The final judgment had been rendered, and though Han Lang and the others still harbored some doubts, the matter was settled. There seemed to be no better course of action than to accept it.
Life had to go on, and Han Lang's group hadn't come to Xingcheng solely to bear witness. Thus, the Zhao family's affairs were quickly relegated to the back of their minds.
On this day,
The area in front of the Xingcheng Music Hall was bustling with people. The preliminary rounds of the Chopin International Piano Competition, a benchmark in the piano world, for the Xia Kingdom division were about to commence!
At the entrance to the performers' passage, Luo Jiaying nervously accepted her evening gown from Han Lang. She then addressed Han Lang, Ma Long, and Wang Fang, who had come to support her.
"Alright, alright! The competition is about to start soon, and I need to go backstage to change. You all should head in too!"
As a fellow woman, Wang Fang asked with concern,
"Are you sure you don't need me to be your little assistant and help out with anything?"
Luo Jiaying replied with a smile, "Don't worry, Sister Wang Fang! Xingcheng Music Hall is renowned nationwide. Han Lang Gege already made special arrangements for me to have a private dressing room and dedicated staff beforehand, so it'll be fine!"
Wang Fang nodded, "That's true! Professional matters should be handled professionally. They understand pianos to some extent, so if I went, I might just be a hindrance. Hehe…"
With that, Han Lang waved his hand, "Alright! Then, Xiao Ying, you go on in first. The three of us will cheer you on from the audience!"
Upon hearing this, Luo Jiaying's already exquisite makeup was complemented by a radiant smile, "Mhm! Han Lang Gege, remember, I'm the tenth on the program. Make sure you don't miss it!"
Han Lang chuckled, "Don't worry! During the eighth performance, I'll make sure to drag Brother Ma to the restroom, guaranteeing we won't miss even the announcer's introduction!"
Luo Jiaying couldn't help but burst into laughter at Han Lang's words. She then happily entered the backstage area with two music hall staff members.
Seeing this, Han Lang and his companions followed to the main entrance, queued orderly with their tickets, entered the competition hall, found their seats in the first row on the left, and quietly awaited the start of the competition.
As the time drew near, the front left door of the competition hall was suddenly opened, and Zhao Wei entered, surrounded by a group of esteemed piano professors.
Han Lang was somewhat surprised but quickly came to understand.
As one of Xingcheng's most influential families, it wasn't unusual for the Zhao family to be invited as judges for such a piano competition.
Even if he might not be a professional!
Zhao Wei, who had been wearing a wide smile, saw Han Lang seated in the first row, and his smile instantly froze.
Recalling Han Lang's final remarks at the trial, which had caused the Zhao family to suffer approximately thirty percent more losses, a sense of resentment stirred within him.
Their meeting now naturally brought about a glint of animosity.
"Oh, I never expected this! Mr. Han would also be interested in classical music like the piano?"
Han Lang merely smiled faintly at Zhao Wei's sarcastic inquiry, unperturbed.
"Young Master Zhao is too kind. I am but a coarse fellow, how could I possibly appreciate such refined music! Hehe…"
While Han Lang's tone held no malice towards Zhao Wei, Zhao Wei couldn't help but feel a sense of smugness from his words.
"Since you can't appreciate it, why pretend to be a refined scholar here? I heard earlier that your education level isn't very high, Mr. Han? Was it middle school or elementary school?"
Seeing Zhao Wei's aggressive demeanor, even resorting to personal attacks, Han Lang's initial desire to avoid trouble instantly soured.
He chuckled, "Yes! I have little education, only middle school! Of course, I can't compare to a prominent young master of Xingcheng like yourself! By the way, judging by your entourage, Young Master Zhao, you'll be judging alongside these experts and professors, right? What's your professional level in piano? Forgive my ignorance, but my understanding of piano is limited to social grading exams. May I ask, what level are you at now?"
Zhao Wei was momentarily taken aback.
His understanding of music was not much different from Han Lang's, and his knowledge was largely confined to so-called piano grading exams. He had never touched a piano himself, so how could there be any level to speak of?
Just as Zhao Wei began to feel embarrassed, a professor beside him, adept at reading the room, stepped forward and said.
"I believe this gentleman may be mistaken! Piano grading exams are merely a test of amateur proficiency for the general public! For us professionals, they hold no significance! We never judge a contestant's skill based on grading certificates! Therefore, regarding Young Master Zhao's piano level, your question is quite below the mark!"
Zhao Wei's expression immediately improved upon hearing this and he proudly agreed, "Exactly! We professionals never use piano grading exams as a standard for judgment! Even if I explained it to you, with your education, you wouldn't understand, so I see no need to waste my breath!"
Han Lang found Zhao Wei's sophistry amusing and even crossed his legs, asking again.
"Oh? In that case, I am indeed very curious! Perhaps Young Master Zhao could explain to me what specific criteria you use to evaluate the quality of a contestant's performance?"
Zhao Wei was once again rendered speechless.
The professor replied again.
"Your words are once again below the mark! Music is a rather advanced art form, and classical music like piano even more so! As the saying goes, there are a thousand Hamlets in a thousand eyes, and musical appreciation is even more a matter of opinion. Where are there any specific standards? Anyone who can articulate the beauty of music is merely a frog in a well pretending to be sophisticated, not worth mentioning!"
"Is that so?" Han Lang feigned surprise. "Then, if there are no unique standards, who will be selected in today's competition? Could it be based on looks?"
As soon as Han Lang uttered this, before Zhao Wei and his group could react, Ma Long was the first to lose his composure and burst into laughter.
"Haha… That's too funny! Judging by looks? Haha… If that's the case, wouldn't our Miss Luo be practically guaranteed first place? Haha…"
At Ma Long's mockery, the professor's face showed some embarrassment.
Given his abilities, he was naturally well aware of the distinction between musical appreciation and professional musical assessment.
He had only explained professional assessment in terms of musical appreciation to make it easier for non-professionals like Han Lang and Zhao Wei to understand.
However, he hadn't expected Han Lang to exploit this very explanation.
Just as he was about to scold Han Lang and Ma Long again, Zhao Wei suddenly intervened.
"That's enough, Professor Wang! For people who completely lack appreciation, no amount of explanation will stop them from arguing. So, rather than playing the lute to a cow, it's better to ignore them. Let's go!"
With that, he took the lead, heading towards the judges' seats directly facing the stage.
Professor Wang and his group glared at Han Lang and his companions before trotting along behind Zhao Wei.
From a distance, Ma Long's unrestrained laughter could still be heard.
"Judging by looks, hahaha… judging by looks… haha…"