After the concert, backstage.
After finishing the curtain call and media interviews, Anya finally managed to slip away.
She clutched her pristine white performance gown and hurried towards the "masked man" leaning against the corridor wall.
Her eyes held an extremely complex mix of emotions, a hint of playful annoyance from being "deceived," and also a trace of… barely concealed curiosity.
"Mr. Lu…"
Her voice was still pleasant, but now carried a hint of resentment.
"Didn't you say your schedule was full and you didn't have time?"
Lu Cheng looked at her adorable expression, feigning anger but actually pouting, and no longer hid his identity. He removed the silver mask from his face, revealing his handsome features.
"My schedule is indeed packed with work."
He reached out, very naturally, and gently tucked a strand of hair, which had fallen from her ear during her performance, behind her ear.
"However, accompanying Miss Anya and preparing a unique surprise for you is also one of my jobs."
This explanation, full of ambiguity and doting affection, instantly melted Anya's already rapidly beating heart.
Two captivating blushes quickly bloomed on her fair, pretty face… However, amidst this ambiguous atmosphere filled with pink bubbles…
A furious, childish voice, quite out of place, came from the side!
"Sister!"
Jiang Chen was seen running over, his short legs pumping with indignation!
Upon seeing Lu Cheng and the silver mask in his hand, he understood everything!
The anger on his face intensified.
"Why, why is it him again? I don't like him!"
"What about my performance? What about our duet?"
The concert director, seeing this, quickly ran over, sweating profusely, and bowed and scraped while explaining to the little lord.
"Student Jiang Chen, I am truly sorry! Deeply sorry!"
"Because Master Anya's encore performance just now was simply too brilliant!"
"The audience's enthusiasm was also too high!"
"So, our interactive segment ran severely overtime, and the concert had to end within the allotted time… Therefore…"
The grand finale, which was supposed to be Jiang Chen's moment to shock the audience and earn a huge score, was thus completely squeezed out by Lu Cheng's continuous encores!
He looked up at the man who was "flirting" with his sister, his eyes practically bulging out.
"So, it was him again!"
"This guy is determined to go against me!"
At this moment, his system also issued a prompt.
[Detection: Host's shock plan has been completely crushed and relegated to a background role. System standing is severely damaged. Please, Host, create a shock as soon as possible!]
It was better without the prompt; this prompt was the cruelest blow, stabbing his little heart fiercely once more!
…Anya looked at her younger brother's unreasonable behavior, her delicate brows slightly furrowed, not understanding why he was suddenly so ill-mannered… She dismissed Jiang Chen with a slightly reproving tone.
Then, with a hint of apology and even stronger admiration, she said to Lu Cheng.
"Mr. Lu, I'm truly sorry, you've seen me at my worst."
"Speaking of which, your musical talent far surpasses all the musicians I know."
"Only after performing with you just now did I understand the true gap…"
Afterward, under Lu Cheng's "concerned" questioning, Anya, the queen of music, for the first time, confided her inner troubles to an outsider.
"In three days, the quadrennial Tchaikovsky Competition will be held in Moscow."
"This is the highest pinnacle that all classical musicians worldwide dream of."
"I… although confident in my skill, always feel like something is missing."
She paused, a hint of confusion appearing in her beautiful eyes.
"It wasn't until… after our duet just now that I understood."
"What I lack is that… soul in the music."
…Jiang Chen's eyes, which had been somewhat dim, instantly lit up again when he heard the keywords "Moscow" and "in three days"!
He seemed to have found an opportunity to immediately retaliate and drive this annoying guy, Lu Cheng, away from his sister!
He immediately interrupted, as if showing off to Lu Cheng, and loudly declared:
"That's right! The Tchaikovsky Competition! That's the highest-level international music competition! The most prestigious!"
"My sister and I have been preparing for a long time. I'm in charge of composing, and my sister will perform."
"Tomorrow, we're flying to Moscow; we're very busy!"
He cast a disdainful glance at the composed Lu Cheng beside him and added in a sarcastic tone.
"Unlike some people, who idle around all day, have many female companions, and travel everywhere!"
"We have serious things to do! Some people shouldn't get in the way!"
…However!
After hearing Jiang Chen's sarcastic remarks, Lu Cheng not only showed no sign of difficulty.
Instead, as if suddenly reminded, an expression of "sudden realization" appeared on his face!
He looked at Anya, his eyes sparkling, and slowly began.
"The Tchaikovsky Competition?"
"That is the sanctuary of classical music."
"Speaking of which, I've always wanted to go there in person and experience that top-tier artistic atmosphere."
He suddenly took Anya's hand and placed it in his palm… "Miss Anya, if you don't mind, I'd like to…"
"I can cancel all my arrangements for these next few days."
"Accompany you, to Moscow."
"Firstly, I want to cheer you on."
"Secondly, I also want to take this rare opportunity to… properly immerse myself in art."
Jiang Chen's face turned green the moment he heard Lu Cheng's words!
As green as a freshly pulled vegetable!
Damn it, his sarcastic expulsion order was actually used by this guy as an invitation?
What could this guy possibly do there?
He had already said that he and his sister would compose and perform, respectively!
Anyway, his composition this time was bound to shock the world and earn a huge wave of system points!
…Anya heard that Lu Cheng was actually willing to cancel all his work and accompany her to a foreign country.
Just to accompany her to that competition… Her heart, which was already throbbing wildly because of Lu Cheng's talent and demeanor, was at this moment completely filled with immense emotion!
She met Lu Cheng's sincere gaze, too excited to speak clearly, and could only nod heavily.
Then, slowly organizing her words, she spoke.
"Mr. Lu, this…"
"This is my honor!"
"I very much look forward to going to the Tchaikovsky Competition with you…"