After the True Heiress Travels Back
Chapter 167: Want to See Me Play the Piano? I’ll Indulge You

Chapter 167: Chapter 167: Want to See Me Play the Piano? I’ll Indulge You

Shi Yaoguang had been staying in the dressing room all along, avoiding Shi Yiqing and their mother, who, after cajoling Yiqing, couldn’t find Yaoguang to vent her anger on.

With no other choice, she had to stay behind and condemn Shi Yaoguang together with Shi Yiqing.

Beyond censure, Shi Yiqing also put on a hypocritical show, shedding a few crocodile tears.

She’d say, "I didn’t want it to be like this either, I also don’t know why sister is acting this way, I’m sorry mom and dad, it’s all my fault..."

Whenever such remarks were made, their mother’s heart would fill with pity for her.

...

After the third-to-last act concluded, Shi Yaoguang entered backstage.

Though the host had not seen the performer of the penultimate act arrive, a message had already been received in advance.

After confirming the performer wouldn’t be absent, the hosting continued after the third-to-last performance ended.

"Our next program features Shi Yaoguang, a student from the senior two special talents class. She will perform a piano solo, ’Eastern Fantasia.’ Let’s welcome her with a round of applause!"

Once the host finished, both the audience below the stage and people like Shi Yiqing backstage all turned their attention towards the entrance.

A girl in a red dress stood there, her hair featuring a lobstery fringe, the wispy hair by her ears slightly curled, crowned with a cute bun. At first glance, she was a stunning and seductive beauty.

Upon closer inspection, amidst the sensuality, there was an undeniable air of innocence and charm.

In essence, she was a woman—or rather, a girl—who could shock anyone with her beauty at just a glance.

Shi Yaoguang walked onto the stage with unhurried grace, proceeding as people ahead had already sprinkled the stage with dry ice.

She stepped through the billowing smoke, appearing like a fairy accidentally descended to the mortal world amidst the foggy haze.

The audience was stunned into silence.

Shi Yiqing backstage was also dumbfounded.

She hadn’t expected that Yaoguang, fully aware of her conspiracy, would still dare to come.

Originally, Yiqing wanted to provoke Yaoguang, aiming to make her a foil to her own performance.

She planned to use her to highlight her own exceptional talent.

Yet unexpectedly, it was she who became the backdrop to Yaoguang!

Red, such a bold and brazen color, was one she never dared to challenge.

Because of her rather bland looks, wearing such a color would only make her seem like an ugly duckling.

Therefore, her style was always pure and understated.

Somehow Yaoguang did the opposite, perfectly making these colors enhance her presence.

Thinking of this, Yiqing grew even more dissatisfied with Yaoguang.

At that moment, she didn’t know that something even more upsetting for her was yet to come.

While jealously cursing Yaoguang’s looks in her mind, her phone started buzzing.

It was a text message.

She glanced at it.

It was from Yaoguang.

The content was straightforward.

[Didn’t you want to see me play the piano? I’ll grant your wish.]

For some reason, reading this message, Yiqing felt a twinge of panic.

She didn’t know what she was panicked about.

Clearly, Yaoguang couldn’t play the piano, could she?

But...

Such thoughts couldn’t comfort her at all.

She didn’t know why she was nervous, but she just couldn’t quell this fear.

She could only keep telling herself, Yaoguang was just a phony.

A phony, that’s all, there was no way she could play the piano.

Absolutely!

While Yiqing was comforting herself inwardly, onstage, Yaoguang had already begun her performance.

She casually placed her hands on the piano keys.

Do-re-mi-fa-sol-la-si was played in a jumble.

The audience unleashed a wave of hissing.

Everyone was dissatisfied, and someone even shouted out, "Can you even play the piano?"

Of course, these words were prearranged by Shi Yiqing.

Generally speaking, even if a performer wasn’t doing well, nobody would be so disrespectful.

After all, having the courage to showcase oneself is already a capability.

As for what the audience was internally criticizing, that was another matter.

Shi Yiqing, seeing this, finally relaxed.

She had said it, Shi Yaoguang would not be able to play the piano.

What did it matter if someone was good-looking?

After today, everyone would know, Shi Yaoguang was nothing but a straw bag!

An authentic straw bag!

Thinking of this, Shi Yiqing couldn’t help but laugh out loud.

Shi’s mother, who looked upset, turned to her upon hearing her laughter, "Qingqing, why are you laughing?"

Shi Yiqing said softly, "I was just thinking about the first time I learned to play the piano. I was like this, too, and mom even made fun of me then."

Shi’s mother remembered and her gaze softened a bit as she said with emotion, "Yes, you were especially cute and smart when you were young..."

Shi Yiqing, listening to her sigh, felt even more triumphant.

However...

Her smile quickly faded.

Because onstage, Shi Yaoguang, who was being questioned, did not show any signs of timidity.

She wasn’t disheartened, nor did she become angry.

With a calm gaze, she swept over the audience, her eyes sharp, looking straight at the student who had spoken.

He was startled by Shi Yaoguang’s gaze, and for a moment, a hint of fear emerged within him.

Shi Yaoguang didn’t care what he was thinking; withdrawing her gaze, she once again poised herself.

This time, the audience had braced themselves for their ears to be abused.

Unexpectedly, the music that flowed from Shi Yaoguang’s hands was pleasing to the ear.

As the cheerful melodies began, people gradually became immersed in the music she played.

At the end of the piece, few in the audience had come back to their senses.

It took a full three minutes before someone reacted and started to clap vigorously.

Shi Yaoguang stood up and bowed slightly to the audience.

The applause grew even stronger.

At that moment, Shi Yaoguang stood straight and made a quieting gesture.

Then, she asked, "Did you enjoy the piece I played?"

Everyone unanimously gave a positive review.

Shi Yaoguang smiled brightly, "Thank you for your appreciation. I’ll let you in on a little secret, the upcoming performances will be even more spectacular~"

Hearing this, some expressed their curiosity, "I’ve checked the program, and the upcoming performance is still a piano solo. Could it be that the following performance will be even more impressive than yours?"

The question came from one of the school governors.

Shi Yaoguang curved her lips but didn’t answer the question directly. Instead, she hinted, "The next performer, classmate Shi Yiqing, has guided me in my piano skills. What do you think, is she not better than me?"

The crowd responded in unison, "Yes!"

Shi Yaoguang, seeing the atmosphere was just right, gracefully left the stage.

Backstage.

Shi Yiqing, listening to the rousing noise from the audience, felt no joy at all, and her nails dug deep into her flesh.

Shi Yaoguang did it on purpose, she must have!

If it weren’t for that comment, people might have been disappointed that she didn’t play as well as Shi Yaoguang, but they wouldn’t have felt dejected.

After all, compared to a grandmaster, her piano skills were already very good.

But now, because of her words, everyone held expectations they shouldn’t have had for her!