Negative Emotion Points +30 Negative Emotion Points +30
"Listen to yourself. Is that even human speech?
You learned it after hearing it a few times, and it was completely reasonable?
Negative Emotion Points +50
The angriest of them all was Yu Xue, the teacher's most prized disciple.
She had spent three whole days practicing before she could play it fluently. Her teacher had even praised her for several days afterward.
"I don't believe it. Teacher's piece is extremely difficult. Without diligent practice, there's no way anyone could play it fluently.
"You must have watched the class videos before coming to substitute."
The students all nodded unconsciously.
It was true... They had seen Chen Xiaoxing record classes before.
At the time, I had even mocked her sarcastically for being a study maniac. In the end, no one could compare to her.
Xu Yi spread his hands. If you don't believe me, there's nothing I can do.
At that moment, several figures appeared outside the window.
The principal and a group of school leaders stood outside, respectfully attending to an elderly woman dressed in white.
Tsk, this auntie... had quite the presence.
The saying that time never defeats a beauty really wasn't wrong.
Even if her looks had aged, her bearing alone could hold everything up.
"Principal, you don't need to bother with me. I'm just here to see my disciple, Yu Xue. I'll be leaving soon."
The principal flashed a fawning smile. "How could we allow that? You're the president of the Capital Conservatory of Music. Since you've honored our school with your presence, we naturally have to receive you properly."
"That student isn't bad. What year is he in?" Old Master Liu pointed at Xu Yi, who was seated before the piano.
The principal smiled. "We have to thank Teacher Yu Xue for her careful instruction. This student is..."
Ah!
Negative Emotion Points +20
The instant the principal saw Xu Yi sitting in that chair, his entire expression fell apart.
My living ancestor, what are you doing sitting there?!
Are you even from the Music Department? How can you just sit down?
Seeing Old Master Liu's expectant gaze, the principal could only answer through gritted teeth, "His name is Xu Yi. He's about to graduate."
"Shh~ Don't talk. He's about to play."
Principal: "???"
Xu Yi's hands flew rapidly across the keys, leaving afterimages.
Show-off technique: Flight of the Bumblebee!
Let me show you the power of Earth—one bag of rice, oh, how many floors can it carry?
Fast, so fast!
Yu Xue kept retreating on light steps, her chest heaving violently.
Countless notes came together to form the most beautiful melody, brimming with passion.
The fire of it drained the color from Yu Xue's face, leaving her with a deep sense of defeat.
It turned out that everyone had been doubting Xu Yi just now. To make them submit completely, Xu Yi simply played another piece.
A crazy display of skill!
Foolish Earthlings, you know nothing about cheats.
Shock Points +50 Shock Points +50 Shock Points +50
Old Master Liu excitedly pushed the door open. The resonance that came from the depths of her soul made her lose all sense of restraint.
But she suddenly forced herself to stop.
That was because Xu Yi had dug out a guzheng from some obscure corner.
"Western instruments occupy the center of the stage. Why should the traditional instruments of Great Xia be relegated to a corner?"
Xu Yi openly voiced his discontent.
As a citizen of Great Xia, national pride was buried deep in his bones.
Everyone froze. "You can play the guzheng too? Gong Shang Jiao Zheng Yu... That's very difficult!
"And the guzheng is classical and elegant. It's actually not very suited to the impetuous atmosphere of modern society."
While everyone was still doubting him, Xu Yi slung the guzheng diagonally around his waist.
Everyone: "???"
"I'll make a fool of myself, then!"
Clang~ Clang-clang-clang-clang-clang!!
A rendition of Flower Protector instantly left the competition dozens of seasons behind.
Everyone's eyes widened in unison. Was this rock music?!
Playing rock music on a guzheng... Kid, you'd already peaked in this lifetime.
"I can finally understand what our ancestors meant by the collapse of propriety and music."
"Is there a word worse than the collapse of propriety and music?"
"Musical Score Imbalance."
"Our ancestors: Let me see how well cultural heritage has been passed down?... Six points!"
"Just tell me whether it was passed down or not."
"Why is this inexplicably catchy?"
"It sounds great! I can't help wanting to dance..."
Good music controlled the movements of the human body.
That was exactly what was happening now. Although everyone tried their best to restrain themselves, their fingers were quietly tapping out the beat.
Xu Yi watched everyone's reaction and nodded in satisfaction.
Playing rock on a guzheng had been a risky move, but he had made the right choice.
After this piece, Xu Yi believed everyone would regain their interest in traditional instruments such as the guzheng.
When the piece ended, Old Master Liu was still savoring it. The principal and the others waited for a long time before she slowly opened her eyes.
She got straight to the point. "Which master taught this child?"
The principal and the others exchanged glances. "W-We don't know?"
"Principal Wang, there's a music student of national-level ability at your school, and you don't know?"
"National... national level?" The principal was so dumbfounded that he almost forgot how to speak.
Old Master Liu shook her head, then pushed the door open and entered.
"Teacher, you're here!" Yu Xue exclaimed delightedly.
But in the next second, Old Master Liu walked right past Yu Xue and came to Xu Yi, excitedly taking his hand.
Resentment Points +100
"Child, were those two pieces just now your original compositions?"
"No, I'm only a transporter of melodies."
"Modest... I've heard every famous, substantial piece in the world, but I've never heard one like yours. To compose such a difficult piece at such a young age, your future is limitless." Old Master Liu praised him without reservation.
"Aw, I just played around and improvised." Xu Yi didn't even blush as he spoke.
Negative Emotion Points +50 Negative Emotion Points +50
Feeling the intensely resentful gazes everyone was directing at him, Xu Yi decided to be a little more modest.
"For people who study music, isn't composing something that only requires having hands?"
"Surely there aren't people who have studied for more than a decade without producing a single original piece, right?"
Negative Emotion Points +50 Negative Emotion Points +50
Old Master Liu nodded repeatedly. "That's definitely impossible. Child, who was your teacher? Your style sounds like a master from Germany."
Xu Yi thought for a while before answering, "I don't have a teacher. I was just bored and taught myself for fun in my spare time."
Negative Emotion Points +50 Negative Emotion Points +50
Ah, jealousy really did set people ablaze.
Listening to the system's continuous notifications, Xu Yi felt incredibly refreshed inside.
Now Old Master Liu was thoroughly shocked. "Self-taught? You never studied systematically?"
The principal explained from the side, "Old Master Liu, he really isn't from the Music Department. I only found out today that this child can play instruments."
That one sentence left Old Master Liu completely speechless.
The old woman stood stunned for a long while, as if she had suddenly aged more than a decade.
"Self-taught..."
"Hahaha, self-taught."
At that moment, Yu Xue suddenly said, "Teacher, being self-taught is great. You can take him as your disciple."
Old Master Liu's eyes lit up. She looked at Xu Yi expectantly. "Child, would you be willing to become my disciple? I'll use all my resources to promote you and lead you onto the international stage."
"With your talent and ability, even if you don't leave your name in history, you'll certainly become a master who shakes the world."
Tsk~
Everyone inhaled sharply and looked at Xu Yi enviously.
You've struck it rich, Brother Lao!
A person might possess soaring ambitions, but without luck, they could never rise on their own.
No matter how hard someone worked, it couldn't compare to receiving the support of a benefactor once.
But to everyone's surprise, Xu Yi shook his head and refused.
"Forget it. Music is only a minor hobby of mine. I don't plan to develop in this field in the future. My aspirations lie elsewhere!"
Negative Emotion Points +100 Negative Emotion Points +100 Negative Emotion Points +100 Negative Emotion Points +100
Just as Xu Yi expected, refusing triggered a series of critical hits.
The battle... feels great!
Dude, if you don't want this opportunity, you can give it to me!
With one sentence about your aspirations lying elsewhere, you threw away my lifelong dream.
Everyone was on the verge of tears.
And that was why the joys and sorrows of people were never truly shared.
"Sigh~"
Old Master Liu sighed, but didn't say anything more.
"If you change your mind, you can come find me anytime."
"Okay."
"Hehe~ Teacher Yu, does this count as passing?"
Yu Xue nodded weakly. "You passed..."
"Then I'm off~"
"W-Wait a moment."
"Huh?"
Yu Xue was somewhat awkward, but she still took out her phone. "Want to add each other? We can discuss music if we get the chance."
What the hell!
I spent four years at university without managing to add the Goddess Yu's contact.
What gives you the right?
After Xu Yi added her, he looked provocatively at the male students in the class.
"Why is this concrete road so smooth?"
The boys froze. "What do you mean?"
"There aren't any stone particles."
Negative Emotion Points +100
"Smoke gets inhaled into the lungs."
"Lung Fog!"
Negative Emotion Points +100
The viewers watching the livestream were also grinding their teeth in hatred.
How had I only just realized how punchable Xu Yi was?
Same here. At first, I only thought he was rather pitiful.
It's over. Xu Yi's entire persona has collapsed.
Xu Yi, I'll give you three minutes. Go back to looking pitiful.
I finally understand now. Xu Yi only acts pitiful in front of leaders who care about him. He's a pure green tea!
Before you continue