! Hehe…”

Wang Ying laughed melodiously, leaving the audience bewildered.

The goddess seemed genuinely happy! And that laughter… was enchanting!

Lin Xiuyue was nearly frantic. “Who… who is he? How does he know the Queen? Where’s Xiao Chu?”

“Xiao Chu… ran out crying.”

Lin Xiuyue: …

On stage, Wang Ying regarded Yang Qing’s helpless expression and laughed for a while. With a smile in her eyes, she asked:

“Do you play the piano?”

“Well… a little.”

“A little? Hehe… Then let’s begin. Don’t worry, I won’t blame you if you make mistakes.”

“All right!”

Yang Qing took a deep breath and nodded. “Then I’ll start.”

“Mm, please begin.”