Chapter 363: What’s The Secret Behind It?
Yao Mengqing was sure that she was the only one who understood Gu Zheng the most. At this moment, she should step forward to show Ah Zheng her concern and let him know her feelings for him.
Yao Mengqing thought about it and said gently, “Xi Xi, don’t blame Ah Zheng. Maybe it’s because his standards are too high. Actually, Mr. Zhao and I both think that you play very well. As long as you practice hard, Ah Zheng will take a liking to you sooner or later.”
Yao Mengqing secretly curled up her lips into a proud smile. “Ah Zheng and I grew up together. I know him very well. He’s very picky about things and people. He won’t like even such a perfect tune. He’s not targeting you, but his requirements are too high. Although you’re his wife, you can’t let him change for you. Just get used to it.”
Everyone gasped.
In that case, President Gu did not like Qiao Xi and even found her a little annoying. Otherwise, why would such perfect music not satisfy him?
Li Xing’er could not sit still anymore. “Gu—”
Before she could finish, Gu Zheng raised his eyes indifferently. His eyes were filled with disdain and ridicule. He looked at Yao Mengqing and chuckled. “Xi Xi, I said your performance was average. Are you angry with me?”
Gu Zheng’s voice was gentle, but it still maintained a dignified air. Everyone could hear the affection in his voice, especially when he said ‘Xi Xi’. It was filled with President Gu’s gentleness and love, making everyone dumbfounded.
Yao Mengqing’s heart thumped. Impossible! Ah Zheng was clearly helping her. How could he be so gentle to Qiao Xi? This was definitely an illusion!
Earlier, he said that Qiao Xi’s performance was very ordinary, which meant that he liked the tune she played more.
B-But… Why was she still so nervous? Her heart seemed to skip a beat.
Gu Zheng’s voice was magnetic as he said slowly, “I watched the international violin competition three years ago too. Xi Xi, this time, your performance was not even half as good as your performance three years ago, so it can only be said to be average.”
Everyone was instantly stunned. Then, they realized what Gu Zheng had just said. They were extremely shocked!
President Gu said that the performance this time was not even half as good as her performance from three years ago?
The performance this time had already made them forget about everything else. If that was the case, just how stunning was her performance from three years ago?
“Miss Qiao said that she hasn’t played the violin in three years, so her standard has dropped. It looks like she’s not lying!”
“That’s not a problem. After all, President Gu has seen Miss Qiao’s performance back then. After listening to her performance now, he naturally finds it very ordinary. Miss Qiao has not practiced for three years, so it’s normal for her to be a little weak.”
“President Gu, your expectations are too high, but we all think that the performance this time was perfect!”
“Miss Yao was the champion back then. She has been practicing all these years but can’t compare to Miss Qiao, who hasn’t played for three years. How embarrassing! She still has the cheek to mock others with such standards?”
“Wait!”
At this moment, something suddenly flashed through Li Xing’er’s mind. She did not have the time to think and blurted out, “That’s not right! If Qiao Xi is better than Yao Mengqing after not practicing for three years, then why didn’t Qiao Xi enter the finals when she was at her peak? Moreover, Yao Mengqing even won the championship?”
Huh? That was right.
This was a little strange!
Everyone looked at Li Xing’er, whose face was overcast with anger. “According to President Gu, Qiao Xi performed better three years ago, so why didn’t she enter the finals?!”
“Yao Mengqing has been practicing for so long but still can’t compare to Qiao Xi, who’s already unfamiliar with the violin. However, she became the champion back then! What exactly is going on?”
…!
Yao Mengqing’s face was pale as if she had been struck by lightning.
Li Xing’er’s words had reminded everyone of the incident. No wonder when they heard Qiao Xi’s performance just now, they kept feeling that something was wrong! So that was the reason!
“That’s right! Back then, Miss Yao’s violin skills might not even be as good as they are now. Back then, even President Gu was full of praise for Miss Qiao. Why didn’t Miss Qiao enter the finals?”
“Who were the judges for the semi-finals?”
“I remember that the judge who had the right to veto and the right to advance contestants was… Zhao Qinghui!”
Chapter 364: Music Is An Art That Normal People Don’t Understand
“Could it be that in the semi-finals, everyone performed very well and was even better than Miss Qiao? But President Gu said that Miss Qiao performed even better back then. President Gu can testify for Miss Qiao. Whose performance could’ve been more exciting than hers?”
“Then how did those people enter the finals back then? And how did Yao Mengqing get the championship title? Mr. Zhao, can you explain?”
One could hear a pin drop.
Everyone knew what was going on and looked at Zhao Qinghui in disdain.
Qiao Xi smiled meaningfully. “After everyone’s reminder, I finally remember that something was off back then! All of you are right. The current Miss Yao can’t even compare to me, whose skills have already regressed. Is it because she has regressed more, or is it because there was a conspiracy in the finals back then?”
Yao Mengqing broke out in a cold sweat, her eyes filled with horror.
Zhao Qinghui frowned and cleared his throat. “Of course, the competition back then was fair and transparent, but I wasn’t the only judge in the violin competition. I couldn’t take the lead. Moreover, our evaluation of the contestants was based on many aspects. At that time, Miss Yao was indeed very outstanding. Be it her stage presence or her performance itself, she was very mature. Perhaps the judges at that time liked her a lot.”
Zhao Qinghui lectured everyone like an elder.
“Music is an art that only experienced musicians can understand. As for ordinary people, they’re just simply listening to music. It’s not enough for them to give comments.”
These words meant that although Qiao Xi’s performance sounded good on the surface, it actually did not contain any meaning. It could only make outsiders praise her endlessly, but it could not get her the praise of professionals.
Qiao Xi pretended to be innocent. “Gu Zheng, Mr. Zhao said you’re a layman! It doesn’t count if you say my performance is good!”
Everyone was trembling with fear. Zhao Qinghui was so nervous that he broke out in a cold sweat.
However, he was a celebrity in the music industry, after all. President Gu was a businessman. The comments he gave did not represent professionals at all.
Gu Zheng’s expression was calm as he said indifferently, “I’m indeed not a professional. As a famous musician, Mr. Zhao is naturally more experienced.”
Yao Mengqing’s expression softened. It seemed that Ah Zheng still cared about her.
She admitted that she was inferior to Qiao Xi in today’s performance. Everyone liked Qiao Xi’s performance, but everyone present was an amateur. They did not know music, so they liked Qiao Xi’s music that did not have any soul or emotions.
Mr. Zhao was a famous musician, so when he said that she played better, it meant that her playing skills were professional while Qiao Xi was just an amateur.
Hearing Gu Zheng’s words, Zhao Qinghui heaved a sigh of relief.
“President Gu is right. Miss Qiao’s performance was indeed astounding. I was also very puzzled that she did not enter the finals back then, but this has nothing to do with Miss Yao’s performance. Back then, we all agreed that Miss Yao’s performance was more emotional and mature. She deserved to be the champion!
“Speaking of which, let me invite Miss Yao to attend next month’s concert. At that time, the two of us will perform on stage together.”
After Zhao Qinghui finished speaking, he looked at Qiao Xi with eyes that were filled with disdain. “The matter from three years ago is already over. Miss Qiao, please don’t cling to the past and train hard. You’ll have a chance in the future.”
Everyone looked at Yao Mengqing in envy. It was a great honor to be able to perform with Zhao Qinghui. With Yao Mengqing’s looks, she might even be able to enter the entertainment industry. At that time, she would be superior to everyone in high society.
“But I still think Qiao Xi is more outstanding! It’s fine that Zhao Qinghui doesn’t like her, but why did he keep forcing her to perform? She has already given a great performance, yet he’s criticizing her. Isn’t this a little too much?”
Zhao Qinghui did not care at all. “I was just commenting as a professional musician. Although I’m a little harsh to Miss Qiao, it’s also for her own good.. I hope she can improve in the future and not give up on playing the violin. Miss Qiao, could it be that you think I’m deliberately targeting you?”