Chapter 54 Principal Cello
"I wouldn't be ready even if I were given ten more years."
Su Xia's cheeks flushed. "But I've tried my best. I've been taking extra classes since I came back from my field trip. When I get home at night, I practice piano all the time. Now there's background music playing in my dreams."
"Look at my hand. After the previous blisters burst, new ones grew back. It's so ugly."
Her palms were white and tender, and the red marks on her fingertips were even more obvious.
He Miao touched it, unable to tell whether he was in admiration or envy, "It's really nice."
Su Xia suddenly had a bad feeling, "Is someone not letting you go?"
He Miao shook his head, still smiling, but with a somewhat dejected look in his eyes. "Next week, your selection location will be announced. You must let me know immediately and I'll go and cheer you on."
"...Who is it?" Su Xia didn't respond. "Is it Zhou Zhiyan, or someone from his family?"
"No, no, he never considered me as his opponent."
He Miao had a complicated expression, and after struggling for a while, he finally explained the whole story. "Teacher Wang said it wouldn't look good if all the girls were brought out, and the school selection criteria should be tilted towards boys."
"Zhou Zhiyan's family is so well-off. My father always said you shouldn't mess with the families of high-ranking officials within the system. Their paths are paved, and I'd just be cannon fodder if I went there."
Su Xia paused and asked, "When did it happen?"
"The day you invited me to join the group."
He Miao's face was filled with guilt. He moved closer cautiously and swallowed hard, "I'm sorry, Xia Xia. I knew from the beginning that there was no way I would be selected. I couldn't even get through the school. But I really like playing the piano, and I like being with you."
"I used to just play the maracas in the orchestra, but you letting me into your practice room and use such a fine Steinway was something I never thought I'd do. Actually, I know my level is still far from what you'd expect from those who can get into independent enrollment. Practicing with you for the past two months has been like a dream, and I'm already very grateful!"
"I read in the newspaper that the provincial troupe performs at the concert hall every year during graduation season... Wait, wait until you're on stage in your senior year, and I'll brag to everyone that the principal cellist is my good friend. I'll take your picture and sit in the front row to give you flowers!"
Su Xia frowned and looked at her. After pondering for a long time, she spoke, "You have practiced for many times more than Zhou Zhiyan. He dares to compete with him at that level. Why do you think you are so far behind?"
"On the day of the school selection, teachers from the Conservatory of Music will be here to supervise. Teacher Wang and the other five will each vote for one point, and her vote will be worth ten points."
"Even if everyone in the school chooses him, as long as you get this one vote, it's yours."
"I know," He Miao said, feeling somewhat bewildered. "But, but..."
Since she was young, she has been praised by her family as an honest child.
She doesn't look outstanding, and her grades aren't top-notch either. It seems like she's only worthy of praise for being obedient.
I worked hard to get into No. 1 Middle School, and my plan was to study hard and try my best to get into a university in the province. I'll worry about the future later.
What use will playing the piano have for her future?
He Miao always felt that this was not something she was worthy of considering. Just because Su Xia looked up to her and treated her as a friend did not mean that she was qualified to fantasize that she was also a young lady. She had always been very clear-headed.
"Do you want to be a reporter?"
Su Xia thought about it again, lowered her voice, and said as if it were a little secret, "I checked. Communication University is recruiting students independently this year. Students with artistic talents can get a score reduction of up to 30 points."
This was He Miao’s dream school in his previous life.
I was so eager to take the postgraduate entrance examination that I finally passed it after two years of hard work.
As expected.
As soon as these words came out, the girl froze.
Su Xia took advantage of the victory and placed his hands on her shoulders, looking directly at her with sparkling eyes. "You don't know your level, but I do."
"Miaomiao, don't give up your position."
"He's just a boy, but you're the best pianist in No. 1 Middle School, so that's your principal position."
"What do you mean it's not good to have all girls? Teacher Wang, you haven't read our school history carefully. No. 1 Middle School used to be an all-girls school!"
-
Talk therapy is effective.
No matter how conservative Miao was, he even squeezed in his homework during every ten-minute break, just to use up the precious second evening self-study period to practice with Su Xia until day and night.
On Friday afternoon, after the last class ended, the school selection officially began in the multimedia classroom of the administrative building.
The string group finished first, and Su Xia was almost certain to win.
Taking advantage of the empty classroom, the judges went out to get water and rest, and Teacher Xie Ying from the Conservatory of Music had not arrived yet, so she held He Miao's hand and walked him to the door.
After a hug and a pat on the back, she watched as she walked all the way to the piano and sat down. Su Xia was still waving from outside the glass door, lip-syncing to encourage her.
【Transmission, Media, University, School】
Then he blew her a kiss.
He Miao was so nervous that his palms were sweaty, but he smiled at her.
Su Xia was standing at the door, carrying her cello bag, a bit blocking the way. A middle-aged man's voice came from behind her, "Classmate, please make way."
She took two steps to the side, and before she could say anything, Teacher Wang had already taken Zhou Zhiyan in.
I haven't seen him for a long time. The boy was wearing a white shirt and looked gentle, elegant and noble.
Zhou Zhiyan was caught off guard by the sudden encounter with Su Xia and didn't react for a moment. After a while, he turned around and looked at her again, curling his lips in understanding.
Su Xia: “…”
Even if she didn't mean to leave, it was disgusting to be misunderstood like this.
There was no one in the room, and the three of them looked at each other.
Teacher Wang is not responsible for registration, but he organizes more orchestra activities and talks to every student.
He still remembered the little girl sitting on the piano stool. She played well, but he had hinted to her a long time ago that the piano position could not be given to anyone other than Zhou Zhiyan.
The more ordinary a girl's family is, the more sensible she is.
Even though He Miao was so aggrieved that she was about to cry, she gritted her teeth, nodded, and left without saying a word to defend herself.
Teacher Wang saw He Miao but didn't take it seriously. "The art building is under maintenance today. Are you here to practice piano? You have an audition soon. Come back after it's over."
Zhou Zhiyan also smiled at her, the curve of his lips was very polite, and he didn't take her seriously at all.
"I……"
He Miao clutched the hem of his school uniform tightly, his face flushed red. He looked at Su Xia who was shaking her little fist outside the door, his lips trembling slightly.
"You know how to get there, right?" Teacher Wang said, already impatient but not showing it. "Go down the side stairs. The teachers from the Conservatory will be using the middle stairs soon. Help Zhou raise the piano stool a little. Go home quickly after school."
In the corridor outside the door, the sound of high heels hitting the ground was crisp.
He Miao took a deep breath, mustered up the courage to look up, "...I, I won't leave, I'm number one today."
Teacher Wang was stunned. "What number one?"
The glass door had been pushed open.
The woman, her hair tied up high in a bun, sat down surrounded by a group of music teachers. She casually flipped through the A4 paper on the table and looked up with a sharp gaze. "Are you He Miao?"
He Miao nodded desperately.
"That's right, it's number one."
"I'm Xie Ying, today's chief judge. Since everyone is here, let's start early. Teacher Wang, don't cut in line with your students."
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