Chapter 1203 - 805: So Ugly, Yet Still a Girl!

Was the piece played that well? I’m afraid not...

For a typical child this age, being able to play "Little Star" is impressive. But this kid, who looks no more than five years old, is recognized by that eccentric old man as a genius!

A genius... and all he plays is such a simple piece like other kids?

Yin Huaiyu couldn’t agree, not understanding what aspect of Cheng Taotao, deeply engrossed on the piano bench, could be called a piano prodigy!

Yet, it was strange. Despite being just a simple, straightforward piece without technical content or difficulty, Cheng Taotao’s performance was captivating.

His single-lid eyes were filled with innocence and joy, beneath slightly raised bangs, his eyebrows subtly showed a lively angle. Cheng Taotao’s body swayed to the rhythm of his fingertips...

Cheng Taotao was quite like that eccentric old man...

After sitting on the piano bench, his aura and demeanor changed completely. They immersed themselves wholly in the music they were going to play, feeling the music wholeheartedly...

Others’ perceptions or gaze didn’t matter to them at all.

Yin Huaiyu was drawn to this Cheng Taotao playing "Little Star," much like the day of the exam when Mr. Zhou Guangren played by the piano.

At that moment, Yin Huaiyu no longer wished to question what the old man was up to, was no longer annoyed by his mockery, or concerned with his methods...

Because he had seen what the old man wanted him to see.

That afternoon at Jun Garden, he asked himself why he played the piano, if he truly loved music, if he genuinely loved the piano.

He thought he might like it... but just saying "like" openly to a stranger was difficult for the reserved Prince Huang.

Moreover, he was somewhat hesitant...

Until he saw Cheng Taotao on the piano bench, thoroughly enjoying the music she played, seeing this younger child bring dead music to life... he clearly felt the relentless pounding of his heart.

This is how it should be, music should be like this, piano playing should be like this... even if it’s just "Little Star."

Yin Huaiyu stood there, watching Cheng Taotao play the same piece with different rhythms, singing along as she played, occasionally glancing at Yin Huaiyu as though interacting with him...

Mr. Zhou Guangren looked at Yin Huaiyu standing upright and slowly exhaled.

As an esteemed piano educator... this title truly wasn’t fitting. He was indeed a pianist, but when it came to education... he wasn’t suited to be a teacher.

He had taken in students since he was forty and up until today had taken in over twenty students... But now, only about ten were willing to remain under his guidance. Some found learning too difficult, and others couldn’t adapt to his unique teaching style.

Yet, because he was indeed renowned internationally and was a leading figure in the national piano circles, all the pianists in the country’s association were his juniors. This esteemed educator prefix naturally became attached to his name.

Zhou Guangren originally had no plans to take on new students until he saw Yin Huaiyu...

His performance on the exam day was remarkable, yet he truly hadn’t seen the enthusiasm in this young prodigy.

If someone involved with music lacks passion for it and chooses this path solely due to their talent, even a genius could gradually become mediocre, and won’t go far down this road.

Certainly, being a piano prodigy, the youngest in the country to pass the grade ten piano exam was not enough to make him extend an olive branch.

The main reason was Yin Shaoqun.

Two years ago, when Yin Shaoqun contacted him, she had already mentioned finding a promising talent, but unfortunately, she didn’t have the time to see this talent grow into a big tree.

Zhou Guangren knew which child she was talking about, but even after Yin Shaoqun’s passing, he hadn’t considered immediately taking over this child’s piano education, as the child was abroad.

Fortunately, the child returned to China.

Zhou Guangren indeed had the desire to fulfill a last wish for Yin Shaoqun.

Unexpectedly, this child was so distinctive, it wasn’t easy to handle initially...

He didn’t have much teaching morality, just felt that a child raised in the midst of love, admiration, and praise should be challenged to know that having talent is good, but the world isn’t short of talented people.

"Hehe! I’m done playing!"

Cheng Taotao raised her hands and spoke, then firmly looked at Yin Huaiyu, "Did I play well? Are you still angry?"

Yin Huaiyu pursed his lips, still holding a cold face, but he stepped forward towards Cheng Taotao and stood still in front of her, "Play a different piece."

"Huh?"

Cheng Taotao was stunned and then reached up to scratch her watermelon-head hairstyle.

"Play a different piece."

Yin Huaiyu patiently said again.

Cheng Taotao’s eyes darted around, took a deep breath, raised his hand, the piano sound rang out, and it was a continuous series...

The more Yin Huaiyu listened, the more his brow furrowed, and when Cheng Taotao finished playing, he asked her, "What is this piece? I haven’t heard it."

Then Cheng Taotao chuckled, "Yep, I improvised."

"..." Yin Huaiyu was at a loss for words.

"Hahaha!"

Mr. Zhou laughed out loud, thinking both of these kids were amusing.

Yin Huaiyu frowned and gave Mr. Zhou a sidelong glance. No matter what, Yin Huaiyu still didn’t have a good impression of him.

"You’re not only able to play just this one song, are you?"

Cheng Taotao nodded repeatedly, not feeling the least bit embarrassed. Instead, she seemed cheerful, as if she thought it was quite an impressive thing.

At this moment, Yin Huaiyu felt a bit disillusioned.

In the end, a five-year-old boy who could only play "Little Star" was considered a genius, while he, who had taken the Level 10 piano exam, was considered a fool.

"..."

Yin Huaiyu fixed his eyes on Mr. Zhou, genuinely curious about what Mr. Zhou would say next.

"I know what you’re thinking..."

Mr. Zhou Guangren immediately saw through Yin Huaiyu’s thoughts and, after saying so, turned to the director and said, "Take the children out, I want to have a chat with this brat... Oh, I’ll look after Taotao myself."

"Okay."

The director responded and then called the children to leave the classroom. Even after they left the classroom, the children still peeked through the window to watch inside...

Mr. Zhou Guangren held Cheng Taotao on his lap while Guan Su found something to do, grabbing a broom to sweep the classroom.

Yin Huaiyu stood leaning against the piano...

"You, from the day you were born, were the young master of the Yin Family. The world-renowned pianist, Yin Shaoqun, was your grand aunt. You had a piano at home, and at two and a half years old, it was also ’Little Star’ that made your grand aunt Shaoqun discover your talent. A year later, Yin Shaoqun came to your home to be your piano initiation teacher. You had such advantageous conditions, ample time, and energy to practice."

"After your grand aunt passed away, your parents could still hire the best piano teachers to guide you..."

"But what about Taotao? Taotao was sent to the orphanage when she was just an infant, and she grew up there. When Cheng Taotao was three, the orphanage had just gotten a piano, and the director only knew how to play a few nursery rhymes. No teacher, no resources, only relying on the fact that last year I taught Taotao to read music to later play this song..."

"When you compare that, don’t you think Taotao is indeed a genius?"

"..."

Yin Huaiyu listened to almost everything Mr. Zhou Guangren said, and indeed, when compared like this, Cheng Taotao was considerably outstanding, especially since she was only five years old.

"Big brother, you’re amazing!"

Despite her young age, Cheng Taotao could probably tell Grandpa Zhou was comforting the big brother, so she gave a thumbs up, following along to encourage Yin Huaiyu.

Yin Huaiyu didn’t know what to feel inside...

"Your dad said you like Matthew Moore, and you even want to become his student?"

"..."

"Ahahaha!"

"..."

Yin Huaiyu’s fists clenched involuntarily; this old man really was the kind who could anger a person to death without taking responsibility!

"I can tell you quite clearly, Matthew Moore will absolutely not take you as a student."

"Why?"

"Hehe..." Mr. Zhou Guangren chuckled coldly, muttering, "That man has long hair and short insight; in his heart, he looks down on Chinese pianists."

"..." Yin Huaiyu was stunned for a moment, looking at Mr. Zhou Guangren with a disbelieving expression.

"Don’t doubt it, you should have your parents inquire to see if Matthew Moore has ever had a Chinese student? Take a look at all of Matthew Moore’s performances; has he ever collaborated with a Chinese pianist?"

"..."

"How could your vision, you brat, be this poor? However... true, Matthew Moore is indeed a master of showcasing technique to an extraordinary level..."

Even as Mr. Zhou Guangren spoke, he couldn’t help but mock and ridicule Yin Huaiyu.

"Little friend, what do you think? Have you decided if you want to learn from me or not?"

Yin Huaiyu was pondering, but his gaze was not on Mr. Zhou Guangren. Instead, it was on Cheng Taotao, whom Mr. Zhou Guangren cherished and held, and after a long pause, he pointed to Cheng Taotao,

"This boy, will you teach him in the future too?"

"Pfft... Boy? Little friend Yin Huaiyu, you have quite big eyes, yet my precious Taotao here, who is so fair and delicate, how did she become a boy in your eyes?"

"Haha! Taotao is a boy!"

Cheng Taotao also found it amusing and joyfully echoed the sentiment.

Yin Huaiyu’s eyes widened, his eyeballs nearly bulging out. Without thinking, he blurted out, "Looks so ugly, yet still a girl?!"

"..."

"..."