Chapter 128: Your Surname Is Gu?

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Gu Ziran smiled at the few new acquaintances around her, a trace of apology in her eyes. “I’m sorry, but I’ll have to excuse myself for a moment.”

The others hastily assured her that it was all right.

Seeing how much friendlier they had become toward her, Gu Ziran gave a faint smile and followed Master Shen with elegant, light steps.

As they walked, Master Shen turned his head slightly and instructed her, “He is an honorary A-level member of our Piano Association. His accomplishments in music may be somewhat limited, but he has always retained a deep love for it. Ziran, all you need to do is come with me and pay your respects. Meeting him can only benefit you.”

Among the upper echelons of society, every interaction was governed by etiquette. Under normal circumstances, Master Shen would not have brought Gu Ziran along at such a time. But because she had once saved him, he still wanted to pave the way for his disciple as much as possible.

That was why he had decided to bring her when he went to meet the old man.

The mere words “honorary A-level member” were enough to astonish Gu Ziran.

To put it tactfully, saying that his accomplishments in music were somewhat limited meant that he was, in truth, not particularly accomplished.

Yet the Piano Association had always maintained extremely strict standards. How could it possibly allow someone to hold even an honorary position simply because he loved music—let alone grant him the honorary rank of A-level?

Unless…

His status was so exalted that even the Piano Association had to yield to him.

What kind of person could he be?

Gu Ziran suppressed her astonishment, murmured her assent, and walked with her head slightly bowed, following half a step behind Master Shen with an almost docile air.

Master Shen addressed the old man with respectful caution. “Old Master Yuan, how have you been feeling lately? It’s me, Little Shen. I once had the honor of playing the piano for you.”

In front of Old Master Yuan, Master Shen did not even dare use the word “perform.”

“Little Shen…” Old Master Yuan pondered for a moment, though he clearly did not remember him.

“Yes, yes, you still remember me. I’m truly honored. By the way, Old Master Yuan…”

As he spoke, Master Shen gently drew Gu Ziran forward. “Ziran, why don’t you greet Old Master Yuan as well?”

Only when she reached that spot did Gu Ziran get a clear look at the old man’s face.

Maintaining a polite, somewhat meek smile, she greeted him.

Old Master Yuan merely inclined his head slightly, without even glancing in Gu Ziran’s direction.

Master Shen did not mind in the slightest and continued with a smile, “Old Master Yuan, this is my newest disciple. You may call her Little Gu.”

“Your surname is Gu?” Old Master Yuan turned his head instinctively and looked at Gu Ziran.

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Gu Ziran immediately became fully alert. “Yes, Old Master Yuan. My name is Gu Ziran.”

In truth, her heart was already pounding like a drum.

Master Shen’s eyes brightened as well. “Old Master Yuan, Ziran has a great deal of talent on the piano and works exceptionally hard. She also has an excellent character. She is truly a rare and promising talent…”

Old Master Yuan glanced at her. Realizing that she was not the Gu he had been looking for, he soon withdrew his gaze and returned to his distracted state.

As Master Shen introduced her, Gu Ziran clenched her hands nervously. To her disappointment, however, Old Master Yuan seemed to have asked her name only in passing.

Once Master Shen had finished introducing her, the old man known as Old Master Yuan merely nodded, as though that was all the courtesy he was willing to extend. He showed no interest whatsoever in her talent for the piano, nor any intention of continuing the conversation.

His distracted manner made it seem as though he were waiting for someone.

Master Shen took the hint. After bidding the old man farewell, he led Gu Ziran away.

Gu Ziran was somewhat disappointed, but she did not allow it to show on her face.

Seeing that she remained entirely composed and had not become restless or arrogant because of what had happened, Master Shen secretly nodded in approval and thought even more highly of her.

Most young people these days pursued fame and profit, their minds restless and impatient. Someone like Gu Ziran was becoming increasingly rare.

With that thought, Master Shen felt an even stronger desire to nurture her properly.

Catching Master Shen’s expression from the corner of her eye, Gu Ziran’s lips curved faintly.

Naturally, she was disappointed that she had failed to win Old Master Yuan’s favor at once, especially when the old man had shown not the slightest interest in her piano playing.

But she could not reveal that disappointment in front of Master Shen.

Everything had to be taken one step at a time. She had already stepped halfway into the Piano Association and had no reason to hurry.

Master Shen spoke with Gu Ziran for a little longer before several members of the Piano Association surrounded him to discuss musical matters.

Meanwhile, Gu Ziran glanced around and saw that the young descendants of the association she had spoken with earlier were now approaching her of their own accord, eagerly asking about the old man.

Gu Ziran’s gaze deepened slightly, and she once again adorned her face with a gentle smile.

In any case, that brief visit had still brought her benefits, had it not?

She tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, then pressed her lips together and smiled shyly. “Old Master Yuan is very amiable. He only asked me a few simple questions. It was nothing…”

Yet envy shone in everyone’s eyes.

Old Master Yuan had actually taken the initiative to ask Gu Ziran a question. That was far from being “nothing.”

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If any one of them had been in her place, they probably would not even have been qualified to greet Old Master Yuan, would they?

And seeing how neither proud nor impatient Gu Ziran appeared, they became even more determined to befriend her.

“Ziran, I heard that you study the piano. Why don’t we go over to the small performance platform and play together?”

At gatherings held within the Piano Association, it had long been customary for its younger members to exchange knowledge and skills.

It was an opportunity for them to learn from one another, as well as to receive the guidance and favor of the association’s masters.

For that reason, a small performance platform had been prepared in the Imperial Banquet Hall.

Gu Ziran’s heart stirred. She knew this was an excellent opportunity to make an impression before the masters.

In fact, she had already prepared a piece for today’s exchange.

After a moment’s thought, she smiled. “All right.”

Before long, the sounds of various instruments began ringing through the hall one after another.

The masters lowered their voices and turned toward the small performance platform, sometimes nodding and sometimes shaking their heads.

Gu Ziran had been chosen to perform last, partly as a gesture of respect toward her.

At last, it was her turn to take the stage. She straightened her back and sat confidently on the piano bench.

Then she drew a deep breath and began to play the piece whose score she had long since committed to memory.

There was no denying that, after receiving Master Shen’s guidance over the past few days, Gu Ziran’s piano skills had improved by leaps and bounds.

Gradually, every member of the Piano Association turned to look in her direction, admiration flickering in their eyes.

Sensing their attention upon her, Gu Ziran’s lips curved upward. She grew increasingly confident, savoring the feeling of being watched by everyone.

Just then, the doors of the hall opened once more.

When the person who appeared at the entrance came into view, the commotion in the hall grew even louder than before.

In an instant, the sound of Gu Ziran’s piano was completely drowned out, and not a single person remained interested in her performance…

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