The Elegance of Xu Mu

Xu Mu shook his head slightly but still stood up and followed Zhou Hening.

Meng Wanyue was also curious. She had investigated Xu Mu before—this person shouldn’t know anything.

At least, there were no records of him having any musical background.

So why was Zhou Hening, a piano master, so invested in Xu Mu?

By then, the assistant director had already led Zhou Hening to the lift platform, where a piano was already set up.

"Mr. Zhou, please go up now. There’s only a minute left before the performance. Once Miss Shen finishes her introduction, it’ll be your turn," the assistant director said, checking the time on his tablet.

Zhou Hening didn’t move. Instead, he glanced at Xu Mu beside him. "Xu Mu, do me a favor. The piano here is much better than the one at the Su family’s last time."

"Mr. Zhou, what’s going on?" The assistant director was baffled. "Aren’t you supposed to go on?"

"I know, but I’ve changed my mind," Zhou Hening said calmly. "I want Xu Mu to perform. Don’t worry—if anything goes wrong, I’ll take responsibility."

"But—"

"I said I’ll take responsibility. Now, hurry up and make sure the sound crew is ready!"

As he spoke, Zhou Hening pushed Xu Mu onto the lift platform, seating him in front of the piano.

The assistant director didn’t dare argue. Zhou Hening wasn’t just a piano master—his status went far beyond that. All he could do was comply.

Meanwhile, the music on stage came to an end, and another round of thunderous applause erupted from the audience.

Shen Wanning picked up the microphone and smiled at the crowd. "When it comes to piano in our nation, I believe the first name that comes to everyone’s mind is Master Zhou Hening."

The crowd cheered enthusiastically at the mention of his name.

Anyone who knew music understood—he was nothing short of a national treasure.

"Today, I’ve invited my teacher to join us!" Shen Wanning announced with a smile. "Let my teacher give you all a textbook-level piano performance!"

Even the VIPs seated in the front row were stunned. They hadn’t expected Zhou Hening to be here.

This was truly worth their time—not only were they showing face to Shen Hong, but they might also get a chance to connect with Zhou Hening.

While outsiders only knew Zhou Hening as a piano master, the elite in the crowd were well aware of his other identities.

The lift platform slowly rose, revealing the piano and a figure on stage.

The surrounding lights dimmed instantly, leaving only a spotlight shining on the piano and the person seated before it.

Shen Wanning, who had been smiling brightly, froze in shock when she saw who it was.

The audience, watching through the large screens, noticed a young man sitting there.

"Is that Zhou Hening?"

"Of course not! Zhou Hening is an old man—this is clearly a young guy."

"What’s going on? Is this a performance mishap?"

Whispers spread through the crowd.

Even the VIPs in the front row exchanged hushed remarks.

"That person looks familiar… Have I seen him somewhere before?" an elderly man muttered, staring at Xu Mu.

"That’s Xu Mu—Xu Mu from the Xu family in Jiang City. The good-for-nothing playboy who used to cause trouble in Yang City—street fights, illegal racing, you name it," Feng Jian said, glaring at Xu Mu on stage.

"Right! Xu Mu from the Xu family. I remember him now."

"What’s he doing up there?"

As the murmurs spread around him, Shen Hong’s expression darkened. This Xu Mu was truly crossing the line.

Once, during a concert Shen Wanning had organized, Xu Mu had bought out the entire venue.

After the performance, Shen Hong still remembered clearly—his daughter had been reduced to tears by this bastard.

And now he was causing trouble again? Was this a deliberate slap in the face?

What kind of delusion was this wastrel living under? He wasn’t even fit to tie his daughter’s shoes!

Shen Wanning was equally furious. What was her teacher thinking?

With an audience of thirty thousand, if this went wrong, how could she ever hold another concert again?

What kind of hold did Xu Mu even have over Zhou Hening?

Her eyes reddened at the thought.

Then—

Plink, plink, plink…

Xu Mu’s music began.

The chaotic opening notes left the entire crowd dumbfounded.

Was this even music?

A chicken pecking randomly at the keys would sound better than this.

Shen Hong’s face darkened. He gestured sharply, and security personnel hurried over.

"What are you waiting for? Drag him off the stage!" he barked.

Feng Jian nearly laughed out loud. This Xu Mu was even more of a fool than before.

What was the point of bribing Zhou Hening?

Did he even know how to play? And yet he dared to perform in front of such a massive crowd.

He almost pitied Xu Shou—what kind of disgraceful son had he raised?

But then—

Xu Mu’s other hand moved.

The disorderly notes gradually wove into harmony.

Shen Hong’s eyes widened in disbelief. "Wait—stop!" he ordered abruptly.

The security team froze mid-step.

A soul-stirring resonance pulsed through the air, wave after wave, electrifying every nerve.

Not just the audience—even Meng Wanyue, listening backstage, felt her pupils tremble, her eyes stinging.

She didn’t understand. Why did this music make her want to cry? Why did it resonate so deeply?

Above her head, numbers flickered—Affection Points +1, +1, +1…

Su Yaya was no different.

Before, it had just been an ordinary piano piece. But this time, the music enveloped her completely, three-dimensional and immersive.

The emotional impact was even more intense than before.

Then—

Xu Mu’s fingers shifted abruptly.

Unlike his previous performance, this time the highs and lows spanned an even wider range.

The alternating scales came in relentless waves, each one striking the nerves like a hammer.

"Xu Mu is amazing…" Su Yaya whispered, her own Affection Points rising steadily.

"Damn it!"

Even Zhou Hening couldn’t hold back a curse.

He closed his eyes, nodding along with the rhythm, utterly humbled.

No matter how many times he had practiced Dawn, he could never capture the brilliance Xu Mu brought to it.

This variation only highlighted the gap between them.

Shen Wanning stood frozen, her mind blank.

What… was happening?

What was this piece?

Tremors ran through her body—shock, awe, an uncontrollable shiver.

The audience below had dissolved into tears.

Especially the VIPs in the front row—seasoned elites who had clawed their way to the top through hardship.

They wiped their eyes, completely absorbed.

Even Shen Hong felt his nose sting.

The clash between chaos and order in the music—like a storm—pierced straight through his heart.

Feng Jian, who had always looked down on Xu Mu, was left speechless.

As the final note faded, silence fell.

Then—

The moment Xu Mu’s platform descended, the venue erupted.

Deafening applause roared like thunder, unending.

Shen Wanning still held the microphone, but no matter how she tried, she couldn’t calm the crowd.

Even the VIPs in the front row had leaped to their feet, clapping wildly.

Backstage, Xu Mu had just returned when Zhou Hening rushed up to him, grinning.

"Xu Mu, I’m truly no match for you. This is going to blow up—it’s definitely going to blow up!" He gripped Xu Mu’s hands, excitement overflowing.

"Mr. Zhou, I’ve performed as you asked. If there’s nothing else, I’ll take my leave now."

Xu Mu said with a smile, "If you can persuade Miss Shen, I’d welcome it. But if not, just find me another capable second-tier candidate."

"Got it. Consider it done."

Zhou Hening waved at Xu Mu. "I won’t see you out—I still have work to handle."

"Then we’ll head back first." Xu Mu gave a slight nod.

...

The concert continued, but the remaining performances paled in comparison.

The audience was still savoring the earlier piece—how many of them had ever felt their souls tremble from music before?

As the concert ended, the VIPs seated in the front row all stood up and made their way backstage to find Shen Wanning.

"Wanning, who was that person earlier? I’d like to meet them."

"Miss Shen, was Xu Mu the one playing the piano just now? Where is he?"

...

Shen Wanning, surrounded by the crowd, didn’t know how to respond.

Just then, Zhou Hening approached with a smile, diverting everyone’s attention.