Normally, let alone six piano masters performing together, even just one or two would probably cause a minor stir in the Xiazhou art scene.
With the World Arts Festival approaching, renowned artists will be appearing in this vast land of China every day, causing major media outlets to struggle with the planning of their sections.
Let's just say it's a bittersweet experience.
Out of courtesy, Lin Rui personally went downstairs to greet them and politely led the visiting piano masters to the VIP room.
Lin Rui was not surprised that Christie came.
He has very few friends overseas, especially in the art world, and it seems that Christie is the only one.
As for Constantine, Lin Rui both understood and didn't quite understand why he would come.
Although the two had worked together in "The Legend of 1900", to be honest, Lin Rui didn't think he and Constantine could be considered friends, even though the old man had been doing his best to promote "The Legend of 1900" after returning to China.
As for the other four, Lin Rui vaguely remembered three of them, because these three had been to the Golden Hall and had met each other once.
The only one left was an old man, who left a strong impression on Lin Rui.
Unsociable!
Even a well-educated woman like Christie didn't seem to like the old man much, and others kept their distance.
After a moment's thought, Lin Rui guessed the old man's origins.
Master Tepu of the Kingdom of Los Angeles.
"It's true that like master, like apprentice."
Recalling the arrogant demeanor of Tep's protégé in the Golden Hall that day, Lin Rui secretly shook his head.
"Master Tep, it's a pleasure to meet you."
As a guest, Lin Rui could not control how others treated Trump, but as the host, he had to ensure that the most basic etiquette was observed.
With his eyes slightly narrowed, Tep scrutinized Lin Rui for a while before slowly extending his hand.
"I hope you will have a good performance at this World Arts Festival."
"After all, you're the only one in the entire Divine Continent who has any real ability; the others..."
At this point, Trump shook his head with a slightly sarcastic expression.
Although it wasn't explicitly stated, the unspoken implication was obvious to everyone in the room.
“Master Tep, please watch your words.”
Christie frowned slightly: "The person standing in front of you is a piano master, not your junior."
A piano master?
Tep seemed completely unconcerned by Christie's verbal reminder.
"When I first performed at the Sacred Music Hall, even you were just starting to learn the piano, right?"
Everyone knows that Christy started learning piano at the age of three, so Tep's words clearly had a mocking and bullying tone.
"you…"
Even with Christie's temperament, she was somewhat annoyed at this moment.
Lin Rui, standing to the side, still greeted everyone with a smile: "Master Tepu, we have a saying here: there is no order of precedence in learning, and the accomplished are the teachers."
"What does 'learning has no order of precedence, and the accomplished are teachers' mean?"
"I don't understand at all."
Whether he understood or not, only Trump himself probably knows.
Lin Rui could at least understand the disdain that Trump was showing now; the old man probably understood.
"It's okay if you don't understand, I can give you some pointers."
"This sentence means that learning should not be judged by age or whether it is early or late."
"Even those who come later, as long as they are well-versed in this subject, have studied it thoroughly enough, and have made achievements in this field, can become role models."
Seeing that Trump didn't seem to care at all, Lin Rui wasn't angry and continued to smile: "Of course, I actually prefer another saying, 'The Yangtze River's back waves push the front waves forward'..."
At this point, Lin Rui paused deliberately, and said meaningfully, "The old guard dies on the beach."
"Kid, don't think that just because you've achieved some success you can..."
Before Tep could finish speaking, Lin Rui interrupted him, saying, "Master Tep, are you trying to say that I don't respect my elders, or that I don't know the difference between superiors and inferiors?"
Before Trump could speak, Constantine frowned and said, "Alright, let's leave this topic here."
Of all the people in the room, Constantine and Trump were the closest.
Having learned his lesson, he didn't want Trump to suffer in silence in China.
Constantine still feels lingering fear when he thinks about facing Chen Bin alone back then.
"How come even you..."
Tep reluctantly grunted, ignoring Constantine's constant winks, and stood up, saying, "Let's go."
Seeing Tep storm off in a huff, Constantine would probably have chased after him to explain under normal circumstances, but the occasion and atmosphere weren't right, so he simply gave up on that idea.
"I'm sorry, Mr. Lin, I've made you feel uncomfortable."
Christie gave a wry smile: "We all got together today, and I suggested we come find you halfway through. I didn't expect to run into Tep on the way. Of course, we didn't initially intend to invite him along."
At this point, Christie glanced at Constantine beside her.
"This matter has something to do with me."
Constantine didn't mince words: "We've been composing a new piece lately, so I mentioned it to him before coming here. My intention was to give Mr. Lin another friend, but I didn't expect his terrible temper..."
Everyone looked puzzled.
It's true that birds of a feather flock together.
Constantine, aren't you ashamed to say that? Don't you know what kind of person you are?
good!
Even if you lack self-awareness, surely you know what kind of person Trump is?
Are you sure you're introducing friends to Mr. Lin, and not stirring up trouble?
Although everyone tried to avoid the topic for the next hour or so, they all knew in their hearts that Lin Rui and Trump had formed a grudge.
Everyone else left, but Christie stayed behind: "Mr. Lin, I didn't handle this matter well today. I shouldn't have let Tep come."
In the past, Christie would almost never have had any contact with either Constantine or Tep.
But ever since he starred in "The Legend of 1900," Constantine seems to have become a different person, both in private and in public. Although he still has some bad habits, he is no longer repulsive.
It was precisely because of Constantine's changes that Christie's psychological defenses began to weaken. Although she was somewhat reluctant to have Tep accompany her, she didn't feel much resistance at the time.
"I didn't take it to heart." Lin Rui smiled. "But you, you're not angry, are you?"
"They definitely mind a bit."
"This isn't the first or second time this has happened. In fact, there are many, many people like Tep. They always like to lecture others based on their seniority. Even though they haven't produced any good works for many years, they always like to criticize others based on their past achievements."
Christie looked utterly disgusted.
"It's nothing more than jealousy. They can't write good works, and they don't want newcomers to surpass them and shake their influence."
“They are too self-serving and have strayed from their identity as artists.”
Lin Rui simply listened quietly.
Judging from the complex emotions in Christie's eyes, it's easy to tell that even with the title of "Queen of the Piano," she has probably faced a lot of criticism.
Undoubtedly, these criticisms come from those who refuse to accept old age and, ironically, occupy positions without fulfilling their responsibilities.
Chen Bin had previously mentioned to him that his status as a piano master was not widely recognized overseas; on the contrary, many people with ulterior motives had slandered him on social media.
However, because of the cultural wall, Lin Rui did not see these negative comments.
But since the release of "The Legend of 1900", the number of people in the piano world who recognize him has suddenly increased overnight. Although there are still people who slander him, he is no longer isolated and helpless. Now, many artists have spontaneously refuted him on social media platforms.
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