Chapter 423: Chapter 205: The Most Gifted Senior? Let Me Show You What Real Talent Is

"Not bad! It’s quite exceptional for a student to play at this level."

"Haha... our Hai City Music Academy really is full of talents!"

"This might be thanks to Qingning. Without her leading everyone to practice, I doubt we could be this good."

"Qingning, you all can go and wait outside now. There’s basically no problem; you’re leading other groups by miles."

...

Li Qingning and the others were extremely happy. They felt they were set, with the opportunity to join the National Orchestra right in front of them.

But Li Qingning was still a bit uneasy and said, "Thank you, all judges, for the praise. If we can represent the academy in the performance, I can invite leaders from several opera houses and symphony orchestras to support us. If they perform well, they might get selected directly."

This woman is really shrewd, using social connections to lure the judges into passing them.

No wonder the students outside are quitting the competition; just with Li Qingning’s strong connections, they can easily outmatch others without even competing in technique.

This made the judges extremely happy, as even they might not have such strong connections.

Now that Li Qingning can invite these leaders to come over and directly take students, it means Hai City Music Academy could soon have several students working in official positions.

"Haha... Qingning really is a model student for everyone at our school."

"Anyway, I think barring any accidents, it’s definitely her group representing the school for the performance."

"There can’t be any accidents, I can guarantee that. I just heard some people outside saying they’re quitting, not daring to compete."

"Then why don’t we ask if there are any left who want to compete? If not, let’s end it and declare Qingning’s group the winner."

"Sounds good! Save everyone’s time!"

...

Li Qingning and the others heard the judges’ words and each showed a happy smile.

The head of the piano department, Liu Yi, walked out and, smiling, said, "I just heard some students saying they want to quit the competition? Are you all giving up?"

"Yeah! Giving up is a must! Senior Sister Qingning and her group are way too strong. I think there’s no need to continue competing."

"Going in would just be embarrassing, better to keep some dignity."

"Tang Xia and her group want to compete; she even said they could defeat Senior Sister Qingning’s group."

...

Liu Yi looked at Tang Xia, smiled, and said, "Tang Xia, you and your group want to challenge Qingning’s group?"

Tang Xia confidently said, "It’s not a challenge, it’s participating according to the procedure."

Liu Yi nodded and said, "Alright! Are there any other groups that want to compete?"

The other groups shook their heads, indicating they wouldn’t participate.

Liu Yi: "Alright! Tang Xia, your group come in."

Tang Xia turned to Yang Chen and said, "Brother Chen, we’re going in."

Yang Chen: "Okay. Just perform normally, you’ll definitely outmatch them."

Tang Xia and the others nodded, lifted their heads proudly, and walked in.

Li Qingning and the others could only walk out.

"Tang Xia, do your best, don’t let me down." Li Qingning said generously.

Actually, she was thinking, "A group of clueless individuals trying to compete with me for spots. They could’ve kept their dignity, but chose disgrace instead. Hmph!"

Tang Xia smiled and nodded, "Thank you, Senior Sister Qingning, for the encouragement. We’ll give it our all."

Li Qingmang sneered, "Overestimating oneself!"

Li Qingning quickly said, "Hey, don’t say that. Young people should be confident in themselves. If Tang Xia and her group can defeat us, it would be a great thing, showing that our Hai City Music Academy will soon have a few students who can make their mark outside. As a senior, I’d be really happy."

The judges nodded, praising her words.

"Qingning is truly a pride of Hai City Music Academy."

"Indeed, if we can train more students like her, our Hai City Music Academy will soon be one of the top arts colleges nationwide."

"Let’s enjoy Tang Xia’s group performance. I’m really looking forward to it now."

...

Li Qingning and the others left, and Tang Xia and the others sat down to test the piano and prepare.

At this moment, Li Qingmang was criticizing Tang Xia and the others.

"What’s with the pretense? They’re bound to lose and yet they still go in to waste everyone’s time. Of all at Hai City Music Academy, she’s the best at pretending." Li Qingmang said.

Nearby, Song Siming immediately said, "Li Qingning, can you have some class? Speaking poorly behind people’s backs isn’t something decent people do; if you have guts, say it to their face. And, since it’s a competition, why shouldn’t they be allowed to compete? Should your good performance mean a default decision?"

Li Qingmang knew Song Siming liked Tang Xia and knew he was a wealthy second generation, so she didn’t dare argue with him.

However, Li Qingning had some connections, so she wasn’t too afraid of Song Siming.

"Song Siming, you’ve been pursuing her for so long and haven’t succeeded. Are you even capable? You protect her like this, but she doesn’t even want to glance at you. Isn’t that just one-sided wishful thinking?" Li Qingning said with a smile.

Song Siming immediately replied, "Isn’t that normal? Who doesn’t have a few people they like but can’t get? Everyone, isn’t this the truth?"

The crowd nodded; his words were quite reasonable.

Song Siming continued, "I’ve come to terms now, I’m not pursuing her anymore. I’m fully supporting Tang Xia and Brother Chen to be together. As long as they become a couple, I’ll be satisfied."

Yang Chen hurriedly said, "Young Master Song, don’t mess with me. You can keep pursuing Tang Xia if you like her, I have no special relationship with her, don’t misunderstand."