Chapter 422: Chapter 204: Isn’t This a Dimensionality Reduction Strike? (Part 4)

Yang Chen whispered, "Who is this Qingning they’re talking about?"

Song Siming immediately replied, "She’s a graduate student from our school’s piano department, has won countless awards, and is now working at the Hai City Opera House as an in-service graduate student. She’s considered the most talented piano student in the history of the Hai City Music Academy, effortlessly playing all kinds of difficult famous pieces."

Yang Chen said, "Wow, then her level is probably higher than some teachers’. What is she doing participating in a competition like this?"

Song Siming said, "She definitely came for her sister. Her sister, Li Qingmang, is like us, a senior specializing in piano. The school’s requirement this time is that current students form teams freely, each team having no more than five members, and no fewer than three. The school hopes to use this opportunity to promote 3-5 students, which will benefit recruitment and development in the future. Although Li Qingning is a graduate student and famous outside, she meets the requirement for current students, so she can team up with her sister. With her playing, no one else stands a chance. This competition is just a formality; their team will undoubtedly win."

Initially, everyone was full of confidence, but it vanished instantly.

Tang Xia, as the team captain, naturally had to encourage and cheer everyone on.

"Don’t be afraid, our training results are excellent. Don’t worry about others, just perform at your normal level. I’m sure as long as we play normally, we’ll definitely win the competition and make it to the TV station," Tang Xia said enthusiastically.

Li Qingning heard her words, laughed, and said, "This underclassman is very confident! You’re the first one to say you’ll definitely win the competition, I really have high hopes for you."

Li Qingmang said, "Sis, this is the Tang Xia I’ve been telling you about. She’s so arrogant usually, always acting like she doesn’t care about anyone. I tried to team up with her before, but she wasn’t willing."

Indeed, Li Qingmang had tried to team up with Tang Xia before, but Tang Xia wanted to help her roommates seize the opportunity and refused her invitation.

Perhaps because of this, Li Qingmang holds a grudge against her.

Li Qingning said, "Oh, you are Tang Xia. I’ve heard of you, the name rings loudly, it’s extraordinary to meet you in person. The young lady is really pretty and indeed arrogant. So, what piece have you prepared for today? Tell me, I can give you some advice as your senior sister."

Tang Xia is also not someone who fears others, even a famous, award-winning senior sister wouldn’t scare her.

"Enduring Movement, the hardest piece the protagonist plays in ’The Legend of 1900’," Tang Xia replied honestly.

Li Qingning was immediately surprised, then laughed and asked, "You guys are good at choosing pieces. But I heard you initially practiced ’Für Elise’, why did you switch to ’Enduring Movement’?"

Tang Xia subconsciously glanced at Yang Chen before replying, "That’s something Senior Sister Qingning doesn’t need to know."

Li Qingmang said, "Sis, see? Isn’t she just as arrogant as I said? She always acts indifferent when someone asks her something."

Li Qingning scrutinized Yang Chen, then laughed and said, "Qingmang, don’t say that. Everyone has different personalities. This handsome guy looks familiar, have we met somewhere?"

Tang Xia quickly stepped back to the right rear, shielding Yang Chen.

Li Qingning laughed, "Your boyfriend, huh? He’s really handsome."

Yang Chen smiled and replied, "We haven’t met. You’ve mistaken me for someone else."

Li Qingning nodded and left with her group.

Tang Xia whispered, "So arrogant! Some questions are hard to answer, can’t I choose not to answer? Hmph..."

Yang Chen smiled and comforted her, "Enough! Let’s not talk about it, calm down and wait for the performance."

Around ten o’clock, it was Li Qingning’s team’s turn to perform.

The judges immediately greeted them when they saw Li Qingning leading the team.

It was evident Li Qingning held a high position in the school, adored and respected by not only students but also teachers.

Li Qingning said, "Greetings, judges. Today, we will perform Liszt’s ’Reminiscences of Don Juan.’ I hope all of you will enjoy it."

The judges engaged in discussions.

"Well, as expected of Qingning, she’s chosen a truly difficult piece!"

"If this piece succeeds, the subsequent teams don’t even need to compete."

"I also think if this piece succeeds, the subsequent teams can simply go home."

...

Upon hearing the judges’ high praise, Li Qingning and her team were overjoyed.

After a simple piano test, everyone prepared, and they immediately began their performance.

As a high-difficulty, story-rich piece, ’Reminiscences of Don Juan’ holds a prestigious position in the piano world.

The piece requires swift movement across almost the entire keyboard, with a segment featuring a challenging progression of small third chromatic scales on the right hand alongside dotted accompaniment on the left.

However, this difficulty is mainly for solo performances, and the difficulty lessens with group performances.

The judge teachers nodded in admiration.

"Good!"

"Yes, truly good."

"As long as no professionals nitpick, there’s basically no problem."

"As expected of Qingning, the people she leads are as excellent as her."

...

Only one person remained silent with a smile, Sun Ze Ping.

Sun Ze Ping still trusted his judgment, believing Yang Chen could train Tang Xia and her group even better.

Meanwhile, outside the classroom, other contestants and onlookers joined in the compliments.

"Wow, truly from Senior Sister Qingning, what a flashy performance!"

"Alas... Perhaps we shouldn’t compete, it’s impossible to match up!"

"We don’t want to waste time and make fools of ourselves either."

"Initially, I wanted to compete, but Senior Sister Qingning’s dimensional reduction attack is too disheartening, I don’t want to compete anymore."

...

Wow, Li Qingning’s reputation is indeed grand, scaring off the following contestants.

Tang Xia and the others looked uneasy and very tense.

To help them relax, Yang Chen smiled and said, "No need to worry, their performance isn’t great."

This comment was provocative, and everyone began questioning him.

"Handsome guy, what’s your major?"

"Daring to say Senior Sister Qingning’s performance is average, you can’t be from the piano department."

"Anyone who’s heard of Senior Sister Qingning wouldn’t dare say that, you must be from another field."

"If you’re so good, then tell us where it’s not right? We all find it great!"

...

Yang Chen never felt inferior and replied, "I’m not a student at your school. I’m a rideshare driver. They..."

As soon as they heard Yang Chen was a rideshare driver, they didn’t give him the chance to continue, interrupting him with murmurs.

"Haha..."

"You cracked me up, thought you were some expert, turns out you’re just a rideshare driver."

"No wonder he dares say Senior Sister Qingning’s performance isn’t great, doesn’t even understand what he’s hearing."

"No wonder he dares say this about Senior Sister Qingning, turns out he’s clueless."

"Haha..."

...

Tang Xia couldn’t accept people attacking Yang Chen, and she promptly said, "Though he’s not professionally into music, his piano skills surpass anyone’s. He’s the one who taught us, and after our performance, you can compare who’s better."

Tang Xia is known for her beauty at the Music Academy, recognized by everyone.

So no one said anything unpleasant.

"Since Tang Xia is so confident, we shall thoroughly compare."

"In that case, we need to really compare. Originally, we thought about leaving now but must wait for your performance."

"Tang Xia, do you realize you’re the first person daring to challenge Senior Sister Qingning openly?"

...

Tang Xia confidently replied, "I’m aware! Today I’m telling everyone not to blindly worship one person and always stay ambitious and confident!"

One must admit that Tang Xia’s confidence is commendable.

Whether win or not, one must have the courage to challenge.

If one fears just because of the opponent’s fame and prowess, then no challenges are possible.

Losing due to the opponent’s strength is acceptable.

Losing to the opponent’s fame is unacceptable!

Yang Chen nodded approvingly, smiled, and said, "With such confidence, you can definitely beat them. Trust me, I wouldn’t misjudge their performance and clearly understand yours, so long as you perform normally, you’ll win!"

Tang Xia and others nodded determinedly, giving Yang Chen a resolute look.

At this moment, Li Qingning’s team finished their performance, and the judges immediately responded with enthusiastic applause...