Chapter 156: Chapter 155: Jiang Shishi Throws Herself Into His Arms

「Yangcheng, Heart of the Sea Music Hall.」

Winter had already arrived, but Yangcheng still didn’t feel particularly cold. The streets were filled with young women in skirts, flaunting their youthful vitality.

’So, the four seasons were based on the climate of the Central Plains. They really have nothing to do with Lingnan at all.’

Dressed in casual clothes, Gu Zhao strolled leisurely into the music hall and took a seat near the front of the middle section. ’Hmm, looks like her status in the troupe has really improved. Even the internal tickets are for great seats now.’

Gu Zhao glanced around and saw a familiar elderly man in the seat beside him—the very same person who had sat next to him during his first concert here.

Gu Zhao recognized the old man, and the old man seemed to recall Gu Zhao as well. He nodded and said, "You like traditional music too, young man?"

"I do," Gu Zhao replied.

"More and more young people are getting into traditional music these days, which is a good thing," the old man said with a smile, gesturing toward the stage. "And sometimes, their performances are quite innovative."

Gu Zhao smiled back. "And you’re okay with that?"

"What’s not to be okay with?" the old man chuckled. "It’s fun to see young people full of energy, jumping around!"

As the two of them chatted idly, the concert began.

The old man became immersed in the music, while Gu Zhao waited in utter boredom for Xiao Ya and Jiang Shishi’s performance to start.

A short while later, Xiao Ya walked onto the stage.

As soon as she stepped on stage, Xiao Ya subconsciously glanced toward a certain spot in the audience. It was a habitual peek, one she made without any real expectation, but this time, her eyes landed on a familiar figure she had been thinking of day and night.

Seeing Xiao Ya look his way, Gu Zhao gave a small wave.

A brilliant light blossomed in Xiao Ya’s eyes, and the polite, practiced smile on her face instantly transformed into one of genuine, radiant joy.

Of course, Xiao Ya couldn’t wave back to Gu Zhao from the stage. She gave a barely perceptible nod, then took small, delicate steps over to the waiting guzheng, preparing to perform alongside two other women.

They had only recently returned from abroad, so while they had performances scheduled, their workload was relatively light. Aside from two ensemble pieces, they only had one group performance with other members of the troupe.

A clear note from a flute rang out.

The crisp chime of a hammered dulcimer followed.

TWANG—Xiao Ya’s graceful fingers danced across the strings, and the guzheng filled the last rhythmic space, weaving seamlessly with the other two instruments.

The old man beside Gu Zhao swayed his head, utterly captivated. "Excellent. This piece, ’Longing for You,’ conveys hope within its tenderness. The young ladies’ coordination is seamless. The one playing the guzheng, in particular, is so emotionally invested that she’s inspiring the other two to perform beyond their usual level."

Noticing Gu Zhao’s slightly confused expression, the old man added, "When the first two young women began, their emotional connection to the piece wasn’t as apparent."

"Ah, I see!" Gu Zhao nodded repeatedly, as if he’d just been let in on a secret.

When the piece concluded, the three women exited the stage. After a few more performances, it was Jiang Shishi’s turn.

Perhaps having heard from Xiao Ya that he was there, Jiang Shishi blew a kiss in Gu Zhao’s direction the moment she stepped on stage, eliciting a wave of cheers from the audience.

A gorgeous woman with a radiant smile and a smoking hot body—what’s not to love?

A few young men in the audience blew kisses in return, but under Jiang Shishi’s expectant gaze, Gu Zhao just smiled and blew one back to her.

Jiang Shishi’s face bloomed into a gorgeous smile. She settled into her seat, pipa in hand, and launched into an impassioned rendition of ’Border Song’ that was so powerful it nearly drowned out the accompanying grand drum and bronze bells.

The old man beside him nodded, then frowned. "The pipa player is a bit too emotionally unrestrained. She’s stealing the spotlight. The other musicians’ techniques aren’t strong enough to keep her in check. Could her boyfriend be here to see her perform? Is that why she’s so worked up?"

Gu Zhao couldn’t suppress a grin. ’I didn’t expect this old man to be so knowledgeable about music,’ he thought. ’He really knows his stuff.’

...

"Ahhh!"

Though the weather still wasn’t cold, the sun had already set. At the brilliantly lit entrance to the music hall, Jiang Shishi let out a little shriek and threw herself into Gu Zhao’s arms.

Feeling the soft yet powerful impact against his chest, Gu Zhao couldn’t help but take a sharp breath, puffing out his chest to make the sensation all the more clear and distinct.

Jiang Shishi looked up at Gu Zhao’s chiseled features, her eyes fixated on the slight curve of his lips. A mischievous glint appeared in her eyes, and she looked ready to make a move.

Just then, Xiao Ya appeared at their side, interrupting Jiang Shishi’s impulse. "Was your secluded cultivation successful?" she asked with a faint, teasing smile.

Jiang Shishi shot Xiao Ya a sidelong glance, then patted Gu Zhao’s firm chest, her fingers brushing past his abs before she linked her arm through his. "Of course it was successful. I can tell his body is in fantastic shape."

Xiao Ya rolled her eyes in annoyance. "Gu Zhao practices Inner Power!"

Jiang Shishi giggled. "I know. The Inner Power is in his Dantian, in his lower abdomen. That’s pretty firm, too." 𝘧𝘳𝘦ℯ𝓌𝘦𝒷𝘯𝑜𝑣𝘦𝓁.𝒸𝘰𝓂

Gu Zhao was left speechless.

Xiao Ya took a deep breath, her chest momentarily rivaling Jiang Shishi’s in size. "It’s late, and the show’s over. Aren’t you hungry?"

"I’m sooooo hungry. Let’s go eat," Jiang Shishi said, looking at Gu Zhao with a coquettish pout.

’She’s totally putting on that cutesy voice, but it sounds so good,’ Gu Zhao thought. ’Just what you’d expect from a music student!’

"Let’s go eat." With Jiang Shishi clinging to his right arm, Gu Zhao could only wave his left hand at Xiao Ya. "And on the way, you can tell me what exactly happened in Siam."

At the mention of Siam, the two women, who had long since recovered from the ordeal, showed no trace of fear—only pure excitement.

"That Bansha guy... at first, we actually thought he was a good person!"

"He was the perfect gentleman at the banquet, even using his daughter to lower our guard. But he showed his true colors in the end."

"He went flying through the air, spitting up blood!" Jiang Shishi exclaimed in awe. "At the time, Xiaoya and I thought it was some kind of Hypnosis. It wasn’t until later that Wang Runheng told us it was an Evil Technique."

"That old man’s gaze was terrifying... Thank goodness I still had a Protective Talisman on me." Xiao Ya patted her chest, the lingering fear still visible on her face.

"President Wang really came through for us. He got us on the next available flight, and we were in Port City by dawn."

They recounted the gist of the story on their way to a nearby night market. Finding a barbecue spot, they sat down and ordered grilled meats, seafood, and a few beers. Jiang Shishi also added a dozen oysters to the order.

Once the food and drinks were on the table, the two women began to recount the full details of their trip, their eyes filled with awe and adoration as they looked at Gu Zhao.

The contrast was simply too stark.

Bansha was one thing, but Mongkha was an honored guest of the Siamese Royal Family, a man with personal ties to the King of Siam himself. And now, they knew he truly possessed Extraordinary powers.

Yet this very person, the moment he showed them malice and used his Evil Technique, was instantly counter-attacked and severely wounded by the Talisman Gu Zhao had drawn for them!

’So what kind of power did Gu Zhao possess?’

’In ancient times, he’d be a National Preceptor, wouldn’t he? The kind of person whose name would be recorded in the annals of history!’

Their minds raced, thinking of legendary figures like Yuan Tiangang, Li Chunfeng, Wang Chongyang, and Zhang Sanfeng.

As they thought of this, their gazes held not only adoration but also a profound sense of regret.