Xu Mu shook his head slightly but still stood up and followed behind Zhou Henning.
Meng Wanyue was curious. She had investigated Xu Mu before — this man supposedly didn't know anything. At least in the field of music, there had never been any record of him doing anything at all. So why was a world-class pianist like Zhou Henning taking him so seriously?
By now, the executive director had already led Zhou Henning to the lift platform, where a grand piano had been set up.
"Mr. Zhou, please get ready — there's one minute left. Once Miss Shen finishes her introduction, it'll be your turn."
The director checked his tablet nervously.
But Zhou Henning didn't move. Instead, he turned to Xu Mu. "Xiao Xu, give me some face. The piano here is even better than the Su family's one last time."
"Mr. Zhou, what do you mean?" the director asked in confusion. "Aren't you supposed to perform?"
"I was," Zhou said calmly, "but I've changed my mind."
The director froze.
"I want Xiao Xu to perform instead. Don't worry — if anything happens, I'll take full responsibility."
"But—"
"I said I'll take it. Get the sound engineers ready for live recording, quickly!"
As he spoke, Zhou Henning personally pushed Xu Mu toward the lift platform and seated him at the piano.
The director didn't dare say another word. Zhou wasn't just a pianist — he was a legend in multiple circles. If he said so, they would comply.
At that moment, the music on stage ended, and the crowd erupted in thunderous applause.
Then Shen Wanning took the microphone, smiling to the audience. "In our Dragon Nation, when people think of piano, the first name that comes to mind must be Master Zhou Henning!"
The audience roared with cheers.
Anyone who knew music knew that Zhou was a national treasure.
"Today, I've invited my teacher here in person!" she announced, still smiling. "Let my teacher show everyone what a true, textbook-level piano performance looks like!"
Even the high-ranking figures in the front row were taken aback. None of them had expected Zhou Henning himself to appear.
They'd made the right choice coming tonight — not only could they give face to the Shen family, but they could also establish a connection with Zhou Henning.
To the public, Zhou was a renowned pianist; to the elite, he had other identities as well.
The lift platform slowly rose, revealing the piano — and someone seated at it.
All the surrounding lights faded. A single spotlight illuminated the stage.
Shen Wanning's smile froze instantly when she saw who was sitting there.
The audience, watching through the large screen, realized the man at the piano was a young stranger.
"Wait, that's not Zhou Henning!"
"Of course not — Zhou's an old man! This guy's clearly young."
"What's going on? A technical mistake?"
The audience erupted into murmurs.
Even the prominent guests in the front row exchanged puzzled looks.
"This man looks familiar… where have I seen him before?" an older man muttered.
"He's Xu Mu, from the Xu family in Jiang City — that wastrel who used to race cars and pick fights in Yang City," Feng Jian sneered, glaring at the stage.
"That's right, Xu Mu from the Xu family! I remember him!"
"What the hell is he doing up there?"
As the whispering spread, Shen Hong's face darkened.
This Xu Mu was audacious beyond belief.
Years ago, he had booked out an entire concert Shen Wanning performed, and after the show, he had even angered her to tears.
And now he had come to cause trouble again? It was a slap to his face.
A wastrel like him? He wasn't even worthy to carry his daughter's piano bench, let alone sit at her instrument.
Shen Wanning was furious too. What was her teacher thinking? Thirty thousand people were here. If this performance went wrong, how could she ever hold another concert again?
What had that bastard Xu Mu given Zhou Henning to make him pull this stunt?
Her eyes were red with frustration.
Then —
Plink… plink…
The first chaotic notes spilled out. The sound was dissonant, messy — leaving everyone dumbstruck.
Was this music?
Even throwing rice on the keys and letting chickens peck would sound better.
Shen Hong's expression turned pitch-black. He waved sharply to the security guards waiting in the wings. "What are you standing there for? Throw him out!" he barked.
Feng Jian nearly burst out laughing. This Xu Mu had gotten even dumber than before.
Bribing Zhou Henning — for what? He couldn't even play! And he dared perform on a stage this grand?It was embarrassing beyond words. He even pitied Xu Shou for having such a disgrace for a son.
But then —
Xu Mu's other hand began to move. The chaotic melody slowly took shape, becoming structured.
Shen Hong froze, eyes widening in disbelief. "Wait — don't move yet," he told the guards, waving them down.
Something was happening.
A sound that struck straight to the soul filled the hall, rippling through everyone's nerves.
Even backstage, Meng Wanyue felt her pupils dilate, her eyes misting over.
She didn't understand — why did this music make her want to cry?Why did it feel like it was speaking to her soul?
Above her head, glowing text appeared:
[Favorability +20]
[Favorability +20]
The same was true for Su Yaya, whose piano instincts picked up something extraordinary.
The music was alive, dimensional — enveloping her completely. Its emotional resonance was far beyond anything she had ever heard before.
Suddenly, Xu Mu shifted into a powerful variation — this time with an even greater leap between low and high notes.
Wave after wave of sound crashed over the audience like a storm.
"No wonder Brother Xu is unstoppable… he's amazing," Su Yaya whispered, her own Favorability rising again and again.
"Damn!" Zhou Henning couldn't hold back an expletive.
He closed his eyes, nodding in rhythm, utterly humbled. He had played Dawn countless times, but he had never played it with this spirit.
Xu Mu's variation now showed just how far apart they were.
Shen Wanning stood frozen. What… what was this piece? Her body trembled; her mind was overwhelmed.
Shock. Awe. Uncontrollable emotion.
And the audience—Many were openly sobbing.
Especially the powerful figures in the front row — people who had clawed their way to success over decades. All of them were wiping their eyes while still listening intently.
Even Shen Hong's nose tingled. The clash of chaos and order — fierce yet harmonious — struck him deep in the heart.
Even Feng Jian, who had always despised Xu Mu, could say nothing.
When the last note faded, silence filled the hall — then an explosion of applause thundered like never before.
When Shen Wanning picked up the microphone, she wanted to speak — but she couldn't calm the crowd.
Even the tycoons in the front row stood up and clapped furiously.
—
Backstage, Xu Mu had already returned. Zhou Henning rushed up to him, beaming.
"Xiao Xu, I'm truly humbled. That performance — it's going to blow up!" he said, gripping Xu Mu's hands in excitement.
"Mr. Zhou, I've finished my part. If there's nothing else, I'll head back," Xu Mu replied with a smile. "If you can convince Miss Shen, great. If not, just find me a capable second-tier artist."
"Alright — I'll make sure it happens," Zhou said, waving him off. "I won't see you out; there's still much to do here."
"Then we'll go first." Xu Mu nodded lightly.
—
The concert continued, but every subsequent act felt colorless.
The audience was still immersed in that song — many experiencing, for the first time in their lives, a tremor of the soul brought by music.
When the show ended, all the big names in the front row stood up and hurried backstage to find Shen Wanning.
"Wanning, who was that man just now? I want to meet him."
"Miss Shen, was that pianist really Xu Mu? Where is he now?"
Shen Wanning looked around at the crowd pressing in on her, unsure how to respond.
Just then, Zhou Henning appeared with a knowing smile — and all eyes turned to him.