Qiao Xi slowly walked up to the stage. "Everyone knows that I didn't enter the finals before this. Moreover, I haven't played the violin much in the past three years, so my standard is still the same as it was three years ago. If I don't perform well, I hope Mr. Zhao and Miss Yao won't be disappointed and save me some dignity. Is that alright?"
Zhao Qinghui smiled disdainfully. "Miss Qiao, don't worry. I'm a judge. Everything I say represents professional judgment. There's no doubt about that."
His words were ambiguous. He did not say that he would not criticize Qiao Xi. He only knew how to give professional comments. Even if he said harsh words, it was because of his professionalism in music and not because of her.
Moreover, he was very sure that Qiao Xi's standard was absolutely not comparable to Yao Mengqing's.
Yao Mengqing lowered her head with a proud smile. After the birthday banquet ended, the entire Li City would know that Qiao Xi was uneducated and useless!
What right did a woman like her have to be Mrs. Gu? Only she, Yao Mengqing, had the right to be by Gu Zheng's side and be his only woman!
Qiao Xi picked up the violin and thought for a few seconds. Then, she elegantly raised her head, revealing the beautiful angle that was formed. Instantly, beautiful notes spread from her fingertips.
Everyone held their breaths.
Everyone closed their eyes and quietly felt the beautiful music. Sometimes, it felt like they were riding a small boat and swimming in the ocean. Other times, it felt like they were lying on the grass and counting the stars in the sky. The melodious music flowed into everyone's hearts like flowing water, filling them with faint sorrow.
At this moment, someone reacted. "Qiao Xi's performance is… very good!"
"Yes! It's really good. Miss Qiao hasn't played in three years, yet she can still perform so well. She's really a genius!"
"However, she's still a little inferior to Miss Yao."
Yao Mengqing played a happy and relaxing tune. Playing such a genre on a day like this could easily bring up the atmosphere of the venue, but such a sad tune was more suitable for a quiet concert.
Zhao Qinghui frowned and said unhappily, "It's alright, but this standard isn't enough to participate in the international competition. It's normal that Miss Qiao didn't enter the finals back then. You indeed don't have the qualifications."
Yao Mengqing curled her lips. "Mr. Zhao, Xi Xi plays very well! Maybe it's because you have higher expectations, but she's not as useless as the rumors say."
As soon as she finished speaking, she turned to look at Gu Zheng and said shyly, "Ah… President Gu, what do you think? What do you think of Xi Xi's performance?"
Gu Zheng leaned lazily against the chair and slowly looked up.
For some reason, everyone felt suffocating pressure.
Gu Zheng looked at Qiao Xi and replied casually, "It's average."
Yao Mengqing looked up in surprise.
Ah Zheng said… Qiao Xi's performance was very ordinary?
Qiao Xi's playing skills were indeed inferior to hers. No wonder Ah Zheng did not take her seriously. It seemed that he would hate her very soon.
Originally, these few people thought that Qiao Xi's performance was not bad. Now that Gu Zheng had spoken, they all shut up.
Zhao Qinghui was emboldened. "President Gu, you also think that Miss Qiao's performance is average?"
Gu Zheng's expression was indifferent as he glanced at him coldly. He only sneered and did not answer him. He looked like he was sick of talking to him.
Yao Mengqing said gently, "President Gu, Xi Xi hasn't played for three years. It's normal for her progess to have deteriorated a little"
At this moment, the woman beside Yao Mengqing immediately said obsequiously, "Miss Yao, you haven't played in three years but you're still so outstanding."
Yao Mengqing smiled shyly. "I'm different from Xi Xi."
Their words instantly flattered Yao Mengqing and pressed Qiao Xi to the floor.
Yao Mengqing looked at Qiao Xi proudly. She finally won against Qiao Xi today. There would be a day when Ah Zheng would detest Qiao Xi and abandon her. She believed that that day would not be far away.
Qiao Xi was not aware of the discussion below the stage and was just immersed in playing. Every note was infused with her emotions.
As soon as Yao Mengqing finished speaking, the sad tune suddenly became enthusiastic. It was as if they were at a concert and listening to the world's best performance.
Everyone was stunned.
The smile on Yao Mengqing's face gradually vanished.