Five more minutes passed, and Tang Xiachuan was the first to emerge from the entrancing, dreamlike state induced by the music.
He leaped to his feet, his hands waving wildly, and shouted, "Marvelous! Absolutely marvelous! Utterly breathtaking!" His voice overflowed with unrestrained excitement and awe.
Zhang Haichen's breathing remained rapid and heavy. His eyes remained fixed on the erhu in Jiang Ning's hands, unable to break free from the tension and thrill of the performance.
Mengmeng clapped her tiny hands, her clear laughter like silver bells echoing merrily through the room, offering the purest applause for this extraordinary performance.
"I never imagined it... I truly never imagined Master Jiang's erhu skills could reach such a pinnacle," Tang Xiachuan said, his face alight with curiosity, his eyes gleaming with an inquisitive light. "I wonder what level Master Jiang's erhu skills have reached now?"
His own erhu skills were merely top-tier, making it impossible for him to judge the true height of Jiang Ning's mastery. Yet his intuition told him that Jiang Ning was at least of Grandmaster level.
After all, he had heard several of his old Grandmaster friends play the *erhu*, but none possessed that magical ability to deeply immerse listeners in a vivid and realistic atmosphere like Jiang Ning.
"Old Master Tang, my *erhu* has now reached the Grandmaster level."
Jiang Ning replied with a modest smile, his demeanor calm and composed.
"What? Grandmaster?"
Tang Xiachuan trembled at Jiang Ning's words, his eyes wide with shock and disbelief.
"Doesn't that... doesn't that mean you've reached the highest realm of *erhu* performance? Throughout history, no one in the *erhu* world has ever broken through to this level! The previous peak was only the perfected Grandmaster stage!"
Tang Xiachuan's voice trembled slightly, clearly shaken by the sudden news.
Originally, Tang Xiachuan had simply been curious to hear the *erhu* playing of this young prodigy, Jiang Ning. Given Jiang Ning's youth, he had assumed he might at best be of Grandmaster caliber.
Yet, to his astonishment, he had lived to witness the *erhu* performance of a Grandmaster in person. This far surpassed all his expectations.
Jiang Ning smiled and explained to Tang Xiachuan, "The Grandmaster level, also known as the 'Intent Realm,' is the ability to draw listeners into the atmosphere that the performer creates."
"Oh, no wonder, no wonder! It's as if I personally witnessed a group of people galloping across the prairie—it's truly magnificent!" Tang Xiachuan exclaimed, his eyes filled with awe and realization.
"Yes, Master, I too felt as if I were there, riding in the midst of the race, fiercely competing with others." Zhang Haichen was still brimming with excitement, his emotions running high.
Mengmeng, afraid of being left out, eagerly chimed in to share her impressions: "Me too, me too, Daddy! I saw colorful flowers stretching out like a vibrant sea of blossoms, little lambs grazing peacefully, and so many uncles racing horses—it was so lively!"
Tang Xiachuan's heart swelled with joy, and he said sincerely, "Master Jiang, I am deeply grateful. To hear your Grandmaster-level Erhu performance in my twilight years is a true honor. As the saying goes, 'A treasured sword should be given to a hero.' I would like to bestow this Erhu upon you, Master Jiang.
Only you, Master Jiang, possess the skill and stature to wield such an instrument. With my current abilities, using this Erhu would be like wasting a treasure."
"No, no, that's absolutely out of the question," Jiang Ning said, waving his hands and politely refusing. "A gentleman never takes what others hold dear. Old Master Tang must cherish this erhu deeply, and I truly wouldn't dare accept it."
Tang Xiachuan looked sincere and said earnestly, "No, Master Jiang, you are truly worthy. If this erhu remains in my hands, it would be a disservice to it. Please accept it, Master Jiang. I mean it with all my heart. With my current skills, I truly don't do this precious erhu justice."
If Jiang Ning hadn't demonstrated Grandmaster-level skill, Tang Xiachuan would never have been willing to part with his beloved erhu. But now that Jiang Ning had proven his Grandmaster-level mastery, Tang Xiachuan knew that only in Jiang Ning's hands could this top-tier erhu truly realize its full value. Compared to that, it felt somewhat shameful for someone like himself, who wasn't even a Grandmaster, to possess such a treasure.
Seeing Tang Xiachuan's genuine sincerity and lack of reluctance, Jiang Ning's heart swelled with joy. This erhu was thousands, even tens of thousands of times better than the worn-out one his family had back home. Jiang Ning was utterly captivated by it.
"Well, Old Master Tang, I'm honored to accept this," Jiang Ning said, gently stroking the *erhu*. He felt particularly pleased.
Tang Xiachuan nodded with a smile. "Indeed, Master Jiang, please accept it without hesitation."
Afterward, accompanied by Tang Xiachuan and Zhang Haichen, Jiang Ning toured the renovated kitchen.
He was impressed by the kitchen's complete transformation. The layout was rational, the facilities comprehensive, and it was clear that both cooking speed and the processing of diverse dishes and premium ingredients would be effortless. The renovation could be described as perfect.
The group then moved to the study.
"Old Master Tang, the kitchen renovation has been a great success. Next, I'd like you to prepare these premium ingredients for me: Wagyu beef, Iberian black pork, ostrich meat, bluefin tuna, king crab, Australian lobster, Yubari King melons..."
Jiang Ning listed the premium ingredients with practiced ease, while Zhang Haichen swiftly took notes, recording every detail—including all necessary seasonings and condiments—without missing a single item.
Hearing Jiang Ning recite these ingredients as if he were listing his own pantry, Tang Xiachuan couldn't help but feel a sense of surprise.
In Tang Xiachuan's impression, Jiang Ning usually made simple home-style dishes. He never expected him to be so familiar with these high-end ingredients.
Moreover, Jiang Ning's confident and composed expression suggested he was fully capable of preparing these premium ingredients.
Of course, what Tang Xiachuan felt most was relief.
If Jiang Ning hadn't known about these ingredients, Tang Xiachuan would have been worried.
At this moment, Tang Xiachuan's heart was filled with joy, and he was even more convinced that his initial judgment of Jiang Ning had been correct.
After Jiang Ning finished listing the ingredients, Tang Xiachuan asked with a smile, "Master Jiang, have you prepared these high-end ingredients before?"
Jiang Ning nodded. "Yes, I've prepared them once, but I didn't post it on my Huayin account."
Tang Xiachuan kindly reminded him, "Good, good, Master Jiang. To avoid future trouble, it's best not to post any more high-end ingredient preparations on your Huayin account."
Jiang Ning replied gratefully, "I understand. Thank you for the reminder, Old Master Tang."
Tang Xiachuan responded, "Very well, Master Jiang. I'll immediately arrange for someone to procure these ingredients for you. I'll notify you as soon as they're ready."
"No problem. Oh, right, Old Master Tang, I still owe you a calligraphy piece."
"Since you happen to have brushes and Xuan paper here, how about I write a calligraphy piece for you right now?"
Jiang Ning had always disliked owing favors, believing they should be repaid as quickly as possible.
"Really? Then, I'll have to trouble you, Master Jiang."
Tang Xiachuan had long coveted a piece of Jiang Ning's calligraphy but had been too embarrassed to ask, due to propriety.
Now that Jiang Ning had offered, he naturally wouldn't refuse.