Ming Zhi Rou was also stunned.
She hadn't expected Chairman Fu to stand up and declare that she was not worthy of being a disciple of the Master of Zither-Speech.
Her face, as delicate as a lotus, turned pale.
Her eyes were filled with disbelief.
In her shock, she stared directly at Fu Zheng Nan.
Her beautiful eyes, which had previously held a hint of pride, now turned red, instantly becoming filled with grievance, as if she had been terribly wronged.
"Why?"
She choked out, "Chairman Fu, why? Why am I not qualified to be a disciple of the Master of Zither-Speech? Is there something wrong with my performance just now?"
Fu Zheng Nan maintained his smile, but his sharp gaze instilled a terrifying sense of dread.
Suddenly, Ming Zhi Rou no longer wanted to hear his explanation.
She had a strong premonition.
What Fu Zheng Nan was about to say was definitely not something she wanted to hear!
And it would definitely make her extremely embarrassed.
But it was already too late to stop him.
"Miss Ming Zhi Rou, you say... you have been studying music for a full twelve years and are proficient in various instruments."
"Your performance on the piano on this stage today indicates that your forte should be piano performance."
"However, someone who has studied for twelve years and is most proficient in the piano plays at such an ordinary level, which shows you lack talent in this area."
"My International Music Association is full of talented individuals; any one of them is better than you."
Fu Zheng Nan paused slightly.
The smile on his lips grew more mocking and contemptuous: "So, why do you think you are qualified, and what confidence do you have to believe that the Master of Zither-Speech would take a liking to you and accept you as a disciple?"
As Fu Zheng Nan's words were spoken, one by one,
Ming Zhi Rou's face turned paler and paler, more and more ashamed.
Her body swayed precariously.
Startled, Ming Huai Zhi immediately rushed forward, encircling her waist, allowing her to lean into his embrace and bravely face Fu Zheng Nan.
Ming's mother, sitting in the audience, was also infuriated by Fu Zheng Nan's words.
She recalled their attempt to greet Fu Zheng Nan before the concert and his indifferent response.
And now he was bullying their daughter?
Rou'er was clearly so outstanding.
And yet Fu Zheng Nan had belittled her to such an extent?
Ming's mother suddenly stood up and angrily addressed the stage: "Lack of talent? Chairman Fu, you must speak with a clear conscience! If my Rou'er lacked talent, how could she have written the song 'Qing'?"
"So many music critics and international musicians have highly praised 'Qing'! It can almost be called a masterpiece of the last two years! It will become an eternal classic!"
"You call someone who can create such a song untalented?"
"Chairman Fu, have you forgotten why you specifically invited my Rou'er to participate in this concert?!"
The more she spoke, the more confident Ming's mother became.
If her Rou'er lacked talent.
Would Chairman Fu have invited Rou'er to this international concert because of 'Qing'?
After all, her fourth sibling had been active internationally for ten years, and it was only because the arrangement credit for 'Qing' was attributed to him that he successfully rose to the ranks of renowned musicians.
And Rou'er, on the other hand, was able to perform on stage in such an occasion today.
Did this not sufficiently prove Rou'er's excellence?
Fu Zheng Nan chuckled again, a smile on his lips as he looked at Ming's mother: "Are you sure that 'Qing' is truly Miss Ming Zhi Rou's original work?"
Ming Zhi Rou's heart gave a violent "thump."
Her gaze darted anxiously towards the back corner of the audience, meeting Ming Zheng's half-smiling eyes.
Her inner panic intensified.
"Of course!" Ming's mother replied decisively and without hesitation.
Fu Zheng Nan's smile gradually turned somewhat cold. He returned his gaze to Ming Zhi Rou's face, his sharp, eagle-like eyes completely taking in the panic that had appeared on her face.
He let out a light scoff and asked, "Miss Ming Zhi Rou, what is your answer?"
Ming Zhi Rou's breathing became heavy.
A faint blush of embarrassment spread across her pale, delicate face.
Her tightly clenched hands involuntarily dug their nails into her flesh.
Why...
Why would Chairman Fu bring up this question at this time?
Was it Ming Zheng?
Had Ming Zheng said something to Chairman Fu?
Recalling Ming Zheng's mocking question earlier, asking if she truly understood music?
Recalling Ming Zheng's pointed remark, that what is not yours, will never be yours.
Her heart became increasingly restless and uneasy.
But, under the camera's lens.
Countless eyes were on her.
She absolutely could not show any flaws.
If the song 'Qing' was not her original work.
She would be cursed to death by the vast majority of netizens.
She would be nailed to the pillar of shame by those musicians, forever unable to recover!
Ming Zhi Rou forced herself to calm down, lifted her eyes, met Fu Zheng Nan's sharp gaze, and replied word by word: "Yes, 'Qing' is one hundred percent my original work."
After all, no one could produce evidence to prove that 'Qing' was not her original work.
As long as she insisted that 'Qing' was her song, no one could make her fail!
With this thought, Ming Zhi Rou became more confident: "This song was indeed composed by me about a year ago, and I have the manuscript as proof."
"If Chairman Fu doubts me, he can present evidence, and I will cooperate unconditionally with the investigation."
She spoke with utmost frankness.
Ming Ting Xu immediately instructed his internet trolls to whitewash the situation according to Ming Zhi Rou's words, strengthening the belief of passersby.
For a time, there were no overly aggressive comments in the barrage of messages; everyone was waiting for Chairman Fu to produce evidence.
Chairman Fu chuckled again.
His gaze towards Ming Zhi Rou was filled with even greater mockery.
"It's okay if you don't admit it."
His gaze slowly shifted towards the audience, a knowing smile spreading across his noble and refined face: "Because the true original creator of this song is present at the scene."
The true original creator?
What did Chairman Fu mean by that?
Who was it?
Countless people straightened up in unison, following Fu Zheng Nan's gaze.
But Fu Zheng Nan's gaze did not settle on any particular person.
Instead, he smiled again: "Miss Ming Zhi Rou, will you admit it yourself, or... shall I expose you?"
Ming Zhi Rou felt as if a thunderclap had boomed in her mind, exploding her thoughts into complete blankness.
The original creator of that song is present?
How was this possible?
Ming Zhi Rou noticed that when Fu Zheng Nan said those words, his gaze had clearly glanced towards the back corner of the audience.
Because she had been watching Ming Zheng all along,
She was extremely sensitive to that direction and angle.
That's right!
Ming Zheng had stayed in Chairman Fu's private lounge for a full half hour earlier.
This must be Ming Zheng's scheme!
There is no such thing as a true original creator.
This is Ming Zheng deliberately trying to use Chairman Fu to trick her!
Trying to ruin her reputation!