Upon seeing this, everyone knew the situation was not good. If Madam Ning was truly angry, their families would suffer. In Yancheng, the Ning family was the last group of people one could afford to offend, let alone Madam Ning herself. Madam Ning was the grandmother of Ning Yecheng.
“Grandma Ning, please don’t be angry, it was our fault! Miss Zhan, please don’t be angry either, I apologize to you.”
One by one, whether they were willing or not, happy or not, they all began to apologize. Madam Ning’s expression improved slightly. Zhan Xiaojun maintained a smile. The two sat down again. The entire restaurant was empty except for them.
Zhan Xiaojun noticed everyone’s apprehension towards Grandma Ning. Grandma Ning… her surname was Ning. Could it be that coincidental?
“My granddaughter plays the guzheng quite well, Yueyue, please play a song,” said Grandma Qian, sitting beside her. Qian Yue did not hesitate. She glanced at Madam Ning and Zhan Xiaojun, then went to the guzheng. The hotel had quite a few musical instruments on display.
Zhan Xiaojun noticed the glance Qian Yue had just cast, and looked up at her. Qian Yue was well-known in Yancheng for her excellent guzheng playing. Her teacher was also very accomplished, the principal guzheng player at the National Concert Hall. It was evident Qian Yue had great talent for the guzheng.
Soon, the melodious sound of the guzheng filled the air. Everyone savored tea and pastries while enjoying the music. Zhan Xiaojun also quieted down to appreciate it. Since coming to this world, she hadn’t heard the guzheng in a long time. However… Qian Yue’s posture was graceful, but her guzheng playing was mediocre. It was clear she was showing off her skills. It was a pity; if she had focused and practiced diligently, Qian Yue’s mastery would have been even greater.
“Xiaojun, do you also understand the guzheng?” Madam Ning, with her sharp eyes, noticed the subtle change in Zhan Xiaojun’s expression. Zhan Xiaojun smiled, “I only know a little.”
Madam Ning’s eyes sparkled. After Qian Yue finished, she said to Madam Qian, “My granddaughter-in-law also knows some guzheng. Perhaps she and Yue can discuss it together.” For some reason, she had a feeling that even though Xiaojun said she only knew a little, it was far from simple. She had always felt Qian Yue played the guzheng quite well, but only just that.
“You know it too?” Qian Yue raised an eyebrow, then with a smile that was not quite a smile, said, “Then it would be good to discuss it. Miss Zhan, why don’t you play a song first?” Without showcasing her own abilities, she wanted to discuss it. What a fanciful thought! The guzheng wasn't acupuncture, something one could learn in a few days. The guzheng required years of practice. Fine, this was a perfect opportunity to let Grandma Ning see Zhan Xiaojun’s embarrassing display! It would be best if today’s events reached Ning Yecheng’s ears, and then Ning Yecheng would know that having good looks was useless.
The others also wanted to see Zhan Xiaojun make a fool of herself, and they all urged Zhan Xiaojun to play a song. Zhan Xiaojun smiled faintly, her demeanor calm and elegant, and replied indifferently, “Alright, but I haven’t practiced in a long time, so my fingers might be a bit rusty.”
Upon hearing this, they thought, rusty fingers? Isn’t this just an excuse for when she plays poorly later? It seemed she was just a decorative pillow, all surface and no substance, knowing nothing. Now, she was about to make a fool of herself! While Qian Yue was playing the guzheng, someone had been busily inquiring about Zhan Xiaojun in a group chat. They found a lot of negative information about Zhan Xiaojun. When Zhan Xiaojun made a fool of herself later, they would show this information to Madam Ning. Madam Ning would surely be furious after seeing it, as given the Ning family’s status in Yancheng, how could they allow someone like Zhan Xiaojun, a swindler, to deceive them!
While everyone was plotting their own strategies, Zhan Xiaojun examined the guzheng. She tested the tuning. Then, she sat gracefully before the guzheng. Instantly, fluid melodies flowed with the rise and fall of Zhan Xiaojun’s slender, soft hands. Madam Ning beamed, her heart full of praise as she listened, Xiaojun is truly amazing! She plays so much better than Qian Yue! Better than those so-called principal masters! In any case, she is the best among her granddaughters-in-law!
The expressions of the others also changed. Especially Qian Yue, she stared at Zhan Xiaojun in disbelief, her hand holding her phone trembling. She had seen several pieces of negative information about Zhan Xiaojun in the group chat, and this person on stage seemed completely different from the Zhan Xiaojun described in those posts. Moreover, she had been practicing the guzheng for many years, and she knew very well that Zhan Xiaojun’s “knowing a little” was a humble understatement, a way to hold back her brilliance, because Zhan Xiaojun’s guzheng playing was far superior to hers! It was even possible that she could rival her own teacher. Realizing this, Qian Yue’s eyes reddened, and she bit her lip tightly. Yet, for some reason, she couldn't help but be drawn into the world Zhan Xiaojun was creating. This world was colorful, lively, and joyful, as if all worries had vanished without a trace at that moment. Her reddened eyes returned to normal, and even the corners of her lips curved upwards. This was another realm, one she could never reach!
The song ended. Silence fell.
At the same time, a server took a video and sent it out. The video reached Liu Ning’s hands. Liu Ning was incredibly surprised when he saw the video. How many more facets did Miss Zhan have? She could even play the guzheng! And the guzheng music in the video was so pleasing to the ear. Such mastery was certainly not merely playing ordinarily. His eyes darted, and he forwarded the video to the boss, adding a message, “Miss Zhan is with the old lady today. It should be known throughout Yancheng in the next day or two that Miss Zhan is Mr. Ning’s fiancée.”
Ning Yecheng was reviewing documents when his phone vibrated with a WeChat notification. He merely glanced at it. After finishing the documents in hand, he picked up his phone. Seeing a video, he frowned, about to scold Liu Ning, but then he recognized the woman in the video and clicked it open. It was Zhan Xiaojun. Guzheng? His eyes, fixed on the video, were deep and profound. After the video finished playing, he saw Liu Ning’s message. Immediately after, a screenshot was sent. The image showed a group chat conversation.
Rabbit in the Quiet Night: Zhan Xiaojun must have had plastic surgery. She looks different from when she came here a year ago. I never expected her to hook up with Mr. Ning!
Fire in Winter: We must expose her true colors. She’s a complete sham! A country bumpkin who knows nothing, reeking of the soil!
Don’t Bother Me: Exactly, just a country bumpkin, and she dares to claim she knows acupuncture? Isn’t she best at being needled!
Mistake Mistake Mistake: Hurry and forward this, let people know Mr. Ning has been deceived!
One screenshot was filled with disparaging remarks about Zhan Xiaojun. Anyone who didn’t know Zhan Xiaojun would surely believe it. Liu Ning, in all honesty, if it were him before, he would have believed it too. But now, hehe, what do these people know? They just spout nonsense all day long!