Soon, the three of them boarded the Lu family's private jet and arrived in Moscow the next morning.
Lu Cheng, as always, brought his elite team of bodyguards and assistants.
After all, one can never be too careful, no matter where they are... In Moscow, at the National Hotel, in the top-floor presidential suite.
Outside the window was the snow-covered Red Square, solemn yet exuding an exotic romance.
When Anya and Jiang Chen walked into this luxurious, palace-like suite, they were both stunned by Lu Cheng's "inhumanly extravagant" arrangements.
Jiang Chen, though still outwardly defiant, continued to grumble softly.
"Hmph, isn't it just a few stinking dollars? What's so great about that?"
But deep down, he clearly understood that in terms of "financial power," he had been mercilessly crushed by the man in front of him.
Although he had previously made a lot of money through stock trading to gain shock points and show off his wealth, compared to Lu Cheng, it was completely on a different scale.
Anya's impression of Lu Cheng, on the other hand, rose another notch.
She found that this man not only possessed astonishing talent but was also so considerate, thoughtful, and impeccable in handling the trivial details of daily life.
It made it impossible for anyone to even think of refusing... To prepare for the Tchaikovsky Competition three days later, Lu Cheng even specially rented a professional piano room in the hotel, equipped with everything imaginable.
Anya quickly began her first rehearsal.
Jiang Chen brought out the competition piece he had meticulously composed for his sister's performance.
It was a concerto of extreme technical complexity, enough to astound any violinist.
Although the theme of the music was slightly melancholic, classical music is often like this, carrying the composer's reflections on fate and insights into life.
This would also be a point of shock when his composition was later revealed, that such a young child could possess such depth!
Anya picked up the violin and began her performance.
Her technique was impeccable; every note was precise and flawless, like a sophisticated machine.
However, when the piece ended.
Lu Cheng simply sat there quietly, without applause or cheers, and instead, he subtly frowned.
When Jiang Chen saw his "dissatisfied" expression, he instantly felt indignant!
It's fine if this doesn't shock you; I don't expect to gain points from you.
What kind of genius is Jiang Chen? With his composition, combined with his sister's flawless performance, what right do you have to frown?
He immediately challenged him:
"What? Young Master Lu, do you not understand my masterpiece?"
"Or are you stunned by my unparalleled talent?"
Anya also looked nervously at Lu Cheng; she actually felt something was off herself.
Her performance just now, or rather her performances all along, seemed to be... missing something.
But she couldn't quite articulate what was missing.
Lu Cheng ignored Jiang Chen's provocation.
He just looked at Anya and pointed out the problem with pinpoint accuracy:
"Miss Anya, your technique is perfect."
"Jiang Chen's piece, from a compositional standpoint, is also perfect."
"But, the combined performance effect you two ultimately presented is only... fifty-nine points."
He paused, his voice becoming more serious.
"Because it lacks a soul."
"Your playing is too perfect, too restrained, like a machine programmed to perform."
"You seem to have never truly immersed yourself in the music, never expressed emotion."
"Such music might conquer the ears of the judges, but it will never, ever touch their hearts."
"This could very likely cause you to miss out on the grand prize..."
...Anya was stunned by Lu Cheng's words!
This was precisely the biggest bottleneck she had always faced!
Her technique had long reached a state of perfection, but her music always seemed to be... missing that one little thing that could truly move people's hearts.
But how can one find something as ethereal as emotion and soul?
Lu Cheng looked at her bewildered expression, as if seeing through her heart, and slowly spoke, as if guiding her.
"To find a soul, to be full of emotion, you must first find yourself."
"Anya, I'd like to understand your life?"
Under the guise of "helping you find your soul," he began to "invade" her past, asking her to recount her life story.
Anya, guided by him, thus revealed her almost "smooth-sailing" perfect life.
"Never experienced a love that carved itself into your bones, never felt a hatred that pierced your heart, never known the despair that ripped you apart..."
Lu Cheng finished listening to her account, gently shook his head, his voice filled with regret.
"How could your music possibly have a soul, how could it have emotion?"
...Jiang Chen listened to the "metaphysical" conversation between the two and felt completely unable to interject.
Moreover, seeing his sister's obedient, even admiring and dependent, demeanor towards Lu Cheng, his heart was filled with even more displeasure!
[What the hell is this love and hate? I think he just wants to take advantage and hit on my sister!]
He immediately interrupted their conversation and proactively said to Anya:
"Sis! Don't listen to his nonsense!"
"What love and hate? Music is just music! Your problem is that you've been too tired lately!"
"I'll go out with you for a walk, to Red Square, to really experience the romance here! Inspiration will come naturally!"
He wanted to forcibly pull his sister away from Lu Cheng, this "dangerous" man!
He wanted to ensure that the piece his sister ultimately performed on stage was still his, Jiang Chen's, work!
That way, as long as the performance was successful and shocked the entire audience, all the credit would naturally belong to him, the "genius composer"!
Everyone thought Lu Cheng would object.
However, Lu Cheng, unexpectedly, smiled.
He stood up, waved casually at Jiang Chen, and with a tone of "I'll leave it to you," chuckled and said:
"Alright."
"Since our little brother Jiang Chen is so confident and so talented, then go ahead and try it."
"I hope you can truly help your sister find inspiration."
He even very "considerately" said to Anya gently:
"Go, relax well, don't put too much pressure on yourself."
"For the competition, just do your best."
These words, however, made Anya... even more uncertain.
Do her best? But she couldn't find any direction to even try...
Jiang Chen, triumphantly, pulled the still-hesitant Anya away from the hotel, escaping Lu Cheng.
Lu Cheng watched their retreating figures, took out his phone, and sent a message.
[Only children need to search the whole world for inspiration.]
[As for me, I will directly deliver "soul" to you.]
[But the way of transmitting "soul" is very special, you know...]