Chapter 99: The Eternal Gap with Lin Zhengran

Chapter 99: Chapter 99: The Eternal Gap with Lin Zhengran

A new week began. Nothing particularly special happened, aside from a small school fundraiser on Wednesday.

After Jiang Qian made her donation, her homeroom teacher, shocked by the amount, pulled her aside after class to ask about something.

Lin Zhengran happened to be passing by and overheard them.

"Jiang Qian, are you sure you want to donate two pianos to the school?"

Jiang Qian answered expressionlessly, "Yes, I’m sure. I just hope that after the donation, the school will allow me to use them occasionally during my free time."

’Kids from wealthy families really are different,’ the homeroom teacher mused, then said with a smile:

"I’ll be sure to report this to the school administration. We haven’t had many requests like this before, but I imagine a small condition like yours shouldn’t be a problem.

In any case, on behalf of the school, let me thank you for your contribution, Jiang Qian. And your earlier donation for the impoverished regions... that alone was more than several classes combined. Thank you."

Jiang Qian replied, "There’s no need to thank me, sir. I’m just happy to contribute."

Few people knew the true intentions of this "Second Miss." Only Fang Meng understood Jiang Qian’s motives when she heard about the piano and monetary donations after class.

Jiang Qian wasn’t the type to accept a loss, nor would she waste her family’s resources without reason.

For instance, donating the pianos served two purposes. First, it gave her a convenient place to practice anytime. Second, it ensured the school would be more lenient if she were to make minor mistakes or have small requests in the future. After all, the pianos were just the beginning—a gesture.

There would be many more fundraisers over the next three years, and Jiang Qian was certain to contribute significant resources to the high school every time.

As for the monetary donations, that was something she was bound to do. The name Jiang Qian didn’t just represent herself; it represented the future heir to the Jiang Family.

While a large donation wouldn’t necessarily win her praise, not donating at all—as the Second Miss of the Jiang Family—would certainly leave a bad impression. Besides, the amount was a drop in the bucket for her. There was no reason to be stingy.

After school on Thursday afternoon, the teacher pulled Jiang Qian aside and gave her the key to the school’s new piano room.

"This is the key to the school piano room. The dean said you can come practice anytime on weekends or during your free time, Jiang Qian."

Jiang Qian accepted it with a smile. "Thank you, ma’am."

Lin Zhengran was just about to head to the cafeteria for lunch when Jiang Qian approached him. "Class President, I’ll be waiting for you in the piano room after lunch tomorrow. I have something to give you."

With that, Jiang Qian turned and left, leaving Lin Zhengran to watch her go.

[A month ago, while on your travels, you received a secret, handwritten letter from home. It revealed that centuries ago, the patriarch of the Lin Family and the Imperial Family of the Imperial City were the closest of friends. The Lin Family recently met with an emissary from the Imperial City, and the topic of the marriage contract arranged long ago between you and the Eldest Princess was raised.]

[The emissary mentioned that the Eldest Princess is also currently traveling in the northern continent. Should you be fortunate enough to encounter her, you are to meet with her and inform her of the marriage contract.]

[Days later, you did indeed encounter the Eldest Princess on your travels. She has an aloof and bewitching air, and her talent is peerless. However, she seems unaware that you are her future husband.]

[Even so, after a series of battles and conflicts, the Eldest Princess has developed a keen interest in you, all without knowing you are her betrothed.]

[Today, she invited you to meet her at Miaoyin Hall at noon tomorrow, saying she has a treasure to bestow upon you.]

[You do not know what this treasure is. Going means accepting this unknown opportunity. Not going is also a choice.]

Hearing the system’s description, Lin Zhengran smiled and continued toward the cafeteria.

’Since it’s an opportunity, there’s no reason to refuse it.’

’So, in the system’s eyes, Jiang Qian really is the Eldest Princess... No wonder her sister, Jiang Jingshi, is designated as the Imperial City Empress.’

「That night」

Jiang Qian and Fang Meng took a car home.

Jiang Qian had piano lessons twice a week. Two highly professional tutors came to her home to personally instruct her.

In the villa’s piano room, Fang Meng entered carrying a tray of sliced fruit and freshly brewed tea.

The sound of Jiang Qian’s playing was elegant and stately, her fingers dancing rhythmically across the keys.

The two tutors applauded. "Excellent, excellent! Your piano skills have improved significantly, Second Miss. This piece is notoriously difficult; an ordinary person couldn’t hope to play it flawlessly without possessing extraordinary talent."

Despite the tutors’ praise, Jiang Qian’s face remained impassive as she stared at the piano.

’She was once again recalling the sight of Lin Zhengran practicing. The gap in their skill was on a completely different level.’

Fang Meng, of course, noticed Jiang Qian’s subtle expression. Setting the platter of fruit and tea to the side, she said, "Qianqian, Tutors, please take a break and have some tea if you’re tired."

The tutors thanked her.

Out of the blue, Jiang Qian spoke. "That piece, *Watching the Snow*, the one I wasn’t scheduled to learn until next year... I want to practice it now."

Both tutors looked at Jiang Qian.

"*Watching the Snow*?"

*Watching the Snow* was known in music circles as a benchmark for difficult piano compositions. It was famous for its dramatic shifts in melody, with enormous leaps in pitch at its climactic points. Only a pianist with an exceptionally steady technique could ever hope to perform it smoothly.

The moment Jiang Qian finished speaking, Fang Meng had already found the sheet music for *Watching the Snow* and placed it on the piano.

Jiang Qian’s fingers were nimble. Thanks to over a decade of practice, the opening rhythm was fairly proficient. But she started making mistakes at the first climax, and by the second, the massive leap in pitch caused her to completely flub the transition.

She stopped playing, yet the tutors still clapped in admiration.

"Incredible, Second Miss! This piece is so difficult that getting this far on your first attempt is already excellent. You’ll definitely master it with more practice."

Jiang Qian started again from the beginning, but she ran into the same problem. After all, there’s no luck involved in piano—either you can play a piece, or you can’t.

One of the tutors came over to offer earnest guidance, but after listening, Jiang Qian found her brow furrowing slightly.

’She was even more shocked now—not by her tutors, but by Lin Zhengran.’

’Because while the tutors’ advice sounded logical, it didn’t give her that same feeling of epiphany she’d experienced when Lin Zhengran had taught her.’

’Jiang Qian grew more and more puzzled. Just what level was Lin Zhengran at? Could he really be better than these two tutors, who had been in the profession for over thirty years?’

She stood up. "Would you two please play it for me? I’d like to listen."

The tutors nodded with a smile. "Of course. Allow me to demonstrate for you, Second Miss."

Jiang Qian watched the tutor’s elegant posture as he sat at the piano. On his first attempt, he actually made a mistake; the second time was better.

But even after he finished a smooth performance, Jiang Qian’s brow only tightened further.

’She was certain these two tutors were indeed more skilled than she was, but...’

’...she suspected they couldn’t compare to Lin Zhengran.’