Chapter 98 Attention-seeking
Time flew by, and the day of the piano competition arrived.
Jiang Xingyao got up at six o'clock in the morning to get her hair and makeup done.
Shen Ying stayed by her side, constantly encouraging her and telling her not to be nervous. Jiang Xingyao couldn't help but tease her, "Sister Shen Ying, why do I feel like you're more nervous than I am?"
Shen Ying muttered, "It's all A Su's fault. I wasn't nervous at first, but he called me early this morning and gave me a whole bunch of instructions, down to the smallest detail. Listening to him talk so much made me nervous too."
I never knew he could be so thoughtful. I never saw him pay this much attention when I was competing abroad.
Jiang Xingyao said, "It's probably because you, Sister Shen Ying, are a veteran of many battles and have nothing to worry about."
"I haven't participated in a competition like this in a long time, and he's waiting for me to prove himself, so it's normal to be anxious."
Shen Ying asked again, "So how are you feeling right now? Are you confident? No matter what, don't put too much pressure on yourself. If it doesn't work this time, we can always do it again."
Jiang Xingyao said, "But I don't want to wait until next time. Sister Shen Ying, I've already looked at the information of the other contestants that you sent me before. My goal is to win the championship."
It wasn't just for Shen Mingsu's trust, but also so that she could get rid of the plagiarism label that was suffocating her as soon as possible.
At seven o'clock, Jiang Xingyao and Shen Ying arrived at the concert hall where the competition was being held. After entering, Jiang Xingyao and Shen Ying parted ways. Shen Ying went to the audience seats, while Jiang Xingyao went backstage to wait.
When they got backstage, Jiang Xingyao realized that the rumor Shen Ying had mentioned was not an exaggeration. Although the contestants waiting backstage were wearing different styles of dresses, most of them were white dresses, and they all stood up straight, deliberately maintaining an elegant demeanor.
Jiang Xingyao's light green outfit stood out starkly against the sea of white dresses.
Even though the organizers didn't provide uniforms, Jiang Xingyao thought that at least a few people would be unaffected like her, but she didn't expect that she would be the only one standing out from the crowd.
Her outfit wasn't particularly flashy, but because of its unique color, she attracted a lot of attention backstage, with some people whispering among themselves.
These discussions were nothing compared to what Jiang Xingyao had experienced in the capital, so she naturally didn't care.
These people's discussion about her was short-lived; they quickly found new topics to talk about.
"Have you heard? Not only is Young Master Zhou coming to this competition, but I heard there's also a mysterious big shot who seems to be from the capital. He'll be coming with Young Master Zhou."
"I've heard about it before. It's said that the Zhou family's partner in the field of artificial intelligence is here in Hong Kong to sign a contract. In short, their status is no less than that of the Zhou family."
"Is that all you know? I heard more details. Apparently, his wife likes the piano, which is why he agreed to come and listen."
"Tsk, not only is he rich and powerful, but he also dotes on his wife so much. I wonder which lucky girl is to have married such a wonderful man."
The words "capital" immediately caught Jiang Xingyao's attention. She couldn't help but think of the figure she had seen in the coffee shop that resembled Assistant Xu, and a sense of unease crept into her heart.
It can't be that much of a coincidence.
Jin Qingyu was too busy taking care of Jiang Cancan to have time to come to Hong Kong.
Even though I thought that way, the unease in my heart lingered for a long time.
Just as Jiang Xingyao was about to ask these girls if they knew anything else, the organizers came over, gave them number plates, and told them to prepare for the competition.
Those who were able to participate in this competition were all recommended by various institutions or famous pianists; there were only twenty people in total.
Shen Mingsu handled all of Jiang Xingyao's registration matters, and the nomination quota was also given by Shen Ying's teacher.
She was among the last to register, and her number was the very last one, number twenty.
The final act is when the pressure is greatest.
When she received her number, Jiang Xingyao forced herself to clear her mind of all distractions and focus solely on the piece she was about to play.
She was determined to win this match, and even if Jin Qingyu really came, she absolutely could not let those past events affect her mindset.
In the concert hall, two men with distinguished bearing sat in the best seats near the judges' table.
Jin Qingyu was inquiring with Zhou Huaiyan, the eldest son of the Zhou family, about the approximate cost of funding such an event and the process of organizing a concert.
Zhou Huaiyan couldn't help but tease, "President Jin is so busy with work, how do you find time for such refined pursuits?"
Jin Qingyu said, "My wife likes these things. We had a little disagreement before, so I thought I'd cater to her tastes."
Zhou Huaiyan smiled and said, "I see. Mr. Jin must really like your wife. Next time you come to Hong Kong, why don't you bring Mrs. Jin along?"
“Yes, my wife has always liked Hong Kong and wanted to come before, but something unexpected happened and she couldn’t come,” Jin Qingyu said.
Thinking of Jiang Xingyao, a hint of weariness flashed across his brows.
He was thinking about the arguments he had with Jiang Xingyao time and time again.
She tried to escape him time and time again.
How can a couple not have conflicts? Even if he did something wrong, Jiang Xingyao shouldn't have left without even giving him a chance to explain.
The competition on stage has already begun.
The melodious and graceful piano music echoed in the concert hall.
As Jin Qingyu looked at the woman in the white dress playing the piano on the stage, he seemed to recall the first time he met Jiang Xingyao.
The woman on stage always deliberately kept her back straight, her neck stiff, and her demeanor seemed stiff and pretentious.
She lacked Jiang Xingyao's naturalness and her innate arrogance and nobility.
That's true, not everyone can compare to his wife.
Otherwise, at that banquet, where socialites were vying for attention, only Jiang Xingyao caught his eye and sparked his desire to have her.
Jin Qingyu lowered his head, his fingers gently fiddling with the wedding ring on his ring finger.
No matter what, he has to find Jiang Xingyao when he returns from the port city.
They're still husband and wife, not divorced yet. No matter what their tempers are, they should have had enough after a month or so.
One contestant after another went up onto the stage and then went down one after another.
The sound of the piano lingered continuously in the concert hall.
Zhou Huaiyan changed the subject a few more times, but Jin Qingyu remained absent-minded. Later, Zhou Huaiyan teased in a low voice, "What's wrong, Mr. Jin? You've only been in Hong Kong for a few days, and you're already missing the beautiful ladies in the capital?"
Before Jin Qingyu could speak, the host on stage announced, "Next, please welcome contestant number nineteen, Du Wei, to the stage. Contestant number twenty, Jiang Xingyao, please prepare backstage."
The host's voice, mixed with the static from the microphone, echoed throughout the concert hall.
Jin Qingyu's expression changed, and he stared intently at the backstage area.
Jiang Xingyao…
Is she his wife?
He had been looking for Jiang Xingyao for so long, and it turned out that Jiang Xingyao had been in Gangcheng all along?
He should have realized it sooner. Jiang Xingyao had originally wanted to come to Gangcheng. She loves the piano so much, so it's perfectly normal for her to come to Gangcheng to participate in a competition.
The piece for number nineteen ended quickly, and in the blink of an eye, it was Jiang Xingyao's turn to go on stage.
Jiang Xingyao had already adjusted her mindset. She was poised and composed, keeping her eyes straight ahead. When she sat down at the piano, she didn't even glance at the audience.
Whether Jin Qingyu is in the audience or not, as long as she doesn't watch.
Jin Qingyu had absolutely no effect on her.
When other contestants go on stage, they always introduce themselves first, or greet the judges.
Only Jiang Xingyao did nothing, completely ignoring it, as if she only had eyes for the piano on the stage.
She wore a light green cheongsam, which set her apart from the previous nineteen contestants from the moment she stepped onto the stage. Her aloof demeanor further drew attention to her.
When Zhou Huaiyan saw Jiang Xingyao, he was also somewhat surprised. He casually remarked, "This contestant number 20 is quite interesting. She's so confident; she must be very skilled, right?"
Jin Qingyu's gaze never left Jiang Xingyao from the moment she appeared.
The woman's indifference once again dragged him into that banquet.
He stood out awkwardly in the corner from the glitz and glamour of the scene.
She shone brightly amidst the crowd.
At that time, she was surrounded by admirers, so naturally she couldn't see him at all in the corner.
This time was no different. She was on stage, and he was in the audience. She didn't even spare him a glance.
Even though she is still Mrs. Jin…
Jin Qingyu also felt that Jiang Xingyao still looked down on him, just like at that banquet many years ago.
Jin Qingyu remained silent for a long time. Even after Jiang Xingyao finished playing her piece, he still stared intently at the light-colored figure on the stage.
Deafening applause erupted in the concert hall. Jiang Xingyao rose to take her bow. After the piece ended, she finally turned her gaze to the judges' and audience seats. Although she was prepared, her expression still stiffened for a moment when she saw Jin Qingyu in the most prominent position.
Almost instantly, she withdrew her gaze, her eyes filled with utter indifference.
When they meet again, Jiang Xingyao feels nothing but overwhelming hatred for the man who killed her child.
“No wonder he dares to be so arrogant. This number twenty is indeed quite capable. What do you think, Mr. Jin?” The applause had subsided, and the concert hall fell into a brief silence. Zhou Huaiyan asked Jin Qingyu.
Jin Qingyu stared at Jiang Xingyao's expressionless face and chuckled, "Just trying to attract attention."
The voice wasn't loud, but it was loud enough for the judges on the side to hear clearly, and it was also loud enough for Jiang Xingyao to hear.
Jiang Xingyao noticed that some of the judges in the audience seemed to be in a difficult position.
It seems that before the competition, I had discussed with Shen Ying that the banquet was funded by the Zhou family. Even if the eldest son of the Zhou family did not interfere with the outcome, it was hard to guarantee that no one would be willing to put up with his attitude.
Now…
Jin Qingyu is the same here. Everyone knows he is a business partner of the Zhou family, so naturally many people want to curry favor with him.
But this competition was something Jiang Xingyao had prepared for for too long and it was too important to her. Jiang Xingyao finally looked at Jin Qingyu and, before the judges had given their scores, she directly questioned him: "Mr. Jin, you know nothing about music. Isn't it inappropriate for you to be pointing fingers at the contestants during the competition?"
"You say I'm just trying to attract attention? I think you're the clown. This competition is being broadcast live online, and all the judges are prominent figures in the music industry. They wouldn't change their decisions just because Mr. Jin is an outsider."
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