Chapter 28

Compared to Ji Ze's passionate performance, Chen Mo's playing was smoother and more relaxed, with fuller, more rounded emotion. As Chen Mo's performance gradually unfolded, everyone seemed to see a storm-ravaged sea before their eyes, and a lone fighter struggling against a natural disaster. It gave them an even deeper sense of the piece's spirit of daring to challenge and never giving up, as well as the more inspiring emotions Chen Mo wished to convey and interpret.

At the end of the piece, Chen Mo flawlessly demonstrated the dazzling, supremely difficult technique that had been hailed worldwide as "impossible, a challenge to the limits of humanity." At the same time, the will and ideals Chen Mo wanted to convey poured forth with the music, fully and vividly reaching everyone's ears.

When the piece ended, Chen Mo slowly lifted his hands from the black and white keys, rose to his feet, and bowed toward the audience.

In an instant, thunderous applause erupted in the previously deathly still studio hall. Everyone rose to their feet and applauded uncontrollably. The applause went on and on, creating the illusion that they had somehow wandered into a grand golden concert hall. It was completely different from the screaming and declarations of love from fans during Ji Ze's performance.

There was a kind of charm unique to classical music that could make every listener instantly forget who they were and where they were, remembering only to lose themselves in the music itself and, at the most appropriate moment, express their feelings in the most appropriate way.

People in the industry regarded such behavior as the listener's courtesy and cultivation, the most basic yet loftiest form of respect for the performer.

Chapter 28

Noticing the obvious shift in the atmosphere of the studio hall, Ji Ze, who understood exactly what it meant, went pale with fury. Then the color drained from his face, and the corners of his mouth pressed downward in distress. Though he was still unwilling to accept it, Ji Ze had to admit that he had lost.

He had lost completely in the areas he excelled at most: popping and piano.

The host and several other guests, who had slipped to the edge of the stage, returned to center stage amid the audience's thunderous applause. Mao Li smiled as he praised both of their piano skills, while the other hosts joined in with jokes and banter. Fang Yao clasped her face in both hands, looking like a lovestruck fangirl as she gazed at Chen Mo with sparkling eyes. "I still think Momo looks the coolest when he dances. Especially that move just now, where it looked like he was walking forward but was actually moving backward. It was insanely cool. How did you do that?"

As soon as she finished speaking, the audience below began screaming as well. Someone even shouted, "Chen Mo, I love you!"

The guests all noticed that the shout had come from Ji Ze's fan section, and they could not help secretly glancing at Ji Ze's expression—

Ji Ze had no expression at all. He stood where he was, looking lost, his gaze lowered as he stared fixedly at his toes, utterly dejected.

He really was someone who could not hide his feelings at all. Mao Li frowned imperceptibly, then walked over to Ji Ze and asked what he had been busy with lately, whether he planned to release a new album or hold a concert. Ji Ze looked at Mao Li with empty eyes. His eyes were moist, and his eye rims were faintly red.

For a moment, Mao Li suddenly had the urge to reach out and pat Ji Ze's hair. Unfortunately, Mao Li was a host with exceptionally strong professional ethics, as well as an adult with high emotional intelligence. He would never make a move onstage that did not fit the show's image, much less one that might make a guest feel awkward.

After chatting briefly with Ji Ze and Chen Mo, Fang Yao maintained her fangirl expression and unilaterally declared that she would be Chen Mo's loyal diehard fan from then on. She then asked Huang Lixin, Lin Xia, and the others about Chen Mo's behavior on set, asking whether they knew Chen Mo could dance. They all knew the host was giving them screen time, so they smiled and began talking about their impressions of Chen Mo and their expectations for their own futures. Then they quickly moved on to the next game segment.

Because of his double defeat in the dance battle and piano battle, Ji Ze had suffered a serious blow. During the following segments, he was somewhat dazed and completely out of it. The hosts knew he was definitely in a bad mood, so for the sake of the show, they all helped smooth things over. Lin Xia, Huang Lixin, and the others also cooperated tacitly with the hosts.

Since Chen Mo and Ji Ze had expended too much energy in the dance and piano battles, and Ji Ze had been listless and obviously slacking off ever since those two segments, the director signaled for everyone to take a twenty-minute break for the sake of the show. A staff member brought over bottled water with the brand labels removed. Huang Lixin took one and handed it to Chen Mo, then lifted his chin to indicate that Chen Mo should look behind him.

Chen Mo turned around and saw Qin Yuqiong and Ji Ze tugging at each other as they left the stage. Chen Mo curled his lips slightly but said nothing.

Lin Xia sidled over. Keeping a sweet smile on her face as she watched Qin Yuqiong and Ji Ze disappear, she said in a low voice, "I honestly thought you were going to compromise with that woman. I almost thought you had water in your brain and got seduced by her. But then again, you were never polite to me either. That woman has a bit of looks, but she's neither younger nor prettier than I am. Even if you were blinded by lust, you probably wouldn't go for someone like that."

"What misunderstanding do you have about me?" Chen Mo turned to look at Lin Xia. "I've always behaved like a gentleman around beautiful women. If you think I haven't been polite to you, you should reflect on whether your looks meet my aesthetic standards instead of criticizing my attitude—"

"Honestly, you really are..." Lin Xia glared at Chen Mo through gritted teeth, raising her water bottle as if to smash it over him, only for Chen Mo to block her with a grin.

"Watch your image!" Chen Mo said, glancing toward the area where the fans had gathered below the stage.

Lin Xia resentfully lowered the bottle and glared at Chen Mo. "If this is what you call gentlemanly behavior, shouldn't you be the one reflecting on yourself? You clearly promised Qin Yuqiong that you wouldn't pursue the matter anymore, but then you went back on your word and bullied Ji Ze until he nearly cried. You really are awful."

"Did I?" Chen Mo looked at Lin Xia innocently. "And Miss Lin Xia, please explain what exactly you mean by going back on my word. I may not be a businessman, but I take my promises seriously, okay? Don't slander me."

"You obviously did. You promised that woman Qin Yuqiong backstage that you'd turn the 'piano battle' into a 'friendly musical exchange,' and you even said you'd sit down for dinner together after the recording—"

"Exactly! Since it was a friendly musical exchange, I didn't make him apologize in front of his fans after he lost. Otherwise, do you think I have dementia? Would I forget something that important?" Chen Mo glanced at Lin Xia and continued, "As for dinner... the recording isn't over yet, is it? And don't forget, the condition for dinner is that Senior Ji apologizes to me."

At that, Chen Mo looked at the astonished Lin Xia and Huang Lixin and said helplessly, "So you two really have no sense of contract. Even if it's only a verbal agreement, shouldn't you remember its terms and the rights and obligations both sides are supposed to fulfill? Or are agreements just things you can say casually?"

"It's your brain that's bizarre compared to normal people—" Before Lin Xia could finish complaining, Sun Yun approached with a smile and asked, "What are you talking about so happily?"

Lin Xia pursed her lips and immediately turned away without speaking. Chen Mo glanced at her, then said with a smile, "We were discussing going to the restroom. You have to make the most of break time to use the bathroom. That's what our teachers told us."

Sun Yun smiled. "As expected of an outstanding student from Huajing Experimental No. 1 High School. You really understand how to make every second count."

Chen Mo smiled faintly, then turned and asked a staff member where the restroom was. Sun Yun watched his departing back and smiled without saying anything.

Lin Xia crossed her arms and gave a derisive snort.

Following the signs down the corridor, Chen Mo found the restroom. To his surprise, Ji Ze was there too.

When Ji Ze saw Chen Mo enter, his expression immediately turned awkward. He deliberately turned his face away, pretending not to see him.

Chen Mo chuckled and walked over to Ji Ze's side. "Senior, don't tell me the blow was so hard that you've completely lost your spirit?"

"What?" Ji Ze did not react at first and asked instinctively.

Chen Mo continued, "Or is it kidney deficiency? Is that why you got tired after dancing such a short bit and playing such a short piece? Then again, you're already getting on in years, Senior. You only grow taller, not smarter. Your physical development must be seriously unbalanced..."

"What did you say?" Ji Ze immediately spun around and demanded angrily, "Don't think you can be this arrogant just because you won twice—"

"So Senior admits that he lost?" Chen Mo raised an eyebrow. As he walked over to wash his hands, he said, "Then honor the bet. Don't forget to apologize to me later."

After saying that, Chen Mo glanced at Ji Ze's face in the mirror, which had immediately turned pale, and added with a smile, "Don't worry. I'm not asking you to apologize in front of your fans or the cameras. Just apologize to me privately during dinner tonight. I've always kept my word. Since I promised that pretty lady, I won't—"

"In your dreams. I will never bow my head and apologize to a brat like you," Ji Ze said furiously.

Chen Mo smiled at that, turned to look at Ji Ze, and said with a grin, "So it really is kidney deficiency, then. Or maybe you lack male hormones. Senior, your reactions really don't seem very manly."

"What exactly do you want—"

Ignoring Ji Ze's attitude, Chen Mo continued, "Otherwise, how could you so righteously hide behind your beautiful agent and brazenly break your promise? For a decision between two men, do you really need a woman to stand up for you and play dumb to muddle through it? Aren't you ashamed?"

Ji Ze's expression abruptly changed upon hearing that.

Seeing Ji Ze's expression, Chen Mo sneered. "Those media outlets must be blind. How could they possibly think someone like you resembles me? You can cause trouble but can't handle the consequences. You lose a bet but refuse to admit it. No wonder everyone calls you a 'giant baby.' Only an ignorant child still wrapped in swaddling clothes could be this irresponsible, right? Even a three-year-old in kindergarten should know to be civilized and polite, and to apologize when they do something wrong."

"Hey!" Ji Ze grabbed Chen Mo by the collar, his eyes red as he raised one fist and glared at Chen Mo without backing down.

Chen Mo merely sneered in response and said disdainfully, "Is bluffing all you know how to do? If you have the guts, bring that fist down. Or are you..."

At that point, Chen Mo suddenly seized Ji Ze's shoulder with his backhand and twisted it backward. With a crack, Ji Ze immediately released Chen Mo's collar and clutched his shoulder in agony.

Chen Mo released him with a smile, stepped back two paces, and looked at Ji Ze. "Just as I thought. You're nothing but an empty shell who knows how to strike a pose. With skills like yours, what gives you the confidence to say you're more handsome than me? Who gave you that confidence?"

Ji Ze sucked in a breath from the pain and was in no state to answer Chen Mo's question.

Chen Mo smiled, slipped both hands into his pockets, then suddenly bent down toward Ji Ze. "How about we make another bet? Aren't we playing games when recording resumes? As long as you beat me in even one round, we'll forget about this apology. What do you think?"

Ji Ze raised his head, his face covered in cold sweat as he looked at Chen Mo.

Chen Mo smiled dismissively. "I know my own strength. It shouldn't hurt that much, should it? Or is Senior, who's nearly six foot three, not only a giant baby but actually a delicate little girl, so—"

Before Chen Mo could finish, Ji Ze immediately said, "I'll bet."

He stared directly into Chen Mo's eyes and said word by word, "I. Will. Bet. With. You."

"Deal." Chen Mo curled his lips. "But we need to change the terms. If you win, you don't have to apologize. If you lose, not only do you have to apologize, you also have to admit that you're not as handsome as I am."