A Midsummer Night's Dream

The bright lights in the hall suddenly dimmed, all the light beams focusing on Deng Hao at the piano.

Everyone's gaze was immediately drawn to him.

Deng Hao sat before the piano, his fingertips lightly touching the keys.

A light piano sound drifted out with his movements.

With just a few notes, Su Rui identified the piece Deng Hao was playing.

A world-famous piece, "The Blue Danube."

As Deng Hao's fingers danced, a light and cheerful melody quickly filled the entire hall.

The tune was light and captivating.

He wore a white suit, and coupled with his already outstanding appearance, he looked like a prince under the spotlight.

"That's... Bai Yanyun's boyfriend, isn't it! I never expected him to be so talented!"

"Yeah! Compared to him, my boyfriend is just a pig!"

"He's just like a prince from a fairy tale..."

Surprised exclamations came from the girls around. Bai Yanyun smiled reservedly, then turned to look at Li Ruobing in a show of defiance.

It must be said that Deng Hao's talent in art was indeed exceptionally high, and combined with the atmosphere tonight, he was performing beyond his usual level.

Everyone present was drawn in by the light and joyful melody, their moods greatly uplifted.

Several middle-aged men in suits, holding glasses of red wine, closed their eyes with expressions of contentment on their faces, their bodies swaying gently along with the music.

They were completely immersed in the ocean of music.

"It seems the outcome of tonight's competition is decided. The only difference between Deng Hao's level and those world-class masters is the accumulation of time."

"Yes, I didn't expect him to have such extraordinary talent."

"Perfect background, astonishing talent, this is truly a match made in heaven for the Bai Family's young lady. Tonight is destined to be their stage, Li Ruobing... sigh!"

Ten minutes later.

As the last note fell, someone in the crowd spontaneously began to applaud.

Clap, clap, clap!

The applause was continuous!

Deng Hao adjusted his tie with a smile and bowed to thank everyone.

"Yan Yun, your boyfriend is very capable," Hu Yuhua praised, as he could also hear that Deng Hao's piano playing was beautiful and made people feel relaxed and at ease.

Deng Hao walked over, and Hu Yuhua proactively shook his hand: "Originally, I was worried about the opening ceremony, but now it seems my worries were completely unnecessary!"

"Uncle Hua, since you've said so, I will definitely do my best!" Deng Hao said with a smile: "I do have some insights when it comes to playing the piano!"

"Darling, you were amazing!" Bai Yanyun linked her arm through Deng Hao's, praising him playfully: "It seems there's no need for this competition tonight to continue..."

Ding!

Just as Deng Hao, Bai Yanyun, and Hu Yuhua were talking, the crisp sound of piano keys rang out again.

Su Rui stood before the classical piano in the center of the hall, his palm first sliding casually across the keys, then closing his eyes to quietly listen to the subtle differences in the notes.

"The Blue Danube, the second to last note of the second small waltz, you made a mistake." Su Rui said slowly, gently running his finger over the keys: "The overall melody of the second waltz is beautiful and melancholic, unlike the cheerful first waltz, but you used a crisp high note at the end instead of a low note, which disrupted the overall aesthetic rhythm. Of course, most people wouldn't notice this subtle difference, and it's a common mistake for beginners, so it's not a big issue."

As Su Rui's words fell.

The hall instantly fell silent.

"Be... beginner?" The expression on Deng Hao's face froze, then he sneered: "What do you know about piano music? What do you know about note transitions?"

A melodious piano sound spread out.

Bai Yanyun was startled for a moment, then said in an exaggerated tone: "'Beginner's Tutorial Piece,' what is he doing? Does he really think anyone can play the piano? Trying to fool people with such amateur skills, you don't need to resort to such methods just to show off!"

Bai Yanyun felt extremely contemptuous in her heart.

She had spent these years abroad, diligently studying music, and she had great talent in playing the piano, having won many honors.

In her opinion, Su Rui's actions were undoubtedly asking for trouble!

"Ruobing." Hu Yuhua glanced at Li Ruobing, meaning to ask, what exactly does your male companion mean by this?

Deng Hao turned up his palm and sneered: "Do you think you know how to play the piano just by learning the 'Beyer Piano Basic Tutorial'? You couldn't possibly think you've already lost, so you're using such a low-level method to disrupt things, are you?"

Yes, Su Rui was indeed playing an entry-level piano piece.

The tune was extremely simple.

"Ruobing, tell him to come back." Hu Yuhua lifted his chin towards Li Ruobing expressionlessly, "The Summit opening ceremony is about to start, let Yan Yun and her boyfriend go familiarize themselves with the sheet music!"

"Music isn't something you can master just by wanting to learn it, you need exceptional talent and sensitivity," Deng Hao sneered, just about to speak: "Without boasting, some people might never reach the level Yan Yun and I are at now... just obediently admit defeat and accept the punishment..."

Li Ruobing was expressionless, but there was a hint of a cold smile at the corner of her mouth.

The piano music suddenly changed!

The originally simple and cheerful tune abruptly shifted, the piano sound gradually becoming bright, spreading out like a tide, filling every corner of the entire world.

Su Rui's fingers danced lightly on the keys, gliding from low notes to high, like roses blooming along a path, then falling back from high notes to low, like pearls scattered on the ground, fragmented yet gleaming.

His body swayed gently, almost imperceptibly, with the rhythm, his eyes slightly narrowed, seemingly immersed in the moving melody of his solo.

Su Rui closed his eyes.

He was so incredibly familiar with this piano piece, so familiar that he could play it entirely by feel.

Li Ruobing held a glass of champagne in one hand, a look of astonishment appearing in her eyes.

The clear and bright piano music flowed like a stream.

The crowd immediately erupted in murmurs.

If Deng Hao's piece just now was a cup of fresh and refreshing sake, then Su Rui's melody at this moment was a delicious and rich aged wine from a winery!

Rich, classic, and intoxicating, making it hard to pull oneself away!

Looking at Su Rui, a unique, gentle light appeared in Li Ruobing's eyes. She had to admit that Su Rui always managed to bring her surprises.

She didn't know what else Su Rui couldn't do.

He always managed to do the most unexpected and surprising things at the most opportune moments.

The piano piece Su Rui was playing now was very famous. It had been used as a teaching example in countless textbooks and as background music by countless variety shows and TV stations.

After listening to a piece too many times, one would inevitably grow tired of it.

But, under Su Rui's fingertips, this old piece seemed to have gained new vitality.

The entire hall felt as if it had transformed into a vast, boundless field, with the moonlight in the sky gentle and serene. Under such a soft melody, one could let go of all defenses and pretenses...

There was no scheming and deception from the business or official world, no work, no worries, only the captivating melody.

"This... this is A Midsummer Night's Dream..." Deng Hao's expression was very grim. He was a professional music major and could easily discern that Su Rui's piano skill was very high, extremely high, far higher than his own!

At this moment.

The people in the hall had their mouths slightly agape, looking somewhat stunned at the figure in the center of the hall, the only person there.

"Oh my god... this... this beautiful melody, it's like I'm listening to a concert!"

"This is the level of a world-class master, no... even a world-class master couldn't reach this standard..."

Among the crowd, some extremely professional music critics widened their eyes, simply unable to believe their ears.

"At a city-level Arts and Culture Summit, I can actually hear a melody like this..."

"Don't talk, just listen carefully!"

The hall was completely silent, with only Su Rui's piano music echoing.

People's reactions varied.

Several young girls looked dazed, taking out their phones to record Su Rui at the piano.

Several middle-aged men in suits looked thoughtfully at Su Rui, slightly mesmerized.

In a corner, an old man nodded silently, sometimes sighing with emotion, sometimes with regret...

Although everyone's reactions were different, they were all listening quietly, captivated!

Bai Yanyun's face was pale.

Although no one in the hall was talking, anyone could hear that the piece Su Rui was playing was far, far more beautiful than Deng Hao's, making people involuntarily immerse themselves and forget everything else.

They couldn't bear to speak, couldn't bear to let any trace of杂音瑕疵 (noise or flaw) interfere with such a beautiful piece!

They were all silently appreciating and listening, letting the melody resonate in their ears.

In their minds, a golden moon seemed to appear, with a gentle breeze rippling under the moonlight, a sea of green grass gently undulating, accompanied by the fragrance of soil and the scent of flower petals, gradually drifting away...

The piano music rose in waves, starting from the beginning and gradually reaching the end.

No one wanted the piece to end so quickly.

They still wanted to listen.

Li Ruobing felt the same way.

But, it had to end eventually.

When the last note came to an abrupt stop, the hall was completely silent.

No one cheered.

The atmosphere of A Midsummer Night's Dream still lingered, so people couldn't bear to break the rare tranquility.

Su Rui picked up a tissue from the side and wiped his palms. In the hazy light, his figure appeared exceptionally tall and straight.

Crack...

Something shattered.

That was the image of a Prince Charming that had just been built in the hearts of the young girls for Deng Hao. At this moment, it had been completely crushed by Su Rui.

Su Rui stood up, opened his eyes, and looked at Li Ruobing, his tone very gentle: "A Midsummer Night's Dream is for you. I hope that every time you hear it in the future, you'll think of me."

Whoosh!

In the hall, applause erupted like a surging tide and thunder.

It was endless!

Several girls had even clapped their palms red, yet they were still cheering desperately.

Through the crowd, Su Rui saw Bai Yanyun and Deng Hao, their faces pale with displeasure. He smiled faintly and said, "When it comes to music and arts, are you even fit to carry my shoes?"

These were the exact words Bai Yanyun had just spoken to Li Ruobing.

Now, Su Rui had returned them without alteration.

It was like a powerful slap across the face!