Xu Mu had originally thought that when Zhou Henning said he'd introduce him to a few small-time celebrities, it would just be a brief meeting.
He didn't expect it to include attending a concert. So he got back into the car and called out to Meng Wanyue.
"Wanyue, looks like we won't be leaving for a while. I've got to attend a concert—let's go together."
"Alright."
She nodded lightly and followed behind him.
Together, they went backstage at the concert venue.
Zhou Henning was there directing everyone, making sure they warmed up and ran through a quick rehearsal.
Shen Wanning was adjusting the instruments. As a true musician, she wasn't limited to piano alone. Unlike pop singers, her focus was pure instrumental music, sometimes accompanied by light chanting.
Pure music was a niche genre in the Dragon Nation—so niche, in fact, that even many official state events preferred foreign compositions. Her path was destined to be less mainstream, not as widely adored as pop songs.
Just then, a man in a tailored suit walked into the backstage area. He had a neat side part, was about twenty-five, and clearly kept fit—his physique well-proportioned. The Patek Philippe on his wrist said all that needed to be said about his status.
"Wanning…" he began, but then froze when he saw Xu Mu.
Xu Mu also looked up—Feng Jian.
His eyes narrowed slightly. He hadn't expected to see this man here—his predecessor's greatest rival.
Feng Jian, second son of the Feng family patriarch.
Back in Yang City, the two had fought both in public and behind the scenes—and in the end, Feng Jian had won.
"Xu Mu, what are you doing here?" Feng Jian's expression darkened.
"Why wouldn't I be?" Xu Mu asked evenly, hands in his pockets.
"Of course, you can. I just find it amusing—someone like you at a concert?"
Feng Jian smirked.
In the past, he'd felt some wariness toward Xu Mu; the Xu and Feng families had once been equals. But now? The Xu family had long since fallen behind.
He stepped closer, lowering his voice. "This is Yang City. If you dare get close to Shen Wanning, I'll make sure you disappear."
Standing beside him, Meng Wanyue instinctively took a step forward.
Xu Mu caught her hand gently, signaling her to stay calm. There was no need to start a conflict with the Fengs—not yet. Once the slimming pill succeeded, the Xu family would return to Yang City in force. Then, they could settle the score properly.
"I'm afraid disappearing isn't an option today. I was invited here," Xu Mu said with a light smile.
"You? Who would ever invite—"
"Xiao Xu, over here! What do you think of this piano?"
Before Feng Jian could finish, Zhou Henning's voice rang out from a distance.
"I'll take a look," Xu Mu replied, giving Feng Jian a faintly mocking grin before turning away.
Disappear, huh? Did this fool still think he was dealing with the old villain Xu Mu?
Feng Jian's brow furrowed tightly. Since when did Xu Mu have ties with Zhou Henning? He himself had tried many times to get close to Shen Wanning, even offering Zhou countless favors—but Zhou never accepted.
So how had Xu Mu managed it?
Inside the Grand Theater, every seat was packed.
The audience was chanting Shen Wanning's name when suddenly the lights dimmed, the hall plunged into darkness, save for the sea of glowing name boards.
Then, a single beam lit up the stage—Shen Wanning appeared at a grand piano, rising slowly from the lift platform at center stage.
The spotlight enveloped her as graceful piano music began to flow, drifting through every corner of the theater.
The audience fell utterly silent, drawn in by the melody.
The front rows were filled with people of stature—elite family heirs like Feng Jian, high-ranking government officials, and top corporate executives.
After all, this was not just an evening of music—it was also a social event.
Shen Wanning was, after all, the daughter of the Shen family patriarch, Shen Hong, who sat in the front row himself, surrounded by the most powerful figures in Jiangbei.
When the first piece ended, the applause was thunderous and unending.
"Shen Wanning, I love you!"
"Goddess Shen Wanning!"
"Genius Wanning!"
Countless voices called her name as she smiled, lifting a hand to quiet the crowd.
Her mask from rehearsal was gone now, revealing a delicate oval face and a pair of lively, charming peach-blossom eyes that seemed to exude natural warmth.
"Thank you, everyone! Thank you so much!" she said with a bright smile.
"The next piece is my own composition—Concerto No. 2. My junior apprentice, Su Yaya, will accompany me on piano. It's her first time performing on stage, so please give her your support!"
Applause erupted again.
This new concerto was grand and majestic.The piano's playful, fluid tones wove through layers of orchestral sound, unburied and luminous. When the mid-to-late choral section began, the music soared to a breathtaking height—leaving the entire audience stunned.
"Uncle Shen, incredible! Wanning's music—it's absolutely divine!" Feng Jian praised enthusiastically.
The surrounding business elites nodded in admiration.
"Truly remarkable. It feels like a deity descending—such power."
"It's epic. Who would believe a girl barely in her twenties composed this?"
Some flattered, others spoke from the heart—but all were impressed.
Shen Hong, a lean, graying man, smiled politely and nodded to them all.
"Hahaha, just praise her to me. If you do it in front of her, she'll get too proud," he joked lightly, drawing laughter from those nearby.
Meanwhile, backstage—Xu Mu and Meng Wanyue stood talking with Zhou Henning. Xu Mu had just told him about the Xu Group's soon-to-launch slimming pill.
It wasn't long before it would hit the market.
"So that's it! No wonder you said Wanning wasn't the right fit—you're looking for someone a little plumper?" Zhou teased.
"Not exactly," Xu Mu replied with a grin. "I just want someone we can mutually benefit from."
"If it's mutual success you're after, I still recommend Wanning," Zhou said seriously.
"I've spent twenty years in the military's arts division and decades more in the music world. I've seen countless stars. Her talent is beyond measure."
"If it really ends up being her, I'll make time to compose a piece just for her," Xu Mu said after a thought.
"That would be perfect! If you do, I'll have her endorse your brand for free!" Zhou Henning said eagerly.
He wanted to see if Xu Mu could truly reach creative heights. After all, many world-famous musicians had only ever produced one masterpiece in their lives, never again surpassing their own peak.
Just then, a middle-aged man strode up quickly—the concert's executive director.
"Mr. Zhou, we're ready. Miss Shen's set is ending—your segment's up next," he said cheerfully.
"Alright. Xiao Xu, come with me," Zhou Henning said, smiling as he rose and patted Xu Mu on the shoulder.