After Lu Cheng's performance, it was soon Jiang Chen's grand finale.
As Jiang Chen's fair and tender little hands gently landed on the black and white piano keys, an extremely magnificent and virtuosic melody instantly poured out from his fingertips!
The notes were sometimes like a fierce storm, intense and soaring!
Other times, they were like a clear mountain spring, ethereal and melodious!
His small hands danced across the keys so fast that they almost created afterimages!
He performed a top-tier masterpiece, one that would make any pianist gasp in awe, to perfection, truly flawless!
As expected of the concert's grand finale, it almost overshadowed everyone else's performances... All the audience members were completely stunned by his performance, which transcended the realm of god-like skill!
They felt as if they were witnessing a future musical maestro rising rapidly!
And Jiang Chen was completely immersed in his own show-off.
He enjoyed the feeling of being the center of attention, enjoying the audience's worshipful gazes, as if they were looking at a deity!
Most importantly, his system kept emitting pleasant sounds.
[Host's god-like piano skills have shocked an audience member, Shock Points +1!]
[Host's god-like piano skills have shocked an audience member, Shock Points +1!]
The smile on his lips grew more confident, and even more... smug!
"Hehe, did you see that?"
"This, this is true genius!"
"This, this is true, dimension-crushing level absolute strength!"
"Lu Cheng?"
"Just a clown!"
His performance gradually entered its final, climactic movement!
All emotions were pushed to their peak at this moment!
Just as all emotions were about to burst, and the most magnificent, most shocking chord was about to sound, in the last second before it happened!
Lu Cheng, who was backstage at the exit, watched Jiang Chen's performance and smiled slightly.
He silently chanted in his heart: [Empty Hands!]
On stage, a sudden change occurred.
Jiang Chen's fingers were about to press down hard on those crucial keys, preparing to put a period on this perfect performance.
However, the sound that came from the million-dollar top-tier Steinway piano was not the brilliant movement he had imagined!
Instead, it was an... an extremely jarring... "Dong!"
A dull "mute note"!
Then, under the astonished gazes of all the audience members!
The key that should have played the most crucial note actually... actually just fell limply from the piano!
With a "clatter", it hit the stage floor, making a crisp sound!
The so-called perfect music came to an abrupt halt!
...The entire venue instantly fell into a deathly silence!
Everyone stared dumbfounded at the absurd scene on stage, their brains seemingly crashing in that instant!
After a few seconds of dead silence, a wave of irrepressible whispers gradually rose from the audience.
"Uh, did this kid just make a key fall off the piano?"
"Eight years old? Is he really eight? Not only is he good at playing the piano, but he's also strong enough!"
What about Jiang Chen?
He stared blankly at the key that had fallen at his feet, his mind completely blank!
What does this mean?
The key fell off?
Did my perfect performance just... collapse?
[Host's performance has collapsed, Shock failed, Shock Points -10000!]
[Host, at eight years old, actually managed to make a piano key fall off, shocking an audience member, Shock Points +1!]
The system's cold and merciless alarm and mocking point increase sounded in his mind!
Pulling him back to the cruel reality... Anya, seeing this from backstage, her pretty face instantly changed dramatically!
She no longer cared about acting like a professor or an artist!
She immediately lifted her skirt and rushed onto the stage!
She first checked the piano, which looked "severely injured."
Then, she immediately tried to make amends and explain to the chattering audience for her younger brother!
"I'm sorry, distinguished guests, I'm truly very sorry!"
"Perhaps... there was a small accident with the piano's routine maintenance..."
...Just as Anya was extremely anxious, and the school leaders in the audience were also at a loss, not knowing how to salvage the situation, Lu Cheng, the instigator of it all, walked onto the stage with unhurried steps.
A "forgiving" smile on his face, he comforted the anxious beauty.
"Miss Anya, don't be nervous."
"This piano was donated to the school by me previously."
"It seems there might have been a small accident during transportation and subsequent storage."
"Of course, we can't blame the little brother."
As soon as he said this, it made all the audience members realize that this million-dollar limited edition piano was also his!
At this, everyone's discussions and gazes instantly shifted from the child prodigy to Lu Cheng's generosity and musical accomplishments... Of course, there was also some talk directed at Jiang Chen's actions.
He walked up to the distraught little kid, extended his hand in an extremely "friendly" manner, and ruffled his fluffy little head.
He gently encouraged him:
"It's alright, little brother."
"You are very talented, don't be discouraged by this small accident."
"If the piano is broken, it's fine, I'll have someone donate another one to the school tomorrow."
He paused, the smile at the corner of his mouth deepening a few shades.
"After all, you're just a child."
These words sounded so magnanimous, so graceful!
But to Jiang Chen, they were the ultimate humiliation!
...Anya looked at Lu Cheng, at his handsome face always bearing a calm smile, at his effortless demeanor and captivating presence as he handled everything.
In her beautiful eyes, there was only gratitude, admiration, and a hint of... attraction that she herself hadn't even noticed.
She felt that this man before her not only possessed astonishing talent and unfathomable wealth, but more importantly, he had a kind of... grace and charisma that could make any woman fall for him.
Lu Cheng wouldn't let go of this opportunity presented by the protagonist... "Miss Anya, what about our bet?"
Upon hearing Lu Cheng's question, Anya suddenly remembered Jiang Chen's arrogant bet... "Does he really want me to be his girlfriend?"
"That's too fast. I'm not ready yet."
A blush instantly crept onto her face.
Seeing Anya's expression, he couldn't help but chuckle.
"Just a joke, Miss Anya, no need to take it seriously."
He paused, then explained: "It's just that you've been too tense, I wanted you to relax a little."
"However... Miss Anya, if you're busy tonight, would you have time tomorrow night to honor me with your company for dinner?"
This time, Anya didn't hesitate at all, her face slightly red, and she gently nodded.
"It would be my honor, Mr. Lu."]}```