Chapter 162: Mozart Says… Mozart Is Nobody Worth Mentioning

Although circles like this cannot filter out scumbags, they do provide a targeted improvement in terms of cultivation and manners.

There are certain qualities that other circles simply lack.

Children who grow up in such environments always appear superior to their peers. Just how many top-tier students come from backgrounds like this?

What about those from humble origins?

It has been this way since ancient times. Children from wealthy families truly start off differently; they have access to superior resources and environments, are surrounded by exceptional peers, and even have more time for studying, various cram schools, and the cultivation of hobbies and interests.

The academic performance in ordinary schools and elite schools is simply not in the same league.

If he hadn't decided to place zero pressure on Cheng Cheng and just let her be happy, she might have long since regarded him as a devil in her eyes.

Cheng Yao switched his phone to silent mode and sent a text message to Zhang Ya.

A moment later, the gazes around him shifted toward the back.

Cheng Yao subconsciously looked back as well, and immediately, his eyes were glued, utterly amazed.

Zhang Ya glanced at him, walked over slowly, and smiled at the little boy sitting next to him: "Excuse me."

The little boy was clearly captivated, looking rather shy.

Even after she sat down right next to Cheng Yao, the boy was still reluctant to look away.

Zhang Ya asked softly, "Pretty?"

"Pretty."

"See? The earrings you gave me match this gown perfectly. Anyone can tell you didn't pick this out."

Though her words were laced with sarcasm, Zhang Ya could not conceal her inner joy. She chatted on continuously and asked with a smile, "You aren't interested in a performance like this, are you?"

"It's alright. I've been studying properly, okay?"

"I perform at four, so I'm heading over soon. I just came over to see your stunned expression. What a pity, it wasn't as exaggerated as I imagined. Way too melodramatic, haha..."

Cheng Yao tried to put on an exaggerated expression, but his current level of life experience simply wouldn't allow it.

Zhang Ya was gorgeous, breathtakingly gorgeous.

Yet Cheng Yao's resistance was far too high nowadays, perfectly embodying the saying, 'I have no idea if my wife is pretty!'

Now, he finally understood the sentiment behind Da Qiang's words; he really wasn't just putting on an act.

He could only lean in close to Zhang Ya and whisper, "I've already seen everything there is to see, and even more stunning sights besides. Aren't you making things difficult for me? Would someone who has eaten pork still be surprised upon seeing a live pig?"

"Are you calling me a pig!?"

While furious, Zhang Ya was also overwhelmed with a mixture of shyness and vexation.

Damn Cheng Yao!

Saying something like that in a place like this?

If this weren't a competition venue, she would have loved to beat him to a pulp. In the end, she settled for a mild punishment, pinching him with her slender fingers.

He was becoming more and more unruly.

Cheng Yao grabbed her hand and bantered, "This hand is like a work of art. Isn't it a bit too wasteful to pinch me with it?"

"Consider yourself wise. Stay here obediently; I'm heading to the backstage to get ready."

Zhang Ya blushed. Cheng Yao was becoming less and less obedient lately.

Where was the cute little puppyish boy of the past? He was clearly a wolf in sheep's clothing.

"Go ahead."

"Mhm, wait for me."

He watched as Zhang Ya left in her black gown, moving with the pride and confidence of a black swan.

Cheng Yao's lips curved upward as he looked away.

To have a girl like this—he must have saved the galaxy in his past life.

Just then, a middle-aged woman wearing a formal gown walked over, smiling and nodding as she said, "Excuse me."

"No problem." Cheng Yao smiled and nodded.

"My name is Feng Zhaoyi, and I'm Zhang Ya's teacher. I've heard her mention you."

"Hello."

"I can tell that you're an exceptional young man."

Feng Zhaoyi sized Cheng Yao up. She had to admit that, setting aside his handsome appearance, this young man possessed more poise and presence than any other youth she had ever met.

From the very moment he walked in, that aura had been consistently present, prompting her to observe him for quite a while.

She truly didn't understand how such a young man had come to be synonymous with the word "cute" in her student's vocabulary.

Describing a young man as cute was hardly a compliment, but between a boyfriend and girlfriend, was it perhaps just some newlywed-style romantic banter?

Feng Zhaoyi could only explain it to herself that way.

"Thank you."

Cheng Yao glanced at her briefly before returning his gaze to the stage. They were playing Chopin's Etude Op. 25, No. 5. The beginning was fine, but issues arose midway through.

"A mistake."

"Your musical intuition is quite good." Feng Zhaoyi glanced at the violinist on stage. The violinist was struggling to keep up with the pianist's tempo, and their coordination wasn't quite there.

Sitting in the audience, Cheng Yao had never formally learned the violin, but the fusion of his skills as a lead guitar maestro, advanced pianist, and heavenly singing voice gave him a much deeper understanding of music than most people.

A competition like this featured a duet, and the violinist played a crucial role for the pianist.

As the piece ended, gentle applause rippled through the venue.

It took immense courage just to stand on that stage; regardless of whether there were mistakes or not, applause was due.

Soon, it was Zhang Ya's turn to go on stage.

Cheng Yao caught sight of someone he hadn't expected—Rong Xuelin?

Rong Xuelin was wearing a white gown, holding her violin.

Cheng Yao clapped his hands and smiled.

As he gazed at Zhang Ya, a line came to mind:

*Stars shine above your head, whispering to you in dialogue, falling gently before your eyes one by one like specks of starlight.*

They performed Scriabin's Etude Op. 8, No. 12, taking the audience somewhat by surprise.

Cheng Yao asked with curiosity, "Isn't this a piece from quite a while ago? Why choose this one? It's notoriously difficult to master."

"Its overall difficulty surpasses most of Chopin's etudes. Within Scriabin's etudes, it's of medium difficulty, considered one of his most representative works."

On stage, Zhang Ya and Rong Xuelin radiated brilliance. Feng Zhaoyi wore a gratifying smile as she added, "However, mountains are meant to be climbed."

Cheng Yao wasn't entirely ignorant of piano pieces anymore. This particular score was devilishly difficult to pick up, the rhythm was a nightmare to nail, and memorizing the second page was torture. An ordinary person would have to practice for a whole month just to barely maintain a coherent rhythm.

This piece was old, but it had its advantages.

The piece didn't require you to play excessively fast for it to sound thrilling, but once the tempo reached a certain threshold and was pushed even a notch higher, it could literally cost you your life.

Scriabin's works were rarely played by art examination candidates because it tended to blow up the metronome.

Cheng Yao figured that since Zhang Ya dared to play this piece, counterpoint shouldn't be an issue for her; the main challenge was the left-hand span...

Right at that moment, Feng Zhaoyi looked at Cheng Yao and said, "I was originally worried because while she is extremely talented, I'm not a meddlesome, despised old woman either. Still, as her teacher, I want to say one thing: I hope you two won't break up before college graduation."

"...?"

Cheng Yao gave her a peculiar look, having half-expected her to say not to date before graduating college.

"Rest assured, I can guarantee that."

After calming down to listen to the performance, Cheng Yao felt it was stellar. Zhang Ya certainly had talent; while not a top-tier prodigy, she was remarkably good.

Cheng Yao never belittled himself, but neither did he excessively inflate his own worth.

When the performance concluded, thunderous applause erupted.

The two girls bowed in gratitude, and Feng Zhaoyi remarked, "They should secure a very good ranking."

A moment later, his phone vibrated.

"Hurry out, I'm waiting for you at the entrance."

"Go ahead." Feng Zhaoyi nodded benevolently toward Cheng Yao.

Cheng Yao suddenly found this middle-aged woman rather endearing.

Leaving the audience seating, he noticed the gazes of many young women following him, though he paid them no mind. Upon reaching the entrance, he found that Zhang Ya had already changed into casual clothes, looking youthful and radiant.

She lunged at him, gritting her teeth: "What did you call me earlier?"

"A pig!"

Before she could react, Cheng Yao kissed her.

Zhang Ya's eyes widened in surprise, then slowly drifted shut.

"Ahem, ahem..."

Rong Xuelin emerged from around the corner, looking exasperated as she said, "Even if you two are going to do that, at least go to a hotel. What on earth are you doing in the plaza in broad daylight? Have you no shame?"

"She's just bitter because she doesn't have a boyfriend. Let's go."

Cheng Yao glanced at Rong Xuelin: "Care to join us? My treat for dinner."

"Another time. I won't disturb you two tonight."

"Alright, goodbye."

As the sky gradually darkened, they rode in a taxi, watching the passing scenery outside the window. Zhang Ya leaned against Cheng Yao's shoulder, suddenly feeling a bit lost.

"What are you thinking about?"

"I'm wondering what kind of ranking I'll get. Classical piano doesn't have a very high development ceiling domestically—what should I do after graduation? You met my teacher, right?"

"Mhm, she seems like a very reasonable woman."

"That's the annoying thing about starting college; you have to start contemplating life and your future path right in your freshman year..."

Cheng Yao thought for a moment and asked, "Barring any accidents, your family will probably want to send you abroad."

"Mhm..."

"You are not allowed to go."

Cheng Yao was staunchly opposed to studying abroad. After hearing the story of Zheng Yuechan's friend, his resistance had only grown stronger.

Studying abroad never led to anything good; it meant so much more than just a long-distance relationship.

He was currently able to maintain control because Zhang Ya was close by and he felt secure in his heart, but if Zhang Ya were to move overseas, he would never permit it.

Zhang Ya said with a beaming smile, "Mozart once said: 'Boldly embark on the journey. I do not know what lies ahead of the path, but still, I take my steps forward. We are still on the journey.'"

"That sounds like utter nonsense to me. Mozart was a foreigner; his words don't carry any weight in our country."

"Haha... I won't go!"

Zhang Ya leaned against his shoulder. In truth, the choice was simple. Was it really that hard to decide whether to go or stay?

Of course it was difficult, but when there was something far more important in your life, choosing became easy.

"Staying in China is pretty good."

"Mhm. Are you nervous?"

"Not at all..."

Zhang Ya looked up at him, feeling as though this version of Cheng Yao had somehow slipped right back into his high school days—handsome and endearingly teasing.

"What are we eating tonight?"

"I've booked a restaurant."

Cheng Yao wrapped an arm around her waist and said, "Tomorrow is your birthday."

"And my gift?"

"We'll talk about it tomorrow."

The taxi driver played romantic pop love songs while quietly driving forward.

"Oh right, I have to head back tonight."

"Why?"

"I have a show airing tonight at ten PM on a television station's midnight slot. I'm going to be on TV."

"That awesome!?"

Zhang Ya's eyes widened, shimmering with undisguised adoration.

She finally understood that what guys loved most was having someone listen to them talk about topics they enjoyed, and basking in a girl's admiration.

Cheng Yao teased, "You're quite perceptive now, aren't you?"

"I mean it sincerely."

Cheng Yao could tell now that Zhang Ya's game was quietly leveling up as well.

If he hadn't worked hard to win her over back in high school, she really wouldn't be so easy to handle nowadays.