Obsessive Tycoon and His Swan Girl

Chapter 22: Chapter 22: Strong Competitor Chapter 22: Chapter 22: Strong Competitor “Fanyue, how come you’re eating with us in the canteen now? I remember you used to have a driver specially deliver meals to you. We all envied you so much, your parents really treasure you,” another girl said with envy.

Jiang Fanyue smiled gently, “It’s tight on time in senior year, so I want to save more time for studying. I’ll often eat with everyone from now on.”

“That’s great, then I’ll save you a seat in the future,” the boy said.

“Thank you,” Jiang Fanyue nodded. She actually hated the taste of the canteen food.

But she was afraid of going to the school gate during meal times and bumping into Jiang Yaowang delivering food to her again.

She was the Jiang Family’s only precious daughter, the beloved and pampered princess, who couldn’t get involved with Jiang Yaowang in any way. She couldn’t let others know she wasn’t the biological child of the wealthy Jiang Family, and she couldn’t interact with Jiang Yaowang, letting her parents down.

Xia Enci pursed her lips when she heard the situation over there.

Others might not be clear about Jiang Fanyue’s little schemes, but Xia Enci understood them all too well.

Both sly as millennia-old foxes, why pretend to be naive?

“After eating, Xiaozhe and I won’t be going back to the classroom for now, Enci, go back with them,” Fanyue said.

“Xiao Meng, are you going out again?”

“No, Xiaozhe is keeping me company for some piano practice.”

It was La Xiu who had told her, suggesting she do something relaxing, to take the edge off her mood and not to be too tense.

She had learned to play piano for several years while with the Jian Family, and whenever she felt upset, she would play the piano to relieve stress.

After the Jian Family had terminated their adoption agreement with her, she hadn’t touched a piano for a long time.

Xia Enci, who excelled in sports but lacked a cultural bone, immediately responded, “Whatever, you guys go ahead.”

Jincheng First High School prided itself on academic excellence, but it also valued the arts and sports highly.

The school had a special piano room for students to practice in.

Especially Class C, many of whom were preparing for the medical school entrance exams, could practice here.

Jiang Zhe had already asked Lou Qiaoyin for the permission slips to come and practice.

“Xiaozhe, why don’t you go back and study? I can manage on my own,” Xiao Meng said, not wanting to take up Jiang Zhe’s time.

“Are you worried about delaying my time, or am I delaying your practice?” Jiang Zhe asked.

Xiao Meng immediately shook her head, “No, no, that’s not what I meant. You’ve helped me with my piano practice before, and I improved quickly. I don’t mean to belittle you.”

“Then it’s settled, you practice, I’ll sit here for a while, enjoy the quiet.”

“Okay.” Xiao Meng opened the piano and selected one of her favourite pieces to begin playing.

Jiang Zhe kept scrolling on her phone, seemingly indifferent.

However, she would occasionally look up and exchange a few words with Xiao Meng.

Every time, it was precisely when Xiao Meng felt she wasn’t doing well and didn’t know how to improve.

Xiao Meng soon started playing smoothly, and her mood indeed improved, just like La Xiu had said.

Jiang Fanyue walked into the piano room with her practice scores; the soundproofing in each small room wasn’t perfect, and occasionally, other people’s piano music would drift into her ears.

Listening to these performances of varying abilities, a gentle and indifferent smile always lingered on the corners of her lips.

These people, although preparing for art school exams, whether in talent or in skill, were far inferior to her.

No one could be called a competitor.

Until suddenly, she heard a piano sound that was completely different from the usual coming through.

The piano sound was slightly familiar, but upon closer listening, it felt strange, and yet compared to the skills of the students who often came to practice, it was particularly outstanding.

Who could it be?

Jiang Fanyue lost her interest in practicing and stood motionless at the door.

She didn’t know how long had passed when she heard the sound of the piano lid closing inside the practice room, and she quickly slipped into her own private practice room.

The door to the room next to hers opened, and Jiang Zhe and Xiao Meng appeared together.

“I played so smoothly today, I thought I would have regressed a lot after such a long time without practicing,” Xiao Meng’s face was flush with excitement.

“Come more often from now on,” Jiang Zhe said evenly.

“Alright, I will finish my problems earlier and come over sooner.”

Their voices faded into the distance, but Jiang Fanyue’s expression became somewhat unsightly.

Xiao Meng had been driven out by the Jiang Family but could still play the piano? Could it be that this time Jiang Zhe wanted Xiao Meng to participate in the piano competition to compete with herself?

She clenched her fists tightly. Although she had already met Master Yue ahead of others, thanks to Gu Jiaheng’s referral, Master Yue hadn’t directly agreed to take her as an apprentice. It seemed that he was still going to wait until after the competition to decide.

Xiao Meng had come out of nowhere to become a formidable competitor. If Master Yue took notice of her during the competition, then herself…

Jiang Fanyue was somewhat uneasy.

…

Seeing Xiao Meng and Jiang Zhe return, Xia Enci handed them a promotional pamphlet: “Quick, take a look at this.”

“What is it?” Xiao Meng asked as she looked down at it.

“It’s a piano competition. Although there is one every year, with music academies and professional teachers coming over to pick out talented kids, this year, I heard that a super amazing piano master is coming to select his students. I’ve heard that Master Yue is incredibly awesome, and if you become his student, you won’t have to worry about anything, not even middle or college entrance exams for the rest of your life,” Xia Enci said with a shrug, “It’s just a shame I don’t have that artistic touch, and it’s too late to start learning now. But Xiao Meng you can play the piano, you should give it a try. It’s not a big deal to just try.”

“Me? I haven’t practiced in a long time. I don’t think I can,” Xiao Meng shook her head.

“But you are practicing, aren’t you? Just practice a few more times,” Xia Enci encouraged her.

The hopes of those in the unnamed class to get into a good university were slim, and while some had families to rely on, Xiao Meng had nothing. Xia Enci was also worried about her future.

Jiang Zhe lifted her eyelashes and said, “Give it a try.”

Hearing her words, Xiao Meng’s heart stirred. Originally devoid of confidence, she now started to feel a hint of eagerness: “Then I’ll sign up.”

“I’ll go with you to register in a bit,” Xia Enci said with a smile.

Lou Qiaoyin heard that Xiao Meng had signed up for the piano competition and brought her several guidebooks as gifts.

“If you’re going to compete, then give it your all. It’s also an opportunity.”

“Thank you, Teacher Lou.”

“Here, take this pass for going to practice the piano in the coming period,” Lou Qiaoyin had prepared the documentation for her, “Seize this chance, but don’t put all your focus on it. We need to keep up both our grades and piano skills – both fronts need to be strong.”

The news of Xiao Meng’s registration quickly spread to Class One.

“Xiao Meng can play the piano? I never heard about that.”

“Her grades aren’t good right now, so of course she has to try to improve in other areas. But, piano is not something you can excel at with a crash course.”