46: Senior Tao Yan

Shen Qian left immediately after finishing his run, not caring whether Du Xixi had completed the 3 kilometers.

"This guy talks a big game, but it turns out you're actually pretty nice."

The girl thought to herself, persevering slightly until she finished the three kilometers.

During this time, Xie Wan stayed by her side the entire time.

Today was the first rehearsal for the Freshman Welcome Gala. Shen Qian was waiting by the side of the stage with his violin when a girl sat down next to him.

"At least a 7."

Shen Qian confirmed with just one glance: this was the third '7-point' girl he had encountered, after Xia Mengling and Xie Wan.

The girl was wearing a creamy white dress, her collarbones exposed, and her fair, lotus-root arms were glowing. Although he only saw her profile, her exceptional features were evident just from that angle.

"You must be Shen Qian?"

Shen Qian was just about to look for a suitable way to strike up a conversation when the other party spoke first.

"Yes, and you are?"

"Hello, I'm Tao Yan, a third year student, and I'll be your partner."

When the girl turned her face, Shen Qian confirmed it: 7 points, definitely a 7.

Unlike Xia Mengling's cunning and Xie Wan's aloofness, this girl appeared much more approachable, smiling very gently. It was obvious that she must be extremely popular at school.

Because her smile always gave people the illusion that they could approach her.

"Partner?"

Shen Qian focused on something: he remembered he was supposed to be performing a violin solo? What did 'partner' mean?

"Teacher Song said that you play the violin exceptionally well, and partnering with you would create a wonderful stage effect."

Teacher Song. Shen Qian remembered it was Song Shulu from before; they had even exchanged contact information.

"But, if I remember correctly, I'm performing a violin solo."

The girl nodded.

"It is indeed a violin solo, but Teacher Song arranged for me to join you. Have you decided on your repertoire?"

Shen Qian naturally hadn't decided on a piece; he had planned to just play some random popular internet song. But now that he had a partner, he couldn't be so casual.

"Where is your violin?"

Shen Qian saw that the girl had come empty-handed, and wanted to use this to change the subject while thinking of a suitable piece.

"I don't play the violin; I play the piano."

Shen Qian finally understood where her temperament came from—she was a Piano Girl.

With one playing the violin and the other the piano, Shen Qian's eyes immediately lit up.

"Actually, for a solo, I was planning to find a cheerful piece, but since we have a piano, I'd like to perform a piece everyone has heard of."

"A piece everyone has heard of?"

"Senior, have you seen *Your Lie in April*?"

"Are you talking about *If We Could Shine*? Junior, I have a Boyfriend."

"So what? Your Boyfriend minds me performing with you, and you want me to give up the violin solo I won through competition to your Boyfriend?

I'm telling you, that's impossible. I was originally the violin soloist, and letting you join the program is already a compromise. Don't push your luck."

"Huh?"

Tao Yan meant that since she had a Boyfriend, performing this type of piece with him wasn't appropriate. Yet, this person automatically assumed she was trying to steal the performance slot. What kind of logic was that?

"It's this piece. Play it if you want, or I'll just do the solo. I was a soloist originally anyway."

As Shen Qian spoke, he immediately dialed Song Shulu's number.

"Hello! Teacher Song? I wanted to ask why my solo performance has become a duet?

Now, Senior Tao here says she has a Boyfriend and minds performing on stage with a man like me, and she wants me to give up my violinist position to her Boyfriend. Is this what you intended?"

Being falsely accused right in front of her, an expression that didn't match Tao Yan's beauty appeared on her face.

"Student Shen Qian, is there some misunderstanding? Your Senior is a third year Music major and has professional integrity. I think there must have been some unclear communication. How about this, I'll contact her."

"Thank you, Teacher. I knew you were a good person. If you absolutely must replace me, then go ahead and replace me. I will absolutely follow the school's arrangement."

False accusation, being a 'green tea', feigning pitifulness. Right after Shen Qian hung up, Tao Yan received a call from Song Shulu.

"Yes, Teacher, I understand. Okay, I didn't, really, I understand."

When the phone hung up again, Tao Yan's expression toward Shen Qian had changed. A rare look of disgust appeared in her eyes. She never expected a guy to be so utterly despicable.

"Senior, don't say I didn't give you a chance. Since you don't want to play that piece, I'll switch to another one."

Right in front of Tao Yan, Shen Qian started searching.

The most difficult piano piece in the world.

"Then let's play this one: the third piano concerto."

"What did you say!?"

"What's wrong? Can't play it?"

Tao Yan sneered.

"I play the third piano concerto, and you accompany me?

Do you even have the ability for that?"

Just then, a staff member came to call the two of them.

"Piano and violin duet, right?"

"Yes."

"So, what is the repertoire?"

"The Third Concerto."

The staff member didn't know what the Third Concerto was, but when he saw Tao Yan, his expression clearly changed, an uncontrollable excitement written all over his face.

No need to guess, he was definitely Tao Yan's little simp. Even if not a simp, he was likely an admirer or something similar.

"Senior Tao Yan, are you also performing?"

"Yes, please prepare a piano for me."

"No trouble at all, no trouble."

The two stood on stage, and below, all the men's gazes were focused on Tao Yan.

As for Tao Yan, she wasn't looking; she was quietly waiting.

Waiting for this boastful guy to make a fool of himself.

The Third Concerto—the nerve of him to suggest it! She knew exactly how difficult that piece was. Even after studying piano for so many years, she still couldn't perform it, simply because the technique was too high, the speed too fast, requiring extraordinary musical intuition and a master-level standard.

He was just a first year student, and Teacher Song said he wasn't even formally trained. The third piano concerto was fundamentally a piano piece—how could he possibly play it on the violin?

"Then I'll start. Try your best to keep up."

After Shen Qian finished his last sentence, he closed his eyes, and the violin strings began to hum softly.

In music, the gap between professionals and non-professionals is enormous. A professional might be able to detect the deviation of a single note, while a non-professional can only distinguish between pleasant and unpleasant sounds.

For the people below the stage, Shen Qian's violin playing couldn't just be described as pleasant; just looking at his posture, they knew it was amazing.

The violin strings seemed to be an extension of him, producing whatever sound he wished.

Just like that, without anyone realizing it, Shen Qian played for nearly 15 minutes, and no one interrupted him during this time.

[You successfully captured the attention of a 7-point girl using your talent. Your behavior meets the scumbag standard. Rewards are being issued...]

"What's wrong, Senior? Why haven't you played a single note? If you suck, practice more, okay?"